Ps 52:5-7 Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin: He will snatch you up and tear you from your tent: he will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah 6 The righteous will see and fear; they will laugh at him, saying, 7 "Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!" NIV
Though some men may laugh at God now, their day is coming. God is infinitely patient as He endures the mockery of those who do not honor Him and yet the word of God continually echoes with the reality of impending judgment. Like the onset of a storm as you observe the darkening horizon with the certainty that it is only a matter of time before the rains begin we can look upon the successes of the wicked with assurance that the rain of God’s judgment and His justice is coming with the same unalterable certainty as the coming rain. Though it may be the righteous who for a season endure mockery a day of vindication will come. As Psalm 52:5-7 assures us there will come a day when God will snatch the wicked from their tent and their seemingly sure foundations will be proven false as they are suddenly swept away.
God has declared that trust in Him is the only sure foundation upon which to build a life and He is so fully committed to that principle that He will not only cut off the future of the wicked, He will do it in such a way that the righteous will see it and be strengthened in their holy fear of the Lord. Though others may see and not understand that God has caused the fall of the evil one, when the righteous ones observe the fate of the wicked they will know that it is God’s doing not simply the work of man or nature. In the end it will be God’s people who laugh at the fate of the wicked as the roles are reversed and God is shown as the true refuge of man. We are invited to hide ourselves in God and to wait patiently as we find comfort in the knowledge that in the day of God’s judgment we will be sheltered while the one who mocks God is consumed by His fiery breathe. No matter what circumstances seem to be endorsing the lifestyle of those who hate God hold on to a Holy fear remembering that the day of God’s justice will indeed come and when it comes it will come swiftly and with great finality!
Saturday
Friday
The Breaking Process - June 12, 2009
John 12:24 "I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces much fruit."
Have you ever asked yourself one of the following questions: ‘Why is my life so difficult?’ or ‘Why do I have to go through this situation?’
Throughout the course of our life we face many different trials and go through rough sesaons. Today’s society teaches us that we have to be strong and tough, handle situations ourselves, not being vulnerable. The end result is, that we have all built up this certain idea of having to do things out of our own strength, with our own ability and
human wisdom.
“I wish I had your problems.” Since our Creator made each one of us so wonderfully unique, we cannot compare our life situations with others. Every believer has a different calling and a different relationship with the Lord. God’s desire is that we would live wholeheartedly for him, giving up our own self and surrender
all to him.
We have to recognize that God is working through every situation to do his work within us. He has been working on us since the day we were saved. His goal is, to break us so that his Spirit can be released through us, bringing him glory!
Just picture a present that you get. It might be wrapped nice on the oustide, but wouldn’t you do everything it takes to unwrap it and so see the even more beautiful present, that is hidden inside? God acts in the same way. He wants to work a way through the shell that we have created around us over the years and get to the depth of our innermost being to release his Spirit. In this process of breaking, we have to let go of our own SELF and let him do his work in us. Even though these situations are sometimes painful, don’t make sense to us and can be a longer process than we hoped, we have to go through them. We have to trust that God knows what he is doing. Do not rely on your own wisdom but on the One, that he has given you by his Spirit. Prov. 4:11 “I will guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.”
There is no shortcut we can take to quicken this procedure of breaking but we will extend the breaking process if we refuse to let God in. This work in us is so necessary to bring us to completion. Phil. 1:6 “…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…”
How great the outcome, if we allow God to bring us to completion! His Spirit - Lliving in us, released through us and exalting the One, who sent him.
2. Cor 3:18 “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
You don’t need to see the end from the beginning, just trust in him! Our God knows what he is doing in every single situation we are facing. Whenever you go through trials and difficult circumstances, don’t refuse the work that he wants to accomplish in you. Let your prayer simply be this: “Lord, have your way in me. I let go of my own strength and wisdom. Break me that I might bring you glory!”
Have you ever asked yourself one of the following questions: ‘Why is my life so difficult?’ or ‘Why do I have to go through this situation?’
Throughout the course of our life we face many different trials and go through rough sesaons. Today’s society teaches us that we have to be strong and tough, handle situations ourselves, not being vulnerable. The end result is, that we have all built up this certain idea of having to do things out of our own strength, with our own ability and
human wisdom.
