Do not forget

 Psalm 137:1–9 (ESV): 

By the waters of Babylon, 

there we sat down and wept, 

when we remembered Zion. 

 2  On the willows there 

we hung up our lyres. 

 3  For there our captors 

required of us songs, 

  and our tormentors, mirth, saying, 

“Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” 

 4  How shall we sing the Lord’s song 

in a foreign land? 

 5  If I forget you, O Jerusalem, 

let my right hand forget its skill! 

 6  Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, 

if I do not remember you, 

  if I do not set Jerusalem 

above my highest joy! 

 7  Remember, O Lord, against the Edomites 

the day of Jerusalem, 

  how they said, “Lay it bare, lay it bare, 

down to its foundations!” 

 8  O daughter of Babylon, doomed to be destroyed, 

blessed shall he be who repays you 

with what you have done to us! 

 9  Blessed shall he be who takes your little ones 

and dashes them against the rock! 

The people of God have a sorrow that no-one else understands. The things that are lost when people and nations turn away from the truth of Scripture is heartbreaking. Throwing away teaching the principles and stories of the Bible in favour of 'new' thinking, or because some truths are uncomfortable as society accepts ways that the Bible does not. These things cause the people of God to lament. 

I think of how in my lifetime England has changed. Hymns, prayer and biblical teaching were an everyday part of primary school life. Teaching Biblical stories and principles commonplace in the home and community, like; treating others as you want to be treated, honouring your parents and those in authority. These were unwritten rules that you were expected to abide by, it was the same for everyone, and even unknowingly, communities and families were embedding principles and guidance from Scripture into their children's lives, in the workplace, and wider community. Alongside this culture, the laws of this land once reflected the truths of the Gospel, just like in Israel before this exile. Then men started to be persuaded that God’s way wasn’t as good as other ways. Other nations lived differently and had new ideas and ideals, so the law of the land changed to deviate from the truth of God. Kings desired divorce, men desired men, and women, women. Lying is acceptable if you are a politician or salesperson, sex before marriage no longer outrageous but expected. Children not expected to be in submission to parents or authority, instead expected and supported to rebel. Free speech is no longer free, even people who silently pray can be arrested. What has happened?! As a person of God, does this not cause your heart to grieve? 

Such recollections must have caused the grief that penned this psalm. For Israel, their nation had not only deviated from Scripture, but as a result they had been kicked out! Their nation was defeated and the people captured by the Babylonian empire. Yet even through the taunts of their enemy, Israel remembered the joy of Jerusalem, and the privilege of singing praise and making music to their God. They could no longer do this as grief had replaced joy because they were away from the centre of God’s presence (Jerusalem), so their hearts were heavy. They could not even pick up their instruments. As they were dragged into exile ‘we hung up our lyres’ and ‘sat down and wept’ demonstrating the level of grief they experienced. Is your heart aggrieved for the condition of your nation? 

Although the Israelites grieved what was lost, and lamented it, they did not conform, but they continued as best as they could to live as Israelites in this foreign land. Their God was still their God, they remembered the storied of deliverance, the commands, followed the laws, and taught each generation about The God of Israel. They made an effort to remember, to recall the songs, the teachings, the joy of Jerusalem, and they prayed for deliverance. Are you doing the same? 

When Christianity was the main religion of England, schools and hospitals were created, and charities founded. It is because of christians putting their faith into action through caring for others that these institutions exist. How much have those sectors deviated from their roots and the truth! How sad that their history is hidden, and the truth of God removed from those settings. It is like being in a foreign land where God is not known. How can the beautiful truth be forgotten? (v5-6). As people of God, let us not forget. Let us not forget the foundations of faith, the importance of the values of the Kingdom of God. For even if it feels that we are in a foreign land like the Israelites were, we can still live by and apply the truths and laws of the Kingdom of God. For though the Israelites were taken into exile, it did not stop them being Israelites! They knew they were still the people of God, no matter where they were. They still carried songs of praise in their hearts and poured out their hearts in grief to Him. They still remembered the goodness of God and the greatness of worship, and so can you. The Israelites said, ‘Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if i do not remember you’. Therefore recall the goodness of God. Remember the times when God was made known and extolled where you live, and teach the younger generation. Show them what God has done and teach them to hold onto the truth even in a foreign land and era. Do not forget ‘my highest joy’!

Even though times, culture, and laws have changed, and expectations, behaviours and language may seem foreign to you, do not forget. God is still God, even if you feel like a stranger or an exile as the Israelites did. They felt downhearted and distraught, but they could not forget the truth of God. They did not forget the songs of joy, hymns of faith, or the praise and worship of the temple. They would remind each other and encourage one another to remember and pray. They knew that one day, the situation would change, so they had to remember and teach their young ones what to look forward to. One day, like Babylon, this godless age is ‘doomed to be destroyed’. God’s people and His kingdom will once again ‘sing the Lord’s song’ in joy and unity! So remember, wait, and seek the return of God’s reign wherever you are right now. God will repay evil, and He will also repay righteousness. So are you remembering who He is and what life with God is like for yourself, your community and nation? Are you teaching the generation to come about God and how to worship Him? For they will need to know, and they need to be prepared. Even in a dark and disparate nation, people need to be told and encouraged that better times are coming, that there is joy beyond a nation, a situation and beyond this life! The highest joy is that there is a God that loves and cares, who is powerful and kind, who is King and who deserves to be remembered and honoured. Are you remembering Him, and sharing that joy with those around you? 

Obedience in the Yes and the No

 Psalm 132:1–18 (ESV): 

1  Remember, O Lord, in David’s favour, 

all the hardships he endured, 

 2  how he swore to the Lord 

and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob, 

 3  “I will not enter my house 

or get into my bed, 

 4  I will not give sleep to my eyes 

or slumber to my eyelids, 

 5  until I find a place for the Lord, 

a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.” 

 6  Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah; 

we found it in the fields of Jaar. 

 7  “Let us go to his dwelling place; 

let us worship at his footstool!” 

 8  Arise, O Lord, and go to your resting place, 

you and the ark of your might. 

 9  Let your priests be clothed with righteousness, 

and let your saints shout for joy. 

 10  For the sake of your servant David, 

do not turn away the face of your anointed one. 

 11  The Lord swore to David a sure oath 

from which he will not turn back: 

  “One of the sons of your body 

I will set on your throne. 

