Tag: quiet time

Meditation Of Christ While He Was On The Cross (Psalm 22)

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PSALM 22

To the Chief Musician. Set to “The Deer of the Dawn.” A Psalm of David. My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? [Why are You so] far from helping Me, [And from] the words of My groaning? … 27 All the ends of the world Shall remember and turn to the LORD, And all the families of the nations Shall worship before You.

PSALM 22:1,27 NKJV

THE MEDITATION OF CHRIST WHILE HE WAS ON THE CROSS

This is what is often referred to as a Messianic Psalm. It’s a Psalm that may have it’s roots in the time/ circumstance that it was written, but the poetry becomes prophetic in that the details of Jesus life, ministry, death are shared in peculiar detail. David never suffered a crucifixion or ever saw one, but he describes in glaring detail the events of Jesus’ crucifixion (See especially verses 14-18)! Even down to the very facts that his bones were not broken and that they gambled for his clothes.

Jesus also referred to this Psalm when he was hanging on the cross. Check out Matthew 27:46 “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Jesus was quoting this Psalm when He said those words! This Psalm or song of David has become his meditation while he is on the Cross. He is abandoned. He is alone and His heart goes to this passage of scripture.

The Psalm in it’s structure flows likes a series of waves that express what it is to be forsaken, but then finds faith in the work of God. Finally it concludes with the big truth that all the ends of the earth will come and worship the Lord. This is indeed what the crucifixion and resurrection would ultimately accomplish. The salvation of people from all over the world!

I think we can draw a few things from this Psalm and it’s context/history. One thing I think we can note is that God is sovereign and He can speak through a shepherd king specific details of events that won’t happen for centuries. I think it’s important to notice that while we will not die for the sins of mankind, and so we will never be like Jesus in that regard, we can be like him in that we choose to meditate on God’s word, not just when it is convenient, but when it is most needed. I think we can also choose to be grateful for this passage and others like it that give us great faith in the word of God to know that the details of the crucifixion were known to the mind of God even in the Old Testament and he choose to reveal those details to his saints.

PRAYER

Father, thank you for this incredible passage that reveals to us that you know the end from the beginning. Thank you for your plan of salvation. Thank you for the details recorded in your Word. Thank you for the encouragement that there is purpose even in suffering. Thank you for the day when Christ will return and receive the nations to himself. 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.

Praise God For Good Days (Psalm 21)

On By pastorjonathanIn Devotional1 Comment

PSALM 21

For the king trusts in the LORD, And through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved.

PSALM 21:7, NKJV

PRAISE GOD FOR GOOD DAYS

I had a really good week a couple of weeks back. It was just a really good week. When I went to count my blessings each day, they all came to mind quickly. My kids were all getting awards. My wife and I saw many of the sacrifices we had made as parents paying off. I had several great ministry conversations throughout the week and individuals, who were unsolicited, just shared about the impact of our ministry on their lives. It seems like every time I went for lunch or coffee someone bought my meal or beverage (Seriously, like 5 meals!) It wasn’t an anniversary, or an appreciation month, it wasn’t people from one group. It was like our community, our church, our friend network had all conspired to bless us during the same week. It was good.

I’ve come to learn that life is seasonal. I’ve been through plenty of seasons when we didn’t have any good weeks. The things people were saying were not encouraging, discouragement was looming behind every door, and sometimes folks were down right angry. We had hard weeks with our kids, it seems like instead of getting awards we were figuring out discipline for bad behavior. I freely admit that during those weeks I had a lot to call out to God for. My prayers for myself and others were frequent. I was driven to my knees often. I knew I needed the Lord. I knew to say help.

But what do you say when it’s a good week and the blessing of God abounds? David had tons of bad weeks. We’ve heard his prayers on the run from Saul and from his son Absalom. Like our lives it wasn’t always good, but there were moments where it was. So did David forget God on the good days? NO!!! He called out the God all the same, but this time with gratitude to remember God’s past faithfulness and future grace!

I think sometimes when things are going well, we can all be tempted to think we got there on our own. David reminds us in Psalm 21 that every good thing in his life is a work of God’s grace and mercy! He thanks God for his overwhelming grace in the past and counts on it going into the future.

One year at student camp our group had a particularly impactful week. I didn’t want camp to end as it normally did with just hugs all around and quickly loading up to get on the road. So we loaded up and pulled just to the edge of the property and there under a few large shade trees we took a few minutes to thank God for all the blessings that occurred in camp. We took time to recognize His hand at work in our life and give Him all the credit.

