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timewithgod.blog-city.com — July 2009
Psalm 90-91 Promises In The Midst Of Death
What would Moses have journaled during those 40 years in the desert, leading a million people out of Egypt -- a people who unfortunately chose not to go in and claim the Promised Land when the spies had returned? What would Moses have written,
What would Moses have journaled during those 40 years in the desert, leading a million people out of Egypt -- a people who unfortunately chose not to go in and claim the Promised Land when the spies had returned? What would Moses have written, knowing that He'd have to watch and endure the deaths of everyone over 20 years old before the children of these same people could cross the Jordan? Chapter 90 is a page right out of that journal.
The tremendous love relationship that Moses had with God is evident from the start: "Lord, You have been OUR HOME since the beginning. Before the mountains were born and before You created the earth and the world, You ARE God. You have always been, and You will always be."
There's no grammatical error in that first sentence. There never was a time when we could say, "You were God," for that implies that now He's not God. He has always been God, is now God, and will continue forever to be God.
Moses recognized the root cause of his long trek with the Israelites: "You have put the evil we have done right in front of You; You clearly see our secret sins." God knew what was in the heart of each person, and He dealt with it. He didn't pass it by.
Moses also said, "Teach us how short our lives really are so that we may be wise." In other words, "Help us to be wise enough to spend every moment on relationships, for other things will come and go, but those we impact in this life for You are what's most important."
Strangely enough, Moses knew that with each new funeral, he was one step closer to the Promised Land.
Chapter 91 is the only chapter I've ever fully memorized. My commentary says that although it is a Messianic psalm, speaking about Jesus, "we may appropriate its precious promises for ourselves."
What are they? Nine guarantees from God:
1) Deliverance from hidden dangers
2) Immunity from fatal disease
3) Shelter and refuge
4) Protection in the faithfulness of God
5) Freedom from fear
6) Safety even in the midst of massacre
7) Insurance against calamity
8) Guarded by angelic escort
9) Victory over the lion and cobra (Satan)
My commentary also said that God confirms the guarantees by six tremendous "I will's", which I'll save til the last.
I know that the first thing anyone will say is, "Then why do Christians have calamities, get sick, and die early? From my commentary: "Part of the answer lies in this: The one who trusts in Jehovah is IMMORTAL UNTIL HIS WORK IS DONE."
That is an amazing thought! For if we are nearing death, it means that we will have accomplished what God placed us on this earth to do!
Father, thank You for giving me a glimpse of what Moses thought as he encountered the deaths of so many on a daily basis. And thank You for the promise that I am immortal until my work on earth is done and You call me home. I trusted so much in these verses as I traveled to Ukraine to get my sons, and You were faithful in Your promises. I love the way You said it, Father:
"Because he loves me, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges My name. He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation." What a guarantee, Father!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Psalm 92-94 My Spiritual Chiropractor
Chapter 94 can really help those suffering from discouragement, I think. I heard their cry: "How long..? How LONG, Lord?"Then those who say God doesn't hear or see what's happening to them get answered: "
Chapter 94 can really help those suffering from discouragement, I think. I heard their cry: "How long..? How LONG, Lord?"
Then those who say God doesn't hear or see what's happening to them get answered: "You fools, when will you understand? Can't the creator of ears hear? Can't the maker of eyes see? ... The Lord knows what people think."
And what assurance do we have that God doesn't leave us for a time? "The Lord won't leave His people nor give up on His children."
The psalmist discovered this for himself: "If the Lord had not helped me, I would have died in a minute. I said, "I am about to fall," but, Lord Your love kept me safe. I was very worried, but You comforted me and made me happy."
That comfort and happiness comes from an unexpected place: "Lord, those You correct are happy; You teach them from You law. You give them rest from times of trouble." Our eventual happiness comes about through God's correcting our ways. Though we might not look upon correction as something we want to go through, we instinctively know that it is necessary, much as we know that the quick, sometimes sharp readjustment of our backs and necks by a chiropractor correct the alignment of our bones caused by stress, worry, and external influences.
