Tag: psalms

Psalm 79:1-9

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year C1 Comment
            I’m the youngest of four kids in my family of origin.  It’s interesting to me that older siblings always seem to think that the youngest got spoiled growing up.  Um, let me set the record straight.  In addition to continually being the smallest and getting pounded on by the others; getting blamed for every broken thing in the house; and, being left behind on all the good stuff taking place – at school was probably the worst.  You see, the youngest constantly gets compared to his/her older siblings.  I, in particular, had the distinction of having a sister who was valedictorian of her class, and a brother who was probably the best well-behaved kid in the entire school.  Oh, great.  The expectations for me were pretty high.
 
            The psalmist in today’s psalm did not want to be associated with what his ancestors did or did not do.  He wanted to be judged by God on his own merits.  He cries to God, “Have pity and come quickly!  We are completely helpless.  Our God, you keep us safe.  Now help us!  Rescue us.  Forgive our sins and bring honor to yourself.”
 
            Not only would that make an apropos prayer for a youngest kid, it is a real and raw expression that all of us can utter when we are in times of distress – where what others have done or not done in the past are impacting your life today.  In any kind of situation, the psalms are the church’s prayer book – for any kind of sibling.
 

 

            God of justice, you do what is right and just in all things.  Look upon your servant today and help me according to your grace and steadfast love.  Forgive all my sin and lead me in the way of your righteousness, through Jesus Christ my Savior.  Amen.

Psalm 14

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
            George Washington, in his farewell address to the nation in 1796, constructed his encouragements to the American people on the basis of virtue.  Only a virtuous people, Washington believed, could cause the American experiment to succeed among the family of nations.  Virtue, for Washington, could only occur through the twin pillars of religion and morality.  He stated:
 
“Observe good faith and justice towards all nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all. Religion and morality enjoin this conduct; and can it be, that good policy does not equally enjoin it – It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and at no distant period, a great nation, to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence. Who can doubt that, in the course of time and things, the fruits of such a plan would richly repay any temporary advantages which might be lost by a steady adherence to it? Can it be that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a nation with its virtue? The experiment, at least, is recommended by every sentiment which ennobles human nature. Alas! is it rendered impossible by its vices?”
 
Washington was no fool.  He understood that the guiding hand of Providence [God] was necessary to the flourishing of a free and happy people.  Indeed, as the ancient psalmist said, “Only a fool would say, ‘There is no God!’  People like that are worthless; they are heartless and cruel and never do right.”  Whatever Washington’s true personal sensibilities were about theology, he did believe that belief in God along with the Scripture’s moral guidance were needed for a fledgling nation.  The people’s ability to recognize and engraft religion into their lives would be a must for America.
 
Becoming untethered from God leads to vice; enjoining God and following him leads to virtue.  It is not wise to ignore the God of all creation.  But through daily attentiveness and devotion to the Lord, moral and ethical ways can take root and produce justice, reconciliation, and peace.
 

 

Sovereign God, you rule the nations through your wise and benevolent reign.  Help me to participate with you in your grand kingdom enterprise so that I can make decisions consistent with true morality, for the sake of Jesus.  Amen.

Psalm 2

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
            Our view of God determines how we live.  If our perception of God is that he is small and ineffective, or does not really see or care about everything that happens on earth, then the response of the nations in Psalm 2 is likely:  “The kings of this earth have all joined together to turn against the LORD and his chosen one.  They say, ‘Let’s cut the ropes and set ourselves free!’”  But if we rightly discern that God is far larger than we can ever imagine and sees all, then we know that “in heaven the LORD laughs as he sits on his throne, making fun of the nations.”  Any group of people who think they can distance themselves from the God of the universe are, at best, delusional, and, at worst, in danger of being swept away like an ant hill.
 
            God blesses and protects everyone who runs to him.  So, we are to be smart and show respect.  The fact of the matter is that God is bigger than anyone or anything.  That is good news for those who serve God and bad news for those who don’t.  The fact of the matter is that nothing can separate God’s people from his love; no nation has more power than God; and, no organization, institution, or government can continue unabated in their unethical ways. 
 
            So, when we face adversity, hardship, and difficulty we have a very large God who has our back.  It might seem in the short term that evil is winning and arrogant people are having their day, but ultimately God is going to deal with it.  Jesus is king, and we are not.
 

 

            Immense God, you are sovereign above all creation and everything in the earth.  I choose this day to submit to the words and ways of Jesus, who is the true ruler of all.  May all the nations come to see you for who you really are: the great and wondrous king.  Amen.

Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
“You have looked deep
into my heart, Lord,
and you know all about me.
You know when I am resting
or when I am working,
and from heaven
you discover my thoughts.
You notice everything I do
and everywhere I go.
Before I even speak a word,
you know what I will say,
 and with your powerful arm
you protect me
from every side.
 I can’t understand all of this!
Such wonderful knowledge
is far above me.” (CEV)
 
            Please do not quickly pass over these inspired words from Holy Scripture.  Take some time to carefully digest each phrase slowly so that the message becomes internalized, believed, and lived in real time experience.
 
            One of the theories of human psychology is that people are driven by two primary needs:  to intimately know another person; and, to be intimately known by another.  God knows us even better than we know ourselves – and he still loves us!  There is nothing about us that God doesn’t know.  No human relationship can even come close to the level of knowing that God has for us and about us.
 
            Therefore, to know God is perhaps the greatest and highest pursuit we could ever enjoy.  God is so big and infinite that we will spend an eternity getting to know him and will never get to the end of knowing him completely.  That is the kind of God we serve.  Be encouraged today and always with the reality that you are known, and can know God.
 

 

            Immense God, you are the one who put me together inside my mother’s body, and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me.  Everything you do is marvelous!  Of this I have no doubt.  Look deep into my heart, Lord, and find out everything I am thinking.  Lead me in the ways of Jesus.  Amen.