Hallelujah

Readings for today: Psalms 146-150

Hallelujah. Literally, “God be praised.” A transliteration of the original Hebrew. “Hallel” meaning a joyful song of praise to the Lord and “Yah” a shortened form of Yahweh. It is a word that cannot be translated. It transcends every language group across the earth. No matter where you go - and I’ve been a lot of different places - all Christians everywhere know this word. Hallelujah appears thirty times in the Bible and almost all of the instances are in the Psalms. In our reading today, each of the Psalms begins and ends with the word, “Hallelujah” as the Psalmist directs God’s people to praise the Lord.

Hallelujah is not just a song we sing. It is a state of the heart. Our hearts should continually be singing hallelujah to the Lord. Every day when we wake up, we should sing hallelujah for another day. Every night when we go to sleep we should sing hallelujah for the things the Lord did in and through us that particular day. Read through the Psalms again. Pay attention to all the things the Psalmist praises God for. His nature and character. His actions throughout human history. His particular care of the poor and powerless. One gets the sense that the list is endless. One could easily spend an entire lifetime or more finding things to sing hallelujah for to the Lord.

When was the last time you sat down and spent some time reflecting on the nature and character of God? Revealed in creation. Revealed in redemption. Promised in the future consummation of all things. When was the last time you spent time pondering the amazing grace of God and his boundless mercy? Think of how much He cares for the widow and orphan, the poor and powerless, and all those who are downtrodden in our world. Think of how much He cares for humanity despite the magnitude of her sin. Think of how much He cares for the world in which we live and move and have our being. When was the last time you wrote down all the things God has done for you over the course of your life? The ways God has been at work? The miracles you have seen? I would encourage you to not only write these things down but also sing hallelujah over them. Praise God for them.

Praise has a way of shifting our heart and perspective. It drives out the darkness and depression and despair. It also is contagious. It lifts up those around us. It draws them into a posture of praise and thanksgiving. It’s why singing hallelujah with God’s people during worship is such a moving experience. It stirs the soul. And God wants us to have this experience. God wants us to know the joy that comes from having a heart full of praise. This is why He meets us in a powerful way when we worship Him in spirit and in truth.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Kings 9, 2 Chronicles 8, Proverbs 25-26

The Hope of Eternity

Readings for today: Psalms 119:89-176

“If your instructions had not been my delight, I would have died in my affliction.” This line hit different today. Mainly because I am spending time with brothers and sisters who cling to the Word of God for life. Literally. This is not a metaphor for them. It’s not an abstract philosophical concept. They depend on God for life. They depend on God for daily provision. They depend on God for protection in an area where there is often significant persecution. Salvation, for them, involves the body, mind, heart, and soul. It’s not just a private spiritual experience. And it’s powerful to witness.

As I trained yesterday, I found myself wondering what keeps them going? We are training in almost 100 degree heat in a building with a metal roof which makes it feel like an oven at times. The sun is relentless. It’s the hottest and driest month of the year for them in this part of the country. Some of them travel for days. They sleep on the floors of churches while they are here. All they have are the clothes on their back and their training materials. Some of them are in dangerous areas. They travel through conflict zones. Some of them are persecuted regularly. All of them live in deep, deep poverty. As I listen to their stories, I can hear the incredible faith. They truly believe God is their Protector, Deliverer, and Savior. They truly believe His ways are the highest ways and His law stands eternal and provides a strong foundation for their lives. Their hope is not in the things of this world or in the governments of this world but in heaven itself. It’s powerful to witness.

Spending time with them makes my own time with the Lord sweeter. Jet lag has me rising early in the morning hours. The city is quiet. The hotel lobby is deserted. I can come down and sit with the Lord. People have asked me if God speaks more clearly to me over here. Yes and no. It’s not that God is somehow more clear over here and less clear when I am home, it’s that I’m able to hear more clearly because my life is more free of distraction. My prayers are more focused because there is less noise. My meditation and reflection on God’s Word is more fruitful because my time is less hurried. I am currently making my way home. Pretty soon I will be back into my daily routines. One of the things I always try to do when I get back from a trip is find ways to slow my routine down. Find ways to eliminate distractions. Find ways to spend unhurried time with the Lord. I don’t want to lose the connection I’ve gained by being over here.

Readings for tomorrow: Song of Songs 1-4, 5:1

Anxiety’s Cure

Readings for today: Psalms 119:1-88

Pleasure. Delight. Happiness. Goodness. Comfort. Gratitude. Blessing. These are just a few of the words the Psalmist uses to describe his devotion to the law of God. These are feeling words. Emotional words. Intimate words. They point to the relationship the Psalmist has with God Himself. One would not and could not use these words to describe God’s law if the focus was on outward obedience. No one “loves” the law. We respect it. We honor it. We obey it. But we don’t love it. We don’t have a relationship with it. But the law of God is different. Our respect and honor and obedience for God’s law flows fundamentally from a deep, intimate relationship with the Law-Giver.

There is so much fear and anxiety in our world. So much depression and despair. So much self-harm and suicidal ideation. Despite the massive, exponential increase in mental health resources and psychotropic drugs, things are only getting worse. Outcomes are not getting better. Perhaps it’s time to consider a different approach? One that treats the whole person - body, mind, heart, and soul - rather than attempt to treat only part of a person? Perhaps it’s time we took alienation seriously? Whether it’s alienation from our body that manifests itself in gender dysphoria or eating disorders or the obesity epidemic. Alienation of the heart that manifests itself in an unwillingness to forgive, inability to reconcile, and the cutting off of important relationships in our lives. Alienation of the mind that manifests itself in a lack of resiliency, inability to process bad news or disappointment, and an unwillingness to face reality. Alienation of the soul that refuses to acknowledge the deleterious impact of separation from our Creator. Alienation in any and all of these forms lead to poor health outcomes because we simply were not made a compartmentalized life.

