Psalm 18 - "Solid As The Rock of Gibraltar"

As we cast our votes today in a very contentious US election that has grave consequences we are placing our trust not in the candidates but in the strength and wisdom of the great King and Ruler of the universe. And no matter what the outcome is our King remains seated on the throne; His kingdom unshaken and will be advancing regardless of who occupies the White House.

The saying "solid as the Rock of Gibraltar" is used to describe an entity that is very safe or firm. In Psalm 18, David refers to God as his "rock" four times - twice in verse two and once in verse thirty-one and also in verse forty-six.

Faced with the wrath of his enemies and the relentless pursuit of King Saul, David turns to God and reassures himself, "The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

Now that's quite a mouthful of praise. In just one verse alone, David enumerates seven things about God: He is our rock, fortress, deliverer, refuge, shield, salvation, and stronghold. With a God like this, who can be against us? Who can destroy us? I'd like to call this a seven-fold insurance and assurance against all calamities that we may face in life.

In verses 3 to 6 David narrates his near-death experience and how the Lord saved him. Verses 8 to 15 use metaphors describing the awesome power of God our Rock. Verses 16 to 19 detail how God rescues David from his adversaries. In verses 20 to 29, David shows us the rewards of faithfulness, humility, and obedience that translates to righteousness. Verses 30 to 45 describe a warrior on the offense with words like, "You armed me with strength for battle; you humbled my adversaries before me."

And then in the last passages from verse 46 to 50, David rises to worship the sovereign and all-powerful God who "avenges" and "subdues" nations. He doubles down on His praise, "The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock!"

Psalm 17 - An Amazing Faith-filled Worship

It's always a great blessing to have dad and mom accompany us to do ministry in other churches. Here we were at a Fil-Am Church meeting in a Messianic Synagogue where Jewish Christians meet in Chicago. I thank God for His continued gift of physical health and longevity upon their lives in spite of health challenges. God is good all the time! On a beautiful Sunday morning we look into the rich passages of Psalm 17. Allow me to share:

While no one can dictate on God or twist His arms to do our bidding we can implore Him to do what is right. Psalm 17 illustrates how David, the author of this psalm, asks God to listen to him on the basis of  his righteousness which emanates from a righteous heart transformed by God. Here's what he said at the beginning of this psalm:

"Hear me, LORD, my plea is just; listen to my cry. Hear my prayer - it does not rise from deceitful lips..."

David even challenges God to test him:

"Though you probe my heart, though you examine me at night and test me, you will find that I have planned no evil; my mouth has not transgressed."

A very presumptuous, self-righteous person this David is we may say. How could he claim purity and righteousness when there is no one who is perfect and right before God? This question takes us right into Hebrews 4:16 which encourages us to come before God's presence with boldness, "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

It is interesting to note that just prior to this verse in Hebrews, the author talks about our great High Priest who ascended into heaven after laying his life down for us that we may obtain the right standing before God which gives us an unfettered access to the throne room of God.

No David was not being presumptuous when he asks God to act on his behalf because of his enemies. He comes on the basis of his faith and is expressing liberally that which God has already committed to do in behalf of His children. He is in other words echoing back the promises God made for those who trust in Him. In this psalm he affirms God's promises:

"I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadows of your wings."

Wow...what an amazing and faith-filled worship coming from an overflowing heart filled with the love, assurance, and blessings of God.

David's faith goes further beyond the grave for he understands its eternal implications. He knows that death is not the end of everything but rather it is the gateway of unending bliss with God. He ends this beautiful psalm with a great declaration of immortality, victory, and satisfaction:

"As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness."

Psalm 16

It's been said that Psalm 16 is a psalm of lament. Yet by the time we finish reading it we can also come to a conclusion that it is a celebratory psalm. Just notice the ending of this psalm, "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

"The path of life" - everyone's talking about how to find it. Books in Walmart are filled with such title. "Joy in your presence" - in a world so dysfunctional and empty joy is the one missing ingredient. "Eternal pleasures at Your right hand" - while earthly goods only offer temporary pleasure God-derived pleasure offers a better alternative, a more lasting fulfillment in the pursuit of His will. Who would not want any of these?

Psalm 16 also echoes Psalm 14's assertion that there is no one who does good. It states, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing." This is why we teach that goodness in and of ourselves alone is never enough to earn our ticket to heaven. We need someone outside of us to redeem us from the sin nature passed down on us. This is where a Savior needs to come in to save us - a Savior who once proclaimed through unequivocal terms, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no one can come to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). And this Savior's name is Jesus.

