BETRAYED: part two

The great philosopher Linus, as drawn by Charles Schultz, once remarked, “I love mankind. It’s people I can’t stand.’

All of us have experienced that moment. David expressed his moment in Psalm 55. The specifics aren’t mentioned, but we all know it’s like to have a close friend turn on us. Our instinct, like David’s, is to ‘fly away and be at rest.’

But flying (or running) away doesn’t resolve the issue. Hiding only magnifies the pain of loss. One of Jesus’ earliest followers knew what it was like to both be betrayed and be the betrayer. (You can read about Peter’s betrayal in Luke 22:54-62.) As Peter wrote to believers scattered across the Roman Empire he encouraged them with words similar to words David written in this prayer – “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:6–7, HCSB).

When hurt comes, pray. Let God hear your hurt, your pain. Let God hear your anger, your anguish, your disappointment, your disillusionment. These experiences magnify the trustworthiness of God so that with David we can say, ‘I will trust in You’ (Psalm 55:23b).

BETRAYED

Psalm 54

            David was seeking to evade Saul who was seeking to kill him. The people of the region where David was hiding saw an opportunity for reward. The most painful part of the betrayal – these were fellow Israelites. This desperate prayer, likely composed while moving away from his current hiding spot, resembles prayers we’ve all uttered.

            For some reason we often hurt those to whom we are closest. In David’s case, his life was in the balance. No wonder the prayer is desperate. In desperate times people often turn to God with short and pointed prayers.

            When betrayal comes, and most assuredly it will, our best resort is to remind ourselves of our past. Remember how God has acted in the past. Read the accounts of God’s mighty deliverance of His people from the Egyptians in Exodus. Read hos God protected those returning pilgrims after the Babylonian captivity in Nehemiah and Ezra. Read the accounts of God’s acts in the lives of those who spread the gospel in Acts in the New Testament.

            When we are hurting, don’t lash out. Cry out. God hears, God acts, God delivers.

A Prayer for Terryfing Times

Psalm 53

These are terrifying times. My social media feeds alternate between sheer hysteria and loud claims of fraud. Recent press briefings suggest that this week (April 5 – 11, 2020) could be the worst week America has faced since  – you choose the comparison: Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941) or September 11, 2001.

            Then I read the words of this song of David. It is titled, A Maskil of David. Scholars aren’t certain what the word ‘maskil’ means. It doesn’t read like it would have been a top-40 hit among worshipers in any era. The Apostle Paul will quote from this song in his well-known indictment of sin, found in Romans 3, which concludes with this stinging accusation: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23, HCSB)

            Yes, these a terrifying times. What is even more terrifying is to fall into the hands of God as will the fool defined in verse 1 of this Psalm – “The fool says in his heart, “God does not exist.” They are corrupt, and they do vile deeds. There is no one who does good.” (Psalm 53:1, HCSB)

            Pray with David – “Oh, that Israel’s deliverance would come from Zion! When God restores the fortunes of His people, Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.” (Psalm 53:6, HCSB)

PSALM 49 – 52

Psalm 49

            Why should I fear?

            In these days of Covid-19, economic devastation, and social uncertainty fear seems to be the best response. Throughout God’s Word we are reminded to not be afraid.

            The Psalmist identifies at least two scenarios that we would likely understand fear as a normal response. When enemies surround us, when our enemies knowingly take advantage of us we might reasonably be afraid; when others around us become rich and are honored by our world we might reasonably fear what they might do to us.

            Yet in both cases we are given counsel to not be afraid. The Psalmist offers several suggestions for battling this fear. First, no one lives forever. Period. Only God is the source of life. Nothing else can create life. Second, honor and wealth are short lived. In light of eternity the wealth and honor that is so sought after today is gone tomorrow.

Psalm 50

            Make no mistake, God will speak. Right now nearly 75% of all Americans are living under some sort of ‘shelter-in-place’ directive. People are encouraged to stay at home except for absolutely essential tasks. Businesses are closed. Restaurants can only offer takeout. Gatherings of any size are discouraged. Churches have moved to online services. People in my age range are more vulnerable than others and are strongly encouraged to avoid being out of our homes.

            Is this God’s judgment? Is this how God speaks? The Bible makes it clear that God has spoken by allowing national calamities to occur. The Bible points to future events that are clearly evidence of God’s message (see Revelation 4-19).

