Have you ever had someone pray for you and
bless you in a way that made you feel important, special and sure to succeed?
This is exactly how Psalm 20 begins. Never underestimate the power of words,
especially those spoken to those closest to us. With a word we can wound. Even
a look can speak volumes. Unfortunately, many of us are unaware of the impact
of our words, and more often than not, they are negative words. It takes about
twenty positive statements to undo each negative one. Yikes! We had better get
busy with those positive ones. We trust in the name of the LORD (v7). At least
we say we do. But do we really, on a moment by moment basis trust in Him? Or
are we trying to figure it out on our own?
The LORD calls heaven and earth as a witness
against Israel in Psalm 50. I don’t envy their position. And it sounds as
though they are living out of obligation rather than thanksgiving (vv14-15). God
has designed us for fellowship with Him. Our attitude needs to be one of
thanksgiving, rather than dread and obligation. I would much rather be about
people who are thankful than people who live by “musts” and “have to’s”. I want
people who are excited to be involved rather than those who were “volun-told”.
Volunteers want to be there and they bring an energy to any project. Are you a
volun-told Jesus-follower?
Psalm 80 is a responsive psalm with the
congregation repeating the words of petition for restoration (vv3, 7, 19) after
each section. The first section (vv1-2) calls on God to hear the prayer, the
God sitting in heaven to answer us here on earth. The second section (vv4-6)
recounts the present state of those in need of restoration: tears. The third
section, starting in verse eight, uses the metaphor of a vine for God’s people.
God planted the vine (v8), prepare a perfect place for it to grow (vv9-11), and
then brought judgment. Their request is that a godly leader would rise at the
LORD’s bidding and be used to bring restoration (vv17-18). How do you see
restoration?
There are times in life when I just don’t
completely know if someone is speaking to me, or to someone else. Do you ever
get that? Maybe it is because I have a bit of hearing loss, or because crowds
drive me nuts, but sometimes…. As I read Psalm 110, I am not sure who is being
addressed. Who is this lord (v1) and the you (v4)? Is it a servant of the king,
giving a message from the LORD about the king’s future conquests against his
enemies? But then how is this king a priest, when kings are usually not
priests? And how is he in Melchizedek’s order, a priest without family
connections, and no known end of life? If you have figured out this psalm,
please let me hear what your insights are into this.
Be careful what people devise! Psalm 140
talks about evil people who devise plans (v2) and devise ways to trip up the
author (v4). His desire for these evil people who want his destruction is refreshingly
honest (vv9-11). These verses express what I have felt a few times toward some
folks who were not very nice to me or to those about whom I cared. Burning
coals and fire might be appropriate punishments for them. He simply wants
justice and the needy protected (v12). Because when the least are protected,
the LORD is praised.