He Is Our Song!

Posted on January 30, 2019 by Pete

I’ve said it before, I don’t get songless saints. Not judging. Just can’t relate to believers who aren’t compelled to sing. Maybe it’s because part of my salvation story involved thinking I was going to a lose my song when I came to Christ.

I grew up in a non-believing home. But I grew up in a home full of music. My dad was a musician. Can’t ever remember not hearing music and singing. As I pre-teen I’d head to the record store almost every Friday and buy a 45 RPM vinyl record off the Top 30 hits that week. We had so many 45’s that my folks actually bought a jukebox for our downstairs rec room. I remember as a teen punching in a bunch of selections and then laying in front of the jukebox to do my homework. By the time I was 16 I was playing in the band with my dad along with my younger brother. Like I said, music was a significant element of my upbringing. One I am so thankful for.

When I came to Christ just before my 19th birthday, it took only a few months to realize my profession as a musician and my profession of salvation where in conflict. I couldn’t pray about the places I’d play. My job in the band was to increase alcohol sales. My job as a Christian was to promote another kind of Spirit. So, when I stepped away from the band, I thought that was the end of making music, that the song was gone.

Boy, was I wrong! I learned in those early years that God doesn’t take away the song, but with salvation gives you not only a new life, a new heart, a new beginning, a new family, and a new calling, He also gives you a new song.

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.

(Psalm 40:3 ESV)

And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the scroll and to open its seals, for You were slain, and by Your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation .

(Revelation 5:9 ESV)

And this morning, as I read in Exodus where the children of Israel passed through the Red Sea and the Egyptian army didn’t, it hit me as to where that new song comes from.

Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD, saying, “I will sing to the LORD, for He has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider He has thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.”

(Exodus 15:1-2 ESV)

This LORD is my strength AND MY SONG. Not only is He the savior of my soul, He is the conductor of its song. Not only has He given me eyes to behold His majesty, He has attuned my heart to sing His melody. Not only has He given me new life, He has also given me a whole new songbook of lyrics. And that, because He has given me Himself. He is my song.

Chew on that for a bit!!!

The God of power and might, the God of our deliverance, has not only redeemed us; hasn’t just rescued us; but He has amazingly reconciled us to Himself. And, in that, He gives us Himself. The fellowship of the garden again possible. Intimacy with the Creator again attainable. And thus, He Himself is our song.

He is the subject of every verse. He is the inspiration for every tune. His Spirit providing the notes and arranging them in glorious melody. His Son, as Head of the church, our Maestro as He directs His bride in an offering pleasing to His ear, “a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name” (Heb. 13:15).

Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! Sing to the LORD, bless His name; tell of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised . . .

(Psalm 96:1-4a ESV)

Sing, saint, sing! For He has given us Himself. He is our song!

By His overwhelming grace. All for His eternal glory.

Posted in Exodus, Psalms | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Prove Me, O LORD!

Posted on January 29, 2019 by Pete

Sitting in my daughter’s apartment in Los Angeles and feeling full after an extended time of reading the Word and chewing on God’s goodness. This afternoon I read of God’s mighty hand of deliverance from Egyptian slavery and of His amazing provision for His people through the Passover Lamb. Then was reminded that the Lord of the Sabbath was also the prophesied Servant of Isaiah. That He who rules over all things in might and majesty, humbled Himself in order to be gentle toward us–careful not to break the bruised reed nor quench the smoldering wick. And then in Acts, reminded that for those who listen to His word, who search His word, who desire to know if “these things were so,” He reveals Himself as Christ and Savior.

But what grabbed me in particular were a couple of verses I consumed, as I did a double portion this afternoon in the Psalms, which seemed to put a bow on some recent struggles I’ve been having.

Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and my mind. For Your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in Your faithfulness.

(Psalm 26:2-3 ESV)

I know these verses hit home because they been my portion over the last several weeks. A decision to be made which, really, was a non-decision. The way of obedience clear from the beginning. However, though my will was bowed to His, my heart and my mind had some catching up to do. While I knew what was the right action, God wanted the right attitude, too.

