July 31 - Psalm 78:4

we will tell the next generation

about the glorious deeds of the Lord

Psalm 78:4

I have a goal for this year. I have a challenge for you. The most important thing all of us can do is teach children -- starting with our own, but ministering to the church and reaching into the community.

I don't care what age you are. I don't care how good you feel you are with kids. There may be nothing more important that you can do than to take personally, passionately, and seriously today's verse -- "we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord.

Let me tell you why ... Our society is eroding.

I am convinced that the last true hurrah of Christendom in America was in the early '60s with the Civil Rights Movement. A Christian Pastor, Martin Luther King, Jr., proclaimed Biblical truth -- that all people were created equally and in God's image -- and the nation changed! That was the early 60s -- the last hurrah.

But the late 60s brought another change. With Woodstock came the opening salvos of the age of secularism. Much of the nation -- still entrenched in the paradigm of Christendom -- was absolutely shocked by the drug culture and the notion of free love.

But think about it ... what was shocking then has become normative now. It took 50 years for a radical fringe to turn into the majority, but in recent months it is clear that we have passed the tipping point. Secular viewpoints clearly top Christian worldviews in America.

That’s culture … except that our kids are the pawns in this corrupt game. Indeed, the fruits of growing secularism are demonstrably tragic. The age of free love has brought about the age of divorce ... and an epidemic of out-of-wedlock moms. This has created a cycle of poverty and too many kids lacking fathers. The heralds of secularism trumpet "freedom," but the kids are the pawns and they are in bondage.

Drugs are also imprisoning too many people too. And it's biggest victims are the kids again. (Yes, the children are the pawns.) At a critical moment in development -- that transition between childhood and adulthood -- too many kids are robbed of motivation, drive, and opportunity. Futures are stunted. Leaving a next generation of kids to pay the price of their parent's immature rebellions.

Free love and the tolerance -- if not legalization and celebration -- of drugs are just two simple examples of the poisonous fruits of secularism. But we must recognize that what secularism touts as liberating is always and ultimately enslaving.

That's always how Satan works. Most proponents of secularism are very nice, very well-meaning people. and the call to "freedom" sounds so nice and noble. Nevertheless, any philosophy that caters to a doctrine of free expression is a doctrine that inevitably makes self the god and God the goat. (Indeed, God is the goat, because he's the only one who has standards to keep the self in check.) Thus, no matter how wise or noble it sounds, hell's big promises inevitably lead to increasing bondage. Indeed, that's always the fruit of every rebellion against God's ways, even if it sounds well meaning. And the children are always the pawns.

And so we return to today's verse. The balance has tipped. We're in a secular society. How do we respond? Don't complain. Act! Say with scripture: "we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who's going to start asking,

"what are you doing to teach the kids?"

July 30 - Psalm 78:11

They forgot what

he had done

Psalm 78:11

O my people, open your ears to what I am saying, for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past— stories we have heard and known. 

With those words, Psalm 78 opens. 

Yesterday, our theme was remembering. It was recalling -- calling back into existence (through memory) the truths about God ... and summoning, therefore, his power. 

Let me give you a taste from the midst of this long Psalm. We are told to ...

·       Recall "the glorious deeds of the Lord"

·       Recall "his power and his mighty wonders"

·       Recall "his laws [and] instructions ... issued ... to Jacob"

·       Recall "his glorious miracles"

·       Recall the "stubborn rebellio[n]" of previous generations and choose to "not be like th[ose] ancestors"

That's what we're told to recall in just the first eight verses. In the next 70 verses, we're told to recall how God "divided the sea," "led them by a cloud," and "made streams pour from the rock."

We are encouraged to recall God's provision. He generously provided "bread and meat" -- "manna" and quail. 

We're asked to recall that we really can spark God's "anger" and "wrath" whenever we do "not keep covenant." Scripture invites us to recall "how often they rebelled against him, ... grieved his heart, ... tested God’s patience and provoked the Holy One of Israel." And thereby encourages us to recall how often we have "rebelled against him, ... grieved his heart, ... tested God’s patience and provoked the Holy One of Israel." 

