Tag Archives: Israel

They did not believe in God

17 Friday Jun 2016

Posted by in Psalm 78, Psalms

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Reading:                                            Psalm 78

Verses 17-22

But they continued to sin against him,
rebelling in the wilderness against the Most High.
They willfully put God to the test
by demanding the food they craved.
They spoke against God;
they said, “Can God really
spread a table in the wilderness?
True, he struck the rock,
and water gushed out,
streams flowed abundantly,
but can he also give us bread?
Can he supply meat for his people?”

 When the Lord heard them, he was furious;
his fire broke out against Jacob,
and his wrath rose against Israel,
for they did not believe in God
or trust in his deliverance (NIV).

Reflection

Psalm 78 is largely an indictment against the people of Israel for their lack of faith and their rebellious ways. As the psalmist says, “They willfully put God to the test.” 

As a child I recall reading the entire book of Exodus and thinking to myself, “Wow, these people sure are dumb. How could they see God’s amazing miracles and then a few days later grumble, complain and doubt that the LORD would help them? These people are real losers!”

Lake 2 2014-11-11

The Lake, Central Park, New York, NY — photo by David Kitz

Then I grew up and had a family of my own. At times I saw amazing miracles and God’s supernatural provision. But guess what? When the next big difficulty arose, I found myself doubting that God would come through. I complained about the difficulty I was in and acted just like the people of Israel in the wilderness.

Oops! I thought I was different. I thought I was smarter than those spiritual dullards in the Old Testament. In reality my grownup faith was much weaker than my childhood faith. When real testing and temptation came, I was and still am, as susceptible to unbelief as any of the wandering Israelites in the wilderness. Faith is a gift from God—a wonder-filled gift that carries us through the hard times.

The indictment against Israel is that they did not believe in God or trust in his deliverance. Do I truly believe in God and trust in his deliverance? Is my faith more than a creedal statement? Does it have legs and wings to carry me through the toughest situation? Often I am more like the rebellious children of Israel than I would like to admit. How about you? 

Response: LORD God, I humbly ask you for the gift of faith—faith to sustain me through the tough times ahead. You are my help, my salvation and my deliverer. I praise you for your faithfulness. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you have grownup faith or childlike faith? Which is better?

Your Path Led through the Sea

27 Friday May 2016

Posted by in Psalm 77, Psalms

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Reading:                                           Psalm 77

Verses 16-20

The waters saw you, God,
the waters saw you and writhed;
the very depths were convulsed.
The clouds poured down water,
the heavens resounded with thunder;
your arrows flashed back and forth.
Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.
Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.

You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron (NIV).

Reflection

Psalm 77 began with the psalmist in a state of anguish approaching despair. He was filled with questions for the LORD—questions but no answers. This was followed by the psalmist’s decision to recall the miracle-working power of the LORD. He reflects on Israel’s release from bondage in Egypt and in today’s reading he describes their escape through the Red Sea. Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.

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The Cabot Trail, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia — photo by David Kitz

Sometimes life will bring us to difficult or even impossible situations. We can see no way forward and it’s impossible to turn back. That’s the situation the people of Israel found themselves in as they set out to escape from Egypt. The sea blocked the way before them and the Egyptian army was pursuing them from behind. They had nowhere to turn but to the LORD.

What did the LORD do? He didn’t take Israel around the problem or over it. He took them through it. We read these words: Your path led through the sea…

During the dark days of World War II, Winston Churchill gave his nation this advice, “If you are going through hell, keep going.”

Don’t stop. Don’t give up and hang your head in despair. You don’t know the moment when the LORD will intervene on your behalf. You don’t know when the sea will part. You don’t know when you will be called to follow the LORD’s invisible footprints onto the floor of the sea. That requires faith—steps of faith. And don’t dillydally along the way. If you are going through hell, keep going. If you are going through the Red Sea, keep going. You don’t want to be caught in the middle. That’s what happened to Egypt’s army. Have faith the LORD will bring you through and by all means keep going.

Response: LORD God, I am facing some difficult challenges. Give me the faith and the courage to keep going. I trust that you will bring me through—through hell and high water by the power of Jesus. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you facing difficult times? Has the LORD brought you through in the past?

Power with Purpose

03 Thursday Mar 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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I will praise you, LORD God, for your mighty deeds and your power to save (Psalm 71:16, CEV).

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Power to Save – photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is power.

