I will praise Him!
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Silver and gold — photo courtesy of Liz Kranz
Gold Refined Seven Times
22 Sunday Jan 2017
Posted in Psalms, Sunday's Psalm
Tag Archives: words
Words of Hatred
24 Thursday Nov 2016
Reading: Psalm 109
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
(Verses 1-5)
My God, whom I praise,
do not remain silent,
for people who are wicked and deceitful
have opened their mouths against me;
they have spoken against me with lying tongues.
With words of hatred they surround me;
they attack me without cause.
In return for my friendship they accuse me,
but I am a man of prayer.
They repay me evil for good,
and hatred for my friendship (NIV).
Reflection
Words have enormous power. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21).
“Oh, how the mighty have fallen” Cathedral Grove, Vancouver Island, BC — photo by David Kitz
Words of hatred can be devastating. This is especially true when those words come from those we believe to be our friends. This is the situation the psalmist finds himself in. Hear the psalmist’s lament: With words of hatred they surround me; they attack me without cause. In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my friendship.
There is a deep sense of betrayal in the psalmist’s words. The beginning of this psalm smacks of the Judas kiss. Jesus suffered the hatred and attacks described here. But millions of others have experienced betrayal, false accusations and words of hatred. Daily, children and teens are bullied and harassed at school and online. All too often Tweets and Facebook comments are nothing more than fountains of hate. Mob mentality rules as attacks and insults pile high.
All this reminds me of farm life and the behavior of chickens. Chickens are highly social creatures and early on in their young lives, these birds establish a pecking order. I’m not speaking figuratively. This really happens. The lead bird pecks first at their food and will aggressively exclude others. Those who transgress the established order will find themselves under vicious attack by the leader and other members of the flock. This means exclusion from the food source, but in the worst instances the aggressive chicks will peck the victim to death. Only human intervention can save them.
It’s truly remarkable how human behavior so closely resembles the behavior of chickens. Our classrooms are full of chickens—aggressive chickens establishing their pecking order—and God help the poor child who falls out of favor! As a teacher I have often been a front-seat witness to the bullying that goes on. Intervention is essential or in the worst cases death may result.
Response: Father God, today I pray for all those who are on the receiving end of personal betrayal and words of hatred. Show them your love, protection, comfort and mercy. Let compassion reign. Amen.
Your Turn: Have you been a victim of bullying? How did you overcome?
He Sent His Word
17 Thursday Nov 2016
Reading: Psalm 107
(Verses 17-22)
Some became fools through their rebellious ways
and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.
They loathed all food
and drew near the gates of death.
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
He sent out his word and healed them;
he rescued them from the grave.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
Let them sacrifice thank offerings
and tell of his works with songs of joy (NIV).
Reflection
There is a verse in Psalm 107 that holds deep significance for all eternity—past, present and future. Here is the verse: He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave (Psalm 107:20).
Raised to new life — spring photo by David Kitz — in Victoria, BC
I was introduced to this wonderful verse at the funeral of my maternal grandfather. Psalm 107:20 was the sermon text. This Bible verse might seem like an odd choice for use at a funeral. After all, in the end the deceased was not healed. In the case of my grandfather, he made it to the ripe old age 92 years, but death triumphed in the end. Or did it?
The pastor pointed out that throughout his life, on countless occasions, God sent out his word and healed my grandfather, and God who is faithful would do it again. But on the next occasion the LORD would raise my grandfather from the dead.
This is the great hope of all who believe in Jesus Christ. He is our forerunner. He suffered death on our behalf, but he also experienced resurrection.
The God who in eons past spoke galaxies into existence can send His word and resurrect my grandfather, and all who have put their faith in the resurrected Savior. With each passing day that awesome moment draws nearer. That’s the ultimate healing and it happens through the power of God’s word.
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
Response: Father God, send your word. Send your word and heal those who are sick. Send your word and save and transform those who are hostile to you. Send your word and resurrect those who are spiritually dead in their trespasses and sins. LORD God, send your word. Amen.
Your Turn: Who springs to mind when you pray for God to send His word?