Yet, while we're pausing to consider the consequences of our rebellion, we also ought to recall -- in thanksgiving -- how "many times [God] held back his anger." (He is indeed, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.)

Psalm 78 recounts the Exodus and the years in the wilderness. And the point is this: If we don't stop -- frequently -- to recall the stories of God and his people, we're likely to repeat mistakes and miss blessings. 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who often forgets

why he walked into a room

(please, God, don't let me forget

your call, your truths, your provision)

July 29 - Psalm 77:9,11

Has God forgotten to be gracious?

Has he slammed the door on his compassion?

But then I recall all you have done, O Lord;

I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.

Psalm 77:9,11

 

Have things ever seemed so bad that you feel like God has forgotten you? Worse, has it ever seemed as if the Lord turned against you? 

 

Has life ever body slammed you so roughly that you're figuring that God has "slammed the door on his compassion"?

 

Some call this a dark night of the soul. 

 

So what do you do?

 

if you're looking for hope, the key word in verse 11 is "recall." Simplistically, "recall" means to "remember." But I invite you to think of it more deeply than that. "Re-call" means to "call back" -- as in, call back into existence. 

 

We need to put away some things in our past. Some need to be forgotten -- and moved on from. Some need to be forgiven -- releasing yourself as you forgive another. Some need to be released -- once you've been forgiven, quit carrying the guilt. 

 

But one thing needs to be remembered -- God's faithfulness. 

 

As the world rushes at your windshield at a hundred miles an hour -- frightening and overwhelming -- look in the rearview mirror. Recount and recall all the moments of God's past faithfulness. 

 

In fact, that's a good thing to journal. Write down all the ways -- big and small -- that God has been faithful in the past.  And when you struggle pull out that list, look in the rearview mirrors, and recall -- call back into existence, power, hope, and light -- all that God has done for you. 

 

And it will remind you of all that God is doing for you ... even in the midst of darkness. 

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who was an older brother

-- meaning, I did more. body-slamming

than getting body slammed

 

 

 

July 28 - Psalm 77:9,11

Has God forgotten to be gracious?

Has he slammed the door on his compassion?

But then I recall all you have done, O Lord;

I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.

Psalm 77:9,11

 

Have things ever seemed so bad that you feel like God has forgotten you? Worse, has it ever seemed as if the Lord turned against you? 

 

Has life ever body slammed you so roughly that you're figuring that God has "slammed the door on his compassion"?

 

Some call this a dark night of the soul. 

 

So what do you do?

 

if you're looking for hope, the key word in verse 11 is "recall." Simplistically, "recall" means to "remember." But I invite you to think of it more deeply than that. "Re-call" means to "call back" -- as in, call back into existence. 

 

We need to put away some things in our past. Some need to be forgotten -- and moved on from. Some need to be forgiven -- releasing yourself as you forgive another. Some need to be released -- once you've been forgiven, quit carrying the guilt. 

 

But one thing needs to be remembered -- God's faithfulness. 

 

As the world rushes at your windshield at a hundred miles an hour -- frightening and overwhelming -- look in the rearview mirror. Recount and recall all the moments of God's past faithfulness. 

 

In fact, that's a good thing to journal. Write down all the ways -- big and small -- that God has been faithful in the past.  And when you struggle pull out that list, look in the rearview mirrors, and recall -- call back into existence, power, hope, and light -- all that God has done for you. 

 

And it will remind you of all that God is doing for you ... even in the midst of darkness. 

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who was an older brother

-- meaning, I did more. body-slamming

than getting body slammed

 

 

 

July 27 - Psalm 76:10a

Human defiance only

enhances Your glory

Psalm 76:10a

Have you ever seen this bumper sticker:

Nietzsche, 1883: God is dead. 

God, 1900: Nietzsche is dead. 

There are all kinds of "human defiance." (The defiance of Nietzsche – a renowned atheist – is only one.)

In Psalm 76, Jerusalem was being assailed ... yet again. (We live in a warring, sinful, rebellious world.) 

