Psalm 18
1“I love You, O Lord, my strength.”
2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Message: Speaking About God
Time: The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.
What the Lord is Saying:
Psalm 18 encompasses 50 verses which is a lot of verses to study here in this lesson. The thrust of the lesson today from Tabletalk is how we speak about God and the language that we use. At the beginning of this passage - Psalm 18 - a Psalm of David written about the Lord delivering David from the hand of all of his enemies and from the hand of Saul - David here uses a work in an analogical way. To speak analogically is to use the same word to describe two different things. Traditionally, it is said that human language about God is analogical language. It is taking a word that might mean one thing to a human and then using it to describe God which then takes on a different meaning. For instance, yesterday I saw that when we say God is great, that greatness of God is the apex of who he is and so describing a person like an athlete as being great or a athletic play might
mean that the person achieved something spectacular at that moment, but God is entirely great for all time.
The Lord is my rock - doesn't mean that Yahweh is literally a rock, but the Lord is instead firm and unshakable. Rock is also thought to be more of a cliff. The rock was a place that people would go to find refuge. It does not move.
David goes on to describe God as his fortress. The fortress is a mountain castle. It is a resident constructed on a hill, a place so strengthened that an enemy couldn't approach it. And this is how David describes God as with God by his side he because a fortress that no one could touch.
My deliverer - We enjoy so much stories of people getting caught by an enemy and then being delivered or rescued from the hands of an enemy. The picture of being rescued from the hands of someone holding a person against their will is what God is to us all too often. In redeeming mankind, we are delivered from the hands of the devil.
The Lord is My God. God is now personal with David. God is not far and away, high and above, but God is near. a Protector, Helper, Friend, Father, Saviour. This word for God is always personal.
This translation says, My God, my rock, but the word while still rock conveys the idea of God being my strength. Earlier, rock is more of a shelter and now God is my strength. He is my rock. He is not simply an object that is immovable and impersonal but again David is getting personal with his language and saying that God becomes his very strength.
in whom I take refuge - He is now the one I take refuge in. God is my refuge. This make me think of my 2nd cousin, who is not yet 1 and she was down on the ground with people all around her and in that moment she wanted to be held by her father. He reached down and picked her up and with him next to her she felt safe and secure. She had her refuge. And this is how God is to us, He is our refuge and with Him near we are safe. We can embrace the world and all that it may offer.
My shield - without a shield I am dead. In video games, the shield keeps my guy from dying. I throw the shield on me and I am protected.
the horn of my salvation - The horns of an animal is their defense. The horn is connected to the animal and part of their body. God is my horn. He is connected to me. When I use the horn as my defense it delivers me. It is interesting to me because in these words horn is something I must decide to you. I must turn my horn into my enemy. God wants to be my deliverer, but will I allow him to deliver.
my stronghold or my high tower means that He is high above the crowd.
As I read these words that David used to describe God as his deliverer and sustenance and all that He needs, I'm reminded that in my life I don't find that my words go to God first to express deliverance. But this is what David did. I might say this to a fellow Christian or while I am in church but then when I walk outside and start mingling with people that are not of faith and we talk about different events in life that we have been rescued from I don't think I respond that God delivered me. Maybe it is because it isn't a deliverance from death or being caught by an enemy against my will. Most of my deliverance is avoiding car accidents or falls. But there is also bodily accidents I avoid or illnesses.
At times, you will hear an athlete thank God after he has won a game or a musical artist thank God after winning an award. When this happens I often think of the person that lost and wonder if they are also thanking God. Maybe this is my problem often with these events is that I think of the person on the other side and wonder if they then think God is not on their side because they have not come out on top.
Whether out loud or to myself, I need to do this. I need to give glory to God more in my life. That is clear. I don't need to look for an excuse or give myself or anyone else glory. I need to thank God more. That is clear.
Promise: As I read God's word and hear God referred to as a rock, a light, a shepherd and many other metaphors, I pray that it would help enrich my life to realize how God is like all of these things and that it will help me pray and thank Him and worship Him.
