Psalms 87-89

If we pass from this life our voice of praise and testimony won’t be heard. Hopefully, God’s interest in extending my life is to sustain my witness for Him in this life. I have found great joy in being an encouragement to others. That would cease, except for the memory of my words that have been sown into lives.

Giving words of encouragement is like watering a plant. There is an immediate brightening, but in the long run, these words can produce a stronger existence.

Paul said one plants, another waters, and another reaps. I would place myself in the watering category. We all look to God to give the increase.

Psalms 83-86

The Psalmist requested that the Lord reward him openly by showing His strength to his life. Also that God would give him signs of goodness that his enemies might see.

Certainly healing is a sign of God’s goodness. When we are afflicted, or someone we love is, we can likewise ask God to heal them for all to see. These shows of God’s strength bring glory to His name.

Presently, I have a neighbor who has been dealt a bitter hand in life. He needs a physical miracle in his body. His wife also needs a big, loving gesture from God and His people. Before he leaves this life, I desire to see him accept Christ and enjoy the peace of God for his remaining days. Pray with me, please.

Lord, we ask and believe for a miracle for Gene and Laura. Bring them ALL THE WAY IN to your Kingdom through Christ Jesus.

Psalm 82

I’m not a theologian. However, in Psalm 82 we find some terms that can confuse us. The Psalmist refers to “gods” with a lower case g. Who is the writer speaking of?

Here we go.

The original word here is elohim which probably refers to the angelic assembly who are spirit beings who report to God and are subject to Him. Yahweh God is El Elyon, God Most High. We call Him “Our Father.” Christ Jesus and the Father are One. Another term for elohim can be Sons of God.

You are I are not gods. We are made “a little lower than the angels.” [Ps. 8]

What’s truly amazing is that Christ Jesus became flesh like us. Although He was God, He humbled Himself and became like us to become the sacrifice for our sin. He allowed Himself to be lower than the angels. He feels what we feel. He understands our struggles. Yet, God exalted Him to the Highest Place, above all rule and authority and seated in God’s throne.

We may not understand it all, but if we stay “In Christ,” WE ARE GOOD!

Psalms 79-81

We seem to always be looking for the best of everything. The best deal, the best relationship, the best car, the best job etc. God is the only One Who truly knows what best really is. He sees the inner workings. He hold it all together. He sees the beginning and the ending. We are wise to let Him give us the best.

The Psalmist revealed God’s pleading with His people … ““If my people would only listen to me, if Israel would only follow my ways, ,,, you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.” [Ps. 81:13, 16]

God wants to give us the finest, the best, but we think WE KNOW what’s best.

“Lord, we repent from our empty reasonings. We want to hear Your voice above our carnal and lustful desires that hide your best from us. Give us the grace to be obedient to Your voice, to Your Word.”

Psalm 78

What i call a historical passage, Ps. 78 is somewhat lengthy. It traces God’s relationship with Israel and concludes with David.

It reveals the frequent rebellions of His people. They (we) fall into dis-chord with Him, He chastens them, they straighten up for a while, and quickly resort to their old ways. It must get tiring to be the God of such fickle children.

David Wilkerson, founder of Teen Challenge, author, and former pastor of Times-Square Church, once told of his frequent back-slidings. He could feel his heart grow cold if he missed his daily devotions. He knew he needed a fresh breaking, so he would get a hotel room for 3 days to fast and pray to receive a heart adjustment.

The antidote? … be in God’s Word EVERY DAY. Be obedient to every prompting of His Spirit. Receive fresh grace to handle every task. Pray CONTINUALLY.

Psalms 73-77

Asaph lamented when he considered how ungodly men seemed to thrive and he was less fortunate. It troubled him so much that he expressed his discontent with the Lord. God showed him that their end would not be like his. They would suffer loss at the end whereas he would be rewarded.

We generally judge situations too soon. We can only see the “nasty now and now.” God wants us to wait for the “sweet by and by.”

So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning. [Job 42:12]

Psalms 71-73

The Psalmist looked ahead to his senior years. He resolved to be a strong witness to the Lord’s faithfulness by being vocal about it.

When you get old, many parts of your body don’t work as well as they once did … just ask me. However, the mouth still works and actually has wisdom to share … hopefully. An elder person can have earned the right to speak by living a life of honor. He/she has a platform of trust from which to speak. They have historical perspective on issues. They have lived through life’s challenges. Wise descendants give ear to their admonitions. Some of them … ahem … even have a flavor of humor to share (?)

Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long. [Ps. 71:18, 24]

Psalms 68-70

As I think about the future of the country I’m leaving for my children and grandchildren, I admit I’ve had apprehension about the prospect of the persecution of Christians. I have concluded that the best preparation I can extend to them is a confident faith in the Lord and a desperate trust in His Promises.

I can’t control this nation. I served it in the Army in 1969-71 hoping to protect its freedom and preserve its heritage. The current political climate appears to threaten those values. Fleeing is not the answer. Carnal resistance is not the answer. Faith, prayer and trust in CHRIST IS THE ANSWER.

Goliath was an enemy to David’s faith. Sennacherib was an enemy to Hezekiah’s faith. Ahab was an enemy to Elijah’s faith. The Romans and religious Jews were enemies of the New Covenant faith Christ taught.

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God … [2 Cor. 10:3-5]

Our weapons: praise, prayer, and the testimony of (faith in) Jesus. [Ps. 149:6-9; Luke 22:31,32; Rev. 12:11]

The kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ. [Rev. 11:15]

Psalms 63-67

David instituted 24 hour a day praise in the House of God. He wanted to give God a praise that was worth the blessing God had given him. God is always available and FOR us, so David wanted to return praise to Him that was commensurate.

It’s not for sure that David wrote this Psalm. Some think it was composed by Hezekiah after God had delivered Judah from Sennacherib. Regardless, its import is vital to a healthy Christian life.

The Hebrew word for praise here (tehillah) means constant, residual praise. This praise should live in us continually. It should always be on our lips. Why, because God is continually good to us.

Glory means “heavy, weighted.” It’s a sincere attitude of the heart, not light and flippant.

When I directed church music, I always attempted to give God the best music I could. To me, a well-rehearsed choir accompanied by a skilled orchestra could make glorious sounds that pleased God and inspired His people. I trust He enjoyed it.

Psalms 58-62

To God belongs all power. Another word for that is omnipotence. Therefore, all power is derived from God and He exercises control over it. No one has power but that God has granted it. He can give it or withdraw it at any moment.

Power is the possession of control, authority, or influence over others. It is the ability to act or produce an effect. It’s strength. It’s might.

Since power is a commodity that finds its origin in God, He will steward its use. Those who have it will be judged on what they do with it. Therefore, it is wise to use it with great prudence.

Our prayer is the most effective measure we have to respond appropriately to the power exercised over us. A right relationship with God places those with power between us and God.

Jesus taught that men ought always to pray and not faint. [Luke 18:1]