PRUMC Devotions

Advent Day 2

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. G. Thomas Martin) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:12:00 +0000

1 Corinthians 1:3-9

This piece of scripture is rich with lessons for all of us. Today, I want us to focus on verse 7.

A few years ago I was on a mission trip to Nicaragua and had the experience of a life time. Our team was set to visit a land fill and provide a meal and basic supplies for the residents of this place. Yes, I said residents and I mean people! We were told there is a group of people that survive by sifting through the trash and scavenging whatever they can find to sell. The drive up the road to the dump was filled with smoke, flies and a sickening smell. All around us there was burning trash, which made the heat incredibly intense as we headed up to the top of hill.

When we reached the top, I jumped down out of the truck and tried to take it all in. I stood there in sadness as I saw the last of the women and children making the walk up the road. They were dirty from head to toe and I could only imagine their struggle for survival in such a difficult place. I found myself looking up at that sky and asking God “Why?”

That is when I heard something that would change me in a very profound way. It was singing! I followed the voices just beyond our trucks to find the residents of the dump engaged in worship. Worship! In the midst of the smoke, smells, and flies they were praising Jesus. I was humbled. They had almost nothing physically, but lacked nothing spiritually. I was there to provide for them, when in reality they gave much more to me.

In this time of Advent, I often find my mind and heart cluttered with the desire for physical gifts. I am consumed with the busyness of the season. I have everything I need physically, but I often overlook what I have been given spiritually. Each day I want to be filled with the understanding that I do not lack any spiritual gift. I need to change my thinking as I eagerly wait for Jesus Christ to be revealed!

Jon Jones

Psalm 37:21-40

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. G. Thomas Martin) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:13:00 +0000

21 The wicked borrow, and do not pay back,
but the righteous are generous and keep giving;
22 for those blessed by the Lord shall inherit the land,
but those cursed by him shall be cut off.

23 Our steps are made firm by the Lord,
when he delights in our way;
24 though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong,
for the Lord holds us by the hand.

25 I have been young, and now am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.
26 They are ever giving liberally and lending,
and their children become a blessing.

27 Depart from evil, and do good;
so you shall abide for ever.
28 For the Lord loves justice;
he will not forsake his faithful ones.

The righteous shall be kept safe for ever,
but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land,
and live in it for ever.

30 The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,
and their tongues speak justice.
31 The law of their God is in their hearts;
their steps do not slip.

32 The wicked watch for the righteous,
and seek to kill them.
33 The Lord will not abandon them to their power,
or let them be condemned when they are brought to trial.

34 Wait for the Lord, and keep to his way,
and he will exalt you to inherit the land;
you will look on the destruction of the wicked.

35 I have seen the wicked oppressing,
and towering like a cedar of Lebanon.
36 Again I passed by, and they were no more;
though I sought them, they could not be found.

37 Mark the blameless, and behold the upright,
for there is posterity for the peaceable.
38 But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed;
the posterity of the wicked shall be cut off.

39 The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
he is their refuge in the time of trouble.
40 The Lord helps them and rescues them;
he rescues them from the wicked, and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.

One gives, one hoards. One keeps giving, one stores up. One receives and redistributes, one receives and keeps for himself. The wicked are those who do not pay back. They have the mentality that there can never be and there never will be enough. All the while, the righteous know that what they receive is more than enough, because it first belongs to God.

What if we too had the vision to see our belongings not as our own, but from God? It is something that we often say, but do we really live like it? I find myself guilty of this many times. Most recently, it comes in the form of doing yard work.

We have five large leaf producing trees in our yard and we spend about 3-4 hours a weekend trying to keep up with the fall. When we are done, I stand back and admire the work of our hands. Leslie and I take pride in what we accomplish. Then another wind or rain comes along to put aside our plans.

We are not the ones who are in control of the seasons. God is. It is a joy to be outside working, to have that ability and presence. And it is because God watches over all that we do; even when we are rescued from the wicked.

Pray Psalm 37:21-40.

Psalm 37:1-20

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. G. Thomas Martin) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:13:00 +0000

1 Do not fret because of the wicked;
do not be envious of wrongdoers,
2 for they will soon fade like the grass,
and wither like the green herb.
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;
so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
6 He will make your vindication shine like the light,
and the justice of your cause like the noonday.
7 Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him;
do not fret over those who prosper in their way,
over those who carry out evil devices.
8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.
Do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For the wicked shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.
10 Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look diligently for their place, they will not be there.
11 But the meek shall inherit the land,
and delight in abundant prosperity.
12 The wicked plot against the righteous,
and gnash their teeth at them;
13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he sees that their day is coming.
14 The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows
to bring down the poor and needy,
to kill those who walk uprightly;
15 their sword shall enter their own heart,
and their bows shall be broken.
16 Better is a little that the righteous person has
than the abundance of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
but the Lord upholds the righteous.
18 The Lord knows the days of the blameless,
and their heritage will abide for ever;
19 they are not put to shame in evil times,
in the days of famine they have abundance.
20 But the wicked perish,
and the enemies of the Lord are like the glory of the pastures;
they vanish—like smoke they vanish away.

There is one word that comes to mind when I read the first part of this psalm: pastoral. The word is often used to describe a country side setting. Such as, "This valley with the flowing meadow and mellow brook is very pastoral." The other use of the word is when one describes the activity of a pastor. "His kind spirit and advice are both very pastoral."

"Do not fret because of the wicked; do not be envious of wrongdoers, for they will soon fade like the grass, and wither like the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

The imagery that connects the hearer to the land, combined with the simple advice of not to worry, to me, is very pastoral. I know that everyone's experience may not be like mine. However, the good news of the psalm is found in the instruction to take delight in the Lord. This reminds us that God's hand is upon all people. Thanks be to God.

