The Steadfast Heart, An Anchor for the Soul

Posted on March 10, 2020 by Pete

Chewing on Psalm 57 this morning.

First thing that grabbed my attention was the seeming incongruity between the songwriter’s wretched circumstance and the songwriter’s worshipful response.

My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down amid fiery beasts — the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. . . .
I will sing and make melody! Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn! I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations.

(Psalm 57:4, 7b-9 ESV)

In the midst of lions, yet waking the dawn with a two-piece band and songs of thanksgiving. From lying down with fiery beasts to getting up with songs of praise. Huh? How do you get there from here?

I get how the song starts: “Be merciful to me, O God.” Desperation 101. Help! When you’re in quicksand you need a rope.

But from there to “Be exalted, O God”? How’s that possible?

Short answer: A steadfast heart.

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody!

(Psalm 57:7 ESV)

A steadfast heart. That’s the anchor for the soul, tethering the soul to the One who can provide refuge for the soul (57:1).

A heart fixed on the sovereignty of God. Dealing with tragedy by crying out to God Most High. Maintaining focus on the God who can be counted on to fulfill His purpose for us (57:2).

A heart set firmly on the nature of God. The God whose steadfast love is “great to the heavens”, whose faithfulness stretches to the clouds (57:10).

A steadfast heart. That’s the secret sauce that allows the soul bowed down in suffering to turn their face heavenward and sing of a Savior. The secure foundation that exchanges hurt for a harp and loss for a lyre. The unwavering conviction that settles all conflict.

If God is for us, who can be against us?

(Romans 8:31b ESV)

To be sure, there is a place for the song of lament in the midst of deep trials. But, through a steadfast heart, there is also the place for praise, thanksgiving, and the exalting, and the exalting again, of the Name that is — and always has been, and always will be — the Name that is above all names.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let Your glory be over all the earth! . . .
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let Your glory be over all the earth!

(Psalm 57:5 , 11)

A steadfast heart, that’s our anchor for the soul.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Working the Muscle

Posted on March 6, 2020 by Pete

Finishing up Romans 6 this morning. Chewing on Paul’s pressing exhortation to stop presenting our “members as slaves to impurity” but instead, presenting them “as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification” (Rom. 6:19). To which I whisper to myself, “Yes and amen! Let’s do it!”

But I also know what’s coming up in Romans 7. You know, that “wretched man that I am” (7:24) passage? The one that talks about doing what you know you shouldn’t do and not doing what you know you want to do (7:15-20)? The one about “delighting in the law” in my inner being while my outer being wages war against what I delight in, making me captive to “the law of sin that dwells in my members” (7:23).

So, what’s a guy to do? Though my spirit is willing to try and present my body to righteousness, I know, and the Scripture attests to, that my flesh is weak (Mt. 26:41). So why bother?

We bother because, by faith, according to God’s word, we believe what the Word says — that we have the muscle to obey.

But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.

(Romans 6:17-18 ESV)

Obedient from the heart. That’s what we’ve become as believers in Christ through His finished work.

We have the muscle to obey. We just need to, by His grace and through His power in us, keep working it.

When it comes to the old nature, we might cede individual battles, but we need to be reminded that He has won the overall war, so that, in Him, we really are no longer slaves to sin. Instead, we are now under a new Master, having become slaves of righteousness. Under new management with new power and new muscle for living in a new way, the way of holiness. New creations (2Cor 5:17), with a new heart (Ezek. 36:26), a heart capable of obedience. New muscle for obedience. We just have to be determined to keep working it.

And what if, I mean, when we fail from time to time? That’s what the cross is about.

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

(1John 1:8-9 ESV)

We fail, He forgives. We confess, He cleanses. We falter again, He is faithful still. The shed blood of Christ sufficient to cover all our sins. The risen life of Christ power enough to become who He has redeemed us to be. The wondrous work of Christ manifest in the new muscle to live for Christ — obedient from the heart.

Not to be discouraged at this on-going battle against the flesh, at finding ourselves, from time to time, doing what we don’t want to do and not doing what we want to do. But to remember the we have the tools for righteousness. Not our own tools, but His. Having become obedient from the heart through the regenerating work of the Christ who lives in us.

We just need to keep working the muscle.

Amen?

By His grace. For His glory.

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A Resurrection Like His

Posted on March 5, 2020 by Pete

I think about heaven. I’m guessing most Christians do. I think about seeing Jesus, singing with the saints, reconnecting with loved ones, and being done with a world full of sin, corruption, and death. But I don’t know that I often set my mind on thinking past heaven.

