Psalm 125:1-2 “They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.”
There has probably been no group of people who have faced as much trouble as the nation of Israel. This has just been part of their life. They knew this and even understood it.
As believers, we also face problems. As I see what’s going on the world today, there are many people who are hurting financially, physically, emotionally and spiritually. The sad thing is that many try to face these problems in the wrong way. Problems can harm us, but there is a haven of rest where the believer can go. There is a place of safety in the midst of the storm.
Here in Psalm 125 the Psalmist writes of this place of refuge. There is safety in the arms of God. Look at how the Psalmist describes this safety.
1. SAFE IN HIS STEADFASTNESS
Read again the words of verse 1 "They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever."
I think the emphasis here is upon the object of our trust. And who is that? It is the LORD or Jehovah. Just think about the privilege it is to be allowed to rest or trust in God. For a person to trust anywhere else, is foolishness. It will, in time, become disappointing. Why? Because there is no safety in anything or anybody else.
I read somewhere that to trust in God is sanctified common sense. I’m not sure you can put it any better than that.
Notice the last phrase of verse 1 “. . . but abideth for ever." The word “abideth” means to “sit down” or “dwell.” Safety comes as we trust and the result is that we sit down or dwell in our refuge.
Notice also the phrase ". . .shall be like Mount Zion." Trusting says we have faith to move mountains, but it also says we have faith to stand like a mountain. For you and I to move Mount Zion would be an absurd idea, but to stand like Mount Zion would be what God wants of us. The steadfastness of God will endure forever and the individual who takes refuge in God abides or dwells and will be steadfast as Mount Zion.
2. SAFE IN HIS SURROUNDINGS
Notice the words of verse 2 "As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever."
Around the city of Jerusalem were mountains. These mountains didn’t make a complete circle but they did guard the gates of this great city. These mountains gave safety to those who dwelt in and around the city.
The surrounding mountains are a picture of the surrounding presence of Almighty God as our security. As the mountains did not enclose completely the city of Jerusalem, so God does not make our city a prison, but He does order His providence so that we are as safe as if we dwelt behind the strongest fortification possible.
There is a great picture given here which actually has a two-fold security. First of all in verse 1 we are Settled and then in verse 2 we are Secure. In verse 1 we are Made like a mountain and then in verse 2 we are Protected as if by a mountain.
We are living in troublesome times. I realize that many, many people are facing huge problems for the first time in their lives. Many do not know which way to turn. They are frightened and worried. Many who do not even know the Lord as their personal Savior are uttering fox-hole prayers.
Problems do not just affect the unbeliever, but are reaching far into the Christian community also. Just as God “. . . maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust,” (Mat 5:45) He allows the believer to experience the same kind of problems as the unsaved. So why does He do that? Why do we as believers have these problems to come into our lives? There are many, many reasons. They may be consequences of our own decisions. The believer may be facing problems because of somebody else’s decisions or a variety of other reasons. But there is one thing for sure; God is allowing us the privilege of showing to the world a special kind of attitude in the middle of these troublesome times. We do not have to panic or worry. By trusting God in all circumstances, it is a great testimony to all who witness our responses to difficult times.
As we have just noted, the abiding child of God is safe in the presence of our God. Paul wrote in Romans 8:35-39, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
We are safe and secure in the Arms of God!
That’s my view; how about you?
Monday, June 28, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
THE WAY OUT
Psalm 143:12 “And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.”
In the early part of this Psalm, we find David, a man after God’s own heart, going through some things that many people face. We sometime think that David is above the problems we have, but here in this Psalm he is crying out to God because he’s at one of the lowest times in his life. You can hear the pain within as lays his soul before the Lord.
Have you ever found yourself in this place? Have you felt the darkness of loneliness as a close friend let you down? Maybe you have come to the place where your circumstances have completely overwhelmed you. You might have even come to the place of despair.
Some face valleys where they think there is no way out. But is there? Is there a way out? David found the way out. He might have been in a dark, desolate valley on the brink of despair, but notice the words of verse 8, “Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust . . .” David had found a way out, and we can too.
