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March 17, 2011

Psalm 121 on the road

Filed under: up and running — Tags: journey, protection, Psalms, trust — joel @ 3:11 pm

Looking about for help, for security, for guarantees that the ways ahead will unfold in safety and according to plan? All sorts of people will come out of the woods to help out, to take a piece of the action, perhaps to lead you astray, won’t they? How is it we can sort through all of this advice and all of these helpful “guides”? Where can we turn to get us through our days and weeks and years ahead? Who is trustworthy through that whole span of time?

Look to the LORD!, the psalmist says. In Him and Him alone can you put your trust. He is all you need. He is the One, the One who created you, who claimed you as His own, and who will never forget you. He’ll be watching and anticipating your every move, never turning away his attention. The dark gloom of night, the pitted and dangerous roads, the enemies leaping out of the bushes may still contend for your attention and throw fear into your bones, but the One who is watching over you will prevail. That’s the promise of the Father who made you and who will preserve your life.

Look back. Who, but the Lord, has brought you this far in your travels? Who has been there even when your faith was thin as a reed? Who has been the only trustworthy One to bring you this far? The Creator and Lord of the heavens and the earth.

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January 31, 2011

112 Psalm: giddy for the Lord

Filed under: up and running — Tags: blessed, commandments, delight, dwelling, glory, justice, Psalms, righteousness, thanksgiving — joel @ 3:33 pm

We begin with the blessed and finish up with the wicked. So much more to say about the blessed: they delight in the Lord’s commands. How could this be, to delight, to be happy down into the bones, with these commandments? Aren’t we usually backing away from commands? But to know God, this magnificent Holy One, how are we to praise and glorify Him without submitting to his commands, giddy and gleefully happy to know that we are doing what He desires and requires.

Oh, the blessed are so blessed: down through their generations of mighty children, raised up in mansions where righteousness has settled in and infused itself within whole households—along with graciousness and compassion, acting out the Lord’s graciousness in all that that they do, even in worldly affairs. Simple transactions reflect glories unto the Lord in all their equity, fairness, and compassion.

No fear there is in these sturdy trusting souls, facing all of life in faithfulness. So secure and unchallenged, freely and extravagantly they throw off gifts to all in need. All the while the wicked melt away.

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January 21, 2011

Psalm 27 in confident wait state

Filed under: for starters... — Tags: confidence, dwelling, enemies, face, glory, hope, praise, Psalms, refuge, waiting — joel @ 5:07 pm

Oh, with such supreme confidence we go forward, cataloguing the enemies and the foes who might give us trouble, but all of them are trivial compared to the God of light, the Stronghold, the source of this no-fear zone that we happily reside in.

And so we wind up in praise to this God, the One and Only. His glorious beauty all by itself extracts such praise from us, for it’s difficult to imagine what else we can do but be awe-struck in the presence of this terrifying and holy One. Oh, that we could set up a homestead in his presence forever, for there is safety that is beyond anyone or anything that might befall us. Confidence, yes, but now real peace in and with Him as well. Let us sing and shout and praise!

Still, we’re waiting to see that face, waiting for His almighty presence, waiting for his pleasure to settle in upon us. Teach us, LORD, whatever we should know to follow you and your ways. Load us up with all that we should do and say before you, for our only desires are to please You.

Confidence is emboldened then by our praise of Him and by our doing His will and walking in His ways. Be strong because He has given us strength. Be confident because He has given us confidence. Wait because He has given us hope in Him. He will come with that face beaming toward us. We wait, not anxiously or fretfully, but expectantly and hopefully.

Let us pray. Lord, we wait for you. Protect us in all situations for You alone can do this. Give us confidence and strength each new day, for we are weak without You. Let your face be seen in our presence. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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January 18, 2011

Psalm 40 waiting and praising

Filed under: for starters... — Tags: children of God, distress, glory, hesed, praise, prayer, Psalms, waiting — joel @ 4:30 pm

Waiting—a non-activity that gives one peace but for a short while. Quickly it turns agonizing, but what here is this “patient” waiting? We wait patiently only because we have no other to wait for, for there is no other who can do what this LORD can do, and we know that He will do what He will do. Expectation will be fulfilled in new ways by this promise-filled and ever-faithful Lord of all. No more slimy pit, no more mud and muck, but instead steadfast placement upon a rock, a place firm enough to sing out His praises once again, singing that is new, for all is now new. To those who hear these new melodies comes such faith as ours, for our experience shines more brightly and in different directions than anticipated, than imagined. Creation is organic and demands new sightlines and new responses, not the old liturgics. These new responses come from creative freedom laid bare by ready and unexpected adherence to the ways and instructions of this Lordly one for whom we’ve waited so intently. As the Lord’s breath moves through our lives, it powers up our new song to others and so empowers their trust and faithfulness as well.

