Tag: thought

Prayer for an Angry Son (Psalm 4)

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PSALM 4

1 To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of David. Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in [my] distress; Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer. 2 How long, O you sons of men, [Will you turn] my glory to shame? [How long] will you love worthlessness [And] seek falsehood? Selah 3 But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly; The LORD will hear when I call to Him. 4 Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah 5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in the LORD. 6 [There are] many who say, “Who will show us [any] good?” LORD, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. 7 You have put gladness in my heart, More than in the season that their grain and wine increased. 8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

PSALM 4:1-8

PRAYER FOR AN ANGRY SON

Three pastors were gathered together to share their perspectives on the best position for powerful prayer. There also happened to be a fellow from the phone company working in the background of the office where they were meeting. The first pastor said, “I think the best position for prayer is to have your hands pressed together pointing upwards.” Another pastor interjected, “That’s good and all, but I’ve found that I’m the most powerful prayers I’ve prayed are when I’m on my knees!” The third pastor said, “I used to pray on my knees, but I’ve had a lot of success lately in getting on my face and laying on the ground before God in prayer.” … finally the phone guy couldn’t stay quiet any longer, he said, “The most powerful prayer I ever made was when I was dangling upside down by my heals, from a power pole, suspended forty feet from the ground!”

David finds himself in a “dangling upside down from a power pole,” type situation as he pens this song and prayer. He is on the ropes from Absalom. He is in danger of losing the kingdom, his son is leading an incredible rebellion against him, and there is no really good outcome that can come from any of it. Where else could he go, but to the Lord.

The fourth verse really stands out as David reminds us that sometimes anger is legitimate but it does not make our sin acceptable. Anger is never an excuse for sin. David confesses that there are things that may have happened to provoke his son to anger, “be angry.” But that our flared tempers shouldn’t lead us to sin, they should lead us to contemplation and meditation upon the character of God who will one day right all wrongs. We should put our trust in the Lord to lift up our faces from anger. Who knows, but perhaps David remembers moments of his life where he was right to be angry and was about to sin, but a calmer voice prevailed (1 Samuel 25).

PRAYER

Father, there are many things in this world that make us angry. Sometimes we are angry because we we misunderstand a situation, but sometimes we have a legitimate right to be angry because injustice has been done. I pray that even in the midst of righteous anger that we would not take in our hands that which belongs in yours. Keep us from sin in our anger, give us wisdom and grace to go to you in the midst of our angered and anxious minds that we might fine peace to sleep by trusting in you to guide our paths. We seek your will in every area of our lives, even our emotions like anger and how it is expressed. In Jesus Christ, 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.

Help for Troubled People (Psalm 3)

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PSALM 3

[Psalm 3:1-8 NKJV] 1 A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many [are] they who rise up against me. 2 Many [are] they who say of me, “[There is] no help for him in God.” Selah 3 But You, O LORD, [are] a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. 4 I cried to the LORD with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah 5 I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me. 6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set [themselves] against me all around. 7 Arise, O LORD; Save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly. 8 Salvation [belongs] to the LORD. Your blessing [is] upon Your people. Selah

HELP FOR TROUBLED PEOPLE (Psalm 3)

The other day my daughter had a bad day at the ball park. She fell on her scooter and scraped her knee. Then on her way to get help, someone borrowed her scooter and she couldn’t find it. So finally she fell down and just started to cry. I found her, picked her up, and helped her figure out if she was just scared, hurt, or anxious (seems like she is all 3 when blood is involved). I bandaged her up, walked her through her emotions, and found the kid who borrowed her scooter and thanked them for watching it for her.

There is no telling what would have happened if I hadn’t intervened. Perhaps she’d still be crying. She’d probably be bitter. There is no telling if she’d have ever found her beloved scooter, etc. But because I helped her she didn’t face any of those things alone, she had an advocate that met her where her needs were and walked with her through the trama.

We all get hurt sometimes. We all have bad days. There are moments where it seems like the world is out to get us. On those days, especially, we need an advocate. We need a safe place to go. We need shelter from this world, someone who understands our pain and help us see things the way they are. We need Him every day, but especially on bad days.

David was having a bad day. He was crying in the dark because his son Absalom was after him. He had fled Jerusalem. He had been mocked. Many of his trusted royal friends had betrayed him. And on top of that his son had made himself his enemy. There was no real way to get through this without tears. So he called out to God, the God who saves, and he put his hope in God.

