Ps 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. " NIV
The heart and the mouth are joined together like links in a chain. Each one is influenced by the other and where one goes the other soon follows. There is a powerful link in the scriptures between our confession and the condition of our heart. The psalmist has captured the essence of this principle in these profound words. “Let my speech and my heart please you Lord!” If the church would grasp this one principle so much more of what has been promised us in the scriptures would be consistently experienced by the body of Christ.
The two key biblical principles that this is founded upon are the words of Christ In Luke 6:45, “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” And the verse in Prov 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” KJV. It is man’s nature to speak that which has found a place in his heart. When we are depressed it comes forth in our speech. When we are happy, others tend to know about it. When we are afraid we speak that into the middle of our listening audience. We all pour out that which is in us. What we often overlook is the reality that is created by the second principle. Either death or life is flowing out of the words that I speak. The very work of creation as well as the many healing miracles of Christ all operated through this principle of the spoken word. Even our salvation and the ability to receive the promises of God is dependent on the fact that faith comes by hearing and the confession of what we believe.
When we allow our hearts to become the garden for thoughts that do not honor God’s character and his word then it is only a matter of time before we begin to plant those same seeds of darkness into the hearts of others. Think of how many children are damaged by the hurtful, unwise words of a parent who is speaking from their own pain and impatience. Yet those words are a living force that is sowing death into that child’s heart. James expresses the destructive potential of our tongue in a powerful way when he writes, James 3:6 “The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” Imagine that, your mouth can corrupt your whole person! What power there is for life and death in the words that we speak. This is the foundation of David’s prayer when he cries out for God to help him speak and think in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. Today set your heart on that which will breed life within and speak only that which is pleasing to the Lord and agrees with his word. This life giving confession is not based on how you are feeling. It flows out of a decision to live by the principles of the word and to shape our life to the word of God rather than shaping the word of God to our lives.
Friday
Psalm 19:12-13 - February 27, 2009
Ps 19:12-13 "Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. 13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression." NIV
This psalm is founded upon the same principles that Jeremiah laments in Jer 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” On our own we cannot know the deep recesses of our hearts. “Who can discern his errors?” This question displays our need for the Holy Spirit. Apart from God’s searching presence each one of us is destined to live with a measure of self-deception. Our hearts are such a deep well of diverse motivations rooted in our childhood training, emotional traumas, and personal decisions that we have made both consciously and subconsciously, yet everything we do and say flows out of those very same depths within us. The apostle Paul reflected on this principle when he said, 1 Cor 4:4 “My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.” He recognized that even though he felt good about his own decisions this did not make him innocent. He understood that his heart could still hold dark places within it, and that final judgment as to the condition of his heart was in the hands of the Lord”
Paul’s insight into this principle is extremely valuable as he reflects on the Lord’s response to what he finds as he examines our hearts. In 1 Cor 4:5 Paul writes, “He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts.” Paul’s words invite us into a relationship with the Lord of such intimacy that the Holy Spirit reveals the hidden things in our hearts and exposes our very motives in life. The great contrast between Old Testament and New Testament intimacy is the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit in the believer that is able to reveal to us our own hearts and motives.
Even so, in his cry for purity, David does not stop with only the state of his heart. David turns now to his will. Oh, that ever believer would walk with God with such a stewardship of our inner man. David is concerned both about his inner motives and his acts of willfulness. David cries out for deliverance from those conscious areas of sin that he knows he is inclined towards as willful acts of disobedience. This condition is present in most every Christian. We know what we ought to do and yet we choose a more convenient or pleasurable way. May we all find this same heart of David that longs for a blameless life, both in the acts of our will and in the inner recesses of the heart.
This psalm is founded upon the same principles that Jeremiah laments in Jer 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” On our own we cannot know the deep recesses of our hearts. “Who can discern his errors?” This question displays our need for the Holy Spirit. Apart from God’s searching presence each one of us is destined to live with a measure of self-deception. Our hearts are such a deep well of diverse motivations rooted in our childhood training, emotional traumas, and personal decisions that we have made both consciously and subconsciously, yet everything we do and say flows out of those very same depths within us. The apostle Paul reflected on this principle when he said, 1 Cor 4:4 “My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.” He recognized that even though he felt good about his own decisions this did not make him innocent. He understood that his heart could still hold dark places within it, and that final judgment as to the condition of his heart was in the hands of the Lord”
Paul’s insight into this principle is extremely valuable as he reflects on the Lord’s response to what he finds as he examines our hearts. In 1 Cor 4:5 Paul writes, “He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts.” Paul’s words invite us into a relationship with the Lord of such intimacy that the Holy Spirit reveals the hidden things in our hearts and exposes our very motives in life. The great contrast between Old Testament and New Testament intimacy is the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit in the believer that is able to reveal to us our own hearts and motives.