What about you? How is your life going? Are you quicker to ask for help when things are bad or to praise God when things go well? When is the last time you just thanked him for all the blessings your life and recognized that they were gifts of his mercy and grace?

PRAYER

Father, Thank you for all of your goodness that has been poured out in my life. Truly I am blessed well beyond what I deserve. I cannot help but be grateful for your work in my life. You have shown me great kindness. Thank you for days and weeks when I am on the mountain rather than in the valley. Your love and kindness in my life is greater than I am able to fully comprehend. Let my lips be free with praise and gratitude for how you have worked in my life. 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.

Praying For Others In Their Affliction (Psalm 20)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

PSALM 20

1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; May the name of the God of Jacob defend you; 2 May He send you help from the sanctuary, And strengthen you out of Zion; 3 May He remember all your offerings, And accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah 4 May He grant you according to your heart’s [desire], And fulfill all your purpose. 5 We will rejoice in your salvation, And in the name of our God we will set up [our] banners! May the LORD fulfill all your petitions. 6 Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand. 7 Some [trust] in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God. 8 They have bowed down and fallen; But we have risen and stand upright. 9 Save, LORD! May the King answer us when we call.

PSALM 20:1-9, NKJV

PRAYING FOR OTHERS IN THEIR AFFLICTION

Have you ever wondered how to pray for someone who was facing adversity or was in the mist of suffering affliction? I think we have our answer with this Psalm. As I read it this morning it just formed such a beautiful prayer in my heart for those I know who are facing challenging circumstances and situations.

I couldn’t help but think about Judges chapter four, where God fights for Israel by sending a thunderstorm to soften the ground and bog down Sisera’s chariots. The enemy was trusting in chariots, but the chariots were no match for God. We see His sovereignty all through that story. Sending a thunderstorm. Moving a family into the “middle of no where” so a simple housewife can dispatch a tent peg through Sisera’s skull. On the outside, all of it was impossible, but when the Lord’s people stepped out on faith, He delivered them.

So as I pray for friends who are facing life’s challenges and as I face a few of my own, I can’t help but sense the renewal of my faith in the Lord. When we step out in faith, He is there. He answers and He provides for our needs in ways that we might not expect. We can’t plan it any better than the God of Heaven. We may walk with Him through some dark places (The valley of the shadow of death?) but He will watch over us and protect us to the point that we are able to eat in from of our enemies (He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies). Yes! Our God is able!

PRAYER

Father, let our hearts overflow with ceaseless praise today! You are the true King! Governors and Governments may fail, but you never fail. We delight in your salvation. We delight in deliverance from sin, but also in the salvation from the adversity we face in this life. We pray that our lives would fulfill the purpose that you have in them. We thank you that you hear our prayers in the mist of our affliction. Give us great faith so as not to trust in horses or chariots, but for our confidence to be in you alone! You are the God of our deliverance and salvation! 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.

Cleanse Me From My Secret Sins (Psalm 19)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

PSALM 19

9 The fear of the LORD [is] clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD [are] true [and] righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired [are they] than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, [And] in keeping them [there is] great reward. 12 Who can understand [his] errors? Cleanse me from secret [faults]. 13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous [sins]; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.

PSALM 19:9-14

CLEANSE ME FROM MY SECRET SINS

There is a lot to this Psalm. It charts the revelation of God from “General Revelation” of God in creation, to the “Special Revelation” of God through His word/ law, to the “Personal Revelation” of God as David applies what he knows of God to his own heart. That last part is where I spent the most time meditating today.

Our understanding of God’s character through our understanding of an ordered world and the scripture should lead us to a desire to know God personally. We should recognize the greatness and grandeur of God in creation. We should also note that our sins keeps us from knowing God fully. We are fallen creatures.

It is out of this applied word that David cries out for God to examine the sin in his life. He wants deliverance from secret sins. Often the closer to God we are, the more we recognize sin in our lives. Sometimes sins are secret because we haven’t examined parts of our lives or held them up to the standard of God’s Word. David doesn’t want sin to rule over him anymore.

