Psalm 11
11:7 "For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face".
The reward for being upright is to see the face of God.
Psalm 12
A couple things stand out in this chapter.
12:5 "Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy I will now arise, says the Lord. I will protect them from those who malign them".
12:7 "O Lord, you will keep us safe and protect us from such people forever".
-God is roused to protect the needy and oppressed.
12:6 "And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times".
- The words of the Lord (the Bible in our case) is flawless. Refined and purified.
12:8 "The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men".
How truly does this reflect today's culture?
Psalm 13
A reminder that even when things seem to be going wrong we should trust in the Lord and praise him.
13:2 "How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?
13:5-6 " But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me".
Psalm 14
14:1 "The fool says in his heart, there is no God. They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good".
"The Hebrew words rendered 'fool' in Psalms denote one who is morally deficient."
This little footnote really changes the way I look at this verse. I've seen (especially in comment sections on internet articles), Christians throwing around the term 'fool' like those who believe in God are stupid and then being made to look stupid by those who don't believe in God. But, if fool denotes a morally deficient person, the meaning of this verse makes much more sense.
- God is present in the company of the righteous. (Psalm 14:5). That's comforting and interesting to those looking to be righteous. When your are upright, you are righteous because God is in your presence.
Psalm 15
Be blameless. Do what is righteous. Speak truth from your heart. Don't slander. Honor those who fear the Lord. These are what it takes to live on God's holy hill.
Psalm 16
Teach me to always remember "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing" (16:2).
Sorrow will increase in those who run after other gods (16:4).
Showing posts with label Psalms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Psalms. Show all posts
Friday, February 12, 2016
Thursday, February 11, 2016
365 Day Bible Catch Up Psalms 6 - 10
Psalm 6
Lord teach me to pray this fervently. I don't know if I have ever prayed so hard as David did in this moment. I know I have been worn out from groaning in certain situations and I have lifted prayers to you in my times of need, but have I really ever prayed so deeply as this? I should because you hear.
6:9 "The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer.
Psalm 7
Psalm 7 warns us of what happens when you do evil.
7:14 - "He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment"
7:16 - "The trouble he causes recoils on himself; his violence comes down on his own head"
Evil never prospers. It always bites us in the end. 7:14 is especially poignant and telling. Conceiving of schemes that are troublesome gives birth to an experience when you discover that what you were thinking of ends up not nearly being as good as you initially thought. How true is that? Lord, clear the evil from me so that I am not in the birth pangs of disillusionment.
Psalm 8
8:2 "From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger". When you see a child praising God it reminds you of what life should be like. Children speak frankly (when brought up right) about God and their faith is the faith that Jesus praises. It silences the enemies of God. God could thunderbolt and rage and accomplish this silence, yet it is through the voice of children that he chooses to silence his foes. How humbling.
Psalm 9
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed and a stronghold in times of trouble? (v8) Why? Because those who know your name will trust in you because you have never forsaken those who seek you. (v9) On the flip side, those that don't know your name won't trust you because they haven't seen your steadfastness.
9:15 echoes 7:14 & 7:16. "The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden". The trouble has recoiled.
While the wicked are ensnared and perishing and having their memory wiped from the earth, the needy will not be forgotten (9:18).
Psalm 10
Psalm 10:4 is a perfect explanation of why pride is so harmful to man. "In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God". Lord, let me not be this proud man. Let me always make room for you.
Psalm 10 has one of those 'difficult verses' 10:15 "Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out". How do we reconcile a loving God with one that would break the arm of a man? Well, that's for another time to discuss. While typing this I realized just how scary this verse is. "Call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out". How much iniquity is done in secret that no man could ever know? But, God knows. Lord, forgive me of the sins I have done in secret. Hear my prayer and forgive me.
Lord teach me to pray this fervently. I don't know if I have ever prayed so hard as David did in this moment. I know I have been worn out from groaning in certain situations and I have lifted prayers to you in my times of need, but have I really ever prayed so deeply as this? I should because you hear.
6:9 "The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer.
Psalm 7
Psalm 7 warns us of what happens when you do evil.
7:14 - "He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment"
7:16 - "The trouble he causes recoils on himself; his violence comes down on his own head"
Evil never prospers. It always bites us in the end. 7:14 is especially poignant and telling. Conceiving of schemes that are troublesome gives birth to an experience when you discover that what you were thinking of ends up not nearly being as good as you initially thought. How true is that? Lord, clear the evil from me so that I am not in the birth pangs of disillusionment.
Psalm 8
8:2 "From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger". When you see a child praising God it reminds you of what life should be like. Children speak frankly (when brought up right) about God and their faith is the faith that Jesus praises. It silences the enemies of God. God could thunderbolt and rage and accomplish this silence, yet it is through the voice of children that he chooses to silence his foes. How humbling.
Psalm 9
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed and a stronghold in times of trouble? (v8) Why? Because those who know your name will trust in you because you have never forsaken those who seek you. (v9) On the flip side, those that don't know your name won't trust you because they haven't seen your steadfastness.
9:15 echoes 7:14 & 7:16. "The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden". The trouble has recoiled.
While the wicked are ensnared and perishing and having their memory wiped from the earth, the needy will not be forgotten (9:18).
Psalm 10
Psalm 10:4 is a perfect explanation of why pride is so harmful to man. "In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God". Lord, let me not be this proud man. Let me always make room for you.
Psalm 10 has one of those 'difficult verses' 10:15 "Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out". How do we reconcile a loving God with one that would break the arm of a man? Well, that's for another time to discuss. While typing this I realized just how scary this verse is. "Call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out". How much iniquity is done in secret that no man could ever know? But, God knows. Lord, forgive me of the sins I have done in secret. Hear my prayer and forgive me.
Saturday, January 30, 2016
365 Day Bible 5
365 Day Bible Day 5 (25 days late, need to speed up)
Genesis 11 - 13:4
The Tower of Babel has always fascinated me. I wondered why God was so concerned with man making a great tower or city. I guess in reading it it's the men's intentions and purposes for building it - to make a name for themselves that is the great sin. But, God confused their speech and the people spread out.
Again we have a genealogy of people living huge amounts of time. Shem, 500 years; Arphaxad, 403 years; Shelah, 403 years; Eber, 430 years; Peleg, 209 years; Reu, 207 years; Serug, 200 years; Nahor, 119 years. I know that whether or not these are actual dates are of no real consequence to the salvation that comes through Jesus Christ via Abraham, but it baffles me nonetheless. Nahor then was the father of Terah and Terah the father of Abraham.
Abraham (and his nephew Lot) were from Ur of the Chaldeans. Abraham (named Abram at the moment) married Sarai, a barren woman. Terah (who lived to 205 years old) took his sons, including Abram and his nephew Lot on a journey to Canaan, but stopped in Haran. Why?
God then speaks to Abram in chapter 12 and promises him a blessing. Abram heeds the call and took along Lot to go to Canaan when he was 75 years old. Abram kept moving, kept hearing from God and kept listening, building altars to the Lord along the way.
Abram went down to Egypt during a time of famine and had Sarai lie to everyone and say that she was his sister. Through this lie Abram wasn't killed and acquired wealth. But when the Lord inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Sarai, Abram was told to get up and leave. Abram traveled some more and settled in between Bethel and Ai and called on the name of the Lord.
Matthew 5:1-26 (The Beatitudes)
The first 12 verses read like a list I need to pray daily. Teach me to be poor in spirit, to be meek, to hunger and thirst for righteousness, to be merciful, to be pure in heart, to be a peacemaker.
5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled". How cool is that? If you take the time to aim yourself towards righteousness God will make sure that you get there.
5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Lord, I need purification in my heart because I don't always see you.
The salt part suddenly scares me. If salt loses its saltiness though it's of no use. It can only be thrown out and trampled by men. That's again seeing Jesus in not a whimsy-flimsy sort of light that often he gets portrayed as.
5:20 "For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven". Again, Jesus is preaching about righteousness. What is this righteousness he is preaching?
What are we to make of Jesus' thoughts on the Law? Nothing will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Does the resurrection accomplish everything?
5:21-26 bears out what Christ says about the blessed. Blessed are the meek, the merciful and the peacemakers. Those who aren't meek, merciful or a peacemaker will suffer the judgment he talks about in these verses.
Psalm 5
Some of Psalm 5 has those difficult verses with David calling for men to be called guilty by God and for them to have a downfall and be banished from God. But as always this is tempered with a call for God to protect those who take refuge in Him.
Verse 3 stands out to me. "In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation". This is my prayer Lord, that I learn to pray like this. Teach me to have faith enough to lay my requests at your feet and wait in expectation.
Proverbs 1:24-28
Wow, here again we have a difficult verse. Lord, teach me not to reject your calls, your discipline so that I am not so far gone that you will not answer when I do call.
Genesis 11 - 13:4
The Tower of Babel has always fascinated me. I wondered why God was so concerned with man making a great tower or city. I guess in reading it it's the men's intentions and purposes for building it - to make a name for themselves that is the great sin. But, God confused their speech and the people spread out.
Again we have a genealogy of people living huge amounts of time. Shem, 500 years; Arphaxad, 403 years; Shelah, 403 years; Eber, 430 years; Peleg, 209 years; Reu, 207 years; Serug, 200 years; Nahor, 119 years. I know that whether or not these are actual dates are of no real consequence to the salvation that comes through Jesus Christ via Abraham, but it baffles me nonetheless. Nahor then was the father of Terah and Terah the father of Abraham.
Abraham (and his nephew Lot) were from Ur of the Chaldeans. Abraham (named Abram at the moment) married Sarai, a barren woman. Terah (who lived to 205 years old) took his sons, including Abram and his nephew Lot on a journey to Canaan, but stopped in Haran. Why?
God then speaks to Abram in chapter 12 and promises him a blessing. Abram heeds the call and took along Lot to go to Canaan when he was 75 years old. Abram kept moving, kept hearing from God and kept listening, building altars to the Lord along the way.
Abram went down to Egypt during a time of famine and had Sarai lie to everyone and say that she was his sister. Through this lie Abram wasn't killed and acquired wealth. But when the Lord inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Sarai, Abram was told to get up and leave. Abram traveled some more and settled in between Bethel and Ai and called on the name of the Lord.