Even so, in his cry for purity, David does not stop with only the state of his heart. David turns now to his will. Oh, that ever believer would walk with God with such a stewardship of our inner man. David is concerned both about his inner motives and his acts of willfulness. David cries out for deliverance from those conscious areas of sin that he knows he is inclined towards as willful acts of disobedience. This condition is present in most every Christian. We know what we ought to do and yet we choose a more convenient or pleasurable way. May we all find this same heart of David that longs for a blameless life, both in the acts of our will and in the inner recesses of the heart.
Thursday
Psalm 19:7-11 - February 26, 2009
Ps 19:7-11 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. 10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. 11 By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward." NIV
A Celebration of the Word of God! Jesus made a powerful statement in the gospels when he said, John 6:63 “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” David seemed to grasp the essence of this statement as he reflects on the law of the Lord in Ps. 19. The attributes of the word of God present a powerful call to learn from its wisdom! Are you ever tired? Are you ever emotionally drained? Is your mind ever wondering off into the darker places of human thought? Come to the perfect word of God and be revived! The word of God confronts the soul. The word of God distinguishes between life giving thoughts and those thoughts that lead to death. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the word of God divides between soul and spirit. It calls us to give our thoughts to that which is faith filled, that which is spiritual and this focus results in a soul that is revived and strengthened. The word of God is our greatest weapon to determine where we will live! The word calls us to live in the green pastures of life in the Spirit.
David continues on in his celebration of the word, extolling its many virtues that it imparts to those who meditate on it. The word of the Lord is trustworthy. It can be depended upon. The word makes wise the simple. Have you ever faced a problem that seemed more complex than you had an answer for? The word of God is there to direct you into the solution. Col.2:2-3 tells us that in Christ (the living word) all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. They are waiting for those who will search them out. The word of God gives joy to the heart. Have you ever felt that sudden rush of joy that comes when your eyes are opened to some truth that you have never fully grasped, or the answer to a problem suddenly becomes clear before you? Or has your heart ever leapt for joy with a sudden rush as you realized the truth of how God feels about you? This is the joy that is waiting within the pages of scripture, ready to be found by those who will seek with a whole heart.
“More precious than fine gold,” this is David’s view of the word of the Lord! This is the statement of a man who has built his life upon the word and experienced the truth of it in his daily life! It is clear by this passage that these words were written by someone who has tasted of the goodness of God as revealed in his word. David celebrates to final aspects of the word in his closing statements. “By them is your servant warned,” David has experienced the power of the word in its ability to guard our hearts and guide our steps in safe paths. Even as he was tempted to kill Saul during the time when he was running for his life, and his friends were encouraging him to do evil by killing Saul David holds on to his integrity and his right heart before God by looking to the counsel of the Word for a right response to his situation. This commitment to the Word keeps David from committing a sin that would have completely altered the nature of his reign as king. David equally celebrates the reward of the Lord that comes to those who keep the Word. David had the joy of living with a clean conscience that flowed out of living according to the Word of the Lord. He recognized that the many blessings that flowed into his path way were the result of having yoked his will to live his life according to the principles of scripture and the commands of God.
A Celebration of the Word of God! Jesus made a powerful statement in the gospels when he said, John 6:63 “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” David seemed to grasp the essence of this statement as he reflects on the law of the Lord in Ps. 19. The attributes of the word of God present a powerful call to learn from its wisdom! Are you ever tired? Are you ever emotionally drained? Is your mind ever wondering off into the darker places of human thought? Come to the perfect word of God and be revived! The word of God confronts the soul. The word of God distinguishes between life giving thoughts and those thoughts that lead to death. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the word of God divides between soul and spirit. It calls us to give our thoughts to that which is faith filled, that which is spiritual and this focus results in a soul that is revived and strengthened. The word of God is our greatest weapon to determine where we will live! The word calls us to live in the green pastures of life in the Spirit.
