Be Still…

Read Psalm 119:25-56

We started unpacking the truths of Psalm 119 in the last post. As I anticipated, the theme of obedience is a common thread in these sections as well.

I think of teaching our dog, Kitana, obedience years ago. Be it known there is debate on whether or not she was actually a dog or really a human just that looked like a dog. She was so devoted to us, and her attention to details and desire to please and obey strikes me as a good picture of what the psalmist describes here.

The examples of obedience and desire to obey are numerous. Do you have any that particularly speak to your heart? I like verse 34, “Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart.” If you are like me, there are times I don’t understand what I’m reading or how it can pertain to us today. In those times, I long for understanding so I can obey. It’s hard to be all in when you’re not clear on the message.

A few verses later, in verse 37, we read, “Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.” That speaks volumes to me today. There are so many things surrounding me that are worthless to the world. That was striking when we downsized for retirement. We attempted to sell or give away many of the items that had been precious to us over the years, and yet the worth or value was next to nothing for others. 

It shouldn’t take downsizing to bring this truth home. The sad thing is we still have a lot of worthless things. Why is there comfort in them? I cry out as the psalmist to help me turn from these things and focus on the life and truth of God’s word.

I’d welcome you to share in the comments what verse is helping you today in being more obedient.

Let’s pray. Father God, I ask you to calm my heart and bring me peace. I am feeling overwhelmed and a bit uneasy. I know you have me securely in your hands. Help me to feel that grip. Give me the assurance and strength to obey and rely on you fully. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Read Psalm 119:1-24

We’re going to  break up this psalm into a few chunks. This is an acrostic Psalm, and each section takes a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet, i.e. Aleph=A, Beth=B, etc. There are 8 verses per section, and it’s my understanding in the original Hebrew, each verse also started with the letter of that section.  (Note to self: go check David’s Hebrew Bible.)

So what are your take-aways from today’s reading?

Is the message different in each alpa section?

Can you see a common theme?

For me, the message I saw coming through loud and strong is “Obedience.” There is a lot of emphasis on obeying the law and following God’s commandments and decrees.

The heart of the psalmist is crying out for help to understand. There is such a longing and desire to follow and obey. I think we have lost that sense of desperation almost, longing fervently to please God with our actions. There is a bit of inspiration here to have that same yearning and closeness to God. We want to know Him and be clear on what his Word tells us. Our devotion needs to rule us as it does the psalmist.

But what if it did? What would such a devoted follower look like today? Would there be ridicule? Would there be persecution? Would there be avoidance? Are we strong enough to withstand? Maybe we need more obedience?

I wasn’t sure what to make of this psalm at first. I am looking forward to the next several sections. If the lesson for the day is obedience, the psalmist is going to do a great job in the verses/sections ahead to show us how to open our hearts. God is already there planting his seeds waiting for them to bloom.

Let’s pray. Lord I feel a bit empowered by your grace and provision. Yet I stand broken and clinging to you. Show me your truths. Guide my feet on your path. Forgive me when I stumble and lose my focus on you. Build in me a fire of yearning for you. I pray this flame also ignite for those I far from you. I praise you today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

 

Read Psalm 118

His faithful love endures forever. Forever is a long time. We can surely put our trust in Him. His love will never fade away, change with the season, move on or be unreliable in any way. So many things in life are temporary. We can enjoy each moment knowing it was only a pinpoint in time.

But God’s love lasts forever and is unchanging. Day after day, our life goes on. How many times do we stop to think about the immensity of time and how our days, numbered as they are, are but a flash in time?

We may be facing some difficult decisions in our lives. Do we forge ahead without giving a thought to what God would choose for us? Verse 5 says, “In my distress I prayed to the Lord, and the Lord answered me and set me free.“ Doesn’t that sound reassuring? To be set free. When uncertainty hovers, remember God will set you free.

Lots of gems here today. What do you think about verse 14? “The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.” I love that assurance, don’t you? So much emphasis is put on winning and being #1 in our world. This promise is quite something. We can all be victorious when we rely on God’s strength. With God we can overcome anything. In the end, we have an eternal home with God because of Jesus’ victory!

What other verses resonate with you today?

Another favorite of mine is verse 22. You may recall this was quoted by Jesus as a reference to himself. “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.” Jesus, of course, is the foundation for our lives. He has given us the “blueprint”. We live to be more like him. This, Jesus as cornerstone, upon which all else is built, is God’s doing.

Finally, verse 24 should be the song on our lips every single day. “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” We have heard this before, and now you know where it comes from–Psalm 118:24.