 12  If your sons keep my covenant 

and my testimonies that I shall teach them, 

  their sons also forever 

shall sit on your throne.” 

 13  For the Lord has chosen Zion; 

he has desired it for his dwelling place: 

 14  “This is my resting place forever; 

here I will dwell, for I have desired it. 

 15  I will abundantly bless her provisions; 

I will satisfy her poor with bread. 

 16  Her priests I will clothe with salvation, 

and her saints will shout for joy. 

 17  There I will make a horn to sprout for David; 

I have prepared a lamp for my anointed. 

 18  His enemies I will clothe with shame, 

but on him his crown will shine.”

God remembers His faithful servants, whether they be paupers, kings or anything inbetween. God remembers and watches with favour those who keep their promises to Him, like David did. God loves that kind of dedication, obedience and faithfulness, and He rewards it. God does not forget what He has said, what you have done, or your quiet, steadfast dedication to Him. It is you that forgets. 

David’s passion for God caused him to feel unsettled even though he had a beautiful mansion for a home. For he knew that in some place, unknown, God’s holy presence rested in the Ark of the Covenant. David’s desire was to bring the nation to worship God, how could this happen if the presence of God that went with the nation into exile and back, is lost? This is the reason David made such a promise in the first place. Once the Ark was discovered, there had to be a permanent abode for it that was fitting for the King of Kings. David, and his team started searching, and eventually, they found the right place. David’s passion for God desired that he and the whole nation would discover what living in the presence of God was like.  So, he made his oath not to sleep until The Lord had his dwelling place amongst the nation of Israel.

When you make a promise to God and are working to fulfill it, it isn't easy. There comes a point when you wonder why you began doing it, how long it will take, and if it will get any easier. I am sure David felt like that in his search for ‘a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob’. David was so dedicated to this task that he swore that he would have no sleep until he had achieved it (v4-5). That is a brave promise! When you make an oath to God, how can you fail to fulfill your word? How did David do it? It must have got difficult for him. He must have grown tired, disappointed and anxious about finding ‘a place for the Lord’. Yet he continued diligently to complete this mission. He didn't make do or give up, his love and dedication to God caused him ti succeed in his mission to serve God and the nation in this way. David would have become exhausted and despondent journeying and searching to provide the right place. Yet he did not give up, he continued his search diligently. He was faithful to his word to The Faithful One. Remember this dedication, and let it inspire you in how you follow God and keep your promises to Him. The passion can wane, the sense of calling wither away as the reality of the hardship sets in. I wonder how long David went without sleep before he achieved his aim. He kept going in his mission, he was dedicated and demonstrated how to put God first above personal comfort and desire. Do you do the same?

When the right location of the Ark was discovered, and the right spot for the temple to be built found, God spoke to David. He made a promise for the generations of his family to come, if they were to give their hearts to God as David had. David had proved his allegiance and devotion to God, and God chose to pronounce a blessing over him and his family. Isn't that a beautiful thing! Yet God also made clear to David, that although he had searched for the Ark of the Covenant, found it, and brought i to it's dwelling place, he would not be the one to build a permanent home for it. His son, Solomon would. After all of that effort, that dedication and discomfort that David went through, how do you imagine he felt hearing that? Disappointed, relieved, angry? However, despite his own personal emotional response, David honoured this instruction from God. He did not rush off and do it himself anyway although he was the one with the passion for the project. Instead, David humbly obeyed the instruction of The Lord. 

David understood that God ideas are better than his own, and that God should have a say in who, where and when the temple, his earthly dwelling place should be constructed. So, although David had sacrificed sleep and rest in his search for the location, it did not mean that he was the man to fulfill the rest of the mission. David had to lay aside his desire to see a house of God being built. David had the vision, the plans and collected the materials, but he stopped there because God said so. How obedient are you to God when He tells you to hand over responsibility or to stop doing something?

David shows beautiful obedience and submission to God. He was powerful and rich, he cold command armies, and builders, but God said no, so David obeyed. That takes a lot of strength and trust. David did not get to see the fulfilment of his work and investment into people or the kingdom of God. Yet he came to terms with it because He knew God is faithful and trustworthy, so he obeyed. David’s passion and humility led to a glorious temple being built in Jerusalem, where the nation of Israel could come to worship. David’s dedication permitted and invited others into God’s presence. Yet he never saw a stone be laid. Do you have that level of obedience to God? To live beyond yourself and your generation to build and prepare for the kingdom of God to come, for the people to come?

You can impact nations and places through the simple obedience to seeing through the things God has given you passion and permission for, and stopping there. What are you passionate about doing for The Lord? Submit your ideas and passions to Him, and trust Him even if His plans are different to yours. Then you will be blessed, and so will others for generations ot 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?

The Lord on high is mighty

 Psalm 93:1–5 (ESV):

93 The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; 

the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. 

  Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. 

 2  Your throne is established from of old; 

you are from everlasting. 

 3  The floods have lifted up, O Lord, 

the floods have lifted up their voice; 

the floods lift up their roaring. 

 4  Mightier than the thunders of many waters, 

mightier than the waves of the sea, 

the Lord on high is mighty! 

 5  Your decrees are very trustworthy; 

holiness befits your house, 

O Lord, forevermore. 

The writer of this psalm has had a revelation of the greatness and mightiness of God. They repeat the sense of His greatness as they explore the fresh revelation of the kingship of God. How powerful are the simple, oft repeated truths when they are deeply revealed.

1) The Lord God is King. He is adorned with majesty - no other monarch carries or is cloaked with such beauty, magnificence or authoritative presence. God’s throne, authority and kingdom are everlasting. His leadership will not cease, His power not wane. He reigns, will reign and has reigned from the beginning of time throughout all eternity! God is the true and ‘great King above all gods’.

2) God’s magnificence and might is so great that His strength is merely a belt! When you and i strengthen ourselves it is not a piece of clothing we put on, but it involves our whole body and mind which carries the power, the confidence and stress of displaying that strength. Yet God is so powerful that it does not require His whole being to be strong, it is merely something He demonstrates almost as an accessory! As a result of the truth of God being the universal and eternal great King, He displays strength. Yet this is not His main characteristic. God is magnificent, majestic and strong because He is King. We can admire and be fascinated and enthralled by these aspects of God, but they are not His total being. God is strong, but He is not only supremely strong. 