And yet, this is a song of victory! In the midst of their trials, God showed up! ("3 There he has broken the fiery arrows of the enemy, the shields and swords and weapons of war.")

The result? Human defiance was what precipitated a kingdom victory. Indeed, "human defiance only enhances [God's] glory." 

 

Nietzsche, for example, thought he was such a towering intellectual. Nietzsche is dead, while God's glory still shines. 

Is it time to repent of your defiance? Maybe it's a willful, sinful defiance, doing what you want to do. (Repent!) 

Maybe your defiance is an intellectual superiority. (Though none of us is as smart as Nietzsche ... who wasn't a millionth as smart as the creator of heaven and earth.) (Repent.)

What is your defiance? Pride? Stubbornness? Intellect? Rebellion? Greed? Anger? Sensuality? Repent!

 

Indeed, repent ... and finally see the "glory" of God!

In Christ's Love,

a guy who had

to be humbled

to see God's glory

rather than my pride

(and though that happened

one big time

in a life changing way,

it still needs to

happen every day!)

July 25-26 - Psalm 75:2

God says,

“At the time

I have planned,
I will bring justice

against the wicked."

Psalm 75:2

Most of us don't like judgment. 

But we do like justice. 

It's strange, isn't it? They're both legal terms. And to bring justice, you have to judge those who are unjust. 

God is a just God. Indeed, if he does not judge the wicked, he is not just. 

God is just. Therefore, he will judge. When? God says, “At the time I have planned, I will bring justice against the wicked."

When we see vile oppression, we ask, "Where is God? Why is he not acting?" And on the one hand, we don't want God to wait. But on the other hand, "the Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).

God is patient -- not slow. He works justice. He also works forgiveness. He wants "everyone to come to repentance." And that's why he sent his Son. Jesus is the bridge to forgiveness, to grace, to eternal life. 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who is thankful

that we have a just God;

a guy who is more thankful

that our just God is

also a forgiving God

July 24 - Psalm 74:1-3

O God, why have you rejected us so long?

Why is your anger so intense

against the sheep of your own pasture?

2 Remember that we are the people you chose long ago,

the tribe you redeemed as your own special possession!

And remember Jerusalem,

your home here on earth.

Walk through the awful ruins of the city;

see how the enemy has destroyed your sanctuary.

Psalm 74:1-3

 

Have you ever felt forgotten? 

 

Have you ever felt neglected?

 

Have you ever felt like God has rejected you? 

 

Israel sure did. 

 

This Psalm tells us that (for one of many times in history) Jerusalem had been destroyed.

 

Where was God in the midst of this?! That was their first cry. It was plaintive, questioning, lost, and wondering. 

 

And that’s the way it is for most of us in times of trial — Where are you, God? That’s the first cry. It’s pure emotion. 

 

The second cry is more logical. It leans on truth. It recalls the promises of God. In fact, it even reminds God of his own promises. 

 

Reminds God? Doesn’t that sound presumptuous? Doesn’t he know?

 

He does. And yet he tells us to do it. (See Isaiah 43:26, for example.) Why?

 

I think it’s mostly for our benefit. When we remind God, WE too a recalling his promises. We are re-calling them — calling them back to life. We are refocusing ourselves. We are showing our reliance on his word and his power. We are trusting. Believing. Depending. 

 

And in so doing, we are worshipping. 

 

When you are hurting, call out to God — first. 

 

Then start recalling all his promises. (God tells us to do this.) It’s not because God needs to be reminded ... but we do!

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who doesn’t remember

as well as he used to

... so maybe I need to remember

what God promises

more than I used to too

 

 

 

 

July 23 - Psalm 73:28

But as for me,

it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign Lord

my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.

Psalm 73:28

 

"It is good for me to be near," so says the Psalmist. 

 

Do you say it too?

 

God is near us. God is with us. He hunts for us, when we're lost and far away. He chases after us, even when we're rebelling. He woos us, working overtime to soften our heart. 99.9% of faith is God's initiative. As Jesus said, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them" (Ps 6:44).

