from vertigo to focus

Psalm 121:1-3, "I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot slip-he who watches over you will not slumber;"

I was reading Dr. Constable's commentary and BAM it hit me why I love Colorado so much...or at least the explanation of what the mountains do and why, although God is everywhere, I feel so close to Him there.  

As the psalmist journeyed to Mt. Zion to worship God at one of the annual feasts, he looked up to the mountains and reflected on his source of help.  His source of help was the very One who made those hills and heaven and earth.  Although I am not an Israelite, I am a fellow journeyer.  When I see the mountains, I know who made them and the One who made them is the same One who watches over me.  He doesn't slumber.  In fact, it's when I go to sleep that He is probably hard at work because I have finally relinquished what I think is my control over my life.

My challenge is to look to the ordinary and see God in ALL things so I have the same experience.  I find it easy looking at clouds and sunsets...but to look at the house He provides for me to live in, the school He provides for me to work in, the traffic light that provides some order to what would be chaos even though it is currently making me wait...

My challenge is also to relinquish my control in my waking moments to the One who does not slumber.  And when I trip to say, "Yep, God...I was trying to do that on my own."  And focus my eyes back on the One who made even me...fearfully, wonderfully, perfect through Jesus.

ripples in the water

Psalm 120:1-2, "I call on the Lord in my distress, and He answers me.  Save me, O Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues."

God's will is for us to live peaceably with one another.  If we follow His greatest commands...to love Him with all our heart, soul and minds and we love our neighbors as ourselves...THIS would be the result.  But in our flesh, we somehow manage to get this all messed up. 

The psalmist sets a great example we can use.  He cries out to God for God to deal with them knowing God's will for us to live peaceably and His promise to love His people.  In a time when the Israelites were scattered in different gentile nations, the would make a pilgrimage to Mount Zion for their annual feasts and would sing these songs as they ascended Mount Zion.  They cried out to God for deliverance.

It's a good reminder for us all...on both ends.  To live at peace with others, and to cry out to God to handle us when trouble comes.  In my classroom at the top of my white board I write a verse that remains their all year to remind my students of something similar.  Romans 12:18, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."  Someone once told me this as they were holding me accountable to behave in this way during a rough patch with someone.  Even then, I am to live at peace with them/him/her.  I learned to trust God that He would save me in my distress.  Funny thing is I received the peace...which led me to live in peace.  It's a wonderful ripple effect that can go without end.  Can you see the ripple throughout the world if we all did it?  

no humpty dumpty here

Psalm 119:165, "Great peace have they who love Your law, and nothing can make them stumble."

Beautiful verse.  For whatever reason, it spoke to me and yet I didn't completely understand it.  I think it goes back to that peace that surpasses all understanding.  

Surely, I have stumbled in this life.  And even more surely, I will stumble again as I live in a world that is so far from perfect in my human flesh that messes up pretty consistently.  So what does it mean?

In the LONGEST psalm, the psalmist has gone through what God's Word means to him.  He talks of the power of God's Word, the blessing of it.  He appreciates God's Word and asks for a greater understanding of it.  He is committed to God's Word and confident in it.  God's Word is the object of hope, reliable, permanent, sweet.  It is a light for our path and vindicates those who follow it.  It shows the righteous characterof God and brings joy.

So what then?  Knowing His Word brings joy...and peace.  It's a firm foundation and a refuge...a touchstone.  When you seek to understand it in whole you realize that His Word is more than just rules it is a loving guide and when challenges come, we have assurance that it is all working together for good even when it's not clear in the moment.

God's Word had this effect on the psalmist.  But, it's not just for the ancients.  It is relevant and invaluable today.    It affects every area of our life and is essential to all of life.  So when I might stumble, it is without fear and uncertainty because I know and love His Word and the promises therein...that He loves me and is for me and knows me.  That is sweet peace.

seek Him

Psalm 119: 147, 151, "I raise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in Your Word....Yet You are near, O Lord, and all Your commands are true."  

Such a sweet time in God's Word today.  I found several quotes and words that encouraged me and just made me fall more in love with my sweet Savior who gave His all so I could have life to the full!

Spurgeon, in writing about this section, wrote, "...He who has been with God in the closet will find Him in the furnace.  If we have cried, we SHALL be answered (emphasis mine).  Delayed answers may drive us to importunity; but we need not fear the ultimate result, since Gods promises are not uncertain, but are 'founded forever.'"

