Blog: “Discovering His Living Hope”

Such is the Spoken Word of God: God always Reigns! Plants Restores and Revives us, when life is falling apart. Amos 3:11-15

Amos 3:11-15 New International Version

11 Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“An enemy will overrun your land,
    pull down your strongholds
    and plunder your fortresses.”

12 This is what the Lord says:

“As a shepherd rescues from the lion’s mouth
    only two leg bones or a piece of an ear,
so will the Israelites living in Samaria be rescued,
    with only the head of a bed
    and a piece of fabric[a] from a couch.[b]”

13 “Hear this and testify against the descendants of Jacob,” declares the Lord, the Lord God Almighty.

14 “On the day I punish Israel for her sins,
    I will destroy the altars of Bethel;
the horns of the altar will be cut off
    and fall to the ground.
15 I will tear down the winter house
    along with the summer house;
the houses adorned with ivory will be destroyed
    and the mansions will be demolished,”
declares the Lord.

Word of God for the Children of God

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

To begin, let me ask you a couple of questions:

What comes to your mind when you think about God?

Is your understanding of Him rooted in Scripture, or is it shaped by your own experiences, desires, or even misconceptions you’ve picked up along the way?

The way we view God is no small matter.

A distorted picture of Him can lead us down paths of doubt, error, fear, and misunderstanding, depriving, robbing us of the peace and assurance that only from knowing Him as He truly is.

My heart’s desire is to redirect you away from these dangers and guide you into a clearer, more informed, more biblical, and more joyful view of our great God.

Some people imagine God as a distant creator—a kind of cosmic tyrannical administrator who set everything in motion but now stays out of the picture, except for the occasional “system maintenance.”

Perhaps others see Him as little more than a tired grouchy old too stern judge, watching for every mistake to punish us.

Or maybe, they think of Him as powerful but limited, either unable to intervene in the chaos of the world or restrained by human choices.

None of these depictions are the God of the Bible.

Instead, Scripture presents us with a God who is far greater, far more glorious, and far more trustworthy than anything or any character that we could invent on our own. A God who reigns supremely over all creation, infinite in His being, perfect in all of His attributes, and yet still merciful in all His dealings with us.

One of the most helpful summaries I’ve come across that beautifully captures the biblical teaching about who God is comes from the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith: https://www.the1689confession.com/

The Lord, our God, is but one only living and true God; whose subsistence is in and of Himself, infinite in being and perfection; whose essence cannot be comprehended by any but Himself; a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions, who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; who is immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, every way infinite, most holy, most wise, most free, most absolute; working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and most righteous will, for His own glory; most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him, and withal most just and terrible in His judgments, hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the guilty.

This God, the God of the Bible, reigns over every part of corner of creation.

He is all-knowing, all-powerful, and fully in control.

And, when we know God as He truly is, that’s good news for us!

Because our hearts are filled with peace, our faith is strengthened, and we are freed from the anxieties, and the worries that come from false views of Him.

That’s why, as we begin this devotional—Let God Reign—we’ll take time to explore some of the attributes of God, starting today with His sovereignty.

In the devotions ahead, we’ll also consider His goodness, immutability, omnipotence, incarnation, and omniscience.

Of course, even an encyclopedias of sermons couldn’t exhaust the riches of who God is, but my prayer is that this series will deepen your love for Him, challenge any of your remaining unbelief, and increase your trust in the Lord. So let us just begin today by considering the absolute sovereignty of our great God.

It starts with the acknowledgment that:

1. God is Sovereign

Whether you and I want to admit it or not, this is reality: God is sovereign.

First, let us define our terms; what does it mean for God to be sovereign?

Here are a few definitions for us to reference:

Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms Sovereignty

The biblical concept of God’s kingly, supreme rule and legal authority over the entire universe.

Pocket Dictionary of Apologetics and Philosophy of Religion Sovereignty

The possession of ultimate authority and power.

Pocket Dictionary of the Reformed Tradition Sovereignty of God

God’s authority and power to accomplish his will as the supreme Ruler of all things.

From taking these definitions collectively, we find that sovereignty means God is the absolute King of the universe, with complete ownership, power, and all authority over all of creation- and He is able to accomplish all His holy will.

There is no one and nothing outside of His rule.

James 1:17 ESV

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Our families, our resources, our reputations, and even our ability to know and love Him are neither random nor earned; they are graciously and providentially given by your King.

Let’s consider God’s work in our lives:

His providence has woven together a beautiful tapestry for each of our lives –

Psalm 139:1-18 English Standard Version

Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

139 O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
    behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
    and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    it is high; I cannot attain it.

7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?
    Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
    If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
9 If I take the wings of the morning
    and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me,
    and your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
    and the light about me be night,”
12 even the darkness is not dark to you;
    the night is bright as the day,
    for darkness is as light with you.

13 For you formed my inward parts;
    you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.[a]
Wonderful are your works;
    my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
    intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
    the days that were formed for me,
    when as yet there was none of them.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
    I awake, and I am still with you.

Consider what the vast tapestry of your life looks like for a moment –

It would begin with:

how He formed you in the womb,

where and when you were born,

what type of family you grew up in,

every single moment of happiness,

all the friendships you enjoy,

each of the jobs and responsibilities you have ever had,

the skills and talents you exercise,

seeing the love of your life for the first time,

getting married,

experiencing the joy of holding your child for the first time,

your daily bread,

your home, your daily protection, and even beyond all of those blessings: 

if you are a Christian He has even ordained how and when He adopted you,

He has ordained your ongoing sanctification, eventually He will providentially ordain for your journey to your heavenly home!

He has woven countless bright threads into your life’s tapestry.

Do we have such a good, wise, and loving Father who cares for our every need?

Can we praise God this whole day for just how good His providence is to us!?

Thank you, faithful God, for your ever present providential hand upon our lives!

In the name of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,

Praying …

Psalm 84 The Message

84 1-2 What a beautiful home, God-of-the-Angel-Armies!
    I’ve always longed to live in a place like this,
Always dreamed of a room in your house,
    where I could sing for joy to God-alive!

3-4 Birds find nooks and crannies in your house,
    sparrows and swallows make nests there.
They lay their eggs and raise their young,
    singing their songs in the place where we worship.
God-of-the-Angel-Armies! King! God!
    How blessed they are to live and sing there!

5-7 And how blessed all those in whom you live,
    whose lives become roads you travel;
They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks,
    discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain!
God-traveled, these roads curve up the mountain, and
    at the last turn—Zion! God in full view!

8-9 God-of-the-Angel-Armies, listen:
    O God of Jacob, open your ears—I’m praying!
Look at our shields, glistening in the sun,
    our faces, shining with your gracious anointing.

10-12 One day spent in your house, this beautiful place of worship,
    beats thousands spent on Greek island beaches.
I’d rather scrub floors in the house of my God
    than be honored as a guest in the palace of sin.
All sunshine and sovereign is God,
    generous in gifts and glory.
He doesn’t scrimp with his traveling companions.
    It’s smooth sailing all the way with God-of-the-Angel-Armies.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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Our mutual goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not to cut them out. Colossians 4:2-6

Colossians 4:2-6 Amplified Bible

2 Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving. 3 At the same time pray for us, too, that God will open a door [of opportunity] to us for the word, to proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I have been imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear [and speak boldly and unfold the mystery] in the way I should.

5 Conduct yourself with wisdom in your interactions with outsiders (non-believers), make the most of each opportunity [treating it as something precious]. 6 Let your speech at all times be gracious and pleasant, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer each one [who questions you].

Word of God for the Children of God

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

This short concise section of Scripture offers a great deal of instruction.

Paul addresses the critical concepts of earnest prayer, vigilance in prayer and thanksgiving, praying for open doors of opportunity for communicating and sharing the gospel, and the boldness to teach the gospel clearly, and daily.

He then instructs the members at Colossae to walk in wisdom, not being deceived by those outside the church, and to redeem the time.

His teaching includes graceful speech, and knowledge of just how to answer questions that come your way. While this passage is only five verses, it packs a great deal of teaching into this small, but potent, parcel of information.

The over-arching principles found in this passage are basic thoughts by which to live the Christian life. 

Prayer is a lifeline, a power source for the believer.

Prayer should be a priority, a matter of vigilance, and Christians should be thankful for the opportunity to commune with the Creator.

Prayer should involve time with God to speak to Him, to hear from Him, and to pray His word as well.

It also should involve praying for others, as Paul asks the Colossians to pray for his ministry opportunities.

Even though he is in chains, he longs to see the gospel preached and souls saved. Wisdom is another principle expounded upon here. Know well your community and do not be taken advantage of by those who would abuse you.

Wisdom leads to time management and prioritizing the events and tasks of your day in order to achieve more.

Christians should not live haphazard lives, but rather be organized and efficient as well.