Sounds kind of weird to say, “Past heaven.” That’s probably because I tend to think of heaven as eternity, thus, how do you think past eternity? But this morning, reading in Romans, I’m reminded that, beyond experiencing the reality of heaven, there’s the promise of a resurrection like His.

For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His.

(Romans 6:5 ESV)

In Romans 6, Paul’s making the case that it’s foolish to even consider that continuing in sin is somehow good for the cause of grace. That though it’s true that “where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (Rom. 5:20), it’s also true that sin no longer has dominion over the believer because they now live according to grace (Rom. 6:14). And grace reigns through righteousness (Rom. 5:21). The righteousness that is credited to us through the death, burial, and resurrection of the Son of God. The righteousness that is operational in us through the indwelling, active agency of the Spirit of God (Rom. 8:9-10).

So, while it’s true we were buried with Christ by baptism into His death, it also true that “Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father” so that we might walk in newness of life like His resurrected life (Rom. 6:4). Live like living people, says Paul, not dead ones.

And to press home the point, Paul reminds his Roman brothers and sisters that they will certainly be united with Christ in a resurrection like His.

So, what was His resurrection like? So, what will our resurrection be like? It’s worth noodling on, I think.

He rose bodily. If we will too, then we can count on being reunited with our physical bodies in some new form after death, and after that period of time when we are “away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2Cor. 5:8).

He was recognizable, I’m guessing we will be, as well.

He walked. He talked. He ate. He drank. He even did stuff, like cooking breakfast (Jn. 21:8-14). Us also? (Maybe not cooking breakfast, but I’m guessing we’ll be active).

And, though Jesus rose in bodily form, He wasn’t restricted by that body. He showed up in rooms without walking through doors. He appeared in one place, and then in another. He even arose in that body as He ascended into heaven. That body seated in heaven, today, at the right hand of the Father.

What will it be like for us in our resurrected bodies when we experience a resurrection like His?

So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. . . Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the Man of heaven.

(1Corinthians 15:42-44, 49 ESV)

A resurrection like His. Reunited with our physical bodies in a new supernatural way. Imperishable, in glory, in power, a spiritual body, bearing the image of the Man of heaven. What will that be like?

Thinking about heaven is comforting. Thinking past heaven? I can only imagine.

A resurrection like His. That’s what awaits us. May we live into that reality even now.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Let Grace Reign

Posted on March 4, 2020 by Pete

Finishing up in Romans 5 this morning. Contrasting the sin and death brought into the world by Adam’s transgression with the justification and life made available through Jesus Christ our Lord and His finished work on the cross. The disastrous effect of the first man’s trespass contrasted with the unimaginable potential through the Son of God’s free gift. The condemnation of death through the law contrasted with the eternal life made possible by the abundance of grace.

But isn’t there still something in us, at least sometimes, which intuitively says that if the desired outcome, whether by law or grace, is that God’s people would be holy for He is holy, that the law might give you a better shot at it? That prescribing behavior might be more helpful and certain than providing freedom? That expectations written in stone might work better than relying on promptings from the Spirit? That expecting someone to do what’s on the “to do” list might have an advantage over counting on someone to respond appropriately to a free gift?

So, what’s the secret sauce that makes grace superior? What X-factor does the free gift possess?

Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

(Romans 5:20-21 ESV)

Grace reigns through righteousness. That’s the secret sauce. Sow the seeds of righteousness and you reap the crop of holiness.

But we’re not talking about our righteousness. No, it’s the gift of righteousness — the righteousness of Christ.

For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

(Romans 5:17 ESV)

Righteousness. That’s the free gift. That’s what’s received through God’s abundance of grace. Righteousness, for many men and women, through the one man Jesus Christ.

The free gift’s advantage over the law is that it imparts righteousness before demanding righteousness.

Our justification comes through another Man’s perfection.

Our ability to obey made possible because of another Man’s obedience.

And so grace reigns through righteousness, the righteousness of Christ credited to our accounts.

That’s the power to obey. That’s the divine reality which compels us to respond with heart-changed humility.

Grace reigning through righteousness, the wonderful work that evokes within us soul-sourced worship.

O might we be in awe of the power of grace to produce the fruit of righteousness because it is sourced in the righteousness of Christ gifted to us.

Let grace reign!

By His grace. For His glory.

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Faith (A 2008 Rerun)

Posted on March 3, 2020 by Pete

An early morning airport run cramps the time I have to chew on what I’ve read this morning, so I dip back into the archives for a “pre-packaged meal.”

