relationships (Psalm 51:1-19) Our Constant Help

(Psalm 51:1-19)   Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithfulness;

     According to the greatness of Your compassion, wipe out my wrongdoings.
2   Wash me thoroughly from my guilt 
     And cleanse me from my sin.
3   For I know my wrongdoings,
     And my sin is constantly before me.
4   Against You, You only, I have sinned 
     And done what is evil in Your sight,
     So that You are justified when You speak 
     And blameless when You judge.

5   Behold, I was brought forth in guilt,
     And in sin my mother conceived me.
6   Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being,
     And in secret You will make wisdom known to me.
7   Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
     Cleanse me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8   Let me hear joy and gladness,
     Let the bones You have broken rejoice.
9   Hide Your face from my sins 
     And wipe out all my guilty deeds.

10 Create in me a clean heart, God,
     And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence,
     And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
     And sustain me with a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach wrongdoers Your ways,
     And sinners will be converted to You.

14 Save me from the guilt of bloodshed, God, the God of my salvation;
     Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness.
15 Lord, open my lips,
     So that my mouth may declare Your praise.
16 For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it;
     You do not take pleasure in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
     A broken and a contrite heart, God, You will not despise.

18 By Your favor do good to Zion;
     Build the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices,
     In burnt offering and whole burnt offering;
     Then bulls will be offered on Your altar.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

This psalm so very clearly lays out the gospel message!!!   We are all born into sin and are guilty.  Our sin is against God and separates us from God.  As He is holy, He cannot have a relationship with sin.  And anything a person tries to say, do or sacrifice to earn their way to heaven, would never measure up.  In that sinful state, a person will stand before the Lord to be judged for all their sins committed.  But because God desires that all come to know Him personally, He prepared a way.  He, the Lord Jesus, is the only way!  Jesus became the perfect, spotless sacrifice, to pay for sin, for all people, of all time.

All we have to do is go before the Lord with a broken, contrite, humble heart and repent.  The Lord is faithful to forgive, and then chooses to not remember our sins.  Our account is wiped clean, so when we get to heaven and stand before Him, all He will see is the righteousness of Jesus.  Therefore, we will not be judged for any sins, but believers will be judged for their good deeds done with right motives... which is to do things with God's help, in His strength and wisdom, in His will, all to His glory.

That might sound difficult and even impossible to do, but the amazing thing is that not only does God want to save us, He wants to do things FOR us as we continue striving in a close relationship with Him.  Therefore, as soon as we become a believer, we receive His indwelling Holy Spirit, who changes us from the inside out.  As verse 14 says, we can ask the Lord to do and say things FOR us... even to sing joyfully!  And especially, He will help us share this good news with others!

God's Holy Spirit is always with His children to guide, motivate and convict us.  He is always there to help.  And He will never leave us...

(Ephesians 1:13-14)  In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of the promise, 14 who is a first installment of our inheritance, in regard to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.

(Ephesians 2:8-9)  For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

relationships (Psalm 50:1-23) the Perfection of Beauty

(Psalm 50:1-23)   The Mighty One, God, the Lord, has spoken 

     And summoned the earth, from the rising of the sun to its setting.
2   Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,
     God has shone.
3   May our God come and not keep silent;
     Fire devours before Him,
     And a storm is violently raging around Him.
4   He summons the heavens above,
     And the earth, to judge His people:
5  “Gather My godly ones to Me,
     Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.”
6   And the heavens declare His righteousness,
     For God Himself is judge. Selah 

7  “Hear, My people, and I will speak;
     Israel, I will testify against you;
     I am God, your God.
8   I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices,
     And your burnt offerings are continually before Me.
9   I will not take a bull from your house,
     Nor male goats from your folds.
10 For every animal of the forest is Mine,
     The cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know every bird of the mountains,
     And everything that moves in the field is Mine.
12 If I were hungry I would not tell you,
     For the world is Mine, and everything it contains.
13 Shall I eat the flesh of bulls 
     Or drink the blood of male goats?
14 Offer God a sacrifice of thanksgiving 
     And pay your vows to the Most High;
15 Call upon Me on the day of trouble;
     I will rescue you, and you will honor Me.”

16 But to the wicked God says,
    “What right do you have to tell of My statutes 
     And to take My covenant in your mouth?
17 For you yourself hate discipline,
     And you throw My words behind you.
18 When you see a thief, you become friends with him,
     And you associate with adulterers.
19 You let your mouth loose in evil,
     And your tongue harnesses deceit.
20 You sit and speak against your brother;
     You slander your own mother’s son.
21 These things you have done and I kept silent;
     You thought that I was just like you;
     I will rebuke you and present the case before your eyes.