Like the unconditional wait, the song proceeds unconditionally, no human purpose or motivation backing it. So powerful and trustworthy and holy is this LORD that none can lay down all one has and is without becoming durable and obedient servants. No burden, but a joy, for our Lord is the reliable and tender One.

And so we dare to call upon this past performance and steadfastness when we are in distress and drowning in sin and under attack. The only One who can deliver is who we need and who we cling to. You know us Lord by all our waiting, yet we dare not expect anything in particular, for you do it all in new ways, even as we are impatient and impertinent and despairing.

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January 4, 2011

Psalm 29

Filed under: up and running — Tags: abundance, Breath of God, creation, glory, Kavod, praise, Psalms, voice, water, words, world — joel @ 4:54 pm

Whose God is this with such overwhelming glory and power? Which God is it whose voice alone, all by itself, reigns over all the planet and across all the waters and to the farthest ends of the heavens and back. Without lifting a finger, a puff of His breath is more majestic, more forceful than can be imagined—making twigs of the cedars, making the lands of Lebanon skip like a calf, the mountains frolic like young wild oxen. His voice breaks out in fierce and raging fires, shaking the innards of the whole earth…..even the chaotic waters obey Him. And all of it just like play for the One who loves his creation so much and His people even more.

He’s our God, that’s who He is, this God of ours, the One and Only, who dips down into our space to create peace for us. Kavod! they all say aloud. Gloriest of glories and highest of honors and most abundant of abundances, we shout out with arms uplifted—barely a whisper compared to a single sigh of His ravaging about through the heavens. Praise the Lord forever!

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December 1, 2010

Psalm 72 for Solomon and the Holy One

Filed under: for starters... — Tags: glory, judgment, King, praise, Psalms, righteousness, rulers, throne of God, water, world — joel @ 8:39 am

How glorious and glorified and righteous a king this Solomon is, judging the people in righteousness, caring for the afflicted, and turning back the oppressor. How is it such a ruler came to be?

His kingship, like the sun and the moon and the rains, spans generations. Prosperity reigns over the mountains and valleys and streams. How is it such a ruler came to be? One whose subjects include all other kingly types throughout all the earth, whose sceptor’s shadow touches all peoples, striking down enemies and awaiting generous tributes from all nations and peoples.

Almighty beyond compare, but compassionate as well—to the needy, the weak and afflicted who otherwise would be crushed by enemies. Prosperity will wash in waves over all the lands. How is it such a ruler came to be? Through the power and graciousness of the One and Only God of Israel.

Let us pray. God, our Savior and our King, grant us peace and prosperity. Save us from our enemies: the Evil One, those who undermine us, and our own worst intentions. Care for us, protect us, save us. In the name of your Son Jesus. Amen.

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November 26, 2010

Psalm 122

Filed under: up and running — Tags: arrogance, children of God, judgment, justice, praise, Psalms, righteousness, throne of God, worship — joel @ 11:59 am

Let’s hang out with those who encourage us, maybe even drag us, to go up to the house of the Lord, wherever that may be in your neighborhood, that place of worship and praise to the One and Only. The One who has built his Place for all his saints to come together in safety to praise and as a community to receive his judgment and righteousness, in other words, His peace. You never know when, as a wanderer, it might seem to be useless activity, might seem to be more worthwhile to depend upon others, perhaps your own self, for the peace and safety and salvation that even you know deep down can only come from this One God of the Universe.

Our Lord has built cities and towns and houses of worship for the gatherings that look to Him and Him alone for all that there is. That’s where we get refreshment and sustenance, just as in days long gone—those olden times of Israel. And why would it be any different these days? Why would He not provide for such places today? For we are still a weak and dis-obedient folk, prone to catch the latest winds of peace that seem to blow round and round.

Where’s the prosperity, the good, but in this gathering place for all? So, step up and out of the muck and into the House of the Lord, sitting up there in all His power upon that throne, waiting for you to come into his place. Can you imagine?

Let us pray. Lord God of the Universe, keep us in your sights. Never let us loose from your everlasting loving kindness, even though we become arrogant and wandering sheep, off searching for peace and joy in all the wrong places. Call us back into your graciousness. In the name of Jesus, your Son, we pray. Amen.

