Psalm 44

How do you handle affliction? Psalm 44 (full Psalm here) is a story of afflicted people contemplating the purpose, and source of the affliction. The suffering is not hypothetical; it is described. God’s present interaction through the affliction is not proposed, but acknowledged. Likewise, the answer of deliverance is sought through God, not through the strength of the afflicted. “I will not trust in my bow, nor shall my sword save me. But You have saved us from our enemies.” The psalmist remembers the former salvation of his ancestors, and applies the same saving power to his people in the present. All the while he speaks directly about the affliction at his doorstep. “You have cast us off, and put us to shame… You have given us like sheep intended for slaughter.” How can God save, and destroy at the same time? Such are the questions of the afflicted soul. Many would forget the promises of God and curse Him in the midst of suffering. Yet, rejecting God and looking to false gods, or one’s own strength leaves no hope for true deliverance. In the present suffering it is difficult to have hindsight – which reveals the tried and true power of God. But, if those suffering look to the promises of God, and remember the tangible examples of His goodness, it produces faith in Him, trust in His power, and makes the hope of salvation very real. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) It is by faith that the hoped for salvation becomes substantial. And, the faith must be in the one true God. Even so, why does God allow such affliction to begin with?

“…the nations which the Lord left that He might test Israel by them” (Judges 3:1). God wants precious and valuable – people of quality. Precious things are made precious through tremendous pressure over time. Diamonds are formed this way. It is not an easy process. It’s rare. But, that’s what makes it so valuable. In the same way, God makes His people to be of great value; He wants a precious treasure to be proud of and to cherish. He’s a God of high taste. The process is difficult, but the results are worthy. You cannot manufacture quality of character. It must be developed though a process of fiery trial. The product is described in Isaiah 63:3 “a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of our God.” To be precious to God for eternity often means suffering through affliction for a time. To deny suffering, and so cheat God from His precious jewel, is to remain as dust yet unformed by God into His prize creation. Let this be our state of heart: “All this has come upon us; But we have not forgotten You.”

Psalm 82

Psalm 82 is all about men of authority following their own vain philosophies, ultimately leading to corruption and oppression. It begins by proclaiming God as King of Kings, judging the mightiest of the mighty. Verse 6 calls the kings of the earth gods (little ‘g’) from God’s perspective. This is not an honored description, but rather a deceleration of war, for there is no god beside Yahweh.

God stands in the congregation of the mighty;
He judges among the gods.
² How long will you judge unjustly,
And show partiality to the wicked? Selah
³ Defend the poor and fatherless;
Do justice to the afflicted and needy.
⁴ Deliver the poor and needy;
Free them from the hand of the wicked.

⁵ They do not know, nor do they understand;
They walk about in darkness;
All the foundations of the earth are unstable.

⁶ I said, “You are gods,
And all of you are children of the Most High.
⁷ But you shall die like men,
And fall like one of the princes.”

⁸ Arise, O God, judge the earth;
For You shall inherit all nations.

The key of this psalm is found in verse 5, “They do not know, nor do they understand; they walk around in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are unstable.” Ravi Zacharias once visited a building made by the architect to depict a postmodern worldview that rejects truth and meaning. There were hallways that led to nowhere, staircases going out of walls horizontally, and pillars randomly placed. It was nonsense. Ravi insightfully asked, “I wonder if he did the same thing with the foundation.” Obviously not. The foundation must be solid to support the structure, or it would all come crashing down in utter chaos and destruction.When men deny order, they reject meaning, and ultimately come to nothing. When they apply the same system to the foundations of logic they become not illogical, but alogical- useless and worthless. When that system is applied to the truth of God, it allows for corruption and oppression without consequence. However, denying the truth does not change the truth. In ignorance, darkness and unstable foundations men deny God, effectively making themselves gods, and sow into the destruction of their souls. They promptly reap the reward of their labor.

“Arise, O God, judge the earth; For You shall inherit all nations.”

Psalm 107

Psalm 107 is a beautiful narrative of the works of God. It tells of His righteous judgments. God is just in all of His judgments, and there are two sides to justice – the oppressed being delivered and blessed, and the oppressors being cursed. Even so, the emphasis is on the response of the people hearing the narrative. There are two distinct parts for the hearers: 1) to behold the events of the narrative (the works of God) 2) to proclaim the person of God.

I will only quote choice verses in this survey of Psalm 107, but the whole Psalm is here.

