Seeking the Life in Christ: August 2022

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

As The Deer Panteth

Meditations on Christ in the Psalms

August 31, 2022

As The Deer Panteth

As the deer longs for streams of water,

so I long for you, O God.

Psalm 42:1

Psalm 42 begins a new section of the Psalms. All but four of Psalms 1-41 are attributed to David. We are not sure of the specific identity of the psalmist in this next section. In the first section God was addressed as Yahweh, LORD, which is the intimate, personal name for God. In this next section, God is addressed as Elohim, which is the traditional Jewish view for the name of God as the Creator and Judge of the universe. The change in the name for God is indicative of the many perspectives from which we can view or understand God’s nature. There is the ethical view, which understands God as the Creator and giver of life. This view calls forth the acknowledgement of our responsibility to be good stewards of God’s creation, and that as all people are created by God, we have a responsibility to treat all people with respect. As God is the giver of life, our response to receiving God’s gifts is to generously share God’s gifts with others.

There is also a more personal and intimate perspective in our approach to God. Together, the names Elohim and Yahweh can lead us to affirm with Saint Augustine that we have a God-shaped vacuum within, and we will not be at peace until we allow God to fill the vacuum. Psalm 42 reminds me that God created me with the needs to be loved, accepted, and valued, and only God can fulfill these needs.

My Takeaway: I think of the well-known praise and worship song, As the Deer. (Marty Nystrom) when I read Psalm 42. Often, I incorporate the words of this song into my personal prayers.

As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after You
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You

You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You

As the Deer

Marty Nystrom

Yes and Amen!

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life. The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, August 30, 2022

Reality Psalms

Meditations on Christ in the Psalms

August 30, 2022

Reality Psalms

Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,

who lives from everlasting to everlasting.

Amen and amen!

Psalm 41:13

The Bible, especially the Book of Psalms, presents the reality of living in a world fractured and broken by sin. The psalms do not hide or deny sin, evil and a world hostile to God. Over and against the reality of this world, the Psalms present God the Father, who is ever seeking to repair the breech in His creation, whose mercies never come to an end, and whose love and faithfulness are sufficient to meet our every need.

In Psalm 41, the psalmist is struggling with his own sin, his illness, the hostility of his enemies and the betrayal of his friends. Welcome to “Reality Psalms.” In the face of this crisis, the psalmist cries out to God with an expectation that God will be his deliverer, his healer, his protector. He goes to God expecting to receive forgiveness and the blessing of dwelling in the presence of God, eternally.

Like the psalmist, we get to choose this day how we want to live. We can choose to deny the sin and evil in this world. We can choose to accept the reality of living in a broken world and live in despair. Or we can choose God. We can choose to run to God with an expectation that God will be our deliverer, our healer, our protector. We can go to God expecting to receive forgiveness and the blessing of dwelling in the presence of God, eternally.

Ny Takeaway: We get to choose. “. . . Choose today whom you will serve. But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Monday, August 29, 2022

The LORD is Great!

Meditations on Christ in the Psalms

August 29, 2022

The LORD is Great!

But may all who search for you

be filled with joy and gladness in you.

May those who love your salvation

repeatedly shout, “The LORD is great!”

Psalm 40:16

When reading the psalms of David, I find it helpful to remember James Moore’s book, When You're a Christian... the Whole World Is from Missouri. David was God’s anointed; he was a leader. He was watched closely by his followers, and his detractors, alike. Christians are also closely observed by others. Moore’s book has the sub-title, Living the Life of Faith in a "Show Me" World.” While Missouri may be the "Show Me" state, for Christians, it is the whole world that says, "If you're a Christian, then show me!" Christians, in the normal course of life, can experience many of the same feelings of the psalmist.

In Psalm 40, David is agonizing over both his own sinful failures, and the persecution by his enemies. How did he respond to these issues? He spends the first two-thirds of the psalm remembering the faithfulness of God! In verses 6-8, He recalls the substance of worship. In verses 9-10, he recalls the foundation of faith-sharing. Then, he lifts his confession and petitions to God’s throne of mercy.

My Takeaway: The passage in verses 13-17 is repeated in Psalm 70 because it became a regular part of the liturgical worship of God by Israel. Perhaps you will want to remember parts of this passage in your prayers, and then you can join the psalmist is singing:

“As for me, since I am poor and needy,
let the Lord keep me in his thoughts.
You are my helper and my savior.
O my God, do not delay.”

