21.They also gave me gall for my food And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
29.But I am afflicted and in pain ; May Your salvation, O God, set me securely on high.
30.I will praise the name of God with song And magnify Him with thanksgiving.
31.And it will please the LORD better than an ox Or a young bull with horns and hoofs.
32.The humble have seen it and are glad ; You who seek God, let your heart revive.
33.For the LORD hears the needy And does not despise His who are prisoners.
34.Let heaven and earth praise Him, The seas and everything that moves in them.
35.For God will save Zion and build the cities of Judah, That they may dwell there and possess it.
36.The descendants of His servants will inherit it, And those who love His name will dwell in it.
I read this psalm just after a chapel during Holy Week, in which we had been focusing on Jesus. My attention was drawn to verse 21 of this psalm, which is fulfilled at Jesus’ death. So as I read this psalm, I was thinking of Jesus and the work He did for me on the cross. This emphasis ties in perfectly to my theology class, where I am studying about the doctrines of salvation. One of the interesting concepts I have learned about this semester is that Jesus Christ became our Pioneer in death, burial, and resurrection. He has gone before us and made the way for us to have new life in Him. In addition, I am finding in Scripture and in my own life that Jesus is my pioneer in suffering. David wrote this psalm out of his own experience of suffering, but his words were fulfilled in Jesus’ life. Jesus suffered unto death to bring about my salvation.
We suffer too, as David reflects in verse 29, “I am afflicted and in pain.” What is comforting is that Jesus is our Pioneer in suffering. He knows and understands our pain. Even better, He can redeem our pain by using it for His good purposes. And even better than that, by His suffering Jesus provided salvation for us. Knowing that we have salvation in Jesus gives us security (vs 29). Because of our salvation, we can praise God even in the midst of suffering (vs 30-33). God will revive our hearts (vs 32), He will hear us in our time of need, and He will not reject us (vs 33). We have reason to praise Him.
Verses 35-36 reflect a type of salvation. God promised to give Israel a home and a land that they could live in and possess. They could pass on this home from generation to generation and live securely there. This reminds me of the salvation Jesus secured for us by His suffering. It reminds me that God cares for His people. He knows our needs and desires, and He wants to fulfill them. We can praise God because He has made a way for us.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Psalm 31
Psalm 31:1-5
1.In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge ; Let me never be ashamed ; In Your righteousness deliver me.
2.Incline Your ear to me, rescue me quickly ; Be to me a rock of strength, A stronghold to save me.
3.For You are my rock and my fortress ; For Your name's sake You will lead me and guide me.
4.You will pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, For You are my strength.
5.Into Your hand I commit my spirit ; You have ransomed me, O LORD, God of truth.
As I read these ten psalms (31-40), I was impressed by the richness of them. There are so many familiar verses, deeply meaningful phrases, reminders of Jesus our Savior, and tenets of theology in the Psalms.
As I read Psalm 31, I was emotionally drawn into the feelings David expressed, and I was intellectually interested in David’s descriptions of the character of Yahweh. This Psalm reminded me that God is strong, a refuge, righteous, trustworthy, gracious, and much more.
In verses 1-5, David describes God’s character in a way that lays the foundation for trusting God. The Lord is the God I can run to and be safe. Because of His righteousness, He is the only One who is able to deliver me. He is completely perfect, so He will never fail and no one will ever find a fault in Him to bring Him down. The Lord not only hears and listens to me, but He is willing to rescue me by His mighty strength. God is not disinterested in my life, but will lead and guide me for His purposes- and His purposes are always good. Even when times are hard and I slip into disaster, He will rescue me and be the strength I need to go on. Though I am poor and weak, God has ransomed me. The concept of ransom makes a big impression on me- it is amazing that God would pay a price to get me back, miserable as I am. Above all, He is the God of truth.
Because of who God is as David has described, he can commit his spirit (his very life) into God’s hand. Jesus repeats these words on the cross, knowing that in the darkest hour of human history, God is still trustworthy. And because God does not change, I can commit my spirit to God today. I can be completely confident because of who my God is.
