…This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope…
Lamentations 3:21
There sat Jeremiah on the ash heap of what was once the great city of Jerusalem. A city once arrayed in glory and honor; a city that was once the sanctuary for the Spirit of glory; Once a land that all nations feared. Now Jerusalem lay burned to the ground because of the wrath of Almighty God delivered through the heathen nation. Jeremiah was heartbroken because of his beloved city. His eyes were swollen shut because he had wept the whole night through. Suddenly there was a glimmer of joy that shot across his countenance. Something had given him hope. Something had brought a thought to his heart. There was a solace. What could have given this depressed man a reason to hope for deliverance?
My friend, he remembered that God would again visit with Israel. He knew that the Spirit would again dwell among the people. He knew the Messiah would soon come to deliver them. He remembered the stories his father had told him of the miraculous Exodus. He remembered the stories of the walls at Jericho. He recalled the stories of David slewing the giant. He remembered the glory of Solomon’s temple. “The past was a promise” to the weeping prophet.
There is a wonderful song that brings this thought today. “The Whisnants” are the singers that bring this wonderful delight. My friend, How do you know that God will work in the future? How can you be sure that He will deliver you from the temptations that will face you this day? All you have to do is remember how He has always worked. Remember how He wonderfully saved you. Remember how He pulled you through the last storm you were tossed by. Remember the day when you lost all hope because the doctors walked away and there stood Jesus in the shadows with the remedy. Remember how He walked through the door just in time. If He did it before, He will do it again. Always remember, “The Past is a Promise.” If God did not fail you in the past, He will not fail you in the present. He will come through right on time, everytime!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Hope In God
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God…
Psalm 43:5
The doctor lowered his head in frustration and disappointment. He had done all he could do for the young girl, yet to no avail. The pain gripped her body like a vise’s unrelenting pressure on a piece of wood. Once filled with hope he could bring some relief to their baby girl, Mom and Dad sat helpless as the doctor had to leave. Now what would they do. Where could they turn? The experts had no answers. The hospital offered no help. The clinics held no hope. How could they live watching their daughter suffer? More importantly, how could the child live racked by so much pain? They were at their lowest point. It seemed they were literally, without hope.
As the sun set, the child drifted to sleep under the heavy sedation of the medication. Mom and dad were not as fortunate. They watched the sun sink below the horizon, seemingly taking all hope with it. That night, the only thing they could muster were a few soft words to each other and silent prayers to God. Exhaustion and fear had taken their place on the throne of their hearts.
The midnight finally arrived. Mom lay in the bed with her baby while dad dosed off and on, laying on the uncomfortable cot. Even if they had been awake, they would have been unaware of the silent stranger that visited their room that night. They never saw His mighty hand touch the sick child.
The psalmist brings familiar thoughts to us. “Why art thou cast down, O my soul?” He begged the question, “Why am I like this?” "Why can I not find relief?” “Where is my answer?” These are questions we have all asked. Maybe a bad report from the doctor brings the question to mind. It may have been a broken relationship. Maybe a child has gone astray. Whatever the case may be, the psalmist finishes the thought by answering his own question. He says, “Hope in God”. My friend, when the doctor walks away, hope in God. When fears grip your soul, hope in God. When the child screams in pain, hope in God. When money is running short, hope in God. My friend, do not give up! Even when depression comes over you, still, hope in God!
Psalm 43:5
The doctor lowered his head in frustration and disappointment. He had done all he could do for the young girl, yet to no avail. The pain gripped her body like a vise’s unrelenting pressure on a piece of wood. Once filled with hope he could bring some relief to their baby girl, Mom and Dad sat helpless as the doctor had to leave. Now what would they do. Where could they turn? The experts had no answers. The hospital offered no help. The clinics held no hope. How could they live watching their daughter suffer? More importantly, how could the child live racked by so much pain? They were at their lowest point. It seemed they were literally, without hope.
As the sun set, the child drifted to sleep under the heavy sedation of the medication. Mom and dad were not as fortunate. They watched the sun sink below the horizon, seemingly taking all hope with it. That night, the only thing they could muster were a few soft words to each other and silent prayers to God. Exhaustion and fear had taken their place on the throne of their hearts.
The midnight finally arrived. Mom lay in the bed with her baby while dad dosed off and on, laying on the uncomfortable cot. Even if they had been awake, they would have been unaware of the silent stranger that visited their room that night. They never saw His mighty hand touch the sick child.
The psalmist brings familiar thoughts to us. “Why art thou cast down, O my soul?” He begged the question, “Why am I like this?” "Why can I not find relief?” “Where is my answer?” These are questions we have all asked. Maybe a bad report from the doctor brings the question to mind. It may have been a broken relationship. Maybe a child has gone astray. Whatever the case may be, the psalmist finishes the thought by answering his own question. He says, “Hope in God”. My friend, when the doctor walks away, hope in God. When fears grip your soul, hope in God. When the child screams in pain, hope in God. When money is running short, hope in God. My friend, do not give up! Even when depression comes over you, still, hope in God!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Crooked Structures
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness
Psalm 4:5
The building was almost complete. After hours of labors and thousands of dollars, the construction workers walked away from the jobsite to behold their work. They had worked day and night for many months to erect this wonderful building. The workers were filled with excitement and anticipation. They could not wait to show them their craftsmanship. They wanted him to see the artistry. Finally, they could show their work to the foreman. He would have to stamp his seal of approval upon their work before the building could be occupied.