Psalm 40:17

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Friday, August 26, 2022

My Hope Is In You Lord

Meditations on Christ in the Psalms

August 26, 2022

My Hope Is In You Lord

And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?

My only hope is in you.

Psalm 39:7

Alcoholics Anonymous and other twelve-step programs adopted a prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr that has become known as The Serenity Prayer:

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.

Courage to change the things I can.

And wisdom to know the difference.”

This is a good prayer for all of us, because Christians are always challenged with knowing what God expects us to do, and what God wants us to let Him do. This is the great dichotomy of the Christian life, and God’s wisdom is needed to understand the application of the Apostle Paul’s assertion, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). Perhaps a better way of making that statement is, “I can do everything God wants me to, through Christ who gives me strength.”

The Psalmist was well-intentioned; he did not want to sin with his words. His solution was simple; to avoid saying something sinful, he wouldn’t say anything at all. His plan came crashing down when he realized he couldn’t refrain from speaking good. (The Prophet Jeremiah, and many others, including me, have experienced this same truth: “But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!” (Jeremiah 20:9)

The psalmist’s frustration leads to his musings about how his failures make him feel so small, as measured against the eternal, infinite majesty of God. His musings lead him to conclude, “And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you” (v.7).

The psalmist wanted to please God and felt a great burden for what he believed he had to do to earn God’s favor. When he failed to measure up to his self-imposed standards, he experienced what he interpreted as punishment from God. Jesus has freed us from having to perform to please God. Our new life in Christ enables us to live in harmony with God where our focus is not on what we have to do to please God; rather, it’s on what we get to do, because we are the beloved children of God. We do not have to live in fear of God because Jesus has accepted the punishment for our sins. God’s discipline is not fearful because it is flowing from the love of Christ, who died for us while we were yet sinners.

My Takeaway: When I mediate on the blessings of living life in Christ, I conclude with the psalmist,

“And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you” (Psalm 39:7).

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Thursday, August 25, 2022

Looking For Love In All The Wrong Places

Meditations on Christ in the Psalms

August 25, 2022

Looking For Love In All The Wrong Places

“Do not abandon me, O LORD.

Do not stand at a distance, my God.

Come quickly to help me,

O Lord my savior”

Psalm 38:21-22

Waylon Jennings’ song, Looking for Love, can be sung through the experience of many, many people: “Playing a fool’s game, hoping to win. Telling those sweet lies and losing again. I was looking for love in all the wrong places.”

All people have needs for love, acceptance and self-worth. God alone can fully, and eternally, meet these needs. Yet we go through life trying to meet our need for love and acceptance through our relationships with others. We try to feel love and acceptance by performing in certain ways or by manipulating other people. But true love is not “I’ll love you if you love me;” it is unconditional. Until you know who you are in Christ, you cannot truly and authentically love others. All you can do is take from others as you try to satisfy your needs for love.

The author of Psalm 38 is sick: not the sickness of a diagnosable physical illness, but the sickness of sin. Perhaps the greatest tragedy of the 21^st Century church is how closed our spirits have become. In an era of entitlement, we have acute feelings of alienation when we don’t get what we want; however, seldom are people aware of their sin sickness that is caused by their seeking from the world what only God can give.

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus quotes Isaiah 42:3, “A bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice” (Matthew 12:20). This is Good News for us. God does not give up on us; “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).

My Takeaway: Therefore, with hope and courage let us cry out to God,

“Do not abandon me, O Lord. Do not stand at a distance, my God. Come quickly to help me, O Lord my savior” (Psalm 38: 21-22).

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Wednesday, August 24, 2022

Your Innocence Radiates Like The Dawn

Meditations on the Psalms

August 24, 2022

Your Innocence Radiates Like The Dawn

Commit everything you do to the Lord.

Trust him, and he will help you.

He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn,

and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.

Psalm 37:5-6

The psalmist, an old and very wise teacher, crafted this psalm as an acrostic poem, the stanzas of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Basically, the psalm is a collection of wise sayings that contrast the lives of the wicked with the lives of those who are faithful to God. The psalmist’s wisdom and experience have taught him that the spoils of the wicked are “like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither” (Psalm 37:2), but the blessings of God are eternal.

The essential message of the psalm is in verses 5-6:

“Commit everything you do to the Lord.

Trust him, and he will help you.

He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn,

and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.”