So He proved me. His Spirit graciously shining a spotlight on my heart. The Counselor engaging my mind. The Helper helping to show me that better than cold obedience is the the obedience fueled by the fire of His steadfast love.

The obedience that’s willing to venture out into the journey though we may be going without knowing. Willing to do so, not because of our capability, not because we have it all figured out, not because we’re pretty sure we know how it’s gonna turn out, but willing to do so because, by faith, we delight in walking in His faithfulness.

Don’t know if the right word is submission, but in the last couple of days, through clarity of insight as to my heart and my mind, the Spirit brought me to a point of submission. A point where doing the right thing was going to be done for the right reasons. Not grudgingly, but gladly. Not for my benefit, but for His glory.

And the songwriter’s song this afternoon but a bow on it. Because God’s love is steadfast. I can count on it. And He wants it to flow through me.

And because He is faithful. The works He begins, He finishes. The ask He makes, comes with the enabling. Our willingness to walk in His ways possible because of His presence, His provision, and His power.

Won’t be the last time this heart of mine needs to tested. Nor the last time this over-active mind will need to be tried. But if, in the proving of this work in progress, there are continued baby steps towards being fashioned into the likeness of His blessed Son, then I will sing with the psalmist:

Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and my mind.

By Your grace, LORD! For Your glory!

Posted in Psalms | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A Sign of Friendship

Posted on January 25, 2019 by Pete

Every so often I come across a song that I think needs to be tweaked a bit. Not very often, but once in awhile. The reason? I don’t think the lyrics are quite right, or, someone else has pointed out to me the lyrics may not be as theologically correct as they could be. Case in point–As the Deer (more a case in point for us boomers, you gen-whatevers and millennials may need to check out a Christian music museum).

There’s a line in the song that says, “You’re my friend, and You are my brother, even though You are a King.” I modified that lyric on my acetate overhead (again, check out the museum) so that we sung, “You call me friend, and You call me brother, even though You are a King.” The crowd I hung with back then thought that saying Jesus was our friend was not only perhaps in danger of becoming too familiar with the King of Glory but also wasn’t quite what the Scriptures said. They pointed out that nowhere does Jesus say He is our friend and that we should refer to Him as such. Instead He is the Master who has determined to relate to us as friends.

“You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”

(John 15:14-15 ESV)

So technically it’s true, Jesus said “I have called you friends.” He doesn’t say, “You can call me friend.”

But I ran across this same idea of friendship with God in my reading in Psalm 25 this morning. And it’s got me thinking . . .

The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear Him, and He makes known to them His covenant.

(Psalm 25:14 ESV)

The friendship of the LORD. That’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

Not all translations render it that way. Other translations say that “the secret counsel” of the LORD is for those who fear Him (CSB, NASB, NKJV). The NIV renders it, “The LORD confides in the those who fear Him.” Both make sense, don’t they? For isn’t a sign of friendship the sharing of secrets?

The idea is that of such familiarity and intimacy that the heart is opened between a circle of people and their innermost thoughts are exchanged.

Isn’t that friendship? And isn’t that what God has done? Revealed His heart? Shared His ways which are above our ways, and His thoughts which are above our thoughts (Isa. 55:8-9), concerning us, our sin, and His longing for redemption and reconciliation? Made known His promises? Brought us into the secret counsels of His unfathomable grace? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Each morning when I open my bible it should be a reminder of the friendship of God. Every time the Spirit brings to mind something from His word that puts something in my life into context, it should again bring to remembrance that, though I am blessed to be but His bondservant, Jesus treats me as a friend, making known to me what His Father has made known to Him. Whether I know a little or a lot of the counsel of God through His word, it’s all a reminder of the friendship of God. That though He inhabits eternity, He chooses also to hang with those who are lowly and of contrite heart (Isa. 57:15).

Still not sure I’m comfortable with calling Him my friend. Don’t think I’m gonna go and change back the lyrics on my overhead. But blessed this morning by God’s sovereign determination to bring His people into His holy counsel as part of making way for us to enter into His holy presence. Blessed by this sign of friendship.

Blessed by His amazing grace. Blessed for His everlasting glory.

