Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Salvation from Accusations (Psalm 109, Part 2)


Accuse Them: The Denunciation of the Accusers (verses 6-20)
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+109%3A6-20&version=NIV

May we repent of our negative attitude toward our enemies and look to God to provide a just retribution. May we leave vengeance to our God who will vindicate us.

Father of the fatherless, and Judge of widows, we remember how deeply Your Son was humbled when he suffered unjust torture and death on a cross. Loving God, take care of our accusers. Have compassion on us, wash us with Your Sons’ blood. Grant us strength to resist sin.

Monday, August 29, 2016

Salvation from Accusations (Psalm 109, Part 1)


The psalmist turns to God for help. Instead of judging we can turn to God and pray for the conversion of our enemies. Through the sacrifice of His Son, God demonstrated His love for the whole human race.

Do Not Be Silent: The Cry of the Accused (verses 1-5)
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+109%3A1-5&version=NIV

We can humbly cry to God to deliver us from our lying and malicious enemies. May we place our confidence in God and keep close communication with Him. May our persecution drive us to prayer, leaving vengeance to God.

O God, we praise You. We feel bombarded; come to our rescue. Lord Jesus Christ, you demonstrated your love for us when you suffered attacks and accusations. Help us to suffer ridicule patiently and faithfully follow you.


Friday, August 19, 2016

Our Praise and God's Answer (Psalm 108, Part 3)


Our Plea (verses 10-13)

10Who will bring me to the fortified city?
         Who will lead me to Edom?
11Is it not you, God, you who have rejected us
         and no longer go out with our armies?
12Give us aid against the enemy,
      for human help is worthless.
13With God we will gain the victory,
      and he will trample down our enemies.

May we renounce human aid and stress our total dependence on God. When habits or attitudes of the past return and we face the same battles may we remember how God stood by us and gave us victory. God will fight our battles and defeat our enemies. Our inward faith proves itself by our outward deeds.

O Lord our God, lead us to Your fortified city. Help us against our enemies, for human help is worthless. With You, Lord our God, we will gain the victory; You will trample down our enemies. Send Your glory in our time, O Lord.

Conquering now and still to conquer,
      Jesus thou ruler of all,
Thrones and their scepters all shall perish;
      Crowns and their splendor shall fall.
Not to the strong is the battle,
      Not to the swift is the race,
But to the truth and the faithful,
      Victory is promised through grace.
Sallie Martin (1895-1988)


Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Our Praise and God's Answer (Psalm 108, Part 2)


God’s Answer (verses 6-9)

6Save us and help us with your right hand,
         that those you love may be delivered.
7God has spoken from his sanctuary:
    “In triumph I will parcel out Shechem
      and measure off the Valley of Sukkoth.
8Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine;
         Ephraim is my helmet, Judah is my scepter.
9Moab is my washbasin, on Edom I toss my sandal;
      over Philistia I shout in triumph.”

We long for a manifestation of God’s glory so that all might know the true God. Through the church, Jesus Christ, God with us, makes intercession for his people. Crowned with victory, he will divide up the kingdoms of the world. May we not fear those who oppose us. God makes their wisdom folly, their strength weakness, and their glory shame.

All powerful God, save us; deliver those You love. You, God, have spoken from Your sanctuary. We worship You, Lord Jesus, as our King. Govern us by Your Spirit so we remain citizens of Your kingdom of grace. With all the hosts of heaven we will forever magnify Your holy name. Thank You that we are Yours; indeed Jefferson County is Yours. Over Port Townsend You shout in triumph.


Monday, August 15, 2016

Our Praise and God's Answer (Psalm 108, Part 1)


This psalm of praise gives thanks for God’s kingdom. The Messiah’s work has ended; David’s Son and Lord has begun to reign. God will be exalted throughout the world.

Our Praise (verses 1-5)

1My heart, O God, is steadfast;
         I will sing and make music with all my soul.
2Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.
3I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
      I will sing of you among the peoples.
4For great is your love, higher than the heavens;
         your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
5Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
      let your glory be over all the earth.

In the midst of our many cares, may our hearts have one resolution: to praise God. Fixing our hearts on God, may our praise let the nations know about our Lord. May our praise to God wake up the dawn. May strangers not restrain our praise. From above God pours His mercy down on us. Because of His mercy, may our songs be lifted high. God longs to hear us tell Him of our love. We look forward to  the time when God will be universally praised.

Our hearts, O God, are steadfast. As we sing and make music we awaken the dawn. We will praise You among the nations; we will sing of You among the peoples. Great is Your love—higher than the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, let Your glory be over all the earth.