3) No matter how mighty, powerful and life-changing a flood can be, or a storm with raging waters where the power drowns out all other sound, God is mightier! He can drown out the flood, ‘mightier that the thunders if many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty’! A storm may be powerful and change lives, but the Lord God is mightier! No force of nature or storm of life can outrule, outwit or overpower Our God.

4) Not only is the Lord mighty and strong, but He can also be trusted, ‘your decrees are very trustworthy’. When you think of leaders, other kings or politicians, no matter how good they may seem, are they trustworthy? Are they both powerful and honest? It is important to recognise thst although the leaders on Earth may be weak or untrustworthy, you cannot apply the same expectations to God. He is almighty, powerful, majestic, strong, mighty and trustworthy. God is honest. He will do what He says, always. This is why ‘holiness befits your house’. He is pure and completely holy. There is no fault or impurity in Him. He is totally trustworthy and good. 

When you accept God as King over your life and the universe, you are acknowledging that God is sovereign, He is mighty, majestic, strong and trustworthy. What a privilege to live life knowing that this is the tyoe of King you are living for. You are in His kingdom as one of His citizens. So, whatever you are fearing, worrying about, confused by or in awe of, compare it to this King, The Lord our God is a magnificent, eternal, majestic, honest and powerful monarch unlike any other. How is this truth impacting your life?

When you seek change, are you prepared for the change to start with you?

 Psalm 72:1–20 (ESV):  

1  Give the king your justice, O God, 

and your righteousness to the royal son! 

2  May he judge your people with righteousness, 

and your poor with justice! 

3  Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people, 

and the hills, in righteousness! 

4  May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, 

give deliverance to the children of the needy, 

and crush the oppressor! 

5  May they fear you while the sun endures, 

and as long as the moon, throughout all generations! 

6  May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, 

like showers that water the earth! 

7  In his days may the righteous flourish, 

and peace abound, till the moon be no more! 

8  May he have dominion from sea to sea, 

and from the River to the ends of the earth! 

9  May desert tribes bow down before him, 

and his enemies lick the dust! 

10  May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands 

render him tribute; 

may the kings of Sheba and Seba 

bring gifts! 

11  May all kings fall down before him, 

all nations serve him! 

12  For he delivers the needy when he calls, 

the poor and him who has no helper. 

13  He has pity on the weak and the needy, 

and saves the lives of the needy. 

14  From oppression and violence he redeems their life, 

and precious is their blood in his sight. 

15  Long may he live; 

may gold of Sheba be given to him! 

May prayer be made for him continually, 

and blessings invoked for him all the day! 

16  May there be abundance of grain in the land; 

on the tops of the mountains may it wave; 

may its fruit be like Lebanon; 

and may people blossom in the cities 

like the grass of the field! 

17  May his name endure forever, 

his fame continue as long as the sun! 

May people be blessed in him, 

all nations call him blessed! 

18  Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, 

who alone does wondrous things. 

19  Blessed be his glorious name forever; 

may the whole earth be filled with his glory! 

Amen and Amen! 

20  The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended. 

Solomon (the king’s son) here is asking for God to give him the character and gifts needed to lead the nation well. He knows he will inherit the throne of his father, David, so he is preparing himself to lead. Therefore as he takes on this mammoth task, he asks for God’s help and blessing in the role. He is clearly not confident or sure of what he will need to do, but he is sure that God can help him and the nation. He prays for the kind of rule he wants, and the kind of kingdom that anyone would like to lead - righteous, just, prosperous, protected, free and God-honouring. Solomon knows that he cannot achieve this alone, and he knows the battles his father has fought to protect this people, so he is under no illusion that being monarch is going to be easy! Therefore he asks God for help, and for his character to be moulded into the king that the nation needs. Solomon is prepared to do the hard work of changing himself in otder to be the vessel God and the Israelites need (notice all the times he says 'may he'). When you pray for change, are you prepared for the change to start with you?

Solomon understands that in order to lead the nation into peace and justice that he will have to handle judgements and he desires to do that right. He needs the spirit of God to help him discern, so he asks. He goes to God and asks Him to help, do you? Whatever is needed to do the tasks you are given in life, do you ask God to help you do them well? Solomon did. He knew change was required for the benefit of the people he was serving, and he asks God for it even if that means he has to change, learn and stretch himself. Solomon recognises that he needs to take responsibility, but it is scary and too big a job for him. His vision and ideal reign will be peaceful and prosperous, so he asks God to deliver it and transform him into the kind of person that can lead a nation like that. He firstly asks to become just and righteous (v1-2), then he goes onto ask for courage to defend those with the least and defeat ‘the oppressor’ (v4), next he asks that he refreshes the people of Israel (v6-7). He does not want to be a burden, but a blessing, He wants to enable the country to flourish, and so realises that there are expectations and responsibilities that he needs to take on that he doesn’t feel ready for. Therefore he needs the power of God to come! To change him, to provide and go before him. 

Solomon must have learnt from his Dad how to pray! He must have seen him crying out in distress, praising and petitioning God for help. He may have read some of the songs and prayers David wrote. He had seen the success of a life lived depending on God, and reigning from an attitude of God first, and so he copied this successful way. Solomon had seen that the fear of God from the king will cause the nation to prosper (v5). As he wants to rule well and for a long time (v6-7), for a wide expanse of land (v8-11) in a peaceful time, and for the nation to be renowned for peace, justice and prosperity, Solomon knows he has to look to God for it. He trusts God for the things yet unknown and unrealised because he has experienced the success of his father's relationship with God and seen how that has brought salvation and restoration to Israel. So as the time approaches for him to be the leader, he desires to continue to develop and grow the nation into goodness. He was aware that David and his mother,  Bathsheba, were preparing him to be king, so he wanted to prepare himself. Therefore he sought God so that he could become the man God needed to rule Israel. He was prepared for the change to start with him.

We know that these things Solomon prayed for came about. Israel knew peace and prosperity during his reign, and he was known as a wise and just king, other kings voluntarily paid homage to Solomon voluntarily (v10). God gave Solomon what he had asked for. After all, Solomon had prayed for what God desired already, and so it came about plus Solomon was willing to change himself first in order to complete his job well. He asked God for His assistance in the everyday things that he needed to do, knowing that there was personal development required, and he trusted God with the vision he had for the future. We can read this psalm and conclude that Solomon was asking for the perfect nation, and why not?! Why limit your expectations of what God can do? Solomon didn’t, and look at the nation of Israel when he ruled - he was known to be wise and just, and Israel was a peaceful and prosperous nation with other kings and queens voluntarily bringing him gifts and learning from him. Solomon prayed for big things, and God delivered. Solomon allowed himself to be changed first so that the nation could be transformed, and it happened. When you desire change, are you prepared for it to start with you?  Will you ask God to help and prepare you for today and the future, asking Him to help you be the change He needs?