Prayer: Lord, I love You. O Lord, my strength. You Lord are my rock and my fortress and my deliverer. You are my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge. You are my shield and the horn of my salvation and my stronghold. You God are all of these things and more. Help me to remember this God throughout my days. Lord, I need to clear my mind and realize that you are near and You have got these things of my life in order and in control. Forgive me for taking the credit all too often and not acknowledging you.
Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with January being about the doctrine of God.
Showing posts with label Shield. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shield. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
Sunday, November 26, 2017
Psalm 144:1-8 - God's Greatness and Man's Smallness
Psalm 144:1-8
1 Blessed be the Lord, my rock,
Who trains my hands for war,
And my fingers for battle;
2 My lovingkindness and my fortress,
My stronghold and my deliverer,
My shield and He in whom I take refuge,
Who subdues my people under me.
3 O Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him?
Or the son of man, that You think of him?
4 Man is like a mere breath;
His days are like a passing shadow.
5 Bow Your heavens, O Lord, and come down;
Touch the mountains, that they may smoke.
6 Flash forth lightning and scatter them;
Send out Your arrows and confuse them.
7 Stretch forth Your hand from on high;
Rescue me and deliver me out of great waters,
Out of the hand of aliens
8 Whose mouths speak deceit,
And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
Message: God's Greatness and Man's Smallness
Time: Based upon authorship and subject matter, Psalms cover a range of centuries. David is mentioned 73 times, Solomon 2, Moses 1, and 50 designate no specific person. It is believed they were compiled around 537 BC. The psalms deal with such subjects as God and His creation, war, worship, wisdom, sin and evil, judgment, justice, and the coming of the Messiah.
What the Lord is Saying:
David's Source of Vitality: A Soldier
This Psalm begins with a praise to the Lord, recognizing that God is the reason for David's greatness. David acknowledges that the reason for his gifts is the Lord has provided. He does not attribute his greatness to himself but he thanks God and God is the one that is great, a rock - Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle;
David's Source of Vitality: A Sovereign
As David attributes his greatness as a fighter, here he also attributes his greatness as a ruler to the Lord. My lovingkindness and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and He in whom I take refuge, who subdues my people under me. Everything about David points back to the Lord, "My rock." God is the strong one and however people want to view him or label him, it all points to the Lord.
The Vanity of Man's Person: How Insignificant is our existence
In verse 3 are two words for man -- adam and enosh. O Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You think of him? Adam denotes mankind in general. Enosh as son of man is a world that stands for man's frailty and weakness. It comes from the word that mean "to be sick" or "to be wretched or weak." Here is the question, given the greatness of God and his great power, how is it that he considers man. What a difference this statement is from society who thinks that God must not simply be thinking of man, but only wanting the best for him at all times. God is often set aside because man has not been made great. But, it is the greatness of God that we need to be about.
The Vanity of Man's Person: How Inconsequential is our experience
The question of why God would consider man is further foreshadowed in these words - Man is like a mere breath; his days are like a passing shadow. David survey's his life and looks at his temporary time on earth. If we are honest with ourselves and our existence, sure there are good moments when we think we are on top of the world and have done good things, but there are other times that we see our sin and see the evil of our ways. As I survey life, and the shortness of life, how is it that God takes account of me. This is a far cry from our world today where all the focus is on the greatness of man and the greatness of his existence and experience. We are all about enjoying life to the max, not praising our God on high. But, David sees it. He sees the insignificance of man and sees that man is nothing without God.
The Vanity of Man's Plans: Apprehending the Power of God
In verses 5 and 6 is the following: Bow Your heavens, O Lord, and come down; Touch the mountains, that they may smoke. Flash forth lightning and scatter them; Send out Your arrows and confuse them. David does not ask for his greatness to be manifested, but he asks for the Lord's greatness to be manifested. Lord, show your power throughout this world. He wanted to people to see the greatness of God and he asks God to work in this way.
The Vanity of Mans Plan: Appropriating the Power of God
Stretch forth Your hand from on high; rescue me and deliver me out of great waters, out of the hand of aliens whose mouths speak deceit, and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood. It is the power of God that will rescue David and will rescue man. Man cannot rescue himself and God recognizes this. All the saving that goes on in this world is attributed to God. It is just some people give him praise for it and some do not. David's confidence was in God.