 

But notice that other fraction of a percent. It's our intentional choice. The Psalmist says, "I" -- who? -- "I" ... "I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge." 

 

0.1% of faith is our saying, "yes." 

 

But 100% of our “life” comes once we say, "yes"!

 

Once we say, "yes," we get access to the full measure of his strength, his power, his forgiveness, and a life-transforming hope. As our refuge, God protects us through the storms. We are more than conquerers – not on our one strength, but through God's provision. 

 

·         Are you placing yourself near the Lord?

 

·         Are you making the Sovereign Lord your refuge?

 

Notice the tenses of those questions. It's an active choice, a daily choice. But it makes a 100% difference. 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who is glad

you are reading this

-- it's an active, daily choice

to draw ever nearer

our ever-present Lord

 

 

July 22 - Psalm 73:23-24

Yet I am always with you;

you hold me by my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel,

and afterward,

you will take me into glory

Psalm 73:23-24

Who is with who in this Psalm?

One, God is always with us. Always.

But that's not the point of these verses. The Psalmist says, "I am always with you."

It's a matter of focus, of intention, of relationship. It's a choice: Will I devote myself to being with the God who is already with me? Will I look? Will I pray? Will I listen?

God is with us always. He "hold[s us] by [his] right hand." And when we seek to be with him, we tend to notice the presence of the God who otherwise seems invisible.

Listening includes being willing to be "guide[d] with [God's] counsel."

And with listening and being guided by God's counsel comes life's greatest assurance ... that, Lord, "you will take me into glory."

That's the hope. That's the light. That's the victory. That's the blessing of being always with The Lord who is always with us.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who already sees glory

July 21 - Psalm 73:12

This is what the wicked are like

-- always free of care,

they go on amassing wealth

Psalm 73:12

First, God does not disapprove of wealth! Abraham was wealthy. David and Solomon were wealthy. Joseph of Arimathea used his wealth to care for Jesus and bury our Lord's body. God does not disapprove of wealth!!

What God warns us about is being "free of care."

Wait ... “carefree” is generally seen as a good thing. (And God, of course, does not want us to worry. He, indeed, will take care of our greatest needs. He is our refuge and strength. He will protect us.)

But "free of care" is different ... and not good. Think of it as "free of compassion."

That's what's "wicked."

That's the temptation of those who are "amassing wealth." Some build their fortune at the expense of others. Some prioritize greed over generosity. If enough is never enough – for you as well as a truly rich person – ask yourself how often you are really lacking in compassion.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who --

by the standards of the

world and world history --

is rich, rich, rich

... therefore, I'd better be

generous, generous, generous,

or I'm wicked, wicked, wicked

July 20 - Psalm 73:1-2

Truly God is good to Israel,

to those whose hearts are pure.
But as for me,

I almost lost my footing.

Psalm 73:1-2a

 

“God is good.” (That’s what this Psalm says.)

 

Me? I am slippery.

 

I trip. I fall. “I almost los[e] my footing” … again and again.

 

Humans do that all the time. In fact – in a bit of sad irony – just as I turned on my computer to write this, today’s headlines popped up. A musician’s son lost his footing and fell off a cliff in England.

 

Indeed, when I lived for a decade in the Mountain West, it seemed like every year, someone associated with our congregation would lose their footing while hiking and fall to their death (or near death).

 

And while my bride was never near death, she actually has scars in her hands from losing her footing along a mountain trail, shattering her wrist, and having to have surgery.

 

Gravity is a power force! We trip. We fall. We’re accident’s waiting to happen.

 

And sin is like that too.

 

As soon as we get comfortable and complacent, we’re vulnerable. When we compromise and cheat and compromise, we tempt fate. When we’re tired, our defenses are down, and we’re more likely to stumble. When we’re lonely, we sometimes (accidentally) go looking for companionship in all the wrong places. When anger festers (usually because we forget to forgive), we’re placing our feet on the loose gravel at the edge of a cliff.

 

Accidents happen.

