for shame

Posted on June 16, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

Psalms (book2) - 1

for shame

Psalm 69:4-12 (JDV)

Psalm 69:4 Those who hate me without cause are more numerous than the hairs of my head; my deceitful enemies, who would destroy me, are powerful. Though I did not steal, I must repay.
Psalm 69:5 God, you know my foolishness, and my guilty acts are not hidden from you.
Psalm 69:6 Do not let those who put their hope in you be disgraced because of me, Lord Yahveh of Armies; do not let those who seek you be humiliated because of me, God of Israel.
Psalm 69:7 You see, I have endured insults because of you, and shame has covered my face.
Psalm 69:8 I have become a stranger to my brothers and a foreigner to my mother’s sons
Psalm 69:9 because zeal for your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.
Psalm 69:10 I mourned and fasted, but it brought me insults.
Psalm 69:11 I wore sackcloth as my clothing, and I was a joke to them.
Psalm 69:12 Those who sit at the city gate talk about me, and drunkards make up songs about me.

for shame

David lived in an honor/shame culture. To be humiliated or dishonored was a terrible thing for him, and he felt that shame. But even worse for him was the thought of bringing dishonor on those who trusted in his God.

Lord, may we be careful to live our lives in such a way as to bring honor to your name, and disgrace to your enemies.

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deep water times

Posted on June 15, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

Psalms (book2) - 1

deep water times

Psalm 69:1-3 (JDV)

Psalm 69:1 Rescue me, God, because the water has risen to my neck.
Psalm 69:2 I have sunk in deep mud, and there is no footing; I have come into deep water, and a flood sweeps over me.
Psalm 69:3 I am weary from my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.

deep water times

We all depend on water for life, but when the water gets deep, it can be life-threatening. David faced many challenges in his life where he could have prayed like this. Even though he was a man after God’s own heart, he was allowed to go through deep water times.

These times help us to focus on our relationship with God because it is during the deep water times that we realize that only he can help us.

Lord, thank you that we have someone to help us during the deep water times.

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he thunders

Posted on June 14, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

he thunders

Psalm 68:32-35 (JDV)

Psalm 68:32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the land; sing praise to the Lord, Selah
Psalm 68:33 to him who rides in the ancient, highest skies. Look, he thunders with his powerful voice!
Psalm 68:34 Ascribe power to God. His majesty is over Israel, his power is among the clouds.
Psalm 68:35 God, you are awe-inspiring in your sanctuaries. The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!

he thunders

As I write this, last night I replaced my home phone because I could not hear its ringer. The replacement phone is only a little better. I’m starting to think it might be my ears, and not the phone.

But I can still hear thunder. When it is near, thunder still shakes me — reminding me of a power much greater than myself — a power to which I call for help in time of need, and respect at all times.

God’s voice is unmistakable. He thunders when all the gods of the nations whisper. Listen to his voice. Look at the signs of his power and majesty.

Lord, thank you for your awesome power, and the thunder!

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rebuke the beast

Posted on June 13, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

Psalms (book2) - 1

rebuke the beast

Psalm 68:28-31 (JDV)

Psalm 68:28 Your God has decreed your strength. Show your strength, God, you who have acted on our behalf.
Psalm 68:29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem, kings will bring tribute to you.
Psalm 68:30 Rebuke the beast in the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples. Trample underfoot those with bars of silver. Scatter the peoples who take pleasure in war.
Psalm 68:31 Ambassadors will come from Egypt; Cush will stretch out its hands to God.

rebuke the beast

The beast is a symbol of Gentile kings and empires. We learn more about the beast in the apocalyptic books of Daniel and Revelation. Here, the psalmist asks God to tame these beasts, whose only concern is their own power and violence and wealth. Instead, these Gentile kings will bring tribute to God in Jerusalem.

Lord, rebuke the beast, and cause us all to submit to your righteous rule.

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his procession

Posted on June 12, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky

his procession

Psalm 68:24-27 (JDV)

Psalm 68:24 People have seen your procession, God, the procession of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.
Psalm 68:25 Singers lead the way, with musicians following; among them are young women playing tambourines.
Psalm 68:26 Bless God in the congregations; bless Yahveh from the fountain of Israel.
Psalm 68:27 There is Benjamin, the youngest, leading them, the rulers of Judah in their congregation, the rulers of Zebulun, the rulers of Naphtali.

his procession

Being in a parade is exciting, but watching a parade helps you to see the whole picture. From group to group, float to float, a watcher is impressed with the glory.

Such is the procession that the worshiper sees and relates in this psalm. From the singers to the leaders, each in turn showing the splendor of God.

God, make us part of your worship procession.

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I will bring them back

Posted on June 11, 2021 by Jefferson Vann
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I will bring them back

Psalm 68:19-23 (JDV)

Psalm 68:19 Blessed be the Lord! Day after day he bears our burdens; God is our rescue. Selah.
Psalm 68:20 Our God is a God of rescue, and escape from death belongs to Yahveh my Lord.
Psalm 68:21 Surely God crushes the heads of his enemies, the hairy brow of one who goes on in his guilty acts.
Psalm 68:22 The Lord said, “I will bring them back from Bashan; I will bring them back from the depths of the sea
Psalm 68:23 so that your foot may wade in blood and your dogs’ tongues may have their share from the enemies.”