There is something to say about having Your Creator as Your "spiritual Chiropractor". After all, He knows us so very well!
The psalmist said, "But the Lord is my defender; my God is the rock of my protection."
God doesn't want us to grow weary and discouraged, either. In fact, He shows us a lot about His methods for helping us here. He doesn't criticize -- He corrects.
The sidebar in my Bible, by Chuck Swindoll, says, "Discouraged people don't need critics. They hurt enough already. They don't need more guilt or piled-on distress. They need encouragement. They need a refuge. A place to hide and heal. A willing, caring, available someone. A confidant and comrade-in-arms.... David's Refuge never failed. Not even once. And he never regretted the times he dropped his heavy load and ran for cover. Neither will you."
Father, thank You for being my cover when I am discouraged. Help me to find my way out of discouragement. Give me the spiritual correction I need to find my happiness only in You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Psalm 95-99 High And Nigh
These psalms celebrate the majesty and greatness and holiness of our God. I fear that as we try to understand how God is personally involved in our lives, we are in danger of misunderstanding just how high and mighty He truly is! The incr
These psalms celebrate the majesty and greatness and holiness of our God. I fear that as we try to understand how God is personally involved in our lives, we are in danger of misunderstanding just how high and mighty He truly is! The incredible extremes are mind-blowing! The same God who could easily evaporate a hurricane with a thought is also gently nudging us along the path He has planned for our lives. The God who deftly designed the delicate wings of a monarch butterfly also flung the galaxies into motion!
I appreciated the gentle warning in 95:7 -- "Today, LISTEN to what He says."
I've observed many teenaged guys standing stoically during worship, looking unmoved and never daring to sing. I was like that once, too, somehow erroneously believing I was improving my masculinity. But what of God's commands in chapter 96? "Sing TO the Lord and PRAISE His name"? When we do stand unmoved in worship, whether young or old, our human pride propping us up, we fail to realize that we are like a butterfly facing a hurricane. Such hubris is totally unbecoming of a child of God!
One of my favorite quotes about these two extremes we witness of God is: "God is infinitely high and infinitely nigh (or near)." That means we can't imagine just how much higher He is that us and how intimately acquainted with us He is, knowing us even better than we know ourselves.
That "infinitely high" part is brought out in these chapters so well: "Worship the Lord because He is holy. Tremble before Him, everyone on earth....You are the Lord Most High over all the earth; You are supreme over all gods.
The "infinitely nigh" part is there too: "The Lord watches over those who follow Him ... The Lord has made known His power to save; ...They called to the Lord and He ANSWERED them. He spoke to them .... Lord our God, You answered them. You showed them that You are a forgiving God."
My commentary found a particular instance when the two extremes are melded together. "Once, His holiness excluded us from His presence. But now, through the redemption accomplished by the Lord Jesus, His holiness is on OUR side instead of being against us, and we can rejoice when we remember it."
Father, thank You for being so close to me, for speaking to me, for guiding me every step of the way. But more importantly, Father, thank You for being God Most High. I wouldn't want a God who lacked anything. I'm glad that I have a powerful and almighty God. Thank You for putting the two together in Your Son.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Psalm 100-102 Squeezing The Life Out Of Worship
I wanted so badly to write about all three chapters, but God drew me to the shortest one -- chapter 100.My commentary said: "We learn from these five short verses that worship is SIMPLE... The language is neither involved nor flowery. We l
I wanted so badly to write about all three chapters, but God drew me to the shortest one -- chapter 100.
My commentary said: "We learn from these five short verses that worship is SIMPLE... The language is neither involved nor flowery. We learn too that the simple recital of facts about God is worship."
What makes up worship? Shouting joyfully, serving God joyfully, singing to Him joyfully, thanking Him with joy for what He's doing and has done in our lives, and praising Him with joy for who He is.
God brought to mind the old Wolfe Brand Chili commercial -- "How long's it been since you had a steamin' hot bowl of Wolfe Brand Chili? Well that's too long!" I think that's what He's telling us to examine here. How long has it been since your worship included all this? Well that's too long!