“I wish I had your problems.” Since our Creator made each one of us so wonderfully unique, we cannot compare our life situations with others. Every believer has a different calling and a different relationship with the Lord. God’s desire is that we would live wholeheartedly for him, giving up our own self and surrender
all to him.
We have to recognize that God is working through every situation to do his work within us. He has been working on us since the day we were saved. His goal is, to break us so that his Spirit can be released through us, bringing him glory!
Just picture a present that you get. It might be wrapped nice on the oustide, but wouldn’t you do everything it takes to unwrap it and so see the even more beautiful present, that is hidden inside? God acts in the same way. He wants to work a way through the shell that we have created around us over the years and get to the depth of our innermost being to release his Spirit. In this process of breaking, we have to let go of our own SELF and let him do his work in us. Even though these situations are sometimes painful, don’t make sense to us and can be a longer process than we hoped, we have to go through them. We have to trust that God knows what he is doing. Do not rely on your own wisdom but on the One, that he has given you by his Spirit. Prov. 4:11 “I will guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.”
There is no shortcut we can take to quicken this procedure of breaking but we will extend the breaking process if we refuse to let God in. This work in us is so necessary to bring us to completion. Phil. 1:6 “…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…”
How great the outcome, if we allow God to bring us to completion! His Spirit - Lliving in us, released through us and exalting the One, who sent him.
2. Cor 3:18 “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
You don’t need to see the end from the beginning, just trust in him! Our God knows what he is doing in every single situation we are facing. Whenever you go through trials and difficult circumstances, don’t refuse the work that he wants to accomplish in you. Let your prayer simply be this: “Lord, have your way in me. I let go of my own strength and wisdom. Break me that I might bring you glory!”
Thursday
Oh What Great Confidence - June 11, 2009
Hebrews 4:14-16 "14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." NIV
Some time ago there was a movie by the name of A River Runs Through It. In it there were two brothers. The older brother was hard-working, quiet, and respected. The younger brother, who loved to have fun, was always living on the edge. He ended up associating with those who led him further and further into trouble where he eventually was killed in a brawl. A tragic story. But the most tragic part of the story was that the older brother had seen what was happening to his younger brother but was powerless to do anything about it. He was unable to come and save him.
Part of the point of the passage above is that we have someone who sees our need and knows how to meet us in that place and rescue us completely! His name is Jesus, the Son of God, our High Priest. In fact, the author of Hebrews has already spelled out in chapter 2 how Jesus became fully human, how he suffered, and destroyed the power of death on our behalf. In his earthly life Jesus became like us in every way (Hebrews 2:17). Did you catch that? In every way! What is more he was tempted in every way like us, but without sin! Whoa! In every way, without sin! This sounds like the older brother we need! He can relate to us in any situation, large or small. And it’s not just that he sees our pain and struggles but he knows how to do something about it!
Jesus becoming human forever shows us God’s eternal commitment to his creation, and how he would stop at nothing until he reached and saved us completely. That is what drove Jesus as he endured the cross and scorned it shame for the joy set before him. (Hebrews 12:2). Saints – we are the fruit of his joy! He saw the joy of doing the will of the Father to bring about our being united with God forever and fulfilling the destiny we were created for. I need some rejoicing as this is being read! Do you think God is going to allow the troubles of this world to keep us from the joy that Jesus saw? Jesus went through the heavens on our behalf! Think about this! Jesus is operating from the control room of the universe. From there he has the full power and armory of heaven, and as human, the authority to meet us in our need. Hallelujah!
Somebody reading this better rejoice!
Because of this reality, we are commanded to come before God with utter confidence, holding nothing back as to whatever we are experiencing. God wants to hear our heart before his throne, and he wants us to lay it all before him. In fact the original word behind “confidence” could convey loud shouts with speech that conceals nothing and communicates with total frankness. Go ahead – in private or public – let yourself bare before God with loud shouts if necessary! God wants your heart – raw and real. This is the boldness and confidence God wants us to approach him with. After all it is where we fully express our heart to God that we can fully receive the necessary grace and mercy to our situation. But it takes coming without holding back before God.
