Day 108: Psalms 32, 86, 102, 103, 122

Today's reading consists of five psalms. There are a variety of themes and observations that could be made about these psalms but the grace and mercy and compassion of God seems to come through pretty consistently. I don't really have any comments...these are some excerpts that really spoke to me this morning:

Blessed is the one
   whose transgressions are forgiven,
   whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the one
   whose sin the LORD does not count against them
   and in whose spirit is no deceit.
When I kept silent,
   my bones wasted away
   through my groaning all day long.
For day and night
   your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped
   as in the heat of summer.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you
   and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
   my transgressions to the LORD.”
And you forgave
   the guilt of my sin. (32:1-5)

You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
   abounding in love to all who call to you.
Hear my prayer, LORD;
   listen to my cry for mercy. (86:5-6)

All the nations you have made
   will come and worship before you, Lord;
   they will bring glory to your name.
For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
   you alone are God. (86:9-10)

In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth,
   and the heavens are the work of your hands.
They will perish, but you remain;
   they will all wear out like a garment.
Like clothing you will change them
   and they will be discarded.
But you remain the same,
   and your years will never end.
The children of your servants will live in your presence;
   their descendants will be established before you. (102:25-28)

The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
   slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
   nor will he harbor his anger forever;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve
   or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
   so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
   so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
   so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed,
   he remembers that we are dust. (103:8-14)

Day 107: 2 Samuel 11-12, 1 Chronicles 20, Psalm 51

David is at the height of his power. They say that power corrupts and that absolute power corrupts absolutely. This seems to be happening even to David, who has demonstrated such faith and dependence on God so far in his life and career, Yet 2 Samuel 11 begins with these words:

In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. (2 Samuel 11:1)

David wasn't where he was supposed to be. He decided to take it easy and stay in Jerusalem with time on his hands...and a beautiful woman living next door. He was the king...he could have anything he wants...and he wants Bathsheba...never mind that she was married to one of his soldiers who was away fighting for him...where he should have been. That only makes it more convenient.

We're all very familiar with this story. Not only do we read it here in 2 Samuel 11, it seems we read it about every other day in the newspaper. Bathsheba ends up pregnant so David comes up with a scheme to make everyone think the baby is her husband's. He give Uriah a little R&R and expects him to go home to be with his wife...then her pregnancy could be explained and no one would be the wiser. However, Uriah has too much honor for that. Uriah's actions here probably really hit David hard...because I think Uriah does what David would have done if given a similar circumstance...back when he had honor...

Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my commander Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open country. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and make love to my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!”(2 Samuel 11:11)

So David devises Plan B...

In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. In it he wrote, “Put Uriah out in front where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die.” (2 Samuel 11:14-15)

David, David, David! It's amazing how sin can suck you in. You start with one thing and it just keeps leading to another. Satan had to be rejoicing right about now.

When Uriah’s wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him. After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the LORD. (2 Samuel 11:26-27)

So God sends Nathan to David to confront him about this whole situation. I'm sure Nathan had to be nervous about this...but God sent him and he had to go. He moves in gently with a story...a story about a rich man who treats a poor man unfairly...and David's sense of justice comes out and accuses the rich man. Then Nathan moves in...

Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man!" (2 Samuel 12:7)

David may have thought he had gotten away with it and started moving on but unless he was confronted it would continue to rot his soul. It wasn't just a one time thing. Oh it may have been the FIRST but it was a step, actually several steps, down a path...a path to ruin. And it wasn't as if no one knew about it. How about the messengers David sent to get Bathsheba? What about Joab? What if one of these people had intervened and questioned David's actions? I wonder what would have happened? The point to me is that we each of us needs a "Nathan" in our life. Someone who will confront us. On the other side of that...we each need to be brave enough to be a "Nathan" to someone who needs accountability.

Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” (2 Samuel 12:13)

These could be the most powerful words a person could ever say. As I mentioned in yesterday's post, none of us wants to admit that we sin...even though all of us know that all of us do. The fact that David did doesn't diminish him in my eyes at all...just the opposite. I have had great respect for David as I've read the account of his life...this statement raises that respect to new heights. It's so unusual. There's not a hint of "yes, but..." or "I did not have sexual relations with that woman..." or any other cover up, justification, or rationalization. Simply, "I have sinned against the Lord."