Too often I've watched as some people come in, sit down, and act like they've been sent to the principal's office for an hour. The level of joy they show is about the same, too.
I know there were pastors in the early to mid-20th century who rightly felt that God should be respected, and in their authoritarian way, they stifled the joy out of worship services. I personally remember as a kid that every Sunday morning the worship service would begin with us singing these words with quiet awe and respect: "The Lord is in His Holy Temple. Let all the earth keep silent before Him." Four times we were admonished to keep silent!
That hymn was based on Habakkuk 2:20. Although the preacher could certainly claim to be biblical, the congregation probably should have revolted, for the verse used in the song was an admonishment to a nation of idol worshipers, not GOD worshipers! Those who are living in Him would be breaking commands throughout the Bible by such behavior! Yet no one ever spoke up about it, and more than one generation had the simple, meaningful worship of Psalm 100 handcuffed under the guise of respect. Yes, God commands respect, but far fewer times than He does praise.
Father, I feel so for those who, by no fault of their own, find themselves unable to express with emotion the joy of worshiping You -- the One who made them and brought them to life, and who actively pursues them every moment of every day. Father, You are so worthy of my respect. But You are far more worthy of my praise, and I thank You for enabling me to do so with joy. I want that for others too, Father.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Psalm 103-104 What Part Am I Holding Back?
Despite all of the marvelous descriptions of God's caring and concern for us here, I felt led to the beginnings and the endings of both chapters:"(103) My WHOLE being, praise the Lord; all my being, praise His holy name. My WHOLE being
Despite all of the marvelous descriptions of God's caring and concern for us here, I felt led to the beginnings and the endings of both chapters:
"(103) My WHOLE being, praise the Lord; all my being, praise His holy name. My WHOLE being, praise the Lord and do not forget all His kindnesses... Everything the Lord has made should praise Him in all the places He rules. (104) My WHOLE being, praise the Lord ... My WHOLE being, praise the Lord. Praise the Lord."
At first, I wondered what the big deal was -- why all this repetition? At first blush, I took "my whole being" to mean that I should "give it all I've got" when I praise God. And yes, He's certainly worthy of that. But then God directed me to Deuteronomy 6:5, where it says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength." Jesus added in Matthew 22, "all your mind."
The heart describes our emotions; the soul, our spiritual being; strength represents our physical bodies, and the mind both our will and our thoughts. That pretty much describes our whole being.
So perhaps these beginnings and wrap-ups of each chapter, usually so very important in setting the tone of a speech, are guiding us to ask the question we may not want asked of us -- "So what part am I not using to praise the Lord?" Am I using my emotions? What about my soul? (That should be an easy one.) Am I praising God with my physical body or am I holding out on that part, reserving it for myself? I have to remember that praising God isn't reserved for just Sunday mornings, so that question about the physical body is a 24/7 kind of thing. Ouch!
And then there's the mind. It's not just about doing a quiet time or absorbing a sermon. It includes those thoughts when we see something we know we shouldn't be looking at, and it includes that ever-so-strong will -- what we choose to do.
That's a lot, Father -- to command us seven times in two chapters to make sure that our praise for You is coming from our emotions, our actions, our thoughts, and our strong wills, in addition to our soul. But then again, Your Son didn't hold back on the cross, did He? His thoughts, actions, and emotions were controlled by His strong will and His desire to please You. His soul was His vital connection to You that orchestrated it all.
Verse 22 in chapter 103 says, "Everything the Lord has made (all these parts of our being) should praise Him in all the places He RULES." Father, rule in all parts of my whole being. Don't let me selfishly hold any back from You. Your Son didn't.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Psalm 105-106 Commands To Worship Him
I'm glad that these two chapters just worked out to be together in my reading today. Thanks for arranging that in Your sovereignty, God. Chapter 105 is all about God and everything He did for His chosen people. Unfortunately, ch
I'm glad that these two chapters just worked out to be together in my reading today. Thanks for arranging that in Your sovereignty, God. Chapter 105 is all about God and everything He did for His chosen people. Unfortunately, chapter 106 is all about man and everything the Israelites did to disrespect and complain to God. It's a stark contrast -- The Lover Of Our Souls vs. The Ungrateful & Unwilling. It made me hate to be counted among sinners in light of God's goodness to us.
