Psalm 30 begins with David saying he will lift (extol) the Name of the Lord because Yahweh had lifted him up. So, the rest of the Psalm is the extolling of Yahweh.

It’s first personal (singular “I”) then moves to corporate commands to join him in praising Yahweh. Then it moves back to personal with David extolling the Name!

I think we should follow this pattern. We might often say let’s live our lives for God’s glory but never flesh that out. How do we live for his glory? It must move past the obvious fact of the matter to actually doing something.

While David extolled the Name of the Lord in this Psalm, he greatly encouraged me…brought me into his own story and praise. Can you not relate when he says, “For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” – Psalm 30:5

Why is this so encouraging? Because for people like us, His anger should be more than a moment. Ponder that word and image! His anger is only for a moment!

Now, hear the contrast…His grace for a lifetime! Compare the duration of a moment and a lifetime! Yeah! That’s marvelous! One day the darkness will give way to eternal light! Dear saints of the Lord, joy comes with the morning…mornings that are full of new mercies! And Yahweh will turn our *mourning into dancing!

Sing praise to Yahweh, you His godly ones!

I read Psalm 27, this morning. Commenting on verses 7-12, Kidner writes, “David gets back to the ‘one thing’ he has set his heart on (4a), and holds on to the fact that the first move, after all, has come from God. *He will not ask for our love (8a) and then withhold his own (9a).”

This *statement jolted me! I’m not sure entirely why. It’s so simple. I guess it reveals in me how I view myself as unloveable. I too easily forget that His heart isn’t fickle like mine. Indeed, He has steadfast love! He is the Initiator!

When you fear, what is the one thing you want?

You can’t fight darkness (evil) with darkness. It must be with light (God! and truth). Just remember what is true of your enemies, “they have stumbled and fell” (past tense!)

2 O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me.
3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame – Psalm 25:2-3

We need various images of what trusting the Lord looks like. In this psalm, trusting is waiting. David’s issue is that his enemies are making his trust in the Lord look shameful. Yet, the Lord does not answer but for reasons unknown to David, God delays. Nevertheless, David trusts/waits. He is certain that in the end his trust/waiting will not bring shame upon himself or the Lord in whom he trusts.

Do you trust the Lord? If trust is defined in terms of waiting are you waiting on the Lord?

Kidner defines waiting: “to wait is to accept his time and therefore his wisdom.”

From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who *wait for him. – Isaiah 64:4

Be content! The Lord knows what he is doing!

Kidner on Psalm 6: “The psalm gives words to those who scarcely have the heart to pray, and brings them within sight of victory.”

1 O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath.
2 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled.
3 My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O LORD-how long?
4 Turn, O LORD, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love.
5 For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise?
6 I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping.
7 My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my foes.
8 Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping.
9 The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD accepts my prayer.
10 All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled; they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment. – Psalms 6

The picture idea came from Derek Kidner’s title for Psalm 5: Clouded Dawn. It brings together that David is praying in the morning because his foes are against him (clouded). I would wholeheartedly urge you to get Kidner’s commentaries on the Psalms. They are brief but rich!

I am focusing on growing in prayer in 2021. So, my eyes and ears are attentive to the mention of prayer these days. Psalm 5 explicitly makes mention of prayer though all the psalms are prayers themselves. Anyway, I perked up when I read this amazing song this morning. My thoughts are few but do go read Kidner.

My own title of this post reflects what I noticed about the occasion of prayer. If we do not have any foes then we may be standing in the way of sinners instead delighting in the law of the Lord (Psalm 1). In this psalm, David’s enemies have voiced their demands and ways which are contrary to God’s. David knows this as easy as knowing that one should not lie or murder or steal. Whatever it is, it’s that obvious.

The psalm literally begins with “My words hear.” This is a bold but necessary demand to Yahweh (and yes, David uses God’s personal name in the text). This demand comes from what is rumbling in his soul–(Ps. 5:1) “consider my inmost thoughts” which are not words but troubled thoughts and uneasy feelings. These groanings burst forth into words, though. We must assume that God’s truth, which David knows, is in contrast with his foes’ demands and that has caused these sighings.

Prayer is fueled by knowing good from evil. What has come from the mouth of David’s opponents is evil much like that of the serpent in the Garden. The serpent is still speaking and deceiving through such people. Eve should have used her words to call for God instead of toying with the enemy. She allowed his words to enter her ears and she looked at what the serpent suggested with her eyes which led to her touching the fruit with her hand and finally tasting with her mouth. The senses should be on guard because they are avenues to our mind and heart.

