Tag: Jonathan Hill

I Love Sundays! (Psalm 92 Devotion)

On By pastorjonathanIn Devotional1 Comment

PSALM 92

A Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath day. [It is] good to give thanks to the LORD, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; 2 To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night, 3 On an instrument of ten strings, On the lute, And on the harp, With harmonious sound. 4 For You, LORD, have made me glad through Your work; I will triumph in the works of Your hands. 5 O LORD, how great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep. 6 A senseless man does not know, Nor does a fool understand this. 7 When the wicked spring up like grass, And when all the workers of iniquity flourish, [It is] that they may be destroyed forever. 8 But You, LORD, [are] on high forevermore. 9 For behold, Your enemies, O LORD, For behold, Your enemies shall perish; All the workers of iniquity shall be scattered. 10 But my horn You have exalted like a wild ox; I have been anointed with fresh oil. 11 My eye also has seen [my desire] on my enemies; My ears hear [my desire] on the wicked Who rise up against me. 12 The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. 13 Those who are planted in the house of the LORD Shall flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing, 15 To declare that the LORD is upright; [He is] my rock, and [there is] no unrighteousness in Him.

PSALM 92:1-15

I LOVE SUNDAYS

There is just something about Sundays (I’m kind of grateful this Psalm fell on a Sunday)! I hope you enjoy getting out of bed, getting ready to come to church and worship the Lord with your brothers and sisters in Christ! We need Sunday morning worship! This Psalm talks about the benefits of worshiping the Lord together. 

In the Old Testament the Nation of Israel worshiped the Lord together on SATURDAY, known as the Sabbath. In the New Testament, however, the day of worship for the church became SUNDAY so we could honor the day Jesus rose from the dead. “Now after the Sabbath, as the first [day] of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb” (Matthew 28:1). In the early church, Sunday had come to be known as the LORD’s Day, the day that Jesus had risen from the dead. It was the day that the New Testament Church met to Fellowship and worship the Lord, memorializing His resurrection and celebrating new life in Christ (and the fact that we are a “new creation” – 2 Corinthians 5:17).

“Now on the first [day] of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight”(Acts 20:7).

“On the first [day] of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come” (1 Corinthians 16:2).

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, (Revelation 1:10).

This time of coming together is a time of corporate remembrance. Throughout the week we are bombarded with information. Sometimes it is information we need to process like a cancer diagnosis, a tragic car wreck, or sudden loss of a loved one. We need to figure out how we feel about it. It’s tragic news that often produces grief. We search for meaning and hopefully turn to the Lord for comfort and strength that may even be beyond our understanding. 

We acknowledge that we are bombarded with messages all week from coworkers, billboards, movies, tv, shows, songs on the radio, politicians, face book, and more. Many of these voices compete against the voice of God in our lives. They tell us to covet: If we just had this car or that truck with that transmission. We need to put in more overtime to afford this or that or pay off our debts. They play on our anxieties through the stress of mounting bills, relational strife with our children, puzzlement over how to help our aging parents, or a quarrel with our spouse. They play to our pride: you deserve a break. They play to our laziness: You need to sleep in. Or maybe they encourage us in the right direction: You can be a godly father or mother to your children! You can love in your actions, not just your words.

Each week all of these voices encourage or discourage us and point us to or away from our purpose in God. We need Sunday to come together and be recentered on what matters most! We need to hear one another singing about the faithfulness of God. We look across the pews and we see those who are facing similar struggles or who have been through them. We sing and we remind each other of the grace and goodness of God. We share in Sunday school lessons, share prayer requests, and absorb the same message from God’s word. We give of what the Lord has entrusted to us to demonstrate we still trust Him to provide for our needs. We are brought to a place of examining our lives and seeking God’s will not just that day, but for everyday in the coming week. It is a moment to recenter and remember who life is all about.

To seek to honor the LORD and rest from our labors, we are confessing that we can’t do it all, we are limited. We rest in the fact that God is not limited. When we close our eyes to sleep he is in control. When we rest for a day from our labors, He is in control. We remember we were put here on this earth not for all the striving, overtime, stress, relational dysfunction… but that we are here to worship Him! We recenter our lives. Without it, we often fall into disarray and pursue the wrong things.