Pray Psalm 37:1-20.

Psalm 36

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. G. Thomas Martin) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:16:00 +0000

1 Transgression speaks to the wicked
deep in their hearts;
there is no fear of God
before their eyes.
2 For they flatter themselves in their own eyes
that their iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
3 The words of their mouths are mischief and deceit;
they have ceased to act wisely and do good.
4 They plot mischief while on their beds;
they are set on a way that is not good;
they do not reject evil.
5Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your judgements are like the great deep;
you save humans and animals alike, O Lord.
7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.
10 O continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
and your salvation to the upright of heart!
11 Do not let the foot of the arrogant tread on me,
or the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 There the evildoers lie prostrate;
they are thrust down, unable to rise.

"The devil made me do it." An unlikely excuse to hear these days. It seems that is an option that many people hide behind these days. We don't want to take responsibility for our actions, especially when they are our misdeeds. What keeps someone honest?

The fear of God is what points out the difference between what is good and what is evil. Without the fear of God, there is no scale of measurement which we know ourselves. The fear of God is not like fear of the dark. Instead, it is an acknowledgment that God can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. It means that we cannot define God, but God can define us. That is what it means to have the fear of the Lord.

Pray Psalm 36.

Psalm 35

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. G. Thomas Martin) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:56:00 +0000

1 Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me;
fight against those who fight against me!
2 Take hold of shield and buckler,
and rise up to help me!
3 Draw the spear and javelin
against my pursuers;
say to my soul,
‘I am your salvation.’
4 Let them be put to shame and dishonour
who seek after my life.
Let them be turned back and confounded
who devise evil against me.
5 Let them be like chaff before the wind,
with the angel of the Lord driving them on.
6 Let their way be dark and slippery,
with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.
7 For without cause they hid their net for me;
without cause they dug a pit for my life.
8 Let ruin come on them unawares.
And let the net that they hid ensnare them;
let them fall in it—to their ruin.
9 Then my soul shall rejoice in the Lord,
exulting in his deliverance.
10 All my bones shall say,
‘O Lord, who is like you?
You deliver the weak
from those too strong for them,
the weak and needy from those who despoil them.’
11 Malicious witnesses rise up;
they ask me about things I do not know.
12 They repay me evil for good;
my soul is forlorn.
13 But as for me, when they were sick,
I wore sackcloth;
I afflicted myself with fasting.
I prayed with head bowed on my bosom,
14 as though I grieved for a friend or a brother;
I went about as one who laments for a mother,
bowed down and in mourning.
15 But at my stumbling they gathered in glee,
they gathered together against me;
ruffians whom I did not know
tore at me without ceasing;
16 they impiously mocked more and more,
gnashing at me with their teeth.
17 How long, O Lord, will you look on?
Rescue me from their ravages,
my life from the lions!
18 Then I will thank you in the great congregation;
in the mighty throng I will praise you.
19 Do not let my treacherous enemies rejoice over me,
or those who hate me without cause wink the eye.
20 For they do not speak peace,
but they conceive deceitful words
against those who are quiet in the land.
21 They open wide their mouths against me;
they say, ‘Aha, Aha,
our eyes have seen it.’
22 You have seen, O Lord; do not be silent!
O Lord, do not be far from me!
23 Wake up! Bestir yourself for my defence,
for my cause, my God and my Lord!
24 Vindicate me, O Lord, my God,
according to your righteousness,
and do not let them rejoice over me.
25 Do not let them say to themselves,
‘Aha, we have our heart’s desire.’
Do not let them say, ‘We have swallowed you up.’
26 Let all those who rejoice at my calamity
be put to shame and confusion;
let those who exalt themselves against me
be clothed with shame and dishonor.
27 Let those who desire my vindication
shout for joy and be glad,
and say evermore,
‘Great is the Lord,
who delights in the welfare of his servant.’
28 Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness
and of your praise all day long.

It seems that there are three kinds of people that the psalmist is asking help from. There are people who plan evil in public, people who plan evil in secret, and those who are malicious witnesses. All in all, it just seems that people are deceitful.

I have recently come to the conclusion that it is hard to be honest all the time (big shocker, right?). We are all full of deceit. Perhaps we withhold the truth when we are confronted and know that we will loose face. Perhaps we lie intentionally to get out of a commitment. Maybe we are lying to ourselves about our own inflated self worth.

Instead of condemning those who are deceitful (including ourselves), what if we did the hard task of asking for God's justice to intervene? It seems like a hard task to accomplish, especially when we put ourselves on the line. If we ask for God's justice to rule supreme, we must understand that we have a part in that judgment as well. In our prayers, as we are asking for vindication, may we also pray that God would continue to give us the strength to live a holy and blameless life.

Pray Psalm 35.

Psalm 34

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. G. Thomas Martin) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:57:00 +0000

1 I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
3 O magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me,
and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Look to him, and be radiant;
so your faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord,
and was saved from every trouble.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8 O taste and see that the Lord is good;
happy are those who take refuge in him.
9 O fear the Lord, you his holy ones,
for those who fear him have no want.
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
11 Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Which of you desires life,
and covets many days to enjoy good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil,
and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Depart from evil, and do good;
seek peace, and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against evildoers,
to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears,
and rescues them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the broken-hearted,
and saves the crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord rescues them from them all.
20 He keeps all their bones;
not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil brings death to the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

How do we engage the senses when we worship God? In the sanctuary at PRUMC, we see the brilliant light from the stained glass window. We hear the music of the choir, organ and other instruments. We can touch one another as we shake hands and hug at the passing of the peace. Perhaps we get close enough to the flowers to smell their fragrance. We taste when we partake of Holy Communion.

