Psalm 147 - Builds Up And Casts Down

The LORD builds up; and He casts down.  So often we hear that God will sustain us. And... He will. But, we also must remember that God is God and He alone is worthy to be praised. Beware of lifting up others before God. Beware of putting yourself before Him. "The LORD sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground." (Psalm 147:6 NIV)

The LORD will sustain all who love Him.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 146 - Purpose of Life

I woke up this morning wondering, again, what the purpose of life really is. We are born. We live. We die. Life, here on earth, is so short! And... there is so much pain and suffering here in this world. The truth is the pain and suffering is mostly brought on by our own desires to be more than we are. It is brought on by our desire to be our own god. We think we can do this or that. The reality is, without God, there is nothing. Our plans will come to nothing. But, God has a plan...  He has a plan because He loves you. We can't always know what that plan is. But, we can trust that He has one.

Those who trust in His plan and not our own, praise the LORD all the days of their lives and they will find peace in the midst of the most confounded times. Praise the LORD! That is enough purpose for any of us. Praise the LORD; sing His praises as long as you shall live!

Thanks be to God. "The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord." Psalm 146:10 NIV

Pr. J

Cross references:

1. Psalm 146:1 : Ps 103:1; 104:1
2. Psalm 146:2 : Ps 104:33
3. Psalm 146:2 : S Ps 105:2
4. Psalm 146:2 : S Ps 63:4
5. Psalm 146:3 : Ps 118:9
6. Psalm 146:3 : Ps 60:11; S 108:12; Isa 2:22
7. Psalm 146:4 : S Ge 3:19; S Job 7:21; Ps 103:14; Ecc 12:7
8. Psalm 146:4 : Ps 33:10; 1Co 2:6
9. Psalm 146:5 : Ps 33:18; 37:9; 119:43; 144:15; Jer 17:7
10. Psalm 146:5 : Ps 70:5; 71:5; 121:2
11. Psalm 146:6 : S 2Ch 2:12; Ps 115:15; Ac 14:15; S Rev 10:6
12. Psalm 146:6 : S Dt 7:9; S Ps 18:25; 108:4; 117:2
13. Psalm 146:7 : S Ps 37:17
14. Psalm 146:7 : Ps 103:6
15. Psalm 146:7 : Ps 107:9; 145:15
16. Psalm 146:7 : S Ps 66:11; S 68:6
17. Psalm 146:8 : Pr 20:12; Isa 29:18; 32:3; 35:5; 42:7, 18-19; 43:8; Mt 11:5
18. Psalm 146:8 : S Ex 4:11
19. Psalm 146:8 : S Ps 38:6
20. Psalm 146:8 : S Dt 7:13; S Job 23:10
21. Psalm 146:9 : S Lev 19:34
22. Psalm 146:9 : S Ps 10:18
23. Psalm 146:9 : S Ex 22:22; Jas 1:27
24. Psalm 146:10 : S Ge 21:33; S 1Ch 16:31; Ps 93:1; 99:1; Rev 11:15

Psalm 145 - Rest Is Found In Him

I was exhausted as I lay down to sleep last night.  I've done a bit of traveling the last four days. What was even more exhausting was planning today and tomorrow as I try to catch up on work and prepare to take another trip. Tomorrow afternoon, I leave with the youth from our congregation for a retreat.  Now, my mind tells me that retreats are suppose to be restful. But, there is a lot of planning and preparation that goes into them.

So, as I tried to reconcile in mind the fact that our friend Eddie or "The Fisherman" would make his final voyage out to sea to be laid to rest today, while scheduling the next two days in my mind, I was exhausted. I realized that I would not be sleeping well last night if I did not switch my focus.

So, I did. I spent my final moments awake praising God and trusting that Eddie's, as well as my spirit, was in the hands of God. In this I rejoice. In this, I find peace. In this knowledge, I found rest.

Look to the LORD and you will find peace. In Christ, you will find all that you need.

God's Peace - Pr. J

"My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever. (Psalm 145:21 NIV)

Psalm 144 - Prepare for Battle

Whoa! There is so much I could say about Psalm 144! But, the first thing that strikes me is verse 1: "Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle." (NIV)

Now that is most interesting. God trains us for battle.  For 21 years, I followed my husband, a U.S. Marine, around the world. He was prepared for war and I was engaged in battle then, even as I am now. The battle can be tiring. There are times when it may even feel like you're losing the battle, but be assured, the LORD armies will not, cannot, be defeated. He is the Supreme Commander and is at the helm.