The LORD Is certainly worthy of all of our praise. I hope you are able to meet with the people of God today to sing His praise and share in His word. I hope you are lifted up and encouraged. I hope you are blessed and a blessing to others. I hope you have opportunity to be still and hear from Him today.

PRAYER

Father, Thank you for the church. We are grateful to gather together with saints to praise your name. (What a small taste of heaven this is). Thank you for the diversity of testimonies that will be in the room today as we sing your praise. We all have lived different lives apart from you but have seen your grace displayed to us through Jesus Christ. We are new creations, conformed to the image of your son Jesus Christ, we celebrate your glory and grace today in the resurrection of Jesus. 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.

Only One Life (Psalm 90 Devotion)

On By pastorjonathanIn Devotional1 Comment

PSALM 90

[Psa 90:1-17 NKJV] 1 A Prayer of Moses the man of God. Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. 2 Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You [are] God. 3 You turn man to destruction, And say, “Return, O children of men.” 4 For a thousand years in Your sight [Are] like yesterday when it is past, And [like] a watch in the night. 5 You carry them away [like] a flood; [They are] like a sleep. In the morning they are like grass [which] grows up: 6 In the morning it flourishes and grows up; In the evening it is cut down and withers. 7 For we have been consumed by Your anger, And by Your wrath we are terrified. 8 You have set our iniquities before You, Our secret [sins] in the light of Your countenance. 9 For all our days have passed away in Your wrath; We finish our years like a sigh. 10 The days of our lives [are] seventy years; And if by reason of strength [they are] eighty years, Yet their boast [is] only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. 11 Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, [so is] Your wrath. 12 So teach [us] to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom. 13 Return, O LORD! How long? And have compassion on Your servants. 14 Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, That we may rejoice and be glad all our days! 15 Make us glad according to the days [in which] You have afflicted us, The years [in which] we have seen evil. 16 Let Your work appear to Your servants, And Your glory to their children. 17 And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands.

PSALM 90:1-17

ONLY ONE LIFE

I heard a story of a professor who wanted to teach his class about time management. He took a jar and filled it with rocks and he asked his students if the jar was full. Many replied that it was. He then poured in pebbles that fit in around the rocks and asked again if it was full. Many thought it was. Then he took out sand and shook the sand into the crevices between the rocks and asked the students if it was full. Some were hesitant, but many concluded that it was. Then he took a couple cups of coffee and added them to the mix. Finally it seemed like the jar was full. The professor went on to explain the rocks represented the important things in life, etc. If you try and fill the jar backwards, you will never fit it all in only when you plan around the important things can you live a full and fulfilled life.

This Psalm attributed to Moses, reminds us that our time on earth is finite. We are limited to 70-80 years. Many of those years are filled with sin and wickedness that earns the wrath of God. What we do with our days matter. We are also encouraged to ponder the eternality of God. While time defines our existence, He defines time. Moses calls out to God that we would be taught to number our days. That we would “make them count.” We should seek to see God work though us.

The things of the Lord are important. If we want him to “establish the work of our hands.” We need to be busy doing the things He has for us.. the big rocks. Honoring parents, loving our spouse, raising our children in Christian households, telling others about the Lord, etc. There will be plenty of room for all the other stuff in life, but seeking God is our priority. Jesus said it like this: “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

This Reminds me of the poem, Only One Life, by the great missionary C. T. Studd:

“Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, ”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say ’twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

PRAYER

Father, Teach me to number my days that I might live each one for your kingdom and glory. Work in and through me to redeem the time that I might walk wisely in your counsel. Establish the work of my hands before me that I might spend the days you have given me honoring 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.

To All Generations (Psalm 89 Devotional Thought)

On By pastorjonathanIn Devotional1 Comment

PSALM 89

A Contemplation of Ethan the Ezrahite. I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations. 2 For I have said, “Mercy shall be built up forever; Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens.” 3 “I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn to My servant David: 4 ‘Your seed I will establish forever, And build up your throne to all generations.’ ” Selah

PSALM 89:1-4

TO ALL GENERATIONS

In our society we like things quick. We order “fast” food or put something frozen in the microwave and get it piping hot in just a few minutes. We don’t like to wait in lines. We don’t like it when people drive slowly in front of us. we are always in a hurry.

