Search me O God

Psalm 139:1–24 (ESV):  

1  O Lord, you have searched me and known me! 

 2  You know when I sit down and when I rise up; 

you discern my thoughts from afar. 

 3  You search out my path and my lying down 

and are acquainted with all my ways. 

 4  Even before a word is on my tongue, 

behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. 

 5  You hem me in, behind and before, 

and lay your hand upon me. 

 6  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; 

it is high; I cannot attain it. 

 7  Where shall I go from your Spirit? 

Or where shall I flee from your presence? 

 8  If I ascend to heaven, you are there! 

If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! 

 9  If I take the wings of the morning 

and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 

 10  even there your hand shall lead me, 

and your right hand shall hold me. 

 11  If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, 

and the light about me be night,” 

 12  even the darkness is not dark to you; 

the night is bright as the day, 

for darkness is as light with you. 

 13  For you formed my inward parts; 

you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. 

 14  I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. 

  Wonderful are your works; 

my soul knows it very well. 

 15  My frame was not hidden from you, 

  when I was being made in secret, 

intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 

 16  Your eyes saw my unformed substance; 

  in your book were written, every one of them, 

the days that were formed for me, 

when as yet there was none of them. 

 17  How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! 

How vast is the sum of them! 

 18  If I would count them, they are more than the sand. 

I awake, and I am still with you. 

 19  Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! 

O men of blood, depart from me! 

 20  They speak against you with malicious intent; 

your enemies take your name in vain. 

 21  Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord? 

And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? 

 22  I hate them with complete hatred; 

I count them my enemies. 

 23  Search me, O God, and know my heart! 

Try me and know my thoughts! 

 24  And see if there be any grievous way in me, 

and lead me in the way everlasting! 

Have you ever asked God to ‘Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!’? Or does that idea terrify you? David must have been completely confident in his righteousness as he wrote this psalm. He asked God to search him, and he was prepared to act on anything that God would highlight as ‘grievous’ - What faith! David clearly had confidence to approach God like this, and totally trusted in the goodness, righteousness and mercy of the One he spoke to. He understood that God is holy and pure, and so who better to search and know him, and point out any wrongdoing than someone who is purely good. This demonstrates David’s deep desire to live a life in line with God’s ways and precepts. He is prepared to allow God to pinpoint where he is going wrong, because he knows it is better for him. Plus it will benefit those he loves and leads as he becomes a better follower of God. So he completely trusts and even asks God to have a critical look at his whole life. This would mean his; actions, inactions, thought processes and decisions. David knows that God can ‘discern my thoughts from afar…. and are acquainted with all my ways’. David knows he can trust God and invites Him to show him what He sees. Often we are not very good at judging ourselves, either being too critical or too lenient in our self-assessments, so much better to ask Father God who intimately knows and loves you, He will give you a real and just appraisal!

David knows that because God really knows him; his design, thoughts, speech, heart, desires, ways, patterns of work and rest, God can truly judge. God knows all of these things, and still loves David. The same is true for you. David knows that God sees where he goes whether near or far, in the open or hidden, in darkness or daytime - God knows all of it! The same is true for you. Nothing is hidden or unknown to Him. God knows, loves and understands you better than you even know yourself. So who better to ask to search and know you? Who better to ask what you should do, say, or if you are thinking right? 

When you find things confusing or are unsure whether you should have said or done something, go to God. Ask Him about it. Ask Him to, 'Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts'. For He will tell you the truth. God is good and pure, and He knows and loves you. His response will be upright and just, He will lead and guide you, admonish and uplift you so that you can learn to follow Him better. Other people can give you ideas, opinions, correction and affirmation, but there is only One who knows you well enough to really understand and see beyond the surface. It should not be a scary thing to go to God asking Him to search you, know your heart, and your thoughts. He loves you and has invited you to live for eternity with Him. So you can confidently ask Him to reveal things in you because He will do it with kindness and love. He does not seek to hurt or harm you - look at all the times He has protected and fought for you. Instead God will listen, speak to you, and give you good direction. He will heal your heart and your mind if you ask Him to, and will lead you into ‘the way everlasting’. Is that where you want to go? Are you willing for God to search your heart and mind so that you can live as a better follower?

What rules do you follow?

As we begin to study Psalm 119 a couple of paragraphs at a time, we will see how every section exemplifies the brilliance of Scripture. If you allow God’s Word to have influence in your life, even when it is difficult, then you will be blessed. How wonderful it is for displaying God, giving direction, confidence, and building faith. The Bible is precious and beautiful, for it contains the very words of God, so read it carefully and in reverence, for it has the power to change your life.

Psalm 119:1–8 (ESV): 

Aleph

119  Blessed are those whose way is blameless, 

who walk in the law of the Lord! 

 2  Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, 

who seek him with their whole heart, 

 3  who also do no wrong, 

but walk in his ways! 

 4  You have commanded your precepts 

to be kept diligently. 

 5  Oh that my ways may be steadfast 

in keeping your statutes! 

 6  Then I shall not be put to shame, 

having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. 

 7  I will praise you with an upright heart, 

when I learn your righteous rules. 

 8  I will keep your statutes; 

do not utterly forsake me! 

What a great understanding this writer has of the beauty of the law of God. They honour and respect Scripture, but also acknowledge that they struggle to know and obey it! Has anything changed in the thousands of years that have passed since this was penned?! The Bible is both beautiful and terrifying, as us humans continue the struggle to understand and diligently apply the statutes of God to our lives.

The person who can live their life in complete obedience to the Word of God will be blessed, as they know not the shame and repentance sin brings, but instead the favour of God poured out upon them. Yet how difficult it is to live that righteous life, but do not give! Continue to strive for obedience, practice righteousness and keep asking God for forgiveness that He will not ‘utterly forsake’ you. I love the honesty of these words, and the hope that it brings. Although we go wrong, we have opportunity to try again. God is so kind to give us the opportunity and reminders to change, no wonder the writer says, 'I will praise you with an upright heart'. Do you praise God because of His commandments and statutes? Knowing the standards and instructions of God can lead to praise as you recognise how holy, good and glorious He is. God lives to a standard of love and purity that you cannot attain, yet he still gives you the opportunity to live a holier life. He welcomes and forgives you time and again. He knows that you try, and He loves it when you desire to live His way and not your own, for in your obedience you demonstrate your love to Him. Faithfulness to God is important to Him and it should be to you too, plus, for you, it leads to blessing. Therefore keep desiring to love the Word of God and obey it. It does you good; it leads you out of sin, shows you the way of righteousness and blessing, and reveals the love and might of God throughout. There is no other written word that is as powerful!

Psalm 119:9–16 (ESV): 

Beth

 9  How can a young man keep his way pure? 

By guarding it according to your word. 

 10  With my whole heart I seek you; 

let me not wander from your commandments! 

 11  I have stored up your word in my heart, 

that I might not sin against you. 

 12  Blessed are you, O Lord; 

teach me your statutes! 

 13  With my lips I declare 

all the rules of your mouth. 

 14  In the way of your testimonies I delight 

as much as in all riches. 

 15  I will meditate on your precepts 

and fix my eyes on your ways. 

