Author: Aaron Hufty

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 93:1-5 (day two) 

Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.
² Your throne is established from of old;
You are from everlasting. v. 1b-2

Over the past 13 weeks our study of the book of Psalms has provided us with many incredible images of strength: towers, foundations, and fortresses. The readings have also given us a picture of the uncertain world in which we live: floods, earthquakes, mountains raging, and fires. The artist in me loves fantastic language that inspires creativity of expression in worship. More than that, however, I love the picture of the steadiness of God. His throne, his reign, his majesty is from everlasting. We cannot plumb the depths of the foundations of his kingdom. He will not be moved. While acknowledging that the world can be unstable, there is comfort in knowing that God is neither panicked nor threatened by chaos. When you are experiencing instability, cast your gaze toward that which is immovable. Gain comfort that the Lord will not be moved by circumstances. He is your rock, now and forever.

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 46:1-11 (day two)

 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High. v. 4

Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.     Revelation 22:1-2

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.                                                                         Psalm 1:1-3

 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”     John 7:37-38

Water has always meant life. From the beginning to end of scripture, there has been an aquatic narrative which has helped our understanding of God’s provision and grace. It is a beautiful picture of restoration to see in Revelation how a river of life flows from the throne of God. In our Psalm this week, we are reminded how God is not unaware of the tumult of the world, but he is a comfort in the midst of the storm. He is still life and provision while the world shakes. We can cease our striving only when we drink from the water of life.

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 77:1-20 (day two)

 I shall remember the deeds of the Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. V. 11

This is the pivot verse of Psalm 77. This is the moment after the psalmist has drained himself of all the things weighing on his heart and mind; and he takes a breath, and remembers. This is such a beautiful and instructional model for our prayers. It is a reminder to talk honestly with the Lord, even when it is uncomfortable. Hold nothing back, empty yourself of your hurt, your fear, your anger, and frustration so there is nothing left except to remember. When your mind and heart are not clouded by the obstacle in front of you, you can look back at the unfailing mercy and goodness of our Lord. I’m not sure we get to this point enough. Either we aren’t being honest with ourselves, and therefore, the Lord, or we are afraid to be that vulnerable. His goodness is patient, but he wants all of you. Empty yourself and remember.

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 113:1-9 (day two)

 From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised. v. 3

Last week we looked at the mandate to sing, to worship, to praise the Lord. No one is exempt; we are all created to worship the Lord. This week’s passage makes it seem like we get to do nothing else. Even for a musician like me, that seems like a daunting task. What can this possibly mean? Are we supposed to sit in church singing all day every day? I would love to say the answer to that is yes; however, I think it is much more than just singing. How we live our lives is a reflection of our love, devotion, and worship of God. We are to consider every moment as an opportunity to reflect the nature of our creator to the world. That is no less a daunting task than sitting and singing all day, but it certainly gets us out of the pew! A friend recently sent me this passage from Brother Lawrence that I think applies to our reading of Psalm 113:

Simply living and moving in His presence is an acceptable sacrifice.
There is nowhere He is not, no darkness He has not already sounded, nowhere I can go outside His presence.
I may simply live there, be there… and if I don’t know what to say, I can turn the dirt of my garden, I can breathe in and out, I can make breakfast.

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 96:1-13 (day two) 

Sing to the Lord a new song;
Sing to the Lord, all the earth. v. 1

Well, this may come as a shock to you, but I love this psalm! Notice the qualifications for singing listed in this first verse. College degree in music, in the choir, can read music, good soloist, can hit the high notes, has a good voice, knows the song

NOPE

All these reasons (read excuses) I hear on a regular basis. There is a cultural bias that continues in our churches that suggests some can sing and some cannot. Let’s face it, some people are better singers than others. That is a fact. There, however, is not a hierarchy in worship of who can and who cannot participate in praise. This psalm and others declare the only qualification necessary is breath in your lungs. You are alive, therefore you must sing. This isn’t a suggestion, it’s not a talent show, it is a mandate from the Lord. This is one of the ways we were created to glorify our creator. My hope and prayer is that we can continue to support an attitude of worship that encourages abandon. Just sing.

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 119:1–16 (day two) 

Oh that my ways may be established To keep Your statutes! v. 5

The beginning of this epic psalm is daunting. From a casual reading it seems there are individuals who are walking perfectly in righteousness! That is enough to make any believer feel inadequate. I don’t think that is the intention of this psalm. Rather, I believe that it serves as a reminder to continually calibrate our lives toward the work and will of God. The psalmist had the law as the guidepost for how to live. We not only have the Word, but also the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Whereas the goal is to live a perfect life, the reality is we need a plumb line to show us what we are striving for; and perhaps even more importantly, how to realign when we stray off center. Take comfort in the knowledge that you are not being held to a standard without grace and without a way to recalibrate.

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 62:1-12 (day two)

 He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken. V. 2

This psalm is filled with images of God as a strong fortress and tower. If we put our faith and trust in the Lord, we can rest securely in the knowledge that we are under his care and protection. These pictures are a great comfort and remind us of that which is immovable. There is a distinct contrast given at the end of verse three. When our trust and faith is established in anything other than the Lord, it is…

Like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence? V. 3b

People will try to convince you that people, institutions, ideologies are solid and trustworthy; but in the end they will result in an unstable grasp of reality. God alone provides the stability and strength that we need. May this be a reminder to all of us that no matter how shiny and new a way of thinking may be, if it is not rooted in God, it is a tottering fence.

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 37:1-40 (day two)

Do not fret because of evildoers,
Be not envious toward wrongdoers.
² For they will wither quickly like the grass
And fade like the green herb. V. 1-2

The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8

…while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18

There is a reality to living in a fallen world that sees others seemingly succeed at the cost of what is good, true, and beautiful. We see unscrupulous people win, get ahead, and live happy lives. This can be discouraging. That this can happen is a reality. We see it in almost every facet of life, even churches. It does reveal something about the believer as well. Where is your focus. I am less likely to be distracted by what other people get, do, or win if I’m not focused on them. The world is not the source of fulfillment or true happiness, and those who put their trust in those things will ultimately receive what they provide. Emptiness. If you find yourself in a state of mind that is discouraged by the world, take a breath and lift your eyes to the only one who can give you life.

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 16:1-11 (day two)