In a society like that, there is something to be said for the things that take time. We have the privilege of living on a hill and knowing of the last several folks who lived in our house. We know generally what happened on that hill for the last 140 years or so. I’ve come to learn some of the stories surrounding the plants around our house. Some of the tree’s were planted by previous generations and from them we draw shade today.

The psalmist wants to declare the glory of God to all generations. Those who have gone before have the legacy of faith to pass down to the coming generations. The newer generation has the privilege of hearing the testimony of how God has moved before. The evidence of God’s faithfulness to the Israelite people was seen in the geneology of the man on the throne. When David’s heir was their, God’s faithfulness was there for those who chose to see it, even though the midst of a few bad kings.

We now see Jesus as the ultimate king in the line of David. He is the one who has come and fulfilled all of God’s promises. He reminds us that God has been faithful in all generations and will be until the end of time.

We may have just come though a rough season or we may be trying to discern what will happen with the youth of today. One thing we can count on for certain is that God is faithful to ALL generations. The same God who watched over our fathers, watches over us, and should he be patient in his return, he will watch over the next generation to come as well.

PRAYER

Father, you are faithful to all generations! You have displayed your love, your justice, your mercy, and your grace in every generation. I am grateful for the way you have moved in my life and I pray for those who are coming behind me today. I pray they see your faithfulness in their generation. Let them be a generation sold out to you. May you do a great work in their time! 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.

Heman Prayed In The Dark (Psalm 88 – Devotional Thought)

On By pastorjonathanIn Devotional1 Comment

PSALM 88

[Psa 88:1-2, 6-7 NKJV] 1 A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. To the Chief Musician. Set to “Mahalath Leannoth.” A Contemplation of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD, God of my salvation, I have cried out day and night before You. 2 Let my prayer come before You; Incline Your ear to my cry. … 6 You have laid me in the lowest pit, In darkness, in the depths. 7 Your wrath lies heavy upon me, And You have afflicted [me] with all Your waves. Selah

PSALM 88:1-2, 6-7

HEMAN PRAYED IN THE DARK

I used to have “Heman” toys growing up, but I doubt that guy was the same Heman as referenced here. This Heman thoughtfully called out to God in the midst of the darkest time of his life. It was so dark, he couldn’t see any light. This is one of the few Psalms that ends without a kick up looking for the LORD to “save the day.” In doing so, he points us to the reality that some of our darkest moments are our longest.

No one wants to be in the darkest moments of their life for long, but sometimes we get stuck there. Sometimes it is circumstances that are well beyond our control. Sometimes it is tough to find a grateful attitude for all the adversity that comes your way. At some point it can feel personal, like perhaps God Himself has aimed the war bow of heaven at you… but Heman for all his woe, still calls out to God in the darkest time of his life.

That I think is what we are to contemplate. That even when our circumstances are beyond our control and comprehension. When we feel affliction from every side. When we don’t know how to breath or which way is up… God is there! He is big enough to hear your woe’s, He can handle your complaints about the calamities in your life.

We learn something about God and Heman in the dark. Heman won’t let go of God because somewhere in the middle of all this chaos, grumbling, and commiserating, Heman knows that God hasn’t let go of him. He may be grieving the loss of those closest to him, but he hasn’t lost God. While that doesn’t take the darkness away, it makes it more barrable to know that despite his silence, God is still there.

PRAYER

Father, You are God alone in the good times and bad. You reign when I see your hand moving so wonderfully among your people and when I struggle in the dark. There are many questions that I have that probably won’t be answered this side of heaven, but there are also many instances where I’ve learned to ask better questions. Thank you for the grace of your presence, may I never take it for granted that you are a God who hears the prayers of his saints, even when they are in the dark! 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.

Single Minded Devotion (Psalm 86 – devotional thought)

On By pastorjonathanIn Devotional2 Comments

PSALM 86

Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore.

PSALM 86:11-12

SINGLE MINDED DEVOTION

When I was in my early twenties I had a friend who had a hard time making up his mind. He liked a girl at college, but he also liked a girl from back home. He led them both on for a while. They both liked him and thought they had a future with him, but when they individually realized he had been seeing the other one they both dropped him. Neither one wanted to share his affections with another.

