The lord of The Lord

Psalm 110:1–7 (ESV):  

1  The Lord says to my Lord: 

“Sit at my right hand, 

  until I make your enemies your footstool.” 

 2  The Lord sends forth from Zion 

your mighty scepter. 

Rule in the midst of your enemies! 

 3  Your people will offer themselves freely 

on the day of your power, 

in holy garments; 

  from the womb of the morning, 

the dew of your youth will be yours. 

 4  The Lord has sworn 

and will not change his mind, 

  “You are a priest forever 

after the order of Melchizedek.” 

 5  The Lord is at your right hand; 

he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath. 

 6  He will execute judgment among the nations, 

filling them with corpses; 

  he will shatter chiefs 

over the wide earth. 

 7  He will drink from the brook by the way; 

therefore he will lift up his head. 

This psalm is a revelation that David had that there is a power and authority greater than any influence or position anyone can hold on Earth. He starts off by expressing, ‘the Lord says to my lord’, this indicates that David, even as a king, is in submission to someone higher, his 'lord'. David accepted and enjoyed that fact. For he knew that no matter how powerful, rich or renowned he may get, there is another greater than him in heaven. God revealed to David that there is a lord of the Lord. This is Jesus. 

I think it is amazing how God reveals himself to us. David dld not have the knowledge or understanding of what God had planned. He only had Old Testament scriptures to read to find out anything about God. So when God chose to speak to David the words of these psalm, it must have seemed incredible. David could not fully grasp what was being told to him, but we know can see that God spoke to David about His Son Jesus. God did not explicitly reveal what was to come, but he gave David indicators of what the future would hold. These things would have been strange to the ancient Israelite mind, however when David had this revelation of a lord of the Lord, he knew that this information was inspired by God and of importance so he wrote it down. Even though David could not fully understand it himself, he realised that what God was showing him was significant enough to make the effort to record it. This lord, God revealed, was to be a ruler, have power, be holy, bring judgement, be a priest ‘after the order of Melchizedek’ and sit at God’s side, yet drink water like the rest of humanity does. This revelation showed this lord’s humanity, humility and holiness, and Jesus fulfils each of these. 

What a revelation that David had! Here we are thousands of years later, reading in awe that God has been revealing his Son for thousands of years - even to people who cannot fully grasp what it means! David wrote this about one thousand years before Jesus was even born. Then, during his ministry, Jesus confirms these exact words brought to David - that he, Jesus, is the lord of the Lord, (documented in Matthew 22). Isn’t that incredible?! This writing was kept safe for that length of time, Jesus knew it, and we still get to read it 3,000 years later, plus we now understand it and can see how it points to Jesus! 

God has been revealing himself since the beginning of time and God speaks to His people. David, influenced by the Holy Spirit, wrote down this vision of the promised messiah. I am sure that most of what David wrote probably did not make much sense to Him. A lord of the Lord, people freely giving themselves to God, and being clothed in holiness. This would have been difficult for David and those of his time to imagine how this could be possible. For they lived at a time when Israel alone was the holy nation, the only people set apart for God, they alone were His people. So how can any person who chooses to; give themselves to God, become holy, and be one of His people? The Levites, the set apart priests were the holiest people you could get. Yet they had to go through rituals of cleansing to be sanctified, and that just lasted for a short time in order to perform their duties. So, how can there be people ‘in holy garments’ just because they ‘offer themselves freely’? This was so far beyond David’s experience and the Israelites that it must have brought confused hope as well as an awe of God. I bet those that read or heard these words at the time wondered how any of this could be possible. 

How privileged are we that we now live in those foretold days. We can approach God freely, no animal blood required, no cleansing rituals, no set appointments, dates, festivals, times or places. You can offer yourself freely today into the hands of God. You do not have to be from a particular background, culture or nation, or even particularly good, you can freely come into the presence of God and be made holy! For ‘The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind’! The promise that God made to David, was that Jesus would come, and that people can come to him of their own accord and be made holy. You can do that today. You are invited and welcomed into His presence, always and whenever you like, because Jesus has made you holy. God has been planning and preparing for millennia that people like you and I can become holy, without sin, and become His family. Isn’t that awesome?!

Praying for revenge

 Psalm 109:1–31 (ESV): 

Be not silent, O God of my praise! 

 2  For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, 

speaking against me with lying tongues. 

 3  They encircle me with words of hate, 

and attack me without cause. 

 4  In return for my love they accuse me, 

but I give myself to prayer. 

 5  So they reward me evil for good, 

and hatred for my love. 

 6  Appoint a wicked man against him; 

let an accuser stand at his right hand. 

 7  When he is tried, let him come forth guilty; 

let his prayer be counted as sin! 

 8  May his days be few; 

may another take his office! 

 9  May his children be fatherless 

and his wife a widow! 

 10  May his children wander about and beg, 

seeking food far from the ruins they inhabit! 

 11  May the creditor seize all that he has; 

may strangers plunder the fruits of his toil! 

 12  Let there be none to extend kindness to him, 

nor any to pity his fatherless children! 

 13  May his posterity be cut off; 

may his name be blotted out in the second generation! 

