David stands accused......falsely accused. His accuser apparently was once his friend, for David has shown him love, which has been rejected. He has indeed prayed for this enemy, with fasting, and has still been rejected.
First, David, as usual, recognizes God's sovereignty and involvement. He is not distant. He is addressed as the "God of my praise." David has known God's hand in his life, and he knows where to turn for help. Rather than take vengeance himself (perhaps he can't due to his physical state and or the multitude of his enemies?) he relies upon God to be His defender and to prosecute the wicked.
The first few verses sound like a pitiful cry to me.....deep grief as he pours out his complaint, culminating in verse 5: "Thus they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love."
This seems to be the turning point for David's emotions. It almost seems like his attitude turns into a very human, "it's not fair!", and he launches into a very harsh curse on his enemies. In short, he asks God to set wicked, unfair judges over them just as they have judged David unfairly. Let them be treated as they have treated others, receiving cursing and lacking blessing. Let them be needy and poor, hounded by others like they hound others. Ultimately, let their family be utterly cut off....with no posterity to carry the family name, so that they will be utterly forgotten in this earth.
Then, after this show of intense negative emotion.....he returns again to a more gentle prayer.....appealing to God's steadfast love. "Show Yourself, " he says....may all see that You have done this....may all see and know Your justice.
In the end, God's sovereignty is key. No accuser can stand against Him. Indeed, God will supplant any accuser against His own.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It seems inconsistent for David to pray such a harsh prayer, and for this to be accepted. After all, isn't God love? Are we not to love our enemies? And do good to them?
David did do these things. But remember, he is human, not divine, and is prone to all the depth of human emotion.
Was he wrong to utter such a prayer of cursing? I haven't read up on commentaries regarding this, but this is my oppinion: I think not. David had gone the extra mile, loving his enemies and doing good. They refused him. All of the elements of cursing that he expressed are exactly the things God Himself has said about His enemies as some points. He does not hide that fact that sin will be judged.
Bottom line? unconfessed sin will not be tolerated by God. Judgement will come, or for those who put their faith in Christ, it has already been spent on Christ at the cross.
Monday, July 7, 2014
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Sunday, Lord's Day, July 6, 2014
Sunday School: Begin study of I and II Kings to cover 2 quarters.
** note that history is given for a specific purpose. The facts needed are given, and no more, so sometimes we are left wanting more than what we have. For instance, blatant sins may be mentioned, but not commented on (condemnation). This doesn't mean acceptance of the sin, or contradiction in Scripture.
**note that the monarchy was anticipated by God in the giving of the Law, through the time of the judges. Deut. 17:14-20 Moses is given instruction re: the future employment of a king over Israel once they are established in the Promised Land. Very specific instructions about how a king is to behave and be disciplined toward the Law of God. Judges mentions over and over: "In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes."
The theme appears to be looking for the perfect king. Saul was made king initially, not because of a desire for a godly leader, but in order that they might be like the nations around them. He turned out to be a bad king. He refused to obey the Lord's commands, and favored the unrighteous over the righteous. David was a good king, but not without sin. The consequences of his sin plagued his household, as promised by God.
I and II Kings is a record of the kings following David, the split of the kingdom, and the history of each side, leading up to the exile.
Chapter 1-2 summary: David is old and frail, probably nearing death. A servant girl is brought in to serve him, and to keep him warm. Abijah, the oldest living son of David, assumes that he will be next in line for the throne, and in a very bold move, gathers the 'power brokers' of the day around him, leaving out the common folk, and tries to establish himself as king in his old and frail father's place. He failed to bring the common people on board, however, and didn't invite those of his father's household whom he knew would oppose him.
Nathan the prophet is on to him, and calls on Bathsheba to help make David aware of the situation. David had sworn to her that Solomon would be his successor. She goes to David with the current events, Nathan confirms them, and David acts quickly. He calls the faithful few that are not at Abijah's party to proclaim in front of the commoners that Solomon has been chosen king, by his command. They, of course won't challenge this, and the noise they make in joyful celebration is so loud that Abijah's party hears it, is told what has happened, and they all flee for their lives!
