Do you want justice in this life?

20 Thursday Feb 2014

Tags

David, fairness, justice, Pol Pot, Prayer, Psalm, Psalm 28

Reading: Psalm 28

Of David. (Verses 1-5)

To you, LORD, I call;
you are my Rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me.
For if you remain silent,

I will be like those who go down to the pit.
Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help,
as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.

Do not drag me away with the wicked,
with those who do evil,
who speak cordially with their neighbors
but harbor malice in their hearts.
Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work;
repay them for what their hands have done
and bring back on them what they deserve.

Because they have no regard for the deeds of the LORD
and what his hands have done,
he will tear them down
and never build them up again. (NIV)

Reflection

David begins Psalm 28 with a plea for God to hear him. As the psalm progresses it becomes clear that this is a plea not only for mercy, but also for justice. Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place. Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts.

The cry for fairness is perhaps the most universal of all human desires. What is the most oft repeated phrase is in a kindergarten class? If you guessed, “That’s not fair!” you win the gold star. A desire for equality of opportunity and fairness is simply part of our human constitution; it’s bred into us. Governments are defeated and revolutions happen when leaders fail the test of fairness and equality under the law. But all too often we do not see justice served in this life. The murderous Pol Pot was never brought to justice though three million Cambodians died under his regime. When we become aware of such heinous crimes, David’s call for justice rings true and clear. Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done and bring back on them what they deserve.

The oppressed and the oppressor will meet the God of justice in the afterlife. But the redeemed have this assurance,‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Response: Lord God, have mercy on me. Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil. I put my trust in the redeeming sacrifice of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

Your Turn: When you see injustice around you, do you take it to God in prayer?

Jesus Wants the Rose

19 Wednesday Feb 2014

Posted by davidkitz in Psalms

≈ 2 Comments

I believe this four minute video is well worth watching and thinking about.

Chris Martin Writes

There isn’t much I can really add to this post. The message from Matt Chandler is very powerful. Jesus wants us in our current condition. He doesn’t expect us to clean up our act, and then offer ourselves to His service. Dirty, filthy rags don’t scare Him one bit.

We should also look at others the same way. Accept people for exactly who they are. Don’t put conditions on our love. Don’t judge others thinking we are any better. The Bible says Jesus died for us while we were all sinners.

Jesus wants the rose.

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Does God hear you when you pray?

18 Tuesday Feb 2014

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 27, Psalms

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

David, hearing God, Prayer, Psalms

Reading: Psalm 27

(Verses 7-14)

Hear my voice when I call, O LORD;

Be merciful to me and answer me.

Do not turn your servant away in anger;

You have been my helper.

Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Saviour.

Though my mother and father forsake me,

The LORD will receive me.

Teach me your way, O LORD;

Lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.

Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,

For false witnesses rise up against me breathing out violence.

I am still confident of this:

I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD;

Be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. (NIV)

Reflection

Is God listening? Do I have His full attention? Is He even there? Even people of great faith ask questions such as these. Listen to David’s plea, “Hear my voice when I call, O LORD.”

David’s psalms are replete with calls for God to listen and then quickly respond to his cries for help. These pleas for a listening ear happen with such frequency throughout the Book of Psalms that one can be forgiven for wondering if God is deaf. In our minds we know that this is an absurd proposition. He who formed the ear can surely hear the faintest whispered prayer or unvoiced thought. But despite what our intellect knows, we still plead for His listening ear. Along with David we cry out, “Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me.”

I suspect that the problem in prayer is not that we are speaking to a deaf God, but rather we, the petitioners, are deaf to his answers. The patriarchs and prophets of old heard the voice of God. They conversed with the LORD Almighty. Many of these conversations are recorded verbatim in the Old Testament. A fine example of this is found in Exodus as Moses speaks with the LORD at the burning bush. Have we lost the ability to hear God? Has a great collective deafness settled across humanity?

In a cold world filled with rejection, there is a God. There is a God of mercy that the lonely soul can turn to. There is one who understands. There is one who listens to our anguished prayers. We can join with David and say, “Though my mother and father forsake me, the LORD will receive me.”

Response: Lord God, this is my confession, “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” I will, “Wait for the LORD.” I will, “Be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” Amen.

