Tag Archives: Psalms

The Shining Face of God

09 Tuesday Aug 2016

Posted by in Psalm 80, Psalms

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Reading:                                    Psalm 80

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.”

Of Asaph. A psalm.

Verses 1-7

Hear us, Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock.
You who sit enthroned between the cherubim,
shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
Awaken your might; come and save us.

Restore us, O God;
make your face shine on us,
that we may be saved.

How long, LORD God Almighty,
will your anger smolder
against the prayers of your people?
You have fed them with the bread of tears;
you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.
You have made us an object of derision to our neighbors,
and our enemies mock us.

Restore us, God Almighty;
make your face shine on us,
that we may be saved (NIV).

Reflection

Have you been greeted by a happy face today? I’m talking about the ubiquitous, yellow, happy face stickers that pop up everywhere, especially in any form of online communication. 🙂 ! We all recognize that these happy faces are intended to brighten our day—make us feel happy like the smiley face shows. I’m not sure they always succeed in their objective.

Rachel Loewen MacNutt

The Shining Face, MacNutt, SK — photo by Rachael Loewen

Of course a bright, shining human face with a broad genuine smile is much better in communicating happiness than a symbolic sticker on a screen. Real live face time trumps online communication in every way—at least it should. Some things—most things—are communicated best fact to face.

Here in Psalm 80, the psalmist, Asaph, pleads for face time with the LORD. In fact, in the entire psalm, Asaph repeats this request three times. Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved. Clearly, the psalmist is longing to see the smiley face of God—the shining face of God.

In Hebrew literature the shining face of God represents God’s favor—His grace. In reality the psalmist is pleading for God’s favor to rest on him and his people. The truth is we get nowhere without the favor of God. Unless the LORD is gracious to us, we are doomed to fail in this life and perish in eternity. It’s just that simple. We desperately need that happy face sticker from God. This should be our daily prayer: Restore us, God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved

Response: Father God, today I need face time with you. Show me your kindness. Help me to sense you smiling down on me like a loving parent smiles down on their child. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you recently sensed God smiling down on you? How did that make you feel?

How long, LORD?

05 Friday Aug 2016

Posted by in Psalm 79, Psalms

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Reading:                                      Psalm 79

A maskil of Asaph.

Verses 1-7

O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance;
they have defiled your holy temple,
they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.
They have left the dead bodies of your servants
as food for the birds of the sky,
the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild.
They have poured out blood like water
all around Jerusalem,
and there is no one to bury the dead.
We are objects of contempt to our neighbors,
of scorn and derision to those around us.

How long, LORD? Will you be angry forever?
How long will your jealousy burn like fire?
Pour out your wrath on the nations
that do not acknowledge you,
on the kingdoms that do not call on your name;
for they have devoured Jacob
and devastated his homeland (NIV).

Reflection

Have you caught a glimpse of the devastation? It seems that the psalmist, Asaph, had a good look at it. Now take a good look at his words. They have left the dead bodies of your servants as food for the birds of the sky, the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild. They have poured out blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury the dead.

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Lighthouse, Cape Breton, NS — photo by Karen Kitz

This description reads like a segment of the evening newscast. Of course the newscast has plenty of disturbing visuals to go with it. When we look at conflict zones like Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, we realize that bloodshed and violence are all too common in our world. Jihadi violence has spread to European cities too. But we don’t have to go overseas to find images of death and destruction. Just last week in my city an unarmed black man was beaten to death by two police officers. As is so often the case, the images were caught on camera. Violence and bloodshed are present in our cities too.

Has the world gone mad? Are we sinking deeper and deeper into depravity? Have our minds become numb to the carnage? Or are we joining with the psalmist in crying out, “How long, LORD?” How long will you let this insanity continue? LORD, won’t you come and fix this broken messed up world?

Our hearts cry out for justice, mercy and peace—justice for those who have been wronged, mercy for those who have been wounded and broken, and peace for all who are troubled in soul and spirit.  He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus (Revelations 22:20). 

Response: LORD God, please have mercy on the people of this world. We need you here—right here with us in this broken world. Come and fix it. Come and fix us, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you concerned about the state of your city, your country and the world?

Open my mind

26 Tuesday Jul 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Tuesday's Truth

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Open my mind and let me discover the wonders of your Law (Psalm 119:18, CEV).

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Cobourg, ON — photo courtesy of Eric E. Wright

Reflection

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

Yesterday’s post focused on the wonders of God as seen in creation. The sky declares His glory. But today’s focus is on the wonders of God’s word. Here is the psalmist’s prayer:

Open my mind and let me discover the wonders of your Law (Psalm 119:18, CEV).

The Law in this case is not simply referring to the Ten Commandments or the other precepts in the Jewish ceremonial and civil law. The Law in this verse refers to all of the inspired word of God, which for Christians includes all of the Old and New Testament.