David gives Solomon instruction first on being a good king, and second, on handling some specific problem areas. He is to 'show himself a man," keeping the laws of God, walking in His ways. If he will do this, he will prosper.
Solomon follows through with each of the problem areas that his father instructed him about, and is firmly established on the throne.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~``
Sermon, Henry Beaulieu. Galations 5:13-15
Genuine freedom is knowing right from wrong. Virtue. Holding to justice and righteousness as defined by God, loving it, and standing for it, no matter what the cost.
Modern ideas of freedom are different! Today freedom means doing what I want, and the government, society, and people around me should support it. This is not freedom! not according to God's Word.
Recall that Satan promised Eve the freedom to be like God.....but it was a lie. Instead of freedom, what resulted was slavery. Paul, in Galatians, is dealing with those who would have them made righteous by keeping the letter of the law. But Paul is proving the point that this is NOT freedom, but indeed condemnation. The law cannot be kept by any of us! Failure in any part of it means failure to keep it all!
He is making the point that it must be a heart issue. Only God can change the heart to live by His Spirit, and not according to the law. If the heart is made right, the acts follow.
Freedom is in serving one another out of a heart of love, made so by the work of the Spirit. This flies in the face of what we consider freedom today. We are not to use freedom as an opportunity to serve the flesh, or self. No! We are to use freedom to serve one another!
Freedom, is a motive of the heart produced by God in our hearts. It is a step beyond head knowledge, but it is a heart understanding.....More than duty, but obedience out of love.
All the law is summed up in that we love one another, as God commands.
** note that history is given for a specific purpose. The facts needed are given, and no more, so sometimes we are left wanting more than what we have. For instance, blatant sins may be mentioned, but not commented on (condemnation). This doesn't mean acceptance of the sin, or contradiction in Scripture.
**note that the monarchy was anticipated by God in the giving of the Law, through the time of the judges. Deut. 17:14-20 Moses is given instruction re: the future employment of a king over Israel once they are established in the Promised Land. Very specific instructions about how a king is to behave and be disciplined toward the Law of God. Judges mentions over and over: "In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes."
The theme appears to be looking for the perfect king. Saul was made king initially, not because of a desire for a godly leader, but in order that they might be like the nations around them. He turned out to be a bad king. He refused to obey the Lord's commands, and favored the unrighteous over the righteous. David was a good king, but not without sin. The consequences of his sin plagued his household, as promised by God.
I and II Kings is a record of the kings following David, the split of the kingdom, and the history of each side, leading up to the exile.
Chapter 1-2 summary: David is old and frail, probably nearing death. A servant girl is brought in to serve him, and to keep him warm. Abijah, the oldest living son of David, assumes that he will be next in line for the throne, and in a very bold move, gathers the 'power brokers' of the day around him, leaving out the common folk, and tries to establish himself as king in his old and frail father's place. He failed to bring the common people on board, however, and didn't invite those of his father's household whom he knew would oppose him.
Nathan the prophet is on to him, and calls on Bathsheba to help make David aware of the situation. David had sworn to her that Solomon would be his successor. She goes to David with the current events, Nathan confirms them, and David acts quickly. He calls the faithful few that are not at Abijah's party to proclaim in front of the commoners that Solomon has been chosen king, by his command. They, of course won't challenge this, and the noise they make in joyful celebration is so loud that Abijah's party hears it, is told what has happened, and they all flee for their lives!
David gives Solomon instruction first on being a good king, and second, on handling some specific problem areas. He is to 'show himself a man," keeping the laws of God, walking in His ways. If he will do this, he will prosper.
Solomon follows through with each of the problem areas that his father instructed him about, and is firmly established on the throne.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~``
Sermon, Henry Beaulieu. Galations 5:13-15
Genuine freedom is knowing right from wrong. Virtue. Holding to justice and righteousness as defined by God, loving it, and standing for it, no matter what the cost.
Modern ideas of freedom are different! Today freedom means doing what I want, and the government, society, and people around me should support it. This is not freedom! not according to God's Word.
