Psalm 76

When was the last time you stood in pure awe?

When was the last time you cried something like: "4 [God,] you are glorious and more majestic than the everlasting mountains"?

Early this morning I read about a fighter pilot in Vietnam who narrowly avoided a surface to air missile. His plane was heavily damaged, and he barely flew his wounded bird back to base. Twenty-four years old, he said his life changed that day.

Gone, he says, was the lie of invincibility.

When we're young, the temptation is to think that WE ARE "4 more majestic than the everlasting mountains." Now ... we probably wouldn't use those exact words -- we're not nearly that vain -- nevertheless, haven't you seen glimpses of that prideful, youthful naivety in yourself or in others?

And pride isn't just reserved for the days of our youth, is it?

Whenever we look to ourselves to determine right and wrong -- instead of looking to God -- we're buying into the lie of the serpent in the garden who essentially said, "Open your eyes and be like God."

Pride! It's the lie of hell.

The lie of invincibility spiraled downward for that pilot faster than his wounded plane spun for a few moments toward the ground. And his life was changed. Instead of eternally relying on himself ... or the power of the Air Force ... or the temptations of the earth, this pilot had to become the co-pilot, and let a new captain rule his life. He said that just as Jesus violently cleansed the temple in Jerusalem, he needed to let Jesus radically make over his heart.

Once he was a spiritually wounded pilot. In a flash as bright and sudden as an exploding missile he was suddenly a spiritually healed man. Healed? Yes, he no longer believed the lie. Indeed, now he was suddenly free to see God in his life ... and truly worship.

Most of us -- even good church-goers -- still harbor pieces of the lie in some back corner of our heart. For most of us, there's a piece of our lives for which we're not quite ready to give up control.

As your heart listens to the following phrases from today's Psalm, I invite you to surrender one of the lies -- and some of the pride -- that exalt "me, myself, and my opinions," rather than cause us to bow down and worship an awesome God.

Oh God, your "1 name is great."

You break "3 the arrows of the enemy."

"4 You are ... more majestic than the everlasting mountains

[and] 10 human opposition only enhances your glory."

"9 You ... judge those who do evil;

[and] rescue the oppressed."

Help us remember, O Lord,

that "5 before us" is "the sleep of death."

but before you, "6 horses and chariots

[and tanks and missiles] st[an]d still."

You ought to be "7 greatly feared,"

and we ought to say, "7 Who can stand before you"?

Humble me, O Lord.

Cleanse my heart like you cleansed the temple.

Help me bow before you and worship you always.