The same has happened here. David’s senses have taken in the evil of these sinners but instead of joining them he calls upon his King and God! I love the next line–Psalm 5:4 “ADONAI, in the morning you will hear my voice; in the morning I lay my needs before you and wait expectantly.” Ask and watch! Wow. That’s what faith looks like.

David banks on the character of God. The enemies propagate evil and David knows God hates evil. This is quite simple to remember and make use of. God hates wickedness…when you see or hear evil…pray to the Lord against it for God takes no pleasure in it. Kidner points out a striking image of how evil has no place with God–(Ps. 5:4) “no sinner (evil) can be your guest.”

In addition to this, David’s prayer in not banking on his own righteousness and perfect character but fully on the chesed of the Lord–(Ps. 5:7) “But as for me, by Your abundant lovingkindness I will enter Your house.” He seeks God’s guidance in righteous because of his enemies. David longs for the righteous ways of God to be known and prevail in this situation and beyond.

Walking in God’s ways lead to life. Walking in the ways of evil lead to the grave. As the image is supposed to do, the mouth of the wicked is an open grave “waiting for its occupant.” I doubt that anyone has marked off this open grave with caution tape. It is for us to be aware of these pitfalls by knowing the truth.

And finally, though this psalm began in the singular, it ends with plural. This prayer isn’t simply for David’s rescue and most certainly not for David’s praise. But, it is for all to take refuge in the Lord and for the praise of His great Name! Why? (Ps. 5:12) “It is you who bless the upright, Yahweh, you surround them with favour as with a shield.” Because He blesses what is right and good with His favor to protect us like a shield!

• First, know good from evil
• When your soul groans because of evil and enemies, beseech the Lord
• Then watch expectantly
• Trust the character of God…”evil is vulnerable to the truth.”
• Join those who by God’s lovingkindness can enter His presence with exuberant praise!

A brief reflection on the parable of the ten virgins:
This story follow the instructions of ch. 24 which tell us not to be misled, learn the parable of the fig tree (know when he is near), and be on alert because you don’t know the exact hour he will come though you will know he is near.
This parable teaches us what it looks like to be on alert. You might think it’s a bit unfair. All ten had kept themselves pure as they awaited the bridegroom. Yet five were foolish; five were not alert. Purity without prudence is loveless. To know the right thing to do and not do it is foolish. Why be pure at all then…and they most certainly should have.
Love is what causes the five to do all they can to be ready to meet the bridegroom. The delaying of the bridegroom reveals those who really long for him. And why would they (we) not love the One who made us pure? Why would we not anticipate his coming and long to go home unless we love this world and the things in it?
How are you doing? Are you eager for for him? Do you have single devotion for him? Even if you reframe from any particular outward acts that would say you love the world but your heart lusts for them then you have committed spiritual adultery. What does the evidence of you life say?
I hope you love Jesus! This Christmas, I hope your anticipation and love for him is renewed! Wherever you find yourself—lacking or longing—Jesus has mercy and grace for us.
I honestly feel distracted and lacking. May the Lord renew my heart because I can’t do this without him.

Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. – Matthew 18:4

We are more dependent than we often know. And Jesus insisted that these independent-thinking, great disciples humble themselves in order to be great! That’s a hard move. They carry a lot of baggage from years of independence. It’s a miracle that any of us humble ourselves. Amazing grace!

And isn’t it very compelling for believing that God truly exists in that he loves and cares for children, that he warns those who would cause them to stumble, that it is his nature to go after straying sheep by way of other sheep (and the gathered sheep) in church discipline, and that he demands forgiveness.

Chapter 18 in Matthew is nearly a complete picture of what the Christian life looks like!

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. – Psalms 23

Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. – Matthew 14:19

I hope you see more. And, no I’m not trying to allegorical. But there are most certainly some types and applications to see.

When Jesus said this: Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. – John 6:35

What is the bread? Is it not Jesus, himself?

Where are they in the Matthew passage? Are they not in a desolate place, i.e. WILDERNESS? What does that remind you of? Yes, the wilderness scene in Exodus. No food in the desert. Then manna from heaven came down!!!

So, let’s me simply say…Jesus gives himself to his disciples and his disciples give them Jesus. That’s the types I see. Indeed, that’s what discipling looks like! Give them Jesus!

And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. – Matthew 14:20

There’s plenty left to give!

Good morning. I hope this finds you trusting the Lord and treasuring Christ above all things! Let’s live for the glory of God, today! This will be a brief devotional on the Foundations reading for today, Matthew 10.

