June 30th, Psalms 86-89
It's hard to find a good throne. Not sure if you've spent much time shopping for one. They are pretty custom, originals. People will sit on almost anything. It reminds me of Buddy the Elf, when addressing the imposter Santa at the store..."you sit on a throne of lies." Then proceeds to pummel Santa in the Department store in front of all the kids! Funny in a movie!
World history is easy to get a hold of. We've all studied some parts of world history. Know rulers, kings, monarchs, dictators, presidents and all sorts of leaders with great thrones and some with no titles.
The verse that snatched my attention out of the blue was Psalm 89:14. "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you."
Chances are you that you are leading at this point in your life. It might be from an official position, or the simple fact that someone looks up to you. What's your throne made of? I'm not asking for the construction materials. God's throne is made up of that which is right, that which is just. From that thrones pours out a blessing of love and faithfulness.
The materials that make up our throne will also be a source that comes out from us. Buddy was concerned that Santa wasn't Santa and lies shouldn't be a throne that we sit on. I think Buddy is onto something, I'm certain that God is!
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Psalms 80-85 "American Restoration" ; A good start at seeing how God restores
June 29th, Psalms 80-85
Many years ago I took on a summer project of restoring an old walnut table that came from my grandmother. It was the beginning of what I now understand in full measure...I am not too good with details. Sanding off varnish around the intricate lathe work on the legs was enough to drive me mad.
Now when I think of restoration I think of the TV show American Restoration. Here's a good before and after sample...
If you've ever watched the show you know that everything is restored. The externals are just the tip of the iceberg. Everything works as good as the day it came off the showroom floor, sometimes even better. Sandblasted to bare metal. Rusted, rotted pieces replaced, bearings found, motors taken care of, no stone is left unturned and he makes people pay for his excellent work. Restoration is costly business.
Three times in Psalm 80 the same verse appears. "Restore us, O God; Let your face shine, that we may be saved."
My work at restoration is half-hearted at best. It's inspiring to witness the fruit of a guy whose deep love of his life is to bring something old, used, worn back to a brand new state. It's even more amazing to consider that we are God's workmanship. God doesn't cut corners. The sandblasting isn't pleasant, but it's part of the restoration.
May the psalmist's request be ours today..."Restore us, O God; Let your face shine, that we might be saved."
As I read through the Bible this time, I have noticed the repitition of things more than ever. In this case it's not that God need to hear it more than once, rather that we would be reminded of our need. "Restore us, O God; Let your face shine that we might be saved."
Many years ago I took on a summer project of restoring an old walnut table that came from my grandmother. It was the beginning of what I now understand in full measure...I am not too good with details. Sanding off varnish around the intricate lathe work on the legs was enough to drive me mad.
Now when I think of restoration I think of the TV show American Restoration. Here's a good before and after sample...
If you've ever watched the show you know that everything is restored. The externals are just the tip of the iceberg. Everything works as good as the day it came off the showroom floor, sometimes even better. Sandblasted to bare metal. Rusted, rotted pieces replaced, bearings found, motors taken care of, no stone is left unturned and he makes people pay for his excellent work. Restoration is costly business.
Three times in Psalm 80 the same verse appears. "Restore us, O God; Let your face shine, that we may be saved."
My work at restoration is half-hearted at best. It's inspiring to witness the fruit of a guy whose deep love of his life is to bring something old, used, worn back to a brand new state. It's even more amazing to consider that we are God's workmanship. God doesn't cut corners. The sandblasting isn't pleasant, but it's part of the restoration.
May the psalmist's request be ours today..."Restore us, O God; Let your face shine, that we might be saved."
As I read through the Bible this time, I have noticed the repitition of things more than ever. In this case it's not that God need to hear it more than once, rather that we would be reminded of our need. "Restore us, O God; Let your face shine that we might be saved."
Friday, June 28, 2013
Psalm 78-79 We forget. God remembers.
Guest Blogger: Cheri Hudspith - sister to Terry White
My very first thought after reading Psalm 78 is that the people of God are “a piece of work”. It was true of Israel. It’s true of us today.
