Tag Archives: Jesus

Are you thirsty for the LORD?

27 Tuesday Jan 2015

Posted by in Psalm 42, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,

Reading:                                 Psalm 42

For the director of music. A maskil of the Sons of Korah.

(Verses 1-5)

As the deer pants for streams of water,     

so my soul pants for you, my God.

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.     

When can I go and meet with God?

My tears have been my food day and night,

while people say to me all day long,     

“Where is your God?”

These things I remember as I pour out my soul:

how I used to go to the house of God     

under the protection of the Mighty One

with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng.

Why, my soul, are you downcast?     

Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him,     

my Savior and my God. (NIV)

 Reflection

Thirst is one of our most basic cravings. Our need for water far exceeds our need for food. The human body can go 60 days or more without food, but only about ten days without water. Your body needs water because it is water. About two thirds, (2/3) of your body weight is water.

Lake Placid, NY --- David Kitz

Lake Placid, NY — David Kitz

But you are more than skin filled with bones and water. Paul, the apostle, closes his first letter to the Thessalonians with this prayer, “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (Thessalonians 5:23).

As Paul states, we are spirit, soul and body. By nature—by God’s design—you are two thirds, (2/3) spiritual. You are more than a collection of molecules. You are a living soul with a spirit that was designed and intended to commune with God. Therefore, just as our physical body thirsts for water, so our spiritual man thirsts for God.

This should be our constant prayer, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?”

Are you thirsting for God? The truth is we all thirst for God. Some of us know how to mask our thirst or we substitute other things for the true living water. But the thirst remains. We need to heed Jesus’ invitation. On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink” (John 7:37).

Response: LORD God, I thank you for Jesus. I am thankful that you are the true water of life and when we drink of your Spirit, springs of water flow from us. Hallelujah! Amen.

Your Turn: Have you tasted the life-changing, life-invigorating water of Christ?

From Betrayal to Triumph

20 Tuesday Jan 2015

Posted by in Psalm 41, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

Reading:                                      Psalm 41

 (Verses 7-13)

All my enemies whisper together against me;     

they imagine the worst for me, saying,

“A vile disease has afflicted him;     

he will never get up from the place where he lies.”

Even my close friend, someone I trusted,

one who shared my bread, has turned against me.

But may you have mercy on me, LORD;     

raise me up, that I may repay them.

I know that you are pleased with me,     

for my enemy does not triumph over me.  

Because of my integrity you uphold me     

and set me in your presence forever.

Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel,     

from everlasting to everlasting.

Amen and Amen. (NIV)

Reflection

This concluding portion of Psalm 41 comes with a prophetic twist. You need not take my word for it. As he sat with his disciples at the Last Supper, Jesus himself said he was fulfilling the words of this psalm.

“I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned against me.’ I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am. Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”

After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me” (John 13:18-21).

Bethesda, Central Park, NYC -- David Kitz

Bethesda, Central Park, NYC — David Kitz

The psalmist, David experienced the heartbreak of betrayal. It was betrayal of the worst kind. Not only did David’s friends turn on him, but his own son, Absalom, sought to snatch the throne in a bloody coup—an act of open rebellion. See 2 Samuel 15-18.

David was betrayed by his son, Absalom; Jesus was betrayed by his friend and disciple, Judas Iscariot. But Jesus stayed loyal to his heavenly Father. He willingly went to the cross when he could have resisted arrest. He rebuked Peter for using his sword. “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:52-53).

Jesus experienced the resurrection truth of David’s words. Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever. Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.

Response: LORD, I thank you for Jesus. Through Jesus I can overcome all things, even betrayal.  Amen.

Your Turn: Have you experienced betrayal? Has the LORD upheld your cause?

Are your ears open?

29 Monday Dec 2014

Posted by in Psalm 40, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,

Reading:                                      Psalm 40

 (Verses 6-10)

Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—     

but my ears you have opened—     

burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.

Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—     

it is written about me in the scroll.