My friend had issues. He was two timing because he was indecisive. His indecisiveness brought him to a place where he was living a lie trying to carry on two shallow relationships instead of a real committed one. He was divided in his allegiances and because of that he was never really committed to anyone.

In Psalm 86 the psalmist prays, “unite my heart to your name.” He is aware of the two timing nature of his heart. He knows that when he is in a worship service he is all about the LORD, but when the service is over and he walks out into the world he is tempted to wander. So he prays for the Lord to unite his heart.

The Apostle Paul will later write about this spiritual battle that takes place in our hearts: “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish” (Galatians 5:17).

So the psalmist prays in weakness and confidence. In his weakness he calls out for help and in confidence He know the Lord can and will answer. This reminds me of a verse in one of my favorite hymns, “prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love, here is my heart Lord, take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.”

My takeaway today was to ask and reflect on the question, “Am I singularity focused on the Lord or do I have a divided heart?”

PRAYER

Father, I confess that far too often my heart is divided. Today I ask along with the Psalmist that you would unite my heart to fear your name. Let me be singularly focused on you. I worship you with my whole heart. Lord keep me from temptation and keep me from idols. 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.

A Prayer For Revival (Psalm 85 – Devotional Thought)

On By pastorjonathanIn Devotional2 Comments

PSALM 85

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. LORD, You have been favorable to Your land; You have brought back the captivity of Jacob. 2 You have forgiven the iniquity of Your people; You have covered all their sin. Selah 3 You have taken away all Your wrath; You have turned from the fierceness of Your anger. 4 Restore us, O God of our salvation, And cause Your anger toward us to cease. 5 Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations? 6 Will You not revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You? 7 Show us Your mercy, LORD, And grant us Your salvation. 8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak, For He will speak peace To His people and to His saints; But let them not turn back to folly. 9 Surely His salvation [is] near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land. 10 Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed. 11 Truth shall spring out of the earth, And righteousness shall look down from heaven. 12 Yes, the LORD will give [what is] good; And our land will yield its increase. 13 Righteousness will go before Him, And shall make His footsteps [our] pathway.

PSALM 85:1-13

A PRAYER FOR REVIVAL

This is what we need. We need the Lord! We need to recognize our need for the Lord. We need to see that where we are, is far from heaven. We need to be uncomfortable in a place so filled with sin and wickedness. We need to recognize our need of salvation that doesn’t come through a politician, laws, or congress. We need salvation that doesn’t come from economic systems. We need salvation that doesn’t come from a superior military. We need salvation from our sins and that only comes from the Lord!

We don’t need to pray petty, selfish, and prideful prayers that are so full or ourselves that we can’t clearly see the LORD. We are tired of pastors who limit the grace of God to call out for revival to happen in “their” church, “their” tribe, “their” corner. They must not know how much we all need the forgiveness and grace of God! Their pride of place is a stench on all of us. We desperately need the full repentance of all the people! We desperately need every bible believing, gospel teaching, Lord glorifying church to be awakened and calling lost sinners to repentance!

Oh that we would get on our faces, tear our clothes, fall down, and ask God to awaken his people as only He can! We must not be prideful, lofty, or arrogant in our prayers! We must recognize ourselves as the beggars we are! We must recognize how awful our situation is. We must see an apathetic people and call them to a righteous response to the LORD! We must seek the Lord to work in HIS church!

No more idolatry! No more selfishness! No more pride of place! No more hypocrisy! No more arrogance! No more secret sins! We don’t have time or room for that nonsense! We must seek Jesus!

PRAYER

Father, awaken your people O Lord! We desperately need you in this hour! We need you to awaken slumbering saints and bring dead hearts to life. Our nation needs you to breath revival more than ever! We have heard of how you have moved in the past and we pray that you would move in our generation! Strip us of our pride and anything that keeps us from worshipping you! We are desperate for you to do what only you con do! We long for you! We wait on you! It must be from 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.

The Conversion Of My Enemies (Psalm 83- Devotional Thought)

On By pastorjonathanIn Devotional1 Comment

PSALM 83

As the fire burns the woods, And as the flame sets the mountains on fire, 15 So pursue them with Your tempest, And frighten them with Your storm. 16 Fill their faces with shame, That they may seek Your name, O LORD. 17 Let them be confounded and dismayed forever; Yes, let them be put to shame and perish, 18 That they may know that You, whose name alone [is] the LORD, [Are] the Most High over all the earth.