Recall that Satan promised Eve the freedom to be like God.....but it was a lie. Instead of freedom, what resulted was slavery. Paul, in Galatians, is dealing with those who would have them made righteous by keeping the letter of the law. But Paul is proving the point that this is NOT freedom, but indeed condemnation. The law cannot be kept by any of us! Failure in any part of it means failure to keep it all!
He is making the point that it must be a heart issue. Only God can change the heart to live by His Spirit, and not according to the law. If the heart is made right, the acts follow.
Freedom is in serving one another out of a heart of love, made so by the work of the Spirit. This flies in the face of what we consider freedom today. We are not to use freedom as an opportunity to serve the flesh, or self. No! We are to use freedom to serve one another!
Freedom, is a motive of the heart produced by God in our hearts. It is a step beyond head knowledge, but it is a heart understanding.....More than duty, but obedience out of love.
All the law is summed up in that we love one another, as God commands.
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Psalm 108
This Psalm reaches back and claims parts of 2 other psalms, putting them together for a purpose.
Verses 1-5 are a repeat of Psalm 57:7-11, and verses 6-13 are from Psalm 60:5-12.
Psalm 57 was written when David was at a low point, hiding from Saul in a cave. In this section, he declares his steadfast heart, though distressed by many trials. His is a heart that will not be overwhelmed by sorrow, defeat, or despair. He will sing of God's glory and might at all times, meditating on these things rather than his circumstances.
Psalm 60 was written after a military setback, for the purpose of teaching. In the part quoted, God's sovereignty and might are highlighted. He has declared that He is sovereign, even over mighty nations. They are but His servants; indeed He owns them, and will do with them as He pleases. The last line gives the moral of the story: It is only by God's help that we will triumph. It is He, not ourselves, that wins each battle.
In recent Psalm, God's love and care for Israel was demonstrated, then their rebellion and idolatry. Psalm 107 was a beautiful song of those redeemed, (the same ones who rebelled and were punished by God), and now we have this repeat of sections of 2 other songs.
I do not know if the place of this Psalm is relevant or not. It seems that they are grouped according to meaning. So why this repeat here? Perhaps David is wanting to reiterate that we must rely upon Him for our help and deliverance, and not our own means? Struggles and trials are acknowledged, but David swears his steadfastness for the Lord. He will not be swayed. Then he repeats the Psalm 60 passage declaring God's absolute sovereignty.
It is only by His mercy, grace, and help, that we will triumph over our enemies.
Friday, July 4, 2014
Psalm 107
The Song of the Redeemed
This has long been my favorite Psalm. I will speak more of that later.
But today as I read it, after having read Psalm 105 and 106 first, it had greater meaning. Psalm 105 is about How God chose, covenented with and established His people, Israel. Psalm 106 speaks of Israel's constant rebellion and ungratefulness, and of God's continuous grace and mercy toward them. Then Psalm 107 sings the song of those redeemed by the Lord.
I love the flow of this Psalm.....First there is the exhortation to praise Him for His goodness and mercy, citing how He has rescued and gathered them from the ends of the earth.
This is a well written song....with 4 stanzas, each with the same refrain:
"Oh that man would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!"
(This is an appropriate line after Psalm 106, where they continually 'forgot' God's mercy toward them.)
Following each refrain are 4 statements of God's goodness and praise to Him.
There are 4 scenes of distress: wandering in the wilderness, prisoners, illness, and stormy seas.
Following the scenes of distress with their refrains, comes a tribute to the Sovereign God, who watches over the affairs of man, ruling with justice and mercy.
He turns "abundance into barrenness, and poverty into exaltation.......the first because of human wickedness; the second because of His lovingkindness." (NKJV notes)
I love the simplicity of the last verse:
"Whoever is wise will observe these things, and they will understanding the lovingkindness of the Lord."
~~~~~~~~~~
Yes. See and understand who God is....and only then will you know your own great need, and be able to comprehend His great mercy and kindness. Also understand that suffering is a result of sin and rebellion against Him.
Verse 27--30 are my favorite verses, and have been for years.
"They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits end.
Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses. He calms the storm, so that its waves are still. They they are glad, because they are quiet; so He guides them to their desired haven."
Becoming a single mother when my children were ages 9, 6, 4, and 2, while trying to finish nursing school......many, many days were spent staggering, it seemed, reeling to and fro. Then I saw in part His rescue when I cried out to Him., but now, in hindsight I see so much more! I certainly don't always get what I want in the way that I envision getting it, but His answers are always so much better! He does indeed calm the storm, if only the one raging inside while outside our circumstances are quite tempestuous. In all, He has made me glad, and as other psalms have said...
"He has set my feet in a broad place."
This has long been my favorite Psalm. I will speak more of that later.
But today as I read it, after having read Psalm 105 and 106 first, it had greater meaning. Psalm 105 is about How God chose, covenented with and established His people, Israel. Psalm 106 speaks of Israel's constant rebellion and ungratefulness, and of God's continuous grace and mercy toward them. Then Psalm 107 sings the song of those redeemed by the Lord.
I love the flow of this Psalm.....First there is the exhortation to praise Him for His goodness and mercy, citing how He has rescued and gathered them from the ends of the earth.
This is a well written song....with 4 stanzas, each with the same refrain:
"Oh that man would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!"
(This is an appropriate line after Psalm 106, where they continually 'forgot' God's mercy toward them.)
Following each refrain are 4 statements of God's goodness and praise to Him.
There are 4 scenes of distress: wandering in the wilderness, prisoners, illness, and stormy seas.
Following the scenes of distress with their refrains, comes a tribute to the Sovereign God, who watches over the affairs of man, ruling with justice and mercy.
He turns "abundance into barrenness, and poverty into exaltation.......the first because of human wickedness; the second because of His lovingkindness." (NKJV notes)
I love the simplicity of the last verse:
"Whoever is wise will observe these things, and they will understanding the lovingkindness of the Lord."
~~~~~~~~~~
Yes. See and understand who God is....and only then will you know your own great need, and be able to comprehend His great mercy and kindness. Also understand that suffering is a result of sin and rebellion against Him.
Verse 27--30 are my favorite verses, and have been for years.
"They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits end.
Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses. He calms the storm, so that its waves are still. They they are glad, because they are quiet; so He guides them to their desired haven."
Becoming a single mother when my children were ages 9, 6, 4, and 2, while trying to finish nursing school......many, many days were spent staggering, it seemed, reeling to and fro. Then I saw in part His rescue when I cried out to Him., but now, in hindsight I see so much more! I certainly don't always get what I want in the way that I envision getting it, but His answers are always so much better! He does indeed calm the storm, if only the one raging inside while outside our circumstances are quite tempestuous. In all, He has made me glad, and as other psalms have said...
"He has set my feet in a broad place."
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Psalm 106
The loving God of Psalm 105, Who cares for His people is also very longsuffering toward His wayward people......
Where Psalm 105 recounted God's great care for Israel in choosing and establishing her, here is recounted her ungratefulness and rebellion. Still, though, God is praised for His mercy and forgiveness. His hand of judgement and discipline is acknowledged, along with His sovereignty, so rather than recoil in anger, the Psalmist prays for deliverance and help.
First he offers words of praise and thanksgiving, for the Lord is good! He is ever merciful.....beyond any capability we may have of understanding Him or rightly praising Him. Blessed are those who 'keep justice', and 'do righteousness', because they seek Him and obey Him.
God is implored to remember His people, and save them.....so that they can see the benefit of being His chosen, rejoicing in being His nation, and inheritance.
Confession follows......not individual confession, but confession of the sins of the nation throughout their history.
After all the mighty wonders God did in Egypt, destroying the Egyptians and saving the Hebrews; and after He led them out so miraculously, they rebelled immediately 'by the Sea", when Pharaoh chased them. But God saved them, and parted the Sea for them to cross on dry land, then destroyed Pharaoh's army in the same place. After this, they believed, and praised Him.