Then I love what Joab does next. I had never noticed this before. He goads David into getting back to what he should have been doing in the first place:

Joab then sent messengers to David, saying, “I have fought against Rabbah and taken its water supply. Now muster the rest of the troops and besiege the city and capture it. Otherwise I will take the city, and it will be named after me.” So David mustered the entire army and went to Rabbah, and attacked and captured it. (2 Samuel 12:27-29)

This is an important step in repentance...changing your habits to avoid the trap you fell into. You know the trap is there now. Use that knowledge to stay away from similar circumstances.

This whole series of events was the basis for one of the most beautiful of David's Psalms. Everyone loves

Have mercy on me, O God,
   according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
   blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
   and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions,
   and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
   and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
   and justified when you judge. (Psalm 51:1-4)

There's another key...acknowledging that God is right in judging me guilty. So many approach their own feelings of guilt by trying to get rid of the guilt feelings without dealing with the fact of guilt.

But there's more...

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
   and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
   or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
   and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (Psalm 51:10-12)

Not only does God forgive when we confess...he makes us pure again...as if we had never sinned!

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
   you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
   a broken and contrite heart
   you, God, will not despise. (Psalm 51:16-17)

Day 106: Psalms 65-67, 69-70

We spend so much time and effort trying to look good. I don't mean physically...I mean spiritually. None of us like to reveal the fact that we have sin in our lives...even though we all do. Oh, we "admit" that we are all sinners in the most general of terms but rarely if ever do we get specific.

But here's the thing:

You, God, know my folly;
   my guilt is not hidden from you. (Psalm 69:5)

And even better:

When we were overwhelmed by sins,
   you forgave our transgressions.  (Psalm 65:3)

And on a more personal note:

But as for me, I am poor and needy;
   come quickly to me, O God.
You are my help and my deliverer;
   LORD, do not delay. (Psalm 70:5)

Day 104&105: 2 Samuel 8-10, 1 Chronicles 18-19, Psalms 20, 53, 60, 75

David seems to be at the height of his power. He is defeating all his enemies because...

The LORD gave David victory wherever he went. (2 Samuel 18:6)

Not only did God give him have military power over his enemies he also was ruled his people well:

David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people. (2 Samuel 8:15)

It seems he went looking for good things to do for people...even, and especially, those who were descendants of Saul.

David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” (2 Samuel 9:1)

There was a man named Mephibosheth who was Jonathan's son, Saul's grandson. Because of his deep friendship with Jonathan David had Mephibosheth brought to him and said:

“Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.” (2 Samuel 9:7)

I'm starting to consider another characteristic of David...it seems he never did anything half-way. When he was in battle he was no match for his enemies...and, by today's standards, was ruthless and barbaric. Check this out:

David also defeated the Moabites. He made them lie down on the ground and measured them off with a length of cord. Every two lengths of them were put to death, and the third length was allowed to live. (2 Samuel 8:2)

But, on the other hand, he went out of his way looking for ways to show kindness to a crippled grandson of his former enemy. Everything he did was with all his heart, soul, mind and strength...and it was done for the glory of God, not himself.

King David dedicated these articles to the LORD, as he had done with the silver and gold from all the nations he had subdued: Edom and Moab, the Ammonites and the Philistines, and Amalek. He also dedicated the plunder taken from Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah. (2 Samuel 8:11-12)

 That's why David could write a psalm like Psalm 20:

Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
   but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. (Psalm 20:7)

In reading today's psalms I noticed something I hadn't really ever paid attention to before. Some of the psalms have a little heading, or title, or description at the top. I've read those before and noted whether it was a psalm of David or someone else but there are some that also have a note about the tune that is to be used to sing them. Like this:

To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” (Psalm 60 heading)

Or this:

To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” (Psalm 75 heading)

It seems the idea of writing new words to existing melodies is as old as scripture itself. I find this interesting.

I also thought this bit of Psalm 75 was noteworthy:

No one from the east or the west
   or from the desert can exalt themselves.
It is God who judges:
   He brings one down, he exalts another. (Psalm 75:6-7)

I'm reminded that I always need to be examining my motives...are the things I say and do for the purpose of exalting myself? I should let God take care of any exalting...or bringing down...that's going to take place.

