A Weird Taste, A Wonderful Taste

Posted on March 8, 2022 by Pete

Sometimes it just doesn’t taste good. Even if it’s good for you (aka God-breathed and profitable for being trained in righteousness), it still leaves a weird after taste no matter how long you chew on it. That’s kind of how I’m feeling after two days with the story of Balaam in the book of Numbers.

So many, “Why did God?” types of questions. Why did God have any interaction at all with a dude who made a living through divination on demand (Num. 22:7)? He met with Him, it seems, as face-to-face as you can get, just like Moses. God comes to him repeatedly. First, telling him not to go and take the job to curse the Israelites (22:12). And then, after Balak strokes Balaam’s ego further with another entourage of princes “more in number and more honorable” (and with a fee greater in value, I imagine), God tells him to go with them; “but only do what I tell you” (22:20). And yet, unlike Moses, no indicator that Balaam’s face shone like Moses’. In fact, every indicator is that, despite having these encounters of the divine kind, there is still a darkened heart. What gives? How could that be?

But God’s not done showing Himself to Balaam. “The Angel of the Lord” intercepts Balaam on his way to Balak. Based on the manner in which this “angel” interacts with Balaam, also telling him to “go with the men, but speak only the word I tell you” (22:35), I’m thinking this is a theophany, a pre-incarnate earthly visitation of the Son. Feels a little “road to Damascus” like to me (Acts 9:3-4).

And let’s not stop there. Let’s make this a Trinitarian affair.

And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe. And the Spirit of God came upon him, and he took up his discourse and said, “The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened, the oracle of him who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down with his eyes uncovered: How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your encampments, O Israel!

(Numbers 24:2-5 ESV)

Addressed by the Father, met on the road by the Son, come upon by the Spirit, so that He blesses the people of God four times. As one-on-One (or should I say as one-on-Three) as you’re gonna get and yet, no Damascus road conversion apparently. For though he prophesies as God tells him to prophesy, if you know the rest of the story it seems he still finds a way to collect on the fee Balak offers him (Num. 25:1-9, 31:16). How is that even possible?

Okay, I’m still chewin’, but this is far from satisfying.

You know, if it were me, and I felt compelled to include the story of Balaam in Numbers, I think I’d just leave it at that. I’d let it be buried in the middle of a book that most people won’t read anyhow. If I had to leave it in, I’d be inclined to leave it hidden because it can be so confusing. But it ain’t me. It’s the God of infinite wisdom who graciously seeks to communicate to His creation concerning Himself and His ways.

And so you’re gonna find this story referred to again and again. In Deuteronomy, in Joshua, in Nehemiah, and in Micah. But not just in the Old Testament. But in the New Testament as well, in Peter’s second letter and in Jude’s first. And the cherry on top? Referred to by the risen Christ Himself as He speaks to the churches in Revelation (Rev. 2:14).

But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.

(Revelation 2:14 ESV)

The curse Balak wanted Balaam to pronounce on Israel, Balaam managed to bring on Israel in another way. And 24,000 people died (Num. 25:1-9).

So, this story of Balaam doesn’t leave just a bitter taste, but a weird taste. So, what do I do with it?

Well, I don’t dwell on “Why did God?” ‘Cause His ways are always higher than my ways and His thoughts than my thoughts (Isa. 55:-9). Nor do I make it only about learning the lesson that I shouldn’t mess with food sacrificed to idols or practice sexual immorality (though that’s important to learn). Instead, rather than belaboring the “Why”, or just resolving to do the “What”, I sit back in wonder before the Who.

The God of heaven who graciously interacts with those on earth. The God of promise who goes to such great lengths to call, and to protect a people for Himself. The God of patience and grace who allows even those He visits to respond as if He hadn’t. The God of power who is dependent on nothing and no one to accomplish His purposes.

Behold your God! Even in His incomprehensibility.

And be in wonder that He has made Himself known to you as your God. And has given you eyes to see, and ears to hear, and a heart to receive the revelation of the Father through the Son by the Spirit.

