Psalm 28

David uses a number of metaphors to describe his relationship to the Lord: rock (v. 1), strength and shield (v. 7), saving refuge (v. 8), shepherd (v. 9). Yesterday we had two more – light and salvation (Ps 27:1). I’m asking myself if there are other metaphors that describe how I view the Lord in my life.

For Jesus I see Him as my friend and my Savior. Savior is an easy one, but friend? Yes, friend… I can easily see myself sitting at a bar drinking a beer with Jesus.

How do I see the Father? As Daddy, Papa…? For me, not so much – I have a hard time putting myself on His lap. I see Him more as almighty, powerful, omniscient, almost unapproachable even – yet I know that I have access directly to Him through Jesus.

How do I see the Holy Spirit? All of those attributes in John 14-16: Helper, Comforter, Counselor, Advocate, Paraclete? All of those descriptors, I guess – He must be because Jesus said so! But I think I see the Holy Spirit more as my guide, my direction, or even, if you will, my wisdom. When I pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit, I want Him to lead in my life, especially when I am not even conscious of His work in my life. I want Him to be that “still, small voice” that Elijah heard (I Kings 19:11-12). And yes, I want Him to be more – so much more that I don’t even have words for what those wants might be. I think it’s enough for me to ask to be filled with the Spirit – daily, morning, noon, night, always. It’s enough.

Psalm 27

Thinking and praying over the following verses: You have said, “Seek My face.” My heart says to You, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.” Hide not Your face from me. (vv. 8-9a) As I ponder, clearly I am not asking to see the Lord’s face, but I am asking for a deepening of that “personal relationship” with Him that we hear spoken so often in evangelical circles. And I wonder if I do, in fact, have that personal relationship. I have told the Avanza kids so many times, “Get to know Jesus; the more you know Him, you can’t help but love Him more.” And I know that and I believe that and I feel that love for Him. What more is there in that “personal relationship”? I feel like I’m missing something. Help! Wisdom, anyone?

Psalm 26

A couple of small items come to mind quickly today. First is Kathy’s comment yesterday about David’s arrogance. With her comment in mind, it’s easy to read today’s Psalm and see an arrogant David. Twice he says he will walk in his integrity (vv. 1, 11). But don’t we all try to do that? We’re all concerned for our reputation, and integrity is a big part of that. Reading further, in all of the first seven verses David could be seen as bragging on his behavior. But looking more deeply I find that I don’t see David as arrogant. I see him seeking God; I think his statements that could hint at arrogance are really him imploring God to help him continue to walk in those paths where he truly wants to follow God.

I also see Job in today’s Psalm, David justifying himself and claiming to avoid hypocrites, evildoers, the wicked (vv. 4-5). Verse 5b struck me personally: …I will not sit with the wicked. I came to EKU as chair of the economics department and was invited by another chair to join him and the dean and other chairs for coffee and doughnuts once a week. I recall going two or three times and really felt out of place – not because I was “the new guy”, but because of the level of conversation in this room with other Ph.D. administrators. I won’t say that they were “the wicked”, but my heart told me that I didn’t belong there.

Psalm 25:12-22

Continuing David’s lament… Both yesterday and today (vv. 8-10, 12-14) David goes off his first-person speaking directly to the Lord and moves to third-person reflections. In so doing he sets a balance for the Psalm – seven personal verses early and seven personal verses later (plus that “outlier” verse 22), with the two third-person reflections interrupted by his very personal verse 11. In verses 8-10 David speaks of sinners, the humble, and the faithful. Then in verses 12-14 he continues with the faithful, “the man who fears the LORD” (v. 12a). He suggests that this “man” will receive abundant grace from the Lord: instruction, prosperity, and the Lord’s personal friendship (or secret counsel or intimacy).

I am touched by this “personal friendship” gift. We know today that we have that very gift ourselves, what Archbishop Beach speaks of so often, that “personal relationship with the Lord”. We have that available through the Holy Spirit’s indwelling. We have but to ask! I want to be that “man who fears the Lord”!

Psalm 25:1-11

You may have noticed that many Psalms have 22 verses – Psalm 25 today, Psalms 33, 34 later this month; Psalm 119 much later with 176 verses is actually 8 x 22. When you see a Psalm with 22 verses, it is typically the case that each verse begins with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet, which contains 22 letters. These Psalms are known as “alphabetic acrostics”; sometimes the verses begin alphabetically in order while other times the letters are scrambled, but each is used. FYI.