 16  I will delight in your statutes; 

I will not forget your word. 

The temptations for the young seem especially hard, and every generation does have different types of challenges as technology and expectations of society change. Yet The Word of God never changes. Therefore in order to keep your way pure, prevent confusion and constant changing of ideals, invest in the Word of God. Scripture has remained good, noble and pure since it was created. Seeking God and ‘guarding’ your behaviour according to God’s Word is only one way to live a life of purity and constancy. 

Be diligent in your search and desire for righteousness, read, learn, understand and apply the Word of God that you may figure out how to live life well. Do not settle for the standards of others, or society, instead, seek the statutes of the Kingdom of God, fix your eyes on God and His direction. Do not allow your own wants, others ideas, or cultural dynamics dictate your desires and behaviours, but ask God alone to ‘teach me your statutes’. If you want to learn how to live life well, there is only One who will tell you the way. He has been instructing people for millennia how to live a blessed life. Others will tell you a multitude of ways and ideas which may seem attractive, but will lead ultimately to discontentment, confusion and heartache. Only God will show you the right way to live. You have been given the best guide to living a good, pure and holy life - the Bible. Read it and follow it. Then you will see how to live a satisfied life of purity, delight and blessing

Where do you look for love?

 Psalm 118:1–29 (ESV): 

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

for his steadfast love endures forever! 

 2  Let Israel say, 

“His steadfast love endures forever.” 

 3  Let the house of Aaron say, 

“His steadfast love endures forever.” 

 4  Let those who fear the Lord say, 

“His steadfast love endures forever.” 

 5  Out of my distress I called on the Lord; 

the Lord answered me and set me free. 

 6  The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. 

What can man do to me? 

 7  The Lord is on my side as my helper; 

I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. 

 8  It is better to take refuge in the Lord 

than to trust in man. 

 9  It is better to take refuge in the Lord 

than to trust in princes. 

 10  All nations surrounded me; 

in the name of the Lord I cut them off! 

 11  They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; 

in the name of the Lord I cut them off! 

 12  They surrounded me like bees; 

they went out like a fire among thorns; 

in the name of the Lord I cut them off! 

 13  I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, 

but the Lord helped me. 

 14  The Lord is my strength and my song; 

he has become my salvation. 

 15  Glad songs of salvation 

are in the tents of the righteous: 

  “The right hand of the Lord does valiantly, 

 16  the right hand of the Lord exalts, 

the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!” 

 17  I shall not die, but I shall live, 

and recount the deeds of the Lord. 

 18  The Lord has disciplined me severely, 

but he has not given me over to death. 

 19  Open to me the gates of righteousness, 

that I may enter through them 

and give thanks to the Lord. 

 20  This is the gate of the Lord; 

the righteous shall enter through it. 

 21  I thank you that you have answered me 

and have become my salvation. 

 22  The stone that the builders rejected 

has become the cornerstone. 

 23  This is the Lord’s doing; 

it is marvellous in our eyes. 

 24  This is the day that the Lord has made; 

let us rejoice and be glad in it. 

 25  Save us, we pray, O Lord! 

O Lord, we pray, give us success! 

 26  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 

We bless you from the house of the Lord. 

 27  The Lord is God, 

and he has made his light to shine upon us. 

 Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, 

up to the horns of the altar! 

 28  You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; 

you are my God; I will extol you. 

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

for his steadfast love endures forever! 

All people are invited to recognise the steadfast love of the Lord. All of those from the nation of Israel - the original chosen people of God. The ‘house of Aaron’ - those selected for religious service to God through their work. As well as anyone who fears the Lord - all who choose to believe in Him. All people, whether they feel set apart or not, whether they are ethnically Jewish or not, work in a church setting or not, everyone has the privilege of receiving and recognising the steadfast love of God. His love and faithfulness are available and accessible to all. Are you living knowing that you are surrounded and supported by the steadfast love of God?

Do not look anywhere else for love or salvation, for only those who look to God as their helper and companion (v5-6) are able to say, ‘The Lord is on my side. I will not fear. What can man do to me?’ In all circumstances, follow Him and trust Him. Then you have the assurance of His presence, power and love working for your good. God’s steadfast love never departs or fades, it outlives everything, every person, trial and success, His love will last for all eternity. It is steadfast, secure, strong, God’s love will never let you down. No wonder the psalmist says, ‘it is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.’ God can be depended upon because He always was and He always is. 

You can trust Him in the battles of life because God is honest and loves justice. Therefore He will reveal truth and cause things to work out for the glory of His kingdom every time. So, keep calling out to God when you feel persecuted, surrounded, let down and alone. Remember how this psalmist kept going, even when they felt hard pressed and surrounded by enemies (v10-13). In those times they called out to God, they didn’t trust in any other way, any other scheme, any other person, they trusted in God, and they survived and were victorious! They lived to give honour to God for His miraculous deliverance. You can have a similar outcome when you hold firm to God. 

People will let you down, they will forget, go back on their word, change their allegiance, give up, get distracted and become too busy. It doesn’t necessarily mean that they don’t care, just that they are not capable of providing the steadfast love and support you require. If you expect people to provide you comfort, salvation, strength and joy, you are looking for it in the wrong place. Only God can be your constant helper, protector, deliverer and refuge. He is your deliverer, protector, help, comforter, strength, Lord and saviour - are you looking to Him to for those things or elsewhere?

Loved eternally, beyond measure and mistakes

 Psalm 117:1–2 (ESV): 

Praise the Lord, all nations! 

Extol him, all peoples! 

 2  For great is his steadfast love toward us, 

and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. 

 Praise the Lord! 

Short and sweet this psalm, a mere two verses. Yet, take the time to consider their focus and you can spend hours letting them lead you to worship the God they speak of!

Firstly, there is an invitation for all people to worship God, all people! Written at a time when Israel was the only holy nation, the only people with the ark of the covenant, or a temple to the Living God. When specific stipulations and cleansing rituals had to be completed before entering this temple, the psalmist uses his few lines to tell ALL people to honour, love and praise the same God. God has always wanted everyone to come to Him. From all walks of life, all nations of the Earth, young and old, rich and poor, no matter how perfect or imperfect, capable or not, intelligent or not, healthy or not, all people are invited and welcomed to praise the Lord! You do not have to be perfect, sin-free or righteous to approach God, just willing to say yes because you’ve been invited! God loves you so much, He wants to meet you and for you to get to know who He is.

This psalm states, ‘For great is his steadfast love toward us’. Are you seeking to be loved? God’s love is so great that He can invite all people to share His heart and His love. His love is big enough to include everyone into His family. His love is so strong and secure that He can accept and forgive anyone and everyone, no exceptions. No matter what - His love never fails, never wears down, never fades, never gets fed up, never has enough and never walks out on you. His love instead is, 'steadfast' and ‘endures forever’! 

Do you want to receive this kind of love today? To know that you are;  loved unconditionally, without compromise or conditions and welcomed whether you have had a good day or not, behaved well or not. This love is available to you. It is available to all people and can only be found in one place. The Lord our God loves you like that. Stop seeking for this steadfast love in other places, other people and other things, they will only disappoint you, they cannot love you like this. Only the Living God can provide you eternal, steadfast love. His love is available right now, do you accept it?

