I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Psalms 90-97.

The psalmist reminds us that our lives are short.  In the scheme of history we live for but a moment.  We do not have much time to do God’s will, do not waste the time that you have.  This reminder sets the stage for the two intertwined themes which fill most of the rest of today’s psalms.  The more we praise God and thank Him for what He has done the more we experience His joy.  And, what has God done for which we should thank Him?  He protects those who trust Him.  If we put our faith into action (because if our faith does not cause us to act, it is not really faith), we will not fear.  The psalmist does a great job of summing up the sources of human fears and shoes us that our faith in God will remove those fears.  Human nature causes us to fear what might come at us out of the dark; we fear the inability to see where there might be danger that we could avoid if only we knew it was coming.  Human nature also causes us to fear dangers we see coming that we cannot avoid; the fear that happens when you see a car coming around the corner too fast and know that it will crash into you.  The psalmist reminds us that if we truly trust God we will not fear these things because we know that God controls the outcome.  If we give Him control, whatever happens will further His will and bring us joy.

I was going a different direction with this, but when I got to that point I was reminded of this:  My Mom served others all of her life.  She constantly looked for ways she could be of service.  Even in the last few years of her life she did so.  When she essentially lost her vision to macular degeneration, she still found ways to be of service.  However, all of that stopped, or so I thought, almost a year before her death.  She suffered with a relatively mild form of dementia towards the end and was physically unable to care for herself.  So, she could no longer carry on conversations, partly because of her failing memory and partly because she did not trust what she remembered.  Further she could no longer do anything for others.  She had to allow the nurses and aides to do for her.  I did not understand why God did not take her, her joy in life had been serving Him and I did not see her doing anything for Him anymore because she could not.  Then we got word that she was unresponsive.  I went to see her and realized that even though she could no longer respond to our presence, she knew we were there.  So, I and my siblings took turns staying at her side (others among my siblings spent more time at her side than I did).  I observed how heartbroken one of the aides was to see that my Mom was dying and realized that even in the state she had spent the last months my Mom had still been serving God.  Her faithful witness unto the end had lifted the spirits of those caring for her.  No matter how helpless you think that you are you serve God’s purposes on this earth.  Take joy in that fact until the end, until God calls you home to be with Him.

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Psalms 82-89.

As I read the first two psalms of today’s passage they made me think of a message from God different than the one I think the psalmist intended.  The first addresses those who think they are above everyone else and should direct others decisions.  Those who think they are the experts to whom everyone else should listen.  An examination of their record indicates that instead of doing good they hand down judgments which favor the wicked.    Then in the second the psalmist addresses Israel’s enemies, those who seek to destroy God’s people.  It struck me that today it addresses not just those who seek to destroy the Jewish people or the nation of Israel.  It speaks to me today of those who want to eliminate the godly from our society.  But they are not just coming after those who act righteously, they seek to drive God from the world.  The storm they are unleashing will demolish them rather than those at whom they seek to aim it.  God will not be, cannot be, harmed by their actions and He will defend those who rely on Him.

There is another theme which runs through these psalms.  I am not sure that I can capture it in coherent thought, but I am going to try.  The psalmist cries out his longing to be in the presence of God, a longing which hopefully we share.  The psalmist describes how you can develop such a longing, and why you should wish to do so, if you do not already have it.  There is joy which comes from walking with the Lord, from being close to Him that surpasses anything else you can experience.  If we but ask Him, God will teach us His ways.  Let us call on God to restore and revive us, not for the first time, but again and again.

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Psalms 78-81.

Today’s psalms describe the suffering which the people of Israel experienced because they did not faithfully follow God’s commands.  The first psalm starts by describing how God rescued the Israelites from Egypt, how He provided them with water in the desert.  Yet despite God providing them with water they did not believe He could provide them with food.  How often do we do the same thing?  God miraculously meets one of our needs, then, a short time later, we refuse to trust Him to provide for another one of our needs.  After experiencing His great blessings, we question His power to help us again.

Further on in that first psalm I am reminded of the Holocaust and the establishment of the modern nation of Israel.  Each of these psalms reminds us that we will suffer when we turn from God, but that God is prepared to forgive us and rescue us if we turn our hearts once more to Him.  One of the great points in these psalms comes when the psalmist cries out to God requesting that He turn the people back to Him.  Let that be our prayer, that God would fill us with His Spirit and turn us to Him so that we might do His will.

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Psalms 72-77.