So next time you are wondering where God is in your life, come to this passage! Remind yourself that it is God’s initiative for us to receive from him! Remind yourself that you do indeed have an older brother who sees you and who knows how to meet you as you cry out before God. So come Saints! Come with confidence before the Throne of Grace to receive mercy and find grace in your time of need!
Some time ago there was a movie by the name of A River Runs Through It. In it there were two brothers. The older brother was hard-working, quiet, and respected. The younger brother, who loved to have fun, was always living on the edge. He ended up associating with those who led him further and further into trouble where he eventually was killed in a brawl. A tragic story. But the most tragic part of the story was that the older brother had seen what was happening to his younger brother but was powerless to do anything about it. He was unable to come and save him.
Part of the point of the passage above is that we have someone who sees our need and knows how to meet us in that place and rescue us completely! His name is Jesus, the Son of God, our High Priest. In fact, the author of Hebrews has already spelled out in chapter 2 how Jesus became fully human, how he suffered, and destroyed the power of death on our behalf. In his earthly life Jesus became like us in every way (Hebrews 2:17). Did you catch that? In every way! What is more he was tempted in every way like us, but without sin! Whoa! In every way, without sin! This sounds like the older brother we need! He can relate to us in any situation, large or small. And it’s not just that he sees our pain and struggles but he knows how to do something about it!
Jesus becoming human forever shows us God’s eternal commitment to his creation, and how he would stop at nothing until he reached and saved us completely. That is what drove Jesus as he endured the cross and scorned it shame for the joy set before him. (Hebrews 12:2). Saints – we are the fruit of his joy! He saw the joy of doing the will of the Father to bring about our being united with God forever and fulfilling the destiny we were created for. I need some rejoicing as this is being read! Do you think God is going to allow the troubles of this world to keep us from the joy that Jesus saw? Jesus went through the heavens on our behalf! Think about this! Jesus is operating from the control room of the universe. From there he has the full power and armory of heaven, and as human, the authority to meet us in our need. Hallelujah!
Somebody reading this better rejoice!
Because of this reality, we are commanded to come before God with utter confidence, holding nothing back as to whatever we are experiencing. God wants to hear our heart before his throne, and he wants us to lay it all before him. In fact the original word behind “confidence” could convey loud shouts with speech that conceals nothing and communicates with total frankness. Go ahead – in private or public – let yourself bare before God with loud shouts if necessary! God wants your heart – raw and real. This is the boldness and confidence God wants us to approach him with. After all it is where we fully express our heart to God that we can fully receive the necessary grace and mercy to our situation. But it takes coming without holding back before God.
So next time you are wondering where God is in your life, come to this passage! Remind yourself that it is God’s initiative for us to receive from him! Remind yourself that you do indeed have an older brother who sees you and who knows how to meet you as you cry out before God. So come Saints! Come with confidence before the Throne of Grace to receive mercy and find grace in your time of need!
Wednesday
A Burning Heart - June 10, 2009
Luke 24:17-23, 28-32 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days? “ “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. … They said, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was as at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” NIV
Is your heart burning from being with Jesus? In this passage of scripture, two men were walking on the Emmaus Road about 7 miles outside of Jerusalem. They had heard from Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James & others that Jesus was not in the tomb any longer. Everyone (the disciples, the women and the believers in Jerusalem) wondered what had happened to Jesus. They knew that he was a prophet, that he spoke powerfully and did miracles. Many of them even walked with Jesus during his 3 years of public ministry. Yet, they still doubted what He said, “That on the third day, he would rise again.” Jesus addressed the two men as they walked along the road. He said, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”
There was still doubt and disbelief in the minds and hearts of the disciples. Just like with the disciples, it takes the eyes of our understanding to be opened to see Jesus as He truly is--filled with His power, Prophet, Redeemer of Israel and the Gentiles. Jesus said they were slow of heart because they were doubting all that the prophets had spoken and all that they had seen Him do—miracles, signs and wonders. Yet as they were sitting together taking the Lord’s Supper together, their eyes were opened. They saw Jesus and recognized him. Even then they realized that their hearts were burning within them as he talked to them on the road and as he opened the scriptures to them.