Your Turn: Are there times when you doubt that God is listening to your prayers? How do you know He is there?

Surprised by a Valentine at Christmas

14 Friday Feb 2014

Posted by davidkitz in Psalms

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Here’s some food for thought on Valentines Day.

I love the Psalms

This is a one-day, St. Valentines Day departure from my usual psalms posting.

About two weeks before Christmas I got a valentine from an admirer—a thirteen-year-old girl. I was delighted. You might even say I was tickled pink about it. Now as you may have guessed, since it was delivered before Christmas this was not planned as a valentine. It was actually a language arts assignment about her favourite poem done for her grade eight teacher. But in her assignment, Esther (not her real name) expressed her love for me. I think her words say it best:

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Surprised by a Valentine at Christmas

14 Friday Feb 2014

Posted by davidkitz in Valentines

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Christmas, homeroom teacher, love, surprise, teacher, valentine

This is a one-day, St. Valentines Day departure from my usual psalms posting.

Last year when I was in grade seven my homeroom teacher was Mr. Kitz. I loved him as a teacher; he was funny, smart and loved to tell us stories like none of my other teachers did. He was one of the only teachers who could actually keep our class quiet and entertained us while teaching. He also is a Christian like me. He said he went to my church a long time ago; I felt so happy to be in his class.

This sixty-one-year-old retired teacher was thrilled to be shown a little love. I was quite amazed that I left such a positive impression on Esther, especially since she was only in my class for six weeks. To be completely truthful I had forgotten her name. But she remembered me.

Isn’t that what we all want? We all want to be remembered; we want to be shown a little love. We want to be surprised by a little love.

Of course love comes most often to those who show love. In the rush of life and our hunger to receive love, we can forget to give it–to show it to others, whether we consider them deserving or not.

Last Friday, I paid a surprise visit to Esther’s class. I told the class a story or two and then I thanked Esther for her kind words. She was unaware that her assignment had been forwarded to me by her homeroom teacher. Needless to say, she was tickled pink. I could see that by her smile and her dancing eyes. I remembered her. I surprised her with a little love.

May the love of God be shed abroad in your heart today.

Your Turn: Who can you surprise with a little love today, tomorrow or six weeks from now?

Are you at home with the LORD?

13 Thursday Feb 2014

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 27, Psalms

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Tags

David, David's heart, home, peace, Psalm 27, Psalms, rest, safety

Reading: Psalm 27

(Verses 4-6)

One thing I ask of the LORD,

This is what I seek:

That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,

To gaze on the beauty of the LORD

And seek him in his temple.

For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling;

He will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle

And set me high upon a rock.

Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me;

At his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;

I will sing and make music to the LORD. (NIV)

Reflection

No matter where we travel, or how pleasant the journey, within us all there is a longing to be home. The same longing for the safety and comfort of home can be found in this psalm of David, but for David, being at home meant being in the presence of God. The LORD God was David’s refuge and comfort. To be near the LORD was to be safe, at rest and fully at peace. Nearness to God was the paramount desire of David’s heart.

Now hear David’s heart cry, “One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek him in his temple.”

David’s statement here delineates a clear priority. For David the house of the LORD was of first importance. But, I do not believe that it was the physical structure or house that attracted and captivated David. It was the LORD of the house who captured David’s heart. He wanted to be with Him. He longed to see Him and be at home in His house.

Like many preschool children, my youngest son Joshua had some difficulty pronouncing the t-h sound, so in his four-year-old vocabulary the word ‘with’ became ‘whiff’ instead. He would make odd sounding statements such as this, “Daddy, I want to come whiff you,” or, “I want to do that whiff you.” Doing something ‘whiff’ someone brings to mind the notion of being so close to them that you can smell each other. That’s close – really close; bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh close – father and son close – intimate in a family kind of way.

Something deep and soul changing transpired as David tended that flock of sheep on those Judean hillsides. In his youth David met God. The LORD was ‘whiff David,’ so close that they could smell each other. David in his youth tasted and saw that the LORD is good. So even now in his adult years he yearns for that intimacy. He yearns for the house of the LORD. He is filled with a longing for home.

Response: Lord Jesus, I want to be ‘whiff’ you. I want to live my life close to you. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you at home with the LORD now? How at home will we feel with Him in eternity, if we aren’t at home with Him now?

