Eccl. 8 – Mind Map

We apply our minds in varying degrees. For our work, it seems the most natural, to apply them the most. We make much effort for our hobbies and likes. With our families, which might seem most intuitive and certainly most deserving, can often be the most neglected… and unfortunately our faith even beyond that.

“When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe man's labor on earth—his eyes not seeing sleep day or night- then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all his efforts to search it out, man cannot discover its meaning. Even if a wise man claims he knows, he cannot really comprehend it.” – Ecclesiastes 8:16-17

Solomon applied his mind in observation of all that we do in order to make sense of it. What he found was that it could not be grasped because it’s understanding was in a realm only a heavenly king could comprehend. Our response?

“Do not be in a hurry to leave the king's presence. Do not stand up for a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases. Since a king's word is supreme, who can say to him, "What are you doing?" – Ecclesiastes 8:3-4

I can’t help but think about how different our concerns are as parents than they are as children. “No worries” comes to mind. My kids are oblivious to the concerns of this world, because they are unable to grasp them, are unconcerned if they could, and because they know I’m concerned about the big things for them. What if we could come to a place where we could see how temporal and ungraspable all this really is. And believe that there is one who does know, who really loves us, and who is in control. I would imagine that would bring a certain sense of peace, wouldn’t you say? Probably the peace we’ve been looking for.

It’s good to just let go. It’s good to be a child of the King.

Father, we apply our minds to many things. And most of the time they make us more worried than peaceful. If you help us to grasp anything, help us to remember that you are indeed in control, that you are indeed supreme, and that we can rest in these truths. Amen.

Psalm 56: Fruit of Trust

It seems somewhat impossible that we could actually defeat fear entirely. By the tone of David’s Psalms and through the repetition of his requests, it communicates one of two things: either (1) that he’s reminding himself that he should not fear or (2) he’s actually experienced a complete departure from fear. Either way, it is accompanied by complete trust and the natural response of worship…

“In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” – Psalm 56:4

…and the fruit of trust? The elimination of fear.

“In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” – Psalm 56:11

I guess the reason this section stands out to me is because of the glaring areas in my life that I still fear. While I still worship, I wonder today how much this fear inhibits a complete abandonment in my expression of thanks. I wonder where else fear is holding me back.

Father, your Word says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear”. Help me to let go of pride and selfishness and teach me to trust you in all areas of my life, that I might not get in the way of your work. Amen.

Psalm 37 – The Specifics

Thursday I ended up at Burger Tex for lunch. For those of you not familiar with it, it's exactly the way it sounds. Not exactly healthy, but at least I had the Grilled Chicken (with fries and a coke). I guess that’s the opposite of eating a Quarter Pounder w/Cheese supersized value meal with a DIET coke. Anyway, I digress. When I went into the bathroom to wash my hands I saw a sign near the sink that read: “Employees: Please wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and hot water before returning to work.”

It was very specific (and had a little ketchup on it). I was thinking about what might go into an employer feeling like they needed to elaborate on how to wash hands. “Don’t rinse them off, wash for 20 seconds. And not just water, but use soap. Oh, and use hot water.” Obviously, this wasn’t just a shift manager going through the motions. It sounds like they either had a bad experience or knew the nature of their employees to “cut corners”. Either way, there were specifics laid out, and the standards and expectations were set.

I’m thankful that scripture is that way. Whenever we’re wondering if we can hear a direct word from God, don’t forget that that is exactly what the Bible is. Sometimes we see it and think, “No duh, that’s pretty obvious.” But then it lists it again, reminds us again, simplifies it again, and restates it again. Why? It’s not because God forgets how to do things, it’s because we do. And if we think about it, many times we default to just going through the motions.

In Psalm 37, we’re given some specifics. They are instructions, reminders, and promises. They are very direct and detailed. As a pastor friend of mine always said, “God is in the details”.

Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the LORD and
he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.

-Psalm 37:3-8

Psalm 13 – Desperate

Chapter 13 seems to show David at one of his most desperate and lonely places. You can hear it in his words:

“How long, O LORD ? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death”
– Psalm 13:1-3

I guess in a weird way I find some comfort in David’s season of unknown. Although such seasons can be excruciating, each of us will experience them. With that in mind, there are some great lessons to be learned in studying how David addresses God during this time. First he takes a moment to be “real”, to lament and express the depth of his position (vs1-2). Then he literally asks, tells, begs God to “Look on” him and “answer” (vs.3). Reminds me of Luke 11:

“Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.'

"Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.” – Luke 11

How does David have the confidence to come to God so bodly? I think it’s shown through the response of his heart. He knows God is faithful. He trusts God because he recalls God’s faithfulness. This allows him to rejoice and even sing.

“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.” Psalm 13:5

No matter the situation, we can do the same.

Psalm 10 - Just a Taste

Just a quick word today on Psalm 10 from Matthew Henry. I hope you are all having an amazing New Year!

The psalmist speaks with astonishment, at the wickedness of the wicked, and at the patience and forbearance of God. God prepares the heart for prayer, by kindling holy desires, and strengthening our most holy faith, fixing the thoughts, and raising the affections, and then he graciously accepts the prayer. The preparation of the heart is from the Lord, and we must seek unto him for it. Let the poor, afflicted, persecuted, or tempted believer recollect, that Satan is the prince of this world, and that he is the father of all the ungodly. The children of God cannot expect kindness, truth, or justice from such persons as crucified the Lord of glory. But this once suffering Jesus, now reigns as King over all the earth, and of his dominion there shall be no end. Let us commit ourselves unto him, humbly trusting in his mercy. He will rescue the believer from every temptation, and break the arm of every wicked oppressor, and bruise Satan under our feet shortly. But in heaven alone will all sin and temptation be shut out, though in this life the believer has a foretaste of deliverance.

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