Matthew 5:1-26 (The Beatitudes)
The first 12 verses read like a list I need to pray daily. Teach me to be poor in spirit, to be meek, to hunger and thirst for righteousness, to be merciful, to be pure in heart, to be a peacemaker.
5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled". How cool is that? If you take the time to aim yourself towards righteousness God will make sure that you get there.
5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Lord, I need purification in my heart because I don't always see you.
The salt part suddenly scares me. If salt loses its saltiness though it's of no use. It can only be thrown out and trampled by men. That's again seeing Jesus in not a whimsy-flimsy sort of light that often he gets portrayed as.
5:20 "For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven". Again, Jesus is preaching about righteousness. What is this righteousness he is preaching?
What are we to make of Jesus' thoughts on the Law? Nothing will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Does the resurrection accomplish everything?
5:21-26 bears out what Christ says about the blessed. Blessed are the meek, the merciful and the peacemakers. Those who aren't meek, merciful or a peacemaker will suffer the judgment he talks about in these verses.
Psalm 5
Some of Psalm 5 has those difficult verses with David calling for men to be called guilty by God and for them to have a downfall and be banished from God. But as always this is tempered with a call for God to protect those who take refuge in Him.
Verse 3 stands out to me. "In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation". This is my prayer Lord, that I learn to pray like this. Teach me to have faith enough to lay my requests at your feet and wait in expectation.
Proverbs 1:24-28
Wow, here again we have a difficult verse. Lord, teach me not to reject your calls, your discipline so that I am not so far gone that you will not answer when I do call.
Thursday, January 28, 2016
365 Day Bible 3 & 4
Day 3 of the 365 Day Bible (still have some catching up to do).
Genesis 5 - 10
Genesis 5:1-2 reminds us that when God created man He did so in the likeness of God, the Imago Dei. Interestingly here, the NIV says the "likeness of God" and not the "image of God". I wonder what the original text states? I know there are some Christian sects that believe that we were created in the image and likeness of God, but after the Fall we lost the 'likeness' and retained the 'image'.
Adam lived 930 years. Seth lived 912 years. Enosh lived 905 years. Kenan lived 910 years. Mahalalel lived 895 years. Jared lived 962 years.
Enoch lived 365 years and unlike his ancestors, the Bible doesn't say 'and then he died'. It states 5:24 "Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away". Is this poetic license? Is it just stating the same thing in a more flowery language? Or is it something else? I don't know.
Methuselah lived 969 years. Lamech lived 777 years. Lamech was the father of Noah.
Noah was the father of Shem, Ham and Japheth.
Genesis 6 has some interesting stuff. First, "the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose" (6:2). "The Nephilim were on the earth in those days - and also afterward - when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown" (6:4). What on earth does that mean? Who were the Nephilim?
In spite of the wickedness of man, Noah alone found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Noah was righteous, blameless and walked with God. God decided to wipe out all living things on account of man who had brought violence to the earth. But, God makes a covenant with Noah (this is the first time God makes a covenant in the Old Testament).
Why does God command Noah to take two of every kind of bird in 6:20 and seven of every kind of bird in 7:2?
After the flood the first thing Noah does is to build an altar and sacrifice to God. God then states, "never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood" (8:21). That doesn't exactly paint a very good picture of man - every inclination is evil from childhood. So much for the theory that man is intrinsically good.
God then reminds us of the Imago Dei in a warning not to kill another man - 9:6 "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man".
God then makes his covenant with Noah never to destroy the earth by a flood and sets the rainbow as a sign to remember that He will remember the everlasting covenant between God and all the living creatures of every kind.
Noah then gets drunk and Ham dishonors him, but Japheth and Shem cover him up. Noah curses Ham (the father of Canaan) to be the slave of his brothers. Noah lived 950 years and died.
What are we to do with the ages in this passage? Are we to take literally that men lived nearly a thousand years? What can be the explanation for such longevity?
Matthew 3-4
John the Baptist bursts onto the scene in Matthew 3, calling for repentance. He prophesies about the coming Messiah who will baptize with fire and the Holy Spirit. He doesn't paint Jesus as a sort of wimpy guy either "His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire" (Matthew 3:12).
John the Baptist then, after mild protestation, baptizes Jesus. A voice from Heaven declares that Jesus is God's son.
After baptism, Jesus goes into the desert to fast 40 days. After this he is tempted by the devil three times. The thing I have always found the most interesting about this passage is that both use Scripture in their back and forth. Of course one would expect Jesus to quote Scripture, but the devil uses it as well. That's an unsettling thought.
Just like John the Baptist, Jesus begins to preach calling for repentance. Jesus then calls his first four disciples Simon-Peter, Andrew, James and John (the sons of Zebedee). Jesus then begins his ministry by preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing the sick. People flocked to him from all over and brought their sick to be healed.
Psalms 3-4
Psalm 3 is one of those Psalms that has a difficult verse in it. "Arise, O Lord! Deliver me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked" (Psalms 3:7). Not exactly one of those verses that makes God seem like the great redeemer He is. It's hard to reconcile the love of God with what David is calling on God to do. But, just as we saw in Matthew 3, Jesus who is healing the sick just one chapter later is being prophesied as standing with the winnowing fork ready to store up his wheat in the barn and burn the chaff forever in an unquenchable fire.
But there are two verses that really stick out to me in Psalm 3. Psalm 3:5 "I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me". Even something so simple as waking up is worthy of praising God, because He sustains us. Psalm 3:8 "From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people". David, for all intents and purposes is one of the most renowned warriors in the Bible, but he sees the Lord as his deliverance, not his own strength or might.
Psalm 4 also shows David seeing God as his safety. But, the verse in Psalm 4 that strikes me the most is verse 4. "In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent". Hear my prayer God, help me to search my heart so that I do not sin in anger.
Proverbs 1:10-23
Again we see a warning against sin - 1:10 "My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them". Again we see repentance and what it does for a man. 1:23 "If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you".
Genesis 5 - 10
Genesis 5:1-2 reminds us that when God created man He did so in the likeness of God, the Imago Dei. Interestingly here, the NIV says the "likeness of God" and not the "image of God". I wonder what the original text states? I know there are some Christian sects that believe that we were created in the image and likeness of God, but after the Fall we lost the 'likeness' and retained the 'image'.
Adam lived 930 years. Seth lived 912 years. Enosh lived 905 years. Kenan lived 910 years. Mahalalel lived 895 years. Jared lived 962 years.
Enoch lived 365 years and unlike his ancestors, the Bible doesn't say 'and then he died'. It states 5:24 "Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away". Is this poetic license? Is it just stating the same thing in a more flowery language? Or is it something else? I don't know.
Methuselah lived 969 years. Lamech lived 777 years. Lamech was the father of Noah.
Noah was the father of Shem, Ham and Japheth.
Genesis 6 has some interesting stuff. First, "the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose" (6:2). "The Nephilim were on the earth in those days - and also afterward - when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown" (6:4). What on earth does that mean? Who were the Nephilim?
In spite of the wickedness of man, Noah alone found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Noah was righteous, blameless and walked with God. God decided to wipe out all living things on account of man who had brought violence to the earth. But, God makes a covenant with Noah (this is the first time God makes a covenant in the Old Testament).
Why does God command Noah to take two of every kind of bird in 6:20 and seven of every kind of bird in 7:2?
After the flood the first thing Noah does is to build an altar and sacrifice to God. God then states, "never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood" (8:21). That doesn't exactly paint a very good picture of man - every inclination is evil from childhood. So much for the theory that man is intrinsically good.
God then reminds us of the Imago Dei in a warning not to kill another man - 9:6 "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man".
God then makes his covenant with Noah never to destroy the earth by a flood and sets the rainbow as a sign to remember that He will remember the everlasting covenant between God and all the living creatures of every kind.
Noah then gets drunk and Ham dishonors him, but Japheth and Shem cover him up. Noah curses Ham (the father of Canaan) to be the slave of his brothers. Noah lived 950 years and died.
What are we to do with the ages in this passage? Are we to take literally that men lived nearly a thousand years? What can be the explanation for such longevity?
Matthew 3-4
John the Baptist bursts onto the scene in Matthew 3, calling for repentance. He prophesies about the coming Messiah who will baptize with fire and the Holy Spirit. He doesn't paint Jesus as a sort of wimpy guy either "His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire" (Matthew 3:12).
John the Baptist then, after mild protestation, baptizes Jesus. A voice from Heaven declares that Jesus is God's son.
After baptism, Jesus goes into the desert to fast 40 days. After this he is tempted by the devil three times. The thing I have always found the most interesting about this passage is that both use Scripture in their back and forth. Of course one would expect Jesus to quote Scripture, but the devil uses it as well. That's an unsettling thought.
Just like John the Baptist, Jesus begins to preach calling for repentance. Jesus then calls his first four disciples Simon-Peter, Andrew, James and John (the sons of Zebedee). Jesus then begins his ministry by preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing the sick. People flocked to him from all over and brought their sick to be healed.
Psalms 3-4
Psalm 3 is one of those Psalms that has a difficult verse in it. "Arise, O Lord! Deliver me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked" (Psalms 3:7). Not exactly one of those verses that makes God seem like the great redeemer He is. It's hard to reconcile the love of God with what David is calling on God to do. But, just as we saw in Matthew 3, Jesus who is healing the sick just one chapter later is being prophesied as standing with the winnowing fork ready to store up his wheat in the barn and burn the chaff forever in an unquenchable fire.
But there are two verses that really stick out to me in Psalm 3. Psalm 3:5 "I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me". Even something so simple as waking up is worthy of praising God, because He sustains us. Psalm 3:8 "From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people". David, for all intents and purposes is one of the most renowned warriors in the Bible, but he sees the Lord as his deliverance, not his own strength or might.
Psalm 4 also shows David seeing God as his safety. But, the verse in Psalm 4 that strikes me the most is verse 4. "In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent". Hear my prayer God, help me to search my heart so that I do not sin in anger.