He calls out for deliverance from arrogant/willful sins. Sometimes we are prone to sins such as unjust expressions of anger. David doesn’t want to be held in “Sins dread sway.” Sometimes these types of sins cling to us, they hold on to us and are hard to release because once we have let go of them we find them attached to us in a different area. He discusses the enslaving nature of such sins.

It’s the little things that lead us into bigger things. A little disobedience leads us into a greater disobedience. When we are unfaithful with small things, we will be unfaithful with larger things. When we are faithful with the small things, we can be trusted with bigger things.

David wants God to search his heart and cleanse him from his iniquity. He doesn’t want to leave any part of his life dirty, he wants the full cleansing power of God’s word to wash over him and make him new. Shouldn’t we all want the same thing. God knows our hearts.

PRAYER

Father, search my heart. Examine my life. Look into my inner thoughts. Whatever isn’t of you; Whatever hinders me from understanding and receiving your grace; I pray that you remove it. I don’t want to have anything between you and me. I want to walk blameless in your sight. May the meditations of my heart be pleasing to 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.

Remembered Praise (Psalm 18)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

PSALM 18

1 To the Chief Musician. [A Psalm] of David the servant of the LORD, who spoke to the LORD the words of this song on the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. And he said: I will love You, O LORD, my strength. 2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I will call upon the LORD, [who is worthy] to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.

PSALM 18:1-3, NKJV

REMEMBERED PRAISE

Many of the Psalms were written by David over key moments in his life. We get a glimpse into his heart as he sings and prays while on the run from his enemies. We get a picture of how he prays about those who slander him and those who persecute him. We get a sense of his trust in the Lord even above the kind counsel of friends who want “the best” for him but just can’t seem to see what that is. We even read along with David’s cry for deliverance from his enemies.

We go through all those ups and downs of life too. What do we do though when we see the Lord deliver us from our desperate situations? What happens when that day of deliverance comes? Do we simply let out a few small words of thanks? Do we just give credit to the Lord in our acceptance speech at an award ceremony? Such responses just don’t seem fitting for how the Lord has delivered us!

When deliverance comes in David’s life, he pens a 50 verse Psalm. This Psalm is overflowing with praise, and a recounting God’s goodness. God is worthy of praise. He is worthy of our praise, especially when we see His word fulfilled with our own eyes! David could not be silent, he had to praise the Lord.

As I often remind my children, who make weird noises at inopportune times, there is a time and a place for everything. I long for the day when our prayer meetings are filled with more praise than problems as we recount the goodness to the Lord in answered prayers. It would be silly to think that every prayer meeting should be filled with this type of praise all the time. For most of David’s life, it hadn’t happened yet; he was still in trouble. When he finally saw his deliverance though, he didn’t hold back.

PRAYER

Father, You are worthy of all glory, honor, and praise! I confess that many times I come to you carrying heavy burdens of intercession, doubt, and perhaps guilt. I come needing rescue and confessing my dependence on you. I am grateful that you hear my prayers. I am grateful that through my life I have seen many answered prayers. You know my personality, too often I am just waiting for the other shoe to drop. That shouldn’t hold back my praise! That shouldn’t keep me from celebrating your goodness. Thank you Lord for all of your blessings! Help me to be ever mindful of our goodness and deliverance and never slack in my praise, for you are worthy! 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 Logic of Prayer (Psalm 17)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

PSALM 17

1 A Prayer of David. Hear a just cause, O LORD, Attend to my cry; Give ear to my prayer [which is] not from deceitful lips. 2 Let my vindication come from Your presence; Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright. 3 You have tested my heart; You have visited [me] in the night; You have tried me and have found nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. 4 Concerning the works of men, By the word of Your lips, I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer. 5 Uphold my steps in Your paths, [That] my footsteps may not slip. 6 I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God; Incline Your ear to me, [and] hear my speech. 7 Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust [in You] From those who rise up [against them]. 8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings, 9 From the wicked who oppress me, [From] my deadly enemies who surround me. 10 They have closed up their fat [hearts]; With their mouths they speak proudly. 11 They have now surrounded us in our steps; They have set their eyes, crouching down to the earth, 12 As a lion is eager to tear his prey, And like a young lion lurking in secret places. 13 Arise, O LORD, Confront him, cast him down; Deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword, 14 With Your hand from men, O LORD, From men of the world [who have] their portion in [this] life, And whose belly You fill with Your hidden treasure. They are satisfied with children, And leave the rest of their [possession] for their babes. 15 As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.