My very first thought after reading Psalm 78 is that the people of God are “a piece of work”. It was true of Israel. It’s true of us today.
I went back
and pulled the list of words that describe God’s activity:
Established
Appointed
Commanded the people to
remember
Performed wonders
Full of
wrath
Gave manna
and meat
Killed some
of them
Compassionate
Restrained his
anger
Then I
looked again, this time for the list of words that describe the people of
Israel:
Did not keep
Refused
Forgot
Sinned
Rebelled
Tested
Spoke
against
Unbelieving
Being killed
(something that got their attention but for such a short time and superficially)
As I said
before, this causes me to acknowledge we are tough to work with. My second
response is to marvel at God’s ability to be all that He is at once. He is
angry with their responses. He is mindful of their lack of capacity. God remembered,
“ … that they were but flesh… (78:39)” He acts in harsh ways at times to get
their attention but given how people typically respond was there any other
choice? Isn't it for their good?
I have given
up trying to understand when and why God allows the hard things to come into
our lives. That’s God’s part of the relationship. I do know that I want to have a different
heart than the one I am prone to have in the flesh. I don’t want to be like the
Israelites are described in this Psalm. I want a keeping, remembering,
accepting, testifying and believing heart instead.
I want to
remember the closing words of Psalm 78 about God. “With an upright heart he shepherded
them and guided them with a skillful hand.” Isn't that amazing? Amazing Grace. I for one know that I have needed every ounce
of grace that God has poured out in my direction.
www.beloved-daughter.blogspot.com
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Psalms 74-77 Ahhh... How Majestic!!
June 27th, Psalms 74-77
Todays blog is brought to you by the number 7 and the letters Z and H. Also by the word "Majesty." It's a lovely word, I don't use it much in everyday language. It seems to have a broad meaning.
The first idea seems to be that of royalty and ships. "HMS" is the intro to British ships. Her majesty, your majesty, words that don't roll off of the tongue of an American. The second place my mind races is nature. "Purple Mountains Majesty" The idea of an awe-inspiring scene in nature that is majestic. Beautiful, overwhelming... "O Lord our Lord how Majestic is your name in all of the earth."
Sometimes I wonder if I even know the real definition to a word, so I look up majestic.
adj: having or showing impressive beauty or dignity.
No wonder I'm confused, it does have a few components. A spectacular beauty or an awareness of the presence of someone very great. (Someone dignified, which is different from someone popular, to bad people can't identify the difference very well these days.)
I pray we see well enough to witness the spectacular beauty of God. That whatever version of hero worship lives in us would always be on a much more grand scale when it comes to God. I got God's autograph this weekend, you'll never guess who I met today and got a picture with...GOD.
"Majesty, Majesty, forever I am changed by your love, in the presence of your majesty."
Todays blog is brought to you by the number 7 and the letters Z and H. Also by the word "Majesty." It's a lovely word, I don't use it much in everyday language. It seems to have a broad meaning.
The first idea seems to be that of royalty and ships. "HMS" is the intro to British ships. Her majesty, your majesty, words that don't roll off of the tongue of an American. The second place my mind races is nature. "Purple Mountains Majesty" The idea of an awe-inspiring scene in nature that is majestic. Beautiful, overwhelming... "O Lord our Lord how Majestic is your name in all of the earth."
Sometimes I wonder if I even know the real definition to a word, so I look up majestic.
adj: having or showing impressive beauty or dignity.
No wonder I'm confused, it does have a few components. A spectacular beauty or an awareness of the presence of someone very great. (Someone dignified, which is different from someone popular, to bad people can't identify the difference very well these days.)
I pray we see well enough to witness the spectacular beauty of God. That whatever version of hero worship lives in us would always be on a much more grand scale when it comes to God. I got God's autograph this weekend, you'll never guess who I met today and got a picture with...GOD.
"Majesty, Majesty, forever I am changed by your love, in the presence of your majesty."