1.In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge ; Let me never be ashamed ; In Your righteousness deliver me.
2.Incline Your ear to me, rescue me quickly ; Be to me a rock of strength, A stronghold to save me.
3.For You are my rock and my fortress ; For Your name's sake You will lead me and guide me.
4.You will pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, For You are my strength.
5.Into Your hand I commit my spirit ; You have ransomed me, O LORD, God of truth.
As I read these ten psalms (31-40), I was impressed by the richness of them. There are so many familiar verses, deeply meaningful phrases, reminders of Jesus our Savior, and tenets of theology in the Psalms.
As I read Psalm 31, I was emotionally drawn into the feelings David expressed, and I was intellectually interested in David’s descriptions of the character of Yahweh. This Psalm reminded me that God is strong, a refuge, righteous, trustworthy, gracious, and much more.
In verses 1-5, David describes God’s character in a way that lays the foundation for trusting God. The Lord is the God I can run to and be safe. Because of His righteousness, He is the only One who is able to deliver me. He is completely perfect, so He will never fail and no one will ever find a fault in Him to bring Him down. The Lord not only hears and listens to me, but He is willing to rescue me by His mighty strength. God is not disinterested in my life, but will lead and guide me for His purposes- and His purposes are always good. Even when times are hard and I slip into disaster, He will rescue me and be the strength I need to go on. Though I am poor and weak, God has ransomed me. The concept of ransom makes a big impression on me- it is amazing that God would pay a price to get me back, miserable as I am. Above all, He is the God of truth.
Because of who God is as David has described, he can commit his spirit (his very life) into God’s hand. Jesus repeats these words on the cross, knowing that in the darkest hour of human history, God is still trustworthy. And because God does not change, I can commit my spirit to God today. I can be completely confident because of who my God is.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Psalm 25
Psalm 25:4-10
4.Make me know Your ways, O LORD ; Teach me Your paths.
5.Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation ; For You I wait all the day.
6.Remember, O LORD, Your compassion and Your lovingkindnesses, For they have been from of old.
7.Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions ; According to Your lovingkindness remember me, For Your goodness' sake, O LORD.
8.Good and upright is the LORD ; Therefore He instructs sinners in the way.
9.He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way.
10.All the paths of the LORD are lovingkindness and truth To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.
What strikes me about this passage is the author’s dependence on God. The focus is not on what the speaker is doing or planning, but on waiting for God to move and carry out His plan.
Verses 4-5 show dependence on God in thoughts, plans, and actions. The author asks that God make him know His ways. He asks God to teach him His paths, and asks God to lead him in truth. He knows God is trustworthy because Yahweh is the God of his salvation. The phrase “for You I wait all the day” is counterintuitive to my tendencies. I want to move ahead, to get something done, but waiting on God shows true dependence on Him.
Verses 6-7 show spiritual dependence on God. The psalmist knows that he has committed sins, and that his sins condemn him as guilty and worthy of death before God. He is dependent on God’s compassion and lovingkindness. He knows that God has possessed these characteristics “from of old” and that He will not change, so He can be depended on. The psalmist also knows that God is good, and in His goodness He remembers sinners with lovingkindness.
Verses 8-9 are an incredible testimony to the mysterious goodness of God. He bestows His attention and energy on sinners and the humble. It is incredible to me that this verse does not say God teaches the diligent, the hard-working, the sincere; rather, He teaches those who have wronged Him and are least in the world’s eyes. I can have confidence in God’s love for me because He loves because of His goodness, not because of who I am.
To all those who choose to follow after God as He instructs them in His way, “the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and truth.” Lord, teach me Your ways, and enable me to walk after you, that I may walk in Your lovingkindness and truth.
4.Make me know Your ways, O LORD ; Teach me Your paths.
5.Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation ; For You I wait all the day.
6.Remember, O LORD, Your compassion and Your lovingkindnesses, For they have been from of old.
7.Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions ; According to Your lovingkindness remember me, For Your goodness' sake, O LORD.