Finally, grace is a principle upon which a Christian should base their lives and especially their speech. Our words matter, because how we are received has a lot to do with the feelings we arouse in others as we speak to them. God will direct your words as you seek Him and submit to the Holy Spirit’s leadership.

So, Paul instructs his disciples to pray, use Godly wisdom, to speak with grace.

These are powerful principles for Christians to bring to bear on their lives and relationships.

Seek God deeply and then follow His leadership and direction in your life in every way.

He will direct your paths, your words, and your actions when you spend time with Him, making Him a priority, and listening to His voice.

Be His disciple and live well!

Additional thoughts worth meditating upon …

Proverbs 27:6 Amplified Bible

6 
Faithful are the wounds of a friend [who corrects out their of love and concern],
But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful [because they serve his hidden agenda].

Some conversations are life-giving, inspiring individuals towards greater hope, while others are draining and difficult.

At times, we can feel as if we are defending ourselves from blows like a warrior shielding himself against the attacks from an enemy.

Or we might be the ones dealing the blows, using our words as weapons, aiming to wound just as we have been wounded. Regardless of our role in the proverbial fight of words, certain talks with others leave us battle-weary and exhausted.  

As much as we dislike challenging conversations, they are inevitable in life, as is the possibility that we will misuse words and harmed by the speech of another.

Yet, that does not mean we have to continue treating the relationship as an area of scorched earth war. Even after hard talks, we can bring in elements of grace and healing through a willingness to admit wrongdoing, to quickly forgive, to mutually acknowledge the slippery sloped complexities of the crisis situation.  

We can also start adding saltiness to our speech, as Paul advised the Colossian believers to do. Their speech was meant to be appealing and life-giving.

Likewise, graciousness and love should color the way we talk to others, even during heavy conversations in which we may have to give rebuke. Our words are not meant to be sickly sweet like a flatterer or sharp because of rashness, but lovingly honest since “Wounds from a friend can be trusted” (Proverbs 27:6).  

In the aftermath of a hard talk, we can use our words to promote healing, even if difficult things had to be said, for the wise will use their speech to heal, not cause more unnecessary harm (Proverbs 12:18).

Proverbs 12:18 Amplified Bible

18 
There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise brings healing.

There is value in speaking the truth in love, which does not negate the need to address issues and engage in heavy conversations (Ephesians 4:15).

Ephesians 4:15 Amplified Bible

15 But speaking the truth in love [in all things—both our speech and our lives expressing His truth], let us grow up in all things into Him [following His example] who is the Head—Christ.

However, we should do so with a focus on showing the love and grace of God, affirming our care for the individual. 

So, if you have recently experienced a difficult conversation that weighs heavily upon you, take heart.

Healing is possible, as is the ability to start using your words to bring disarming peace into hard talks.  

In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit …

Praying …

Psalm 19 Amplified Bible

The Works and the Word of God.
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

19 The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And the expanse [of heaven] is declaring the work of His hands.
2 
Day after day pours forth speech,
And night after night reveals knowledge.
3 
There is no speech, nor are there [spoken] words [from the stars];
Their voice is not heard.
4 
Yet their voice [in quiet evidence] has gone out through all the earth,
Their words to the end of the world.
In them and in the heavens He has made a tent for the sun,
5 
Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber;
It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.
6 
The sun’s rising is from one end of the heavens,
And its circuit to the other end of them;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

7 
The law of the Lord is perfect (flawless), restoring and refreshing the soul;
The statutes of the Lord are reliable and trustworthy, making wise the simple.
8 
The precepts of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true, they are righteous altogether.
10 
They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
11 
Moreover, by them Your servant is warned [reminded, illuminated, and instructed];
In keeping them there is great reward.
12 
Who can understand his errors or omissions? Acquit me of hidden (unconscious, unintended) faults.
13 
Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous (deliberate, willful) sins;
Let them not rule and have control over me.
Then I will be blameless (complete),
And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.
14 
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable and pleasing in Your sight,
O Lord, my [firm, immovable] rock and my Redeemer.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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Fact or False: A Bible which is falling apart at the seams will usually belong to someone who is truly falling apart. Psalm 119:97-104

Psalm 119:97-104 Christian Standard Bible

מ Mem

97 How I love your instruction!
It is my meditation all day long.
98 Your command makes me wiser than my enemies,
for it is always with me.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers
because your decrees are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the elders
because I obey your precepts.
101 I have kept my feet from every evil path
to follow your word.
102 I have not turned from your judgments,
for you yourself have instructed me.
103 How sweet your word is to my taste—
sweeter than honey in my mouth.
104 I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every false way.

Word of God for the Children of God

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

Encouraging believers to immerse themselves in studying the Scriptures, to discern, meditate upon, understand God’s promises, to discern lies, false and fraudulent teaching, so to find strength, wisdom, and comfort in God’s Word.

Laudable goal?

Certifiably impossible?

Worthy of being locked away with all the gold in Fort Knox?

A secret second only to the recipe of Coca Cola … two halves – each half is held by two persons neither of whom knows who the other is.

Today, we are going to dive deep into God’s word, for exploring the immense power of His promises, the deadly poison of lies, and the life-giving habits of Scripture study.

Listen to what Charles Spurgeon once said. “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.” Ain’t that the truth? There’s something about immersing ourselves in Scripture that steadies our hearts and clears our minds.

The Power of Promises in Scripture

The power of God’s promises in Scripture is a profound and transformative force in the life of a believer.

These promises are not mere words on a page, but divine assurances that truly provide hope, strength, and guidance in our daily walk with Christ.

They are the bedrock of our faith, the anchor for our souls, and the compass that directs our path.

Delving deeper into the power of God’s promises, we discover that they are not only a source of comfort but also a catalyst for spiritual growth and maturity.

Their inherent truthfulness: Unlike human promises, which can be broken or unfulfilled, God’s promises are infallible and unchanging.

Numbers 23:19 reminds us, “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?”

This verse assures us that God’s promises are steadfast and reliable. When God makes a promise, He will undoubtedly fulfill it, regardless of the circumstances.

This unshakeable truthfulness provides us with a sense of security and peace, knowing that we can fully trust in God’s word completely.

They’re incredibly personal: They are not generic or one-size-fits-all, but tailored to our individual needs and circumstances.

Whether it’s a promise of provision, protection, or peace, or purpose, each promise speaks directly to our hearts, addressing our deepest fears, desires, and aspirations.

This personal nature of God’s promises makes them a vastly powerful tool for spiritual growth.

As we claim these promises, experience them, fulfilled in our lives, our faith in God deepens, our connectional relationship with Him becomes more intimate.

They’re transformative: They have the power to change our perspective, attitudes, and actions.

When we grasp the full extent of God’s promises, we begin to see ourselves and our circumstances through the lens of His love and faithfulness.

This new perspective can radically alter how we respond to life’s challenges and opportunities.

Instead of reacting out of fear, doubt, or self-reliance, we can respond with faith, hope, and dependence on God.

This transformative power of God’s promises is beautifully captured in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

A source of hope: In a world filled with uncertainty, disappointment, and pain, God’s promises offer beacons of hope shining brightly in the darkness.

They remind us that no matter what we are going through, God is with us, and He has a good plan for our lives.

This hope is not just wishful thinking or blind optimism, but a confident expectation based on the character and promises of God.

Romans 15:13 declares, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

They are the words that God has spoken over us, the infallible promises He has made to us, and the truths that He wants us to cling to in every season of life.

Friends, here would be a good place to share a personal testimony about how God’s promises have been true in your own life. How did they affect your faith?

The Poison of Lies

From the very beginning, in the Garden of Eden, we see the destructive power of deception.

The serpent, embodying the father of lies, deceived Eve, leading to the fall of humanity into sin. Lies are not just false statements or untruths; they are a perversion of God’s truth, a distortion of His perfect design. They are a tool of the enemy, used to sow doubt, confusion, and discord among God’s people.

Their subtlety: They often come cloaked in half-truths, making them difficult to discern.

This is why it is so crucial for us to immerse ourselves in God’s Word, to know His truth intimately.

When we know the truth, we can recognize the lies.

Jesus said in John 8:32, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

A corrosive effect on our relationships:

This is true both with God and with others.

They create barriers of mistrust and misunderstanding.

They can lead us to doubt God’s goodness and faithfulness, to question His love for us.

Lies can also cause us to view others with suspicion and fear, undermining the unity and love that God desires for His people.

Can lead us into sinful behaviors and attitudes: When we believe the lie that we can find fulfillment and satisfaction living apart from God, we may be tempted to pursue worldly pleasures and desires.

Or when we believe the lie we are not loved or valued, we may seek validation and approval from others, leading us  deep into pride, jealousy, and insecurity.

God’s truth brings freedom, peace, and joy: It reveals our true identity as beloved children of God, created in His image.

It assures us of His unfailing love and faithfulness, His power and presence in our lives.