The Psalmist hits on the secret to the Christian life. The secret to a blessed life. The secret to a fulfilling life. One filled with meaning and purpose. One marked by joy and peace. What is that secret? It’s loving God and loving His Word. Loving God and loving His commands. Loving God and trusting God enough to let go of our sinful, selfish ways of living and embrace the life He offers us in Jesus Christ. “Before I was afflicted I went astray but now I keep your word.” (Psalm 119:67 CSB) Before I was anxious and afraid but now I keep your word. Before I was depressed and in despair but now I keep your word. Before I was suicidal and afflicted with thoughts of self-harm but now I keep your word. When we live according to God’s Word, we find ourselves filled with the love and grace and peace of God. And though life may still be filled with all kinds of hardship and suffering, we endure. We persevere. We overcome. Not by our might. Not by our power. But by God’s Spirit who now lives inside us and imparts to us all we need for life in this world.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Kings 3-4, 2 Chronicles 1, Psalms 72

Seeing

Readings for today: 1 Kings 1-2, Psalms 37, 71, 94

It is easy to “fret yourself because of evildoers.” Today I drove through a town of radical Muslim extremists who make a huge profit off of selling khat which is a highly addictive drug. It’s one of the darkest areas in this region. Christians have lost their lives trying to plant churches here. The hostility and persecution of anyone who does not share the Muslim faith is fierce and unrelenting. The exploitation and oppression of the addicted is heartbreaking. The poverty is back-breaking. And it would be easy to respond with anger and hate. Lash out at those who perpetrate such abuse and violence. There’s something deep inside all of us that longs to see those who do evil get what’s coming to them. We get frustrated when they seem to prosper. We lose heart when they get ahead. We question the justice of God when the wicked seemingly get away with all their plots and schemes.

Once again, the Psalmist gives voice to how we feel. He speaks directly to our hearts and points us to God. He helps us reframe our understanding and teaches us God’s eternal perspective. Do not be envious of those who do wrong. They will fade like the grass. Do not fret over the one who carries out evil. For they will be cut off. In the grand scheme of things, the evil only prosper for a moment but it is the righteous and the meek and the godly who will inherit the earth. Our job is not to seek revenge but to trust in the Lord and do good. Our job is not to focus on all that’s wrong in the world but to delight ourselves in God and commit to walk in His ways. If we remain faithful, God promises to make our light shine. He promises to give us an eternal inheritance and the blessing of peace. He promises to uphold the righteous and never let us be put to shame. He promises to establish our steps and provide for our needs and give us a future.

Reading through the Psalms gives us God’s perspective. It reminds us that life is best viewed on an eternal timeline. The sufferings of this world are temporary. The injustices of this world will one day cease. The pain and hardship of this world will fade away. Only the will of God and the Word of God endures forever. The Psalmist challenges us to live with God’s Kingdom in mind. To embrace eternal life as a gift in the here and now. To not put off until tomorrow what God is promising us today. Trust in the Lord and do what is good. Commit your way to the Lord and He will act. Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for Him. The Lord delivers all those who take refuge in Him.

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 119:1-88

Soli Deo Gloria

Readings for today: Psalms 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118

For the glory of God alone. This is the overarching purpose for all of human life. Every human being around the world. Every human being throughout history. Every human being yet to be born. All are created for this one purpose. To live for the glory of God alone. This is how it was in the beginning. In the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve living naked and unashamed before the Lord. This is how it will be when Jesus comes again and the Kingdom of heaven comes to earth. There will be no need for a sun or a moon anymore for the glory of the Lord will light all of creation and the nations will walk in it.

I have been blessed this week to meet men and women who live for the glory of God alone. On the outside, their lives are full of pain and hardship. They live in life-threatening poverty. They live in conflict zones. They live in areas where there is tremendous persecution. They are often the only Christians in their communities. But because they live for the glory of God, they are filled with inexpressible joy and all-surpassing peace. They testify to miracle after miracle of God’s provision and protection. They talk of signs and wonders they have seen and performed. Healings. Exorcisms. Resurrections. They are salt and light in the dark places they go. They not only preach the gospel but they plant gardens and give away food to those who are starving. They care for those who are sick or imprisoned. They show compassion to those who are hurting or grieving. They love and pray for their enemies. These are not just abstract concepts to them. They are spiritual practices they engage in everyday life. It’s beautiful and humbling to bear witness to their deep and abiding faith.

I have to admit, I feel so impoverished when I travel to Africa. If I am honest, I know I struggle to live for the glory of God alone. I am constantly tempted to steal some of that glory for myself. In the digital age where social media rules, it is so tempting to engage in self-promotion. So tempting to put out the humble brag. So tempting to claim a little credit for myself. It’s something I have to resist constantly. And part of my resistance is to turn my heart to praise. When I focus my attention on God and praise Him with all my heart, the desire to look in the mirror fades. When I meditate on all God’s works and all He has done for me, my frustrations with what I feel I may lack diminish significantly. When I fear the Lord and walk in obedience to His ways, I find my life enriched in all sorts of ways and my desire to provide for myself goes away. This is why reading and praying the Psalms is so important. It lifts our eyes above the cares and worries of this world so we can catch a glimpse of the glory of heaven.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Kings 1-2, Psalms 37, 71, 94

Limitless

Readings for today: Psalms 131, 138, 139, 143, 144, 145

Reading through the Psalms this morning was refreshing, especially at 2:30AM in Africa! The only part of jet lag I love is getting up and spending hours with the Lord in the watches of the night. It’s quiet. There are no distractions. Space is created for me to listen to God and reflect in deep ways on His goodness and glory. Consider the words of Psalm 145. One cannot meditate on them enough. “The Lord is great and is highly praised; his greatness is unsearchable.” (Psalms‬ ‭145‬:‭3‬ ‭CSB‬‬) God is truly great. Greater than we can imagine. Greater than we think we know. Limitless in his power and knowledge. Limitless in his love and grace. Limitless in his righteousness and justice. His greatness is simply so great it is unsearchable. It is mysterious. Unfathomable. His will is inscrutable. We will never truly understand the mind of God because we are finite. We see through a glass darkly. We only can see part of the picture. We have such a limited view. But God's greatness knows no end!

