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.

Can you live in hope for the generations to come?

 Psalm 102 (ESV): 

1  Hear my prayer, O Lord; 

  let my cry come to you! 

 2  Do not hide your face from me 

in the day of my distress! 

  Incline your ear to me; 

answer me speedily in the day when I call! 

 3  For my days pass away like smoke, 

and my bones burn like a furnace. 

 4  My heart is struck down like grass and has withered; 

I forget to eat my bread. 

 5  Because of my loud groaning 

my bones cling to my flesh. 

 6  I am like a desert owl of the wilderness, 

like an owl of the waste places; 

 7  I lie awake; 

I am like a lonely sparrow on the housetop. 

 8  All the day my enemies taunt me; 

those who deride me use my name for a curse. 

 9  For I eat ashes like bread 

and mingle tears with my drink, 

 10  because of your indignation and anger; 

for you have taken me up and thrown me down. 

 11  My days are like an evening shadow; 

I wither away like grass. 

 12  But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever; 

you are remembered throughout all generations. 

 13  You will arise and have pity on Zion; 

it is the time to favour her; 

the appointed time has come. 

 14  For your servants hold her stones dear 

and have pity on her dust. 

 15  Nations will fear the name of the Lord, 

and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory. 

 16  For the Lord builds up Zion; 

he appears in his glory; 

 17  he regards the prayer of the destitute 

and does not despise their prayer. 

 18  Let this be recorded for a generation to come, 

so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord: 

 19  that he looked down from his holy height; 

from heaven the Lord looked at the earth, 

 20  to hear the groans of the prisoners, 

to set free those who were doomed to die, 

 21  that they may declare in Zion the name of the Lord, 

and in Jerusalem his praise, 

 22  when peoples gather together, 

and kingdoms, to worship the Lord. 

 23  He has broken my strength in midcourse; 

he has shortened my days. 

 24  “O my God,” I say, “take me not away 

in the midst of my days— 

  you whose years endure 

throughout all generations!” 

 25  Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, 

and the heavens are the work of your hands. 

 26  They will perish, but you will remain; 

they will all wear out like a garment. 

  You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, 

 27  but you are the same, and your years have no end. 

 28  The children of your servants shall dwell secure; 

their offspring shall be established before you. 

Sometimes days get so desperate and there is such despair, that people forget to eat, their bodies wither away, sleep evades them and they feel vulnerable like there are enemies on every side seeking their demise. Tears flow, heartache is poured out, anger swells and life seems so close to death that it is hard to see hope. Have you ever felt like that or known someone who has? The author of this psalm felt this way, they were more than miserable, they were heartbroken and in great anguish, and they admitted it. Often people of faith can experience this level of despair, but feel awkward or ashamed to admit how desperate they feel because they know that God is good and He exists. We need to shake off that mindset of embarrassment. You can still believe and trust in God and be utterly miserable. You can be choked with tears and broken, and still have faith in Him because your feelings are real, and so is God. I mean, if you want some examples of people that have felt this level of despair consider; David, Job, Elijah, Jonah or Hannah and then read the psalms! It is ok not to be ok. It is ok to feel like the world is against you, for, lets face it, if you are following God, it is. 

No matter how you are feeling though remind yourself that, ‘you, O Lord, are enthroned forever’. Even if you experience mental anguish and physical depletion, you can still know that God is enthroned forever. Even when your life seems poured out, you can acknowledge that God is in charge. You can remember who He is and what He has done before. You can call on Him and trust Him to, ‘arise and have pity’. For God cares for you. God cares about building His kingdom and His family, so you can ask Him to ‘have pity’, and to ‘favour’ His people. He wants to do those things anyway! You can approach Him and call upon Him, no matter how weak or strong you are, no matter if you feel like a ‘shadow’ or that your ‘heart is struck down’. For God, ‘regards the prayer of the destitute and does not despise their prayer’. When you are desperately low, when you have are in need, God listens. He pays attention and regards you. How many people in real poverty can say that they are looked at and paid attention to? Yet you, as a believer in God, when you pray and call to God in your weakness and poverty, He looks up and pays attention to you. He will not overlook you or ignore you, instead He takes seriously your prayers. Therefore, do not just weep and walk in despair, but undertake the mighty act of prayer! God listens.