It guides us in the way of righteousness, leading us into a life of purpose and fulfillment.

As Jonathan Edwards once said, “Truth is the agreement of our ideas with the ideas of God.”

When we align our thoughts and beliefs with God’s truth, we are protected from the poison of lies.

We are equipped to discern deception, to reject falsehood, and to walk in the light of God’s truth.

The Habits of Scripture Study

Studying Scripture is not just about reading the Bible.

It’s about immersing ourselves in God’s Word, meditating on it, and applying it to our lives.

It’s about letting the Word of God shape our thoughts, our actions, and our very being.

Psalmist in Psalm 119:97 declares, “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.”

This is the kind of relationship we should strive to have with God’s Word.

Regularity: Just as we need physical food every day, we need spiritual food every day.

We should set aside a specific time each day for Bible study.

It could be early in the morning, during lunch break, or before bed.

The important thing is to make it a daily habit.

Meditation: This is not just about reading the Bible, but thinking deeply about what we read.

It’s about pondering the meaning of the words, asking God for understanding, and letting the Word of God sink deep into our hearts.

It’s about letting the Word of God shape our thoughts and our actions.

Application: James 1:22 warns us, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

Studying Scripture is not just about gaining knowledge. It’s about transforming our lives.

We need to apply what we learn from the Bible to our daily lives.

We need to live out the truths we learn from God’s Word.

Memorization: Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Memorizing Scripture helps us all to recall God’s promises in times of need, resist temptation, and share the Gospel with others.

Conclusion

As we wrap up today, let’s remember the power of God’s promises, the danger of lies, and the importance of immersing ourselves in Scripture.

Let’s make it our daily habit to study God’s Word, to meditate on it, and to let it transform us from the inside out.

In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit ….

Psalm 8

God’s Glory, Human Dignity
For the choir director: on the Gittith. A psalm of David.

1 Lord, our Lord,
how magnificent is your name throughout the earth!
You have covered the heavens with your majesty.[a]
2 From the mouths of infants and nursing babies,
you have established a stronghold[b]
on account of your adversaries
in order to silence the enemy and the avenger.

3 When I observe your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you set in place,
4 what is a human being that you remember him,
a son of man[c] that you look after him?
5 You made him little less than God[d][e]
and crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:
7 all the sheep and oxen,
as well as the animals in the wild,
8 the birds of the sky,
and the fish of the sea
that pass through the currents of the seas.

9 Lord, our Lord,
how magnificent is your name throughout the earth!

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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A Long Term Investment! How we respond to God’s Word in this life will determine our life in the next. Luke 16:19-31

Luke 16:19-31 New King James Version

The Rich Man and Lazarus

19 “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and [a]fared sumptuously every day. 

20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 desiring to be fed with [b]the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 

22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’

27 “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”

Word of God for the Children of God

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

The scene is a familiar one.

The mansion with the ornate ironwork front gate.

Marble steps and carved mahogany doors.

Overlooking a well cared for street.

A wealthy street marred only be the presence of a filthy beggar, sprawled beside the entrance to this palatial mansion.

A beggar who hardly moves, except when the garbage is put out, because that’s dinner time.

Inside the gate is the perfume of flowering plants, augmented by the essential oils the rich man used, quarantining him from the reality of the outside world.

Outside the gate is the smell of the street.

The unbearable stench of human waste and rotting flesh.

But the story isn’t so much about externals, as it is about people and their response to God’s word.

Two Actors

There are 2 actors in the story, as well as 5 brothers who take a subsidiary role.

The Rich Man

The first actor is a rich man.

In fact that’s the sum total of all we’re told about him.

“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.”

In fact if you think about it that’s not a very impressive obituary, is it?

You’d hope at the end of your life that people will be able to say more about you than that you were rich.

Even if your riches were achieved by your own efforts and not those of your family or people who worked for you, you’d still hope that there was more to say than just that.

Yet that’s all we’re told.

This man’s whole life is summed up in a sense by his riches.

Perhaps that’s how he saw it himself.

He wouldn’t be the first person to assess his life’s achievements by his bank balance, or by the power he’s able to wield, or by the fine food and clothing he affords himself.

Yet as we’ll see, such things are passing and in the long run don’t amount to anything.

The Poor Man

In stark contrast to the rich man is a man who lives in abject poverty.

He’s sprawled at the rich man’s gate, starving, longing to eat even the scraps that are left over after the rich man has finished feasting.

His skin is covered with sores, no doubt caused by malnutrition.

And the implication is that he’s starving because of the rich man’s neglect.

No doubt the rich man holds his handkerchief to his nose and looks the other way whenever he passes, trying his best to ignore this man.

Forget the call of God’s word to care for the poor.

Let someone else worry about that.

It isn’t my concern.

Who knows how he got himself in this state anyway.

In any case he got himself into it, he can get himself out of it.

And so the rich man ignores the beggar, while, we’re told even the dogs care for him to the extent of licking his sores clean.

Now we miss some of the impact of this throw away statement, because we live in a different culture as far as dogs are concerned.

We think about a dog and our thoughts are warm and rosy.

We think of that cute pet who greets us at the door when we get home.

Who plays chase with a tennis ball or a stick.

Who’s the faithful companion, who never disagrees with us when we complain to him.

But in Jesus’ day, dogs were despised animals, outsiders, curs, confined to wandering the streets.

Yet even these despised animals showed care to this poor beggar.

One Name – Lazarus

But the most striking thing about this man isn’t his poverty, or his sores.

It’s the fact that Jesus names him.

In fact this is the only occasion on which Jesus gives a name to a character in one of his parables.

Now that isn’t because this is based on a real story as some have wondered.

Rather it’s to show that there’s more to this man than his total poverty.

You see a name is important because it indicates a relationship. You only need a name if you’re known to someone. A name distinguishes you as an individual.

Now that doesn’t mean that the rich man didn’t have a name.

But as far as this story is concerned, he might as well not have.

On the other hand the poor man’s name is significant because of its meaning.

His name in fact tells us who he was known by.

’Lazarus’, in Hebrew, would be Eleazar.

And that means ’He whom God helps’.

Jesus gives him this name to indicate that Lazarus is one who waits on God to help him. He does not blame God for his situation. He does not plot revenge.

He simply waits for the vindication of the Lord.

He knows that as bad as his plight might be in this world, there is a life to come that will make this life fade into insignificance.

Here then is a story of contrasts.

Two men who are totally unequal.

One with incredible wealth, yet without identity.

The other poor beyond bearing, yet known personally to God.

2 types of inequality in fact.

Material and spiritual. Jesus wants us to consider which is the more important.

“What does it profit them if they gain the whole world,” Jesus said in Luke 9, “but lose or forfeit themselves?” (Luke 9:25 NRSV)

Two destinies

But not only do these 2 men lead different lives.

They also have 2 very different destinies.

First the poor man dies.

We’re not given any details of a funeral.

We’re probably expected to understand that such a man wouldn’t have been given a funeral.

At best he would have been carried away to a suitable place and his body burnt.

But that’s in fact irrelevant anyway, because we’re told the angels come and carry him to Abraham’s side.

Now, we mustn’t get carried away by the details here.

We have to remember that we’re reading a parable, and a parable is a device that teaches spiritual truths by allegorical means.

So the descriptions Jesus gives for the mode of transport or the details of heaven and hell aren’t meant to be taken literally.

They’re there purely to teach us spiritual truth.

The picture of Lazarus being carried by the angels to Abraham, is perhaps meant to remind us of Elijah, or even Enoch, who weren’t buried but were simply taken to be with God at the end of their lives.

And he’s taken as a sign that God is with him.

By contrast the rich man dies and is buried.

He has the full funeral.

No doubt someone reads an eloquent eulogy about his success in life, about the way God had obviously blessed him.

Yet the reality is far from anything that those mourning his death might imagine.

We find him in Hades, being tormented.

The nature of this torment isn’t commented on, though thirst and heat are implied by his request of Abraham. But again, the detail isn’t important.

What matters here is threefold:

1 Heaven and hell are real, whatever the reality of such states might be. Here’s what we glean from the parable.

Hell and heaven have the following contrast

Isolation or welcome

An awareness of what has been lost or gained

Utter separation from God or intimate companionship with God and his people.

In fact the rich man’s final state simply reflects his life on earth.

It’s simply a continuation of his separation from God.

The only difference is that on earth he was able to hide from himself his true condition.

The comfort and luxury in which he lived shielded him from his true spiritual condition. I guess the other difference is that while he was on earth he was still able to decide for himself exactly how to live. Now his ability to choose is gone.

2 Our personalities survive death in a conscious state.

The nature of heaven and hell could be characterized as God sustaining us in one of 2 states.

Either a state of bliss, in company with all who are believers, as represented by Abraham, or a state of total isolated anguish, represented by this lonely man separated from God by an uncross able chasm.