Posted in John, Psalms | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A Tale of Two Meetings

Posted on January 24, 2019 by Pete

The juxtaposition of the two meetings in Acts 15 hits me like a ton of bricks. The first meeting (15:1-35) involved Paul and Barnabas along with the apostles, the elders, and, it would seem, the whole church at Jerusalem–many of whom didn’t really know one another that well. The invitees to the second meeting in Antioch (15:36-41) were just Paul and his faithful ministry partner, Barnabas, “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36)–two men who had been through thick and thin together and had partnered well to plant churches and encourage new believers.

The agenda for the Jerusalem meeting centered on deep theological questions which would have a foundational impact for the church for centuries to come. At Antioch, the question was simply one of who should go with Paul and Barnabas for the next couple of months as they visited the churches they had established and see how things were going. In Jerusalem there was consensus of opinion, unity among the participants, and a confidence that what seemed good to them was because it seemed good to the Holy Spirit (15:28). But in Antioch, these two brothers couldn’t agree as to whether or not another brother should join them on their planned follow up tour.

And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

(Acts 15:39-41 ESV)

What?!?! Sharp disagreement? Literally, “contention contention” or, “irritation irritation”? (We get our English word paroxysm from the original word, meaning “a sudden attack or violent expression of a particular emotion or activity.”) How could this be?

And they separated!?!? Each so entrenched in their position that they find new ministry buddies and head in opposite directions?

And did the church take sides too? Nothing is mentioned of Barnabas being sent off with the blessing of the church at Antioch, but Paul is “commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.”

After the triumph of the theological council at Jerusalem, after the clarity and unity and certainty that the Spirit had led, how does the Antioch planning meeting seemingly go so south? No clarity. No unity. But I’m guessing the same Spirit.

So what are we to make of this? Is it intended to show Paul’s clay feet? Or evidence that Son of Encouragement had his limits? Did the Spirit of God not fill them that day? Was this totally an outcome of the flesh?

Or, is it a reminder that God in His sovereign purposes and mysterious ways uses jars of clay to accomplish mighty purposes. That He determines to use works in progress to accomplish the work of the kingdom of heaven. That He multiplies workers for the harvest even through disputes on how best to steward the harvest.

I don’t know. But it seems worth chewing on. Seems kind of profound that the same men who walked away from Jerusalem likeminded concerning the implications of grace were unable, by that same grace, to come to a meeting of the minds on such a simple matter as who should accompany them on their church strengthening road trip.

Maybe it says something of legitimate differences of opinion and perspective. Paul seems to have held the mission up as the greatest priority and didn’t want to risk Mark bailing on them again (Acts 13:13). But Barnabas, perhaps being true to his name, wanted to encourage Mark and give him a second chance, placing the man and his restoration above the mission. Maybe it’s not that the Spirit was absent in their deliberation, though it would seem to have gotten somewhat heated as some point, but that the Spirit’s fingerprints are all over it. Using these men and how they were wired to accomplish what He had purposed. Working all things–even heated, divisive argument things–for good, for these brothers who loved the Lord Jesus and were both called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28). Maybe.

I’m sure I’ll be noodling on this some more.

By His grace. For His glory.

Posted in Acts | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

He Knows the Heart. He Cleanses the Heart.

Posted on January 23, 2019 by Pete

I recently had the chance to help a sister in our church with the latter parts of a move she was making from a home that she had lived in for years. In this case, “latter parts” means “dump run.” That part of the move where everything that’s gonna be transferred to the new place has been, and all that’s left is the junk to be gathered up and tossed away.

When we got there, the organizer of “dump run day” showed us all that had to go and then directed us to what he called a particularly “nasty” job. A pile of wooden slats that had been left outside for I don’t know how long. Though covered with a tarp, the tarp only served to provide a rain free environment for the city of termites that infested the wood pile. Our job (should we decide to accept it . . . too late!), was to pull the pile apart, cut it to length so it could fit in the bed of a pickup truck, and haul it off to the dump. We could glove up, but there was no way to avoid getting down and getting dirty and getting to know our termite friends.

We knew the job was dirty. But went at ‘er. Cleaned it up. Mission accomplished.

That recent encounter of the messy of kind comes to mind this morning as I read in the book of Acts and am reminded of another dirty job.

