Tag: James

Psalm 119.105-176

Psalm 119.105-176

נ Nun Verses 105-112

God’s Word gives light, or understanding, to those who read and obey it. Jesus stated that He is the Light of the World. He is the fulfillment of God’s Word. He is the ultimate source of understanding (John 8.12-20). What is your fellowship with Him like? The essence of this section is for us to understand that we are living in increasingly dark times. For those who know Him, they will discern that they walk in dark times and they need His light to guide them.

The lamps in the psalmist days were small lights that lit only the next step or two. To often today, we desire God’s Word to be a bonfire or the sun revealing everything so we can get on with our life. The problem with this is self-evident. If God’s Word revealed all at once, we would be over-whelmed and then we would not rely daily on God and our fellowship with Him.

ס Samek Verses 113-120

In order to pursue what God has called us to, we must not merely dislike evil; we must hate it. However, this is still not enough. A case can be made that people who bomb abortion clinics have an hatred for evil. The man of God also must pursue God’s Word. This will keep us from becoming those who bomb abortion clinics. This is because we know that God would not do this. We need to realize that without God’s Word as our guide and His Holy Spirit sustaining us, we will be no different than those who do that activities we are called to hate. When we walk half in this world and half in God’s world, we are unstable and will fall (1 Corinthians 10.12; James 1.5-8; 2 Peter 3.17–18; and Jude 20–25).

An example of instability today is the thought that we can help people by giving them things, which is the entitlement programs found in today’s government. We believe we are doing the right thing (I don’t), but the result is always disastrous. We believe (I don’t) that doing something, even though it doesn’t end well, is better than doing nothing.

A graphic portrayal of this is found in 1 Kings 18 where Elijah is battling the priests of Baal (see verse 21 for a description of an unstable man).

See our sermon on John 6.16-21 on scrapping dross (DRW, 1998).

ע Ayin Verses 121-128

Only those who choose to obey God’s Word are His servants. They are the only ones who should expect God’s protection from calamitous people. This does not mean they will not suffer but that God’s hand is on them even in their trials. The psalmist prays for God to stand for his well-being. Jesus becomes this guarantee for us according to Hebrews 7.22.

פ Pe Verses 129-136

For what do we weep? Is it that God’s Word goes disobeyed? The only way for this to be our way of life is for us to live in God’s presence, before His face. These tears are for those who are missing the life that each of us were created for in God’s presence.

צ Tsadde Verses 137-144

Again, the only way for us to truly know God’s Word is for us to obey and act on His Word. Compare this section with Romans 7.12.

ק Qoph Verses 145-152

The Hebrew word for cry begins with a qoph. Thus, this section is centered around the word cry. What are your habits of studying God’s Word. Is it in the morning before your day begins? Is it during the night when sleeplessness is your lot. Every opportunity should be taken to understand, know, and love God’s Word. Our prayer life is enhanced by our study life (Acts 6.4 and John 15.7).

ר Resh Verses 153-160

Would man seek God’s truth if God did not call him to seek it? According to this section, no. God’s Word is Truth (John 17.17-19) and no man can know the truth without it being revealed to him by the author of that truth. The word “quicken” or “preserve” means to bring to life. God is just in doing this too. We would rail against Him for forcing us to do that which we had no desire to do. So, He gives us the desire that we desire but will not grant it to those who do not desire it.

ש Shin Verses 161-168

The bane of man should not keep us from praising God who is by far greater. Each time we open God’s Word we should exult in the treasures we find and praise Him for each of them.

ת Tau Verses 169-176

This closing section of Psalm 119 presents us with the only sacrifice we can truly offer God and that is a repentant heart bent on seeking Him.

Psalm 113

As God is in this world, so are we to be in this world. Do you walk by the poor and needy or do you stoop to help those in need? What would Jesus say about your actions and attitude? Take a moment to read Matthew 24-25 and listen to Keith Green’s song The Sheep and the Goats. There is no faith without action for faith creates action (James 2.14-26).