Every day has been made by God and given to us as a gift. It doesn’t say, “maybe” we should rejoice, or we “can” rejoice, or even we “shall” rejoice”. No, it says we WILL rejoice. Despite sadness, strife or struggle, we WILL rejoice and be glad We will thank God for each new day. Staring a day with thanksgiving on our hearts can make a HUGE difference in how the rest of our day plays out.

Let’s pray. Lord, sometimes it’s hard to rejoice when we face trouble. Help me in those times of darkness to see your light shining. Work in me to trust you fully and completely, relying on your strength and not my own. Thank you for surrounding me with loving friends and family. May I, in return, be loving and supportive. Use me to show others how to love you as you deserve and rejoice in you. Guide me today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Read Psalm 117

What a short psalm! But what a powerful message! I think it noteworthy that this is the “shortest” chapter in the Bible, and the “middle” chapter of the Bible. An accident? I don’t think so. God inspired and directed his Word in such a beautiful way.

The message is clear – “Praise the Lord, all you nations.” All means everyone, not just me and you, our neighbors and the folks we see in church on Sunday. All people on earth. Why? Because God loves us ALL! That can be hard for us to get our minds around, right?

How can God love everybody? We all know people who are definitely NOT lovable. Others whose lives are so messed up. But no matter, God loves them, too. Unfailing love and faithfulness forever is how God works.

Not one of us can say,”the Lord wasn’t there for me” or “God has never done anything for me before.” He was there, perhaps we didn’t see him. This chapter contradicts those claims in a big way.

Remember this psalm. It’s short. It’s powerful. It sums up truth in a nice little package. It may come in handy for you to use when witnessing to others included in the “all” who don’t yet know God.

Think for a moment what this world would look like if EVERYONE was praising God. I want to stay in this moment, how about you? With reports of shootings, kidnappings, ritualistic atrocities, and war, not to mention what is happening privately in our own homes and communities, such a world would be like heaven. When I think of what is actually happening around us, a movement away from God, I am more than saddened.

God’s ideal for us and from us is not being met. How can we change this? Can we start a ripple where we are?

We can live our own lives pleasing God and praising him with our words and actions. We can encourage those around us, lead by example and start the movement back toward God. What can you be doing now within your circle of influence to start this movement?

Let’s pray. Father, help me love like you love and walk by faith. Help me to see the needs of others and help them where they are to grow closer to you. Help me not to judge as that is not my place. Fill me with your compassion that I might walk with grace to spread the truth about you in the darkness of this world. Give me courage to speak and be your light. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Read Psalm 116

We are all in a different place on our journey of faith. We can walk together, but we may be in different places on our path when we do. It’s good to be in community with each other and helpful to remember this.

This psalmist is at a good place in his or her walk. She (and I don’t know if this is a male or female writer, but there seems to be a “feminine” voice here–to me at least) has had prayers answered, received healing, experiences joy, and salvation. She feels close to the Lord and grateful for her place in his world. The trick is to feel this same connection when things aren’t so dandy.

We tend to over think our faith at times. We need or expect to see some result to our prayers. Too often we miss the blessing or answer because we are so busy expected a different response. When you think back, can you an example of this in your own life?

We need to have a childlike faith so we can be protected. It will also help us to be more open to God’s direction if we approach him with a more childlike attitude. What do I mean by this? Think of how a young child responds to a parent. There is a lot of trust and respect going on. A youngster hasn’t learned how to walk or how to tie their shoes, so there is a dependence and reliance on the parent to help. We need to up our level of respect of God in such a way. He deserves it after all. He is in charge of all that is.

To have the same joy and trust in the Lord as our psalmist does is attainable and can be ours, too. We need to allow ourselves to let it happen. Yes, I said it. Let it happen. If we look for God with an open heart, ready for him to move, he will, and we will see him. God is moving. Still. Today. We are often just moving in a sideways motion, maybe even at a standstill, not looking in the right direction to find God.

Take a moment now to close your eyes and picture yourself in the presence of God. Taking slow and intentional breaths, shut out the noise and distraction of the day. Is God speaking to you? Are his arms open wide? Be still. Listen. Connect. Be held.

Let’s pray. Father, I come to you as your child with my arms open wide. Hold me close. Your embrace is so warm and safe. Don’t let me go. I yearn to know you more. Help me to set aside my own desires, if they are not in line with what you want for me. Walk with me this day. Open my eyes to see what you want me to see, who you want me to touch, and what you want me to say and do. I need you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.