God calls us to worship using all our senses. Yet it is not merely about worship. Perhaps we are called to serve with all the senses. There are people who are lonely, maybe they need a friendly handshake and someone simply to acknowledge their presence. Some people need to share something or get something off of their chest; maybe we should spend more time listening than talking. Some people are hungry; maybe we offer a stranger food.

Whether we are worshipping God in a beautiful sanctuary or talking with a co-worker, we are called to be intentional about being God's servants. We should not simply use our minds and our mouths, but we should strive to do good. This involves more than just willing something to happen. Let us make all of our selves available to serve God and take refuge in the LORD.

Pray Psalm 34.

Psalm 33

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. G. Thomas Martin) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:46:00 +0000

1 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous.
Praise befits the upright.
2 Praise the Lord with the lyre;
make melody to him with the harp of ten strings.
3 Sing to him a new song;
play skilfully on the strings, with loud shouts.
4 For the word of the Lord is upright,
and all his work is done in faithfulness.
5 He loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.
6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
and all their host by the breath of his mouth.
7 He gathered the waters of the sea as in a bottle;
he put the deeps in storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the Lord;
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
9 For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.
10 The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
11 The counsel of the Lord stands for ever,
the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
12 Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.
13 The Lord looks down from heaven;
he sees all humankind.
14 From where he sits enthroned he watches
all the inhabitants of the earth—
15 he who fashions the hearts of them all,
and observes all their deeds.
16 A king is not saved by his great army;
a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
17 The war horse is a vain hope for victory,
and by its great might it cannot save.
18 Truly the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19 to deliver their soul from death,
and to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the Lord;
he is our help and shield.
21 Our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.

Recently a friend shared with me the Lewis Grizzard essay, "Be Sweet." In that essay, it contains basic common sense pleasantries, but does so in a way that reminds me to give my best, even when I don't feel like it. I like Lewis Grizzard, and this psalm reminds me his words. At least the way that it's written.

When God creates, we stand in awe. We have no choice but to be grateful. While Grizzard reminds us that it is simple to be sweet and it will make the world a better place, it is about us. When we read the psalms, it is about our relationship with God and our neighbors. In both short reads (Be Sweet and Psalm 33), there is hope. But only one offers hope in Christ.

Where do you see the secular world intersect with the religious? I think most of the time they are in opposition. Occasionally, however, you will see hints of God's presence in the secular. The trick is to let the Holy Spirit be the guide. So "Sing to the Lord a new song; play skillfully." Give God your best. Remember to be sweet.

Pray Psalm 33.

Psalm 32

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. G. Thomas Martin) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:36:00 +0000

1 Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
2 Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3 While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.
Selah
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Selah
6 Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them.
7 You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.
Selah
8 I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
9 Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you.
10 Many are the torments of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.
11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.

Remember what Selah means? It is a break in the movement. It is a time of rest. On a musical sense, you will remember, that it is like a rest. When we first encountered this word, we talked about its importance as a way of life. Here it reminds us and is used in both instances.

The breaks in the psalm divide it into four parts. The first part deals with sin. That is the act of sinning in the life of the psalmist. The second part it saying what made the difference. That is the act of confession. The third part is a reminder of God's faithfulness. That is the act of forgiving and receiving grace. The fourth part is the congregation's call to repent as well. That is the act of responding.

In which act do you find yourself today? Are you stuck in sinning? Perhaps you are in need of confession. Maybe you have received forgiveness. Perhaps it is your time to call others to a similar action. Wherever you find yourself, there is always room for the love and grace of God.

Pray Psalm 32.

Psalm 31, part two

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. G. Thomas Martin) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:02:00 +0000

14But I trust in you, O Lord;
I say, ‘You are my God.’
15My times are in your hand;
deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
16Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your steadfast love.
17Do not let me be put to shame, O Lord,
for I call on you;
let the wicked be put to shame;
let them go dumbfounded to Sheol.
18Let the lying lips be stilled
that speak insolently against the righteous
with pride and contempt.

19O how abundant is your goodness
that you have laid up for those who fear you,
and accomplished for those who take refuge in you,
in the sight of everyone!
20In the shelter of your presence you hide them
from human plots;
you hold them safe under your shelter
from contentious tongues.

21Blessed be the Lord,
for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me
when I was beset as a city under siege.
22I had said in my alarm,
‘I am driven far from your sight.’
But you heard my supplications
when I cried out to you for help.

23Love the Lord, all you his saints.
The Lord preserves the faithful,
but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily.
24Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
all you who wait for the Lord.

In the Church of God in Christ, they greet one another not by name, but by calling everyone saints. All members of the body of Christ have the same identity. That denomination chooses to use the language of the faith that affirms that. In what ways do we refrain from seeing the Child of God that is our neighbor? How many more times do we rather look at another person as "other."

We are all linked through Christ's love for us all. However, looking at the list of sins and transgressions in this psalm, we have that in common too. I tend to run on a short fuse and I want to see the world the way I want to see it. I don't have much time for people who differ in my opinions. As Paul says, "What a wretched man I am." Yet there is hope for us all yet.

One thing that is unique to this psalm is the fact that the words repeat. "Refuge" appears in verse 1 and 19. "Shame" in verse 1 and 17. "Save me" in verse 2 and 16. "Hand" in verses 5, 8, and 15. "Steadfast love" in verses 7, 16, 21. As you pray this psalm, notice the times in which the psalm is used in one sense as a prayer, and see if the prayer has been accomplished. Ask for, and receive God's gracious forgiveness and presence in your life.

Pray Psalm 31, in its entirety, found here.

Psalm 31, part one

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. G. Thomas Martin) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:51:00 +0000

1In you, O LORD, I seek refuge;
do not let me ever be put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me.
2Incline your ear to me;
rescue me speedily.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me.