“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and great in faithful love. The Lord is good to everyone; his compassion rests on all he has made.” (Psalms‬ ‭145‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Echoes of Exodus where God showed Himself to Moses. The true nature and character of God revealed in all its fullness and glory. God is gracious. His love is unconditional. His mercy is everlasting. There is nothing that can separate us from God's love. Nothing that can condemn those who are in Christ Jesus. No conditions. No circumstances. No sinful behavior. No addiction. No crisis. No tragedy. No doubt. No fear. No failure. Nothing in all of creation can separate those who are in Christ Jesus from the gracious, merciful, steadfast love of God. This is why “All you have made will thank you, Lord; the faithful will bless you.” (Psalms‬ ‭145‬:‭10‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

“The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all his acts.” (Psalms‬ ‭145‬:‭17‬ ‭CSB‬‬) His Law is beautiful. Precious. It is like water to the soul. His commands are designed for human flourishing. His statutes are for our protection. All his ways are good and kind.

“The Lord is near all who call out to him, all who call out to him with integrity. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry for help and saves them. The Lord guards all those who love him, but he destroys all the wicked.” (Psalms‬ ‭145‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭CSB‬‬) O the wonderful promises of God! They are true! They are secure! They are more real to me than my thoughts. My feelings. My experience. They are the foundation of my life in Christ. Truly God fulfills His promises. Always in His way and in His time and according to His good plan. 

I love the Psalms so much sometimes I just sit and let the words wash over me like waves at the seashore. Wave after wave of God's goodness. Wave after wave of God's promises. Wave after wave of God's glory. As I am drenched in the love and grace of God, I find myself quite naturally falling to my knees in praise. Falling to my knees in humble submission. Falling to my knees is thanksgiving for all He has done for me. 

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 27-29, Psalms 68

Sovereignty

Readings for today: Psalms 108-109

Today’s reading reminds us of God’s sovereignty. God reigns over all the earth. Over all human affairs. Over all the nations. Over all the princes and kings and presidents and prime ministers. God reigns over all of nature. His throne sits high above the heavens. The earth remains his footstool. God exalts Himself over creation and there is nothing that escapes His notice. Nothing operates outside His sovereign will. Nothing catches Him by surprise. Nothing lies outside His power and authority.

“God, be exalted above the heavens, and let your glory be over the whole earth. Save with your right hand and answer me so that those you love may be rescued. God has spoken in his sanctuary: “I will celebrate! I will divide up Shechem. I will apportion the Valley of Succoth. Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine, and Ephraim is my helmet; Judah is my scepter. Moab is my washbasin; I throw my sandal on Edom. I shout in triumph over Philistia.” (Psalms‬ ‭108‬:‭5‬-‭9‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Wars and regional conflict. Pandemics and natural disasters. Just and unjust governments alike. Corrupt politicians and those who hold fast to their integrity. Rich and poor. Educated and uneducated. Every tribe. Every tongue. Every nation. All exist under His sovereign hand, at least according to the Bible. And if this is true, it creates the ultimate conundrum. If God is sovereign, how can He be good? There is just too much evil in the world. Too much suffering. Too much pain. Too much death. How could a good God refuse to act if He truly was sovereign? So perhaps He is good but just not sovereign? Perhaps He’s all-loving and all-gracious and all-compassionate but simply not powerful enough to confront the forces of darkness that afflict our world? Perhaps this is why plagues run amok. Wars never seem to cease. The most corrupt and power-hungry politicians seem to win. The gap between rich and poor grows wider. The social divisions only become more pronounced. These truths are difficult to hold together in our finite, human minds. How can God be both sovereign and good when we look at the state of the world He supposedly rules?

It’s a thoroughly modern problem. David, obviously, didn’t have such issues. He had no problems holding the tension in his own heart between the sovereignty of God and the goodness of God and the brokenness of our world. He fundamentally believed in the Biblical story. The good and sovereign God had created a good and perfect world. Into that good and perfect world, God put a good and perfect creature made in His own divine image. The charge to that creature was to care for and nurture and act as God’s agent in that good and perfect world to help it become fruitful and beautiful and lovely as God originally planned. However, the good and perfect creature grew proud. It disobeyed. It stretched out its hand in an effort to be like God. And the good and perfect world fell into ruin. Sin and death now reigned. But the good and sovereign God’s plan remained the same. He would work in and through the creature made in His image to restore the world to its pre-Fall condition. Thus, Adam’s call came to Noah. Noah’s call came to Abraham. Abraham’s call came to Moses. Moses’ call came to David. David’s call would eventually come to a man named Jesus. God Himself re-imaging Himself into the broken world He still loves. The good and sovereign God refusing to let go of all He had made. Through Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension, the power of sin and death was broken. The forces of evil defeated. And what we are experiencing today is simply the aftershocks of that great victory that will one day find completion when the good and sovereign God returns to make all things new.

Until that day comes, we walk by faith. We hold fast to our belief that God is good. He is holy. He is pure. He is righteous. And we hold fast to our belief that God is sovereign. All-powerful. Almighty. Ruler of the heavens and the earth. And we trust He knows what He’s doing. We trust He sees things we cannot see. We trust He knows things we cannot know. And He is at work. The good and sovereign God has not abandoned His world to its fate. He is with us. He is near us. He is for us. And His promise is that He will bring to completion the good work He began.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 23-26

Looking Up

Readings for today: Psalms 3, 4, 13, 28, 55

It’s hard for me to imagine how David must have felt. Running for his life from his own son. Knowing his son not only wanted to depose him but wanted to kill him. I can’t fathom such a scenario. Not only that but David had to know he bore some measure of responsibility for what had taken place. He refused to bring Amnon to justice. He refused to reconcile with Absalom when he lived in the city. His decisions helped create the very conditions under which a rebellion could rise up. I also wonder what kind of impact David’s crime with Bathsheba had on both his boys. What did they learn from his example? Did David ever sit down with them and share his pain and heartbreak over his sin? We will never know but it’s worth thinking about.