The psalmist writes, ‘let this be recorded for a generation to come’. They recorded their level of distress, and their prayer because they knew that the situation would change, and they wanted to inspire others that distressing times end because God intervenes. The writer knew that this present trouble would turn into a testimony. They understood that no matter what, God is in charge and that in time their prayers would be answered. It may not be fulfilled in their lifetime and their present suffering may not cease, yet one day it would. The psalmist trusted that ‘a people yet to be created may praise the Lord’ because they recorded what was going on and there was a future when these sufferings would be overcome. Therefore, you too can have confidence that God will respond. Just probably not in the way, manner or time frame that you desire. So, you need to learn to carry the hope of a better future even if you don’t get to see it. Moses did not get to enter the promised land, David did not see the temple built, the disciples did not get to see Jesus return. Yet they all lived in hope for the time to come ‘that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord’. Do you carry that same hope, is that what you are living for? Are you able to live through today knowing that the future will be better for the generations to come because God will look with favour upon His people? There will be a day when ‘peoples gather together, and kingdoms, to worship the Lord’ and, ‘The children of your servants will dwell secure’. So, even if you feel like your strength is broken, and your days shortened (v13), you can still carry hope like this writer did. 

When you live your life in faithfulness to God until your life ends, then you can trust that God will be looking out for those you have invested in. You will not always see the outcomes of your work or the answers to your prayers, but God is faithful. He will not forget. He listens, looks, and acts. So can you now look to the uncertain future and trust Him with it? Can you live in hope for the generations to come?

the Lord our God is holy

 Psalm 99:1–9 (ESV): 

1 The Lord reigns: let the peoples tremble!

He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake! 

 2  The Lord is great in Zion; 

he is exalted over all the peoples. 

 3  Let them praise your great and awesome name! 

Holy is he! 

 4  The King in his might loves justice. 

You have established equity; 

  you have executed justice 

and righteousness in Jacob. 

 5  Exalt the Lord our God; 

worship at his footstool! 

Holy is he! 

 6  Moses and Aaron were among his priests, 

Samuel also was among those who called upon his name. 

They called to the Lord, and he answered them. 

 7  In the pillar of the cloud he spoke to them; 

they kept his testimonies 

and the statute that he gave them. 

 8  O Lord our God, you answered them; 

you were a forgiving God to them, 

but an avenger of their wrongdoings. 

 9  Exalt the Lord our God, 

and worship at his holy mountain; 

for the Lord our God is holy! 

How do you know God is holy?

1) Firstly, consider where He resides and rules (v1-3). Cherubim, the creatures of heaven, sit around His throne. They attend to God, to be near Him signifying His power, authority and goodness. When you read the Bible and see the cherubim described they sound like fantastic beasts, so how incredible must be the one who is enthroned 'upon the cherubim'! God is in heaven in authority, yet He is also exalted over, 'all the peoples'. His jurisdiction is seen and known in heaven and on earth. He influences both realms - it takes an incredible ability to do that, something significantly different, powerful, yet relatable to rule both realms well. God is set apart as He is significantly different. He does not have the responsibility and authority to rule because of wise and persuasive words or physical might, but because of His goodness, love and purity - His holiness. There is no-one like Him because He is completely good.

2) God is The King - the One King that all others are under. God is not just a king who has been endowed with authority and influence, but He is The King who ‘loves justice’, has ‘established equity’ and is righteous. This surely sets God above any other ruler! He rules with justice in mind at every step, meaning that He is fair. Plus He also treats people with equity. This is a term now becoming common in society, it is not about treating people equally, but ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to access to the same things. Providing support, equipment, training etc so that a person has the potential to achieve. God didn’t need any training to tell Him to do that. He created the notion that we should all be treated as the individual’s we are so that everyone has what they need. God establishes equity, justice and righteousness. God knows what is good and right inherently. He doesn't need teaching to do the right things, He was never taught about equity or equality, justice or righteousness because He is those things. He created these facets, and He models them due to His holiness. 

4) You will find nothing wrong in Him. No sneaky motive, selfish ambition or wrongdoing. He will not fail to be good, righteous, kind, loving, establish equity or justice. You can look, but you will never find anything wrong in Him - read the Bible from beginning to end and you will see His love, purity and holiness all the way through. He is pure in all of His desires and His actions, He is completely good. God does what He says He will in a fair, honest and right way each and every time. You can trust Him in that. Surely such a One is holy!