22 “Now consider this, you who forget God,
     Or I will tear you in pieces, and there will be no one to save you.
23 He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me;
     And to him who sets his way properly 
     I will show the salvation of God.”

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

This psalm is prophetic.  But for this present age, we can see the gospel message within this passage.  Verse 5 might seem like this is for the Jews only, since they made a covenant with God through sacrifice.  God had Abraham split the animals in half to make the covenant, but God put Abraham in a sleep and God alone walked through the sacrificed animals.  Just as God supplied the sacrifice when He tested Abraham, asking him to sacrifice his only son.  And just as God provided the ultimate sacrifice with His only Son, Jesus, since salvation is only possible through sacrifice and making a covenant.

Jesus' work on the cross provided the new covenant so that salvation would be possible for all people - past, present and future.  Jesus is the only way.  By accepting Jesus as our personal Savior, we accept the sacrifice that He made on the cross on our behalf, and we make that covenant with God - or rather - God makes that covenant with us.  And as verse 14 says, all that God desires from us is our sincere hearts, which is a sacrifice of thanksgiving.  And why would we not, since His salvation rescues us!  A personal relationship with the Lord Jesus is the perfection of beauty!

relationships (Psalm 49:1-20) Worthless or Priceless?

(Psalm 49:1-20)  Hear this, all peoples;

     Listen, all inhabitants of the world,
2   Both low and high,
     Rich and poor together.
3   My mouth will speak wisdom,
     And the meditation of my heart will be understanding.
4   I will incline my ear to a proverb;
     I will express my riddle on the harp.

5   Why should I fear in days of adversity,
     When the injustice of those who betray me surrounds me,
6   Those who trust in their wealth 
     And boast in the abundance of their riches?
7   No one can by any means redeem another 
     Or give God a ransom for him—
8   For the redemption of his soul is priceless,
     And he should cease imagining forever—
9   That he might live on eternally,
     That he might not undergo decay.

10 For he sees that even wise people die;
     The foolish and the stupid alike perish 
     And leave their wealth to others.
11 Their inner thought is that their houses are forever 
     And their dwelling places to all generations;
     They have named their lands after their own names.
12 But man in his splendor will not endure;
     He is like the animals that perish.

13 This is the way of those who are foolish,
      And of those after them who approve their words. Selah 
14 Like sheep they sink down to Sheol;
     Death will be their shepherd;
     And the upright will rule over them in the morning,
     And their form shall be for Sheol to consume 
     So that they have no lofty home.
15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol,
     For He will receive me. Selah 

16 Do not be afraid when a person becomes rich,
     When the splendor of his house is increased;
17 For when he dies, he will take nothing with him;
     His wealth will not descend after him.
18 Though while he lives he congratulates himself—
     And though people praise you when you do well for yourself—
19 He will go to the generation of his fathers;
     They will never see the light.
20 Mankind in its splendor, yet without understanding,
     Is like the animals that perish.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

There are many deceptions in this world that prevent people from seeing Truth, or wanting to see Truth.  Although people's efforts and "good" deeds are as worthless rags, Satan wants us to believe that we are worthless and beyond help, so why or how could God possibly care?  And/or, Satan wants us to believe that we can earn our way to some sort of heaven, in our own efforts and "good" deeds, so why would we even need God's help?  As well, Satan would want us to believe that there is no God, or that there are many different ways to God, and/or there are many gods.

When people accept the theory of evolution or the idea of reincarnation or the religion of veganism, they have to assess and compare their own worth to other creatures.  For people to believe that they are "evolved", they would see themselves as being just a little more valuable than animals.  And for people to believe in reincarnation or veganism, they would have to see themselves as being on the same level as animals, and sometimes even a little lower than animals. 

Notice, it doesn't say anywhere in the Bible that Jesus died so that animals could be saved and have everlasting life, because animals do not have souls, and animals cannot make meaningful choices.  But God created us with one huge difference... we have been created with souls, with the sole purpose of being filled with the Lord in order to have a personal relationship with Him.  And God desires to have a personal relationship with each and every one of us.  Verses 8 and 15 say that because the cost of redemption and salvation is priceless, only God is willing and able to save us.  

