Tag: Devotional

We Will Not Fear (Psalm 46)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

PSALM 46

1 To the Chief Musician. [A Psalm] of the sons of Korah. A Song for Alamoth. God [is] our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 [Though] its waters roar [and] be troubled, [Though] the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah 4 [There is] a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy [place] of the tabernacle of the Most High. 5 God [is] in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. 6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. 7 The LORD of hosts [is] with us; The God of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah 8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has made desolations in the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. 10 Be still, and know that I [am] God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! 11 The LORD of hosts [is] with us; The God of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah

PSALM 46:1-11

WE WILL NOT FEAR

A bee stung my grandfather and then landed on me. I was afraid and I jumped back. My grandpa simply brushed it off of me and said, “look, no stinger!” He had taken the sting and so the bee had no stinger left, it was dead or dying and so I didn’t have to be afraid anymore.

I saw a woman playing with a skunk once. I thought it was so odd. I asked why he never sprayed her or why she didn’t stink and she said that, “This skunks glands had been removed.” He didn’t have the capacity to cause harm or a stench anymore and so anyone could pet him.

What are you afraid of? What is the worse case scenario? What is the most terrible thing that could ever happen?… God is bigger! He is greater! Nothing can still His mighty hand! He has removed the stinger and the stench of those things that cause us fear… especially death.

The psalmist reminds us about how great it is to take refuge in the Lord. We can face our fears when we know that God is greater than anything that would come against us. We can stand up when we know our greatest enemy is destined to fall. It doesn’t mean that we won’t face some scarry scenarios in our lives. Indeed the bible is filled with those who faced persecution, famine, war, flood, and more. But what it does mean is that especially during those times that God is our refuge, our shield, our protector. We can face the enemy, even death, knowing that he had taken the sting out of it.

PRAYER

Father, I confess that there are many things in this life that cause my knees to go weak. There are fears I have of things that are both real and imagined. I am grateful that when I trust in you as my rock and my refuge that I don’t have to be afraid. I am grateful that you watch over me. You provide for me. You protect me. You keep me from harm. you have conquered the greatest enemy I have known, sin and death, and have placed me securely in your right hand. I trust in you. Like David facing Goliath. I will not be afraid. Death has been defeated. I hope in you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

Redeem Us For Your Mercies’ Sake (Psalm 44)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

PSALM 44

1 To the Chief Musician. A Contemplation of the sons of Korah. We have heard with our ears, O God, Our fathers have told us, The deeds You did in their days, In days of old: 2 You drove out the nations with Your hand, But them You planted; You afflicted the peoples, and cast them out. 3 For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, Nor did their own arm save them; But it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, Because You favored them. 4 You are my King, O God; Command victories for Jacob. … 8 In God we boast all day long, And praise Your name forever. Selah 9 But You have cast [us] off and put us to shame, And You do not go out with our armies. … 22 Yet for Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 23 Awake! Why do You sleep, O Lord? Arise! Do not cast [us] off forever. 24 Why do You hide Your face, [And] forget our affliction and our oppression? 25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust; Our body clings to the ground. 26 Arise for our help, And redeem us for Your mercies’ sake.

PSALM 44:1-4, 8-9, 22-26

REDEEM US FOR YOUR MERCIES’ SAKE

Have you ever been unfriended on Facebook or unfollowed on another social media platform? Someone you thought was a friend sends a quiet but unmistakable signal that they’d rather not hear from you. The first thing you do is try and figure out how you have offended them? What did I do? What did I say? Is it me? 

The Psalmist in this Psalm laments that it feels like God isn’t present anymore. They’ve lost a battle. God should have gone out with them. He didn’t. They search for sin. Why aren’t we friends anymore? They feel like they’re an animal that has been taken out to where the jackals and other scavengers are and the leg is broken… It’s not a good situation to be in.

For me, the interesting part is verse 22. “For YOUR Sake.” Does this mean that there is purpose in the suffering that these people are facing? Purpose Like Job?… Like Joseph?… Like Jesus? This passage probably sounds familiar because I quoted from Romans 8 yesterday on the blog post, but here it is again. Paul writes from his situation in Romans 8:36-39: As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” (37) Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (38) For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, (39) nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.“

Then see how it ends, “And redeem us for your mercies’ sake.”

