A Meditation on Matthew 1:21

Matthew 1:21 (ESV) ²¹ She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

She…one word…She. She…will bear a son. There was a woman long ago, favored by God and chosen by his providence to bring forth the Son of God. She was purposed before the ages began, her seed’s victory promised after the devilish deception of darkness which came upon Eden, and she had the good news realized in her womb in the fullness of time. She will bear a son. Through her womb, through a lineage, through a home, through the myriad upon myriads of lives and stories and deaths over time…the myriad of the line of Abraham would find fruit in her belly by the power of the very God who names the stars. Yes, she would be overshadowed – this story is not about her. The Almighty’s work in her was his own. And she rejoiced in it. To bring about in flesh, the Son sent from the Father's side, to the scorched earth, cracked with Sin below. And This Son would not be just anyone. He would not be a no name nomad wandering about building ancient furniture with his own calloused hands…though he he was and built many a chair or table. No, this Son would also have a name. Yet not a name unknown to the people of God. Yeshua, Joshua, The Lord Saves…a fitting name. Yes, there was a Joshua long ago who led great exploits…but only so the name might have greater weight when placed upon another. Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Yes, there is something about that name. This name, which was commanded of an angel to Joseph, and placed upon the child by this earthly father of clay would be a name which would be spoken upon the lips of men, women and children for all times. Some of these lips would drip guile and spew venom, yes, even “Crucify!” Yet for others that name would be…

• the name above all names
• the name of sweetness
• the name of joy
• the name of comfort
• the name of hope
• the name of grace
• the name of forgiveness
• the name of propitiation and sacrifice
• the name of passion
• the name of peace
• the name of friendship with God
• Yes, Yes, the name of salvation…for he will save his people from their sins…

His people – who are they? O for the manifest wisdom and grace of God. That before he flung into being billions of galaxies he knew his people. This Jesus knew them, yes his people were foreknown and predestined, then called, then justified, then glorified…to be like God – his people, changed from dust to glory. His people…red, black, yellow, white - from every tribe tongue and language his people would be called forth. His People...that I am in such a number I know not why. Sick pride stay far from me, for salvation has nothing to do with your worth. But the one whom is named Jesus, his work, his worth, his passion, his grace, his friendship, his salvation is my only boast.

Matthew 1:21 (ESV) ²¹ She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

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Very Good Comments by Greg Koukl on John 14:6

Justin Taylor at Theologica has linked to a good little discussion the the Stand to Reason Blog Link - Way, Truth, Life

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Meditations on John 1:1-34

The Word Became…

There is no more startling and puzzling and marvelous and mysterious and heart thrilling concept in the entire Bible as this simple phrase found in John’s gospel. This Word (the divine Logos which was with God and was God, became flesh). The first question this provokes is this – What does it mean for God – infinite in being and perfections – to become something at all. By definition God cannot become other than he is, he cannot undergo mutation or violation of his nature. But yet this God did become! And what was it that he became? The divine Son, the pre-existent Logos who was with the Father before the Word began, became flesh. The brightness of deity put on the dim cloak of humanity, glory became dust, and dust became glorious. Did such a becoming do violence to the divine nature – my brothers, we must say NO! Rather, this becoming was a conjoining of natures in the one person – the divine taking on a lesser nature, but yet not a confusion of the divine with the human. One person, two natures – the wondrous God-Man Christ Jesus did step upon the earth.

For orthodox theology has specially insisted that Christ was not a being apart from God and man, like an elf, nor yet a being half human and half not, like a centaur, but both things at once and both things thoroughly, very man and very God. GK Chesterton, Orthodoxy (New York: NY, Image books, 1959) 93. Originally published: New York: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1908.

In the midst of the mud and dirt of earth, in the midst of the sweat and blood of human flesh, God tabernacled, God dwelt among his own creation. Though the pristine glory of the one true God, upon which no man may directly gaze, was shrouded in the humanity, nonetheless the beauty of this man shone forth the being of God. “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father” was the message – his very life was the beauty of God in perfected humanity.