And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as He did to us, and He made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.

(Acts 15:8-9 ESV)

Context: the Jerusalem Council. The founding church being gathered together to seek wisdom on how to view the expanding church. Died in the wool Jews, who had come to Christ, dealing with the growing reality of Gentiles who were coming to Christ. The question they wrestled with? How Jewish did these non-Jews need to become? Some said it was necessary for them to be circumcised and ordered to keep the law of Moses (15:5). Paul and Barnabas disagreed . . . strongly! Thus, Paul and Barnabas met with the apostles, and the elders and church at Jerusalem, to work through the matter.

After much debate (15:7), Peter speaks. And in addressing the issue, and pointing out the Jews inability themselves to bear the yoke of being Jewish (15:10), Peter gives this insight as to the dynamic of salvation. God knows the heart. God cleanses the heart.

God sees the pile of junk we accumulate through lives lived according to the flesh. He is fully aware of the infestation that can take place under the darkness of a cover. Isn’t repelled by the rotting material. Isn’t surprised by the smell. ‘Cause a God who knows everything, knows the heart.

But our God is also willing, when invited in by faith, to dig in and cleanse the heart. The “heavy lifting” already accomplished through the finished work of the cross of Christ. The sin-cleansing blood of the spotless Lamb of God shed as the once for all fulfillment of the law under which “almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Heb. 9:22).

God not unaware of the mess. God not shying away from, or seeking to avoid, the mess. But God providing a way for the mess to be dealt with. The mess hauled off to the dump, as it were, and cleaned up forever. For “as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us” (Ps. 103:12).

He knows the heart. He cleanses the heart.

No job too dirty. No junk pile too big. No infestation too nasty. For Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners and deal with the mess. Even the chief of sinners, even the worst of messes (1Tim. 1:15).

All through His abundant and all-sufficient grace. All for His pleasure and everlasting glory.

Posted in Acts | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A Door of Faith

Posted on January 22, 2019 by Pete

Gospel momentum was increasing. Paul’s Damascus Road encounter was a game changer. No longer could Christ proclaimers be written off as just uneducated, blue-collar men. Take the Holy Spirit power that was so powerfully upon those “mere fishermen” of Galilee and put that on one educated among the elite of the elite in things of the Scriptures, and it was a force to be reckoned with. Where Paul went many Jews believed. And where the Jews thought they were above salvation, scores of Gentiles rejoiced, receiving freely the gospel of forgiveness and the promise of eternal life as they glorified the word of the Lord.

To be sure, despite the persistent persecution, a wave of wonder was flowing over every region where the good news was proclaimed. A river of revival among Israel. A fountain of unimagined freedom for the Gentiles. The spring of salvation had burst forth and many were being cleansed in the life-giving water of the word of God.

And what I’m chewing on this morning, as I hover over Acts 13 and 14, is a phrase that occurs nowhere else in the Bible. But one that encompasses the behind the scenes dynamic of every soul who came to Christ then, and every soul who has believed the good news since.

[Paul and Barnabas] sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

(Acts 14:26-27 ESV)

God had opened a door. All that Paul and Barnabas had related to their commending church was less about what they had done for God and what God had done through them. It was the God who is sovereign over all the nations who had provided the opportunity. And though they planted faithfully, and others watered just as faithfully, it was God who gave the growth (1Cor. 3:6). An abundant harvest. A harvest by faith and for faith. God had opened a door of faith.

Like the lid on the antithesis of the proverbial Pandora’s box, there was no imagining the abundant blessing available to those who encountered the gospel when the door of faith was opened.

The gift of faith (Eph. 2:8) making way for salvation from sin. Those dead in trespass and sin made alive. Those excluded from the promises brought into a new covenant with eternal implications. Those once far away now brought near into abiding relationship, recipients of “the immeasurable riches” of God’s grace “in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:1-7).

The door of faith opened and a righteousness revealed (Rom. 1:16-17). A door of faith opened and, for those who would walk through it, healing attained–spiritual healing and, in many cases physical healing, as well. The door of faith opened and new ways of navigating life enabled, people now able to walk by faith and not by sight (2Cor. 5:7). The door of faith opened, and ordinary people able to accomplish extraordinary things, of whom the world was not worthy (Heb. 11). The door of faith opened and mere mortals now able to bring pleasure and joy to the Creator, for with faith it is possible to please God (Heb.11:6).

Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut.

~ Jesus   (Revelation 3:8 ESV)

The door of unimaginable blessing, power, and opportunity forever opened.

No wonder Paul and Barnabas returned to the cities where the gospel had been received to encourage the saints to keep walking through that door.

. . . they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith . . .

(Acts 14:21b-22a ESV)

Continue in the faith, weary saint. Keep on keepin’ on. The door is still open. The gates of heaven are still swung wide. Every spiritual blessing in heaven still ours. And that, by faith.

Because of everlasting grace. All for His everlasting glory.

Amen?

Posted in Acts | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Acts of the Holy Spirit (A 2009 Rerun)

Posted on January 21, 2019 by Pete

While my heart is full this morning after a very, very busy week and a truly God blessed Sunday, my head feels kind of empty. So, I went back into the archives and read some thoughts I captured back in 2009 on this day in my reading plan. Was encouraged by them. True then, true now. Passing them on for your encouragement this morning . . .

——————————–

While in most of our Bibles the book after the gospel of John is titled, “The Acts of the Apostles”, some have suggested that perhaps it could just as accurately be titled “The Acts of the Holy Spirit.” If I do a quick word search with my handy dandy Bible program the phrase “Holy Spirit” is found 41 times in Acts . . . in both the NKJV and the NIV (40 in the ESV). . . add in where the Third Person of the Godhead is referred to as “the Spirit” and its up around 55 times (in the ESV, too).

From Pentecost to a Roman prison the active agency of the Holy Spirit is everywhere in Acts. From powerful preaching to power-filled healings, the Spirit enables Jesus’ disciples to birth the church. In fact, it is the Holy Spirit Himself who becomes the defining evidence of souls born again . . .

“And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?” When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, ‘Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.’ ”

(Peter and the Judean brethren, Acts 11:15-18)

And it is the Spirit infused dynamics of Acts 13 which captures my thoughts this morning.

Although His presence and power is evident throughout the entire chapter, the Holy Spirit is specifically mentioned four times. The first time, the Holy Spirit speaks and instructs the leaders at Antioch to “separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (13:2) It is the Spirit who puts the call on the missionaries . . . it’s the Spirit who has ordained the work . . . it is the Spirit who carves these men out of the pack for a special assignment. And then I read that they were “sent out by the Holy Spirit” (13:4). The Spirit is their GPS, directing them to Seleucia, to Cyprus, and to Salamis where they preached the word.

Then, when Paul, Barnabas, and the truth of the gospel are opposed by a demon filled sorcerer, it is the Holy Spirit who takes over Paul, provoking him to “call out” this “son of the devil” and strike him blind. The Spirit is the defender of truth . . . He is driven to reveal the glory of Christ . . . and to expose those who oppose the truth (13:9-12). And finally, the last specific mention of the Holy Spirit is in 13:52 where I read that “the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Here, the Spirit is intricately linked with inner, abiding, overflowing joy.

And as I take note of the Spirit’s presence and work among these first century disciples I can’t help but be filled with awe and wonder as I consider that this same Spirit lives within me . . . right now . . . right here. As being one with the Father and the Son, He too is unchanging . . . the same yesterday, today, and forever . . . and so, why wouldn’t I expect and desire that He be just as active in my life on January 22, 2009 as he was in Paul’s life on this first missionary journey? Why would I think that He no longer speaks . . . that He no longer calls us to His purposes . . . that He no longer directs our paths . . . that He no longer empowers our ministry . . . that He no longer is the fountain of inexpressible joy?

So often, I find that I make Him the “ignored guest” . . . I forget He’s there . . . I’m not listening . . . I’m not expecting . . . I’m not cultivating His active presence in my life.

