The Beauty of the Lord

My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe. You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever. Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your splendor and majesty! In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; let your right hand teach you awesome deeds! Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; the peoples fall under you. Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness; you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions; your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad; daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor; at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir. Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear: forget your people and your father’s house, and the king will desire your beauty. Since he is your lord, bow to him. (Psalm 45:1–11)

There are times when the beauty of Jesus Christ overwhelms me. Yesterday, He asked me to do something I thought was worthless. I obeyed and after realized His wisdom, even seeing a tiny bit of how He uses things that we do not understand to forward His plan and make His will known.

This psalm begins by describing the writer’s heart, the the beauty of the Groom in His relationship to the world and to His bride, the people joined to Him. We are made lovely because of that relationship, and as our Lord, we bow to Him.

Like a marriage is supposed to be, all other loves are forgotten as having any priority in my life. Yesterday I had other plans, but for my Jesus, had to abandon them to do as He asked. It was not ‘lovely’ in my mind, but when obedience happens, the Holy Spirit is there making it happen, and it is this that makes my life beautiful to my Lord. It is also a motivation to bow to Him even more.

Jesus, the joy You give not only blesses me, it reveals You, Your grace, charm, splendor and majesty. While this psalmist use the word ‘handsome’ he was not defining personal appearance but Your perfection. There is no one like You, the perfect love and lover of my soul. I bow again to You. May I “cause Your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore nations will will praise You forever and ever.” (Vs. 12)

 

Hard Choices?

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me. By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. I say to God, my rock: “Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?” Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. (Psalm 42:5–11)

Since we moved (about 1 1/2 years ago) few days have been ‘normal’ in the sense that my to-do list was simple, no surprises, and early to bed. Today is no different except that the interruption to my plans happened before spending time with the Lord and being prepared for ‘whatever happens’ since it always does.

Reading the above verses describes a bit of how I feel, as if oppressed by the unexpected, but this psalm also gives the solution to this sense of being abandoned. This is a test of faith. Will I trust Him with this too, and give up my priorities even as I feel neglected and trade those important things for what seems like trivia?

Last night I dreamed being called out of a worship service to speak to an elderly man in distress. He seemed to be dying so I asked him if he was ready for that. He said no, so I quickly told him about Jesus, then walked away, as if that was enough. When awake, I could see the selfishness of my attitude in that dream.

Then when awake, someone asked me to do something and that same selfishness popped up. I felt cast down at needing to do an unimportant thing (to me) for the sake of someone else.

The solution: Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. Sometimes hope is a choice. Praise is an obedience, and salvation seems a disconnect. Yet this is the Word of God for today. I must obey it even without seeing any reason or feeling any hope about the value of obeying.

Jesus, I need the hope You give. I have none of my own. You promise to use all things for my good. May this also be good for the person who asked me to give up my plans and do something so unimportant to me.

Pattern for Christian Growth

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah, I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! (Psalm 32:5–11)

This is a summary of the Christian life. It begins with an awareness of sin and failure, and with the Lord coming with forgiveness and giving great joy. It continues with repetition — sin exposed, forgiveness and cleansing, then great joy. 

This is not about being saved over and over, but being made clean, measuring up to the what He has already done. The sin He brings to my attention might be a current disobedience, or it might be a life-attitude that needs to go because it is hindering me from being like Jesus. Whatever the Holy Spirit reveals, I must acknowledge lest it continues to mess with this wonderful new life in Christ.

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6–7)

 After discovering this pattern, I’ve long been convinced that this is God's way of transforming my life and the more I cooperate, the closer He seems.

Jesus. Thank You for being my Redeemer, for working on and in my life, for granting me the privilege of being Your forever child, and granting great joy even in the tough times. You are indeed all I need. 

Older but not helpless

Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great. . . . Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins. (Psalm 25:8–18) 

Last week a friend and I discussed the perils of getting older. We agreed that we do not appreciate any assumptions that we are helpless by those who do it and take over our chores or help without asked if we need help. It isn’t so much about pride in what we can do. We just do not want to be pushed into being helpless when God has blessed us with the ability to do things… such as stepping off a curb without falling, or making supper without burning it, or getting up off a chair without some giving us a hand up. My friend had a few more examples and remarked, “I’m not there yet.”

I recall my aging mother struggling with being helped. Her story is a bit different. She is a ‘server’ and always felt she should help others. However, she had a form of dementia that robbed her of being able to help herself, never mind others. When I told her she could help them by letting them help her, she agreed and was okay with that.

I am not much of a server and love help with what I cannot do. My hubby takes care of making our king-sized bed. He vacuums the floors and moves heavy things. He also helps in the kitchen by reaching the tall shelves and cleaning areas I cannot reach.

Some say God helps those who help themselves. Not according to Psalm 25 which says He helps those who are humble and obedient. He forgives our sin. He is gracious to those who are lonely and afflicted, distressed of heart and in trouble.

Maybe I need to take my own advice. Perhaps those who ‘assume’ I need help are servers who feel they must help others and I (and my gray hair) just happen to be handy. By letting them help me, I am helping them use their gifts, even if it makes me feel I am being put out to pasture. The psalmist understood this:

Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent. For my enemies speak concerning me; those who watch for my life consult together and say, “God has forsaken him; pursue and seize him, for there is none to deliver him.” O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me! (Psalm 71:9–12)
The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age… (Psalm 92:12–14)

The word “retirement” is not in the Bible. ‘Tired’ is — usually associated with sickness. God does not intend me to put up my feet and let others do what He tells me to do. It might be to encourage others, but it seems vital to note any personal pronouns in His commands.

Jesus, help me to be gracious to those who are unable to understand that helping sometimes means not helping. You obeyed the Father without passing the task to anyone else. I want to do the same.