Proverbs 1:10-23
Again we see a warning against sin - 1:10 "My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them". Again we see repentance and what it does for a man. 1:23 "If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you".
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
365 Day Bible Day 2
Day 2 (still playing catch-up)
Genesis 3-4
The Fall of Man in Genesis 3- Why did God make the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil? Why did God make the Tree of Life? Genesis 3 offers us the first look of the Problem of Evil in Scriptures. Why was the serpent crafty? Why did he defy God? Why did Eve mis-remember or lie about the tree in the middle of the garden and embellish what God had said? Eve, even in that innocent state at the least erred, if not fibbed. Who is to blame for the fall of man?
Was it God for setting Adam and Eve up to fail? Was it the serpent for seducing Eve? Was it Eve for eating the apple and seducing Adam? Was it Adam to succumbing to Eve and eating the apple? It just occurred to me, though I've probably thought of it before or so I'm not mis-remembering or fibbing, it's probably more accurate to state that it has been pointed out to me before that the problem of free will and the problem of evil are intricately related.
Why did God create the universe in the way He did? We may posit guesses, theories and plausible scenarios, but our answers will only reach probability standards and internally consistency. The fact of the matter is that the world is as it is because God created it as such (allowing a transcendental argument that presupposes that the Christian God did create the world, that I have no personal qualms with accepting on various levels that I'll not go into at the moment). But, as for the creation of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (whether this is a literal or metaphorical creation, a topic for another discussion) demands that God created the world as such to involve Free Will. Thus, sin, though not inevitable, is at least possible in the world that God created. The Problem of Evil comes about because we ask who is the author of evil. In a world that is created by God where evil is at least possible don't we have to accept that God is the ultimate author of evil? I tend to lean towards St. Augustine's way of dealing with the existence of evil as I sort of had a eureka moment when I learned of his theory. Evil is not something that exists independently and is really only the diminishing of the good. Thus, God who cannot be diminished at all can never be evil. Thus, we can rule God out as the author of evil.
But, we needn't get too deep into this as it really doesn't concern Genesis 3 only that it absolves God from any guilt in the scenario. God shows whose to blame as he doles out punishment. The serpent is cursed. The woman has her pain in childbearing greatly increased and Adam and the ground is cursed because of his role in the event.
Even after punishment though God takes care of Adam & Eve making them garments of skin.
Cain and Abel are then born to Adam and Eve in exile from the Garden. Cain offered "some" of his fruits and Abel offered "fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock". The Lord looked on Abel with favor for his offering, but not on Cain. Cain became angry. Then God says something interesting, combining a comforting and a warning - "If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it".
That verse, 4:7 strikes some fear in me. I can vividly picture sin crouching at my door seeking to have me. Lord, help me master it.
Cain kills Abel and is cursed by God, but once again God even punishment doesn't totally destroy Cain, marking him so that nobody kills him.
This is where I start to get intrigued and thinking about the whole Adam & Eve and Cain & Abel and why is Cain scared stating, "I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me". If Adam & Eve are the first people and Cain and Abel their first children, and now that Abel is dead, who is Cain afraid of coming across when he is wandering? Who is his wife that he lay with in the next verse? Now I guess is as good of a place as any for me to posit my working and probably incredibly inaccurate thoughts on Creation, Adam & Eve and who the heck Cain is scared of.
First, with regard to the Genesis account of Creation and its literal/metaphorical interpretation. Actually, let's back up a second before I go into this. Firstly, anything and everything in Scriptures is relevant to our daily walk with God. But, if it doesn't deny the salvation through Jesus Christ or anything heretical about the nature of God, I think a debate can be had on certain things - one of which is Creation. Secondly, as long as there is no disagreement on how one is redeemed, which is through Jesus Christ and acceptance of Him as one's Lord and Savior, and on the Triune God of Christianity being the sole God, one can be called a Christian. I am sure that when I get to Heaven I will be surprised who I see and who I don't see. God's redemptive powers are greater than my conception of them. Lastly, I do not think it to be edifying the faithful or a good look to the un-believing for Christians to come to blows, literal or metaphorical about things related to faith. Where there is disagreement, let there be discussion unless discussion leads to heresy or disharmony. If there are in those rare spots places where Christians can disagree on points of theology that are not related to Christ, his redeeming ways or on the Trinity then let us simply do good works to show our faith. But when it comes to Creation, I am not a literalist. I don't think we can take the Biblical account of Genesis 1-2 and turn it into a scientific treatise because that is not what it was intended to be.
As for my take on Creation, I see no reason why a Darwinian account of evolution is incompatible with a Scriptural worldview. I see this because I don't think the Bible is a scientific textbook. Now, Darwinian evolution has the power to describe the process of how the earth came into being, but not the why or the intent of creation. I believe that when God set into motion the events of creation that would eventually lead to this point and to the final point in history, He did so in the full knowledge of the fall of man and that his creation act included the two seminal points in redeeming man - the crucifixion/resurrection of Jesus Christ and the second coming. They were woven into the fabric of creation because he had foreknowledge that man would fall and in the ultimate act of love and sacrifice he chose to create and redeem nonetheless. Why did God create in such a way that included Free Will? Again, this is one of those questions we can only posit theories to that approximate internal consistency because we cannot know the full mind of God.
Now, we come to Adam and Eve and some of the differences between Genesis 1 and 2. I think at some point in the distant past, when man was emerging out of East Africa, God chose, much in the way he chose Abraham, a certain man and placed him in the Garden to fulfill the purpose which God had set for man at the onset of creation - "to fill the earth and subdue it, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground" (Genesis 1:28). Through Adam naming the creatures of the garden, God gave him dominion over those in the garden. While I don't take creation as literal, I take the Garden of Eden and Adam as literal, as well as Eve being formed for Adam by God specifically as literal, historical events.
Now comes the question of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and the Tree of Life and the serpent. This I vacillate back and forth on. On the one hand, if God set up a guard at the entrance to the Garden so that Adam & Eve couldn't return to the garden it would suggest that both trees are literal. But, on the other hand, the sin/fall of man could very well have been Adam & Eve exercising their free will in a way that resulted in sin and the story could be metaphorical and just Adam & Eve choosing to live their way instead of God's way. I'm not sure - to be honest, I'm not really sure about any of this; it's just my personal thoughts.
Cain & Abel is most definitely now entering a literal phase. I think that once Adam & Eve have been banished from paradise they are aware of other people throughout their little corner of the world. Cain being banished from his home territory would mean coming across other groups of humans who might not be overly receptive to someone wandering into their territory where they hunt and gather. Why do I think that Adam & Eve and their sons knew of other human beings in the vicinity of them? The wife of Cain, without the Biblical mention of Adam & Eve having a daughter makes me think that Cain (and probably Abel) acquired a wife from another band of humans in the general vicinity to where Adam & Eve were living. But, this could all be wrong. Lord, I pray for two things. First, that I don't get to caught up in intellectualizing your Word and thus, not gleaning the eternal truths from it by drowning out your voice. Second, that I don't lead myself or anyone else astray from you in thinking or writing these things.
To finish up today's reading in Genesis I have two things that puzzle me
1) Lamech. What is Lamech saying when he makes his declaration to his two wives?
2) Adam & Eve's third son Seth has a son called Enosh: "At that time men began to call on the name of the Lord". What does that mean? The Lord spoke to Adam & Eve, and to Cain (presumably to Abel). But had the fall caused enough rift that the Lord was pulling back and so the roles reversed to where man was beginning to call on the name of the Lord instead of the other way around?
Matthew 3
John the Baptist was baptizing and preaching in the desert and drawing crowds. He chastised the Pharisees and the Sadducees who seemed to be relying on their heritage as descendants of Abraham for salvation. "Produce fruit in keeping with repentance" (3:8) he warned them, continuing "The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire" (3:10).
Lord, hear my prayer - Help me to produce fruit in keeping with repentance. I repent of my sins and yet I am bearing no fruit. I continue to go to my sins often, even after repenting. I repent again. Help me to bear fruit.
The first words of Jesus in the New Testament come from Matthew 3:15 "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness". While the formation of the Scriptures as it is now may not be chronological in the order that events happened or were even recorded, I find it interesting to English readers of the Scriptures that Jesus' first words are essentially 'let's do it to fulfill all righteousness'. With that John the Baptist baptizes Jesus and God declares from Heaven who Jesus is - "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased". Righteousness pleases God.
Psalm 2
2:11 - "Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling"
2:12b - "Blessed are all who take refuge in him"
Lord, may I serve you and rejoice you and take refuge in you.
Proverbs 1:7-9
1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."
Lord, let this be yet another beginning of knowledge. Teach me not to despise your discipline. Hear my prayer Lord.
Genesis 3-4
The Fall of Man in Genesis 3- Why did God make the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil? Why did God make the Tree of Life? Genesis 3 offers us the first look of the Problem of Evil in Scriptures. Why was the serpent crafty? Why did he defy God? Why did Eve mis-remember or lie about the tree in the middle of the garden and embellish what God had said? Eve, even in that innocent state at the least erred, if not fibbed. Who is to blame for the fall of man?
Was it God for setting Adam and Eve up to fail? Was it the serpent for seducing Eve? Was it Eve for eating the apple and seducing Adam? Was it Adam to succumbing to Eve and eating the apple? It just occurred to me, though I've probably thought of it before or so I'm not mis-remembering or fibbing, it's probably more accurate to state that it has been pointed out to me before that the problem of free will and the problem of evil are intricately related.
Why did God create the universe in the way He did? We may posit guesses, theories and plausible scenarios, but our answers will only reach probability standards and internally consistency. The fact of the matter is that the world is as it is because God created it as such (allowing a transcendental argument that presupposes that the Christian God did create the world, that I have no personal qualms with accepting on various levels that I'll not go into at the moment). But, as for the creation of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (whether this is a literal or metaphorical creation, a topic for another discussion) demands that God created the world as such to involve Free Will. Thus, sin, though not inevitable, is at least possible in the world that God created. The Problem of Evil comes about because we ask who is the author of evil. In a world that is created by God where evil is at least possible don't we have to accept that God is the ultimate author of evil? I tend to lean towards St. Augustine's way of dealing with the existence of evil as I sort of had a eureka moment when I learned of his theory. Evil is not something that exists independently and is really only the diminishing of the good. Thus, God who cannot be diminished at all can never be evil. Thus, we can rule God out as the author of evil.