The verse that caught me as I was reading was in Numbers 14:

But they presumed to go up to the heights of the hill country, although neither the ark of the covenant of the LORD nor Moses departed out of the camp.

(Numbers 14:44 ESV)

But they presumed . . .

Swelled up with their own boldness, they determined to pursue their own wisdom, all based on their own will and understanding, and were heedless to the instruction of God. They came up with their own Plan B when they didn’t think God’s Plan A was appropriate. They leaned on their own corrupt understanding rather than heeding God’s perfect determined will. They balked rather than believed.

But without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). And, without faith, it is impossible to walk with God.

Here’s some thoughts about faith from 2008 . . .

So it hits me again this morning . . . faith is the “secret sauce” to figuring out how to walk this Christian life. Maybe some would say, “Duh! . . . everyone knows that!” but as I read this morning I am again convinced that so often we try and make this Christian life more complicated than it needs to be . . . when really, it comes down to the basics . . . to the “pat answers” . . . to just believing that what God has said, He will do.

Psalm 53 this morning reminds that “the fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ ” All creation which encompasses us screams, “God!!” . . . looking at my face as I shave in the morning and being reminded of the wondrous construction of the human body (which prevents me from slitting my throat on a consistent basis when shaving) screams, “God!” And yet the fool refuses to believe . . . and says, “No God!!”

Then I read Numbers 14 and what chaos!!! All the congregation of Israel is lifting up their voices and crying and weeping all night. They are on the edge of the promised land . . . and the spies have come back . . . and 10 have said, “No way can we take that land . . . it will eat us up . . . it is inhabited by giants. And 2 have said, “No problem . . . let’s do it!! . . . If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into the land and give it to us (v.8)” But the people don’t believe it and so they turn on Moses and Aaron, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in the wilderness!” (v.2) . . . and they determine to elect new leaders who will take them back to Egypt. Back to slavery and bondage!! That’s what they choose to do rather than believe in the God who led them out of Egypt . . . the God who appeared on the mount . . . the God who revealed Himself as the cloud over the tabernacle by day and the fire by night . . . and led them to the land He promised. And it all comes down to this, “How long will these people reject Me? And how long will they not believe me, with all the signs which I have performed among them?” (v.11) God says, “I don’t get it. When will they believe in Me? . . . when will they exercise some faith?!!”

And then the oasis in this desert of all this faithlessness . . . my reading takes me to Romans 5 and the spring of living water in this tapestry of foolish unbelief . . . “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 5:1) Romans 4 demonstrates how Abraham was justified by faith . . . Abraham believed God . . . his faith was accounted for righteousness . . . he is the father of all who believe . . . and of those who walk in the steps of faith . . . therefore it is of faith . . . just as Abraham “did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.” (4:20-21) There it is . . . fully convinced that God is able to do what He has promised — that’s faith.

That’s the faith that would have allowed a generation of Israelites to enjoy the “land of milk and honey” rather than wander for 40 years on its outskirts and then perish in the desert. That’s the faith I exercised when I trusted in God’s Son for the salvation of my soul — the faith that resulted in my justification and peace with God. And, that’s the faith I need to exercise as I try to walk this Christian pilgrimage. I have access by faith into God’s sustaining, empowering grace and it is what keeps me keeping on as I rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. (Rom. 5:2) I just need to believe it . . . and act on it.
And, I hear Jesus words in Mark 9:23-24 this morning saying to me, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” . . . and I respond, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

By His grace. For His glory.

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Burden Bearers and Spokespeople

Posted on March 2, 2020 by Pete

My somewhat impromptu decision to head down to San Diego last week for my grandson’s third birthday, while providing the huge blessing of being with far away family in 75+ degree temperatures, also resulted in a bit of a disruption in daily routine.

But, for now at least, I’m back in routine and this morning I’m chewing on Numbers 11.

Moses has hit the wall.

The people are complaining. The anger of the Lord is blazing (literally). And Moses is in the middle.

Thus, after interceding for the people and asking God to put out the fire, he then kind of unloads on the LORD:

Moses said to the LORD, “Why have You dealt ill with your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You lay the burden of all this people on me? Did I conceive all this people? Did I give them birth, that You should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing child,’ to the land that You swore to give their fathers? . . . I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me.”

(Numbers 11:11-12, 14 ESV)

And God gets it.

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Gather for Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them, and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you. And I will come down and talk with you there. And I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them, and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you may not bear it yourself alone.”

