Psalm 94 - 10.14.22
Scripture - What stood out?
Psalm 94:1,2
The Lord is a God who avenges.
O God who avenges, shine forth.
Rise up, Judge of the earth;
pay back to the proud what they deserve.
Observation - What does it say?
A psalm about the evildoer who has oppressed the God following psalmist and his people. The psalmist cries out to God to right the scales of justice, to deliver his righteous people from the wicked. And to mete out to the unjust what they deserve.
Understanding - What does it mean?
‘How do you feel when you read bible verses about the God of vengeance?’ I asked my wife.
‘I don’t know, I guess I have struggled with it in the past.’
‘Yea, same here. I have a hard time believing that the same God who tells us to love one another is the same God that the psalmist is crying out to for vengeance.’
Deborah and I started our day this morning reading Your word together and openly talking to one another about how we felt about it. Lord, I don’t know what the psalmist was going through. I don’t know the difference between Sodom and Nineveh. All I know is I have come to trust you even more than before.
You have granted me this amazing victory in my own heart over this past month and a half and I don’t want to let go. You have taught me to love others, how to love my enemies (in the workplace no less!).
‘Maybe the correct heart response isn’t so much that I want vengeance, but that I trust the Perfect Judge will figure it out. You don’t understand how freeing it has been for me to let go of all the stress my co-workers inflict on me and instead replace it with love for them. Maybe what I am asking for is no different from the psalmist here. I am trusting God will take care of me and whatever enemies I have. My job then remains the same, fill my heart with love for God and love for others,’ I presented to my wife.
‘Yea I think you are on to something.’
Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?
Thank you God for allowing me to marry a woman I can have frank conversations with about You and Your word!
Father God, thank you for being a perfect and just God. Thank you for being a God who upholds the righteous, a God who loves those who love You. I put my trust in you no matter what. I believe You are the author of creation. I believe you know our hearts better than anyone else. I trust you Lord. I love you Lord. I pray for those who are for and against You. I put my faith in You. Help me to build that faith in You Lord. I trust that you will be the one to protect me. And I trust that you will be the one to deliver me from my enemies. I love you, Lord.
In the name of Jesus do I pray, amen.
-kenneth lee
Psalm 93-10.13.22
Scripture
Psalm 93
1
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.
2
Your throne was established long ago;
you are from all eternity.
3
The seas have lifted up, Lord,
the seas have lifted up their voice;
the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.
4
Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,
mightier than the breakers of the sea—
the Lord on high is mighty.
5
Your statutes, Lord, stand firm;
holiness adorns your house
for endless days.
Observation
The author brings thanks to God and lists why he’s worthy of praise
Understanding
A pretty simple psalm, the author simply states that God is worthy of our praise always. Recently this theme of giving praise and worship to God has been pretty prevalent. Everywhere I look, I find more and more reasons to praise him and give him thanks.
Life Application
We need to be like the author of this psalm. In a never ending state of worship and praise for God, worship is so much more than a thing we do on a Sunday. It’s a state of being.
-Anakin Cerda
Psalm 92-10.12.22
Scripture
Psalm 92:12-15
12The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; 13planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. 14They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, 15 proclaiming, “The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”
Observation-What does it say?
This Psalm was written for the Sabbath day (rest). It covers worship to the Lord and also the difference between the rebellious and the righteous.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Be part of the righteous crew, not the rebellious one.
Righteousness apart from Jesus (or the Vine) is IMPOSSIBLE! As we stay in close fellowship with the Lord through worship, prayer, His Word and other Spirit filled believers, fruit is bound to happen! However, rebellion against the Lord will always lead to defeat (verses 9-11).
Life Application
Remain in Christ’s love everyday.
Those who stay close to the Lord will still bear fruit in old age and will stay fresh and green (vs. 14).
There was one worship night where I got a picture of a very healthy, green and thriving tree. It was strong. The roots were healthy and the leaves were a vibrant color of green. I love how this Scripture talks about how those who stay close to the Lord will continue to bear fruit, even in old age! That’s encouraging to me!
Let’s worship together tonight at 7p and stay fresh and green as we kick off our 3 day Ascent of Prayer and Fasting. Let us stay connected to the One who keeps our roots strong and healthy for His glory!
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5)
-Michelle Gaddi