Monthly Archives: June 2020

Psalm 64

            “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Simply, patently untrue. Everyone has been stung by the words of an enemy, or worse, the careless words of a friend. Words hurt. As the psalmist honestly admits, words can be like swords that maim and arrows that penetrate (vs 3).

            Our first instinct is to speak words back to the one who has injured us. Perhaps we can inflict greater pain that we are experiencing. Maybe that will lessen the sting. By replying we can ignore our pain, at least for the moment.

            David offers a better response. First, cry out to God. Acknowledge the hurt and pain that has been inflicted. Let God know of the terror that words create.

            Then, wait. Yes, wait. Don’t respond. Don’t fire back. Don’t retaliate. Have you noticed that wars of words typically escalate far beyond the original circumstance? So, wait.

            Finally, trust that God will respond. We want to see the enemy cringe in pain, suffer from the wounds. We may never see God’s reply (vs 7). However, God responds. “The acts of God are sudden …, not necessarily immediate, but while they wait in his protection those who are ‘right with him’ have a joy independent of worldly fortune.”^[1]

            Words can hurt. Words can wound. God will demonstrate His righteousness, even if we never see His response. Cry out to God when you are wounded. Let God respond. God heals. God reveals His righteousness in His time and according to His nature.

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^[1] Motyer, J. A. (1994). The Psalms. In D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, & G. J. Wenham (Eds.), New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed., p. 525). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press.

Psalm 63

When I’m riding in my car
And a man comes on the radio
He’s tellin’ me more and more
About some useless information
Supposed to fire my imagination
I can’t get no
No, no, no
Hey, hey, hey
That’s what I say
I can’t get no satisfaction –

https://www.google.com/search?safe=active&sxsrf=ALeKk02lEgFlCsurtxgptwOJnsn2PEcMRg%3A1592241830090&lei=pq7nXvyHBcLF-gSSnbCQDw&q=i%20can%27t%20get%20no%20satisfaction%20lyrics&ved=2ahUKEwj88raFq4TqAhXCop4KHZIODPIQsKwBKAB6BAgjEAE&biw=1440&bih=718

55 years have passed since Mick Jagger recorded that song. Musical styles have changed but many of today’s lyrics sound a similar theme.

What does it take for ‘satisfaction?’

David, a musician as well as shepherd, warrior, and eventually king expressed his desire for satisfaction with these words: “God, You are my God; I eagerly seek You. I thirst for You; my body faints for You in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water. So I gaze on You in the sanctuary to see Your strength and Your glory.” (Psalm 63:1–2, HCSB)

In David’s song he not only shares his longing for satisfaction, he identifies a real source of satisfaction. Many are seeking some sort of spark to ignite their seemingly mundane and ordinary lives. Listen to David’s assurance: “You satisfy me as with rich food; my mouth will praise You with joyful lips. When I think of You as I lie on my bed, I meditate on You during the night watches” (Psalm 63:5–6, HCSB).

At the end of the day what truly satisfies can only be found outside ourselves. The land in which we live is dry – figuratively as well as physically (Oregon continues to experience drought like conditions). The satisfaction for which we seek is not found in an ocasional rainfall, nor is it found in the ways of the world. Real satisfaction is ours as we remember God’s goodness, meditate on His graciousness, and hold tightly to His good promises.

Psalm 62

            While our son was in school one common remark from almost every teacher went like this: ‘A pleasure to have in class. Spends too much time talking.’ Our son was a great student, and still loves to talk! (Love you, son!)

            The New English Translation of the phrase “For God alone I patiently wait…” includes this note:  Heb “only for God [is] there silence [to] my soul.”[1] That phrase intrigues me. What if, instead of pouring out word after word, phrase after phrase, we learned to sit silently in the presence of God?

            Years ago in my seminary training I was introduced to the writings of Richard Foster. These words I read so many years ago still linger in my mind:

To still the activity of the flesh so that the activity of the Holy Spirit dominates the way we live will affect and inform public worship. Sometimes it will take the form of absolute silence. Certainly it is more fitting to come in reverential silence and awe before the Holy One of eternity than to rush into his Presence with hearts and minds askew and tongues full of words.[2]

            In my journey through the Psalms I often find the words I need to express my inner turmoil to God. I wonder, though, if more often than not, God wants me to be silent instead of full of words. Like a student in a classroom who may miss important information from the teacher/professor because of his/her many words (even those whispered conversations), perhaps I’ve missed what God was truly up to.

            David, to whom the Psalm is ascribed, had time for silence. Years as a shepherd, alone with his father’s sheep. Years spent in the wilderness evading the death wish of his father-in-law. Time spent fleeing from his son, Absalom, who sought to seize the kingdom for himself.

            These past few months of ‘social distancing’ should have provided ample time for silence. However, I have found other distractions. The meetings that used to fill my days and nights were easily replaced by social media feeds and online conversations.

            Would you think me strange if I wished for more silence? Too. Many. Words.

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[1] https://netbible.org/bible/Psalms+62; accessed on 6/8/20.

[2] Foster, Richard J.. Celebration of Discipline: The Path To Spiritual Growth (p. 167). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.

Psalm 61

            Homeless. One can be homeless even while have necessary shelter. One can be homeless even surrounded by family and friends. To be homeless can be a spiritual malady. As David, king of Israel, was forced to flee for his life from his son Absalom. From east of the Jordan River, forced from his own land, David was ‘homeless.’

            “Hear my cry…from the end of the earth I call to You” (vs 1,2). Though David had travelled a few miles from Jerusalem, he felt as though he had arrived at the ‘end of the earth.’

            “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I…” (vs 2). David found a physical place of refuge as he fled from his son. David needed more than just a place to hide. David needed a confidence that can only come with a profound sense of God’s presence. A ‘rock’ often suggests a fortification that cannot be destroyed, impenetrable by the enemy. David needed more than just a place to lay his head. David needed a place to rest his heart.

            The last stanza of the Psalm (vs 6-8) is celebratory. David’s prayer changes tone. Having found a ‘home’ for his heart in the presence and purpose of God David could once again celebrate all that God had done in establishing his line of succession.

            Recent events have created a sense of homelessness for many. Protests unsettling cities around the county. Covid-19 numbers are growing in some areas, decreasing in others. Unemployment hangs over our economy as a dark cloud. The ‘home’ where we once felt comfortable is now a little unsettling. The ‘home’ we thought was secure appears to be less so.

            Come home – not to the way life used to be, but to the promise of God’s protection even when the world around us seems to collapse. Come home – wherever you are is never too far for God to reach.