What is power without a purpose? I’m reminded of a young buck revving his engine, so he can pop the clutch, spin his tires and squeal off in a blaze of glory, dust, and bravado. There’s really not much purpose in it, unless I suppose it’s to impress.

At times God will display His power, but unlike the young buck showing off his hot car, the LORD has a meaningful purpose in His display of power. His purpose is our salvation.

I will praise you, LORD God, for your mighty deeds and your power to save (Psalm 71:16, CEV).

In the Old Testament, in a grand display of miraculous power, the LORD rescued his people from slavery in Egypt. Israel was saved by God’s power.

In the New Testament in a grand display of miraculous power, the LORD raised Jesus from the dead, and in doing this He defeated death, our age-old enemy. Jesus rescued us from slavery to sin. Praise God! His power has purpose.

Response: LORD God, I praise you for the grand rescue mission you sent your Son to accomplish. Thank you for resurrection morning and your power to save me. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you appreciate God’s power to save?

The Repentant Heart

03 Wednesday Jun 2015

Posted by in Psalms

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Reading:                                          Psalm 51

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

(Verses 1-9)

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.
Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity (NIV).

Reflection

Psalm 51 is the great repentance psalm. Nothing matches the deep contrition expressed here by David. There can be little doubt that David was truly remorseful for what he had done. He says it with words, but according to the Scriptures, his actions which followed also revealed a repentant heart. There is no blame shifting here; David takes full responsibility for his actions. Hear his humble plea: For I know my transgressions and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.

Kanazawa Red Maple -- David Kitz

Kanazawa Red Maple — David Kitz

When Saul and Jonathan were slain in battle by the Philistines, David composed this lament. “Your glory, O Israel, lies slain upon your high places! How the mighty have fallen!” (2 Samuel 1:19 NRSV). David might well have sung this lament for himself. Here he was the vaunted King of Israel, the LORD’s anointed, and he had a fellow soldier murdered to cover up the adulterous affair he was having with this loyal soldier’s wife. This was the conduct of David—the man of God! Yes. “How the mighty have fallen!”

The amazing part of this story is not David’s sin or the depths of his depravity. The amazing part is that he repented—earnestly repented. In our day leader after leader has been caught red-handed in unscrupulous practices. But do they repent? Do they come clean and change their ways? Not likely. Those with absolute power continue to govern ruthlessly. Nathan, the prophet, was fortunate that King David heard the voice of God speaking through a human vessel. David was quick to humble himself and repent. How do you respond when confronted with your sin?

Response: LORD God, grant me a soft heart—a sensitive heart—a repentant heart in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Your Turn: How can we maintain a repentant heart before God?

Are you a peacemaker?

23 Wednesday Jul 2014

Posted by in Psalm 35, Psalms

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Reading:                                     Psalm 35

 (Verses 22-25)

LORD, you have seen this; do not be silent.     

Do not be far from me, Lord.

Awake, and rise to my defense!     

Contend for me, my God and Lord.

Vindicate me in your righteousness, LORD my God;     

do not let them gloat over me.  

Do not let them think, “Aha, just what we wanted!”     

or say, “We have swallowed him up.” (NIV)

 Reflection

There’s an old saying, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” That certainly is true of the conflict in the Holy Land. About 3,000 years ago, in David’s time the Kingdom of Israel was in a struggle for survival. Chief among its enemies were the Philistines along the Gaza coast. Today as I write this post, Israel’s chief enemy Hamas is firing rockets into Israel from the Gaza coast.

David’s words from Psalm 35 have a present day resonance. LORD, you have seen this; do not be silent. Do not be far from me, Lord. Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord. Many in present day Israel are praying this prayer with the fervour of those who are being attacked.

But the residents of Gaza could pray this prayer with equal fervour. Their homes and businesses are also under bombardment. Where is God in all this suffering? Whose side is He on? Many in the Christian community affirm with great confidence that God is on the side of Israel. Does that make God complicit in the deaths of innocent children in Gaza?

Jesus gave this counsel to his disciples, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also” (Matthew 5:38-39). Present day Israel (and America for that matter) has a well-established policy of hard-hitting retaliation when attacked. What are the long term consequences of this policy? Is the conflict resolved or is it inflamed?

Jesus’ admonition to turn the other cheek goes unheeded. Most feel that turning the other cheek implies weakness. In reality it requires far more strength, but in the end it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness—not a righteousness that insists on its own way—but a righteousness that sees both sides of an issue and works hard for peace and reconciliation.