But soon, they forgot. They craved meat and whined and complained about the little they had in the wilderness over against the food they had in Egypt (nevermind the fact that thy were slaves!). So God sent them meat.....and in the enjoying of it they suffered. (Numbers 11).
Then Korah and Dathan rebelled against Moses, thinking more highly of themselves than they
should, and the Lord consumed them.
They made an image....a golden calf, to worship @ Horeb. They forgot the God who'd saved them. God said He would destroy them, but in response to Moses plea, they were saved, yet again.
When spies went into the Promised Land and returned with tales of a wonderful land, but filled with mighty peoples, they did not believe God's promise to drive out those peoples and establish them in the land. They complained and rebelled, and God kept them in the wilderness until that generation died.(Numbers 13, 14)
They worshiped other gods....Baal of Peor, and joined themselves to the pagans, even bringing them into God's dwelling place....provoking a plague from the Lord against them. The righteous actions of Phinehas averted the plague. (Numbers 25)
They angered God at the 'waters of strife' (Numbers 20)Moses was even angered to the point of sin, and thus he did not get to enter the promised land either.
Once in the Promised Land, they did not do as the Lord had commanded them. They did not drive the people out; they intermarried with them, and worshiped their gods. They sacrificed their sons and daughters to these pagan gods, angering the Lord, so that He gave them over to destruction, allowing them to be ruled by the nations and carried away into captivity.
And yet......He still heard their cry, and remembered His covenant and relented.
I love verse 47...."Save us O Lord our God, and gather us from among the Gentiles, to give thanks to Your holy name, to triumph in Your praise."
NKJV notes on this verse: "No claims upon God can be advanced. Only pure mercy and concern for His holy name could motivate Him to restore such a persistently rebellious people."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am moved to examine His great mercy toward me.
For I am as rebellious as they.
It is overwhelming.
Where Psalm 105 recounted God's great care for Israel in choosing and establishing her, here is recounted her ungratefulness and rebellion. Still, though, God is praised for His mercy and forgiveness. His hand of judgement and discipline is acknowledged, along with His sovereignty, so rather than recoil in anger, the Psalmist prays for deliverance and help.
First he offers words of praise and thanksgiving, for the Lord is good! He is ever merciful.....beyond any capability we may have of understanding Him or rightly praising Him. Blessed are those who 'keep justice', and 'do righteousness', because they seek Him and obey Him.
God is implored to remember His people, and save them.....so that they can see the benefit of being His chosen, rejoicing in being His nation, and inheritance.
Confession follows......not individual confession, but confession of the sins of the nation throughout their history.
After all the mighty wonders God did in Egypt, destroying the Egyptians and saving the Hebrews; and after He led them out so miraculously, they rebelled immediately 'by the Sea", when Pharaoh chased them. But God saved them, and parted the Sea for them to cross on dry land, then destroyed Pharaoh's army in the same place. After this, they believed, and praised Him.
But soon, they forgot. They craved meat and whined and complained about the little they had in the wilderness over against the food they had in Egypt (nevermind the fact that thy were slaves!). So God sent them meat.....and in the enjoying of it they suffered. (Numbers 11).
Then Korah and Dathan rebelled against Moses, thinking more highly of themselves than they
should, and the Lord consumed them.
They made an image....a golden calf, to worship @ Horeb. They forgot the God who'd saved them. God said He would destroy them, but in response to Moses plea, they were saved, yet again.
When spies went into the Promised Land and returned with tales of a wonderful land, but filled with mighty peoples, they did not believe God's promise to drive out those peoples and establish them in the land. They complained and rebelled, and God kept them in the wilderness until that generation died.(Numbers 13, 14)
They worshiped other gods....Baal of Peor, and joined themselves to the pagans, even bringing them into God's dwelling place....provoking a plague from the Lord against them. The righteous actions of Phinehas averted the plague. (Numbers 25)
They angered God at the 'waters of strife' (Numbers 20)Moses was even angered to the point of sin, and thus he did not get to enter the promised land either.
Once in the Promised Land, they did not do as the Lord had commanded them. They did not drive the people out; they intermarried with them, and worshiped their gods. They sacrificed their sons and daughters to these pagan gods, angering the Lord, so that He gave them over to destruction, allowing them to be ruled by the nations and carried away into captivity.
