Psalm 14 - 6.24.2022
Scripture - What stood out?
Psalm 14:2-3
2 The Lord looks down from heaven
on all mankind
to see if there are any who understand,
any who seek God.
3 All have turned away, all have become corrupt;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.
Observation - What does it say?
A psalm about evil doers versus righteous people and how the Lord will ultimately save the righteous - those who call on His name.
As a whole our bible reading for today is uh not immediately inspiring.
Second Kings chapters 21 chronicles the evil doings and spiritual failing of two kings of Judah. Both of them did not do very well in the eyes of the Lord. Psalm fourteen recaps the corruption of all people, with a distinction between all the corrupt people who call on the Lord and all the corrupt people who don’t. And second Timothy chapter four is ripe with warning against false teachers, fallen brothers, treacherous brothers and the apostle Paul sounding like he is ready to go be with the Lord.
Understanding - What does it mean?
Why is there so much yuckiness Lord?
Sometimes I read the word Father God, and I wish I understood it all. I may not need to know all 15 steps but I sure wish I understood the overall big picture better. June 24 is my birthday, Lord. I know your message is always filled with hope. But I can’t imagine a more depressing set of scriptures for me - Your child - who struggles with being a debbie downer. The only thing I can think of is that Holy Spirit is asking me to see you at work in the midst of all this yucky.
I guess when I think about it.
It is so strange. I am still recovering from covid, my energy is still not at full, I haven’t been able to exercise in weeks, and my stomach is constantly in pain. And yet today - I have never felt more clear headed, all my joint pain is gone, and this has been the most disciplined my eating has been in two years.
Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?
My response:
2 Kings 21 - both kings failed miserably - and yet God faithfully birthed our Lord and Savior Jesus through that same line of kings.
2 Timothy 4 - be on guard always - for the prize is the crown of righteousness bestowed by the Lord our God.
Psalm 14 - we all stink - but for those of us who choose the Lord we have a chance to one day stink way less.
Lord help me to transform my spirit and my mind. Help me to accept the yuckiness around me. Help me to let go of the yuckiness within me. And help me to always see that Your goodness is steadfast in the midst of it all. Give me Your power of positivity the kind that starts and ends with You and only You. In the name of Jesus do I pray. Amen
Psalm 13-6.23.22
Scripture
Psalms 13:5 NIV
“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.”
Observation
David talks about how he doesn’t think God is hearing him.
Understanding
David is going through the ringer here. You can tell by his writing that he’s really struggling here. You know, it’s easy for us, like David, when faced with hard times to look to God and ask “why?”, when we don’t get an immediate answer. The thing to keep in mind however, is the fact that God is hearing us always, listening to each and every word we say. None of it is in vain. David understands this and puts it in his writing, talking about his depression but then turning it around into words of praise.
Life Application
We need to remember that prayer isn’t always instant. Though it can be, sometimes it can take weeks, months, years even. But despite it feeling like you may not be progressing with your prayers, God heard them, he hears you! Like David wrote, we need to trust in his unfailing love, for he is always good to us.
-Anakin Cerda
2 Timothy 2-6.22.22
Scripture
2 Timothy 2:22-26
Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
Observation
Paul encourages the church in Ephesus to put aside godless chatter and quarrels over things that don’t matter to the kingdom of God and instead prepare themselves as servants of Christ. “The Lord’s servant = shepherd on a rescue mission that requires the correct handling of the word of truth.” Asbury Study Bible
Understanding
Society today is increasingly polarized and FULL of quarreling. Everyone seems to believe that their opinion is the only acceptable one and people have stopped listening to each other or treating people with differing opinions with respect. If we are not careful, this can bleed over into the church.
In verses 14-16, Paul says, “Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” What does it mean to correctly handle the word of truth?
I Peter 3:15 (NIV) “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
If we want to lead people to the truth, we must be prepared (prayer, bible reading), we must focus on being a servant of God (avoid godless chatter and quarrels over things not important to the kingdom), and we must treat all with gentleness and respect (inside and outside the church).
Life Application
Lord, help me to put my focus more and more on You and put aside the things that don’t build your kingdom.
-Debbie Dunn