But God concentrated me on just the first five verses of Psalm 105. I supposed He wants to continue the theme of worshiping Him that seems to have woven through my last several quiet times:
"Give thanks to the Lord, and
Pray to Him.
Tell the nations what He has done.
Sing to Him;
Sing praises to Him.
Tell about all His miracles.
Be glad that you are His;
Let those who seek the Lord BE HAPPY.
Depend on the Lord and His strength;
Always go to Him for help.
Remember the miracles He has done;
Remember His wonders and His decisions."
My commentary reminds me that in grammar these are called imperatives. Hmmm.... not a bad choice of words. I simply say they're what God has commanded.
It sounds like a recipe for worship to me, designed by the Father for His children. I dare not disobey.
Father, thank You for brightening my worship of You. As I read through those commands, I couldn't help but remember the story of getting my sons. Those commands were all a vital part of my spiritual growth during that process. I want to keep growing.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Psalm 107-109 What We Did, What HE Did
At some point when I'd read Psalm 107, I'd written four separate times this sequence: "What we did ... what God did."In verses 4&5, for instance, we wandered in the desert lands. I take this to be a metaphor for
At some point when I'd read Psalm 107, I'd written four separate times this sequence: "What we did ... what God did."
In verses 4&5, for instance, we wandered in the desert lands. I take this to be a metaphor for a spiritually dry time in our lives. It goes on to say that we were hungry, thirsty and discouraged. Again, is this spiritually hungry and thirsty?
Four times, between what we did and what God did, it says, "In their misery they cried out to the Lord and He saved them from their troubles." In this specific instance, their trouble was lack of a spiritual connection to Him, it seems. God led them on a straight road, not one filled with detours into sin, to a place where they could live, and He satisfied their (spiritual) hunger and thirst.
Next, we'd allowed ourselves to become prisoners -- to sin, addiction, lust, and/or any number of snares -- turning against God's word and refusing His advice.
What did God do? He first broke our pride -- a very necessary step, I think, to show us that we are not our own god. God brought us out of our spiritual darkness and broke the chains of sin and addiction holding us back from all He has for us.
In the third instance, we turned foolishly against God and suffered the consequences of our choices. God healed us in His love for us while we were His enemies.
The last instance has us in the storms of this life, unsure of any possibility of help and fairly certain of impending death. God stilled the storm and calmed the waves and guided us to the port we wanted.
Each time the psalmist urges us to give thanks to the Lord for His love and for the miracles He does for us.
We have no right to expect God's help aside from His promises in Scripture, especially when we've wandered from Him, let ourselves become imprisoned in sin or foolishly turned against God. Even in the storms of this life, we could have Job's troubles. But God tells us in this chapter four different times to cry out to Him from our troubles. And when He saves us, our grateful response should be thanksgiving and praise.
Father, I thank You for caring for me. As insignificant as I am, You take notice of me, You turn Your face towards me, and You deliver me. Even when I willfully choose to disobey, and have to cry out to You for help, You are there for me! My highest praise would not be enough to thank You!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Psalm 110-112 I LOVE These Benefits!
It's hard not to write about all the references to Jesus in Psalm 110. But God seemed to push me over toward Psalm 112. Just before it starts, God says, "Wisdom begins with respect for the Lord; those who obey His orders have goo
It's hard not to write about all the references to Jesus in Psalm 110. But God seemed to push me over toward Psalm 112. Just before it starts, God says, "Wisdom begins with respect for the Lord; those who obey His orders have good understanding."
First respect, then obedience. It's tough to obey someone we don't respect.
Then we're told, "Happy are those who respect the Lord, who want what He commands."