Psalm 16 also contains an admonition, "Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more." King Solomon, touted to be the wisest person who ever lived, knows this principle all too well. He pursued various gods in his lifetime - wealth, fame, education, sex and pleasure. He held nothing back and got everything he desired. When he assessed all that he had done and achieved in life, he astonishingly concluded that apart from God everything is but an absolute futility, like chasing after the wind.

The things that truly matter most in life are few and far between. Faith in a a living and sovereign God is foremost of them. As the psalmist David looks up to this God and affirms His mighty presence he begins to worship, "I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me."

While this psalm is considered a Messianic psalm which is ascribed to the suffering Jesus prophetically, we can say with David, "You will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave." In God, death loses its sting. Make God your refuge and He will keep you safe and secure - not from trouble but in spite of or in the midst of it all (Psalm 16:1).

Psalm 15

The president of the Philippines had recently ordered thousands of presidential appointees to vacate their positions due to continuing bureaucratic red tape and unbridled corruption in government in spite of his previous order. Many of our citizens (and netizens) clamor for a corrupt-free government marked by honesty and integrity, one of the reasons why the current president won by a landslide margin because he spoke strongly on these issues.

Psalm 15 provides an excellent recipe for a corrupt-free government. The Message, a paraphrased translation of the Bible by Eugene Peterson, does a very good job simplifying this particular psalm. Here's a portion of it.

"Walk straight, act right, tell the truth. Don't hurt your friend, don't blame your neighbor; despise the despicable. Keep your word even when it costs you, make an honest living, never take a bribe."

Now that's a great word for people in government written thousands of years ago!

But the great paradox of moral uprightness is how can individuals have the power and ability to walk straight, act right, and tell the truth without a moral or spiritual center as their guide? There has to be a moral frame of reference by which individuals must base their actions from and have a rationale for them.

Can a person act good even without having a relationship with God? Yes, either by godly influences or a natural sense of morality. The fact is we are created in the image and likeness of God who reflects His character of goodness. But this character of God in us has been marred by sin. That's why in the previous psalm, Psalm 14, it is stated that, "There is no one that does good, no, not one." Even the best human good that we can offer will never measure up. Reason why such a religious man like Nicodemus and the rich young man who claimed to be morally upright were told by Jesus to believe and completely put their trust in Him.

How then can we "abide in His tabernacle and dwell in His holy hill" as fallen individuals? The answer is in the cross of Jesus. All of us are in need of redemption because it is only through the impartation of Christ's life, His righteousness in us that we can abide and dwell in Him. Psalm 15 shows the fruit of that righteousness which empowers us by His grace to walk straight, act right, and tell the truth.

Ravi Zacharias, a well known Christian apologist, once remarked that there is a logical, chronological sequence to being right with God. They are redemption, righteousness, and worship. The order cannot be altered. We have to experience redemption first in order to receive God's righteousness so that we can worship acceptably.

Psalm 15 ends with a great promise: "He who does these things shall never be moved." A person who has the life of Christ in Him and living in His power will be strong and unshakeable.

Psalm 14

Psalm 14 begins with a thought-provoking statement, "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.'" The word fool here does not refer to a mental deficiency but to a spiritual state that refuses to acknowledge the existence and sovereignty of God. Psalm 14 also shows the likely natural progression of a life alienated from God which can easily lead to a downward spiral as can be gleaned from the descriptions the psalmist uses like "corrupt" and "abominable works." The Bible does not set out to prove the existence of God but rather it affirms and declares it to be so in a clear and unambiguous and unapologetic manner. The first passage of the Scriptures alone states, "In the beginning God..." - an uncompromising statement which debunks all other theories antithetical to God.

Psalm 14:13 is a truth restated in the New Testament: "There is none who does good, no, not one." This truth is foundational in our understanding of true salvation where as born sinners we are desperately in need of a Savior. We may try to be good, do charitable acts, or go to church to obtain salvation, but apart from experiencing an inward transformation through faith in God's own Son, we will never attain salvation simply because on our own it will never be enough - even in our best form we will always fall short.