And yet......He still heard their cry, and remembered His covenant and relented.
I love verse 47...."Save us O Lord our God, and gather us from among the Gentiles, to give thanks to Your holy name, to triumph in Your praise."
NKJV notes on this verse: "No claims upon God can be advanced. Only pure mercy and concern for His holy name could motivate Him to restore such a persistently rebellious people."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am moved to examine His great mercy toward me.
For I am as rebellious as they.
It is overwhelming.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Psalm 105
Here, Israel is urged to sing praise to God for all he has done, and to tell of these things! Think about it and rejoice in what He has done! Continue to seek Him and rely upon Him.
He is our God!
The history of God's people, Israel is recounted, not as a simple historical record, but as the great work of God. It is He who has made them His people and a mighty nation.
He covenented with Abraham, made an oath to Isaac, and confirmed it to Jacob, that He would give his descendants Canaan as their homeland. This was a big promise to a people few in number, foreigners in the land, who wandered about. But God was with them, and allowed no nation or people to harm them. He brought them, sojourners in the land, through many confrontations with those around them.
He prepared the way for Joseph to be sent ahead to Egypt, preparing to save His people from the famine in later years. And Joseph, after many hard, hard years, was able to say, "What you meant for evil, God meant for good.". He saw the hand of the Lord in it all!
Through this, He brought Israel to Egypt and greatly increased them there. Eventually they outnumbered the Egyptians and were made slaves in the land.
God raised up Moses and Aaron to lead them, and worked great wonders through them. Remember the plagues He brought upon Egypt and the mighty way He led them out by a cloud and fire. He even allowed them to plunder the Egyptians peacefully.
In the desert, He provided bread, meat and water by miraculous means, bringing them to the Promised Land, and establishing them there as His people.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~``
Wow. So hard to go through this and not get into all the wonderful sub-stories! I love the OT historical books! So much more could be said about what God did in each and every situation.
But the purpose is to get a general overview of the greatness of God. Israel is His people, simply because He did it.....there is no other way!
I love the individual stories over against the big picture, though, because these 'greats' of the OT were as human as you and I. They sinned, suffered consequences, were forgiven, experienced God's great mercy, and didn't turn from the faith they had in their God. All during that 'big picture' period of time, individuals were living their lives, probably not fully aware of the 'big picture' they were a part of. God had a plan, and was executing it. How encouraging for me, when I get into the doldrums of life......feeling like I am going nowhere, waning to see God move in big ways. I, like them, must live life serving Him daily, knowing that He has a plan, and is executing it.....whether I see it or not.
I noted, also, that this psalm doesn't mention the sins of Israel; how they tried God in the wilderness, and how various ones were punished for their sins. Then I looked ahead to Psalm 106..........
He is our God!
The history of God's people, Israel is recounted, not as a simple historical record, but as the great work of God. It is He who has made them His people and a mighty nation.
He covenented with Abraham, made an oath to Isaac, and confirmed it to Jacob, that He would give his descendants Canaan as their homeland. This was a big promise to a people few in number, foreigners in the land, who wandered about. But God was with them, and allowed no nation or people to harm them. He brought them, sojourners in the land, through many confrontations with those around them.
He prepared the way for Joseph to be sent ahead to Egypt, preparing to save His people from the famine in later years. And Joseph, after many hard, hard years, was able to say, "What you meant for evil, God meant for good.". He saw the hand of the Lord in it all!
Through this, He brought Israel to Egypt and greatly increased them there. Eventually they outnumbered the Egyptians and were made slaves in the land.
God raised up Moses and Aaron to lead them, and worked great wonders through them. Remember the plagues He brought upon Egypt and the mighty way He led them out by a cloud and fire. He even allowed them to plunder the Egyptians peacefully.
In the desert, He provided bread, meat and water by miraculous means, bringing them to the Promised Land, and establishing them there as His people.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~``
Wow. So hard to go through this and not get into all the wonderful sub-stories! I love the OT historical books! So much more could be said about what God did in each and every situation.
