The Pleasure of Blessing

21 Monday May 2018

Posted by davidkitz in Bible, Devotionals, Psalm 109, Psalms

Tags

blessing, Canmore, Christmas, cursing, encourage, generous, giving, pleasure, praise, sacrifice, thanks

Reading: Psalm 109
(Verses 16-20)
For he never thought of doing a kindness,
but hounded to death the poor
and the needy and the brokenhearted.
He loved to pronounce a curse—
may it come back on him.
He found no pleasure in blessing—
may it be far from him.
He wore cursing as his garment;
it entered into his body like water,
into his bones like oil.
May it be like a cloak wrapped about him,
like a belt tied forever around him.
May this be the LORD’s payment to my accusers,
to those who speak evil of me (NIV).

Reflection
Right now we are a long way from the giving season. I am of course referring to the pre-Christmas shopping binge, when gifts are purchased, wrapped and hidden away for the big celebration. Many rail against this tradition, but in reality the scriptures are filled with admonitions that encourage us to be generous and bless others. Christmas and year-end provide us with wonderful opportunities to do just that. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed (Proverbs 11:25).

Early evening in Canmore, Alberta — photo by David Kitz

If we find no pleasure in giving, we may be suffering from more than a simple case of Scrooge-like stinginess. Soul sucking self-centeredness destroys us from within. It defaces the image of God that is stamped upon us from birth. God our heavenly Father is the picture of generosity. He gave His only Son for us. In light of this sacrifice, there’s something terribly wrong if we can’t spare a dime or a kind word for the less fortunate. Generosity is never out of season.

Today’s reading provides us with a negative contrast to the generosity of God. The individual being described withheld his blessing. He loved to pronounce a curse—may it come back on him. He found no pleasure in blessing—may it be far from him.

How generous am I with words of encouragement, praise and blessing? How generous am I with this world’s goods that have been lavished on me by a gracious Father? Throughout the year, and in the pre-Christmas season, I need to check my heart and my bank account, but above all my heart. Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously (2 Corinthians 9:6).

Am I generous with words of praise and thanks for those around me—with the clerk at the shopping mall or the life partner who shares my bed? Am I reflecting or defacing the image of God?

Response: Father God, today I want to be a blessing and pronounce a blessing on those around me. I am thankful for the generosity of your love, forgiveness and grace. It’s more than I deserve. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you too tight fisted or too lavish with your giving?

Your Word, LORD, Is Eternal

20 Sunday May 2018

Posted by davidkitz in Bible, God's word, Psalm 119, Psalms

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

commands, eternal, God's word, laws, perfection, praise, save, the LORD

I will praise Him!

Sunset glory — photo by David Kitz

ל Lamedh

Your word, LORD, is eternal;
    it stands firm in the heavens.
Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
    you established the earth, and it endures.
Your laws endure to this day,
    for all things serve you.
If your law had not been my delight,
    I would have perished in my affliction.
I will never forget your precepts,
    for by them you have preserved my life.
Save me, for I am yours;
    I have sought out your precepts.
The wicked are waiting to destroy me,
    but I will ponder your statutes.
To all perfection I see a limit,
    but your commands are boundless.

(Psalm 119:89-96, NIV)

My Hope Is in Your Word

19 Saturday May 2018

Posted by davidkitz in Bible, God's word, Psalm 119, Psalms

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

commands, God's word, hope, obey, persecuted, praise, Psalm 119, salvation, trustworthy

I will praise Him!

Algonquin Park — photo courtesy of Liz Kranz

כ Kaph

My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
    but I have put my hope in your word.
My eyes fail, looking for your promise;
    I say, “When will you comfort me?”
Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
    I do not forget your decrees.
How long must your servant wait?
    When will you punish my persecutors?
The arrogant dig pits to trap me,
    contrary to your law.
All your commands are trustworthy;
    help me, for I am being persecuted without cause.
They almost wiped me from the earth,
    but I have not forsaken your precepts.
In your unfailing love preserve my life,
    that I may obey the statutes of your mouth.

(Psalm 119:81-88, NIV)

Does the Bible Condone Cursing?

18 Friday May 2018

Posted by davidkitz in Bible, Devotionals, Psalm 109, Psalms

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

compassion, condemnation, curses, cursing, David, enemies, imprecatory psalms, Jesus, persecution, righteous, tax collector

Reading: Psalm 109
(Verses 6-15)
Appoint someone evil to oppose my enemy;
let an accuser stand at his right hand.
When he is tried, let him be found guilty,
and may his prayers condemn him.
May his days be few;
may another take his place of leadership.
May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow.
May his children be wandering beggars;
may they be driven from their ruined homes.
May a creditor seize all he has;
may strangers plunder the fruits of his labor.
May no one extend kindness to him
or take pity on his fatherless children.
May his descendants be cut off,
their names blotted out from the next generation.
May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the LORD;
may the sin of his mother never be blotted out.
May their sins always remain before the LORD,
that he may blot out their name from the earth (NIV).