(Numbers 11:16-17 ESV)

And the elders gather (well, most of the them). And the Spirit is given. And additional burden bearers are commissioned.

But what grabs me this morning is that the visible evidence of the Spirit having been given to the elders is that they prophesy (11:25) — even the two elders who didn’t make it to the tent of meeting but stayed in the camp with the people, they also received the Spirit and acted as spokesmen for the things of God (11:26).

And when Moses and his young disciple, Joshua, hear of these two elders prophesying apart from the gathered group under Moses’s direct authority, Joshua says to Moses, “My lord Moses, stop them.” To which Moses replies:

“Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD’s people were prophets, that the LORD would put His Spirit on them!”

(Numbers 11:29 ESV)

While I’m impressed by the gracious and humble response of Moses (the guy wasn’t a glory seeker), I’m more intrigued because I’m one of “all the LORD’s people” who has, in fact, received the Spirit. And not just “some of the Spirit”, like those elders, but the fullness of the Spirit, as in Pentecost. Is there application here? I think so.

The Spirit was given that the burden might be bearable. And when the Spirit was given, the word of God was spoken.

Has me thinking about Jesus referring to the Spirit as “the Helper” (Jn. 14:16) and that, in addition to helping, the Helper also leads Jesus’s followers into truth (Jn. 14:26), illuminating the word of God to them that they He might speak the things of God through them. Making “all the LORD’s people” burden bearers and spokespeople.

The Spirit of power. The Spirit of prophesy. The Spirit enabling the works of God. The Spirit making known the word of God. The Spirit who helps us keep on keepin’ on. The Spirit who helps us speak of the God for whom we keep on keepin’ on.

Can’t help but think that Moses was somewhat prophetic in responding to Joshua. Hasn’t God put His Spirit on all His people that they might engage in the work of the kingdom and, in so doing, bear witness to the King of the kingdom? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Burden bearers and spokespeople.

By His grace. For His glory.

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There Is A River

Posted on February 21, 2020 by Pete

It’s been 23 years since I was there, but I don’t recall seeing any water in the city. Had the opportunity to do a Holy Land tour back in ’97. Went to Jerusalem. Didn’t see a river. So what’s the songwriter talking about?

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.

(Psalm 45:4 ESV)

The city of God, isn’t that a reference to Jerusalem? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Jerusalem, God’s holy habitation. Home to the temple and the holy of holies. The gathering place for the glory of God. And according to the songwriter, there is a river.

A river in the city of God. Fresh, flowing water. Life giving water. Joy giving water. Where its streams flow, gladness follows.

But I didn’t see any water. Where’s the river?

Keep reading, Pete.

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.

(Psalm 45:5 ESV)

God in the midst. That’s the river.

God’s water. Water that flows like a river, bright as crystal, sourced at the throne of God (Rev. 22:1).

Living water. Water which forever satisfies every thirst (Jn. 4:14a).

Forever water. When received it becomes a spring of water welling up to eternal life (John 4:14b).

Multiplying water. Drinking from the river by faith transforms the heart into a source of overflowing, living water, itself (Jn. 7:38).

There is a river. And it’s found where God is in the midst.

Streams of life where God abides. Channels of peace in His presence. Floods of joy because He is there.

It was so in the songwriter’s day. It was so back in ’97. It is so today. And it will be so for all eternity.

And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. . . . Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month.

(Revelation 21:10-11, 1-2a ESV)

There is a river. Yes, there is!

By His grace. For His glory.

Got a few more minutes? Check out one of my GVB favorites here.

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A Pleasing Theme

Posted on February 20, 2020 by Pete

I’ve heard stories of songs that have come to composers almost instantly. An idea is seeded, an inspiration blooms, and, before you know it, a song is written. Verses and choruses emerging from nothing in just a very short time. You sense that the love song in Psalm 45 may have been birthed in such a way.

My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the King; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.

(Psalm 45:1 ESV)

It’s in sentiments like these where Peterson’s The Message can add so much to our devotional musings:

My heart bursts its banks, spilling beauty and goodness. I pour it out in a poem to the King, shaping the river into words.

(Psalm 45:1 MSG)

A heart overflowing. Bursting its banks. Spilling out beauty and goodness. No problem putting pen to paper. Almost enraptured, you sense, as the heart-sourced river is poured out into worshipful words.

Guessing it’s a pretty exhilarating experience to go from a blank sheet of paper to a beautiful song of praise with seemingly no real effort. Not many of us are called to be songwriters. Few of us know the euphoric dynamics of such an activity.