8.Good and upright is the LORD ; Therefore He instructs sinners in the way.
9.He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way.
10.All the paths of the LORD are lovingkindness and truth To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.
What strikes me about this passage is the author’s dependence on God. The focus is not on what the speaker is doing or planning, but on waiting for God to move and carry out His plan.
Verses 4-5 show dependence on God in thoughts, plans, and actions. The author asks that God make him know His ways. He asks God to teach him His paths, and asks God to lead him in truth. He knows God is trustworthy because Yahweh is the God of his salvation. The phrase “for You I wait all the day” is counterintuitive to my tendencies. I want to move ahead, to get something done, but waiting on God shows true dependence on Him.
Verses 6-7 show spiritual dependence on God. The psalmist knows that he has committed sins, and that his sins condemn him as guilty and worthy of death before God. He is dependent on God’s compassion and lovingkindness. He knows that God has possessed these characteristics “from of old” and that He will not change, so He can be depended on. The psalmist also knows that God is good, and in His goodness He remembers sinners with lovingkindness.
Verses 8-9 are an incredible testimony to the mysterious goodness of God. He bestows His attention and energy on sinners and the humble. It is incredible to me that this verse does not say God teaches the diligent, the hard-working, the sincere; rather, He teaches those who have wronged Him and are least in the world’s eyes. I can have confidence in God’s love for me because He loves because of His goodness, not because of who I am.
To all those who choose to follow after God as He instructs them in His way, “the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and truth.” Lord, teach me Your ways, and enable me to walk after you, that I may walk in Your lovingkindness and truth.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Ruth Chapel Series
As I mentioned in my post on Ruth, this semester I got to see a series of four talks given by Dr. Reg Grant in DTS chapel. I loved this series- Dr. Grant was engaging, interesting, thought-provoking, and challenging. If you are interested in hearing some great spiritual insights, you can view or listen to the chapels too (I would recommend watching the videos). You can access them on the DTS website:
http://www.dts.edu/media/chapel/
Or you can use the Itunes store and search for "DTS chapel- preach the word." Both methods are free! Enjoy!
http://www.dts.edu/media/chapel/
Or you can use the Itunes store and search for "DTS chapel- preach the word." Both methods are free! Enjoy!
Ruth
Ruth 3:8-13
8.It happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward ; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet.
9.He said, "Who are you?" And she answered, "I am Ruth your maid. So spread your covering over your maid, for you are a close relative."
10.Then he said, "May you be blessed of the LORD, my daughter. You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich.
11."Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence.
12."Now it is true I am a close relative ; however, there is a relative closer than I.
13."Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will redeem you, good ; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the LORD lives. Lie down until morning."
This semester, I had the privilege of not only reading but experiencing the book of Ruth through the chapel series presented by Dr. Reg Grant. Dr. Grant’s talks gave me so many new insights into this familiar story.
I have always thought of Ruth and Boaz as honorable people, and what I learned about Ruth 3:8-13 reinforced this idea in some interesting ways. When Ruth comes to Boaz on the threshing floor at night, she is acting in obedience to her misguided mother-in-law. Yet, even though she is obeying, she is creating a potentially darkly passionate situation. Ruth makes herself completely available to Boaz, a situation that would have been very tempting to him. And yet, the word she chooses to refer to herself in verse 9 implies humility- she uses a word that captures her situation as a foreigner, an outsider, and even a wanton woman.
The character Boaz displays here is incredible. He not only refuses to give in to temptation, but he does not look down on Ruth as a foreigner or view her as a seductress. He views Ruth as a courageous and honorable woman. He blesses her for not going after younger men, but for honoring him with her attention. Boaz shows his respect for Ruth by not taking advantage of her even when nobody would have known. What I think is really wonderful about this interaction is that Boaz calls Ruth a woman of excellence. In her humility, Ruth does not have a high opinion of herself, but Boaz recognizes her character. He has taken notice of all she has selflessly done for her mother-in-law. Even though she is from a people group that the Jews would normally despise, Boaz sees Ruth as a woman of excellence.