Today is another of David’s laments. What is he lamenting? Often he is sorry for his own sins – see verses 7 and 11b today. Other times he is sorry for the sins of the nation Israel. Most often in these laments David is sad, lonely, and afflicted (Ps. 25:16-18 tomorrow). But an unusual item appears in today’s Psalm in verse 11a: For your name’s sake, O LORD… (see also v. 7b). David is concerned for God’s reputation, occasionally reminding God of His promises of compassion, mercy, and forgiveness (vv. 6-7), but also reminding God of how Israel’s enemies will regard Him when they win victories over Israel.

David’s laments are not simply “pity party” times in his life, whining about how things are going. Although it may not be going well for him, David’s desire is to grow closer to God. That’s why we’ll find praise (vv. 9-10), repentance (noted above) and thanksgiving in all his laments. David offers us a good model for our own prayer life when times are difficult.

Psalm 24

I think context helps for us to understand or even embrace Psalm 24. I saw at least four contexts that helped me to look at the Psalm differently each time I read it.

My first context was simple enough – all of us joining one another at church on Sunday mornings. Who may ascend onto the hill of the LORD? And who may stand in His holy place? … He will receive a blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation. (vv. 3, 5) Simple enough – just transferring Old Testament verses to our New Testament times. And yes, I left out the requirements for entry in verse 4. 😊

The second context is, I think, the most obvious, when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem. See II Samuel 6. This Psalm could have been written for that specific occasion or as a celebration of the memory of that occasion, possibly at some fixed time every year.

A third context came from one of my Study Bibles, a context that I’ve never thought of on my own, that the church has long used this Psalm to celebrate Jesus’ ascension into Heaven, into that holy heavenly sanctuary, there to reign for all time.

Finally, the fourth I thought on my own, so maybe it’s valid, maybe not. I thought of the crowd singing this Psalm on Palm Sunday, to the true King of Glory ascending the hill as He approached the Temple at Jerusalem: Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle! Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory! (vv. 7-10) Even if the crowd did not sing this Psalm back then, we can surely sing it ourselves today!

Psalm 23

Back to the Psalms! After a month and a half of Job – all of February and half of March – we now move back to the Psalms through March and all of April. Thank you, John, for your wonderful, enlightening leadership of Job. I can’t even begin to lead our group through Psalms the way you took us through Job. Well done, good and faithful servant!!

Today, Psalm 23. What an intro for us to get back to the Psalms  – probably the most well-known of all the Psalms! Certainly (my guess) the most memorized of all the Psalms and the one most often taught in Sunday School classes! The one so often pictured in art and possibly the one most often referenced or alluded to in the New Testament. See especially John 10.

Although the Psalm is about a shepherd guiding and tending his flock, Christians typically see Jesus, the Good Shepherd in these verses. A couple of specific translations lead to this outcome. In verse 3 “paths of righteousness” could also be translated “right paths”. And in verse 4 “the valley of the shadow of death” could also be translated “the valley of deep darkness”. These alternate translations speak more clearly of a shepherd tending his flock. However, our most well-known translation of this Psalm, the King James Version used the translations first quoted above and we quickly see the Good Shepherd in this Psalm.

Finally, verse 3b struck me: “…for His name’s sake.” It’s easy for us to glide over these four words, just as we can miss their meaning in our confessional rite, For the sake of Your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in Your will, and walk in Your ways, to the glory of Your Name. And at other places in our Sunday worship… This brings me to one question – suppose we translate those four words above as “for His reputation”? Is Jesus’ reputation riding on all that we think and do? Might make us to act differently…!!

Job 42

Then Job answered the LORD and said:
“I know that You can do all things,
and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
‘Hear, and I will speak;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.’
I had heard of You by the hearing of the ear,
but now my eye sees You;
therefore I despise myself,
and repent in dust and ashes.”

Job 42:1-6

Job (nearly) quotes what the LORD said in Job 38:2-3, now fully recognizing that he has been wrong. Previously, he had known about God; now he has encountered God and can begin to truly know God Himself. And with that Job finally relents — and repents.

Note that the LORD has not offered Job any kind of explanation for his plight. He has provided no answer to Job’s “Why?” That may leave us somewhat unsatisfied, but that is our own arrogance speaking. Job, on the other hand, repents. And that helps confirm the sincerity of Job’s repentance. That is, had God presented a “rational explanation” and justification for Job’s suffering, it would have been a concession to Job’s pride. Job then could have continued in that pride, saying, “See? I got God to explain himself.” And that would have left Job (and us) in a noxious state, entirely contrary to God’s loving purpose. So God gives no such explanation, allowing Job’s repentance — and redemption — to be complete.