You can accept and revel in being loved beyond measure, beyond mistakes and successes, beyond background and culture, beyond yesterday and today, for great is His steadfast love towards you. Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord!

 Psalm 113:1–9 (ESV): 

113 Praise the Lord! 

Praise, O servants of the Lord, 

praise the name of the Lord! 

 2  Blessed be the name of the Lord 

from this time forth and forevermore! 

 3  From the rising of the sun to its setting, 

the name of the Lord is to be praised! 

 4  The Lord is high above all nations, 

and his glory above the heavens! 

 5  Who is like the Lord our God, 

who is seated on high, 

 6  who looks far down 

on the heavens and the earth? 

 7  He raises the poor from the dust 

and lifts the needy from the ash heap, 

 8  to make them sit with princes, 

with the princes of his people. 

 9  He gives the barren woman a home, 

making her the joyous mother of children. 

Praise the Lord! 

When should you worship?

It can be easy to think that worship is for a gathering of believers, and it is often associated with singing, but here we are told, ‘From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised!’ God certainly deserves to be worshipped all day long, so what is this form of praise that we can continue all day, for surely no-one can be expected to sing to God all day?! 

To praise something means to express approval or admiration for. So praise can take many forms. It can be in the way you; talk about others/God, express gratitude, read the Bible, dance, play music, listen to teaching, think about God, pray, behave, and the way you carry out tasks. As you can see there are many ways that you can praise God. It involves what your mind is doing, and what your motivation is for what you are doing. You can wash dishes and be admiring God, or take out the rubbish and be considering God’s words. You can even be doing something that you don’t like doing, but you know that it will bless others, so you do it as a sacrifice of praise because that is your motivation. This is how it is possible to praise God throughout the day. You can display your admiration and approval of God in your workplace, community, area of study, at home, around family, friends and strangers, from the moment you wake up til you go to sleep. For true praise means that you carry the concern of honouring God in your life in every area of it. So, during your daily life, are you praising God? It is normal to think of other things too, not every thought will be directed to Him, the dishes do need washing and the rubbish needs dealing with, work needs to be done and people cared for. Yet you can carry out these activities with an attitude of praise to Almighty God. For this psalm doesn't just invite or encourage God's praise, but it commands it. For someone who follows God, worshipping Him is not optional, this psalm tells you to; Praise the fact He is Lord, praise His name, praise His glory, praise Him because He is above all things, praise Him as He transforms lives of poverty and barrenness to honour and fruitfulness. However you do it, praise Him. God deserves it. Even if you consider one aspect of God, one verse, or one thing He has done, it will lift your spirit and you will be directing praise to where it is due, to The Lord. How about considering that, ‘The Lord is high above all nations’ or, ‘who is like the Lord our God’ throughout your day? I wonder what will be revealed to you in the process and how grateful and in wonder you will be of Him. 

When you set your mind to admire God in your day, you are joining with people all over the Earth in praising Him, as well as the hosts of heaven to consider the greatness of God! You are not alone in your praise. God is getting approval and admiration from across the World and beyond. There are many who are lifting Him up, extolling Him and honouring Him, remembering Him and enjoying thinking about Him. From princes to the poor, the childless to parents - they all praise the Lord and have reason to be joyful because of Him. Are you joining with them in praising God, 'from the rising of the sun to its setting'?

Living in humility

 Psalm 103:1–22 (ESV): 

Bless the Lord, O my soul, 

and all that is within me, 

bless his holy name! 

 2  Bless the Lord, O my soul, 

and forget not all his benefits, 

 3  who forgives all your iniquity, 

who heals all your diseases, 

 4  who redeems your life from the pit, 

who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 

 5  who satisfies you with good 

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 

 6  The Lord works righteousness 

and justice for all who are oppressed. 

 7  He made known his ways to Moses, 

his acts to the people of Israel. 

 8  The Lord is merciful and gracious, 

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 

 9  He will not always chide, 

nor will he keep his anger forever. 

 10  He does not deal with us according to our sins, 

nor repay us according to our iniquities. 

 11  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, 

so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 

 12  as far as the east is from the west, 

so far does he remove our transgressions from us. 

 13  As a father shows compassion to his children, 

so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. 

 14  For he knows our frame; 

he remembers that we are dust. 

 15  As for man, his days are like grass; 

he flourishes like a flower of the field; 

 16  for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, 

and its place knows it no more. 

 17  But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, 

and his righteousness to children’s children, 

 18  to those who keep his covenant 

and remember to do his commandments. 

 19  The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, 

and his kingdom rules over all. 

 20  Bless the Lord, O you his angels, 

you mighty ones who do his word, 

obeying the voice of his word! 

 21  Bless the Lord, all his hosts, 

his ministers, who do his will! 

 22  Bless the Lord, all his works, 

in all places of his dominion. 

  Bless the Lord, O my soul! 

This psalm starts and ends with the same phrase, ‘Bless the Lord’, and the Hebrew word used for bless in this passage is בָּרֲכִ֣י (ba·ra·chi) which translates to kneel. Kneeling demonstrates humility, so when people kneel before God they are recognising Him as the Higher one, and themselves as lowly. Blessing God can only be done through humbling oneself before Him, and then giving Him praise, gratitude and love. The humility comes first, otherwise how can you truly worship God, unless you can recognise how great He is above all things, even yourself?

David seems to be writing this psalm to encourage himself to show humility to God in every area of his life, not just some of it, not just on a Sunday or just outside the home or just when i am not at a sports event. David wants to live with integrity and in humility to God always, to live his life in recognition that there is an awesome, mighty Lord who is above even him, the king of Israel. David, a strong, powerful king and warrior wants to humble himself before the Lord his God. He is not bothered by his own status, because no matter his rank in society, there is One who deserves being knelt before even by the highest worldly authority. Therefore David calls to mind the magnitude of what God has done and continues to do, things that only He can do:

‘forgives all your iniquity’

‘heals all your disease’

‘redeems your life from the pit’

‘crowns you with steadfast love and mercy’

‘satisfies you with good’

‘works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.’

‘made know his ways’

‘abounding in steadfast love’

‘shows compassion to those who fear him’

‘he knows our frame’

‘everlasting to everlasting’

‘established his throne in the heavens’

‘his kingdom rules over all’

What a list! All absolute truths about Our God. So, even when you are feeling flustered, overwhelmed, annoyed, hurt, disappointed or bored, all of this is still absolutely true about God! He has been and always will be; forgiving, healer, steadfast, desiring to come close, good, compassionate, understanding, eternal and in charge! David also comments within this psalm, ‘forget not all his benefits'. The list above is not exhaustive, it does not fully describe God, His character of deeds, they are not ALL of his benefits. Have you ever made a list of God's attributes? What would your list look like? Maybe you would have some of the same things on it, maybe you’d have some different ones. It doesn’t really matter, the important thing is that you do recall who God is, and recognise that He is worthy to bless. He is worthy of all of the angels, hosts and all of creation to bow before Him. Are you living in humility to God today?

What do you do when wickedness seems to be winning?

