Reflections on Psalms

Psalm 20: God vs. the Odds

2008-09-29T06:02:00.000-07:00

Ps. 20:7
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God."

God gives the victory. History, especially in the Old Testament, is full of stories where the odds were stacked against God's people.

- Moses & the people of Israel, the Red Sea before them, the Egyptian army behind them (Exodus)
- Gideon & 300 men against the Medianite army (Judges 7)
- Samson and the Philistines.
- David and Goliath

The list goes on and on... but these people put their trust in God, not in "the odds." They kept their eyes fixed on that which is "unseen," not the things that are "seen."

I would do well to remember this when trouble comes my way (Psalm 20:1)

Father, sometimes life comes at me from too many angles at once. There are days where I feel overwhelmed. Help me to soar above anything that the world my throw my way. You are my shield and my strength.

Psalm 19: Creation Calls

2008-09-25T01:41:00.000-07:00

Ps. 19:1-4
"The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the end of the world."

Creation calls. It proclaims that "God is there!"
He is! The precision, balance, engineering, architecture, biology, diversity, science, landscape & structure of our world, our universe - and right down to the smallest insect... displays his glory. It's as if God left his "fingerprints" everywhere to be found by us.

I need but look at nature to be reminded that there is a great Architect / Engineer / Designer of all of life... and of my body.

Lord - Your greatness is unmeasurable. Who can grasp your greatness? You are an awesome God.

Psalm 18: He trains my hands for battle

2008-09-22T04:31:00.000-07:00

Ps. 18:34 (a)
"He trains my hands for battle."

David spoke here of God giving him the strength, courage and skill to do battle and slay his enemies.

As a musician, God trains my hands for battle as well. In terms of music, that means playing skillfully, winning spiritual battles through the power of praise and worship.

God, I thank you for the gift of music. Thank you that you've given me the gift of music. Help me to balance my life in such a way to always give time to growing as a musicians / band director / worship leader in skill and competency. But let this never be at the cost of my family and my calling as a pastor.
You are my source and inspiration. Open my lips so I can sing your praises.

Psalm 17: Be Transperant

2008-09-22T04:21:00.000-07:00

Ps. 17:3
"Though You probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me,
You will find nothing; I resolve that my mouth will not sin."

David made sure that his mouth was guarded. He made sure to be in right standing with God - to have no hindrances. He invites God to come and "probe" him so that he can stand assured of harbouring no deceit or evil.

Be transparent before God. Live a life that you can comfortably invite God to probe. And when He looks... let He find no sin or wilful deceit.

God - I'm far from achieving this. But I'm striving to live life Your way. Please help me.

Psalm 15: A man after God's own heart

2008-07-21T03:17:00.000-07:00

Ps 15:1 ff
"Lord - who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?"

David writes a character sheet on God's kind of person. What a man after His own heart looks like. The Message Bible states it well.

God, who gets invited
to dinner at your place?
How do we get on your guest list?

"Walk straight,
act right,
tell the truth.

"Don't hurt your friend,
don't blame your neighbor;
despise the despicable.

"Keep your word even when it costs you,
make an honest living,
never take a bribe.

"You'll never get blacklisted if you live like this."

Character! God's concerned with it!

Lord, it's hard to try and get a perfect score. I so often miss the mark. Please help me & strengthen me to live life right.

Psalm 14: His Presence gives me confidence

2008-07-21T03:02:00.000-07:00

Ps 14:5(b)
"There they (evildoers) are, overwhelmed with dread,
for God is present in the company of the righteous."

Emmanuel - God is with us. God is present... what a thought of confidence and blessing... that God is in our midst. It shows us that evildoers feel overwhelmed... a sure sign of feeling God-deserted. They look at those assured by God's presence and it strips them of their own confidence.

God is with the righteous. He loves righteousness - and those who's walk is righteous; He'll reveal himself to them. They will feel the assurance of His presence.

God - You are my righteousness. Help me to walk in righteousness. You are my God - the God living in me... Emmanuel.

Psalm 13: "Why Rock-bottom is a good place to be."

2008-07-19T06:28:00.000-07:00

Ps 13:5~6
"But [in spite of...] I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord,
for He has been good to me."

David calls out in frustration... how long!?
How long before God answers? - before salvation comes?
But after 4 verses of making his frustration known to God, he hits "rock-bottom."
~ meaning... he comes to the "Rock of Ages" at the bottom of his life. And having a sure foundation - a foothold - unshakable ground... that compels him to sing and rejoice... in spite of all that is happening around him.

