Saturday
Friday
Psalm 49:14-19 - May 29, 2009
Ps 49:14-19 "Like sheep they are destined for the grave, and death will feed on them. The upright will rule over them in the morning; their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. 15 But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself. 16 Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; 17 for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him. 18 Though while he lived he counted himself blessed — and men praise you when you prosper — 19 he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light [of life]." NIV
This passage from psalm 49 is a powerful insight into the eternal nature of God’s justice and the reality of eternal life. One of the most startling and revealing phrases in this whole section is found in verse 18-19; “Though while he lived he counted himself blessed — and men praise you when you prosper — 19 he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light [of life].” These verses so powerfully display the contrast between man’s values system and an eternal value system. Man’s nature is to relate material success with being blessed. The world sees a seemingly prosperous man and responds with praise for his accomplishments. He sticks his chest out with a measure of pride and self satisfaction, enjoying the glory that comes with the praises of men. His temptation is to wrap his identity around what he has gained and the things he has done. But what happens when all of that is taken away?
Jesus spoke about the nature of earthly treasures being that they corrupt and rust and fade away, but he pointed us to eternal treasures that never fade. Peter wrote about the eternal inheritance that awaits those who put their faith in Christ as he said in 1 Peter 1:3-4 “In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-kept in heaven for you.” Psalm 49 laments the waist of life that takes place as a man finds his glory in the things of this earth and misses the true riches that are eternal and will never be taken from us.
Psalm 49 is such a clear statement about the reality of death and eternal life as well. In regard to the rich it states; “like sheep, they are destined for the grave." What an image of the very same wealthy people that men tend to honor in an inappropriate way. Our cultural tendency is to elevate the rich and belittle the poor but the psalmist sees right through all of the facades created by riches and identifies that a rich man is no different than a sheep. Each one will live and then go on to die! James presents a biblical values system in regard to how we should relate to the rich and the poor in chapter 2 of his epistle. He states in James 2:2-4 “Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” The mindset of the kingdom is to relate to all men through the blood of Christ.
We must remember that everyone, both high and low in their earthly stature will stand before God and be judged not on their possessions, which were a gift from God, but on their degree of faithfulness to what the Lord had asked of them in this life. We must judge our own lives by the standard of heaven and if we do so then we will not need to be judged harshly on that last great judgment day. The psalmist makes two powerful statements that should help us to form our hearts in regard to what it truly means to be blessed both in this life and in the life to come. The first is simply stated in verse 16 & 17 “Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; 17 for he will take nothing with him when he dies.” The second principle is equally clear and full of hope and perspective as it encourages us in verse 15, “But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself.” Spend your life in pursuit of what really matters. Place your affections and ambitions on eternal things and you will not wrongly esteem those who have earthly success but no eternal reward and you will find peace that will enable you to choose wisely how to spend this life that the Lord has given you.
This passage from psalm 49 is a powerful insight into the eternal nature of God’s justice and the reality of eternal life. One of the most startling and revealing phrases in this whole section is found in verse 18-19; “Though while he lived he counted himself blessed — and men praise you when you prosper — 19 he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light [of life].” These verses so powerfully display the contrast between man’s values system and an eternal value system. Man’s nature is to relate material success with being blessed. The world sees a seemingly prosperous man and responds with praise for his accomplishments. He sticks his chest out with a measure of pride and self satisfaction, enjoying the glory that comes with the praises of men. His temptation is to wrap his identity around what he has gained and the things he has done. But what happens when all of that is taken away?
Jesus spoke about the nature of earthly treasures being that they corrupt and rust and fade away, but he pointed us to eternal treasures that never fade. Peter wrote about the eternal inheritance that awaits those who put their faith in Christ as he said in 1 Peter 1:3-4 “In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-kept in heaven for you.” Psalm 49 laments the waist of life that takes place as a man finds his glory in the things of this earth and misses the true riches that are eternal and will never be taken from us.
Psalm 49 is such a clear statement about the reality of death and eternal life as well. In regard to the rich it states; “like sheep, they are destined for the grave." What an image of the very same wealthy people that men tend to honor in an inappropriate way. Our cultural tendency is to elevate the rich and belittle the poor but the psalmist sees right through all of the facades created by riches and identifies that a rich man is no different than a sheep. Each one will live and then go on to die! James presents a biblical values system in regard to how we should relate to the rich and the poor in chapter 2 of his epistle. He states in James 2:2-4 “Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” The mindset of the kingdom is to relate to all men through the blood of Christ.