Psalm 94:1–23 (ESV): 

O Lord, God of vengeance, 

O God of vengeance, shine forth! 

 2  Rise up, O judge of the earth; 

repay to the proud what they deserve! 

 3  O Lord, how long shall the wicked, 

how long shall the wicked exult? 

 4  They pour out their arrogant words; 

all the evildoers boast. 

 5  They crush your people, O Lord, 

and afflict your heritage. 

 6  They kill the widow and the sojourner, 

and murder the fatherless; 

 7  and they say, “The Lord does not see; 

the God of Jacob does not perceive.” 

 8  Understand, O dullest of the people! 

Fools, when will you be wise? 

 9  He who planted the ear, does he not hear? 

  He who formed the eye, does he not see? 

 10  He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke? 

  He who teaches man knowledge— 

 11  the Lord—knows the thoughts of man, 

that they are but a breath. 

 12  Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O Lord, 

and whom you teach out of your law, 

 13  to give him rest from days of trouble, 

until a pit is dug for the wicked. 

 14  For the Lord will not forsake his people; 

he will not abandon his heritage; 

 15  for justice will return to the righteous, 

and all the upright in heart will follow it. 

 16  Who rises up for me against the wicked? 

Who stands up for me against evildoers? 

 17  If the Lord had not been my help, 

my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence. 

 18  When I thought, “My foot slips,” 

your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. 

 19  When the cares of my heart are many, 

your consolations cheer my soul. 

 20  Can wicked rulers be allied with you, 

those who frame injustice by statute? 

 21  They band together against the life of the righteous 

and condemn the innocent to death. 

 22  But the Lord has become my stronghold, 

and my God the rock of my refuge. 

 23  He will bring back on them their iniquity 

and wipe them out for their wickedness; 

the Lord our God will wipe them out. 

Do you ever ask God to destroy the wicked? You can, it is allowed. Many of the psalms ask for God to destroy the proud, the wicked, end evildoers. Not for no reason though, nor just for their own relief, but so that God’s people and His kingdom benefit. The psalmists are concerned not only with their own situation, but also for God’s reputation and the welfare of His people. So when you pray for evil to end - what is your reason? Is it just so that things are better for you? If you pray for evil to end because you wish to stop suffering that is too narrow-minded. God’s vision is beyond your own life and circumstances, His vision is wider and further, and so should yours be.

Instead of just asking God for vengeance or judgement on a person or situation because they bother you, let God hear your concern for the widespread problems of wickedness. The oppression of those God cares about like the widows, strangers, fatherless, His people. Tell God what you see and why it is not ok. Sure, tell Him your experience too and how tough it has been on you, but don’t limit your vision of what God can do. He can work on a much bigger scale than you expect, He has the future of a whole kingdom that He is concerned about.

If you are oppressed by wickedness in the workplace, then consider who else is affected. Petition God for them too, ask Him to see and hear and make Himself known in the whole of the workplace, for His kingdom to come there - imagine how many people would be impacted by the love, mercy and justice of God then! The same is true for any area of life you are seeing evil influence. Whether it be in your family, community, country, friendship group or neighbourhood. Pray and rely on God for the solution. 

In times when wickedness seems to reign there is often little that you can do to change the circumstances. You do not have to fix it. Often you cannot as it is a spiritual battle. So the most powerful weapons are prayer, dependence on God and love. You do not need to be the one that is trying to resolve things in your own strength, plotting and scheming the downfall of the wicked or digging the pit for the evildoers to fall into. Let God lead. ‘For justice will return to the righteous and all the upright in heart will follow it’. God is responsible for justice, you are responsible for remaining 'upright'. So make sure you are doing your part. Pray and pursue righteousness in the way you are living your life, even when you are encountering trouble and wickedness. Otherwise when God comes to judge wickedness, will He need to pour out His judgement on you too? 

When you feel overwhelmed, upset or angry, allow the thoughts of who God is for eternity comfort your soul, ‘When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.’ Consider God when you are afraid, worried, concerned, when you are facing a battle or seeing persecution. Approach God, and allow the truth of who He is and what He is capable of bring you comfort. Remember what God has said, and allow His words cheer you up. For His Word is everlasting and always true. Allow Him to take care of your heart, and trust Him with the hearts of those around you. Difficulties are an opportunity for your faith to be displayed. This involves being less dependent on yourself, less swayed by emotions and more invested in your relationship with God. He can become your stronghold and rock of refuge (v22), whilst also cheering your soul and taking care of your heart (v19). God sees and hears it all and, ‘the Lord will not forsake his people’. Trust Him. Not just for your protection, salvation and comfort, but trust that, ‘the Lord will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage; for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.’

Keep praying, Keep believing. Keep being upright.

Stupid Thoughts

 Psalm 92:1–15 (ESV):  

1  It is good to give thanks to the Lord, 

to sing praises to your name, O Most High; 

 2  to declare your steadfast love in the morning, 

and your faithfulness by night, 

 3  to the music of the lute and the harp, 

to the melody of the lyre. 

 4  For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; 

at the works of your hands I sing for joy. 

 5  How great are your works, O Lord! 

Your thoughts are very deep! 

 6  The stupid man cannot know; 

the fool cannot understand this: 

 7  that though the wicked sprout like grass 

and all evildoers flourish, 

  they are doomed to destruction forever; 

 8  but you, O Lord, are on high forever. 

 9  For behold, your enemies, O Lord, 

for behold, your enemies shall perish; 

all evildoers shall be scattered. 

 10  But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox; 

you have poured over me fresh oil. 

 11  My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies; 

my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants. 

 12  The righteous flourish like the palm tree 

and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. 

 13  They are planted in the house of the Lord; 

they flourish in the courts of our God. 

 14  They still bear fruit in old age; 

they are ever full of sap and green, 

 15  to declare that the Lord is upright; 

he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. 

Do you have stupid thoughts? Do you ever believe that the wickedness in the world is going to prevail? If so, this is a stupid thought (v6-7). ‘Though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish; they are doomed to destruction forever’! ‘But you, O Lord, are on high forever’. Notice how both of these verses talk about ‘forever’. There is an assurance for the wicked and for God for eternity. Both will last forever, but there is a difference in their eternal destiny.

God is inviting you to have a longer viewpoint. Instead of worrying about the evil that is around and what is going on in the here and now, consider what will be forever. The present is only relevant for this moment, tomorrow it is history. In the here and now evil exists and there are people that perform wicked deeds. Yet the promise for eternity is that God’s ‘enemies shall perish, all evildoers shall be scattered’ and ‘the righteous flourish like the palm tree’. This is the long view, this is what you should focus on. The things that are evil are, ‘doomed to destruction forever’. They have eternal death as their promise. So, ultimately they will not prevail, therefore do not waste time concerning yourself about such things. Instead consider God who is on high and will be forever. 