3You are indeed my rock and my fortress;
for your name’s sake lead me and guide me,
4take me out of the net that is hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.
5Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.

6You hate; those who pay regard to worthless idols,
but I trust in the LORD.
7I will exult and rejoice in your steadfast love,
because you have seen my affliction;
you have taken heed of my adversities,
8and have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;
you have set my feet in a broad place.

9Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress;
my eye wastes away from grief,
my soul and body also.
10For my life is spent with sorrow,
and my years with sighing;
my strength fails because of my misery,
and my bones waste away.

11I am the scorn of all my adversaries,
a horror; to my neighbors,
an object of dread to my acquaintances;
those who see me in the street flee from me.
12I have passed out of mind like one who is dead;
I have become like a broken vessel.
13For I hear the whispering of many—
terror all around!—
as they scheme together against me,
as they plot to take my life.

How many of us have ever been up close, in the wild, to an animal like a lion? We have seen them in the zoo, we have read about them in books, perhaps we have seen documentaries about these animals. There are several other things that you could place in the spot of “lions.” We know something about things we have never experienced first hand.

The psalmist knows what he is up against, but he also know God’s faithful. He may not be in the throws of experiencing God’s refuge and strength. However, he know what it is like through past experiences. He knows what it is like to be assailed by enemies. He knows that God has been faithful to him and to his ancestors. That faithfulness is what he prays for.

Most of the time, when we ask God for something, we don’t know what it will look like. But we do know that God has been faithful before and will be faithful again. That is what leads us into prayer.

Do you remember Jesus’ last words on the cross in Luke? Read verse five of this Psalm again.

“Into your hand I commit my spirit.”

Christ faced the ultimate unknown for all of us…death. Yet he knew of God’s faithfulness better than anyone else. What will be our prayer when we face uncertainty? Despair, or placing our trust in God?

Pray Psalm 31, verses 1-13.

Psalm 30

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. G. Thomas Martin) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:38:00 +0000

{For those who receive this via Feedblitz email, I believe today is the last day. I will continue to post the devotions on the church website, found here, or on this website. If you are used to getting something in the email form, why not try this. Copy the website address and paste it into the subject line of an email. That way, when you click on it, it will automatically direct you to one of the sites. Thank you for taking the time out to pray, read the scriptures, and get involved with God. Let me know if you have any questions. God's peace.}

1I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up,
and did not let my foes rejoice over me.
2O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
and you have healed me.
3O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol,
restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.
4Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
5For his anger is but for a moment;
his favour is for a lifetime.
Weeping may linger for the night,
but joy comes with the morning.
6As for me, I said in my prosperity,
‘I shall never be moved.’
7By your favour, O Lord,
you had established me as a strong mountain;
you hid your face;
I was dismayed.
8To you, O Lord, I cried,
and to the Lord I made supplication:
9‘What profit is there in my death,
if I go down to the Pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it tell of your faithfulness?
10Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me!
O Lord, be my helper!’
11You have turned my mourning into dancing;
you have taken off my sackcloth
and clothed me with joy,
12so that my soul may praise you and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you for ever.

For those of you who check this regularly, you may have noticed that I have not posted in a while. I apologize for that. I was talking with Jon Jones and he was saying that if the clergy expect the laity to be involved in scripture everyday, then we must model it. He speaks in a helpful way, much like what I think is meant when someone says, "Speak honesty in love." I think what has been holding me back is the desire to say something important each time. I thought to myself, "What if scripture doesn't speak to me today?"

How silly is that fear to think that God does not have something to say. It will not always be something great and marvelous that solves all our problems, but it will be God's faithful message passed down through people who love God. Then I read verse six of this Psalm: "As for me, I said in my prosperity, 'I shall never be moved.'" But the psalmist goes on, "But [God] hid [God's] face; I was dismayed."

That is honesty. We all feel that God hides his face, that we will be left alone, or that maybe this followers of Christ thing won't pan out. Yet even in the midst of this psalm we read "You turned my mourning into dancing...and clothed me with joy." Perspective always helps in any situation when we find ourselves down and out. Think of the times when you feel that you were "brought out of Sheol." What difference has God made before? What difference will trusting in God now make?

Pray Psalm 30.

Psalm 28

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. G. Thomas Martin) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:49:00 +0000

¹To you, O Lord, I call;
   my rock, do not refuse to hear me,
for if you are silent to me,
   I shall be like those who go down to the Pit.
²Hear the voice of my supplication,
   as I cry to you for help,
as I lift up my hands
   towards your most holy sanctuary.

³Do not drag me away with the wicked,
   with those who are workers of evil,
who speak peace with their neighbours,
   while mischief is in their hearts.
⁴Repay them according to their work,
   and according to the evil of their deeds;
repay them according to the work of their hands;
   render them their due reward.
⁵Because they do not regard the works of the Lord,
   or the work of his hands,
he will break them down and build them up no more.

⁶Blessed be the Lord,
   for he has heard the sound of my pleadings.
⁷The Lord is my strength and my shield;
   in him my heart trusts;
so I am helped, and my heart exults,
   and with my song I give thanks to him.

⁸The Lord is the strength of his people;
he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
⁹O save your people, and bless your heritage;
be their shepherd, and carry them for ever.

How do we prove God's faithfulness? It is something that we have been reading about and praying about in the psalms thus far. I have come to this conclusion from reading: God is faithful. The question remains, "How do we prove it?"

I think the proof is in the reading. This is a psalm of David. A person who cried to God in despair, who asked for help, and using only the grace and strength of God was able to defeat the giant. We prove it because there are people who have seen the good and bad, who struggle with sin and sadness, who have dealt with death and loss, and yet they choose to bless their God. I think that is what is meant when we sing, "Faith of our Fathers." It means remembering the faithfulness of those women and men who have lived lives of faith before us. Because of their witness, we are able to embrace the love of God.