But, we needn't get too deep into this as it really doesn't concern Genesis 3 only that it absolves God from any guilt in the scenario. God shows whose to blame as he doles out punishment. The serpent is cursed. The woman has her pain in childbearing greatly increased and Adam and the ground is cursed because of his role in the event.
Even after punishment though God takes care of Adam & Eve making them garments of skin.
Cain and Abel are then born to Adam and Eve in exile from the Garden. Cain offered "some" of his fruits and Abel offered "fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock". The Lord looked on Abel with favor for his offering, but not on Cain. Cain became angry. Then God says something interesting, combining a comforting and a warning - "If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it".
That verse, 4:7 strikes some fear in me. I can vividly picture sin crouching at my door seeking to have me. Lord, help me master it.
Cain kills Abel and is cursed by God, but once again God even punishment doesn't totally destroy Cain, marking him so that nobody kills him.
This is where I start to get intrigued and thinking about the whole Adam & Eve and Cain & Abel and why is Cain scared stating, "I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me". If Adam & Eve are the first people and Cain and Abel their first children, and now that Abel is dead, who is Cain afraid of coming across when he is wandering? Who is his wife that he lay with in the next verse? Now I guess is as good of a place as any for me to posit my working and probably incredibly inaccurate thoughts on Creation, Adam & Eve and who the heck Cain is scared of.
First, with regard to the Genesis account of Creation and its literal/metaphorical interpretation. Actually, let's back up a second before I go into this. Firstly, anything and everything in Scriptures is relevant to our daily walk with God. But, if it doesn't deny the salvation through Jesus Christ or anything heretical about the nature of God, I think a debate can be had on certain things - one of which is Creation. Secondly, as long as there is no disagreement on how one is redeemed, which is through Jesus Christ and acceptance of Him as one's Lord and Savior, and on the Triune God of Christianity being the sole God, one can be called a Christian. I am sure that when I get to Heaven I will be surprised who I see and who I don't see. God's redemptive powers are greater than my conception of them. Lastly, I do not think it to be edifying the faithful or a good look to the un-believing for Christians to come to blows, literal or metaphorical about things related to faith. Where there is disagreement, let there be discussion unless discussion leads to heresy or disharmony. If there are in those rare spots places where Christians can disagree on points of theology that are not related to Christ, his redeeming ways or on the Trinity then let us simply do good works to show our faith. But when it comes to Creation, I am not a literalist. I don't think we can take the Biblical account of Genesis 1-2 and turn it into a scientific treatise because that is not what it was intended to be.
As for my take on Creation, I see no reason why a Darwinian account of evolution is incompatible with a Scriptural worldview. I see this because I don't think the Bible is a scientific textbook. Now, Darwinian evolution has the power to describe the process of how the earth came into being, but not the why or the intent of creation. I believe that when God set into motion the events of creation that would eventually lead to this point and to the final point in history, He did so in the full knowledge of the fall of man and that his creation act included the two seminal points in redeeming man - the crucifixion/resurrection of Jesus Christ and the second coming. They were woven into the fabric of creation because he had foreknowledge that man would fall and in the ultimate act of love and sacrifice he chose to create and redeem nonetheless. Why did God create in such a way that included Free Will? Again, this is one of those questions we can only posit theories to that approximate internal consistency because we cannot know the full mind of God.
Now, we come to Adam and Eve and some of the differences between Genesis 1 and 2. I think at some point in the distant past, when man was emerging out of East Africa, God chose, much in the way he chose Abraham, a certain man and placed him in the Garden to fulfill the purpose which God had set for man at the onset of creation - "to fill the earth and subdue it, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground" (Genesis 1:28). Through Adam naming the creatures of the garden, God gave him dominion over those in the garden. While I don't take creation as literal, I take the Garden of Eden and Adam as literal, as well as Eve being formed for Adam by God specifically as literal, historical events.
Now comes the question of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and the Tree of Life and the serpent. This I vacillate back and forth on. On the one hand, if God set up a guard at the entrance to the Garden so that Adam & Eve couldn't return to the garden it would suggest that both trees are literal. But, on the other hand, the sin/fall of man could very well have been Adam & Eve exercising their free will in a way that resulted in sin and the story could be metaphorical and just Adam & Eve choosing to live their way instead of God's way. I'm not sure - to be honest, I'm not really sure about any of this; it's just my personal thoughts.
Cain & Abel is most definitely now entering a literal phase. I think that once Adam & Eve have been banished from paradise they are aware of other people throughout their little corner of the world. Cain being banished from his home territory would mean coming across other groups of humans who might not be overly receptive to someone wandering into their territory where they hunt and gather. Why do I think that Adam & Eve and their sons knew of other human beings in the vicinity of them? The wife of Cain, without the Biblical mention of Adam & Eve having a daughter makes me think that Cain (and probably Abel) acquired a wife from another band of humans in the general vicinity to where Adam & Eve were living. But, this could all be wrong. Lord, I pray for two things. First, that I don't get to caught up in intellectualizing your Word and thus, not gleaning the eternal truths from it by drowning out your voice. Second, that I don't lead myself or anyone else astray from you in thinking or writing these things.
To finish up today's reading in Genesis I have two things that puzzle me
1) Lamech. What is Lamech saying when he makes his declaration to his two wives?
2) Adam & Eve's third son Seth has a son called Enosh: "At that time men began to call on the name of the Lord". What does that mean? The Lord spoke to Adam & Eve, and to Cain (presumably to Abel). But had the fall caused enough rift that the Lord was pulling back and so the roles reversed to where man was beginning to call on the name of the Lord instead of the other way around?
Matthew 3
John the Baptist was baptizing and preaching in the desert and drawing crowds. He chastised the Pharisees and the Sadducees who seemed to be relying on their heritage as descendants of Abraham for salvation. "Produce fruit in keeping with repentance" (3:8) he warned them, continuing "The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire" (3:10).
Lord, hear my prayer - Help me to produce fruit in keeping with repentance. I repent of my sins and yet I am bearing no fruit. I continue to go to my sins often, even after repenting. I repent again. Help me to bear fruit.
The first words of Jesus in the New Testament come from Matthew 3:15 "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness". While the formation of the Scriptures as it is now may not be chronological in the order that events happened or were even recorded, I find it interesting to English readers of the Scriptures that Jesus' first words are essentially 'let's do it to fulfill all righteousness'. With that John the Baptist baptizes Jesus and God declares from Heaven who Jesus is - "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased". Righteousness pleases God.
Psalm 2
2:11 - "Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling"
2:12b - "Blessed are all who take refuge in him"
Lord, may I serve you and rejoice you and take refuge in you.
Proverbs 1:7-9
1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."
Lord, let this be yet another beginning of knowledge. Teach me not to despise your discipline. Hear my prayer Lord.
365 Day Bible Day 1
Day 1 of the 365 day Bible reading (of course it's Day 12 of the year, but I'm a procrastinator).
Genesis 1-2
When God creates the sea creatures and the birds, he blesses them and says "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth". When God creates the land creatures he says its good. When he creates man "in our image" he does so to "let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground". He gave man a duty and a purpose in the act of creation.
1:27 "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them". Why does the author repeat God created man three times in a single phrase? What is the significance of the repetition?
After creating man for a purpose, he blesses them and gives them every seed-bearing plant as food.
God rested on the seventh day and made it holy - he set it apart for rest.
The creation of man coincided with him placing man in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
God named the "day" and the "night", the "sky", the "land" and the "seas, but Adam named all the animals. Is this significant? I remember vaguely from a college class that naming something in Hebrew culture gave ownership or stewardship, but is that true? I mean, it would make sense as man was created to work and subdue the earth.
Matthew 1-2
Mary was found to be pregnant with Jesus before being married by the Holy Spirit. Is this the first time that the Holy Spirit is mentioned specifically in the Bible?
Joseph became aware of this and was going to break it off with Mary, but an angel came to him and explained the situation. That would be an odd one to experience.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem and the Magi came to see him. They stopped in Jerusalem to find where the one who was to be the king of the Jews was born. They avoided going back through Jerusalem though because of King Herod.
Joseph is again visited by an angel, telling him to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt because King Herod was going to try and kill Jesus. Joseph is once again visited by an angel and told that it was safe to return to Israel now that King Herod was dead.
Psalm 1
1:1-2 "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night". This is my prayer Lord, help me to delight in your law and meditate on it day and night.
Proverbs 1:1-6
The purpose of the Proverbs:
-to attain wisdom and discipline
-to understand words of insight
-to acquire a disciplined and prudent life
-to do what is right and just and fair
I need the Proverbs probably more than most things right now. I need to acquire a disciplined and prudent life. Help me Lord to achieve this end.
Genesis 1-2
When God creates the sea creatures and the birds, he blesses them and says "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth". When God creates the land creatures he says its good. When he creates man "in our image" he does so to "let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground". He gave man a duty and a purpose in the act of creation.
1:27 "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them". Why does the author repeat God created man three times in a single phrase? What is the significance of the repetition?
After creating man for a purpose, he blesses them and gives them every seed-bearing plant as food.
God rested on the seventh day and made it holy - he set it apart for rest.
The creation of man coincided with him placing man in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
God named the "day" and the "night", the "sky", the "land" and the "seas, but Adam named all the animals. Is this significant? I remember vaguely from a college class that naming something in Hebrew culture gave ownership or stewardship, but is that true? I mean, it would make sense as man was created to work and subdue the earth.
Matthew 1-2
Mary was found to be pregnant with Jesus before being married by the Holy Spirit. Is this the first time that the Holy Spirit is mentioned specifically in the Bible?
Joseph became aware of this and was going to break it off with Mary, but an angel came to him and explained the situation. That would be an odd one to experience.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem and the Magi came to see him. They stopped in Jerusalem to find where the one who was to be the king of the Jews was born. They avoided going back through Jerusalem though because of King Herod.