Psalm 113 (cf. Philippians 2.5-8 [He is immanent] and 1 Timothy 6.11-16 [He is transcendent])

This is the first of the Hallel Psalms or Praise Psalms used at the Passover Meal (Psalms 113-118, 136). Some have attributed this psalm to Samuel because the reference in verse nine imitating 1 Samuel 2.5, 8. Although this could be, it is not the view held here.

  • Verses 1-3-A call to praise God. All those who are His are to praise Him. We praise Him by thanking Him for who He is in our lives. We are to do this perpetually and everywhere our feet trod.
  • Verses 4-6-He is to be praised because He is great, He is without equal, and He has humbled Himself to be concerned with the affairs of man.
  • Verses 7-9-He is to be praised because He cares for the poor, needy, and barren, which are examples of His humbling of self to care for the needs of man.

As God is in this world, so are we to be in this world. Do you walk by the poor and needy or do you stoop to help those in need? What would Jesus say about your actions and attitude? Take a moment to read Matthew 24-25 and listen to Keith Green’s song The Sheep and the Goats. There is no faith without action for faith creates action (James 2.14-26).

Is God conceited? Read these articles by John Piper and NewLife Christian Fellowship to determine for yourself.

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Psalm 131

So, the question for us is where do we place our confidence? Is it in us, mankind, our things, or in God?

Psalm 131

Jesus said in Matthew 5.5, “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.” He would later tell us in Matthew 18.3, “Unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (NRSV). Paul would remind us of the same ideal in Romans 12.16 and 1 Corinthians 14.20. We are to have an attitude of childlike faith in this world of evil. When we look to ourselves as entities without need of help from another, we make ourselves god. Think about your life today. In what areas are you taking upon yourself and not bringing before godly counsel (Proverbs 15.22)and to God in prayer? This is, then, an area where you are making yourself into god. When we attempt to be gods, we stop God from operating in our life and things become frustrating, we become anxious, and we have no help (Philippians 4.4-9, cf. James 4.6). When we live in humility before Him, having the mind of Christ (Philippians 2.5-8), we find contentment (2 Corinthians 12). This is because our hope, our trust, our life, is in God. This is the essence of this short three-verse psalm. It directs our attention to our need for humility, our reliance or trust in God, and our only source of hope, which is solely found in God. Remember, hope is not wishful thinking but the full assurance that what God has said is and will forever be trustworthy.

Verse one implies that David had not always been humble before God (think of our recent studies in 1 Chronicles with the census). David sought refuge in his military strength and not in God’s omnipotence. David humbly submits his heart, eyes, and actions to God. He wants to live his life according to Romans 12.1-2 and 1 John 2.5-17. A. W. Tozer understood this when he wrote in “The Pursuit of God”: “Never forget that it is a privilege to wonder, to stand in delighted silence before the Supreme Mystery and whisper, ‘O Lord God, thou knowest.’”

Verse two mentions weaning. Weaning is resisted by the child because it longs for the closeness of the mother. However, without weaning there is no growth. We need to begin to feed ourselves and not rely on the milk of another to feed us.  Hebrews 5.11-14 presents this truth quite well.

So, the question for us is where do we place our confidence? Is it in us, mankind, our things, or in God?

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Psalm 30

This psalm is ultimately a psalm of praise and joy amidst, despite, or through the difficult times God allows for us to go through. We must always remember, there is no circumstance given us save it first goes through God’s loving hands.

Psalm 30

This psalm states it was written by David for the dedication of the Temple. The content of the psalm also provides insight into the context. David was reeling from the judgement God sent him, he repents, and rejoices in God. This is the context of the time of 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21-22 (see our studies: 2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21, 22). Today it is used in celebration of the Feast of Chanukah, which is a dedication of the Temple after it was desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes.

  • Verses 1-3-David knows he has erred and his desire is to place God where He truly belongs in life, lifted up, in place of preeminence (Colossians 1.15-20).