The LORD then turns to Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar and says that His anger burns against them because they have not spoken of [Him] what is right, as [His] servant Job has. (Job 42:7-8) Earlier, when the friends were speaking, we referenced these verses to help us discern that what they said was off base. And now they get to see that for themselves. Nothing in the text says this, but I imagine that while God was speaking to Job, the friends were all nodding in smug agreement, gleeful that Job was getting his comeuppance — and now they are shocked to find out that they are the ones who have been wildly out of line, and that Job is the one that God says is to pray for them, and that his prayer will be accepted. Talk about a dressing-down!

Not only does God say that the friends had not spoken rightly, but He says that Job has spoken rightly. Yet Job was clearly in the wrong in accusing God of injustice. So what did Job say that was right? God does not spell that out, so we are left to ponder Job’s words in the light of the whole of Scripture, relying on the Holy Spirit to discern truth from error.

And finally we get to the fairytale ending, “And they all lived happily ever after.” (That’s my paraphrase of Job 42:10-17.) And that makes us feel all right about the whole thing. But what if this movie had an “alternative ending”? What if God decided to leave Job in his suffering? What if Job had no more children, and his siblings didn’t return but continued to reject him? What if Job died in his miserable condition and in poverty? Would that change anything for us? Would we come away with a different understanding of God? I’d like to suggest that if we need this “happy ending” to feel OK about God, then we probably need to read Job again…

Job 41

Following on His description of Behemoth in Job 40:15-24, God presents Leviathan for Job’s consideration. Neither Behemoth nor Leviathan can be identified as any currently existing animal. Some have proposed the hippopotamus for Behemoth and the crocodile for Leviathan. However, barring excessive poetic license by God, the descriptions in Job clearly do not fit those animals — or any other nonextinct species. Hence, others have suggested dinosaurs or even mythical monsters. (Frankly, Godzilla seems like a pretty good fit for Leviathan to me!) Ultimately, it does not really matter what particular creatures Behemoth and Leviathan might be. What matters is that Job knows what God is talking about. And if Job cannot control either of these creatures, he has no business challenging their Creator.

I find it interesting that in His entire discourse, God has not spent much time speaking directly about Himself. Instead, He has put Creation on display as sufficient evidence to make His point. Of course, we (and Job) are part of that Creation, and although we are made in God’s image and He gave us dominion over the earth, we are nonetheless small — even miniscule — in relation to some other parts of Creation. In physical strength, we are no match for Behemoth or Leviathan (or any number of other animals). In scale, the whole earth is but a speck in the universe — much less any one of us! We would do well, therefore, to ponder creation, and from it to learn to worship our Creator. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. (Ps. 19:1) The heavens declare His righteousness, for God Himself is Judge! (Ps. 50:6) For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. (Rom. 1:20) Yes, let’s take a good look at Creation and marvel at our awesome God!

Job 40

Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty?
He who argues with God, let him answer it.

Job 40:1

With that, God pauses for a moment and challenges Job to prove himself. This is the moment that Job has been waiting for. This is his opportunity to set forth his case and clear his name. It is also his chance to fall on his face and repent. So which will it be?

Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you?
I lay my hand on my mouth.
I have spoken once, and I will not answer;
twice, but I will proceed no further.

Job 40:4-5

In other words, he has said what he has said, and that is enough. He is not going to venture further. I guess Job recognizes that he is a bit overmatched…but he doesn’t yet retract anything! Stunning! After all that God has already said, Job is only mildly humbled; he still maintains his position. And so, in a tremendous display of patience, mercy, and grace, the LORD continues:

Dress for action like a man;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.
Will you even put me in the wrong?
Will you condemn me that you may be in the right?

Job 40:7-9

Verse 7 is a repeat of Job 38:3 (so here we go again!) and verse 8 goes directly to the crux of the problem, that Job, in his self-justification, is condemning the all-righteous God. God’s challenge continues:

Have you an arm like God,
and can you thunder with a voice like His?
Adorn yourself with majesty and dignity;
clothe yourself with glory and splendor.
Pour out the overflowings of your anger,
and look on everyone who is proud and abase him.
Look on everyone who is proud and bring him low
and tread down the wicked where they stand.
Hide them all in the dust together;
bind their faces in the world below.
Then will I also acknowledge to you
that your own right hand can save you.

Job 40:9-14

When Job can do what God does, then God will acknowledge that Job can save himself. (But until then, maybe not…) The same, of course, is true for us. That is, we have no hope of saving ourselves. We are utterly in need of a Savior. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:24-25a)