There are wonders to be discovered in the pages of your Bible. Have you established a daily routine that includes reading the word of God? To discover the wonders of God’s word, we need to be immersing ourselves in God’s word, and as we do we do that we need to pray for a mind that is open to what God is saying to us. God’s word becomes wonderful as it is applied. Only then will it transform and give meaning to our lives.

Response: LORD God, today I want to open my mind to your word. Speak to me through it. I want to be a doer of your word. Help me make life changing discoveries in the Bible. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you have a habit of reading God’s word? Has the Holy Spirit spoken to you recently through the pages of your Bible?

He Rejected Israel Completely

22 Friday Jul 2016

Posted by in Psalm 78, Psalms

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Reading:                                       Psalm 78

Verses 56-64

But they put God to the test
and rebelled against the Most High;
they did not keep his statutes.
Like their ancestors they were disloyal and faithless,
as unreliable as a faulty bow.
They angered him with their high places;
they aroused his jealousy with their idols.
When God heard them, he was furious;
he rejected Israel completely.
He abandoned the tabernacle of Shiloh,
the tent he had set up among humans.
He sent the ark of his might into captivity,
his splendor into the hands of the enemy.
He gave his people over to the sword;
he was furious with his inheritance.
Fire consumed their young men,
and their young women had no wedding songs;
their priests were put to the sword,
and their widows could not weep (NIV).

Reflection

Sin has consequences. We can pretend it isn’t so, but we’re fooling ourselves. Unchecked sin on a personal level can have devastating consequences—consequences that lead to heartache and an early grave. I think we all know individuals who became trapped in sin and wandered down a self-destructive path.

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Grey Nuns Park, Orleans, ON — photo by David Kitz

Today’s reading from Psalm 78 reminds us that a whole nation can abandon God and become mired in the consequences of sin. The nation of Israel did just that. The psalmist tells us they were disloyal and faithless, as unreliable as a faulty bow.

When Israel abandoned God, He in turn abandoned them. We read, “He rejected Israel completely. He abandoned the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent he had set up among humans. He sent the ark of his might into captivity, his splendor into the hands of the enemy. He gave his people over to the sword; he was furious with his inheritance.”

Has God changed? If the LORD abandoned His people in ancient times, will He treat our nation—any nation that turns away from Him differently today? There are consequences for sin and that truth applies to nations too. When collectively we abandon the ways of God and the precepts He has established from the foundations of the world, we can expect dire days ahead. That’s what happened to ancient Israel, and it can happen to us today as well.

Response: LORD God, collectively as a nation, we have wandered away from you. LORD in your mercy lead us back to the center of your holy will. Give us repentant hearts that seek your face. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you concerned about the spiritual state of your nation? What are you doing about it?

A Mighty Rock

11 Monday Jul 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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You alone are God! Only you are a mighty rock (Psalm 18:31, CEV).

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Remic Rapids Park, Ottawa, ON, balanced rock sculptures by John Ceprano — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

Repeatedly, throughout the Old Testament God is called a rock. God is a spirit. Why then would God be called a rock? Rock is solid; it’s substantial. A spirit has no substance—no physicality. How then can God be a rock? Nevertheless, today’s verse from the Psalms declares this to be so.

You alone are God! Only you are a mighty rock (Psalm 18:31, CEV).

David, the psalmist, is saying that despite the spiritual nature of God, for him God has substance. He is real. God is as solid and substantial as any rock on which David stood.

How real is God to you? Is he as real to you as the material world? Is He as real to you as your child, your brother or your spouse? Is He as fixed and eternal as the largest rock in the limited universe of your personal experience? That’s how real—how substantial God was to David.

Only when God becomes fully real to us can we say, “Only you are a mighty rock.”

Response: LORD God, become more real to me with each passing day. I want to experience the reality of your presence in my life. Give me faith that is rock solid. Amen.

Your Turn: How real is God to you? Is He more than an idea or a concept?

David

15 Wednesday Jun 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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David treated the people fairly
    and guided them with wisdom (Psalm 78:72, CEV).

Tomb of David Entrance - Lois Morrow

At the entrance to the Museum of the Tomb of David — photo courtesy of Lois Morrow.

Reflection

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

Today’s verse from the Psalms tells us that David exemplified wisdom.

David treated the people fairly and guided them with wisdom (Psalm 78:72, CEV).

In yesterday’s post we learned that respect and obedience to the LORD is the first step to wisdom and good sense (Psalm 111:10). Obviously to receive such a commendation, David must have lived his life in a healthy fear and respect for the LORD. On more than one occasion David fell into sin, but when he messed up, he repented. He humbled himself and turned back to God. 

David earned this commendation because of how he treated others; he treated people fairly. David showed mercy because he had received mercy. Do we do the same?

