365 Reflections

God is light and Truth. All Truth and all Light come from God. James calls Him "the Father of lights." Jesus said “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6 Light and Truth. What we always need, God always has. The Psalmist prayed this when he felt the most distant from God... Psalm 43:3–4 (ESV) Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! 4 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. The Psalm prays for God to SEND THEM OUT.. the implication being that both light and truth do not come from within, they come from without. Apart from God we are all walking in darkness and lies, deceiving and being deceived. Mankind has been on a constant quest for deception from the garden of eden. Jeremiah 17:9, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately si...

Many Christians are still spiritual babies. They need someone else to speak wooing words over their lives. This is not Christian maturity. Christian maturity means that I have learned how to speak to myself in words of confidence regardless of my feelings or emotions. This was what David did in Psalm 42-43. In his sorrow, he spoke to himself and encouraged himself to hope in the Lord even in the midst of sorrow and sadness. Psalm 42:5–6 (ESV) 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 6 and my God. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. David does something else in this Psalm. In the midst of sorrow and longing, he not only speaks to his soul, he prays to his God.... Psalm 42:8–9 (ESV) "a prayer to the God of my life. 9 I say to God, my rock...." Prayer is always an answer in the times of desper...

We are commanded NOT to repay evil for evil. Peter wrote: 1 Peter 3:9 (ESV) Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. In that case, we have a clear contradiction in the Psalms: Psalm 41:8–10 (ESV) 8 They say, “A deadly thing is poured out on him; he will not rise again from where he lies.” 9 Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me. 10 But you, O Lord , be gracious to me, and raise me up, that I may repay them! Now, of course the Psalmist is a human writing scripture from a human's perspective of feeling betrayed by a close friend. He wants to repay. We all do when friends turn against us. But this verse becomes clear when you realize that Jesus quoted verse 9 at the last supper in reference to Judas: John 13:18 (ESV) I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will...

Don't hide what God has done. Psalm 40:10 (ESV)  I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.  You have a testimony. It is good what God has done for you and in you or through you.  Do not hide it. The testimony of your life is not really about you either, it is about what God has done. It may not have happened when you wanted. The Psalmist had to wait patiently (verse 1). It may not have been what you wanted to happen. The Psalmist was in the pit of destruction. But you have something to share with the World. I have what some consider a boring testimony. I never did drugs, slept around or engaged in illegal activity. I never had that dramatic fall to your knees conversion experience because I was at the end of my rope. I was raised by good Christian parents in a Christian home.  Nevertheless I was ca...

Today I read Psalm 39. In it, an adversary must be taunting David. He wants to lash out, and the more he tries to restrain himself, the worse it gets... Psalm 39:2–3 (ESV) I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse. 3 My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: When he finally spoke, instead of lashing out toward his enemy, he prayed for perspective... Psalm 39:4 (ESV) “O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! And later... Psalm 39:7 (ESV) “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. We American Christians tend to live without a great deal of perspective. While we have a ton of knowledge and technological advancement, our souls lack wisdom and insight. Those without perspective tend to let the small stuff bother them way too much. And they are the ones who ultimately pay the price.  We need to understand who...

Sin is bigger than you. David makes this statement in Psalm 38: Psalm 38:4–6 (ESV) For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me. 5 My wounds stink and fester because of my foolishness, 6 I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; all the day I go about mourning. A fundamental problem with 21st Century Christianity is a horrible misjudgment of sin. The Bible makes clear that our sin is enormous and grievous. And those who pridefully believe they haven't been as bad as others may very well be the worst of the lot (see Jesus' parable of the tax collector and Pharisee).  Modern Christianity has replaced the depth of our sin with such phrases as: - A God-shaped hole. - Something missing in my life. - Need for meaning. - A search for significance. - A purpose to live for. We may like these phrases as they lessen the reality of our natural standing before a holy and just God... but these phrases misdiagnose our malady and lea...