PSALM 17:1-15, NKJV

THE LOGIC OF PRAYER

I have a teenager who has learned to argue. I liked it a lot better when she would ask for something and if we ever said, “no,” All we needed to do was say no, and it was enough. Those days are gone. She now needs us to give her a compelling reason as to why we said, “no.” Once she hears our reason, she will attempt to help us see things her way. She has learned to argue. The rational part of her brain is growing. She has suddenly become very intellectually interesting and smart. Her appeals for things have become better as well. Instead of just asking to go hang out with her friends, she has learned to suggest where she will be, what times, who she will be with, who else will be aware, and most importantly, how this plan of hers would benefit me as her dad. She knows what I will ask and has already worked her logic on my possible objections to make her petitions more appealing.

Often when we pray, we offer God just a bunch of random concerns. There certainly isn’t anything wrong with that, for we are told to, “cast all our cares on Him, for he cares for us.” (1 Peter 5:7). But I think we can pray better by applying a little of God’s Word and logic to our prayers. (Not better in the sense that we will get an answer we want, but better in the sense praying with confidence that what we are asking for is more in line with God’s will than a random petition.)

My daughter learned to amend her own would be petitions because as she brought previous petitions, she heard the answers and the objections. In short, she listened to my concerns. In the same way the more we read God’s word, the more we will know God and the more we will know about God. This will help us weed through the rambling and get to the heart of the issue, “What is God’s will in this matter?” By reading the scripture we are informed in our praying. We can ask God confidently for him to forgive our sin, we can pray behind the Psalms and ask him like a shepherd to lead us, feed us, and bring us home safely. In praying for children we can remind ourselves that he cares for little ones. In praying for the sick we can be reminded that he is a God who heals. In praying for the grieving, we can be reminded that Jesus knows what death is like and has promised to bring us to the other side.

What we see David doing here isn’t just praying random thoughts, but he is applying logic to his petitions. God delights in truthful lips and so David confesses his honesty. He knows that God defends the righteous and so he pleads for the Lord to do just that. David’s petitions for God to hear his prayer have come with a little work on his part to offer prayers that He knows align with God’s character.

PRAYER

Father, thankyou that you hear our prayers. Thank you that you have given us free access to call out to you in prayer. I am grateful that you have told us to boldly approach your throne of grace. I am grateful that you have promised to never leave or forsake us and that you provide for the needs of those who belong to you. Today I ask you to provide for me all that I need in Jesus Christ. As I meditate on your word help me to examine my own life. Let me be a man of honesty and integrity in a way that pleases you. Give me contentment in your provision to let you deal with those who unjustly accuse me. Let me stand before you as my judge and let my ears listen to what you would say. Keep me as the apple of your eye, hide me under the shadow of your wing. 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 Benefits of A Sheltered Life (Psalm 16)

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PSALM 16

1 A Michtam of David. Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust. 2 [O my soul], you have said to the LORD, “You [are] my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You.” 3 As for the saints who [are] on the earth, “They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.” 4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten [after] another [god]; Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, Nor take up their names on my lips. 5 O LORD, [You are] the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. 6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant [places]; Yes, I have a good inheritance. 7 I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. 8 I have set the LORD always before me; Because [He is] at my right hand I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. 10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. 11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence [is] fullness of joy; At Your right hand [are] pleasures forevermore.

PSALM 16:1-11

THE BENEFITS OF A SHELTERED LIFE

We often use the term a “sheltered life” in a derogatory manner. We might say something like, “They have lived a sheltered life.” We are usually talking about someone who hasn’t seen many of the evils of this world. 

A sheltered life isn’t really that bad. If you could be preserved from evil, wouldn’t you want to be? Would you rather witness someone degraded into doing all sorts of things for the next high or be protected from such things? Would you rather your children be surrounded and influenced by wickedness or preserved from such things?

It’s not as though you can’t still work and do ministry among those who have been hammered by theirs sins and the sins of others, but that you are preserved from some sin and it’s effects. You can still minister among the homeless without being homeless. You’re eyes can be wide open to the severity of addiction in your neighborhood without being addicted yourself. To be sheltered in this sense it to be protected from the harm of sinful living.

Ultimately, a sheltered life is a protected life. You are sheltered from a storm of influences that have the potential to hurt you. In this sense, I want a sheltered life and I want my kids to have a sheltered life!