3 The 2 destinies indicate a great reversal of fortune.

Now again, we need to be careful how we read this story.

It would be easy to argue that this is just a story of how God evens things up in the end. How the rich in this world will suffer in the next and vice versa as though there were some global clearing house of life debts.

Some have used this sort of idea in fact to try to appease those who suffer from injustice in this world by promising the next world will reverse our fortunes: the poor will get revenge and the rich their comeuppance.

But that isn’t the point of this parable.

God isn’t a Galactic Robin Hood, robbing from the rich to give to the poor.

Rather God judges us on how we’ve responded to his word.

That’s the whole point of Abraham’s response in v29. ’They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’

You see the rich man has no excuse.

The Old Testament is chock full of warnings and instructions about looking after the poor.

God has been described as the God of the Poor, because of the emphasis he places on justice for the downtrodden, on stopping oppression and tyranny and the misuse of power by the rich.

In fact Jesus has just finished teaching about the use of wealth in the preceding passage,

There in v9 he says: “And I tell you, use worldly wealth to make friends for yourselves so when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes.”

This is what the rich man has failed to do.

He’s ignored the poor at his gate rather than using his wealth to make friends for eternity.

He may even have seen the poor man as a provision of God to show just how much God has blessed him.

The Key – God’s Word

The key to the parable comes in v29.

The rich man begs that Lazarus might be sent back to warn his 5 brothers of what awaits them that side of the grave.

But Abraham says,

“No, they have all the warning they need.”

God’s word has been given so we’ll know what the Lord requires of us.

What does Micah 6:8 say?

“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8 NRSV)

The failure of the rich man was a failure to hear God’s word.

It was a failure to let God’s word be the arbiter of his actions.

The way we respond to God’s word seals our destiny.

Will we believe the gospel it presents or go on our way pretending all is well?

Will we take its teaching and apply it to our life?

Every time we open God’s Word, whether it’s here on a Sunday or during the week in the privacy of our quiet time, we open our lives to God’s appraisal.

Someone has said that every time we open God’s Word we stand before the gates of heaven and hell.

That’s how serious a matter it is to read God’s Word.

God’s Word is a word that calls for change, for repentance, for reformation.

God isn’t going to send us a Ghost of Christmas to Come like Scrooge saw.

He’s already given us his Word as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, as a mirror to reflect the way we’re living, the way we’re shaping up or not.

And Jesus is also saying, if you won’t take that Word seriously, you won’t take anything seriously, even someone returning from the dead.

This is a parable, you see, that’s addressed not to the unbeliever.

If that were the case it would be a terrible thing, a message of despair rather than warning.

Rather it’s addressed to believers.

In the first instance of course it was addressed to the Pharisees, but equally it’s addressed to us, who claim to believe in the Word of God.

It’s meant as a warning to make sure that our lives measure up to God’s Word.

The way we act towards others in need matches the way God feels about them.

That we don’t let the busy-ness or the success of our lives hide the reality of the world we live in or the truth about our own spiritual life.

Now let me repeat, we have to be careful how we read this parable.

It’s all too easy to read a parable like this and feel despairing because we don’t measure up.

But that would be to go too far.

You see, the revelation of God has gone beyond Moses and the Prophets.

We now know more about how to please God than was revealed in the Old Testament alone.

Not that care of the needy is any less important to God, but he’s shown us through Jesus Christ how we can truly please him in the first instance.

Listen to what Jesus says in John 6: “They said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” 29Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” (John 6:28-29)

The primary response asked of us by God is that we believe in Jesus Christ.

That is that we believe that he is indeed the Son of God.

That he came in humility to bring us to God.

The failure of the rich man was that he failed to hear the Word of God.

Our failure or success will depend on the same thing: do we hear the Word of God, not just as it relates to riches and poverty, but as it relates to Jesus Christ and his place in our lives.

Of course a right use of our wealth should flow naturally from our faith in Jesus Christ but that’s secondary.

There’s both a warning and a promise in this strange tale of two men.

There’s the warning that to ignore God and those that God cares about in this life will have eternal consequences for us in the next.

But there’s also the promise that those who know and are known by God, who look to him for help, will enjoy his presence in eternity.

Why?

Because Jesus himself came as a Lazarus, as one who had nothing to rely on but the help that God gave him.

Because Jesus hung on a cross to take away the suffering that humanity deserves, to open the gateway to heaven for all who will turn to him for help.

Because he who was rich, for our sake became poor, so that by his poverty we might become rich.

Because Jesus now waits for us at the right hand of the Father.

And on the day of our own death will take us to sit with him and Abraham, and all who call on God as Father.

How can you know the assurance of that promise?

Not as some might think by making sure that we’ve cared for the poor.

That’s not actually the point of this parable.

Rather by first believing and then obeying the word of God.

By believing in Jesus as God’s instrument of salvation.

And as you believe, seeing how God gives his Spirit to live within you to enable you to care for the poor.

“It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Like the prophets who brought God’s Word to the people, Jesus had sympathy for the poor, rebuked rich people who were selfish, did nothing for the poor.

In Jesus’ parable, Lazarus who died was carried by angels to Abraham’s side in heaven, and the rich man was summarily sent to hell, where he was in torment.

The rich man had lived for his own pleasure and had ignored the message of Moses and the Prophets.

Lazarus had had no comfort in life, but in death he received the blessings of life with God in heaven.

This parable was a comfort to many slaves in the American South in the 1800s.

One of their spiritual songs speaks of God as the “Rock of my soul” in “the bosom of Abraham”— an expression referring to “Abraham’s side.”

Where could those slaves find justice when their children were ripped from their arms and sold down the river, when the earthly powers-that-be were stacked against them?

Isaiah 58:7-12 The Message

6-9 “This is the kind of fast day I’m after:
    to break the chains of injustice,
    get rid of exploitation in the workplace,
    free the oppressed,
    cancel debts.
What I’m interested in seeing you do is:
    sharing your food with the hungry,
    inviting the homeless poor into your homes,
    putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad,
    being available to your own families.
Do this and the lights will turn on,
    and your lives will turn around at once.
Your righteousness will pave your way.
    The God of glory will secure your passage.
Then when you pray, God will answer.
    You’ll call out for help and I’ll say, ‘Here I am.’

A Full Life in the Emptiest of Places

9-12 “If you get rid of unfair practices,
    quit blaming victims,
    quit gossiping about other people’s sins,
If you are generous with the hungry
    and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out,
Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness,
    your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight.
I will always show you where to go.
    I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places—
    firm muscles, strong bones.
You’ll be like a well-watered garden,
    a gurgling spring that never runs dry.
You’ll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew,
    rebuild the foundations from out of your past.
You’ll be known as those who can fix anything,
    restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate,
    make the community livable again.

But the Lord saw their plight.

And he will bring eternal judgment to the oppressor.

And bring eternal justice to the oppressed.

In Jesus’ parable, the rich man’s sin was not that he was rich; it was that he refused to care for a person in need.

His stony heart ignored the call to share food with the hungry and to provide shelter and clothing for people in need (Isaiah 58:7-12).

In conclusion, Luke 16:25-26 holds a deep and profound meaning that encompasses themes of justice, mercy, and the consequences of our actions.

The context of this verse within the teachings of Jesus further emphasizes its importance in guiding our lives.

The symbolism present in the reversal of fortunes between the rich man and Lazarus is a powerful reminder of the importance of living a compassionate and righteous life.

Those verses challenges us to prioritize spiritual wealth over material wealth and to show kindness and generosity to those in need.

In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit,

Praying ….

Psalm 140

Prayer for Rescue
For the choir director. A psalm of David.

1 Rescue me, Lord, from evil men.
Keep me safe from violent men
2 who plan evil in their hearts.
They stir up wars all day long.
3 They make their tongues
as sharp as a snake’s bite;
viper’s venom is under their lips. Selah

4 Protect me, Lord,
from the power of the wicked.
Keep me safe from violent men
who plan to make me stumble.[a]
5 The proud hide a trap with ropes for me;
they spread a net along the path
and set snares for me. Selah

6 I say to the Lord, “You are my God.”
Listen, Lord, to my cry for help.
7 Lord, my Lord, my strong Savior,
you shield my head on the day of battle.
8 Lord, do not grant the desires of the wicked;
do not let them achieve their goals.
Otherwise, they will become proud. Selah

9 When those who surround me rise up,[b]
may the trouble their lips cause overwhelm them.
10 Let hot coals fall on them.
Let them be thrown into the fire,
into the abyss, never again to rise.
11 Do not let a slanderer stay in the land.
Let evil relentlessly[c] hunt down a violent man.

