Rip!

Posted on March 21, 2014 by Pete

Was he a bit bummed that he was on duty that day? Did he know what was happening outside and really wanted to be there, watching what the Sanhedrin was doing to Jesus, rather than being here, offering up the evening incense in the holy place . . . standing just this side of the curtain which veiled the ark and the Most Holy Place? As he tended to the duties of the temple, was he distracted by thoughts of the “offering” that was taking place outside the city? I don’t know.

But what I do know is that this lowly priest heard something and saw something that made his jaw drop.

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up His spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. (Matthew 27:50-51a ESV)

The Son of God hung upon a cross. The Lamb of God offering Himself as the once for all sacrifice for all sin, for all men, for all time . . . the Author of Salvation declaring the work finished (John 19:30) . . . the Author of Life yielding up His spirit, committing it to His blessed Father (Luke 23:46) . . . and then, He breathed His last. And as He did, a lowly priest . . . in an empty temple . . . going through his religious routine . . . beheld the way into the Holy of Holies opened up.

Was his back turned at that moment? Did he hear the “Rip!” before he swung around only to see the thick curtain hanging to each side? Did it cause him to recoil in horror as that which was to only be encountered by the High Priest was suddenly laid bare in open view? Once he realized he was still alive and standing before the Most Holy Place, did he go facedown as the place where the glory resides was opened before him?

Once he realized that he had been exposed to the ark . . . once he processed that he was looking upon the mercy seat . . . after the initial shock of encountering that of which he had only heard of . . . did he think to myself, “Did I do that? Did I do something wrong? Is God angry?” Or, as he looked upon the reality of that which had only been a shadow before, did he sense that something new was coming down?

Again, I don’t know But I wonder. What would it have been like to have been that guy . . . on that day . . . at that precise moment when access into the presence of God had been made available to all men?

It’s something I can take for granted being this side of the cross. But for that dude, he heard the “rip!” . . . he was there for the unveiling . . . he was the first to stand before the throne of grace.

While the crowd gazed upon the lifeless body of the Christ, this guy looked upon the glory of God. While those before the cross thought, “This is done” . . . he who stood before the cherubim might have wondered, “What’s this leading to?” As that Roman centurion, filled with awe, whispered, “Truly this was the Son of God!” . . . this Jewish priest, filled with equal awe, might have uttered, “Truly this was an act of God!”

The curtain of the temple was torn, from top to bottom. Hear the “rip!” . . . behold the glory! Hallelujah!

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that He opened for us through the curtain, that is, through His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near . . .   (Hebrews 10:19-22a ESV)

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Heaven’s Rider in the Desert

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Pete

Some people just believe that they are too good to be doing certain things. Things they won’t do . . . places they won’t go . . . people they won’t associate with . . . just because of how important, or powerful, or elevated they see themselves as being. Such is not the nature of my Jesus. Though He is Creator . . . He humbled Himself and entered His creation. Though He is LORD . . . He came not to be served, but to serve others. Though He is King of Kings . . . He subjected himself to earthly authorities that He might bring the good news of a kingdom to come. Such is my Jesus. He is Heaven’s Rider in the Desert . . . just like His Father.

Sing to God, sing praises to His name;
    lift up a song to Him who rides
        through the deserts;
His name is the LORD;
    exult before Him!
O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God;
    sing praises to the Lord, Selah
to Him who rides in the heavens,
    the ancient heavens;
       behold, He sends out His voice, His mighty voice.    (Psalm 68:4, 32-33 ESV)

The contrast caught my eye. My God, the One who “rides in the heavens” (v.33) is also the God who will ride “through the deserts.” The heavens referring to His rightful abode . . . His high and holy habitation. The desert, a reference to His willingness to descend into the wilderness in order to lead His people out of bondage and into a promised land. He sent not an angel, but He, Himself, was the cloud by day and that pillar of fire by night. The High and Holy God of eternity, touched down on earth in order to rescue a people He claimed for His own. That is the nature of our loving and gracious God.

And, like the Father, so is the Son.

My reading plan also has me in the latter portion of Matthew . . . the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus. There too, I see Heaven’s Rider in the desert.