Are there things in your life today that you are doubting? Answers and direction that Jesus has given you? Are you doubting that those things will come to pass? Are you doubting that Jesus is able to accomplish those things in your life? Like the two men on the road to Emmaus, we are slow of heart. In Mark 9, Jesus was asked to heal a young boy. The boy’s father said, “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us. Jesus' reply was, “If I can? Everything is possible for him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.”
Prayer for today: Lord help us to believe. Help us to have eyes that are opened to know who you are—Redeemer, Savior, Returning King. Let us believe your word and act upon it. Be with us today as we walk with you with burning hearts filled with belief.
Is your heart burning from being with Jesus? In this passage of scripture, two men were walking on the Emmaus Road about 7 miles outside of Jerusalem. They had heard from Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James & others that Jesus was not in the tomb any longer. Everyone (the disciples, the women and the believers in Jerusalem) wondered what had happened to Jesus. They knew that he was a prophet, that he spoke powerfully and did miracles. Many of them even walked with Jesus during his 3 years of public ministry. Yet, they still doubted what He said, “That on the third day, he would rise again.” Jesus addressed the two men as they walked along the road. He said, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”
There was still doubt and disbelief in the minds and hearts of the disciples. Just like with the disciples, it takes the eyes of our understanding to be opened to see Jesus as He truly is--filled with His power, Prophet, Redeemer of Israel and the Gentiles. Jesus said they were slow of heart because they were doubting all that the prophets had spoken and all that they had seen Him do—miracles, signs and wonders. Yet as they were sitting together taking the Lord’s Supper together, their eyes were opened. They saw Jesus and recognized him. Even then they realized that their hearts were burning within them as he talked to them on the road and as he opened the scriptures to them.
Are there things in your life today that you are doubting? Answers and direction that Jesus has given you? Are you doubting that those things will come to pass? Are you doubting that Jesus is able to accomplish those things in your life? Like the two men on the road to Emmaus, we are slow of heart. In Mark 9, Jesus was asked to heal a young boy. The boy’s father said, “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us. Jesus' reply was, “If I can? Everything is possible for him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.”
Prayer for today: Lord help us to believe. Help us to have eyes that are opened to know who you are—Redeemer, Savior, Returning King. Let us believe your word and act upon it. Be with us today as we walk with you with burning hearts filled with belief.
Tuesday
Special Devotionals
For the rest of this week, we have some special devotionals ready for you - written by various 'Guest Writers'. Please enjoy these devotionals, as they reflect on different topics, using other scripture than the Psalms.
The gift of God - June 9, 2009
Luke 11:11-13 “…Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” NIV
What a great gift is the Holy Spirit in our lives. He is our Helper, Counselor, Comforter, Intercessor, Standby, Advocate and Strengthener. Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father (James 1:17). Jesus said it was better for us that He would go to the Father so He could send the Holy Spirit (John 16:7)! With the general context of the Holy Spirit in mind as the greatest gift of God, there are many gifts that God pours out graciously on His people. Just think about spiritual gifts, friendships, revelation, His Word, marriage, children, testing, hardship, discipline (an act of love: Heb.12:6),… So, in this context, let’s follow a couple streams of ideas concerning the gift of God.
What is the gift of God without the timing of God? If we look at Acts 2 we see that the early disciples – following the instructions of Jesus (God is wise enough to provide a manual with the gift) - were waiting on the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The gift of God without the timing of God is worthless. God’s timing is such a great refining tool cleansing our hearts to be able to fully embrace His gift and divine purposes, just look at the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and so many heroes of the faith. God’s timing added to the gift glorifies God more purely.
If we look at the nature of the gift of God we can see that the gift reveals the nature of the Giver (John 14:25), it is a testimony (it also prophesies of things to come that are on His heart) of the heart of God, the gift is a releaser of the presence of God to your individual life but also to the lives of others around you. Just like revelation is a token of the heart of the Father, touching and unlocking our hearts, the gift of God is a precious token from His heart that He chooses to invest in earthen vessels. The gift of God makes you see God more fully, hear His voice clearer, makes you hungry to know Him even more, is a testimony of His truth, is a reminder and witness of His faithful Words and promises and makes you love Him and the ones He loves more.