Joseph is again visited by an angel, telling him to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt because King Herod was going to try and kill Jesus. Joseph is once again visited by an angel and told that it was safe to return to Israel now that King Herod was dead.
Psalm 1
1:1-2 "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night". This is my prayer Lord, help me to delight in your law and meditate on it day and night.
Proverbs 1:1-6
The purpose of the Proverbs:
-to attain wisdom and discipline
-to understand words of insight
-to acquire a disciplined and prudent life
-to do what is right and just and fair
I need the Proverbs probably more than most things right now. I need to acquire a disciplined and prudent life. Help me Lord to achieve this end.
Thursday, September 24, 2015
A combination reflection of Psalm 31 & 34
In my reading a couple of days ago I bookmarked two verses, Psalm 31:4 and Psalm 34:7. I didn't realize at the time that the two would have a combination effect on me later when I wrote about what I read.
Psalm 31:4 states, "Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge."
Psalm 34:7 states, "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them".
I feel like it is so easy to fall into traps. There are so many of them out there. Some of my own making, some that are tested and set up specifically for me and then some that are new. But, God is faithful to free me from them because He is my refuge. But, even better than that, if I was observant (which I'm not always) I wouldn't even fall into them because he would deliver me from them before I even fell in. So hear my prayer God. First, thank you for freeing me so many times from the traps of this life and making yourself my refuge. And make me observant enough so that I don't fall into them by delivering me from them! Hear me Lord, amen.
Psalm 31:4 states, "Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge."
Psalm 34:7 states, "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them".
I feel like it is so easy to fall into traps. There are so many of them out there. Some of my own making, some that are tested and set up specifically for me and then some that are new. But, God is faithful to free me from them because He is my refuge. But, even better than that, if I was observant (which I'm not always) I wouldn't even fall into them because he would deliver me from them before I even fell in. So hear my prayer God. First, thank you for freeing me so many times from the traps of this life and making yourself my refuge. And make me observant enough so that I don't fall into them by delivering me from them! Hear me Lord, amen.
A perfect picture of God
Psalm 30:5 is not a difficult verse. In fact, it is a resolution of much of the difficulty in verses that make God seem harsh or unduly punitive. "For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning".
I thank God that his anger only lasts a moment. I have felt that more than once in my lifetime when I've fallen short of his desire for me and run afoul of his plan. But, more often than those fleeting moments I have felt his favor and that lasts a lifetime.
As far as the difficult verses go though this verse sums up a perfect picture of God. God is justly angry and punishes, corrects, chastises and even causes pain for those who sin. But, this is only to bring us to Him. Sometimes without that gentle or even abrupt admonishment I might continue down the wrong path. Thankfully, He loves me enough and favors me enough to not let that happen.
I thank God that his anger only lasts a moment. I have felt that more than once in my lifetime when I've fallen short of his desire for me and run afoul of his plan. But, more often than those fleeting moments I have felt his favor and that lasts a lifetime.
As far as the difficult verses go though this verse sums up a perfect picture of God. God is justly angry and punishes, corrects, chastises and even causes pain for those who sin. But, this is only to bring us to Him. Sometimes without that gentle or even abrupt admonishment I might continue down the wrong path. Thankfully, He loves me enough and favors me enough to not let that happen.
Shame and God
Shame is a topic that's not fun to deal with or even discuss. It's such a strong feeling, emotion and state of being. It's nice to know that as a Christian, I shouldn't have to deal with it. It's comforting. It's full of hope. It's full of whatever the opposite of shame is. God gave me a good reminder of this in Psalm 25:3.
"No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse".
There is a promise of God. No one who hopes in Him will ever be put to shame. There is also a consequence noted from God. Whoever is treacherous without excuse will be put to shame. The word "treacherous" seems so harsh and on such a deep level. Whenever I think about the word I think of a backstabbing politician or general. I think of Benedict Arnold or of Tostig Godwinson coming to attack the English with the viking warlord Harald Hardrada. So initially, I glanced over the second part of the verse. But, something was gnawing at me so I just started with the simple act of looking up the definition of the word. I didn't need to consult a commentary or Strong's. As soon as I saw the Webster definition I knew what God was saying to me at this moment.
Treacherous is simply defined as being 'guilty of or involving betrayal or deception'. I wouldn't say that I'm often up for betraying someone. Even in my many rebellions against God these have been on account of selfishness, foolishness, being short-sighted or willfulness in wanting to do things my way. But, that word 'deceptive' struck at me. I tend to exaggerate or to omit bits of information to shape the conversation. It's one of my worst qualities. It might be admirable in certain aspects of the world, but I know in my heart of hearts it isn't right. I also understand where some of the being put to shame for treachery comes from. So hear my prayer Lord, may I not be deceitful in my speech. Instead fill me with your truth so that I speak only in that way. Amen.
"No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse".
There is a promise of God. No one who hopes in Him will ever be put to shame. There is also a consequence noted from God. Whoever is treacherous without excuse will be put to shame. The word "treacherous" seems so harsh and on such a deep level. Whenever I think about the word I think of a backstabbing politician or general. I think of Benedict Arnold or of Tostig Godwinson coming to attack the English with the viking warlord Harald Hardrada. So initially, I glanced over the second part of the verse. But, something was gnawing at me so I just started with the simple act of looking up the definition of the word. I didn't need to consult a commentary or Strong's. As soon as I saw the Webster definition I knew what God was saying to me at this moment.
Treacherous is simply defined as being 'guilty of or involving betrayal or deception'. I wouldn't say that I'm often up for betraying someone. Even in my many rebellions against God these have been on account of selfishness, foolishness, being short-sighted or willfulness in wanting to do things my way. But, that word 'deceptive' struck at me. I tend to exaggerate or to omit bits of information to shape the conversation. It's one of my worst qualities. It might be admirable in certain aspects of the world, but I know in my heart of hearts it isn't right. I also understand where some of the being put to shame for treachery comes from. So hear my prayer Lord, may I not be deceitful in my speech. Instead fill me with your truth so that I speak only in that way. Amen.
Hard verses of Psalm 21
In some of the other 'Difficult Verses' passages it has been easy for me to see God as a judge to account for their difficult nature. In those passages, God is righteous and his punishment for the wicked is analogous to a judge. But, in Psalm 22 this doesn't appear to be the case.
"At the time of your appearing you will make them like a fiery furnace. In his wrath the Lord will swallow them up, and his fire will consume them. You will destroy their descendants from the earth, their posterity from mankind. Though they plot evil against you and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed; for you will make them turn their backs when you aim at them with drawn bow" (Psalm 21:9-12).
Here I see something different then God the judge. Here it seems like I see God the warrior. God is called the protector and refuge throughout the Psalms. But in chapter 21 we see God going on the offensive. But, even in this mode as the warrior, God is still acting on his ultimate righteousness. He is taking out the enemies of God and His people. He is still protecting. While I haven't quite come to a conclusion on this passage, what I do know is that God is not a passive God. He is active and involved in the lives of His people. It is His bow that will make the enemies of his people turn back. It is through the victories that God gave that has made his people glorious. It is through God's gift that has given them splendor and majesty. It's hard not to see God as Zeus wielding a thunderbolt to protect his people in this passage. I have to fight that imagery because I know it's inaccurate. But, my inaccuracies don't take away from God's glory or person. I simply have to know that God's righteousness demands action and that He is not afraid or unwilling to act.
"At the time of your appearing you will make them like a fiery furnace. In his wrath the Lord will swallow them up, and his fire will consume them. You will destroy their descendants from the earth, their posterity from mankind. Though they plot evil against you and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed; for you will make them turn their backs when you aim at them with drawn bow" (Psalm 21:9-12).
Here I see something different then God the judge. Here it seems like I see God the warrior. God is called the protector and refuge throughout the Psalms. But in chapter 21 we see God going on the offensive. But, even in this mode as the warrior, God is still acting on his ultimate righteousness. He is taking out the enemies of God and His people. He is still protecting. While I haven't quite come to a conclusion on this passage, what I do know is that God is not a passive God. He is active and involved in the lives of His people. It is His bow that will make the enemies of his people turn back. It is through the victories that God gave that has made his people glorious. It is through God's gift that has given them splendor and majesty. It's hard not to see God as Zeus wielding a thunderbolt to protect his people in this passage. I have to fight that imagery because I know it's inaccurate. But, my inaccuracies don't take away from God's glory or person. I simply have to know that God's righteousness demands action and that He is not afraid or unwilling to act.
Reflection on Psalm 19:12-13
I came across another good verse for me to remember and write in my heart. Hear my prayer Lord, make this the goal of my life.
Psalm 19:12-13
"Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression".
Lord you know my hidden faults. I am sure I have many. Please forgive me of them. But, the convicting part comes from verse 13. Keep me from willful sins. That word, willful, is so apt for me. I am headstrong, willful. This isn't always a good thing. It leads me to great transgression. I do pray though God, that you will forgive me and keep me from them, so they do not rule over me.
I find myself when I am in willful rebellion against what and who I know that my sins can become rulers over me. It's a trap that I know about, but one that I seem incapable of avoiding. Write this verse on my heart so that I can remember when my willfulness begins to pop up again. Change my heart and desires to reflect your heart and desires. Hear my prayer oh God.
Psalm 19:12-13
"Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression".
Lord you know my hidden faults. I am sure I have many. Please forgive me of them. But, the convicting part comes from verse 13. Keep me from willful sins. That word, willful, is so apt for me. I am headstrong, willful. This isn't always a good thing. It leads me to great transgression. I do pray though God, that you will forgive me and keep me from them, so they do not rule over me.
I find myself when I am in willful rebellion against what and who I know that my sins can become rulers over me. It's a trap that I know about, but one that I seem incapable of avoiding. Write this verse on my heart so that I can remember when my willfulness begins to pop up again. Change my heart and desires to reflect your heart and desires. Hear my prayer oh God.
Apart from you I have no good thing
Every once and awhile I get a good shock from God. Sometimes I get a strong conviction. Sometimes I get a little jab to get me to do something. And sometimes I get a stark, but gentle reminder of who God is in my life. Psalm 16:2 was a combination of all three.