Promise: David praised God and understand that his position in this world was due to the great God. God is so great, it makes us wonder why he would have anything to do with us at all. But, he does. So, our response is to call on him and ask him to intervene in our lives. His power needs to be manifested on this earth.
Prayer: O Lord, you are the Rock. You are the great One. You are all power. The roles I find myself in and who I am is because of you being so great. I don't comprehend why you see value in me. I don't comprehend why you chose me and saved me. But, you have and I am so thankful. Forgive me for not always showing this thanks. I need you God. I need your help. So send down your power O God and make it known in my world by rescuing me. You are great.
1 Blessed be the Lord, my rock,
Who trains my hands for war,
And my fingers for battle;
2 My lovingkindness and my fortress,
My stronghold and my deliverer,
My shield and He in whom I take refuge,
Who subdues my people under me.
3 O Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him?
Or the son of man, that You think of him?
4 Man is like a mere breath;
His days are like a passing shadow.
5 Bow Your heavens, O Lord, and come down;
Touch the mountains, that they may smoke.
6 Flash forth lightning and scatter them;
Send out Your arrows and confuse them.
7 Stretch forth Your hand from on high;
Rescue me and deliver me out of great waters,
Out of the hand of aliens
8 Whose mouths speak deceit,
And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
Message: God's Greatness and Man's Smallness
Time: Based upon authorship and subject matter, Psalms cover a range of centuries. David is mentioned 73 times, Solomon 2, Moses 1, and 50 designate no specific person. It is believed they were compiled around 537 BC. The psalms deal with such subjects as God and His creation, war, worship, wisdom, sin and evil, judgment, justice, and the coming of the Messiah.
What the Lord is Saying:
David's Source of Vitality: A Soldier
This Psalm begins with a praise to the Lord, recognizing that God is the reason for David's greatness. David acknowledges that the reason for his gifts is the Lord has provided. He does not attribute his greatness to himself but he thanks God and God is the one that is great, a rock - Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle;
David's Source of Vitality: A Sovereign
As David attributes his greatness as a fighter, here he also attributes his greatness as a ruler to the Lord. My lovingkindness and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and He in whom I take refuge, who subdues my people under me. Everything about David points back to the Lord, "My rock." God is the strong one and however people want to view him or label him, it all points to the Lord.
The Vanity of Man's Person: How Insignificant is our existence
In verse 3 are two words for man -- adam and enosh. O Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You think of him? Adam denotes mankind in general. Enosh as son of man is a world that stands for man's frailty and weakness. It comes from the word that mean "to be sick" or "to be wretched or weak." Here is the question, given the greatness of God and his great power, how is it that he considers man. What a difference this statement is from society who thinks that God must not simply be thinking of man, but only wanting the best for him at all times. God is often set aside because man has not been made great. But, it is the greatness of God that we need to be about.
The Vanity of Man's Person: How Inconsequential is our experience
The question of why God would consider man is further foreshadowed in these words - Man is like a mere breath; his days are like a passing shadow. David survey's his life and looks at his temporary time on earth. If we are honest with ourselves and our existence, sure there are good moments when we think we are on top of the world and have done good things, but there are other times that we see our sin and see the evil of our ways. As I survey life, and the shortness of life, how is it that God takes account of me. This is a far cry from our world today where all the focus is on the greatness of man and the greatness of his existence and experience. We are all about enjoying life to the max, not praising our God on high. But, David sees it. He sees the insignificance of man and sees that man is nothing without God.
The Vanity of Man's Plans: Apprehending the Power of God
In verses 5 and 6 is the following: Bow Your heavens, O Lord, and come down; Touch the mountains, that they may smoke. Flash forth lightning and scatter them; Send out Your arrows and confuse them. David does not ask for his greatness to be manifested, but he asks for the Lord's greatness to be manifested. Lord, show your power throughout this world. He wanted to people to see the greatness of God and he asks God to work in this way.
The Vanity of Mans Plan: Appropriating the Power of God
Stretch forth Your hand from on high; rescue me and deliver me out of great waters, out of the hand of aliens whose mouths speak deceit, and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood. It is the power of God that will rescue David and will rescue man. Man cannot rescue himself and God recognizes this. All the saving that goes on in this world is attributed to God. It is just some people give him praise for it and some do not. David's confidence was in God.