It’s also worth noting where David goes when he feels afraid. He goes to the Lord. He cries out to God. He rehearses what he knows about God over and over again. “But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. I cry aloud to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again because the Lord sustains me. I will not be afraid of thousands of people who have taken their stand against me on every side…Salvation belongs to the Lord; may your blessing be on your people.” (Psalms‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬-‭6‬, ‭8‬ ‭CSB‬‬) I don’t think this means David is any less afraid. True courage is not the absence of fear. In fact, true courage is walking by faith even in the midst of your fear. True courage is keeping your eyes fixed on God even in the middle of the chaos of our world and David’s world is incredibly chaotic at this point in his life.

Last evening we met with some friends. We talked with them about a recent period of their lives where they were out of work and things got hard financially. It wasn’t easy for them. They experienced all kinds of anxiety and fear. But they kept walking by faith. They kept looking to the Lord. They found the courage to keep moving forward despite their feelings. And as they leaned on the Lord, their faith deepened. It was a powerful testimony. What about you? How are you looking to the Lord in your own life? Let the Psalms lift your eyes and heart to the Lord.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Samuel 16-18

Forgiveness

Readings for today: Psalms 32, 86, 102, 103, 122

This morning I found myself so thankful for the forgiveness and grace of God. It’s overwhelming. Reading the Psalms, especially Psalm 103, touched my heart. Perhaps it’s because I know the depths of my own sin. I know how my mind wanders. I know how my heart fails. I know how self-indulgent I can be. Selfish and self-absorbed. I know my cynicism. I know how easy it is for me to catastrophize. I know how quick I am to assume the worst about people and the worst about life. I have to battle these things on a regular basis. Thankfully, not every day. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit has sanctified me to a certain point but that work is clearly ongoing.

At the same time, I believe. My faith in Christ has never been stronger. My trust in God never greater. My gratitude for all God has done for me is daily at the forefront of my mind. It’s why I love reading and re-reading the Psalms. They keep my focus where it needs to be. God is faithful. God is good. God is gracious. God is merciful. God is loving. God is forgiving. God never fails. He forgives all my sin. He heals all my diseases, if not in this life then in the next. He redeems me from the grave. He sets me at His side and crowns me with faithful love and compassion. He satisfies me completely. He renews my strength every single day. God’s faithful love cannot be measured. It is as high as the heavens are above the earth. His forgiveness has no limits. It is as far as the east is from the west. The gift of His righteousness is infinite. It is from eternity to eternity. And this is why I bless the Lord. I cannot begin to count up all His benefits for me.

Many feel like they have to hide their sin. Many go through life weighed down by a burden of guilt and shame. Many feel they can’t be honest with themselves much less those they love much less God. But the words of the Psalmist reminds us there is no end to God’s love and grace and mercy and compassion. And this provides a deep sense of safety and security when we come before the Lord for He sees us. He knows us. And He loves us. There is nothing that can make Him love us any more or any less than He does right now, in this moment, even as you read these words. We can tell Him anything. There is nothing that will make Him turn His face away. We can share the deepest, darkest secrets with Him knowing He loves us eternally. Let his Spirit sanctify you, heal you, strengthen you, and make you whole.

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

Provision

Readings for today: Psalms 65, 66, 67, 69, 70

I have seen plenty and I have seen want in my life. I’ve had seasons where my bank account was full and times where it was empty. I’ve had years where I made plenty of money and was able to provide abundantly for my family and years where I’ve needed public assistance to feed them. I’ve seen both ends of the economic spectrum. I’ve moved up and down the levels of our economic system. Here’s what I’ve discovered to be true…God provides. He provides what we need in the time we need it. Maybe not more than we need but never less than what we need. Maybe not what we want or desire but enough for us to make it through another day.

Ancient Israel was an agrarian society. As such, they depended on the harvests each year to provide them with food. They worked hard. They were faithful to till the ground. Plant the fields. Do what they could to tear up the weeds or chase away the animals who might steal their crop. But as any farmer knows, there’s only so much one can do. Ultimately, there are so many things outside our control. The sun. The rain. The health of the soil. These things can only come from God. This is why David sings Psalm 65. It’s a song celebrating the bountiful harvest. It’s a song of praise to God the provider. It’s a song declaring the goodness of God the creator.

“You answer us in righteousness with awe-inspiring works, God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the distant seas. You establish the mountains by your power; you are robed with strength. You silence the roars of the seas, the roar of their waves, and the tumult of the nations. Those who live far away are awed by your sings; you make the east and west shout for joy.” (Psalms 65:5-8 CSB)

“You visit the earth and water it abundantly, enriching it greatly. God’s stream is filled with water, for you prepare the earth in this way, providing people with grain. You soften it with showers and bless its growth, soaking its furrows and leveling its ridges. You crown the year with your goodness; your carts overflow with plenty. The wilderness pastures overflow, and the hills are robed with joy. The pastures are clothed with flocks and the valleys covered with grain. They shout in triumph; indeed, they sing.” (Psalms‬ ‭65‬:‭9‬-‭13‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

“God’s stream is filled with water.” I love that line. Perhaps because my family has been in farming for generations. I know the importance of abundant water. In fact, my mom is about ready to replace a well on our land up in Nebraska because the old well is failing and the crops can’t survive without the water it provides. I also know the importance of Living Water. The kind of water Jesus talks about to the woman at the well in John 4. I’ve experienced it in my own life. No matter how much I’ve struggled or how far I’ve fallen or how little I may have, God always provides. His river is always flowing, providing what I need. Sometimes it feels like a trickle but it gets me through. Sometimes it feels like a torrent and I am overwhelmed by its abundance. Most of the time, I find it to be a slow, meandering stream constantly refreshing my soul.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Samuel 11-12, 1 Chronicles 20, Psalms 51