He was the meekest and lowliest of all the sons of men, yet he spoke of coming on the clouds of heaven with the glory of God. He was so austere that evil spirits and demons cried out in terror at his coming yet He was so genial and winsome and approachable that the children loved to play with Him and the little ones nestled in His arms. No one was half so kind or compassionate to sinners yet no one ever spoke such red-hot scorching words about sin… His whole life was love. Yet on one occasion he demanded of the Pharisees how they ever expected to escape the damnation of hell… He saved others but at the last, Himself He did not save. There is nothing in history like the union of contrasts which confront us in the Gospels. The mystery of Jesus is the mystery of divine personality. James Stewart, The Strong Name

This person, the word made flesh, had come to earth to be a lamb, a lamb sacrificed to take away the sin of the world. What a thought! Humanity’s greatest dilemna, was to be remedied by the sacrifice of a lamb, and the lamb was God’s very Son, the 2nd person of the eternal, glorious, holy, unchanging, all powerful, wise, righteous, loving God. Lingered in dust and dirt below the Lord of Glory did bestow

Glory and Honor on Humanity's frame

Never again the world the same Benevolent grace exploding earth’s borders Arrayed by the Father’s purpose and order O heavenly visist enlightening the eyes

Purchased for God the humblest of prize

Reid Monaghan 2005

Out...

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Thoughts on Isaiah 53

When one speaks of events prior to their occurance, questions ought to arise. Either some trickery has occurred or a power beyond this world is at work. When the conjunction of event and prediction is mingled with one claiming to be the suffering Christ of the living God – true humble majesty has been displayed. The prophetic nature of Isaiah 52-53 is startling in its own right – but the content of the one predicted to come is all the more striking. Marvel at the description seen in these chapters. One who is to come would be:

• Marred, beyond human semblance…
• He had no form or majesty that we should look at him
• Despised and rejected by men
• He bore our grief and carried our sorrows
• Wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquity
• Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed
• Upon him was laid the iniquity of us all
• Oppressed, afflicted, as a lamb to the slaughter
• Yet Innocent and being cut off

Such a person would be marvelous indeed, but the Biblical fact that this was very God of very God, the Son of Man, Jesus – the divine and the human conjoined in one person. As such this astounds the mind and thrills the imagination. The humility and servitude of the suffering Christ – for the joy set before him – is the subject of this prophetic passage. Perhaps the most astonishing passage and revealing as to the purposes of God, comes to us in Isaiah 53:10:

Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

Who crushed, and killed, and sacrificed this servant of Isaiah 53? None other, none other, but God, YHWH. It was the will of the Lord to crush Him...Why? He would be the lamb of God, God’s very own sacrifce and substitute for sin would be made by his Christ, he himself being the lamb without blemish (innocent) offered for the sins of humanity. The substitution, propitiation, and intercessory work of God in Christ, is seen here in the humility of the Suffering servant of Isaiah 53.

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Preface to the Meditations on the Ministry of the Son of God

For a class I am taking we are writing our thoughts on the ministry of Jesus, the suffering servant, the Word Made Flesh, the Great High Priest, the Son of God...

There are times in life when you know for certain that you are touching weighty and beautiful things. Some set you in a state of awesome reverence, fixing the mind on puzzling glories. Other times bring a state of humble affections of deep appreciation and gratitude. Yet there is a third moment much sweeter than even both of these precious moments. Such are those with Christ that mingle both the weight of glory in the soul with a heart felt, broken, unimaginable unworthiness standing before beautiful truths.

When one looks upon Jesus, the incarnation, the pre-incarnate Logos who becomes the God-Man Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ of God – the soul of the believer does its best to sing, yet the songs still fall short. For glories beheld in the soul are of a species of reality only seen by the mercies of God. For in the vision of Christ we see divine humility, divine power, and divine grace all merging in one act in history. The arrogant and proud will belittle the humility of the Word taking on flesh. The one with too low of self-worth can not believe that the God of heaven would take on such an estate to suffer and die for unworthy people. In Christ we see humanity valued highly – that God the Father deemed the “human” worthy of his own divine Son. In Jesus we also see the purity of humanity in its pristine state – lived so beautifully, so clean in the midst of world so soaked with the fodder and dirt of sin.