The city of our God

Psalm 48:1–14 (ESV):  

1  Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised 

in the city of our God! 

His holy mountain, 

2 beautiful in elevation, 

is the joy of all the earth, 

Mount Zion, in the far north, 

the city of the great King. 

3  Within her citadels God 

has made himself known as a fortress. 

4  For behold, the kings assembled; 

they came on together. 

5  As soon as they saw it, they were astounded; 

they were in panic; they took to flight. 

6  Trembling took hold of them there, 

anguish as of a woman in labour. 

7  By the east wind you shattered 

the ships of Tarshish. 

8  As we have heard, so have we seen 

in the city of the Lord of hosts, 

in the city of our God, 

which God will establish forever. Selah 

9  We have thought on your steadfast love, O God, 

in the midst of your temple. 

10  As your name, O God, 

so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth. 

Your right hand is filled with righteousness. 

11  Let Mount Zion be glad! 

Let the daughters of Judah rejoice 

because of your judgments! 

12  Walk about Zion, go around her, 

number her towers, 

13  consider well her ramparts, 

go through her citadels, 

that you may tell the next generation 

14  that this is God, 

our God forever and ever. 

He will guide us forever. 

‘The city of our God’ - The place where God dwells and has prepared as a secure environment for His people is the place repeatedly spoken of in this psalm. Although the psalm references Zion as the place, it is clear that the city admired here is the city of God that is to come, not the physical mount in Israel. The phrase ‘in the far north’ for those at the time this psalm was written is equivalent to us British saying ‘up there’, so is a reference to the dwelling place of God, 'the great King', rather than an actual location on Earth. Therefore these clues show that the city written about here is referring to the future city of God as also spoken of in Revelation as well as by some of the Old Testament prophets.

So, what does this psalm tell us about the city of God?

It is:

a place where the Lord dwells (v1)

beautiful, astounding, incredible (v1, 5, 12)

set in a high up place (v1)

Holy (v1)

Awe-inspiring and terrifying (v5-6)

Eternal (v8)

Enormous (v12-13)

Something to talk about and inspire others with (13)

The thing that makes the place special though, is not its appearance, value or worth. There is in fact no mention of the riches or the worth of the city. It is valuable and inspiring simply because God is there. It's majesty and awe-inspiring, fear-instilling beauty is due to the presence of God. Nothing else gives this place its merit or majesty. It is the One that dwells there that makes the city magnificent and terrifying in equal measure. The city is even considered 'holy' - the place itself cannot exude holiness, but is only God presence which makes it so. This holiness is what the assembled 'kings' trembled at; the magnificence, beauty and purity of God caused them to run in fear as they recognised their unworthiness in comparison to just the dwelling place of God. 

A city, dwelling place or location is just a place unless God is present. When God is present there is power, majesty, incomparable beauty and holy fear. God's presence can make any place comforting, strong, majestic and holy when He is invited in. Just look at verse 3. This verse does not consider the city a fortress, but exclaims that God himself is the fortress within the city! He is reason for the strength and protection of the place. It only has these qualities because of who lives and reigns there. The same is true of your life. Who do you allow to live and reign in your life?

Those that you allow God to abide with them allow Him to have impact and influence in their body, home, work place and in their travels. As God takes residence in the lives of those that invite Him in, He brings power, holiness, protection, strength and eternal security. The life of those living with God changes as He displays His character through their lives, displaying the characteristics that we see are present in the city of God described in this psalm. The life lived dwelling with God becomes greater and more beautiful transforming into something worth inspiring future generations (v13). 

What does your life look like? Is it a place that allows God to reign and become like this city? Are you displaying elements of God's character and living a life that can inspire future generations by its solidarity, peace and security? 

God is the King of all the earth

 Psalm 47:1–9 (ESV):  

1  Clap your hands, all peoples! 

Shout to God with loud songs of joy! 

2  For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared, 

a great king over all the earth. 

3  He subdued peoples under us, 

and nations under our feet. 

4  He chose our heritage for us, 

the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah 

5  God has gone up with a shout, 

the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. 

6  Sing praises to God, sing praises! 

Sing praises to our King, sing praises! 

7  For God is the King of all the earth; 

sing praises with a psalm! 

8  God reigns over the nations; 

God sits on his holy throne. 

9  The princes of the peoples gather 

as the people of the God of Abraham. 

For the shields of the earth belong to God; 

he is highly exalted! 

When you recall the works of God and His character, how can you not get excited?! 

What has God done in your life, family, amongst your friends, in your country, or even in history that you celebrate and are joyful about? If the answer is nothing, then look again. For God has been there and working throughout, ask Him to show you what He has been doing, allow yourself to become joyful at what God has done and believe Him for whatever circumstances may come. 

In this short palm we read how God has; made himself King over all the Earth, he has quieted oppression, caused the nation of Israel to be victorious, he gives a secure future, an inheritance, plus He loves and owns everything on Earth! This God spoken about in this psalm is the same God we worship today. He is still victorious, loving, blessing his people, and He continues to promise a secure and certain future for those who become His people. Are you rejoicing in the character and nature of God today? 

This psalm reminds us that God is ‘our King’. Wherever you are, God is King. He is not a king that is confined to a specific area or time, but He is an eternal, omnipresent king and so is king of all creation, every area, throughout all history, in the present and future. It does not matter of what generation or earthly kingdom you are a part of, you can know God as king of your place, time and situation. 

Kings are powerful, have authority and are responsible for leading their kingdom in safety, justice and freedom. Some earthly kings do that better than others, but God always leads His kingdom in truth, love and justice. You may not always understand what He is up to nor understand His tactics, but He is always working for His kingdom to be victorious, for that is the best thing for His people. ‘God is King of all the earth’ - there is no place, situation or person that He is not king of, He ‘reigns over the nations’. God is always in authority and in control and is working for His kingdom to expand. So, take comfort and assurance in all situations that God is present and reigning even if it doesn’t look like it to you. See how God has changed nations before, how He has transformed people and places and thank God that He can do it again. Remember just what it means for God to be King and allow your praises to overflow to Him. He is worthy of worship so; rejoice, be glad, sing, hope, worship, adore and extol God as King today. He deserves it! He deserves to hear us clapping, singing and shouting in adoration as, 'he is highly exalted'.