David continues on in his celebration of the word, extolling its many virtues that it imparts to those who meditate on it. The word of the Lord is trustworthy. It can be depended upon. The word makes wise the simple. Have you ever faced a problem that seemed more complex than you had an answer for? The word of God is there to direct you into the solution. Col.2:2-3 tells us that in Christ (the living word) all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. They are waiting for those who will search them out. The word of God gives joy to the heart. Have you ever felt that sudden rush of joy that comes when your eyes are opened to some truth that you have never fully grasped, or the answer to a problem suddenly becomes clear before you? Or has your heart ever leapt for joy with a sudden rush as you realized the truth of how God feels about you? This is the joy that is waiting within the pages of scripture, ready to be found by those who will seek with a whole heart.
“More precious than fine gold,” this is David’s view of the word of the Lord! This is the statement of a man who has built his life upon the word and experienced the truth of it in his daily life! It is clear by this passage that these words were written by someone who has tasted of the goodness of God as revealed in his word. David celebrates to final aspects of the word in his closing statements. “By them is your servant warned,” David has experienced the power of the word in its ability to guard our hearts and guide our steps in safe paths. Even as he was tempted to kill Saul during the time when he was running for his life, and his friends were encouraging him to do evil by killing Saul David holds on to his integrity and his right heart before God by looking to the counsel of the Word for a right response to his situation. This commitment to the Word keeps David from committing a sin that would have completely altered the nature of his reign as king. David equally celebrates the reward of the Lord that comes to those who keep the Word. David had the joy of living with a clean conscience that flowed out of living according to the Word of the Lord. He recognized that the many blessings that flowed into his path way were the result of having yoked his will to live his life according to the principles of scripture and the commands of God.
Wednesday
Psalm 19:1-4 - February 25, 2009
Ps 19:1-4 "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. 3 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world." NIV
Have you ever stood outside and gazed at the night time sky, looking into the infinite distance of a starry night? Have you ever stood speechless watching a beautiful sunset as the heavens lit up with a radiant explosion of colors? How many times have you laid back on the ground from childhood until now and considered the beautiful diversity of a cloud filled horizon or marveled at the speed of the clouds as they sped by in their circuit across the sky? Who hasn’t watched in awe as storm clouds billowed and lightning flashed its powerful arcs across the heavens? What about a tornado or the force of a hurricane? Are not all of these a declaration of God’s power and might? Are they not a reflection of his glory and majesty,
his creative expression?
The voice of the Lord shouts over all of God’s creation through the very works of his hands. Who but our creator God could have performed such wonders? How could any man observe these things and deny the existence of a creator. David has this revelation as he declares, “day after day they pour forth speech, night after night they display knowledge.” The heavens and the earth are a declaration to all mankind. Night and day they cry out to him, speaking of his power, telling of his majesty and wisdom. When David says that the heavens display knowledge this is such a powerful revelation of the mind of God. It was not a random act of chemistry that created the heavens and the marvels that we behold. Rather it is a display of the brilliance of the one who conceived of it. It is intended to call to all mankind and awaken our hearts to a desire to know this one who could create with such wonder and beauty. They shout forth with such authority as if to say, “If I could make such beauty, such power, such wonder, don’t you want to know who I am?” The heavens are a statement of God’s desire to be known.
This concept is such a logical process that even Jesus brothers formed similar conclusions regarding him. In Jn. 7:3-4 they pressure Jesus because they have concluded that anyone who is doing such miraculous works must have an agenda to eventually become known to all. In keeping with this same conclusion we can know that God is reaching out to man through the marvels of his creation saying, “Worship me,” “Know me,” “believe in me”. Man will have no excuse for rejecting God because as David says, the voice of God through his creation goes forth into all the earth and therefore all men will be held accountable for their testimony. Paul states it with great clarity in Rom 1:20 when he says, “For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” God is speaking to the earth, willing to be known by all who will listen, ready to hold accountable all of those who won’t.