The gift of God is to be treasured and must be abiding within the Vine, the gift of God operating apart from, without lively connection to the Giver does not bring glory to the Giver. Over time, if you allow times of waiting, testing and brokenness the gift of God in our lives will not return empty but will prosper, it will bear fruit. Brokenness is such a precious gift, the Holy Spirit sometimes takes the form of this friend named brokenness; embracing Him when He comes is the fastest way to the fulfilment of the purposes of God in you. His intentions are so pure, His results so beautiful –If we see waiting, testing and brokenness as a gift, as a friend who does everything for our good, it changes our perspective of what God’s intention with the gift is, it makes us more like His Son Jesus. This shifts the focus of the gift from us to Him, just like the seeds of the a sunflowerplant do not make the dirt in which it is planted feel good, but the seed will grow up in the Son. God is sowing into us His heart, His dreams and desires; the Spirit in us prepares us to be Jesus’ beautiful bride, without spot or rinkle, equally yoked with the Man who was acquainted with our suffering, whose delight is in the fear of the Lord, whose eyes of fire are gazing at us. Lord, thank you for your awesome gifts, may they bring a smile to your face as we embrace them!
What a great gift is the Holy Spirit in our lives. He is our Helper, Counselor, Comforter, Intercessor, Standby, Advocate and Strengthener. Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father (James 1:17). Jesus said it was better for us that He would go to the Father so He could send the Holy Spirit (John 16:7)! With the general context of the Holy Spirit in mind as the greatest gift of God, there are many gifts that God pours out graciously on His people. Just think about spiritual gifts, friendships, revelation, His Word, marriage, children, testing, hardship, discipline (an act of love: Heb.12:6),… So, in this context, let’s follow a couple streams of ideas concerning the gift of God.
What is the gift of God without the timing of God? If we look at Acts 2 we see that the early disciples – following the instructions of Jesus (God is wise enough to provide a manual with the gift) - were waiting on the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The gift of God without the timing of God is worthless. God’s timing is such a great refining tool cleansing our hearts to be able to fully embrace His gift and divine purposes, just look at the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and so many heroes of the faith. God’s timing added to the gift glorifies God more purely.
If we look at the nature of the gift of God we can see that the gift reveals the nature of the Giver (John 14:25), it is a testimony (it also prophesies of things to come that are on His heart) of the heart of God, the gift is a releaser of the presence of God to your individual life but also to the lives of others around you. Just like revelation is a token of the heart of the Father, touching and unlocking our hearts, the gift of God is a precious token from His heart that He chooses to invest in earthen vessels. The gift of God makes you see God more fully, hear His voice clearer, makes you hungry to know Him even more, is a testimony of His truth, is a reminder and witness of His faithful Words and promises and makes you love Him and the ones He loves more.
The gift of God is to be treasured and must be abiding within the Vine, the gift of God operating apart from, without lively connection to the Giver does not bring glory to the Giver. Over time, if you allow times of waiting, testing and brokenness the gift of God in our lives will not return empty but will prosper, it will bear fruit. Brokenness is such a precious gift, the Holy Spirit sometimes takes the form of this friend named brokenness; embracing Him when He comes is the fastest way to the fulfilment of the purposes of God in you. His intentions are so pure, His results so beautiful –If we see waiting, testing and brokenness as a gift, as a friend who does everything for our good, it changes our perspective of what God’s intention with the gift is, it makes us more like His Son Jesus. This shifts the focus of the gift from us to Him, just like the seeds of the a sunflowerplant do not make the dirt in which it is planted feel good, but the seed will grow up in the Son. God is sowing into us His heart, His dreams and desires; the Spirit in us prepares us to be Jesus’ beautiful bride, without spot or rinkle, equally yoked with the Man who was acquainted with our suffering, whose delight is in the fear of the Lord, whose eyes of fire are gazing at us. Lord, thank you for your awesome gifts, may they bring a smile to your face as we embrace them!