I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”

 I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;     

I do not seal my lips, Lord, as you know.

I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;     

I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.

I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness     

from the great assembly. (NIV)

 Reflection

The first half of today’s psalm reading is quoted directly in Hebrews 10:5-7. The writer of the Book of Hebrews saw Jesus as the prophetic fulfillment of this passage. Jesus became the necessary sacrifice for the sins of the world. When God came to earth in bodily form as the babe of Bethlehem, He came clothed in humanity. Jesus came with his ears wide open to the voice of his heavenly Father. He came to do His Father’s will. For Jesus the Father’s will meant going to the whipping post and climbing the hill of Golgotha to die in agony on the cross. That was the sacrifice the Father desired.

Gatineau Park -- David Kitz

Gatineau Park — David Kitz

Has God opened your ears to His voice? Have you loved God until it hurt? It hurt Jesus to do His Father’s will. If we are Jesus’ disciples, should we expect better treatment than our Master? Often what we hear preached is a sugar-coated gospel that asks little of us. Jesus asked his disciples for their lives. He said, “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 10:37-39).

Have you lost your life for the sake of Jesus? Now, that’s a high calling with a steep price attached.

Are your ears open to God’s calling? There are times when I don’t want to hear God’s voice. That’s why I don’t seek Him in prayer. He may tell me something I don’t want to hear. All too often, I am His reluctant servant. I would rather do my will than His will. He must change my desires. My desires must become His desires. Only then can I serve with joy. Jesus’ desire was always to do his Father’s will. From an early age he was about his Father’s business, fulfilling His Father’s plan for His life.

Whose plan are you following?

Response: LORD God, help me to truly hear and obey your voice. I want to be your disciple, Lord Jesus. Thank you for your great sacrifice by which you purchased my redemption. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you heard God’s voice and walked away? He doesn’t give up easily. He renews His call.

The LORD Who Lifts

22 Monday Dec 2014

Posted by in Psalm 40, Psalms

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , ,

Reading:                                   Psalm 40

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

(Verses 1-5)

I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;

he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.

Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,

who does not look to the proud,     

to those who turn aside to false gods.

Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done,     

the things you planned for us.

None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds,     

they would be too many to declare. (NIV)

Reflection

Psalm 40 begins as a testimony of David. We do not know at which point in his life David penned this psalm, but it is clear that David was speaking from personal experience. Many times this shepherd of Israel waited patiently for the LORD; on numerous occasions he cried out to the LORD. The remarkable truth is that despite all his troubles, David can testify the LORD “turned to me and heard my cry.”

Winter Tree Montebello, QC -- David Kitz

Winter Tree Montebello, QC — David Kitz

Is that your testimony too? Have you been rescued by the LORD? Has He heard your cry and lifted you out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire? I am continually amazed at how the LORD stoops down to the level of humanity. The high and lofty LORD of Hosts, seated in the heavens stoops down to rescue the likes of me.

And it’s not as though I deserve to be rescued. In most instances, the mud and the mire in which I am stuck is mud and mire that I have produced. All too often I fall into the slimy pit that I have dug. Why should God rescue me? By my own devices I have gotten myself into this mess. But when I call to Him, the LORD hears my voice and stoops to rescue me. God did it for David three thousand years ago and He is still doing it today. Two thousand years ago, God came to the city of David. He stepped into the mud and the mire of a Bethlehem stable. He came on a rescue mission that extends to you and me. Jesus was born to lift us from the dung into the heights of heaven.

With David I can testify, “Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.”

Response: LORD God, I thank you for Jesus. I am thankful that I can put my complete trust in you. I am rescued by your amazing grace not by my effort. When I fall, you lift me up. Hallelujah! Amen.

Your Turn: Has the God who stoops down rescued you?

What is your intention?

23 Thursday Oct 2014

Posted by in Psalm 37, Psalms

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

Reading:                                     Psalm 37

(Verses 30-34)

The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,     

and their tongues speak what is just.