David here speaks of being healed (2). Although he was never afflicted by the plague sent in 1 Chronicles 21, it affected him in the deepest way. It sends him into prayer and repentance. His prayer is expanded in verses 8-10.

David identified with those around him so much that when they hurt he hurt. How is this with you? Do you mourn with those who mourn and rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12.15)?

  • 4-5-The plague lasted throughout the day where many died. Therefore, the night was filled with weeping.
  • 6-10-David held his confidence in the number of men of military age he had in his kingdom. The pride was his downfall. When David looked to himself, God’s favor was removed. Whenever we choose to walk out of fellowship with God, we should not expect to have Him actively involved in our lives. When we repent, He relents.
  • 11-12-David, like all the mourners, would wear sackcloth to demonstrate their grief.

The discipline of the Lord for our sin produces the image of His Son in our lives, which is the goal of all Christians (Romans 8.29 and Philippians 3.12-14). This produces the joy that follows the mourning (Hebrews 12.5-11, James 1.2–4, and 1 Peter 1.6-9).

This psalm is ultimately a psalm of praise and joy amidst, despite, or through the difficult times God allows for us to go through. We must always remember, there is no circumstance given us save it first goes through God’s loving hands.

Have you dared to thank Him for your present circumstances?

“Don’t shake your head when you see a mom or dad with a Downs Syndrome child and say, No way could I face that. Most likely you couldn’t. Which is precisely why God hasn’t asked you to. Instead, take time to seriously consider how you will remain joyful within your own particular, unique, individual situation. Accept your circumstances as a gift from His hand. Dare to thank Him for them.” Joni Eareckson Tada, Glorious Intruder

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Psalm 64

When you pray to God, do you praise Him even before the answer? Even if the answer might be no?

Psalm 64-A title, if I were to title these, “Two Archers, One Winner”

This, again, was written during the time of Absalom’s rebellions (2 Samuel 15-18). When reading these verses it is easy to see that words can hurt us greatly. “Sticks and stones my break my bones but words will never hurt me,” is a lie. “Sticks and stones my break my bones but words will surely kill me,” is more accurate. Slander and misuse of words is so severe a sin in the eyes of God, it made the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20.16). James spends most of chapter three of his book discussing the problems of the tongue and its power (James 3.1-12).

There is a plot afoot to dethrone David by the words of his son Absalom (see our study of 2 Samuel 15). What Absalom, and those in later chapters such as Shimei and Ahithophel (see our study of 2 Samuel 16), slandering David, he felt his character was being blasted. Rather than railing against them, David does what we all should do and that is to pray to the only One who can do something about it. God.

  • Verses 1-2-David prays for protection from evil speakers.
  • Verses 3-6-David describes the evil actions of those who seek to destroy him. Verse five reflects the willful ignorance of people who are sinning for God sees and watches every move (see our study of Psalm 2).
  • Verses 7-9-David describes their defeat by the hand of God. Two of the greatest words in Scripture are found in verse seven: “But God . . .” Trace these two words together and find the presence of God intervening in the life of man. If there is enough interest, we can begin a study on these two words.
  • Verse 10-David, even before it occurs, expects people to praise God. The wicked try to hide their plots, but the righteous proclaims them before all.

When you pray to God, do you praise Him even before the answer? Even if the answer might be no?

2 Samuel 11

In your weakness do you seek Him or do you attempt to be strong? You will fall. What will the consequences be?

2 Samuel 11

There is no parallel passage for this chapter and the next found in 1 Chronicles. The writer of the Chronicles was attempting to paint the kingdom, particularly David, in a good light. This chapter is the watershed event in his life. It is the turning point in David’s illustrious career. It also did not change God’s perspective of him (1 Kings 15.5). He sinned, yes; he was forgiven, yes; he repented, yes. God blessed him and disciplined him and allowed him to suffer the consequences of his sin.

When this chapter is evaluated, the conclusion of the matter begins in verse one.

In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab with his officers and all Israel with him; they ravaged the Ammonites, and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.