And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head and put a reed in His right hand. And kneeling before Him, they mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they spit on Him and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they stripped Him of the robe and put His own clothes on Him and led Him away to crucify Him.
(Matthew 27:28-31 ESV)

One day heaven will be opened and He who rides a white horse will be seen in all His glorious majesty (Rev. 19:11-16). But first, He resolved, in complete obedience to the Father, to ride through the desert. He who was rich, became poor . . . He, before whom angels bow, allowed Himself to be the object of mocking derision and sarcastic honor by mere men . . . He who is the Author of Life, humbled Himself unto death, even death on a cross. He rode through the desert that He might make way for our rescue and redemption. Like Father, like Son.

All praise and glory be to Heaven’s Rider . . .

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On Being Hot

Posted on March 19, 2014 by Pete

Romans 12 marks the shifting point for Paul from the doctrinal to the intensely practical. Paul begs the Romans, in light of all he has taught them — in light of all they know to be true of sin and faith and redemption and the gospel and God’s grace — to present their bodies as living sacrifices (12:1). And then Paul goes on to teach on “Practical Christianity 101.”

In my Bible the heading before verse 9 says, “Marks of the True Christian.” And within verses 9 through 21 there are a series of “short snapper” commandments concerning Christian conduct such as, “Let love be genuine” . . . “Love one another with brotherly affection” . . . “Be constant in prayer” . . . “Bless those who persecute you” . . . “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” . . . “Repay no one evil for evil” . . . “Live peaceably with all” . . . “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” And in the midst of these “short snappers” is the exhortation to be “fervent in spirit” (12:11).

Now “fervent” isn’t the most common of words . . . not in my everyday conversation, nor in my Bible. It’s found only twice in my ESV New Testament. The original word apparently has the the idea of “boiling with heat” or “to be hot.” So, the encouragement is to “be hot, be boiling hot, in spirit.” It’s contrasted against “being slothful in zeal” and so, it’s about possessing zealousness. The idea then, I think, is about being passionate for the things of God and for service to the Lord. Kind of an interesting inclusion in this list of commands aimed at getting us to live the “true” Christian life.

I wonder if sometimes we think that passion is kind of an optional “bonus” for a Christian. That it is more of a “DNA thing” . . . part of the way some people are wired . . . a natural characteristic . . . rather than something that should be nurtured and cultivated in obedience to our call in Christ? So, what do we think of a command that says, “Be passionate! Be on fire! Be hot — boiling hot — in spirit!” How do you do that?

I’m thinking it’s a combination of the will . . . the Word . . . and the way the Spirit works within us.

The will . . . do I WANT to be passionate about my Lord, about my faith? As my brother said to me many years ago shortly after we were both saved, “Pete, I don’t want to be a spark . . . I want to be a flame!” I think it’s got to start with a desire to be hot . . . a longing to be boiling hot for Christ . . . even if I’m not a passionate person by nature. Not that we can manufacture passion or fervor . . . but that we desire that it be manifest within us.

And I don’t know how we get there without it involving the Word. I can’t think of anything that jazzes me more then when God illuminates my understanding through my reading of His word or through listening to the preaching of His word. Even the most chilled person can be transformed by the renewing of their mind through the inspired word of God. The Bible is the fuel for the fire . . . the more we take in . . . the more He allows us to know the depths of His wisdom . . . the more intense the flame is bound to become.

And that’s because of the way the Holy Spirit works in us.  He is the active agent who takes truth and produces heat. He is the Energizer of my spirit. When God’s Spirit connects with my spirit then my temperature . . . my passion . . . can’t help but go up.

Be fervent in spirit. Be hot. Be boiling hot. It might seem to be kind of a strange command at first . . . but then I think of Jesus words in Revelation, “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.” (Rev. 3:15) There it is again . . . the word “hot” taken from the same root word as “fervent” . . . “I wish that you were hot,” Jesus says.

Me too, Lord!! I desire a fervency for the things of Your kingdom. I trust You to fuel the fire by Your Word. I seek to yield to Your Spirit that He might ignite within me a passion for serving You.

By Your grace . . . for Your glory!

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Innocent Blood

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Pete

Two words. Two words that are pretty easy to race past as you try to get through your morning’s reading plan. But two words that arrested me this morning . . . and reminded me this morning . . . of the glorious nature of the One who came to fulfill the Father’s will and thus, make way for salvation for as many as would believe.

