Tag: psalms

Psalm 50:1-6

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            Today’s psalm begins to anticipate the upcoming Transfiguration Sunday.  As Jesus was changed on the mountain with the on-looking disciples, we get a glimpse of Christ in all his glory.  We see that our Lord Jesus is worthy to be king of all creation.  Therefore we may throw all of our trust, commitment, and adoration onto the rightful ruler who is in control of everything.
             So, then, this psalm helps prepare us by not only seeing the sovereign God in a position of majesty but we can know that Jesus is the mighty Judge.  The implication of the psalm is that since God is high above the entire universe that we as his covenant people have the responsibility of remaining faithful to his stipulations.  
             Wherever there is an anemic or apathetic devotion to God, there you will find an inability to see God in his glory.  In other words, theology is the answer for people who either cannot or will not devote themselves fully to the God of the Bible.  We serve a big God, and even seeing a sliver of that hugeness is enough to propel us through life until King Jesus returns.  Perhaps we all need, like the disciples of old, a mountain top experience in which we have a vision of what God is really like.
             Mighty God, the One who does not keep silent but commands wind and waves, fire and storm, let me see a glimpse of your glory so that I might know you not only in my head but my heart, as well.  Amen.

Psalm 102:12-28

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            I grew up on an Iowa farm.  In the winter, after a big snow, my Dad would get out the tractor and plow the long driveway.  At the end of the snow push would always be a huge snow pile.  That was my brother’s and my cue to spend the twenty minutes bundling up to go outside and play King of the Hill.  Since I was the little brother, I rarely was king.  But when cousins were around I had my chance to be king for a day, or at least a few minutes.
 
            The theological truth and comfort of this psalm is that God is enthroned forever; the LORD is the same and his years have no end.  God is permanently ensconced as Sovereign over all creation and nothing or no one is ever going to knock him off the high hill.
 
            In a world profoundly touched by evil, to know the God who does not change is an important reality.  The preface to the psalm says, “A prayer of one afflicted, when he is faint and pours out his complaint before the LORD.”  Indeed, he does this for the first eleven verses.  But then the psalm turns in verse twelve on looking up to the God who is always in control.  No matter where we go, God is there, and he forever sits on the throne of the universe. 
 
Therefore, we can put all our trust and hope in the LORD because he will never cease to be in charge.  Our perspective on the ground is puny and limited.  But God’s view from the top sees the big picture and knows all.  Rather than trying to be King of the Hill and spend the enormous energy of worry, let’s acknowledge the kingdom of God and pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
            Mighty God, you are sovereign over all your creation.  I place my faith in you completely, that your purposes and plans will be fleshed-out in my life to the glory of King Jesus.  Amen.

Psalm 35:1-10

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            The psalms are the church’s prayer book.  Many of the psalms are laments and many of them are worshipful and full of praise.  But then there are the imprecatory (pronounced im-PRECK-a-tory)psalms.  To imprecate means to invoke evil upon someone; it is to pronounce a curse.  The reason for the imprecatory psalm is that it is not any person’s place to engage in revenge or retaliation.  Instead, for people who are genuinely caught in the crosshairs of evil and have sinful persons dogging them, prayer is their most effective recourse.
 
            “Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me….  Let them be put to shame and dishonor who seek after my life!”  David was a man whose prayers and life were aligned together.  He did not raise his hand to do away with Saul, who was trying to kill him.  Although David had at least two solid opportunities to kill Saul and be done with the guy seeking his life, he did not do it; he was not about to take matters into his own hands.  Instead, David understood that it was God’s business to mete out wrath and punishment.
 
            We need not be shy about being real with God, even with praying imprecatory prayers.  There really are people in this world, maybe even in your own life, that actually have an evil agenda against you.  Our job is not personal revenge, but to entrust ourselves to the God who fights for the poor, the oppressed, and the needy against the arrogant and the powerful.  Let your prayers reflect your life.
            Mighty God, let those who speak and act against me contend with you.  Let your arrows pierce their hearts so that the needy will not be crushed, but will flourish and thrive under your divine care, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Psalm 111

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            The combination of a microwave society and the constant need to be entertained has resulted in a profound lack of wisdom in our culture.  Whether it is politics or theology, at work or at home, everywhere we gravitate toward finding quick solutions given to us in engaging ways.  But biblical wisdom operates a different way.  It is must grow slowly and mature over an extended period of time.  It all begins with a basic reverence of God.  “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding.  To him belongs eternal praise.”
 
            Taking the time and the focus to marinade our lives in the praise and adoration of God, even when we do not feel like it, is necessary to living wisely.  Foolishness is in direct proportion to a lack of reverence and awe of God.  Conversely, the attention and recognition of God in glorifying him begins a slow process of lifetime learning that inevitably leads to the humility of wisdom.  Wisdom in the Bible is the ability to live well and flourish as a person by applying God’s revelation to the real concrete situations of life.  That cannot be done apart from praise to the LORD.
 
            In what ways can you praise God today?  What situations are you facing that need biblical wisdom?  Are you following the revealed commands of God in Scripture?  Will you be patient to allow God to help you with your troubles?  Where is Jesus influencing your daily decisions? 
            All wise God, I praise your holy name.  Teach me your ways so that I will know how to live wisely in all kinds of situations to the glory of Jesus Christ.  Amen.