Promise: David praised God and understand that his position in this world was due to the great God. God is so great, it makes us wonder why he would have anything to do with us at all. But, he does. So, our response is to call on him and ask him to intervene in our lives. His power needs to be manifested on this earth.
Prayer: O Lord, you are the Rock. You are the great One. You are all power. The roles I find myself in and who I am is because of you being so great. I don't comprehend why you see value in me. I don't comprehend why you chose me and saved me. But, you have and I am so thankful. Forgive me for not always showing this thanks. I need you God. I need your help. So send down your power O God and make it known in my world by rescuing me. You are great.
Monday, November 13, 2017
Psalm 115:9-18 - Blessing The Lord Now and Forever
Psalm 115:9-18
9 O Israel, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.
11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.
12 The Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us;
He will bless the house of Israel;
He will bless the house of Aaron.
13 He will bless those who fear the Lord,
The small together with the great.
14 May the Lord give you increase,
You and your children.
15 May you be blessed of the Lord,
Maker of heaven and earth.
16 The heavens are the heavens of the Lord,
But the earth He has given to the sons of men.
17 The dead do not praise the Lord,
Nor do any who go down into silence;
18 But as for us, we will bless the Lord
From this time forth and forever.
Praise the Lord!
Message: Blessing The Lord Now and Forever
Time: Based upon authorship and subject matter, Psalms cover a range of centuries. David is mentioned 73 times, Solomon 2, Moses 1, and 50 designate no specific person. It is believed they were compiled around 537 BC. The psalms deal with such subjects as God and His creation, war, worship, wisdom, sin and evil, judgment, justice, and the coming of the Messiah.
What the Lord is Saying:
As I continue to look at this Psalm, I saw in the first 8 verses a contrast between all praise to God and the folly of replacing God or instead worshiping idols. To God be the glory. He is the patient one despite many questioning that He is even there. But, God does as he wishes and He is to be glorified; He doesn't need me and He is sovereign over all. How narrow it is those that people can choose instead to worship a man-made idol and in so doing they get completely off track. It amazes me in life how easily we got off track and begin living for things that just don't matter. The Lord is to be praised above all. Daily I need reminders to remember God, seek Him, thank Him, praise Him.
People appraise God as being helpless and the Psalmist responds to show the stupidity of idolatry and finding rest in man-made things.
Appeal - The Covenant People
O Israel, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. The first 8 verses sound like a prayer of praise to God, but verse 8 makes a shift to words maybe from a leader to the people, such as a choir leader to the congregation appealing to them to trust in the Lord. He is Israel's help and Israel's shield. He helps us and he protects us. Those are words I must not forget. Sunday, a man walked into a church service in Sutherland Heights, Texas and opened fire on a small church gathering killing 26 and wounding more. This tiny church now has lost half of its membership. It's hard to fathom, but it should remind us that people need the help of God daily in their lives. Without that help, we do not think properly. In all of life's situations he is our help and our shield. This doesn't mean that nothing bad will happen to us; his protection lasts for eternity.
Appeal - The Consecrated Priest
O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. Verse 9 appealed to Israel and this verse appeals to the priest. The people are to trust in the Lord, but also the priests. The priests should set the example for the masses that it is God who is our help and shield.
Appeal - The Converted Pagan
You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. From Israel, to the Priest, to the person, or the pagan, all are to trust in the Lord. He is our help and shield no matter where we are at in life.
Application - Assurance of Blessing
The Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron. He will bless those who fear the Lord, the small together with the great. Our Lord is the business of blessing. And I need to be in the business of recognized those blessings. This doesn't mean everything will work out the way I want it. Help me, Lord, to see where you are working and thank you for it. You are mindful of me. You have given me Life, eternal life. You have given me breath. All the good that I have in my life is a gift from You. Each day that I can live is a gift from You. And my faithfulness, my measure of my fear is not contingent on the degree of blessing that I will receive. God simply blesses His people.