‘Sing praises to God, sing praises! 

Sing praises to our King, sing praises!’

Are you faithful through the trials?

 Psalm 44:1–26 (ESV):  

1  O God, we have heard with our ears, 

our fathers have told us, 

what deeds you performed in their days, 

in the days of old: 

2  you with your own hand drove out the nations, 

but them you planted; 

you afflicted the peoples, 

but them you set free; 

3  for not by their own sword did they win the land, 

nor did their own arm save them, 

but your right hand and your arm, 

and the light of your face, 

for you delighted in them. 

4  You are my King, O God; 

ordain salvation for Jacob! 

5  Through you we push down our foes; 

through your name we tread down those who rise up against us. 

6  For not in my bow do I trust, 

nor can my sword save me. 

7  But you have saved us from our foes 

and have put to shame those who hate us. 

8  In God we have boasted continually, 

and we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah 

9  But you have rejected us and disgraced us 

and have not gone out with our armies. 

10  You have made us turn back from the foe, 

and those who hate us have gotten spoil. 

11  You have made us like sheep for slaughter 

and have scattered us among the nations. 

12  You have sold your people for a trifle, 

demanding no high price for them. 

13  You have made us the taunt of our neighbours, 

the derision and scorn of those around us. 

14  You have made us a byword among the nations, 

a laughingstock among the peoples. 

15  All day long my disgrace is before me, 

and shame has covered my face 

16  at the sound of the taunter and reviler, 

at the sight of the enemy and the avenger. 

17  All this has come upon us, 

though we have not forgotten you, 

and we have not been false to your covenant. 

18  Our heart has not turned back, 

nor have our steps departed from your way; 

19  yet you have broken us in the place of jackals 

and covered us with the shadow of death. 

20  If we had forgotten the name of our God 

or spread out our hands to a foreign god, 

21  would not God discover this? 

For he knows the secrets of the heart. 

22  Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long; 

we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. 

23  Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord? 

Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever! 

24  Why do you hide your face? 

Why do you forget our affliction and oppression? 

25  For our soul is bowed down to the dust; 

our belly clings to the ground. 

26  Rise up; come to our help! 

Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love!

This psalm seems to have four sections to it:

- Firstly, verses 1-3 recall the works of God in Israel’s history. The testimony of what He has achieved for His people.

- Verses 4-8 are a response to the greatness of God, a recognition of God as king and worthy of extolling

- Then verses 9 -16 are the outpouring of disappointment and pain over the present turmoil and perceived rejection of the people by God.

- Verses 17 - 26 are then pleading for compassion, God’s justice and power to once again save and restore His people. A call for God to act due to the persecution of His innocent people.

It is important therefore to consider the whole perspective when faced with challenges. The people of God who inspired and wrote this psalm do, and having this format helped them through the trials and torments they were facing. As they recalled the might, power and love of God even in troublesome times they could pour out their experiences and emotions to Him, knowing, trusting and believing that God is good, just and loving and that He WILL bring hope and salvation even in the most dire situations.

I love that this psalm is a congregational response, not an individual one, but concerned with the community of God’s people as a whole. The church is the collection of God's people, and sometimes they go through difficulties, so it is good to remember that sometimes it is not just individual families or people that suffer, but at times the church is persecuted, and can feel alone and abandoned. Although this psalm is about the collective of God's followers being harangued, this is not the main focus. Instead this psalm is a beautiful summary of God’s power and majesty, and the reliance of God’s followers on Him as they encounter trouble. The people that wrote this have not been sinful or disobedient, yet they, ‘are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered’. Innocent, peaceful, obediently following their God, but afflicted and oppressed by those around them. Therefore it is a bit of a warning too, that even when you're doing the right things, disaster can strike, and then what do you do? When you follow God, you can expect suffering to be part of the journey both personally and corporately. It may not seem fair, especially when you live life doing the best to honour God and keep away from the ways of life that would lead you astray. Yet this is the reality. This world is not fair, and you have to live in it! There is an enemy to those that follow God, and people, powers and principalities will to try to destroy the gospel. This should be no surprise to any of us, as God’s people have been persecuted since the beginning, but I think that generally we focus on the fact that if you live following God, everything will be fine and you will be blessed. Of course, it is true that you are blessed to always know the joy of salvation, a relationship with God and His faithful, steadfast love like these psalmists express, yet it is also true that life will involve suffering, persecution and death. 

No-one likes to think of this; that God’s people suffer, especially for no just cause. When you have troubled times you like to know that there is a reason, a purpose, but you may not know what it is. So you have to learn to suffer well, as the writers of this psalm did, without any answers. They did not understand what was happening or why, yet they were assured that because God, ‘knows the secrets of the heart’, He could see their innocence and the way they were living even through the trauma. They demonstrated dedication and faith, community and love throughout this time even when they felt abandoned and forgotten. These people still reminded one another of how to live pleasing God, and of the victories of the past. They recalled that God, ‘afflicted the peoples and them you set free’. God does both - He restricts and He gives freedom. The people were reminding themselves that God is indeed in charge of all situations, including the one they are in right now. Do you accept that God is in control with whatever is going on in your life, in the life of the church, your community and even the country you live in? Even when circumstances seem dire and difficult, do you honour God and remain dedicated to following Him alongside other believers?

The frustration of the writers of psalm 44 is not really that times are difficult, but that they feel overlooked by God and like He has abandoned them. So they recall the scriptures and the stories of God and are assured because history proves that God has a plan and does not abandon His people when they follow Him. It is just His plan doesn’t make sense to them right now. Therefore this people cry out, ‘why are you sleeping, O Lord?….Do not reject us forever! …why do you forget our affliction and oppression?’. These cries can still be repeated and resounded across the globe. People of God are suffering for their faith today. Individuals and churches, communities of believers around the world are feeling afflicted and oppressed. If you recognise this in your faith-filled groups and feel like bursting out with such cries then that is ok, you are in good company, people have been crying out for thousands of years about injustice, pain and persecution. It is good in fact to cry out to God as He is the only one that can do anything about it! Just make sure that you do not solely cry out, but also remember. Call to your memory the times of breakthrough, the miracles, the wonders, the joy, prophetic words, and remember God is still the same. God hears your pleading cries for mercy. He hears and knows, yet He does not always act as you deem best because He has a different plan, a bigger one and a better one. So dig in, keep going, look at Him and encourage one another to remember all He has done before, because He can do it again.

