January 26, 2016
This psalm of David begins by crying out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psa.22:1). And goes on to describe in great detail the crucifixion of Jesus. Written 1,000 years before Christ, long before the Romans or their cruel invention of crucifixion, this psalm is astounding in its prophetic power. Some commentators point out that there is even more detail here when one considers that the word translated “encircles” might also be translated “crowned,” describing the crown of thorns. Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 are the two most powerfully prophetic descriptions of the Suffering Servant who would come and die for our sins. Yet, when Jesus was treated just as David and Isaiah prophesied, only a few believed.
January 5, 2016
This is more an expression of resolve by the petitioner than an expectation that the Lord will hear the petition. “O Lord, in the morning [and every morning thereafter] you [will] hear my voice.” The psalmist David is expressing his determination to begin his days in prayer. He uses metaphoric language in the Hebrew to describe how he will pray. He speaks like an archer, saying “I will send my prayer towards You and to You alone, and watch to see that it hits the target.” Or like a priest, David plans to “prepare” his prayer like a morning “sacrifice,” arranged carefully upon the altar, and then, to watch the smoke arise to the throne of heaven. David is determined to begin his days in the offering up of prayers to God. These will not be sleepy, memorized mutterings, but carefully considered and arrayed prayers… prayers aimed at the heart of God.
January 1, 2016
“Blessed” (Happy, fulfilled, satisfied) is the one who doesn’t follow the counsel and way of the world, but instead finds direction from God’s Word. The person who follows the “law of the Lord,” which is the Word of God, follows a narrow path that few find, yet is available to all who would delight in it. This blessed life is marked by meditating on the Word, moving it from the head to the heart through reading, studying and internalizing it day and night. This life is like a “tree planted by streams of water,” drawing on the life from the Incarnate Word, Jesus Christ, who is revealed by the written Word.
How will you begin this new year 2016? Whose counsel will you follow?
December 26, 2015
Many important questions are answered by this verse:
– Where is the Lord? “Near.”
– How can I know Him? “Call upon Him in truth.”
- What is truth? Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).
You may feel far from God today, but He is only one call away. Just dial J-E-S-U-S!
December 25, 2015
The psalmist David looks to God and finds in Him everything, but looks to man by comparison and finds next to nothing. He wonders how God can stoop to know and acknowledge lowly humanity. Yet, God not only stoops to know, He humbles Himself to become… “the Son of Man.” God sent His Son to become like us, so that we might become like Him. This is the gift behind every gift. Merry Christmas!!
December 20, 2015
In this psalm, David prayed for God to “search” his heart and reveal to him any worries or wickedness, so that he might correct his way. David has already praised God for His comprehensive knowledge of him. He realized that God knew him better than he knew himself. David contemplated on how God knew him even in his mother’s womb, how He knew his “rising up” and his “lying down.” So, David asked the God who can see the human heart to examine his. David was “a man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22) because he had first given his own heart to God. This is a good prayer for us today: “God, search me. Reveal to me where I am not right with you. You know me better than I know myself. Tell me why my heart is worrying or holding on to some idol today. Forgive me and cleanse me afresh, so I can live this day for You.”
December 18, 2015
When the Judean captives weren’t working for their Babylonian masters, they would retreat to the “rivers of Babylon,” and as they watched the waters flowing by, tears would begin to pour down their faces as they remembered their home in Jerusalem. They couldn’t see the mountains of Zion, but they could move to the outskirts of Babylon to gaze upon the Euphrates and the numerous man-made canals that intersected the terrain. Carrying their harps with them, they planned to sing and have a picnic, but gazing upon the waters, they “sat down” and “wept.” There’s something about sitting by a river or standing on a mountain that causes us to remember Zion. After all, this in not our true home. We are but pilgrims passing through.
December 15, 2015
One of the psalms of ascent, written to prepare pilgrims as they climbed the steps to the temple. This psalm was addressed to those who served in the temple at night. Certainly, it addressed the Levites assigned to serve as a night watch, that their work should never be considered mundane but always worshipful. It also brings to mind those like the old woman Anna who continually fasted and prayed at the temple (Luke 2:47). Today, it is a reminder to those who serve the Lord to remember to offer praise to Him even in the most mundane moments of service. It also encourages those who are experiencing sleepless nights not to waste the time, but to take the opportunity to lift up hands of worship to God.
November 29, 2015
Better to put your hope in the unchanging Word than in the ever changing circumstances of this world. God’s Word will accomplish what it says. The one who wrote Ps.119 knew this. Take some time to study this the longest chapter in the Bible. List the different words used for Word, such as: “law, promise,” etc…
November 23, 2015
A prayer for godly perspective and vision. “Lord, turn my eyes from ‘worthless’ (vain, empty, deceitful) things, and put them on Your eternal things.” Our eyes are continually bombarded with worldly advertising, especially (and ironically) during the Christmas season. We are tempted to spend our worship on worthless things that will not fulfill and will not last. And having spent our worship in the wrong place, we have nothing left for God. As Jesus said, “Do not store up your treasure on earth” but instead “store them up in heaven” (Matt. 6:19-20). And as Paul said, “Set you eyes and affections on things above, not on earthly things” (Col.3:1-2). Stop seeking worthless things and start seeking eternal things.