Be not afraid to: "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." (Eph 6:11-13 NIV)

God's Peace - Pr. J 

Psalm 143 - Found Righteous

 ^"Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you." (Psalm 143:7b)

Now this is a fact.  Not a one of us can be found righteous by the works of our own hands or the meditations of our hearts. We all sin. We all fall short. So how then can we be found righteous?  According to Paul's letter to the Romans (4:23-25 NIV) we are credited with righteousness through Jesus Christ.  The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification."

It is in the righteousness of Christ that we trust that our sins have been washed away and we have. Therefore, all who believe in Him are sanctified by His blood and found righteous in Him. Thanks be to God, for His mighty works through Jesus the Christ!

God's Peace - Pr. J
 

Psalm 142 - Exhausted?

Have you ever been to the place where you are emotionally, physically, and spiritually exhausted?  It's a tough place to be. That's for sure...  The good thing about this place is that there is no place, no one to turn to, except to God. He truly becomes our refuge and strength in those times. When our spirits grow faint within us, there is one we can turn to who will watch over us and care for.

When we are weak, then we are strong, as we trust in the LORD to free us from the prisons that would bind us.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Psalm 141 - Great Vespers

"May my prayer  be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice." (Psalm 141:1 NIV)

In years past (it's been quite some time) I was able to worship with the Society of St. John at the Holy Transfiguration Skete in the Keweenaw Peninsula, at the Saturday evening Vesper's Service. I now live about two hours away, so it has been quite awhile. The sounds within the sanctuary so reminded me of the Holy Spirit present with us: the waves of Lake Superior crashing at the shore just outside the monastery, the wind blowing through the open windows above, even the rustle of the monks clothing as they moved about the sanctuary.

But, more than that, I love the liturgy of the Great Vespers and greatly appreciated being able to participate in Worship at the monastery. At the monastery there is no accompaniment to the chanting - just voices - praying and praising God. My favorite is: "Let my prayer rise like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands as an evening offering." I miss it so much, I attempted, a couple of years ago, to actually use a Vesper's Service at Zion during Lent at our Wednesday evening service. It did not go over. Not Lutheran enough, I was told :)  Although, some enjoyed it, others in the congregation really did not appreciate letting our prayers rise up like incense even though we did not use incense. It's just something they are not use to. It was unfamiliar.

So this morning, I am remembering that place of prayer and peace, the Holy Transfiguration Skete and thanking God for the gift of having had the opportunity to Worship in that place, with those servants of the LORD.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 140 - Pray For Your Enemy

We find the author of Psalms a little more than upset this morning. That person wants vengeance in a big way.... "May burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, never to rise." (Psalm 140:10 NIV)

I'm not saying that I've never thought this way. But, I'm thinking there is a more excellent way.  According to Jesus, we are to "...love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matt 5:43-45)

It is undeniable that there are many who persecute those who love the LORD. The arrogant lay out snares for the innocent seeking to damage or utterly destroy them. But, anger and vengeance only propagates the enmity. Pray for peace. Pray for protection, pray for mercy, pray that the LORD will be your strong deliverer, but pray for your enemy. as well. Pray that those who hate and persecute you will come to know the LORD and you will have lost an enemy and gained a brother or sister.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 140:5 Or they have spread cords as a net
2. Psalm 140:8 Heb adds they are exalted
3. Psalm 140:9 Cn Compare Gk: Heb those who surround me are uplifted in head; Heb divides verses 8 and 9 differently

 

Psalm 139 - The LORD Sees You

"O Lord, you have searched me and known me." (Psalm 139:1 NIV)

Don't be trying to hide from God! It won't work. You can try to hide who you are or what you do from your neighbors or your family or your friends. They may even buy into the mask you wear. But, God does not.  He discerns your every thought, your every move. He is with you even now. He is with you every moment of every day no matter where you might be. He sees you. He knows you.

Return to the LORD, for He is merciful to all who have fallen away. Return and do what is good in His sight for the sake of the one who died that we might be forgiven and live life eternally in His presence.

God's Peace - Pr. J