We have a lot of fools living in the world
today. Psalm 14 starts by declaring the definition of a fool. Making the claim
to know that the Creator of the Universe does not exist would mean the person
making the statement would have to have all knowledge, be everywhere
simultaneously, and have existed forever. It sounds like they would have to be
God. Logical contradiction! And even with all the ignorance the LORD still
seeks us. People who claim that there is no God, really do nothing for others.
How many “atheist” soup kitchens do you have in your town? Just something to
think about.
Learning and remembering the history of the
LORD’s interventions in history can build our faith. Psalm 44 outlines the
Israel’s history of rebellion and of the LORD’s rebuke. We must be careful that
we don’t follow their path. Feeling like you are a sheep ready for slaughter is
not a good feeling. The clock ticking toward judgment hour. Tick, tick, tick.
HELP, LORD!
The psalmist reminds the LORD of His history
in hopes that He will again intervene in their lives. He reminds the LORD of
the damage done to HIS reputation as a result of Jerusalem’s destruction (Ps
74:18). He is desperate for the LORD’s intervention. At the end of the psalm he
lists the things that might be negatively affected if the LORD does not
intervene. It’s as if the psalmist is say, “Hey, LORD, if you don’t act your
Name will be mud.” Do we ever do things that throw mud in God’s direction? If
you have, now is the time to repent.
Psalm 104 begins with a lesson in hydrology,
a lesson that shows the LORD’s signature on everything. The whole of creation
is a canvas upon which the LORD has signed His Name. Everywhere we look we can
see His ink, if we are open to seeing it. But unless the Spirit opens our eyes,
we really can’t see it. And if we do, we must dismiss it rapidly because
acknowledging the ink would require us to acknowledge Him and His claim on our
lives. Verse 29-30 give insight into life and death, when it starts and stops.
The act of lifting our hands in worship is
an ancient one (Ps134:2). We use our hands for so many things, special motions (the
wave) at sporting events, celebratory “high fives”, the good bye wave, the “I see
you over there” wave, and so many others. Why are we so hesitant to raise our
hands to the One who created and redeemed us?