The law of their God is in their hearts;     

their feet do not slip.

The wicked lie in wait for the righteous,     

intent on putting them to death;

 but the LORD will not leave them in the power of the wicked     

or let them be condemned when brought to trial.

Hope in the LORD and keep his way.

He will exalt you to inherit the land;     

when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it. (NIV)

 Reflection

Just yesterday, here in Canada’s capital we saw aspects of this psalm play out in real time. David, the psalmist states, “The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, intent on putting them to death.” A terrorist, with planned intent gunned down Corporal Nathan Cirillo, while he stood guard before the National War Memorial. This cowardly act highlights the contempt of those who celebrate evil, for those who stand for righteousness, truth and justice. The contrast between those who love peace and those who revel in violence is stark indeed.

The National War Memorial: Credit Ottawa Tourism

The National War Memorial: Credit Ottawa Tourism

The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just. The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip.

 When evil raises its brutal head, we need not be intimidated. We need to take heart. When we stand on the side of truth, justice and love, we do not stand alone. God is with us. He is on our side. He has our back. As the psalmist declares, we need to, “Hope in the LORD and keep his way.”

 The way of the LORD is the way of love. Jesus said to his disciples, “No one has greater love than this—that one lays down his life for his friends” (John 15:13 NET). Jesus then went on to demonstrate that supreme love by laying down his life on the cross for our redemption.

The question we need to continually ask ourselves is what is my motivation? Am I motivated by love or am I driven by hate? Am I drawing close to the God of love and hope? Is my life a demonstration of God’s redeeming love, or am I only concerned about my selfish interests?

Yesterday, Nathan Cirillo lay down his life in the service of his country. Which god will you serve? Will you serve the god of self or the God whose hands were pierced for you? The choice is yours.

Response: LORD God, we live in a very troubled world. When evil rises, we put our trust in you. Help me to walk in the way of love. Surround me with your peace. I pray in Jesus name. Amen.

Your Turn: How can you honour the life of Nathan Cirillo?

Givers and Takers

09 Thursday Oct 2014

Posted by in Psalm 37

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,

Reading:                                     Psalm 37

(Verses 18-22)

The blameless spend their days under the LORD’s care,     

and their inheritance will endure forever.

In times of disaster they will not wither;     

in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

But the wicked will perish:     

Though the LORD’s enemies are like the flowers of the field,     

they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.

The wicked borrow and do not repay,     

but the righteous give generously;

those the LORD blesses will inherit the land,     

but those he curses will be destroyed. (NIV)

Reflection

I have heard it said that there are two kinds of people in the world—givers and takers. Notice I didn’t say givers and receivers. We all are receivers from the first breath we take, as we receive love and nourishment from our mothers. But there is a subtle but important difference between receiving and taking. The receiver takes what is freely offered. The taker takes regardless if it is offered or not.

The rainbow of generosity - David Kitz

Generosity is like a rainbow – David Kitz

Takers feel the world owes them something. Givers owe a debt of love and make regular payments on that debt. The apostle Paul urges us, “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8 NKJV).

Here in Psalm 37 David declares: The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously. There is something counterintuitive about generosity. Generosity breeds prosperity, whereas hoarding leads to poverty. One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty (Proverbs 11:24-25 NIV).

Why is this the case? Job gives us this nugget of wisdom, “Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty (Job 6:14). The Almighty oversees our lives. He sees when we withhold kindness from a friend and He sees when we give generously. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV).

A generous spirit reflects the Spirit of God, who freely gives us all things, including His Son. His Son generously gave his life for our redemption, and for the forgiveness of our sins. Forgiveness is freely offered. It’s free for the taking from a lavishly generous God. Have you received what He offers?

Our amazing God turns takers into givers. Saul of Tarsus was a taker, but when he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, he became a giver—a forgiven giver. Saul became Paul. Hate turned to love. Taking from the world turned to giving.