We must remember that everyone, both high and low in their earthly stature will stand before God and be judged not on their possessions, which were a gift from God, but on their degree of faithfulness to what the Lord had asked of them in this life. We must judge our own lives by the standard of heaven and if we do so then we will not need to be judged harshly on that last great judgment day. The psalmist makes two powerful statements that should help us to form our hearts in regard to what it truly means to be blessed both in this life and in the life to come. The first is simply stated in verse 16 & 17 “Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; 17 for he will take nothing with him when he dies.” The second principle is equally clear and full of hope and perspective as it encourages us in verse 15, “But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself.” Spend your life in pursuit of what really matters. Place your affections and ambitions on eternal things and you will not wrongly esteem those who have earthly success but no eternal reward and you will find peace that will enable you to choose wisely how to spend this life that the Lord has given you.
Thursday
Psalm 49:10-13 - May 28, 2009
Ps 49:10-13 "For all can see that wise men die; the foolish and the senseless alike perish and leave their wealth to others. 11 Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves. 12 But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish. 13 This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings" NIV
It is vanity to trust in ourselves! Even though many men carry with them a measure of wisdom, who is truly wise but the Lord? Isa 55:8-9 reminds us of the great contrast between the limited wisdom of man and the fathomless depths of God’s thoughts; "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. 9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” To trust in human wisdom is a snare to those who depend on it. James taught the church that there are two kinds of wisdom; that wisdom that is “earthly, sensual and devilish” and that wisdom that is above and as James 3:17 says is “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” The true cry of Ps. 49:10-13 is a reminder to us that all men will die whether foolish or wise and that nothing that originates out of the heart of man is a safe hiding place from the power of death and the reality that this life is just a
passing shadow.
This passage is so simple and clear in its reminder to us that we were not created for this life. No matter how much we scheme to accumulate things, no matter how we plot and strategize to insulate ourselves and prolong our lives, in the end our life span is but a breath and all of our efforts if focused on the wisdom of man will fall to the ground and come to nothing. How many men have towers named after them but their name is not known in the Lambs book of life!? Riches will not lay up for us an eternal reward. Jesus spoke to his disciples strongly as he contrasted the values of this life with the values of eternity. In Matt 6:19-21 he said, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
The powerful principle in these words of Jesus is that we bind our hearts to what we place value on. If we covet the things of this world, if that is where we are placing our focus, then our hearts will follow and our decisions will be corrupted by the fact that our hearts are bound to earthly things. If instead we, like Paul in Col 3:2 set our “affection on things above, not on things on the earth” then we will find that our hearts are free to hear and obey the Lord Jesus in those things that he invites us to do. When the rich young ruler came to the Lord seeking the Lord’s affirmation there was only one thing that held him back. When the Lord asked him in Mt. 19:21 to give all of his possessions to the poor and to come and follow after Him the word says that he went away sad because he had great possessions. Having his heart captured by the things that he possessed, he could not walk away in surrender to the Lord and give all he had to the poor. Too often we come to the Lord willing to follow as long as it doesn’t truly cost us but when the cross begins to be the center and the path of the Lord leads us to a place of costly obedience we stumble and walk away sad, but unwilling to pay the price that has been required of us. Today may we bind our hearts to the words of Jesus in Luke 9:23 "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
It is vanity to trust in ourselves! Even though many men carry with them a measure of wisdom, who is truly wise but the Lord? Isa 55:8-9 reminds us of the great contrast between the limited wisdom of man and the fathomless depths of God’s thoughts; "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. 9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” To trust in human wisdom is a snare to those who depend on it. James taught the church that there are two kinds of wisdom; that wisdom that is “earthly, sensual and devilish” and that wisdom that is above and as James 3:17 says is “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” The true cry of Ps. 49:10-13 is a reminder to us that all men will die whether foolish or wise and that nothing that originates out of the heart of man is a safe hiding place from the power of death and the reality that this life is just a
passing shadow.