  • And He would Redeem them (And Us)
    • It was for their sake that:
      • God the father would Step back from his Son (Matthew 27:46)
      • He would be Sacked and even his clothes would be gambled for by enemy soldiers (Luke 23:34)
      • He was led like a lamb to the Slaughter (Isaiah 53:7, Acts 8:32). 
      • His disciples were Scattered (Matthew 26:31)
      • He was Sold for 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16)
      • He was Scorned by Soldiers (Luke 23:35-39)
      • He was Shamed when he who knew no sin became sin so that we might become the righteousness of God. (This last bit comes from a message that was I heard and took notes for, I did not write the name of the pastor and so am not able to give full credit to the author, only to confess it is not original with me).

PRAYER

Father, Thank you for your incredible mercy and grace! Thank you that you love us in spite of ourselves. Your grace and mercy know no bounds. We are grateful for your kindness to us that even in our suffering there is purpose. We rejoice in you today. Help us to trust you in all things. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

We Don’t Fight For Victory, We Fight From Victory (Psalm 43)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

PSALM 43

1 Vindicate me, O God, And plead my cause against an ungodly nation; Oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man! 2 For You [are] the God of my strength; Why do You cast me off? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? 3 Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your tabernacle. 4 Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God. 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

PSALM 43:1-5

WE DON’T FIGHT FOR VICTORY, WE FIGHT FROM VICTORY

Every day there is a spiritual battle going on around us. It will continue to happen until the Lord returns in all of his glory. So how do you enter into that battle each day? What mindset do you have? I heard an interview with Robert T. Kiyosaki on a podcast (The Way I Heard it With Mike Rowe, Episode 254), the other day and someone mentioned the Samurai mindset. The Samurai enters battle with a mindset that he has already died and so he can fight as if he has nothing to lose.

In this Psalm we see a different battle mindset, this is the mindset that the battle really belongs to the Lord. Why would I get afraid if I know who has already won the battle? Why would I get anxious about what will happen next, if I know what ultimately happens? For those who trust the Lord there is great hope and deliverance!

As the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:31-39 NKJV, “31 What then shall we say to these things? If God [is] for us, who [can be] against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? [It is] God who justifies. 34 Who [is] he who condemns? [It is] Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [Shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

When the Christian enters the battle, “they don’t fight for victory, they fight from victory.” I heard someone share that phrase that I used as a title this past week at children’s camp. As soon as I heard it, I understood it and I was encouraged. I hope you are encouraged today as well.

PRAYER

Father, Thank you that you have already won the victory! Thank you that when it comes to sin and temptation in my life I can look to you who have defeated the enemy. I can trust in your grace and I can fight from the attitude of victory. I pray that my strength and confidence hold fast in you. You are our victory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

Can The Sons of A Heretic Still Worship The Lord? (Psalm 42)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

PSALM 42

1 To the Chief Musician. A Contemplation of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, “Where [is] your God?” 4 When I remember these [things], I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast. 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And [why] are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him [For] the help of His countenance. 6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me; Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan, And from the heights of Hermon, From the Hill Mizar. 7 Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; All Your waves and billows have gone over me. 8 The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night His song [shall be] with me–A prayer to the God of my life. 9 I will say to God my Rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” 10 [As] with a breaking of my bones, My enemies reproach me, While they say to me all day long, “Where [is] your God?” 11 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

PSALM 42:1-11

CAN THE SONS OF A HERETIC STILL WORSHIP THE LORD?

The answer is yes. You can read the story of Korah and his rebellion in Numbers chapter 16. While Korah along with many others who had stepped out of line were swallowed up by the earth, his sons were spared (See Numbers 26:9-11). The line of Korah still existed and his descendent served in and around the tabernacle. By the time that David came to reign, they were known for their musical ability in worship and many of the Psalms are attributed to them. What great grace this is to see that the sins of the father are not the destiny of the children.

I love how this psalm begins. Talking about a panting deer longing for water. These folks knew what it was like to be thirsty. They could see in nature a picture of a panting deer longing for a cool and refreshing drink and think about how they longed for, craved, needed to worship the Lord.

I can’t help but think of the moment that Jesus stood up and said that if anyone was thirsty they should come to Him for a drink (John 7:37). There is no reason to go thirsty in this sense today! God has given us His Holy Spirit! My Big takeaway today is to make sure that I am satisfied in Christ and not trying to fill my heart from broken cisterns (Jeremiah 2:13).