Now that tastes pretty good.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Sitting Down on the Inside (2013 Rerun)

Posted on March 7, 2022 by Pete

Hovering over the last part of Romans 6 this morning and the thought of being “slaves of righteousness.” Sounds like a lot of work. Gonna take a lot of effort. But found the following from my 2013 musings and was reminded that what He has called us to do, He enables us to do. What a Savior!

Thinking about obedience. Listening . . . hearkening . . . submitting to a command. And I’m thinking there’s a number of places obedience can come from. You can obey because you fear the consequences . . . you can obey because you covet the reward . . . you can obey because you are forced into submission. I’m reminded of the story of a toddler who wouldn’t sit down in his highchair despite his mother’s directive to do so. Eventually she prevails (as mom’s are prone to do) . . . he unlocks his knees and slides to his seat . . . but then he looks up at mom and says, “I may be sitting down on the outside . . . but I’m standing up on the inside!” As I’m finishing up this morning in Romans 6, I’m a bit in awe that God has enabled me to be “sitting down on the inside.”

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)

But thanks be to God, that you have become obedient from the heart.

That is the work of the gospel . . . that is the manifestation of God’s abundant grace . . . that is evidence of the indwelling Spirit of God . . . an obedience not driven by fear . . . not embraced for personal gain . . . not submitted to because of external compulsion . . . but an obedience which is sourced in the depths of a regenerated heart.

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

(Ezekiel 36:25-27 ESV)

A heart of flesh . . . a heart rewired . . . a heart infused with heavenly presence . . . a heart awakened to the things of light . . . a heart, having tasted living water, thirsting for more . . . a heart made alive to the things of heaven, desiring less and less the things of earth . . . a heart so in love with the Savior that its greatest delight is to be “sitting down on the inside.”

I’m not talking perfection here . . . to be sure there’s a battle . . . “The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions” (Gal. 5:17 NLT).

But I am talking about power. Through the finished work of Christ on the cross . . . through the victory over sin and death declared in His resurrected life . . . because the righteousness of His perfect being has been imputed to our account . . . enabled by the Spirit, the believer has been wired for obedience from the heart. We are not forced into submission, but freely bow the knee . . . it is less about the reward than it is about pleasing the Rewarder . . . fear of failure is cast out by His perfect love, replaced with an increasingly innate desire to bring Him glory simply because He is worthy of all glory.

No boasting . . . just awe.

Obedient from the heart . . . sitting down on the inside.

May it be more so, Lord . . . by Your grace . . . for Your glory.

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No Dominion

Posted on March 4, 2022 by Pete

No way! Absolutely not! Uh, uh! Nope! That’s how Paul responds to the question. Kinda.

If grace is so great, if grace abounded where sin increased (Rom. 5:20), then should we continue in sin that grace may abound (Rom. 6:1)? By no means! Certainly not!

Message received.

But come on. I know me. How’s that even possible?

Possible because it’s no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me (Gal. 2:20). Possible because of my union with Christ.

We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 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 6:4-5 ESV)

United with Christ. That’s what makes not continuing in sin possible.

Not talking about being “sinless” — the flesh frustrates that — but talking about not abiding in sin. Not persevering in perpetual transgression. No longer content to walk contrary to God’s commands. Possible because I have been united with Him.

United with Him in death. United with Him in life after death. Christ rose from the dead never to die again, thus “death no longer has dominion over Him” (6:9). Likewise, having died to the old man enslaved by sin, I have been raised with Christ to be forever freed from sin. Or as Paul puts it, I need to consider myself “dead to sin” and “alive to God in Christ Jesus” (6:11). The result? No dominion.

For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

(Romans 6:14 ESV)

No dominion. Sin can’t tell me how to live (MSG). Not my master (NASB). Sin is no longer the ruling default. That’s my reality when it comes to sin.

Not that I don’t sin, but that I am no longer a slave to sin. For grace abounds. It’s the trump card on every transgression which trips me up.

Thus, by grace I am free to pursue holiness. To present every part of me “to God as instruments for righteousness” (6:14). To choose to be holy, even while dealing with the failures of net yet fully being holy. All because I am deemed holy through my union with Christ.

No dominion. Worth chewing on, I think.

Because of grace. For His glory.