In 1 Timothy 2 Paul tells us to pray for our rulers and government authorities.  Psalm 72 gives us guidance as to what those prayers should contain.  We should pray that those in government have the same love for justice and righteousness which God has.  We should pray that they be fair to the poor and rescue the needy from their oppressors.  We should pray for the prosperity of the nation, understanding that such is dependent on the previous things.  We should even pray for our government to be dominant in the world, exercising power over other nations, but only insomuch as it pursues justice and righteousness and defends the oppressed.

When we start to envy the wicked rich we have lost focus on what is important.  While it may seem like they have it all together, and perhaps they gain everything they desire living the life God intends for us is much better.  Even if the wicked truly get everything they desire such is only the case because they do not desire the things which truly bring happiness.  When we envy the wicked we become bitter and torn up inside.  Healing comes from seeking out God’s sanctuary and the fellowship of those who love Him.  Then we will remember what is truly important to us and be inspired to cling to that which truly brings happiness.

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Psalms 68-71.

Today’s psalms appear to have been written by someone suffering from depression and/or overwhelmed by their life circumstances.  I do not generally experience the sort of trial which the psalmist was experiencing here, which makes it difficult for me to connect with most of what he writes here.  However there are some things scattered throughout these psalms which do connect for me.  As a note, this is another of those times where what I write will be in the order it came to me, not the order it appears in the passage.

As I said, I do not often suffer the level of sadness described by the psalmist here.  But I saw something of the sort of person I want to be, and don’t want to be, in what the psalmist wrote.  He wished that one person would show him pity, would turn and comfort him.  I pray that no one of my acquaintance ever feels themselves in the same position.  I want to comfort those who need comfort and show pity to those who need it.  I hope that I never hurl insults which break someone’s heart, or even bruise it.  I wish for God to transform me into his image, into the image of the one Who is Father to the fatherless, defender of widows, and Who puts the lonely into a family.  I pray that God make me an example to all who witness my actions.  No, that is not quite right.  I know that God will make me an example.  I pray that He transforms me into an example of one who shows His love to those around them.

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Psalms 45-51.

I love the imagery of Psalm 46.  If we put our trust in God we will fear nothing else.  If the earth quakes and the mountains crumble into the sea, we will not fear.  When the oceans roar and the waters surge, we will not fear.  Even in that situation, we will be still and know that He is God.  He created the world and will bring its destruction.  Wars end when He decides.  Imagining that sets me in the mind-frame that when I get to Psalm 47 I imagine a throng of people praising God as He ascends the steps of a building similar to the Philadelphia Art Museum.  A crowd like that which takes part in a sports championship parade.

The psalmist gives us another reason to have no fear of anyone in this world.  For all their wealth, for all their power, for all their wisdom, no one on this earth can redeem themselves from death.  No amount of money is sufficient to pay the ransom, no one has the power to coerce death to let them go.  Yet God has ransomed those of us who put our faith in Him, death holds no power over them.  God does not need our worldly goods.  After all, He created them and can create more should the need arise.  Instead He desires that we be thankful for what He has done for us and use our abilities and goods to help those in need.  God does not want us to recite His words and laws.  He wants us to live by them.

I had not planned on writing a third paragraph, but the contrast between Psalm 50 and 51 called out to me.  Psalm 50 is about those who go to Church every Sunday and give a tenth, or more, of all that they earn to charity, but during the week use every tool at their disposal to take advantage of those less powerful than themselves.  They may be a crime boss, a corrupt politician, or a dishonest businessman.  In any case, they think they are favored by God because they say the right things and are publicly lauded for their good works.  All the while slandering the innocent and spending their time with adulterers.  Then in Psalm 51 we have the man who calls on God to purify him from his sin.  Let us be the latter, begging God to transform us into His image so that we can do His will.  Only by God creating a clean heart within us and restoring our soul can we truly please Him. 

God fill me with your Spirit and cleanse me of the sins which fill me.

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Psalms 38-44.

Today’s first psalm, Psalm 38 is a counterpoint to the Book of Job.  Although it has much more to teach than just this, the primary point of Job is that not everyone who suffers does so because they had sinned.  Psalm 38 reminds us that when we suffer we should examine our life for sin which may have brought our suffering upon us.  The psalmist acknowledges his sin and begs God for forgiveness.  He makes no effort to defend himself against those who wish to use his sin and his suffering against him.  He relies upon God.  In this case, the psalmist’s opponents are attacking him for his sin for their own advantage, not in order to correct his behavior.  The psalmist chooses not to defend his actions from these attacks because he knows that he did wrong.  Nor does he try to convince these enemies of his contrition because he knows that they do not care if he sins or not, they merely wish to use his sin against him.  Instead, he humbly offers his confession to God and waits for God to act.