Filling a Need

Readings for today: Psalms 89, 96, 100, 101, 107

I love the Psalms. They give expression to so much of what I feel on a day to day basis. They give me the words to pray as I navigate the ups and downs of life. Last week was one of the best weeks of my life. I’ve been a pastor for over twenty years but Holy Week hit different for me this year. Perhaps it was the intentionality and brilliance of our team as they planned and executed some of the most incredible worship services. Perhaps it was the overwhelming success of an Indian outreach event that’s been in the works for some time now. Perhaps it was seeing all the people I know and love at PEPC coming to worship on a beautiful Easter morning. Perhaps it was all of the above. And it’s why I found myself reciting the opening line of Psalms 89 on Sunday afternoon when everything was over. “I will sing about the Lord’s faithful love forever; I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations with my mouth.” (Psalms‬ ‭89‬:‭1‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Of course, another possibility is the state of my soul this year. It’s been a very good year but a very challenging one with lots of changes. My wife and I put our youngest daughters on a plane to Australia in late January/February and officially entered the “empty nest” phase of life. While we’ve enjoyed the transition and are proud of all four of our children, it has resulted in a significantly different rhythm for us. My dad passed away last year and my mom is needing more and more of my attention which I am more than happy to give. She is one of the most amazing people I know but getting older is not easy. The demands on my time are growing. I have been leading a national team for our denomination to revise standards for ordination and our recommendations were due April 15. I am heading to Ethiopia in May and my teaching outlines were due April 18. I am teaching a class at Denver Seminary and papers needed to be graded the first week of April. I am the chair of the board for a mission agency and we are writing two key policies that were due April 29. Not to mention preaching Palm Sunday and Easter for PEPC and our Indian Outreach Ministry. So lots going on! Ha! I love every bit of it. I feel called to every part of it. But I have been stretched during this season more than normal. Perhaps running on fumes also opens me up to the message of the Psalms in new and fresh ways and I found myself turning to Psalms 107 and finding comfort in these words, “Let them give thanks to the Lord for his faithful love and his wondrous works for all humanity. For he has satisfied the thirsty and filled the hungry with good things.” (Psalms‬ ‭107‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

What about you? Do you find yourself full or empty or somewhere in between? Do you find yourself stretched, stressed, or relaxed? Are you joining the Psalmist in praise or looking to him for hope? What do you need from the Lord during this season? Let the words of the Psalms meet you in your point of need and direct your attention back to the Lord.

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

Walking with Integrity

Readings for today: Psalms 15, 23-25, 47

Recently, a friend of mine went through a job change. He was notified he would be let go because his company was “going in a different direction.” The news came out of the blue. All of his performance reviews had been exceptional. He hit every mark the company ever set for him and often exceeded them. None of that seemed to matter. The boss just wanted to make a change. As you can imagine, he went through a range of emotions. There was the initial shock when he first got the news. Shock gave way to anger as he wrestled with the injustice of it all. Anger turned to frustration as he processed the years he had given to this company. Frustration became hurt as he realized how deeply this decision wounded him. In the midst of his hurt, he felt fear and anxiety rise up as he pondered what he would do next. Starting a job search at his age and station in life was no easy task. Would he be able to replace his income? Would he be able to provide for his family? He was pretty close to retirement so how many years did he really have left? I imagine many of us have gone through these experiences ourselves or walked through them with those we love. It’s not easy.

The temptation, of course, is to retaliate. To get back at those who’ve hurt us. To justify our anger and frustration and lash out. We might work to undermine. We might spread rumors or gossip about those in positions above us. We might seek to recruit others to our cause and create all kinds of conflict in the office on our way out. Sow seeds of discontent. Exploit opportunities to create dissension. Those kinds of things. Some might even take things to an extreme and try to take the company or the person responsible down with them. It can get ugly.

“What would God have me do?” This is the question my friend asked me. I took him to some of the Psalms we read today. I pointed him beyond his circumstances and challenged him to think about the bigger picture. Do you want the blessing of God on your life? Do you want the favor of God to go before you? Do you want to walk before God with a clean conscience and a pure heart? Then walk as blamelessly as possible. Do what is right. Don’t give in to the temptation to slander or return evil for evil. Remain humble. Stay focused on Jesus. Trust God is sovereign over all things - including injustice - and nothing can stand in the way of His will for your life.

The ultimate test of faith is what happens when we come face to face with a circumstance that is unjust or unfair. In those moments, we are faced with a choice to either “walk our talk” or go our own way. If we can keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. If we can keep our minds set on eternal rewards. If our treasures are truly in heaven, we will find ourselves looking to please God rather than man and this is the essence of godly integrity.

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 89, 96, 100, 101, 107

Easter

Readings for today: Psalms 81, 88, 92, 93

Holy Week is always powerful for me. It drains me emotionally, spiritually, and physically and not just because there is more activity on the schedule than normal. Yes, there are multiple services and multiple rehearsals and multiple things to do to mark this sacred week. Our teams run hard to pull it all off. There are a lot of late nights. But I find the emotional and spiritual demands of this week far more taxing than the physical ones. Closely walking with Jesus through His final days and hours opens my heart up to all kinds of emotions, many of them expressed so well in Psalm 88 from our reading today. Crying out to God. Feeling the weight of my sin. The loneliness of my journey at times. The rejection I’ve experienced in my life. The despair, weakness, and isolation. I know what it’s like to feel like darkness is my only friend. This is the experience of Holy Saturday and by the time I get there every year, I feel exhausted and spent.

Then comes Easter Sunday. A new day. Another day. An additional day. A bonus day. You see, Holy Saturday is not the end of Holy Week! Though Holy Saturday is the seventh day, the last day, the Sabbath day; the resurrection of Jesus Christ changes things. Changes how we mark time. Changes how we look at our calendars. By raising His Son from the dead, God moves us beyond the old Sabbath into the new Sabbath. An eternal Sabbath. A Sabbath not bound by hours or minutes or seconds. A Sabbath not bound by the cycles of evening and morning. A Sabbath not made for this world but for the world to come. A Sabbath not made for earth but for heaven. And without fail, as each Easter morning dawns, I find my strength renewed. I find my heart lifted. I find my joy restored. I lift my eyes above the hills to see from where my true help comes! My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth! As Psalm 93 puts it, “The Lord reigns! He is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed, enveloped in strength. The world is firmly established; it cannot be shaken. Your throne has been established from the beginning; you are from eternity.” (Psalms 93:1-2 CSB) Yes, the floods have lifted up. The world has done all it can to rid itself of God. To throw off all restraint. But the Lord rides the waves like a chariot. His voice is lifted high above the tumult of the seas. He will not be subject to His creation. He will not be ignored by the creatures made in His own image. By dying and rising again, He has declared His Word to be completely reliable, trustworthy, and true.