But the purpose is to get a general overview of the greatness of God. Israel is His people, simply because He did it.....there is no other way!
I love the individual stories over against the big picture, though, because these 'greats' of the OT were as human as you and I. They sinned, suffered consequences, were forgiven, experienced God's great mercy, and didn't turn from the faith they had in their God. All during that 'big picture' period of time, individuals were living their lives, probably not fully aware of the 'big picture' they were a part of. God had a plan, and was executing it. How encouraging for me, when I get into the doldrums of life......feeling like I am going nowhere, waning to see God move in big ways. I, like them, must live life serving Him daily, knowing that He has a plan, and is executing it.....whether I see it or not.
I noted, also, that this psalm doesn't mention the sins of Israel; how they tried God in the wilderness, and how various ones were punished for their sins. Then I looked ahead to Psalm 106..........
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Psalm 104
Meditating on God and His Creation.
Once again, pondering the greatness of God elicits a 'whole being' kind of worship, as in Psalm 103.
God is pictured as using what, to us, are intangible, untamable things, like 'light' and the 'heavens' as garments or curtains. Those things that are truly big and almost beyond our ability to understand or really visualize, are small to their Creator.
The earth is but His footstool; the clouds His chariot. He walks on the wind. His angels serve Him.
He established the earth.....nothing can move it, save Him. He spoke......and the waters went to te places He designed for them, and there they will stay.
He created and set in motion nature, and rules it. He cares for His creation. His creatures are watered and fed, and have homes to rest in.
He cares for man too, providing food and useful things...like oil and wine which are mentioned specifically.
He places His creatures in appropriate places for them in the varying landscape of creation. Some for trees, some for high mountains, some for the rocks, some for the fields, and some for the waters.
He set out the lights that rule the day and night, putting them in motion and ruling them. Their courses are not changing. Seasons are marked by their rotations. Night creatures roam the night and return to their homes at daybreak, while man rises and goes about his work during the day.
God has made them all; they all serve Him and are dependent on Him for life and being. Indeed, the earth itself responds to His voice with trembling at His greatness.
After pondering all these things, the psalmist moves into a spontaneous outburst of praise.
But note verse 35....which sounds negative in light of the rest of the chapter:
"May sinners be consumed from the earth and the wicked be no more."
His goal here is to magnify the Name of the Lord. Wickedness in this world does anything but that. His desire is for anything that is in rebellion to Him be eradicated.......which will indeed be the case...When He returns.
Once again, pondering the greatness of God elicits a 'whole being' kind of worship, as in Psalm 103.
God is pictured as using what, to us, are intangible, untamable things, like 'light' and the 'heavens' as garments or curtains. Those things that are truly big and almost beyond our ability to understand or really visualize, are small to their Creator.
The earth is but His footstool; the clouds His chariot. He walks on the wind. His angels serve Him.
He established the earth.....nothing can move it, save Him. He spoke......and the waters went to te places He designed for them, and there they will stay.
He created and set in motion nature, and rules it. He cares for His creation. His creatures are watered and fed, and have homes to rest in.
He cares for man too, providing food and useful things...like oil and wine which are mentioned specifically.
He places His creatures in appropriate places for them in the varying landscape of creation. Some for trees, some for high mountains, some for the rocks, some for the fields, and some for the waters.
He set out the lights that rule the day and night, putting them in motion and ruling them. Their courses are not changing. Seasons are marked by their rotations. Night creatures roam the night and return to their homes at daybreak, while man rises and goes about his work during the day.
God has made them all; they all serve Him and are dependent on Him for life and being. Indeed, the earth itself responds to His voice with trembling at His greatness.
After pondering all these things, the psalmist moves into a spontaneous outburst of praise.
But note verse 35....which sounds negative in light of the rest of the chapter:
"May sinners be consumed from the earth and the wicked be no more."
His goal here is to magnify the Name of the Lord. Wickedness in this world does anything but that. His desire is for anything that is in rebellion to Him be eradicated.......which will indeed be the case...When He returns.
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