Towards the end of Psalm 14, David expresses his desire to see his nation's deliverance when he stated, "Oh, that the salvation of Israel could come out of Zion!" There will be a future national deliverance for the Jewish people, but for those who are longing for personal salvation, it can be had now, for the Word of God declares, "Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Psalm 13

To be forgotten and never to be remembered can be the worst feeling in the world. Ask the homeless man on the street and he could probably tell us that it's not the absence of a dwelling place that's squeezing the life out of him but it's the overpowering feeling of being abandoned by family and friends. Or perhaps we can ask a elderly person in a care home what it feels like for someone who has never been visited by a loved one for years. The feelings of loneliness and despair can be overwhelming. David experienced more than this. He felt that his only Source of life and joy has deserted him! Let's listen in to his words, "How Long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?" We may still bear the pain of being forgotten by humans but to have the gnawing feeling that the God of hope and mercy has deserted us may yet be far tougher to the soul than anything else. For where do we turn to if God is no longer around?

Indeed there are moments in our lives when we feel as if God is absent and has forgotten us especially during times of great physical, emotional, and spiritual need when our burden seems too overwhelming. Like David, we become anxious, frantic, and restless having "sorrow in my heart daily."

Feeling forsaken, David's anguished soul is crying out, "Consider and hear me, O Lord my God; enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death." In other words, David is saying, "I am going to die if I don't hear from you, God!"

How do we regain our spiritual footing when life pushes us to the edge and we feel abandoned and forgotten?

The latter part of Psalm 13 gives us the answer. After commiserating with himself, David reawakens and picks himself up. First, he reaffirms his trust in the mercy of God, "But I have trusted in your mercy." Second, he reminds himself of the great salvation that he has, "My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation." And then thirdly, he looks back and remembers all the good things that God has done in his life, "I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me."

God's mercy reminds us that God has not forgotten us. We experience it everyday. Our salvation has put to rest the issue of our eternal destiny. We may experience great trouble for our souls while on earth but our souls are eternally secure in God's hands. When we look back at how the Lord has dealt bountifully with us, we can still rejoice and have a song in our heart no matter how bleak our present circumstances may be.

No, God has not forgotten us. When we hear the chirping  of the birds in the morning and see the dazzling beauty of nature around us they remind us that we are way too precious to be forgotten by a God who created and breathed life into all of us.

Psalm 12

With the US presidential election heating up the exchanges of accusatory words and rhetorics between the two candidates and their parties are becoming more intense and sharp. As in any election season, if candidates are not careful about their choices of words it can backfire and haunt them on Election Day. One candidate is already being accused of inciting violence because of poor choice of words and careless off-the-cuff remarks. In Psalm 12, David notices the vanishing breed of godly and faithful men in his generation. In their place are people unabashedly uttering destructive words to others.  To these people David has this to say, "They speak idly everyone with his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak."

If we are not careful with our words we can easily bring harm and destruction to others even to those who are closest to us. Let's use our words to build up instead of to tear down, to encourage instead of to put down, to strengthen instead of to weaken. Words have power and through them we can impact the lives of others daily around us - potentially for life either positively or negatively. Let us leverage that power to its greatest use.

Psalm 12 also provides a stark contrast between the inconsistency of man's words and the integrity of God's words. After describing the words of the disobedient and oppressors of the poor, David has this to say about God's words, "The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times."

The number seven symbolizes perfection. God's words are perfect and above reproach. We can depend on them and be our source of strength and courage in times of great need. His words are tried and true and when all else has failed His words will always be there for the humble and needy.

Now for those looking for safety and security in God hear this, "You shall keep them, O Lord, you shall preserve them from this generation forever."

That's His word for you and me and we can bank on it.

Psalm 11

By the grace of God, we arrived safely from the Philippines a few days ago via Delta Airlines, which we found out today experienced a massive computer glitch, a suspected hack into their system, and put all their flights at a standstill globally. Definitely not a good thing for everyone. But we thank and praise God for keeping us safe and granting us so much favor throughout our vacation. All glory to Him!

We are continuing our journey through the Psalms and please allow me to share my thoughts on Psalm 11.

The beginning of this Psalm is a declaration of intent. Regardless of the adversities that David is facing, he has made up his mind from the very beginning to trust in God. He declares in verse one, "In the Lord I put my trust."

It will be half the battle won if we decide in our heart to trust and rely upon God completely even before any event transpires or our circumstances change. David, by declaring his intent from the start to make God His refuge regardless of his situation in life, has fortified himself for tough battles ahead.

In Psalm 11, David feels the pressure from his enemies as they sneer at him, "Flee as a bird to your mountain." With the influence of the wicked on the rise and his adversaries preparing to pounce on him, David is being forced to abandon all hopes and flee to the mountains. Christians in times past and the present do feel this kind of pressure when persecution arises and they are taunted for their faith.

David opines that when the moral and spiritual foundations of society break down there is little that the righteous can do. He says, "If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" Perhaps a better question would be, "If the foundations are destroyed, can society sustain itself on its own?"

In order for society to thrive and prosper it must be built on the principles of truth and justice, respect for life and property of others, submission to authorities, personal accountability and responsibility - all fundamental principles found and taught in the Scriptures. When these principles are removed or destroyed society will implode and chaos and disorder will be the natural consequences.

"If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" We remain steadfast by continuing to trust in God as David does, living out godly principles in an amoral culture, and demonstrating in tangible ways God's love to fallen humanity.

"The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven." In spite of the negative turn of events around us, God continues to occupy His throne, firmly in control and holding everything together through His wisdom and great power. In the end, true justice will prevail against God's enemies and the righteous will always have God's favor on their side.

This Psalm ends with a beautiful promise: "...His countenance beholds the upright." The upright meaning those who have trusted in Jesus' redeeming work on the cross and not on their own ability to be good.

Psalm 10

Given the spate of killings we are witnessing in the Philippines where innocent lives are being caught in the crossfire as a result of the government’s relentless war against illegal drugs, we may be asking where is God in all of this. Why is he allowing the innocent to perish and the wicked go scot-free? In times of trouble when evil seems to triumph over good we tend to ask the question whether God is still in control. The psalmist has the same concerns in Psalm 10, “Why do you stand afar off, O Lord? Why do you hide in times of trouble?”

It does seem like a big injustice when those who do not believe in God and are in rebellion against Him continue to flourish in spite of their oppression on the weak, hapless, and poor. This is the big question mark swirling in the back of the psalmist’s mind.

“Arise, O Lord!,” implores the psalmist, “O God, lift up Your hand! Do not forget the humble.”

After unloading himself on God, he then answers his own questions. He realizes that even in the perceived silence of heaven, God continues to be actively engaged in the affairs of men. He declares, “But you have seen, for You observe trouble and grief, to repay it by Your hand.”

We have to understand as David realizes that God remains the sovereign ruler of all even if the world seems to be spinning out of control and wickedness is at its all time high. We may not understand His silence but His wisdom is far greater than anyone and He works according to His timetable and divine program. He oversees the rise and fall of nations and empires and He remains the “King forever and ever.” We just have to trust in the machinations of heaven. God’s kind of justice will be fair, perfect, and swift.

One thing is certain, those who will humble themselves and commit to Him are guaranteed of His help, compassion, and kindness as affirmed by David, “The helpless commits himself to God and He is the helper of the fatherless…Lord you have heard the desire of the humble. You will prepare their heart. You will cause your ear to hear. To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may oppress no more.”

Side note: the summary execution of any human life has no place in a civilized society. The right to due process of law applies to all and is deeply enshrined in our constitution: no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law. (Written: 1AUGUST2016)

Psalm 9

Vacations also serve as opportunities to serve. Had the privilege of preaching last night In a memorial service. It was a great opportunity to present the gospel. Psalm 9 is a gospel message. Let’s take a look: In Psalm 9, David picks up from where he left off in chapter 8, focusing on God’s “marvelous works.” He continues to render worship to God for His magnificent work of creation. But then he switches gear and begins to meditate on God’s righteous judgment. Notice his use of the words judge, judging, judgment:

“You sat on the throne judging in righteousness” (verse 4); “He has prepared His throne for judgment” (verse 7); “He shall judge the world in righteousness” (verse 8); “He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness” (verse 8); “The LORD is known by the judgment He executes” (verse 16).

Knowing God as a righteous Judge is fundamental to understanding grace. A just God is more than an Old Testament concept and absolutely not something that no longer applies in today’s age of grace. To fully understand grace we must know His righteous judgment and how it is satisfied in the death of God’s own Son. Devoid of understanding His justice, we cheapen His grace.

