Monday, May 3, 2010

psalm 102-104

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20102,103,104&version=NIV

PSALM 102-104

Back in elementary school, we all read from a series of books with such intriguing titles like Rainbows, Wonders, and Secrets. Each book was a collection of short-stories and poems. Reading was self-paced, and you couldn’t advance from one book until you finished the one before it. So if you wanted to know what the big secret was in Secrets, you had to hurry up and read about all the wonderful things in Wonders. Back then, reading was all about covering the most pages in the least amount of time. That was why I loved reading the poetry sections! No narrative to follow. Lots of white space. And maybe a catchy rhyme or two. Man, I could blaze through those poetry sections like nobody’s business. I may have had no memory of the poems the next day, but I really felt like had really accomplished something.

Thirty years later, that instinct still resides in me when I read the Psalms, and if I’m not careful, I will miss out on the impact of some of the most beautiful passages in God’s Word. The beauty of the psalms is in their timelessness. When David is writing, he is an Everyman. He expresses all the emotions that we feel as we wrestle with this life: the anguish of sin, the joy of redemption, the awesomeness of God. Who cannot identify with the penitent heart found in Psalm 102? Or who has not looked upon all of God’s creation and providence and been awestruck with the wonder that David expresses in Psalm 104?

If you have read today’s passage once, then take the time to read it again. Though they may be easy to read, the psalms are not to go unsavored.

Rock on.
Chad
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5 comments:

  1. kwMay 4, 2010 at 9:36 AM

    Okay, I reread the verses. For me, it’s easy to miss some wonderful truths as I rush to finish the scripture reading! Two verses really stood out:

    12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

    Thank God he didn’t say from the north to the south! The distance between the north pole and south pole can be measured but east west is infinite. God's forgiveness is immeasurable

    But my favorite has to be this verse;
    19 The LORD has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all.

    So much is going on in today’s world on many fronts: political, economic, and natural, but the Lord is still working His plan. This reminds me of the verse in Revelation:

    Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" Rev 11:15

    Unknown to the natural mind is God’s plan. God's wisdom is hidden from their minds but to us who are saved, we understand. Jesus is coming back to take His rightful place upon the throne of David. He will reign upon the earth and no nation or power can stop Him. Read Psalm 2. The nations of this earth try to stop Him but our Lord just laughs.

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  2. David ListerMay 4, 2010 at 10:45 AM

    Thanks for today's sharing, Chad!
    The "human condition" is indeed what David so well described, and he was able to share very eloquently about our vulnerabilities and need for God-reliance.
    I love all of the Psalms, even those not written by the uncommonly wise David. At the moment, I cannot recall the Psalmist or the number, but I am taking Master-Life, and recently meditated on the part which states that Jesus is my trust, my hope, my protector, my strength, and so many other wonderful things...
    **I have memorized many verses beginning from the time I was only 4 years of age. Sometimes I forget the exact verse numbers and even forget the words. No matter, I can always refer back to the Rock of Ages. Besides, it's not how much I can impress others with my knowledge or memorization skills; but instead, it's how I live as a witness for Christ. I know some people who know perhaps as much as Dr. Y or Dr. D, but never get out of their little comfort zone, and do nothing other than hang out with other Christian friends.
    **I need to wear the full armor of God, and I need to know scripture to fight off Satan, to teach those whom I would help, etc. but lately I've been around a lot of people seeming to compete with each other regarding their knowledge. Well, humility is beloved and blessed, and God actually HATES ego.
    Peace and love!!!

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  3. David ListerMay 4, 2010 at 2:11 PM

    Follow up--->After having yet another quiet time today(sometimes I'll have 3 or 4 per day, which is a true blessing), I decided to follow up on the Psalms.
    The scriptures to which I referred earlier are---> Psalms118:5-8 and 14-17-->From my distress I called upon the Lord; The Lord answered me and set me in a large place. 6The Lord is for me; I will not fear; what can man do to me? 7The Lord is for me among those who help me; Therefore I shall look with satisfaction on those who hate me. 8It is better to take refuge in The Lord than to trust in man.
    Psalm 118:14-17--->The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation. 15The sound of joyful shouting and salvation is in the tents of the righteous; The right hand of the Lord does valiantly. 16The right hand of the Lord is exalted; The right hand of the Lord does valiantly. 17 I shall not die , but live, and tell of the works of the Lord.
    **I know I am to memorize scripture to arm myself with God's truths. I just don't want to get into back-and-forth competition about who knows the most because it accomplishes nothing. That being said, the bottom line is this--->John 8:31-32--->"If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." To abide in the word is to obey the commandments.
    Peace and love!!

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  4. HammerMay 4, 2010 at 2:45 PM

    David, I believe that knowing the exact location, both book and verse, of the texts we cite in our discussions is important.

    It is not showing off, rather it is showing that you care enough about God's Word that you know where He said it.

    Now, I am not saying that we must know every verse in the Bible verbatim. But if there are verses that mean a lot to you, commit them to memory and know their location in the Bible. It will definitely strengthen your witness when you talk to people and can show them what God says about certain topics. Of course we are to do this in a meek and tender way, as Peter tells us in 1 Peter 3:15.

    And sometimes you don't need to cite where the verse is in the Bible in your discussions. But it is good to know where it is found, if someone asks.

    When someone tells me something is in the Bible and it is something that may or may not be in the Bible, I always ask the person, "Where is that found in the Bible?"

    If it is in the Bible, that is great, and I now have more confidence in what they say has Biblical warrant than if they can't tell me where it is found in the Bible.

    You know a lot of people think the saying, "God helps those who help themselves" is in the Bible.

    Most of us know it is not. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 states, "Test everything..."

    I read from a pastor once that we should try to become a "walking Bible".

    I am far from that, but I pray that the Lord enables me to speak His Words in a winsome manner whatever the occasion.

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  5. kiwMay 4, 2010 at 3:32 PM

    I like what you said, "I always ask the person, "Where is that found in the Bible?"

    Good question, hopefully it's not from the book of opinions chapter 1

    We should be able to back up with scriptures everything we say or teach but what I've seen MYSELF included, we already have our minds made up and no amount of verses seem to convince anyone. Of course we argue to the glory of God ha

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