PRAYER

Father, I am grateful that you meet our deepest needs. I long for you in my soul like a deer pants for water. I want to be satisfied and filled in you, Lord. Please keep me from pursuing the things in my life that do not satisfy. Keep me from chasing the things that won’t fulfill me. Let me trust in you and you alone to provide all that I need. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

Betrayed By A Friend But Blessed By The Lord (Psalm 41)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

PSALM 41

[Psa 41:4-10 NKJV] 4 I said, “LORD, be merciful to me; Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.” 5 My enemies speak evil of me: “When will he die, and his name perish?” 6 And if he comes to see [me], he speaks lies; His heart gathers iniquity to itself; [When] he goes out, he tells [it]. 7 All who hate me whisper together against me; Against me they devise my hurt. 8 “An evil disease,” [they say], “clings to him. And [now] that he lies down, he will rise up no more.” 9 Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up [his] heel against me. 10 But You, O LORD, be merciful to me, and raise me up, That I may repay them.

PSALM 41:4-10

BETRAYED BY A FRIEND BUT BLESSED BY THE LORD

I chose to meditate on the middle of this Psalm this morning. I emboldened a few words to help us notice that this section of the Psalm begins and ends with a plea to the LORD for mercy. David knows that God’s mercy would heal his affliction because David’s SIN is the CAUSE of the affliction. His soul is sick for what He has done.

We note in verses five through eight that David apparently has developed some frenemies. Being in a position of power there are some who perhaps see this sickness as his demise and they are plotting how to used if for their political gain. They have labeled this sickness a “wicked” disease. They are the kind of folks who love misery. They visit David only when something bad happens. David is wise enough to know that their visit isn’t about their interest in his well being, but they are plotting his downfall. They are really just seeking to ruin his reputation.

In verse nine, David notes the betrayal of a friend. Someone he thought was a close ally has turned against him and talked behind his back. Too often in Christian circles there are those who seem to be more like Judas than Jesus. They sense a weakness or sin in someone and rather than caring for that individuals restoration they harm them with malicious gossip. We shouldn’t shoot our own wounded like that. We’re not sinning less than the ones we are condemning.

As a king, David was in a unique position to execute vengeance. His vengeance wouldn’t be personal, but corporate. He was in the position of being king and the sins of his frenemies were tantamount to treason. For the sake of the nation, he would have to address their grievous behavior. There are times where individuals need to face Justice. 

We should note one thing for sure. Our words matter. We are accountable for the words we speak. In the case of David’s frenemies, their words were treason as they attempted to undermine the throne. Too many times those who bare the name of Christ have let bitter hearts speak ugly words. We should note that we will give an account to the Lord for the things we have done and said.

PRAYER

Father, We all stand today in need of your mercy. We are all sinners. We are grateful that you meet us in our affliction. We are grateful that you see fit to meet us in our neediest moments. We pray that you would guard our hearts from bitterness. Keep our lips from uttering lies or falsehoods. Let us not delight in the downfall of others. Keep us from that sort of pride. We seek for your kingdom to come and your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

From The Pit And Mire To The Pulpit And Choir (Psalm 40)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

PSALM 40

1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. 2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, [And] established my steps. 3 He has put a new song in my mouth–Praise to our God; Many will see [it] and fear, And will trust in the LORD. 4 Blessed [is] that man who makes the LORD his trust, And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. 5 Many, O LORD my God, [are] Your wonderful works [Which] You have done; And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; [If] I would declare and speak [of them], They are more than can be numbered.

PSALM 40:1-5

FROM THE PIT AND MIRE TO THE PULPIT AND CHIOR

Have you ever had a dirty rotten, no good day? Ever feel like you have fallen in a hole and left for dead? Every feel like you are covered in the grossness of slime? David did… Apparently even God’s chosen kings may face slimy pitts. 

David wrote a song about it… well not really that, but how the LORD picks his servants up from stuff like that. How God’s done it before and how He will most certainly do it again! 

David teaches us how to have joy in the midst of sorrow. 

Verse one is kind of scary to me. I’ve never waited patiently for the Lord until I had to. I’ve always tried to figure out how to get out of a fix and then when I’m exhausted I end up giving it all back to God. 

Have you ever found yourself in a situation, where you knew that if God didn’t do something, that nothing would happen? You are at the end of your rope. There is nothing else for you to do but call to God and wait. 