Pray Psalm 28.

Psalm 27

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. G. Thomas Martin) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:08:00 +0000

¹The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?

²When evildoers assail me
to devour my flesh—
my adversaries and foes—
they shall stumble and fall.

³Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war rise up against me,
yet I will be confident.

⁴One thing I asked of the Lord,
   that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the Lord
   all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord,
   and to inquire in his temple.

⁵For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will set me high on a rock.

⁶Now my head is lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

⁷Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud,
   be gracious to me and answer me!
⁸'Come,' my heart says, 'seek his face!'
   Your face, Lord, do I seek.
⁹   Do not hide your face from me.

Do not turn your servant away in anger,
   you who have been my help.
Do not cast me off, do not forsake me,
   O God of my salvation!
¹⁰If my father and mother forsake me,
   the Lord will take me up.

¹¹Teach me your way, O Lord,
   and lead me on a level path
   because of my enemies.
¹²Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries,
   for false witnesses have risen against me,
   and they are breathing out violence.

¹³I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord
   in the land of the living.
¹⁴Wait for the Lord;
   be strong, and let your heart take courage;
   wait for the Lord!

Honestly, I forget that these were read and have been read through the centuries, if not millenniums, in places of worship. What then, does that say about the God we take comfort in? What does it say about the God in whom we trust? What does it say that we can expect as we wait for the Lord?

"If my father and my mother forsake me, the LORD will take me up." That could work for our children, our extended family. It sounds good sung in an anthem, but it it is harder to live out in the everyday chorus of life.

There is much to fear. Every night, on the news there are stories to incite fear. We read in the paper stories that paralyze us and make us wonder how can good people get by in this world. Where is our hope. It is at those times our prayer is that of the psalmist: "Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"

Pray Psalm 27.

Psalm 26

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. G. Thomas Martin) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:55:00 +0000

Psalm 26

Posted by: ThomasMartin on Oct 28, 2009

Tagged in: daily devotional

Psalm 26
¹Vindicate me, O Lord,
   for I have walked in my integrity,
   and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
²Prove me, O Lord, and try me;
   test my heart and mind.
³For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
   and I walk in faithfulness to you.
⁴I do not sit with the worthless,
   nor do I consort with hypocrites;
⁵I hate the company of evildoers,
   and will not sit with the wicked.
⁶I wash my hands in innocence,
   and go around your altar, O Lord,
⁷singing aloud a song of thanksgiving,
   and telling all your wondrous deeds.
⁸O Lord, I love the house in which you dwell,
   and the place where your glory abides.
⁹Do not sweep me away with sinners,
   nor my life with the bloodthirsty,
¹⁰those in whose hands are evil devices,
   and whose right hands are full of bribes.
¹¹But as for me, I walk in my integrity;
   redeem me, and be gracious to me.
¹²My foot stands on level ground;
   in the great congregation I will bless the Lord.
For some reason, I have been thinking about attitudes lately. Let me be clear, I don't think that having a good attitude is the solution to solving all of your problems. If it was, we wouldn't need God's grace. However, the phrase, "You need an attitude adjustment" learned in my childhood has been forefront in my mind as of late.
It takes something outside of ourselves to change. For a child, it may be skinning a knee and learning to be more careful on a bike. For a student, it may be receiving a bad grade on a test where we though we knew all the answers. For people in a relationship, the change might come from a misspoken word out of anger brought upon by tension from outside of the relationship. The question then becomes, on what will you stand?
When we submit to God, we stand upon God's promises. Fortunately and unfortunately, we submit ourselves for God's judgment. When we make claims that we have lived righteous lives, we better be ready to back up those claims. Yet here is the good news. David, who was a low life adulterer was called a man after God's own heart. Why? Because he sought forgiveness. For all of his short-comings, he continually pursued the Lord after he was convicted.
We will stumble. We will fall. And we choose to get back up. When we do, where and upon what will you stand?
Pray Psalm 26.

Psalm 25

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. G. Thomas Martin) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:07:00 +0000

Psalm 25

¹To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
²O my God, in you I trust;
   do not let me be put to shame;
   do not let my enemies exult over me.
³Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;
   let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

⁴Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
   teach me your paths.
⁵Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
   for you are the God of my salvation;
   for you I wait all day long.

⁶Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,
   for they have been from of old.
⁷Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
   according to your steadfast love remember me,
   for your goodness' sake, O Lord!

⁸Good and upright is the Lord;
   therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
⁹He leads the humble in what is right,
   and teaches the humble his way.
¹⁰All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
   for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

¹¹For your name's sake, O Lord,
pardon my guilt, for it is great.
¹²Who are they that fear the Lord?
He will teach them the way that they should choose.

¹³They will abide in prosperity,
   and their children shall possess the land.
¹⁴The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him,
   and he makes his covenant known to them.
¹⁵My eyes are ever towards the Lord,
   for he will pluck my feet out of the net.

¹⁶Turn to me and be gracious to me,
   for I am lonely and afflicted.
¹⁷Relieve the troubles of my heart,
   and bring me out of my distress.
¹⁸Consider my affliction and my trouble,
   and forgive all my sins.

¹⁹Consider how many are my foes,
   and with what violent hatred they hate me.
²⁰O guard my life, and deliver me;
   do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
²¹May integrity and uprightness preserve me,
   for I wait for you.

²²Redeem Israel, O God,
out of all its troubles.

I was listening to talks last week on mission statements, motto's, and branding. The point was to make the most impact in as few words as possible; usually in a clever way. I have been considering what the theme of the Psalms would be. I don't think it is necessary to take such a complex set of verses and emotions and try to reduce them to a "bumper sticker" slogan--easily digested and memorable. However, the first verse struck me as consistent with emotions that we have come across. "To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul."