Ruth is a powerful story of the actions of a true God-centered love, but even more so of obedience and honor and the blessings that result.
8.It happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward ; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet.
9.He said, "Who are you?" And she answered, "I am Ruth your maid. So spread your covering over your maid, for you are a close relative."
10.Then he said, "May you be blessed of the LORD, my daughter. You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich.
11."Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence.
12."Now it is true I am a close relative ; however, there is a relative closer than I.
13."Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will redeem you, good ; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the LORD lives. Lie down until morning."
This semester, I had the privilege of not only reading but experiencing the book of Ruth through the chapel series presented by Dr. Reg Grant. Dr. Grant’s talks gave me so many new insights into this familiar story.
I have always thought of Ruth and Boaz as honorable people, and what I learned about Ruth 3:8-13 reinforced this idea in some interesting ways. When Ruth comes to Boaz on the threshing floor at night, she is acting in obedience to her misguided mother-in-law. Yet, even though she is obeying, she is creating a potentially darkly passionate situation. Ruth makes herself completely available to Boaz, a situation that would have been very tempting to him. And yet, the word she chooses to refer to herself in verse 9 implies humility- she uses a word that captures her situation as a foreigner, an outsider, and even a wanton woman.
The character Boaz displays here is incredible. He not only refuses to give in to temptation, but he does not look down on Ruth as a foreigner or view her as a seductress. He views Ruth as a courageous and honorable woman. He blesses her for not going after younger men, but for honoring him with her attention. Boaz shows his respect for Ruth by not taking advantage of her even when nobody would have known. What I think is really wonderful about this interaction is that Boaz calls Ruth a woman of excellence. In her humility, Ruth does not have a high opinion of herself, but Boaz recognizes her character. He has taken notice of all she has selflessly done for her mother-in-law. Even though she is from a people group that the Jews would normally despise, Boaz sees Ruth as a woman of excellence.
Ruth is a powerful story of the actions of a true God-centered love, but even more so of obedience and honor and the blessings that result.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Psalm 13
How long, O LORD ? Will You forget me forever ? How long will You hide Your face from me?
How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart all the day ? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
Consider and answer me, O LORD my God ; Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,
And my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," And my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken.
But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness ; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.
Psalm 13 seems to express many of my own feelings at this time in my life. The past three and a half years have been very different than I expected, and at many times I have felt forgotten as David expresses here. Many days have gone by and are here now that it seems God has forgotten my dreams and desires. Many months have gone by that I feel I do not have a close connection with Him, though I seek Him.
The phrase “take counsel in my soul” reminds me of the many hours of thinking and analyzing the situation I find myself in. How long will I sit and analyze all aspects of this situation I don’t like, turning it over and over in my mind and driving myself crazy! This analysis causes sorrow in my heart all day long, as David expresses.
In the Psalms when I read “my enemies,” I often think of my personal enemies as the devil and his demons. I don’t have an army surrounding me or a king and his soldiers hunting me as David did, but I know that because of my relationship with Christ, Satan is hunting me and trying to snare me. How long will it seem that he has victory in my life? How long will he be able to celebrate because of my misery?
Verse 5 and 6 of this psalm are both soothing and challenging to me. Like David, I have trusted God’s lovingkindness and been the recipient of God’s great grace. In my sorrow, I don’t always return to these facts, but David reminds me that this is what I need to do. I need to remember God’s great lovingkindness towards me, remember the meaning of my salvation and the price God paid for it, and praise my God! Life may not be what I expected, but I have received a gift I do not deserve. “He has dealt bountifully with me.” There are things on this earth I may not have, but eternally and spiritually, I have Yahweh- I have everything.
How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart all the day ? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
Consider and answer me, O LORD my God ; Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,
And my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," And my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken.
But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness ; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.
Psalm 13 seems to express many of my own feelings at this time in my life. The past three and a half years have been very different than I expected, and at many times I have felt forgotten as David expresses here. Many days have gone by and are here now that it seems God has forgotten my dreams and desires. Many months have gone by that I feel I do not have a close connection with Him, though I seek Him.