 14  May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the Lord, 

and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out! 

 15  Let them be before the Lord continually, 

that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth! 

 16  For he did not remember to show kindness, 

but pursued the poor and needy 

and the brokenhearted, to put them to death. 

 17  He loved to curse; let curses come upon him! 

He did not delight in blessing; may it be far from him! 

 18  He clothed himself with cursing as his coat; 

may it soak into his body like water, 

like oil into his bones! 

 19  May it be like a garment that he wraps around him, 

like a belt that he puts on every day! 

 20  May this be the reward of my accusers from the Lord, 

of those who speak evil against my life! 

 21  But you, O God my Lord, 

deal on my behalf for your name’s sake; 

because your steadfast love is good, deliver me! 

 22  For I am poor and needy, 

and my heart is stricken within me. 

 23  I am gone like a shadow at evening; 

I am shaken off like a locust. 

 24  My knees are weak through fasting; 

my body has become gaunt, with no fat. 

 25  I am an object of scorn to my accusers; 

when they see me, they wag their heads. 

 26  Help me, O Lord my God! 

Save me according to your steadfast love! 

 27  Let them know that this is your hand; 

you, O Lord, have done it! 

 28  Let them curse, but you will bless! 

They arise and are put to shame, but your servant will be glad! 

 29  May my accusers be clothed with dishonour; 

may they be wrapped in their own shame as in a cloak! 

 30  With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord; 

I will praise him in the midst of the throng. 

 31  For he stands at the right hand of the needy one, 

to save him from those who condemn his soul to death. 

As you read this psalm, you see that David does not hold back. He tells God exactly what he thinks should happen to those who are ‘wicked and deceitful’! He wants them to; be accused and found guilty, lose their job and influence, others to benefit from his work but not him, even that they should die and their children become poor, for generational sin to be counted against them, and for their name to be obliterated from memory! You can easily hear the anger and frustration of David as he lets God know exactly what he thinks of these people and their spiteful actions! Yet David did not act, for if he took vengeance, this would be what it looked like, and he might not know where to stop. At what point would he be then acting in a similar vane to how these people had treated him? So instead of making his own plans for retribution, David approaches God. He did not take revenge or try to argue with those speaking against him. Instead, he did the harder thing of showing great restraint and leaving it in God's hands. 

You too can bring all your fears, frustrations and emotions to God. David determined that the best revenge he could get, and the best output for these destructive thoughts and emotions was to ‘give myself to prayer’. This is the most powerful thing you can do when you feel beaten down, unfairly accused or treated, give yourself to prayer. Don't hold anything back in outpouring to God, David doesn't and you don't need to either - look at what he says! Many of us would be afraid to speak such harshness over anyone, even those who have become enemies. Yet expressing this to God (not to others) is a safe outlet for He alone knows your heart and your pain. He alone knows how best to deal with you and the others involved, so you can trust Him to do what is needed and appropriate. David was wise in this, He went to the only One who will not just react emotionally, but to the One who sees the long view. David knew that God cares for him, is just, powerful and righteous. Therefore He is the best person to deal with injustice, oppression and harm. David trusts that God will do something about this person/people, ‘because your steadfast love is good’. God loves and supports His people. Plus He probably already has a solution and plan worked out, so why get in the way of God sorting the situation out?

David held back his response, choosing to give himself in prayer instead of giving himself to revenge. Is this your response? 

David knew that God can respond in the right way and shut the mouths of his accusers one way or another. If David did it, he might cause more of a mess, so instead he entrusts the outcome to God. David is so convinced of God’s love and response that he ends this petition with praise. Once David has got all then anger and angst of his chest and given it all over to God, he praises Him. God hasn't even responded yet David worships! What a way to end an outpouring of wrath and frustration! To remember who you are talking to, and remember to be grateful for who God is, and the fact that He listens and loves you. Once you have handed over your situation and the people to God in prayer, you too can rejoice that God is going to act in response to the prayer of His beloved child. The outcome may not be imminent, and it may not be what you expect, but you can be assured that God will deal with whatever you bring to Him.

God has promised in his holiness:

 Psalm 108:1–13 (ESV):  

1  My heart is steadfast, O God! 

I will sing and make melody with all my being! 

 2  Awake, O harp and lyre! 

I will awake the dawn! 

 3  I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; 

I will sing praises to you among the nations. 

 4  For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; 

your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. 

 5  Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! 

Let your glory be over all the earth! 

 6  That your beloved ones may be delivered, 

give salvation by your right hand and answer me! 

 7  God has promised in his holiness: 

“With exultation I will divide up Shechem 

and portion out the Valley of Succoth. 

 8  Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; 

Ephraim is my helmet, 

Judah my sceptre. 

 9  Moab is my washbasin; 

upon Edom I cast my shoe; 

over Philistia I shout in triumph.” 

 10  Who will bring me to the fortified city? 

Who will lead me to Edom? 

 11  Have you not rejected us, O God? 

You do not go out, O God, with our armies. 

 12  Oh grant us help against the foe, 

for vain is the salvation of man! 