There is much to take in when reading the Psalms. However, for all the joy, for all the pain, for all the loss, for all the gain, that phrase, "To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul" speaks to us all.

The danger of living in today's world is thinking that we are possibly our own saviors and healers. It is not until we are surrounded by our foes that we realize that we cannot do anything a part from God. The lie of the world tells us that we are in control. How much easier, then, to acknowledge that the Lord of hosts is in control of our lives. When faced with uncertainty and pain, these words of the Psalmist be our prayer, "Make me to know your ways, O Lord."

Pray Psalm 25.

Psalm 24

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. G. Thomas Martin) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:47:00 +0000

(Please note, those of you who receive this devotion in email form, this will be the last week for the emails. I will continue to post here and on the church's website, www.prumc.org. You can find the devotions there and here. Thank you for all the feedback. Let me know of any questions (Thomas' email). Blessings.)

Psalm 24

1The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it,
the world, and those who live in it;
2for he has founded it on the seas,
and established it on the rivers.

3Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
4Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,
who do not lift up their souls to what is false,
and do not swear deceitfully.
5They will receive blessing from the Lord,
and vindication from the God of their salvation.
6Such is the company of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob.
Selah

7Lift up your heads, O gates!
and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
that the King of glory may come in.
8Who is the King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle.
9Lift up your heads, O gates!
and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
that the King of glory may come in.
10Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
he is the King of glory.
Selah

What is the attitude you bring to worship? The first things have a lot to say about how and who we worship. This psalm gives an example. The first thing it does is to profess faith in God, to who all the world belongs. Think about our own worship processions. We begin with a psalm from the choir, usually, after we have marked the beginning of worship with silence.

One of the first things we do, after invoking the Holy Spirit is to affirm our faith together. This brings the community together over a shared event. Notice this, however: For all the rituals of our present day and time, and for all the rituals of the ancient Israelites, it is only those who have clean hands and pure hearts that ascend to God's holy place.

Rituals, formulas, and routine are important, for they shape us. However, if we do things merely out of a sense of duty, rather than seeing these moments as what they are--opportunities to purify ourselves and draw close to God--then we miss the point. The point of worship is to glorify the God of all creation. We must be willing to submit our selfish pride and ambition to the King of Glory. So again, I ask, what is the attitude you bring to worship?

Pray Psalm 24.

Psalm 23

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. G. Thomas Martin) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:57:00 +0000

Psalm 23

¹The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

²He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

³He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

⁴Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

⁵Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

⁶Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

This psalm gives me chills. Especially when read in the King James Language. It reminds me of learning it as a 2nd grader, hearing other young children learn it, and reciting is at loved ones funerals. It is one of those pieces of literature that stands alone in meaning, understanding, and evoking emotion. At no other place in the psalms is God called a shepherd or referenced in such a tender, intimate way. Looking over the imagery of the previous Psalm we have read and prayed, this one is markedly different.

In structure, it is simple, but it begins and ends with the LORD. I like patterns, and there is nothing more fitting a pattern than to begin and end with God. The psalm which speaks of intimacy with God, also speaks of abundance. The only two characters in this psalm are the sheep and the shepherd. That does not mean that God does not care about the flock. But when we walk the the Lord, there is a personal touch to what God provides. This Psalm reminds me of death, but no other Psalm could be more about life lived with the Good Shepherd. As you pray this Psalm, give thanks for the relationship that God can have and wants to have with each one of us.

Pray Psalm 23.

Psalm 22 (part 2)

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. G. Thomas Martin) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:59:00 +0000

Psalm 22 (part 2)
¹⁹But you, O Lord, do not be far away!
   O my help, come quickly to my aid!
²⁰Deliver my soul from the sword,
   my life from the power of the dog!
²¹   Save me from the mouth of the lion!

From the horns of the wild oxen you have rescued me.
²²I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters;
   in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
²³You who fear the Lord, praise him!
   All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him;
   stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
²⁴For he did not despise or abhor
   the affliction of the afflicted;
he did not hide his face from me,
   but heard when I cried to him.

²⁵From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
   my vows I will pay before those who fear him.
²⁶The poor shall eat and be satisfied;
   those who seek him shall praise the Lord.
   May your hearts live for ever!

²⁷All the ends of the earth shall remember
   and turn to the Lord;
and all the families of the nations
   shall worship before him.
²⁸For dominion belongs to the Lord,
   and he rules over the nations.

²⁹To him, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth bow down;
   before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,
   and I shall live for him.
³⁰Posterity will serve him;
   future generations will be told about the Lord,
³¹and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn,
   saying that he has done it.

We move from the desperation of the first part of the psalm to redemption. That sounds a lot like our stories. One moment we may find ourselves on the side of abandonment. The next day could bring untold blessings. There is something within the heart of the psalmist, the worshiper, the follower, the author, the reader, that recognizes the humanity in the psalms.

What can we do in our lives to have that same heart? The same heart that at one minute feels far from God, and the next giving praises and thanks? In our world we like continuity. We like a linear time-line. We are adverse to change. However, the psalms are like mini-wavelengths of life. Sometimes we are up, sometimes we are down. To have a worshipful and grateful heart is to know that in the peaks, the troughs, and the valleys--God is present. "For dominion belongs to the Lord." Thanks be to God.

Pray Psalm 22 (click here for the full psalm).