Application - Assessment of the Blessing
May the Lord give you increase, You and your children. May you be blessed of the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth. The Lord is able to bless anyone at anytime. Nothing is too difficult for Him. I need to trust in this each day. Forgive me Lord for thinking you are done with me.
Applause - The Globe
The heavens are the heavens of the Lord, but the earth He has given to the sons of men. Heaven is the home of the Lord. It is his home right now. Any time Scripture attempts a description of Heaven it resorts to symbolic language. The earth has been given to human beings. God came to this earth to redeem it. It needs redeeming, continually.
Applause - The Grave
The dead do not praise the Lord, nor do any who go down into silence; At this time, Jesus had not yet brought life to those in the grave. The Old Testament shares a gloomy picture of the grave. In contrast, the living are to praise the Lord.
Applause - The Godly
Promise: The Lord is about blessing His people and we are about blessing the Lord, praising His name forever.
Prayer: Lord, thank you that we are able to put our trust in You. Thank you for being our help and our shield. Help me to believe this each day and trust in You no matter what comes. As we experience difficulties and trials that we think are too big for us to deal with, remind us that we can trust in You, remain in You and you will help us and shield us from the world and its messages. Thank you for the way you have blessed me. I don't understand it, but I continually thank you for it. Help me to continue to recognize this in my life.
9 O Israel, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.
11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.
12 The Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us;
He will bless the house of Israel;
He will bless the house of Aaron.
13 He will bless those who fear the Lord,
The small together with the great.
14 May the Lord give you increase,
You and your children.
15 May you be blessed of the Lord,
Maker of heaven and earth.
16 The heavens are the heavens of the Lord,
But the earth He has given to the sons of men.
17 The dead do not praise the Lord,
Nor do any who go down into silence;
18 But as for us, we will bless the Lord
From this time forth and forever.
Praise the Lord!
Message: Blessing The Lord Now and Forever
Time: Based upon authorship and subject matter, Psalms cover a range of centuries. David is mentioned 73 times, Solomon 2, Moses 1, and 50 designate no specific person. It is believed they were compiled around 537 BC. The psalms deal with such subjects as God and His creation, war, worship, wisdom, sin and evil, judgment, justice, and the coming of the Messiah.
What the Lord is Saying:
As I continue to look at this Psalm, I saw in the first 8 verses a contrast between all praise to God and the folly of replacing God or instead worshiping idols. To God be the glory. He is the patient one despite many questioning that He is even there. But, God does as he wishes and He is to be glorified; He doesn't need me and He is sovereign over all. How narrow it is those that people can choose instead to worship a man-made idol and in so doing they get completely off track. It amazes me in life how easily we got off track and begin living for things that just don't matter. The Lord is to be praised above all. Daily I need reminders to remember God, seek Him, thank Him, praise Him.
People appraise God as being helpless and the Psalmist responds to show the stupidity of idolatry and finding rest in man-made things.
Appeal - The Covenant People
O Israel, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. The first 8 verses sound like a prayer of praise to God, but verse 8 makes a shift to words maybe from a leader to the people, such as a choir leader to the congregation appealing to them to trust in the Lord. He is Israel's help and Israel's shield. He helps us and he protects us. Those are words I must not forget. Sunday, a man walked into a church service in Sutherland Heights, Texas and opened fire on a small church gathering killing 26 and wounding more. This tiny church now has lost half of its membership. It's hard to fathom, but it should remind us that people need the help of God daily in their lives. Without that help, we do not think properly. In all of life's situations he is our help and our shield. This doesn't mean that nothing bad will happen to us; his protection lasts for eternity.
Appeal - The Consecrated Priest
O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. Verse 9 appealed to Israel and this verse appeals to the priest. The people are to trust in the Lord, but also the priests. The priests should set the example for the masses that it is God who is our help and shield.
Appeal - The Converted Pagan
You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. From Israel, to the Priest, to the person, or the pagan, all are to trust in the Lord. He is our help and shield no matter where we are at in life.