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Fell on Their Faces | Stands in God’s Presence

Posted on March 3, 2022 by Pete

Not much sleeping last night, so double reading this morning. And as I’m reading this extended portion in Numbers, I’m aware of how my view of the grumbling Israelites has changed over the years. From once being in utter disbelief and even judgmental, to increasingly realizing I’m looking into a mirror.

They grumble because they’re thirsty. Then they grumble because they’re hungry. They grumble because the land of milk and honey promised to them is populated by enemies opposed to them (Num. 14). Korah & Co. rise up against Moses and Aaron and grumble against them, “Who put you in charge?” And then, when God judges Korah & Co. in front of the whole congregation by opening up the earth beneath them and swallowing them, the congregation grumbles against Moses and Aaron too, “You have killed the people of the LORD” (Num. 16).

Grumble, grumble, grumble. But it’s more than that. It’s grumble and suffer the consequences. Then grumble some more and suffer more consequences. And yet again, grumble and suffer severe consequences. Give your head a shake, people! Don’t you get it? Evidently not.

Now grumbling may not be my thing (though there’s probably too much of that too), but I’m so aware of the other sins which “doth so easily beset me” (Heb. 12:1 KJV). You think I’d learn. Evidently not. At least not as quickly as my spirit would like to. But the flesh is weak (Mt. 26:41). So with great discomfort, I’m relating way too much to the Israelites as I read this morning.

But here’s the observation I’m chewing on, and which is tasting so good! Something repeated three times in this morning’s double reading in Numbers. These grumblers had an intercessor.

Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the people of Israel.

And they fell on their faces and said, “O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and will You be angry with all the congregation?”

“Get away from the midst of this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.” And they fell on their faces.

(Numbers 14:5, 16:22, 16:45 ESV)

How sore must the noses of Moses and Aaron been? Pretty sore!

How thankful should the people have been? Pretty thankful!

Moses and Aaron prayed, prayed, and prayed again for the grumblers in the desert. They interceded for those God had delivered from bondage even as those who were freed kept turning back to Egypt. They advocated for the rebels God had purposed to redeem. And while there were consequences for the people’s repeated sin, while a whole generation never saw the promised land, the people of promise remained God’s promised people despite the sin which so easily beset them. All because Moses and Aaron fell on their faces.

And I’m reminded of my Intercessor. An Advocate who advocates in my repeated failure and weakness. Yet One who doesn’t go face down, but stands in God’s presence.

Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died —  more than that, who was raised —  who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

(Romans 8:34 ESV)

For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.

(Hebrews 9:24 ESV)

Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

(Hebrews 7:25 ESV)

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

(1 John 2:1 ESV)

To be sure, I read of the grumblers and see myself in a mirror. But I read of those who fell on their faces, and I see Jesus, the One who stands in God’s presence.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

All because of His abundant grace. Only for His everlasting glory.

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Carried on the Shoulder

Posted on March 1, 2022 by Pete

I tried Googling it. That’s not really serious research, but it’s worth a shot when you don’t think you can do the math yourself. The math in question? How much did the tabernacle in the wilderness weigh? The whole thing? The curtains and their posts which formed the walls of the outer courts? The laver? The altar? The curtains and covering for the tabernacle? All the gold-fashioned furniture of the holy place? The ark of the covenant and mercy seat? Add up the weight of all the materials, and how much did it weigh?

A quick scan through the search results didn’t give me a definitive answer. But what I did see in a number of the hits was the word “tons.” So, I’m thinking when moving the tabernacle through the wilderness those Levites charged with moving it were transporting tons of materials. That’s the assumption. That’s what I’m going with.

So, as I’m reading Numbers 7, I’m guessing when the sons of Gershon (who were to carry all the curtains and coverings), and the sons of Merari (who were to carry all the bars, pillars, and bases for the curtains and coverings as well as the equipment and accessories used in the tabernacle), and the sons of Kohath (who were to carry all the furniture from inside the tabernacle) saw the chiefs of Israel roll up with 6 hefty wagons and 12 power-pulling oxen, they were all pretty relieved and thankful.

First, Moses calls forward the sons of Gershon and gives them two wagons and four oxen to pull them. And then he turns to the sons of Merari and gives them the remaining four wagons and eight oxen. And at that moment, as they look at one another, for the sons of Kohath it becomes real — like really real! The theory they had been taught back in Numbers 4 becomes the reality of Numbers 7.

