Monthly Archives: July 2020

Psalm 69

            Slowly wade into a lake, river, or creek. Feel the mud, slime, and goo between your toes. Yech!

Walk through a saturated field after a massive rain storm. Feel your boots sink into the muck. Yech! Take another step – right out of your boot or shoe! Oops. 

            The psalmist is beyond the point of no return. Stuck. Unable to move. Waters flowing around, threatening to overwhelm. There are some experiences we can’t adequately describe, yet we’ve experienced them. Being stuck. Feeling threatened. Overwhelmed by circumstances. Sensing we are about to go under for the last time. At times the people around us, once considered our friends, turn and attack for reasons unknown. 

            Often, as the panic builds, we struggle against the muck and mire. We exhaust our energy trying to break free. Crying out to God we wonder if He even hears. “I am exhausted from shouting for help; my throat is sore; my eyes grow tired of looking for my God.” (Psalm 69:3, NET) Crying out in fear, seeking divine vengeance, the psalmist is on the edge of total collapse. Can anyone save? Does God act? Though the psalm shares no details about deliverance, the plea for help ends in a chorus of praise.  

            Being stuck is simply part of being human. Experiencing deliverance rarely happens in the way we expect. Crying out to God can be wearying. Near the end of the prayer the psalmist expressed encouragement: “The poor in spirit see and are glad— Oh, you God-seekers, take heart!” (Psalm 69:32, The Message) 

            Take heart, you who are stuck: God hears, God acts, God saves. 

Psalm 68

Whenever the ark set out, Moses would say: “Arise, Lord! Let Your enemies be scattered, and those who hate You flee from Your presence” (Numbers 10:35). No enemy could withstand the presence of God, as represented in the ark of the covenant.

As the presence of God led His people He made Himself known as a father to the fatherless, a protector of widows, One who set the solitary in a family, One who gives release to those in bondage. As God leads His people the very earth which He created responds to His stride with earthquakes, abundant rainfall, and restoration of land which the enemy had despoiled.

“Blessed be the Lord— day after day he carries us along.” (Psalm 68:19, The Message). As David brought the Ark into Jerusalem it was a celebration of God’s victorious presence in his own life. Enemies were defeated and obstacles were overcome. The procession of priests, Levites, singers, and others celebrating the coming home of the Ark was noted across the region.

“God, You are awe-inspiring in Your sanctuaries. The God of Israel gives power and strength to His people. May God be praised!” (Psalm 68:35, HCSB) Prior to Jesus’ ascension to the right hand of the Father the followers of Jesus wanted to know if that event signaled the coming of God’s kingdom in power. Jesus’ answer reminds His followers that there are some pieces of God’s plan yet unknown. What we do know is that as God is present He does give power and strength.

As God arises, let us celebrate His provision. Let us mark His activity in the midst of enemy territory with trust as He carries us along and testimony as we proclaim His activity.

Psalm 67

“ (insert state/county/city name) Sees Largest Increase in Covid Cases.” This headline assaults us every day. No wonder many of us are afraid. Will I contract COVID? My entire family is in one or more risk categories – will one of them be exposed to the virus? What happens if the virus attacks?

            Centuries ago an old couple named Abram and Sarai worried about their legacy. They had no children of their own. God, whom Abram had followed had led to a far away land of promise. Yet,they had no children who could inherit the land. Perhaps, during a sleepless nights, God spoke: “As for Me, My covenant is with you: you will become the father of many nations. Your name will no longer be Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I will make you the father of many nations. I will make you extremely fruitful and will make nations and kings come from you … And to you and your future offspring I will give the land where you are residing—all the land of Canaan—as an eternal possession, and I will be their God.” (Genesis 17:4–8, HCSB)

            Centuries later Moses and Aaron stood before Abraham’s offspring and prayed this blessing: “May Yahweh bless you and protect you; may Yahweh make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; may Yahweh look with favor on you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24–26, HCSB)

            Again centuries pass and the hymn writer/psalmist writes: “May God be gracious to us and bless us; look on us with favor Selah” (Psalm 67:1, HCSB) From eternity to eternity God’s promises are the same.

            The challenges are never-ending. Pandemics, economic crashes, personal crises of all types test us regularly. God will fulfill His promises. Let fear be replaced with assurance. Experience God’s blessing.

Psalm 66        

            A recent Facebook post has been circulating asking people to describe you in one word. It is an interesting question – by reading your social media posts, by observing your life via electronic means how would people describe you?

Come and See – (vs 5)

            Most of us have a strong urge to be seen only at our best. We take care how we look so we can display our best selves. The writer’s invitation, though, asks observers to note God’s protection through challenging circumstances.

“For you, O God, tested us; you purified us like refined silver. You led us into a trap; you caused us to suffer. You allowed men to ride over our heads; we passed through fire and water, but you brought us out into a wide open place.” (Psalm 66:10–12, NET)

           Why would anyone invite outsiders to observe us as we experience suffering, oppression, and immediate danger? What would others see? The writer invites observation not that we might express pity or sympathy but praise (see vs 12).

Come and Listen – (vs 16)

            Perhaps we should ask how people would describe you by the words you use? The writer asks us to listen as he/she describes what God has done. If people listened to your prayer what would they learn of God? What would they learn of you? The psalm ends with an offering of praise for God’s always listening ear and His unending love expressed in His protection and provision for our lives.