What is the way out? Paul writes in I Corinthians 10:13, “There hath no temptation (or trial) taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” When a person is in a dark valley, what should they do?
1. PRAY
In verse 1 we read, "Hear my prayer, O LORD,. . .” Verse 6 says, "I stretch forth my hands unto thee:. . .” Again we read in verse 9, “Deliver me, O LORD,. . .”
David prayed. I’m sure there were times when David wanted to quit praying but he didn’t. He knew his help was in the Lord. And that’s also where our help lies. We should pray and remember, we’re commanded to pray (I Thes 5:17, Jer 33:3).
2. PRAISE
Even in dark times, this godly man worshipped God. Notice the words of verse 10, "Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; . . ." What an example for each of us to follow – praise in the middle of the valley.
David is not the only example we can see in Scripture. The godly man Job also lifted up his heart to God in the middle of dark times. We read in Job 1:20-22, "Then Job arose and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped. And said Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly."
We may not like this fact, but if we can’t praise God in the valley, we have no right to praise Him on the mountaintop. God is sovereign in both places.
Someone might say, “But in the dark valley I have a hard time thinking of things to be thankful for!” I like what we read in Luke 10:20, "Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." We are saved. We have eternal life.
I would like to remind all of us that God is worthy of our praise – Revelation 4:11, AThou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.@
It’s also helpful for us to praise - Nehemiah 8::10, "Then he said unto them, Go your way eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
Proverbs 17:22, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: . . . "
We do not have to be down-in-the-mouth while in the valley. There is a way out. David is showing us that fact here in Psalm 43.
3. PRACTICE
Notice verses 8-10, "Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk: for I lift up my soul unto thee. Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness."
David had a desire to do the will of God. Even if being chased by his enemies was God’s will, he wanted to be faithful in obedience to his Master.
That should be our desire and goal in life. Doing the will of God, even in the valleys, sets the right example for all those who are watching our lives.
There is a way out of the valley. David shows us how to do so in this Psalm – Pray, Praise and Practice. Someone has said: “You can’t beat the circumstances! Don’t let them beat you!” Valleys will come, but there is a way out of them.
That’s my view; how about you?
In the early part of this Psalm, we find David, a man after God’s own heart, going through some things that many people face. We sometime think that David is above the problems we have, but here in this Psalm he is crying out to God because he’s at one of the lowest times in his life. You can hear the pain within as lays his soul before the Lord.
Have you ever found yourself in this place? Have you felt the darkness of loneliness as a close friend let you down? Maybe you have come to the place where your circumstances have completely overwhelmed you. You might have even come to the place of despair.
Some face valleys where they think there is no way out. But is there? Is there a way out? David found the way out. He might have been in a dark, desolate valley on the brink of despair, but notice the words of verse 8, “Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust . . .” David had found a way out, and we can too.
What is the way out? Paul writes in I Corinthians 10:13, “There hath no temptation (or trial) taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” When a person is in a dark valley, what should they do?
1. PRAY
In verse 1 we read, "Hear my prayer, O LORD,. . .” Verse 6 says, "I stretch forth my hands unto thee:. . .” Again we read in verse 9, “Deliver me, O LORD,. . .”
David prayed. I’m sure there were times when David wanted to quit praying but he didn’t. He knew his help was in the Lord. And that’s also where our help lies. We should pray and remember, we’re commanded to pray (I Thes 5:17, Jer 33:3).
2. PRAISE
Even in dark times, this godly man worshipped God. Notice the words of verse 10, "Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; . . ." What an example for each of us to follow – praise in the middle of the valley.
David is not the only example we can see in Scripture. The godly man Job also lifted up his heart to God in the middle of dark times. We read in Job 1:20-22, "Then Job arose and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped. And said Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly."
We may not like this fact, but if we can’t praise God in the valley, we have no right to praise Him on the mountaintop. God is sovereign in both places.
Someone might say, “But in the dark valley I have a hard time thinking of things to be thankful for!” I like what we read in Luke 10:20, "Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." We are saved. We have eternal life.
I would like to remind all of us that God is worthy of our praise – Revelation 4:11, AThou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.@
It’s also helpful for us to praise - Nehemiah 8::10, "Then he said unto them, Go your way eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
Proverbs 17:22, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: . . . "
We do not have to be down-in-the-mouth while in the valley. There is a way out. David is showing us that fact here in Psalm 43.