Monday
Psalm 52:1-5 - June 8, 2009
Ps 52:1-5 "Why do you boast of evil, you mighty man? Why do you boast all day long, you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God? 2 Your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor, you who practice deceit. 3 You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth. Selah 4 You love every harmful word, O you deceitful tongue! 5 Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin: He will snatch you up and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living." NIV
There are three powerful messages conveyed in this very short passage; God is watching, He will not let those who do evil go unpunished and His judgment is eternal! Men who practice evil tend to exalt themselves with a spirit of pride, as if to say, “No one can touch me. I am beyond judgment!” This psalm shouts to such a man the sobering reminder that their day of judgment will come. In 2 Peter 3:9 the apostle teaches us about the nature of God’s patient justice, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” We are instructed that it is not the absence of justice, nor the ignorance of the acts of the wicked that causes God’s hand to be slow to act in bringing His judgments into the earth. No man has deceived God by the subtlety of His plans nor has any man hidden his actions so deeply that God cannot clearly discern his schemes. David wrote in Ps 139:7-8, 11-12 “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there… 11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.” There is no place where we can hide from the all seeing eyes of the Lord God Almighty!
The nature of the principles conveyed in this passage has a two-fold purpose projecting from its words. To the wicked Psalm 52:1-5 becomes a warning and a call to repentance. “Turn now because judgment is coming!” To the righteous this passage becomes an encouragement to endure in hope and peace. We are reminded that the day of judgment; the day that all things are set in order and all injustices are met with God’s scales of justice tempered by mercy. Though God may seem passive in the midst of our current awareness of our need we are reminded that in due time He will arise, His hand of judgment will be stretched forth and all men will see that no evil deed will have gone unaccounted for! There will be an everlasting consequence for every evil deed that is not forgiven through repentance and the blood of Christ. When it is time for God’ judgment it will be swift, it will be just and it will be severe. Do not grow weary as you wait for the hand of God to move. It is only His heart of mercy that restrains Him.
There are three powerful messages conveyed in this very short passage; God is watching, He will not let those who do evil go unpunished and His judgment is eternal! Men who practice evil tend to exalt themselves with a spirit of pride, as if to say, “No one can touch me. I am beyond judgment!” This psalm shouts to such a man the sobering reminder that their day of judgment will come. In 2 Peter 3:9 the apostle teaches us about the nature of God’s patient justice, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” We are instructed that it is not the absence of justice, nor the ignorance of the acts of the wicked that causes God’s hand to be slow to act in bringing His judgments into the earth. No man has deceived God by the subtlety of His plans nor has any man hidden his actions so deeply that God cannot clearly discern his schemes. David wrote in Ps 139:7-8, 11-12 “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there… 11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.” There is no place where we can hide from the all seeing eyes of the Lord God Almighty!
The nature of the principles conveyed in this passage has a two-fold purpose projecting from its words. To the wicked Psalm 52:1-5 becomes a warning and a call to repentance. “Turn now because judgment is coming!” To the righteous this passage becomes an encouragement to endure in hope and peace. We are reminded that the day of judgment; the day that all things are set in order and all injustices are met with God’s scales of justice tempered by mercy. Though God may seem passive in the midst of our current awareness of our need we are reminded that in due time He will arise, His hand of judgment will be stretched forth and all men will see that no evil deed will have gone unaccounted for! There will be an everlasting consequence for every evil deed that is not forgiven through repentance and the blood of Christ. When it is time for God’ judgment it will be swift, it will be just and it will be severe. Do not grow weary as you wait for the hand of God to move. It is only His heart of mercy that restrains Him.
Sunday
Psalm 51:16-17 - June 7, 2009
Ps 51:16-17 "You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." NIV
What is it that moves the heart of God? Is it animals sacrificed on an altar of stone or metal? Is it some other form of sacrifice? Psalm 51 points us away from using such things as a means to approach God. Even while the sacrificial system was still in place King David understood that this only represented something greater. He knew that what God is really after is the heart. David had seen the example of his predecessor King Saul as he took animals that were intended for destruction during the Israelite’s victory over the Amalekites and the Lord’s displeasure with Saul as a result of his disobedience. Saul sought to justify his actions by saying that his intention was to sacrifice them before the Lord at Gilgal. Samuel gave a very pointed response in 1 Sam 15:22 “But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”
God is looking at your heart today! His eye is on the motivations that drive you and the condition of your inner man before him. Humility and true submission are the delight of God. There are many people who do right things but for wrong reasons. God cares as much or more about the reasons we do things than he does about the outcome. Is that action we are taking driven by a desire to stimulate even greater self-pride to build up our ego? Or is it fueled by a response of obedience to what God is asking of us? We may be working hard but it may be totally driven by a fear of what God won’t do rather than a confidence in what he WILL do! Am I doing what I am doing because of my confident love for God or are my actions being driven by a concern that somehow God’s love and power will not be directed towards me and that I will have to be my own source of supply?