David was neither where he should have been (“when kings go out to battle, . . . But David remained at Jerusalem”) nor was he doing what he should have been doing (“when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab”). David literally and figuratively removed his armor (Ephesians 6.10-12). He was wrong on both counts. Being in the right place and doing the wrong thing can lead to sin. Being in the wrong place doing the right thing can lead to sin. Being in the wrong place doing the wrong things will always lead to sin. This is what James tells us in James 1.14-15.

A quick outline of the chapter present us with the sin of lust growing into adultery (1-5), adultery leading to deception (6-13), fear leading to desperation and murder (14-26a), and the unfaithfulness to God and Uriah leads to David displeasing God (26b). David was middle-aged at this point in his life. He may have thought he didn’t need to care about things about him as carefully as he did when he fought Goliath. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10.12-13 of potential outcomes for those who have attitudes like this. Normally we quote verse 13 stating that God will deliver us from or through temptation. What we do not look at is verse 12. When we think we are able to handle life without God (see our study on Psalm 70), we will fall with no guarantee of deliverance. We need to know that when we are weakest we rely on His strength but when we think we are strong we live like we don’t need Him (2 Corinthians 11.30)

The life of David will never be the same. The chapters after this present many problems for David from the death of the son he had by Bathsheba to the revolt of his son Absalom at the end of the book. Each incident comes back to this one incident in David’s life. An example of this is Bathsheba’s family. Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba, was the daughter of Eliam. He was one of David’s closest men (2 Samuel 23.34). He was also the son of Ahithophel. He was a private counselor to David. It was he who aided in Absalom’s rebellion against his father, David (2 Samuel 16.21). His advice was for Absalom to take David’s wives or concubines for his own so that when David dies, Absalom could be king (this plays out to the ultimate end in 1 Kings). Because David messed with Ahithophel’s family, Ahithophel sought revenge. It all comes back to the sin of David and Bathsheba in this chapter.

In your weakness do you seek Him or do you attempt to be strong? You will fall. What will the consequences be?

Psalm 39

When we are not doing that which God has called us to do, His hand will be upon us. In this short life we have to live, it is best lived under the watchful gaze of God. This is only done when we abide in His Word. What are you doing today that causes God to gaze graciously on you?

Psalm 39

This psalm reveals more of whom David is and of whom we are than many other psalms. He does the very thing he desires not to do. He is determined not to speak, yet does. James informs us why we cannot control the tongue (James 3).

It is his desire not to bring shame to God’s name. So, he comes to God in the quiet of his place and breaks forth in complaints.

The Selahs found in this chapter provide the outline. David proclaims the futility and shortness of life (1-5). He then asks us to pause and consider this for ourselves. God disciplines His children for their sin (6-11). We need to pause and consider what chastisement God is giving us. David then prays for God not to look upon his sin any longer (12-13), which He does not (Psalm 103).

When we are not doing that which God has called us to do, His hand will be upon us. In this short life we have to live, it is best lived under the watchful gaze of God. This is only done when we abide in His Word. What are you doing today that causes God to gaze graciously on you?

Music

I Put My Hope In You (Psalm 39) by Derek Sandstrom

Psalm 102

Psalm 102

The inscription for this psalm is odd. It gives no name, no direction, no tune or style; it merely pronounces what it is. It is a title. This psalm is an individual lament or prayer. It contains similar expressions found in Psalm 27 (read the study of Psalm 27).

This psalm is a Messianic Psalm in that it describes what happened to Christ during His lifetime. As you read through the psalm, try to see the agony of Christ, particularly in the Garden of Gethsemane (His prayer could have been this psalm, cf. Hebrews 5.7) or on the Cross. See below for MacDonald and Farstad’s treatment on how this psalm relates to the Trinity.

This psalm can be divided into four parts. The plea (1-2), the reason for the plea (3-11), the character of God (12-22), and the contrast between God and man (23-28) are the main sections of this psalm.