Day 103: 2 Samuel 7, 1 Chronicles 17, Psalms 1-2, 33, 127, 132

God makes a promise to David that his kingdom would last forever:

Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’”  (2 Samuel 7:16)

The last part of 2 Samuel 7 is David's prayer in response to God's promise. As I read his prayer I noted once again the combination confidence and humility. He is humbled by God's promise to him but it is that very promise that gives him the confidence to pray. I think this should be our example as well. We approach God humbly, to be sure, but yet confidently because He of His promises.

“LORD Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying, ‘I will build a house for you.’ So your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your covenant is trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. (2 Samuel 7:27-28)

Today's selection of Psalms are some of my favorites. I thought I'd just quote some of my favorite parts:

Blessed is the one
   who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
   or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,
   and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
   which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
   whatever they do prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3)

Ever wonder about God's interest in politics?

Why do the nations conspire
   and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth rise up
   and the rulers band together
   against the LORD and against his anointed, saying,
“Let us break their chains
   and throw off their shackles.”
The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
   the Lord scoffs at them. (Psalm 2:1-3)

Of course I like this one:

Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;
   it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
Praise the LORD with the harp;
   make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
Sing to him a new song;
   play skillfully, and shout for joy. (Psalm 33:1-3)

This is one I first learned from a plaque I received as a gift when I was in HS and I've liked it ever since:

Unless the LORD builds the house,
   the builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
   the guards stand watch in vain. (Psalm 127:1)

Days 101&102: Psalms 15, 23-25, 47, 89, 96, 100, 101, 107

LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
   Who may live on your holy mountain?  (Psalm 15:1)

This question opens today's reading. The answer to the question begins like this:

The one whose walk is blameless,
   who does what is righteous,
   who speaks the truth from their heart... (Psalm 15:2)

...and he continues with a description of a good and righteous life. I think this may be one of the problems I have with the Psalms. In many of the Psalms you could get the impression that it's a pretty clear cut, black/white issue. The good guys who don't lie, cheat and steal are God's people and live long, happy, healthy lives while the bad guys who do those mean things are cast out. Live a good life = accepted by God, live a bad life = rejected by God. The same thing happens in Psalm 24:

Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD?
   Who may stand in his holy place?
The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
   who does not trust in an idol
   or swear by a false god. (Psalm 24:3-4) 

The thing is, I know there is more to the story than that. It's not that those things aren't true, they are. The problem is that no one can do it. Even at our absolute best we can't, on our own, live up to this standard of goodness. That's why after reading these Psalms we need to then read:

Do not remember the sins of my youth
   and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
   for you, LORD, are good.  (Psalm 25:7)

We sin. But He offers forgiveness. 

All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
   toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
For the sake of your name, LORD,
   forgive my iniquity, though it is great.(Psalm 25:10-11)

There was a lot of talk recently about judgment day. We should probably think about this more than we do but because of forgiveness judgment is not something we need to fear:

Clap your hands, all you nations;
   shout to God with cries of joy.
For the LORD Most High is awesome,
   the great King over all the earth. (Psalm 47:1-2)
Let all creation rejoice before the LORD, for he comes,
   he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
   and the peoples in his faithfulness. (Psalm 96:13)

That's not the message we usually hear from those predicting the end of the world.

Day 100: 2 Samuel 5:11-6:23, 1 Chronicles 13-16

One of the keys to David's ability to lead and retain his humility & confidence is that he knew the source of it all. He knew it was God who was really in control, not David:

David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. (2 Samuel 5:12)

During this time of relative peace and unity the decision was made to locate the ark of the covenant and bring it up to Jerusalem. While in transit there was a slight accident. The ark began to slip and one of the men (Uzzah) reached out to steady it. He was struck dead by God. This has always seemed sort of unfair to me. Apparently it seemed unfair to David as well:

Then David was angry because the LORD’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah. David was afraid of the LORD that day and said, “How can the ark of the LORD ever come to me?” He was not willing to take the ark of the LORD to be with him in the City of David. (2 Samuel 6:8-10)

This seemed to elude even David's acute sense of justice. But after a few months he decided to try again to bring the ark to Jerusalem. The text doesn't really say anything about what was going on in David's mind. What happened that made him change his mind? Here's what I think: I think David decided to submit to God's judgment even though it seemed unfair to him.