I will bring them back

Two major threats against Israel are highlighted in today’s text: the battles against kings on the way to Canaan (Og, king of Bashan was an example) and the ordeal that ended by God parting the Red Sea and protecting Israel as they walked through the parted waters. The point was, in both of these cases the miracle happened because God had said “I will bring them back” (22).

Christian, are you facing an ordeal right now? Are you facing an enemy which is certain to overpower you? Listen to these words from our deliverer God: “I will bring them back.” He does not promise to keep you from battling the enemy. But he does promise rescue.

Lord, thank you for going with us into battle, and promising to bring us back.

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parting gifts

Posted on June 10, 2021 by Jefferson Vann
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parting gifts

Psalm 68:15-18 (JDV)

Psalm 68:15 Mount Bashan is God’s towering mountain; Mount Bashan is a mountain of many peaks.
Psalm 68:16 Why gaze with envy, you mountain peaks, at the mountain God desired for his residence? Yahveh will dwell there forever!
Psalm 68:17 God’s chariots are tens of thousands, thousands and thousands; the Lord is among them in the sanctuary as he was at Sinai.
Psalm 68:18 You ascended to the heights, taking away captives; you received gifts from people, even from the rebellious, so that Yah – God might dwell there.

parting gifts

The Apostle Paul appears to have misquoted this passage in Ephesians 4:8.

Ephesians 4:8 (JDV)

For this reason it says: When he ascended on high, he took the captives captive; he gave gifts to humans.

Actually, Paul’s statement is easy to reconcile. His quote is actually only the first part of the verse. When he said “he gave gifts to humans” he is referring to the fact that those gifts he received (from the terrified Egyptians who wanted the Hebrews to just go away) went to the Hebrews themselves. So, although God did the Passover miracle, the Israelites received the gifts.

In the same way, When Jesus rose from the dead, and ascended to his throne in the sky, he left some parting gifts for his people. The equipping ministries of Ephesians 4:11 are Christ’s parting gifts to enrich the lives of his wandering congregation.

Thank you, Lord, for the parting gifts!

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it snowed on Zalmon

Posted on June 9, 2021 by Jefferson Vann
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it snowed on Zalmon

Psalm 68:11-14 (JDV)

Psalm 68:11 The Lord gave the command; a great army of women brought the good news:
Psalm 68:12 “The kings of the armies flee – they flee!” She who stays at home divides the spoil.
Psalm 68:13 While you lie among the sheep pens, the wings of a dove are covered with silver, and its feathers with glistening gold.
Psalm 68:14 When the Almighty scattered kings in the land, it snowed on Zalmon.

it snowed on Zalmon

There are various interpretations of this text, and its various elements. The impression I get is that Israel benefited from God having fought many of their battles for them. The women divided the treasures in peace. The peace of a snowfall on Zalmon (Mount Ebal) depicts a people who do not have to fight, because their God fights their battles for them.

That’s God’s grace. He does not say, “Get your act together, or I won’t deliver you.” He says, “Stand still and see the salvation I give freely.”

It snowed on Zalmon and it snowed on Calvary, after God fought our battle for us, and won the victory for us through Christ.

Thank you Lord, for the peace that is ours through Christ.

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rain and revival

Posted on June 8, 2021 by Jefferson Vann
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rain and revival

Psalm 68:7-10 (JDV)

Psalm 68:7 God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the desert, Selah –
Psalm 68:8 the land trembled and the skies poured rain before God, the God of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.
Psalm 68:9 You, God, showered abundant rain; you revived your inheritance when it languished.
Psalm 68:10 Your people settled in it; God, you provided for the poor by your goodness.

rain and revival

The rain was real, and so was the revival it caused. David celebrated that rain and the fact that God was in it, bringing new life to a languishing people — his ancestors.

When we pray for God’s rain to come again, we are asking for — for lack of a better word — spiritual revival. We ask the God who can make it rain to flood us with his presence and power and bring new life. Our God can make it rain in the desert. Nothing is too difficult for him.

Lord, send your rain, and revive us again!

 

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cloud rider

Posted on June 7, 2021 by Jefferson Vann
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cloud rider

Psalm 68:4-6 (JDV)

Psalm 68:4 Sing to God! Sing praises to his name. Exalt him who rides on the clouds – his name is Yah – and celebrate before him.
Psalm 68:5 God in his sacred dwelling is a father of the fatherless and a champion of widows.
Psalm 68:6 God provides homes for those who are abandoned. He leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious live in a scorched land.

cloud rider

Having established the future of the wicked, David now describes what God is doing for his poor prisoners. He describes God as ascending to the heights (18) and riding on the clouds (4). He sets free the captives, providing them prosperity and a home.

We should be singing this song even more so today, since we know that Christ ascended, and is providing us a prosperous eternal home, which he will give us when he returns to reign.

Lord, thank you for what you have provided for us today, and for the promise of eternal rest in our future.

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