Psalm 19:1-6 In our world there are many kinds of "speech" - we have the multitude of languages uttered by the tongues of men. We see silent expressions through art and artifacts strewn throughout history ancient and modern. We see our own contemporary scene full of speech- spoken, seen, and read.

Our world is a world of messages and they are being transmitted everywhere. Psalm 19 contains a testimony to a certain mode of divine speech - messages broadcast daily, syndicated through the heavens and the created order, written in true space, not cyberspace.

God is speaking to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear - in the skies above, the universe about us, the speech of God is not hidden and it is revealing true knowledge. Human beings in our very hardened rebellious state of enmity with God suppress this language and pretend we cannot understand its words. But it is clear, crystal, thundering speech, day after constant day pouring forth in God's world. The young child gazing at the stars with a parent, the high school student studying the galaxies and wonders of the far reaches of space, the scientist dreaming of far off world beyond the reaches of our technological instruments - are they looking and hearing? Or just looking? Perhaps another voice is needed as a guide to this voice - but the speech continues to come, and to come and to come. Without need of universal translation software algorithms, this speech is heard by all in whom the image of God takes residence. Suppress the speech or respond to hear more from the author? Such is the dilemma of humanity - will she run to or from her creator.

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.

When you look at majestic mountains, powerful rivers, towering glories in the heavens above - remember to listen, and to worship not that which you see, but the unseen hands that wrought all things. As we listen, we know there is more to be heard, another word that comes to us...such is the message in the rest of this Psalm...

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Psalm 17 - The Refuge of a Great Shadow

In this Psalm David is crying out ot God in the midst of trouble - surrounded by enemies. The Psalm is segmented out first in a Plea for God's help. David pleads his case based on his righteous life - he was not a deceitful man. He had been tested by God and proven true in his way. He was not perfect in his soul - a sinless man - but rather in this circumstance in his life he had walked well in the midst of those who pursued his llife. Next we see David's petition for god to hear his words. As with many of the Psalms, here we see the expressed need for a person to be heard by God. Being cognizant of God's hearing is a great reassurement to God's people. David then asks God to Wondrously show (Heb. palah - also used in Psalm 139:14 - in stating that we are fearfully wonderfully made as human beings) his steadfast love to those who seek refuge with Him. David's continued request for refuge from his enemies (described in 10-11 as pitiless, arrogant, a lion eager to tear, lurking in ambush) continues using a couple of idiomatic phrases:

• Keep me as the Apple of your eye - a very sensitive part of the eye - apple, center, or pupil - needs to be protected
• Hide me in the Shadow of your wings - a phrase indicating intimate care and protection.

David calls upon the Lord to confront this enemy. It is interesting that David's description of his enemies describes them as holding a different value system than his own. David's portion is with the Lord - his good, his value is found in God. In contrast, his enemies portion is of the world - in this life alone...they value only the treasures of this life. They are worldlly in their outlook. David closes the contrast by saying he values - the face of the Lord, beholding it in righteousness - when he awakes (this seems to point to a ressurected future - awake from death) he will be satisfied with God.

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Psalm 16 begins with such a resounding statement...Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you." Quite clearly, God, our creator, is the source of all goodness - the moral law flows from his character and it is shared in our own being at some degree. We delight in what is good because it is derivative from Him that is good. To deny God, to flee from the perfections of the holy one, to desire that which is less than Him, is to turn aside to false gods. Verse 4 says that those who run after another god, shall multiply their sorrows...such is the life of those who run after the gods of this world. Finding our joy, our hope, in things, in religions, in achievements only leave the soul barren - stricken with its own sorrows and the incomplete nature of being separated from God. Verse 5 offers quite another way.

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup, you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places, indeed I have a beautiful inheritance.

That inheritance is seen clearly in Ephesians 1:11-14

11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

This inheritance, the kingdom of God and all its blessings, first and foremost the clearest relational reality of Him who is our good, shall be the possession of all those who respond in faith to the crucified and risen Son of God. Such is indeed a mystery, the people called to Christ, from Jew and Gentile, from every tribe, tongue and language - He shall be their portion and inheritance forever in the Kingdom where there is no disgrace of human sin.

Verses 7-11 - It is God who gives instruction and counsel to his people, as we set him before us at all times. Walking, living, and loving in as constant a communion with him that we can, this is the place of his presence, a place of stability, firmness, a place which is not shaken. It is in this, the presence of God at our sides, that we receive a deep gladness of heart - the psalmist declare - my whole being rejoices! Oh, to have such gladness for my own life - some days the raptures of joy are there, but other days it ever dry and weary. The life in His presence is unending as God does not abandon the soul, he makes known to us the path of life, in his presence their is fullness of joy - at his right hand there are pleasures forevermore. Such should be the song of the children of God - to find their deepest and abiding pleasure in God himself and to enjoy and love all others, and other things only for his sake.