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November 11, 2010

Praise in 98

Filed under: up and running — Tags: creation, glory, hesed, judgment, justice, praise, reconcile, righteousness, salvation, song, thanksgiving, water, world, wrath of God — joel @ 5:25 pm

All the world knows what our God has done. Merely stretching out his right hand, he has caused unimaginable and wondrous righteous deeds, saving the object of His everlasting goodness and faithfulness, Israel. There is no other explanation: no human forces, no military might, no political maneuverings—none of these, even all of them together, can claim any participation in this massive program of salvation. Simply the hand of God moving about in the cosmos, a loving God who has not forgotten his chosen nation Israel.

And all the world breaks out in song, a new song, for this is a new thing, a new day of the Lord. Get out all the instruments, the noise-makers, the cymbals, the harps, the brass, the drums, and, of course, the choirs of humans, lungs bursting with breath. Let it loose, you peoples, let it loose up into the skies. Sing aloud with joy and praise, blasting it out accompanied by all these instruments.

Then add in the voices and the roarings of creation as well. The deadly waters of the seas are transposed into rollicking choruses. The unrelenting river storms are re-routed into panoplies of sound. The mountains crash together, joining in the praises and thanksgivings of the whole earth.

This whole symphony is directed toward the righteous and all-knowing God, who comes to earth to make all things right, to create justice and peace among the peoples and the whole of creation. Who can place their faith and trust in another? Who can deny the power of His right hand? Who can entertain complaints in the face of His overwhelming love and faithfulness? Who can contribute to His righteousness? None. So join in with creation in the everlasting and new song.

Let us pray: Lord, who is righteous? Who is so loving and faithful, so powerful? Who bends down to earth to create salvation? None but You, whose right hand works wonders and blessings for all the earth. We praise and thank you for all that you continue to do for us, saving us from certain death and destruction in the midst of chaotic waters, earthquakes, and floods. Holy is your name. Amen.

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November 3, 2010

Righteousness in Psalm 145

Filed under: for starters... — Tags: bent down, children of God, creation, hesed, judgment, justice, King, Lord, praise, Psalms, righteousness, thanksgiving, world, wrath of God — joel @ 12:27 pm

So much for a simple “Praise the Lord.” Here we go, individually and corporately, shouting and singing aloud the praises of this God and King one day at a time…and forever and ever. His might and his greatness is far beyond our understanding, and so we must go on and on with praise and lauding and meditating and singing and thanksgiving.

How is it such a God acknowledges us, even caresses us in His graciousness and mercy—how incomprehensible is His never ending loving kindness. Might runs with mercy, greatness with graciousness—incompatible match-ups to us folk, but here they are on extravagant and ebullient display in this God Almighty throughout all the earth and into the heavens.

All His tender loving care for His world and for His children is bound up in His righteousness. Justice and anger and destruction of the wicked—all are possible for this God so intimate with his creation. Reluctantly, yet precisely, he moves in to preserve His will in all things. Nothing is beyond his purview: creation and renewal, decay and death.

Those who call he is answering. Those in need he will satisfy. Those descending he raises up. There is no other who will attend to us wherever we’ve been, whoever we are. Our eyes eventually must look to Him for love and peace and everlasting-ness, and our mouths open up to the world with words and songs and shoutings of praise and fear and wonder at this awesome Lord and King and God.

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October 29, 2010

Psalm 46

Filed under: up and running — Tags: creation, glory, hope, life, Psalms, refuge, river, water, world — joel @ 1:19 pm

Even when the basics fall away—and, we mean the really base basics, the foundations of dirt under our feet and those higher grounds that will save us from the rushing waters—even then as we free fall, we’ll have a refuge, an outpost, in this God of All Things.

Like an ever-flowing river providing sustenance to its people, He is there always, even as the banks crumble, as branches fall and are drowned in her depths, as giant boulders are consumed. Catastrophes, battles, storms of fire…all of them are depleted as the rush continues. There He is, our God whose words are cascading across the plains and off into the valleys, their force undiminished as the furthest of the furthest mountains perks up and obeys.

“Be still,” He speaks and so it is, and the nations shudder with fear at this power. Hail, thou Power overshadowing all powers, known throughout the earth: our refuge.

Let us pray. Dear Lord, the Mighty River of Life, have mercy upon us. Protect us. Save us. Care for us in all that we do. Give us trust and hope in You, even in the midst of disasters as well as petty crabbiness. For you alone can give life and reconciliation and righteousness to all. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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