Overcoming Our Enemies! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Psalm 129:1-3,

"They have greatly oppressed me from my youth —
    let Israel say —
they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,
    but they have not gained the victory over me.
Plowmen have plowed my back
    and made their furrows long.
But the Lord is righteous;
    he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked."

As is today, Israel has had her many enemies, as the psalmist observes, "They have greatly oppressed me from my youth…" Her enemies are seen as "the wicked" who have made their efforts to destroy her. "Plowmen have plowed my back and made their furrow long."

But the psalmist takes heart in the fact that the wicked have never been successful to destroy Israel completely. He notes that the wicked have not gained the victory over Israel to annihilate her. This is due to the righteousness of the Lord, verse 4, who has cut Israel "free from the cords of death."

This morning, this speaks to me of our deliverance by the Lord from our enemies. The church today is despised by the world, "Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you." I John 3:13. We have an enemy in the devil, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8. We, likewise, have an enemy in our own sinful natures, "So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin." Romans 7:25. We have even had God as our enemy, "When we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son…" Romans 5:10.

Not only were we delivered from God's own wrath through Jesus Christ, God has delivered us from all our enemies. "Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4. Also, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:1-2.

God has provided victory over all our enemies in Jesus Christ. As believers we have been freed from all that might endanger or restrain us. We have freedom in Jesus Christ to live our lives with and for our Creator. This will culminate in our safe arrival in the resurrection of eternal life as members of God's own family with a seat at his table!

Could there possibly be any better news than this?!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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For the Men Only - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Psalm 128:1-3a,

"Blessed are all who fear the Lord,
    who walk in obedience to him.
You will eat the fruit of your labor;
    blessings and prosperity will be yours.
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
    within your house;…"

I may not be the brightest light bulb in the hardware store, but it appears to me this psalm is addressed to the men in the congregation. We are told that a man who fears the Lord and expresses that by walking in obedience to him will be blessed.

That blessing encompasses enjoying the "fruit of your labor", blessings, prosperity, a wife that is described as a fruitful vine in a man's house and the blessing of children. It is that blessing of a good wife, that "fruitful vine" that captures my eye this morning.

I don't think the psalm promises us that all marital problems evaporate when we fear the Lord, but that all things being equal, it just may be that the "blessedness of holy matrimony" might be beyond reach if we are short-changing the Lord's due from us. The difficulty we might have with our wife is that the Lord is attempting to gain our attention through her.

When we come into God's family, we bring with us warts and all - all our shortcomings and blemishes. We are told that the Lord begins to refine us and develop within us the character of Jesus Christ. We all face that process.

The writer of Hebrews speaks about this. "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:7-11.

I don't know about you, but when I embraced the Lord in faith, there remained much (much!) room for me to grow in my reverence and fear of the Lord as expressed by walking in obedience to him. I'm still in the process! After all these years!

In any event, it became apparent to me years ago that God often uses those in our lives to shape and mold us into what he wants us to become. Often that is the person closest to us.

If you are having a struggle with your wife, consider it. It just may be the Lord is attempting to gain your attention - to stretch and mold you into a life of walking in obedience to him.

By the way, I do think this works both ways… but since this psalm is addressed to us men, I need to keep mindful of it - it is counsel to me.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.

The Best Approach to Productivity and Success - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Psalm 127:1,3,

"Unless the Lord builds the house,
   the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
   the guards stand watch in vain…

Children are a heritage from the Lord,
   offspring a reward from him."

This "song of ascents" by Solomon seems to me at first blush to have two thoughts mashed together that have little to do with each other. The first, in verses 1-2 contains the theme that experiencing a productive and successful life without the Lord is vain (futile, ineffective, of no real value). The second, verses 3-5 has the theme that children are a heritage, a reward from him.

As I give it further thought, however, it appears to me that, to the contrary, the two themes are not unconnected. The second theme supports the first theme's contention.

We recall the heartbreak of barren wives in the OT Scriptures, who lived in a culture that partly defined success in life by their husband's heirs. To have no children was a curse. In her old age Sarah was promised a blessing from God who declared he would provide a son, Issac, Genesis 17. In 1 Samuel 1 we see Elkanah's wife, Hannah, weeping due to the ridicule she received because she was barren. The Lord answered her prayer and she gave birth to Samuel. 

The point being that to have offspring was considered a blessing from God. The second theme supports the first in that having children expresses a productive and successful life.

The message of the psalm to me this morning is that if I seek a productive and successful life, I best pursue that through the Lord.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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The Lord Has Done Great Things For Us! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Psalm 126:1-3,

"When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
    we were like those who dreamed.
Our mouths were filled with laughter,
    our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
    'The Lord has done great things for them.'
The Lord has done great things for us,
    and we are filled with joy."

It has been thought that this psalm was written after the return of the Jews from their captivity in Babylon. Now, having returned and free to live in their homeland, their excitement is evidenced in their joy and laughter. "We were like men who dreamed"!

As I consider the season of joy these people experienced, I can't help but think of the similar experience we will all share in the resurrection. From the vantage point of eternal life, we will look back on the great tribulation of man's experience in this life-- suffering under God's judgment and condemnation, facing physical death and the wrath he will express on a world in rebellion to him-- and recognize with shear joy that "the Lord has done great things for us"!

In his great mercy and love he sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice that we might share in his inheritance as members of his family. In the riches of his grace he has made this available to us solely on the basis of faith. In love he has adopted us as his sons and daughters, not just saving us to be subjects making up a kingdom, but as family! In his incredible kindness he has made this available to all who will embrace him. His invitation goes out to all mankind. And, in his great mercy, we will find ourselves safely brought to our eternal homeland with him!