If you’re still struggling with the reality and purpose of suffering then look at Jesus. Of all the people in all the Earth that have ever lived, he could rightly claim innocence, purity and lack of sin. Yet consider his suffering. Ponder upon the heartache, physical torture and the degrading death that he endured. He, surely, deserved rescue? He implored Father God to rescue him, to end his torment, to allow him to escape the fate he knew was coming. Yet he had to go through it. He asked God for relief and rescue yet it did not come. He probably felt abandoned, disappointed, alone, unheard and confused too. Yet he continued to obey and honour God, patiently enduring and suffering. Jesus did not know the purpose of all he went through but he trusted God. We now know that God's best plan was for His only Son to suffer and die even though Jesus did not want to. It was not the best or the easiest for Jesus, but it was the best for all people. Jesus life, death and resurrection has meant salvation, restoration and hope are available to ALL people. His suffering was for our good, for the good of those who would never hear his voice or see him in person on Earth. God's plan was too big for even Jesus to understand and to desire at the time, so do not be concerned if you do not understand or desire the circumstances you find yourselves in. Sometimes terrible, heart-wrenching, painful and degrading things happen to those who follow God. It is natural to desire relief and help like Jesus did, and to feel abandoned, disappointed and confused, like Jesus did. Yet Jesus still trusted, honoured and followed God. Remembering who God is and being assured that God somehow had purpose through it all, you too can take comfort and confidence in the fact that even in the midst of pain and despair, God has a plan. Even when torture and death come, God is not oblivious nor does He lack care, power or control. That is why it is important for you to speak to other believers, remembering God's goodness, sharing cries of pain and prayers of deliverance together.

You see, the problem is not with God, it is with us humans. We like to know what is going on and to be rewarded for our loyalty and dedication for living faithful lives. We believe we deserve good things if we do good things. So, when unexpected, unwanted and troublesome times come, we do not like it. However, living life following God does not guarantee a hassle-free life - You do not have to read the Bible for long or to know many christians to see that! At no point does God promise that all our troubles will be over when we trust and believe in Him, instead the Bible has many examples of just the opposite! Life following God will not be easy, but you will always have hope and salvation. Plus you can grow in strength and peace when you continually honour God with your life. Bad stuff happens at times, but do not let that dictate your trust and reliance in God. God is not determined or swayed by circumstances whether good or bad, so your faith in Him and your dedication to Him should not be either. The people who wrote this psalm are great examples of those following God who remained committed to do so despite the hardship. They felt that they were suffering undeservedly, and felt abandoned and forgotten, but they also understood that their motives and plans were not God’s. They show commitment, steadfastness and deep-founded faith. Do you? Or is it easy for you to wander off and chase other things when you feel like God is not answering your prayers or coming through for you in the way you want Him to? 

God is not your butler. He is not there to make life easy for you or to anticipate your needs and wants, sheltering you from issues. He is your Master, your Lord and King. Your duty is to serve Him, not the other way round. When you believe and follow God as these people did, you follow His directions, complete His commands and keep doing so no matter the difficulty or reward. A king must be obeyed otherwise it is treason. The Israelites understood this. They were confused by their treatment and lack of blessing, however they remained faithful servants of the Most High God as He is still King. They faithfully served Him, even though it was difficult and confusing. The result of this faithful, committed mindset was that they knew they could approach their King with their troubles and they grew in faith and steadfastness. They understood that even when they were fleeing, endangered and deserted that God could still come through for them. They did not give up believing, trusting and hoping in their King. instead they patiently, painfully waited, recalling the stories of previous victories of God as they cried out to Him, ‘Rise up; come to our help!’. The Israelites realised that they serve the King of creation, and they have the privilege of being His people no matter the circumstances. We have the privilege of knowing some of the stories, seeing the results of others' faithful service and steadfast service through battles, exile and persecution. What do you want the story of your life as a believer and as a part of a community of believers to demonstrate to the world around you?

What are you ascribing to God?

 Psalm 29:1–11 (ESV):  

1  Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, 

ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 

2  Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; 

worship the Lord in the splendour of holiness. 

3  The voice of the Lord is over the waters; 

the God of glory thunders, 

the Lord, over many waters. 

4  The voice of the Lord is powerful; 

the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. 

5  The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; 

the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon. 

6  He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf, 

and Sirion like a young wild ox. 

7  The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire. 

8  The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; 

the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 

9  The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth 

and strips the forests bare, 

and in his temple all cry, “Glory!” 

10  The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; 

the Lord sits enthroned as king forever. 

11  May the Lord give strength to his people! 

May the Lord bless his people with peace! 

This psalm is full of repetition, so there are several things that are emphasised. Firstly, of utmost importance is the fact that this poem is about ‘the Lord’. David repeats this 18 times throughout this psalm, so there is no excuse to not know whom it is about! David is calling all heaven and Earth to acknowledge the goodness, beauty, Lordship and strength of God and praise Him because of who He is. He calls us to ‘Ascribe to the Lord’ glory and strength. Ascribe is not a word we commonly use, but it means to assign or credit. So David is urging that God should be acknowledged with honour and given credit for His power. David calls upon not only humans to recognise this, but also the heavenly beings. So great is God’s majesty and strength, that all of creation should be called to marvel at it. From the Heavens to the Earth and everything in-between, God deserves credit and respect. 

God displays this glory and strength that he should be ascribed  simply through His voice! ‘The voice of the Lord’ is enough for God to show His might and majesty - isn’t that incredible?! This psalm shows that through His voice God commands; water, thunder, flames, shaking, cities, the environment and birth. God’s voice can break, strip and build things. Just by His word, God can do all this - is that not terrifying and awesome at the same time? What God speaks happens. He has authority, power and control over every situation and He can and does speak through them. What do you hear Him saying in the stillness, and in the storm? Are you listening out for ‘The voice of the Lord’ in your circumstances and through the nature and environment around you? The voice of the Lord can be heard in heaven and on Earth in the day to day - are you listening out for it? 