Response: LORD God, turn me around. Help me to be generous with those in need. You gave so much to me. Now help me be a giver—a reflection of you in the world. I pray in Jesus name. Amen.

Your Turn: Can we give without receiving? Which comes first?

Waiting for the LORD

24 Wednesday Sep 2014

Posted by in Psalms

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , ,

Reading:                                      Psalm 37

(Verses 7-11)

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;

do not fret when people succeed in their ways,     

when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;     

do not fret—it leads only to evil.

For those who are evil will be destroyed,     

but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

A little while, and the wicked will be no more;     

though you look for them, they will not be found.

But the meek will inherit the land     

and enjoy peace and prosperity. (NIV)

 Reflection

When I consider this passage from Psalm 37, two thoughts stand out: Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him and do not fret—it leads only to evil.

 My natural tendency is not to wait or be still. I tend to fret and worry and then charge ahead simultaneously in different directions. Trust me; it’s hard to go in different directions at the same time. The end result is usually a bad case of self-inflicted paralysis, which often results in—you guessed it—a renewed bout of fret and worry. When will we learn?

Peace Like a River

Peace Like a River

The practice of being still before the LORD requires practice. It is a learned response, not a natural reaction. When we wait for the LORD we show that we trust Him. We know that He has not forgotten us or the problems we face. In every situation He has our best interests in mind, even if we don’t understand the reasons, causes or solutions to our difficulties.

By being still and waiting before the LORD we demonstrate that we don’t have the answer within in ourselves. The answer—the solution—lies in Him. If we wait patiently, He will show us the way. And having waited patiently for Him, we can move forward with confidence when He gives us the green light.

It is quite likely that Jesus had the words of this psalm in mind when he gave these instructions in his Sermon on the Mount:  “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Matthew 6:25-27.

We are to live in quiet confidence. In this psalm we read this promise, “But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.” We can put our trust in the God who stands behind that promise.

Response: LORD God, help me to trust you today. Give me a peaceful heart that I may wait patiently for you. I pray in Jesus name. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you tend to fret? Does quiet prayer still your worries?

Do you know God?

07 Thursday Aug 2014

Posted by in Psalm 36, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,

Reading:                                     Psalm 36

(Verses 10-12)

Continue your love to those who know you,     

your righteousness to the upright in heart.

May the foot of the proud not come against me,     

nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.

See how the evildoers lie fallen—     

thrown down, not able to rise! (NIV)

Reflection

Do you know God? Are you well acquainted with Him and His ways? Are you in regular conversation with Him? I ask these questions because in this concluding portion of Psalm 36 David prays, “Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.”

Knowing God is or should be the great quest of our lives. This is our raison d’etre—our reason for being. We were created to know and love God. The Garden of Eden was first and foremost a place of communion with God. Yet so often we see ourselves running from God, or ignoring His invitation to draw close.

Eden Walk -- David Kitz

Eden Walk — David Kitz

Jesus gives us this warning, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matthew 7:21-23).

From Jesus statement here, there appear to be two requirements for entering the Kingdom of Heaven: doing the will of the Father and knowing Jesus. I would argue that truly knowing Jesus helps us to discover and do the will of the Father. If you know someone really well you know what they want—what will please them—without even asking. We need to aim for that kind of intimacy with God.

We come to know the mind of God because we have drawn close to the heart of God through time spent with Him. Prayer and meditation on His word acquaints us with His will and His ways.

God is not impressed by our prophetic or miraculous powers. He is not impressed by our power over demons. These after all are gifts from Him. God is impressed by our obedience as we seek His face and His will.

Our God is faithful. He will continue His love to those who know Him. His righteousness will constantly flow to the upright in heart.

Response: LORD God, give me a humble heart that seeks after you. Show me your ways, O Lord. Give me a hunger for your word. I want to know you more and more. Help me to do the Father’s will today. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Your Turn: How do you get to know God better? What practices grow your faith and knowledge of God?

Do you stand accused?