As surely as the Israelites were, we will be filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy as we find ourselves home at last with our loving, wonderful Savior to spend an eternity with him! What a banquet that will be!

And, as I consider these things, I find I need not wait till then to express my joy, gratitude and excitement over what the Lord has done for me!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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Stability in Nature and Existence - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Psalms 125:1,

"Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
   which cannot be shaken but endures forever."

As I read this beginning verse to Psalm 125, it speaks to me of stability. Those who trust in the Lord have stability. Stability of nature, stability of existence.

I like Merriam-Webster's definition of stability and find it so fitting in the context of this verse. "Stability" is defined as "the strength to stand or endure: firmness." Synonyms are soundness, strength, sturdiness. While the translators did not choose to use the word "stability" in this verse, the verse certainly captures the thought.

Believers in Jesus Christ have stability of nature. The Holy Spirit comes to us when we embrace Jesus Christ in faith and impacts our lives by building into us traits we see in Jesus Christ. We read in Galatians 5:22-23, "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Certainly anyone who can be described as such has to be recognized as being stable by nature. Opposite to that would be someone who has not embraced Jesus Christ in faith. "Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do." James 1:8.

Believers in Jesus Christ have stability of existence. The outcome of the lives of those who have embraced Jesus Christ in faith is certain and sure. Believers have no need to worry about what the future holds. We read in Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of Jesus Christ, "I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39.

And, of course, the best news of all is that those who have embraced Jesus Christ in faith have a stable future firmly fixed in the best of all outcomes, "He [God] will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:8-9.

As the psalmist says, "Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever."

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.

God On Our Side - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Psalm 124:1-5,

"If the Lord had not been on our side—
    let Israel say—
if the Lord had not been on our side
    when people attacked us,
they would have swallowed us alive
    when their anger flared against us;
the flood would have engulfed us,
    the torrent would have swept over us,
the raging waters
    would have swept us away."

In this psalm David expresses his confidence and certainty of the Lord being on his "side". He recognized that God's favor rested on David and his people. He credits that fact for their deliverance from their enemies. He also acknowledges the certainty of their defeat without the Lord being on their side.

Here is a horrific thought- what if the Lord was not on "our side"? What if the Lord could care less about us? What if he held no love in his heart for us? Where would that leave us? What outlook would there be for us?

We come into this world as a result of God's creativity. When God made all things, we are told in Genesis 1:31, "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good." However, as we read on in Genesis we see that our forebears rejected the One who had created them and went their own way. Now estranged from God with a sinful nature, the world continues in that rebellion.

Where would we be if not for the love of God for us? What would we have to look forward to if not for the redemption our Creator has provided for us? Only a certain dark and bleak outlook of judgment awaiting us all. If the Lord had not been on our side there would be nothing to look forward to.

But… God is on our side! Look at all the wonderful riches of the lavish inheritance God has so graciously and generously bestowed upon all of us who embrace him in faith! 

We deserve none of these wonderful things, yet out of God's incomprehensible love, he has so richly blessed us!

How wonderful God is on our side!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.

A Needful Posture - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Psalm 123:1,

"I lift up my eyes to you,
   to you who sit enthroned in heaven."

This psalm is a plea for God's delivering hand from those who treated God's people with contempt and ridicule. The plea is made in verses 2-3a, "As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he shows us his mercy. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us…"

I note the posture of the one making the plea as quoted above. The psalmist looks to heaven where the Lord sits on his throne. It brings to my mind the exhortation Paul gives in his letter to the church in Colossae, "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." Colossians 3:1-4.

In that Colossian passage Paul addresses believers on the issue of putting to death those things that pertain to our "earthly nature", our "old self", that we might put on the "new self", Colossians 3:5-10.

In Psalm 123 the enemy was those who treated God's people with contempt and ridicule. In Colossians 3 the enemy we need relief from is our own sinful nature. In both cases we see the encouragement to set our hearts and minds on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

I need to be mindful that this is the appropriate posture when I need God's help, even when I am my own enemy.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.

Anticipated Celebration! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Psalm 122:1-2,

"I rejoiced with those who said to me,
    'Let us go to the house of the Lord.'
Our feet are standing
    in your gates, Jerusalem."

As one of the "songs of ascents", this psalm of David is thought to have been sung by those returning to Jerusalem to celebrate one of the annual feasts on the nation's calendar. To participate in the feast, they would have to make the trek up to Jerusalem. It is not difficult to sense the excitement and anticipation of these worshipers as expressed in this psalm.

As I read the psalm, I can't help but think of the first time we will gather together in God's kingdom to celebrate his love, kindness and mercy. There will be that very first gathering where we meet to worship God the Father, and his Son, Jesus Christ, to celebrate the salvation and eternal life he has provided us. We will make the trek to his throne to acknowledge his wonderful love for us.

I suspect we will both celebrate, in a boisterous joy, over the eternal life he has made possible, and marvel in wonder at God's many-splendored and intoxicating perfections as we see him face to face for the first time. I suspect we will express euphoric appreciation and acknowledgement to God the Son, Jesus Christ, for coming to earth to die a horrible death to pay the penalty for all our sins and for making of himself our way to heaven.

Perhaps I am engaging in a bit of speculation here, but it does seem to me there will be that first time we approach God on his throne. In the anticipation of that very first encounter, will we be like those, although on a much more grand and epic scale, who were anticipating the national celebration and worship of God, those who sang this song of ascents on their way up to Jerusalem millenia ago? Might those treks, accompanied by worshipful songs of ascent, have been a small precursor, illustrating a much grander event when we present ourselves before our transcendent, majestic God for the first time in eternity?

What do you think might be on our calendar of events as we enter into our eternal estate at the end of the age?

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.