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Psalms 70-73 A big enough portion
June 26th, Psalms 70-73
God is my portion. The part I get, the part that is mine. "My portion should be bigger" I tell myself. I've lost sight of what a portion really is. A 12 oz glass a six oz piece of meat a cup of pasta, a 2000 calorie diet. Portions become skewed and I think I need more than I think I need. I might go hungry (yeah right!!).
I hear that God is my portion, I wonder if I really know what it means to be satisfied with the portion given me. Would I, could i believe that any portion of God almighty would be enough for me or would I really want more. My desire for more is evidence of a failed understanding concerning how much of God is enough for me. My human nature to acquire more, posses more... erodes a contentment that my wife is able to display, but for me seems elusive.
"God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." The portion that God has granted me now is the portion that will be forever. God's not less available to me now than he will be in eternity. That's a cool thought this morning. It all reminds me of the song "Enough."
All of you is more than enough for
All of me, for every thirst and
Every need, you satisfy me
With your love and all I have in you
Is more than enough (with an exclamation point! not a question mark?)
A portion of God will never be less than enough!!
Portion
Psalm 73:26 "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
I hear that God is my portion, I wonder if I really know what it means to be satisfied with the portion given me. Would I, could i believe that any portion of God almighty would be enough for me or would I really want more. My desire for more is evidence of a failed understanding concerning how much of God is enough for me. My human nature to acquire more, posses more... erodes a contentment that my wife is able to display, but for me seems elusive.
"God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." The portion that God has granted me now is the portion that will be forever. God's not less available to me now than he will be in eternity. That's a cool thought this morning. It all reminds me of the song "Enough."
All of you is more than enough for
All of me, for every thirst and
Every need, you satisfy me
With your love and all I have in you
Is more than enough (with an exclamation point! not a question mark?)
A portion of God will never be less than enough!!
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Psalms 66-69 Untying the more complicated knot
June 25th, Psalms 66-69
Sing, praise, rejoice, worship. Rich Mullins used to say this was the "most repeated command in the Bible". Maybe if I can learn to do something simple, it would be a first step to untying the more complicated knot, like loving my enemy, praying for those who hurt me.
What does it take to have a heart that sings? It 's the separation of the Psalm 69. 1-29A: a heart not singing. 29b-36 A heart getting it right!! What's your song today?!
Sing, praise, rejoice, worship. Rich Mullins used to say this was the "most repeated command in the Bible". Maybe if I can learn to do something simple, it would be a first step to untying the more complicated knot, like loving my enemy, praying for those who hurt me.
What does it take to have a heart that sings? It 's the separation of the Psalm 69. 1-29A: a heart not singing. 29b-36 A heart getting it right!! What's your song today?!
"I will praise the name of God with a song!!"
Monday, June 24, 2013
Psalms 58-65 Before there were Superheroes, there was God!
June 24th, Psalms 58-65
Deliverer
A deliverer. The need and the intensity of a deliverer is exponential. God being a shelter or a refuge creates a different feeling for the moment. A calm peaceful moment. In the movie "Saving Private Ryan" there is the moment in the church, just trying to find a dry place to take a nap, have a respite before being back and engaged in warfare. A shelter.
A deliverer feels vastly different, a moment in the heat of the battle when someone would cry out "Haste Thee to help me." It is a cry of desperation as my enemy is right upon me. It reminds me of
I Samuel 23. Saul and his men are closing the net around David and his men. Saul is on one side of the mountain, David and his men on the other side. As Saul is getting closer a messenger arrives. The Philistines are attacking.
A deliverer came that day for David. The way God delivers might never be known to us. It might even be a story where we didn't even know we were in peril. A hedge of angels around us that the prophet sees but the assistant doesn't.
A deliverer is something needed in the moment, in an instant. Saul's coming, gather your things. Something is pressing, who do I call out for? "My Deliverer is coming. My Deliverer is standing by."
Superheroes swoop in at the last second to save the day. A made up world because people want these kind of things to be true. Well they are true and God doesn't need a cape and a mask.
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