Not only should God be worshipped for His glory, strength and the beauty and power of His voice, but also because, ‘The Lord sits enthroned’. God remains seated in authority and power and never takes His eye off the ball. He is the one who speaks things into being and reigns over all heaven and all Earth, no matter the circumstances. If you are experiencing a storm or the still, God is still in authority and is speaking. He is still in command, He is still King. 

So today;

What are attributes can you ascribe to God?

How can you credit God with the glory and honour He deserves today?

Listen out for God’s voice - what is He saying to you?

Recognise God is still king - how does that give you peace and strength?

God is waiting for you to join Him.

 Psalm 24:1–10 (ESV):  

1  The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, 

the world and those who dwell therein, 

2  for he has founded it upon the seas 

and established it upon the rivers. 

3  Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? 

And who shall stand in his holy place? 

4  He who has clean hands and a pure heart, 

who does not lift up his soul to what is false 

and does not swear deceitfully. 

5  He will receive blessing from the Lord 

and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 

6  Such is the generation of those who seek him, 

who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah 

7  Lift up your heads, O gates! 

And be lifted up, O ancient doors, 

that the King of glory may come in. 

8  Who is this King of glory? 

The Lord, strong and mighty, 

the Lord, mighty in battle! 

9  Lift up your heads, O gates! 

And lift them up, O ancient doors, 

that the King of glory may come in. 

10  Who is this King of glory? 

The Lord of hosts, 

he is the King of glory! Selah 

The King of Glory, Our God and Lord is the creator of all things. Everything that exists was created and designed by Him from rocks and seas to every creature. Each human life has been handcrafted by God, no matter how great, insignificant, good or evil people may seem, all have been created and given breath by Almighty God. That includes you, your neighbours and your nemesis. Everyone has been made in the image of God, created to bear a resemblance to the King of Glory in appearance and character. Yet, even though we are crafted into His image and are a result of his handiwork - none of us deserve to be in God’s presence. Not one of us can match up to God's standards and therefore are not good enough to stand in His holy place (v3) or ascend His hill (v3-4). It is not as if God has made it difficult for us, this psalm shows that He has two requirements; clean hands and a pure heart. Yet who has lived a life of such innocence and purity? Have you ever lied, been led astray, done or said anything wrong? If so then you do not have clean hands or a pure heart so how can you stand in front of a holy, pure, majestic God? How can you even step foot onto His holy hill or peek into the holy place when there is such unworthiness in you? You do not deserve to be in God's presence, and you have no right to even consider it because you have not led an innocent, pure, sin-free life.

Yet, there is a promise that the one who enters God’s presence, ‘will receive a blessing from the Lord and righteousness’. How can you ever pertain or aspire to this if it is impossible because of sin? There must be a hope that it is possible, otherwise why would this be written? God is not mean or spiteful so He does not give false hope or promises that can never be fulfilled. Verse 6 assures that, ‘the generation of those who seek him’ will be able to enter God’s presence and will receive blessing and righteousness, but how? Still you remain rotten in comparison to God’s standards, and you cannot undo what has been done. It is so difficult to live a pure life, so how can anyone ever gain the righteousness and blessing of God? In your own strength and capability it is impossible. You cannot live a pure, honest and innocent life, you have failed before and you will again, sin easily entangles and temptation is hard to run away from. You can try your best, but you can never live a life that is good enough to enter God’s presence. However the promise of entering God's presence was made and still stands. 

God fulfils His promises. There IS a way for you to enjoy God's company as well as His righteousness and blessing. You CAN enter the presence of God if you, ‘seek Him’ and let ‘the King of glory’ into your life. Jesus is the King of Glory and so accepting that Jesus has made a way for you to connect with God is the only way that you can have access to all that God promises. Jesus is the one, the only one, that has ever lived a life with clean hands and a pure heart. He is the only one that has refused to give into temptation and sin and so never lied or gone the way he shouldn't. Jesus can ascend the holy hill and enter the holy place because he has lived a life worthy of being there. He can enter the presence of God and he invites you to go with him! Jesus sacrificed his pure, innocence life so that you can take it instead of your rotten, sinful one so that you too can enjoy God's presence! All you need to do is acknowledge that Jesus has made this exchange for you, accept it and take advantage of it. Jesus knows that you have sinned and gone your own way before and he knows that you still struggle with temptation and sin. Yet he still wants to exchange all of that for his innocence and purity so that you can have the privilege of spending time with Father God! Have you taken up Jesus offer of exchanging his life for yours?

Have you done what is necessary to be in His presence - have you opened the gates of your heart and your life to Jesus and let him reign in your life? Jesus is the only one that has overcome the things that separate you from God and made it so that they no longer stand in your way. Jesus has got clean hands and a pure heart, he never led a false life, lied or committed any sin, therefore he can get you into God’s presence. He can transfer his purity to you because he fought with evil and won, in fact he put it to death! He did it so that you can enter into God’s presence alongside him. When you acknowledge the power of the death and resurrection of Jesus, he transforms your hands to clean ones and sanctifies your heart to become pure. Therefore you may now enter the kingdom of God. 

Today you can, ‘ascend the hill of the Lord’ and receive the fullness of salvation, righteousness and blessing whenever you want. What a gift! You no longer need to be deprived of God’s presence or righteousness and blessing. Have you taken up Jesus offer? God is waiting for you to join Him. 

Praying for leaders

The psalm that we are considering today is a different style to those we have come across thus far. The previous psalms have been very personal written in first person singular, now we come to a song that is written in plural for the most part. Its form is a song to be sung over/to a king rather than a personal response of an individual. 

Psalm 20:1–9 (ESV):  

1  May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! 

May the name of the God of Jacob protect you! 

2  May he send you help from the sanctuary 

and give you support from Zion! 

3  May he remember all your offerings 

and regard with favour your burnt sacrifices! Selah 

4  May he grant you your heart’s desire 

and fulfil all your plans! 

5  May we shout for joy over your salvation, 

and in the name of our God set up our banners! 

May the Lord fulfil all your petitions! 

6  Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; 

he will answer him from his holy heaven 

with the saving might of his right hand. 

7  Some trust in chariots and some in horses, 

but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. 

8  They collapse and fall, 

but we rise and stand upright. 

9  O Lord, save the king! 

May he answer us when we call. 

What a way to pray for leaders! That God may; answer them when they have trouble, protect them, help and support them, remember their goodness, complete their plans and satisfy their hearts - what more could a person want from life?! Praying for our leaders to be blessed and be successful will make their job easier, and lives more restful. 