The way we have this type of sheltered life is to pursue the Lord’s commands. It is to seek what God has for us more than what we would want for ourselves. It’s learning to live within boundaries set up by our trust in God’s word. It’s found in delighting in the Lord. It’s found in being content.

PRAYER

Father, I confess that too often I have not sought shelter in you and have lives a less sheltered life than I could have. Too many times I have pursued things that have only brought me to a place of temptation, sin, and shame. Today I ask that you would set my heart right in you and that I would pursue the things that will be of greatest gain in my life. Help me to know you more through your word, be content in your provision, and know when to leave well enough alone. Let my heart find rest and shelter in you today. 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.

Who Can Dwell With God? (Psalm 15)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

PSALM 15

1 A Psalm of David. LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? 2 He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart; 3 He [who] does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; 4 In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear the LORD; He [who] swears to his own hurt and does not change; 5 He [who] does not put out his money at usury, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these [things] shall never be moved.

PSALM 15:1-5, NKJV

WHO CAN DWELL WITH GOD?

I kicked a man out of my house one time. I told him, he had to go. He had gotten too comfortable with my family, it was late, he hurled a backhanded insult and I had had enough. Admittedly he was like a puppy breaking in his baby teeth, he didn’t know that his comments packed such a bite. He was intending it as playful, but it hurt and I let him know by kicking him out. It wasn’t acceptable to “play” that way in “my” house. When it comes to considering the house of the Lord, since we are all sinners, are there character issues at stake for who is welcome in the house of the Lord? Would he turn anyone away? Lots to ponder as we jump into this passage this morning.

This song address the question of what kind of worshippers are welcomed in the house of the LORD. It was sung by travelers with anticipation and education in mind. The children as well as the adults would have been involved in singing and meditating on God’s word all along the way. Their hearts were being prepared for worship. I think one of the things we miss by traveling the way we do to church these days is that we have little time to prepare our hearts for worship.  

The question that is asked in this Psalm is very real, but in a poetic sense is something like this, “Who can go to God’s house and be invited to stay as a guest? or, Who does God want to come over? or, Who gets to stay at God’s house?” 

Growing up my in-laws used to have all sorts of people over at the house. If you were going to come over and stay, you had to abide by a few simple house rules. They weren’t anything crazy, but if you were going to be there you were going to abide by a few ground rules. You had to wear a shirt to dinner, wait until after the blessing to eat, etc. In a much more serious way, this Psalm asks the question, “what kind of characteristics must I have if I am going to dwell in the house of God?” 

It is important to notice that these are not the means by which we are saved, but rather what it means to be saved (Sam Storms). It’s not what we do to get through the door, but what kind of company we are once we are saved. We are not saved by our good works, but we are saved to good works. The question isn’t so much, “who makes it into heaven?” as much as it is, “what kind of people are in heaven?” The answer flows in verses 2-5. We must be people of genuine integrity. This is the work the Lord must be doing in our lives. This must be the work we are willing for the Lord to do in our lives.

PRAYER

Father, thank you for the invitation to salvation by grace through faith in you. Thank you that we are not saved by our works, but thank you that You do work in us to be more and more conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. I pray that I would fit the description laid out in this Psalm today. I need to be a man of integrity, reflecting your goodness to those around me. I want to feel comfortable in your house because I have been more and more conformed to the image of Jesus. Thank you again for your overwhelming grace and goodness. 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.

A New Song From Old Pieces (Psalm 14)

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PSALM 14

1 To the Chief Musician. [A Psalm] of David. The fool has said in his heart, “[There is] no God.” They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good. 2 The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. 3 They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; [There is] none who does good, No, not one. 4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, Who eat up my people [as] they eat bread, And do not call on the LORD? 5 There they are in great fear, For God [is] with the generation of the righteous. 6 You shame the counsel of the poor, But the LORD [is] his refuge. 7 Oh, that the salvation of Israel [would come] out of Zion! When the LORD brings back the captivity of His people, Let Jacob rejoice [and] Israel be glad.