Jesus asks us to do the far harder thing. Retaliation is easy. It’s the natural response. Forgiving when we are wronged, that requires far more effort. Whose side is God on? He is on the side of peace. That’s something worth fighting for.

Response: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God (Matthew 5:9). Lord God, help me to be a peacemaker in my world today. Amen.

Your Turn: Forgiveness and turning the other cheek works on a personal level. Can it work on an international level as well?

Is God on your side?

02 Wednesday Jul 2014

Posted by in Psalm 35, Psalms

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Reading:                                     Psalm 35

Of David.

(Verses 1-6)

Contend, LORD, with those who contend with me;     

fight against those who fight against me.

Take up shield and armor; arise and come to my aid.

Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me.

Say to me, “I am your salvation.”

May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame;

may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay.

May they be like chaff before the wind,     

with the angel of the LORD driving them away;

may their path be dark and slippery,     

with the angel of the LORD pursuing them. (NIV)

Reflection

David was a man acquainted with warfare. Throughout his life, Israel was in a prolonged struggle with its neighbours, even as it is today. From time to time this struggle would flare into open combat. Quite naturally in those times David would turn to the LORD in prayer. Psalm 35 is David’s call for help against his enemies—enemies that may be external or internal.

David Warrior

www.joymag.co.za

Who doesn’t want God on their side? The answer is obvious; we all want God’s help when we find ourselves in trouble. Therefore, David cries out: Contend, LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.

But there are some questions we should ask ourselves before we enlist the LORD’s help. Am I being truthful? Is my cause just? Am I in the right? Do I know all the facts in this matter? Am I seeing this issue solely from a narrow personal perspective? Finally, we should ask ourselves if our heart is right. One can be totally right about a matter, but have a heart that is full of hate, bitterness and anger.

God always stands on the side of truth and justice. He knows the full extent of a matter. He sees all sides. We can’t fool Him or hide from His searching eyes. The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion (Psalm 11:5). Therefore, we need to come before Him humbly with hearts opened wide.

David asks this of the LORD: Say to me, “I am your salvation.”

The LORD will be our salvation—He is on our side—if our hearts are open and humble before Him. David’s confession in Psalm 51 confirms this truth. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise (Psalm 51:17). In other words, God is on our side when we move to His side in honest, humble contrition.

Response: LORD God, give me a humble heart that sees beyond my narrow interests. Help me to stand for righteousness, justice and truth. I want to align myself with you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Your Turn: Has the LORD fought on your side? Did you need to get your heart right first?

The Warrior King

06 Friday Dec 2013

Posted by in Psalm 9, Psalms

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Reading:                                         Psalm 9

Verses 1-10

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Death of the Son.” A psalm of David.

I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.

My enemies turn back; they stumble and perish before you.
For you have upheld my right and my cause,
sitting enthroned as the righteous judge.
You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked;
you have blotted out their name forever and ever.
Endless ruin has overtaken my enemies, you have uprooted their cities;
even the memory of them has perished.

The LORD reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment.
He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity.
The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. (NIV)

Reflection

Without question David was a man of war. After all, this was the man who as a strapping young teenager slew Goliath, the gigantic champion of the Philistines. Later he led King Saul’s army as they went out to do battle with the enemies of Israel. Eventually when David became King, he secured Israel’s borders and greatly expanded its territory through conquest. David knew a few things about bloodshed and war, and he had more than a few enemies.

It should not surprise us then that the language of warfare and talk of enemies and destruction should appear in the psalms that he wrote. David wrote, sang and spoke of the things he knew and experienced. He was personally involved life and death struggles. Consequently, he was a man of violence, who lived and survived through violent times.

But he loved God. Sometimes it’s hard to reconcile the slay-my-enemies David with the LORD-is-my-shepherd David. It’s as though two contradictory Davids are living in one body. But then I look at myself—deep within myself. Am I any different? There are more than a few contradictory elements at work within me. The real warfare is within the human spirit. Will I yield to the Spirit of God, or to the foul spirit of this world, or my own selfish pride?

Like David I simply need God. I need to praise and exalt Him over all else. When I do that I gain perspective—the right perspective. With David I can say, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.”

Response: I praise you, LORD. I seek you, LORD. Be the master within me. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you yielded to the LORD? Is He winning the warfare within?

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