"I say to the Lord, 'You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing'".
At first glance I was humbled by this short little passage. How true is it that I have nothing good apart from what God gives me? He has blessed me so much and given me so many good things. He's given me a beautiful, godly wife. He has given me a loving and godly family. He has given me a loving and godly in-law family. He has given me a good house. He has given me a good job. He has given me the ability to see so many parts of the world. He has given me all kinds of security. This verse was a reminder of all the things He has blessed me with.
But, then I reread the verse over and over again. Conviction. Jab. I had to look at the first part of that verse again. I say to the Lord. Unfortunately, I do not say to the Lord enough. Conviction. Jab. So here I proclaim, You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.
"I say to the Lord, 'You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing'".
At first glance I was humbled by this short little passage. How true is it that I have nothing good apart from what God gives me? He has blessed me so much and given me so many good things. He's given me a beautiful, godly wife. He has given me a loving and godly family. He has given me a loving and godly in-law family. He has given me a good house. He has given me a good job. He has given me the ability to see so many parts of the world. He has given me all kinds of security. This verse was a reminder of all the things He has blessed me with.
But, then I reread the verse over and over again. Conviction. Jab. I had to look at the first part of that verse again. I say to the Lord. Unfortunately, I do not say to the Lord enough. Conviction. Jab. So here I proclaim, You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.
God hates with a passion?
So in my reading I came across another difficult verse in Psalms 11.
Psalms 11:5-6
"The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates. On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot".
Not exactly the image of a loving God I seemed to get in Sunday School, is it? Again, we could probably easily explain it away in a flawed author (man) projecting his idea of what should happen, but I am still uncomfortable with that idea of explaining away the Bible. Contextually, it seems to highlight some of God's seemingly contradictory nature. On the one hand He is the refuge for the upright heart and on the other hand He is the judge of the wicked and doles out punishment. Verse 7 sort of resolves the issue though on what this nature of God is. He is a judge. "For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face".
What seems contradictory is actually pretty easy to sum up by analogy. God is like a judge. On the righteous he passes forgiveness and protection. On the wicked he doles out punishment deservedly. Of course as I've started looking at what I've called the 'Difficult Verses', I'm starting to realize that most of these are difficult if they are taken out of context, but put into context with the whole of Scriptures the difficulty washes away. But, I'm sure that some won't see it that way. I guess in some sense, faith protects me from these difficulties.
Psalms 11:5-6
"The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates. On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot".
Not exactly the image of a loving God I seemed to get in Sunday School, is it? Again, we could probably easily explain it away in a flawed author (man) projecting his idea of what should happen, but I am still uncomfortable with that idea of explaining away the Bible. Contextually, it seems to highlight some of God's seemingly contradictory nature. On the one hand He is the refuge for the upright heart and on the other hand He is the judge of the wicked and doles out punishment. Verse 7 sort of resolves the issue though on what this nature of God is. He is a judge. "For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face".
What seems contradictory is actually pretty easy to sum up by analogy. God is like a judge. On the righteous he passes forgiveness and protection. On the wicked he doles out punishment deservedly. Of course as I've started looking at what I've called the 'Difficult Verses', I'm starting to realize that most of these are difficult if they are taken out of context, but put into context with the whole of Scriptures the difficulty washes away. But, I'm sure that some won't see it that way. I guess in some sense, faith protects me from these difficulties.
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Break his Arm God!
Something I noticed in Psalms 10 is one of what I call the
"difficult verses" of the Bible. These are verses that don't seem to
match up with our notion of a loving God or a God who is the embodiment
of morality. Of course these shouldn't be difficult verses for
Christians because they should accept God as He is presented throughout
the Word and where they might see something that is contrary to our
notion of who He is they should expand their notion. But, they are
difficult in the sense that they might trip up a believer in trying to
explain God to the unbelieving. While no Christian can have definitive
authority on God because no man can have definitive authority on God, I
have always thought about these verses and what I would say if
confronted by someone who does not believe on one of these verses. So in
my studies I will make note of the difficult verses and offer some
thoughts on them.
Psalm 10:15
"Break the arm of the wicked man; call the evildoer to account for his wickedness that would not otherwise be found out".
Here we have a Psalmist calling for the loving God to 'break the arm' of someone. That's not very nice. So how is it reconciled with a loving God. Firstly, I don't know. Secondly, I don't have authoritative answers; that is not my claim here. These are just my thoughts.
My first thought is that it is in line with God's embodiment of justice. As a judge, God is within his rights to break the arm of the wicked man who has been oppressing, murdering, robbing and waylaying the weak. But, is that an effective way of ministering to someone seeking answers about God? Am I going to be able to win the lost soul to Christ by explaining that because God is perfect and can't stand sin He must crush it? Well, firstly I don't think it's my duty to win the lost soul to Christ and if I'm trying to do that then I'm being a bit presumptuous in my duties as a Christian. I think that Christians who are out to win souls for Christ are either misguided and believe too much in their own importance in God's work of saving souls or are prideful or are simply using old language that is ineffective in the post-modern age. It doesn't mean that God isn't using them or blessing them, only that God is using them in spite of them. But, I'm not in a position to criticize anyone so I apologize if that is the outcome. I just think that it's our duty as Christians to present the Gospel, not necessarily sugar coat it, but also not try and scare beings into submission either. God is absolute justice. God is the absolute judge. And, like earthly judges who mete out justice, God will level justice in the forms of punishment and He may break the arm of the wicked in doing so.
Another thought was that the Psalmist is imperfect and calling for earthly justice from a divine judge. I remember hearing someone once, I forget who, explained much of what we see as hard or difficult verses in the Old Testament as pointing to the fallibility of the human author. This may be the case. Certainly even the disciples of Jesus were looking for earthly justice against the Romans when Jesus was looking to further the kingdom of Heaven. They never could quite get into their heads what that kingdom was supposed to be and how the Romans could still be in charge if Jesus was establishing it. But, I must admit that I am uncomfortable with this notion. It may be the right answer, but it clashes with a belief I have in a strong Scriptures. But, I'll develop this further at a later point because I've got to run here in a second. And, undoubtedly this thought will pop into my head again when I stumble across another difficult verse because whoever I heard say something like this must have said it at a time when I was impressionable because it's left a lasting lineage in my line of thought.
The last thought I had simply came from the text itself. The beginning of the chapter is describing someone or some persons that are running afoul and oppressing those weaker than himself. The chapter ends with a declaration of God being above anyone with earthly power. "The Lord is King forever and ever, the nations will perish from his land. You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them and you listen to their cry; defending the fatherless and the oppressed, so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror" (Psalm 10:16-18). In this context, the Psalmist is asking the defender (God) to break the arm of the oppressive one. It might sound harsh, but some strong arms need some strong arming. In this way, God is defending those who cannot offer a defense themselves and defense is sometimes necessarily harsh. Again, this might not be the answer, but it was the thought that most stuck with me.
Psalm 10:15
"Break the arm of the wicked man; call the evildoer to account for his wickedness that would not otherwise be found out".
Here we have a Psalmist calling for the loving God to 'break the arm' of someone. That's not very nice. So how is it reconciled with a loving God. Firstly, I don't know. Secondly, I don't have authoritative answers; that is not my claim here. These are just my thoughts.
My first thought is that it is in line with God's embodiment of justice. As a judge, God is within his rights to break the arm of the wicked man who has been oppressing, murdering, robbing and waylaying the weak. But, is that an effective way of ministering to someone seeking answers about God? Am I going to be able to win the lost soul to Christ by explaining that because God is perfect and can't stand sin He must crush it? Well, firstly I don't think it's my duty to win the lost soul to Christ and if I'm trying to do that then I'm being a bit presumptuous in my duties as a Christian. I think that Christians who are out to win souls for Christ are either misguided and believe too much in their own importance in God's work of saving souls or are prideful or are simply using old language that is ineffective in the post-modern age. It doesn't mean that God isn't using them or blessing them, only that God is using them in spite of them. But, I'm not in a position to criticize anyone so I apologize if that is the outcome. I just think that it's our duty as Christians to present the Gospel, not necessarily sugar coat it, but also not try and scare beings into submission either. God is absolute justice. God is the absolute judge. And, like earthly judges who mete out justice, God will level justice in the forms of punishment and He may break the arm of the wicked in doing so.
Another thought was that the Psalmist is imperfect and calling for earthly justice from a divine judge. I remember hearing someone once, I forget who, explained much of what we see as hard or difficult verses in the Old Testament as pointing to the fallibility of the human author. This may be the case. Certainly even the disciples of Jesus were looking for earthly justice against the Romans when Jesus was looking to further the kingdom of Heaven. They never could quite get into their heads what that kingdom was supposed to be and how the Romans could still be in charge if Jesus was establishing it. But, I must admit that I am uncomfortable with this notion. It may be the right answer, but it clashes with a belief I have in a strong Scriptures. But, I'll develop this further at a later point because I've got to run here in a second. And, undoubtedly this thought will pop into my head again when I stumble across another difficult verse because whoever I heard say something like this must have said it at a time when I was impressionable because it's left a lasting lineage in my line of thought.
The last thought I had simply came from the text itself. The beginning of the chapter is describing someone or some persons that are running afoul and oppressing those weaker than himself. The chapter ends with a declaration of God being above anyone with earthly power. "The Lord is King forever and ever, the nations will perish from his land. You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them and you listen to their cry; defending the fatherless and the oppressed, so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror" (Psalm 10:16-18). In this context, the Psalmist is asking the defender (God) to break the arm of the oppressive one. It might sound harsh, but some strong arms need some strong arming. In this way, God is defending those who cannot offer a defense themselves and defense is sometimes necessarily harsh. Again, this might not be the answer, but it was the thought that most stuck with me.
Thoughts on Psalms 10
In my reading yesterday I came across a verse on pride in Psalms 10 that served me as a reminder to be on guard against the ever present pride lurking in me.
Psalm 10:4
"In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God".
The Psalmist opened this chapter with questioning why God stands at a distance, "Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?" For me, I understand why. It is because of my pride. In all my thoughts there is no room for God. God isn't standing at a distance from me in my times of trouble because he is indifferent to my troubles. He is at a distance because I haven't made room for Him. Hear my prayer Lord, I make room for you.
