Psalm_66

Scripture

Psalm 66: 8-10

Praise our God, all peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver.

 

Observation

This psalm is one of the rare psalms not attributed to David, and is regarded as a praise song. Traditionally, this particular chapter is recited during an Easter celebration (so we’re a little late) but it explains the victory and blessing we experience in the Lord.

 

Understanding

I love that this psalmist praises God for all the amazing deeds that He has done. He also shows gratitude for God allowing them to in some way keep their position, that is keeping them rooted in Christ. But the part that I had to stop on today always catches my attention in the Bible and even in songs: “you refined us like silver.” If you know anything about the refinement process of precious metals, you’ll understand that it is extremely uncomfortable. The ore is taken and put through immense amounts of heat until the impurities (or dross if you want to be fancy) comes rising to the top. Then the refiner will scrape these impurities off and blast it through heat again, this process is continued until no more dross is present and the ore is completely refined silver. So when we say “I want to be tried by the fire and purified” or “you refined us like silver” it’s the understanding that our blessings are sometimes wrapped up in a difficult test.

There are very few things that I consider a “dangerous prayer,” but asking God to refine us like any precious metal is one of them in my eyes. As I look back on my life there’s only one time I can remember I asked God to truly “refine” me, and wow He did. In the beginning of 2020 I wrote in a journal: “I want to be forged in the fire so that I come out as purified gold. As of right now though I feel the flames getting hotter and hotter, and I have to made the choice that I will survive the scorching.” Needless to say 2020 was a journey that I am still navigating, and I now can say that I believe the sentiment I wrote in January 2020. “I will survive the scorching,” but also the blessing is in the testing and that’s what this psalmist is reminding us today.

 

Life Application

Choose to look at your difficulties with eyes of wonder rather than eyes of despair. The blessing is in the testing, so although it is not easy push through the tough circumstances and remember that no matter what He still good, and always worthy of our praise.

-Allison Khan 

2 Corinthians 12

Scripture2 Corinthians 12:9-10⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.   Observation-What does it say?Paul speaks to the type of man he would boast about – a man he knows who was “caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell;” then he makes a clear delineation that he will not boast about himself, except about his weaknesses – “so no one will think more of [him] than is warranted.”  He recognizes God’s power and work in his life, but also recognizes the “thorn” that was given to keep him humble.     Understanding-What does it mean?What a refreshing view of weakness in a world of social media highlight reels – with picture perfect poses, photo staging, filters, etc.  But God’s not looking for perfection…he’s looking for humble hearts, ready to serve.  In fact, it’s in our weaknesses, if we’re willing to be vulnerable and submit them to Him, that His power is made perfect.  His perfection takes all forms – healing, feeling loved, being known…the point is, it takes humble and willing hearts.  And our “worst” weaknesses can be the source of God’s greatest good, greatest power! Life ApplicationMay we boast in our weaknesses – for it is in our weakness that we are made strong in God.  -Rei

Genesis 18

ScriptureGenesis 18:25 NLT“Surely you wouldn’t do such a thing, destroying the righteous along with the wicked. Why, you would be treating the righteous and the wicked exactly the same! Surely you wouldn’t do that! Should not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?” Observation-What does it say?The Lord appeared to Abraham one day, and Abraham served Him, and even broke bread with Him. As God was about to leave Abraham’s place, and head towards the city of Sodom, God lets Abraham in on His plans for the city. The sins of the city of Sodom and Gomorrah were so flagrant, God was going to destroy the city for their vile behavior. This is when Abraham intercedes on behalf of Sodom. Abraham knew God to be a righteous God. Abraham steps in and asks God if He would spare the city if He were able to find 50 righteous people in it. To which God agreed He would. Then this banter between God and Abraham continues in which Abraham “negotiates” the number of righteous people down from 50 to 10. In which God still agrees to spare the city if He can find just 10 righteous people within it. Now who knows if Abraham is trying to plead with God because he still knows that Lot and his family are still living there. But according to the deal Abraham “negotiated” with God, Lot and his family should have died because not even 10 righteous people could be found-(Genesis 19). But God still showed mercy on Lot because of Abraham’s intercession as we will read in the next chapter. Understanding-What does it mean?God hears the prayers of His people when they passionately and persistently seek Him. Abraham was a man of God. He found favor in God’s eyes. Abraham earnestly sought out after God, and God answered His requests. (As we read in this chapter). David was a man after God’s own heart. He too found favor in God’s eyes. David also passionately called out to God, and God too would answer his requests. (As seen in part of today’s bible reading in Psalm 18). “I called to the Lord for help, and he saved me from my enemies!” Psalms 18:3a “In my trouble I called to the Lord. Yes, I cried out to my God for help. There in his temple he heard my voice. He heard my cry for help.” Psalms 18:6  “He was pleased with me, so he rescued me. He took me to a safe place. The Lord rewarded me for doing what is right. He was good to me because I am innocent.” Psalms 18:19-20 “I always remembered his laws.” Psalms 18:22a “So the Lord rewarded me for doing what is right.”-Psalms 18:24a “Lord, you are faithful to those who are faithful. You are good to those who are good.”-Psalms 18:25 The bottom line is that God hears and answers the prayers of his people who seek and obey Him. “And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him.”-1 John 3:22  Life ApplicationWhat incredible things would happen if the Lord heard a steady stream of prayers from His people everywhere?

We all know we serve a God where ALL things are possible with Him! We also know how far away our world has drifted away from God’s ways. So why not stand united as God’s people to intercede and pray for our nation? Our leaders? Our church? Our family? Let’s see what God can do for His people, (the way He did for Abraham and David), when we earnestly seek Him and obey His ways.

 

-Moses Gaddi