In verse two we really aren’t told much about David’s situation. It could have been literal. Later the prophet Jeremiah would be thrown into the bottom of a well and literally have to wait for help from others. It might just be a metaphor though for another time that David found himself in a jam. 

It might have been family difficulty. David had plenty of serious issues with his wives, adultery, misbehaving children, grown kids who caused a civil war, etc.

It might have been his personal sin that led him there. Like when he committed adultery with Bathsheba, killed Uriah or like when he was proud of himself and declared a census.

It might have been adversity like when he was on the run from king Saul.

It might have been emotional distress like when he was caught in Goliath’s hometown with Goliath’s sword and he pretended to be insane and act the fool, drooling down his beard. 

We don’t know what the pit was, so that gives us a little freedom as we read, to read our story into it as well. I asked the question on FB, “what are some of your favorite hymns or praise songs and why.”  One of my former student pastors shared a hymn that his grandfather used to sing, but that he also pictured himself in the hymn…. It had a double meaning. It meant something to his grandfather and it meant something to him. They could both sing it and offer praise to God.

We can join David here in this Psalm because if you are a believer the LORD has delivered you out of a slimy pit. 

This provoked a NEW SONG for David. The old songs wouldn’t do. God had delivered him again, he needed to sing a new song for this moment of deliverance. So he wrote one! 

Praise God for new songs! New Songs mean that there are new generations and new circumstances of deliverance! God is still on the move! Movements that gave us most of our hymnals are contemporary when you consider that Christianity has been around for more than 2000 years!

David professes a blessing on those who put their trust in the LORD. Indeed He is the only one who can deliver us from the mire of sin and shame. He is the only one that can lift us out of our circumstances. He is the one to whom we lift our heads.

At any moment the Lord is doing a billion acts on our behalf of which we are completely unaware…. Doesn’t that get you excited?! The Lord is worthy of all Praise, honor and glory!

PRAYER

Father, Thank you that you are the kind of God who delivers his people from miry clay and sets our feet on solid ground. I can’t help but see you again as a Good Shepherd who delivers His sheep no matter how lost they get and how tangled or muddy they become. Your love and grace are greater than I can imagine. Thank you for loving me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

Taking My Grief To The Lord (Psalm 39)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

PSALM 39

1 To the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, “I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me.” 2 I was mute with silence, I held my peace [even] from good; And my sorrow was stirred up. 3 My heart was hot within me; While I was musing, the fire burned. [Then] I spoke with my tongue: 4 “LORD, make me to know my end, And what [is] the measure of my days, [That] I may know how frail I [am]. 5 Indeed, You have made my days [as] handbreadths, And my age [is] as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state [is] but vapor. Selah 6 Surely every man walks about like a shadow; Surely they busy themselves in vain; He heaps up [riches], And does not know who will gather them. 7 “And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope [is] in You. 8 Deliver me from all my transgressions; Do not make me the reproach of the foolish. 9 I was mute, I did not open my mouth, Because it was You who did [it]. 10 Remove Your plague from me; I am consumed by the blow of Your hand. 11 When with rebukes You correct man for iniquity, You make his beauty melt away like a moth; Surely every man [is] vapor. Selah 12 “Hear my prayer, O LORD, And give ear to my cry; Do not be silent at my tears; For I [am] a stranger with You, A sojourner, as all my fathers [were]. 13 Remove Your gaze from me, that I may regain strength, Before I go away and am no more.”

PSALM 39:1-13

TAKING MY GRIEF TO THE LORD

Grief is a difficult thing. Some days it makes us sad, some days we are bitter, or angry, sometimes it comes out as a depression, sometimes we eat to stuff it down inside. Sometimes we fast because even food has lost it’s luster. When we are grieving someone we love we might be tempted to lash out at those who didn’t love them like we think they should have. We might be tempted to say things in our grief that wouldn’t be right, good, or wholesome and can take a tragedy and make it even worse.

It seems like David is in the midst of grief as he prays to the lord to number his days. He sees life as a vapor. And like most of us, he is tempted to let loose his tongue and tell us what he really thinks. But he knows that’s not a good idea. For the sake of honoring God and worshipping the LORD, he needs to be quiet. What he wants to say is probably the truth, but he’d be sinning in saying it or at least saying it in the way that he wants to say it.

He is in the presence of wicked folks and either they will misunderstand it or in getting it out, me might not be able to control the venom that comes with it and he knows that God doesn’t need him to add his two cents. 