 13  With God we shall do valiantly; 

it is he who will tread down our foes. 

From verse 5 this psalm is the same as psalm 60. I wonder why this section has been repeated. So, today, we will look at the listed places more closely to try to understand why the judgements and promises upon these places is so significant. But to begin with lets consider that the first few verses as they are an encouragement to exalt God, to worship Him and give thanks to Him. When you recognise His love and faithfulness, you can trust that what ‘God has promised in His holiness’ He will do. That includes the blessings and curses over people and places, as we shall see as we consider the named areas that are spoken of;

Shechem God proclaims will be divided, and the Valley of Succoth portioned out. These places are situated at one extreme to the other in the Promised Land with Succoth on the East and Shechem on the West. Thereby signifying that God will apportion all of the Promised Land and assign every part of it for His purposes. There is no part that cannot and will not be redeemed in God’s hands. What God wills, happens. Shechem was a special place for the Israelites, being the place where Abram received the promise of the Promised Land, many generations before this psalm was written. It was also a place remembered for sin, when Jacob’s daughter was raped by his son, Shechem. Therefore the reputation of the city was divided, being a place known for worship by Abram and Jacob, but also known as a city of man’s sin. Therefore the promise that this place would be physically divided to represent the divided reputation makes sense. God is promising to outwork physically the division that has begun spiritually. The Valley of Succoth  is promised to be portioned out, the other side of the Promised Land. This was where Jacob stayed for a while after marrying both Leah and Rachel. It was a temporary abode, which is why it has this name which means tents or booths. No longer will this land be a place of temporary living. God decided that it would be a permanent living space for the tribe of Gad. The proclamation over these towns shows that God can change the story and the reputation of places. If God can do this for towns, cities and nations - what do you believe He can do in the lives of individuals? Does that alone not make you want to sing His praise and give Him thanks?!

Next this psalm mentions that Gilead and Manasseh are owned by God. Reuben, Gad and half of the tribe of Manasseh inherited the land of Gilead to the East of the Jordan river. They requested to remain there when they arrived at the Promised Land, and their wish was granted. The land of Manasseh in the Promised Land was apportioned to the other half of that tribe. This shows the unity of the nation. Even though they had different areas to inhabit, they are still one nation. The tribe of Manasseh, though split in it’s inheritance was joined through God’s blessing and kingship. Wherever you are, if you are one of God’s people, you remain one of His people. Different tribes, different locations, different people, but one kingdom under Almighty God, therefore lets 'sing praises to you among the nations.'

‘Ephraim is my helmet’. Ephraim was one of the prominent tribes of Israel and this phrase signifies Ephraim's strength, power and security, all of which are ordained by God. Being a place centrally located in the Promised Land, it was a place of safety, especially as it had one of the 6 cities of refuge within it, plus it housed the Tabernacle. Therefore a place of physical and spiritual safety, a place used to resemble the importance of God being the centre. God established the place of worship and meeting with Himself in the central location of the Promised land, amongst a place and tribe which is strong and secure. What a beautiful image that keeping God at the centre brings these attributes!

Judah is God’s sceptre. A sceptre represents power and leadership both in the military and public domain. God promised in the Old Testament that ‘the sceptre shall not depart from Judah’ (Genesis 49:10), so God is reminding people that He always fulfils His promises, even though it may be generations later. God is steadfast and faithful. God will always work to ensure that His will is done, it may not look like it to us, and there may be waiting involved, but what God determines, He will do. God decided that rule and governance belong to this tribe. Years after entering the Promised Land, Israel saw this in part as King David was of this tribe, so showing God’s steadfastness. Jesus also is from the tribe of Judah, beautifully demonstrating that forever the law, rule and authority still belong to Judah. Jesus is reigning in right power now at the right hand of God the Father in the heavenly realms. Jesus now holds the sceptre - he is the one who reigns, leads and has authority. Are you trusting in Him? 'For your steadfast love is great above the heavens'.

‘Moab is my washbasin’. The area of Moab was a neighbouring kingdom of Israel. So this phrase demonstrates that God is the God and king of all nations. Even the ones who do not honour Him like Moab. God determined that Moab would be minimised in prominence and become a place used in service for His purposes, like a washbasin. This phrase is in line with the sense of a servant who brings a wash basin to clean the feet of guests. Moab is less important than the servant as they are merely the bowl in God’s eyes. Therefore, even when Moab rises in power in history, God always ordained for it to be insignificant due to their lack of recognition of Him and His power. Now, Moab does not exist as God has fulfilled His promise over this place. One whose people used to terrorise His nation now no longer exists, such is the judgement of God. If people choose to reject and deny God, this is fair warning that even if they seem to have moments of success and renown, God will keep His promise to diminish them if they refuse to turn and believe in Him. Such is God's love and faithfulness for His people.