But this morning, thanks to the sons of Korah, there is available to us the reminder of a pleasing theme.

Those are the three words I’m chewing on this morning, “A pleasing theme.” Other translations say it is a noble theme or, most literally, a good word.

. . . whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

(Philippians 4:8 ESV)

It’s a good thing to be pre-occupied with a pleasing theme. A profitable endeavor to noodle on a noble notion. And I’m wondering how often, as followers of Christ, we take up the pleasing theme of the King.

Around here we’re starting to think about our Good Friday service and so, have been spending some time thinking about the Savior and His sacrifice. Chewing on the cross and Christ’s crucifixion. Wondering how we might be still and appreciate afresh the Lamb of God and what humiliation He endured in order to lay down His life. That’s a pleasing theme. For in it our love is drawn out for Him as we ponder anew how He first loved us.

And there are other facets of Christ’s person and works which come to mind. Christ our perfect, sympathetic High Priest. Knowing fully the human experience and leveraging it as He intercedes for us at God’s right hand. Or, there is Jesus the friend of sinners, who calls us His friends; invites us to abide; revealing to us deep things that are only known through intimate relationship. All good stuff to meditate on. All pleasing themes.

But what of Christ as King? The yet to be fully revealed King? The coming King? The “most handsome of the sons of men” (v.2); the Mighty One to be presented in splendor and majesty, a sword on His side (v.3). Returning with arrows ready to subdue the nations (v. 5); establishing His “forever and ever” throne, His scepter a scepter of righteousness (v.6). Anointed of God, robes fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia (v. 7b-8), ready to be presented His beautiful bride as He longs for her beauty (v. 10-14). What a pleasing theme! What a noble subject! What filling food for thought!

But how often do I go there?

So easy to be occupied with the present and to draw on what we know to be true about the past in order to get through the day. Good stuff. We should be.

But I’m thinking sometimes we need to take time to camp on the future. Be occupied with the coming King. Let our imaginations run wild. Let our hearts overflow, bursting their banks. Our tongue ready to let flow thanksgiving and praise for what is yet to come as, by faith, we count it as certainty. To think about such things as the King in His majestic splendor. To be preoccupied with the pleasing theme of the Christ and His glorious appearing.

Doing so, by His grace, depending on the Spirit’s illumination.

Preoccupied with such a pleasing theme, ultimately for His glory, anticipating that day when faith gives way to sight.

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Dealing with Unexpected Twists

Posted on February 19, 2020 by Pete

It’s a song of confusion. Of not understanding. Of unexpected twists.

The songwriter knew the stories. Stories of a God faithful to His promise to bring His people into a land not their own. His father had told him of how God had driven out the other nations and planted their nation. How He had afflicted other peoples but had set free the people of God. Made sure he understood that it wasn’t because Israel was adept with the sword, not because they had the mightiest of armies. But because of God’s right hand; and His strong arm; and the light of His shining face. And all this, simply because God delighted in His people.

Their boast, thus, was not in themselves but in their God. He was their King. And it was by Him, and Him alone, that they had pushed down their enemies and tread down their foes. So far, so good.

But then, unexpected twist number one.

But You have rejected us and disgraced us and have not gone out with our armies. You have made us turn back from the foe, and those who hate us have gotten spoil.

(Psalm 44:9-10 ESV)

After remembering the thrill of past victories the songwriter switches up to the agony of their current defeats. All at the hand of the God in whom they boasted. You have rejected us, the songwriter laments, You have made us turn back.

And the rhythm of the “You haves” is repeated again and again. You have made us like sheep for the slaughter (v.11). You have sold Your people for a trifle (v.12). You have made us the taunt of our neighbors (v.13). You have made us a byword among the nations (v.14). You have broken us in the place of jackals and covered us with the shadow of death (v.19).

What happened? Why the turn of events? Why was the God who was for them now so seemingly against them? What did they do?

Short answer: Apparently nothing.

All this has come upon us, though we have not forgotten You, and we have not been false to Your covenant. Our heart has not turned back, nor have our steps departed from Your way.

(Psalm 44:17-19 ESV)

Unexpected twist number two. God had seemingly forsaken them though they had not forgotten Him. God was nowhere to be found though they had not been false to His covenant. God had left the building though their feet had not departed His ways. Though God knew their heart (v.21), yet He seemed to be hiding His face. Huh?

We get suffering for sin. We get trouble in return for transgression. But how do we process problems simply because we are His people?

And that’s what seems to be the root cause of their trouble — they were suffering for the sake of His Name.

Yet for Your sake we are killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.