When you fix your eyes on God, give your life to Him and follow Him you will, ‘flourish like the palm tree’. That sentence at first confused me for i did not understand the sentiment. Then i considered and researched and discovered that palm trees can grow in difficult conditions. Surviving droughts, storms and floods because of their root system. In fact, in a storm even if they are bent over horizontally by high winds, looking deformed and destroyed, they straighten up afterwards and can grow stronger roots as a result. This makes the palm tree more stable after a storm than it was before it! So, think of yourself as that flourishing palm tree, ‘planted in the house of the Lord’. Storms may feel like they are destoying you, but you'll straighten up again, you will be upright and have deeper roots if you weather the storm ‘planted in the house of the Lord'. So rather than concerning yourself with the wickedness of the world, focus on living with God; being righteous, stable, growing strong and fruitful. Knowing that even in the troubles of life that knock you sideways, when you stick to God, you will become stronger and straighter in the long run. For God says you will ‘flourish’. You will not be destroyed when you depend on Him, instead you have the promise of fruitfulness and favour for eternity. 

Consider then what you allow your mind to dwell upon. Are your thoughts sometimes stupid? Do you allow worry to consume you or concern yourself with the news and wickedness? For, 'The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand'. If you insist on focussing on what is temporal rather than what is eternal, you will be stuck. Your progression will be limited as your view is too short, it is in the here and now and God is wanting you to play the long game. Think about someone who knows they have exams in a few months time. They could think that it's too far away to concern themselves with it today. Instead they eat, drink, have fun, go out, giving no thought to what is coming up as it is in the future. How are they going to fare in exam season? What about if they chose to revise now, to practice, look at exam papers, research and prepare for the day they know is coming. Although it may seem far off and other people are not doing the same kind of preparation, how would you expect their exams to go? How about you? Are you thinking about the long game of faith? Are your thoughts overrun by the knowledge that God exists and is righteous, good and on High, or do thoughts about the reign of evil darken your mind? Set your mind to consider the long game. You get to decide what you think about, so don't entertain stupid thoughts. Remind yourself that no matter what is going on now,  evil won’t last for it is ‘doomed to destruction forever', ' but you, O Lord, are on high forever'.

So set your mind to have the long view - evil loses and righteousness wins, forever. You will never understand God or His ways. He has greater insight and foresight than anyone because He sees the eternal perspective not only the present. He was there at the beginning, has been all the way through and will continue to be and He has known what He is doing all that time. He planned for there to be an Adam and Eve, Noah, Josiah, Hosea, Ruth, Isaiah and Jesus. He saw all they would face and the eternal impact of their obedience. He has the same knowledge and understanding for your life. Your life has impact beyond your years, so learn to trust in Him and follow Him even when life gets tough and confusing. God sees the storms as opportunities for you to be strengthened, your relationship with Him deepened and your life to display fruit. Keep your focus on Him, not on the storm. For God is good, He is intelligent, He has a plan and a purpose and sees the end goal. You do not. Therefore give up the stupid thoughts and lean into God and His understanding. The storms of life will then make you taller, straighter and stronger, forever.

I am poor and needy

 Psalm 86:1–17 (ESV):  

1  Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, 

for I am poor and needy. 

 2  Preserve my life, for I am godly; 

save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God. 

 3  Be gracious to me, O Lord, 

for to you do I cry all the day. 

 4  Gladden the soul of your servant, 

for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 

 5  For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, 

abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. 

 6  Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; 

listen to my plea for grace. 

 7  In the day of my trouble I call upon you, 

for you answer me. 

 8  There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, 

nor are there any works like yours. 

 9  All the nations you have made shall come 

and worship before you, O Lord, 

and shall glorify your name. 

 10  For you are great and do wondrous things; 

you alone are God. 

 11  Teach me your way, O Lord, 

that I may walk in your truth; 

unite my heart to fear your name. 

 12  I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, 

and I will glorify your name forever. 

 13  For great is your steadfast love toward me; 

you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. 

 14  O God, insolent men have risen up against me; 

a band of ruthless men seeks my life, 

and they do not set you before them. 

 15  But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, 

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. 

 16  Turn to me and be gracious to me; 

give your strength to your servant, 

and save the son of your maidservant. 

 17  Show me a sign of your favour, 

that those who hate me may see and be put to shame 

because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me. 

This psalm written by David shows his humility. Even though he is a strong, powerful, blessed king, he describes himself as, ‘poor and needy….your servant’. As a young man in his father’s house we can see how this would relate to David, but when he wrote this psalm as the anointed king of the nation of God, it can seem odd to try to comprehend. Yet, ‘poor and needy’ is how David describes himself in several of the psalms. As David considers and praises God, i think he recognises how poor and needy he is in comparison with Him. No matter the earthly riches, authority and reputation he has on Earth, what is it when you compare it to God? It is ‘poor’ and insignificant in comparison, and the level of capacity and capability is ‘needy’ indeed. David acknowledged this in a way many of us miss. 

It is not encouraged or desired by society to be known as ‘poor and needy’. In fact, those who are can be looked down upon and pitied so David does not go to people in his poverty or neediness. The only one David wishes to show his lack to is God, for what could man do? God can get to the heart of the deprivation that David feels. It must have been hard for him to relate to being king. From the lowly, overlooked position of a shepherd to a throne, it is not surprising that David felt like he didn't belong, that he wasn't prepared and that he didn't have enough within himself to perform his duties. Yet he was king because he went to the place we all need to when we feel insufficient for the task ahead of us - he went to God. The only one who can give life, salvation, grace, forgiveness, love, courage, hope and joy. These are the things you really need when you feel ‘poor and needy'.

As well as acknowledging the poverty and need in his own life, this psalm also glorifies God. In fact, most of it is a psalm of recognition of how wonderful God is. David recalls how God is good and forgiving, and always loves him - you can see the genuine relationship and delight David has with God. Yet he does not, even as king, consider himself at all powerful or in control in comparison to God, when he thinks about God, he realises how poor and needy he is! As much authority as David has, or as much influence, as many people or wealth he has at his fingers, when you match it up to the wealth, authority, power and capacity God has it truly is ‘poor and needy'. David honours God as the Almighty King. The One who can change any circumstance, the only truly God because no-one and nothing else can compare with what God can do (v8-10). 

In his humility, David asks God to show him what His ‘way’ is. Sometimes we can be so confused and distressed that we do not know what way to go, or what God wants from us in a particular situation. So even in this time where David is in need, he seeks God to show him how to live right to, ‘unite my heart to fear your name’. David knew that his emotions were all over the place, but even so he wanted to honour and serve God well in this season. So he asked God to help unite his heart with obedience to God. What is your response when you are in distress? To you accept your feelings and allow yourself to be mastered by them or do you, even then, in the midst of overwhelming disappointment and sadness decide to subject your emotions to God? This is what David did, and this is powerful. In an age when people do what they feel and follow their emotions, the people of God are not to do that but instead to seek God first. Above thoughts, desires and feelings, they are to invite God to restructure their hearts so that they can live their lives in truth. Is your heart's cry to God in times of difficulty;  'Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name'?

You are poor and needy. You will encounter disappointment and heartache, but you are not to be led by those experiences or emotions. For in your need you have an Almighty God, and Everlasting Father and a Faithful Friend you can call upon to uphold, strengthen, love and guide you. Will you call upon God in your times of need? At the end of this outpouring of love, praise and recognition of the greatness of God David declares, 'Lord, have helped me and comforted me'. Just through spending quality time with God, David has felt comforted, listened to and helped. The situation has not radically changed in the moments of this prayer, but offloading to God and showing that you are willing to do things God's way, not your own, allows God to minister to you. Relying on God gives strength, purpose and unites your heart. I wonder what His way is for you. Are you prepared to ask God to show you, and trust God to unite your heart?