The passages (Isaiah 53, John 1, Hebrews 10) bring to mind both the lofty inner chambers of God (the courts of heaven, the word which was with God, who was God) and the brutality of this world in which our redemption was purchased. Such a transaction was not as easy as swiping a magnetic card through a reader, to issue payment for services rendered– no, this redemption was of higher cost, for a possession of higher value. What was it that brought the Son low to be crucified so that he may be exalted to the highest place? The desire to see the Father's own glory displayed in the Universe and displayed through earthen vessels securing their highest happiness in Him. Yes this purchase was costly, the very broken body and shed blood of our Lord. In this act a people was purchased...a people who would declare the excellencies of Him who brought them out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Off to think about things too wonderful to contain...

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Psalm 21:8-13 - Fear and Rejoice! Evil Shall Be Vanquished

What then of Evil? So many questions throughout time have been asked...why? If God, then what is this? In Psalm 21:8-13 we see a glimpse of the true relationship of God to evil. Sometimes we can think that we care more about the evil and pain caused by human beings than God...yet the heart of God cares more deeply, the hand of God will yet act more completely. For all such evil is a direct affront againstHim, the author of goodness, and the one against whom people rebel. Look at what this Psalm teaches us.

• The Hand of God will find out his enemies (Here "find out" was a word that was used to describe the attack of an enemy with a weapon - not simply seizing him as the NIV translates)
• He will make his enemies as a "fiery furnace" - describing large ovens in the ancient world used for metal working - they consume everything. Enemies of God -- who oppress, who work wickedness -- shall be consumed...
• The success of those who plot and plan against the Lord (verse 11) - will be a great failure.

The devised schemes of evil - moral evil from the devices and schemes of people - shall find a strong dead end at the strong hand of God.

Knowing this...what does it provoke in the one who desires to trust God, and not oppose him. To love him, not despise him...in such souls, the call outward is this:

13 Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength! We will sing and praise your power.

Yes, the evil is about us, and in us...yet there is one whose fierce discontent with it is greater than mine. Run to him for forgiveness and refuge, call to him for peace and resolution, trust him to handle those who oppose him, while you LOVE THEM in his Son's name.

His advice to us is as clear as his right to pour out wrath on evil:

8 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Out...

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Psalm 51 – Our Great Need for Forgiveness and Cleansing

This Psalm begins with a desperate cry and acknowledgedment of a great need for mercy. This mercy comes from a belief about God; that his mercy would come only according to something of God’s very nature. The plea for mercy is according to the steadfast love of God and from his wells which are full of mercy, no, abundant mercy. David cries out to God for his transgressions to be “blotted out” – literally to be wiped away. The Psalmist (David) shows his awareness of the breadth and the reality and the sickness of his sin – it is ever before Him. He also knows against WHOM he has sinned. The context of David’s life could have brought forth a litany of candidates whom he had sinned against. Adultery with Bathsheba, Murder and Deception with Uriah, his hypocrisy exhibited before Nathan, the prophet of God...All of these people could have been listed as those who had been wronged by David. David knew a deeper reality; all sin is ultimately against God. He also was well aware that God, our holy and just God, is right in judging his sin. David’s problem of sin was not isolated to a few incidents of disobedience, jaunts in adolescence as it were, No! David knew that sin was with him from his birth – he was conceived in it; it stained his very nature. What did God desire of him? God desires none other than Truth in his inner being a heart of integrity, upright before the Almighty. When one sees the reality of our sin and the desire of God for righteousness – we realize how short we fall and the cry that flows from the human heart upon this realization follows in this Psalm. There is indeed, a heaviness and burden of carrying our sins – so the soul does cry out for what is voiced loudly in these passages. First, a desire to be clean, to be cleansed, to have a new heart is needed in the soul laid b are by God. Second, a desire to have the bones God has crushed (under the burden and guilt of our sin), would be able to rejoice. If God can clean me, restore me, and lift me out of my mess – yes even glory might rise in the soul. This then leads to a testimony, if God would forgive and have mercy, cleanse and bring rejoicing – there will be a life change, a change of heart wrought in contrition. “Then I will teach transgressors your way” “His praise will be on our lips” How shall all of this occur – through sacrifices – no, this is not what God requires (verse 16), but rather a broken and contrite heart (verse 17). Repentance in light of the reality of our sin – not through our own efforts (sacrifices) but through contrition (repentance) is where forgiveness and mercy shall be found. In such realities the walls of he holy city, Jerusalem, might be restored, and the joy of the Lord, the goodness and favor of God, may rest upon his people.