Thank you Father, that despite my lack of “hospitality” to the Resident Presence of God, He continues His work in and through my life. O’ that I might have eyes to recognize the Spirit’s power in and around me . . . that I might have ears to hear His voice as He calls me to a task and sends me out in His power. That I might have a supple heart that is primed to capacity with an inner joy that stems from knowing Jesus as Savior and Lord . . . a joy grounded not in circumstance but in the grace of God . . . a joy which transcends this world.

O’ that I might know the acts of the Holy Spirit in and around me . . . that the Spirit would continue to draw my heart to the One He seeks to magnify and glorify, Jesus . . . that I might truly walk in the Spirit . . . by the grace of God . . . for the glory of God . . . amen!

Posted in Acts | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Angels’ Song

Posted on January 18, 2019 by Pete

I may be allowing myself too much freedom in application of Psalm 20, but let’s see how it goes . . .

I know it’s a song of David to the choirmaster, but I wonder if it could not have been sung long after David by a chorus of angels. I know it’s written as a plea by those involved in some earthly circumstance, but I’m imagining it as a petition from an army of mighty beings as they watch another drama play out from their heavenly balcony.

If it is only a song of David then it is the people of his kingdom who petition on behalf of their king as he prepares to enter some great conflict. But if it was brushed off centuries later as a remix for another King, the greater King, then might the angels have sung it too? Could it have also been a song for Jesus as He prepared for a coming crucible?

After one of their ministering spirit cohort returns from the garden, having strengthened Jesus as He prayed in agony in anticipation of the cup that lay before Him (Lk. 22:42-43), and though they would have preferred to have descended upon earth as mighty legions sent to rescue God’s Son from the mission before Him (Mt. 26:53), did they instead take up the song of David on behalf of the suffering Savior?

“May the LORD answer You in the day of trouble,” they cry. May He protect You, send You help, and support You. May He remember all Your offerings and regard with favor Your sacrifices. O, that He would grant Your heart’s desire and fulfill all Your plans so that we might shout with joy over Your salvation. May the LORD grant all Your requests. “O LORD, save the King! May He answer us when we call.” (20:1-5, 9).

And though they would petition earnestly, sing the song passionately, yet they would not petition desperately. For their confidence would have been the same confidence Jesus had in Gethsemane as He submitted to the Father’s will. The same confidence David had.

Now I know that the LORD saves His Anointed; He will answer Him from His holy heaven with the saving might of His right hand.

(Psalm 20:6 ESV)

And isn’t that what happened on the third day? The mighty right hand of God raised Jesus in victory as conqueror, once and for all, over sin and death. The God of heaven having answered in the day of trouble. Remembering His Anointed’s offering. Accepting His Beloved Son’s sacrifice. Granting the Savior’s heart desire, fulfilling all His plans to make way for a people to be delivered from bondage to sin and welcomed into the holy of holies.

To be sure it was David’s support song, but might it also have echoed through heaven as the angel’s resurrection song?

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.

(Psalm 20:7-8 ESV)

But we rise! Just as the Anointed rose. We stand upright. Just He stands at the Father’s right hand. And one day, we will join the heavenly chorus declaring, “Worthy is the Lamb,” having shared in the victory of the Anointed because we also trust in the name of the LORD our God.

Hey!  Maybe it’s our song too!

By His grace. For His glory.

Posted in Psalms | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Psalm 19

Posted on January 17, 2019 by Pete

The heavens declare the glory of God, His handiwork making known His magnificent artistry to the senses (v.1). While His perfect law is able to dive deep below the surface and revive even the soul (v.7a). Every sunrise, every sunset, pouring out a heaven-sent communication and revealing knowledge for those who have eyes to see (v.2). While His reliable and lasting testimony is capable of imparting wisdom for those who have ears to hear (v. 7b). The testimony of creation as to the presence and power of God crying out through all the earth and to the end of the world (v.4). The joy and enlightenment of His enduring and righteous word made available to all who desire it more than gold because they have tasted of it and found it sweeter than honey (vv. 8-10).

But there is something about standing in the sunlight. The bright light having a way of revealing blemishes not normally noticed. There’s something about staring deep into a mirror. We can see things we just as soon not see. Such was David’s response after extolling the declaration of God’s glory in creation and the communication of God’s heart in His word.

Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.

