Tag: psalms

Psalm 68:1-10, 19-20

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
            “Do something, God!” (verse 1, Contemporary English Version).  I think every believer has cried out that phrase at some point in their lives.  There are situations where evil seems to run on and on with no end in sight.  There are people who flap their tongues with half-truths, misinterpretations, and lack of evidence with apparently no one calling them out on their slander.  There are those that look like they are getting away with living however they want, no matter whom they hurt, with no consequence.  When such people inflict their ungracious ways on us, it is understandable that we would want to scream, “Do something, God!”
 
            Then there are circumstances that are just plain droll.  Nothing seems to be happening.  Church is boring.  Christians around us are unmotivated.  People don’t seem to care about anything but themselves.  The world is going to hell and there are spiritual couch potatoes only acknowledging God if it is in their best interests to do so.  It’s enough for a faithful believer to yell, “Do something, God!”
 
            Ah, but God is up to something.  He has acted in the past through giving the ancient Israelites freedom from Egyptian oppression; he has overturned evil kings; he has sent his prophets to call people back to himself; and, he has sent his Son, the Lord Jesus, to redeem humanity.  And he will come again to judge the earth and fulfill once-for-all his promises.
 
            With a God in heaven, the Son interceding for us at the Father’s right hand, and God’s Spirit present with us on earth, justice and mercy will rule.  We might only see the shadows, but God hovers over us and responds to our calls.  He has done something, will do something, and is doing something today to win the spiritual battle for the hearts and minds of people everywhere.
 

 

            O God, scatter your enemies but let your people be happy and celebrate because of you.  For you set people free, cause them to prosper, and judge the ungodly.  Open my eyes to see the ways in which your justice and grace are being played-out around me and in the world.  Amen.

Psalm 146

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment


              I am something of an old cartoon buff.  I was told when I was eleven years old that I would outgrow watching them – I’m still waiting for that day.  I, of course, enjoyed watching Underdog.  There is something deep within the human psyche that cheers for the underdog.  Wally Cox was the perfect voice for the mild-mannered shoe-shine boy to take his underdog super energy pill and fly through the sky to rescue Sweet Polly Purebread.
             That “something” that is within us that identifies with the underdog is the justice of God.  Today’s psalm lets us know that God cares about the underdog.  There ought to be no doubt that God is deeply concerned for those who are powerless, defenseless, and on the margins of society.  The psalmist identifies such persons:  those who are hungry; the prisoners; the blind; those bowed down; the orphan; and, the widow.  All these people represent individuals without ability to be movers and shakers in their culture.  In short, they need God.
             And God delights to use his power to lift them up.  What is more, truth be told, it turns out that all of us are underdogs.  We all need God.  Every action and decision we take and make is really God’s grace and enablement to do it.  We owe it all to him.  Thus, the logical and reasonable response to such a God is praise – to declare our hallelujahs to the one who reigns forever and will always see humanity’s great need.  How will you praise him today for who he is and for what he has done?  Let such praise shape your soul and lift your spirit as you intentionally connect with the gracious God who gives the underdog what he needs.
             Eternal God, you reign forever and ever.  I praise you as long as I live.  I put my trust in you, and not in those in society who wield their apparent power and influence.  Let them wallow in their delusions while I declare the mighty Name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Psalm 104:24-35

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
            All of creation depends on each part in a complex ecosystem which is alive and teeming with all kinds of creatures and exuberant nature.  And all of this creation depends completely on the hand of God that formed it.  Without God, there would be no living holistic creation working together to flourish over the earth.  Humanity, along with the rest of creation, is to sing and praise the God who has made life possible by means of his powerful Spirit.
 
            This same Spirit which worked in creation, animates all creatures, and has left the imprint of God’s likeness on humans, is the very same Spirit which came upon the little band of believers at Pentecost, as well as being the very same Spirit which is given to you and me as followers of Jesus.  Just as we are to listen to the voice of creation praise God; just as we are to listen to the ancient voices of Holy Scripture lift up the name of Jesus; we are to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit of God filling us, guiding us, and empowering us for love and service in the name of Jesus Christ.
 
            In our fast paced society of fast food, fast cars, fast service, and fast everything, there is something profoundly spiritual about slowing down in order to listen to God’s Spirit speaking.  Today when you eat your meals, take the time to chew slowly, thanking God in a rhythm of praise which is connected to the gratitude of each bite.  Carve out some time to walk the dog, and do it slowly, listening to the sounds of creation around you.  Hear it all giving praise and adoration to the God who is pleased to fill creation with his glory.  For, if we do not hear God speaking it is because we are not listening.
 

 

            Mighty God, I join with all creation to sing your praises and give adoration to the Name of Jesus, who loved me and gave himself for me through the power of your Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Psalm 97

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment


             In the wake of Ascension Day we are to be overwhelmed with the tremendous majesty of King Jesus.  Today’s psalm portrays the Lord as a very big God whose presence alone impacts the world in cataclysmic glory. God is large and in charge.  Nothing moves God; but God moves mountains.  This is no wimpy deity who needs his creatures to sustain him and his memory.  But all God’s creation is dependent upon him for life, sustenance, and flourishing.
             It is such a view of God that deeply impacts humanity.  When people catch just a glimpse of God’s glory it causes pagans to be ashamed of their useless idol worship, and brings forth humble celebration from the penitent.  The sheer dearth of these dual responses to God in today’s Western world ought to clue us to the reality that we are not seeing God for who he really is:  the great and glorious king who is so immense and so concerned for justice that just a snort of his nostrils could lay complete waste to the earth.
The conclusion to the matter is to “Love the LORD and hate evil!….  You are the LORD’s people!  So celebrate and praise the only God.”  Today is a day to make a simple choice to celebrate and praise God in some simple ways:  
Ø  Acknowledge Him in both the big and in the small things of life;
Ø  Include God’s message of grace in your everyday conversations – we don’t have to be preachy, just real;
Ø  Praise Him in public as well as in private;
Ø  Pray simple heartfelt prayers to Him whether it is eloquent or not because He just wants to hear the voice He has given us;
Ø  Be generous toward others through forgiveness and actual physical help;
Ø  Study His word because it honors Him to do so;
Ø  Express gratitude with a predetermined mindset to find things that God has put in your life to be thankful for;
Ø  Count your blessings today and again tomorrow so that it eventually becomes a spiritual habit; and,
Ø  Sing with the joyful noise God gives you.
Mighty God, you are worthy of all the praise, honor, and glory I can give you.  May my life be a simple offering to you, so that your kingdom comes not only in my own life but impacts the lives of others; through Jesus, my King.  Amen.