This psalm was created to be sung by the people of Israel over their king, most likely in the time of David as he was about to lead the army into battle. Can you imagine how that would affect both the king, the army and the nation? A song that inspires, reminds, calls to faith the leader of the country and demonstrates the support all people - what a powerful, inspiring and motivating song that must have been to hear! The confidence that the people of Israel have in their king is inspired by the confidence they have in their God. They know God will answer and be present with their king because God ordained him and so God will work through his life. Do you know that the same is true for the leaders you know?  Even the leaders you dislike and disagree with, God has a purpose for the season of their authority. Will you pray for them? It pleases God when you do, and it will do you and others good. 

In the New Testament Timothy writes, ‘I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour’ (1Timothy 2:1-3). Timothy and the writer of this psalm see the real, tangible benefit of praying and supporting those in leadership. It can be hard to do when we see those in power who are ungodly, wicked or foolish, but should that not inspire you to pray even more? How much more of a miraculous breakthrough would it be for such a person to become a spirit-led, gracious, supportive and cohesive leader?! 

I hope this psalm inspires you to pray for your leaders. Imagine the joy it would be to serve a people that pray for you in this manner. To know that in whatever circumstance you face, people are praying that God might intervene, in trouble and triumph and even to meet the hidden internal needs and desires of their hearts. What a privilege it would be to lead if people were to pray/sing this psalm over the leaders they know today. I can imagine the confidence, hope, security and trust this would build in any person in charge that this would have been sung to. How encouraging and inspiring to have people trusting and hoping in a leader but moreover in God that they would respond with this psalm. Do you pray like this for your leaders? It may be a; manager, boss, president, king, queen, religious leader, mentor, chief, politician, trainer, officer, or any other role that holds responsibility. Will you cast concerns and frustrations aside and pray as this psalm does? As someone who has a greater faith in God than in man can you ask God to intervene, lead and guide those in authority to be successful and bring change and joy to the people of God?  If you don’t do it, who will? 

‘is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour’ and He may well, ‘answer us when we call’. 

Are you a saint that will remain standing?

 As we come to chapter 7 of Daniel, we encounter the visions and prophecies that Daniel has received over time. The first dream recorded, occurred during the time of Belshazzar whom we met chapter 5. So these chapters do not continue the same chronological order that has been evident for the first 6 chapters. It seems that this book is comprised of two parts - a historical summary (chapters 1-6) and a record of some of the things that God has shown Daniel. It seems more like a journal as Daniel has recorded what he has noticed, felt, seen and heard from God. 

The first vision that Daniel recounts in this chapter concerns 4 beasts representing 4 terrifying kingdoms. Daniel is rightly disturbed by these images and what they represent. The culminating beast/kingdom is the one most focussed on as it is the most terrifying. Daniel asks someone in the vision about what all of it means, and in verses 23–27, the final beast is interpreted;

‘There shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, 

which shall be different from all the kingdoms, and it shall devour the whole earth, and trample it down, and break it to pieces.*24*As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise, and another shall arise after them; he shall be different from the former ones, 

and shall put down three kings.*25*He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand 

for a time, times, and half a time.*26*But the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end.*27*And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.’ 

This sounds incredible and terrifying at the same time doesn’t it? Terrifying yet tinged with hope. 

As we read the first few verses we see that there is the assurance that there will be one kingdom in the Earth. Unified not by goodness and grace, but by might and violence (v23-25). This kingdom shall; devour, trample and break down all around the world. It is clear that this is not a kingdom where God reigns, in fact the scripture tells us that one of the world leaders, ‘shall speak words against the Most High(God)’. One king that overthrows 3 previous kings shall speak out against God and begin persecuting God’s people. He, ‘Shall wear out the saints of the Most High’, and, ‘think to change the times and the law’.  This one leader will purposefully make life difficult for those that believe in and worship the Most High God. Like the image of the beast, this one king ravenously seeks to devour those who are part of God’s kingdom. This one person is intent on diminishing the kingdom of God, and he is allowed to. God’s people are, ‘given into his hand’. Suffering and persecution is allowed. We see it now in part in different nations across the world, but one day it will effect the whole world, every nation. None of us knows what that will look like, yet this is one of the promises of scripture. 

Does this fit into your understanding of who God is? That God, the Almighty, holy, just, loving, all powerful, Most High will allow His people to suffer?

These verses clearly show us that the people of God are given over to; trampling, devouring and breaking. God permits his servants to suffer, this beastly kingdom that seeks to ‘wear out the saints’, I know that i certainly feel worn out by life at times! This section of scripture show that this is what all of the 'saints' - followers of God - will feel like. The promise is that this time will come and the followers of God will be particularly picked on, but the promise is also that this period will cease. It will last for a predetermined amount of time - there will be hardship and significant suffering - but it will end. Do you have the staying power to make it through a time like that? 

Many won’t. Some will deny their faith, turn away and do whatever is needed to survive and get by on this Earth, will you? Or will you remain ruthlessly devoted to the Most High, the King of kings, the one who, in His kindness has warned you and I that this will come despite the difficulties?

God has warned us that this season of suffering is coming so we can be prepared. So that when it does, we are not surprised, we have the truth of God’s word to stand on, we can know what we are facing, we can see it for what it is. There is great comfort in these verses as they clearly show that God is still there and in control. Even when the worst happens. God is still present, still all-powerful, still in control and He still loves us. 

There is hope for those that do continue to follow God, for those that do survive and withstand the pressure. God promises that this earthly, destructive, ‘dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed’. The comfort here is that the only one that will be defeated and destroyed is the terrifying beast, the enemy of the saints. The saints are worn out, but the persecuting ones will be destroyed. How great is that?!

The reality is though, that being emotionally and physically worn out can spiritually wear us out too. Battling every day is tiring and ‘saints’ can lose their way, give up and give in. It is hard work, but keep your eyes on the prize -  one day it will end and the kingdom will be given over to the saints - Will you be one of them at the end of the trial? Eventhough you know that will be worn out, given over and punished for what you believe and how you live your life?

In the end, the saints triumph, but not until years of suffering, restriction and persecution come. Who will hold on and bear to be worn out by the laws, kings and kingdoms of the Earth? The saints, God’s people, can be worn out, but not obliterated. God does not give permission for that. 

Are you a saint that will remain standing?