blessings

Posted on December 5, 2023 by Jefferson Vann

20231205

Photo by Alexander Grey on Pexels.com

blessings

Psalm 127:1-5 (JDV)

Psalm 127:1 [A song of festival caravans. Of Solomon.] Unless Yahveh builds a house, its builders labor over it for nothing; unless Yahveh watches over a city, the watchman stays alert for nothing.
Psalm 127:2 You get up early and stay up late for nothing, working hard to have enough food — yes, he gives sleep to the one he loves.
Psalm 127:3 Sons are indeed a heritage from Yahveh, offspring, a reward.
Psalm 127:4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons born in one’s youth.
Psalm 127:5 fortunate is the man who has filled his quiver with them. They will never be humiliated when they speak with their enemies at the city gate.

blessings

The psalmist pictures hard workers, and careful defenders, then tells them both that unless the LORD is with them, their efforts are wasted. A believer is going to work, but he is also going to show his faith in God by resting. Sleep is a gift to a righteous man: an opportunity to show trust. Those blessed with children have been given another great gift — another opportunity to give the LORD praise, to let him be the blesser.

LORD, thank you for the blessings of rest, and children.

Posted in blessings | Tagged | Leave a comment

tears today, shouts tomorrow

Posted on December 4, 2023 by Jefferson Vann

20231204

Photo by Rodolfo Clix on Pexels.com

tears today, shouts tomorrow

Psalm 126:1-6 (JDV)

Psalm 126:1 [A song of festival caravans.] When Yahveh restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like dreamers.
Psalm 126:2 Our mouths were filled with laughter then, and our tongues with shouts of joy. Then they said among the nations, “Yahveh has done great things for them.”
Psalm 126:3 Yahveh had done great things for us; we were joyful.
Psalm 126:4 Restore our fortunes, Yahveh, like channels in the Negev.
Psalm 126:5 Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy.
Psalm 126:6 Though one goes along weeping, carrying the bag of seed, he will surely come back with shouts of joy, carrying his sheaves.

tears today, shouts tomorrow

The LORD is the one who restores. The imagery is that of harvest joy even though the planting was done in sorrow. Much of our lives we will have to be doing the right thing, not knowing whether it will result in any kind of satisfaction or success. We have to trust the God who restores. He has our future in his hands.

LORD, give us wisdom to trust you during the planting season, the long days when we see no sprouts.

Posted in faithfulness, trust | Tagged | Leave a comment

an unopposed reign

Posted on December 3, 2023 by Jefferson Vann

20231203

Photo by SevenStorm JUHASZIMRUS on Pexels.com

an unopposed reign

Psalm 125:1-5 (JDV)

Psalm 125:1 [A song of festival caravans.] Those who trust in Yahveh are like Mount Zion. It cannot be shaken; it stays permanently.
Psalm 125:2 The mountains surround Jerusalem and Yahveh surrounds his people, now until forever.
Psalm 125:3 The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous, otherwise the righteous would apply their hands to injustice.
Psalm 125:4 Do good, Yahveh, to the good, to those whose hearts are upright.
Psalm 125:5 But as for those who turn aside to crooked roads, Yahveh will lead them to the evildoers. Peace be with Israel.

an unopposed reign

The LORD promises that the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous. This assured Israel that their nation would not remain in bondage to a heathen king. It assures us that our Adversary will not usurp the throne of the earth forever. His fall is as certain as that of the kings of ancient Assyria and Babylon.

LORD, thank you for your Son, who will reign for eternity – unopposed.