12 I[d] know that the Lord upholds
the just cause of the poor,
justice for the needy.
13 Surely the righteous will praise your name;
the upright will live in your presence.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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Fresh Air for Rusty Souls: entering into His Courtyard, place where God meets men and women clothed in His Wardrobe of Holiness. Psalm 96:7-9

Psalm 96:7-9 New American Standard Bible

7 [a]Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples,
[b]Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
8 [c]Ascribe to the Lord the glory of His name;
Bring an [d]offering and come into His courtyards.
9 Worship the Lord in [e]holy attire;
Tremble before Him, all the earth.

Word of God for th Childrn of God

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

1. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

2. Holy, holy, holy! all the saints adore thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea.
Cherubim and seraphim, falling down before thee,
Who was and is and evermore shall be.

3. Holy, Holy, Holy! though the darkness hide thee,
Though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see,
Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,
Perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.

4. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth, and sky, and sea;
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity. Author: Reginald Heber (1826)

The saints in the Bible knew of God’s holiness and adored Him.

When God passed by Moses in the cleft of the rock, Moses tasted the holiness of God.

When Elijah called down fire from heaven on the false prophets of Baal, the people saw the holiness of God.

When Ananias and Saphira were struck dead for lying to the Holy Spirit, the church knew the holiness of God.

But other than a relatively few cautionary tales, the New Covenant people were somehow able to partake in the holiness of God without being consumed by it.

I don’t know that we will ever really “comprehend” the full holiness of God.

And that’s too bad.

We throw that term around a lot—holiness—and we have a sense that his holiness is not to be trifled with, but I don’t think we know how to wrap our finite minds around the concept.

We know God as a loving Father—guiding, providing, and protecting.

That one is easier to absorb, at least in theory.

We know God as revealed through his Son, Jesus—compassionate, servant-hearted, gentle, and caring.

We know God through the infilling of the Holy Spirit—empowering, energizing, and enabling us to do his bidding.

But the holiness of God—do we really know him that way?

Exodus 33:19-22 New American Standard Bible

19 And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the Lord before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion to whom I will show compassion.” 20 He further said, “You cannot see My face, for mankind shall not see Me and live!” 21 Then the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place [a]by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock; 22 and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by.

We cannot behold the holiness of God for ourselves and still stay alive.

When God’s back passed by Moses in the cleft of the rock, Moses beheld the holiness of God.

Before the weary embarrassed unsuccessful Priests of Baal, Elijah called down fire from heaven on the false prophets, the people saw the holiness of God.

But other than a relatively few cautionary tales, the New Covenant people were somehow able to partake in the holiness of God without being consumed by it.

What is the purpose of Psalm 19:7:8?

Psalm 19:7–8 explains how different portions of Scripture shape us inwardly and outwardly.

God’s law (Torah) is perfect (Ps. 19:7), blameless, like a prize-winning animal. It is exactly the right thing, for any given moment just when we need answers.

What does Psalm 96:8 mean for us?

Bring to God what is due to him; or, render such an acknowledgment as he deserves and claims.

Fully acknowledge him as God, and acknowledge him to be such a God as he is.

Let the honor due to God as such be given him; and let the honor due to him, for the character which he actually has, be wholly ascribed to him.

What is the meaning of Psalm 96:7-9?

Psalm 96:7-9 invites all humankind to “ascribe” strength and glory to the Lord and to offer in his courts worship that is appropriate for the sovereign God.

What does Psalm 96 verse 9 mean for us?

The psalmist calls on all people—of the entire world—to give proper worship to God.

Because of His divine nature, the miracles He has done, the Lord deserves to be praised.

Psalm 96:7-9 …

bring an offering and come into his courts. 

Worship unto the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth. Three times in a row God directly challenges us to “ascribe,” or give, unto the Lord exactly what is due His name.

Other so-called “gods” are owed nothing, are as nothing to be given anything.

Those who humbly enter His courtyards to worship the Lord should mightily celebrate His holiness, power, and judgment.

I wish that for you—and for me, too—that we could partake in God’s holiness without being consumed by it.

In conclusion, as I meditated upon this psalm I am challenged by the notion my worship of God ought to correspond to the greatness and worthiness of God. 

That’s why after saying “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name” (v.8a), the psalmist follows up by calling worshipers to respond in a manner appropriate to his particular covenant (v.8b).

But as my worship fails to execute this thesis, this psalm provides a remedy: dwell long upon the greatness of God and His saving works; and let that be the primary motivation for worship due God.

In summation, our worship is based on great thoughts of God; and great thoughts of God fuel the worship of God.

I am not sure how we can come into that kind of experience—and perhaps I do not really know what I am asking for—but there is something deep within my spirit crying out to know more and more of God in the beauty of his holiness.

May God grant us a deeper, richer transformational revelation of His Divine holiness so we can authentically worship him in the splendor of his holiness.

In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit …

Praying …

Psalm 100 NASB

All People Exhorted to Praise God.

A Psalm for [a]Thanksgiving.

100 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Serve the Lord with jubilation;
Come before Him with rejoicing.
3 Know that the Lord [b]Himself is God;
It is He who has made us, and [c]not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

4 Enter His gates with [d]thanksgiving,
And His courtyards with praise.
Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
5 For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting
And His faithfulness is to all generations.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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Have we now transgressed that line in the sand singing solely to listen to ourselves singing our own praises to ourselves, not God, in our worship? Psalm 96:1-3

Psalm 96:1-3 Complete Jewish Bible

96 Sing to Adonai a new song!
Sing to Adonai, all the earth!
2 Sing to Adonai, bless his name!
Proclaim his victory day after day!
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his wonders among all peoples!

Word of God for the Children of God

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

Sing to Give, Not Get, Praise

God made us to sing songs. I used to sing into my toothbrush, holding it up like a microphone while imagining myself belting out Little Orphan Annie’s songs with all the vibrato of a Broadway star.

Whether you ever dreamed of signing a recording contract or you’re the sort that hums softly under your breath, your vocal cords were designed to make a joyful noise (music). But left to ourselves we often sing in order to be praised.

Psalm 96 urges us to use our voices not in order to earn praise, but to give it.

Three times David tells us to “sing to the Lord.”

This repetition should automatically signal, “Pay attention!”

God created your vocal cords not for your praise but to give praise to Him.

Not Just Any Song

What is this new song we’re to sing?

That number 1 on the latest top 40 on the Hit Parade?

Your favorite classic traditional old hymn from your church’s hymnal?

No No No — a thousand times No!

The newness springs from its daily-ness.

Just as Jesus taught us to pray every day for the bread of life to eat, fruit of the vine to drink, forgiveness for sin, rescue from evil, the psalmist shows us how to respond to God’s answers to our prayers: with all new songs sung every day.

In our consumer culture, we tend to think new means different, changed, or better than the old version.

But in Psalm 96, new means unending and undiminished.

Irish biblical scholar the late Alec Motyer (1924 – 2016) says the new songs commanded here correspond to the new mercies celebrated in

Lamentations 3:22-23. “Just as [God’s] ‘compassion’ is ‘new every morning’ so is [our] responsive song” (Psalms by the Day, 72).

16 He has broken my teeth with gravel
and pressed me down into ashes.
17 I have been so deprived of peace,
I have so forgotten what happiness is,
18 that I think, “My strength is gone,
and so is my hope in Adonai.”

19 Remember my utter misery,
the wormwood and the gall.
20 They are always on my mind;
this is why I am so depressed.

21 But in my mind I keep returning to something,
something that gives me hope —
22 that the grace of Adonai is not exhausted,
that his compassion has not ended.
23 [On the contrary,] they are new every morning!
How great your faithfulness!
24 “Adonai is all I have,” I say;
“therefore I will put my hope in him.

25 Adonai is good to those waiting for him,
to those who are seeking him out.
26 It is good to wait patiently
for the saving help of Adonai.

We sing from day to day because God’s salvation is at work in us day to day.

The timeless hymn Amazing Grace captures the meaning of new with the line,

“When we’ve been there 10,000 years, bright shining as the sun / We’ve no less days to sing His praise than when we’ve first begun.”

Command and Invitation

The song’s newness also stems from who it is doing the singing. “All the earth” is both a command and invitation cloaked here in mystery, but revealed fully at the cross.

As Paul says in Ephesians 3:6,

“This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”

Every person in every people group in all the earth is commanded to give God the praise that is His due.

But they are also invited to join in the chorus of joyful worship and noisy praise as they bless His name in response to His grace.

This is not unfeeling obligation, but wide-eyed wonder and heartfelt response to God’s overwhelming goodness!

Scripture reveals that what God commands, He will accomplish.

In Revelation 5, the Apostle John gives us a vision of heaven where the four living creatures and the 24 elders lie prostrate before the Lamb in worship.

Verse 9 tells us they, too, are singing a new song, saying,

Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth (v. 9-10).

This song is full of past tense verbs: of actions accomplished, of vast peoples ransomed, of a kingdom and priests prepared to reign.

What was commanded in Psalm 96—a global response of praise for a great and costly salvation—Jesus has accomplished.