Psalm 10:4
"In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God".
The Psalmist opened this chapter with questioning why God stands at a distance, "Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?" For me, I understand why. It is because of my pride. In all my thoughts there is no room for God. God isn't standing at a distance from me in my times of trouble because he is indifferent to my troubles. He is at a distance because I haven't made room for Him. Hear my prayer Lord, I make room for you.
Evil & Disillusionment in Psalms 7
Psalm 7:14-16
"Whoever is pregnant with evil conceives trouble and gives birth to disillusionment. Whoever digs a whole and scoops it out falls into the pit they have made. The trouble they cause recoils on them; their violence comes down on their own heads."
I've always been aware that the Bible teaches, especially in the Old Testament, that the sinners often find themselves suffering from their own sins. Even when they set out to do others harm, they do themselves the harm. But, verse 14 hit at me this week in reading. "Whoever is pregnant with evil conceives trouble and gives birth to disillusionment". I think with some of the mistakes I've made recently I'm finding that I have conceived trouble for myself and given birth to disillusionment. I've been disenchanted, disenfranchised and disillusioned with many things going on, especially work related recently. And I thought it had a lot to do with the stagnation at work, but I think that this verse, in light of my recent struggles has pinned down the root cause and it has nothing to do with work at all.
So my prayer for today is for my God to come and rescue me from the evil that I have become impregnated with. I find myself embarrassed and ashamed of it have ever occurring but I find that I can't deny or explain it away. It comes to the point where I must stand up and apologize and beg forgiveness for falling away. Not on account of any righteousness within me, but simply because the feeling of disillusionment, this state of being, is so painful, it has rendered me broken. So I ask for forgiveness Lord. Wash away the stain of sin and cleanse me from the evil I have engaged with and become entangled by. Do not let my decisions deprive me of my belief that gives hope. Do not let me sink further into this pit I have dug. Hear my prayer.
"Whoever is pregnant with evil conceives trouble and gives birth to disillusionment. Whoever digs a whole and scoops it out falls into the pit they have made. The trouble they cause recoils on them; their violence comes down on their own heads."
I've always been aware that the Bible teaches, especially in the Old Testament, that the sinners often find themselves suffering from their own sins. Even when they set out to do others harm, they do themselves the harm. But, verse 14 hit at me this week in reading. "Whoever is pregnant with evil conceives trouble and gives birth to disillusionment". I think with some of the mistakes I've made recently I'm finding that I have conceived trouble for myself and given birth to disillusionment. I've been disenchanted, disenfranchised and disillusioned with many things going on, especially work related recently. And I thought it had a lot to do with the stagnation at work, but I think that this verse, in light of my recent struggles has pinned down the root cause and it has nothing to do with work at all.
So my prayer for today is for my God to come and rescue me from the evil that I have become impregnated with. I find myself embarrassed and ashamed of it have ever occurring but I find that I can't deny or explain it away. It comes to the point where I must stand up and apologize and beg forgiveness for falling away. Not on account of any righteousness within me, but simply because the feeling of disillusionment, this state of being, is so painful, it has rendered me broken. So I ask for forgiveness Lord. Wash away the stain of sin and cleanse me from the evil I have engaged with and become entangled by. Do not let my decisions deprive me of my belief that gives hope. Do not let me sink further into this pit I have dug. Hear my prayer.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Praying while angry
(Originally written June 30, 2012 on a scrap of paper now lost)
5 Days
Lord, I feel the anger in me. It makes me shake. Keep me from sinning in my anger. Erase my rage, my fear and my anxiety. I lay these things down at your feet. I have cast my burdens onto Jesus. Let me take up the cross so that I may walk with you.
There is no shame in the cross. Lord, please come near me. Be not far from me for I am in desperate need of you. My shoulders are enflamed with rage. I feel hatred coming. Help me to replace it with brotherly love. Keep me from sins. Forgive me of my temptation to sin.
This is five days since since I've had alcohol or tobacco. A mere drop in the bucket, but a testimony to your faithfulness to me. I cannot do this on my own. Be near me oh my God. Teach me in your word. Have the Psalms be my prayers.
Psalm 1
Am I chaff? No, I have not been blown away. I am planted by streams of water, I am merely being pruned. Watch over my way Lord, keep me righteous and increase it for your glory.
Psalm 3
3:3 "But you are a shield around me, O Lord, you bestow glory on me and lift up my head"
3:8 "From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people."
It's hard not to pray verse 7. I want badly for you to "strike all my enemies on the jaw". I crave it on some level. Whip my anger back for I am struggling to hold in the emotions of my heart. Forgive me if I am in sin in my anger. I do not wish to sin.
Psalm 4
4:1 "Answer me when I call to you O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer".
4:4 "in your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent"
Psalm 10:1
"Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?"
Hear my praises Lord as I praise you for your deliverance. I have asked of you in faith to receive Erin as my bride and even when I was faithless you fulfilled the desire of my heart. Praise God.
Psalm 146
146:10 "The Lord reigns forever, for all generations. Praise the Lord"
147
147:3 "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds"
147:6 "The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground."
148 - Praises. Praise the Lord
149
149:4 "For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation".
Psalm 150
150:6 "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord"
Praise you God for subsiding my anger and barring Satan from my mind. Be with Erin and I today. Help her to get ahold of Pastor Jack. Help us to get married in just a few days. Help us to find a counselor to rebuild the trust. Help me not drag Erin down, but Help Erin to protect me some as I am veery vulnerable right now. I rely on you for strength and refuge. But grant me this request, Lord, I beg of you. See our wedding on July 21st. I praise you for answer to my prayer. I love you God. Thank you for rescuing me. I am sorry it took such pain to bring it about.
5 Days
Lord, I feel the anger in me. It makes me shake. Keep me from sinning in my anger. Erase my rage, my fear and my anxiety. I lay these things down at your feet. I have cast my burdens onto Jesus. Let me take up the cross so that I may walk with you.
There is no shame in the cross. Lord, please come near me. Be not far from me for I am in desperate need of you. My shoulders are enflamed with rage. I feel hatred coming. Help me to replace it with brotherly love. Keep me from sins. Forgive me of my temptation to sin.
This is five days since since I've had alcohol or tobacco. A mere drop in the bucket, but a testimony to your faithfulness to me. I cannot do this on my own. Be near me oh my God. Teach me in your word. Have the Psalms be my prayers.
Psalm 1
Am I chaff? No, I have not been blown away. I am planted by streams of water, I am merely being pruned. Watch over my way Lord, keep me righteous and increase it for your glory.
Psalm 3
3:3 "But you are a shield around me, O Lord, you bestow glory on me and lift up my head"
3:8 "From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people."
It's hard not to pray verse 7. I want badly for you to "strike all my enemies on the jaw". I crave it on some level. Whip my anger back for I am struggling to hold in the emotions of my heart. Forgive me if I am in sin in my anger. I do not wish to sin.
Psalm 4
4:1 "Answer me when I call to you O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer".
4:4 "in your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent"
Psalm 10:1
"Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?"
Hear my praises Lord as I praise you for your deliverance. I have asked of you in faith to receive Erin as my bride and even when I was faithless you fulfilled the desire of my heart. Praise God.
Psalm 146
146:10 "The Lord reigns forever, for all generations. Praise the Lord"
147
147:3 "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds"
147:6 "The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground."
148 - Praises. Praise the Lord
149
149:4 "For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation".
Psalm 150
150:6 "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord"
Praise you God for subsiding my anger and barring Satan from my mind. Be with Erin and I today. Help her to get ahold of Pastor Jack. Help us to get married in just a few days. Help us to find a counselor to rebuild the trust. Help me not drag Erin down, but Help Erin to protect me some as I am veery vulnerable right now. I rely on you for strength and refuge. But grant me this request, Lord, I beg of you. See our wedding on July 21st. I praise you for answer to my prayer. I love you God. Thank you for rescuing me. I am sorry it took such pain to bring it about.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Why do I seek God only in perilous times?
(Originally written June 29, 2012 on a scrap of paper now lost)
4 Days, no tobacco, no alcohol
Lord, Erin is about to talk to her parents. May your will be done, but Lord I don't want to deal the wedding. If it is possible please don't take Bill's blessing. What I need now is strength and encouragement. Teach me as I am in your word.
Isaiah 40
Lord I am like the grass. I will fall but your word will stand forever. Be mindful of how short my span is.
40:30-31 "Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength".
Isaiah 41
41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand".
41:13 "For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right and hand and says to you, 'Do to fear; I will help you'"
I Chronicles 16
16:10 "Glory in his holy name, let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice"
- I am seeking the Lord, rejoice oh my heart and be not so crestfallen. Be not far from me God.
Lord, why do I seek you only in perilous times? Why don't I seek you always? I love you. I worship you. Make me faithful?
1 Corinthians 10
10:13 "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it"
Psalms 27
27:8 "My heart says of you, 'seek his face', Your face, Lord, I will seek"
-May this be my prayer.
27:14 "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord"
II Peter
Lord teach me as I read Second Peter. Grant me wisdom to apply in the future. Write the words on my heart that I may stand up to any temptation. Do not put on me more than I can bear or bear it for me because I am weak. Lord help me to increase my faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love so I will not be ineffective or unproductive. Teach me to live a holy and godly life. Help me to have the strength and effort to be spotless and blameless and at peace with you.
Thank you Lord for your comfort and peace. may I live today a holy and blameless day. Renew my mind.
4 Days, no tobacco, no alcohol
Lord, Erin is about to talk to her parents. May your will be done, but Lord I don't want to deal the wedding. If it is possible please don't take Bill's blessing. What I need now is strength and encouragement. Teach me as I am in your word.
Isaiah 40
Lord I am like the grass. I will fall but your word will stand forever. Be mindful of how short my span is.
40:30-31 "Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength".
Isaiah 41
41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand".
41:13 "For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right and hand and says to you, 'Do to fear; I will help you'"
I Chronicles 16
16:10 "Glory in his holy name, let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice"
- I am seeking the Lord, rejoice oh my heart and be not so crestfallen. Be not far from me God.