Application - Assurance of Blessing
The Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron. He will bless those who fear the Lord, the small together with the great. Our Lord is the business of blessing. And I need to be in the business of recognized those blessings. This doesn't mean everything will work out the way I want it. Help me, Lord, to see where you are working and thank you for it. You are mindful of me. You have given me Life, eternal life. You have given me breath. All the good that I have in my life is a gift from You. Each day that I can live is a gift from You. And my faithfulness, my measure of my fear is not contingent on the degree of blessing that I will receive. God simply blesses His people.
Application - Assessment of the Blessing
May the Lord give you increase, You and your children. May you be blessed of the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth. The Lord is able to bless anyone at anytime. Nothing is too difficult for Him. I need to trust in this each day. Forgive me Lord for thinking you are done with me.
Applause - The Globe
The heavens are the heavens of the Lord, but the earth He has given to the sons of men. Heaven is the home of the Lord. It is his home right now. Any time Scripture attempts a description of Heaven it resorts to symbolic language. The earth has been given to human beings. God came to this earth to redeem it. It needs redeeming, continually.
Applause - The Grave
The dead do not praise the Lord, nor do any who go down into silence; At this time, Jesus had not yet brought life to those in the grave. The Old Testament shares a gloomy picture of the grave. In contrast, the living are to praise the Lord.
Applause - The Godly
But as for us, we will bless the Lord from this time forth and forever. Praise the Lord! We are to bless the Lord forever. He is to be praised at any time, at all times.
Promise: The Lord is about blessing His people and we are about blessing the Lord, praising His name forever.
Prayer: Lord, thank you that we are able to put our trust in You. Thank you for being our help and our shield. Help me to believe this each day and trust in You no matter what comes. As we experience difficulties and trials that we think are too big for us to deal with, remind us that we can trust in You, remain in You and you will help us and shield us from the world and its messages. Thank you for the way you have blessed me. I don't understand it, but I continually thank you for it. Help me to continue to recognize this in my life.
Sunday, December 4, 2016
Psalm 84:8-12 - One Day in the Courts of the Lord
Psalm 84:8-12
8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah.
9 Behold our shield, O God,
And look upon the face of Your anointed.
10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside.
I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God
Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord gives grace and glory;
No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
12 O Lord of hosts,
How blessed is the man who trusts in You!
Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah.
9 Behold our shield, O God,
And look upon the face of Your anointed.
10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside.
I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God
Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord gives grace and glory;
No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
12 O Lord of hosts,
How blessed is the man who trusts in You!
Message: One Day in the Courts of the Lord
Time: The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a
thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been
compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor
shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.
What the Lord is Saying:
Yesterday, in looking a Psalm 84, the inspiration of this Psalm seems to be entering the dwelling place of the Lord. This could be church, as it does seem to clearly speak of the Temple of the Lord. It is an appealing place, a place I long to be. It is a place that people look forward to being there. Everyone present is excited and ready to worship the Lord and listen to the Word of God taught. God lifts us up from the mire, and he makes places that are otherwise not exciting to be exciting. He makes barren feel full.
As I continue in this Psalm today, I see that the in verse 8, that the worship center or place is also a place to pray - to offer our petitions. In high school, I learned the acronym ACTS - Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication. Prayer is this. It is adoring God, acknowledging where I need God, where I have sinned, offering Thanksgiving to him and then finally Supplication. Often, I notice in prayer a skipping over of the first 3 and going straight to "give me." Lord, teach me to pray so that my position before you is always one of gratitude, not just expectation.
Verse 9 - Behold our shield, O God. Shield I think could mean many things in this context. Ephesians talks about taking up the shield of faith. Faith in God is the combat force that moves us through all of life. If there is one thing that is attacked more and more in this world, it would seem to be our faith. But, our shield or what protects us in life is that faith.
Verse 10 - For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. One day with You in your courts, is better than a thousand not with you. You are our shield. We enter into the praise and in that place it is amazing. It is more wonderful to stand on the threshold, or to not even enter the room, but just be standing in the in-between than to be in the tents of wickedness.
John Calvin writes:
He is a sun. He is a shield. He shines his powerful light on us. He protects us. He gives grace. He gives not what we deserve. He gives what we do not deserve. He gives us his glory, his purpose is the highest of heavens, the presence of God and that is our gift from Him. Verse 12 - How blessed is the man who trusts in You! This is what we want in life, to be blessed, and in Christ, in our trust in God, I am blessed.