This is a very profound, yet simple, way to pattern your life. First, you commit your life to God. Second, you exercise faith in God by trusting Him with your life. Third, God will act. The psalmist is not very specific about how God will act, but the description is rather breathtaking. The psalmist is trying to describe the wonder, beauty and awe associated with being in the presence of God. The reward for faithfulness to God is being in perfect peace as you rest in the presence of your Heavenly Father. Seven times the psalmist refers to the blessing of God as, “The godly will possess the land and will live there forever” (Psalm 37:29). This means the reward is eternal.

Our culture bombards us with messages that rewards, and blessings must be tangible and received in the here and now. But God’s blessings are His presence with us, now and forever.

My Takeaway: Because of God’s faithfulness we can sing: “The godly will possess the land and will live there forever” (Psalm 37:29).

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Our Fountain of Life

Meditations on the Psalms

August 23, 2022

Our Fountain of Life

For you are the fountain of life,

the light by which we see.

Psalm 36:9

The parallels between David’s Psalm 36 and modern times are many. In the centuries since the Industrial Revolution, people have grown in their confidence to master their environment. There has developed a growing belief that through the power of human intellect, better government and education, the ills of human society can be cured.

The psalmist declares there are but two alternatives: humanity or divine grace. In the more recent evolution of society, a third alternative has been established. Instead of the “Either / Or” of the psalmist, there is a “Both / And” movement that tries to hold to both a belief in God and confidence in human ability. On the surface, this movement seems to be an appropriate position, but there is a huge problem with the “Both / And” approach.

The “Both / And” approach creates a temptation to dismiss or ignore the parts of Scripture we do not like, or do not understand; and instead, trust our own judgment and intellect. When we do so, we leave the “Both / And” camp and move into the Humanist camp.

Karl Barth is considered by many as the most important theologian of the Twentieth Century. He was in the “Both / And” camp, leaning more to the Humanist approach for solving the world’s problems. Then came WWI and the evidence of human depravity was overwhelming. After a fresh reading of the Book of Romans, Barth aligned himself with the psalmist’s expression of the sovereignty of God.

Living under the sovereignty of God does not ignore human intellect and potential; it affirms that human intellect and potential are fully realized within God’s divine grace and will.

My Takeaway: Thus, we can sing with the psalmist:

Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens;

your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.

Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,

your justice like the ocean depths.

You care for people and animals alike, O Lord.

How precious is your unfailing love, O God!

All humanity finds shelter

in the shadow of your wings.

You feed them from the abundance of your own house,

letting them drink from your river of delights.

For you are the fountain of life,

the light by which we see.

Psalm 36: 5-9

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Monday, August 22, 2022

A Poet Warrior

Meditations on the Psalms

August 22, 2022

A Poet Warrior

O Lord, oppose those who oppose me.

Fight those who fight against me.

Put on your armor, and take up your shield.

Prepare for battle, and come to my aid.

Psalm 35:1-2

King David was an interesting dichotomy: a poet and a warrior. His skills as a poet began to develop during his solitude as a shepherd. His skills as a warrior were thrust upon him, first when he confronted Goliath and later when he was pursued by King Saul. The imagery of battle is intertwined in many of his psalms.

Psalm 35 draws out our empathy and for many, painful memories. We experience empathy because we have known people who were betrayed. Trusted friendships were broken. Those who had been loyal supporters were now conspiring in opposition. While our usual expectations for such turnabouts are in the world of politics, regrettably they are quite common in families, friendships, and even church as well.

Psalm 35 invokes painful memories for the many who have been betrayed through divorce, failed business ventures, or other relationships. The psalmist presents a good pattern for processing our empathy and painful memories: talk to God. Honestly express the depth of our feelings. Trust God. The psalmist pleads for God to avenge; he does not take responsibility for meting out his own justice.

However, the psalmist is writing from the perspective of a poet-warrior living under the Old Covenant. We are living under the redemptive grace of the New Covenant. Therefore, after we have vented to God, we turn to scripture and seek the proper course for the followers of Jesus.

My Takeaway: The Sermon on the Mount is a good place to start:

“But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:44-45a

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Friday, August 19, 2022

O Taste and See That The LORD Is Good

Meditations on the Psalms

August 19, 2022

O Taste and See That The LORD Is Good

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;

he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

Psalm 34:18

The introduction to Psalm 34 refers to the time David was fleeing from King Saul and sought refuge in the land of Abimelech (aka Achish), “And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath" (I Sam. 21:10).

However, David found that he had leaped out of the pan and into the fire and had to use some chicanery to avoid death at the hands of Abimelech.

