Author: Scott Lane

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 93:1-5 (day five)
We end our study in the Psalms with two great truths:  The Lord Reigns and The Floods Roar (lift up their voice and waves). God’s throne is set side by side with the sea (vs 4). Makes us feel small and not in control (of either). Most of us don’t like that at all. Yet, here we are, small and in the midst of two great truths- neither of which we can predict or regulate. What I notice about this Psalm- there’s no first person. No human mention. These are both larger and longer truths and realities. God’s sovereignty (Throne) and evil/suffering (floods/sea).

However, one is immeasurably greater than the other. The Throne and Sea are seen again side by side in the Scriptures. Revelation 4. The sea looks completely different. Completely conquered. Does that bring assurance and hope?  It should. There is always more hope than trouble found in the scriptures. There will always be both. But we will always need to be reminded of the eternal hope and power of the Lord.
“God’s sovereignty is not the stuff of controversy, it’s the stuff of worship.”- Matt Mason

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

What’s the plan or action step we can take when life gets hectic?  When we sense and see a world spinning out of control, what do we do?  When we are caught up in confusion, calamity, or uncertainty, what helps us?

In this Psalm the only direction given to the reader is to stop striving. Other versions will translate our action step “be still”. Seems counterintuitive doesn’t it?  We in our humanness and finiteness want to work on it or fix it- Remove (on our own) the tension and terror we often feel.  What is it that we are to learn or know about God? I went through this Psalm and circled the answers to this question. I often read verse one, but then get quickly caught up and frazzled by the next 2 verses. Perhaps the wisdom we can gain is differentiating what we feel from what we know. God is a refuge and strength. We have experienced it (if no other time, certainly when we were born again). He is a present help. He is with us. He is a stronghold. Do you KNOW these things to be true?

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 77:1-20 (day five)
The struggle is real. The questions are honest. The doubt is tangible. But the meditation is balanced. The promises of God, the character of God, the actions and activities of God, the suffering we encounter and experience, the abandonment and isolation we sometimes feel, and the skepticism we have are not mutually exclusive. They go together. They live in tension with each other. The psalmist holds on to both sides. It is work. It is hard. It is the long game. And that is how time and perspective are portrayed  in the Kingdom of God (eternal). What we feel and what we know are sometimes compatible, and other times at odds with each other.
I like Tim Keller’s words about this tension, “When we meditate, we work the truth down until it affects the heart. This is the key to handling difficulty. The psalmist is not just being stoic and gritting his teeth till the storm passes. Nor is he simply venting his feelings. He redirects his thoughts and feelings towards the truth about God… This is not the work of a moment, and learning it takes a lifetime”.

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

“Blessed be the name of the Lord From this time forth and forever.”
Is there ever a time or moment when God could/should not be praised?  Not according to Psalm 113. Maybe asking that same question in a positive perspective would be better. When could/should God be praised?  According to Psalm 113, always. The intent of the psalmist is to Bless/Praise the Lord always (moving forward).  He then describes life from two extremes. When the world seems right… God is on His throne. He is in charge and ruling with keen awareness. When the world seems broken… there is suffering, sadness, and hardship. Each extreme and all of life in between, offer opportunities and perspectives to see and experience the power and presence of God. When all I see is the difficult and the demands of life, I could/should praise Him for His promised presence. When I can’t or don’t, that says more about me than Him. If He really is worthy, then maybe like the psalmist, we should be more intent and determined to Praise Him and Bless Him “from this time forth.” I wonder what life would look like and feel like if we did. I really want to find out!  Praise God!!

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 96:1-13 (day five) Isn’t it interesting that the Psalmist directs the readers to sing?  Not write a poem. Not draw a picture. Not make a resolution or commitment. Not journal. (Let me pause and say these are all good and healthy ways to discover, process and apply, any revelation that God gives to us. God has used all these and many more means to help me grow closer and strengthen my relationship with Him.)  In this case, just sing. Singing is different. There is a recalibration, affection, and intensity found in singing. There is something about verbally hearing truths, praise, and feelings pour out of our mouths and bodies. There is an audible component found in our singing that is distinctive to us. Our voice. Our conviction. Our testimony. Our sound. Our experience. Our faith. Our memories. Our priorities. Our observations. Our personal expression. That’s why this kind of song is a “New Song”- it is unique to each one of us. Will you look, listen, read, and ponder God’s Glory?  Then with your own voice and from your own experience, will you sing?  Out loud?  Just for you and the Lord to hear.
It will echo the experience of Carl Boberg- his reaction and response to God’s glory and creation… “Then sings my soul,”