5) The psalmist mentions 3 patriarchs of the Jewish faith; Moses, Aaron and Samuel. Men known to have heard God and followed Him. They actively sought Him and lived their lives doing God's will to the best of their ability. Men credited with instilling faith to the nation of Israel during their lifetimes. They were so set apart that they had private conversations with this Almighty King and Holy God. In their private audiences with Him, He gave them direction and confidence for what they needed to do and say. They were so special that God favoured them because they were obedient, and faithful. Yet they were just men. Even though some may even say they were great men, and they must have been pretty special for their life stories are still read and admired thousands of years later, but they were still just men, and they still needed forgiving. Moses, Aaron and Samuel got things wrong even though they were great leaders, so they needed forgiveness. God had to be ’an avenger of their wrongdoing’. Only one who has done no wrong can forgive. Only God has the character and the will to provide forgiveness for the least and the greatest of us because He is the only one who has never erred. He never makes a mistake or sins, this is why He can forgive all people, the great men and women of faith like Moses, Aaron and Samuel, down to the prostitute at the feet of Jesus. God can forgive because He is holy. He alone is ultimately good, righteous, faithful and holy. Even the best person alive today who demonstrates faithfulness to God, like these patriarchs, they still get it wrong. When they do, where do they go, who can forgive them when they still get things wrong and fall short of the holiness, righteousness and justice? All men and women, no matter the signs and wonders, the pillars of cloud or fire that follow or precede them, they all need God’s forgiveness and vengeance of their sin. Therefore, in order to forgive them and make recompense for their wrongs, God has to be greater. Greater in His ability to forgive due to His holiness and greater in His desire to forgive. There is no-one and no sin that He will not forgive. His desire for equity, justice and righteousness extends to all people, no matter what. That is why, in God's great holiness and love, He sacrificed His Son so that we could all know forgiveness. So that we can all be restored to the standard God models; perfection and holiness. For Jesus is God, and human, and He lived the perfect, righteous, just, holy life which he gave up so that His life was exchanged for all sin. So you now, and anyone who chooses to turn and believe in him can be forgiven and can be made holy. This is only made possible through God's kindness, justice, authority and holiness.

Only God is holy.

In God’s holiness He deals with wrongdoing, avenging your sin. He reigns in righteousness and equity, displaying authority, power, love and justice because He is holy. 

Would you want to follow or worship something that wasn’t holy? If you wanted someone to rule over you, wouldn't you want them to do the right things, make just decisions and be able to fairly exercise their power and influence? Surely a holy God is the kind of king you want to follow!

Israelites, sheep and faith

 Psalm 95:1–11 (ESV): 

95 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; 

let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! 

 2  Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; 

let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! 

 3  For the Lord is a great God, 

and a great King above all gods. 

 4  In his hand are the depths of the earth; 

the heights of the mountains are his also. 

 5  The sea is his, for he made it, 

and his hands formed the dry land. 

 6  Oh come, let us worship and bow down; 

let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! 

 7  For he is our God, 

and we are the people of his pasture, 

and the sheep of his hand. 

  Today, if you hear his voice, 

 8  do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, 

as on the day at Massah in the wilderness, 

 9  when your fathers put me to the test 

and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work. 

 10  For forty years I loathed that generation 

and said, “They are a people who go astray in their heart, 

and they have not known my ways.” 

 11  Therefore I swore in my wrath, 

“They shall not enter my rest.” 

At the beginning of the psalm you may notice the repetition of the phrase ‘let us’. Yet this is not used to ask for permission to do something, but rather the Israelites are encouraging one another TO do something. They are calling each other to worship God. Reminding one another that God is Lord, He is Saviour and He is worthy to be thanked and praised because, ‘the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods’. There is no-one and nothing like Him. He is supreme. He alone created the deepest and highest parts of the world, no-one else has. He also made the seas and the land, all the expanse that we see, and that we do not - God crafted it all. Therefore how can any other power or person ever have authority over Him?! He is ‘a great King above all gods’. Other things may claim power, seem great, make great boasts or be assertive and convincing, but none can even stand before the great King of all. It is good for us to remind ourselves of this. and to encourage one another to worship the One who deserves it. It is easy to lose focus, get distracted or feel down about circumstances and so not feel like worshipping. At times you need other godly men and women to call you to worship to say to you, ‘let us sing’, ‘let us make a joyful noise’, ‘let us come into his presence’, and you need to do this for others too.. There is no reason great enough for you to withhold worship to ‘the Lord, our Maker!’. Who keeps you to account and keeps calling you to worship God? ’the Lord is a great God’ all of the time therefore you can sing, dance, pray, praise and be joyful always because that truth always remains. The fact the God is great is so powerful and strong a truth, that when you really think about it you cannot help but ‘make a joyful noise’!