Lord, why do I seek you only in perilous times? Why don't I seek you always? I love you. I worship you. Make me faithful?
1 Corinthians 10
10:13 "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it"
Psalms 27
27:8 "My heart says of you, 'seek his face', Your face, Lord, I will seek"
-May this be my prayer.
27:14 "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord"
II Peter
Lord teach me as I read Second Peter. Grant me wisdom to apply in the future. Write the words on my heart that I may stand up to any temptation. Do not put on me more than I can bear or bear it for me because I am weak. Lord help me to increase my faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love so I will not be ineffective or unproductive. Teach me to live a holy and godly life. Help me to have the strength and effort to be spotless and blameless and at peace with you.
Thank you Lord for your comfort and peace. may I live today a holy and blameless day. Renew my mind.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Psalms of hope. I believe! Help me overcome my unbelief.
(Originally written June 27, 2012 on a scrap of paper now lost)
Day 2 - No tobacco, alcohol
Lord, thank you for yesterday - your hope and your encouragement. Watch over Erin and I. Prosper us. Heal the wounds I've caused. Work in me so that she may see the change. Help me now as I struggle some, wanting some tobacco. Take the craving away. Hear my prayer. Teach me in your word as I read Psalms 33, 39, 43, 71 and 146.
Psalm 33
Here is why we hope: "May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you" (Psalm 33:22)
Psalm 39
39:7 "But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you"
I've searched for purpose and fulfillment in so many things. Help this verse to be my constant prayer. My hope is in you. Hear my prayer.
Psalm 43
43:3 "Send forth your light and your turret, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell". Hear my prayer. Guide me Lord.
Put your hope in God. Do not be so downcast in your soul.
Psalm 71
71:2 "Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness, turn your ear to me and save me"
71:12 "Be not far from me, O God; come quickly, O my God, to help me"
71:14 "But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more".
- Let this be true of me. Lord, I praise you with all my heart and all my soul.
71:20 "Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up"
Psalm 146
Just accept this reading as my praise to you God.
I Peter 1
I Peter 1:13-16 "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy".
Grant me a greater portion of self-control Lord that I no longer bend to evil desires of my youth. Lord, continue to teach me in Mark. Write the words I read in my heart. Embed them in my mind so that I may be renewed and be full of self-control that I may give up the past things.
Mark
9:24 "Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
Lord, I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief. I do trust, help me overcome my lack of trust. I do have faith, help me overcome its weakness.
11:24 "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer believe that you have received it, and it will be yours".
14:38 "Watch and pray so that you do not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak".
Lord, bless me this day. Keep me from from sin.
Day 2 - No tobacco, alcohol
Lord, thank you for yesterday - your hope and your encouragement. Watch over Erin and I. Prosper us. Heal the wounds I've caused. Work in me so that she may see the change. Help me now as I struggle some, wanting some tobacco. Take the craving away. Hear my prayer. Teach me in your word as I read Psalms 33, 39, 43, 71 and 146.
Psalm 33
Here is why we hope: "May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you" (Psalm 33:22)
Psalm 39
39:7 "But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you"
I've searched for purpose and fulfillment in so many things. Help this verse to be my constant prayer. My hope is in you. Hear my prayer.
Psalm 43
43:3 "Send forth your light and your turret, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell". Hear my prayer. Guide me Lord.
Put your hope in God. Do not be so downcast in your soul.
Psalm 71
71:2 "Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness, turn your ear to me and save me"
71:12 "Be not far from me, O God; come quickly, O my God, to help me"
71:14 "But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more".
- Let this be true of me. Lord, I praise you with all my heart and all my soul.
71:20 "Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up"
Psalm 146
Just accept this reading as my praise to you God.
I Peter 1
I Peter 1:13-16 "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy".
Grant me a greater portion of self-control Lord that I no longer bend to evil desires of my youth. Lord, continue to teach me in Mark. Write the words I read in my heart. Embed them in my mind so that I may be renewed and be full of self-control that I may give up the past things.
Mark
9:24 "Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
Lord, I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief. I do trust, help me overcome my lack of trust. I do have faith, help me overcome its weakness.
11:24 "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer believe that you have received it, and it will be yours".
14:38 "Watch and pray so that you do not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak".
Lord, bless me this day. Keep me from from sin.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Hungover meditation on the Penitential Psalms
(Originally written June 26, 2012 on a scrap of paper now lost)
Lord, I've done it again. I've sinned against you and against Erin. I've drank again. I've dipped again. I've lied about it again. Forgive me please. Forgive me. I am such a broken man. I can't do this on my own. Break me of these horrible habits. Help me to live in the Truth and in the Light. Teach me in your Word today.
Lamentations
1:20 "See, Oh Lord, how distressed I am! I am in torment within, and in my heart I am disturbed, for I have been most rebellious".
3:22 "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail".
In spite of all the self-inflected wounds Judah has the Lord has not fully consumed them. I praise you God for not fully consuming me.
God's compassions are new every morning. (3:23).
3:31-33 "For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,s o great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men".
3:39 "Why should any living man complain when punished for his sins?"
5:21 "Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may return; renew our days of old.
Lord turn you anger from me. Forgive me of my sins I confess to you. Break me of these sins and patterns of sins and please do not destroy me utterly.
Lord as I read the seven penitential psalms take them as my prayer. I bow before you in humility. I prostrate myself before you and beg for your forgiveness.
Psalm 6
6:4 "Turn, O Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love" Hear my prayer.
6:9 "The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer"
I have faith in this verse. I have faith in your mercy and unfailing love.
Psalm 32
32:3 "When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through groaning all day long"
Help me to break my silence. Give me the courage to speak with someone about my problems.
I have confessed Lord, forgive the guilt of my sin as you did for David. Surround me with songs of deliverance.
32:9 "Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you"
Etch these words on my heart oh Lord!
Psalm 38
My bones have no soundness because of my sin. Surely your arrows have pierced me.
38:4 "My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear"
Psalm 38:1-14 really describes what I am feeling. Lord Answer me when I pray 38:21-22.
38:1-22 "O Lord, do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God. Come quickly to help me, O Lord my savior"
Psalm 51
51:1-2 "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
Teach me truth in my inner parts.
Hear my prayer: 51:8 "Let me hear joy and gladness, let the bones you crushed rejoice".
Create in me a new heart, one that seeks only you. Make me true to you. Give me the strength to cling to you in the face of all opposition. Hear my prayer.
Look on me Lord, I offer you my broken spirit and my contrite heart. Do not despise these Lord, rather grant me mercy.
Psalm 102
102:2 "Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly"
102:17 "He will respond to the prayer of the destitute. He will not despise their plea".
Hope, my God.
Psalm 130
130:4 But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.
I put my hope in your Word, Lord. In you Lord is unfailing love and full redemption.
Psalm 143
143:1 "Oh Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief"
143:7 "Answer me quickly, O Lord. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit".
I put my trust in you.
Lord, I'm going to read Mark now. Teach me in the Word.
Lord, I repent and believe the good news.
Jesus, as you healed Simon's mother-in-law she got up and began to serve you. I feel your spirit comforting me today. Heal me completely so that I may serve you.
Mark 1:40 "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean"
Mark 3:28 "I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them".
Thank you Jesus!
Lord, I've done it again. I've sinned against you and against Erin. I've drank again. I've dipped again. I've lied about it again. Forgive me please. Forgive me. I am such a broken man. I can't do this on my own. Break me of these horrible habits. Help me to live in the Truth and in the Light. Teach me in your Word today.
Lamentations
1:20 "See, Oh Lord, how distressed I am! I am in torment within, and in my heart I am disturbed, for I have been most rebellious".
3:22 "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail".
In spite of all the self-inflected wounds Judah has the Lord has not fully consumed them. I praise you God for not fully consuming me.
God's compassions are new every morning. (3:23).
3:31-33 "For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,s o great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men".
3:39 "Why should any living man complain when punished for his sins?"
5:21 "Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may return; renew our days of old.
Lord turn you anger from me. Forgive me of my sins I confess to you. Break me of these sins and patterns of sins and please do not destroy me utterly.
Lord as I read the seven penitential psalms take them as my prayer. I bow before you in humility. I prostrate myself before you and beg for your forgiveness.
Psalm 6
6:4 "Turn, O Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love" Hear my prayer.
6:9 "The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer"
I have faith in this verse. I have faith in your mercy and unfailing love.
Psalm 32
32:3 "When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through groaning all day long"
Help me to break my silence. Give me the courage to speak with someone about my problems.
I have confessed Lord, forgive the guilt of my sin as you did for David. Surround me with songs of deliverance.
32:9 "Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you"
Etch these words on my heart oh Lord!
Psalm 38
My bones have no soundness because of my sin. Surely your arrows have pierced me.
38:4 "My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear"
Psalm 38:1-14 really describes what I am feeling. Lord Answer me when I pray 38:21-22.
38:1-22 "O Lord, do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God. Come quickly to help me, O Lord my savior"
Psalm 51
51:1-2 "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
Teach me truth in my inner parts.
Hear my prayer: 51:8 "Let me hear joy and gladness, let the bones you crushed rejoice".
Create in me a new heart, one that seeks only you. Make me true to you. Give me the strength to cling to you in the face of all opposition. Hear my prayer.
Look on me Lord, I offer you my broken spirit and my contrite heart. Do not despise these Lord, rather grant me mercy.
Psalm 102
102:2 "Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly"
102:17 "He will respond to the prayer of the destitute. He will not despise their plea".
Hope, my God.
Psalm 130
130:4 But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.
I put my hope in your Word, Lord. In you Lord is unfailing love and full redemption.
Psalm 143
143:1 "Oh Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief"
143:7 "Answer me quickly, O Lord. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit".
I put my trust in you.
Lord, I'm going to read Mark now. Teach me in the Word.
Lord, I repent and believe the good news.
Jesus, as you healed Simon's mother-in-law she got up and began to serve you. I feel your spirit comforting me today. Heal me completely so that I may serve you.
Mark 1:40 "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean"
Mark 3:28 "I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them".
Thank you Jesus!
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