PSALM 83:14-18

THE CONVERSION OF MY ENEMIES

The Psalmist prays for His enemies. Most of this prayer is dedicated to their destruction and finding out just how wrong they are to defy the hand of God. He is comfortable asking for their total obliteration. It’s what they deserve. There isn’t a whole lot of hope and compassion to spare on enemies… is there?

Most of this Psalm calls for God to act so that the enemies see God is really who He says He is. He wants them to see just how much they have underestimated God. He wants them to bow a knee. He wants them to see God in all of His glory through justice and wrath. Yet in verse sixteen we get a rare glimpse at compassion in the midst of fiery condemnation. He calls for them to, “seek your name.” He calls for the conversion of his enemies.

It might have seemed impossible for the enemies of Israel in the Old Testament to convert to see the LORD as the one true God, yet here we see that prayer request issued. How awesome is God that he not only has the power to decimate his enemies, but that he has the power to convert them into his friends.

And that is what he has done through Jesus Christ. He has reconciled us to him through the cross. Just Read Romans 5:8-10 – “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”

PRAYER

Father, How great you are. While I was a long way off… When I was dead in my trespasses and sin…. When I made myself your enemy… You loved me. Christ died for me. I was redeemed by the blood of the lamb and brought into your family. Thank you that you are the kind of God who transforms enemies into friends even in situations where it seems impossible. Today I lift up those who have made themselves enemies of you by their sin and ask for full and genuine repentance to take place in their lives. I ask for your grace to be poured out and multiplied. Let it go beyond what makes human sense so it is evident that it is a work of You Lord! You are worthy or all praise, honor, and glory. You are worthy of worship! 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.

Revive Us Again! (Psalm 80)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

PSALM 80











1 To the Chief Musician. Set to “The Lilies.” A Testimony of Asaph. A Psalm. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who dwell [between] the cherubim, shine forth! 2 Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, Stir up Your strength, And come [and] save us! 3 Restore us, O God; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved! 4 O LORD God of hosts, How long will You be angry Against the prayer of Your people? 5 You have fed them with the bread of tears, And given them tears to drink in great measure. 6 You have made us a strife to our neighbors, And our enemies laugh among themselves. 7 Restore us, O God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved! 8 You have brought a vine out of Egypt; You have cast out the nations, and planted it. 9 You prepared [room] for it, And caused it to take deep root, And it filled the land. 10 The hills were covered with its shadow, And the mighty cedars with its boughs. 11 She sent out her boughs to the Sea, And her branches to the River. 12 Why have You broken down her hedges, So that all who pass by the way pluck her [fruit]? 13 The boar out of the woods uproots it, And the wild beast of the field devours it. 14 Return, we beseech You, O God of hosts; Look down from heaven and see, And visit this vine 15 And the vineyard which Your right hand has planted, And the branch [that] You made strong for Yourself. 16 [It is] burned with fire, [it is] cut down; They perish at the rebuke of Your countenance. 17 Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right hand, Upon the son of man [whom] You made strong for Yourself. 18 Then we will not turn back from You; Revive us, and we will call upon Your name. 19 Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!
PSALM 80:1-19





REVIVE US AGAIN 





We have a few trees and plants in our yard that have just run wild. When we moved in we didn’t know anything about them nor about how to care for them so they’re had 5 years to run in their own direction. They were a mess with branches running every which way, bugs, blight, and produced very few flowers or fruit. Our trees and plants were in need of some sort of revival. Leaving them to themselves didn’t provide an abundant carefree existence. It caused them to become eye sores, sickly, and overgrown. The sort of revival these trees/plants needed wouldn’t happen unless someone stepped in to care for them. 





This year I did a little research on our trees/ plants, bought a few sharp instruments for cutting, and watched a few pruning masters at work. I stepped in and applied my new found skills on our trees and soon enough they all came roaring back to life in all the right places. (It was interesting to note that at first it looked like I had killed the trees because they were in such a drastic need of pruning, but later in the spring/ summer they all came to full blossom/fruit!)





In the same way the nation of Israel needed revival. It has run too long in it’s own direction! They need the Lord to step in if it will ever flourish again. Asaph calls out to God to send a man who will be that instrument of flourishing. One who God will use to revive a dying people and bring them back to a place of brilliance and worship. 