God is the Maker, He not only made all of the Earth, but he also made you. Therefore He is THE God and He is YOUR God - the only One in supreme authority, plus He makes it personal, He is your God, for you and with you plus you can have relationship with Him. Yet the relationship is not equal - He is your shepherd for you are like a sheep before Him - helpless, fluffy and vulnerable. You need looking after, guiding, carrying, and even telling off sometimes. Do not be like the Israelites by becoming stubborn and hardening your heart (v8). You are vulnerable and weak before God, you do need Him. Do you allow God to guide, correct and carry you? Or are you too intent on doing things your own way? You were never meant to sort all your problems out or make all the decisions independently. A sheep that does that wanders off, gets lost and injured - they don't even know where the best grass is or where the dangers are, that's why they need the shepherd. The Israelites kept forgetting that they were sheep. God provided and guided them, and He urged them to be obedient, but they did not adhere to His words in the big or small things. Instead God says they hardened their hearts and went, ‘astray in their heart’. They didn’t do what they were told, they didn't follow their shepherd. Can the same be said of you? When you hear God’s voice, do you listen and obey, even when it is something you don’t want to hear? Or do you allow your heart to go astray as the Israelites did when they encountered testing times? 

Two notable times that we can see that happening are in Meribah and Massah. These were areas that the Israelites came to during their 40 years in the wilderness where they felt they were not adequately provided for by God as they had no water. This is a big problem. Humans cannot survive more than a couple of days without water. Plus they had cattle to care for, so they were rightly concerned about this. Their response was that they moaned at each other and complained that they had been better off in Egypt. They feared for their lives because they did not have the basics for survival. When that happens it is natural to be concerned and to try to find a solution as something essential is missing from your life. However, the Israelites did not seek their shepherd. They did not trust Him or turn to Him. Instead they complained to one another, then blamed Moses as their earthly leader. The Israelites did not pray. They did not seek God. They did not worship. Instead they moaned to one another about their situation, becoming increasingly fearful that they would all die. When Moses heard about it, he and Aaron approached God. This was their first response, unlike the people, Moses and Aaron demonstrated great leadership and loyalty to their shepherd and ‘great King’. They trusted that even when death stared at them, God could do something. So they prayed, and at both Massah and Meribah, they witnessed God’s miraculous solution as water gushed forth from a rock! These separate situations occurred almost 40 years apart. So we can see that God was giving the Israelites the chance to learn from their previous mistake and lack of faith. He was inviting them to have a different response, but they didn’t. Despite the amount of times that God had healed them, won their battles, guided them with fire and smoke, stopped their shoes from wearing out and provided manna for them each and every day. Despite these miracles, these proofs of God’s power and presence, the people failed to appreciate that God could fulfil every need. They still did not trust Him or surrender to Him. They failed to comprehend that God can do anything, you just need to ask! The Israelites happily accepted God’s daily blessings but seem to see them as something they had a right to, rather than seeing them as a beautiful expression of His love and care for them. Even though they had a lot to be thankful for, and a history of God’s provision and power, their response to this lack of water the second time demonstrated their lack of faith and trust in God. They had not learnt, they had not allowed the mighty miracles and the everyday blessings from God to influence their hearts or faith. The Israelites made the same mistakes and made the same complaints previous generations had. Yet God still provided. Two men had enough faith to approach God, Moses and Aaron. They talked with Him, and God provided, again, miraculously. God acted for the whole nation on the faith of two. Do not underestimate the power of prayer because it does not depend on who is praying, but on the One who hears!

