Tag Archives: the LORD

Are your ears open?

29 Monday Dec 2014

Posted by in Psalm 40, Psalms

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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

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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

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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?

Who Delights Your Heart?

16 Thursday Oct 2014

Posted by in Psalms

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Reading:                                     Psalm 37

(Verses 23-29)

The LORD makes firm the steps     

of the one who delights in him;

though he may stumble, he will not fall,     

for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

I was young and now I am old,     

yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken     

or their children begging bread.

They are always generous and lend freely;     

their children will be a blessing.

Turn from evil and do good;     

then you will dwell in the land forever.

For the LORD loves the just     

and will not forsake his faithful ones.

Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed;     

the offspring of the wicked will perish. 

The righteous will inherit the land 

and dwell in it forever. (NIV)

Reflection

According to Psalm 37 there is a string of blessings that is bequeathed to the righteous. We are kept safe—held secure in the palm of God’s hand. Furthermore these blessings are intergenerational. The children of the righteous are blessed, so they can be a blessing to their parents and others.

Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him (Psalm 127:3).

Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him (Psalm 127:3).

As parents and grandparents can attest, children can be a great blessing, or if they are corrupted by rebellion and disobedience they can become a curse, making life difficult for all around them.

Much of the trouble in the world today is self-inflicted. By choosing the path of anger, selfishness and resentment, we heap sorrow on our own head. Conversely, if we choose to follow the LORD along the path of love, generosity and forgiveness, we set ourselves up to receive blessings from our heavenly Father.

Down through the ages, David’s admonition rings true: Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.

 But God’s blessings rest on a premise, and here it is: The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him.

 The question we need to continually ask ourselves is “Am I delighting myself in the LORD? Is He my chief joy in life? Do I hunger for His word and His presence in my life? Do I long for times of sweet communion with Him?

Response: LORD God, help me to delight myself in you. May I love what you love. Help me to position myself to receive your blessings. I pray in Jesus name. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you living proof of God’s intergenerational blessing on those who delight in Him?

Givers and Takers

09 Thursday Oct 2014

Posted by in Psalm 37

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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?

Who is upholding you?

01 Wednesday Oct 2014

Posted by in Psalms

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Reading:                                     Psalm 37

(Verses 12-17)

The wicked plot against the righteous     

and gnash their teeth at them;

but the LORD laughs at the wicked,     

for he knows their day is coming.

The wicked draw the sword     

and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy,     

to slay those whose ways are upright.

But their swords will pierce their own hearts,     

and their bows will be broken.

Better the little that the righteous have     

than the wealth of many wicked;

for the power of the wicked will be broken,     

but the LORD upholds the righteous. (NIV)

Reflection

As stated in my first post on Psalm 37, this psalm is a stark night and day comparison of the life of the evil person with the life of the individual who does right in God’s eyes. The contrast is profound.

Petrie Island -- David Kitz

Petrie Island — David Kitz

I cannot read the passage above without thinking of the evil that is loose in the world today. Here in Canada, this week marks the start of Luka Magnotta’s trial in the slaying of Jun Lin, a Chinese born university student. Magnotta posted his killing of Jun Lin with an icepick on YouTube. After dismembering his body Magnotta mailed various body parts to schools and political party headquarters.

In Iraq and Syria, ISIS militants defiantly behead journalists and international aid workers in a cowardly display of their depravity. Any who hold different religious views are executed, their women raped, their children enslaved. It appears we live in a wicked world where hatred and evil are trumpeted as worthy pursuits—pursuits that attract adoring young fanatics.

The opening line of this psalm posting is as true today as when it was written three thousand years ago. The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them… The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.

The sin process is still at work in the hearts of men.  When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death (James 1:13-15).

But thanks be to God! We have this promise: for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous. God will uphold us as we put our trust in Him.

Response: LORD God, you are my help in evil times, in times of trouble. I put my trust in you. Hold me in the palm of your hand. I pray in Jesus name. Amen.

Your Turn: How do you fight evil? Where does it start? We must examine our hearts.

Waiting for the LORD

24 Wednesday Sep 2014

Posted by in Psalms

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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?

Receiving the Desires of Your Heart

02 Tuesday Sep 2014

Posted by in Psalms

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Reading:                                     Psalm 37

Of David

(Verses 1-6)

Do not fret because of those who are evil     

or be envious of those who do wrong;

for like the grass they will soon wither,     

like green plants they will soon die away.

Trust in the LORD and do good;     

dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Take delight in the LORD,     

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD;     

trust in him and he will do this:

He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,     

your vindication like the noonday sun. (NIV)

 Reflection

What are the desires of your heart? What do you want more than anything else? Wealth? Fame? Power and influence? Is this what you want? We all have desires. Some are noble some are not. How we manage and direct our desires fundamentally determines the direction of our lives.