We know that the Son of Man (v. 17) is Jesus! He is the only one who can bring flourishing back to floundering souls. He is the only one who can restore the hope of a broken down nation. He is the only one who can cause hope to shine in the darkest of nights.





Have you run too long in your own direction? Find yourself in need of revival? Come to Jesus today and ask him for revival in your life. Invite him to prune the things that distract you from following Him (Hebrews 12:1), immerse yourself in His word (Psalm 1:2-3), and draw near to God (James 4:8). Go back and do the things you did when you first fell in love with Jesus (Revelation 2:5). 





PRAYER





Father, How often like sheep are we prone to run astray and in our own direction. We should know by now that when we run long in our own direction it never leads to true and lasting happiness or flourishing. Sin is always fun for a season, but the longer we live in it the more foul our lives become. We find ourselves in need of you and in constant need of revival. We pray that your hand of grace and mercy would be upon us and that you would call us to repentance. I am thankful that you have promised to never leave nor forsake those who belong to you for we need your constant hand of care.  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.


			
					

	




			
				


			

		

			
I Am Prone To Envy (Psalm 73)

						

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PSALM 73





 A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God [is] good to Israel, To such as are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. 3 For I [was] envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For [there are] no pangs in their death, But their strength [is] firm. 5 They [are] not in trouble [as other] men, Nor are they plagued like [other] men. 6 Therefore pride serves as their necklace; Violence covers them [like] a garment. 7 Their eyes bulge with abundance; They have more than heart could wish. 8 They scoff and speak wickedly [concerning] oppression; They speak loftily. 9 They set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue walks through the earth. … 23 Nevertheless I [am] continually with You; You hold [me] by my right hand. 24 You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me [to] glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven [but You]? And [there is] none upon earth [that] I desire besides You. 26 My flesh and my heart fail; [But] God [is] the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 27 For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry. 28 But [it is] good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all Your works.
PSALM 73:1-9, 23-28





I AM PRONE TO ENVY





I went on a vacation a few years ago at the beach. We checked into a nice condo. Everywhere I looked I saw nice cars and nice boats. We ran into some people who lived at the condo (part time) and I overheard them talking about how many nice things they had, nice dinners they ate, and the people they got to hang out with. I couldn’t help but hear about how they talked about all the folks who didn’t have what they had. Somewhere in the middle of their life of comfort and ease they had begun to think that they were self-made. I confess, before that trip I thought my life was pretty great, but then, even in the middle of a pretty great vacation I found myself becoming miserable. Especially when I internalized that I must have spent my life pursuing the “wrong things” because I didn’t have much to “show for it.” 





Asaph confesses in this psalm that he struggled with the same ideas (Has the world really changed that much). He knew that God was good and that God was good to him, but when he let his heart be tempted towards envy he found himself in a bad place. He was also bothered that folks had taken the blessing of God for granted and appropriated it as their own effort or work… but can we really blame them? Do we not often do the same thing? How often do we thank God for the blessings we take for granted? I’ll be honest and say that sometimes I don’t recognize the blessings God has given me until they go missing? Like a healthy heart, etc. 





What is the remedy for an envious heart? What is the remedy when we so clearly see the sins of God-forgetfulness in others who want to take pride in their position as if they had accomplished anything without God’s grace? It’s God! It’s pressing into the Lord and counting what you do have. It’s going back and doing the algebra of thankfulness. Gratitude in God combats envy all day long. It’s counting your blessings and naming them one by one and oh by the way don’t forget the biggest blessing of a real and right relationship with God himself!





Don’t miss it, Asaph has a lot to say in this whole Psalm! When God is all you have, you have everything you need. When stuff is all you have, stuff won’t last and you will find yourself boasting in emptiness. There is a day coming when what we believe and where we have put all our confidence will be made clear. On that day it is far better to have nothing this world has to offer and a relationship with Jesus than it is to have everything this world has to offer and not have Jesus. 





So everyday, choose to count what you do have, not what you don’t have. Choose to be grateful not hateful. Choose contentment over envy. For it’s in contentment where joy is found not the seeming success or stuff of others. Some days we just need to adjust our attitude for gratitude. 