I don’t really spend much time at all meditating on Judas. But as I think about him this morning, he wasn’t the only disciple who had a personal agenda . . . he wasn’t the only one who had a hard time trying to figure out this “passive Messiah.” He wasn’t even the only one who denied Christ. But he was the only one who betrayed Jesus. He was the only one that Satan found an open door to . . . that the enemy was able to exploit in order to demonstrate his derision for the Son of God. And he was the only who took his own life . . . because he had betrayed innocent blood.

. . . when Judas, His betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself.   (Matthew 27:3-5 ESV)

I can’t imagine the horror experienced by Judas after he had come to his senses and realized what he had been part of. Or the depth of conviction that crushed his whole being as he came to a full realization of what the chief priests and elders intended to be done to the One Judas had followed for three years. But in his desperate act to somehow clean his hands of his part in it all, the Holy Spirit uses his pitiful plea to the religious elite as an eternal testimony of the nature of the Lamb God.

Innocent blood. Not guilty of any crime . . . no basis for guilt before men . . . none before God. A man deserving of “no penalty.” Holy . . . spotless . . . without blemish. Jesus was a man of innocent blood.

Judas’ testimony is a credible testimony. Having been with the Teacher from Nazareth for three years . . . having witnessed him in public . . . having been with him in private . . . he knew the Man . . . he had every opportunity to see Him in all situations . . . Judas knew Jesus intimately. And when the enveloping dark clouds of his greed and self-serving nature cleared a bit, he would look upon the One who had been berated, spit upon, and beaten and know, at the depths of his heart, that this was innocent blood.

And yet, He who knew no sin would be made sin for us (2Cor. 5:21).

The righteous and holy Son of God would willingly shed His innocent blood that those deserving Judas’ outcome might be rescued. That the price would be paid for their sin . . . that restitution might be made for their crimes against God . . . that reconciliation might be possible for those who had also turned their back on the God who made them . . . that redemption might be possible for those sold into the slavery of sin and death.

We were bought with the innocent blood of the Christ . . . that we might be born again to participate in the righteous nature of the Christ.

What unfathomable love of the Father . . . what amazing grace shown to those He desires as His children.

Praise God for innocent blood . . . and our glorious Savior!

Amen?

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Inscrutable

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Pete

There’s a danger in familiarity. Things that once were new and appreciated become old hat and presumed upon. Things that once captured our imagination and invoked a sense of awe, over time, become commonplace and just another piece of data in our growing bank of knowledge. This morning, I read about this dynamic in Deuteronomy . . . God warning the Israelites of forgetting their deliverance from Egypt when they enter the land . . . of settling into their “new digs” and not remembering that it was God who had brought them into the land . . . “lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth'” . . . “and you forget the LORD your God” (Deut. 8:14, 17).

The wonder of grace can become the assumption of grace. The dynamic of grace which once drew its recipients to the God of grace can, over time, become the presumption of grace which brings a “freedom” to pursue other gods. Moses warned his people to beware of such an eventuality when they were settled into the land that God had promised to their fathers and was about to give them . . . a land “with great and good cities that you did not build, and houses full of all good things that you did not fill, and cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant” (Deut 6:10-12).

And then, with this warning floating around inside my head, my reading plan took me to Romans . . .

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways!
     “For who has known the mind of the Lord,
          or who has been His counselor?”
     “Or who has given a gift to Him
          that He might be repaid?”
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.
(Romans 11:33-36 ESV)

Inscrutable! How inscrutable are His ways . . . His ways are past finding out (NKJV) . . . His paths beyond tracing out (NIV) . . . unfathomable His ways (NASB) . . . impossible for us to understand (NLT) . . . It’s way over our heads. We’ll never figure it out (MSG).

O the folly, as we grow in the grace and knowledge of our God and His blessed Son, that we would at some point think we have figured out grace and come to know God. For as much as has been illuminated to us by His Spirit, it is but scratching the surface . . . for as much we think to have “rightly divided the word” and grounded ourselves in sound doctrine, may it never lead to any thought that we have come to understand the God of our salvation . . . that we have nailed down the mechanics of grace. Might we never get to the end of the Book, close the cover and think, “I’ve got that down now . . . let’s move on to something else.”