Prayer

Father, thank you for psalms like this where we are freed up to just pour our heart out to you. Sometimes the world doesn’t make sense and this side of heaven we are sure to face sad days where we are uncertain about what to do. Sometimes it feels like we are stuck in a no-win situation. I am grateful that you meet us in the midst of our adversity, dress our wounds, and heal our hearts. Thank you that you aren’t just a God of the mountains, but that you also lead your people through the valleys. Strengthen us today as we draw our 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

He Wins! (Psalm 2)

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HE WINS (Psalm 2)

There are some moments in the history of sports that are almost too good to be true. They are usually last second, game winning plays in which the impossible just seems to come together for one team to prevail over another. All the momentum is going one way and then in an instant it radically shifts and a winner is declared.

Today in Psalm two I was reminded that all of history is on a course to see Jesus Christ return and reign over all the earth. Throughout the Old Testament we see battles won by the Lord. Time and time again Israel is almost defeated, but then the Lord does something! He drowns an Egyptian Army, He causes a thunderstorm to soften the ground and bog down the chariot wheels, he causes confusion in the army and they fight against themselves, etc., etc. We see all of these small seemingly impossible victories over and over again through the Old Testament so we will be ready because there will be a time where it will happen again, this time, once and for all time.

To be sure in our generation there will be those who set their hopes and hearts against Jesus and it may even seem like for a moment they have all the momentum. There is persecution of Christians going on around the world today, but we don’t lose heart because we know He is coming. We may feel for a moment like we are losing with wayward children, declining health, relational stress. Yet if I hoped in my own strength, or our government, or even a billionaire to save the day, my hope is genuinely misplaced. Yet to trust the Lord in the midst of whatever we are going through, we are doing the right thing. It may seem dark, but the dawn is coming!

Prayer

Father, thank you for the encouragement from your word that Jesus Christ is returning and He will set all things right. I thank you that the injustices that we face will one day be set right in you. We put our trust in you and look forward to the day when your kingdom will come in its fullness. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Scripture

[Psalm 2:1-12 NKJV] 1 Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, [saying], 3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. 5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: 6 “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.” 7 “I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, ‘You [are] My Son, Today I have begotten You. 8 Ask of Me, and I will give [You] The nations [for] Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth [for] Your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ ” 10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. 11 Serve the LORD with fear, And rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish [in] the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed [are] all those who put their trust in Him.

The Blessed Life (Psalm 1)

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There was a moment in my life when I was the new kid in town and didn’t have any friends. I was desperate to make a connection and unfortunately the group of kids I connected with weren’t a great influence on me. When I read Psalm 1 this morning, I remember about how I went down this first path for a little while. I made compromises in my life based on the word of my peers rather than the word of God. In my case it lead me to a scary place and if it wasn’t for the grace of God I shudder to think what could have happened to me if I stayed on that path.

I’ve also walked down the path of being delighted in the Law of the Lord. Indeed, that’s a big part of what this blog is about. My life is so much better when I delight in God’s Word.

Biblical meditation is different than Eastern Meditation. Eastern Meditation is mind emptying. Biblical meditation is a mind saturating thing. It’s like a dog with a bone he keeps going back to chewing over and over again until he’s devoured every last part. That kind of meditation applied to the Word of God is what brings blessing into our lives.

There is a storehouse of biblical knowledge for those who delight in the word of God. Knowledge not just about God, but knowledge of God. The more we read, understand, trust, and obey God’s word (put it into practice), the more we grow. Even in the dry and difficult seasons we aren’t left without hope, encouragement, truth, and joy.

Father, Thank you for your word today in Psalm 1. I’ve seen and testify to the truth of this in my life. Thank you for the joy and fellowship that is found in reading your word in community, discussing it, and applying it to our lives. I ask that I would be delighted in your Law today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

[Psa 1:1-6 NKJV] 1 Blessed [is] the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. 4 The ungodly [are] not so, But [are] like the chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

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 Companion of Fools Will Be Destroyed (Proverbs 13)

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Pro 13:20,NKJV He who walks with wise [men] will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.

Dear Son, There were a few years of my life when I lived in rebellion. My parents often didn’t know what I was up to and I would stay with a friend and we’d go drink. The stupidest thing I ever did was to ride in a car with an older man who would drive us around while he was drinking. One night I had too much alcohol and threw up all over my friends. They ended up putting me in back of pick up and driving me around for hours shirtless on a cold January night. I started blacking out and so they ended up propping me up on a strangers dirty toilet where I spent the rest of the night. Looking back, I had most of the symptoms of alcohol poisoning and I really needed medical attention but my friends were all underage and ignorant of what was happening.

I look back and think that there was a night that I was so close to death, not just because of what I had done, but because my friends were fools. They didn’t have enough sense to really help me when I needed it. Instead they threw me in the back of a truck until I had (or nearly had) hypothermia only to prop me up on a strangers dirty toilet. I’m grateful that I never really got all my memories back from that night, but one thing I do remember is that my friends would have been my downfall.