He alone is worthy to open the scroll because He was slain on the cross.

By His atoning blood He ransomed a people from all the peoples for God.

Jesus our Savior is worthy of worship today, tomorrow, and every day for all of eternity.

Our exuberant praises should never cease, our songs never come to an end, they are to be new every morning from today, and forever.

For Reflection
  1. These verses contain five sets of instructions repeated in sets of three. In addition to “sing, sing, sing…to the Lord, to the Lord, to the Lord,” what else does the passage require of God’s people?
  2. What songs do you sing when you’re in the car, in the shower, in the mood to sing? How might you grow your daily musical response to God’s mercy and grace?
  3. Start now. Sing a song of praise to God wherever you are.

In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit …

Praying …

Psalm 98 Complete Jewish Bible

98 (0) A psalm:

(1) Sing a new song to Adonai,
because he has done wonders.
His right hand, his holy arm
have won him victory.
2 Adonai has made known his victory;
revealed his vindication in full view of the nations,
3 remembered his grace and faithfulness
to the house of Isra’el.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the victory of our God.

4 Shout for joy to Adonai, all the earth!
Break forth, sing for joy, sing praises!
5 Sing praises to Adonai with the lyre,
with the lyre and melodious music!
6 With trumpets and the sound of the shofar,
shout for joy before the king, Adonai!
7 Let the sea roar, and everything in it;
the world, and those living in it.
8 Let the floods clap their hands;
let the mountains sing together for joy
9 before Adonai, for he has come to judge the earth;
he will judge the world rightly and the peoples fairly.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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How, in what ways have we forgotten God in our worship? The When and What of Praising God. Psalm 96:1-3

Psalm 96:1-3 The Message

96 1-2 Sing God a brand-new song!
Earth and everyone in it, sing!
Sing to God—worship God!

2-3 Shout the news of his victory from sea to sea,
Take the news of his glory to the lost,
News of his wonders to one and all!

Word of God for the Children of God

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

The other day I was driving to my Doctor’s appointment downtown and as our Lord so kindly saw fit, I drove through six consecutive downtown green lights.

I never had to stop or even slow down!

Upon arrival at the hospital, I immediately took satisfaction this rare sliver of grace the Lord extended to me. I’ve even told other people about it. How often does one make six straight green lights over a stretch of rush hour city driving?

I couldn’t help but reflect about all those providential green lights–how much more impactful are the glorious deeds spoken of God extolled in Psalm 96:1-3.

Are we, should we be, regularly be telling, singing, of God’s awesomeness?

We are told to sing (three times), to tell, and to declare the glory of our great God–each of these in the imperative, which means we are commanded to do so.

This command is carried out “from day to day” so we are to continuously praise God.

This applies to when the little things are good–like making six green lights–just as much as when the big things are bad, like what Job experienced (Job 1:20-21; 2:10).

We are to sing, tell, and declare the glory of our great God “among the nations” and “among all the peoples.”

This means His praise should be on our lips while in line at the grocery store, sitting next to our classmates, co-workers, and interacting with our spouses, children, and family members.

Our praising of God should not be limited to church morning or our private prayer lives.

It should flow out of us as naturally as water comes out of the ground.

The psalmist leaves no doubt about what the content of our praise should be:

God’s salvation, God’s glory, and God’s marvelous works.

At the time of this psalm’s writing, the ultimate act fitting this bill would have been God’s deliverance of His people from Pharaoh and into the Promised Land.

But that was only a pointer to the true deliverance, the true land of rest, the true salvation in Jesus Christ.

Thus, our songs of praise, telling of His salvation, declarations of His wonderful works, should always culminate in extolling the person, work of Jesus Christ.

It is Jesus who took the Father’s wrath (Psalm 75:7-8; John 18:11), it is Jesus who paid our debt (Colossians 2:14), it is Jesus who gives us His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21), and yes, it is Jesus who enabled me to make 6 consecutive green lights (Proverbs 16:33).

As a follower of Christ, He should be the primary subject of our continual praise, Raise up! May we be an inspired people of relentless praise of the One true God!

In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit …

Praying …

Psalm 148

Creation’s Praise of the Lord

1 Hallelujah!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights.
2 Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his heavenly armies.
3 Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars.
4 Praise him, highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens.
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for he commanded, and they were created.
6 He set them in position forever and ever;
he gave an order that will never pass away.

7 Praise the Lord from the earth,
all sea monsters and ocean depths,
8 lightning[a] and hail, snow and cloud,
stormy wind that executes his command,
9 mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,
10 wild animals and all cattle,
creatures that crawl and flying birds,
11 kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all judges of the earth,
12 young men as well as young women,
old and young together.
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted.
His majesty covers heaven and earth.
14 He has raised up a horn for his people,
resulting in praise to all his faithful ones,
to the Israelites, the people close to him.
Hallelujah!

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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In the Firmness of Our Faith, When We are Tied up, Cast into the Hottest Furnaces, Standing Up in the Flames. Daniel 3:24-27

Daniel 3:24-27 Christian Standard Bible

Delivered from the Fire

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in alarm. He said to his advisers, “Didn’t we throw three men, bound, into the fire?”

“Yes, of course, Your Majesty,” they replied to the king.

25 He exclaimed, “Look! I see four men, not tied, walking around in the fire unharmed; and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”[a]

26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the door of the furnace of blazing fire and called, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you servants of the Most High God—come out!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire. 27  When the satraps, prefects, governors, the king’s advisers gathered around, they saw that the fire had no effect on[b] the bodies of these men: not a hair of their heads was singed, their robes were unaffected, and there was no smell of fire on them.

Word of God for the Children of God

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

King Nebuchadnezzar had made an image of gold and had ordered people to bow down and worship it (Daniel 3:1-6).

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego steadfastly refused to do that, because they did not worship statues, idols or other gods. They worshiped only the true God.

So the king’s astrologers spoke harshly against these men and said they should be thrown into a blazing furnace for their very public display of disobedience .

Let’s look at Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s reply:

Daniel 3:16-18 Christian Standard Bible

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question. 17 If the God we serve exists,  then he can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and he can[a] rescue us from the power of you, the king. 18 But even if he does not rescue us,[b] we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”

They said they would not worship the image of gold for any reason, even if God did not deliver them.

They were hardcore determined to obey God, and they trusted in God to protect their souls even if the fire killed them and burned them up. Many people might expect “realistic compensation” for their actions, but Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego declared that they would always obey God, no matter what happened.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed­nego knew that their first allegiance was to God and they should worship only him.

Nebuchad­nezzar did not recognize any authority above his own; he wanted to be the object of worship. He had commissioned a great statue and ordered that everyone must bow and worship his image or face execution by fire in a furnace.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed­nego were willing to face the harshest anger of the king and even die rather than deny their heavenly Father, in whose image they were made.

They faced adversity with courage and modeled for the king what it looked like to honor the convictions of their faith.

Their testimony is compelling.

In effect, they resolutely said, “We believe God is able to save us, but even if he does not do that in this life, we will not worship anyone but him.”

This statement enraged the king so much that he raised the temperature by 7 times to the point the soldiers in charge of these men were killed by the heat.

But God protected his servants from the fire, allowed them to leave the furnace unscathed.

After the dramatic res­cue of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the king had a major change of heart and praised God. Their faith mentored the king himself.

Do we have the courage to stand up for our convictions in the face of adversity?

What incredible faith!

God protected them from the fire when they refused to compromise their faith.

Only God can bring hope to the hopeless, and fearlessness to those who fear.

Sometimes, in the middle of our challenges, there might seem to be no end in sight of the mess.

It could be one event after the other that piles upon us, making us so heavy-laden with trepidation that we lose sight of where to turn. Instead of declaring,

“Only God,” we ask, “Why God?”

Even though it might seem like an impossible task to hold on to verses when we are in the middle of problems that seem to have no solution, be assured that Jesus promised to be with us even until the end of the age (Matthew 28:20)

Only God can bring hope to the hopeless, and fearlessness to those who fear.

Sometimes, in the middle of our challenges, there might seem to be no end in sight of the mess. It could be one event after the other that piles upon us, making us so heavy-laden with trepidation that we lose sight of where to turn.

Instead of declaring, “Only God,” we ask, “Why God?”

Even though it might seem like an impossible task to hold on to verses when we are in the middle of problems that seem to have no solution, be assured that Jesus promised to be with us even until the end of the age.

Let us be mindful — when we are facing financial burdens, family problems, or sickness — that our mess could just be the makings of something else: a future message for another brother or sister experiencing a similar hardship.

They might need our story to give them hope and keep the holding steadfast to the Lord.

Let us labor to model our steps after those three rebellious young men of the Old Testament.

Their names were some of my favorites that I loved to repeat as a child: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Faced with conditions forcing them to come face to face with their faith, they bonded together and took a stand against King Nebuchadnezzar’s commands.