What the Lord is Saying:
Yesterday, in looking a Psalm 84, the inspiration of this Psalm seems to be entering the dwelling place of the Lord. This could be church, as it does seem to clearly speak of the Temple of the Lord. It is an appealing place, a place I long to be. It is a place that people look forward to being there. Everyone present is excited and ready to worship the Lord and listen to the Word of God taught. God lifts us up from the mire, and he makes places that are otherwise not exciting to be exciting. He makes barren feel full.
As I continue in this Psalm today, I see that the in verse 8, that the worship center or place is also a place to pray - to offer our petitions. In high school, I learned the acronym ACTS - Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication. Prayer is this. It is adoring God, acknowledging where I need God, where I have sinned, offering Thanksgiving to him and then finally Supplication. Often, I notice in prayer a skipping over of the first 3 and going straight to "give me." Lord, teach me to pray so that my position before you is always one of gratitude, not just expectation.
Verse 9 - Behold our shield, O God. Shield I think could mean many things in this context. Ephesians talks about taking up the shield of faith. Faith in God is the combat force that moves us through all of life. If there is one thing that is attacked more and more in this world, it would seem to be our faith. But, our shield or what protects us in life is that faith.
Verse 10 - For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. One day with You in your courts, is better than a thousand not with you. You are our shield. We enter into the praise and in that place it is amazing. It is more wonderful to stand on the threshold, or to not even enter the room, but just be standing in the in-between than to be in the tents of wickedness.
John Calvin writes:
He would rather be cast into a common and unhonored place, provided he were among the people of God, than exalted to the highest rank of honor among unbelievers.
He is a sun. He is a shield. He shines his powerful light on us. He protects us. He gives grace. He gives not what we deserve. He gives what we do not deserve. He gives us his glory, his purpose is the highest of heavens, the presence of God and that is our gift from Him. Verse 12 - How blessed is the man who trusts in You! This is what we want in life, to be blessed, and in Christ, in our trust in God, I am blessed.
Promise: From TableTalk, to dwell with HIm is to enjoy a blessing that can never be lost.
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Psalm 47 - Praising God the King
Psalm 47:1-9
O clap your hands, all peoples; Shout to God with the voice of joy. For the Lord Most High is to be feared, a great King over all the earth. He subdues peoples under us and nations under our feet. He chooses our inheritance for us, the glory of Jacob whom He loves. Selah. God has ascended with a shout, the Lord, with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a skillful psalm. God reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne. The princes of the people have assembled themselves as the people of the God of Abraham, for the shields of the earth belong to God; He is highly exalted.
Message: Praising God the King
Time: The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.
What the Lord is Saying:
This passage is probably an ode to a victory celebration, like a military incident.
It begins with a proclamation to clap your hands and make a joyful noise because of the victory we have been given by God. O clap your hands, all peoples; Shout to God with the voice of joy.
With our celebration is acknowledging that our God is to be feared and set apart. He has absolute power over all the nations. For the Lord Most High is to be feared, a great King over all the earth.
God only has to speak and the nations are subdued and under His feet. We celebrate the triumph we have in God Almighty. He subdues peoples under us and nations under our feet.
At this time, the people were rejoicing in the Land in which God had them dwell. This was the prophets' land. This was a land like any other. He chooses our inheritance for us, the glory of Jacob whom He loves.The land came into the possession of the people at the time of Jacob's sons.
With poetic words, the Psalmist remarks that God has come to His people, to rescue them and then returned to the heavens with a shout, the sound of a trumpet. Almost like, "it is done." God has ascended with a shout, the Lord, with the sound of a trumpet.
The heart is full of praise. It is overcome with the work of God. I think at times I struggle with this or seeing that God has indeed worked and He is to be praised. It's hard to see sometimes in the world of "want" in which we live. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.
For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a skillful psalm. We are to be instructed through these praises. He is King over all the earth. He is sovereign. He reigns. He is over all. We are amazed. All people should discover this.
The idea here is that God is over all, not necessarily that he reigns over people that are not of faith, but God's dominion is over the entire world. God reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne.