Forgiveness that never runs out

 Psalm 85:1–13 (ESV):  

1  Lord, you were favourable to your land; 

you restored the fortunes of Jacob. 

 2  You forgave the iniquity of your people; 

you covered all their sin. Selah 

 3  You withdrew all your wrath; 

you turned from your hot anger. 

 4  Restore us again, O God of our salvation, 

and put away your indignation toward us! 

 5  Will you be angry with us forever? 

Will you prolong your anger to all generations? 

 6  Will you not revive us again, 

that your people may rejoice in you? 

 7  Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, 

and grant us your salvation. 

 8  Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, 

for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; 

but let them not turn back to folly. 

 9  Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, 

that glory may dwell in our land. 

 10  Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; 

righteousness and peace kiss each other. 

 11  Faithfulness springs up from the ground, 

and righteousness looks down from the sky. 

 12  Yes, the Lord will give what is good, 

and our land will yield its increase. 

 13  Righteousness will go before him 

and make his footsteps a way. 

God not only provides one off salvation, but also offers forgivness and restoration to those who are His people but have gone astray, been disobedient and sinned. The sons of Korah recognise that God forgives completely. All sin is covered by Him, He leaves none left. Yet, our memories and behaviours do not always reflect this. We can still walk around as sinful people, or wearing the shame of a sinful past. Neither of these are necessary for this is known of God, ‘You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin.’

However, it takes time for you and I to walk free from some things. There are some wrongdoings or habits in our lives which we know God would want us to be rid of, but we have to put in some personal, painful effort to overcome them. It can hurt and be hard work to strive for freedom from sin. I am sure that this is why the psalmists say, ‘Let me hear what God the Lord will speak’. To overcome sin, wrongdoing and bad habits we all need encouragement, comfort, support and strength. Listening to God gives you that. I imagine this phrase was said pleading or in desperation, ‘Let me hear what God the Lord will speak’! When the desires of the flesh seem powerful and the voices of others tempting, ‘Let me hear what God the Lord will speak’! It is easy to hear what we want, what others say and to feel the cravings of the body, they can be consuming. So it is of great importance at those times to seek God’s voice by exercising discipline and taking time to hear Him. You may hear God speak through; recalling scripture, or reading it, praying, worshipping, speaking with a fellow believer or by being still. Just ensure that you position yourself so that you hear God’s voice during the difficulty. 

When you know you need to walk free from something you need God’s support. It takes a lot of strength to break habits, addictions and sin. Yet you are not on your own in this strive for freedom. God wants to to speak to you and encourage you plus He has restored and forgiven you already and He will revive you again. So approach Him about what is going on, ask for His forgiveness and for His strength. Let God speak to you, ‘for he will speak peace to his people’. In the midst of trial and temptation, how much do you need that peace?! The Holy Spirit can provide what you need, you just need to ask God to help you. You cannot break free of these things effectively in your own strength. It is a physical and a spiritual battle so you need God to help you. His is for salvation and restoration and He promises that, ’the Lord will give what is good’. Even if you keep failing in the endeavour for freedom, you can continue to ask God for forgiveness and freedom for He wants good for you, so keep persevering. God’s forgiveness and goodness never run out, even though it might seem like a long, painful journey to freedom. The battle may be long, but how long is it in comparison to God’s salvation and steadfast love that last for eternity?! 

Repentance and forgiveness are free and everlasting, keep reminding yourself of that. The great and marvellous truth is that God, ‘forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. You withdrew all your wrath’. ALL sin, ALL wrath is covered by the blood of Jesus. Past, present, future and repetitive sin are dealt with by the sacrifice of Jesus. You are not good enough or strong enough to get through these things alone, but God is. So trust Him to equip you in overcoming habits, addiction and sin. Let God speak His peace to you, and allow yourself to accept His forgiveness and restoration.

As this psalm acknowledges, God has dealt with sin once and for all, forever. I know that we all get caught in sin, addictions and unhelpful and unholy habits. This is an age old problem, the Israelites in the Old Testament recognised it, and Paul puts it so well in the New Testament, ‘I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 1 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.’ (Romans 7:19-19) Paul goes onto say that with our minds we can know the law of God and desire to follow it, but our bodies have sinful desires that we are battling against. He cries out, ‘Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!’ It is a real battle within yourself that you need to keep on fighting. People throughout time have had the same difficulties. So instead of concerning yourself with your wretchedness, think about Jesus, the peace and goodness of God, and imagine the glory and the relief when one day this battle is ended as you’ve become free! Paul’s advice is, ‘to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace’ (Romans 8:6). This is not to say you should deny or ignore the fact that what you are doing is wrong - of course you should, you should repent and thank God for forgiveness and the strength to continue the battle. What Paul is saying though, is that you should spend less time worrying or ashamed about what you are doing wrong, and spend more time thinking about God - set your mind right. Think about what the Spirit of God has already changed within you, read the Word to see what else He can do. Put yourself in situations where you can, ‘hear what God the Lord will speak’ for ‘surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him’. Therefore when facing a stronghold in your life, grow in your understanding of the greatness of God, spend more time thinking about Him and His greatness than you do about the hardship. Pay attention to and focus on the goodness and grace of God, ‘set your mind’. You get to choose what you think about, so are you consumed with thoughts about sin, or thoughts about the enormity, love, grace, joy and forgiveness of God? 

Incline your ears....

 We shall look at Psalm 78 in two parts as it is quite long, so here we have the first 35 verses. Let us consider what they show us about God and man.

Psalm 78:1–35 (ESV):  

1  Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; 

incline your ears to the words of my mouth! 

 2  I will open my mouth in a parable; 

I will utter dark sayings from of old, 

 3  things that we have heard and known, 

that our fathers have told us. 

 4  We will not hide them from their children, 

but tell to the coming generation 

  the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, 

and the wonders that he has done. 

 5  He established a testimony in Jacob 

and appointed a law in Israel, 

  which he commanded our fathers 

to teach to their children, 

 6  that the next generation might know them, 

the children yet unborn, 

  and arise and tell them to their children, 

 7  so that they should set their hope in God 

  and not forget the works of God, 

but keep his commandments; 

 8  and that they should not be like their fathers, 

a stubborn and rebellious generation, 

  a generation whose heart was not steadfast, 

whose spirit was not faithful to God. 

 9  The Ephraimites, armed with the bow, 

turned back on the day of battle. 

 10  They did not keep God’s covenant, 

but refused to walk according to his law. 

 11  They forgot his works 

and the wonders that he had shown them. 

 12  In the sight of their fathers he performed wonders 

in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan. 

 13  He divided the sea and let them pass through it, 

and made the waters stand like a heap. 

 14  In the daytime he led them with a cloud, 

and all the night with a fiery light. 

 15  He split rocks in the wilderness 

and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep. 