Lagoon 2014-08-23

Here in Psalm 37, David compares and contrasts the life of the evil person with the life of the individual who does right in God’s eyes. The differences are stark; this is a night and day comparison. But at its core, everything in life centers on the desires of our heart and how we handle them.

There is a promise embedded in this psalm: Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. It’s a promise that is well worth pondering.

Will the LORD grant us our desires if our desires are evil? Most certainly not! In Psalm 34 we read, “The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth” (Psalm 34:16).

God’s promises are conditional. There is something required of us before the promise can take effect. In this case we are to “Take delight in the LORD.” What does that really mean?

If I take delight in someone, my wife for example, I enjoy being around her. It’s a delight to spend time with her. I take pleasure in the sound of her voice. I pay careful attention to her wishes and desires. Ah, there’s that word again, desires. If I take delight in the LORD, then my desires will align themselves with the LORD’s desires. I’ll be concerned about what He wants. My selfish desires will be tempered by my love for Him. He in turn will grant the desires of my heart because I love Him and want the best for Him and His eternal Kingdom.

It’s easy to get the desires of your heart, if your desires are His desires.

Response: LORD God, help me to delight myself in you. May I love what you love. Help me to recognize when my desires are right and wholesome, and when they are misdirected. I pray in Jesus name. Amen.

Your Turn: How do you keep your desires in check and in line with God?

Learning in the “School of Hard Knocks”

21 Monday Jul 2014

Posted by in Psalm 35, Psalms

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Reading:                                       Psalm 35

 (Verses 17-21)

How long, LORD, will you look on?     

Rescue me from their ravages,     

my precious life from these lions.  

I will give you thanks in the great assembly;     

among the throngs I will praise you.

Do not let those gloat over me     

who are my enemies without cause;

do not let those who hate me without reason     

maliciously wink the eye.

They do not speak peaceably,     

but devise false accusations     

against those who live quietly in the land.

They sneer at me and say, “Aha! Aha!     

With our own eyes we have seen it.” (NIV)

Reflection

This portion of Psalm 35 begins with David’s cry for help, “How long, LORD, will you look on? Rescue me from their ravages, my precious life from these lions.”

Briton Riviere -- Daniel in the Lions' Den

Briton Riviere — Daniel in the Lions’ Den

When I am in distress, help can never arrive too soon. I want an instant answer from God. Better yet, He should have pre-empted this disappointment—this disaster. But often God doesn’t instantly ride to our rescue. If poor choices are the cause of our distress, He may let us experience the consequences of our folly. When you are enrolled in “The School of Hard Knocks” the test comes first and then you learn the lesson. Often patient endurance brings about an invaluable change in character through the work of the Holy Spirit. James, the brother of our Lord, reminds us of this truth:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:2-4).

But all of our troubles do not come as a result of bad decisions on our part. Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward (Job 5:7). Job reminds us that even the good and the just will at times face suffering. Anyone who tells you differently is not being faithful to the full counsel of scripture. Satan severely tested Job, but he remained firm in his faith.

When hardships come will you stand firm? When the haughty accuse can you bear it? David felt the sting of false accusation. They sneer at me and say, “Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we have seen it.” 

Thanks be to God. We can bring our trials and burdens to the Lord in prayer.

Response: Lord, you know the troubles and trials that I face daily. You are my help and my strength. I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise you. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you learn from God’s word or from “The School of Hard Knocks” or from both?

Help in the Battles We All Face

13 Sunday Jul 2014

Posted by in Psalm 35, Psalms

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Reading:                                      Psalm 35

 (Verses 7-10)

Since they hid their net for me without cause     

and without cause dug a pit for me,

may ruin overtake them by surprise—     

may the net they hid entangle them,     

may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.

Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD     

and delight in his salvation.

My whole being will exclaim,     

“Who is like you, LORD?

You rescue the poor from those too strong for them,     

the poor and needy from those who rob them.” (NIV)

 Reflection

Paul the apostle reminds us that as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are engaged in spiritual warfare. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand (Ephesians 6:11-13).

Take up the Armor of God

Take up the Armor of God

The conflicts that David experienced in the Old Testament, reflected in the words of this portion of Psalm 35, are mirrored in the spiritual warfare experienced by New Testament believers. Make no mistake—the Devil and his cohorts have dug a pit to trap you; they spread their nets to ensnare you in sin and degradation. But as with David, the LORDhas also provided a way of escape. Once again Paul reminds us of this: No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13).

The LORD has equipped us with the armor of God and He has provided a way of escape, so then with David we can rejoice in the victory the LORD will bring.

Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD    

and delight in his salvation.     

My whole being will exclaim,    

“Who is like you, LORD?   

You rescue the poor from those too strong for them,     

the poor and needy from those who rob them.”

Satan is a thief and a robber, who robs us of victory, peace and joy. But like David and Paul we can overcome. “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25).

Response: Heavenly Father, I thank you that you have provided armor so that I can stand against the wiles of the devil. I have victory through you, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Your Turn: In your battle against sin are you using “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God?”