I had to look up "importunity" to find out what it means.  It is, "the earnestness and perseverance in presenting requests to God on behalf of oneself and others; seen in persistent pleading, faithful intercession and bold appeal." (Bible Gateway resources)

Thomas Brooks (quoted by Spurgeon) said, "God looks not at the elegancy of your prayers, to see how neat they are; nor yet at the geometry of your prayers, to see how long they are; nor yet at the arithmetic of your prayers to see how many they are; not yet at the music of your prayers, nor yet at the sweetness of your voice, nor yet at the logic of your prayers; but at the sincerity of your prayers, how hearty they are."

What He wants is to hear you.  He knows what is in your heart and wants you just to come to Him and share it with Him.  Doesn't matter what it "sounds" like...even if it's just groans or the only thing you can get out is "Jesus".  In my searching I found another quote (not sure of the original writer) but it states, "God's willingness to give exceeds our ability to ask."  

Mind. Blown.

heart beats

Psalm 119:111-112, "Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart, my heart is set on keeping Your decrees to the very end."

One of many cool things about God's Word is that once it is on your heart, it is there forever.  It's not a material possession that can be taken away from you.  And when that little stinker satan tries to tell you lies or tempts you,  it is the Truth you hold on to and go back to. 

I had to look up what statutes meant in the Bible to understand the full context of it.  It is the law, yes, but not just the thou shall nots, but also the bigger ideas of how to live life.  The Israelites considered it huge to obey God's statutes in order to obtain His blessings in their lives.  

God gave us these statutes so that life might go well with us.  He gave them to us so He could give us the blessing of more of Him when we are in close relation with Him...that is why they are the joy of the heart.  Keeping them close, keeping His blessing is what the heart is set on.  

John 10:10 says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full."  God gave us His Word that we may have life...and joy.  Keep Him close to your heart.

life preserver

Psalm 119: 92-93, "If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.  I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life."

Hard times are coming...if you're not already in the midst of it.  I haven't yet figured out a way to avoid them and I haven't yet seen anyone else skate through life unscathed either.  I cringe in a way because I have been in a decent spot for a while.  Which in my mind somewhere means there will be a trial coming again.  

The difference now is that I'm not a "doomsday prepper".  I know it's coming, but I have hope and joy.  Because in the past, in the hard times, I clung to the Truth in God's Word that He is with me, He loves me and He is good.  BUT...I clung to His Truth because I already knew it.  The tough times made me dig deeper and cling harder but I already knew His promises.  

Didn't make the crazy times disappear, didn't make it any easier...except that there is this "peace that passes all understanding"  Sounds crazy, right?!  But it's real...and you can ask any believer that has walked through or is in the valley.  In the valley is when you depend on the Good Shepherd to get you through just as all sheep do. No bitterness.  No anger.   

Having His Word in your heart and on your mind makes it a delight even in difficulties.  It is an anchor and a hope and they preserve my life.

http://kathystenmostwanted.blogspot.com/2013/07/satans-sifting.html

already enough

Psalm 119:68, "You are good, and what You do is good; teach me Your decrees."

If you get nothing else, get this.  God is good...ALL the time.  It's not cliche.  It is Truth.  He is God.  I am not.  I don't get to understand.  I don't get to have all the answers.  I trust.  I trust His Word.  I learn His Word. I cling to Him.  For He is Good and I will praise Him.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZaGFNCI7zM

John 3:30

Psalm 119:36, "Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain."

There's really nothing clever here, nothing smart to say.  Just a prayer that this would be my daily prayer.  That God would be first on my heart and that all that I say and do would be for His glory and not my own.  Sounds easy, sounds simple.  But it's not for me...so I pray, "Lord help my heart turn toward your Word and laws and not toward my own desires and wants.  Help me remember that 'With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.' (Mark 10:27). Thank you for the grace and mercy You show me as I try to make myself less and make You greater." 

wonderful things

Psalm 119:18, "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law."

From the time we are but wee tots, rules always seemed like a rip-off and a "drag".  They are EVERYwhere.  Society, school, family.  Then there are the unwritten rules that are just known but not written anywhere.  It can seem overwhelming.  And in our flesh, disobeying, bending, or breaking them can be a huge temptation to our fulfill our desires...or to just be rebellious and the thrill therein. 

There are rule followers and rule breakers (I lean toward rule-follower...the guilt just kills me and I'm a horrid liar).  There are those who take the law and live so rigidly and add their own unwritten laws to their lives that there is no joy.  Or the law becomes their joy to wield it over others.   The Pharisees were a lot like this.  They live perfect lives on the outside, but their hearts were pretty yucky on the inside...and Jesus called them out on it.

Then, there are those who don't want to follow Jesus because there are all those rules...and they might have to give up the very sin that they so enjoy, but really brings no life.  That's the thing though, God's laws set you free...free from the bondage of sin.  They bring untold joy.  But you may have to look a little deeper than the surface to find out why...that is what the psalmist was asking God to help him do.  Help me see the wonderful things...beyond the words.  

In my own life, I found that living by the two greatest commandments...to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind and to love others as yourself take care of every other law.   When you are focused on putting God first and being kind...everything else falls in line.  It's so simple.  It is SO SIMPLE.  I dream of the world that might be like this...my eternal home.  And in the interim, I hold hope that the current world in which I live could look a little more like this...when we see the wonderful things in His law.

put your hands in the air like you don't care

Psalm 118:14, "The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation."

Worship is my favorite part of church...no offense to any of the teachers at my church...they are amazing and I learn, and am convicted, so much.  But communal worship, my eyes closed, voices raised, broken people coming to God aware of how awesome He is and how flawed we are...it is a sweet, sweet place. 

There were two occasions:  One, people were getting baptized from our church in the park and we were worshipping before.  My husband leaned over and said, "This is what Heaven will be like."  Two, we were at a Chris Tomlin concert.  People outside the place where I worship feel more "free" to raise their hands in worship while they sing.  I love to do this as well.  It was an entire venue of people with their hands in the air, worshipping in complete abandon.  I leaned over to my daughter and said, "This is what Heaven will be like."

God put a new song in my heart.  I can't help raise my hands.  He redeemed me and I am want to sing...a lot.  And He gave me untold joy.  So, I like to laugh a lot...often at myself.  Enjoy Tim Hawkins...he's hilarious.  By the way, I'm a big-screen, fish-lying,  school room, village people kinda girl 😄

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TK2_ezOBa2A

"I'm not short, I'm fun-sized"

Psalm 117:1-2, "Praise the Lord, all the nations; extol Him, all you peoples.  For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever...Praise the Lord"

The shortest of all the psalms is sweetly powerful and to the point.  The psalmist calls on ALL people to praise God for two of His qualities...His faithfulness and loyal love to His people.  Synonyms for extol are to glorify or boast about...and the reasons are good.  His loyal love is great and His truth lasts forever whereas human loyalty has limits and we are consistently not truthful.  

He's all that we are not.  He is a faithful God.  100% loyal, reliable, truthful and trustworthy.   Get behind that!  He goes before, beside and behind us and is worthy of our all.

be still

Psalm 116:7, "Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you."

When you look back over your life and know that the Lord has been so good to you.  More often than not, however, I need this reminder for myself to just rest in Him...to "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). I'm working on it.
What's "funny" is Psalm 46:10 has also been on John's heart as well.  Then Ashley and I saw this at the Air Force Academy Chapel.  #whenGodkeepsgivingyousigns 

Be at rest, O my soul...

you are what you eat

Psalm 115:11, 13 "You who fear Him, trust in the Lord-He is their help and shield...He will bless those who fear the Lord-small and great alike."

You know the old expression, "You are what you eat"?  The same could be said here about the psalmist warning the Israelites that they will become what they worship.  They can become like the worthless pagan idols with mouths that do not speak, ears that do not hear, hands that do not feel, feet that do not walk... (v. 5-8).  He encouraged them to trust the Lord, look to Him, praise and worship Him and thereby become more like Him.  

The same is true of us.  If we look to our neighbors and others, if we look to the almighty dollar to define us...that will become what we worship, look like, act like and we will blur lines about what is acceptable/desirable to get there.  When we look to God through His people, in His Word, in prayer we become more like Him.  When we filter our thoughts, words and actions through another old saying, "WWJD...What Would Jesus Do?" we become more like Him. 

The best thing is that He is a "Come as you are" God.  He doesn't care what your bank account looks like or who you know.  He blesses us because when He looks at those who fear Him, who have trusted Christ, He sees His Son.  He blesses indiscriminately to bring glory and others to Him.  So who will you follow?  What will you eat?  May I suggest following the footprints of the only Perfect person to walk the earth and a little of  that sweet manna from Heaven? It will bless you and the bill has already been paid.  

omnipresent, omnipotent

Psalm 114:7, "Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob,"

Sung at Passover, this psalm reminds the Israelites of God's provision and presence with them during the Exodus.  But He is not a God of "one and done".  He did not leave them then and He does not leave us now.