This passage is so simple and clear in its reminder to us that we were not created for this life. No matter how much we scheme to accumulate things, no matter how we plot and strategize to insulate ourselves and prolong our lives, in the end our life span is but a breath and all of our efforts if focused on the wisdom of man will fall to the ground and come to nothing. How many men have towers named after them but their name is not known in the Lambs book of life!? Riches will not lay up for us an eternal reward. Jesus spoke to his disciples strongly as he contrasted the values of this life with the values of eternity. In Matt 6:19-21 he said, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
The powerful principle in these words of Jesus is that we bind our hearts to what we place value on. If we covet the things of this world, if that is where we are placing our focus, then our hearts will follow and our decisions will be corrupted by the fact that our hearts are bound to earthly things. If instead we, like Paul in Col 3:2 set our “affection on things above, not on things on the earth” then we will find that our hearts are free to hear and obey the Lord Jesus in those things that he invites us to do. When the rich young ruler came to the Lord seeking the Lord’s affirmation there was only one thing that held him back. When the Lord asked him in Mt. 19:21 to give all of his possessions to the poor and to come and follow after Him the word says that he went away sad because he had great possessions. Having his heart captured by the things that he possessed, he could not walk away in surrender to the Lord and give all he had to the poor. Too often we come to the Lord willing to follow as long as it doesn’t truly cost us but when the cross begins to be the center and the path of the Lord leads us to a place of costly obedience we stumble and walk away sad, but unwilling to pay the price that has been required of us. Today may we bind our hearts to the words of Jesus in Luke 9:23 "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
Wednesday
Psalm 49:4 - May 27, 2009
Ps. 49:4 "I will turn my ear to a proverb; with the harp I will expound my riddle." NIV
A musical riddle, a proverb that needs our attention; what is this all about? In biblical times the use of a proverb was a customary part of teaching and imparting wisdom for life. Proverbs and parables are tools that communicate many layered truth in such a way that the more reflection is applied to them the deeper the revelation and understanding that they impart to the one who considers them. Song of Solomon addresses the teaching purpose inherent in the use of proverbs and parables as a form of instruction. He states in Eccl 12:11 “The words of the wise are like goads.” Consider the intent then of one who teaches in such methods. The goal is to provoke, to agitate thought so as to cause someone to consider deeper issues that only those willing to humble themselves and honestly reflect upon will be able to unravel the truth that is embedded within them.
Jesus regularly applied parables to the religious and cultural patterns that he was seeking to confront or instruct them about. Matt 13:34-35 gives us tremendous insight into why the Lord used this method. “Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. 35 So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world." His speaking was both a fulfillment of a Messianic prophecy and a revelation of hidden truth; principles of God that had been hidden for ages and it was now time to reveal.
Consider what we are to learn about God’s ways as we understand God’s use of proverbs and parables. It is one of the cultural ways of God to speak in terms that require us to meditate and reflect upon the instruction of correction if we truly want to gain the depths of what God is trying to speak. As we reflect we will discover what a master craftsmen of words of wisdom our heavenly father is. Solomon speaks of himself in such a way as to reveal the depths of what he has imbedded in his teachings. How much more can we be confident that the heavenly father is doing the same thing every time He speaks to us? Jesus contrasts his wisdom with that of Solomon in Matt 12:42 as he speaks of the queen of Sheba and her desire to learn from Solomon, “She came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here.” Christ’s wisdom was greater than the great writer of parables and now listen to Solomon’s self-description of the depths and quality of his parables: Eccl 12:9-10 “Not only was the Teacher wise, but also he imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. 10 The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.”
If Solomon “pondered and searched out and set in order” those principles that he wanted to convey, if he “searched to find just the right words…” how much more can this be expected of both Christ Jesus and the Father considering that Paul went as far as to say in Col 2:3 that in “Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Now go back in your mind and consider every word the Lord has spoken to you, every dream he has ever poured out upon you and understand that our infinitely wise God is a profoundly skilled teacher and He is speaking in language that is intended to draw you to Him. Consider Mark 4:33-34 which sheds great light upon the teaching methods of Jesus. “With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.” The point of this passage is easily communicated by asking one question. “Who was it that had everything explained to them?” The answer is simple: the disciples who got alone with Jesus!