His judgments are unsearchable . . . His ways inscrutable. Whatever understanding we think we might have attained, should be but an appetizer inciting us to feed more deeply at His table. Whatever experience we may have had of His abiding presence should be but a cup of water creating a thirst for the fountains of living water sourced in heaven itself.

Might His people beware of the danger of familiarity. Might the blessings create a greater desire to know the One who blesses. Might our desire be towards Him who is unsearchable. Might our longing be to know more of Him who is inscrutable.

By His grace . . . for His glory . . .

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Priming the Pump

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Pete

It’s a song born out of the wilderness. A melody birthed under the pressure of being on the run from the enemy. And, at it’s essence, it’s a song about knowing afresh the presence of God.

O God, You are my God; earnestly I seek You;
    my soul thirsts for You;
    my flesh faints for You,
   as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
So I have looked upon You in the sanctuary,
    beholding Your power and glory.    (Psalm 63:1-2 ESV)

It doesn’t take a lot mediation to sense the depths of yearning David had for the presence of God. Earnestly he sought . . . his soul thirsting, his flesh fainting, . . . to know again the waters of heaven found only through communion with the Majestic God of heaven. I get it. Those times you feel like you’re in such a bleak and dry place . . . beyond being able to “fix it” or “make it go away” . . . when all you want is just a fresh glimpse of His glory . . . a fresh taste of His abundant grace.

What strikes me is that the thirst was born out of David’s mindset during the routine and the ritual of the sanctuary. Although he did not have access to enter the holy place, or the holy of holies, he still knew the power and glory of God through the ceremony. He was mindful that he brought his offerings to the place where the glory of God dwelt. His sacrifices weren’t some vain religious repetition, but were acts of heartfelt, mind engaged, worship to the God who had called him. And in going to the sanctuary, David saw past the ceremony and looked upon the Sovereign . . . beholding His power and glory.

So, when in the desert, he dwells upon the power and glory he has beheld. Lying awake on his bed at night, He remembers His God. While standing on night watch, he meditates on His Savior (63:6). And, in remembrance of God’s faithfulness, in reminding himself that God’s “steadfast love is better than life,” the silent night of the desert is broken by the sweet song of worship . . . a sacrifice of praise . . . the fruit of David’s lips acknowledging the power of God’s holy name (63:3, Heb. 13:15).

As David thirsts to know again the presence of God, he recalls the power and glory of God, and he, himself, through songs of heartfelt adoration, draws near to God.

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.   (James 4:8a ESV)

And I guess I’m seeing that in times when God seems distant . . . in times when your whole being cries out to know again the touch of His presence . . . in times when you thirst for the water of the living God . . . that, in those times, recalling the glory known . . . and remembering the faithfulness shown . . . evokes a praise which primes the pump of heaven’s flow.

The springs of heaven are opened up as we bless His Name . . . even in the wilderness. The satisfying presence of God is renewed as our mouths are filled with praise . . . even in the desert.

Is it too simplistic to think that the presence of God is known as we “prime the pump” with the praise of our lips?

I’m thinkin’ . . .

By His grace . . . for His glory

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King Jesus

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Pete

Most often when I come across the latter portion of Matthew 25 I think I tend to focus very quickly on sheep and goats . . . on those on the right hand side and those on the left . . . on those who are invited to “Come, inherit the kingdom” and those who are told, “Depart into everlasting fire” . . . on those who minister to “the least of these” and thus, to Jesus, and those who do not. All very important stuff . . . the good and the bad . . . the in and the out . . . the blessed and the cursed . . . but what of the pivot point?

When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. (Matthew 25:31)

Before you get to sheep and goats, you have the Shepherd . . . before the “come” or “depart” you have the Judge . . . before “the least of these” you have “the Greatest of All” . . . King Jesus!

It is not “if” the Son of Man will come in His glory, but when. The descent is already planned . . . all that remains is for the Father to say to the Son, “Return!” and then the Son will return in the same manner as He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:11). The timing is determined . . . though that is kept a closely held secret of the Father alone (Matt. 24:36). Jesus’ main point in these final parables in Matthew is to emphasize the certainty of the “when” and to encourage His people to be ready.