Have you ever stood outside and gazed at the night time sky, looking into the infinite distance of a starry night? Have you ever stood speechless watching a beautiful sunset as the heavens lit up with a radiant explosion of colors? How many times have you laid back on the ground from childhood until now and considered the beautiful diversity of a cloud filled horizon or marveled at the speed of the clouds as they sped by in their circuit across the sky? Who hasn’t watched in awe as storm clouds billowed and lightning flashed its powerful arcs across the heavens? What about a tornado or the force of a hurricane? Are not all of these a declaration of God’s power and might? Are they not a reflection of his glory and majesty,
his creative expression?
The voice of the Lord shouts over all of God’s creation through the very works of his hands. Who but our creator God could have performed such wonders? How could any man observe these things and deny the existence of a creator. David has this revelation as he declares, “day after day they pour forth speech, night after night they display knowledge.” The heavens and the earth are a declaration to all mankind. Night and day they cry out to him, speaking of his power, telling of his majesty and wisdom. When David says that the heavens display knowledge this is such a powerful revelation of the mind of God. It was not a random act of chemistry that created the heavens and the marvels that we behold. Rather it is a display of the brilliance of the one who conceived of it. It is intended to call to all mankind and awaken our hearts to a desire to know this one who could create with such wonder and beauty. They shout forth with such authority as if to say, “If I could make such beauty, such power, such wonder, don’t you want to know who I am?” The heavens are a statement of God’s desire to be known.
This concept is such a logical process that even Jesus brothers formed similar conclusions regarding him. In Jn. 7:3-4 they pressure Jesus because they have concluded that anyone who is doing such miraculous works must have an agenda to eventually become known to all. In keeping with this same conclusion we can know that God is reaching out to man through the marvels of his creation saying, “Worship me,” “Know me,” “believe in me”. Man will have no excuse for rejecting God because as David says, the voice of God through his creation goes forth into all the earth and therefore all men will be held accountable for their testimony. Paul states it with great clarity in Rom 1:20 when he says, “For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” God is speaking to the earth, willing to be known by all who will listen, ready to hold accountable all of those who won’t.
Tuesday
Psalm 18:37-50 - February 24, 2009
Ps. 18:37-50 "50 I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed. 38 I crushed them so that they could not rise; they fell beneath my feet. 39 You armed me with strength for battle; you made my adversaries bow at my feet. 40 You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes. 41 They cried for help, but there was no one to save them — to the LORD, but he did not answer. 42 I beat them as fine as dust borne on the wind; I poured them out like mud in the streets. 43 You have delivered me from the attacks of the people; you have made me the head of nations; people I did not know are subject to me. 44 As soon as they hear me, they obey me; foreigners cringe before me. 45 They all lose heart; they come trembling from their strongholds. 46 The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior! 47 He is the God who avenges me, who subdues nations under me, 48 who saves me from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from violent men you rescued me. 49 Therefore I will praise you among the nations, O LORD;I will sing praises to your name. 50 He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed, to David and his descendants forever.” NIV
This passage is a powerful reflection of David’s heart of humility. He is celebrating the great victories that he has won in battle: “I pursued…I destroyed… I crushed them…They fell beneath my feet.” And then immediately he turns and places the victory in the hands of God. “You armed me with strength for battle…You made my enemies bow… You made my enemies turn… And I destroyed.” What a wonderful picture of the divine partnership that is ours in Christ. We do our part and God does his part. Paul reflects this principle in Phil 2:12-13 when he says, “12 Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you.” David lived this reality of the marriage between our efforts and God’s enabling power. God won’t do your part and you can’t do God’s part and it is important to understand which is which!
We work hard in this life but at the end of the day it is really God who is working out all things through his servants. Because David understands this reality his heart is greatly protected from a spirit of pride that would find plenty of room to work typically in a life that is filled with so many great victories and that has experienced so much of the praise of man. Solomon writes in Pr. 27:21 “That man’s heart is tested by the praise that he receives.” It is very possible that he learned this valuable principle first through observing the battle for a humble heart that David walked through as he was exalted to a place of prominence as King of Israel and champion of the Lord’s army. David had every opportunity to exalt himself and take credit for his triumphs. First he has defeated the lion and the bear, then Goliath, then the many enemies of the Lord as a servant of Saul. The maiden were singing his praise even above his own king. How many of us would have allowed that to corrupt our hearts. A common phrase regarding self exaltation is the tendency to “believe our own press!” The world is looking for a hero to worship and so the public tends to exalt the gifts and talents that come from God as if they were the gifts and talents of man and this becomes a snare to those who lend their ear to such things.