‘upon Edom I cast my shoe’. Shoes are dirty, even nowadays, but at a time when the roads were dusty and dirty with no concrete or pavement, imagine how grimy they would be. God saw Edom as a place worthy of only having a dirty, discarded shoe thrown at it! This demonstrates God’s frustration with the actions of the Edomites. They were meant to be a part of Israel as they were descended from Esau, the brother of Jacob, but as generations went by they showed contempt and hatred for the nation of Israel. Some of the ways Edom showed their dishonour for their kin were by; not allowing them safe passage, raiding them, and rejoicing when Israel was brought low. Therefore God’s judgement was that He would throw His shoe at them. This shows His contempt for their actions, His frustration at how they have treated their brothers. Yet this response seems mild in comparison for what they have done. This is because God gives everyone the opportunity to know His anger at sin and the chance to repent. Edom had treated God’s family with dishonour, so He dishonoured them, but not with the full force of His wrath. Instead, God chose to throw His shoe to express His displeasure and give people the opportunity to turn to Him. He is still doing so, giving people the opportunity to receive salvation.

For many generations the Phiistines had been enemies of God’s people. They seemed to be strong, mighty and authoritative, yet God says He will shout in triumph over them. As David brought down one giant Philistine in his youth, so God used him to wipe out the Philistines when he was king. God shouts in triumph over those who make themselves His enemies and the enemies of His people. So, which side are you on?

So, overall, what can we take from God’s promises for the lands and the peoples? 

- God has a plan that will be fulfilled

- God gives people a chance

- God honours those who love and follow Him, and fights on their behalf

So, today, are you someone who God favours? Are you one of His people, with promises over your life that you are obediently waiting to be fulfilled? Or are you one who is rejected by God and waiting for Him to throw His shoe at you? Be mindful how you live. God’s purposes will always be fulfilled. ‘with God we shall do valiantly’. How would you do without Him?

Wondrous works

 Psalm 107:1–43 (ESV): 

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, 

for his steadfast love endures forever! 

 2  Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, 

whom he has redeemed from trouble 

 3  and gathered in from the lands, 

from the east and from the west, 

from the north and from the south. 

 4  Some wandered in desert wastes, 

finding no way to a city to dwell in; 

 5  hungry and thirsty, 

their soul fainted within them. 

 6  Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, 

and he delivered them from their distress. 

 7  He led them by a straight way 

till they reached a city to dwell in. 

 8  Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, 

for his wondrous works to the children of man! 

 9  For he satisfies the longing soul, 

and the hungry soul he fills with good things. 

 10  Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, 

prisoners in affliction and in irons, 

 11  for they had rebelled against the words of God, 

and spurned the counsel of the Most High. 

 12  So he bowed their hearts down with hard labour; 

they fell down, with none to help. 

 13  Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, 

and he delivered them from their distress. 

 14  He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, 

and burst their bonds apart. 

 15  Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, 

for his wondrous works to the children of man! 

 16  For he shatters the doors of bronze 

and cuts in two the bars of iron. 

 17  Some were fools through their sinful ways, 

and because of their iniquities suffered affliction; 

 18  they loathed any kind of food, 

and they drew near to the gates of death. 

 19  Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, 

and he delivered them from their distress. 

 20  He sent out his word and healed them, 

and delivered them from their destruction. 

 21  Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, 

for his wondrous works to the children of man! 

 22  And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, 

and tell of his deeds in songs of joy! 

 23  Some went down to the sea in ships, 

doing business on the great waters; 

 24  they saw the deeds of the Lord, 

his wondrous works in the deep. 

 25  For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, 

which lifted up the waves of the sea. 

 26  They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; 

their courage melted away in their evil plight; 

 27  they reeled and staggered like drunken men 

and were at their wits’ end. 

 28  Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, 

and he delivered them from their distress. 

 29  He made the storm be still, 

and the waves of the sea were hushed. 

 30  Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, 

and he brought them to their desired haven. 

 31  Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, 

for his wondrous works to the children of man! 

 32  Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, 

and praise him in the assembly of the elders. 

 33  He turns rivers into a desert, 

springs of water into thirsty ground, 

 34  a fruitful land into a salty waste, 

because of the evil of its inhabitants. 

 35  He turns a desert into pools of water, 

a parched land into springs of water. 

 36  And there he lets the hungry dwell, 

and they establish a city to live in; 

 37  they sow fields and plant vineyards 

and get a fruitful yield. 

 38  By his blessing they multiply greatly, 

and he does not let their livestock diminish. 

 39  When they are diminished and brought low 

through oppression, evil, and sorrow, 

 40  he pours contempt on princes 

and makes them wander in trackless wastes; 

 41  but he raises up the needy out of affliction 

and makes their families like flocks. 

 42  The upright see it and are glad, 

and all wickedness shuts its mouth. 

 43  Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; 

let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord. 

If you have been:

in trouble and rescued

brought into community 

lost and found purpose 

in distress

given direction

dissatisfied with life 

desperate and found hope

walking in darkness

in fear of death

imprisoned 

rebellious

helpless

freed

foolish

sinful

afflicted

hungry

suffering eating issues

ill

chasing business

travelling

through storms

brought low

sorrowful….

…..Then, ‘thank the Lord for his steadfast love,  for his wondrous works to the children of man!’ For God does not leave you as He finds you. He changes distress into hope. feeling lost into belonging, loneliness into community, hunger into satisfaction and rebellion into order. When you turn to God whatever situation you are in can change. Even if the condition you are in is due to your own choices, God will hear you if you turn to Him with a repentant heart for He, ‘raises up the needy out of affliction’. 