Are You Afraid of the Dark?

12 Wednesday Feb 2014

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 27, Psalms

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Tags

confidence, dark, David, faith, fear of the dark, God, Goliath, Light, the unknown

Reading: Psalm 27

Of David. (Verses 1-3)

The LORD is my light and my salvation –

Whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my life –

Of whom shall I be afraid?

When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh,

When my enemies and foes attack me,

They will stumble and fall.

Though an army besiege me,

My heart will not fear;

Though war break out against me

Even then will I be confident. (NIV)

Reflection

Are you afraid of the dark? That may seem like a rather empty-headed question? Most adults have overcome their fear of the dark a long time ago, back in the dark ages of childhood. But have you really overcome your fear of dark places?

I would like to suggest that we have not overcome that most basic of fears. We have only learned to mask our fears and conveniently avoid those dark unknown recesses. Our fear of the dark is at its core a fear of the unknown. Hidden out there in the dark unknown regions is a whole battalion of hidden risks—the lurking boogeymen—who keep us close to home, who keep us on the well-beaten path, the well-marked path, a path of no-risk and least-resistance. How often do you dare to go where others have never gone? Are you still certain that you are not afraid of the dark?

In this psalm, David, the fearless warrior, reveals the secret to his victorious life—a life spent overcoming insurmountable obstacles. With reckless confidence this insignificant, no-rank shepherd boy took on the Goliaths of his time, and he rose to each and every challenge, time after time throughout his storied career.

So then, what was the secret to David’s success? It resides in his overwhelming confidence in the LORD. Surely, common sense would dictate that a wet-behind-the-ears shepherd boy is no match for an experienced warrior, such as the towering Goliath. But David exudes confidence: The LORD is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?

David was not afraid of the dark, or the giant, or the Philistine army arrayed against him. He feared only the LORD. The LORD was his light in a dark place. The LORD was his salvation in every battle and his deliverance in every hostile situation. David feared the LORD. He bowed in reverential awe before Him. He allied himself with the LORD his Maker. That’s an unbeatable combination.

Response: Lord Jesus, help me to truly walk in confident faith. I ally myself with you. You are my light and my salvation Amen.

Your Turn: How often do you take a plunge into the unknown? Is God asking you to take a step of faith?

Do you love the house of God? Why or Why not?

11 Tuesday Feb 2014

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 26, Psalms

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Tags

church, congregation, David, God's house, Psalms, the LORD

Reading: Psalm 26

(Verses 8-12)

LORD, I love the house where you live,
the place where your glory dwells.
Do not take away my soul along with sinners,
my life with those who are bloodthirsty,
in whose hands are wicked schemes,
whose right hands are full of bribes.
I lead a blameless life;
deliver me and be merciful to me.

My feet stand on level ground;
in the great congregation I will praise the LORD. (NIV)

Reflection

Here in Canada people have been abandoning the house of God in droves. In the most recent census survey, by far the largest growth has been among those who identify themselves as having no religion. This move to “no religion” is most pronounced among young people. There are many factors that have led to this decline. Perhaps a hard look in the mirror is needed for us to see what we are doing wrong. Jesus attracted people. Why are his followers today repelling people?

David had a completely different attitude toward the house of God. Hear the cry of his heart, “LORD, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory dwells.”

No one had to drag David to the LORD’s house. He was eager to meet with God there. Really, that’s the secret. If God is in the house—if His glory is present—it will be hard to keep people away. The question we need to be asking ourselves is, “Is God in the house? Is His glory dwelling here among us?” If God is truly, tangibly present among you, look out! The transformational power of God will overwhelm individuals and ignite the congregation. I have seen it happen and there is no experience like it.

I live in expectation of His appearing among us. The living Christ visits His church. Are you anticipating His coming? Have you set the table for Him? Have you put out the welcome mat?

All too often church has become program maintenance. The focus is entirely wrong. Church in its most vibrant form is God dwelling among us—God breathing upon us. That was the Book of Acts Church. That’s the church I love. When we have found that place—when we experience the LORD of that place—we will join David in declaring, “My feet stand on level ground; in the great congregation I will praise the LORD.”