As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him in her heart. (2 Samuel 6:16)

She "despised him"  because he was acting so lower-class. He was the king, after all. And, more importantly, she was a queen...and this seemed so "common". She wanted to be respected and looked up to. She was the daughter of a king and now she was the wife of a king and royalty simply doesn't act this way. We all have a tendency to get caught up in our own importance, don't we?

David gets a pretty cold greeting when he gets home:

When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!” (2 Samuel 6:20)

But, see, David's celebration was not done for the people. It was for God:

David said to Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the LORD. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. (2 Samuel 6:21-22)

I think it's worth asking ourselves a few questions about our own worship. Why do we worship the way we do? Whose eyes do we feel are watching us? Do we prefer certain types of music in worship (rock, pop, traditional) because it reflects to others the way we want to be perceived? Do we dress a certain way (coat and tie, jeans and t-shirt) because of how we want people we view us? There's a song the kids used to sing based on this scripture about being undignified but if our being undignified is because that's the image we want to project to others then we've sort of missed the point. When we worship, who do we perceive as our audience? David's celebration was "before the Lord".

Ascribe to the LORD, all you families of nations,
   ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
   bring an offering and come before him.
Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.
 Tremble before him, all the earth! (1 Chronicles 16:28-30)

Days 98&99: 1 Chronicles 7-9, 11-12, 2 Samuel 5:1-10, Psalm 133

David is still the central character in the passages for today.

It's hard to imagine Jerusalem as anything but "The Holy City", the place where God's temple is built and the place where Jewish people from everywhere in the world come to worship. But before that it was the city of the Jebusites, a wicked people who thought they were completely safe within their walled city. But David, cunning strategist that he is, devises a plan to take the city and run out the Jebusites. And when he does he makes it his city and it becomes sort of the capital for Israel.

David then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the terraces inward. And he became more and more powerful, because the LORD God Almighty was with him. (2 Samuel 5:9-10)

There's no doubt that God was with David but he also surrounded himself with men who were powerful warriors and who were completely devoted to David and his cause. I think this is a testimony to David's leadership and honorable character. He inspired and earned the loyalty of the brightest and best. We've already seen his sense of honor displayed in some ways that are quite remarkable...and actually seem a little strange if placed into our culture...but in David's culture it won great respect and loyalty. Take this incident for example:

David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the LORD. “God forbid that I should do this!” he said. “Should I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives?” Because they risked their lives to bring it back, David would not drink it. (1 Chronicles 11:17-19)

David just continued to draw people to himself:

Day after day men came to help David, until he had a great army, like the army of God. (1 Chronicles 12:22)

As he continued to unite all of Israel around his leadership...and around faithfulness to God...

...there was joy in Israel.(1 Chronicles 12:40)

Why is unity so hard to achieve? I think maybe it's because we so often attempt to unite people around the wrong things...around relatively insignificant and trivial things. Our culture talks about celebrating our "diversity" but usually what that means is celebrating our differences. Please don't misunderstand me, I don't think there's anything wrong with celebrating our individual cultural or ethnic heritage but we need to be careful that those things don't become a source of division. It seems to me that we can't really have diversity unless we have unity. Without unity diversity morphs into divisiveness.

Sometimes I'm afraid that the same type of thinking spills over into the church. We divide our congregations into age groups...and not just in the children's departments. We start a new class for the "young adults" and they have kids and grow old together and eventually become the Seniors group. In the mean time 10 more "young adult" classes are started and the young folks and the old folks seldom if ever associate with one another. We've united around age demographics instead of discipleship. Where are the places that the older men and the older women have meaningful relationships with younger men and women? Not just a "Hi, good to see ya." relationship but one where life issues are discussed and burdens shared...and meaningful life lessons are passed on. And of course there's music. We divide our congregations according to "worship styles" instead of uniting to simply worship.

I wish I knew the answer to all this but I do know we need to purposefully work for unity.

It's important.

Actually, it's essential.

How good and pleasant it is
   when God’s people live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)

Day 97: Psalms 81, 88, 92, 93

It's Sunday morning...ready to go to church and lead worship. These are the first words I read:

Sing for joy to God our strength;
   shout aloud to the God of Jacob!
Begin the music, strike the timbrel,
   play the melodious harp and lyre. (81:1-2)

Then comes Psalm 88...a definite contrast summarized by this verse:

I am overwhelmed with troubles
   and my life draws near to death. (88:3)

The thing is, these troubles and hardships that come our way don't really ever stop. We cry out to God and pray for relief and even if it comes it's temporary. So, what I'm getting at is the fact that our suffering doesn't (shouldn't) inhibit our worship. In fact, I'm starting to believe that it even enhances our worship and makes it more meaningful. 