V. 2 “The redeemed say so.”

V. 8 “Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men.”

V. 15 same as verse 8

V. 21 same as verse 8

V. 22 “Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving and declare His works with rejoicing.”

V. 24 “They see the works of the Lord.”

V. 31 same as verse 8

V. 32 “Let them exalt Him in the assembly of the people, And praise Him in the company of the elders.”

V. 43 “Whoever is wise will observe these thing and they will understand the Loving kindness of the Lord.”

You can see how this Psalm is about seeing and responding the the evident works of God. Between these quoted sections is the story of righteous people being blessed, and wicked people being cursed. It is a simple reap what you sow scenario. Job is perhaps the counterpart to this Psalm – a righteous man witnessing destruction all around him – an unjust sentencing. Job’s friends behold, and judge Job evil. Job beholds and judges his own life not worth living. Job’s wife beholds and judges God evil, and tempts Job to do likewise to no avail. In the climax, God appears and makes the message abundantly clear: bad things happen to good people. God judges Job’s friends for being presumptuous of Job’s character, yet He finds Job righteous for never letting a curse to God come from his lips. Job’s plight is unbearable if it is fathomable. He knows he is not wrong or evil, yet maintains faith that God is good, even in the midst of suffering. The difficulty therein is observing evidence that God is not so good, yet proclaiming otherwise. When men perceive God as evil (which we often do), perhaps it is not God who is flawed, but rather the perceptions of man.

As mankind, we often struggle with observing God’s works. Verse 43 says the wise will understand the lovingkindness of God. Spurgeon comments:

“It is wise to observe what the Lord doth, for he is wonderful in counsel; has given us eyes to see with, and it is foolish to close them when there is most to observe; but we must observe wisely, otherwise we may soon confuse ourselves and others with hasty reflections upon the dealings of the Lord. In a thousand ways the lovingkindness of the Lord is shown, and if we will prudently watch, we shall come to a better understanding of it. To understand the delightful attribute of lovingkindness is an attainment as pleasant it is profitable: those who are proficient scholars in this art will be among sweetest singers to the glory of Jehovah.”

To not see the goodness of God through His works on the earth is to exercise foolishness. However, what of the wicked? Within the events of this Psalm they did not experience the lovingkindness of God, but would tell an altogether different story. And thus, the problem of man’s sinful state of existence is brought to the forefront, for all men are wicked until meeting the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
I have found in my time sharing the gospel with strangers that many people don’t see God as loving. It’s news to them (And I would say news well worth sharing). Instead they see God’s judgments as tyranny and His grace as bitter poison. I think it’s because they’re on the wrong side of God’s justice and they know it. Grace based salvation is very appealing if you’re saved, but if you’re not, then it sounds like assault, because no matter how good you are without the grace of God, you’re not saved. At this point, you could imagine a line of people coming to the altar to meet with God, right? Certainly when the Holy Spirit brings this reality home, that’s the case. But, sometimes there’s more stumbling blocks to salvation through grace. Here’s two:

1. It’s by grace, but I still have to do something. 

This idea has crept into our culture. It often come out in the lie that one must first live a lifestyle that merits salvation to be saved. FALSE! That’s actually the opposite of the truth. Grace is the undeserved affection of God that is powerful to save. The only qualification is that one’s life does not merit it, otherwise it wouldn’t be grace. Surrendering to God at the moment of salvation triggers a transformation that empowers us to live the lifestyle. It is salvation that is necessary for the lifestyle, not the other way around.

2. Grace is only for some/God doesn’t want to save me.

Whether this though is a product of bad Calvinist theology, or guilt over past sins, it’s FALSE. Jesus died for everyone. But, individually each person must choose God. There is nothing too evil about anyone that the blood of Jesus can not redeem.

Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men.”

Psalm 1:3-6

Part 1 – Psalm 1:1-2

He shall be like a tree
    Planted by the rivers of water,
    That brings forth its fruit in its season,
    Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.

The ungodly are not so,
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

The position of the godly man is truly a glorious one. The parable of the sower comes into mind. In the parable found in Matthew 13 there are four different kinds of soil which the seed (the good news of the kingdom) falls upon. There is rocky soil which grows up quickly, but with no root, so it perishes just as quickly as it sprang up when tested by the scorching sun. There is thorny soil, in which briers grow alongside the good seed, and eventually choke it out. Then there is the path, the one beaten by the heavy steps of many travelers which allows nothing to grow upon it. Moreover, birds come and feed on the seed sown to the path. Next there is the good soil, in which the conditions are perfect for the seed to take root and flourish. Certainly for a tree to grow to maturity it may not be choked out by thorns, has withstood the test of the scorching sun, and has survived the preying birds and the hurried feet along the path.

Spurgeon notes that this tree is planted, “chosen, considered as property, cultivated and secured from the last terrible uprooting”. Remember this tree is metaphorical of the righteous. Certainly one does not become righteous accidentally or stumble haphazardly into salvation. It is an intentional matter, very calculated. The work of a master gardener with submissive seed, and well tilled and fertilized soil.

There is in verse three the fulfillment of purpose in this tree. It bears fruit in season. Sometimes it seems like living a life that would be called a “productive Christian lifestyle” is unnatural, or abnormal. Really, it’s the only way to fulfill the purpose of our existence. Fruit trees that don’t bear fruit in season, while they still may be used for shade, would be entirely disappointing for failing to produce their promised fruit, fulfill their purpose, and manifest their proposed identity. An apple tree with no apples is not an apple tree at all. But the righteous are fulfilling their purpose and identity. Notice how the ungodly are not strong trees, but only chaff to be blown by the gentlest breeze of the wind. They have no root, no substance, no purpose, no prosperity. There is protection and prosperity for the righteous but not for the wicked. This doesn’t always seem to be the case, but we must hold fast to the promises of God, and understand where real value lies-that is, in the eternal spiritual kingdom of God.