Response: Come, Lord Jesus, dwell among. This is my confession: “LORD, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory dwells.” Lord come and dwell in my local congregation. Manifest your presence there, so that many will see it and be changed. Amen.

Your Turn: Is God showing up at your church? What are you doing to make the place ready for Him?

Are You Ready to be Tested?

10 Monday Feb 2014

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 26, Psalms

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Tags

confidence, David, examine, experience, test, the LORD

Reading: Psalm 26

Of David. (Verses 1-7)

Vindicate me, LORD,
for I have led a blameless life;
I have trusted in the LORD
and have not faltered.
Test me, LORD, and try me,
examine my heart and my mind;
for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love
and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.

I do not sit with the deceitful,
nor do I associate with hypocrites.

I abhor the assembly of evildoers
and refuse to sit with the wicked.
I wash my hands in innocence,
and go about your altar, LORD,
proclaiming aloud your praise
and telling of all your wonderful deeds. (NIV)

Reflection

The opening lines of Psalm 26 certainly catch my attention. David claims to have led a blameless life—a rather audacious statement in my opinion. But he doesn’t stop there. He goes on to invite God to test him. David pleads, “Test me, LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.”

Now that takes some nerve. Do I really want the LORD to examine my heart and my mind? If I underwent a heart and mind exam, what would my test scores be? Most of us would shy away from being tested by God, but David’s response is completely different. He is clearly saying, “Bring it on!”

How could David be so self-assured—so confident—to the point of sounding arrogant? Actually, David’s confidence was not so much in his own performance, but rather his confidence was in God. He states that he is mindful of the LORD’s unfailing love. He is relying on the LORD’s faithfulness. David knew the unfailing love and faithfulness of God, and this wasn’t merely head knowledge—a bit of mental information. No. David knew God experientially. He experienced the LORD’s unfailing love. He experienced the faithfulness of God over and over in his life. As a youth he slew a marauding lion and a bear. He brought down the mighty Goliath. He fled for his life, but ultimately triumphed over the madness of King Saul. David knew his God experientially in the grit of battle and the daily humdrum.

What about you? Do you have a memory bank full of great experiences with God? If the answer is no, why not ask God for a deposit today? If you put your faith in Him, He will not let you down.

Response: LORD, examine my heart and my mind. I want to grow in my knowledge of You. Help me to have a pure heart and mind before You. I want to experience Your presence in my life. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you experienced God’s love and faithfulness recently? Do you let Him examine you?

David the Brave Heart or David the Lonely Heart?

07 Friday Feb 2014

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 25, Psalms

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brave heart, David, lonely heart, Psalms, shame, the LORD

Reading: Psalm 25

(Verses 16-22)

Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
Relieve the troubles of my heart
and free me from my anguish.
Look on my affliction and my distress
and take away all my sins.
See how numerous are my enemies
and how fiercely they hate me!

Guard my life and rescue me;
do not let me be put to shame,
for I take refuge in you.
May integrity and uprightness protect me,
because my hope, LORD, is in you.

Deliver Israel, O God,
from all their troubles! (NIV)

Reflection

David begins Psalm 25 on a note of confidence, but as this psalm draws to a close he truly bears his heart. David plaintively calls out to the LORD, “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.”

The warrior king let’s his guard down and we see into his soul. There is a time for putting on a brave face, and there’s a time for open and transparent honesty. Here within the context of this psalm we see both; David the brave heart and David the lonely heart. Earlier in this psalm David showed absolute confidence in his God, but now he pours out his soul in humble petition. Hear the cry of his heart, “Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish. Look on my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins.”

David recognized his greatest need. David’s greatest need was forgiveness. That’s our need too.

David was surrounded by mortal enemies, but then so are we. The legions of hell are arrayed against the Christian believer. Demonic forces are scheming to destroy your home, your marriage and your life. Along with David we pray, “See how numerous are my enemies and how fiercely they hate me! Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.”

Our hope must always be centered in the LORD. Integrity and uprightness form a wall of protection around the people of God. But our deliverance comes from the LORD. Along with David we affirm, “No one who hopes in you [LORD] will ever be put to shame.”

Response: Lord Jesus, help me to be open and transparent before you. Take away all my sins. My hope is in you. Deliver me from all my troubles. Amen.

Your Turn: How much do you need God?