God says of the nation of Israel, ‘They are a people who go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways’. It was easy for them to enjoy the benefits of the safety and care that God gave on a physical level, but they did not have the internal security, confidence and joy of knowing God as their King and Saviour. On the surface they accepted that they were God’s people as part of Israel, but internally their thoughts, desires and mindset were not aligned with God and did not demonstrate any allegiance to Him. When times got tough they did not talk to Him about it. They did not trust that as He is Maker, King and Lord that He could and would do something about their troubles. They just complained. Are you the same? Do you follow God out of habit, duty, or because others do? The fruit of faith is seen when you encounter difficulty. What do you do when life gets hard? When people let you down, disaster occurs, or something life threatening happens, what is your first response? For that shows if you are a sheep faithfully trusting in your shepherd or not. Do you call out to God, let Him know what has occurred and invite Him to show up and change things, or do you go around moaning to whoever will listen? You could approach God, recalling that God has been great before, and trusting that He still is and will be again. This is what Moses and Aaron did unlike the rest of the nation. The people had not really given their lives to God, they only wanted Him to give them what they wanted. Yet they were not obedient, trusting or loving towards Him. Only Moses and Aaron trusted God. When there was a problem, they knew who to go to. They knew there was only One who could solve any issue and bring transformation, the ‘great King above all gods’. So they went straight to Him, and they were involved in some great signs, wonders and miracles because they were all in, are you?

Dwelling Place

 Psalm 90: 1-17 (ESV):

1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. 

 2  Before the mountains were brought forth, 

or ever you had formed the earth and the world, 

from everlasting to everlasting you are God. 

 3  You return man to dust 

and say, “Return, O children of man!” 

 4  For a thousand years in your sight 

are but as yesterday when it is past, 

or as a watch in the night. 

 5  You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, 

like grass that is renewed in the morning: 

 6  in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; 

in the evening it fades and withers. 

 7  For we are brought to an end by your anger; 

by your wrath we are dismayed. 

 8  You have set our iniquities before you, 

our secret sins in the light of your presence. 

 9  For all our days pass away under your wrath; 

we bring our years to an end like a sigh. 

 10  The years of our life are seventy, 

or even by reason of strength eighty; 

  yet their span is but toil and trouble; 

they are soon gone, and we fly away. 

 11  Who considers the power of your anger, 

and your wrath according to the fear of you? 

 12  So teach us to number our days 

that we may get a heart of wisdom. 

 13  Return, O Lord! How long? 

Have pity on your servants! 

 14  Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, 

that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. 

 15  Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, 

and for as many years as we have seen evil. 

 16  Let your work be shown to your servants, 

and your glorious power to their children. 

 17  Let the favour of the Lord our God be upon us, 

and establish the work of our hands upon us; 

yes, establish the work of our hands! 

God, ‘our dwelling place in all generations’. What a powerful concept to consider. Eternal, consistent, comfortable, accessible, strong, inviting, restful, every day. These are some of the things i think about when i think about God being our dwelling place. The writer of this psalm, Moses, had experienced a lot in his life and he knew the power of God being his dwelling place. He grew up in a palace, made a life and got married in Midian, returned to Egypt, then lived in a desert for the rest of his days. Yet throughout these different experiences and locations he knew the security and constancy of the ‘dwelling place’ of God. This was his security and constancy. He knew that no matter what happened or wherever he lived, he dwelt with God. The God who had been faithful through every triumph and trial in every previous generation and proceeding one. Moses knew the truth that God could even be your ‘dwelling place’ when you have no place to call home. God is the same today. He is just as; accessible, strong, welcoming, eternal and restful today as he was yesterday, thousands of years ago and in thousands of years to come. This psalm was probably written 3,400 years ago,  isn't it wonderful to see that God hasn’t changed! You can learn from this ancient scripture just as if it was written a few hours ago in your home town, in your own language, culture and context because the nature of God, ‘our dwelling place’ is eternally consistent. 

Man has not changed either. We came from dust, and to dust we will return (v3), our lives are but a moment, ‘like a dream’ (v5) and we go wrong (v8). That was true at the beginning of time, in Moses era and still is today. In comparison to God, we are momentary, of little significance and sinful. We have obvious and ‘secret sins’ none of which are hidden from God. In fact all are brought, ‘in the light of your presence’. Can you even begin to understand that?! All the things you do, say or think that no-one knows about, and the jealousy, anger and fear that you harbour is all set before God as clear as day. Yet, He still loves you and is your dwelling place! Even though you are but dust, your life like a sigh and you are not very good - God desires that you know the security and love of abiding in Him. He is your dwelling place. You can live your life, as Moses did, understanding that wherever you are or are up to, you can live your life with God always and everywhere. It does not matter what journeys you take, the twists and turns, ups and downs, God remains secure. You can dwell with Him.