 16  He made streams come out of the rock 

and caused waters to flow down like rivers. 

 17  Yet they sinned still more against him, 

rebelling against the Most High in the desert. 

 18  They tested God in their heart 

by demanding the food they craved. 

 19  They spoke against God, saying, 

“Can God spread a table in the wilderness? 

 20  He struck the rock so that water gushed out 

and streams overflowed. 

  Can he also give bread 

or provide meat for his people?” 

21  Therefore, when the Lord heard, he was full of wrath; 

a fire was kindled against Jacob; 

his anger rose against Israel, 

 22  because they did not believe in God 

and did not trust his saving power. 

23  Yet he commanded the skies above 

and opened the doors of heaven, 

 24  and he rained down on them manna to eat 

and gave them the grain of heaven. 

 25  Man ate of the bread of the angels; 

he sent them food in abundance. 

 26  He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens, 

and by his power he led out the south wind; 

 27  he rained meat on them like dust, 

winged birds like the sand of the seas; 

 28  he let them fall in the midst of their camp, 

all around their dwellings. 

 29  And they ate and were well filled, 

for he gave them what they craved. 

 30  But before they had satisfied their craving, 

while the food was still in their mouths, 

 31  the anger of God rose against them, 

and he killed the strongest of them 

and laid low the young men of Israel. 

 32  In spite of all this, they still sinned; 

despite his wonders, they did not believe. 

 33  So he made their days vanish like a breath, 

and their years in terror. 

 34  When he killed them, they sought him; 

they repented and sought God earnestly. 

 35  They remembered that God was their rock, 

the Most High God their redeemer. 

As we consider this psalm we see the importance of remembering. Asaph implores the people to listen to the stories he has to tell about God’s greatness, His majestic power, justice, holiness and reliable record of works. He calls them to remember - recall what God has done. It is vital that we take time to learn about and consider the works of God of old. From your own life, from others, previous generations as well as from the Bible. Make sure you are aware of the stories of God’s people and listen to others as they demonstrate and speak of what God has done. It will build your faith, encourage and help you in times of temptation and need. Do not have the attitude that your life and generation are so unique or that the past is irrelevant - that is pride and will lead to your downfall. Instead, ‘give ear’ to the sound teaching available to you. 

Asaph is a reliable source to listen to - he is a leader in the temple, renowned songwriter, worship leader and faithful servant of God. So it is worth listening to what he has discovered about the life of Israel and the character of God. He encourages those who hear his words to really listen and take onboard what he is saying because he knows the value of understanding the works of God and His character. Through the psalms he has written we have seen that Asaph points people to God even when he is struggling. By so doing he is demonstrating how to endure trials well, how to grow in faith and appreciate God. He shares his thoughts, questions and concerns, his actions and the conclusions he finds. Through these writings Asaph reveals something of his own, steadfast, faithful and faith-filled character as well as assuring us that God is always in charge, always compassionate, always strong and always caring. 

Where do you look to when you are full of concerns and questions? 

Do you have someone in your life like Asaph - a faith-filled man or woman who will show you God no matter what? It is worth seeking out the company of such people. Those who have a sound understanding of doctrine and are willing and able to share testimonies of God’s greatness (past and present). Ensure that you value people who have learnt about God’s love and forgiveness and can tell you stories of God’s patience, holiness, miracles and power. They will encourage and inspire you to keep going when life gets tough and may well help you avoid mistakes and disobedience when you listen to them. You need others to help inform your faith. There are those around you who know and understand more than you, that are wiser and more mature. They have been instructed to teach the younger generation (v5-7). These people wish to invest in you and help you avoid being part of ‘a stubborn and rebellious generation’ by leading you to, ‘not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments’. That is the one of the purposes of sharing testimonies and stories - to help you avoid the mistakes that previous God following people have made. The aim is to encourage you to avoid distractions and despair so that you can live a fulfilled and faithful life with God championing and protecting you. So, I encourage you to allow others to speak into your life in order to help you remember that ‘God was their rock, the Most High God their redeemer.’ There are wonderful, faithful, understanding people in your midst. Do not dismiss their stories or explanations, but take care to be informed and consider how these things impact your life today. Do ‘not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments’ and consider ‘the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done’! Then you won’t have to live under God’s wrath (v21-22, 31-34) but in His love, redemption and steadfast love. 

God is near

 Psalm 75:1–10 (ESV):  

1  We give thanks to you, O God; 

we give thanks, for your name is near. 

We recount your wondrous deeds. 

2  “At the set time that I appoint 

I will judge with equity. 

3  When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, 

it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah 

4  I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’ 

and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn; 

5  do not lift up your horn on high, 

or speak with haughty neck.’ ” 

6  For not from the east or from the west 

and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, 

7  but it is God who executes judgment, 

putting down one and lifting up another. 

8  For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup 

with foaming wine, well mixed, 

and he pours out from it, 

and all the wicked of the earth 

shall drain it down to the dregs. 

9  But I will declare it forever; 

I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. 

10  All the horns of the wicked I will cut off, 

but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up. 

What a great way to open a psalm, or even your prayers - to acknowledge and appreciate that God is near. You can utter His name and know His presence. What an incredible reassurance it is to recognise and appreciate God’s proximity. God is near. He is close to you right now, how wonderful! As you realise God’s closeness, can you like Asaph begin to recount God's 'wondrous deeds’? God has done some fantastic things, do you ever stop to consider them and appreciate Him for them? Recounting God’s fantastic works should be easy as there are so many but are you good at crediting God for the great and marvellous things He has done? Asaph says, ‘we recount your wondrous deeds’, there is a communal aspect to sharing what God has done (we). No matter how big or small the issue, do you share your stories of God’s magnificence in your life? Can you imagine the testimony that would be, not only to the church, but the community if we all did that? Surely you have a wonderful story of wonder to that tells about God's goodness - have you shared it with anyone recently?

God is worthy of gratitude no matter what. He has still done incredible things even when life is tough and, ‘the earth totters and all its inhabitants’. God is still just as close and magnificent in those times. Plus He is more solid, secure and trustworthy than those around you and even the solid ground that you stand on! For, ‘when the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars’. God is the strength and power that keeps things going and holds it all together. The Earth and your life will have times when it looks like they are shaky and falling apart, yet you can be assured that God is in control and will hold it all together. When the Earth shudders and disasters happen you can feel shaken, however you can also be sure that God is holding steady.

So, consider; what are you relying on in your life? What do you trust in and lean on to give you strength? It is only God that remains strong and secure throughout all circumstances and generations. He is the One who has already endured all things, do not build your life on or rely on anything lesser than Him. Those who live dishonouring God or in ignorance of His presence are living without His power, love, majesty and strength, are you?

Those who choose to live without God do not have Him holding things steady and do not get to enjoy His wondrous deeds or His glorious presence. Instead they are consumed with themselves and become arrogant, filled up with pride, boastful and drunk (v4-8). Living without God means living without stability, love and peace. So people try to live for something else and make themselves seem important. They try to outdo one another and be better because they are trying to impress themselves and other people. At times it works and they seem to be ‘lifted up’ having gained respect, honour and praise from people. Yet their favour can quickly change and those admired one moment can be despised the next. A life like that does not know stability, unconditional love or peace. Whose approval are you living for? Are you living to impress those around you, vying for acceptance, or are you living a life honouring God and concerned about what He thinks of you?