(Psalm 44:22 ESV)

There would be a time when Israel would suffer at the hands of the nations for their own national transgression. But this wasn’t that time. Now they suffered not for their sin but for their sanctification.

It was because they had been set apart for their God, that they were the object of the world’s wrath. It was for His sake.

Because they had been counted as His friends the nations regarded them as their foes. Because they had chosen to worship and follow Him, forsaking all others, they found themselves feeling forsaken. Not because of their idolatry, but because of their identity. Hated because they were His.

Honestly, that’s not what we expect. Even those of us who would repudiate the so-named “prosperity gospel,” if we’re honest with ourselves, are prone to think that to follow God faithfully should result in blessing and not battering. In peace and not persecution. In the good life and not in running for our lives. But good things don’t always happen for God’s people . . . even when, for the most part, they’re being good.

No real resolution to the song. No tying up of loose ends. No answer for the “why” question. No conclusion, just a cry.

Awake! Why are You sleeping, O Lord? Rouse Yourself! Do not reject us forever! . . . Rise up; come to our help! Redeem us for the sake of Your steadfast love!

(Psalm 44:23, 26 ESV)

What to do when thrown a curve-ball? How to responded to unexpected twists? Call out. Awake, O Lord! Cry out. Rise up and help!

On what basis? On the promise of, and trust in, His steadfast, faithful, and unfailing love.

Prevail upon His grace. Trust that it will be to His glory.

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The Ask of a Cast Down Soul

Posted on February 18, 2020 by Pete

The songwriter pants for flowing streams of fresh water. Instead, salty tears are his food day and night. He longs for the days of yesterday when he often got to lead a festive parade up to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise. But these days, he’s just trying to keep his head above water. Trials breaking over him, one after another, as deep calls to deep. Like being stuck under a unrestrained waterfall — a waterfall, he says, at God’s hand — breakers and wavers crashing over him continually.

No wonder then that in Psalms 42 and 43 the psalmist repeatedly tries to battle the drowning of his soul by reminding his heart of his hope in God.

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation

(Psalm 42:5, Psalm 42:11, Psalm 43:5 ESV)

Lot of questions in these two songs. Why are you cast down, my soul? When shall I come and appear before God again (42:2b)? Where is your God (42:3b)? Why have You forgotten me (42:9a)? Why have You rejected me (43:2a)? Why this perpetual mourning because of the oppression of the enemy (42:9b, 43:2b)? Why is this happening? When will it stop? Where are You in all of this? The questions of a cast down soul.

But there’s also an ask. In Psalm 43. I think it’s the only petition of God in these two songs. Seems to me to be a key ask in situations where the only thing you seem to be able to do is try and keep your head above water. It’s a lifeline ask when you seem to be drowning.

Send out Your light and Your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your dwelling! Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise You with the lyre, O God, my God.

(Psalm 43:3-4 ESV)

Send out Your light. Show me Your truth. I know that they will keep me tethered to Your holy hill. I know that they will show me the way back to again singing praise before Your altar.

Send out Your light. Show me Your truth. That’s the ask of a cast down soul.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

(Psalm 119:105 ESV)

The written Word of God is a lifeline in seasons when deep calls out to deep. Holding on to God’s living, active, mind-renewing, life-transforming Word is what gets you through the storms. Where is God? In His word. Is He absent? Not when I’m reading, seeking, asking, and His Spirit is actively illuminating, answering, consoling. Providing, in a sense, an on demand encounter of the divine kind. And in its light and truth is the substance for the hope the songwriter wants his downcast soul to be reminded of. The certainty that the God who saved him, and is saving him, is the God who will surely one day save him. And in that day, there will again be rejoicing. The Word a lamp and light because it points to the Source of light and life!

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

(Psalm 27:1 ESV)

Jesus, the living Word, the Author of Life, is the stronghold of life in times when life is overwhelming. The great High Priest able to sympathize with our weakness. The faithful Mediator who intercedes for us at the right hand of God. The once forever Victor in whom we are more than conquerors. The cross our strength in weakness. The empty tomb our hope amid despair. Send out Your light. Jesus is the light of the world. Show me Your truth. He is the truth, the way, and the life.

Why are you cast down, O my soul? Send out Your light and Your truth, O my God! Because of Your steadfast love.

Your overflowing grace sufficient to endure the relentless storm tossed breakers crashing overhead as deep calls out to deep.

Your Word, my lamp. Your Son, my light and truth. Lifelines until the tempest calms.

For my good. For Your glory.

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