God - You are my rock, my sure foundation... my trust is in You ~ for all other trusts fail...

Psalm 12: Turning to the Pure Source

2008-07-12T05:13:00.000-07:00

Psalm 12:6
"And the words of the Lord are flawless.
Like silver refined in a furnace of clay,
purified seven times."

There is no defect! God's Word is pure, without mistake - it is flawless. This is in stark contrast with the ways of the world... lies and deception (v2), flattering & boastful (v3).

When the filth of this world sickens us, we can turn to God and find purity. When we get distressed because of the decay all around us, we are reminded that we can turn to a God who is flawless. ~ and we find Him is his Word.

Lord, your Word is true. It feeds life to my soul. Thank you for your pure Word.

Psalm 11: He loves us through it all.

2008-07-11T16:31:00.000-07:00

Ps 11:7 [MSG]
"God's business is putting things right;
He loves getting the lines straight, setting us straight.
Once we're standing tall, we can look Him straight in the eye."

God is a God of restoration. A God of renewal. A God of new beginnings. He's the God who's mercies are new every morning. He's the God of the second chance... and the third... and the fourth... oh, who can measure His mercies?
He's the God who "will and work" in us. He's the One who forms us like clay in the potters hand. He's the God who will bring to completion the work He started in us.

It's a good thing we can trust God to do a restoring/transforming work in us. I sometimes fear that process... hoping it won't be too painful. But if I know Him, then I can trust Him. He wants what's best for me. He knows best. And I can trust Him because He cares for me like a perfect Father does for a loved child.

Lord - I am grateful for your patience & persistence while You're carving your Son's image in me.

Psalm 10: Keep your garden clean

2008-07-11T16:23:00.000-07:00

Ps 10:4
"In his pride the wicked does not seek Him;
in all his thoughts there is no room for God."

Those who turn to evil become so consumed with it, so saturated & full, that it drives out any God-awareness. There's just no room left for God.
It's like a garden overgrown with weeds - in the end it'll strangle the life out of anything other than itself. It kills the living plants and infests it's new dwelling.

If I am to make room (and keep room) for God in my life, I've got to 'clean the garden" of my heart on a regular basis, getting rid of any weeds trying to get a foothold there. Weeds of sin and worldliness.

Lord, help me to have a heart full of your Word and your Presence.

Psalm 9: A Safehouse for the Battered

2008-07-08T04:34:00.000-07:00

Ps 9:9-10 [MSG]
"God's a safe-house for the battered,
a sanctuary during bad times.
The moment you arrive, you relax;
you're never sorry you knocked."

To turn to God is to turn to peace. Sometimes it's peace in spite off... and turning to God is never a disappointment. If we truly turn to Him, with our hearts (not just our minds) - then we realise that He knows best. We can trust Him, even though sometimes... we don't understand.

A timely reminder that it is in God that I find calm / quiet / peace. He restores rest to my soul. I find my sanctuary in Him.

Lord - thank You that, right now, the anxiousness I felt... lifts. Thanks You for giving me a clear mind. Lead me now, I pray in Jesus name.

Psalm 8: Macro God vs micro self

2008-07-08T04:24:00.000-07:00

Ps 8:4
"What is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?"

"I look at your macro-skies, dark and enormous, your handmade sky-jewelry, moon and stars mounted in their settings.
Then I look at my micro-self and wonder, why do you bother with us?
Why take a second look our way? (from MSG)

Like David, I stand in awe of our great God. I think "who am I, Jesus, that You call me by name?"

It's good to realise "our place." God's awesome, enormous, glorious presence vs. our faint, vapour-like short existence. If we grasp this comparison, it enlarges our appreciation for such a great God to love one so small - like you and me.

God - I'm thankful for your enormous love. Thank you for being interested in the details of my small life.

Psalm 7: God Formed Endurance

2008-07-07T06:26:00.000-07:00

Ps 7:9 (MSG)
"You get us ready for life:
You probe for our soft spots,
You knock off our rough edges.
And I'm feeling so fit, so safe:
made right, kept right."

David knew that God was (trans-)forming him. He knew that the forming process could be painful. But he understood it as God's way to get us ready for life. David felt a sense of security from this.

