Psalm 68 – Feels Good

There are certain things that are just good things. It doesn’t take a genius to recognize them. Even a child can tell. One of the most obvious good is realized when providing for those who are in need. And while you can’t always trust your feelings, it certainly feels good to help.

“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing.” – Psalm 68:5-6

God is a good God. While God is just, he is certainly a God of compassion. In the middle of a life filled with amazingly high highs and low lows, David remembers and worships this God of Goodness.

“But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds - his name is the LORD - and rejoice before him.” – Psalm 68:3-4

I love what Matthew Henry writes today: “God is the joy of his people, then let them rejoice when they come before him. He who derives his being from none, but gives being to all, is engaged by promise and covenant to bless his people. He is to be praised as a God of mercy and tender compassion. He ever cares for the afflicted and oppressed: repenting sinners, who are helpless and exposed more than any fatherless children, are admitted into his family, and share all their blessings.”

Psalm 9 – Limited Perspective

The first few verses of Psalm 9 give us a reminder of what God has done in regards to his justice. It speaks of rebuking and destroying. It speaks of blotting out names and endless ruin. This is His response to evil nations and the wicked.

When we see an example of the power and judgment of God according to His ways it is always profound.

It’s interesting to me those who claim the absence of God when he “allows” evil in our world today. And I’m reminded through Psalm 9 that our timing is not His timing. That He is righteous. And that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The issue of Him “allowing” is not an issue of what, but more so an issue of when. Stand firm child of God, He will judge righteously. As the scripture claims (vs.10), He has never forsaken those who seek Him.

While our timeline is everything to us, it is but a blip on the radar of God’s agenda. Today is so small in respect to Eternity. We should be mindful not to allow our way of thinking and limited perspective to create doubt or concern in our faith. Instead, in considering His timelessness, we should find comfort.

“The LORD reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. He will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice. The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” – Psalm 9:7-10

Judges 16 “Trouble”

Judges 16 – Brandon Hatmaker “Trouble”
Austin New Church – South Austin Cares
Thursday, August 18th, 2008

“One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute. He went in to spend the night with her. The people of Gaza were told, "Samson is here!" So they surrounded the place and lay in wait for him all night at the city gate. They made no move during the night, saying, "At dawn we'll kill him." – Judges 16:1-2

Anyone see the problem here? Verse 1… he did what? That’s not a good start. Listen, sometimes we bring trouble on ourselves. Consequences are a huge part of the real world. This is a big reminder for me today. We spend way to much time blaming God or even just wondering what happened when things go bad… we need to spend more time asking Him to forgive us and being thankful instead of feeling self-righteous and entitled.

So let’s put this in eternal perspective. God is just. He truly is. In no way do we deserve heaven. His justice required payment so Jesus took our place. I just don’t understand how anyone can biblically argue against substitutionary atonement or the depravity of man. Thank you, God, for Jesus and the cross.