On first reading, there are several lines that catch my attention: ⁴ I sought the LORD, and he answered me; ⁸ O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him; ¹⁴ Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it; ¹⁷ When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears; and ¹⁸ The LORD is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.

There is also a bit of a paradox with this psalm. Even though the psalmist acknowledges that the righteous will face many afflictions, he says the LORD rescues them from them all. The psalmist paints a pretty rosy picture for those who trust in the LORD; a picture that few of us have experienced in reality. He even writes, “He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken” (v.20). This verse is our cue to remember that we can ask the Holy Spirit to help us discern when to take scripture literally and when scripture is speaking in figurative terms. Here, it is a little of both.

First, the literal. When crucifying a person, the Roman soldiers would often break the leg bones of the victim to hasten death. They started to break Jesus’ bones but stopped. Jesus fulfilled Psalm 34:20.

Although the children of God will face many afflictions, persecutions and even death, the LORD has rescued us. God has forgiven our sins and given us new life in Christ. He has given us the Holy Spirit and equipped us with Spiritual armor for our life now. He has rescued us from death and given us eternal life.

The last verse helps us understand the ways God has rescued us: ^“The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned” (Psalm 34:22).

My Takeaway: In Romans 8: 1-2, the Apostle Paul added his “Yes and Amen” to David’s Psalm,

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Thursday, August 18, 2022

The LORD Merely Spoke

Meditations on the Psalms

August 18, 2022

The LORD Merely Spoke

“The LORD merely spoke, and the heavens were created.

He breathed the word, and all the stars were born.”

Psalm 33:6

Psalm 33 is a beautiful hymn of worship. Over and over the psalmist extols the virtues and power of God:

“For the word of the Lord holds true,

and we can trust everything he does.

He loves whatever is just and good;

the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.”

Psalm 33:4-5

And, my favorite:

“The Lord merely spoke,

and the heavens were created.

He breathed the word,

and all the stars were born.”

Psalm 33:6

The psalmist also exposes the folly of those who rely on their own strength, their own wisdom. In a world governed by the notion of survival of the fittest, the Word of God is counter-cultural: “But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love” (v.18).

After I read this psalm, I wondered how the psalmist could have such confidence in God, while living in the reality of a very violent world of competing loyalties and cultures. Then I saw the source of his confidence: prayer. “Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone” (v.22). The psalmist has taken the time to think, to ponder, to meditate on the character of God. Then he formulated a prayer that asked God to manifest His character in the life of the psalmist: “Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone” (Psalm 33:22).

The psalmist’s hymn praises God, who loves you so much He cannot take His eyes off of you: “The Lord looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race” (Psalm 33:13). This psalm is our invitation to never take our eyes or our mind off God, because “the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love” (Psalm 33:18).

My Takeaway: Let us say with the psalmist,

“We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield”

Psalm 33:20

Sē’lah

<>< <>< <>< <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Nothing But a Cry for Mercy

Meditations on the Psalms

August 17, 2022

Nothing But a Cry for Mercy

Then I acknowledged my sin to you,

and I did not hide my iniquity;

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”

and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Sē’lah

Psalm 32:5 (NRSV)

Many years ago, in my law enforcement career, I met a teenage boy who was the victim of an assault. Several years later, I heard he was facing many criminal charges and that his life was a mess. In his despair, he had tried to take his own life, and I visited him in the hospital. In our visit, I shared with him how God had been working in my life, and I encouraged him to not give up. As we prayed together, I felt his tears dropping on my hands.

The next day, he called me. He said that after our visit, he had taken the Gideon Bible off the bedside table and opened it. The first passage he saw was Psalm 32. As we talked, it was clear my friend was experiencing the joy of those “whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered,” and the happiness of “those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity” (Psalm 32:1-2 NRSV). My friend had absolutely nothing he could offer God, nothing but a cry for mercy, based on Christ’s love for him. He cried out, God forgave him and crowned him with new life in Christ.

My friend, Bud Harkey, was a student at Asbury College in 1970 when God moved in a mighty way, and many, many lives were transformed. He told me the igniting point was when a member of the Asbury community confessed her sin and cried out to God for forgiveness. After that there were Chapel services, for weeks, where students would give their witness. They would talk about how God was dealing with them about sin in their life, and then they told how God had brought forgiveness and restoration. Then somebody in the audience would say, ‘that’s like me,’ and then that person would come under conviction and come forward and kneel at the altar.