            Whether the current crisis is a definitive judgment of God we can say with certainty: God speaks. During these days when many people are at home, not working at their normal occupations let us learn to listen. What is God saying? How is God revealing Himself in your life? The psalm ends with a wonderful promise:

“Whoever sacrifices a thank offering honors Me, and whoever orders his conduct, I will show him the salvation of God.”” (Psalm 50:23, HCSB)

Psalm 51

            None of us can honestly claim to be free of sin. An Old Testament scholar of the first century made this abundantly clear when he wrote, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23, HCSB) Honestly acknowledging sin means placing ourselves in a place to receive mercy and forgiveness from God.

            Pray this with the Psalmist:

“God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not banish me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore the joy of Your salvation to me, and give me a willing spirit.” (Psalm 51:10–12, HCSB)

Psalm 52

            Words hurt. As kids we recited the rhyme –

Sticks and stones may break my bones

But words will never break me.

We all know that in spite of how often we repeat this rhyme words do hurt. All of us have been hurt by words. Most of us have used words to hurt others. David, prior to being acknowledged as the king, was running for his life. Saul, the reigning king, had made numerous attempts to kill David. One man, a foreigner loyal to Saul, happened to see David as he fled. His words to Saul led the king and his army on another attempt to locate David and kill him, ending what Saul understood to be a threat to his reign.

            Did David hide from the threat? Yes. Did David run in fear? At times he did. Yet in all his experiences one promise sustained him:

“In the presence of Your faithful people, I will put my hope in Your name, for it is good.” (Psalm 52:9, HCSB)

PRAISE THE LORD

We all know someone who is super-talented. We often express envy and wonder why God didn’t gift us with just a small amount of the talent that person possesses. Perhaps Jews living in the era of the Psalms felt that way about the ‘sons of Korah.’ A number of the psalms are attributed specifically to this family. Why would one family have all that ability?

            Whatever reason we might assign, Psalm 48 is a remarkable prayer of praise. It begins with a declaration of God’s magnificence and ends with an expression of an identification of God’s eternal nature. “Great is the LORD…this God is our God forever and ever.”
            Celebrating the place God had chosen for His name to dwell (aka Jerusalem), the psalmist recalls the grandeur of the city. The greatness of the city is not measured by its people, produce, or political stature. Rather, the greatness of the city is because God makes His presence known. Though armies may gather, enemies may seek to bring devastation, the presence of God guarantees stability and peace.

            What the psalmist really celebrates, though, is that God’s presence is known. Yes, Zion is the hill on which God resides, however, He is not confined to the hill called Mt Zion. The praise of God will resound to all the earth. Zion no longer stands as it did under the reign of David and Solomon. But, don’t be afraid. What God has begun He always finishes.

PROMISES FOR PERILOUS TIMES

My dad – who should be teaching a Bible class somewhere, but is at home with the rest of the world called me yesterday and shared some thoughts I want to pass on to you.

In Hannah’s prayer dedicating her son, Samuel, to the Lord she prays, “He [the LORD] guards the steps of His faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness, for a man does not prevail by his own strength.” (1 Samuel 2:9, HCSB)

            This idea of God’s guarding His faithful one continues in the Psalms:

“A man’s steps are established by the Lord, and He takes pleasure in his way.” (Psalm 37:23, HCSB)

“He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber. Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep. The Lord protects you; the Lord is a shelter right by your side. The sun will not strike you by day or the moon by night. The Lord will protect you from all harm; He will protect your life. The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever.” (Psalm 121:3–8, HCSB)

            Though these are promises to God’s elect people Israel you and I have right to these promises as well – “For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, and true circumcision is not something visible in the flesh. On the contrary, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart—by the Spirit, not the letter. That man’s praise is not from men but from God.” (Romans 2:28–29, HCSB)

            So, use these passages as your prayer during these perilous times. God remains in control. When government officials and economic leaders look confused and uncertain, We can trust in God.

Thanks Dad –

Steve

March 22, 2020

Since we are not able to be together face to face, here is an outline of worship for you. We would have sung these songs together this morning and read these passages of Scripture. So, I hope this helps enrich your day.

MARCH 22, 2020

Old Testament            1 Samuel 16:1–13

Psalm Psalm 23

New Testament          Ephesians 5:8–14

Gospel John 9:1–41

I have a Maker            Hymn # 44

                        Mighty is our God       Hymn # 59

Surely Goodness and Mercy   Hymn # 91

Hallelujah! Your Name is Amazing     Hymn # 100

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing Hymn # 98

If you don’t have a hymnal, most of these songs are available on youtube, spotify, pandora or other music streaming options.