Your life is not as long as you think it is. God considers your life ‘like a dream’, momentary and fleeting. Moses acknowledges this brevity and asks that God would, ‘teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom’. That is pretty powerful. For if you can learn that each day is a gift from God, and that one day there will be no more days, how different would you live? Would you hold onto resentment, pain, anger, fear or disappointment? Or would you live with the knowledge that ‘This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it’ (Psalm 118:24)? Learning to number your days can make you incredibly grateful for each one, as well as recognising that you are dependent upon God for every breath, and the hope you have for tomorrow. It is good to remember that your life is finite, and short like the grass. What would you live for, what would you do and who would you spend your time with if you knew you only had a little time left? Because you do. It really does matter what choices you make today for one day your dream-like life will end and there will be no more time, no more breaths to do or say the things you need to. 

Do not live afraid though at this brevity of life. For God is still your dwelling place and He can, ‘make us glad for as many days as you (God) have afflicted us’. God can bring you peace and joy in the life you do have, for as many days as He has ordained for you. Maybe some of that peace comes from recognising that life is short, and that God has ordained each day. Therefore any difficulties you face are only temporary, yet your dwelling with God is for eternity. You can have hope and joy today because God made today, and today isn’t the end of the story for there will be a tomorrow. 

The psalm concludes by asking God to allow His people see His work, and for Him to bless their work. It is good for you to see God’s work as it is encouraging and motivating to see the awesome things He does. It inspires and builds faith. It is easy to forget what God has done as life goes on and memories fade, so it is ok to ask God to remind you of what He is doing. God works in many ways; internally and externally and you can ask that God, ‘Let your work be shown to your servants’. You may see signs, wonders and miracles, breakthroughs, quiet internal revelation or something else. Allow yourself to see that God is working so that you can be inspired to fulfil your own work. For just as God works, so too you are expected to work. It doesn’t matter what type of work it is whether it is; working at home, studying, in the community or through having a job. Whatever your work looks like, you  are fulfilling something of your purpose as you actively contribute. Whether you like what you have been tasked to do or not, ask God to, ‘establish the work of our hands’. Ask for His help, strength and guidance so that you grow and make a positive contribution. Consider both the work of God and your own work, what is God showing you?  Work can be difficult, rewarding, time-consuming, boring and valuable, sometimes all at the same time. This is partly why you need to see where God’s is working, so that you can see what your duty is and follow Him in it. God has designed you to work, so do it well for you are demonstrating something of who He is through it. Even in this little life, no matter how short it is, you have a purpose, hope and a future. God is your dwelling place forever and He can establish the work of your hands right now - are you trusting Him to?

O God; let your face shine

 Psalm 80:1–19 (ESV):  

1  Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, 

you who lead Joseph like a flock. 

 You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth. 

 2  Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, 

  stir up your might 

and come to save us! 

 3  Restore us, O God; 

let your face shine, that we may be saved! 

 4  O Lord God of hosts, 

how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers? 

 5  You have fed them with the bread of tears 

and given them tears to drink in full measure. 

 6  You make us an object of contention for our neighbours, 

and our enemies laugh among themselves. 

 7  Restore us, O God of hosts; 

let your face shine, that we may be saved! 

 8  You brought a vine out of Egypt; 

you drove out the nations and planted it. 

 9  You cleared the ground for it; 

it took deep root and filled the land. 

 10  The mountains were covered with its shade, 

the mighty cedars with its branches. 

 11  It sent out its branches to the sea 

and its shoots to the River. 

 12  Why then have you broken down its walls, 

so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit? 

 13  The boar from the forest ravages it, 

and all that move in the field feed on it. 

 14  Turn again, O God of hosts! 

Look down from heaven, and see; 

  have regard for this vine, 

 15  the stock that your right hand planted, 

and for the son whom you made strong for yourself. 

 16  They have burned it with fire; they have cut it down; 

may they perish at the rebuke of your face! 

 17  But let your hand be on the man of your right hand, 

the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself! 

 18  Then we shall not turn back from you; 

give us life, and we will call upon your name! 

 19  Restore us, O Lord God of hosts! 

Let your face shine, that we may be saved! 

Have you ever considered the power of God’s face? Just His face?! The people of Israel here are calling for God to, ‘let your face shine, that we may be saved’! God’s ability to transform a situation just needs Him to turn and look at it. He doesn’t need to speak or show mighty powerful works, he can just look - isn’t that incredible! 

