"Two groups of people in the world … which group are YOU in?"

Day #130

Scripture Reading:  Psalms 12 - 14 ...

In reality, there are only two groups of people in the world:  those who have believed in the one true God, our Creator, and those who haven't.  Today we know that this one and only true God revealed Himself in His Son Jesus Christ, sending His Son, the promised Savior, the “Seed of the woman,” the “Seed of Abraham, of Isaac and of Jacob,” the promised Ruler from the tribe of Judah, the “Son of David,” to offer Himself as the perfect and only sacrifice for sin and that only those who believe in Jesus are God's people - His children.  I know the world says this is not true, declaring that all people are God's children, but God says otherwise.  Why is that important?  Because as you read these three Psalms the only way to understand what David was talking about is to realize the distinction between these two groups of people.

He begins Psalm 12 by declaring that there are hardly any godly people left. "Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception" (12:2).  These people declare that they can say whatever they want ("freedom of speech"???) ... "We will triumph with our tongues; we own our lips - who is our master?" (12:4).  Such is the pride of those who do not know God.  If you had any doubt that people have not changed read the eight verses of this Psalm.  At the same time, recognize how “politically incorrect” David’s words are in our society and our world today where everything is tolerated EXCEPT the truth!  People might agree with the assessment of mankind’s depravity, but most certainly reject the solution:  the LORD’s protection of His people.  Surely God cannot choose sides!!

Isn’t it amazing today that many people would rather accuse those who preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ of speaking evil than call those who do violence against others evil?!  It seems that the worst evil anyone can do is to accuse others of doing evil or being evil.  Therefore, what David describes in verse 8 goes on all around our nation and around the world every day:  "The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men” (12:8). Even Satanic rituals, witchcraft and sexual immorality are not only accepted today, but protected.  God is watching and tells us this is a sign of His judgment, especially when those who say they know Him are the very ones who are condoning and even promoting what God has declared evil:  “Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them” (Romans 1:32).

But there is another group of people who grieve over the sin within themselves and in the world.  These cry out to God, “How long, O LORD?  Will you forget me forever?  How long will you hide your face from me?  How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart?”  David is struggling with what appears to be God’s absence!  Where is God in the face of evil?  Why doesn’t God DO something?  How quickly people arrive at such thoughts, while all the while rejecting the NEED for God’s sovereignty in other areas of life.  People who don’t know God want to be free to live their lives without Him … UNTIL they are overcome by evil.  THEN they want Him to act on their behalf.  But those who truly know God understand the words of David as he declares,  “But I will trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation.  I will sing to the LORD, for He has been good to me" (13:5-6).  Such is the hope of those who know the God of salvation.

On the contrary, "the fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'  They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good" (14:1). Included in this group are those who, while claiming to believe in “a” god, reject the God of creation who reveals Himself in His Word and in the Living Word, His eternal Son, Jesus Christ.  These devise their own ideas and theories of a god or gods of their own making, and then attempt to declare themselves righteous by the very standards they themselves have manufactured in order to justify themselves.  The Apostle Paul quotes from Psalm 14:2-3 when he declares that there are none righteous, not even one (Romans 3:10).  Yet, "God is present in the company of the righteous" (14:5) ... those who are declared righteous by God through faith in the coming Savior, the One we know as Jesus, the Christ.

As David contemplates these two groups, he utters an amazing prayer:  "Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!" (14:7).  WE who by God’s grace have believed in Jesus Christ know that salvation DID come from Zion, from Jerusalem, from the house of  David.  Jesus was descended from Abraham, from Isaac, from Jacob, from Judah and from David.  God heard David's prayer and He will also fulfill the final hope of Psalm 14:  "When the LORD restores the fortunes of His people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!"  When will that happen?  When Jesus returns.  Jesus will send His angels to gather all who have believed in Him.  The dead in Christ will rise first, those who believe and who are still alive will be transformed, and they will meet the Lord in the air (I Thessalonians 4:13-18).  This will be the final separation of these two groups.  Those who do not know Jesus Christ, who reject God’s testimony concerning His Son, who worship false gods, ignore the promise of Jesus’ return and the destruction of all who do evil.  But those who are "HIS PEOPLE" look forward to His coming, anticipating His victory over evil and the new world He will bring into being.