3. PRACTICE
Notice verses 8-10, "Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk: for I lift up my soul unto thee. Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness."
David had a desire to do the will of God. Even if being chased by his enemies was God’s will, he wanted to be faithful in obedience to his Master.
That should be our desire and goal in life. Doing the will of God, even in the valleys, sets the right example for all those who are watching our lives.
There is a way out of the valley. David shows us how to do so in this Psalm – Pray, Praise and Practice. Someone has said: “You can’t beat the circumstances! Don’t let them beat you!” Valleys will come, but there is a way out of them.
That’s my view; how about you?
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
COPING WITH LIFE
Psalm 16:1-2 “Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust. O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;”
During the turbulent years when David was fleeing from King Saul, there were few times in which his life was not in constant danger. His life had come near death time and time again. Even during the time when the King had curtailed the hunt for David, he was still cut off from his family, land and religious life. It was probably during one of those times of "so called peace" that David sat down and penned this psalm.
What was it that helped David cope during the times of loneliness, conflict and uncertainties? Can we glean something that will help us in these same kinds of times? I think David was able to cope because he dwelt in the presence of God. I’m certain the reason we have fears and failures during hard times is because we do not constantly dwell in the precence of our God. Let’s look at what David said about God.
He uses three words to describe God. Let’s see what David says:
1. David Viewed God As His Maker
David used the word “God.” This is the word, “EL” and is an abbreviated form of the great name “Elohim.” This is God the Creator. “EL” is God as the Omnipotent, the all-powerful One. “EL” stands for God in all His strength and might. David is living his life in light of the Omnipotent One.
As David sat on the hillside and looked up into the sky at night, he knew His God had flung those stars into orbit. When he sat in the opening of that cave and looked out at the beautiful valley below, he was reminded that God had spoken all this into existence. His God, with all His Omnipotent power had done all this and was able to protect him and even change the heart of the King at any time he desired.
Do we not serve the same God today. Isn’t our God all-powerful and can change any circumstance in which we find ourself? You and I need to live our life in light of God our Maker.
2. David Viewed God As His Mediator
In verse 2 David uses the word, “LORD.” This is the word, “JEHOVAH,” the God of Covenant. David is living his life in light of this truth. He knows and understands that JEHOVAH has a covenant with Israel and with him. Therefore David does not fear his enemy or what his enemy might do to him. JEHOVAH is his Mediator.
You and I also have a Mediator, the Lord Jesus Christ. Adam Clark put it this way: “The old covenant and its mediator, Moses, are passed away. See Heb 8:13. The new covenant, i.e. the Gospel, is now in force, and will be to the end of the world;”
I’m glad my salvation is bought and secured by our Mediator, the Lord Jesus Christ. We are eternally secure and should live in light of that fact.
3. David Viewed God As His Master
David also uses the word, “Lord.” This is the title of “ADONAI.” This is the “Sovereign Lord” or as we would say, the “king.” David is living his life in the light of this truth. He knows that God is in control. He goes back in his mind to when he was anointed as the next king. God is in control and the “Sovereign Lord” will bring it to pass in His timing.
David is living in the presence of the Lord so no fear can harn him and no foe can daunt him. Oh, that we could live in the same way and we can if we are living in the presence of our God.
How do we do that? How do we living in the presence of our God?
(1) Listen To God’s Word
Psalm 119:11-12 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.”
Read, Memorize and Meditate upon His Word daily. It has to be more than a Sunday and Wednesday thing. Church attendance is very important. This is one way of being in His presence, but it’s not sufficient. We must be in His Word daily. Start the day right and continue through the day by meditating on His Word as we face the day’s responsibilities.
(2) Live By God’s Word
Psalm 119:105, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Proverbs 6:23, “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:”
Too many Christians face life in their own wisdom and power. And that’s also the reason too many Christians fail in their life. They lose their direction. You and I are nt smart enough to make perfect decisions. We are not powerful enough to overcome temptations and trials. We need to depend upon the wisdom and strength we get through God’s Word.