Quick Note on Verse 10 - This is quoted by Paul in Acts 13:35 - referencing this to Jesus - that this Psalm predicts and points to the resurrection of Christ himself. Thus this Psalm serves as a great reminder of his resurrection and of our own - coming in the glorious inheritance we await.

Out...

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Psalm 14 The Fool (a morally deficient term) says in his heart There is no God. Atheism is an irrational denial of that which we know to be true. Truly, there is a God:

Truly there is a God, although the fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. AND so, Lord, do thou, who dost give understanding to faith, give me, so far as thou knowest it to be profitable, to understand that thou art as we believe; and that thou art that which we believe. And indeed, we believe that thou art a being than which nothing greater can be conceived. Or is there no such nature, since the fool hath said in his heart, there is no God?

Indeed, Romans 1:18-20 tell us that all people truly, in some way, know there is a God, even amidst a denial or suppression of that truth. To deny what one knows - is in fact the work of fools. The attending result in verse 1 is that they are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good. God looks down on humanity to see if any understands and seeks God - and as Romans 3 echos, there is none who does good, not even one.

Human beings in turn will do great evil to one another, and will not call upon the Lord who could help then. But God is with the generation of the righteous - those who are his people - he is to bring salvation and restitution, and this brings great terror and certain to the minds of those who flee from God. This salvation will come out of Zion - when God restores the fortunes of his people - this, is a reason for rejoicing and gladness for the people of God.

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Psalm 13 The appropraite response of a believer, who knows the justice and righteousness of God will be made known and prevail will call out to him "How Long, O Lord..." How long shall we be in this situation, how long will we grievein sorrow, how long shall enemies be over the world? Even in such times when the heavens seem silent, times as the Puritan's would call "God's dessertions" - even in such times, the Psalmist's example is to trust...Trust in God's character (steadfast love, sing in his salvation) He will sing to His Lord - because he has dealt bountifully with me.

How then does one sing in the bounties of the Lord - even in the midst of sorrow and feelings of longing before God? The Blessings of the glorious one extend to the soul are beyond this world - they are spiritual blessings in the Heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3) extended by grace to God's children in this world - yes, even in the midst of sorrow.

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Psalm 12 In this present age there is a a contrast in Words

The world and its words

• Uttering lies to his neighbor
• Flattering lips and a double heart - they speak
• The tongue makes great boasts
• Rhetoric is seen as the triumphant tool - With our tongue we will prevail

God and his Word

• Pure Words (no falsehood or pretense - life giving...His Word is kept - we can trust them.

God indeed responds to those who are poor and plundered. He hears the cries of the oppressed. The Psalm ends with a great promise...You, O Lord, will keep them, you will guard this generation forever. Even in the midst of a troubled world, full of wickedness, vileness, and sin - God will bring his people safely home - even through death.

Out...

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The Psalmist will not yield to the admonition to flee...even in the face of real threats:

1. The danger of attacks by those who are evil...
2. The destruction of the foundations - the very principles upon which a peaceable society can exist.

The reason he will not be shaken is given in verse 4-7 - God is still on the throne - even in the midst of troubles and undoing chaos in society - God is still God. The righteous will be tested - but his relationship with God is a different species than the relationship of God with the wicked. Perhaps one of the stronger statements in the Bible - his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence. Let him rain coals on the wicked and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. Such statements at first glance unsettle the soul - Could God, the God who is Love, hate anyone? But at second glance would we ever prefer God to love that which is evil? Would we delight in a God who loved violence, destruction, and the heinous crimes of men? It seems that a God who is both loving and just is the delight of the soul - the forgiven soul who has taken refuge in Christ. The Psalm ends with a reaffirmation to the righteous - possibly the righteous who suffer in pain - the Lord's character has not shifted, indeed he is rigtheous, he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.