And when He comes it will be in all His glory and encompassed with a host of angels. No more “isn’t this the carpenter’s son?” (Mark 13:55) . . . no more “can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46) . . . lowly Jesus will return as the glorious Son of Man. There will be no doubt that this is heaven’s best. Arrayed in splendor . . . robed in light . . . the Son of Man will return and His glory will cause darkness to flee. To behold Him will be to behold the Light of Heaven. To see Him will be to gaze upon unimaginable beauty. The holiness of God . . . the glory of God . . . will emanate from Him at His return . . . and those on earth who see His return will have no doubt of His right to reign.

And reign He will . . . He will sit on the throne of His glory. This is King Jesus! That He is the Sovereign will be evident. His majesty, His authority, His right to rule . . . all apparent . . . apparent to all. He will sit on the throne as the Judge . . . and many will try to flee from His presence. He will sit on the throne as the Justifier . . . and many will fall facedown in praise and worship.

Behold the Son of Man . . . behold the Great Shepherd . . . behold the King . . . behold MY King!

Oh, by the grace of God, I am among those who invite His return . . . who look to the eastern sky in anticipation . . . who desire to see Him enthroned in glory.

Thanks be to God for allowing me to see the Shepherd amidst the sheep and goats. Thanks to Him alone for whatever degree I grasp the glory of His majesty and the beauty of His holiness and am led to bow in worship.  He is worthy of my praise . . .

All Hail, King Jesus!

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In Christ Jesus

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Pete

I’d almost defy any blood-bought believer to sit down with Romans 8 . . . read it in one thoughtful sitting . . . and not be in a different place when they finish the chapter from where they were when they began it. It is a chapter about the wonder of life in the Spirit and the way of the Spirit’s help in our weakness . . . how could anyone filled by the Spirit not be moved as their indwelling Comforter says, “Behold! That’s Me! In you!” It’s a chapter about adoption and the implications . . . if we are children of God then we are heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ. It is a chapter about an unimaginable future . . . about a the glory that will be revealed to us . . . and the reminder that not only are we longing for it, but all creation as well. And, it is a chapter about a God, who for His own glory and purposes, is for us . . . and has loved us with a love that will not fail.

This chapter begins with NO CONDEMNATION and concludes with NO SEPARATION . . . and they are the promises of God for “those who are in Christ Jesus.”

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. . . . For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  (Romans 8:1, 38-39 ESV)

In Christ Jesus . . . oft repeated . . . as such, in danger of becoming commonplace. But pause, but for a moment, and consider again the basis for . . . and the benefits of . . . being in Christ Jesus . . . and a compelling desire to bless God starts to flow forth.

What cost was paid that we might be in Christ? What mercy was shown to sinners at war with God that they might be in Christ? What grace was extended to lost, wayward sheep, that they would be sought and wooed to the Great Shepherd . . . so that they might be in Christ?

And that, in Christ, there is no condemnation . . . for the Lamb of God has paid, once for all, the debt of sin that was ours. That, in Christ, there is no longer any subjugation to the old man and the flesh . . . for now we live in the power of the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead. That, in Christ, there is no longer any hesitation to approaching a holy, holy, holy God . . . His majestic, awesome throne having become a throne of grace providing help in time of need. That, in Christ, there is no longer any separation . . . for our great High Priest lives to ever make intercession at the right hand of the Father. That, in Christ, the work He has begun in us through predestination, . . . He will complete on that day of consummation when, as the Bride, we, the church, are received unto the Bridegroom.

And you could go on . . . and on . . . and on.

In Christ . . . What glorious words! . . . What a mind-bending thought! . . . What a praise invoking reality!

To Him be all glory . . . in the Church . . . those who are in Christ Jesus!

Amen?

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From “Get To” to “Want To!”

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Pete

Recently I watched part of a Mark Driscoll sermon in which he talked about his early days in the church. As a new believer he didn’t know much, but God had shown him enough that he knew he needed to read his bible and that he needed to be part of a gathering of believers. At one of their meetings they had a “sign up Sunday.” Different bible studies were talked about and offered . . .different opportunities to serve in the church were highlighted . . . and people were invited to sign up. And so Driscoll did . . . for everything! This full-time university student, who was working to put himself through school, signed up for multiple studies, a small group, mid-week children’s ministry during the ladies’ bible study, and Saturday morning grocery delivery to elderly shut-ins.