(Psalm 19:12-13 ESV)

David considers the glory of God revealed in His creation, he meditates on the truth of God imparted through His word, and realizes afresh the faults and failures in his life.

He sees the errors, those little mistakes so often tripping him up. He gains awareness of those hidden faults, that concealed iniquity, as it bubbles to the surface. He increasingly recognizes the continuing influence of pride and ego in daily life and recoils at the thought of being enslaved to presumptuous sin. For he knows that unchecked, little mistakes, and hidden faults, and ego error have a way of morphing into great transgression.

But just as the sun brings light, it can also bring a purifying heat. Just as the mirror of God’s word can reveal unsightly warts, warning the servant of God of sin in his life, there is also, in giving heed to His word, the potential of great reward. A reviving of the soul, a making wise of the simple, a rejoicing of the heart, an enlightening of the eyes.

For beyond just revealing a moral law and righteous rules, they also reveal a gracious God. One who can justify and justly declare me innocent from hidden faults. One who will sanctify and keep me back from presumptuous sins. One able to glorify, one day presenting me before Himself blameless. And that, through a third volume of God’s self-revelation not known to David.

While David had creation to reveal the glory of God, and while he had the law to reveal the way of God, in these last day God has spoken to us by His Son–the appointed heir of all things; through whom the world was created; the radiance of God’s glory; the exact imprint of His nature; the One who upholds the universe by the word of His power; the One who, after making purification for sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high (Heb. 1:2-3)–to demonstrate the love of God.

Precious! More precious than gold! Sweet! Sweeter than honey or the drippings of the honeycomb.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

(Psalm 19:14 ESV)

Because of grace. For Your glory.

Posted in Psalms | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

In Whom I Take Refuge

Posted on January 16, 2019 by Pete

Mulling over Psalm 18 this morning. A song of David. A song of victory. The words of the song addressed to the LORD on the day the LORD rescued David from the hand of all his enemies.

Seems to me that if ever there was an example of what it looks like to give glory to God, this song is it. The song begins with praise and ends with praise. In the middle it recounts desperate cries for help and a God who not only hears in His heavenly temple, but descends to aid in the battle on earth. A God who rides on cherub above while David engages in hand-to-hand combat below. One who thunders in the heavens while David pursues his enemies.

But it seems to me it also speaks of a partnership. Not equal partners by any stretch of the imagination, but co-warriors nevertheless.

David prays, God answers. David enters into battle and God gives him a “wide place” for him to firmly plant his feet. David wages war as God equips him with strength. David pursues his opposition because God makes David’s enemies turn their backs and flee.

True also when the battle isn’t going so well.  When drowning in “many waters”, it was God who pulled David out. When confronted with a foe “too mighty for me”, it was God who rescued him. When seemingly unending, daily calamity was the norm, it was God who supported him. And how come? “Because He delighted in me.”

Yeah, not an equal partnership. But, to be sure, a partnership. David determinedly did his part. God graciously did His part. Evident in this mid-song bridge which summarizes the dynamics at play:

For by You I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. This God–His way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.

(Psalm 18:29-30 ESV)

It’s that last phrase I’m chewing on this morning. God is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him. Thinking that’s the essence of the divine partnership available to the people of God.

Thinking that what makes a shield a shield is someone taking refuge behind it. If no one engages a shield for protection isn’t it just an inert chunk of metal?

But David’s well-tested conclusion is that for those who take refuge in God–for ALL THOSE who take refuge in God–He is a shield. A shield for those who trust in Him. For those who believe He hears when they call; acts when the situation is desperate; and provides and enables when strength and ability are needed.

That’s the divine partnership. My God is a shield. But He is only my shield when I take refuge in Him.

He is my shield when, by faith, I look to Him for protection, and when I truly believe what I say I believe and seek Him as my shelter. He is my rock only when I resolve to stand on Him. He is my fortress as I place myself within His gates. I trust in Him and, beyond comprehension, He delights in me.

In this divine partnership I can’t really bring a lot to the table. But He asks me to do my small part . . . to take refuge . . . for “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb. 11:6).

I love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

(Psalm 18:1-2 ESV)

In whom I take refuge.

By His grace. For His glory.

Posted in Psalms | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment