Psalm 115 is one that praises God for the reality of His power and goodness, in contrast to the deafness of idols. It exhorts its readers to trust in God three times and reminds them that God has not forgotten, but will bless those who trust in Him.
The Psalm opens by asking God to glorify His name (115:1), not because of the ones praising Him, but on the basis of His character. God always acts with the purpose of magnifying and glorifying Himself. Salvation's ultimate purpose isn't us, it is for His glory.
The Psalmist continues by responding to a question the other nations are asking (v. 2-3): Where is God? Answer: He's in the heavens, doing whatever He pleases. In other words, He's working, but you may not (and indeed many times won't) see it. He's doing "God things".
To illustrate the point further, he contrasts God with idols (v. 4-8). This is a lovely listing of the senses and actions of God versus the idols. The idols themselves are the work of human hands (v. 4). God is doing "God things" while the idols are made by humans doing "human things". Some god these idols are! These idols are speechless, sightless, deaf, can't smell, can't feel, and can't walk (v. 5-7). Indeed, the Psalmist warns that those who make or trust in the idols will become like them! I become like the thing(s) I place my trust in.
Now for the threefold exhortation to trust in the Lord. It follows the form: "Oh ___, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield." (v. 9-11) I must trust in the Lord--He's actually capable of being a help and a shield, in contrast to a deaf-mute-blind-immovable-senseless thing.
In light of this, there is a threefold promise of blessing (v. 12-15) although blessing has a different meaning than prosperity and lack of trouble.
In light of all this, our response is to bless the Lord (v. 16-18). This is interesting. The Lord blesses Israel/Aaron/those who fear Him, and we will bless the Lord. The human things that I can do is to trust, bless, and praise the Lord. God will do His "God things". He can be trusted. He is our help and our shield.
So trust Him. Bless Him. And praise Him today. For He is your help and your shield.
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Hope in time of panic
Biblical hope is certain, not wishful. We tend to use hope as a synonym for wish. I hope it rains tomorrow = I wish/would like it to rain tomorrow. That is not how the Bible uses the word. Biblical hope is certain, because it rests on the Person of God, who cannot lie, and the plan of God, which never fails. How do I know? I reflect on the past, on what God has done (remember Habakkuk?), to use as a basis for trust in what He will do. Or as my favorite professor says, "What God has done in the past is a model and a promise of what he will do in the future, but he's too creative to do the same thing the same way twice." Then I act in faith on that basis, choosing to love, choosing to trust, choosing to act in trust and love instead of fear. And I have certain hope. Because love never fails. Because God is trustworthy. Because His promises are certain. Because He is my salvation (this is the meaning of my name, Joshua).
My brother was at Target yesterday and spoke with a lady with five children whose husband was just laid off. Unfortunately, and I think this is probably true of many of us, my brother expressed sorrow for her loss, but didn't think anything further. The food at Target was out. It didn't occur to him to get her information so he or others could help. In times of distress, it is easy and natural for our focus to become very self-centered--do I have enough ___? We are so busy buying what we think we need that we miss the needs of others. We are only going out to buy our own essential items and forget that maybe we ought to be looking out for others.
How about offering hope to someone in need today? Or even someone who is not in need? Even an encouraging word. But be more concrete. If you know someone is in need and you are able to meet it, give it, buy it, share it, do it. Fellow Christians, be the hands and feet of Jesus--not virtually, but physically! Bear one another's burdens (Gal. 6:2). Have an open hand, not a closed fist.
Pastors, do what you can to meet with every one of your congregation, as frequently as you can. If you can't do so physically, call them!
Those employed, find someone who just lost their job and meet what needs you can of theirs. Share it with those around you so together you all can do so.
Those thinking about ordering food, pay extra for the food you receive, support your local diners and restaurants, give a larger tip, be sure to thank them!
If you are hoarding, stop! Share. Don't bulk up in your purchases. There is plenty.
For all of us, be thankful, be encouraging, be calm (and wash your hands). Pray, remembering that many (most?) times God uses people to answer the prayers for others. Maybe you are to be someone's answered prayer today.
Give hope.
My brother was at Target yesterday and spoke with a lady with five children whose husband was just laid off. Unfortunately, and I think this is probably true of many of us, my brother expressed sorrow for her loss, but didn't think anything further. The food at Target was out. It didn't occur to him to get her information so he or others could help. In times of distress, it is easy and natural for our focus to become very self-centered--do I have enough ___? We are so busy buying what we think we need that we miss the needs of others. We are only going out to buy our own essential items and forget that maybe we ought to be looking out for others.
How about offering hope to someone in need today? Or even someone who is not in need? Even an encouraging word. But be more concrete. If you know someone is in need and you are able to meet it, give it, buy it, share it, do it. Fellow Christians, be the hands and feet of Jesus--not virtually, but physically! Bear one another's burdens (Gal. 6:2). Have an open hand, not a closed fist.
Pastors, do what you can to meet with every one of your congregation, as frequently as you can. If you can't do so physically, call them!
Those employed, find someone who just lost their job and meet what needs you can of theirs. Share it with those around you so together you all can do so.
Those thinking about ordering food, pay extra for the food you receive, support your local diners and restaurants, give a larger tip, be sure to thank them!
If you are hoarding, stop! Share. Don't bulk up in your purchases. There is plenty.
For all of us, be thankful, be encouraging, be calm (and wash your hands). Pray, remembering that many (most?) times God uses people to answer the prayers for others. Maybe you are to be someone's answered prayer today.
Give hope.