Psalm 22 (part 1)

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. G. Thomas Martin) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:54:00 +0000

Psalm 22
¹My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
   Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?
²O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer;
   and by night, but find no rest.
³Yet you are holy,
   enthroned on the praises of Israel.
⁴In you our ancestors trusted;
   they trusted, and you delivered them.
⁵To you they cried, and were saved;
   in you they trusted, and were not put to shame.
⁶But I am a worm, and not human;
   scorned by others, and despised by the people.
⁷All who see me mock at me;
   they make mouths at me, they shake their heads;
⁸'Commit your cause to the Lord; let him deliver—
   let him rescue the one in whom he delights!'
⁹Yet it was you who took me from the womb;
   you kept me safe on my mother's breast.
¹⁰On you I was cast from my birth,
   and since my mother bore me you have been my God.
¹¹Do not be far from me,
   for trouble is near
   and there is no one to help.

¹²Many bulls encircle me,
   strong bulls of Bashan surround me;
¹³they open wide their mouths at me,
   like a ravening and roaring lion.
¹⁴I am poured out like water,
   and all my bones are out of joint;
my heart is like wax;
   it is melted within my breast;
¹⁵my mouth is dried up like a potsherd,
   and my tongue sticks to my jaws;
   you lay me in the dust of death.
¹⁶For dogs are all around me;
   a company of evildoers encircles me.
My hands and feet have shriveled;
¹⁷I can count all my bones.
They stare and gloat over me;
¹⁸they divide my clothes among themselves,
   and for my clothing they cast lots.

This is easily one of the more recognizable psalms in our Christian tradition. We remember it from Jesus' words on the cross. It leaves a haunting image that I think too many of us are familiar with. We feel that God does not answer us. It seems particularly haunting when we picture Christ on the cross echoing these words.

It seems like a desperate place to be. The good news, however, is that this is not the end of the psalm, or even how the story ends. For while we remember Christ on the cross, we also remember that he did not stay there. He was crucified, but he arose.

Tomorrow we will look at the second part of the psalm. However, as you pray this psalm today, if you are not in a place where you feel far from God, give thanks and pray for someone who may be. If you are in a place where these words strike close to home, know that people are praying for you.

Pray the above portion of Psalm 22.

Psalm 21

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. G. Thomas Martin) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:37:00 +0000

Psalm 21
1In your strength the king rejoices, O Lord,
and in your help how greatly he exults!
2You have given him his heart’s desire,
and have not withheld the request of his lips.
Selah
3For you meet him with rich blessings;
you set a crown of fine gold on his head.
4He asked you for life; you gave it to him—
length of days for ever and ever.
5His glory is great through your help;
splendor and majesty you bestow on him.
6You bestow on him blessings for ever;
you make him glad with the joy of your presence.
7For the king trusts in the Lord,
and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.

8Your hand will find out all your enemies;
your right hand will find out those who hate you.
9You will make them like a fiery furnace
when you appear.
The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath,
and fire will consume them.
10You will destroy their offspring from the earth,
and their children from among humankind.
11If they plan evil against you,
if they devise mischief, they will not succeed.
12For you will put them to flight;
you will aim at their faces with your bows.

13Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength!
We will sing and praise your power.

It is hard to remember grammar. It does not always resonate in the same way. When we pray, it is not so much what we say, but how we ask. However, the Psalms are written and what we have are translations. So it matters, to a degree, how the faithful understand and interpret their relationship with God.

The verbs in this psalm is in the imperative tense. An indication of what will happen, but a certainty to the coming victory. The form of the prayers is hopeful and certain. There can be grace found in this promise of hopeful deliverance.

Scholars will say that this Psalm was meant for the community. It is addressed, of course, to God. But it also a prayer for the leadership (the king) and the way in which the people respond to that leadership. It serves as a reminder that in our prayer life, we are called to pray for our leaders and ourselves. In all things, we remember that God is the one who ultimately holds the supreme power.

Pray Psalm 21.

Psalm 20

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. G. Thomas Martin) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:50:00 +0000

Psalm 20
1The Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
The name of the God of Jacob protect you!
2May he send you help from the sanctuary,
and give you support from Zion.
3May he remember all your offerings,
and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices.
Selah

4May he grant you your heart’s desire,
and fulfill all your plans.
5May we shout for joy over your victory,
and in the name of our God set up our banners.
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.

6Now I know that the Lord will help his anointed;
he will answer him from his holy heaven
with mighty victories by his right hand.
7Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses,
but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God.
8They will collapse and fall,
but we shall rise and stand upright.

9Give victory to the king, O Lord;
answer us when we call.

Do you know what God sounds like? Confession: I don't. I have never heard the audible voice of the Lord. However, I know what I sound like. And I know that I am not God. What does that have to do with victory.

I think its important to know what victory looks like. God's victory does not look like our idea of victory. When the Lord responds, God does so from God's kingdom, not ours. While we may put our hope and trust in the power of out chariots and horses, the true victory comes when we take pride in what God has done, is doing, and will do for us.

Pray Psalm 20.

Psalm 19

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. G. Thomas Martin) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:55:00 +0000

Psalm 19
1The heavens are telling the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
2Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge.
3There is no speech, nor are there words;
their voice is not heard;
4yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.

In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,
5which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy,
and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
6Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them;
and nothing is hidden from its heat.
7The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the decrees of the Lord are sure,
making wise the simple;
8the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear,
enlightening the eyes;
9the fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring for ever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.
10More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey,
and drippings of the honeycomb.
11Moreover by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12But who can detect their errors?
Clear me from hidden faults.
13Keep back your servant also from the insolent;
do not let them have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.
14Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

The servant of the Lord. It is a hard concept to grasp. You may have heard preachers say the final verse from Psalm 19 before they preach. I have heard Charles Gardner say it on the occasions in which he preaches. People who do this are not only asking for God's presence, but reminding themselves of the service to which they have been called in Christ.

The whole psalm is a song or prayer of someone who wants to do God's will. It is a lasting prayer. It is a lasting psalm. It has mystery in it. There is paradox: "There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the winds of the earth, and their words to the end of the world."