The psalmist reminded the Israelites of His might and power.  He not only split the Red Sea for them to cross, He also sent back the waters of the Jordan River for them to enter into the Promise Land.  He made the water like a wall of rock allowing them to pass.  Conversely, He made water gush forthe from the rocks as provision for the water the Israelites needed for life.  When He came down to Sinai to talk with them, the very mountains quaked (like rams).  

Creation knows to tremble before Him and follow His will.  He is worthy of our praise.  He is with us and will never leave us.  The God of Jacob is our mighty God.

it's all in the name

Psalm 113:3, "From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised,..."

The psalmist uses this psalm to tell God's people that the name of the Lord and all it represents make Him worthy of praise.  He then gives them some reasons:  He is the Sovereign ruler over all the earth and He pays attention to His creatures spiritually exalting the poor and underprivileged.  As Dr. Constable wrote, "The Lord is worthy of praise because He graciously gives great blessing to those who have no hope of obtaining them from any other source."

He has many names and they all mean something intimately to the person who says them or sees them.  Today, some of my favorites are "Abba Father" "Jehovah Rapha" and "Jehovah Jireh".  

I love the intimacy of Abba Father...Abba is an Aramic word for Father, but it shows a deep, deep intimacy...it has the feel of all that is wrapped up in the word Dad-not just the physical provisions a father provides but that deep sense of longing and love and security.  My apologies, because I am failing in putting it into words that convey all that it means to me.

Jehovah Rapha because He is a healer...not just physically, but spiritually and emotionally when I have needed healing from past hurts done by others or done by myself.  Jehovah Jireh because He has provided for me.  In times when I saw no way out of a mess, He not only delivered He showed off so there is no way to say it was done by man's hand...Only God.

What does His name mean to you today?  Whatever it is, He is worthy of all praise!

by the dawn's early light

Psalm 112:4, "Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man."

It may sound odd, but one of my favorite things about Jesus Christ being my Savior and being redeemed is the peace that comes with it.  This is even more so during times of trial or the valleys in life.  There is a hope that cannot be taken away because it is a possession of the heart and mind guarded fiercely by the Holy Spirit in me.

Today, as I type, I am looking out over "purple mountains majesty" on July 4 and thinking about the "small town" parade (it's a camp, not a small town...but the same feel) that will be happening.  There's a feeling that is almost unexplainable and honestly forgettable to me most of the rest of the year as I often take my freedoms for granted.  My daughter will be in the parade with the other campers...she will look for my face even though she won't acknowledge my existence in front of her peers (she knows full well that embarrassing them is one of my sweetest joys 😊😊) Even this is a treasured freedom some places of the world will never know.

And as true to the female mind, I was off on another trail...thinking about another time when light dawned in the darkness.  A young man named Frances Scott Key had been sent to negotiate the release of some American prisoners with the British aboard one of the ships of the British fleet.  Able to negotiate their release, he was not allowed yet to leave because of the impending attack on Baltimore.  From there, he watched the attack on Fort McHenry.  He stated, "It seemed as though mother earth had opened and was vomiting shot and shell in a sheet of fire and brimstone." He was certain the British had won, but in the clearing smoke of "the dawn's early light" he saw the American flag flying over the fort.  

Our country is so far from perfect...it really always has been.  As a history teacher, I cringe at some of the atrocities that are part of our story.  But truth be told, we are all like that.  None of us, NOT A ONE, is living a perfect life.  But I am proud of my country and grateful for my freedoms (ie:  just being able to write this).   And I am in love with a PERFECT Savior.  Because of Him, light always dawns in darkness...and I am eternally grateful.  

my cup overflows

Psalm 111:9, "He sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever.  Holy and awesome are His name!" (ESV)

No other god, no other religion can claim this.  He sent redemption to us.  It is not earned, it is a gift.  From the beginning, He knew our sinful nature.  He gave the law to show us we could not live up to the law.  We could not live up to the standard of holy/perfect.  We don't do life on repeat until we reach a higher level.  

God gave the Mosaic Covenant, the Ten Commandments, as a code to live by.  When His people were within the law, He showered His blessings on Him.  But, repeatedly the people could not live to the standard; so they offered sacrifices to restore relationship...and they tried again.  This repeated so many times and finally in His anger, He was silent and His people did not hear from Him for hundreds of years.  