Trust and rest, obedience and submission, these are the keys to a happy heart and a life that has been delivered from stress. Last night I had a dream that I was riding mountain bike in an off road race. In the dream my tires wore out in strands of shredded rubber. I switched to a different bike. It was a road racing bike with thin tires built for speed rather than rugged ground. In the dream I doubted whether this bike would allow me to race under these conditions. I realized that the Lord was saying that the season that I was in was “off road,” more bumpy and undefined. I knew that I was not going to be able to go as fast even though I wanted to be done quickly. Instead of striving to be into a new season I was being encouraged to trust, and rest. I realized that in my heart I was carrying anxiety towards the Lord, feeling that I was not doing the right things with my time due to the demands in my natural circumstances but this dream reminded me to slow down and finish well. It called me to remember that the Lord’s pleasure is in how I do this season not in my rush to get on to the next season. His gentle reminder is that the journey is as much a part of the process as is the conclusion of the matter helped me to surrender my time frames into the hand of the Lord. He was kindly showing me that I had allowed the rugged nature of this season to wear my “tires” thin and that I needed to take the time to get built up again rather than anxiously trying to reach a new season that I might think is more spiritual. Even if the road is hard, if it is the road the Lord has ordained for this season, it brings Him pleasure if I finish it well! Complete this season with grace and bring the Lord pleasure with your obedient heart.
What is it that moves the heart of God? Is it animals sacrificed on an altar of stone or metal? Is it some other form of sacrifice? Psalm 51 points us away from using such things as a means to approach God. Even while the sacrificial system was still in place King David understood that this only represented something greater. He knew that what God is really after is the heart. David had seen the example of his predecessor King Saul as he took animals that were intended for destruction during the Israelite’s victory over the Amalekites and the Lord’s displeasure with Saul as a result of his disobedience. Saul sought to justify his actions by saying that his intention was to sacrifice them before the Lord at Gilgal. Samuel gave a very pointed response in 1 Sam 15:22 “But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”
God is looking at your heart today! His eye is on the motivations that drive you and the condition of your inner man before him. Humility and true submission are the delight of God. There are many people who do right things but for wrong reasons. God cares as much or more about the reasons we do things than he does about the outcome. Is that action we are taking driven by a desire to stimulate even greater self-pride to build up our ego? Or is it fueled by a response of obedience to what God is asking of us? We may be working hard but it may be totally driven by a fear of what God won’t do rather than a confidence in what he WILL do! Am I doing what I am doing because of my confident love for God or are my actions being driven by a concern that somehow God’s love and power will not be directed towards me and that I will have to be my own source of supply?
Trust and rest, obedience and submission, these are the keys to a happy heart and a life that has been delivered from stress. Last night I had a dream that I was riding mountain bike in an off road race. In the dream my tires wore out in strands of shredded rubber. I switched to a different bike. It was a road racing bike with thin tires built for speed rather than rugged ground. In the dream I doubted whether this bike would allow me to race under these conditions. I realized that the Lord was saying that the season that I was in was “off road,” more bumpy and undefined. I knew that I was not going to be able to go as fast even though I wanted to be done quickly. Instead of striving to be into a new season I was being encouraged to trust, and rest. I realized that in my heart I was carrying anxiety towards the Lord, feeling that I was not doing the right things with my time due to the demands in my natural circumstances but this dream reminded me to slow down and finish well. It called me to remember that the Lord’s pleasure is in how I do this season not in my rush to get on to the next season. His gentle reminder is that the journey is as much a part of the process as is the conclusion of the matter helped me to surrender my time frames into the hand of the Lord. He was kindly showing me that I had allowed the rugged nature of this season to wear my “tires” thin and that I needed to take the time to get built up again rather than anxiously trying to reach a new season that I might think is more spiritual. Even if the road is hard, if it is the road the Lord has ordained for this season, it brings Him pleasure if I finish it well! Complete this season with grace and bring the Lord pleasure with your obedient heart.
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