So, this little devotional needs a quick explanation of chapter divisions. Certainly, they were not original to the text. They were added later to aid us in our reading. Sometimes they can hinder our reading by making a chapter break when it might should have been elsewhere. So, just be aware of that and let the text tell you where the breaks are. And it’s hard to know sometimes. So, let’s read carefully and let the intent of the Author and authors guide us.

With that said, I’m sure you are already anticipating what I’m about to say. Yes, I think the most natural place for chapter 10 in Matthew’s Gospel seems to be at 9:35. Certainly, there are times when the story transition overlaps. But each little story is connected to the previous one. They are not simply chronological.

So, let me quote the part I would like to comment on:

(Matt. 9:35-10:1) And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.

First, let’s take note that Jesus met both spiritual needs and physical needs. He is the perfect pastor and deacon (overseer and servant). Both should be cared for and to neglect either would be unloving and dangerous. And, they are interconnected in ways we probably do not understand. I can simply say this, our spiritual health affects our physical health and vice versa.

We see Jesus teaching and proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom AND healing every disease and every affliction. Teaching is an essential element of making disciples. You could track this theme throughout the Gospels and see this is the means by which the Kingdom of God advances. That’s strange isn’t it? Most kingdoms advance by might. One kingdom defeats other kingdoms and gains more power and control. The Kingdom of God advances by teaching and proclaiming the gospel of Christ.

However, there is a need for gaining access to the ears of people. Genuine love for the whole person is very important. It seems to be easy to love one or the other–soul or body. Sometimes, we have loved our neighbor by only helping them with their physical needs. They are usually easier and less confrontational. Our conscience seems to be quieted when we meet physical needs and thus we avoid the spiritual need.

So, how does Jesus see people? I started to say “world” instead of people. I think the focus is on the people. They matter. He sees them: distressed and dispirited, harassed and helpless, bewildered and dejected, and confused and scattered. Matthew describes how Jesus sees the peoples as sheep without a shepherd.

The second word in each of the pairs above is ῥίπτω “rhipto” which means: to throw, cast, spec. to throw off, toss. I searched the use of that word and the first hit was in Genesis. This reference really helped expand what was already stated. Here’s the text: (Gen. 21:14-15) So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. When the water in the skin was gone, she put the child under one of the bushes.

Of course this text is in reference to the story of Abraham sending Hagar and Ishmael away. When the water runs out, Hagar puts her baby under the bushes to die. In other words, this baby that has been put off is helpless without his momma and water. He cannot live.

If the scene in Matthew was described as sheep without a shepherd, then we could add this image to it by saying the people are babies without parents. How might you think Jesus would respond to this? It says he was moved with compassion for them. It’s not the same word used in 9:13 where it was said that Jesus desired compassion, not sacrifice but it’s most certainly what is going on.

Sin is destroying the people. They need the healing of the gospel in their souls. They need healing in their body which is a result of sin. Some of them will experience both from Jesus. But sin is the issue. How would you have felt about Jesus when he did this? (Matt. 9:2) And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.”

Jesus, do you not care about this man’s paralysis? Paralysis is not this man’s greatest need. Being forgiven of his sins is his greatest need. But Jesus also heals him while validating his authority to forgive sins. He does both but forgiveness is the most important thing.

So, what does Jesus’s compassion for these sheep without a shepherd…babies without parents cause him to do? This might surprise you. Instead of taking on this task alone, his response is this: (Matt. 9:37-10:1) *Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” *And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.

He instructed his disciples to pray for more laborers and he gave his laborers authority to cast out unclean spirits and to heal every disease and every affliction. In other words, he was making more of himself. He was leaving himself in others to do the things he had been doing.

He had more to do. In fact, if he didn’t complete the mission of the cross then all of this was for nothing. If atonement was not made for sins then healing them was only a temporary fix. So, he was planning to accomplish his mission but he also was planning for his departure. His mission was redemption and making disciples. That’s how Jesus responded to the people who were helpless and lost.

This is the world we live in. How will you respond to the brokenness of this world? Try to fix it yourself? What happens when you are gone? Where will the next generation be if we do not make disciples of Jesus?

(Jdg. 2:10) And there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD or the work that he had done for Israel.

The cycle of Judges!

Here’s the answer…this is how this Gospel ends: (Matt. 28:18-1:1) And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Thanks for all who follow and read the blog! A big thanks to the ones who support this blog so that it can be ad free. I’m so very thankful to the Lord for the gift of his word and the Holy Spirit!

This is what I attempt to do every time I open the Scriptures: Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. – 2 Timothy 2:7

Blessings, my friends. Grace and peace to you from the Lord Jesus Christ! He is worthy of much thanksgiving! Peace!