My young friend’s experience was the same. He humbly, authentically, confessed his sin to God and cried out for forgiveness, and then he experienced forgiveness and restoration. Many churches try desperately to connect to their community, to get their neighbors to come to church. Perhaps, if those churches first got on their faces and humbly, authentically, confessed their sin to God and cried out for forgiveness, perhaps God would move, not only in their lives, but their community as well.

My Takeaway: No, not perhaps. Pray, trust Psalm 32, and God will fulfill His Word:

It is the same with my word.

I send it out, and it always produces fruit.

It will accomplish all I want it to,

and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

Isaiah 55:11

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

The Intimacy of Parent and Child

Meditations on the Psalms

August 16, 2022

The Intimacy of Parent and Child

Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe. You are my rock and my fortress. For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger”

Psalm 31:2b-3

Sometimes, when Jesus quoted scripture, he added his own interpretation. We saw this in Psalm 8:2, “From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength.” At Matthew 21:16, Jesus quotes this verse saying, “Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself’”

Jesus adds his interpretation to Psalm 31 as well. Verse five states, “Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.” In Jesus’ final cry from the Cross, he quotes this verse as, “‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.’ I noted in my meditation for Psalm 7, that O LORD was a formal, very reverent, rendering of the name of God. On the Cross, Jesus expresses the intimacy of parent and child.

Throughout the Psalm, David is expressing his trust in God. Do you notice how David goes immediately from petition to affirmation? “Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe. You are my rock and my fortress. For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger” (Psalm 31:2b-3). David’s foundation for trust is not in his own worthiness to receive God’s care; rather, his foundation is the grace of God.

Repeatedly, David communicates the wonders of trusting in God’s care:

“But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!” My future is in your hands. How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection. Praise the Lord, for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love. He kept me safe. Love the Lord, all you godly ones! For the Lord protects those who are loyal to him. So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!” (Psalm 31:14, 19, 21, 23-24).

My Takeaway: Jesus takes all these gracious expressions for the love and care of God and teaches us to come before God’s throne, as his children, praying, “Our Father, who art in heaven . . .”

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Monday, August 15, 2022

But Joy Comes With The Morning

Meditations on the Psalms

August 15, 2022

But Joy Comes With The Morning

For his anger lasts only a moment,

but his favor lasts a lifetime!

Weeping may last through the night,

but joy comes with the morning.

Psalm 30:5

In my meditation on Psalm 22, I noted that while Jesus was on the Cross, he quoted from Psalms 22 and 31. Because of those quotes, it has been suggested he may have prayed all the psalms from 22-31 while on the Cross. Psalm 30 is certainly a psalm Jesus would have remembered, if not on the Cross, then in his Garden of Gethsemane prayers.

The instructions for the psalm refer to the dedication of the Temple. From about 160 B.C. the Jews included this psalm in their celebration of Hanukkah. Judas Maccabaeus led Israel against a foreign army that had invaded Israel and defeated them. Maccabaeus then led the people to purify the Temple and to hold a festival every year to commemorate the rededication of the Temple. This festival, Hanukkah, which means dedication, is held at a time on the Jewish calendar that is close to our December 25 date.

When David wrote this psalm, he was remembering all the suffering and the feelings of abandonment he experienced during the period King Saul was pursuing him across all of Israel. The people of Israel had very similar feelings under the oppression of the foreign invaders, so this psalm was an appropriate expression of their joy when the yoke of the oppressors was broken.

The author of Hebrews calls us to look “unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). When I read that verse, I immediately think of Psalm 30:5: “Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”

My Takeaway: In times of sickness or distress, Psalm 30 is a very helpful reminder to keep our eyes on Jesus. When we do, we can then sing with the psalmist,

You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.

You have taken away my clothes of mourning

and clothed me with joy,

that I might sing praises to you

and not be silent.

O Lord my God,

I will give you thanks forever!

Psalm 30:11-12

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

As The Deer Panteth

Tuesday, August 30, 2022

Reality Psalms

Monday, August 29, 2022

The LORD is Great!

Friday, August 26, 2022

My Hope Is In You Lord

Thursday, August 25, 2022

Looking For Love In All The Wrong Places

Wednesday, August 24, 2022

Your Innocence Radiates Like The Dawn

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Our Fountain of Life

Monday, August 22, 2022

A Poet Warrior

Friday, August 19, 2022

O Taste and See That The LORD Is Good

Thursday, August 18, 2022

The LORD Merely Spoke

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Nothing But a Cry for Mercy

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

The Intimacy of Parent and Child

Monday, August 15, 2022

But Joy Comes With The Morning

Seeking the Life in Christ

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