Ch. 10
1-5
The arrogant wicked man who abuses the poor is introduced here – he renounces the Lord, says “there is no god,” and yet, he seems to prosper. The psalmist laments at this apparent injustice, wondering why the Lord seems “far away” and “hidden.” Most significant phrase in this first section: “your judgments are on high, out of his sight.” He may think he’s got it made, but the Lord’s judgment is not always obvious nor immediate. His walking on thin ice, and feeling confident about it.
6-11
His ignorant arrogance is flaming in this section: “I shall not meet adversity … murders the innocent … seizes the poor … says in his heart ‘God has forgotten… he will never see it’ ”
12-18
A plea to God to arise and remember the afflicted, to “break the arm of the evildoer.” The psalmist reminds himself that though the wicked doubt God’s justice (“you will not call to account”), God does see and will “take it into your hands.” His heart for the afflicted really shines through here as well: “to you the helpless commits himself, you have been the helper of the fatherless … you hear the desire of the afflicted … do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed.”
In summary – this psalm recognizes the injustice of living in a fallen world, where wicked arrogant men doubt God’s authority, and also diverts one’s response to this injustice from despair to hope, by affirming God’s authority and compassion for the afflicted. May we take part in joining God’s action against injustice and pointing the afflicted to His grace, while praying for the wicked that they may be broken and repent.
Ch. 12
David emphasizes what people are saying, what’s coming out of their mouths: “lies, flattering lips, tongue that makes great boasts.” In contrast to that: “The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined… purified seven times”
“because the needy groan, I will now arise … I will place him in the safety for which he longs.” God’s heart to meet those who are needy and act in their behalf.
Ch. 13
“sorrow in my heart all day” … David is constantly being honest about the struggles in his life and the sorrow in his heart, and he wonders how long it will last. He feels as if God is hiding his face from him. Is he? Maybe, maybe God wants him to trust in what is real, not in what he can feel. David’s request: “consider and answer me.” Conclusion, ends in faith: “But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.”
Themes: the themes of wicked men, the afflicted, (often afflicted by wicked men), specifically-the author's enemies, and the author's trust in God, b/c He is righteous and good, a refuge to be trusted in.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Psalm 4
Some of the same themes here: calling to God, requesting an answer (emphasizing communication w/ God, a God who is near, not distant, a God who hears, and yet even though David believes this, he still asks God to answer), reminder of times when God has been there, frustration with wicked men, trust in the Lord, joy in the Lord, delighting in Him more than the treasures of this world (grain and new wine), and then he ends with peace, trusting that God makes him “dwell in safety.”
So, David recognizes his circumstances, but calls on the God who is in control of circumstances, for a joy that goes beyond his circumstances. He finds his joy in God – “you have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.” David’s joy, based on God’s goodness in spite of his circumstances (“you have given relief when I was in distress”), is deeper, better, more real, than their joy that is based on their circumstances (grain and new wine abound).
So, David recognizes his circumstances, but calls on the God who is in control of circumstances, for a joy that goes beyond his circumstances. He finds his joy in God – “you have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.” David’s joy, based on God’s goodness in spite of his circumstances (“you have given relief when I was in distress”), is deeper, better, more real, than their joy that is based on their circumstances (grain and new wine abound).
Sunday, May 16, 2010
chapter 2, 3
(this discipline thing is kinda tough for me, but I soldier on; here's ch. 2,3 ... I also realize there's not always going to be a ground-breaking insight, but through the discipline I hope to find some ground-breaking insights)
Ch. 2
This is a psalm about the Messiah (the “anointed one”) … the rulers of the world will conspire against Him (which happened), but Yahweh defends Him in anger, affirming the Kingship of the Messiah. His anger is against the wicked, but the blessed man can take refuge in Him. (and yet, even though His anger is directed against the wicked, the Anointed One takes that anger upon Himself for all who call on Him to do so, even the very wicked that have conspired against Him)
Ch. 3
A lot of the psalms deal with David just crying out to God, being real about how he feels, particularly about his trials/enemies. This is one of those. I find it interesting that one of the comments that his enemies were making about him was that “God will not deliver him.” But then David reminds himself who God is: “You are a shield around me.” He puts his fears aside in light of God’s protection and sustaining power in his life; he calls on the Lord to deliver him, and he again reminds himself: “from the Lord comes deliverance.” And finishes with a plea for blessing on “your people” … so even in his distress, his prayer is not only for himself, but for the people, and, it’s a prayer for God’s blessing – a theme that runs throughout Scripture, starting with God “blessing them” and telling them to be fruitful and multiply.