In Acts 14 Paul and Barnabas had just performed a miracle and the priests of Jupiter were inciting the people to offer sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas but they stood in their midst and declared the message of God’s salvation and that he is the one worthy to be worshipped. This passage is also a tremendous demonstration of how fickle or fleeting the praise of men can be. In just a short time a group of Jews from Antioch arrive and turn the hearts of these same people who were ready to offer sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas and persuade them to stone Paul. One moment he is a God in their eyes, the very next he is a heretic worthy of death. The path of humility is not always going to be paved with ease and comfort but it is the path that leads to the favor and blessing of God.
This passage is a powerful reflection of David’s heart of humility. He is celebrating the great victories that he has won in battle: “I pursued…I destroyed… I crushed them…They fell beneath my feet.” And then immediately he turns and places the victory in the hands of God. “You armed me with strength for battle…You made my enemies bow… You made my enemies turn… And I destroyed.” What a wonderful picture of the divine partnership that is ours in Christ. We do our part and God does his part. Paul reflects this principle in Phil 2:12-13 when he says, “12 Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you.” David lived this reality of the marriage between our efforts and God’s enabling power. God won’t do your part and you can’t do God’s part and it is important to understand which is which!
We work hard in this life but at the end of the day it is really God who is working out all things through his servants. Because David understands this reality his heart is greatly protected from a spirit of pride that would find plenty of room to work typically in a life that is filled with so many great victories and that has experienced so much of the praise of man. Solomon writes in Pr. 27:21 “That man’s heart is tested by the praise that he receives.” It is very possible that he learned this valuable principle first through observing the battle for a humble heart that David walked through as he was exalted to a place of prominence as King of Israel and champion of the Lord’s army. David had every opportunity to exalt himself and take credit for his triumphs. First he has defeated the lion and the bear, then Goliath, then the many enemies of the Lord as a servant of Saul. The maiden were singing his praise even above his own king. How many of us would have allowed that to corrupt our hearts. A common phrase regarding self exaltation is the tendency to “believe our own press!” The world is looking for a hero to worship and so the public tends to exalt the gifts and talents that come from God as if they were the gifts and talents of man and this becomes a snare to those who lend their ear to such things.
In Acts 14 Paul and Barnabas had just performed a miracle and the priests of Jupiter were inciting the people to offer sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas but they stood in their midst and declared the message of God’s salvation and that he is the one worthy to be worshipped. This passage is also a tremendous demonstration of how fickle or fleeting the praise of men can be. In just a short time a group of Jews from Antioch arrive and turn the hearts of these same people who were ready to offer sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas and persuade them to stone Paul. One moment he is a God in their eyes, the very next he is a heretic worthy of death. The path of humility is not always going to be paved with ease and comfort but it is the path that leads to the favor and blessing of God.
Monday
Psalm 18:34-36 - February 23, 2009
Ps.18:34-36 "36 He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 35 You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. 36 You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn." NIV
Every person alive was born into a life of spiritual conflict. Whether we like the idea or not, from the moment that Satan approached Eve a conflict over the souls of men has been taking place. Every one of us is a combatant in a spiritual fight not only for our own lives but for the lives of those we love and for every person who has ever or is currently walking the face of the earth. The good news is God has not abandoned us to fight alone. Instead, he is the captain of the army, the commander in chief! David had a revelation that the battle that he was fighting was not an earthly conflict. Even when he confronted Goliath David knew that his battle was the Lord battle. As he raced to confront his enemy David shouted, 1 Sam 17:45 "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel.” Goliath attempted to get David to focus on the earthly realities, big giant, lots of weapons, you’re too small, you have no experience in battle but David refused to give his thoughts to anything but the victory that was his in God. David had already won this battle in his mind, before he ever confronted Goliath in the natural realm.
The powerful message of this passage is that it is God who trains us for this fight. Throughout this entire psalm David is reflecting on the great conflict he had been through and upon God’s intervening hand. As he does so his conclusion is profound; “It is God who trains my hands for battle!” We are not alone in the fight, nor do we have to figure it out on our own. God is at work to prepare us and train us for war. Every situation that we embrace is God leading us through a process of growth that is intended to enable us to fight greater and greater battles for the glory of God. I Co. 15:57 tells us that through Christ we have the victory. God is working even now in your circumstances to train you how to enter into the victory that is yours in Christ. He is raising up champions to fight his battles in the earth. As David says it is God who gives us his shield of victory.