Even though they were thrown into the fire, they did not feel the flames.

You might be standing in the middle of a blazing fire, but trust in the Lord to deliver you from your circumstance.

You may see the flames or hear the crackling, but you will feel no heat because you serve a mighty Father that will bring you through this trial. And when you have broken free from your mess you will have a testimony to say, “Only God.”

The story did not end with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being rescued from flames unsinged.

It could have, and it still would have, been the glorious testimony of the faith of a few and the power of God.

But, reading this text further, we see King Nebuchadnezzar’s hardened heart was softened.

He even promoted them within the kingdom for their display of integrity and commitment.

Your time is coming.

Hold on to that unwavering faith that can move mountains:

“And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” (Matthew 17:20)

In the flames, repeat that nothing is impossible with God.

When you walk away, praise His name and say, “Only God!”

What does it look like to live with courage, clarity, and conviction when everything around you feels uncertain?

The book of Daniel tells the story of faith under fire—of ordinary people who stayed rooted in God while living in a culture that didn’t share their values.

From exile in Babylon to lion’s dens and prophetic dreams, Daniel shows us that even the very smallest acts of faith can anchor us in our uncertain times.

In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit …

Praying …

Psalm 46
God Our Refuge
For the choir director. A song of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth.

1 God is our refuge and strength,
a helper who is always found
in times of trouble.
2 Therefore we will not be afraid,
though the earth trembles
and the mountains topple
into the depths of the seas,
3 though its water roars and foams
and the mountains quake with its turmoil. Selah

4 There is a river—
its streams delight the city of God,
the holy dwelling place of the Most High.
5 God is within her; she will not be toppled.
God will help her when the morning dawns.
6 Nations rage, kingdoms topple;
the earth melts when he lifts his voice.
7 The Lord of Armies is with us;
the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah

8 Come, see the works of the Lord,
who brings devastation on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease throughout the earth.
He shatters bows and cuts spears to pieces;
he sets wagons ablaze.
10 “Stop fighting, and know that I am God,
exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.”
11 The Lord of Armies is with us;
the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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The Tested Faith of Ordinary People; Ordinary People-extraordinary God. God Is Not Dead! Hebrews 11:32-38

Hebrews 11:32-38 The Message

32-38 I could go on and on, but I’ve run out of time. There are so many more—Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, the prophets. . . . Through acts of faith, they toppled kingdoms, made justice work, took the promises for themselves. They were protected from lions, fires, and sword thrusts, turned disadvantage to advantage, won battles, routed alien armies. Women received their loved ones back from the dead. There were those who, under torture, refused to give in and go free, preferring something better: resurrection. Others braved abuse and whips, and, yes, chains and dungeons. We have stories of those who were stoned, sawed in two, murdered in cold blood; stories of vagrants wandering the earth in animal skins, homeless, friendless, powerless—the world didn’t deserve them!—making their way as best they could on the cruel edges of the world.

Word of God for the Children of God

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

I love how the Lord employed unlikely people to do extraordinary things.

Often, the outcast was embraced, the sinner was chosen, and the “labeled” was marked by God for an extraordinary divine purpose.

Some of the names in Hebrews 11 are well known.

Others are not.

But all are names of believers through whom God worked to keep his promises.

I find it interesting that the two Israelite spies, sent by Joshua to search out the land of Jericho, went specifically to the house of Rahab the harlot.

While it made sense they would lodge at a house located on the wall of Jericho—for strategic purposes, it doesn’t make sense they chose to lodge with a harlot.

Against the commandments of God, a harlot would normally have been avoided at all cost. Yet, against all of our rationale, God chose Rahab to help His people, and eventually become part of the lineage of Jesus. (see Matthew 1:5)

What a beautiful testimony of God’s character!

He truly sees past the physical and straight to the heart. God looks for those who will be faithful to Him, and often finds them in the most unlikely places.

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him…2 Chronicles 16:9

By faith, Rahab risked her own life to help the spies escape. It was her belief in the Lord that saved her and her whole family. Unlike the other inhabitants of Jericho, the miraculous things she had heard about God spurred her to action.

Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, and said to the men: “I know that the Lord has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. Joshua 2:8-11

In holy fear of the Lord, Rahab acted in faith.

Instead of closing the door on the spies, she allowed her reverent fear of “God in heaven above and on earth beneath” to motivate her.

The lesson for us here is to let a holy and reverent fear of the Lord motivate our service to Him; to remember what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will do. God stirs us up and does amazing things in the lives of ordinary people.

All He looks for is faith in His Son Jesus—a faith that leads us to do great things for His glory. I don’t know about you, but I want that more than anything.

As we look to ponder and study and pray through Hebrews 11, which is also sometimes described as the Bible’s chapter on “heroes of faith,” we should note that this chapter never uses the word hero. It simply lists the names of those chosen ordinary people whom God used for extraordinary purposes.

Ordinary people stirred by the extraordinary acts of others, faith is something which tethers us to God, pulls pushes us forward—step by step and day by day.

Sports coaches and sports psychologists know the importance of faith.

You’ve got to believe … in yourself.

You have to believe you can do your sport, or you won’t win.

Faith gives drive, momentum, energy, confidence.

Whether novice Christians or matured, any group or solitary journey through Hebrews 11 points us directly to an enormous variety of extraordinary things ordinary people were able to do because they had faith. (Acts 2:14-21 Peter)

And their faith was not in themselves but in God.

Faith in God is assurance in what God has done and confidence in what God can do … and will most definitively do—at the exact right time, in his Kairos time.

True faith focuses both our eyes on God.

It also centers our gravity in such a way it keeps both our feet on the ground even while it lifts our hearts to heaven.

Faith enables us to stand tall and live straight.

It puts a spring in our step.

“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible” (Matthew 17:20).

Faith that is as small as a mustard seed, said Jesus, can move a mountain!

We have all struggled at one time or another with our ability to fully trust God. I never truly realized the extent to which I wrestled with Him over both the very simplest of things, and the big things. Sometimes we just have more faith in a kitchen chair’s ability to sustain us than we do in God’s ++ ability to sustain us.

One person’s smallest measure of faith can change the world—think of the apostle Paul, for example, or of Martin Luther, John Wesley, Billy Graham.

In chapter 11 the writer of Hebrews gives us a high-speed recitation of history to illustrate the power of faith.

Perhaps you could add the names of some people you know of to the mighty events listed in the closing verses there.

Imagine your name in that list.

Imagine your finger’s trying to hold onto a single Mustard Seed?

What event(s) in your life might be mentioned as an example of faith at work?

In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit … Amen

Praying …

19 1-2 God’s glory is on tour in the skies,
    God-craft on exhibit across the horizon.
Madame Day holds classes every morning,
    Professor Night lectures each evening.

3-4 Their words aren’t heard,
    their voices aren’t recorded,
But their silence fills the earth:
    unspoken truth is spoken everywhere.

4-5 God makes a huge dome
    for the sun—a superdome!
The morning sun’s a new husband
    leaping from his honeymoon bed,
The daybreaking sun an athlete
    racing to the tape.

6 That’s how God’s Word vaults across the skies
    from sunrise to sunset,
Melting ice, scorching deserts,
    warming hearts to faith.

7-9 The revelation of God is whole
    and pulls our lives together.
The signposts of God are clear
    and point out the right road.
The life-maps of God are right,
    showing the way to joy.
The directions of God are plain
    and easy on the eyes.
God’s reputation is twenty-four-carat gold,
    with a lifetime guarantee.
The decisions of God are accurate
    down to the nth degree.

10 God’s Word is better than a diamond,
    better than a diamond set between emeralds.
You’ll like it better than strawberries in spring,
    better than red, ripe strawberries.

11-14 There’s more: God’s Word warns us of danger
    and directs us to hidden treasure.
Otherwise how will we find our way?
    Or know when we play the fool?
Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh!
    Keep me from stupid sins,
    from thinking I can take over your work;
Then I can start this day sun-washed,
    scrubbed clean of the grime of sin.
These are the words in my mouth;
    these are what I chew on and pray.
Accept them when I place them
    on the morning altar,
O God, my Altar-Rock,
    God, Priest-of-My-Altar.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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All of Life is a Test. God is constantly watching how we respond to people, problems, success, conflict, illness, disappointment and even weather! Job 23:8-12

Job 23:8-12 Amplified Bible

8 
“Behold, I go forward (to the east), but He is not there;
I go backward (to the west), but I cannot perceive Him;
9 
To the left (north) He turns, but I cannot behold Him;
He turns to the right hand (south), but I cannot see Him.
10 
“But He knows the way that I take [and He pays attention to it].
When He has tried me, I will come forth as [refined] gold [pure and luminous].
11 
“My feet have carefully followed His steps;
I have kept His ways and not turned aside.
12 
“I have not departed from the commandment of His lips;
I have kept the words of His mouth more than my necessary food

Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

Where Is God in this unyielding fiasco called my life?