Verses 1-2-The Psalmist proclaims his heart’s desire is for God to hear his prayer, his plea. He does not expect God to reject his prayer and knows that God. These thoughts are seen in Psalm 88 (read study) and Psalm 17 (read study).

Verses 3-11-These verses remind us of what James wrote in James 4.14. Job also responded to his condition in terms of his bones poured out, burned, and crushed (Job 30.16-32). When David was being judged for his sin with Bathsheba and all the aftermath, he expressed his life as bones that were broken (Psalm 51.8). David, in Psalm 51, knew this was from God as does this writer (11).

This list of birds represents those who live alone and are desolate (6-8), which is how the writer feels as those around him mock him for trusting in God.

Verses 12-17-The writer calls out to God to act because of whom God is not who the prayer is. The writer calls for God to act so God can be glorified by the nations. When we pray, we should pray according to God’s Word, His will, and His way. When we do so, we will be asking God to do exactly what God wants to do. God desires for us to care for the poor and needy. Do we pray for Him to care for the destitute (17)?

Verses 17-22-The psalmist is asking God to use his circumstances to help others know that God is good and God is worthy of worship (Romans 15.4 and 1 Corinthians 10.11).

As verses 18-19 are read, we get a sense that the psalmist knows that God stepped down from Heaven to answer his prayer.

Verses 23-28-The writer realizes his frailty and God’s eternal state. He also realizes that what is occurring in his life is due to the mighty, compassion, just, true, etc., God of the Universe allowing it to happen. He is the same today as He was then (Hebrews 13.8, cf. Malachi 3.6, which expresses why we are still living). Because of this, the writer notes, we can have confidence before Him (27-28, cf. Hebrews 1.10-12). So, let us go before Him and ask Him to incline His ear to us.

As you are in prayer today, how do you pray? Are you asking God to grant your requests according to your desires? There is nothing wrong with expressing the desires of your heart to God. However, He may not answer them. Are you praying according to His Word, will, and way? If so, then an answer is forthcoming (1 John 5.13-15).

What are you writing for others to read that they may see the glory of God manifests in their lives as-well? Each of us has enough going on in our life for others to read that they may be drawn closer to God.

The key to understanding this Psalm lies in detecting the change in speakers.

Vv. 1–11 The Lord Jesus, hanging on the cross, is speaking to God.

Vv. 12–15 The Father replies to His beloved Son; we know this by comparing verse 12 with Hebrews 1:8.

Vv. 16–22 The speaker is unidentified, but we are safe in assuming that it is the Holy Spirit, describing the future restoration of Israel under the Messiah.

Vv. 23, 24a The Savior is heard once more as He suffers at the hands of God for our sins.

Vv. 24b–28 Again by comparing this section with Hebrews 1:10–12, we know that the Father is speaking to His Son.

Here as nowhere else in the Bible we are enabled to listen in on a conversation that took place between the three Persons of the Trinity when the Lord Jesus was making expiation for the sins of the world (MacDonald and Farstad, 1997).

Psalm 73

The wealthy and those who are at ease in this life are living on a slippery slope leading to destruction. The condition of the United States in this era (post 2008) is evidence of this truth. In a moment of time the nation went from apparent wealth and ease to devastation and poverty.

Psalm 73

A psalm written by Asaph. This Psalm is quite like Psalm 37 and Psalm 49 (see comments on Psalm 49).

The psalm is written as a teaching poem. It begins with temptation (1-3), description of the wicked (4-14), the wicked will perish (15-20), uncertainty (21-24), victory (25-26), destruction of the wicked (27), and trust in God (28).

Verses 1-3-Asaph recognizes that God is good both in the opening and closing verses. He begins and ends with the goodness of God. However, in-between he reminds us of ourselves. We are tempted to be envious of those who have more than us. We see the grass as always greener in someone else’s house. We covet, envy, and forget that God is indeed good. When we see a desire or a felt need not being met, it is quite easy to forget all the blessings we have due to the focus on the one thing that is missing. Most cases of adultery begin this way.