It does not matter if you have suffered through circumstance, other people or your own sin and rebellion or if you are suffering privately or publicly, God will listen. God can heal, He can calm storms, He can end oppression, He can stop evil and cease sorrow You just need to approach Him to transform your life. God can do the impossible in your life, for 'He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water.' He has the power, influence and love that can put an end to difficulty and heal internal and external suffering.

There are many methods that we can seek to feel better or seek to escape our circumstances and there are all sorts of manners in which we try to find freedom, purpose and direction. However they all eventually fail. Some give but temporal relief, and some things make matters worse. Yet whenever mankind has, ‘cried to the Lord in their trouble… he delivered them from their distress’! Every time. Every time mankind has called to God and waited for His salvation, 'he delivered them from their distress'.Calling out to God, asking for His input, direction, hope and intervention causes a radical transformation in situations and in your heart. So if there is a situation or an internal distress that you need to end, stop looking for other relief, other comfort, other sources of hope and joy, and approach God. Then wait, and do what He directs then you will be joining others who are thanking Him for His steadfast love and His wondrous works! 

Resilient love

 Psalm 106:1–48 (ESV): 

Praise the Lord! 

  Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, 

for his steadfast love endures forever! 

 2  Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord, 

or declare all his praise? 

 3  Blessed are they who observe justice, 

who do righteousness at all times! 

 4  Remember me, O Lord, when you show favor to your people; 

help me when you save them, 

 5  that I may look upon the prosperity of your chosen ones, 

that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, 

that I may glory with your inheritance. 

 6  Both we and our fathers have sinned; 

we have committed iniquity; we have done wickedness. 

 7  Our fathers, when they were in Egypt, 

did not consider your wondrous works; 

  they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love, 

but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea. 

 8  Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, 

that he might make known his mighty power. 

 9  He rebuked the Red Sea, and it became dry, 

and he led them through the deep as through a desert. 

 10  So he saved them from the hand of the foe 

and redeemed them from the power of the enemy. 

 11  And the waters covered their adversaries; 

not one of them was left. 

 12  Then they believed his words; 

they sang his praise. 

 13  But they soon forgot his works; 

they did not wait for his counsel. 

 14  But they had a wanton craving in the wilderness, 

and put God to the test in the desert; 

 15  he gave them what they asked, 

but sent a wasting disease among them. 

 16  When men in the camp were jealous of Moses 

and Aaron, the holy one of the Lord, 

 17  the earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, 

and covered the company of Abiram. 

 18  Fire also broke out in their company; 

the flame burned up the wicked. 

 19  They made a calf in Horeb 

and worshiped a metal image. 

 20  They exchanged the glory of God 

for the image of an ox that eats grass. 

 21  They forgot God, their Savior, 

who had done great things in Egypt, 

 22  wondrous works in the land of Ham, 

and awesome deeds by the Red Sea. 

 23  Therefore he said he would destroy them— 

had not Moses, his chosen one, 

  stood in the breach before him, 

to turn away his wrath from destroying them. 

 24  Then they despised the pleasant land, 

having no faith in his promise. 

 25  They murmured in their tents, 

and did not obey the voice of the Lord. 

 26  Therefore he raised his hand and swore to them 

that he would make them fall in the wilderness, 

 27  and would make their offspring fall among the nations, 

scattering them among the lands. 

 28  Then they yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor, 

and ate sacrifices offered to the dead; 

 29  they provoked the Lord to anger with their deeds, 

and a plague broke out among them. 

 30  Then Phinehas stood up and intervened, 

and the plague was stayed. 

 31  And that was counted to him as righteousness 

from generation to generation forever. 

 32  They angered him at the waters of Meribah, 

and it went ill with Moses on their account, 

 33  for they made his spirit bitter, 

and he spoke rashly with his lips. 

 34  They did not destroy the peoples, 

as the Lord commanded them, 

 35  but they mixed with the nations 

and learned to do as they did. 

 36  They served their idols, 

which became a snare to them. 

 37  They sacrificed their sons 

and their daughters to the demons; 

 38  they poured out innocent blood, 

the blood of their sons and daughters, 

  whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, 

and the land was polluted with blood. 

 39  Thus they became unclean by their acts, 

and played the whore in their deeds. 

 40  Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against his people, 

and he abhorred his heritage; 

 41  he gave them into the hand of the nations, 

so that those who hated them ruled over them. 

 42  Their enemies oppressed them, 

and they were brought into subjection under their power. 

 43  Many times he delivered them, 

but they were rebellious in their purposes 

and were brought low through their iniquity. 

 44  Nevertheless, he looked upon their distress, 

when he heard their cry. 

 45  For their sake he remembered his covenant, 

and relented according to the abundance of his steadfast love. 

 46  He caused them to be pitied 

by all those who held them captive. 

 47  Save us, O Lord our God, 

and gather us from among the nations, 

  that we may give thanks to your holy name 

and glory in your praise. 