Years ago, there were two men I knew who had lost a whole lot of money.

I felt sorry for one of them, but not for the other.

The man I didn’t feel sorry for had applied for a hefty business loan and I had suspected provided a bit of false information; he had also continued to lie as he went from bank to bank and applied and borrowed more and more money.

He used this money to invest in wild and clearly high risk speculative schemes and to live a lavish lifestyle. Eventually his web of lies came apart, he left town, and the bank found that the loan would never be repaid. But the bank was large and this was just one unpaid loan, so the bank was able to continue operating.

The man I felt sorry for was an honest Christian.

He had done business with the other man, had been misled, and had been left with a mountain of mounting late payments due him that would never be paid.

But unlike the large bank, this honest man was ruined financially.

He lost nearly everything he owned.

He wondered why God had allowed this to happen to him and his family.

I pray that this man’s pastor and Christian friends were there for him in his time of crisis.

Even though there were no easy answers to the question “Where is God in this?” the book of Job and many prayers in the Psalms teach us that we may always bring our desperate cries to God. (Psalm 63)

The Thirsting Soul Satisfied in God.

A Psalm of David; when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

63 O God, You are my God; with deepest longing I will seek You;
My [a]soul [my life, my very self] thirsts for You, my flesh longs and sighs for You,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 
So I have gazed upon You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
3 
Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
4 
So will I bless You as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5 
My [b]soul [my life, my very self] is satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth offers praises [to You] with joyful lips.

6 
When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate and thoughtfully focus on You in the night watches,
7 
For You have been my help,
And in the shadow of Your wings [where I am always protected] I sing for joy.
8 
My [c]soul [my life, my very self] clings to You;
Your right hand upholds me.

9 
But those who seek my life to destroy it
Will [be destroyed and] go into the depths of the earth [into the underworld].
10 
They will be given over to the power of the sword;
They will be a prey for foxes.
11 
But the king will rejoice in God;
Everyone who swears by Him [honoring the true God, acknowledging His authority and majesty] will glory,
For the mouths of those who speak lies will be stopped.

Jesus, cried his own prayer from the cross, will bring our cries to his Father.

One of the metaphors that the Bible says about life is that it is a test.

God continually tests people’s character, faith obedience, love, integrity, and loyalty. Christian Character is both developed and revealed by testing.

And the truth of the matter is – All of Life is a Test.

You are always being tested.

God is constantly watching how you respond to people, problems, success, conflict, illness, disappointment and even the weather.

What I like to do today is offer several ways God’s people have been tested.

For you see trials can be:

1. A Test of Patience.

Trials and tribulation can be a test of patience.

The Lord has a timing for fulfilling His plans and purposes.

Often His plans take much longer than we expect.

In the meantime we go through severe trials and tribulations and they seem to last forever.

These seasons are tests of our patience.

Are we willing to wait for God’s timing?

Listen to what the scripture says in James chapter 1.

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trial, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (NKJV)

Job’s life was a test of patience.

In fact the Bible says in book of James,

“Remember the patience of Job.”

2. A Test of Faith.

Trials can be a test of our faith.

Do we believe in God even in the midst of pain and suffering?

Do we believe in the promises of God even when everything looks impossible?

Do we trust in God even if He does not deliver us?

Do we trust in God even when we do not understand His ways and working in our lives?

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were tested and showed their faith.

Daniel 3:16-18 (HCSB)

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question. 17 If the God we serve exists, then He can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He can rescue us from the power of you, the king. 18 But even if He does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”

“It’s not that we can’t do it. – It’s that we won’t do it.”

Thought: How do you know if you are faithful unless you are tempted with unfaithfulness?

3. A Test of Love.

Trials can most definitely test our love.

They can reveal whom or what we love most in our lives.

They reveal our priorities and desires.

The Lord wants us to love Him more than anybody else or anything else.

The depth of our love to God is revealed during the seasons of trials.

Peter is an example of this test.

John 21:15-17 (HCSB)

15 When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.” “Feed My lambs,” He told him. 16 A second time He asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.” “Shepherd My sheep,” He told him. 17 He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” He said, “Lord, You know everything! You know that I love You.” “Feed My sheep,” Jesus said.

4. A Test of Endurance.

Trials can be a test of our endurance.

How much are we willing to endure for the Lord?

Will we give up easily from following the Lord?

Will we endure till the end?

The life of Paul is an example of endurance.

2 Corinthians 11:24-27 (HCSB)

24 Five times I received from the Jews 40 lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day in the depths of the sea. 26 On frequent journeys, [I faced] dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own people, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the open country, dangers on the sea, and dangers among false brothers; 27 labor and hardship, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, cold, and lacking clothing.

5. A Test of Humility.

Trials can be a test of humility.

The Lord humbles us by allowing us to go through seasons of trials.

The Lord wants us to have the mind of Christ who humbled Himself to take the form of a lowly servant and became obedient even to the death of the cross.

Moses went through times of trial and his humility shone forth.

Numbers 12:1-3 (HCSB)

1 Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because of the Cushite woman he married (for he had married a Cushite woman). 2 They said, “Does the Lord speak only through Moses? Does He not also speak through us?” And the Lord heard [it]. 3 Moses was a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth.

Thought: Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It is thinking of yourself less.

6. A Test of Sacrifice.

Trials can be a test of our sacrifice.

Are we willing to sacrifice everything for the Lord?

Are we clinging to the possessions and treasures of this world?

Are we crucified to the world?

When we lay ourselves on the altar and die to our self then we can bear much fruit for the Lord.

The Lord leads us to the point of total surrender by leading us through the path of trials.

He tests the level of our willingness to sacrifice for Him.

He tested Abraham in this way.

Genesis 22:7-8 (HCSB)

7 Then Isaac spoke to his father Abraham and said, “My father.” And he replied, “Here I am, my son.” Isaac said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8 Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” Then the two of them walked on together.

7. A Test of Obedience.

Trials can be a test of our obedience to God.

Are we willing to obey God even when He commands us to do what we do not like or what we wish to avoid?

The Lord teaches us obedience by leading us through trails.

Jesus is the prime example of obedience.

Matthew 26:39 (HCSB)

Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”

Philippians 2:8 (HCSB) He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even to death on a cross.

Jesus Passes the Test for Us

Matthew 4:1-11 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

The Testing of Jesus

4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested by the devil. 2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was famished. 3 The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written,

‘One does not live by bread alone,
    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,

‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
    and ‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ ”

7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, 9 and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written,

‘Worship the Lord your God,
    and serve only him.’ ”

11 Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

Since the beginning, human beings have failed God’s test.

In Eden, Satan asked, “Did God say . . . ?” and then misquoted God’s words.

Adam and Eve responded by questioning the word of God and then doing what seemed right in their own eyes.

So do we. Jesus, the Son of God, came to live among us as a human being.

And, in his case, the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be severely tempted.

There Satan made some suggestions that sounded rather reasonable—“have something to eat; show your power; fall into the arms of God.”

Jesus responded to each temptation with a quote from the Scriptures.

Without twisting God’s words, said, in effect, “No, I live by the Word of God.”

This is still our challenge as well.

Will we live by God’s Word, or will we do what seems right in our own eyes?

Like Adam and Eve, we are experts at twisting God’s words to suit our own purposes. We lie, we lust, we get angry, we are greedy, we gossip—and so on.

Rarely does a day pass in which we don’t knowingly yield to some temptation.

We need to rely on the only One who passed the test.

He was “tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

What’s more, Jesus also laid down his life to pay the price for our sin—so that we can live forever with God. (Philippians 2:5-11)

If we posses as little as .001% of that mindset…what miracles becomes possible?

In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit … Amen

Praying ….

A Psalm of Fearless Trust in God.

A Psalm of David.

27 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom should I fear?
The Lord is the [a]defense of my life;
Whom should I dread?
2 When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh,
My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.
3 If an army encamps against me,
My heart will not fear;
If war arises against me,
In spite of this I am confident.

4 One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
To behold the [b]beauty of the Lord
And to [c]meditate in His temple.
5 For on the day of trouble He will conceal me in His [d]tabernacle;
He will hide me in the secret place of His tent;
He will lift me up on a rock.
6 And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me,
And I will offer sacrifices in His tent [e]with shouts of joy;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

7 Hear, Lord, when I cry with my voice,
And be gracious to me and answer me.
8 When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You,
“I shall seek Your face, Lord.”
9 Do not hide Your face from me,
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not abandon me nor forsake me,
God of my salvation!
10 [f]For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
But the Lord will take me up.

11 Teach me Your way, Lord,
And lead me on a level path
Because of my enemies.
12 Do not turn me over to the [g]desire of my enemies,
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And the violent witness.
13 I certainly believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the Lord.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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