Get alone with Jesus today and let him be your counselor, teacher and friend. Ask him to open your understanding and give you wisdom. Ask him to explain those things that he has shown you that you have only understood in part. It is His delight to teach those who come with a humble and willing spirit.
A musical riddle, a proverb that needs our attention; what is this all about? In biblical times the use of a proverb was a customary part of teaching and imparting wisdom for life. Proverbs and parables are tools that communicate many layered truth in such a way that the more reflection is applied to them the deeper the revelation and understanding that they impart to the one who considers them. Song of Solomon addresses the teaching purpose inherent in the use of proverbs and parables as a form of instruction. He states in Eccl 12:11 “The words of the wise are like goads.” Consider the intent then of one who teaches in such methods. The goal is to provoke, to agitate thought so as to cause someone to consider deeper issues that only those willing to humble themselves and honestly reflect upon will be able to unravel the truth that is embedded within them.
Jesus regularly applied parables to the religious and cultural patterns that he was seeking to confront or instruct them about. Matt 13:34-35 gives us tremendous insight into why the Lord used this method. “Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. 35 So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world." His speaking was both a fulfillment of a Messianic prophecy and a revelation of hidden truth; principles of God that had been hidden for ages and it was now time to reveal.
Consider what we are to learn about God’s ways as we understand God’s use of proverbs and parables. It is one of the cultural ways of God to speak in terms that require us to meditate and reflect upon the instruction of correction if we truly want to gain the depths of what God is trying to speak. As we reflect we will discover what a master craftsmen of words of wisdom our heavenly father is. Solomon speaks of himself in such a way as to reveal the depths of what he has imbedded in his teachings. How much more can we be confident that the heavenly father is doing the same thing every time He speaks to us? Jesus contrasts his wisdom with that of Solomon in Matt 12:42 as he speaks of the queen of Sheba and her desire to learn from Solomon, “She came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here.” Christ’s wisdom was greater than the great writer of parables and now listen to Solomon’s self-description of the depths and quality of his parables: Eccl 12:9-10 “Not only was the Teacher wise, but also he imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. 10 The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.”
If Solomon “pondered and searched out and set in order” those principles that he wanted to convey, if he “searched to find just the right words…” how much more can this be expected of both Christ Jesus and the Father considering that Paul went as far as to say in Col 2:3 that in “Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Now go back in your mind and consider every word the Lord has spoken to you, every dream he has ever poured out upon you and understand that our infinitely wise God is a profoundly skilled teacher and He is speaking in language that is intended to draw you to Him. Consider Mark 4:33-34 which sheds great light upon the teaching methods of Jesus. “With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.” The point of this passage is easily communicated by asking one question. “Who was it that had everything explained to them?” The answer is simple: the disciples who got alone with Jesus!
Get alone with Jesus today and let him be your counselor, teacher and friend. Ask him to open your understanding and give you wisdom. Ask him to explain those things that he has shown you that you have only understood in part. It is His delight to teach those who come with a humble and willing spirit.
Tuesday
Psalm 49:1-4 - May 26, 2009
Ps 49:1-4 For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.
"Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world, 2 both low and high, rich and poor alike: 3 My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the utterance from my heart will give understanding. 4 I will turn my ear to a proverb; with the harp I will expound my riddle." NIV
This introduction to psalm 49 carries within it a call to recognize our need. “Hear this, all you peoples; all who live in this world,” It is a reminder that there are some things that are universal to all. This verse very simply reminds us that when wisdom is being spoken all should listen. There is a common saying in theological circles that “all truth is God’s truth.” If something is true, if something is wise, then its origin is God no matter the source. Truth can be found in the mouth of a donkey, or the mouth of a child and truth can be found in the mouth of a prophet or a university professor. But the wise man is not so concerned with the source as he is the ability to recognize truth when he hears it.
The cry of this psalm is very pointed in its call to both rich and poor, high and low and it reminds us of one of the great snares of life; pride. Too often pride blinds us to being able to accept the counsel of one whom our pride has caused us not to respect. In Numbers 22 a rebellious prophet is resisting God’s purpose and in an effort to correct him God opens the mouth of the donkey he is riding and the donkey begins to speak with Balaam. Now some of us might look at this story and say “wow, what a miracle. The donkey is talking.” But I must point out that what is truly amazing about this story is not a donkey talking but a man arguing back when the donkey does talk! The important lesson in this story is that if your donkey starts talking, you should be smart enough to listen!