Reflection
This portion of Psalm 109 contains fourteen mays of condemnation. After reading this long list of curses spoken against this unnamed individual, it becomes abundantly clear that David, the author of this psalm, was not affectionately inclined toward this man of treachery. This man, who earlier was identified as a friend, had turned against David. In the verse just prior to today’s reading, David laments, “They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my friendship” (Psalm 109:5).

Bilberry Creek, Orleans, ON — photo by David Kitz

Psalm 109 is called an imprecatory psalm. The word imprecatory simply is a fancy term for cursing. I am sure many Christians are unaware that there is cursing in the Bible—cursing coming from the man who penned Psalm 23—the LORD is my shepherd.

Many find the imprecatory psalms deeply troubling. I include myself in that number. Does God condone calling down curses on our enemies? What about the words of Jesus? “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?” (Matthew 5:43-46).

I remain convinced that Jesus calls us to live on a higher plane—the plane where he dwells. This requires grace—more grace than I can muster.

Response: Father God, I need your help. I find it easy to lash out at those who have hurt me. When I want to go for the jugular help me reach out for the wisdom and compassion of Jesus instead. I want to be more like you, Jesus. Amen.

Your Turn: Is there a place for the imprecatory psalms in the Bible? What purpose might they serve?

Bullying in the Bible?

17 Thursday May 2018

Posted by davidkitz in Bible, Devotionals, God's word, Psalm 109, Psalms

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

betrayal, bullying, children, Facebook, hatred, Judas, Orleans, power of words, Prayer, teacher, Tweets, words

Reading: Psalm 109
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
(Verses 1-5)
My God, whom I praise,
do not remain silent,
for people who are wicked and deceitful
have opened their mouths against me;
they have spoken against me with lying tongues.
With words of hatred they surround me;
they attack me without cause.
In return for my friendship they accuse me,
but I am a man of prayer.
They repay me evil for good,
and hatred for my friendship (NIV).

Reflection
Words have enormous power. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21).

Forest Valley ravine, Orleans, ON — photo by David Kitz

Words of hatred can be devastating. This is especially true when those words come from those we believe to be our friends. This is the situation the psalmist finds himself in. Hear the psalmist’s lament: With words of hatred they surround me; they attack me without cause. In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my friendship.

There is a deep sense of betrayal in the psalmist’s words. The beginning of this psalm smacks of the Judas kiss. Jesus suffered the hatred and attacks described here. But millions of others have experienced betrayal, false accusations and words of hatred. Daily, children and teens are bullied and harassed at school and online. All too often Tweets and Facebook comments are nothing more than fountains of hate. Mob mentality rules as attacks and insults pile high.

All this reminds me of farm life and the behavior of chickens. Chickens are highly social creatures and early on in their young lives, these birds establish a pecking order. I’m not speaking figuratively. This really happens. The lead bird pecks first at their food and will aggressively exclude others. Those who transgress the established order will find themselves under vicious attack by the leader and other members of the flock. This means exclusion from the food source, but in the worst instances the aggressive chicks will peck the victim to death. Only human intervention can save them.

It’s truly remarkable how human behavior so closely resembles the behavior of chickens. Our classrooms are full of chickens—aggressive chickens establishing their pecking order—and God help the poor child who falls out of favor! As a teacher I have often been a front-seat witness to the bullying that goes on. Intervention is essential or in the worst cases death may result.

Response: Father God, today I pray for all those who are on the receiving end of personal betrayal and words of hatred. Lord, show them your love, protection, comfort and mercy. Let compassion reign. Help me to be an instrument of help and encouragement. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you been a victim of bullying? How did you overcome?

With God We Will Gain the Victory

16 Wednesday May 2018

Posted by davidkitz in Bible, Devotionals, God's word, Psalm 108, Psalms

≈ 9 Comments

Tags

David, deliverance, enemy, God, Jonathan, King Saul, Ottawa River, petition, Philistines, Psalm 108, the LORD, triumph, victory

Reading: Psalm 108
(Verses 6-13)
Save us and help us with your right hand,
that those you love may be delivered.
God has spoken from his sanctuary:
“In triumph I will parcel out Shechem
and measure off the Valley of Sukkoth.
Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine;
Ephraim is my helmet, Judah is my scepter.
Moab is my washbasin,
on Edom I toss my sandal;
over Philistia I shout in triumph.”
Who will bring me to the fortified city?
Who will lead me to Edom?
Is it not you, God, you who have rejected us
and no longer go out with our armies?
Give us aid against the enemy,
for human help is worthless.
With God we will gain the victory,
and he will trample down our enemies (NIV).

Reflection
In today’s reading from Psalm 108, we get into the meat of David’s request or petition. He makes his plea before God: Save us and help us with your right hand that those you love may be delivered.

An evening stroll along the shore of the Ottawa River — photo by David Kitz

It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when David penned this Psalm, but it likely came early in his reign as king over Judah or Israel. When David assumed the leadership of Judah, Israel was in dire straits. The nation had been weakened by division under King Saul. The Philistines won a major battle which resulted in the death of King Saul and his heir apparent, Prince Jonathan. The nation was divided, despondent and in disarray. Meanwhile, enemies on every side were seizing the moment to press their advantage.