Verses 4-14-Although Asaph sees the wicked, he is still envious of them. He sees their life of ease and his harsh life and seeks their existence (cf. Malachi 3.13-15). Verses 11-12 show the perversity of their minds. They presume they can hide their sin from God, if there is such a being.

These verses depict not merely the corrupt but those who laud them as celebrity. The people praise the very ones who cause them grief. This is the United States today.

Verses 15-20-Asaph regains focus, not on what he does not have but on who has him. When we are perplexed over the issues of life and its seeming injustice, we need to spend time in God’s presence in order to regain an understanding of who He is and who we are in Him.

The wealthy and those who are at ease in this life are living on a slippery slope leading to destruction. The condition of the United States in this era (post 2008) is evidence of this truth. In a moment of time the nation went from apparent wealth and ease to devastation and poverty.

Verses 21-28-When we are embittered by the successes of those around us, we need to be reminded of who God is in this world. As we draw near to Him, we gain a better perspective on this life.  James 4.8 promises that when we draw near to God, He will draw near to us.

Chris Tomlin’s song “I Will Rise” is good to listen to (it contains verse 26).

Psalm 19

Do you see God’s work in creation (1-6), through His Word (7-11), and in your life (12-14)? This is where He is at work. Take time today to notice His work in your world, in your heart.

Psalm 19

This is a creation Psalm. It speaks of God’s majesty in creation and how He created it to show His majesty and glory. Many have suggested that if there is a God who created all this, why did He create the Universe to be so huge for so puny a creation as man. Some have answered this question by saying that God created man an inquisitive creature and that God created this universe for man’s exploration. A better response would be that the universe is not created for man to explore, although he can, does, and should, but that it was created to display the majesty of God per this Psalm. This would explain why it is so huge and complex.

Verses 1-4-David is expressing how creation shouts the glory of God (cf. Romans 1.19-20 and 10.18). This is called general revelation. Here God makes known His ways to all mankind. Many have taken this verse and attempted to show how the stars proclaim God’s glory. If you were to look at the original constellations, it would go from the Virgin to the Lion (Virgo to Leo), which shows the first coming of Christ in the virgin birth all the way to the second coming of Christ in power to rule. How do you see it?

Verses 5-6-When all the world would say the earth was flat, these verses proclaim it was round (cf. Ecclesiastes 1.5)

Verses 7-10-The heart of this chapter comes to the front, not in creation but in the Word of God. This is special revelation where God makes His will known to those who submit to Him and His Word. Each stanza in this poem refers to the same concept: God’s Word is what we need to live this life that He created us to live. It is His Word that gives us direction, wisdom, understanding, guidance in righteousness, and it is to be desired above life itself.

Verses 11-13-David, as Paul would later state in Romans 6.12-14, tells us our reward is found in keeping God’s Word. In so doing we will be blameless in our walk. No one will be able to accuse of wrong doing and sin will not be our master. There are two types of sinning mentioned here. One is the sin of ignorance. Even though we don’t know it is sin, if we commit it, it is still sin. Second is the sin of willful defiance. This is where we know it is wrong and still choose to do it. There is a third, not mentioned here, and it is when we know what we should do but refuse to do it (James 4.17). Which of these is your greatest struggle?

Verse 14-The entire purpose for having this special revelation is for us to meditate on it day and night. Meditation means for us to study all day long. To chew the cud as a cow would. We read a portion of Scripture, contemplate it, later on reconsider it, and still later consider it. It becomes a daylong process. When our mind is on His Word all day, that word will dominate our thinking, our words, and our actions. Are you meditating on God’s Word or merely reading it? Think about 2 Timothy 2.15-26 in its entirety. When our focus is on His Word we escape the schemes of Satan.

Hebrews 1.1-4 provides a summary of this Psalm.

Do you see God’s work in creation (1-6), through His Word (7-11), and in your life (12-14)? This is where He is at work. Take time today to notice His work in your world, in your heart.

If you have time today, about 45 minutes, watch Indescribable by Louie Giglio.