the cattle on a thousand hills

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0547Psalm 50

It has been popular among the ranks of evangelical Christians to encourage people who have financial needs to ask God because he owns “the cattle on a thousand hills.”  That quote comes from this psalm, and it was not given to encourage prayer for finances.  It was given to discourage the people of God from presuming that their sacrifices have bought them favor in God’s sight.  The idea was that those sacrifices themselves mean nothing to God because he does not need them.  He owns everything.  What he wants is a people who will truly be thankful for him, and take his word seriously, living righteously.

LORD, we will not try to impress you with our gifts.  We simply want to know you, and to live by the words of your Gift to us … Jesus Christ.

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joy and quiet

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_05462 Chronicles 23

Athalia is executed by the people, and Joash is made king.  The temple of Baal is destroyed, and the people once again devote themselves to the LORD alone.  The chronicler records two results to this turn of events.  The people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet.  The political and religious turmoil had ceased, and people could once again think about their God, and relish in his peace.

LORD, restore our unity in you.  Rid us of our conflicting loyalties, and selfish distractions.

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God will ransom

Posted on February 18, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0545Psalm 49

Some see a contrast here between the wicked who go to Sheol when the die, and the faithful who go to God.  But that is not what the psalmist declares.  He states that “no man” can give to God the price of his life. Even the wise die, and they too go to Sheol, the pit.  The difference is that the wise who trust in the LORD will be ransomed from Sheol.  This is praise, not for survival beyond death, but for a future resurrection.  God will receive him, but only after the ransom/ resurrection.  It is the foolish who make boasts about their own immortality.  The wise put their hope in God.

LORD, we put our hope in you, and await our ransom on resurrection day.

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bad choices, future consequences

Posted on February 18, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_05442 Chronicles 22

The bad choice to collaborate with the house of Ahab continues to bring destruction upon Judah, long after that choice was made.  Counselors from that family lead Ahaziah to commit the same kinds of sin.  After he dies at the hands of Jehu, his mother executes all the others in the royal family in order to keep power for herself.  But Joash is preserved by his courageous sister,  Jehoshabeath.  She conceals him in the temple buildings, preserving the family line from which the future Messiah would come. 

LORD, give us wisdom to keep from making choices that might lead to bad consequences generations afterward.

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walking around Zion

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0544Psalm 48

The city of Jerusalem stood as a symbol of God’s greatness, and also encouraged worshippers to contemplate his goodness, love and constant guidance.  Just a simple walk around the city would give a lasting impression of the character of God, an impression meant to be passed on to the next generation.  Are we passing on our experience of God?

LORD, help us to recognize and take advantage of teachable moments when we can pass on our testimony of your greatness and love.

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with no one’s regret

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_05432 Chronicles 21

The tragedy of a compromised life is accented here by the description of Jehoram’s eight year reign. His attempt to mix the religious practices of Judah with those of the surrounding nations led to warfare, a plague on his people, and an agonizing death for him.  When he died, no one wanted to celebrate his life as the had the kings before him.  He was just one generation from the great king, Jehoshaphat, yet the chronicler says that he “departed with no one’s regret.”

LORD, give us the insight to live honorably in your eyes and in the eyes of those who will come after us.

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all nations under God

Posted on February 16, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0542Psalm 47

This psalm celebrates a truth that has yet to be fully realized – the truth that God will be honored not just by the people of Jacob, but by all peoples.  The fact that the LORD subdued people under Israel is just a foretaste of the day when the princes of the peoples will gather as the people of the God of Abraham.  God is reigning now over the nations, and soon all nations will recognize and acknowledge that rule.  The divine objective is not “one nation under God” but all nations under God.

LORD, we acknowledge your right to reign, and we look forward to the day when all nations will do the same.

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our eyes are on you

Posted on February 16, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_05412 Chronicles 20

Judah is once again being threatened, and this time Jehoshaphat calls on the nation to fast and he leads them in prayer to the LORD.  The odds are so much against them that their only hope is divine intervention.  God does intervene, and he calls on the armies of Judah to go and see the outcome.  The enemy armies which had come to drive them out of the land turned against each other, and annihilated themselves.  It took days for the armies of Judah to carry out the spoil from a battle they did not fight. 

LORD, when things are hopeless for us, remind us to keep our eyes on you.

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the ender of wars

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0540Psalm 46

This psalm is especially suited to sing during times of international strife and global war.  It speaks of the nations raging against one another, and kingdoms tottering. During times like these, it is good to look to the LORD, and see him as “our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (1).  All it takes is a word from his mouth to melt the earth.  He is the ender of wars, the destroyer of weapons of destruction. 

LORD, give us courage to trust you for peace even while war rages around us.

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bringing them back

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

LAND57 (3)2 Chronicles 19:4-11

Having been warned not to seek reunification with Israel, Jehoshaphat sets his sights on strengthening the ties of Judah with their God.  He appoints judges, but these judges were not autonomous rescuers as in the book of Judges.  They were appointed representatives of the king, to settle issues of bloodshed, law, and commandment, statutes or rules (10).  They also had the backing of the priests and Levites.  The purpose of the whole project was to bring Judah back to the LORD (4).   How did Jehoshaphat know that this was needed? He might have taken his own name as a hint.  Jehoshaphat means “the LORD is Judge”. 

LORD, help us to focus our attention on bringing people back to you.

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