The long awaited moment had finally arrived. The foreman arrived on site and stepped out of his vehicle. He took two steps and stopped dead in his tracks. He took one look at the building and lowered his head in disbelief. He had no idea how something of this magnitude could go unnoticed. With a tone of disappointment and sternness, the foreman stamped a seal of failure on the project without even laying an eye on the inside.
The workers were confused and outraged. How could he fail the project without even looking at the whole thing? One of the workers finally worked up the nerve to approach the foreman and ask him why he failed the project without taking a complete look. What about the wonderful carvings? He didn’t even see the vibrant colors? The foreman answered the young man, “Son, I do not question the beauty of the colors. I do not question the wonderful carvings. My problem is not with the accents of the building, but rather, it is with the structure.” He continued, “I helped lay the cornerstone that would guarantee the alignment of the building. If you had aligned your work with my specifications, all would be well. Now, the building is worthless. It will never be inhabited. It will never be enjoyed.”
The psalmist gives a grand thought. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness. The word “righteousness” means, “alignment with what or who is right”. In this case, it means “alignment with God”. My friend, how can we adorn the rooms of our soul when our spiritual structure is out of plum? Why do we attempt to paint the walls of our heart when the floor is crumbling beneath us? It is high time that we stop pretending all is well between the Lord and us? Today is the day we stop decorating and start aligning. Let this be the day you plum your life against the Cornerstone. Then, when your life is aligned with God, you can proceed to adorn you life with the ornaments of grace.
Psalm 4:5
The building was almost complete. After hours of labors and thousands of dollars, the construction workers walked away from the jobsite to behold their work. They had worked day and night for many months to erect this wonderful building. The workers were filled with excitement and anticipation. They could not wait to show them their craftsmanship. They wanted him to see the artistry. Finally, they could show their work to the foreman. He would have to stamp his seal of approval upon their work before the building could be occupied.
The long awaited moment had finally arrived. The foreman arrived on site and stepped out of his vehicle. He took two steps and stopped dead in his tracks. He took one look at the building and lowered his head in disbelief. He had no idea how something of this magnitude could go unnoticed. With a tone of disappointment and sternness, the foreman stamped a seal of failure on the project without even laying an eye on the inside.
The workers were confused and outraged. How could he fail the project without even looking at the whole thing? One of the workers finally worked up the nerve to approach the foreman and ask him why he failed the project without taking a complete look. What about the wonderful carvings? He didn’t even see the vibrant colors? The foreman answered the young man, “Son, I do not question the beauty of the colors. I do not question the wonderful carvings. My problem is not with the accents of the building, but rather, it is with the structure.” He continued, “I helped lay the cornerstone that would guarantee the alignment of the building. If you had aligned your work with my specifications, all would be well. Now, the building is worthless. It will never be inhabited. It will never be enjoyed.”
The psalmist gives a grand thought. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness. The word “righteousness” means, “alignment with what or who is right”. In this case, it means “alignment with God”. My friend, how can we adorn the rooms of our soul when our spiritual structure is out of plum? Why do we attempt to paint the walls of our heart when the floor is crumbling beneath us? It is high time that we stop pretending all is well between the Lord and us? Today is the day we stop decorating and start aligning. Let this be the day you plum your life against the Cornerstone. Then, when your life is aligned with God, you can proceed to adorn you life with the ornaments of grace.
Friday, April 24, 2009
The Archer
My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up
Psalm 5:3
As the archer took one last, scrutinizing look at his target, he reached into his leather quiver for the arrow. With precision he touched the notched arrow to the bow and raised it from the ground. Once the arrowhead was pointed at its target, there was no turning back. If he chose to raise the bow, then his decision would have to be final. If the prey saw the hesitation in his draw, the game would be over. Now was not the time for him to be thinking of what he should do. Now he was face to face with his adversary.
This current situation was not one which was new to the experienced archer. The archer had thought through the process long before he took the field of competition. His decision was not made in the present. You see, it was years earlier, during the archers practice time, he decided what he would do when faced with his current situation. He knew what conditions would have to be present for the bow to be raised and the draw to be made. Accuracy and precision were only half the battle the archer would have to win. The other half of the battle for the archer was his decision not to balk when the game was on the line.
Now was the time. His practice had paid off. He knew just what to do. He did not worry about the repercussions of his actions. They were already decided. The conditions were right. The time was now. His practice had paid off. Now those long days and nights seemed worth it. Now his blood and sweat were paying the dividends he had hoped they would. With arrowhead pointed and the bow drawn, the archer released the fatal shot.