Monday, March 23, 2020
Love in time of panic
One of my close friends has a sister who was married this weekend. While their original plans with catering and the celebration were changed due to cancellations, I have to applaud them for following through and not delaying. In a time of panic, they chose to love and commit. In a time of panic, they chose life.
In our present time with the panic over the virus, chose love over fear. Share instead of hoard. Be open-handed with those around you. If you see a need and are able to meet it, do so--even if it costs you. Have additional patience (oh how difficult!) when shopping. Fear brings out worst in people, love can bring out the very best. Choose to love.
Sunday, March 22, 2020
Faith in time of panic
The book of Habakkuk has been sitting on my heart since last night; it was brought to mind in my dreams and thoughts as a book very applicable to our current moment. I will briefly overview the book and then turn to some observations of his prayer in chapter 3.
Habakkuk was an Old Testament prophet who cried to God for help in the midst of a wicked nation (1:1-4) and was given a word from God that there was a coming judgment on Judah by the Chaldeans (Babylonians; 1:5-12). Habakkuk is horrified (1:13-2:1). How could a good God use such horrible people to judge His own people?! He can't believe it. And God responds to him, in 2:2-20 in a two-fold reply. First, He will judge His people (2:2-5) and second, He will judge the Chaldeans (2:6-20). In the first part of this response, He speaks what is quoted both in Romans and Hebrews--"the righteous will live by his faith." (2:4b) Habakkuk then responds in chapter 3 in a prayer to God, acknowledging His power and salvation (it is used 3x in this chapter) and a prayer of trust in the midst of the certain coming destruction.
Now for some observations. I think his prayer is a pattern for us to follow. Habakkuk begins by reflecting on the glory and power of God (3:1-4), remembers the Exodus (3:5-8, 15), creation (3:9-10), the sun standing still for Joshua (3:11), and possibly the conquering of the nations in Canaan through Joshua, the various judges, and David (3:12-14).
In times of trouble, I must remember the faithfulness and power of God that He has demonstrated in the past.
Habakkuk then acknowledges that he is afraid, that he dreads what is coming and he isn't looking forward to it (3:16-17). Things are going to be rough for him.
In time of (coming) trouble, I must remember that God hasn't promised lack of trouble, but His presence in the trouble.
Habakkuk rejoices in the Lord and and in His salvation (3:18). This seems unusual. Why would you rejoice in the salvation of the Lord when there is coming trouble? I think this is closely related to God's earlier statement of living by faith in 2:4b. My circumstances do not measure the extent or reality of God's salvation. They do not measure His love or goodness (although Hebrews will use suffering as an indication of it - Heb. 12:3-11).
I must live by faith in God's salvation--not a saving from the circumstances, but His redemption and goodness in them.
Finally, Habakkuk speaks of God being his strength (3:19), that he can walk in his "high places." In other words, God allows him to live "above" his circumstances, that by faith he can and does move to a greater place of trust and faith in God. God gives him the grace to endure and walk in them.
I must live by faith that God is my strength.
God is faithful, He is present, He is your salvation, and He is your strength. Reflect on the past, how God has been faithful to you and come through for you, and He is consistently your strength, working all trouble for the good of making each of us more like Christ.
Habakkuk was an Old Testament prophet who cried to God for help in the midst of a wicked nation (1:1-4) and was given a word from God that there was a coming judgment on Judah by the Chaldeans (Babylonians; 1:5-12). Habakkuk is horrified (1:13-2:1). How could a good God use such horrible people to judge His own people?! He can't believe it. And God responds to him, in 2:2-20 in a two-fold reply. First, He will judge His people (2:2-5) and second, He will judge the Chaldeans (2:6-20). In the first part of this response, He speaks what is quoted both in Romans and Hebrews--"the righteous will live by his faith." (2:4b) Habakkuk then responds in chapter 3 in a prayer to God, acknowledging His power and salvation (it is used 3x in this chapter) and a prayer of trust in the midst of the certain coming destruction.
Now for some observations. I think his prayer is a pattern for us to follow. Habakkuk begins by reflecting on the glory and power of God (3:1-4), remembers the Exodus (3:5-8, 15), creation (3:9-10), the sun standing still for Joshua (3:11), and possibly the conquering of the nations in Canaan through Joshua, the various judges, and David (3:12-14).
In times of trouble, I must remember the faithfulness and power of God that He has demonstrated in the past.
Habakkuk then acknowledges that he is afraid, that he dreads what is coming and he isn't looking forward to it (3:16-17). Things are going to be rough for him.
In time of (coming) trouble, I must remember that God hasn't promised lack of trouble, but His presence in the trouble.
Habakkuk rejoices in the Lord and and in His salvation (3:18). This seems unusual. Why would you rejoice in the salvation of the Lord when there is coming trouble? I think this is closely related to God's earlier statement of living by faith in 2:4b. My circumstances do not measure the extent or reality of God's salvation. They do not measure His love or goodness (although Hebrews will use suffering as an indication of it - Heb. 12:3-11).
I must live by faith in God's salvation--not a saving from the circumstances, but His redemption and goodness in them.
Finally, Habakkuk speaks of God being his strength (3:19), that he can walk in his "high places." In other words, God allows him to live "above" his circumstances, that by faith he can and does move to a greater place of trust and faith in God. God gives him the grace to endure and walk in them.
I must live by faith that God is my strength.
God is faithful, He is present, He is your salvation, and He is your strength. Reflect on the past, how God has been faithful to you and come through for you, and He is consistently your strength, working all trouble for the good of making each of us more like Christ.
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