They needed a Savior.  So, He sent a New Covenant.  He sent redemption to His people.  Jesus came and lived His perfect life to take the punishment of our sins upon Him as the perfect sacrificial lamb to restore relationship.  This covenant would last forever.  If you believe that Jesus died for your sins and take Him as your Savior, you are redeemed...perfect in the eyes of God because He sees Jesus when He sees you.

I picture an Edenic society where all people lived under the only two commandments we really need...that we love the Lord God will all our heart, soul, and mind; and that we love our neighbor as ourself.  When our eyes are focused on God, love overflows.  It is a perfect circle that just runs over and flows out.  When we love, breaking the laws/codes of our society become a non-issue because we are looking/putting others above ourself and we put God above all else.

It's a gift.  It cost you nothing.  It cost Him everything.  He did it out of love because Holy and AWESOME is His name.  

pinky swear

Psalm 110:1,4, "The Lord says to my Lord: 'Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for your feet...The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, 'You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."

Here in a seemingly random place, David rather than having a conversation with God hears a conversation between the Lord (Yahweh-God the Father) and his Lord (Adonay-God the Son).  Dr. Constable points out that the 3 psalms preceding are a plea for God's help and the 3 psalms following are praises for His deliverance.  This psalm is a statement of who God is.  Put that way it is not so seemingly random.  

And yet...it is a psalm solely about proclaiming who Jesus is.  So...not random, just stands out to me, comforts me, encourages me, convicts me.

Jesus was who He said He was.  Jesus, His whole life did His Father's will.  Jesus will reign as king.  We also learn here, He will also serve as a priest.

Jesus sits at the right hand of God.  He sits in a position of authority until He returns when He will reign.  He was sent by God to live a sinless life (a sacrificial lamb) and die as a substitute for our sin so we might have fellowship again with God.  His whole life He was ALL about doing the Father's will.  When He died on the cross, His task was completed.  He rose and sits at the right hand of the Father as God intended.  In this time until He returns, the church (you and me) are suppose to gather as many as we can to Him by sharing the good news (2 Peter 3:9).  When he returns (as kingly lion), He will rule.  God will subdue all the nations/wicked that have not believed and Jesus will rule with them as His footstool.  Not only will He be our King, He will also be our Priest (as Melchizedek was) as we worship the Lord.  

So, it comforts me that God is exactly who He said He is.  It encourages me because it reminds me that He is Sovereign and in charge...nothing surprises Him and He is always working for our good.  It convicts me because I need to be doing more to share who Jesus is so others will believe in Him, have eternal life and share in His great inheritance.  For He has said it and He will not change His mind. 

sleep tight

Psalm 109:27, "Let them know that it is Your hand, that You, O Lord, have done it."

I remember when that horrible picture of ISIS on the beach with those Christians was circulating.  And the hatred in my heart was astounding.  I also remember the Sunday afterward in some portion of the message hearing about Paul and how he was the most hated persecutor of Christians in their day.  And God used him to make him the most influential evangelizer of the good news of Jesus...his influence continuing to this day as we read from his 13 books in the New Testament.  And the soft reminder that as we often pray for God to vindicate evil that we should also pray for the salvation of the wicked and pray that there would be a Paul amongst them remembering that our God is bigger than any earthly evil.  I also remember recently the pastor talking about sinning in our anger...this right after the death of a young man in our church.  

When we don't often understand, we start to question why.  When you are not yet deeply rooted we question God and even His existence.  David didn't do either of these things.  He trusted God.  He laid his enemies before God to let God deal with them as we should all do.  I learned a decade or so ago that hate is a big ole burden I didn't want to carry around.  David prayed God would take care of the enemies that were chasing him and cursing the needy.  He did not do so to watch the vindication take place, but so they may know God was who He said He was.  He wanted vindication for God's sake-for His name.  Thus, David didn't sin taking vengeance into his own hands.  That's God's work in God's time.

My pastor has said that he is often asked how he is able to sleep at night with the conditions of our world and the burdens of our church on his mind.  He rightly stated that he sleeps great because he knows that when He is sleeping God is hard at work because he has finally quit trying to interfere in His business and has left the work to Him.  Sleep is a sign of faith that God's got this.  

And when God does His thing, in His way, in His time they will know that it was His hand that accomplished it.  So pray and rest well.