 

That’s why we need to work so hard – all of the rest of the time – to make sure our “hearts are pure” (as today’s Psalm says).

 

Think about it … if even the most careful and most pure of heart will inevitably stumble and fall, that’s why we need to work so hard the rest of the time to stay pure of heart!!! Intentional sin, obviously, is a disaster waiting to happen. Compromise tempts fate. Complacency puts us at risk.

 

So to keep from falling and getting crushed, work hard to stay pure of heart. Not only does God promise to bless this (see verse one), but you will bless your life too.

 

In Christ’s Love,

A guy who wants real adventures

– hiking, kayaking, mountain biking --

not fake adventures

(and the cheap thrill of sin)

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 18-19 - Psalm 72:4 (Answer to the Teaser)

May [the king]

defend the cause of the poor …,

give deliverance to the needy,

and crush the oppressor.

Psalm 72:4

 

In my Bible, the heading for this Psalm is: Prayer for Guidance and Support for the King.

 

Every generation in every nation needs to pray this! We need to pray that our kings (presidents, chancellors, and prime ministers) will 1) seek the “guidance” of God and 2) will (perhaps as a result) be “support[ed]” by God.

 

Each era needs to pray that their governors will “2 judge … with righteousness,” promote an “16 abundance of grain,” and have “7 peace abound” in their time.

 

This Psalm, prayed in godliness by King David and/or King Solomon, is a leader’s request for blessing on their reign.

 

And while we should all pray that our own rulers are blessed by this same godly favor; we should pray even more that our own rulers are praying this prayer for themselves!

 

The alternative to a governor’s reliance upon God is pride. They reason that their own skills got them elected; therefore, shouldn’t they rely on themselves to govern?

 

But think about this: Is a “good” king sometimes “helped” by favorable weather, fruitful fields, and prosperous mountains? (see verses 3 and 16) Of course!

 

Consequently, aren’t rulers often judged as inept when the economy crashes … even though many economic crises are caused by what the insurance companies call, “acts of God” – earthquakes, famines, floods, etc.

 

So the question is this: If God generally controls the seasons, how much of the success of a king’s rule is tied to God’s provision. Conversely, how much of a king’s infamy is caused by God’s judgment?

 

In the Bible, for example, God used natural disasters, enemy attacks, and economic woes as forms of judgment. How much of that happens now? Indeed, is every disaster a judgment … or is everything merely a coincidence?

 

Do you see the key word in that last statement? “Every.” (And “everything.”)

 

A few days ago, I teased you with a question: What if I could predict a major disaster?

 

Some people over-attribute every action to the spiritual realm – everything is being caused by God … or thwarted, perhaps, by spiritual warfare.

 

But I think the opposite is more often true. More moderns probably under-attribute events to the spiritual.

 

n  Maybe I can’t predict tsunamis.

But that doesn’t mean that God is not active and that true prophecy isn’t really true.

n  Maybe we do have free will and cause (and effect) a lot of our own messes … and victories.

But God causes things too. (Indeed, it’s always God’s prerogative to trump our prerogative. In fact, the prayer, “Thy will be done,” is my will submitting to God’s will, my “cause” trusting in his “effect.”)

n  Much of this world is, indeed, cause-and-effect and coincidence. (For example, if I speed, I might get a ticket. And I can’t blame God. It’s my mistake; not God’s judgment.)

But with an active God, sometimes coincidences are more than coincidence! (Indeed, test this: The more that people pray, the more “coincidences” they tend to see!)

 

Today’s Psalm is a prayer. It’s man’s hope that a human king will defend the cause of the poor and give deliverance to the needy.

 

n  Think about that: What are most people in most nations doing? We’re all hoping that our human kings in their prerogative – in their free will – will be just and wise.

 

n  But read this petition again: What else is the Psalmist doing? Praying to God … that he will intervene. Praying that God’s prerogative will occasionally (if not frequently) trump an earthly ruler’s pride and prerogative! Praying that God will soften a king’s heart and guide a president’s path.