In addition to this revelation of God’s equipping David recognizes that God is seeking to establish David’s identity both in his own heart and in the hearts of others that he will later influence. He declares, “You stoop down to make me great!” What a confident assertion of God’s plan. Deu. 28:13 promises that God will make us the head and not the tail if we hold fast to his promises and David is living in the confidence of that truth! God is at work to advance his cause in the earth by finding those whose hearts are completely his so that he can fully invest his power in raising them up to be shining lights in a dark generation. He chose men like Moses, David, Job, Abraham, and Daniel and brought them to greatness by training them for the times that they lived in to stand apart from those around them through the lessons that they learned in the presence of the Lord. He prepared them through the process of developing intimacy with them and speaking his perfect words of life over them in such a way that shaped them and molded them for the time when God would set them in as leaders in their generation. Paul spoke to Timothy of this principle and related his responsibility in regard to God’s dealings in I Ti. 1:18 when he instructs his spiritual son to fight the good fight using the prophecies spoken about his destiny as a weapon to build his faith and to direct his steps.
Every person alive was born into a life of spiritual conflict. Whether we like the idea or not, from the moment that Satan approached Eve a conflict over the souls of men has been taking place. Every one of us is a combatant in a spiritual fight not only for our own lives but for the lives of those we love and for every person who has ever or is currently walking the face of the earth. The good news is God has not abandoned us to fight alone. Instead, he is the captain of the army, the commander in chief! David had a revelation that the battle that he was fighting was not an earthly conflict. Even when he confronted Goliath David knew that his battle was the Lord battle. As he raced to confront his enemy David shouted, 1 Sam 17:45 "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel.” Goliath attempted to get David to focus on the earthly realities, big giant, lots of weapons, you’re too small, you have no experience in battle but David refused to give his thoughts to anything but the victory that was his in God. David had already won this battle in his mind, before he ever confronted Goliath in the natural realm.
The powerful message of this passage is that it is God who trains us for this fight. Throughout this entire psalm David is reflecting on the great conflict he had been through and upon God’s intervening hand. As he does so his conclusion is profound; “It is God who trains my hands for battle!” We are not alone in the fight, nor do we have to figure it out on our own. God is at work to prepare us and train us for war. Every situation that we embrace is God leading us through a process of growth that is intended to enable us to fight greater and greater battles for the glory of God. I Co. 15:57 tells us that through Christ we have the victory. God is working even now in your circumstances to train you how to enter into the victory that is yours in Christ. He is raising up champions to fight his battles in the earth. As David says it is God who gives us his shield of victory.
In addition to this revelation of God’s equipping David recognizes that God is seeking to establish David’s identity both in his own heart and in the hearts of others that he will later influence. He declares, “You stoop down to make me great!” What a confident assertion of God’s plan. Deu. 28:13 promises that God will make us the head and not the tail if we hold fast to his promises and David is living in the confidence of that truth! God is at work to advance his cause in the earth by finding those whose hearts are completely his so that he can fully invest his power in raising them up to be shining lights in a dark generation. He chose men like Moses, David, Job, Abraham, and Daniel and brought them to greatness by training them for the times that they lived in to stand apart from those around them through the lessons that they learned in the presence of the Lord. He prepared them through the process of developing intimacy with them and speaking his perfect words of life over them in such a way that shaped them and molded them for the time when God would set them in as leaders in their generation. Paul spoke to Timothy of this principle and related his responsibility in regard to God’s dealings in I Ti. 1:18 when he instructs his spiritual son to fight the good fight using the prophecies spoken about his destiny as a weapon to build his faith and to direct his steps.
Sunday
Psalm 18:29-33 - February 22, 2009
Psalm 18:29-33 "29 With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. 30 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. 31 For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? 32 It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. 33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights." NIV
Where does the victory come from? David was a seasoned and successful warrior and yet he knew one thing for sure. All that he was able to accomplish came through God’s help. He lived in a confident assurance of what is possible when we tap into the strength, boldness, and power of God. As he continues to write this psalm David begins connects the knowledge of his source with the nature of his source.