Redemption and salvation and eternal life is a free gift to anyone who chooses to believe in Jesus.  No one could every pay enough or work enough to earn that.  And the only thing it costs us - is our pride!!!  It takes a humble and open heart to realize we are sinners in need of forgiveness, and accept and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and His work on the cross.  Then, at that very moment, Jesus clothes us with His righteousness and changes us from the inside out, as the Holy Spirit enters one's soul and seals it for all eternity.  

This is a decision that all people, rich or poor, must make.  And when we choose to become a believer, the proof of our faith will be how we live in God's will.  As we ask the Lord to work in and through us, our good deeds will be made worthy when they are done in the righteousness of Jesus.  For these things, He will reward us.

relationships (Psalm 48:1-14) Having a Positive Outlook

(Psalm 48:1-14)   Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised 

     In the city of our God, His holy mountain.
2   Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth,
     Is Mount Zion in the far north,
     The city of the great King.
3   In its palaces,
     God has made Himself known as a stronghold.

4   For, behold, the kings arrived,
     They passed by together.
5   They saw it, then they were amazed;
     They were terrified, they fled in a hurry.
6   Panic seized them there,
     Anguish, as that of a woman in childbirth.
7   With the east wind 
     You smash the ships of Tarshish.
8   Just as we have heard, so have we seen 
     In the city of the Lord of armies, in the city of our God;
     God will establish her forever. Selah 

9   We have thought over Your goodness, God,
     In the midst of Your temple.
10 As is Your name, God,
     So is Your praise to the ends of the earth;
     Your right hand is full of righteousness.
11 Mount Zion shall be glad,
     The daughters of Judah shall rejoice 
     Because of Your judgments.
12 Walk around Zion and encircle her;
     Count her towers;
13 Consider her ramparts;
     Go through her palaces,
     So that you may tell of her to the next generation.
14 For such is God,
     Our God forever and ever;
     He will lead us until death.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

God is faithful in leading His children in His righteousness.  We can see how God looked after His people in the past, we can see how He does so right now, so we can know that He will in the future.  To think about and remember His goodness helps us to be thankful and confident in the Lord.  It also helps us to be ready to praise the Lord and tell other people the good news.  

When we focus on God's goodness and righteousness, our outlook on life will be more positive and encouraging to ourselves as well as to others.  It is God who works in our hearts so He can work through us.  Therefore, let us remember to clothe ourselves everyday with Jesus' faithful righteousness.

relationships (Psalm 47:1-19) Reverent Fear Includes Exaltation

(Psalm 47:1-9)   Clap your hands, all you peoples;

     Shout to God with a voice of joy.
2   For the Lord Most High is to be feared,
     A great King over all the earth.
3   He subdues peoples under us 
     And nations under our feet.
4   He chooses our inheritance for us,
     The pride of Jacob whom He loves. Selah  

5   God has ascended with a shout,
     The Lord, with the sound of a trumpet.
6   Sing praises to God, sing praises;
     Sing praises to our King, sing praises.
7   For God is the King of all the earth;
     Sing praises with a psalm of wisdom.
8   God reigns over the nations,
     God sits on His holy throne.
9   The princes of the people have assembled as the people of the God of Abraham,
     For the shields of the earth belong to God;
     He is highly exalted.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

There are prophecies in this psalm, but for the time being, what stands out for me is that we can have an inner joy just knowing that God is Sovereign.  He is exalted... above everything.  And so, to be a believer, and as a believer, our hearts will have a reverent fear which includes a personal desire to exalt the Lord above all else.  Jesus Christ the Lord God should be first in our lives!  And because He is holy and generous, we should be compelled to gather together, to shout out and sing praises to Him!!!

relationships (Psalm 46:1-11) Stop Striving and Know

(Psalm 46:1-11) God is our refuge and strength,

     A very ready help in trouble.
2   Therefore we will not fear, though the earth shakes 
     And the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
3   Though its waters roar and foam,
     Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah 

4   There is a river whose streams make the city of God happy,
     The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
5   God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;
     God will help her when morning dawns.
6   The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered;
     He raised His voice, the earth quaked.
7   The Lord of armies is with us;
     The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah 

8   Come, behold the works of the Lord,
     Who has inflicted horrific events on the earth.
9   He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;
     He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
     He burns the chariots with fire.
10 “Stop striving and know that I am God;
     I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted on the earth.”
11 The Lord of armies is with us;
     The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah 

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Here is another prophecy on the end times within this passage.  But for the time being, there will be natural disasters, and there will be wars, yet we are only to fear the Lord!  The answer to everything - is to fear and know the Lord!  The thing that stands out to me is the command to: stop striving and know!  We can know - because God's works are seen in His word, and we can see His works all around, even right now.  We can trust in the Lord completely, for absolutely everything.