After reading Psalm 1 it is easy to decide who we want to be, righteous or wicked. However, the follow through is not always as easy. Certainly no one wants to be in prison, yet the prisons in the US are full to the brim. No one wants to be impoverished, yet poverty runs rampant. No one wants sexually transmitted infections or diseases, or children out of wedlock whom the cannot care for, or to be caught in a mess of lies. Yet, all these things are not only common, but expected. Often people want all the abundant blessings that follow the righteous, but do not want to submit to the process of becoming righteous. That’s why we must be planted. Justin Rizzo gives a masterful, worshipful prayer to be the righteous tree:

Unmovable, unshakable
Let my roots go down deep
Unmovable, unshakable
In you

I want to be like a tree
Planted by the streams
Of living water

This will be my song, God
This will be my prayer
Until the end, until the end

–Tree, Justin Rizzo

This Psalm is all about longevity and lifestyle. It is not a fleeting thing to come to faith in Jesus. The very word faith implies long lasting fervor and commitment until the end. Roots, steadiness, unwavering commitment-those are characteristic of the righteous. As Pastor Steve Warren says, “God is not interested in a rental or a time-share”. He wants our all for all time.

Lord, would you plant all of these readers by streams of living water, to be refreshed in your presence, and to grow in faith. Make us fully persuaded of the truth of Jesus Christ, and grant us strength to live according to your way. Make us like righteous men and women of faith in You, God. Help us to fulfill our purpose in Christ, as we are stead with Him now. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

Psalm 1:1-2

This is one of my favorite Psalms, and a very good one to open the rich “Treasury of David” as Spurgeon would call it. It is definitely short enough to cover all of it in one post. Yet, I think the theological implications of the first verse are so important that I didn’t want to be space-conscious in my comments on the lone verse for the diligence due the following verses.

Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
    Nor stands in the path of sinners,
    Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    And in His law he meditates day and night.

Almost all commentary on this Psalm mentions that the Hebrew word translated “blessed” is actually plural. It reveals the exceeding amount of blessing to the righteous man. Often times in my youth when faced with a moral decision I chose the obviously wrong plan of action fully aware of the consequences. I justified thinking that the benefit of doing the wrong thing was worth the punishment for it. What I failed to realize was the blessing that came with making the right decision. Not always in the immediate material world does making the right decision lead to blessing which reward fully, and motivate the decider to wise action, but always in the eternal, now invisible, God blesses the righteous.

There is a progression going on here in this Psalm, as we can see the unrighteous actions becoming more and more permanent. It begins with walking, then progresses to standing, and ultimately ends with siting. At each escalation the position is more permanent. There is a clear progression from action to mission, and mission to identity.

Walking is representative of action. It’s a temporary event that is easy to repent from and never return to. It’s the slip-up which must be quickly confessed so that it does not grow into greater sin. On the converse side think of people who are walking with God,  or walking our their faith. The expression is not about eternal salvation, or specific mission, but is about the practical outworking of their purpose in action.

Standing is representative of mission. Think of “we’re taking a stand against ____” or “stand up for your rights!” Standing is when a certain sinful disposition becomes the primary activity, or goal in daily life. This is a position that expresses mission. On the converse side we see in Scripture the role of “standing in the gap” being the mission of interceding for a specific purpose as seen in Ezekiel 22:30 and Habakkuk 2:1.

Sitting is representative of identity. This is when one is totally resigned to their sinful position, and they’re identifying themselves by their sin. Think of the LGBT community. It has become the fad to identify by a sexual orientation. Or perhaps many heterosexual young men who derive their masculinity from successful promiscuity. The sin becomes not only the action or the mission, but the identity. Now think of the converse side. Ephesians 2:6 tells us we seated in heaven with Jesus.

This progression is the way sin creeps into life. It starts with walking in sin, then progresses to standing, until ultimately we’re totally identifying with it, and are sitting squarely in the middle of sin. Casting Crowns calls it “a slow fade“.

God works exactly opposite. God doesn’t expect us to begin working for righteousness until we somehow manage to attain it, and so become identified as righteous. No, on the contrary He takes broken messed up sinners right where they are, with all of their habits, and wrong priorities, and all kinds of problems and issues and seats them in heaven with Christ. He gives a new nature and new identity with no perquisite other than faith in God (2 Peter 1:4; 2 Corinthians 5:17). This change of nature is just that, a new nature. When nature is changed, a shift of mission and action is natural, and by that I mean it is the logical product of sitting in heaven with Christ.

When given this new nature the righteous will be found in verse 2 delighting and mediating in God, with God, and through God’s word. There’s an immersion into new life, that beckons the heart to go deep in authentic relationship. The focus then is not only abstaining from evil, but attaining good. “Taste and see that the Lord is good!” -Psalm 34:8

In closing I’m reminded of the grand old hymn Just as I am:

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need in Thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, Thy love unknown
Hath broken every barrier down;
Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, of that free love
The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove,
Here for a season, then above,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

-Charlotte Elliott