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

We are wrapping up our “Footsteps of Paul” Trip today. We have stood where Paul stood and preached. We have walked down ancient roads that were traveled by many of the Apostles. It has been an amazing time for discovery, growth, and reflection. I am reminded of Paul’s last written words to Timothy – I have fought the fight, ran the race, and KEPT the faith. It’s exactly the tone and intention of Psalm 119. “You have ordained Your precepts, That we should keep them diligently.”  There is determination, discipline, and devotion all required in the “keeping.” Doesn’t happen accidentally. One of the things we saw and learned about Paul was his focus and desire to be obedient. Same for us. May we have the same kind of devotion and regard for Your Word. May the Scriptures be the Lamp and Light they were given to be. May we trust and follow God’s Word for His glory and our good!  May we diligently KEEP Your statutes dear Lord!

Lastly from Paul- “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

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

“From Him is my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.”

How many sermons a week do you listen to? Who preaches those sermons?  Is it your local church pastor (once a week)?  Is it podcasts? Other sermons you access online?  I’m not suggesting your spiritual maturity is directly connected to how many sermons a week you hear. Instead, I want to suggest that perhaps the most influential preacher in your life could/should be… YOU!! Sometimes our tendency is to only listen to ourselves. When we listen, we hear struggle, pain, doubt, anxiety, etc. Nothing wrong with that (we ask the Spirit to search us and show us).  But don’t stop there. Once we listen (to ourselves and to the Spirit), we then should speak/preach to ourselves- asking the Spirit to guide us and teach us. That’s what David is doing in some of Palm 62, and he is preaching a terrific sermon – exactly what he needed to hear/learn/remember. The sermons we preach to ourselves can be life-giving and transformational. So maybe a helpful rhythm would be to not only listen/hear BUT ALSO speak/preach (all with the help and guidance of the Spirit).

“What is it that is capturing your idle thoughts? What fear or frustration is filling your spare moments? Will you just listen to yourself, or will you start talking? No, preaching—not letting your concerns shape you, but forming your concerns by the power of the gospel.”- David Mathis

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

It may be one of the most incredible promises in the Bible- God will give you the desires of your heart. No denying it is in the scriptures. How can this be true?  What is God really promising?

I think we need to ask another question or two in order to answer these questions. How do you see God? Or in other words, What is your view of God?  Is God a genie in heaven granting you wishes?  Whatever we want, he gives and does?  Is God a cosmic grandfather who is easily persuaded or caves into all our requests- wants us to be happy and is able and willing to spoil us above and beyond anything else. These may seem silly or extreme, but I have visited with lots of people (some who claim to be believers) who have this view and mindset.

The key to understanding the promise, is to consider its context. Two words are key. Delight and Heart. While affection is certainly a part of delight, the scriptures indicate that determination and discipline are also facets of delighting in the Lord. Determination and discipline to Learn about Him, Love Him, Know Him deeper. The scriptures also describe the heart as the place where priorities, values, decisions, desires, affections, and convictions are formed and ultimately shape and influence our thinking, feeling, and character (to name a few). So yes, when we delight in God and our hearts are renewed and reshaped by the Spirit- our desires become His desires. We see Him as a gracious, loving, sovereign God whose values and priorities become ours. And what we then begin to desire and ask for (shifts and transforms), becoming what He wants and desires for us. And God is promising to give us those things.

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

“As for the saints who are in the earth, They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.” Why do you  come to church?  Have you ever asked yourself and analyzed that question?  Past the “Sunday School Answers.” What is it about church attendance and participation that makes it worth your while?  Worship. Learning. Growing. Serving. While there are several answers and potential layers to these questions, I wonder if being with and near the people of God is one of your first few answers. We use church words like “fellowship” and “community” to describe it.  Is it unhealthy or unbiblical to put that much value and emphasis on being with God’s people. If we deem being with people as much as being with the Lord is that wrong?  Are those things mutually exclusive?  No says David. Not so says Paul. No says the scriptures. Why? How?  When we are near and with God’s people, we sense and see God’s presence, His power, His love, His grace, His wisdom, and His grace – just to name a few. Being with God’s people (saints) should bring Delight (David, Psalm 16) Joy (Paul, Romans 1) Encouragement (Hebrews 10). When we gather to worship, pray, study, serve, and fellowship, we are gathering with saints- those whom God has called, loved, filled, and blessed. We are nearer to God when we are nearer to His People. That’s a wonderful reason to be in church!  That’s a great reason to Deepen Relationships!