Jesus taught us to pray, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”  Just like David we act wisely, when we do what we pray, when we show mercy because we have received mercy.

Response: LORD God, I want to act wisely in my interactions with others. Help me to treat people fairly, even as I would want to be treated. Jesus, show me your way. Amen.

Your Turn: What does fair treatment mean for you? Does it mean getting even?

Run to Him for Safety

17 Tuesday May 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Tuesday's Truth

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The LORD Most High is your fortress.
Run to him for safety,
and no terrible disasters will strike you
    or your home (Psalm 91:9-10, CEV).

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Lone Tree — photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is the word fortress.

Much of Canada has been caught up in the drama of the mass evacuation of Fort McMurray, Alberta. More than 80,000 people were forced to flee as a forest fire swept into the city destroying thousands of homes.

For many of us our home is our fortress—our place of safety and renewal. When that safe zone is destroyed, what can we do? Today’s verse from the Psalms provides an answer.

The LORD Most High is your fortress. Run to him for safety, and no terrible disasters will strike you or your home (Psalm 91:9-10, CEV).

But for many in Fort McMurray, a terrible disaster did strike their home. What can these people do?

The truth of God’s word still stands firm though external forces rage. When we lose all our material wealth, what remains? Faith remains. The Word of God remains. We can run to Him. The LORD is that fortress that will never be destroyed. Run to Him for safety.

Response: LORD God, the day will come when all will be taken from me. In that day let me be found safe within your fortress. I put my faith in you. You stand firm forever. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you have a fortress to which you can run?

You Put Down the Proud

10 Tuesday May 2016

Posted by in Psalms

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You rescue the humble, but you put down all who are proud (Psalm 18:27, CEV).

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Assiniboine River bridge at sunset — photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

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

It would seem that God is not fond of human pride. If you respect the LORD, you will hate evil. I hate pride and conceit and deceitful lies (Proverbs 8:13). In fact, pride may be humanities greatest sin. The proud heart has no need for God—no room for God—no desire for God. But the LORD cares for the humble and He hears their prayers.

David declares:

You rescue the humble, but you put down all who are proud (Psalm 18:27, CEV).

When I become too proud, God has a way of reminding me that I am not all together wonderful. The world does not revolve around me. It revolves around the Creator of all things. He is at the center—not me, and He is worthy of all praise. He is the Lord of all things.

It is the LORD who puts down one and exalts another. I need to keep in mind that He favors the humble. How about you?

Response: LORD God, in my relationship with you, I need humility like a fish needs water. Remind me that there is no place for human pride in the household of God. Amen.

Your Turn: Why do you think God shows His favor to the humble? 

Leading the Humble

09 Monday May 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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You lead humble people to do what is right and to stay on your path (Psalm 25:9, CEV).

D Adam bridge Across Assiniboine

Bridge across the Assiniboine River — photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

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

It’s difficult, if not impossible to lead the proud. The proud refuse to be led because they know the way, and their way is always right in their own eyes. Unfortunately, Christians can be just as guilty of pride as the most unrepentant sinner. But James reminds us of an essential truth, “God opposes everyone who is proud, but he is kind to everyone who is humble” (James 4:6)

In the Psalms, David reminds us that God can only lead those who are humble.

You lead humble people to do what is right and to stay on your path (Psalm 25:9, CEV).

Are you willing to be led by the Lord? David became the leader/king of Israel, but he was not too proud to be led by the LORD. Doing right and staying on God’s path for our lives does not come naturally to the human soul. It requires humility and a listening ear.

Response: LORD God, grant me a humble heart. I can easily stray from your path. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on you. Help me to hear your voice daily. Amen.

Your Turn: Does humility come easily for you? How do you overcome pride?

You, LORD, are my Shepherd

04 Wednesday May 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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You, LORD, are my shepherd. I will never be in need (Psalm 23:1, CEV).

Kingfisher Bay Retreat Centre 2

Quiet waters at Kingfisher Bay Retreat Centre — photo courtesy of Ruth Waring

Reflection

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

The most endearing thought in all the scriptures may well be the thought of the LORD’s precious care for the sheep of His pasture. The Good Shepherd supplies all our needs. When we are in His care there is no need for worry.

David, the shepherd king, makes this bold declaration:

You, LORD, are my shepherd. I will never be in need (Psalm 23:1, CEV).

Our needs for food, clothing, shelter and loving companionship are constant. They are ever present with us. At some point I’ll be hungry today, and though I will eat well, tomorrow, I’ll be hungry again.

The only thing more constant than our neediness is our Shepherd’s ample provision. What wonderful assurance we can draw from Jesus’ care! He will supply all we need.

Response: LORD God, help me to live in the calm assurance that you are my provider. You have provided abundantly in the past and will continue your care into the future. Thank you. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you under the Good Shepherd’s care? Are you resting in His provision?