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Psalm 21:1-7 - Rejoicing in the Triumph of the Steadfast Love of God

Finally, back to some of the Psalms... The rejoicing of the heart of the King is not in his own strength, not in his own exploits, not in his own abilities to efficaciously bring about things...No, he rejoices in the salvation and the the strength of God. The beginning of this Psalm has a picture of a King who acknowledges, loves, depends upon, and worships God - the provider of any good thing the King and his kingdom have received. Any leader who wishes to have an established place for his feet. To know with confidence that his ground is unshakable, will find it as verse 7 indicates.

Through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.

Seeking solid Ground in the love of the King who rules all Kings

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How to Be Saved by a Name...

How does a name protect us? What is in a name? My name is Reid - it means "Red Haired One" not much there as to who I actually am. But to those who know me, say like my wife, "Reid" means much indeed.

What of the name of God? God's name is to represent to us something of substantial content. If "God" or "Dios" or "Bůh" mean nothing more than their phonetical sounds, then the name of God is not different than any other name. But if a name is a represenation of an actually reality that IS GOD...there is so much in a name. [This is a stong case for why Christians ought to be realists when it comes to language - that the word/sign actually is reference to some being that IS]

So if a name "God" means - the almighty, all wise, all knowing, sovereign, creator, sustainer of the Universe - Oh, how there is great protection and salvation in a name. So what of a protection that leads to our death? For indeed some protection prolongs temporal life, but are we "protected" by God even though we die. If life were only this life, if nothing else lay beyond this present age - protection "in death" makes little or no sense. Jesus' words are insightful in John 11:23-27

23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

Here we see protection - God bringing his children safely home - even though this life shall perish...2 Corinthians 4:17

17 For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

So this Psalm shows an eternal truth in which the wise place their trust:

Psalm 20:7,8 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.

Yes, trusting in a name - a name that is in fact (really) above all names.

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The Heavens do Speak, Yet There Remains a Perfect Law

Psalm 19:7-14 Although perfection is not to be found dwelling on this terrestrial ball in the hearts of men, there yet is a perfection that flowed from the nostrils of God. The Law of God is Perfect

The benefits of this perfect law is given to us here in this Psalm:

• Revival of the soul - LIFE that is LIFE
• It is a sure testimony - a word that we can trust to the uttermost
• It makes wise the simple - in life's many turns and travails, wisdom is more precious than gold! What the heck should I do now? The law of the Lord brings wisdom
• His precepts are right in a world confused about right and wrong
• Rejoicing the heart - in a world of sorrows, there is a rejoicing in the word of the Lord
• The commandments of the Lord are pure, clean without impurity - O how wonderful in a world that is stained through and through. This pure Word enlightens the eyes
• The fear of the Lord is clean, his judgements are righteous - altogether righteous

For such reasons this WORD is to be more desired than gold - even much fine gold - even all the gold in fort knox. It is the most precious item given to humanity. It is a sweet tasting delicacy, a grace given to us from very God of very God. Not only this - in keeping his Word, there is great reward; the life lived in obedience to God IS THE MOST JOYFUL life, full of pleasures at God's right hand forevermore. In light of his sin, the Psalmist ends with a great plea to God...

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

How it is often not true of my own life - but how I long it to be.

Out...

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The Speech of the Heavens

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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The Refuge of a Great Shadow

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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I Have No Good Apart From You...

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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The Foolishness of the Fool

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?

St. Anselm of Cantebury

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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How Long O Lord?

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 - Different Words

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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Psalm 11 - The View of the Righteous in a World of Trouble

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 - Oh Lord, Why?

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

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...

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Continuing in the Psalms

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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