Words and Thoughts
13 Wednesday Jul 2016
Posted in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms
Tags
David, pleasing God, Remic Rapids Park, Rock, the LORD, thoughts, words
Let my words and my thoughts be pleasing to you, LORD, because you are my mighty rock and my protector (Psalm 19:14, CEV).
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.
Words and thoughts belong together. Thoughts produce words and words produce thoughts. Thoughts and words are the legs of our intellect. They are the means by which we move ideas and events forward. The world becomes a better place, when our words and thoughts are sourced in God. For that reason we should pray that the Holy Spirit would guide our every word and thought. That was David’s prayer in Psalm 19.
Let my words and my thoughts be pleasing to you, LORD, because you are my mighty rock and my protector (Psalm 19:14, CEV).
Our goal in life should be to please the LORD. Just as a young child wants to please its parent, so our daily desire should be to please the LORD. As my parents protected me as a child, so the LORD protects me now. He is the rock-solid strength that I need.
Response: LORD God, today I want to please you. When angry thoughts come, be my peace. When cruel words are spoken, be my comfort. I want to think as you think, Lord, and speak as you speak. Amen.
Your Turn: What do you do to keep your words and thoughts pleasing to the LORD?
Creative Words
20 Monday Jun 2016
Posted in Monday Meditation, Psalms
As soon as he spoke the world was created; at his command, the earth was formed (Psalm 33:9, CEV).
Early Morning Sunrise, Grey Nuns Park, Orleans, ON — photo by David Kitz
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is creation.
The beauty of the natural world is astounding. The morning sunrise is an example of that beauty. Even more astonishing is the thought that the world—this grand creation—came into existence through the power of spoken words.
Today’s verse from the Psalms reminds us of that truth.
As soon as he spoke the world was created; at his command, the earth was formed (Psalm 33:9, CEV).
If God’s words have such incredible power, what about our words? Do they have power too? Absolutely. We are created in the image of God and the words we speak can create a world of good or stir up the dark forces of hell. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21).
Consider this. Today you have an opportunity to create a better world by the amazing power of your words.
Response: LORD God, today I want to use my tongue for good rather than lashing out in angry hurtful ways. Help me bring encouragement and positive change where needed. Amen.
Your Turn: Have your words hurt or helped someone lately?
Aiming Cruel Words
15 Thursday Oct 2015
Posted in Devotionals, Psalms
Reading: Psalm 64
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
Hear me, my God, as I voice my complaint;
protect my life from the threat of the enemy.
Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked,
from the plots of evildoers.
They sharpen their tongues like swords
and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.
They shoot from ambush at the innocent;
they shoot suddenly, without fear.
They encourage each other in evil plans,
they talk about hiding their snares; they say, “Who will see it?”
They plot injustice and say, “We have devised a perfect plan!”
Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.
But God will shoot them with his arrows;
they will suddenly be struck down.
He will turn their own tongues against them
and bring them to ruin;
all who see them will shake their heads in scorn.
All people will fear; they will proclaim the works of God
and ponder what he has done.
The righteous will rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him;
all the upright in heart will glory in him! (NIV).
Reflection
I am writing this post in the final days of an election campaign here in Canada. In the context of an election, the words of this psalm have a peculiar resonance. Politicians’ tongues have been sharpened like swords. Cruel words have been aimed at opponents like deadly arrows. The airwaves are saturated with lies, propaganda and half-truths coming from all sides.
Be a bridge builder with words. –David Kitz
Rest easy, dear reader, I’m not about to take sides in a political debate. But Psalm 64 contains some important truths that we would be wise to heed.
First, our tongues have deadly power. The poison of vipers is in the tongue. Many young people have taken their own lives because of the taunting of others. Social media has only worsened the situation, since one can now mount an attack from a distance. The venom that is often spewed in website comment boxes is beyond disgusting. The cruelty and depravity of the human heart are on full display. As the psalmist, David says, “Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.”
So then guard the thoughts of your heart and mind. Take care what you put into print. It can have a profound effect for good or evil. The LORD is our refuge from cruel taunts, but He also is our judge.
Response: LORD God, help me to use wisdom and discretion in all I say, write or post. You are the judge of every idle word. Holy Spirit, guard my heart and my mind. Amen.
Your Turn: Have you been the victim of social media attacks? How did you respond?