Posted in eternal life, kingdom of God | Tagged | Leave a comment

hunter’s net

Posted on December 2, 2023 by Jefferson Vann

20231202

Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com

hunter’s net

Psalm 124:1-8 (JDV)

Psalm 124:1 [A song of festival caravans. Of David.] If Yahveh had not been on our side– let Israel say–
Psalm 124:2 If Yahveh had not been on our side when people attacked us,
Psalm 124:3 then they would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger against us.
Psalm 124:4 Then the water would have engulfed us; the torrent would have swept over us;
Psalm 124:5 the raging water would have swept over us.
Psalm 124:6 Blessed be Yahveh, who has not let us be ripped apart by their teeth.
Psalm 124:7 We have escaped like a bird from the hunter’s net; the net is torn, and we have escaped.
Psalm 124:8 Our help is in the name of Yahveh, the Maker of the sky and the land.

hunter’s net

The hunter’s net is a trap that encases birds. The psalmist sees his people as being trapped in that net, goners for sure. Then, suddenly, the net is broken, and they are free. This is the LORD’s doing. The LORD was on their side, and he made the difference between escape and extinction.

Posted in deliverance | Tagged | Leave a comment

eyes on the boss

Posted on December 1, 2023 by Jefferson Vann

20231201

Photo by Mauru00edcio Mascaro on Pexels.com

eyes on the boss

Psalm 123:1-4 (JDV)

Psalm 123:1 [A song of festival caravans.] I focus my eyes on you, the one enthroned in the sky.
Psalm 123:2 Like a servant’s eyes on his master’s hand, like a servant girl’s eyes on her mistress’s hand, so our eyes are on Yahveh our God until he shows us favor.
Psalm 123:3 Show us favor, Yahveh, show us favor because we’ve had more than enough contempt.
Psalm 123:4 We’ve had more than enough derision from the arrogant and contempt from the proud.

eyes on the boss

Anyone who has ever had a boss, and depended on that boss, knows what this psalmist is getting at. He focuses his eyes on the LORD because the LORD holds his future in his hands. The LORD will decide what happens in his life. We can trust our boss. He has our best interest in mind. His plans will bring us restoration and eternal life.

LORD, we focus our eyes to you.

Posted in dependence upon God, will of God | Tagged | Leave a comment

praying for Jerusalem

Posted on November 30, 2023 by Jefferson Vann

20231130

Photo by Haley Black on Pexels.com

praying for Jerusalem

Psalm 122:1-9 (JDV)

Psalm 122:1 [A song of festival caravans. Of David.] I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of Yahveh.”
Psalm 122:2 Our feet were standing within your gates, Jerusalem–
Psalm 122:3 Jerusalem, built as a city should be, solidly united,
Psalm 122:4 where the tribes, Yahveh’s tribes, go up to give thanks to the name of Yahveh. (This is an ordinance for Israel.)
Psalm 122:5 There, thrones for judgment are placed, thrones of the house of David.
Psalm 122:6 Pray for the well-being of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure;
Psalm 122:7 may there be peace within your walls, security within your fortresses.”
Psalm 122:8 Because of my brothers and friends, I will say, “May peace be in you.”
Psalm 122:9 Because of the house of Yahveh our God, I will pursue your prosperity.

praying for Jerusalem

Jerusalem is a city with a great past, a troubled present, and a glorious future. The psalmist prays for the great city, aware of it all. He chooses to pray for peace, not because of blind allegiance but for his brothers and friends sake, and because the temple is there. The city is worth praying for because people are there, and the LORD’s presence is there. That is reason enough to pray for any city.

LORD, we pray for the place where you live, and the place where you plan to live. Bring peace to the city.

Posted in Jerusalem, prayer | Tagged | Leave a comment

the Protector

Posted on November 29, 2023 by Jefferson Vann

20231129

Photo by PhotoMIX Company on Pexels.com

the Protector

Psalm 121:1-8 (JDV)

Psalm 121:1 [A song of festival caravans.] I focus my eyes on the mountains. Where will my help come from?
Psalm 121:2 My help comes from Yahveh, the Maker of the sky and the land.
Psalm 121:3 He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber.
Psalm 121:4 Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep.
Psalm 121:5 Yahveh protects you; Yahveh is a shelter right by your side.
Psalm 121:6 The sun will not strike you by day or the moon by night.
Psalm 121:7 Yahveh will protect you from all harm; he will protect your life.
Psalm 121:8 Yahveh will protect your coming and going both now and permanently.

the Protector

The psalmist sees the creator as a guard, watching over and protecting him and his nation. Neither the mountains around them nor the sun and moon above them are allowed access to these protected people. Do you feel safe, my friend? Seek the Protector.