In college I became intentional about making friends. I tried to find the guys and girls who were making good grades, who were honoring the Lord, and making a difference in the world. Through their peer pressure I did crazy things like study, feed the homeless, get out of my comfort zone and go to another country to share the gospel and so much more. Many of those friends still remain my friends today and have reached out in real and tangible ways when I have needed them.

Who you chose to be your friends matter. Choose good and godly friends. Avoid foolish friends.

Father, Thank you for the grace of being a dad. I pray for each of my kids and ask that they would form real and lasting friendships with godly young people. I pray that they are an encouragement and blessing to their friends. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Join us in reading a Proverb A Day through the Month of May (or any month you want)

Choose Your Words and Your Friends Carefully (Proverbs 12)

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Pro 12:15-16 NKJV The way of a fool [is] right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel [is] wise. (16) A fool’s wrath is known at once, But a prudent [man] covers shame.

Dear Son, this world is full of people who are right in their own eyes. Our culture has shifted to a godless society similar to the kingless society we find in the book of Judges. We need to remember how the book of Judges ends. When everyone does what is right in their own eyes, they call for justice for the rape and murder of one woman and that justice turns into the near annihilation of an entire tribe of Israel and the forced marriage/rape of over 600 women.

Jdg 21:25 NKJV In those days [there was] no king in Israel; everyone did [what was] right in his own eyes.

In our day, this hyper focus on self leads to the denial of biological realities and seeks to force doctors, who have pledged to, “do no harm,” to mutilate the flesh of prepubescent children. Think on that for just a moment. The voice of the constructed self has more authority that biological reality. When someone is right in their own eyes, they will ultimately destroy themselves or others.

We have moved to a culture that ‘cancels’ things because of one negative personal experience or too often because of a fictitious narrative about those who could suffer. Don’t think the church is immune. I’ve seen pastor’s want to cancel Mother’s Day because a few women who had bad experiences with their mom’s growing up.

The solution is found in having several godly counselors. I’ve always enjoyed the privilege of talking with several men who will counsel me from the scriptures on a given matter. Seek to be one who offers godly counsel and seek to have friends who will guide you to the scriptures rather than affirm your delusions.

Father, Thank you for the privilege of speaking to my children. I pray that they’d receive all the wisdom they can from your word and that they’d act on it. Guide them in this generation to be salt and light. Give them insight in how to live truth and speak truth. Guard their words and guard their close friendships. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Join us in reading a Proverb A Day through the Month of May (or any month you want)

Don’t Waste Time on Swine (Proverbs 11)

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Pro 11:22-23 ESV Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without discretion. (23) The desire of the righteous ends only in good, the expectation of the wicked in wrath.

Dear son, When we think of a pig’s snout we don’t think of gold rings. You could put a gold ring in a pigs snout but it would be misplaced. Pigs put their noses in the mud! You might put a common metal ring in a pigs nose to help steer them out of the mud, but you wouldn’t give them gold! It would be a waste.

There are some folks who seem trustworthy but they aren’t. There are folks who may look good, but they aren’t good. Just like a gold ring might look nice in a pigs snout. It won’t be long until the nature of the pig comes out and it runs its ring through the mud… that’s just the nature of the pig! There will be people on this earth who lack discretion and aren’t to be trusted with your most precious thoughts, time, or treasures. Don’t give something that is sacred to someone who is profane.

Mat 7:6 NKJV “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

This isn’t just to warn you of the type of people who are out there. You must also decide what type of person you will be. Will you be someone who displays discretion and honors others? Or will you make light of others and their struggles? Will you seek the good or will you stir up hatred and strife? Will you be a producer or consumer?

Father, thank you for the privilege of raising our children. I pray that they would all follow hard after you. I pray that they would become men and women of character and integrity. I ask that they would have discretion and honor those who are worthy of honor. Keep them from profaning the holy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Join us in reading a Proverb A Day through the Month of May (or any month you want)

Better than Rubies (Proverbs 8)

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Pro 8:10-13, 31-32 NKJV Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold; (11) For wisdom [is] better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her. (12) “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And find out knowledge [and] discretion. (13) The fear of the LORD [is] to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate. … (31) Rejoicing in His inhabited world, And my delight [was] with the sons of men. (32) “Now therefore, listen to me, [my] children, For blessed [are those who] keep my ways.

Daughter, I was working on one of our cars several years ago. I had to pull off one of the front rotors (the part that connects to the tire). I had the tire off, but the rotor wouldn’t come off. I looked everything up on YouTube and saw someone working on a similar vehicle. It was easy for them, but try as I might the rotor wouldn’t come off our vehicle. I even took a sledgehammer to try and pound it off. Finally in desperation I called a friend. My friend had a repair manual for our particular car and he noticed that our vehicle was different than the one in the video. There was an extra nut that needed to be removed. Sure enough we removed the extra (hidden) nut and everything came off like it was supposed to.