15 Tuesday Jul 2014

Posted by in Psalm 35, Psalms

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , , , , ,

Reading:                                     Psalm 35

 (Verses 11-16)

Ruthless witnesses come forward;     

they question me on things I know nothing about.

They repay me evil for good and leave me like one bereaved.

Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth     

and humbled myself with fasting.

When my prayers returned to me unanswered,

I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother.

I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother.

But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee;     

assailants gathered against me without my knowledge.     

They slandered me without ceasing.

Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked;     

they gnashed their teeth at me. (NIV)

 Reflection

There is a prophetic, messianic element to today’s Psalm 35 reading. This psalm is attributed to David, and historically on several occasions, close friends viciously turned on David. During Absalom’s rebellion David was betrayed not only by his son, but also by his confidants, who repaid his kindness with evil. He was openly mocked and tormented by Shimei, son of Gera, as he fled Jerusalem. See 2 Samuel 16:5-14. Though this is part of David’s experience, this psalm portion also has its prophetic fulfilment in the slanderous betrayal of Christ.

Jesus before Pilate

Jesus before Pilate

Matthew records that, “The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward” (Matthew 26:59-60).

After being betrayed by Judas, his own disciple, Jesus was mocked, stripped and beaten by Roman soldiers (Matthew 27:27-31). While nailed to a cross the crowd hurled abuse at him. In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him (Matthew 27:41-44).

The shrieking crowds of hell heaped abuse onto our Savior. Those same demonic crowds are ready to hurl their accusations at us when we stumble. Satan, our accuser, delights in tormenting us by bringing up the sins of our past. He mocks our efforts at change, insisting that it can’t be done. But he is wrong—dead wrong.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).

The Accuser only has power over us if we listen to his lies. Our victory is in the risen Christ!

Response: Jesus, you are my victory when the enemy accuses me.I put my trust in your redeeming blood. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you put your trust in Jesus? He can change a wayward heart.

What does God taste like?

02 Monday Jun 2014

Posted by in Psalm 34, Psalms

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,

Reading:                                     Psalm 34

 (Verses 8-14)

Taste and see that the LORD is good;     

blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Fear the LORD, you his holy people,     

for those who fear him lack nothing.

The lions may grow weak and hungry,     

but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Come, my children, listen to me;     

I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Whoever of you loves life     

and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil     

and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good;     

seek peace and pursue it. (NIV)

 Reflection

What a strange command! David begins this portion of Psalm 34 by urging us to “Taste and see that the LORD is good.”

One can logically argue that of the five senses taste is the most intimate. I can see, hear, and even smell someone at a distance. Touch of course requires direct contact, but to taste someone or something, I must take it or them into my mouth. That’s intimate.

How then do I, “Taste and see that the LORD is good?” If I can’t see, hear, smell or touch the LORD, how can I possibly taste Him? David goes on to state, “Blessed is the one who takes refuge in him [the LORD]. Notice David did not say we are blessed if we take refuge with the LORD. We are to take refuge in Him. That requires a higher level of intimacy—a marital kind of intimacy.

communion

Do I taste and see that the LORD is good? Do I take refuge in Him? Do I actively seek God? John Ortberg in his book Know Doubt tells us that C.S. Lewis said that speaking of man’s search for God always sounded to him like speaking of the mouse’s search for the cat. The mouse hides from the cat because he fears the cat may require his life. We avoid God for the same reason. If you find God, He may ask for your life. Are you willing to give it up to Him?

But Jesus was willing to give his life for you. He willingly suffered, bled and died on a cross so that you might have eternal life. The big cat—the Lion of the Tribe of Judah—lay down his life for the mouse, even a mangy mouse like me. That’s real love. Now Jesus invites us to come and dine. Jesus said, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them” (John 6:54-56).

Response: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus. Thank you, Jesus for laying down your life for me. Now I can truly taste and see that the LORD is good. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you seek God or avoid Him? Why?