Knowing God's will (through His Word) gives us a sense of security. Even though life is tough at times, and stretching - we can see it as our forming process; actually embracing it.

God, I pray for discernment to know your will, and to be able to always endure.

Psalm 6: The need (2 b real)

2008-07-07T06:18:00.000-07:00

Ps 6:4
"Turn, O Lord, and deliver me;
save me because of your unfailing love."

David cries out to God because of his agony and suffering. He is feeling so "down" - that he feels faint/his bones are in agony / his soul in anguish. David was real with God. He approached God from 'where he was at' in his life.

We can be real with God. He knows us anyway. He wants us to come to him in a real way. Being authentic means being vulnerable.

Lord - you know us inside and out. Thank you that we can come to you just as we are.

Psalm 5: God understands our Ramblings

2008-07-06T23:59:00.001-07:00

Ps 5:1 (MSG)
"Listen, God! Please pay attention.
Can you make sense of these ramblings,
my groans and cries?"

David groans / cries out to God.
He doesn't have his words clearly thought through.
He doesn't have a speech pre-written. No, his words are just an effort to call onGod - to connect to heaven.

I've had so many times when I've prayed, wanting to clearly speak my desires & requests to God. But... I feel like I'm rambling on. "Luckily" God knows our hearts cry. He hears the intent behind our words.

That's why we read in v.12
"You are famous, God, for welcoming God seekers, for decking out in delight."

Psalm 4: Let God be my Judge

2008-07-06T23:42:00.001-07:00

Ps 4:4
"In your anger do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent." (NIV)

(Message)
"Complain if you must, but don't lash out.
Keep your mouth shut, and let your heart do the talking.
Build your case before God and wait for his verdict."

I recently had an argument with someone. I felt accused. Things were set before me - "things" that I do wrong / things I don't do right etc...
I was angry, as I felt it was untrue & unjustified. I held myself in, and went for a prayer walk.
This was my prayer: "God, be my judge - if I'm wrong, convict me & reveal it to me. If I'm not, give me peace about the matter."

I could easily justify myself, therefor I need God to reveal to me my flaws. I thank Him for his grace and forgiveness - that I am made perfect in Christ. I am declared righteous before God.
- but... now I must work out my salvation with fear & trembling. I need to pursue becoming like Christ.

Lord, thank You that I am forgiven and declared righteous in Christ. Help me now to live my life worthy of such righteousness.

Psalm 3: God sees us through

2008-07-06T23:33:00.000-07:00

Ps. 3:3-4
"But You are a shield around me, O lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. To the Lord I cry aloud, and He answers me from His holy hill."

Today, as I am feeling overwhelmed with the responsibilities of life, I take this Psalm to strengthen me. God is my shield. He bestows glory and He lifts me up. I have cried out to Him through prayer walks - and he is leading / nudging / revealing (His will) to me.

Faith... It is in the 'trust and obedience' of following God and believing his promises that I am sustained.

For today, God - I am putting my trust in you. You'll see me through.

Psalm 2: Christ Foretold

2008-07-06T23:19:00.000-07:00

Ps. 2:6
"I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill."

As the foregoing Psalm was moral, and showed us our duty, so this one is evangelical, and shows us our Saviour (Matt. Hen. Comm.) - Under the type of David's kingdom, the kingdom of the Messiah is prophesied.
Jesus is spoken of / referred to / pointed to - throughout the whole Bible. He is the Son of God, the Messiah. He is the living Word.

We can rejoice in knowing that Jesus is not just a prophet, or some famous historical person. He is the saviour of the word. He is our redeemer. He is alive!
"In Him we live, and move, and have our being."

Jesus, I acknowledge your Kingship. Be my strength and my guide.

Psalm 1: Living in His blessing

2008-07-06T23:02:00.000-07:00

Ps 1:1-2
Blessed is the man [who stay clear of evil], (2) [who's] delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night.

The book of Psalms start with a map. It shows the way to living in God's blessing. It shows what to stay clear off, and the rewards of following in God's ways.

By living / doing life God's way, the reward is (v3):

Planted by streams of water [providence/security]
Yields fruit in season [purpose/productive]
leaf does not wither [no dryness/no emptiness]
whatever he does prospers [heavenly support/success]

(v6) & "the Lord watches over the way of the righteous."

Lord, I desire to do life your way. Help me - keep me strong & willing to do so.