Our spiritual life is much like that of the archer. My friend, the heat of the battle is not the time to determine what you will do. This decision should have been made long before the battle started. The psalmist makes that declaration as seen in this psalm. His determination is unmistakable. He uses the definite verbs “shalt” and “will”. He wanted his people to know that his mind was made up long before the battle started. He would not shutter in war because he had solidified his standing years before. My friend, determine to stand for God long before the fiery darts of the wicked assail you. Do not be blindsided because you forgot to prepare. Today is the day you determine to succeed. This is the day your life should count for God. Yesterday is a fleeting memory and tomorrow is not promised. Today is your day of determination.
Psalm 5:3
As the archer took one last, scrutinizing look at his target, he reached into his leather quiver for the arrow. With precision he touched the notched arrow to the bow and raised it from the ground. Once the arrowhead was pointed at its target, there was no turning back. If he chose to raise the bow, then his decision would have to be final. If the prey saw the hesitation in his draw, the game would be over. Now was not the time for him to be thinking of what he should do. Now he was face to face with his adversary.
This current situation was not one which was new to the experienced archer. The archer had thought through the process long before he took the field of competition. His decision was not made in the present. You see, it was years earlier, during the archers practice time, he decided what he would do when faced with his current situation. He knew what conditions would have to be present for the bow to be raised and the draw to be made. Accuracy and precision were only half the battle the archer would have to win. The other half of the battle for the archer was his decision not to balk when the game was on the line.
Now was the time. His practice had paid off. He knew just what to do. He did not worry about the repercussions of his actions. They were already decided. The conditions were right. The time was now. His practice had paid off. Now those long days and nights seemed worth it. Now his blood and sweat were paying the dividends he had hoped they would. With arrowhead pointed and the bow drawn, the archer released the fatal shot.
Our spiritual life is much like that of the archer. My friend, the heat of the battle is not the time to determine what you will do. This decision should have been made long before the battle started. The psalmist makes that declaration as seen in this psalm. His determination is unmistakable. He uses the definite verbs “shalt” and “will”. He wanted his people to know that his mind was made up long before the battle started. He would not shutter in war because he had solidified his standing years before. My friend, determine to stand for God long before the fiery darts of the wicked assail you. Do not be blindsided because you forgot to prepare. Today is the day you determine to succeed. This is the day your life should count for God. Yesterday is a fleeting memory and tomorrow is not promised. Today is your day of determination.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
I Have Been Blessed
While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being- Psalm 146:2
Charles Spurgeon wrote in The Treasury of David, as we enter Psalm 146, “We are now among the Hallelujahs”. I would have to agree with him. At this point in the book of Psalms, we are past the troubles and trials that have plagued the men which penned the words to these inspired hymns. No more do we hear of the valley of the shadow of death. There is no more mention of the day of trouble. He has no more worries about weeping enduring for the night. Now we have come to the home stretch. We are at the point when the rubber meets the spiritual road. He is about to sum up the purpose of life and that purpose is to Praise the Lord.
Charles Spurgeon wrote in The Treasury of David, as we enter Psalm 146, “We are now among the Hallelujahs”. I would have to agree with him. At this point in the book of Psalms, we are past the troubles and trials that have plagued the men which penned the words to these inspired hymns. No more do we hear of the valley of the shadow of death. There is no more mention of the day of trouble. He has no more worries about weeping enduring for the night. Now we have come to the home stretch. We are at the point when the rubber meets the spiritual road. He is about to sum up the purpose of life and that purpose is to Praise the Lord.
I believe the Psalmist is coming to the end of his days and makes a solemn vow as he cries from his heart, While I live will I praise the Lord. He has seen what is truly important. This old man has been through the ringer. He has witnessed the high days and experienced the low ones as well. He knows how it feels to be battered by the storms of life. He has felt the betrayal of friends and family. Yet, he doesn’t mention them at this hour in his life. At this point, they are a distant memory. From this point forward the only words that will fill his mouth are words of praise. The only sounds that will penetrate his lips will be sounds of adoration. His heart is set. His mind is made up. He is going to Praise the Lord.
My friend, this is a lesson that we all need to store in the treasure chest of our heart. What happened to the people who will praise God? Paul said it best in II Timothy when he described the last day’s generation as ungrateful. But, here is my question, Has God ceased to do mighty things? Has He stopped being holy? Is He no longer righteous? No! No! No! The God that I serve is still a holy God. He is still the mighty God. He is the one who rolled back the Red Sea. He knocked down the walls at Jericho. He is the chariot of fire. He is the holy one of Israel. He is still the head of the church. He still has the power over death, hell, and the grave. He is the one who saved my soul. He established my goings. He is preparing me a place in Heaven. And one day, He is going to call me from this world of sin into His glorious presence. I have reason to praise the Lord.
What about you? Have you nothing to praise God for? Stop thinking about all the things you don’t have. Don’t worry about that home you can’t afford. Don’t fret over that car you don’t need. Focus on the blessings God has already given. Has he saved your soul? Have you been washed in the blood of the precious lamb of God? How about your family? Your friends? Think of the blessings right under your nose. Did you enjoy the food God gave you yesterday? Oh my brother, let us cry everyday of our life like the psalmist, While I live will I praise the Lord.
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