You listen to this guy, anticipating the conclusion of his “I didn’t know you weren’t supposed to sign up for everything” days, and you’re thinking, “Burn out!” . . . this guy’s going to warn us about taking on too much and burning out. Uh, not so much. Instead, this was his conclusion, “And it was awesome!” Through engaging in the church and serving the church, Driscoll says that he fell in love with the church.

Now, not many of us are Mark Driscoll’s in terms of mental capacity and physical stamina, but it makes you wonder what the “secret sauce” is, such that “walking in a manner worthy of our calling” results in “Awesome!” rather than burn out. I think a clue is found in something I read in Romans this morning . . .

But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.   (Romans 7:6 ESV)

In Romans 7, Paul speaks to those who grew up with the law and the crushing weight of its condemnation of sin. But when these law-raised people become born again believers, they died to the old man and the old ways. Just as a widow or widower is released from their marriage vows when their spouse passes, so too, when the old man was pronounced dead through the work of the cross, they were released from the bondage of “have to” . . . and raised again in the new way of “get to!” And I think that’s part of what allows a young Mark to invest so much and end up at “awesome!”

The new way of the Spirit is the way of response . . . not requirement. The new way of the Spirit is more than just our discipline, it’s the way of His divine dynamic in our lives. Less about our sense of duty and more about His grace producing in us a sanctified devotion. We attend meeting . . . we serve . . . we seek the kingdom not because some new form of law demands it, but because a new Spirit-infused nature desires it.

To be sure, we need to be wise stewards of our time . . . and thoughtful managers of our physical capabilities . . . but whatever we decide to do for the kingdom it should be because we “get to” and not because we “have to.” That’s the new way of the Spirit. The written code, and even the unwritten code, is no longer what drives my “to do” list. But Christ living in me through the blessed Spirit, draws me in and forms within me a desire to pursue the things of heaven . . . a longing to worship the One who alone is worthy of worship . . . a heart for the people of God . . . a willingness to serve where He’s pointing me to serve. Looks different for each brother or sister in the Family, but when we’re serving in the new way of the Spirit . . . when it’s no longer about what we “have to” do and more about what we “get to” do . . . then, to quote Mr. Driscoll, “It’s awesome!”

Awesome by His grace . . . Awesome for His glory. Amen?

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Steadfast Love . . . Steadfast Heart

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Pete

I can’t imagine all that ran through David’s mind as he hid out in that cave. Once anointed by Samuel . . . prophesied to be king . . . faithful servant in the royal courts . . . this giant slayer now had a giant target on his back. King Saul was out to destroy him. So David was in the cave. And I can only imagine what he’s thinking. Despair comes to mind. What was going on? But as I read Psalm 57 this morning, David’s thoughts went beyond his frantic situation and focused, as well, on his faithful Sovereign.

Though he encountered “storms of destruction,” the songwriter was convinced they would pass . . . believing that His God was a God “who fulfills His purpose for me.” Though he may have been trampled upon . . . thrown in the midst of lions . . . and on the run from those who would set a trap for him, yet he anchored himself to the belief that God would “send out His steadfast love and His faithfulness.” A steadfast love that “is great to the heavens” . . . a faithfulness that reached “to the clouds.”

David may have been on the run, but it seems he never believed he was alone. He may have not understood the why’s of that which was happening . . . but he did not waver from the what’s of God’s calling. He may have had a hard time figuring out what was driving crazy King Saul crazy, but he clung to what he knew to be true concerning His God. And in doing so, worry gave way to worship.

My heart is steadfast, O God,
   my heart is steadfast!
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.
For Your steadfast love is great to the heavens,
    Your faithfulness to the clouds.    (Psalm 57:7-10 ESV)

His God was a God who would fulfill His promises . . . a God whose lovingkindness filled the expanse between heaven and earth . . . a God whose faithfulness enveloped him as the clouds covered the sky. And because of God’s steadfast love, David could have a steadfast heart.

Times of trouble are best handled when, by His grace, we are able to remember His unchanging nature and His unfailing promises . . . when, because of who He is, paralyzing fear gives way to songs of praise . . . when because of His steadfast love, thoughts of failure are displaced with themes of worship. I know it might come off a bit cliche . . . but that doesn’t make it any less true.

The disquieted soul is quieted by meditation on the character of an unchanging God. God’s steadfast love yields a steadfast heart . . . for His glory.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
   Let Your glory be over all the earth! (Psalm 57:11 ESV)

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