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You know, it's funny how you may hear a sermon at church or read the account of someone else about how God works in your life to reflect His glory, but you keep on thinking that these things only happen to other people. Maybe it's just the select few that are used. Maybe you have to be a giant of the faith for God to select you to minister to another. But that cannot be, because by nature, we were all creatures of wrath, right? I mean, just look at Ephesians 2:1-10 to see what I mean.
For a month or so, I have made a concerted effort to let my little light shine. At work, my Bible is kept on my desk after a lunch period where I have been reading it. On my website, I have been declaring my faith more than ever before. I don't try to force myself on others, though. I don't try to convict others of their sins. I also don't look down at anyone who has suffered the loneliness of sin's effects. In this time, I have had non-believers approach me to discuss matters of faith... even at work! I have also had believers approach me with some sins that are really bringing them down and with doubts that are discouraging them.
I'm no giant of the faith, though. How could I be called to help others? Shouldn't that be a role of a pastor or a deacon in the church? Wouldn't my first move, when approached, be to call them and refer this grieving person to them? Of course, if that were the role of a Christian, God wouldn't go through you as the intermediary. He would connect people with the preacher directly and not waste the time of the person who needed the encouragement. We don't have to go through anybody else to speak with God and God isn't about to help someone through a third party. He calls on those who He calls. As a Christian, it is my duty to answer to His call.
I'm asking everyone out there to do what I have done. In your "real life" let your light shine! You don't need to amplify it any; you just need to be sure that it isn't hidden. In a world of darkness, even the little glow of a candle is like a beacon to those who would look to it. Remember, darkness is only the absence of light! If your workplace is a spiritually dark place, wouldn't your candle seem all the brighter? And when approached, speak to the person with grace and peace, not with anger and condemnation. Silence is only the absence of sound. This is one way that anybody living in a free society can fulfill the Great Commission.
David can see at this point in his life that his days are not many more. The emotions in his songs are quite varied, and I believe that when you look at your final days, emotions can't help but come forward.
I also believe some of these Psalms came through David as prophesy. David mentions the preaching of God's Word to people of every speech and in every nation, not just Israel. He also acknowledges that with the coming of the messiah, overwhelming defeat would be handed to the agents of sin. I'm sure there's a lot more here, but these are the highlights I found as I read this day's reading.
Some of these Psalms in this reading serve to foretell the future of Israel. In retrospect, many of the statements seem crystal clear to me, but I wonder how many people in David's time understood what he spoke of. The question, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" asked by Jesus from the cross is one of the most famous questions in the history of mankind. Also notice the mention of scorn and insults, which preceded the crucifixion. The piercing of hands and feet. The casting of lots for discarded clothing. Those are all powerful images of the death of Jesus. And the glorious resurrection can be seen in verse 28: for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations. Psalm 22 has become a new favorite chapter of mine for these very reasons.
Psalm 23 is probably the most famous of them all, though. I'll roughly break some of it down.
- "The Lord is my shepherd." In Biblical times, the shepherd walked ahead of the flock to see that the way was safe and there would be provisions before the sheep could follow. This shows the protection God places over us.
- "He makes me lie down in green pastures" Have you ever wanted to do something that may have hurt you, but something held you back? I know I have. Perhaps a time of rest was needed and who would know that better than our creator?
- "He leads me beside quiet waters" Sheep cannot swim, and their wool would quickly become heavy with water, causing them to drown even faster. The shepherd needs to find a safe, calm place for the sheep to drink or they will be terrified and will not approach the water. God makes sure we are able to accept our blessings.
- "Your rod and your staff, they comfort me." A reminder that there is someone in charge is comforting to me. If God didn't hold sway over everything, chaos would soon take over. The boundaries set by God are wonderful showings of His love for us.
Obviously, there's quite a bit more to it. Read it, then read it again. The Psalms are beautiful displays of God's love for us in every stage of our lives.
Let the beautiful Psalms continue! David is saying here that with God on your side, who can be against you? God is the only thing that we should seek as well. And He is worth waiting for. David's years are nearing their completion and he is looking forward to his opportunity to stand with God.
God was the one who healed David's spirit after the fiasco that he created. God forgave his sins. God was the one who David counted on to deliver him from the eternal consequences of his actions. God was the one that turned David's sorrow to joy.Keeping all of his sins within himself had been tearing David apart. This was only relieved when he acknowledge to God that he was guilty because only God has the final authority of forgiveness. No wonder this reading ends with a cry of rejoicing!
David does his best to define the good and the wicked here. Much of this is actually defined as who keeps the commandments of God and who exhibits the fruits of the spirit, if you want to simplify the criteria. This also seems to be his closing instructions to the people of Israel. He tells them to seek Gods ways so they may prosper and not be overtaken by enemies, but sinfulness would spell their doom. The reading ends with a plea to God to accept him when he passes.
We are reminded to keep ourselves free of sin, for God alone knows the predetermined number of our days. And in those days, we are not to try and struggle for wealth, but look to Him for our hope. Our God is wiling to reach into the dank recesses of our sins and pull us out, setting us on firm ground again. Do you see what this means? You may be plagued with doubts, fearing that you are just not good enough for God, so why bother? But God is the one reaching out to you despite your shortcomings, to place your life in order and put a song in your heart. Wow!
David points out yet again that God is the only rock that one can be sure will never falter. If your trust is in Him, nothing can change that. Even the difficult times in our lives are ways for God to teach us lessons. What's the lesson here? When it's tough, lean on him. Does that sound overly simple? Yes? Good.
David is speaking about the power and majesty of God here. You will note that David doesn't ask for the power to conquer his foes, he asks God to take care of business. The Psalms also end with praise to the one who accomplished the task...God. The trials of this world are too much for us without His assistance. There are so many pitfalls in our paths that it's impossible to bypass them all unless He is guiding our way.
And speaking of guiding our way, David asks god to teach His way to him. Even in his later years, David never stopped seeking to learn how to please God. He did so with songs of praise and the lifelong attempt to keep himself pure.
Weekly LinkThe roots of FamilyLife go back as far as 1951, with the beginning of Campus Crusade for Christ. Its founders, Bill and Vonette Bright, had a great desire to help fulfill Christ's Great Commission --- taking the gospel to every nation. Starting on one college campus with one couple, Campus Crusade has grown into a multifaceted ministry with tens of thousands of full-time and associate staff serving in more than 150 countries. This site has more articles than I think a person could possibly read. Nonetheless, I haven't found any yet that weren't worth exploring! |
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Thanks for sharing my goal of reading the Bible in its entirety this year!