PSALM 14:1-7, NKJV

A NEW SONG FROM OLD PIECES

One of the churches I used to serve had a woman who would make a “breakfast cake” every week and set it out in the foyer with doughnuts. Every week the cake was the same shape and size, it had the same general texture, but it was almost always a different cake than the week before. Sometimes it had a banana-nut taste, other weeks it was pumpkin, still other weeks I’m pretty sure I tasted bits of apple or pear, then there were weeks that it definitely had chocolate chips. Then someone told me the secret, the cakes she made were, “whatever is on hand cakes”. She used the same base of flour, eggs, oil, or whatever and then would see what she had “on hand” to make the rest of the cake. If it was baking with apples earlier in the week, we got an apple cake. If she had done a banana nut bread earlier, we had a banana-nut cake, etc., etc. Sometimes the cakes had peculiar combinations that somehow seemed to work really well (my favorite, banana-nut-chocolate chip!).

That’s kind of what we have with this Psalm here. It’s got the basic set up of a good Psalm. All the structure, theological depth, etc. is there, but it seems like many of the ingredients were borrowed. Not only that, but some of this Psalm is quoted later in the New Testament.

It reminds me of the first time I had a real conversation with a friend about Jesus. I had never lead someone to faith in Christ before. I didn’t know that there are different “approaches” to sharing my faith, we simply had a conversation and I presented the gospel in a way that I understood it and it made sense to me. It wasn’t a cookie cutter approach. We didn’t walk down the Romans Road, or go over the four spiritual laws (different approaches to sharing the gospel). I just simply quoted the verses I knew about the things we were talking about. It was encouraging to me because I was seeing how to apply scripture to a given situation and it was helpful to my friend.

David writes a new song with familiar words that in several generations will become an old song with familiar words. God uses the lyrics of this song throughout the scripture because they carry key truths about who he is and who we are. They are relevant for worship in every generation because they speak to the greatness of God and our desperate need of Him.

I can’t help but think of all the old songs, made new in my generation. I love it when a musician plays an old tune or sings an old lyric for modern ears. I can’t help but think of what Chris Tomlin has done with Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone.

PRAYER

Father, Thank you for this old song made new. We all truly stand in desperate need of you. Let us not brag on our positions in life as though we have achieved something great. Let us walk in humbleness and holiness because of your great work in our life. It is you the preserved the Nation of Israel in the Old Testament and it is you who preserve those who trust in you even now. We are saved by grace, through faith, not of our selves. So let us sing with confidence today of your great grace and goodness. 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.

Feeling Helpless But Not Hopeless (Psalm 13)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

PSALM 13

1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? 2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, [Having] sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me? 3 Consider [and] hear me, O LORD my God; Enlighten my eyes, Lest I sleep the [sleep of] death; 4 Lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him”; [Lest] those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved. 5 But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. 6 I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.

PSALM 13:1-6, NKJV

FEELING HELPLESS BUT NOT HOPELESS

Have you ever had a terrible no good, dirty, rotten day? Ever had a week of those? Every had a month? Dare I say a year like that?

It can be hard to see people. They want you to smile and say everything is fine, but the truth is it doesn’t feel fine. Things are broken and you FEEL it. Sometimes the temptation can come to push down those feelings, run from them, and try to hide them (Usually by hiding from people). You feel as though it is not an appropriate attitude to wear at church. 

What a relief it is to see this Psalm. We must keep in mind that this is a song that was meant to be sung in worship. This Psalm made it to the Hebrew Hymnal because even in our depression there is a way to worship God. We need this and the conversations that it might provoke. We need to know how to approach God when it feels like He is absent!

David cries out, “How long” four times in the beginning of this song. He isn’t a kid in the back seat impatiently trying to wait for the trip to be over. He is feeling the absence of God. He wants/ needs God to move in his life. He needs to hear from Heaven. He feels like he is losing…. yet for all this feeling, he knows that God is not absent and so he prays further than his eyes can see and his heart can feel. He simply asks God to hear his prayer and enlighten his eyes. And he comes to settle on God’s mercy and his own testimony of how God has dealt with him in the past.

Sometimes that’s the best medicine for a troubled heart is to bring our brokenness to God in prayer and to understand that who God is through His word, and be reminded of his faithfulness both then and now. Sometimes it’s too easy to forget all that God has done for us and the blessings we have in Christ. It is good to practice remembering the answered prayers.

PRAYER

Father, Thank you that you are not just God in the mountains, but you are also God in the valleys. I’ve been through some harsh times of depression. I am grateful that even in the midst of my fears and worries that you are good and you are God. Thank you that even when you feel absent that I can call out to you with a confidence that you hear the prayers of your saints. Let me never tire of recounting the moments in my life where I saw you most clearly at work. I need this and others need it as well. 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.