It is good to praise the LORD
   and make music to your name, O Most High,
proclaiming your love in the morning
   and your faithfulness at night,
to the music of the ten-stringed lyre
   and the melody of the harp. (92:1-3)

...or the piano, drums and electric guitar.

According to Harold Camping yesterday was supposed to be the end of the world (again). We humans get so caught up in days and hours...in time, really. We have a tendency to forget that time is pretty meaningless to God. Maybe it's not that we forget, maybe it's that we can't get our minds around things like...

The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty;
   the LORD is robed in majesty and armed with strength;
   indeed, the world is established, firm and secure.
Your throne was established long ago;
   you are from all eternity. (93:1-2)

One more highlight for me today:

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
   they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the LORD,
   they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age,
   they will stay fresh and green,
proclaiming, “The LORD is upright;
   he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.” (92:12-15)

I find myself thinking more and more about my "old age". I want to stay "fresh and green".

Days 95&96: 1 Chronicles 3-6, Psalms 36,39,77,78

The Chronicles passage is a continuation of the genealogies of the people of Israel. I admit that it's mind-numbing reading for me - so I skim it just in case a name or phrase grabs my attention. A couple did.

There's the Jabez passage which says:

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.”  Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request. (1 Chronicles 4:9-10)

This passage has become fairly famous because of of a little book that was written a few years ago called The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson. Personally, I sort of felt like Wilkinson made way too much out of these few verses of scripture. I could be wrong. I still think the book is worth reading. Either way, I still think it's interesting that the writer of Chronicles pauses in the middle of listing all these generations of people to comment on this one thing. Makes me wonder what Jabez was really like.

Then there's this:

These are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the LORD after the ark came to rest there. They ministered with music before the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, until Solomon built the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem. They performed their duties according to the regulations laid down for them. (1 Chronicles 6:31-32)

Of course, when he mentions the music ministers I become a little interested. It seems like music has always been an important element in worship, however music is such a different think now than it was in biblical times...or even a hundred years ago. I'm not talking about music in worship, I'm talking about music generally...and it's place in culture. It's everywhere today. It's hard to find a time and place to actually have silence. Music permeates everything. Not so in Chronicles. You had to actually be in the presence of a musician to hear music.

I also find myself wondering how much creative input these guys had. That last phrase makes it sound like they didn't have much. The artist in me shudders a little when I read, "They performed their duties according to the regulations laid down for them." I think I read that somewhere in a music minister's job description. I didn't take the job. The truth is, even after being in music ministry in some capacity for over 40 years, I still struggle with the place of music in Christian worship. Is it for God, or for the worshiper? Is it for the believer, or for outreach? Is it to express emotion or for teaching doctrine? Is it a tool, or is it art? Actually, I don't think it's an either/or question. I believe it's for all those things. I think we get in trouble when we try to make it one thing.

There were a few noteworthy passages in today's psalms also.

Here's one of the reasons it's easy to identify sin in someone else's life and hard in our own:

In their own eyes they flatter themselves
   too much to detect or hate their sin. (Psalm 36:2)

 Here's another reminder of something that I find I'm realizing more and more with each passing day:

“Show me, LORD, my life’s end
   and the number of my days;
   let me know how fleeting my life is.
You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
   the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,
   even those who seem secure. (Psalm 39:4-5)

Here's the reason the people in the OT thought it was so important to pass on their history...and a reminder of our responsibility to do the same:

He decreed statutes for Jacob
   and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
   to teach their children,
so the next generation would know them,
   even the children yet to be born,
   and they in turn would tell their children. (Psalm 78:5-6)

Psalm 78 is a retelling of Israel's history in song. It begins with the above passage and ends with these words about king David:

He chose David his servant
   and took him from the sheep pens;
from tending the sheep he brought him
   to be the shepherd of his people Jacob,
   of Israel his inheritance.
And David shepherded them with integrity of heart;
   with skillful hands he led them. (Psalm 78:70-72)

Days 93&94: 1 Chronicles 1-2, Pslams 43-44,49,84,85,87

In the first 2 chapters of 1 Chronicles is a recap of all the generations of humans beginning with Adam. The people of Israel place a high importance on passing along their history. I have to be honest...I pretty much just skimmed these 2 chapters of genealogies. But when I read Psalm 43, I see the importance of this history...it's not just about the Israelites, it's about God...