But to the sons of Kohath [Moses] gave none, because they were charged with the service of the holy things that had to be carried on the shoulder.

(Numbers 7:9 ESV)

Carried on the shoulder. That’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

The weight of the holy things from the holy place, when transported, was not to be loaded up on some wooden carts and hauled through the desert by some beasts of burden. No, when the holy things were moved, they were to be carried on the shoulder of the sons of men.

Now, when compared to the holy God of heaven, there might not seem to be a lot of difference between wooden carts, dumb animals, and sin-infected men. But among those three, only one was created in the image of God. Only one bears the DNA, physical and spiritual, of what God intended for those who He would have walked with in the garden. So only one would be set apart to bear the weight of holiness on their shoulders. Tons of weight, I’m thinking. What a burden!

Yet, what a privilege! To carry on their shoulders the vessels by which the holy God of heaven would reside in their midst, and through which the eternal God of heaven could be accessed by mere men. To be called to such a calling would be a call to a high, high calling. A great weight before God? To be sure. A great way to serve God? To be sure, even more.

Aren’t we called to something similar?

. . . but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

(1Peter 1:15-16 ESV)

It is not to inanimate objects or brainless beasts that God looks to cast His image, but upon men and women. Men and women created, and through rebirth re-created, to be like Himself for Himself. Men and women called to be holy for He is holy. Men and women who are to carry on their shoulder the holiness of God.

But though we’re not given vehicles to help transport such a weight, though no physical horsepower to pull such a heavy load, we have been yoked with the Son of God so that the weight of holiness is a burden we’re able to bear (Matt. 11:29-30). Christ living through us, by the ever-abiding presence of the Spirit of God living in us, so that those created in the image of God might live into the image of God. Being holy for He is holy.

The weight carried in the shadow of the cross. Ever accessible for those times when we stumble, for those things encountered which trip us up. An ever-present reminder that, though we seek to bear His holiness, the blood of Jesus is always sufficient to cleanse us from our sin.

Carried on the shoulder.

Something worth noodling on, I think.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Right Sacrifice, Right Setting, Real Salvation

Posted on February 28, 2022 by Pete

Hovering over Psalm 50 this morning.

At its essence, the song seems to be a wakeup call for the people of God. People who are faithful in religious ritual to God but far away in real relationship with God. A people who have become accustomed to thinking that their obedience in bringing animal sacrifices to the temple is somehow meeting the needs of a God who has need of nothing, “For every beast of the forest is Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills . . . and all that moves in the field is Mine” (50:10-11).

Instead, God says, I’m not interested in ritualistic sacrifice, I desire right sacrifice. I don’t really care about your by rote sequences, but more about directing your life based on the right settings. Then, says God, I will be glorified. And you? You will know a real salvation.

“Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”

(Psalm 50:14-15 ESV)

“The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies Me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!”

(Psalm 50:23 ESV)

It’s been said here before, repetition is the megaphone of Scripture. And here we have repetition. God is shouting to His people.

Thanksgiving glorifies God. Living in a manner consistent with our calling glorifies God. Seeking Him in the day of trouble glorifies God. Living in the reality of the on-going need for His daily deliverance glorifies God. These, at least in part, are the dynamics of a real salvation.

A reminder that we can honor God with our lips yet have hearts far from Him. A check on our propensity to order our way according to our own way under the guise of walking in His way. A wake up call that self-sufficiency has a way of stifling a living and active relationship with the One who redeemed us for Himself. A reorientation to do whatever we do for the glory of God.

So, it seems to me, it starts with a right sacrifice, an offering of thanksgiving overshadowing all other offerings. It depends on a right setting, ordering our walk according to His word and walking our walk in prayerful dependence on His power. Thus resulting in a real salvation. A living relationship with the living God. An active engagement with the One who created us and is re-creating us.

And all this for His glory.

And all this only by His grace.