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Psalm 10 Psalm 10 displays the questions that arise in the face of injustice and human evil in the world. The Psalmist comes before God with the question "Why?" It is not a rebellious "Why" it is not a "Why" spoken in anger or defiance of the reality of God's character. This "Why" is spoken in the face of brazen, arrogant, oppressive sin...where people live as if there is no God and do not fear his judgement or his severity. Verses 1-11 carry this theme and culminate in the height of arrogance from the oppressor. Verse 11 - He says in his heart, "God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it" Such a person is denying the omniscience and omnipresence of God - that he indeed knows, and is present in the midst of our actions - yes, even our terrible thoughts and deeds. The Psalmist proceeds with a strong plea to God for judgement in verses 12-15 - God's attributes of knowing and being presence are reaffirmed in verse 14 "But you do see" - God indeed is the helper of the helpless and the fatherless. The Psalm ends with some reminders:

• That God is King - His Sovereign Lordship
• That he hears the afflicted and He will strengthen their hearts - such an encouragement for the downtroden and the faint of heart - God will strenthen, encourage and lift up all who are weary.
• God will do justice to the most vulnerable - the fatherless and the oppressed.
• God's final judgement of man is echoed - "do justice...so that the man who is of the earth may strike terror no more"

Such a day is coming...Jesus, will judge the living and the dead at his appearing...until then our cries are heard, and our cries in the midst of this sin soaked world will indeed well up from our souls - Oh God, how long! Finally, the watching eyes of Heaven see every oppressive and wicked dead of women and men, including our own...Such is the revelation in Psalm 10, and there is grace for every person snared by their own sin.

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Psalm 9:17-20 It is common for people to forget God - to act as if he does not exist, even while believing he does. It is easy to see the poor, the destitute, the oppressed and think that God has forsaken them...the cry to God is that he would be known, that he would show his righteous judgments, that people, the nations, would know and acknowledge that they are mere men - humbled before a great creator....this questioning continues in Psalm 10... --------

Psalm 7 God is the refuge of the believer - his place of safety and dwelling is in God himself. In verses 6 - 11 God is displayed as the righteous Judge of all people - it is God who "Tests the minds and hearts" of people. God is indignant towards sin. This is easy to say without the pronoun "my" - but to say "God who feels indignation every day" towards my sin. This is reason to rejoice in the saving Grace of Christ - without whom we face a righteous judge for all of our sins. Sese Grudem on the Righteousness of God The Psalm closes with a reminder in verse 12 - If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and readied his bow. See Jesus' call for repentence in Luke 13:1-5

Psalm 8
This is a great Psalm of worship of which many a song has been written. O Lord, our Lord how majestic is you name - God's glory is far above all things. The psalmist looks at the heavens, the work of the hand of God and he feels the immensity of God's works and the smallness of his own life. What is man that you even care about him? This tiny creature, on a speck of dirt called earth, flying through a vast and glorious universe. What indeed is humanity that God would care so much for him? A little lower than the angels and crowned with Honor - man has been placed as the steward of creation - the image bearer of God himself. A proper view of nature and its wonders - and the place of human beings in the created world - should provoke worship...the psalm ends as it begins - Oh Lord how majestic is your name in all the earth.

Psalm 9:1-2
When we think of all that God has done - his creation, his plan of redemption unfolding throughout the ages, his inclusion of us in his church - his called out people - the only appropriate response is seen in verse 1 - I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart. Verse 2 continues this heart and mindset - I will be glad and exult in you...singing praise to the name of the Most High. To exult we do not use such language today - what does this mean? To exult means to rejoice, be joyful, to celebrate in great triumph. The Triumph of God in all things - his glorious nature and works should cause in our hearts exaltation.

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Well, a few weeks back, well - I had a great week. Things were peachy and smooth. Stuff was just on point - things fell in place - God blessed our ministry and family relationships in a powerful way.

This week is great, but not because it was GREAT! It was part of the struggle of life in a sin sick fallen world, but life to be thankful for nonetheless.

First, my 1 year old got sick - always hard to see little one's in pain. Next, the stomach monster went from Ky to Momma. When Mom is sick - life gets chaotic. All the brothers out there who are Dads can say "Amen" with me at this time.

I also learned about myself during this "down time" - I had planned to finish 5 seminary papers doing Biblical theologies on NT books/themes. The papers due date had been extended from late Nov, until the end of Dec. They were due before 2005. The sickness was going to require my papers to be late - and affect my grade perhaps. For some reason this frustrated me privately. I knew the right thing to do was to be with my kids and love them while Mom was out of commission. I knew this to be right, I felt it to be right - it just was right. And I felt great purpose in caring for my family.

But for some reason, in a separate part of the soul, I just was disappointed about my papers laying around late. Sometimes I just care about silly stuff, getting all As, knocking every ball out of the park. But this was a great week because God broke through into my stupidity.

I just was able to not care if the papers were late or not - it just ceased to bother me. And when it became time to write the last one. It came out with great fluidity. A grace was on the process so that it finished much quicker than I anticipated.

There is great sorrow in this world, and we have but very small problems. I am thankful that this week was hard...another sort of week that in some provendential economy is good for us as well.

Out...

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