David celebrates the perfections of God in this next portion of
Psalm 18. Verse 30 is a great reminder that all of God’s ways are perfect. In other words his dealings with you are not a mistake, nor are they unjust. Rather all that God is doing concerning you is perfect. When we accept this reality in can help us to reinterpret the difficult seasons of our lives. One of the greatest snares for the believer is to look upon the difficult times in our lives and interpret them through a lens that brings judgment and accusation against God. To accept that God’s ways are perfect enables us to then consider. If God’s ways towards me are perfect then what is God doing for my good in the midst of this trial or difficulty? We can lift up the prayer, “Help me to understand the good that you are bringing from this.”
The flawless word of God! What a hope David reminds us of. Every word from the mouth of God is good for 2 Tim 3:16 instructs us that, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” When God speaks to me it is with perfection and it is a reflection of his desire to bring us me to maturity that is the underlying motive of his speaking. David is celebrating the shield that God is to his children. I believe that it is through the word that he shields us. Though there is also a dimension of the mystical protection of God there is a significant degree to which it is adherence to the word that God calls us to live by that is our shield, our power, our strength. David makes such a powerful statement about the perfections of the word of God right in the midst of declaring the provision of God’s power and might for battle and his protection from his enemies. All of this shouts to my spirit that it is the word that is the source of these things. As we stand on God’s perfect word we receive power for the fight, protection from the enemy and direction into his perfect promises.
David declares, “It is God who arms me with strength.” Isaiah 40:31 states that those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. This waiting upon the Lord is a waiting in the place of meditation upon the word until faith and revelation flow. God imparts strength to those who will abide in his word until that which is simply the written word affecting our minds becomes the living word impregnating our spirits with life and power. The more we wait on the perfect counsels of God the more we receive power and wisdom to defeat our enemies and to accomplish the victories that God has prepared for us. As we do this it is God who enables us to stand on the spiritual high places and enjoy the fruit of an intimate relationship with God.
Where does the victory come from? David was a seasoned and successful warrior and yet he knew one thing for sure. All that he was able to accomplish came through God’s help. He lived in a confident assurance of what is possible when we tap into the strength, boldness, and power of God. As he continues to write this psalm David begins connects the knowledge of his source with the nature of his source.
David celebrates the perfections of God in this next portion of
Psalm 18. Verse 30 is a great reminder that all of God’s ways are perfect. In other words his dealings with you are not a mistake, nor are they unjust. Rather all that God is doing concerning you is perfect. When we accept this reality in can help us to reinterpret the difficult seasons of our lives. One of the greatest snares for the believer is to look upon the difficult times in our lives and interpret them through a lens that brings judgment and accusation against God. To accept that God’s ways are perfect enables us to then consider. If God’s ways towards me are perfect then what is God doing for my good in the midst of this trial or difficulty? We can lift up the prayer, “Help me to understand the good that you are bringing from this.”
The flawless word of God! What a hope David reminds us of. Every word from the mouth of God is good for 2 Tim 3:16 instructs us that, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” When God speaks to me it is with perfection and it is a reflection of his desire to bring us me to maturity that is the underlying motive of his speaking. David is celebrating the shield that God is to his children. I believe that it is through the word that he shields us. Though there is also a dimension of the mystical protection of God there is a significant degree to which it is adherence to the word that God calls us to live by that is our shield, our power, our strength. David makes such a powerful statement about the perfections of the word of God right in the midst of declaring the provision of God’s power and might for battle and his protection from his enemies. All of this shouts to my spirit that it is the word that is the source of these things. As we stand on God’s perfect word we receive power for the fight, protection from the enemy and direction into his perfect promises.
David declares, “It is God who arms me with strength.” Isaiah 40:31 states that those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. This waiting upon the Lord is a waiting in the place of meditation upon the word until faith and revelation flow. God imparts strength to those who will abide in his word until that which is simply the written word affecting our minds becomes the living word impregnating our spirits with life and power. The more we wait on the perfect counsels of God the more we receive power and wisdom to defeat our enemies and to accomplish the victories that God has prepared for us. As we do this it is God who enables us to stand on the spiritual high places and enjoy the fruit of an intimate relationship with God.
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