So many people go through life trying to fix themselves. They might even look up guides or listen to videos on how to do things, but if they don’t have the truth they will just end up frustrated. The highest aim and the greatest value you can search for in life is genuine wisdom based on the truth. The greatest asset you can have is a character of humility to learn from God who made you with a purpose and designed you to benefit from wisdom. Don’t waste your energy on winging it, seek God’s wisdom.

If you love and fear the LORD, you will be humble. You will hate what he hates. You will search diligently for the right and abhor the wrong. You will hate pride that threatens to take away the gift of wisdom. You will search for truth diligently and prize it above all.

Father, thank you for the privilege of raising my children. I pray that I model humility for them. I pray that they humbly seek truth from you all the days of their lives. I pray that they are blessed and benefit from wisdom. I ask that they would hate the things you hate. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Join us in reading a Proverb A Day through the Month of May (or any month you want)

Be Teachable (Proverbs 4)

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Pro 4:10-13 ESV Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many. (11) I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. (12) When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble. (13) Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.

Dear daughter, I heard a story about a grandmother who had given her grandson a bible. Unknown to him, she had inserted several 100 dollar bills in the bible. The grandson thanked his grandmother but secretly he despised her for giving him such an impractical gift. There were times in his life when he needed money and he would reach out to his grandmother for help. She would tell always give him a scripture reference and ask if he’d been reading his bible. He was polite and would thank her, but he never looked up the passages. Finally one day he asked her why she never helped him with money when he needed it. She knew he wasn’t reading the bible she gave him and finally confronted him to the point that he admitted that he’d never opened it. She said, “All you ever needed was at your fingertips, but you never opened the gift I gave you. Not only had I already given you the money, but even more than that, the infinite riches of God’s word were available to you all the time as well! What good is a gift if it is never opened?”

God has blessed you with the gift of His Word. It is a guide for life. In it we learn about Him and about us. God has also given you parents to guide you. We’ve learned a lot about life through experience, from our own parents, and others. All of our learning testifies to the truthfulness of God’s Word. We have sought to live out the truth we have seen in God’s Word. There are things in our lives that you should emulate. Sadly there are also places where we have stumbled that we would warn you to avoid. Either way, God has given us to you to educate you. You have many gifts from God, but what good are those gifts if you never open them and use them.

Being teachable is the best skill you can ever have! If you are teachable you can learn almost anything. However to despise instruction is prideful. It assumes you can learn and discern things well on your own already. Pride will lead you to costly mistakes.

Father, thank you for the wisdom you have given us in your word. Thank you for those you have called and equipped to model and teach your word to us. Thank you for my parents and thank you for the privilege of parenting my kids. I ask that we would all be teachable. Keep us from pride. Let us learn with humility from those you have given us as teachers that you might be glorified in our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Join us in reading a Proverb A Day through the Month of May (or any month you want)

God is Still on the Throne (Revelation 10-12)

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Revelation 10:5-7 ESV And the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven (6) and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay, (7) but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.

There is a lot of symbolism in these chapters. You can look back at last years post to see how I understand some of the images that are described in this section of scripture. It’s important that we don’t miss the forest for the trees in the descriptions in the book of Revelation. God is sovereign over His creation! The point of the book of Revelation is to note that He is Almighty Sovereign God and He reigns over everything. There is nothing that take Him by surprise. Events unfold at his prerogative and at their appointed times.

This is important because there will be moments where it looks like He is losing. His faithful servants will be persecuted. There is an evil enemy that seeks to devour them. Yet, even when it looks like the faithful are perishing, God is in control…. As we round the corner going into the Passion week before Easter, we are reminded that it must have looked like evil was winning when Jesus was crucified, yet it was through His death and resurrection that we are saved!

My big takeaway from todays reading is to remember that all of history is headed to a particular destination and will reach that destination at the exact right time. I’m reminded that God is in control. Somehow as I fret with small things that cause us stress (family, bills, work, etc.), I am comforted to place these things in the hands of the Lord and pray for His kingdom to come. There is great personal peace to be found by seeking first the kingdom of God.

Father, thank you for these chapters in the book of Revelation today that reminds me that you are in control. I admit I am often consumed with the minor details of life that I can’t control. How refreshing it is to know that you are in control of all things. I pray for your kingdom to come and your will to be done. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

RESOURCES:

2020 Post on Revelation 10-12

Join us in reading though the New Testament in 90 Days! You can find the plan and previous posts here.