There are moments in my life, like David, where I need to show restraint. It is foolish to vent every word that pops into our heads, even if those words are exactly true, but not put forth in a manner that is pleasing to God.  There is wisdom in determining the right time to speak.

You would think that with all of this build up, David would blow up, but rather than blowing up at someone he takes his prayer to the Lord. He requests that God would help him know how short life is. Sometimes we can be tempted to believe that this life is everything and so we might waste our time, energy, and money on short sighted pursuits. 

So David prays “Lord help me to see from your perspective. Help me to see what I don’t see.” David doesn’t have the whole picture. A healthy dose of humility is healthy here. There are moments where we should not speak, but rather take everything to God in prayer. There are sorrows and insights that should only be shared with the LORD.

PRAYER

Father, Help me to see things from your perspective. Help me to see the things I don’t see. Show me how to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me. Show me when to keep silent. Hear me when I express my groanings about everything that is going on in the world. In my grief, give me grace that I might demonstrate the love and compassion of Christ. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

God Disciplines And Delivers The Ones He Loves (Psalm 38)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

PSALM 38

1 A Psalm of David. To bring to remembrance. O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure! 2 For Your arrows pierce me deeply, And Your hand presses me down. 3 [There is] no soundness in my flesh Because of Your anger, Nor [any] health in my bones Because of my sin. 4 For my iniquities have gone over my head; Like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. 5 My wounds are foul [and] festering Because of my foolishness.

PSALM 38:1-4

GOD DISCIPLINES AND DELIVERS THE ONES HE LOVES

David has two problems that he shares in this psalm. 

The first is that he has sinned against God. He knows it because he is experiencing the discipline of God. The chief aim of discipline is for our good! Discipline may hurt temporarily, but the aim is to protect and shape us. A toddler might receive a sharp, “No” or a small slap on the hand for trying to touch something like a hot stove. The word, “No” and the sting on their skin may hurt for a little while, but that isn’t the end purpose of discipline. It is ultimately to save such a small one from hurting themselves in a much greater way.  

The second problem that David faces is that his enemies have multiplied and are ready to attack. They are ready to kick him while he is down.  He needs deliverance.

The Lord, like a good shepherd provides both discipline and deliverance in the life of David. I still can’t help but think of sheep and the patience of a good shepherd from back in Psalms 23. Sometimes we get in trouble because it’s our own fault. We sin, we stray, and at the end of the day when we wonder why we are in such a mess the only one we have to look it is ourselves. How kind is a good shepherd to pursue and find a lost sheep, to bind his wounds so they will heal, to correct his error, to discipline so that he’ll know not to go that way again.

But then there are the binds we find ourselves in that are not of our own making. We are in a bind because someone has set their heart against us. They have laid a trap that we walked into. The seek to destroy us. And how kind is a good shepherd in that instance. He comes running to the rescue. He steps between the predator and the sheep.

Then there are the moments where both seem to be at play. We do something stupid and the enemy sees a chance to kick us when we are down. It’s comforting to know that in such moments that the shepherd doesn’t abandon the sheep and say, “Well you brought it on yourself. You deserve it.” But to think that He still steps in, maybe even with more haste (if that were possible) because he knows the direness of the situation.

Today I am marveling and praising God all the more for the times he has disciplined and delivered me. I am grateful for how he moves in my life despite my failures and mistakes. I repent of the times I believed lies about his character. The times that I thought he would abandon me because I deserve it. I am confronted now with the truth that he loves us enough not only to discipline us, but to deliver us.

PRAYER

Father, Thank you for your discipline and deliverance. I am grateful that even in my sinfulness, my mess-ups, my mistakes, that you love me enough to deal with my self caused pain. Thank you for the grace that is poured out in how you love me and take care of me. I humbly ask that I’d have that same grace to show others and pour out in their lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

Delight Yourself In The LORD (Psalm 37)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

PSALM 37

1 [A Psalm] of David. Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring [it] to pass. 6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. 7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret–[it] only [causes] harm. 9 For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth.

PSALM 37:1-9

DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD

Is it possible to seek pleasures that are too small? I imagine it’s that way for those who love the scent of coffee but can’t stand the drink. They settle for the intoxicating aroma, but they miss the glorious taste of a fresh well brewed cup of coffee (Dark Roast!). Okay so maybe coffee isn’t the illustration. I think C.S. Lewis compared it to children turning down the chance to go on a vacation at the beach because they were too busy making mud pies in the slums. Or maybe this will make sense, what if I enjoyed the smell of my wife’s perfume, but snubbed my nose at her company? You would say that I’m missing something! I’m missing everything!