Posted in protection | Tagged | Leave a comment

too long

Posted on November 28, 2023 by Jefferson Vann

20231128

Photo by Jordan Benton on Pexels.com

too long

Psalm 120:1-7 (JDV)

Psalm 120:1 [A song of festival caravans.] In my distress, I called to Yahveh, and he answered me.
Psalm 120:2 “Yahveh, rescue me from lying lips and a deceitful tongue.”
Psalm 120:3 What will he give you, and what will he do to you, you deceitful tongue?
Psalm 120:4 A warrior’s sharp arrows with burning charcoal!
Psalm 120:5 What misery that I have stayed in Meshech, that I have lived among the tents of Kedar!
Psalm 120:6 I have dwelt too long with those who hate peace.
Psalm 120:7 I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.

too long

Ellicott suggests that the psalmist refers to another subject tribe who are always stirring up trouble by agitating the Persian power. The God-fearing Israelite laments that he has dwelt too long with those who hate peace. He is praying for change.

What is your situation today my friend? Is there something about where (or how) you are living your life today that is wrong, and you need to change? Pray to the rescuer.

Ellicott C. J. An Old Testament Commentary for English Readers. Cassell Petter Galpin 1897. p. 269.

Posted in deliverance, prayer | Leave a comment

lips, tongue, throat

Posted on November 27, 2023 by Jefferson Vann

20231127

Photo by Thibault Trillet on Pexels.com

lips, tongue, throat

Psalm 119:169-176 (JDV)

Psalm 119:169 Let my cry reach your face, Yahveh; give me understanding according to your word.
Psalm 119:170 Let my plea reach you; rescue me according to your promise.
Psalm 119:171 My lips pour out praise, for you teach me your prescriptions.
Psalm 119:172 My tongue sings about your promise, for all your commands are righteous.
Psalm 119:173 May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your directions.
Psalm 119:174 I long for your deliverance, Yahveh, and your instruction is my delight.
Psalm 119:175 Let my throat live, and I will praise you; may your judgments help me.
Psalm 119:176 I go astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commands.

lips, tongue, throat

David has three instruments of praise here. His lips, tongue, and throat. His life is in danger and thus his praise will cease. He pleads for rescue and promises the only thing he has to promise — to continue the praise.

Posted in praise | Tagged | Leave a comment

about him

Posted on November 26, 2023 by Jefferson Vann

20231126

Photo by Rodolfo Clix on Pexels.com

about him

Psalm 119:161-168 (JDV)

Psalm 119:161 leaders have persecuted me without cause, but my heart fears only your words.
Psalm 119:162 I rejoice over your word like one who finds much treasure.
Psalm 119:163 I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your instruction.
Psalm 119:164 I praise you seven times a day for your righteous judgments.
Psalm 119:165 Much peace belongs to those who love your instruction; nothing makes them stumble.
Psalm 119:166 Yahveh, I hope for your deliverance and carry out your commands.
Psalm 119:167 I obey your warning signs and love them greatly.
Psalm 119:168 I obey your directions and warning signs because all my roads are before you.

about him

Notice the repetition of the second person singular (you, your) in today’s text. Life is not about me nor “them,” whoever they may be. It’s about the LORD. His fear motivates us. His word is our treasure. We love his instruction. We regularly praise him. His deliverance is our hope. We carry out his commands. We obey his directions and heed his warning signs because he observes every road we take.

For the believer, life is about the LORD.

Posted in Bible, fear, obedience, worship | Tagged | Leave a comment