 

Our God is an active God … who gives us free will. Sometimes things are purely natural cause-and-effect and coincidence. But why do we pray? Well, when God gave us dominion over this world, he made us all lower-case kings. Prayer is giving authority back to God. It is inviting Him to be active in our lives and in this world.

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who is not

a weatherman or a prophet

– no disasters this week

(but what would you

have done if I was right?!!!) --

nevertheless, a guy who prays to

and believes in an active God

(Come, Lord Jesus.)

 

 

 

July 17 - Psalm 71:14

I will hope continually

and will praise you

yet more and more

Psalm 71:14

 

What is hope?

 

On the way out of a gas station today, I saw an obviously poor person scratching off a lottery card. Yes, a few wealthier people play the lottery. But it’s disproportionately the poor that are scratching tickets. (Enough that lotteries a called “a tax on the poor.”)

 

Why do the poor play the lottery in disproportionate amounts? Because of hope! Even though the odds of winning the power ball jackpot are less likely than getting struck by lightning while getting attacked by a polar bear in the Sahara Desert, the one chance in umpteen billion is still hope, a dream, a possibility of a better future.

 

What is hope?

 

It is confidence

that a possibility

could become a reality.

 

In today’s verse, the Psalmist pledges to “hope continually.” Indeed, in spite of some pretty dire circumstances (see below), the psalmist commits to be continually confident that a possibility – a “2 rescue,” a “2 deliver[er], and a “2 deliver[ance]” – will become a reality.

 

·         Even though they clearly need to take “¹ refuge,” the Psalmist pledges to “14 hope continually.”

·         Even though he needs “² rescue,” the Psalmist pledges to “14 hope continually.”

·         Even though the “⁴ hand of the wicked” seems to be closing around their neck, even though they’re “⁴ grasp[ed by] the wicked and unjust,” the Psalmist pledges to “14 hope continually.”

·         Even though his poor body creaks with the frustration of “⁹ old age,” the Psalmist pledges to “14 hope continually.”

·         Even though “¹⁰ enemies” are speaking evil against him and conspiring to harm him, the Psalmist pledges to “14 hope continually.”

·         Even though he is “¹¹ pursue[d],” “¹¹ seize[d],” and “¹¹ forsaken,” the Psalmist pledges to “14 hope continually.”

·         Even though he feels “¹³ covered with scorn and disgrace,” the Psalmist pledges to “14 hope continually.”

 

Question: Do you have that confidence? Are you sure – in spite of circumstances, in spite of enemies, in spite of old age, in spite of feelings of dread – that with God the possibility of rescue will become a reality.

 

Now … that reality may not happen according to your time frame. It may not even happen while you’re on this earth. (Heaven may be the ultimate rescue that you are waiting for.) But faith is the confident hope that God’s rescue is already a reality!

 

No matter what this world may throw at you, you are more than a conqueror through him who loves you (see Romans 8).

 

Isaiah 43 reveals that hope and confidence: When we pass through the floods and fires, God will be with us.

 

Indeed, death itself is even a victory – because it is the gate to eternal life.

 

Question: Is your hope bigger than your trials?

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who has scratched off

a thousand lottery tickets

 

No … wait …

a guy who has scratched off

-- or actually underlined

in my chicken-scratch –

a thousand Bible verses.

(That’s where my assurance

of riches and hope comes from!)

 

 

 

 

July 16 - Psalm 70:2,4

may all who desire my ruin

be turned back in disgrace. ...

But may all who seek you

rejoice and be glad in you;

Psalm 70:2,4

What is the source of blessing?

And, similarly, what is the source of curses?

Let me say this simply and clearly:

True blessing comes

from only one place:

if we "seek [God]"

we will "rejoice."

That’s the message of this Psalm. It’s also the consistent message of scripture. Think about it: There is no true blessing apart from seeking God! Only God is light. Only God is truth. Only God can bring true peace, hope, joy, and comfort. Thus, true blessing comes from only one place: if we "seek [God]" we will "rejoice." 

Conversely, true curses, true frustrations, true struggles, and true despair ultimately come from only one place too -- not "seek[ing God]." Right?!