We have heard it with our ears, O God;
   our ancestors have told us
what you did in their days,
   in days long ago.
With your hand you drove out the nations
   and planted our ancestors;
you crushed the peoples
   and made our ancestors flourish.
It was not by their sword that they won the land,
   nor did their arm bring them victory;
it was your right hand, your arm,
   and the light of your face, for you loved them. (Psalm 44:1-3)

Paul writes in Romans 8, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?" then he quotes this Psalm:

Yet for your sake we face death all day long;
   we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. (Psalm 44:22)

I notice that he doesn't indicate at all that God will spare us from trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword...only that those things do not have the power to separate us from Christ's love.

Psalm 49 gives us a reminder of the value of Christ's sacrifice on the cross:

 No one can redeem the life of another
   or give to God a ransom for them—
the ransom for a life is costly,
   no payment is ever enough—(Psalm 49:7-8)

I love living in the U.S. It's comfortable. But I have to admit that sometimes I think our priorities are completely screwed up...mine included. We never seem to have enough. Theres' a commercial that always makes me chuckle about how as soon as we buy a gadget, phone or TV it becomes obsolete and we have to replace it. It's really sort of silly, isn't it, how we feel we have to keep up with everything? We're so impressed with those who have the latest and best "stuff."

Do not be overawed when others grow rich,
   when the splendor of their houses increases;
for they will take nothing with them when they die,
   their splendor will not descend with them.
Though while they live they count themselves blessed—
   and people praise you when you prosper—
they will join those who have gone before them,
   who will never again see the light of life.(Psalm 49:16-19)

Day 92: Psalms 6,9,10,14,16,21

Today's reading consists of 6 Psalms all written by David. Reading these Psalms, and others, gives us insight into the heart of David that the historical record of the events can't. I appreciate so much his honesty with God. When he is frustrated, impatient or simply angry with God, he says so...

My soul is in deep anguish.
   How long, LORD, how long? (6:3)

But we also see that he has absolute confidence that no matter how long it takes God is, and will always be, the One on whom we can depend...

The LORD reigns forever;
   he has established his throne for judgment.
He rules the world in righteousness
   and judges the peoples with equity.
The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed,
   a stronghold in times of trouble.
Those who know your name trust in you,
   for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.  (9:7-10)

Psalm 9 closes with a phrase that really jumped off the page at me. It's something that is so obvious on its face but for some reason its also something that we all have a tendency to forget...

...let the nations know they are only mortal. (9:20)

In Psalm 10 David returns to expressing his pain...

Why, LORD, do you stand far off?
   Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?  (10:1)

God refers to David as "a man after my own heart" (Acts 13:22). I find this extremely encouraging when I read psalms such as this one where David feels like God has abandoned him.

Another verse that sort of jumped out at me is this one...

I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
   apart from you I have no good thing.”(16:2)

I feel like this verse reminds of one of my biggest problems. If I'm totally honest, deep down inside, I think I'm pretty good. It's so easy to fall into the trap of comparing myself with others instead of with God's holiness. The truth is that my "goodness" is garbage.

Another highlight of today's reading is a passage that is quoted by the apostle Peter as he is preaching the very first gospel sermon on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2. From this we learn that this is a Messianic prophecy of Jesus' resurrection...

...you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
   nor will you let your faithful one see decay.  (16:10)

In yesterday's reading of 2 Samuel 1-4 David is still dealing with the remnants of Saul's family who think they should have the throne and ultimately David overcomes them. Psalm 21 seems to come directly out of that time in David's life because he refers to himself in the 3rd person as "the king" and gives credit to God for the victory he has experienced...