Psalm 37 presents two realities side by side... the righteous and the wicked. The Psalmist reveals he speaks from a vast reserve of experience: Psalm 37:25–26 (ESV) I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. 26 He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing. He basically says, "trust me in this, I've seen it with my own eyes... the wicked do not last, the righteous are upheld by the Lord." The question for us is, will we take his advice?  Four Proverbs are given in the beginning by which to live: Psalm 37:3   Trust in the Lord , and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.  The first thing we do is do what is good trusting the Lord to be faithful on our behalf. Psalm 37:4   Delight yourself in the  Lord , and he will give you the desires of your heart.  Second we delight in the Lord. It isn't delight in our desires, but first deli...

Psalm 36 presents us with three kinds of beings: First, the wicked: Psalm 36:1–4 (ESV)   Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes. 2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated. 3 The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit; he has ceased to act wisely and do good. 4 He plots trouble while on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not reject evil. Notice his self-infatuation. He does all he can for himself and seeks to make for himself a world centered on who he is. He flatters himself, he disregards God, and is full of evil. He plots trouble on his bed... that's an interesting phrase. It means that instead of taking the evening to settle and rest and reflect, he only seeks more wrongdoing. The second being, God: Psalm 36:5–9 (ESV) Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. 6 Your righteousness is ...

Psalm 35 seems like David is only in a personal squabble with some unfaithful friends. But the Hebrew language throughout betrays that idea. It's King David imploring the Lord on his behalf against the enemies poised against him. This is a prayer made by a warrior on the eve of the battle. And David asks God flat out to fight for him... Psalm 35:1–3 (ESV) Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me! 2 Take hold of shield and buckler and rise for my help! 3 Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers! Say to my soul, “I am your salvation!” David asks God to fight for him. What a great idea. Sometimes in the middle of our hardest battles we forget to ask God for victory! Now of course, we don't wage war in military campaigns. But we do fight a spiritual enemy with demon hoards around us seeking to devour and destroy and devastate us. But we are not without hope and we are far from helpless. Our God will fight for us and ...

Psalm 34:6–8 (ESV)   This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! David knew three things about the Lord. He saves, he secures and he satisfies. Some only know God as the one who saves. We come to Him for salvation and help. Thankfully, He does this. But there's far more.  There's security in our God. He encamps around those who fear Him. He is not simply the Lord who takes us from sin, he keeps us from sin as well.  Finally, He wrestles away all other desires by being the highest desire available. When we truly know the Lord and walk in His ways, the things of this earth lose their luster and hold. It takes time to realize that everything you think will fill you won't and God alone will do. Notice that all three are successive in this verse. There...

Psalm 33:1 (NLT) Let the godly sing for joy to the Lord ; it is fitting for the pure to praise him. What I love about this line is how it makes clear - praising the Lord is "fitting." Yet somehow we let the world convince us otherwise. We tend to let the world impress upon us that we are weird and they are 'normal.'  So we are constantly tempted to temper our love for the Lord. We go to church and be somber, we fold hands and bow in silence. Never lifting our voice. But the world goes to their concerts and sporting events and shouts with crazed lunacy in hopes of a touchdown or a home run. Then some of those same people have the audacity to say Christians our out of touch and weird if they dare voice praise emotionally and vocally.  The Bible says it's good to shout, sing and lift our hands.  Christian, praise is NORMAL. When you know the Lord, it's normal to react in praise and singing. The Psalmist underscores the reasons why praise is...

Psalm 32:1–5 (ESV) Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah 5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord ,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah This Psalm is about the blessing of forgiveness. When we come clean with God, there is blessing. It means that sin is not only something you do against God, it is something you do against yourself. You cannot carry it, handle it, and live with it as a member of the family of God. You waste away, you have no joy, your peace is gone. But the good news is you are only a confession away. The Psalmist came clean. I would suggest...