So it is when we find delight in things that God has made, and made for us to enjoy, but neglect our enjoyment of Him. David counsels us to delight ourselves in the LORD. That is where true and lasting delight comes from. The desire to enjoy more of the LORD is not fantasy, but completely attainable. We can be delighted in the Lord and the Lord will give us the desires of our heart, which is more of Him!

Like any parent who enjoys seeing their children pursue the noblest and best thing, God delights in rewarding us when we seek him (Hebrews 11:4). God delights in giving himself to us! There isn’t a more precious, valuable, wonderful or awesome thing in the universe that we could delight in other than the one who called it all into existence. We were created to delight in the glory of God.

PRAYER

Father, I delight myself in you today! I run after you with all that I am. All my heart, soul, mind, and strength. I long for you alone to fill the empty spaces of my heart and mind. Let me be completely delighted in you today. Thank you for the millions of ways you are at work in my life, help me to glimpse just a few that my heart might be delighted with you. Don’t let me pursue the smaller pleasures of life so much that I miss the real treasure of walking with you. Let me not be so broken that I call it a pleasure to pursue something that is really just pain and misery. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

How The Wicked Miss The Joy of The LORD (Psalm 36)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

PSALM 36

1 To the Chief Musician. [A Psalm] of David the servant of the LORD. An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked: [There is] no fear of God before his eyes. 2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes, When he finds out his iniquity [and] when he hates. 3 The words of his mouth [are] wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise [and] to do good. 4 He devises wickedness on his bed; He sets himself in a way [that is] not good; He does not abhor evil. 5 Your mercy, O LORD, [is] in the heavens; Your faithfulness [reaches] to the clouds. 6 Your righteousness [is] like the great mountains; Your judgments [are] a great deep; O LORD, You preserve man and beast. 7 How precious [is] Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. 8 They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. 9 For with You [is] the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. 10 Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, And Your righteousness to the upright in heart. 11 Let not the foot of pride come against me, And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away. 12 There the workers of iniquity have fallen; They have been cast down and are not able to rise.

PSALM 36:1-12

HOW THE WICKED MISS THE JOY OF THE LORD

Sometimes it seems like the bad guys are getting ahead. It seems like they have more money, possessions, power, privilege, charisma, stuff…. you know, the things that this world uses to figure out who is ahead. Some days it seems like they have it all. Some days it even seems like they have it all together. But they are missing one very important thing. If they don’t know the LORD, they are missing out on grace, love, kindness, goodness, blessing, and a whole lot more that comes with the LORD.

David is reflecting on the wicked who have set their heart against God. They may seem like they have a lot going for them, but they are missing the biggest blessing they could ever have. They may seem like they have it all together, but if they don’t have the LORD, it’s all going to fall apart. The wicked may have fun for a moment, but only the LORD can provide real and lasting Joy.

David then rightly goes into meditating on the character of God and everything the wicked are missing out on. The will never know what it’s like to have their sins forgiven. They will never know that free grace and mercy of God because they have hardened their hearts against him. They will never know what it is like to be loved by someone who never gives up on you,,,, They will never know.

And that should give us pause, especially on days when we are prone to want to be like them in some way. We don’t really want to be like them, if being like them means we don’t know God’s love and mercy. We don’t really want to dabble with the dark stuff if it means abandoning truth and grace. We don’t really want to pursue what they are pursing if it means we don’t get the LORD in the mix.

Knowing God is way better than anything the wicked could ever offer. Indeed what makes them wicked, is their failure to see the value of knowing God. The wicked are missing out on the joy of abundant life now and eternal life forever.

PRAYER

Father, I confess sometimes my heart is tempted to want the things of this world so much so that I would admire those who have all the things this world offers, but they don’t have you. Help me to see their severe poverty. Help me to know that what they hold on to is temporary and fleeting. Help me not to miss the riches of your grace and mercy. Help me to be grateful for the extreme kindness that has been shown to me in you. Help me note that they don’t have the one thing that matters. You O’ Lord are worthy of all my praise and affection. Thank you for the deep well of your mercy and grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.