Ch. 2
This is a psalm about the Messiah (the “anointed one”) … the rulers of the world will conspire against Him (which happened), but Yahweh defends Him in anger, affirming the Kingship of the Messiah. His anger is against the wicked, but the blessed man can take refuge in Him. (and yet, even though His anger is directed against the wicked, the Anointed One takes that anger upon Himself for all who call on Him to do so, even the very wicked that have conspired against Him)
Ch. 3
A lot of the psalms deal with David just crying out to God, being real about how he feels, particularly about his trials/enemies. This is one of those. I find it interesting that one of the comments that his enemies were making about him was that “God will not deliver him.” But then David reminds himself who God is: “You are a shield around me.” He puts his fears aside in light of God’s protection and sustaining power in his life; he calls on the Lord to deliver him, and he again reminds himself: “from the Lord comes deliverance.” And finishes with a plea for blessing on “your people” … so even in his distress, his prayer is not only for himself, but for the people, and, it’s a prayer for God’s blessing – a theme that runs throughout Scripture, starting with God “blessing them” and telling them to be fruitful and multiply.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
chapter 1
What does this man delight in? Unsavory friends? (those that can sometimes be fun(ny) and keep things “exciting” … whose habits often involve worldly pleasures) No. His delight is in something else … those who pursue ungodly friendships seeking the “freedom” of the hedonistic lifestyle are against what the Blessed Man seeks – He seeks the opposite of unrestraint – He delights in restraint: God’s law. The restraining principles, which are really based on the righteous character of our God! This man delights in restraining principles which actually bring freedom – freedom to live the life he was called to. And his delight is demonstrated … “on his law he meditates day and night.” These are not just warm and fuzzy feelings about religious thoughts; this is a practice of savoring God’s truth and His character which is revealed in His Word. He meditates, spends time reading, spends time thinking about, spends time being quiet with … the law of the Lord … in which he delights.
The result? “a tree planted by streams of water … fruit in season … leaf does not wither … whatever he does prospers.” This man experiences a fruitful life, full of purpose and prosperity (prosperity defined in God’s terms). The wicked does not experience this. Whereas he is planted firmly with nourishment nearby, the wicked is not planted, but rather blown away. They will not stand in the day of judgment … when it is determined whether they kept the very law that the blessed man is delighting in. When they are found to have despised God’s law, they will then curse their “freedom” and long for the “restraint” of God’s loving law.
The result? “a tree planted by streams of water … fruit in season … leaf does not wither … whatever he does prospers.” This man experiences a fruitful life, full of purpose and prosperity (prosperity defined in God’s terms). The wicked does not experience this. Whereas he is planted firmly with nourishment nearby, the wicked is not planted, but rather blown away. They will not stand in the day of judgment … when it is determined whether they kept the very law that the blessed man is delighting in. When they are found to have despised God’s law, they will then curse their “freedom” and long for the “restraint” of God’s loving law.
Psavoring the Psalms
The last comment I received on this blog was "time for a new post pastor" ... thank you my beloved sister Teecy. Speaking of Teecy, my beloved friend T.C. (different person of course ... coached T.C. in high school) and I are about to go through the Psalms, two a day. So, my goal is to blog a little something about each Psalm for the next 3 months or so ... those of you who know me, know this is virtually impossible, but here goes. I would really love for YOU to help deepen my understanding of the Psalms by checking in from time to time and adding your insights/thoughts/questions. Best to read/study Scripture in community ... so join me as we Psavor the Psalms (I know, cheesy ... but it should be a pretty psweet time)
Monday, November 23, 2009
I just had a very meaningful conversation with a young man who was in my youth group in Georgia. In fact, this young man was in the first Sunday School class I ever taught when I was fresh out of college. The first day I walked in dressed in all scuba gear (we were talking about Jonah that day … um, yea) … halfway through the class I was very warm and decided to go in the closet to change into my regular clothes; this young man wasted no time in leading a cohort of his buddies to blockade the closet door … leaving me locked in, and feeling ridiculous. Well, throughout high school this guy had pretty even split of shining moments and shameful moments. But all along I saw God working in his life, tugging on his heart to draw near to Him, to love Him, serve Him, and enjoy His goodness.
So, when we talked today and he shared what was on his heart I was thrilled, but not really surprised. He never liked school much, nor responsibility in general for that matter … but now he is excelling in school, will be a paramedic in May and is considering continuing in school to work on his bachelor’s and then go on to medical school. No shock here. This kid was born with a razor sharp mind.