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A Pleasing Theme

Posted on February 21, 2022 by Pete

That it is a Messianic psalm is without question. Hebrews 1:8-9 clearly declares that Psalm 45:6-7 refers to God’s Son, the One by whom God has spoken to us in these last days, the One who is “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature”, the One who “after making purification for sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb. 1:1-3). What a glorious psalm! A song worthy singing. The songwriter thought so.

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)

A pleasing theme. A noble theme (CSB). A good theme (NKJV). Rich. Valuable in estimation. A theme worth chewing on. Such is the theme of the King.

We look back and we see the Servant Son. The One who came the first time not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. We meditate on how “God so loved the world” and our regenerated hearts are stirred with gratitude, our redeemed souls moved to worship. But to cast the mind’s eye to the future when we will behold the Son as the King of kings, to envision that day when we see Him arrayed in might, glory, and majesty? That, says the songwriter, should be enough to make our Spirit-infused hearts overflow with such a pleasing theme.

Paul tells us what to do with pleasing themes.

Finally, brothers [sisters], 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)

Is there excellence in the theme of the King? Yes sir! Is there anything worthy of praise in a Sovereign who gave Himself to be our Savior? I’m thinkin’. Should we think about about these things? Absolutely!

Be still my soul. Be still and know that the Son is God. That He is King. And the King really is coming. Think about these things.

Yes, Jesus is true. He is honorable, He is just. Jesus is pure, the King altogether lovely. His name is commendable. In essence He is excellent, defining what it means to be virtuous. Jesus is worthy of praise.

Think about these things. Overflow with a pleasing theme.

In the early morning hours when all is quiet around you, let your heart be stirred with such a noble theme that it is overwhelmed to gushing forth with thoughts fit for the King. Thoughts which escape as whispers declaring the wonder of the King. Whispers becoming songs of the beauty and majesty of the King. And dare to believe such thoughts, whispers, and songs actually bring joy to the King as He hears them in His heavenly kingdom.

A pleasing theme. That’s what I am chewing on this morning.

By His grace. For His glory.

FYI: On the road for the next week to connect with family. Not sure how consistent I will be with getting fingers to keyboard in the morning.

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The God to Whom I Belong

Posted on February 18, 2022 by Pete

Reading about Paul’s Mediterranean cruise this morning in Acts 27. I think he should ask for his money back.

Poor sailing conditions. Bad decision making. A “tempestuous wind, called the northeaster.” All leading to being so “storm-tossed” that they “jettison the cargo,” they “threw the ship’s tackle overboard,” they run out of food, and “all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.” Did I say Paul should be asking for a refund?

But God has plans for Paul in Rome. And God’s purposes lead to a midnight promise. And a midnight promise prompts the following proclamation:

“Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.”

(Acts 27:21-25 ESV)

The God to whom I belong. Hmmm . . .

The God whose I am. The God who has purchased me for His own. The God who has set me apart. The God who has translated me out of the kingdom of darkness into His kingdom of light. The God who has adopted me as a son. The God who has betrothed me as part of the Bride. The God to whom I belong.

I know it’s about Him, but what comfort to know that He’s made it about me as well. He is the God to whom I belong.

Good to know in the storm. Worth remembering when the ship’s going down.

Not many of us are going to have that reality refreshed by a visiting angel in the night, but I can be reminded of it by opening my bible every day. Happened this morning.

So take heart. Have faith. Ride out the storm by His all sufficient grace. Have faith that it will be exactly as God has determined.

For He is the God to whom we belong.

Saved by grace. Being saved by grace. Yet to be saved by grace.

And all for His glory.

Amen?

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A Lifeline

Posted on February 17, 2022 by Pete

David knew about cause and effect. He connected the dots between external circumstance and internal response. Know the ever-present reality of oppression and distress without? Be consumed by darkness and mourning within. Experience unrelenting obstacles day after day? Be prone to feelings of divine abandonment night after night. The cause and effect were undeniable. The connection between “quality of life” and “quality of worship” was understandable. But this morning as I’m hovering over the forty-third psalm, beyond the rawness of the songwriter’s feelings of having been rejected by the God in whom he has taken refuge, I notice his plea. I’m struck by what someone whose soul is cast down asks of the God he trusts.