Psalm 31:3–5 (ESV)   For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me; 4 you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. 5 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord , faithful God. There is a modern Christianity obsessed with the idea of self-fulfillment. The "Hole in my Heart" Gospel that makes Jesus the answer to all my needs and hopes, the key to unlocking my dreams and potential. While it is true God in Christ is all you need, and is your hope, and in Christ you can do incredible things... they may not be the things you imagined or planned at all. They may not center on you and your wants. They may ask you to decrease and let others increase all around you.  The Psalmist has it right. To be committed in Spirit to the Lord is to let your life resonate for the sake of His name and not your own. To understand our redemption means to comprehend our being as a possession of...

Psalm 30:4–5 (ESV) Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. 5 For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. In the context of the whole Psalm these words come alive. David is rejoicing over God's healing, saving and empowering work in his life. He knows God has done great things for him and he turns it into praise. But there was a time when David encountered the anger of the Lord. It was short, but it was enough. David repented and sought the mercy of God... Psalm 30:8–10 (ESV) To you, O LORD, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy: 9 “What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? 10 Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me! O LORD, be my helper!” God did hear, and God did save. God turns his life from mourning over sin to gladness in His righteousness. I think we miss...

Who is the Lord to you? Psalm 29 in original context challenged the Israelites to believe that their Lord was not simply the Lord of history, but the Lord of creation. Psalm 29:1–4 (ESV) Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness. 3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over many waters. 4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. He is the Lord worthy of worship from all of Creation. He is the Lord of the waters and the storm. The Lord is more powerful than any force of the Created order. Israel was to fully trust this Lord instead of walking after the gods of fertility, sex and bountiful harvests.  We need to remember the power of the Lord we serve. Someone once said we tend to make God just a little bigger than our biggest problem. That inevitably leads us to th...

The Word of God is filled with words of life. Psalm 28:1 (ESV)   To you, O Lord , I call; my rock, be not deaf to me, lest, if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit. David symbolizes the Lord as his rock. But then implores the Lord not for miraculous deliverance, but rather for Words of life. He says to the Lord "if you be silent, I ... go down to the pit (grave)."  God's Word keeps us from the darkness of death. But even more, they keep us from depression and anxiety for we know He hears us and answers us. He wants to speak and bring life. This is the theme of the Bible from Genesis 1 through Sarah's barren womb, to the Virgin conception, Word made flesh and the final culmination of redemption. We listen to His voice and LIFE SPRINGS forth. The Word of God is alive. Apart from the Words of God, we are destined for death. Jesus said in John 6:63 (ESV)  The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.  God's Wor...

Psalm 27:1 (ESV) The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? This is by far my favorite Psalm and one of my favorite portions of scripture.  I want to live with NO FEAR. But it doesn't happen from within. It comes from fully trusting in the Lord who is good and will be with me and for me by His Amazing Grace. The Psalmist exudes confidence from the relationship he has with his Lord.  No matter if adversaries or foes attack, or an army attack, or war break out against him - he will be confident. Then he turns his attention to the house of the Lord. The blessing of dwelling with The Lord and to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple. There is fullness of joy. There are pleasures forevermore. There is real meaning and life - in the presence of the Lord. To have such complete confidence in the Lord is freedom. That you don't have to strong in yourself. Our st...

Faced with accusations and evil intentions from his enemies, David turns to the Lord and His presence. He speaks profound if not fearful words for many of us. Psalm 26:1–3 (ESV) Vindicate me, O Lord , for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. 2 Prove me, O Lord , and try me; test my heart and my mind. 3 For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness. What a prayer! To walk before the Lord with this kind of confidence seems unimaginable. But notice, it is not before the Lord he's walking but before people. That is, in this particular case, David knows he hasn't done wrong.  He says to the Lord, "I have walked in my integrity" because... "I walk in your faithfulness."  God's faithful love should produce a change in character when people attack and malign us. His faithfulness toward His people produces an uprightness the world cannot know or understand. The Lord mak...