PRAYER





Father, thank you for your incredible mercy and grace! You have been better to me than I have ever deserved. I confess that Along with Asaph I am prone to slip on Envy. I often see what others have and wonder that I might be missing some sort of blessing. Help me to recognize it as the same sin that caused Adam and Eve to eat the fruit. They lusted, coveted, wanted, and envied and here I am so many generations later still a product of the fall. I pray that you would let me find contentment in you! You are the give of good gifts. Help me to even recognize the many you have already blessed me with just by knowing you as my Lord. Guard my heart from envy, I want to honor 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.


			
					

	




			
				


			

		

			
Worshipping God In My Old Age (Psalm 71)

						

				On  By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment			

					


		

			

PSALM 71










 I have become as a wonder to many, But You [are] my strong refuge. 8 Let my mouth be filled [with] Your praise [And with] Your glory all the day. 9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age; Do not forsake me when my strength fails. 
… 18 Now also when [I am] old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to [this] generation, Your power to everyone [who] is to come. 19 Also Your righteousness, O God, [is] very high, You who have done great things; O God, who [is] like You?
PSALM 71:7-9, 18-19





WORSHIPPING GOD IN MY OLD AGE





In high school I ran track. Well actually I threw the shotput and discus, so I did the “field” portion of track and field. We were a small school and there was a meet where we didn’t have anyone running the 880 event. The coach asked me if I’d like to compete. I was relatively in shape and I thought to myself, “How hard can it be?” So I signed up to run. We lined up, the starting shot was fired and I took off in a full on dead sprint. I glanced behind me to see that I had taken a huge lead. I thought to myself, “I’ve got this in the bag.” Then as I was running out of steam near what I thought was the end, my team yelled to keep going!?! Come to find out the 880 was a two lap race… I had thought it was just one!





I wasn’t in such great shape that I could run two laps at a dead sprint, one was pushing it. So over the next moment as I pushed myself as hard as I possibly could to just finish I saw every other runner pass me. I came in dead last at a pace that was more suited for pulling a pan out of the oven than running a race. I learned a lot of valuable lessons that day. I learned to never count your chickens before they hatch and that it’s really not how you start the race that matters… it’s how you finish. You may faulter at the begging and still win, you may start out well and still lose. 





The Psalmist discusses his youth and his age in Psalm we are looking at today. As I’ve crossed over the 40 year age mark I’ve begun looking more and more at the later laps of my life. I want to live well and run the race that God has set before me. That means that later laps matter! 





Some people hit a certain age and slow down. They’ve raised their kids to a point of self sufficiency or they retire from work and so they seek to retire from worship and ministry as well. Or maybe they just coast. Who would blame them, they are tired and weary. There are plenty of young folks behind them who bring so much more energy… They all but quit right before the race is over. 





The Psalmist prays today. Lord, Do not forsake me in my old age… in a sense don’t put me out to pasture yet. If I’ve got life, I want to give it in worshipping the Lord. I don’t want to slow down on the last laps of life, I want to kick it up. I don’t want to wane in my devotion to the Lord, I want to maximize what little time I have left so that others see the supreme value of worshipping the Lord. I want to run the race well and I want to finish well!





I know that we each run the race set before us. When we get to the later years of life the struggles are real. The issues with our health, mobility, and sensibility may be broad and challenging. But we should each ask ourselves, “What does it look like to run this lap of my life well?” How do we handle our trials? Do we see them as there to BREAK us or MAKE us (James 1:1-4)?  What sort of attitude do we pass on to others? Do we celebrate the work of the Lord wherever we see it or do we curse the next generation under our breath? The Psalmist asks God that he wouldn’t be forgotten and in a sense that he wouldn’t forget his opportunity to still celebrate and worship the Lord. We should run the race with endurance!





PRAYER





Father, Thank you for all the blessings that come with youth and old age. There are so many things we are able to do when we are young and so many things we know by experience when we are older and some where in the middle of it all we hit an apex of both ability and knowledge. But don’t let my inexperience of youth nor my decreased ability in my old age become an excuse not to pursue you with my whole heart! Lord I pray that you would have all of me for all of my life. Please Lord let the last laps of my life be the best laps, let what I may lack in strength be supplemented with desire and a humble attitude of worship! You are worthy of all praise, honor, and glory! 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.