How can this be possible? I am reminded of the words from the American artists, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel--"People talking without speaking. People hearing without listening." The beauty of the poetry of both "The Sound of Silence" and the psalm express one truth: God communicates to us in many different ways. The heavens telling of the glory of God with the only thing they know how to. They speak the only language that God has given them. As God's servants, how will we tell of the works of God's hands not only with our actions, but with our silence?

Pray Psalm 19.

Psalm 18 (verses 43-50)

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. G. Thomas Martin) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:12:00 +0000

Psalm 18 (verses 43-50)
43 You delivered me from strife with the peoples;
you made me head of the nations;
people whom I had not known served me.
44 As soon as they heard of me they obeyed me;
foreigners came cringing to me.
45 Foreigners lost heart,
and came trembling out of their strongholds.
46 The Lord lives! Blessed be my rock,
and exalted be the God of my salvation,
47 the God who gave me vengeance
and subdued peoples under me;
48 who delivered me from my enemies;
indeed, you exalted me above my adversaries;
you delivered me from the violent.
49 For this I will extol you, O Lord, among the nations,
and sing praises to your name.
50 Great triumphs he gives to his king,
and shows steadfast love to his anointed,
to David and his descendants for ever.

Redemption. Today we close psalm 18. From trusting in God, to being pursued by enemies. From running from adversities, to finding hope in God. This is one of the first epic psalms that we will encounter. We find, time and time again, that there is hope in the Lord and salvation to the descendants of David--even Christ the King.

What never changes throughout the psalms in the person being addressed. These are words spoken by people to God. We, as listeners are meant to hear. Sometimes, we are even commanded, but nothing in the psalms happens outside of the love of God. That is good news.

As we find ourselves in the midst of another rainy day, there are those who will be calling upon God for relief. There will be those angry at God and wanting vengeance. In all things, prayers both public and private, we acknowledge God's presence in our lives. Take the time to pray the full Psalm 18. You may link to it here.

Psalm 18 (verses 31-42)

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. G. Thomas Martin) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:56:00 +0000

Psalm 18 (verses 31-42)
³¹For who is God except the Lord?
   And who is a rock besides our God?— ³²the God who girded me with strength,
   and made my way safe. ³³He made my feet like the feet of a deer,
   and set me secure on the heights. ³⁴He trains my hands for war,
   so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. ³⁵You have given me the shield of your salvation,
   and your right hand has supported me;
   your help has made me great. ³⁶You gave me a wide place for my steps under me,
   and my feet did not slip. ³⁷I pursued my enemies and overtook them;
   and did not turn back until they were consumed. ³⁸I struck them down, so that they were not able to rise;
   they fell under my feet. ³⁹For you girded me with strength for the battle;
   you made my assailants sink under me. ⁴⁰You made my enemies turn their backs to me,
   and those who hated me I destroyed. ⁴¹They cried for help, but there was no one to save them;
   they cried to the Lord, but he did not answer them. ⁴²I beat them fine, like dust before the wind;
   I cast them out like the mire of the streets.

Often times, we hear these words: Proceed with caution. These usually accompany a warning, disclaimer, or other way of distancing ourselves from the effects of the action. However, we are called on to celebrate. This is definitely a Psalm of celebration. And with good reason. This psalm affirms the relationship between God and God's people. It celebrates God's deliverance.

Too often, we don't focus enough on the little victories in our lives. There are parts of the world where people are literally grateful for waking up in the morning. We don't always have to have a large victory, we just have to remember the source of our strength and the source of our joy. Even though the imagery of this psalm is militaristic, it is a reason to celebrate. As you pray this portion of Psalm 18, think of your own small "victories" not over people, but over sin. Pray that God would continue to bless our struggles.

Pray Psalm 18:31-42.

G. Thomas Martin

Psalm 18 (verses 16-30)

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. G. Thomas Martin) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:27:00 +0000

¹⁶He reached down from on high, he took me;
   he drew me out of mighty waters.
¹⁷He delivered me from my strong enemy,
   and from those who hated me;
   for they were too mighty for me.
¹⁸They confronted me in the day of my calamity;
   but the Lord was my support.
¹⁹He brought me out into a broad place;
   he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

²⁰The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness;
   according to the cleanness of my hands he recompensed me.
²¹For I have kept the ways of the Lord,
   and have not wickedly departed from my God.
²²For all his ordinances were before me,
   and his statutes I did not put away from me.
²³I was blameless before him,
   and I kept myself from guilt.
²⁴Therefore the Lord has recompensed me according to my righteousness,
   according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.

²⁵With the loyal you show yourself loyal;
   with the blameless you show yourself blameless;
²⁶with the pure you show yourself pure;
   and with the crooked you show yourself perverse.
²⁷For you deliver a humble people,
   but the haughty eyes you bring down.
²⁸It is you who light my lamp;
   the Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.
²⁹By you I can crush a troop,
   and by my God I can leap over a wall.
³⁰This God—his way is perfect;
   the promise of the Lord proves true;
   he is a shield for all who take refuge in him.

When we draw close to God, God draws close to us. The more we know about God, the more we know about God's nature. Similar things are drawn to each other. These words come to mind after reflecting on this portion of Psalm 18. To those who follow God, God shows himself true and pure. Those who don't get to see another part of God.

It seems that those who draw close to God get a sense of the God they serve. This is a good thing. But to get a sense of the God that the evil do not serve must be terrifying. Yet it always comes back to God be a refuge and a strength. God is a source of comfort in times of trial. Instead of trying to find out what that means, it is better to practice turning to God. As a test, try to set to memory verse 30 of Psalm 18:

This God—his way is perfect;
   the promise of the Lord proves true;
   he is a shield for all who take refuge in him.

Pray Psalm 18:30 and let God be your refuge.

G. Thomas Martin