“Justice and righteousness,” we are clearly told in the Psalms, “are the foundations of His throne” (Psalm 89:14). He still rules with justice, fairness, and impartiality. In Psalm 9, justice for the oppressed is foremost in His mind. Escathologically speaking, the Great White Throne Judgment is reserved for those who have rejected God’s offer of free salvation. If God has ceased to be a righteous Judge, then there is no future judgment for Satan and his cohorts.

It’s very interesting to note how David makes confession of his salvation, “I will rejoice in your salvation.” God has judged the world and its sins through the death of His Son on the cross, which satisfied the required perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world and met the demands of a holy God. David by faith understands this and knows that through God’s own judgment on the Son who bore our sins it is God who brings about salvation and not through our own self efforts.

David would not have rejoiced in God’s salvation without seeing God as a righteous Judge. Now filled with awe and joy for having been saved from God’s judgment he utters sincere and passionate worship:

“I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works” (verse 1); “I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High!” (verse 2); “Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion! Declare His deeds among the people” (verse 11); “That I may tell of all Your praise In the gates of the daughter of Zion. I will rejoice in Your salvation” (verse 14).

Friends, there is a great promise for those who will turn to God. Rather than live under God’s judgment, we can choose to find freedom and forgiveness in Jesus through the cross. Here’s the promise:

“The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You” (Psalm 9:9-10). (Written: 28JULY2016)

Psalm 8

We thank God for His continued favor and protection upon our family. Yesterday, we were privileged to minister in the church of my brother-in-law both in their morning service and afternoon joint worship celebration with other churches. Cathy and the children rendered songs while I shared from the Word. Since we’ve been going through the psalms, I decided to share from our current reading. Here’s the gist of my message:

The new president of the Philippines has decided to drop the traditional title “His Excellency” from how he is to be addressed as president. So he will now simply be called the president.

In Psalm 8, David uses the word excellent to describe the name of the Lord. He proclaims, “O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, who have set your glory above the heavens!”

What makes the name of the Lord excellent or majestic in other translation? David offers a couple of insights: the magnificence of God’s creation seen in nature and the marvel of human creation.

David is overwhelmed by the majestic beauty of the skies as he reflects, “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have ordained.” It is impossible not to be drawn to worship when we look at the grandeur of the universe before us and how it is intricately designed by a grand designer. The heavenly bodies work in perfect, complex order and it is hard to believe that they are all just a product of chance and evolution.

And then David moves from nature to humans, “Out of the mouths of babes and nursing infants you have ordained strength.” I like how John Calvin breaks this verse down and I will quote him, “The process of the conception and birth of an infant displays God’s splendor so clearly that even a nursing infant brings down to the ground the fury of God’s enemies”

In verse 5, David posits the inestimable value of a human being, “You have crowned him with glory and honor.” Every person is created in the image and likeness of God and he is to be treated with dignity and honor. He is the homeless man on the street. She is the refugee from war-torn countries. He is the tiny, little, hapless soul inside a mother’s womb in an abortion clinic.

In view of the sheer vastness of God’s creation, David asks a rhetorical question, “What is man that you are mindful of him and the son of man that you visit him?” God is mindful of us because we are His masterpiece, the summit of His creation and as such we are worth redeeming for especially when that very creation of God was marred by sin. The cross proves His love for us.

In verse 9, after having witnessed the breathtaking beauty of the glory of God through His creation, David doubles down on his worship, “O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth!”

Psalm 8 is a masterpiece both in its beauty and depth. It’s impossible not to be moved to worship when we read it with an open heart. (Written: 24JULY2016)

Psalm 7

Vacations can be very expensive but they are all worth it when you spend time with family and loved ones When grandma and grandpa get to see their grandchildren then it’s priceless! Got up one early morning and spent time with psalm 7. Here’s some of its treasures:

David was a mighty warrior and a courageous man who would never back down from a good fight – certainly a character trait a man named Goliath wished he knew in advance. Yet in Psalm 7 we notice that just like the rest of us David also has his own fears and insecurities. “Save me from all those who persecute me and deliver me,” he confesses, “lest they tear me like a lion.”

David looks around and takes cognizance of the destructive force of evil brought upon by his enemies. HIs cry for justice is captured in words tinged with a sense of desperation, “Arise, O, Lord in your anger…Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end.”

Here David clamors for justice against his enemies. But justice is elusive in a world infected by sin and where evil runs rampant. This is where a just judge must arise, a strong, perfect judge who will demand accountability and administer real justice. And it is to this judge that David runs to and implores to act on his behalf, “Rise up for me to the judgment you have commanded!”