The king rejoices in your strength, LORD.
   How great is his joy in the victories you give! (21:1)

For the king trusts in the LORD;
   through the unfailing love of the Most High
   he will not be shaken.  (21:7)

Day 91: 2 Samuel 1-4

David is a real renaisance man. Not only is he a great warrior and a brilliant politcal strategist he is also a poet and a worship leader. Like any good worship leader, when he hears the news of Saul's death he writes a song that expresses the grief he feels and makes all the people sing it:

David took up this lament concerning Saul and his son Jonathan, and he ordered that the people of Judah be taught this lament of the bow (it is written in the Book of Jashar) (1:17-18)

These first 4 chapters of 2 Samuel deal with the process of unifying Israel under the rule of a new king, David. It's a bloody and drawn out process because Saul's guys are still hanging around and think that they should continue as king. But the trend is definitely in David's favor:

The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. (3:1)

David handles himself extremely well - I mentioned earlier his political savvy.

All the people took note and were pleased; indeed, everything the king did pleased them. (3:36)

But even though the people were pleased with everything David did many of those in his command didn't quite get him. They didn't comprehend his sense of honor and respect for God and for doing the "right" thing in God's eyes. Some of his guys, apparently in an effort to promote themselves in David's eyes, went and killed Ishbosheth who was one of the last remaining of Saul's sons. I suppose they thought his was going to please David. But...

David answered Rekab and his brother Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, “As surely as the LORD lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble, when someone told me, ‘Saul is dead,’ and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and put him to death in Ziklag. That was the reward I gave him for his news! How much more—when wicked men have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed—should I not now demand his blood from your hand and rid the earth of you!” (4:9-11)

Days 89&90: 1 Samuel 28-31, 1 Chronicles 10, Psalms 121, 123-125, 128-130

David has been living in a delicate situation for some time now. He's a Hebrew...and loyal to the nation of Israel...but being hunted by Saul, Israel's king, because Saul is jealous of David. So, David has been living among the Philistines, Israel's enemy, and has ingratiated himself to Achish, their king. Achish thinks David is the best thing that's happened to them in a long time and trusts him completely...he even makes David his personal bodyguard (28:2). Then, in chapter 29, the Philistines are going into battle against the Hebrews and David is right there alongside Achish. The commanders of Achish's army don't feel real comfortable with this so they ask Achish to send David and his men back...and Achish complies with this request.

    “But what have I done?” asked David. “What have you found against your servant from the day I came to you until now? Why can’t I go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?”
Achish answered, “I know that you have been as pleasing in my eyes as an angel of God; nevertheless, the Philistine commanders have said, ‘He must not go up with us into battle.’ Now get up early, along with your master’s servants who have come with you, and leave in the morning as soon as it is light.”
    So David and his men got up early in the morning to go back to the land of the Philistines, and the Philistines went up to Jezreel. (29:8-11)

I find myself wondering what David was thinking. He has had opportunities to kill Saul before and never did it because he felt it would dishonor God. If he had gone into battle with the Philistines would he have actually fought with them against his own people? Possibly even killing Saul? That doesn't seem in character to me. Perhaps at the moment of truth he would have shown his true colors and turned against the Philistines...although, according to the medium consulted by Saul, the Philistines were going to beat the tar out of Saul and his army so where would that leave David?

Well, this is all speculation because it didn't happen that way. Achish's commanders were wiser than he and insisted he send David back...and that's what happened.

Saul does indeed get killed in this battle and the final verses of 1 Chronicles 10 tell us why:

Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse. (1 Chronicles 10:13-14)

The Psalms I read today are all Psalms of David. They seem to have a common theme which I think is summarized nicely in this verse:

Our help is in the name of the LORD,
   the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 124:8)

What a great verse! If our help is the Maker of heaven and earth then what do we have to fear from the people and things that were made by Him?

But my favorite, and most reassuring verses in today's reading are these:

If you, LORD, kept a record of sins,
   Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,
   so that we can, with reverence, serve you. (Psalm 130:3-4)

Day 88: Psalms 35,54,63,18

Today's reading is 4 different psalms all written by David during the period of time we've been reading about in 1 Samuel. These psalms seem to have a common theme...and that is that God is his source of hope, protection and confidence.

He is not shy about expressing his frustration to God:

How long, Lord, will you look on?
   Rescue me from their ravages,
   my precious life from these lions. (35:17)

But he is also quick to acknowledge that God is indeed faithful:

Surely God is my help;
   the Lord is the one who sustains me. (54:4)

While David was running and hiding in caves from Saul I think he knew something of what it was like to be thirsty and hungry...probably in ways far beyond what I've ever experienced. It's that thirst that he compares to his desire to know God:

You, God, are my God,
   earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
   my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
   where there is no water. (63:1)

And when he worships God his hunger and thirst are satisfied:

I will praise you as long as I live,
   and in your name I will lift up my hands.
I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
   with singing lips my mouth will praise you. (63:4-5)

I'm reminded of the time Jesus says: "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work." (John 4:34)
What I'm seeing here is a life that is completely centered on the Lord. Being God's man is food and water to David. It's what sustains him.