Not only will the ‘wicked’ who live without God become proud, boastful, resentful and intoxicated, but the promise in this psalm is that they will also be ‘cut off’. This is not without God trying to help them and intervene, verses 4-5 show that God calls to those disregarding Him and acting wickedly - He invites them to live different, but they refuse. One day it will be too late for them to do any different as God ‘executes judgement’. He promises that, ‘the horns of the wicked I will cut off, but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.’ All people will be judged, the wicked and the righteous (those that live following God). One set will be ‘lifted up’, the others ‘cut down’. Which fate will you receive? For God is close and He is worthy of great gratitude and love, are you living your life acknowledging and appreciating His presence in the World and your life?

Living as a community

Psalm 74:1–23 (ESV):  

1  O God, why do you cast us off forever? 

Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture? 

2  Remember your congregation, which you have purchased of old, 

which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your heritage! 

Remember Mount Zion, where you have dwelt. 

3  Direct your steps to the perpetual ruins; 

the enemy has destroyed everything in the sanctuary! 

4  Your foes have roared in the midst of your meeting place; 

they set up their own signs for signs. 

5  They were like those who swing axes 

in a forest of trees. 

6  And all its carved wood 

they broke down with hatchets and hammers. 

7  They set your sanctuary on fire; 

they profaned the dwelling place of your name, 

bringing it down to the ground. 

8  They said to themselves, “We will utterly subdue them”; 

they burned all the meeting places of God in the land. 

9  We do not see our signs; 

there is no longer any prophet, 

and there is none among us who knows how long. 

10  How long, O God, is the foe to scoff? 

Is the enemy to revile your name forever? 

11  Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? 

Take it from the fold of your garment and destroy them! 

12  Yet God my King is from of old, 

working salvation in the midst of the earth. 

13  You divided the sea by your might; 

you broke the heads of the sea monsters on the waters. 

14  You crushed the heads of Leviathan; 

you gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness. 

15  You split open springs and brooks; 

you dried up ever-flowing streams. 

16  Yours is the day, yours also the night; 

you have established the heavenly lights and the sun. 

17  You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth; 

you have made summer and winter. 

18  Remember this, O Lord, how the enemy scoffs, 

and a foolish people reviles your name. 

19  Do not deliver the soul of your dove to the wild beasts; 

do not forget the life of your poor forever. 

20  Have regard for the covenant, 

for the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence. 

21  Let not the downtrodden turn back in shame; 

let the poor and needy praise your name. 

22  Arise, O God, defend your cause; 

remember how the foolish scoff at you all the day! 

23  Do not forget the clamour of your foes, 

the uproar of those who rise against you, which goes up continually! 

Sometimes, God’s people are focusses for anger, deprivation and persecution. We can see that in the amount of times they were exiled in the Old Testament, plus the spread of the gospel in the New Testament was largely due to the persecution of God’s people. The same is true today. It can seem like God forgets, abandons and ignores His people. The people of God experience unfair treatment at times, they are hurt, ignored and harassed. Asaph saw what was going on in his time and felt that it was unfair how Israel were struggling. He felt God had forgotten or abandoned them, although he knew it wasn’t really true. He refers to Israel as ‘your heritage’, ‘your congregation’, ‘the sheep of your pasture’ clearly showing that Asaph is confident that Israel belongs to God and that they are His special, chosen ones. Yet sometimes it is hard to see that when the people of God are experiencing the longevity of suffering. Have you ever seen or heard the church being under attack or unfair restriction? I am sure in every collective of God’s people there are difficulties as the enemies of God are trying to put an end to holiness and faithfulness (v3). 

Asaph recalls how the dwelling place of God, the temple was desecrated (v3-8). The enemy enjoyed doing it and seeing the Israelites in pain, and it seemed that God was doing nothing. Even as His abode on Earth was attacked, burnt and chopped to pieces. Can you imagine being one of His people at that time having to live through this? Seeing the dwelling place of your God brought to ruins - how can you see God in moments like those? It would have been devastating, heartbreaking. It may have felt as if God had left. As we read accounts like this we know that these events happened because the people of God were unfaithful, so God was allowing them to suffer in order to bring them to repentance and salvation. Yet, can you imagine what it must have been like to go through it? There were always some faithful people around who were loyal to Him and tried to direct the Israelites to God and they suffered just as the unfaithful ones did. All of the Israelites suffered the judgement and punishment of God because the people of God are a collective; a flock, congregation, church. God’s people are not a bunch of individuals or a common interest group, but a family, a close knit tribe, a community. 

In Western culture this can be hard to fathom as the emphasis is on personal, independent, individual identity, not communal responsibility. When something goes wrong or well, the individual celebrates or commiserates, others may congratulate or comfort them but they are not so intimately acquainted with the individual’s situation that they take it on as their own experience. So this psalm shows us something different - that those who are set apart as God’s people are one; one flock, one congregation, one tribe (v1-2). The experiences they have are shared - communally celebrated and commiserated. There is togetherness and unity. When one family member is hurting, the whole family feels the pain. This is how it is with the people of God. They all undergo the joy and pain of being set apart as the people of God. 

This means that each individual has a responsibility for the welfare of the community of believers that they are a part of. Every believer is a part of the church and holds collective responsibility for the wellbeing of that community. You have a responsibility to live your life right not just for you, but because it also affects the community of believers that God has put you in. Your obedience or disobedience is not an independent decision as it affects everyone around you, you are part of the flock. The way you live and your faithfulness or sin affects the people in your life. You are part of something bigger than yourself, and you have responsibility to others in how you live. Your decisions matter, and you should consider the church when you make them as you are part of God's family and so what you do has consequences for them. 

Asaph is experiencing suffering because of the sin and disobedience of others, yet he doesn't cry out to God that it is unfair, that he hasn't done anything wrong so why should he be punished, instead he asks how long it will last, because the community of believers are hurting and getting a bad reputation, and he knows God cares, because they are His. The Israelites understood that they were part of a family, household, tribe and a nation. They understood they had personal responsibility to ensure they played their part. This is why Asaph calls for the deliverance of God’s people as a whole, not as individuals. For they are His flock (v1), congregation and tribe (v2) (all collective nouns). Asaph is calling for for communal redemption, not individual salvation. The redemption of all of the people of God is necessary, otherwise the community is incomplete and hurting. 

Your life is important to the community of God that you are a part of. You are important to your brothers and sisters, and you have a duty to honour and pray for them. Asaph takes on this mantle through this psalm as he petitions God for the nation’s salvation. He asks for the people of God, who are already set apart for Him, to be redeemed. For although God has saved us already, we still need redeeming! Even though we are connected and part of the family, the people of God still need to be brought back into God’s possession. How often do we forget who we are and make our own choices and just get on with life instead of considering that we are part of something bigger and more important? God still needs to redeem us. 

Do you pray, like Asaph, for the redemption of the tribe you are a part of? Do you live in consideration to your community when you make decisions for your own life?