Balaam is so caught up in his stubborn pride that he cannot even see the miracle that has taken place to try and speak into his foolishness and prevent an even greater tragedy. Balaam is so blinded by his pride that he is arguing and cannot recognize that this moment was a moment to stop and listen, not a moment to keep pressing through, resisting the counsel regardless of the source. Has a stubborn spirit overtaken you at times and left you arguing with the donkey that God has sent to stop you before it is too late? This psalm is a call to both high and low to recognize the voice of wisdom, no matter when it comes, nor who it comes through. It is a call to be teachable. It is a call to have the humility that opens your eyes instead of the pride that blinds them. Ask the Lord if there is a voice of wisdom you have been resisting because of pride. Ask Him to open your eyes like he did to Balaam so that you can recognize the divine help that you may have been resisting before it is too late.
"Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world, 2 both low and high, rich and poor alike: 3 My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the utterance from my heart will give understanding. 4 I will turn my ear to a proverb; with the harp I will expound my riddle." NIV
This introduction to psalm 49 carries within it a call to recognize our need. “Hear this, all you peoples; all who live in this world,” It is a reminder that there are some things that are universal to all. This verse very simply reminds us that when wisdom is being spoken all should listen. There is a common saying in theological circles that “all truth is God’s truth.” If something is true, if something is wise, then its origin is God no matter the source. Truth can be found in the mouth of a donkey, or the mouth of a child and truth can be found in the mouth of a prophet or a university professor. But the wise man is not so concerned with the source as he is the ability to recognize truth when he hears it.
The cry of this psalm is very pointed in its call to both rich and poor, high and low and it reminds us of one of the great snares of life; pride. Too often pride blinds us to being able to accept the counsel of one whom our pride has caused us not to respect. In Numbers 22 a rebellious prophet is resisting God’s purpose and in an effort to correct him God opens the mouth of the donkey he is riding and the donkey begins to speak with Balaam. Now some of us might look at this story and say “wow, what a miracle. The donkey is talking.” But I must point out that what is truly amazing about this story is not a donkey talking but a man arguing back when the donkey does talk! The important lesson in this story is that if your donkey starts talking, you should be smart enough to listen!
Balaam is so caught up in his stubborn pride that he cannot even see the miracle that has taken place to try and speak into his foolishness and prevent an even greater tragedy. Balaam is so blinded by his pride that he is arguing and cannot recognize that this moment was a moment to stop and listen, not a moment to keep pressing through, resisting the counsel regardless of the source. Has a stubborn spirit overtaken you at times and left you arguing with the donkey that God has sent to stop you before it is too late? This psalm is a call to both high and low to recognize the voice of wisdom, no matter when it comes, nor who it comes through. It is a call to be teachable. It is a call to have the humility that opens your eyes instead of the pride that blinds them. Ask the Lord if there is a voice of wisdom you have been resisting because of pride. Ask Him to open your eyes like he did to Balaam so that you can recognize the divine help that you may have been resisting before it is too late.
Monday
Psalm 47:1-4 - May 25, 2009
Ps 47:1-4 For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.
"Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. 2 How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth! 3 He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet. 4 He chose our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom he loved." NIV
This passage is a celebration of the victory that God has already won. Consider the fact that God is not still fighting to gain the victory for us, nor is He still struggling to acquire an inheritance for us. Our Lord reigns! Our God has triumphed over all the power of the enemy and has given that power to you. Jesus exhorted His disciples in Luke 10:19 “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you,” KJV. We have not just been entrusted with a temporary, event oriented power, to apply one time to a particular circumstance. Jesus promised his disciples power over ALL the power of the enemy! An inheritance is not a temporary condition but a permanent legal entitlement. In 1 John 3:1 “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” As children of God we have inherited the same blessings and rights that Jesus enjoys. The word of God confirms our legal standing in bold fashion by stating in Rom 8:29 “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” It is our destiny to be transformed into Christ’s image and to share in His inheritance. This is the expression of God’s great love for us. Now that’s news worth clapping about!
"Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. 2 How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth! 3 He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet. 4 He chose our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom he loved." NIV
This passage is a celebration of the victory that God has already won. Consider the fact that God is not still fighting to gain the victory for us, nor is He still struggling to acquire an inheritance for us. Our Lord reigns! Our God has triumphed over all the power of the enemy and has given that power to you. Jesus exhorted His disciples in Luke 10:19 “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you,” KJV. We have not just been entrusted with a temporary, event oriented power, to apply one time to a particular circumstance. Jesus promised his disciples power over ALL the power of the enemy! An inheritance is not a temporary condition but a permanent legal entitlement. In 1 John 3:1 “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” As children of God we have inherited the same blessings and rights that Jesus enjoys. The word of God confirms our legal standing in bold fashion by stating in Rom 8:29 “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” It is our destiny to be transformed into Christ’s image and to share in His inheritance. This is the expression of God’s great love for us. Now that’s news worth clapping about!
Sunday
Psalm 46:8-10 - May 24, 2009
Ps 46:8-10 "Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire. 10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." NIV
In the earth there are two primary forces at work that have a tremendous capacity to leave us feeling as if we are helpless. In the same way these forces cause many to question the existence of God and if He exists the extent of His power and nature of His character. These two forces are the force of nature and the existence of war. When we observe either of these two forces raging in the earth it is a natural step of logic to feel significantly inadequate to do anything to change the course of these events. It is in this light that the psalmist beckons to us, compelling us to consider the one who is Lord over all. “Come and see the works of the Lord…” We are invited to consider God in His awesome power as the psalmist directs us to the measure of His great strength. Consider the “desolations He has brought in the earth.” We must remember that we are not helpless we are dependent! There is a significant difference. It is vital that we remember that we are the beloved of the creator of the universe. Therefore all that we cannot do in the limitations of our humanity God can and will do because He loves us! In a moment’s time God can end calamity if men will humble themselves and call out to Him. He can divert the storm and end the conflict.
No king or governmental leader can exert his will in opposition to the will of the Lord. Prov 21:1 tells us that “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.” Ultimately every ruler is subject to the one true ruler over all and every force of nature can be silenced at the sound of His voice! It is with this knowledge that the psalmist exhorts us just to “be still and know that I am God.” When we are staring in the face of overwhelming circumstances the best thing that we can do is simply to turn our face away from our problems, gaze upon the beauty of God and be still! God has declared that He will be exalted. Our part is to rest in that knowledge and turn our gaze to Him. We cannot hear His guidance if our hearts are full of unrest. When our hearts are full of the knowledge of God’s presence then we can learn to lean on Him for peace, direction and safety that will bring glory to God and sustain us through every storm.
In the earth there are two primary forces at work that have a tremendous capacity to leave us feeling as if we are helpless. In the same way these forces cause many to question the existence of God and if He exists the extent of His power and nature of His character. These two forces are the force of nature and the existence of war. When we observe either of these two forces raging in the earth it is a natural step of logic to feel significantly inadequate to do anything to change the course of these events. It is in this light that the psalmist beckons to us, compelling us to consider the one who is Lord over all. “Come and see the works of the Lord…” We are invited to consider God in His awesome power as the psalmist directs us to the measure of His great strength. Consider the “desolations He has brought in the earth.” We must remember that we are not helpless we are dependent! There is a significant difference. It is vital that we remember that we are the beloved of the creator of the universe. Therefore all that we cannot do in the limitations of our humanity God can and will do because He loves us! In a moment’s time God can end calamity if men will humble themselves and call out to Him. He can divert the storm and end the conflict.
No king or governmental leader can exert his will in opposition to the will of the Lord. Prov 21:1 tells us that “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.” Ultimately every ruler is subject to the one true ruler over all and every force of nature can be silenced at the sound of His voice! It is with this knowledge that the psalmist exhorts us just to “be still and know that I am God.” When we are staring in the face of overwhelming circumstances the best thing that we can do is simply to turn our face away from our problems, gaze upon the beauty of God and be still! God has declared that He will be exalted. Our part is to rest in that knowledge and turn our gaze to Him. We cannot hear His guidance if our hearts are full of unrest. When our hearts are full of the knowledge of God’s presence then we can learn to lean on Him for peace, direction and safety that will bring glory to God and sustain us through every storm.
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