Everyone will come together under the throne of God. All people will be established under His dominion. Everyone will bow down one day. The princes of the people have assembled themselves as the people of the God of Abraham, for the shields of the earth belong to God
Promise: He is highly exalted.
O clap your hands, all peoples; Shout to God with the voice of joy. For the Lord Most High is to be feared, a great King over all the earth. He subdues peoples under us and nations under our feet. He chooses our inheritance for us, the glory of Jacob whom He loves. Selah. God has ascended with a shout, the Lord, with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a skillful psalm. God reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne. The princes of the people have assembled themselves as the people of the God of Abraham, for the shields of the earth belong to God; He is highly exalted.
Message: Praising God the King
Time: The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.
What the Lord is Saying:
This passage is probably an ode to a victory celebration, like a military incident.
It begins with a proclamation to clap your hands and make a joyful noise because of the victory we have been given by God. O clap your hands, all peoples; Shout to God with the voice of joy.
With our celebration is acknowledging that our God is to be feared and set apart. He has absolute power over all the nations. For the Lord Most High is to be feared, a great King over all the earth.
God only has to speak and the nations are subdued and under His feet. We celebrate the triumph we have in God Almighty. He subdues peoples under us and nations under our feet.
At this time, the people were rejoicing in the Land in which God had them dwell. This was the prophets' land. This was a land like any other. He chooses our inheritance for us, the glory of Jacob whom He loves.The land came into the possession of the people at the time of Jacob's sons.
With poetic words, the Psalmist remarks that God has come to His people, to rescue them and then returned to the heavens with a shout, the sound of a trumpet. Almost like, "it is done." God has ascended with a shout, the Lord, with the sound of a trumpet.
The heart is full of praise. It is overcome with the work of God. I think at times I struggle with this or seeing that God has indeed worked and He is to be praised. It's hard to see sometimes in the world of "want" in which we live. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.
For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a skillful psalm. We are to be instructed through these praises. He is King over all the earth. He is sovereign. He reigns. He is over all. We are amazed. All people should discover this.
The idea here is that God is over all, not necessarily that he reigns over people that are not of faith, but God's dominion is over the entire world. God reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne.
Everyone will come together under the throne of God. All people will be established under His dominion. Everyone will bow down one day. The princes of the people have assembled themselves as the people of the God of Abraham, for the shields of the earth belong to God
Promise: He is highly exalted.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Jesus Calling: January 31
I am your strength and shield. I plan out each day and have it ready for you, long before you arise from bed. I also provide the strength you need each step of the way. Instead of assessing your energy level and wondering about what's on the road ahead, concentrate on staying in touch with Me. My Power flows freely into you through our open communication. Refuse to waste energy worrying, and you will have strength to spare.Psalm 28:7
Whenever you start to feel afraid, remember that I am your Shield. But unlike inanimate armor, I am always alert and active. My Presence watches over you continually, protecting you from both known and unknown dangers. Entrust yourself to My watch-care, which is the best security system available. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.
English Standard Version
The LORD is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him.
Matthew 6:34
English Standard Version
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Psalm 56:3-4
English Standard Version
When I am afraid,
I put my trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
What can flesh do to me?
Genesis 28:15
English Standard Version
Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
My Prayer
You are my strength Lord. I wish I would realize this more each day. My days have so many weak moments when all I need to do is call on You for strength. Like the disciples on the boat with You Jesus as the storm turns violent, too often my focus shifts to the storm instead of remaining on You. You are my shield. You are the Protector of me, protecting me from any harm. Nothing can hit me too hard. Even though Job lost family and belongings, his most important investment--You--remained. Remind me that You are there. I can see You and You are working in me throughout these moments in life that I often am struggling with.
Lord, you have set this day in motion. It's not a surprise to You or a mystery, so therefore, help me to walk in You, in Christ. I want to remain with You, in touch with You. Remove worry from my life, and let me rest in You. "Don't you worry, tomorrow will take care of itself, I'm taking care of you." Those are words from Allies, the music group, and it's a reminder that Anxiety and worry are not to be a part of me. If fear rises up in me, I can put my trust in You. When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.
Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.
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