What could we possibly do to fix the enormous problems around us with our puny strength and our very limited knowledge?  Why would we even try - when we know that God is all-powerful and all-knowing!  We can rest in Him and experience an inner peace just knowing that God wants to take care of us!  He can and He will!!!  And to the Sovereign Lord, the enormous things are but very tiny things.  

Dysfunctional families?  Civil unrest?  Wars?  Climate change?  In God's timing, in His will, all to His glory, in the Lord's strength and wisdom, being a believer - is to "be" a believer.  Ask that God do things FOR us, because we can trust that He will.  Trust implies that we can then rest easy in Him.  We do not have to fear or worry.  We are to enjoy our personal relationship with the Lord!  Stop striving and know...

relationships (Psalm 45:1-17) What and Who Do We Honor?

(Psalm 45:1-17)  My heart is moved with a good theme;

     I address my verses to the King;
     My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
2   You are the most handsome of the sons of mankind;
     Grace is poured upon Your lips;
     Therefore God has blessed You forever.

3   Strap Your sword on Your thigh, Mighty One,
     In Your splendor and majesty!
4   And in Your majesty ride on victoriously,
     For the cause of truth, humility, and righteousness;
     Let Your right hand teach You awesome things.
5   Your arrows are sharp;
     The peoples fall under You;
     Your arrows are in the heart of the King’s enemies.

6   Your throne, God, is forever and ever;
     The scepter of Your kingdom is a scepter of justice.
7   You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
     Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You
     With the oil of joy above Your companions.
8   All Your garments are fragrant with myrrh, aloes, and cassia;
     From ivory palaces stringed instruments have made You joyful.
9   Kings’ daughters are among Your noble women;
     At Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir.

10 Listen, daughter, look and incline your ear:
     Forget your people and your father’s house;
11 Then the King will crave your beauty.
     Because He is your Lord, bow down to Him.
12 The daughter of Tyre will come with a gift;
     The wealthy among the people will seek your favor.

13 The King’s daughter is all glorious within;
     Her clothing is interwoven with gold.
14 She will be brought to the King in colorful garments;
     The virgins, her companions who follow her,
     Will be brought to You.
15 They will be brought with joy and rejoicing;
     They will enter into the King’s palace.

16 In place of your fathers will be your sons;
     You shall make them princes in all the earth.
17 I will make Your name known among all generations;
     Therefore the peoples will praise You forever and ever.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Understand that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder".  Isaiah chapter 53 gives us a prophecy of the first time the Lord Jesus came to earth in flesh.  It describes Him as having no admirable position in society, and His appearance wasn't pleasing.  People despised Him for who He was... because He wasn't what they wanted, so they would have seen Him as "ugly and undesirable".  

Just as God doesn't look at a person's outward appearance, but looks at our heart, for those whose have eyes to see, (I believe) we see the beauty and the majesty, no matter what He actually looks like.  And even though He was born into poverty, we know that He is the King of kings, who created all things, and all things belong to Him.

The passage above is prophetic.  The queen represents the Church, the bride of Christ  (Revelation 19:7).  The Church includes all those who choose to believe in Christ leading up to the time of the "rapture", which is the original Greek word used to define being "caught up" into heaven   (1 Thessalonians 4:17). 

The daughter represents the Israelites who become believers during the Tribulation.  The virgins who are also honored to attend the wedding feast of the bride and Groom (aka the Millennium) represents all the rest of the people who become believers during the Tribulation  (Matthew 25:1-13).

When Jesus comes back to earth at the end of the Tribulation to fight the battle of Armageddon, He will be victorious and lead all those who have become believers into the Millennium.  Jesus will set up His kingdom and fulfill all covenants.  The Israelites will serve under Him to govern the earth.  Many people will be born during the thousand year reign, and they will have to make a decision to accept Jesus as their personal King, Lord and Savior.  

King David became a believer at a young age, and so, he saw the beauty of the Lord, and was "ready".  And in this passage he implores people to do the same.  And still, this message is relevant and applicable right now!  Do we see true beauty?  And are we ready?  Is Jesus our personal King, Lord and Savior, who we praise, worship and give honor, above all else?