In this psalm we see that people of Israel realised that they needed God’s attention, for Him to glance at them so that their situation would change. This is why they repeatedly ask for His face to shine upon them. They understood the glorious goodness of having God’s gaze upon them. Having his attention makes a difference. The people knew that if God turned towards them they would recognise His beauty, power and holiness and that would change and transform their trouble into triumph. 

Sometimes, like the Israelites, we can feel abandoned, worthless, limited and feeble like a weedy vine (v8), but when God looks at it, it it can become deep rooted and fill the land (v9-11). This is the kind of transformation that occurs when God’s face shines towards us. Weakness becomes strength, despair turns to hope and degradation is exchanged for being lifted up. God's people knew this because they had heard the stories of the past, so they repeatedly asked God to turn towards them. To look, see and shine upon them, and they trusted that He would. When you call God’s attention to an issue and keep doing so, what do you expect to happen?

The Israelites did not ask for specifics, but they trusted that God would know what to do if He would only look at them. So this was their simple request - that God would come come and look. Just asking for God’s gaze upon the things that are troubling you bring a different perspective, and with God involved, who knows what the glorious solution will be?! Can you imagine the shining face of God looking at the things you are concerned about?

When i think about God’s face shining, it reminds me of Moses. The Israelites would have been familiar with the fact that when he spoke with God, Moses face shone. Yet Moses was just a human that caught something of the glory of God by being in His presence. Yet even Moses shining face was so blindingly powerful and terrifying that the people asked him to wear a veil so they felt more comfortable approaching and looking at him (Exodus 34:29-35). Moses was just a man. One who was privileged to speak with God, and the result was that he left God’s presence reflecting something of the glory of God. This human reflection was incredible, powerful and terrifying. So can you imagine how bright and glorious the actual face of God is?! This is the face that the Israelites in this psalm request to look at them. They want to see His glory, beauty, purity and blessing. So they ask for God to ‘look…see…have regard’ (v14) and ‘let your face shine’. The Israelites clearly understood the holiness, glory and power of God’s gaze. Do you?

Which situations would you like God to take a look at? Why not ask God to ‘let your face shine’ upon those and see what happens. Having God’s perspective can transform what is going on, for it will bring His glory, beauty and majesty. The psalm ends, ‘Restore us, O Lord God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved!’. I wonder what you would see and what salvation and restoration would come if you ask God to let His face shine in your life.

servant or son?

At the beginning of Hebrews 3 we see a great comparison of two great men of faith - Moses and Jesus.

The writer shows that both of these highly thought of religious figures were faithful in the house of God.
They were both obedient and faithful. Both are worthy of glory, they are honoured and revered by others. They both conversed with God and had a significant relationship with Him. They both have been essential in building up the household of God through their service and unending faith in God. They both knew who they were, their roles and responsibilities and they recognised the privilege they had in the household. Both Moses and Jesus were all in.

With so much similarity - what actually differentiates these two men?

One is a servant, the other a son. 

Moses knew who he was, he knew he was a servant, and he accepted the role and lived it well. He enjoyed the benefits of the household but realised the limits of his capacity. He served whole-heartedly and enjoyed a close confidential relationship with the master.
Moses was a great precursor to Jesus. He showed as best he could, how to be a part of the household of God. He was faithful and worthy, a honoured member of God’s house, but no matter how great and magnificent a servant he was, he could never own the house or gain the recognition a son does. Moses earned his position through faithful service, obedience and bravery. A servant earns their recognition and authority through acts of service whereas a son is born with it.

The son of God, Jesus, is not only born with authority, but he carries the very DNA of God and shares the same characteristics. The son carries the essence of the father inherently. As the son of the master, he is born to govern and serve and so carries a different authority and standing in the household than a servant.

However this in no way diminishes the role of the servant. A faithful servant is still a revered, loved and trusted servant. It is just that the role and responsibility of a servant and a son differ. Moses could in no way attain the glory of son-hood. Yet, those who trust and believe in Jesus can.

If you know Jesus is the son of God, and you place your life in his hands, as he placed his own life into the hands of the human race, and you know that he died as an innocent man with the weight of your sin on his shoulders, then rose again to prove that he truly is God, and he truly can absolve you of every nasty thing you’ve ever done - if you believe in all of that, then you have the blessed privilege of being in God’s household, not as a servant, but a son.

Are you living in the knowledge that you are no longer a servant but a son?
Do you take seriously the responsibility you have for God's household?
Are you accessing the privilege of access and relationship you are entitled to?