The songwriter asks God to intervene as judge. To defend his cause. To deliver him from the ungodly and unjust. And he does so, at least in part, because of the effect it is having on him. “I go about mourning” (v.2). His soul is cast down, forced to its knees by waves of despair. Turmoil, an inner turbulent commotion, is his “new norm (v.5). The inner storm draining energy from what his soul truly desires. To abide where God dwells. To bring offerings with great joy. To worship. And so he prays, “Throw me a lifeline.”

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. Let loose Your truth. For they are a lifeline that can guide me to where You tabernacle.

Jesus is light and truth. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (Jn. 8:12). He proclaimed, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (Jn. 14:6). So, could we not rewrite the song?

Father, show me afresh the Son! Calm the inner storm that I might see again the cross and know again that if You are with me, who can be against me. That if You did not spare Your own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will You not also with Him graciously give us all things? (Rom. 8:31-32)

The Spirit is light and truth. Jesus, referring to Him as “the Spirit of truth” (Jn 15:26), sent Him to illuminate the Scriptures, to “teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said you” (Jn. 14:26). So, could we not pen lyrics like this?

Father, help me to hear again the whisper of the Spirit’s voice. To be still and believe that I have not been left to my own devices to wage the battle or find the way, but that the Helper has sealed me and has promised to lead me.

And, beyond the “intangibles” of the Savior in whom I abide and His Spirit who abides in me, there is my Bible, the inspired Word of God, something I can lay hands on at will. And it is light, “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105). And it is truth, “The sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous rules endures forever” (Ps. 119:160). And so again, might we take license with the songwriter’s words?

Let Your Word be the light and truth that leads me again to Your holy hill and to Your dwelling!

Throw me a lifeline? Our faithful Father has — a three-corded lifeline, not easily broken (Eccl. 4:12). It is found in every remembrance of His Son. It is grasped every time we acknowledge the Spirit’s indwelling presence and promise of help. It draws us into His holy presence every time we open the Word, and chew on the Word, and “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps. 34:8).

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.

Praise God for the lifeline of light and truth. Manifest in His Son. Revealed by His Spirit. Found in His Word.

All through wondrous grace. All for His eternal glory.

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A “Both/And” Thing

Posted on February 16, 2022 by Pete

It’s a song of depression. Of a “cast down” soul. The seat of human emotions in deep despair as waves of unrelenting trials break over the songwriter. Day and night tears are the psalmist’s food as a voice echoes continually, “Where is your God?” The dire condition of the soul exacerbated with memories of better times, more hopeful times, times when singing at the top of your lungs was something you couldn’t help but do. And so, the soul of the songwriter, dry as a desert, pants for flowing streams, thirsting for the living God. Longing to know an end of drowning in waves of despair, and to again drink deeply from a fountain of living water.

But I’m wondering, as I chew on Psalm 42 this morning, if it doesn’t have to be an “either/or” thing but can actually be a “both/and” thing.

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 and my God.

(Psalm 42:11 ESV)

Twice the psalmist sings these words (verses 5-6a and verse 11). In modern song structure, I’d call this the refrain. It’s the chorus. The big idea the songwriter wants to get across. And if I’m picking up what the songwriter’s saying it’s that even in a soul’s cast down condition, even amidst the turbulence, it can hope in God. And in hoping in God, there can be refreshment for the soul.

Lift up the cast down eyes and fix them on the God of your salvation. Believe that He who has already delivered you from a life of bondage and slavery to sin will, one day, again deliver you from the burden and suffering of overwhelming sorrow. Hope in God.

Easy to type, harder to do. I know.

But the soul which thirsts for God can taste the goodness of God even as it yearns for God in the midst of seasons of confusion permitted by God. The desperation creating a situation where nothing else can satisfy and so, if only a drop of living water falls on the tongue through hope, the soul is encouraged. Encouraged to hope a greater hope, that by waiting on God and meditating on His word, that drop of living water can become a stream. And by the Spirit indwelling the child of God, that stream might even become a flowing river.

He is our God. He is our salvation — past, present, and future. We shall again praise Him.

So cast down soul, hope in God. And taste and see that the Lord is good.

Hope amidst despair. Water in a dry land. It can be a “both/and” thing.

By His grace. For His glory.

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