forgetting our people

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

LAND56 (3)Psalm 45

These words are mostly addressed to the newly crowned king, praising him because God has blessed him with greatness.  But the later verses (11-17) are addressed to the king’s bride.  She is advised to forget her people and her father’s house, because in place of her fathers shall be her sons.  There is a lesson for those of us who are the bride of king Jesus as well.  We need to let go of the baggage of the past, and concentrate on the joy that awaits us.  Our future is what the marriage is all about.

LORD, help us to forget what is behind, and press on to the joy that awaits us.

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boundaries crossed

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

LAND55 (3)2 Chronicles 18:1-19:3

In the complexities of this story, it is hard sometimes to remember the moral that the chronicler puts to it.  The prophet Jehu addresses Jehoshaphat after he had returned from battle.  Ahab had been killed as Micaiah had prophesied.  But Jehoshaphat returned unscathed.  Yet the LORD took fault in him for helping the wicked, and loving those who hate the LORD.  While it is true that we are to love our enemies, we need to draw the line at assisting those who intend to defile the people of God.

LORD, give us insight on the limits to which we cannot go in assisting evil.

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while God sleeps

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

LAND54 (3)Psalm 44

The sons of Korah call upon the LORD to awake, and ask him why he is sleeping.  While the LORD sleeps, his people are being slaughtered, and scattered among the nations (11).  We now know that God’s plan was to scatter his people throughout the nations so that when the Messiah came, they could lead the nations to him. But all the sons of Korah knew is that God was silent — as if asleep.  In times when God seems silent to us, let us remember that he always has a good reason. 

LORD, we trust you, and we wait for you.  If we do not hear from you today, we will keep praying.

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the earlier ways

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

LAND53 (3)2 Chronicles 17

Jehoshaphat’s reforms were more extensive than Asa’s.  He not only took away the high places that had been used for idolatry, but he sent a company to teach the commandments of the Law to his people. The chronicler says that he walked in the earlier ways of his father David ((3).  Being right sometimes means that we cannot follow the latest trends.  Sometimes it means doing something new. Sometimes it means forsaking the new ways for the earlier ways. 

LORD, give us wisdom to choose the right ways — those that honor you.

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a taste of eternity

Posted on February 12, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

LAND51 (3)Psalm 42-43

The psalmist’s desire to go to God is not a death wish. He wants to go to the temple and experience the glorious worship he had known in the past.  But he is far from the temple.  He is among enemies who mock his devotion to the LORD.  He remembers the exhilaration and joy he felt when among a large group of believers who reveled in the awesomeness of the LORD.  Have you ever felt that?  It is a taste of what the eternal kingdom is going to be like.

LORD, in times when we are lonely for you and for fellowship with others in your body, remind us to hope in you, for we shall again praise you.

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consistent reliance

Posted on February 12, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

LAND50 (3)2 Chronicles 16

Asa had relied on the LORD all of his reign, but faltered at the end of it.  His story is a lesson for those of us who have been with the LORD for decades.  It does not matter how much experience we have, or how many resources and strategic connections we have.  It only matters that we remain faithful, continuing to trust in our one Resource.

LORD, give us the wisdom of consistent reliance upon you.

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sustained on a sickbed

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

LAND49 (3)Psalm 41

He had taken care of the poor around him, but now he is struck by illness.  His enemies cannot wait for him to die and get it over with.  Even his friends are forsaking him.  But he trusts the LORD to sustain him, to raise him up again.  His enemies will not shout in triumph.  The LORD will uphold him, and set him in his presence forever.

LORD, give us the faith to trust in your sustaining when we are on our sickbeds.

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courage without compromise

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

LAND48 (3)2 Chronicles 15

It takes courage to do what is right consistently.  In Asa’s day – as in our own – it seems so easy to let certain wrongs committed by influential people to slide.  Asa and his kingdom saw peace for years because he was not willing to compromise.  He even deposed his own mother because of her idolatrous acts. 

LORD, make us courageous and uncompromised – people who reflect your holiness.

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history of deliverance

Posted on February 10, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

LAND47 (3)Psalm 40

David’s prayer for rescue breaks out in worship because he has a long history of deliverance.  He knows that the LORD’s deeds and thoughts toward his people are more than can be told.  He begins by declaring that he had waited patiently for the LORD’s rescue.  He ends by calling on the LORD to do it again, and do not delay.  Our faith is not always a blind leap.  We have reasons to expect the LORD to rescue us.

LORD, thank you for the history we have of your faithfulness to us.

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between the weak and the mighty

Posted on February 10, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

LAND46 (3)2 Chronicles 14

Asa used his period of rest from war to root out idolatry from Judah, and to build fortified cities.  He was wise enough to know that the time of rest was a blessing, but that rest is not a given.  Danger lurks from enemies within and without.  So, the freedom and energy during peaceful times should be spent preparing for and preventing times of trouble.

When war came, they were ready, but they were still outnumbered against the Ethiopians.  Fortunately, since they had rid themselves of the other gods, Asa could declare that the LORD stood between the weak and the mighty.  The LORD defended them.

LORD, give us wisdom to rid ourselves of wrong allegiances, and to build up our defenses, so that in the time of battle, we can be confident of your rescue.

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