 48  Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, 

from everlasting to everlasting! 

  And let all the people say, “Amen!” 

Praise the Lord! 

People are rebellious. They find reasons to follow one another rather than God all the time. The temptation to want to fit in, to be like others is powerful and can wreck your life. 

The Israelites kept looking around at the lives of others and they were jealous. Jealous of the way other nations could live, the allowances others had in different religions, and they were jealous of each other. This, every time, lead to sin, rebellion, and death. The pattern repeats in different circumstances and during different generations, it is historical and generational. The human propensity is to sin and rebel. Yet this is not the way of the true God-follower. 

The true followers of God, as depicted here in Psalm 106, like Moses and Aaron keep focussed on remembering who God is. They speak of God's deeds and character, they speak to Him and humble themselves before Him. Even when a multitude is against them. They also continually pray for those who seek their harm for their salvation. They keep focused on who they know God to be and act in response to His holiness and steadfastness. Even in the face of rebellion, harm, confusion and disaster, these two keep humbling themselves before God, and so they are known as obedient, godly men. They demonstrate something of the resilient love and forgiveness of God as they seek God to save the people time and again. Moses and Aaron are committed, loyal, loving and obedient examples of how to follow God, it wasn't easy for them. People are too eager to give up God to go the way of others, like the rest of Israel, to try to become powerful, in control of their own lives, or live as others do. Each and every time in ends up as a huge mess and God has to intervene because God continues His steadfast love and demonstrates His forgiveness and power to all, even when people have disregarded and abandoned Him. He forgives and He deals with sin. Again and again He has to deliver the nation of Israel, even just in the lifetime of Moses, and He continues to do so for all who repent.  

‘Many times he delivered them, but they were rebellious in their purposes and were brought low through their iniquity.  44  Nevertheless, he looked upon their distress, when he heard their cry.’ God never gives up on His people. Although they disappoint Him, run after other things, disobey, rebel, sin, and end up in disastrous situations, God still looks upon their distress. Still He hears when they cry. God’s steadfast, resilient love endures forever. He will never stop caring about His people. His love and forgiveness never run out. 

You can come to Him today and repent, and be confident that again God will forgive you, even if He has done so already a million times already. His love for you is enough to cover everything you have ever done and will do. You can know the joy of His forgiveness and restoration, if that is what you choose. This does not mean that you should sin just so that you can feel that love and forgiveness, for, ‘blessed are those who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times’. It was better for Moses and Aaron because they loved God faithfully. They were set apart and favoured throughout the nations journey to the Promised Land due to their faithfulness, resilient love and humility before God. They did not suffer plague, being consumed by fire or being swallowed by the ground. They were at no risk of that because they were obedient. In fact, instead, when the nation rebelled, they were used by God to bring about the restoration of God to others, they were the vessels through which God chose to demonstrate His judgement, grace and mercy because they kept faithful to Him. Surely, better to continue as a righteous one than suffer the poverty and depravity and judgement of the rebellious. 

Today consider;

• Is your love for God resilient? 
• Are you struggling to continue the way of the righteous? If so, be warned that if you go another way, you will provoke the anger of God. 
• Have you sinned and rebelled and want to return to God? Then humble yourself and pray, for God loves to demonstrate His steadfast love and forgive. 

Remember God's deeds, His character and His resilient love and choose today what you will follow; your own sinful desires, the others around you, or those who follow Christ and enjoy living in the resilient love of God.

God is present and in charge

Psalm 105:1–45 (ESV): 

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; 

make known his deeds among the peoples! 

 2  Sing to him, sing praises to him; 

tell of all his wondrous works! 

 3  Glory in his holy name; 

let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! 

 4  Seek the Lord and his strength; 

seek his presence continually! 

 5  Remember the wondrous works that he has done, 

his miracles, and the judgments he uttered, 

 6  O offspring of Abraham, his servant, 

children of Jacob, his chosen ones! 

 7  He is the Lord our God; 

his judgments are in all the earth. 

 8  He remembers his covenant forever, 

the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations, 

 9  the covenant that he made with Abraham, 

his sworn promise to Isaac, 

 10  which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute, 

to Israel as an everlasting covenant, 

 11  saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan 

as your portion for an inheritance.” 

 12  When they were few in number, 

of little account, and sojourners in it, 

 13  wandering from nation to nation, 

from one kingdom to another people, 

 14  he allowed no one to oppress them; 

he rebuked kings on their account, 

 15  saying, “Touch not my anointed ones, 

do my prophets no harm!” 

 16  When he summoned a famine on the land 

and broke all supply of bread, 

 17  he had sent a man ahead of them, 

Joseph, who was sold as a slave. 

 18  His feet were hurt with fetters; 

his neck was put in a collar of iron; 

 19  until what he had said came to pass, 

the word of the Lord tested him. 

 20  The king sent and released him; 

the ruler of the peoples set him free; 

 21  he made him lord of his house 

and ruler of all his possessions, 

 22  to bind his princes at his pleasure 

and to teach his elders wisdom. 

 23  Then Israel came to Egypt; 

Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham. 