In many respects Christendom and the church world finds itself in a similar position today—divided, despondent and in disarray. We need a David or a number of Davids to arise and rally God’s people against spiritual foes and machinations too numerous to mention. Where are the Davids? Are you one of them? Over a number of years through a series of battles the David of the Bible turned things around.

But we need to always keep this in mind. Though God calls various people to leadership roles, He is the One who brings victory and He is the One who deserves the credit. David clearly expressed this truth in his prayer. Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless. With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.

We look to the LORD for victory and deliverance. David did, and so must we.

Response: Father God, I want to play my part in turning things around in your church. Today let your Kingdom come and your will be done through the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you a present-day David? What has God called you to do?

David Awakens the Dawn

15 Tuesday May 2018

Posted by davidkitz in Bible, Devotionals, God's word, Psalm 108, Psalms

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

atheist, David, dawn, Manitoba, music, prairie, praise, Psalm 108, repent, steadfast, sunrise, thankful, the LORD

Reading: Psalm 108
A song. A psalm of David.
(Verses 1-5)
My heart, O God, is steadfast;
I will sing and make music with all my soul.
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
I will praise you, LORD, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love, higher than the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth (NIV).

Reflection
This morning did you awaken the dawn or did the dawn awaken you? For those who are early risers awakening the dawn becomes much easier as the days get shorter and we approach the winter solstice. But just the opposite is true now. I confess that this morning I did not awake before sunrise.

Manitoba sunrise, “Awake my soul” — photo by David Kitz

There is something quite magical about watching the sunrise and spread its golden rays across the eastern sky. I was treated to a magnificent sunrise display last Monday. I was driving east across the prairies and as each mile slipped by the glory along the horizon grew more and more intense. I pity the poor atheist who has no one to praise when he beholds such a display.

For believers, praise for our God springs naturally from our lips when we see God paint the sky with golden hues of splendor. In such moments David’s call to worship becomes our own: Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, LORD, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.

Can you picture David taking up his harp and breaking into song as he locks his eyes on the rising sun? David was a most remarkable character. What sets David apart from other individuals we meet in the pages of scripture? He was a man of spectacular failings. His adulterous affair with Bathsheba and the treacherous means he used to dispatch her husband stand out. But there’s nothing remarkable about spectacular failings and shortcomings. These are common to man.

What stands out about David’s character is his steadfastness to the LORD. The opening lines of Psalm 109 hold the key to understanding David’s overcoming nature. My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul.

Despite his failings, David remained steadfast in his love for God. Secondly, he was wholehearted in his praise for God. When things came off the rails, he did not turn away from the LORD or stop praising Him. He repented and God forgave him. Then David gave thanks. David’s example is there for us to follow.

Response: LORD God, I always want to have a thankful heart that is quick to praise you. Help me to be steadfast in love and praise even when the way ahead is difficult. You are my help and my glory. Amen.

Your Turn: What does being steadfast look like for you?

Is your relationship with God steadfast or cyclical?

14 Monday May 2018

Posted by davidkitz in Bible, Devotionals, God's word, Psalm 107, Psalms

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blessing, cyclical, desert, God's blessing, God's love, mercy, redemption, repent, steadfast, streams, thankful, the LORD

Reading: Psalm 107
(Verses 33-43)
He turned rivers into a desert,
flowing springs into thirsty ground,
and fruitful land into a salt waste,
because of the wickedness of those who lived there.
He turned the desert into pools of water
and the parched ground into flowing springs;
there he brought the hungry to live,
and they founded a city where they could settle.
They sowed fields and planted vineyards that yielded a fruitful harvest;
he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased,
and he did not let their herds diminish.
Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled
by oppression, calamity and sorrow;
he who pours contempt on nobles
made them wander in a trackless waste.
But he lifted the needy out of their affliction
and increased their families like flocks.
The upright see and rejoice, but all the wicked shut their mouths.
Let the one who is wise heed these things
and ponder the loving deeds of the LORD (NIV).

Reflection
I wish I could say that I was always steadfast in my love for the LORD and steadfast in the pursuit of His will and purpose for my life. But in reality my walk with God has been cyclical. There have been times when I have sensed God’s great love and intimacy, and other times when I have followed the Lord from a distance.

The forest floor and the green of spring — photo by David Kitz

In this concluding portion of Psalm 107, we see the cyclical nature of our love for God on full display. As people cry out to the LORD in their distress, He hears and answers their prayers. The LORD blesses them abundantly. He turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs; there he brought the hungry to live, and they founded a city where they could settle.

But with increased prosperity, people often forget God who brought the blessing. They assume that wealth and good times have arrived simply because of their own effort. Yes, God expects us to exert some effort. But we can put in effort and get no increase. Ultimately, God is the source of every blessing. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17).

When we forget to be thankful, we set ourselves on a downward spiral where again we will soon need to repent and call out to God for mercy. We need national and personal steadfastness to the LORD.

Response: Father God, thank you for my personal story of redemption. Help me to always remain thankful. I don’t want to be trapped in a cycle. Help me to be steadfast in pursuing your will. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you steadfast or cyclical in your pursuit of God?