AWE

Awe-inspiring. When was the last time you used the word ‘awesome?’ You saw something out of the ordinary, you heard someone share a remarkable coincidence, you noticed how carefully your child/grandchild created true work of art. But was it ‘awe-some?’ The Psalmist writes, “For the sovereign Lord is awe-inspiring; he is the great king who rules the whole earth!” (Psalm 47:2, NET)

I fear we have lost our sense of the word ‘awesome.’ We use it casually. We use it carelessly. Pau David Tripp published a book titled, Awe: Why it Matters for Everything We Think, Say, or Do. He suggests that we are wired for an awe for God. writing, “No other awe satisfies the soul. No other awe can give my heart the peace, rest, and security it seeks.”[1]

How do we reclaim the word ‘awe?’ The Psalmist gives us some assistance:

– reflect on why you are where you are (Psalm 47:3-4);

– remember who God is – “He’s Lord over earth, so sing your best songs to God.” (Psalm 47:7, The Message);

– rejoice in His presence as the One who protects us (Psalm 47:8-9).

Our ability to be ‘awed’ may be skewed by our own self-importance. John Piper writes,

If I stand before the love of God and do not feel a healthy, satisfying, freeing joy without turning that love into an echo of my self-esteem, then I am like a man who stands before the Grand Canyon and feels no satisfying wonder until he translates the canyon into a case for his own significance. That is not the presence of health, but bondage to self.[2]

In our efforts to promote the causes in which we believe, and to puff up the self-image that is so easily bruised, have we lost our ability to be awed by the magnificence and grandeur of God?

[1] Paul David Tripp, Awe: Why it Matters for Everything We Think, Say, or Do (Wheaton, ILL.: Crossway Books, 2015), Kindle Edition, 12.

[2] https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/why-do-we-visit-the-grand-canyon, accessed on 2/24/20.

 

May 1980

 

Psalm 46

In May of 1980 having recently moved to Longview WA, my wife and I were startled by the eruption of Mt St Helens. We had studied volcanoes in school, but to live so close to an active volcano was not something we had anticipated. On May 18, 1980. We arrived at church for our responsibilities. We could see the column of smoke and ash billowing from the mountain toward the northeast.

As people gathered for our Sunday activities we were made aware of a few church families who lived upriver, closer to the mountain. Concern for their safety swept through the folks gathered. Concern for what might be next was palpable. In the worship center, up on the wall at the front of the auditorium, someone had written Psalm 46 in a large, beautiful script. Rarely have God’s words been so timely.

Whenever I come across that psalm I go back to those days of uncertainty and confusion. Yes, experts had been predicting the eruption for weeks prior to the event. Yes, emergency planners had warned people to evacuate the area and for those of us living downriver to prepare. Disinformation spread rapidly. I remember a phone call a few days after the event wondering if Longview had indeed been wiped off the map as some news reports indicated.

What I remember most, though, are the words on poster board in clear view of all who gathered for worship at our church:

“God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble. Therefore we will not be afraid, though the earth trembles and the mountains topple into the depths of the seas, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with its turmoil. Selah” (Psalm 46:1–3, HCSB)

A CROWNING CELEBRATION

The Netflix series, The Crown, follows the rise of Queen Elizabeth II from her childhood when her father’s brother abdicated the throne of England, to her accession to the throne at the ripe, young age of 26! The series highlights the turmoil of the royal family and sheds light on the ever-changing role of the monarchy in England during the 20^th century. We Americans have substituted celebrities and politicians in place of a royal family. The power wielded by the celebrity culture we live in and the power the monarchy exercises are very similar.

The 45^th Psalm was written to celebrate the wedding of the King of Israel. Perhaps it was written to celebrate the marriage of David and Bathsheba. There is no way to determine the original occasion with certainty. What we can learn from the effusive language of the writer, however, is how important the king’s role was for the fulfillment of God’s promises.

God is and always has been king. As the people of God settled in the land promised to Abraham, they began to agitate for a human king – one who could lead God’s people in battle against enemies. David was not the first king of Israel, nor was he the son of the king. Rather, David was God’s choice for king of Israel. David’s flaws appear prominently in the Old Testament accounts of his reign.

The psalmist here focuses not on the flaws but on God’s promises. God promised David that a unique descendant would be born who would be nothing less than God-in-the-flesh, One who would rule eternally – not just the geographical region of Israel but the entire world (see 2 Samuel 7 for the details).

As we read these words are eyes are to be drawn not to any earthly monarch. We are to see in the celebratory words of the psalmist a picture of God’s ultimate triumph over the principalities and powers of evil that threaten to destroy us. With the psalmist we are to lift our voices in confident praise, knowing that our God has a plan and that our God will not be stopped.