But what was more exciting than that was what he shared about his walk with the Lord. Mark is going through a crisis of satisfaction. He is being challenged with this simple question: who or what will be the person or thing that provides satisfaction for your searching heart (any of us who are completely honest have wrestled with this same question at some point). Having recognized how his girlfriend was serving as that satisfaction piece, he has since broken things off with her, as he should. It’s not fair to her to ask her to provide something for him that she is not designed to be able to provide – ultimate satisfaction for the longings of the human soul. He also challenged himself to give up alcohol and tobacco … he realized that too often he turned to these for relief when things got stressful … instead of the one who says “come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” He has grown closer to his roommates as they have been keeping him accountable for his commitments, and he has grown immeasurably closer to God, having cleared out the junk that was getting in the way of finding satisfaction in Him alone.
“Whom have I in Heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:25,26) Can we say with the Psalmist, “earth has nothing I desire besides you”?
Today, Mark Mellette can. Proud of you Mark. Keep crucifying the flesh; keep finding your joy in Christ. He alone satisfies. Love you.
So, when we talked today and he shared what was on his heart I was thrilled, but not really surprised. He never liked school much, nor responsibility in general for that matter … but now he is excelling in school, will be a paramedic in May and is considering continuing in school to work on his bachelor’s and then go on to medical school. No shock here. This kid was born with a razor sharp mind.
But what was more exciting than that was what he shared about his walk with the Lord. Mark is going through a crisis of satisfaction. He is being challenged with this simple question: who or what will be the person or thing that provides satisfaction for your searching heart (any of us who are completely honest have wrestled with this same question at some point). Having recognized how his girlfriend was serving as that satisfaction piece, he has since broken things off with her, as he should. It’s not fair to her to ask her to provide something for him that she is not designed to be able to provide – ultimate satisfaction for the longings of the human soul. He also challenged himself to give up alcohol and tobacco … he realized that too often he turned to these for relief when things got stressful … instead of the one who says “come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” He has grown closer to his roommates as they have been keeping him accountable for his commitments, and he has grown immeasurably closer to God, having cleared out the junk that was getting in the way of finding satisfaction in Him alone.
“Whom have I in Heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:25,26) Can we say with the Psalmist, “earth has nothing I desire besides you”?
Today, Mark Mellette can. Proud of you Mark. Keep crucifying the flesh; keep finding your joy in Christ. He alone satisfies. Love you.
Monday, November 2, 2009
I'm Really Intrigued
It was the kind of reaction I like to hear when people are first introduced to thoughts about Movement Church. This was a lady in the park with two kids. We had a lovely little talk about cute and sweet kids are, and then she asked me, "what brings you to Richmond?" So, I told her, and then explained what our Community Groups are all about. And she was intrigued. She said it sounded really neat, and unique ... which we both agreed was unfortunate, that it was unique. When she asked me what kind of denomination we are and I explained that we try to focus on the Bible and what Jesus said ... she said, but how do you know what Jesus said. A fair question. So I shared that there was pretty good evidence for the reliability of the Gospels, the accounts of the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus. I told her about two different ways ancient texts are tested for reliability: # of years in between the date written and the date of the earliest copy we have (this time span represents the number of times it would have been recopied, more time, more margin for error); and the number of total copies (the more copies, the more texts you have to compare and validate one another). So, in light of that, I compared for her Plato and the New Testament ... consider the data below (it's a little jumbled but I can't fix it, so do your best):
Text Date Written First Copy Difference # of Copies
Aristotle 384-322 BC 1100 AD 1400 years 49
Ceasar 100-44 BC 900 AD 950 years 10
Plato 427-347 BC 900 AD 1200 years 7
NT 40-100 AD 125 AD 25 years over 24,000
It turned out to be a really great conversation, and I'm praying that God will use that seed to draw her to Him. I'm so grateful for these opportunities and for the confidence we can have in God's Word!
Text Date Written First Copy Difference # of Copies
Aristotle 384-322 BC 1100 AD 1400 years 49
Ceasar 100-44 BC 900 AD 950 years 10
Plato 427-347 BC 900 AD 1200 years 7
NT 40-100 AD 125 AD 25 years over 24,000
It turned out to be a really great conversation, and I'm praying that God will use that seed to draw her to Him. I'm so grateful for these opportunities and for the confidence we can have in God's Word!
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