Now, it’s true that without God, we may get glimpses of light, hope, and joy. But they're just glimpses. We’re seeing in the mirror dimly. (After all, God created “good,” and there’s naturally blessings all around us even if we’re chasing destruction. Mass murderers can enjoy cheeseburgers, for example.)

Therefore, the question is this: Do you want true light, true joy, true hope, and true blessing? Of course! So how do we get it?

Well, I just told you that there is one and only one path to blessing … it comes from “seek[ing God].”

Interestingly, however, there are two paths to struggle, grief, curses, and “disgrace.” Read today’s verse again. David prays, “may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.” Think about that: We find curses and disgrace when we 1) do not “seek [God]” and when 2) we “desire … ruin” for God’s people and God’s ways.

Wait … let me say that again: When we refuse to follow God’s ways (or bless his people), then we need to expect “ruin” and “disgrace.” (Or to say that yet another way: God won’t bless what He condemns.)

Wait … again. Let’s turn that around: If we follow God’s ways (and bless his people), can we expect “blessing” and “rejoic[ing]”?

Yes! Indeed, following God is a form of “seek[ing] God”!

Now, it’s not about “works.” (Do good things and be entitled to a blessing.) Nevertheless, seeking God is worship … and devotion … and commitment … and faith. Seeking God is prayer. It is obedience. (Indeed, we can’t pretend that we’re seeking God if we’re rejecting his ways.)

Do you want to be blessed? Seek God! Worship him! Pray. Listen for his ways. Obey his will. And then – no matter the circumstances of life on a broken planet – you will receive blessing.

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who had a

6^th grade teacher

who had us doing

about ten “Seek-and-Finds” a week

(I may not have learned much biology,

but I learned a good life skill –

how to seek for and find things in life

… including God’s presence)

July 15 - Psalm 68:1

Rise up, O God, and

scatter your enemies.

Psalm 68:1a

 

Wait … read that again.

 

Now ask: Whose enemies? It’s God’s enemies that we’re praying against! (“GOD … scatter YOUR enemies.)

 

Pay attention to this: There are two sets of enemies in life:

 

1.   There are MY enemies.

 

2.   And there are GOD’S enemies.

 

What’s the difference?

 

First some basics:

 

God’s discernment is all-knowing. Our discernment is limited. (Our judgment also tends to biased and self-interested!)

 

Furthermore, God’s perspective is eternal, while we tend to focus on the temporary and immediate. For example and as it says in Scripture, God occasionally chooses to refine us … like a craftsman uses fire to purify gold. But we don’t like fire!!! We want immediate victories. We want to feel quicker success.

 

In light of this discussion on perspectives and priorities, how we define enemies matters!

 

·         In today’s passage, WE ask GOD to scatter HIS enemies.

·         In other passages – like Matthew 5:44 – GOD asks US to pray for OUR enemies.

 

Strange, isn’t it? What’s the difference?

 

·         GOD’S enemies are TRUE enemies. They are true kingdom adversaries according to HIS all-knowing and eternal perspective. Therefore, it is always appropriate for US to ask GOD to scatter HIS true enemies.

 

·         But it’s also appropriate for GOD to ask US to pray for OUR enemies. Why?

 

o   Because our perspective is always limited.

o   Because we tend to pray for what we personally want … rather than what the entire kingdom needs. (In fact, God may use even uncomfortable situations for his glory.)

o   Because we don’t always recognize when an immediate foe might be a long-term friend (thus, why are we praying against a future friend).

o   Because we always and naturally desire quick blessings rather than long-term refinement (and our enemies may occasionally be God’s uncomfortable tool for our ultimate refinement).

o   Because praying even for our enemies helps us trust God and His provision … rather than the ourselves and our world and human solutions.

 

Do you see what I’m trying to say?!

 

We need to simultaneously pray FOR OUR enemies ... and AGAINST GOD’S enemies. And then WE need to trust that in HIS wisdom and HIS goodness, GOD will sort it all out to the glory of HIS name!

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who likes

to control

more than trust