war horse

Posted on February 3, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

LAND31 (3)Psalm 33

The title reflects that of a recent movie about a magnificent horse and how he became involved in a war.  One key element in the movie was how valuable the horse became once war was declared.  The psalmist reflected on the sad fact that kings trust in the greatness of their armies and their strength relative to the strength and resources of their enemies.  Wisdom is found in those who fear, hope in, and wait for the LORD. The wise understand that you can have superior strength and resources and still lose the battle.  There are forces above and beyond the visible world that must be acknowledged.  All the war horses in the world cannot defeat the purposes of God.

LORD, remind us to trust in you, and not in our visible resources.

Posted in dependence upon God, trust | Tagged | 1 Comment

passing the test

Posted on February 3, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

LAND35 (3)2 Chronicles 7

The LORD responded to Solomon’s prayer and dedicated the temple to himself.  He promised that he would be available, but the rescue associated with his presence was a conditional promise.  If Solomon and his people turned to other gods, God would give them over to that choice.  Staying true to God meant more than merely claiming allegiance to him. It means obeying his statutes and commandments. The prosperity that David and Solomon had known was a gift from God’s grace. Maintaining that blessing would require integrity. They would be tested by drought, locusts, and pestilence.  If they responded by seeking the LORD’s presence, he would respond to their response.

LORD, give us eyes to see you in the hard times, so that we pass the test.

Posted in commitment, deliverance, obedience, Solomon | Tagged | Leave a comment

when you may be found

Posted on February 2, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

LAND28 (3)Psalm 32

David urges his listeners to seek the LORD during the times when he may be found.  When the rushing waters overwhelm us, that is the time we usually think of calling on God.  He is there at those times, but he wants to give us peace and bless us during the normal times of our lives.  He wants us to know the joy of his presence and his power for all the times of our lives.  Today, before the storm starts, seek him.

LORD, we seek your face.  Make yourself known to us.

Posted in David, peace, prayer | Tagged | 1 Comment

staying real

Posted on February 2, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

LAND27 (3)2 Chronicles 6

In essence, Solomon is calling on the LORD to be faithful to his promises to Israel – and his threatening when the nation rebels.  His prayer highlights the real presence of God in the land, a presence that will be felt – and is available to resident and foreigner alike.  Solomon is asking for the religious traditions of his people to always have a basis in the reality of a true relationship with the LORD.  In dedicating the temple, he dedicates himself and his people to living out that reality.  It will not always mean blessing. It must sometimes entail judgment. 

LORD, we dedicate ourselves to a real relationship with you, and we understand that it will not always result in blessing.  Judge us we need it, but stay with us!

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bring us through

Posted on February 1, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

LAND26 (3)Psalm 31

The psalms were written for the sorrowful – those who have suffered greatly, and seek refuge because they know the storms of life.  The gospel in the psalms is that God knows what we are dealing with, and can bring us through it.  He purposes to turn our pain into prosperity, our sorrow into joy.  He gets the glory throughout the ages not for preventing our difficulties, but for bringing us through them. Ultimately this will happen in our resurrected life.

LORD, we invite you into our lives, and ask you to bring us through.

Posted in dependence upon God, perseverance, resurrection | Tagged | 1 Comment

all hands on deck

Posted on February 1, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

LAND26 (3)2 Chronicles 5

There are times when everybody has to be present, because something significant is happening.  The glorious entrance of the ark into the newly built temple was such a time.  You get that impression as you read this chapter. It was a time for all the men… all the elders …all the priests…  It was all hands on deck.  Perhaps God wants to do something significant in our lives and in his church today.  Will we be too busy with our own things to come together as a body to recognize his movement among us?

LORD, do something great, and keep us awake and unified so we do not miss it.

Posted in church, commitment, preparation, unity | Tagged | 1 Comment

silent glory

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

LAND25 (3)Psalm 30

David pleas for God to have mercy on him and protect him from immanent death.  He argues to God: “What good is is for you if I die and return to the dust? That dust is not going to praise you. That dust will not be able to tell others of your faithfulness.”  Ironically, David was wrong.  Even though David eventually did die, his story continues to bring praise to God, and has done so for three thousand years.  But David was not wrong about the fact that it is not death that makes praise possible.  It is life.  Our hope is not to die and go to heaven.  Our hope is to live eternally and so praise God eternally. God has given us a glory, and he does not intend for death to silence it.  He will raise us to life again, so that our glory may sing his praise, and not be silent.

LORD, thank you for the promise of new life from the resurrecting Christ.

Posted in David, resurrection, sleep of death | Tagged | 1 Comment

something magnificent

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

LAND30 (3)2 Chronicles 4

Reading these descriptions of the temple is like watching the special features of an epic movie.  You can’t really appreciate the “how we made it” if you did not see the movie itself.  The readers who first read this description were in a similar situation.  They probably never beheld the magnificence of the temple.  They certainly never saw it in Solomon’s days.  Why does the scripture writer “bore” us with all these details?  The Holy Spirit is reminding them of the glory that was, and hinting of a future glory that will be even greater. 

LORD, give us a glimpse of our future glory, and remind us how you have manifested your glory in our past.

Posted in encouragement, future, glory, Solomon | Tagged | Leave a comment

if we could see

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

LAND23 (3)Psalm 29

If we could see all that the LORD is doing right now across the globe and throughout the universe, then we would spontaneously worship, just as the angels in heaven do.  We have blinded ourselves with limited and pretend answers to how things work.  It is as if we are given a delicious cake and all we appreciate is the fact that the flour and eggs were mixed with water and oil and flavors.  We miss the who, we misunderstand the how, we ignore the why.

LORD, open our eyes to see you at work.

Posted in creation, discernment, glory, nature | Tagged | 1 Comment

an audience of one

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

LAND22 (3)2 Chronicles 3

Some of the things described in this chapter would have been evident for every Israelite visiting the temple area: the massive size of the temple area, the intricately detailed workmanship.  But some of the items would never be seen by the general public.  Only in the historical records and in the imagination would these beautiful things be appreciated.  The cost and beauty of these gifts were made to be appreciated by an audience of one. 

You and I can have a Most Holy Place in our lives.  We can spend precious time alone with the LORD, not for any other reason but to adore him.  No one else need know about these times. They are for an audience of one.

LORD, thank you for making our private lives eternally significant.

Posted in relationship with God, worship | Tagged | Leave a comment