The phrase “take counsel in my soul” reminds me of the many hours of thinking and analyzing the situation I find myself in. How long will I sit and analyze all aspects of this situation I don’t like, turning it over and over in my mind and driving myself crazy! This analysis causes sorrow in my heart all day long, as David expresses.
In the Psalms when I read “my enemies,” I often think of my personal enemies as the devil and his demons. I don’t have an army surrounding me or a king and his soldiers hunting me as David did, but I know that because of my relationship with Christ, Satan is hunting me and trying to snare me. How long will it seem that he has victory in my life? How long will he be able to celebrate because of my misery?
Verse 5 and 6 of this psalm are both soothing and challenging to me. Like David, I have trusted God’s lovingkindness and been the recipient of God’s great grace. In my sorrow, I don’t always return to these facts, but David reminds me that this is what I need to do. I need to remember God’s great lovingkindness towards me, remember the meaning of my salvation and the price God paid for it, and praise my God! Life may not be what I expected, but I have received a gift I do not deserve. “He has dealt bountifully with me.” There are things on this earth I may not have, but eternally and spiritually, I have Yahweh- I have everything.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Psalm 1
Psalm 1
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the way of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.
The wicked are not so,
But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgement,
Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked will perish.
This psalm is one of the most familiar and most dear to me. When I was in the sixth grade and my mom started homeschooling my siblings and I, one of the first things we did was to learn Psalm 1 together. I do not remember every verse I have ever memorized, but Psalm 1 has never left my memory.
I remember loving how this Psalm flows and rolls off the tongue. I love the picture of the righteous man as the strong tree. I also enjoyed saying emphatically “Not so, the wicked!” and picturing the chaff blowing away on the breeze.
Psalm 1 is wonderful encouragement to the young Christian to turn away from evil and walk in the path of righteousness. It starts out with “how blessed,” so right away you see that the man who chooses righteousness will benefit. And how does he become blessed? By delighting in God’s word, and meditating on it. I know this was encouragement for me when I was young to take God’s word seriously. And then comes the memorable word picture of a beautiful tree. Who would not want to be like this tree? It is strong, fruitful, and prosperous. It is well-established and does not wither in time of drought. “In whatever he does, he prospers.” Because of a love for God’s word and choosing to walk in God’s ways, the righteous man prospers.
The contrast between the well-established tree and the chaff is so distinct, but perhaps the best part of this psalm is the statement “the Lord knows the way of the righteous.” Because I have been declared righteous, God knows me and my ways! God knows my ways, and watches over me. What a wonderful God.
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the way of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.
The wicked are not so,
But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgement,
Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked will perish.
This psalm is one of the most familiar and most dear to me. When I was in the sixth grade and my mom started homeschooling my siblings and I, one of the first things we did was to learn Psalm 1 together. I do not remember every verse I have ever memorized, but Psalm 1 has never left my memory.
I remember loving how this Psalm flows and rolls off the tongue. I love the picture of the righteous man as the strong tree. I also enjoyed saying emphatically “Not so, the wicked!” and picturing the chaff blowing away on the breeze.
Psalm 1 is wonderful encouragement to the young Christian to turn away from evil and walk in the path of righteousness. It starts out with “how blessed,” so right away you see that the man who chooses righteousness will benefit. And how does he become blessed? By delighting in God’s word, and meditating on it. I know this was encouragement for me when I was young to take God’s word seriously. And then comes the memorable word picture of a beautiful tree. Who would not want to be like this tree? It is strong, fruitful, and prosperous. It is well-established and does not wither in time of drought. “In whatever he does, he prospers.” Because of a love for God’s word and choosing to walk in God’s ways, the righteous man prospers.
The contrast between the well-established tree and the chaff is so distinct, but perhaps the best part of this psalm is the statement “the Lord knows the way of the righteous.” Because I have been declared righteous, God knows me and my ways! God knows my ways, and watches over me. What a wonderful God.
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