God uses dreams… or not…

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:7–11)

Last night a woman from Africa described how her culture sees God in all of life’s events and also is aware of how evil spirits try to ruin them. She also said that God often speaks to His people in dreams.

Most who heard her didn’t seem convinced. One mentioned superstitions. However, years ago the man involved in outdoor theater productions, specifically The Passion Play, shared that God gave him many ideas for his work through dreams. Those who heard him were also skeptical.

I’m not. God has encouraged me in dreams and often gives me ideas and answers to problems in my dreams, answers that do not have a chapter and verse that specifically tell me what to do.

Therefore, I did a word search this morning. Yes, God uses dreams to speak to His people, even to those who are not believers. Most of it is in the OT for those without the Scriptures. Some of it is encouragement. Some is warnings, including warnings to not listen to those with false dreams. Some verses say that only God can interpret dreams. This means I must be really careful not to assume that every dream is God telling me something. It could be a product of wishful thinking, or simply being too busy.

For a dream comes with much business, and a fool’s voice with many words. (Ecclesiastes 5:3) 
Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:28)

Warnings: 

But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.” (Genesis 20:3)
For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, (Jeremiah 29:8)
For the household gods utter nonsense, and the diviners see lies; they tell false dreams and give empty consolation. Therefore the people wander like sheep; they are afflicted for lack of a shepherd. (Zechariah 10:2)

Instructions:

Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. (Genesis 41:25)
As soon as Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped. And he returned to the camp of Israel and said, “Arise, for the Lord has given the host of Midian into your hand.” (Judges 7:15)
And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” (Matthew 2:12-13)

Answers prayer (or not):

And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. (1 Samuel 28:6)

Predicts future:

Then (Joseph) dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” (Genesis 37:9)
“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. (Joel 2:28)

Again, discernment is vital. My “I wants” could seem fulfilled in a dream or are revealed for confession. My dad said dreams can depend on what he had for supper. 

Too much focus on spiritual enemies can have them talking to me in my sleep. If what I dream is contrary to the instruction or I hold attitudes contrary to Scripture, confession is needed. “Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.” (Jude 8)

Lord Jesus, when a dream seems to be You speaking, grant me insight. What I hear needs to fit with who You are and with how Your Word tells me what to focus on and obey. Otherwise, something else is playing with my thinking.

God Laughs…

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. (Psalm 2:1–12)

When world leaders get together for their summit meetings, there may be some who say in their heart, if not aloud, “We don’t need God or any of his people. . . . we can deal with the problems ourselves.” Whether it comes in  words or mere thoughts, this is a joke in the holy mind of God.

Nothing is said about how the psalm writer knew this about God. All I can imagine is that the Holy Spirit filled him and he laughed himself at the plans of those rulers. Since this is not a normal response to their their threats and behavior, the psalmist realized such a response came from the heart of the Lord. He knew from the revelation of God what God is like and his trust was so deep that the threats made by mere men were simply silly.

My husband often insisted that our children should never imagine “what if” about much of anything. As an adult, I can now see how that thought can easily slip from creative ideas to worry about what will happen. We hear the news and speculate. “What if this happens?” And wander into depression as if our fears are certain possibilities. However, the Holy Spirit lives in me. If He can laugh at the worst our enemies can plot, then I ought to laugh too.

The wife of a pastor who suffered a great deal of depression dressed one day in black. He asked her if someone had died. She said, “Yes, God died.” He said that was preposterous. She replied, “Then why do you act all the time as if He did?”

I’ve been what-if-ing for a few days, imagining that God doesn’t care and will not or cannot do anything about a certain issue. I imagined Him laughing at the foolishness of my request, but now am remembering to hear Him laughing at the problem. It is not a matter of ‘what if’ — but of ‘when’ and ‘be patient’ and even laugh with Him.

Jesus, ‘what if’ and “doubt” go hand-in-hand. Forgive me. I may not hear You laughing but I can read Your promises and trust You to take care of all my ‘what ifs’ and imaginations.

 

Living in an ungodly world?

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (Psalm 1:1–6)

This passage uses the term ‘wicked’ but some think it should be ‘ungodly’ as that fits the idea of those who are lost, not just those who do extremely immoral deeds. This is the OT definition of ungodly:

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)

Those who turn to their own way could be morally evil and what we might call wicked, yet they could be ordinary folks who appear to be ‘nice’ people but are not even interested in God, the Bible, or in the way the Lord wants us to live.

A close relative belongs to a religious group that goes door to door with their version of the gospel. He tells me that he talks to many people who are unaware of the Bible or know anything about it. The above psalm describes these as people who will not stand when judged by God or be acceptable in the congregation of God's redeemed people.

No one aces this test. Everyone experiences self-rule at times, but those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ are not only aware of this way of life, we spend most of our walk in faith trying to overcome it. For some, that old self is totally disgusting. For others, pride, false teaching, desires for prosperity and a life of comfort lure them into a false representation of godliness. 

But God knows the way of the righteous, as well as the hearts of those who think they are ‘good enough’ to stand before Him, or who don’t really care what God thinks, or even if there is a God who cares.

We wonder about the state of the world and the daily stories on the news. They remind me of an often repeated OT verse: “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 17:6) Is it also true now that  even with the leaders we have in political and religious realms, most people do what seems right in their own eyes? Knowing the selfishness of my old nature compared to the godliness God desires, this is surely a sad state of affairs. 

Lord, has the time come where You will allow the world to learn the hard way that You are to be feared? We see odd and even terrifying human behavior, but also strange weather patterns and worrisome trends in nearly every realm of life, as if grace and mercy have faded and the judgment of consequences rules. I know that You know what You are doing, yet it is not putting joy in my heart to watch this happen.