 24  And the Lord made his people very fruitful 

and made them stronger than their foes. 

 25  He turned their hearts to hate his people, 

to deal craftily with his servants. 

 26  He sent Moses, his servant, 

and Aaron, whom he had chosen. 

 27  They performed his signs among them 

and miracles in the land of Ham. 

 28  He sent darkness, and made the land dark; 

they did not rebel against his words. 

 29  He turned their waters into blood 

and caused their fish to die. 

 30  Their land swarmed with frogs, 

even in the chambers of their kings. 

 31  He spoke, and there came swarms of flies, 

and gnats throughout their country. 

 32  He gave them hail for rain, 

and fiery lightning bolts through their land. 

 33  He struck down their vines and fig trees, 

and shattered the trees of their country. 

 34  He spoke, and the locusts came, 

young locusts without number, 

 35  which devoured all the vegetation in their land 

and ate up the fruit of their ground. 

 36  He struck down all the firstborn in their land, 

the firstfruits of all their strength. 

 37  Then he brought out Israel with silver and gold, 

and there was none among his tribes who stumbled. 

 38  Egypt was glad when they departed, 

for dread of them had fallen upon it. 

 39  He spread a cloud for a covering, 

and fire to give light by night. 

 40  They asked, and he brought quail, 

and gave them bread from heaven in abundance. 

 41  He opened the rock, and water gushed out; 

it flowed through the desert like a river. 

 42  For he remembered his holy promise, 

and Abraham, his servant. 

 43  So he brought his people out with joy, 

his chosen ones with singing. 

 44  And he gave them the lands of the nations, 

and they took possession of the fruit of the peoples’ toil, 

 45  that they might keep his statutes 

and observe his laws. 

  Praise the Lord! 

'Praise the Lord!' God is always present and in charge. Through the desert times, the promised land, when His people are outnumbered or a multitude, in the times of lack and prosperity, in darkness and light, in famine and harvest, God is present and in charge. God knows what He is doing and exercises His authority for He, ‘remembers his covenant’. God has been fulfilling his oath to Abraham ever since he gave it, for He is faithful. He is working to bring you and the rest of His people into the promised land. No other authority can have jurisdiction over your life. Yes, you may walk through times of poverty, success, hardship, brokenness, celebration and comfort. Yet, always God is in control. He has His plan and He will stick to it for He remembers ‘his holy promise’. 

Consider the life of Joseph (v16 - 45), he had a privileged upbringing in his youth, then his life radically changed as he spent a significant proportion of his adult life enslaved and imprisoned. It must have been very difficult for Jospeh to have become a bound man instead of a favoured one. How could he see where God was in that, or understand what He was doing? What about the promises and the dreams he had been given? Yet it was all in God’s plan. God was present and still in charge, He knew what He was doing. It was not because of the jealousy of Joseph’s brothers that Joseph ended up in this position, as i have always thought, but because ‘he (God) had sent a man ahead of them’. God used the family dynamics and the jealousy in order for His people to have life in the future. God, ‘sent a man’, It was God’s choice, He sent Joseph. Joseph was not gotten rid of or sold, but sent. Unbeknown to himself or anyone else, Joseph was sent to Egypt by God. God had planned for this to happen for He had a purpose greater than Joseph being a son and a brother. Joseph was to become a rescuer of God’s people. God purposed for the life of Joseph to look like this so that God’s kingdom could to come to Egypt, and ultimately His people could reach the land of promise generations later. 

God has a plan for the future for all of His people. That means that yes, suffering happens, but none of it is without purpose. God is always present and in charge, and He has a plan that your life will display His glory. Maybe you will end up imprisoned, accused, suffering, but that doesn’t mean that you have failed or God has left. As the life of Joseph shows, God can use any situation to display His kingdom. God used Joseph’s imprisonment to save the lives of millions of people, His purpose was salvation. It meant that life was difficult for Joseph for many years, but Joseph had to experience enslavement and imprisonment in order to be in the right place at the right time, for God, ‘had sent a man ahead of them’. All was in the plans and purposes of God. So, i wonder what God is preparing you for. When life is hard and you feel abandoned, overlooked, mistreated or persecuted, take heart. God always has a plan for His name to be glorified, and He is using you to achieve it! Joseph was ordained by God to become a ‘ruler’ and ‘to teach his elders wisdom’. This resulted in God’s people being transformed from a season of famine to fruitfulness! But the story of God’s people doesn’t stop there. The nation of Israel was then enslaved by the Egyptians, and Moses and Aaron were equipped and commanded to lead the them out from Egypt. From being slaves they left with riches! They witnessed miracles, hardship, and felt hunger but the sun never scorched them and the cold never overcame them, for God sent cloud and fire. God so loves and cares for His people, and He remembers and fulfils ‘his holy promise’. 