For Christians, Easter Sunday is not just a day on a calendar. It is not just an occasion to celebrate. It is a lived reality. We are an Easter people, shaped and formed by the Easter experience. Once you’ve tasted the new life Easter has to offer, the eternal life Easter has to offer, there’s no going back. And why would you want to? The old life is drab and boring by comparison. Nothing attractive about it all. Certainly not worth comparing to the glory that has now been revealed in us through the Risen Christ.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 7-9

Faith under Pressure

Readings for today: Psalms 49, 84, 85, 87

“Better a day in your courts than a thousand anywhere else. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God than live in the tents of wicked people.” (Psalms‬ ‭84‬:‭10‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

There is nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide. No place we can go to be safe. The world is full of sin and corruption. Injustice and oppression come in all kinds of forms. Human beings pursue power and pleasure at all costs. We say in our hearts, “there is no God.” Each of us does what is right in our own eyes. All of us are like sheep who have gone astray. Recently, I had a conversation with a good friend. They are looking to relocate out of our state. They simply cannot fathom the depths to which we have fallen. We are a haven for abortion on demand. We are considering criminalizing any dissent against the transgender movement. We are overspending to the tune of billions and are looking to reform, or perhaps even take away, the main guardrail (TABOR) that restrains the state government. As our state continues to move further and further left politically, many people of faith (not just Christians) feel they are being forgotten, left behind, left out, and marginalized. And I understand those feelings. It’s why I can’t in good faith discourage my friend from leaving, especially as they look to raise their children in a safer place. At the same time, I am not sure there is a “safer” place. I’ve lived all over the United States and, in my experience, every place has it’s issues. Every place deals with injustice, corruption, unrighteousness, and oppression. Every place faces the same root challenge of sin.

Israel faced these same challenges. It’s why they looked beyond the horizons of this world to the Lord. They understood they would not find a refuge in this world. They would not find a sanctuary in this world. There was no safe place to run to from sin. There only home was with God. He would be their protector. He would be their provider. No matter where they lived, He would be with them. “For the Lord God is a sun and shield. The Lord grants favor and honor; he does not withhold the good from those who live with integrity.” (Psalms‬ ‭84‬:‭11‬ ‭CSB‬) At the end of the day, Israel understood herself to be an “alien and stranger” in this world. A people just passing through. They did not cling to the things of this world but instead sought to live open-heartedly and open-handedly. They didn’t expect the ungodly people who surrounded them to act in godly ways. Instead, they sought to live as faithfully as they could. They trusted God to use them as light to pierce the darkness. The world may make our faith illegal. They may seek to harass and persecute us for what we believe. The world may make it difficult to live as Christians. But at the end of the day, the government can’t legislate what happens in the heart. They can’t govern what we think, do, or say. Yes, it may become more costly to be a Christian in the years ahead. My friends around the globe would say, “welcome to the club.” They would point us to Jesus, who was crucified for what He believed in and stood for and humbly call us to follow His example. As we look to Him, we will discover the truth that the Psalmist sings about, “Faithful love and truth will join together; righteousness and peace will embrace. Truth will spring up from the earth, and righteousness will look down from heaven. Also, the Lord will provide what is good, and our land will yield its crops. Righteousness will go before him to prepare the way for his steps.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭85‬:‭10‬-‭13‬ ‭CSB‬)

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 3-5

Intimacy with God

Readings for today: Psalms 121, 123-125, 128-130

Most people I talk to experience a significant, if not insurmountable, gap between themselves and God. They believe God is distant. Far away. Looking down from heaven “up there” somewhere. When I probe a little, I usually find it’s because they also experience a significant, perhaps equally insurmountable, gap between the people they are and the people they believe God has created and called them to be. They read passages like “be holy as I am holy” and immediately assume it is impossible. They read the stories of the faith of people like Abraham and Sarah, Moses, Joshua, Deborah, etc. and immediately assume “that could never be me.” They believe they have to reach a certain level - always left undefined - of “goodness” in their life to be accepted by God. But the lack of definition always keeps them guessing and the doubt gnaws at their soul. They read the Psalms and they marvel at the intimacy displayed by David and the other writers. They can’t fathom what that might feel like or look like in their lives.

What if I told you that the gap between us and God was a myth? What if I further told you that the gap between the person you are and the person God created you to be was a lie? What if, by God’s grace, He has already closed the gap that once existed between us? What if what we’re feeling is echoes of a time and a reality that no longer exists? This is what the ancients understood. Our forefathers and foremothers in the faith truly believed God when He said, “I have become your God and you have become my people.” They believed God closed the gap between heaven and earth to come to dwell with them. First in a Tabernacle. Later in a Temple. Furthermore, what if, by God’s grace, the gap we all feel between the person we are and the person God has called us to be is a lie? What if, by God’s grace, we already are who God created us to be and are simply learning to live it out? Yes, we will make mistakes. Yes, we will sin and fall short. But what if, by God’s grace, the gap has been closed by the death of Jesus Christ on a cross? What if we already are righteous in God’s sight and are just learning to live in light of this new reality?