(3) Look For God’s Will
Psalm 119:10, “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.”
Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
God has a perfect will for each of us. It’s contained in His Blessed Book. If we follow it, our lives will be prosperous.
Who is Master of our life? Who controls what we do? The right answer will help us cope with life! When we live in God’s presence, realizing He’s our Maker, Mediator and Master, we can COPE WITH LIFE.
That’s my view; how about you?
During the turbulent years when David was fleeing from King Saul, there were few times in which his life was not in constant danger. His life had come near death time and time again. Even during the time when the King had curtailed the hunt for David, he was still cut off from his family, land and religious life. It was probably during one of those times of "so called peace" that David sat down and penned this psalm.
What was it that helped David cope during the times of loneliness, conflict and uncertainties? Can we glean something that will help us in these same kinds of times? I think David was able to cope because he dwelt in the presence of God. I’m certain the reason we have fears and failures during hard times is because we do not constantly dwell in the precence of our God. Let’s look at what David said about God.
He uses three words to describe God. Let’s see what David says:
1. David Viewed God As His Maker
David used the word “God.” This is the word, “EL” and is an abbreviated form of the great name “Elohim.” This is God the Creator. “EL” is God as the Omnipotent, the all-powerful One. “EL” stands for God in all His strength and might. David is living his life in light of the Omnipotent One.
As David sat on the hillside and looked up into the sky at night, he knew His God had flung those stars into orbit. When he sat in the opening of that cave and looked out at the beautiful valley below, he was reminded that God had spoken all this into existence. His God, with all His Omnipotent power had done all this and was able to protect him and even change the heart of the King at any time he desired.
Do we not serve the same God today. Isn’t our God all-powerful and can change any circumstance in which we find ourself? You and I need to live our life in light of God our Maker.
2. David Viewed God As His Mediator
In verse 2 David uses the word, “LORD.” This is the word, “JEHOVAH,” the God of Covenant. David is living his life in light of this truth. He knows and understands that JEHOVAH has a covenant with Israel and with him. Therefore David does not fear his enemy or what his enemy might do to him. JEHOVAH is his Mediator.
You and I also have a Mediator, the Lord Jesus Christ. Adam Clark put it this way: “The old covenant and its mediator, Moses, are passed away. See Heb 8:13. The new covenant, i.e. the Gospel, is now in force, and will be to the end of the world;”
I’m glad my salvation is bought and secured by our Mediator, the Lord Jesus Christ. We are eternally secure and should live in light of that fact.
3. David Viewed God As His Master
David also uses the word, “Lord.” This is the title of “ADONAI.” This is the “Sovereign Lord” or as we would say, the “king.” David is living his life in the light of this truth. He knows that God is in control. He goes back in his mind to when he was anointed as the next king. God is in control and the “Sovereign Lord” will bring it to pass in His timing.
David is living in the presence of the Lord so no fear can harn him and no foe can daunt him. Oh, that we could live in the same way and we can if we are living in the presence of our God.
How do we do that? How do we living in the presence of our God?
(1) Listen To God’s Word
Psalm 119:11-12 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.”
Read, Memorize and Meditate upon His Word daily. It has to be more than a Sunday and Wednesday thing. Church attendance is very important. This is one way of being in His presence, but it’s not sufficient. We must be in His Word daily. Start the day right and continue through the day by meditating on His Word as we face the day’s responsibilities.
(2) Live By God’s Word
Psalm 119:105, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Proverbs 6:23, “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:”
Too many Christians face life in their own wisdom and power. And that’s also the reason too many Christians fail in their life. They lose their direction. You and I are nt smart enough to make perfect decisions. We are not powerful enough to overcome temptations and trials. We need to depend upon the wisdom and strength we get through God’s Word.
(3) Look For God’s Will
Psalm 119:10, “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.”
Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
God has a perfect will for each of us. It’s contained in His Blessed Book. If we follow it, our lives will be prosperous.
Who is Master of our life? Who controls what we do? The right answer will help us cope with life! When we live in God’s presence, realizing He’s our Maker, Mediator and Master, we can COPE WITH LIFE.
That’s my view; how about you?
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