With all the trouble we are seeing in the world today there is a palpable feeling of hopelessness that evil seems to triumph over good. David feels it too. But then he realizes that there will be a day of reckoning. “God is a just judge,” he surmises, “and He will sharpen His sword. He bends his bow and makes it ready.”

Yet even as justice awaits the evildoers, mercy is always available to the humble and repentant. Yes, He is a just judge but He is also a merciful judge. He was the One who removed His royal robe, voluntarily took the death penalty of a guilty verdict, and paid the ultimate sacrifice.

By nature we are all enemies of God because of our rebellion. But God offers reconciliation through the death of His Son. A prisoner doesn’t have to continue living behind prison bars when a way out has already been provided. A judicial notice that legitimately sets him free has been made available through the cross.

It’s called John 3:16. (Written: 21JULY2016)

Psalm 6

At 30,000 feet in the clouds I had the opportunity to reflect on a beautiful psalm by David. We thank God for HIs travelling mercies, we arrived at our destination safely. Now here’s David: Psalm 6 is a psalm of lament where David expresses deep despair for his pain. Agonizing words such as “my bones are deeply troubled” signify great bodily distress and one that affects the core of his being for he cries out, “My soul is also greatly troubled.”

He is greatly overcome by grief and is on the verge of giving up. He describes himself in vivid detail as weak, weary from groaning all night long, and having drenched his couch with tears. We can definitely identify with him for he sounds like the rest of us.

Suffering will always be a part of the human race and it affects us all. A debilitating illness. The death of a loved one. The painful betrayal of trust. Dysfunctional families. Tragic accidents. Mass shootings. The unspeakable horrors of war. And the list goes on and on.

Like David, we think God is angry at us when tragedy strikes for he says, “Do not rebuke me in your anger.” Like him, we often think that God has abandoned us in our moment of despair for he cries out, “Return, O Lord, deliver me!”

But, alas, David had not given up on his God. He held on to what little faith he had left and declared, “The Lord has heard the voice of my weeping. The Lord has heard my supplication. The Lord will receive my prayer.”

No matter the struggle we are faced with there is still a God who hears. No matter how we perceive His silence, He has not abandoned us. He is no stranger to human suffering for He came and became like one of us.

And there at the cross we come to find out that His suffering was really meant for us.

Have a blessed day! (Written: 19JULY2016)

Psalm 5

We are continuing our journey through the Psalms. I had never seen the beauty of Psalm 5 until now. Allow me to share what I found out: In Psalm 5, David shows us the majestic power of encountering God in the silence of the morning when he said, “Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for to you I will pray. My voice you shall hear in the morning O Lord; in the morning I will direct it to you, and I will look up” (vv. 1-3).

It is during one of these early morning pursuits that God allows David to catch glimpses of His holy character for he says, “For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You. The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity. You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. (vv. 4-6).

In verse 7, realizing his utter helplessness, David appeals to God’s inexhaustible supply of mercy, “But as for me, I will come to Your house in the multitude of Your mercy.” The closer we get to God the more we understand the message of the cross. Grace and mercy provided a way to satisfy the perfect justice of God in the person of His Son who took our sins away by His death on the cross so that whosoever believes in Him shall be saved (John 3:16).

And what is the result after David tasted the multitude of His mercy? Some passages are better left untouched in their raw beauty (vv. 11,12):

“But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;

Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;

Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You.

For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous;

With favor You will surround him as with a shield.”

For a man to utter such praise who bears the scars of war, moral failure, family breakdown, death of a beloved son and so much more is simply incomprehensible. Yes we can all bounce back from a life torn apart by sin when we come to His house “in the multitude of His mercy.” (Written: 16JULY2016)

Psalm 4

We just got back from the airport after picking up uncle Elvis and auntie Linda who flew in from Philadelphia. They are on their way to the General Assembly of the Church of God in Nashville, Tennessee. It’s always great to fellowship with servants of God who have made lasting impacts in our lives and others. There are days when I could barely sleep at night and the result is headache, runny nose, and sneezing which my doctor calls “allergic rhinitis” – making my condition sounds worse than it appears to be :)

Psalm 4 contains a recipe for a good night sleep. The last verse states, “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Down in the middle of this psalm resonates with the same message, “Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still, offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord.”