Besides our happiness, my commentary also lists eight benefits taken from these verses, with which God blesses those who strive for righteousness:
1) Distinguished posterity: Those after us will be honored because of their godly heritage
2) Prosperity: righteousness saves us from waste and poverty
3) Assured illumination: the promise that God's light will shine on us even in the darkest moments
4) Generosity: "Things go better for the man who is generous and who doesn't refuse to lend to others who are in genuine need."
5) Confidence under attack: we can be confident that we are on the winning side
6) Lasting fruitfulness and honor: the results of our kindness will never cease to be remembered
7) The envy of the wicked: "When the wicked shall see the eventual vindication and permanent honor of the godly, they will be chagrined and envious."
I said there were eight benefits. I had to say the best (in my opinion) for last: Freedom from fear. My commentary says, "He doesn't have to live in constant fear of bad news, of business reverses, of natural calamities. He is trusting in the Lord, and knows that nothing can happen to him apart from God's will."
WOW! Fear evaporates in the presence of God. Of course it does, because it is one of the devil's tools. Nothing can happen to me apart from the will of my Father! Such protection!
There's a quote from one man who read all of these benefits and said, "Surely there is an advantage ... in being a friend of God." Amen to that!
Father, thank You for giving us much more than we deserve. The benefits of living a righteous life are more evidence that You are all wise and that You know the best for us, despite what we might think. Thank You for giving me freedom from fear, knowing that as a Christian, I am immortal until Your work for me to do on this earth is finished.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Psalm 113-115 Sending Out Your Son
My son is going off to youth camp for a week -- for the first time. Since I adopted him in 2003, our longest separation has been for 2 nights. And even at that, we spoke multiple times by phone. I remember him sitting on the curb wa
My son is going off to youth camp for a week -- for the first time. Since I adopted him in 2003, our longest separation has been for 2 nights. And even at that, we spoke multiple times by phone. I remember him sitting on the curb waiting for me to drive up as I pulled into town.
I've always gone on youth trips, up until the time I adopted him. After that, he was too young to be in the youth group, and I stayed home with him.
As God arranged the circumstances, a conflict at work prevented me from being able to go both last year and this year. Last year Josh stayed, but this year, he decided to go.
I'm feeling that it will be tougher on me than on him. You see, when I went to Ukraine six years ago, I didn't just find a son. God gave me a best friend, too. So I'm going to miss my best friend this week!
But true to form, God stepped right in with a sign from Him that He knows... and He cares. In a previous time, I'd marked Psalm 113:5-9 as being about him:
"No one is like the Lord our God, who rules from heaven, who bends down to look at the skies and the earth. The Lord lifts the poor from the dirt and takes the helpless from the ashes. He seats them with the princes of His people. He gives children to the [man] who has none and makes [him] a happy [father]."
Father, grow my son in You this week. Love on him when I'm not there to do it myself. Let his life story be a witness to others there of Your amazing love for him and for them as well. Help him to be a missionary at camp. I love him so, and I love You, too. Thank You for giving him to me!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Psalm 116-118 A Day For Thanks And Praise To God
I read these chapters and they led me to a praise day today. I continue to feel God's presence and nearness and His peace. My son is over 200 miles away, yet God is connecting our hearts through Himself. I read:"I love the
I read these chapters and they led me to a praise day today. I continue to feel God's presence and nearness and His peace. My son is over 200 miles away, yet God is connecting our hearts through Himself. I read:
"I love the Lord, because He listens to my prayers for help. He paid attention to me, so I will call to Him for help as long as I live .... The Lord is kind and does what is right; our God is merciful ... I said to myself, "Relax, because the Lord takes care of You." ... So I will walk with the Lord in the land of the living ... What can I give the Lord for all the good things He has given to me? .... I will not be afraid, because the Lord is with me ... The Lord is with me to help me ... The Lord gives me strength and a song... Lord, I thank You for answering me ... You are my God, and I will thank You; You are my God, and I will praise Your greatness. Thank the Lord, because He is good. His love endures forever."
Father, that's what You've done for me in just the last 24 hours. Why would I not want to walk with You? Thank You for caring so much for me, Father! I love You!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
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