As I read Psalm 39 and 40 they seem to go together for me.  I don’t know if the message I see there is the one which the psalmist intended, but they speak to me.  Psalm 39 starts out with the psalmist vowing to avoid sin by keeping quiet.  This resonates with me.  I like to talk, I like to debate, but all too often I get caught up in the debate and say things I should not.  So, from time to time, after I have caught myself saying things which should not be said by anyone who believes in God, I vow to keep my silence the next time.  However, I find myself like the psalmist, in turmoil about the things I hear, on fire to use my gift of gab to give the Lord’s answer until I can keep silent no longer.  There, near the beginning of Psalm 39, is a hint at the answer to my dilemma.  Speak of the good things, and only of the good things.  Then Psalm 40 fleshes out that answer.  Wait patiently upon the Lord; take joy in doing His will.  Then He will give us a new song to sing, new words to speak. A song or words, or both, which will allow others to see what He has done and come to trust Him.  Psalm 40, as I read it, gives us the answer: do not be afraid to speak out about God’s justice, but do not go “off message”, do not allow what I say to be about me.  I am but a poor beggar with little to offer.  But I will praise God and do my best to show how He has the answer for those suffering and in need.

I know that to a degree I am reading from current events back into these psalms, but I am going to go where this lead anyway.  The psalmist knows why he is depressed, why he feels discouraged.  He remembers being among a crowd of worshipers praising God while they gathered to worship God.  He knows that he does not need to be discouraged.  All he needs to do is put his trust in God and worship Him again.  If he follows the guidance of God’s truth it will guide him to where he can worship God with others who love Him.  Then his joy will be renewed.  Worshiping and praising God with others who worship and praise God provides an antidote to discouragement and depression.  That antidote may take time, so we need to wait upon the Lord.  We will not overcome discouragement, depression, or whatever other obstacles we face by any human power, only by the power of God.  If you are suffering cry out to God and trust that He will answer.  If you feel that He does not hear you, if you need encouragement to put your faith in Him, reach out to me and I will strive to do what God enables me to do.  At the very least I will pray for you, but I will also seek God’s guidance to direct you to the appropriate counsel.  

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Psalms 32-37.

When I first read today’s psalms my thought was that each one stands alone, how do I write a blog entry on them that isn’t longer than they are?  Then I re-read them and saw a sort of progression from one to the next. So, I am going to try to write about that progression. I do really hope you are not reading my words in place of reading the psalms.

So, the progression begins with the psalmist writing about the joy which we have when our sin is forgiven.  First he tells us about the suffering which comes from sin in our lives, from pretending that the sins we committed were not wrong.  In order to experience the joy of forgiveness, we must admit that we have done wrong (probably repeatedly).  Then God will forgive us, but the joy truly comes when we follow the path which He shows us.  We cannot be follow God’s path until we have been forgiven for our sins, and we cannot be forgiven until we admit that we have done wrong.  If I do not follow the path which God shows me it indicates that I do not trust Him to know what is best for me.

When we follow the path which God lays before us it leads us to praise Him in word, song, and deed.  We see His unfailing love all around us and feel compelled to tell all we meet of the love He has for us, and for them.  If we rely on our own strength, wisdom, and wealth our plans will not succeed, but if we make God’s plans our plans and rely on His strength and power, we cannot fail.  In the next psalm we come to the best answer for those who doubt God: “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”  Don’t take my word for it.  Try it for yourself.  I can never show you what it is like to trust in God.  From my own experience I can tell you that the psalmist got it exactly right.  You will never know what God can do until you choose to act as if you believe in Him.  If you think you believe, you must act according to those beliefs.  If you do not believe, I beg of you, give it a try, act as if you believe.  If you act as if you believe the God of the Bible is real, soon you will KNOW that He is real.  You will experience God rescuing you from trouble when you cry to Him.

The life of trusting in God and serving Him is not easy.  You will be attacked by those who do not want to admit that they do wrong, those who deny that they are wicked.  They will tell lies about you.  They will malign you as committing the sins which they themselves commit, all the while denying that they are doing wrong when they do those things.  But if we continue to do what God desires, they will be humiliated and disgraced.  Even then they will not turn from their sin, nor acknowledge even to themselves that they do anything wrong.  Nevertheless, we should not worry about them, or envy them.  Let us commit our every action to God and not give in to anger against the wicked.  God will bring them down to death and destruction, but we must not give in to the anger which their sin provokes within us.  Instead, let us love them with God’s love and think of the joy they will have, and will bring to us, if they allow God’s Spirit to touch their lives and transform them so that they turn from their sins!