I think one of the devil’s greatest schemes is to get us to believe in a “gap.” And not just any gap but a chasm that is insurmountable, unbridgeable, uncrossable, inaccessible. And this makes God seem so distant and unreachable which makes intimacy with Him impossible. But this is not true! This is a lie! There is no gap between us and God. Not anymore. Not with the Word becoming flesh and making His dwelling place among us. Not with the Holy Spirit coming to take up residence in our hearts when we come to saving faith. There is no gap because God has closed the gap. God bridged the gap. God crossed the divide. God tore down the dividing wall that separated us from Him. And we are now set free to live as children of light. Children of joy. Children of love and mercy and blessing. Saved by grace, we get to live by grace. Saved by unconditional love, we get to extend that love out to others. Saved by God’s unending mercy, we get to be merciful ourselves to those around us. This is the beauty and the glory of the gospel. Will we do it perfectly? Of course not. But that’s not the point. God has not left it up to us to bridge the gap. God has not put the burden of creating intimacy with Him on our shoulders. He doesn’t expect us to make our way to Him. He comes to us. Just like He did to all those who came before us.

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

Victory from Defeat

Readings for today: Psalms 35, 54, 63, 18

At fifty-two years old, I can look back over the course of my life and think of several times where my future teetered on the edge of a knife. If not for the intervention of the Lord, I would have fallen. I would have failed. I would have lost everything. I remember being in high school and our family being on the verge of homelessness. We were down to our final month before foreclosure and eviction. We had no money left. The house needed to sell and God came through at the 11th hour. I remember being in college and not doing well. I was in the process of flunking out. I was drinking heavily. I could easily have dropped out and become an alcoholic but God intervened. Literally saved my life. Plucked me out of the pit and set my feet on the rock. I remember losing our first child at 22 weeks. The divorce rate for couples who lose children is extremely high and we could easily have become another statistic but God drew us close to Himself and our marriage only got stronger. I can think of several critical moments in the different churches and ministries I’ve been part of over the years which could easily have gone south. Moments of significant conflict. Moments where I was personally attacked. Moments where I felt betrayed. If not for God, my ministry career would have looked a lot different but He preserved me through each and every trial. He made me stronger and more resilient and most of all, more dependent on Him.

David has experienced a lot in his life at this point. He’s been on top of the mountain like when he defeated Goliath and he’s been in the lowest of valleys like when he’s being chased by Saul. He’s experienced a lot of victory in his life and he’s been on the run from his enemies. He’s had moments when he could have taken matters into his own hands and claimed the throne of Israel by killing Saul. He’s had other moments where Saul almost captures him to put him to death. Through it all, David continues to look to the Lord. He continues to give God all the credit for his life and his success and his deliverance. “I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good. For He has delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.” (Psalms 54:6-7 CSB) He refuses to let those who attack him get him down. He refuses to give into despair when he is betrayed or falsely accused. He knows the Lord sees his heart and he trusts God to vindicate him in the end. “Vindicate me, O Lord, my God, according to your righteousness, and let them not rejoice over me.” (Psalms 35:24 CSB) Most of all, David continues to seek God with all his heart. He never wavers in his faith. “I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalms 18:1-2 CSB)

How do you respond to adversity? How do you respond when you feel attacked or betrayed of falsely accused? How do you respond when things don’t go your way or take a turn for the worse? Do you look to the Lord when you find yourself wandering in the wilderness? In a dry and thirsty land? What about when things are good? Do you give God the praise? Do you give God the credit for the good things in your life? For His intervention and His provision and His blessing? When you look back over the course of your life, can you see where the Lord has brought victory in your life? Perhaps even from the jaws of defeat?

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 28-31, 1 Chronicles 10

Deliverance

Readings for today: Psalms 56, 120, 140, 141, 142

The Psalms are known as “the prayer book of the Bible” and for good reason. They are the literal prayers of the people of Israel. People like David and Solomon and Asaph. They teach us how to pray when times are hard and tough. They teach us how to pray when we are anxious and afraid. They teach us how to pray when we are poor and powerless. They teach us how to pray when times are good. When victory is within our grasp. When life has taken an upward turn. Most of all, they direct us to God. They teach us how to cry out to God in times of need and how to praise God in times of blessing.

In this particular season of his life, David is on the run. He has yet to assume his rightful place on the throne. He’s even had to leave Israel and take refuge among the Philistines who are his mortal enemies. Think about that for a minute. David literally has made his name defeating Goliath and the Philistine armies over and over again but now it is safer for him to live among them than his own people! No wonder David cries out to God. You have probably noted that many of the Psalms provide a brief description at the beginning before the actual verses begin. It gives a bit of the context for that particular prayer. Two of today’s Psalms were written when David was held captive by the Philistines or hiding out in a cave. The others suggest he was also facing adversity, perhaps around the same time. The themes of these Psalms focus on protection, deliverance, and rescue from his enemies. Each of the Psalms is also a declaration of trust. A profession of faith. David prays in confidence, believing the Lord will hear and answer his prayers.

The Psalms invite us to pray similar prayers. They invite us to express similar emotions. They give us permission to come before the Lord authentically and honestly, without fear of judgment. At the same time, the Psalms challenge us to believe. They challenge us to trust God. They challenge us to walk with open hands before Him and be willing to submit our will to His own. Deliverance may come from an unexpected place. Rescue may come when we least expect it. God does protect us but not always in the way we would think or according to our timing. We have to be willing to let God be in charge. This is what sets David apart. His prayers declare His trust in the almighty, sovereign power and plan of God.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 25-27, Psalms 17, 73

Refuge

Readings for today: Psalms 7, 27, 31, 34, 52

These words today hit different when you know David’s story. On the run. Hiding in the hills. Living out of caves in the wilderness. Constantly under threat. Always having to watch his back. This is where life finds David right now and what does he do? He sings. He composes songs to God. He sets his prayers to music. He hits on themes that will resonate among God’s people for centuries.

God is our refuge. We don’t place our hope in strongholds for they can be taken. We don’t place our hope in fortified cities for they can be overcome. We don’t place our hope in foreign kings and princes for they can be bought off. We don’t place our hope in our own strength or wisdom for we can falter and fall. God is our only sure refuge. He is the only one who can deliver us from those who pursue us, those who attack us, those who seek to do evil to us. At the same time, to take refuge in the Lord is a fearful thing. It means we will be exposed, vulnerable, and laid bare before Him. He will search our hearts to see if there is any wrong we have done. He will judge whether we have acted in righteousness towards those with whom we are at odds. David invites this judgment for he knows the Lord judges with righteousness. David has no fear for he has done nothing wrong. He has refused to take advantage of circumstances and situations to benefit himself. He is waiting on the Lord. He is confident God has good plans for him and will bring them to pass in His time.