What sustains me? For what do I hunger and thirst? Where do I find satisfaction?

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
   my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
   my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (18:2)

Day 87: 1 Samuel 25-27; Psalms 17 & 73

David comes up with some "out-of-the-box" kind of ideas. He decides that the best place for him and his men to remain safe from Saul is in the land of the Philistines...the enemies of Israel. He becomes friends with Achish, king of Gath. If you'll recall, Gath is where Goliath was from! Amazing! And all the while David lives among the Philistines he carries out raids against the Philistines from within:

     Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites and the Amalekites. (From ancient times these peoples had lived in the land extending to Shur and Egypt.) Whenever David attacked an area, he did not leave a man or woman alive, but took sheep and cattle, donkeys and camels, and clothes. Then he returned to Achish.
     When Achish asked, “Where did you go raiding today?” David would say, “Against the Negev of Judah” or “Against the Negev of Jerahmeel” or “Against the Negev of the Kenites.” He did not leave a man or woman alive to be brought to Gath, for he thought, “They might inform on us and say, ‘This is what David did.’” And such was his practice as long as he lived in Philistine territory. Achish trusted David and said to himself, “He has become so obnoxious to his people, the Israelites, that he will be my servant for life.” (1 Samuel 27:8-12)

He allowed Achish to think he had the upper hand when all the while David was doing to the Philistines what Saul should have been doing! David lived this way for a year and four months...and Achish never caught on.

David is a complex, intriguing character. I've been thinking of him as confident and humble but he was also brilliant and creative. These characteristics are evident in his dealings with people, his military strategies, as well as in his poetic writings.

He paints a beautiful word picture in Psalm 73. He's talking about "the wicked" when he says this, but I think you could apply this thought to all of the trials, grief and hardship of this life:

They are like a dream when one awakes;
   when you arise, Lord,
   you will despise them as fantasies. (Psalm 73:20)

Then Psalm 73 closes with these words, which cause me to realize just how shallow my commitment really is. Maybe someday I'll get to the point where I'll be able to say this...and it'll be true. Actually, I suppose it is true (except for maybe that "desire" part), it's just that I don't always live like it's true:

Whom have I in heaven but you?
   And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
   but God is the strength of my heart
   and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:25-26)

Day 86: Psalms 56; 120; 140-142

These are some more psalms written by David while he's on the run, or hiding out. He has literal enemies wanting to kill him (something I've never experienced) and this is a time when he produces some of his greatest works of praise and worship.

I just thought I'd quote a few of the verses that really spoke to me today.

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
   In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
   What can mere mortals do to me? (56:3-4)

 If David can express this kind of faith in the midst of what he's going through surely I should be able to face my trials with a similar combination of confidence and humility. Those words seem to keep coming to my mind as I read about David.

Today's big news was that Osama Bin Laden has finally been found and killed. With that context I thought these verses were particularly timely:

Too long have I lived
   among those who hate peace.
I am for peace;
   but when I speak, they are for war. (120:6-7)

Then, possibly my personal favorite for today (perhaps because I'm reminded of my need to pray a similar prayer):

Set a guard over my mouth, LORD;
   keep watch over the door of my lips.
Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil
   so that I take part in wicked deeds
along with those who are evildoers;
   do not let me eat their delicacies. (141:3-4)

Day 85: Psalms 7,27,31,34,52

Reading these Psalms today gives insight into David's frame of mind during this time when he's being hunted down by Saul. He is a great example of a man who puts his complete confidence in God and not in himself. As I noted in an earlier post, he has that rare combination of complete confidence and utter humility.

I think it's appropriate to post a music video on a day when the Psalms are being read. I couldn't help but think of a song taken from Psalm 27 that was sung many times by our group, The New Disciples, back in the day. Bill always did an outstanding job on the solo and it was always one of my favorites. Here it is being sung by The Imperials (Yeah, we stole quite a few of their songs.)