The story of Israel’s salvation and gaining the promised land wasn’t an easy one, so don’t expect your life to be either! Yet do not fear when trouble comes. God isn’t punishing you, He is preparing you. He needs you to depend and rely upon Him, so open your eyes to see the miracles and favour that He is giving you even within the difficult situations. God is using you to display your kingdom in a way that will glorify His name and be for the benefit of His people. Just like he did with Jospeh, Moses and Aaron. Therefore, when troubling times come, do not despair. Instead; ’call upon his name’, tell of his wondrous name’, ‘seek the Lord and his strength’, ‘remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgements he uttered’, ‘keep his statutes and observe his laws’ and then you will have the great and marvellous privilege of walking in the footsteps of Abraham, Joseph, Moses and Aaron to ‘make known his deeds among the peoples’. 

Science and God?

 Psalm 104:1–35 (ESV): 

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul! 

O Lord my God, you are very great! 

 You are clothed with splendour and majesty, 

 2  covering yourself with light as with a garment, 

stretching out the heavens like a tent. 

 3  He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters; 

  he makes the clouds his chariot; 

he rides on the wings of the wind; 

 4  he makes his messengers winds, 

his ministers a flaming fire. 

 5  He set the earth on its foundations, 

so that it should never be moved. 

 6  You covered it with the deep as with a garment; 

the waters stood above the mountains. 

 7  At your rebuke they fled; 

at the sound of your thunder they took to flight. 

 8  The mountains rose, the valleys sank down 

to the place that you appointed for them. 

 9  You set a boundary that they may not pass, 

so that they might not again cover the earth. 

 10  You make springs gush forth in the valleys; 

they flow between the hills; 

 11  they give drink to every beast of the field; 

the wild donkeys quench their thirst. 

 12  Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; 

they sing among the branches. 

 13  From your lofty abode you water the mountains; 

the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work. 

 14  You cause the grass to grow for the livestock 

and plants for man to cultivate, 

  that he may bring forth food from the earth 

 15  and wine to gladden the heart of man, 

  oil to make his face shine 

and bread to strengthen man’s heart. 

 16  The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly, 

the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. 

 17  In them the birds build their nests; 

the stork has her home in the fir trees. 

 18  The high mountains are for the wild goats; 

the rocks are a refuge for the rock badgers. 

 19  He made the moon to mark the seasons; 

the sun knows its time for setting. 

 20  You make darkness, and it is night, 

when all the beasts of the forest creep about. 

 21  The young lions roar for their prey, 

seeking their food from God. 

 22  When the sun rises, they steal away 

and lie down in their dens. 

 23  Man goes out to his work 

and to his labour until the evening. 

 24  O Lord, how manifold are your works! 

In wisdom have you made them all; 

the earth is full of your creatures. 

 25  Here is the sea, great and wide, 

which teems with creatures innumerable, 

living things both small and great. 

 26  There go the ships, 

and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it. 

 27  These all look to you, 

to give them their food in due season. 

 28  When you give it to them, they gather it up; 

when you open your hand, they are filled with good things. 

 29  When you hide your face, they are dismayed; 

when you take away their breath, they die 

and return to their dust. 

 30  When you send forth your Spirit, they are created, 

and you renew the face of the ground. 

 31  May the glory of the Lord endure forever; 

may the Lord rejoice in his works, 

 32  who looks on the earth and it trembles, 

who touches the mountains and they smoke! 

 33  I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; 

I will sing praise to my God while I have being. 

 34  May my meditation be pleasing to him, 

for I rejoice in the Lord. 

 35  Let sinners be consumed from the earth, 

and let the wicked be no more! 

  Bless the Lord, O my soul! 

  Praise the Lord! 

Some people say that you either believe in Science or God. This psalm actually proves that studying the behaviour and structure of the natural world (Science) demonstrates that there is indeed a God! 

The make up of the Earth, the placement of waters, mountains, deserts and valleys, has all been designed. The waters have boundaries, the mountains have been placed, and there are springs of water in places that would otherwise be barren. All has been designed so that life can exist. Plants grow, all types of flora and fauna, sea creatures and animals can respire and have sustenance. Every living thing is provided for and has a place it can call home. Surely this is mind-blowingly incredible?! Every living thing has all it needs, from water to food, shelter to freedom, rest to breath. So consider;

How many living things are there on the Earth that have this marvellous provision that ensures their survival?! 

How has the Earth and all that is in it managed to exist and continue to exist? 

How do all of the life cycles work, interlink and continue, without provision running out, for thousands of years? 

Then there is also the water cycle to consider plus the cycle of seasons and the different climates and habitats around the World. Not forgetting the structure of mountains, valleys, springs and volcanoes. As well as the fact that there is night and day, rain and sun. There is design, order and creativity in the make up of the World, so how did it come to be so well put together as well as being able to continue to function? How can you even begin to understand this scientific and engineering marvel without considering that there must be One who has designed, created and provides for it all?!

‘O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all’! It makes sense that this World and all that is in it has a maker. One who is capable of such intelligence to interweave the fabric of all sorts of life together. What other explanation could there be? Everything has been so well organised to the most basic of details, life would cease to exist if it was not. Surely there must be an intelligent, meticulous maker behind it all, orchestrating the seasons and climates, bringing the breath of life to all creatures. 

When you consider the Earth and all that is in it, what is your conclusion? Does the study of Science prove or disprove the existence of God?