Is God your refuge? Is God the one you run to when you are afraid? When feel under attack? When life is hard? When the future is uncertain? When you are experiencing conflict with those you love or those you serve? How does one make God a refuge? One follows the example of David. First and foremost, you pray. You pray honestly and openly. You pray not for your will but for the Lord’s will to be done in your life. You invite the Lord to scrutinize your life and judge the intentions of your heart. You draw close to the Lord. Wait on the Lord. Sit in silence and solitude before Him. No distractions. No alarms. No rush. You might even journal. Write down what’s on your heart. Perhaps even sing your prayers if you’re so inclined. Second, you trust. You believe. You cling to hope. Like David, you have faith the Lord hears the cries of the righteous and delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is near the brokenhearted and crushed in spirit. You may be facing many afflictions but the Lord’s promise is to deliver you from them all. Finally, you act. You act righteously and justly. You act graciously and mercifully. You act lovingly and compassionately. You humble yourself under God’s mighty hand and surrender your will and your way to Him. Walking with the Lord is what gives the godly their confidence.

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 56, 120, 140, 141, 142

Word

Readings for today: John 1:1-3, Psalms 8, 104

Words. Words are important. They are essential to communication. We use words to express ideas, give shape to thoughts, and bring definition to the world around us. We use words to convey meaning and purpose and values. Words have power. The power to hurt and the power to heal. The power to hinder and the power to help. The power to curse and the power to bless. When we use words well, the world around us experiences life and love and joy and peace. When we use words poorly, the world around us experiences death and hatred and grief and violence. Words are critical to understanding our world and our place in it. Words are vital in discerning truth. Words are the key to learning wisdom.

As important as our words are, they are ultimately finite. They are limited. They cannot begin to describe the majesty and glory of our Creator. Our words fail when it comes to describing God. We can use every word that has ever existed in every language throughout human history around the globe and still not scratch the surface of God. He is beyond human words and human expression and human language and human understanding. This is why we need the Word.

Word. The Word is different than human words. The Word is God’s expression of Himself. God’s revelation of Himself. God communicating Himself to us in a language we can understand. Jesus is the Word of God incarnate. The Word of God made flesh and blood. But He has always been the Word. He was present and active at creation, speaking the universe into existence. He was present and active even before creation, existing in eternal fellowship with the Father and the Holy Spirit. One God, Three Persons, Blessed Trinity. In the beginning was the Word. John is deliberately recalling the opening words of Genesis to convey a fundamental truth. The Word is God. The Word is with God. The Word is the Creator God. And all that has come into being was made by Him and through Him.

This is a stunning revelation. Almost all of the creation narratives of the religions of the ancient world involved a great war between good and evil. Good typically wins and dismembers evil, thus creating the world and all that is in it. Creation birthed in conflict. The universe formed by violent processes from the beginning. Much of modern science would agree though they would depersonalize and demythologize it. The Big Bang is a violent explosion that results in a rapid expansion of matter. Stars are formed when molecular clouds collapse under the weight of their own gravity thus creating the conditions for nuclear fusion. When massive stars reach the end of their lives, they can turn into black holes with a gravitational pull so intense nothing can escape, not even light itself. Meteors pummel moons and planets throughout our solar system. Asteroids cruise through the universe primed for collision. It’s not a safe environment at all. So one can understand why the ancients believed what they believed.

This is what makes the creation story in the Bible so remarkable. God speaks the world into existence. God tames the chaos through Word not power. God makes everything good. God sets everything in order. God rests on the seventh day. There is nothing analogous to it in any other religion in the world. It’s one of the many reasons to believe it is divine revelation not human myth. It’s simply not credible to think that any human being or human society would come up with this on their own.

Readings for tomorrow: Genesis 3-5

Our Refuge and Strength

Readings for today: Revelation 17-18, Psalms 46

I lived in Princeton, New Jersey on 9/11. Many of my friends and colleagues interned in New York City. Many of the families my wife worked with in her after school program worked in New York City. On the morning when the planes hit the towers, I was turning left from Canal Pointe Boulevard onto Alexander Street to go to campus. I was listening to the radio when the news hit. Every station I checked carried it. Every person delivering the report was in shock. Like everyone, I was in disbelief. I could not wrap my mind around the events. I could not begin to imagine the scope of the tragedy.

An acquaintance of mine was serving as a pastor off Fifth Avenue at the time in the city. When the towers fell, he put on his clergy robe and ran out into the streets. He threw open the doors of his church and people streamed in seeking sanctuary. A safe place. As he watched them mill about the auditorium, he knew he needed to say something. But how does one begin to put words to the national nightmare we were experiencing? My friend turned to Psalm 46. He read the Psalm aloud over and over again. God is our refuge and strength. God is our present help in time of trouble. We do not need to fear though the earth gives way for God is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress. Our stronghold. Be still and know that I am God. As he recited those words, a sense of peace came over the place. The people began to calm down. They began to weep. The initial shock began to wane. They provided what food and water they could. They let people stay as long as they wanted. The church stayed open 24/7 for days as people kept coming, looking for help. Looking for hope. My friend kept returning to those Psalm.

There is nothing more powerful than knowing God is with you in the midst of tragedy. Nothing more comforting than knowing we are never alone no matter what we may go through or face in life. God is the one unmovable, unshakeable, unbreakable reality in existence. Everything else is on the clock. Father Time is undefeated whether you are talking individuals or empires. The universe itself is dying every day as more and more of her energy is spent. This is why we look to God. We know we cannot count on the things of this world. We cannot depend on the people of this world. We cannot place our trust in princes or kings, prime ministers or presidents. There is only One who is faithful. Only One who is good. Only One who has the authority and power to be our refuge and strength. Be still and know God, friends.

Readings for tomorrow: Revelation 19-20, Psalms 47 (No devotionals on Sundays)