At the beginning of this psalm David calls on God and addresses Him, thus, “O God of my righteousness.” He acknowledges that one’s righteousness comes only and only from God and not from man. He looks back at his past trials and tribulations and honors God, “You have relieved me in my distress.”

In verse 4, he echoes the same principle found in the New Testament written by Paul, “Be angry, and do not sin” (Ephesians 4:26).

How do these verses relate to a good night’s sleep? Think of the goodness of God in your life as you lie in bed. Nay, meditate upon it. Acknowledge His righteous character, which is the very same righteousness imputed in us which makes us heirs of His promises. Go to bed free from anger. Yes, you can be angry but do not sin. Be angry and unburden your soul to the Lord but determine not to let hatred reign in your heart.

As a child of God, we don’t go to bed as condemned sinners but as redeemed, set free people of God whose righteousness emanates from the cross through Jesus’ perfect sacrifice; His death delivered us and dealt a crushing blow to the enemy. Realize that you are a precious child “set apart for Himself” (verse 3) . Now that should calm our nerves and put us to a good night sleep :) (Written: 14JULY2016)

Psalm 3

There’s nothing that tears at the heart of a father more than the rebellion of a beloved son especially if this very son directly and openly threatens his father. This is the exact predicament that David finds himself in Psalm 3. Rather than confront his son David chose to leave his fortress to avoid bloodshed. But his son Absalom was determined to pursue his father at all cost and eliminate him once and for all in order to secure a revolutionary government.

The rebel forces were closing in and a fierce battle ensued that day. The irony of it all was that David’s own men who gallantly fought with him in many battles were now arrayed against him deceived and blindly following their rebel leader. This must have weighed heavily on David’s mind.

Emotionally shaken and his heart torn apart David prayed, “But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.” David tried to keep it all together and at the lowest point of his life he turned to the Lord, “I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain.”

While reflecting on this psalm I am reminded of another son who rebelled against his father – the prodigal son in the gospel of Luke. After realizing his grave mistake he came back to the waiting arms of his father.

We are all born rebels. But rather than go by the way of Absalom we can choose to return to the loving arms of our Father and find forgiveness through the death of His son Jesus who gave His life that we may live. ‪#‎myjourneythroughpsalms (Written: 13JULY2016)

Psalm 2

We continue our journey through the Psalms. Please allow me friends and family to share: Psalm 2 is one of those Messianic psalms that points to the future arrival of an eternal King – Christ the Lord. He is described as the “One enthroned in heaven” who is the absolute, sovereign ruler of the universe with whom no nation, ruler, or power can ever match nor compare.

“Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?” begins the psalmist. There are no political institutions ever devised by man that can solve humanity’s problems. The League of Nations rose from the ashes of World War I. It was replaced by the United Nations with the same intent of promoting world peace. But world peace proves to be as elusive as ever. The Middle East has never seen any rest from centuries of conflicts. Even the European Union is unraveling with the exit of Britain. And the United States is imploding from within.

Throughout history there is a desperate call for a new world order in which peace and the rule of law will prevail. It will only come when a new King, a far greater Ruler than anyone in history, will begin to reign. David, the author of Psalm 2 and one of the greatest human kings of Israel himself saw this day – millenniums ahead of his time, “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.”

“Serve the Lord with fear,” not out of intimidation and coercion but out of a sense of awe and wonder and humility to His awesome power, unfathomable wisdom, and perfect judgment. We “celebrate His rule with trembling” because of who He is and what He has done toward us through His infinite grace which is clearly and perfectly demonstrated on the cross of Calvary and as evidenced by the very breath we breathe each day. (Written: 12JULY2016)

Psalm 1

Psalm 1 contrasts two lives – one dedicated in the pursuit of God’s treasure while the other is devoid of the life of God. The one who seeks God through His words and lives according to His laws is called “blessed.” As a person pursues God according to this Psalm, he becomes a source of life, joy, and strength to others – like “a tree planted by the rivers of water.” He will live a fulfilled and satisfying life. “Not so,” for the person opposed to God declares this psalm writer, “he is like a chaff that the wind blows away.”

This powerful Psalm ends with a beautiful promise and a terse caution, “For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.”

We all have a choice to make – either to live for God or live for self. The trajectory of one’s life is radically altered for good when a person decides to live for God. ‪#‎myjourneythroughpsalms (Written: 11JULY2016)