Psalm 60

Much of the history of Israel can be characterized as a journey through peaks and valleys. Moses was on the peak when he met God on the mountain and received the Ten Commandments. He then returned to the valley, and found the people engaged in pagan rituals. Jesus had similar experiences in His life. He went from encountering God in His baptism, to being led by the Holy Spirit into the Wilderness. He went from celebrating the joy of a wedding with His friends in Cana, to being rejected by his home town friends in Nazareth. Such is the ebb and flow of life.

Sometimes our journey through valleys can be life altering. Henry Blackby, in his book, Experiencing God, says our journey through the valleys of life are always accompanied by a crisis of belief because, for the Christian, what you do next reveals what you truly believe about God. In Psalm 60 Israel is in the valley and the psalmist is having a crisis of belief. In the midst of his crisis the psalmist turns to God and verses 11-12 reveal his belief that his future is securely in God’s hands:

“Oh, please help us against our enemies,

    for all human help is useless.

With God’s help we will do mighty things,

    for he will trample down our foes.”

In John 16 Jesus said the Holy Spirit will “guide you into all truth” and “He will tell you about the future.” The Holy Spirit guides and teaches through scripture. The more scripture you read and study, the more resources the Holy Spirit has for teaching, leading and guiding you into God’s plans for you.” As you prepare for life’s inevitable crises of belief, remember God’s plans are “for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Sē’lah

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What word or phrase in today’s reading of the Psalms

 attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

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Reading for July 1, 2012            Psalm 61

Psalm 59

I grew up in a very safe and secure environment. My father served in the US Air Force, and all the way through high school I lived on or near Air Force bases. The reality of a hostile world burst our Norman Rockwell life with the onset of the Cuban Missile Crisis followed one year later by the assassination of President Kennedy. The Gulf of Tonkin incident in Viet Nam occurred the summer I graduated from high school, and thus began the rapid expansion of US military forces in Southeast Asia. The violence between nations led to violence and rebellion within nations, including the assassination of several national leaders in the US. Now, decades later, and given the vitriolic discourse in Congress, it is surprising violence has not yet assaulted the legislative chambers. While the message and language of Psalm 59 may seem dated and belonging to another era, it could have well been written in our country, even last week.

Because Psalm 59 is applicable to so many people, figuratively, if not literally, it serves as a reminder that the child of God always has options. We do not have to cower in fear. We do not have to return violence for violence, insult for insult, and hate for hate. We can sing with the psalmist, “Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress” (Psalm 59:16b).

Psalm 59 is also a reminder that “we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). Although the purpose of evil is to steal and kill and destroy, Jesus has overcome the forces of evil (John 10:10, 16:33). Therefore, Jesus said, “Pray like this:

Our Father in heaven,

    may your name be kept holy.

May your Kingdom come soon.

May your will be done on earth,

    as it is in heaven.

Give us today the food we need,

and forgive us our sins,

    as we have forgiven those who sin against us.

And don’t let us yield to temptation,

    but rescue us from the evil one.”

Matthew 6:9-13 (Emphasis Added)

Sē’lah

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What word or phrase in today’s reading of the Psalms

 attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

<><  <><  <><  <><

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Reading for June 30, 2012         Psalm 60

Psalm 58

For the followers of Christ who are seeking to live in the grace of New Life, Psalm 58 presents a bit of a challenge. Although it was by grace that Israel was chosen to be God’s people and it was by grace that David was selected by God to be King, the people of ancient Israel pretty much lived by reward and punishment: “Then at last everyone will say, “There truly is a reward for those who live for God” (Psalm 58: 11a)

However, we need to remember that there is not a nickels worth of difference between us and the born sinners, snakes, and snails of Psalm 58, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” (Romans 3:23). However, Jesus took upon himself all of the sin described in Psalm 58: “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners” (Romans 5:6).

As Christ followers, Psalm 58 can help us remember that we always need to hold onto the grace that saved us. And, when we do yield to the temptations of sin, we can rush to God, remembering, “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (1 John 1:9).

Psalm 58 is also a call to remember that there will be a final judgment; “For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body” (1 Corinthians 5:10). How many people do you know that are not living in the saving grace of Jesus? Perhaps today is a good day to renew, or begin, your prayers for them. Ask God to show you how you can be a positive influence in their life. Let God use you as His prevenient grace to draw them to His unfailing love.

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

What word or phrase in today’s reading of the Psalms

 attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

<><  <><  <><  <><

These meditations are available by email. Contact me at Amkrom812@gmail.com to be added to the email list.

This BLOG is also available on Amazon Kindle, by subscription

Reading for June 29, 2012         Psalm 59

Psalm 57

The setting for Psalm 57 is David seeking refuge in a cave while being pursued by King Saul’s army. Part of David was cowering in the corner of the cave, in fear of certain death. Part of David was seeking shelter in the arms of God. The closing lines of the psalm affirm David was vindicated in his trust of God: “I will thank you, Lord, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations. For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth” (Psalm 57:9-11).

As we Seek to make the Life in Christ our Way of Life, how can we apply Psalm 57 to our journey? Was David’s praise of God the result of his favored status? Yes. But, we too have the same favored status: “you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory” (Romans 8:15b-17a). Few of us will ever be pursued by a hostile army. True, but we all are threatened by crime, hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters. Paul does not ignore this truth; “But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering” (Romans 8:17b). Nevertheless, “overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us” (Romans 8:37b).

When I read Psalm 57 I remember the compelling story of Louis Zamperini, as told by Laura Hillenbrand in her best-selling book, Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption. Adrift in the Pacific Ocean after his airplane crashed, Louis cried out to God much like David’s plea, “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection.” Louie’s prayer also included his promise, which was similar to David’s; “I will thank you, Lord, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations” (Psalm 57:1a, 9). After he was captured, Louis suffered extreme brutality for several years as a POW. He was rescued when the war ended, a few days before his captors had scheduled his execution as a means to hide their atrocities. God did not abandon Louis, and at the age of 95 Louis is still singing God’s praises among the nations.

Choose this day to let David’s story, and Louis’ story, inspire you to always look to God for protection; to always hide beneath the shadow of God’s wings.

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

What word or phrase in today’s reading of the Psalms

 attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

<><  <><  <><  <><

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Reading for June 28, 2012         Psalm 58

Psalm 56

God. Say this out loud: “God!” What thoughts or images come to your mind?

One statement that helps me articulate the multifaceted nature of God is in the Modern Affirmation: “We believe in God the Father, infinite in wisdom, power and love, whose mercy is over all His works, and whose will is ever directed to His children's good” (The United Methodist Hymnal, Nr. 885). I believe the personal lament in Psalm 56 affirms all the attributes of God contained in this affirmation. The psalmist is trusting in the wisdom and power of God to be sufficient to help him. He is also affirming the very personal relationship he has with his God of mercy, power and love. And, he is resting in the sure knowledge that he is God’s child.

What thoughts or images came to your mind as you said out loud, “God”? If your thoughts of God were not of your Abba Father and His unfailing personal love for you, then spend some time mediating on these verses from Psalm 56:

You keep track of all my sorrows.

    You have collected all my tears in your bottle.

    You have recorded each one in your book.

This I know: God is on my side!

For you have rescued me from death;

    you have kept my feet from slipping.

So now I can walk in your presence, O God,

    in your life-giving light.

Psalm 56: 8, 9b, 13

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

What word or phrase in today’s reading of the Psalms

 attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

<><  <><  <><  <><

These meditations are available by email. Contact me at Amkrom812@gmail.com to be added to the email list.

This BLOG is also available on Amazon Kindle, by subscription.

Reading for June 27, 2012         Psalm 57