So which group are you in?  The differences could not be greater - now and in the future.  Either you find hope and peace in the knowledge of God’s coming victory over evil, or you live in despair or arrogance, far from God and the life He offers.  I pray that you have come to know God, to believe in His Son Jesus Christ, to trust His unfailing love and to rejoice in His salvation, for then you will not be overcome by the enemies of your soul, but will find your refuge in God alone!!

"Heavenly Father, as I watch with sorrow the spread of evil and darkness all around, I confess that I, too, am a sinner and am unworthy of Your love.  But I believe in YOU!!  I rest in Your love through Your Son Jesus Christ and trust in Your mercy, grace and forgiveness.  Thank You, O God, for Your precious promises, for sending the Savior out of Zion, and for the promise of eternal life with You!  I praise You ... I give You my life, today and every day.  In Jesus' name, Amen"

"In spite of what you see ... JESUS is on the throne!"

Day #129

Scripture Reading:  Psalms 9 - 11 …

"The LORD reigns forever!" (9:7).  What comforting words to those who know who "the LORD" is … the God of creation, the great "I AM!"  How important is it to you that there is one true God, that you know Him and that He reigns over all things - for your good and for His glory?  How would your life be different if that were not true?

Living in this world today causes many to question what we who believe the Bible say is true.  Because they do not have the Spirit within them, those who do not believe in Jesus Christ, who do not accept the Bible as the Word of God, and who are focused only on what people are doing reject the testimony we bring that our God reigns, that He is in control over the rulers and nations of the world around us.  They believe that what we proclaim is simply our opinion, nothing more.  Attempting to explain these truths to someone who is spiritually dead and expecting them to understand leads to frustration.  You must continually pray that God would open their hearts and minds by His Spirit, for unless He does, they will remain not so blissfully ignorant, and apart from God’s grace to you and me, so would we!

We've already seen in the Psalms that David and the other writers of the Psalms express the raw emotion of life in this world.  Yet, in spite of what they see, they continually point to a God who is righteous and just, who is ruling over the affairs of men.  Psalm 9 once again points out the contrast between those whom the Lord has declared righteous and those who are wicked.  There are two distinct groups of people in the world today, as there have always been:  those who know the true God and who by faith in the Savior believe in forgiveness and eternal life as a gift from God, and those who reject God, who reject the Bible as His Word and who reject Jesus as the Savior.  "You have blotted out their name for ever and ever" (9:5).

People who do not believe in the one true God who reveals Himself in His creation, in His Word and in His Son Jesus Christ live without hope because they only see what people are doing.  How much better to sing God's praises and to rejoice in the Lord, knowing, believing that He reigns.  He is God, and there is no other.  Only when you KNOW that can you look at every day as an opportunity to serve Him, to endure trials and to overcome by His power, and to testify that HE is God.  “I will praise You, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders.  I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your Name, O Most High!” (9:1-2).  Rejoicing in the LORD and praising Him brings joy and peace because you are confessing what is true ... in spite of what you see!!

Incredibly, many miss the fact that the central theme of the entire Bible is the kingdom of God and His reign over all things.  So David declares repeatedly through the songs he writes, “The LORD reigns forever; He has established His throne for judgment.  He will judge the world in righteousness; He will govern the people with justice” (9:7-8).  He prays what God has promised will one day soon come true:  “Arise, O LORD, let not man triumph; let the nations be judged in Your presence.  Strike them with terror, O LORD; let the nations know they are but men!” (9:19-20).  The arrogance of men will soon be extinguished by the pouring out of God’s wrath prior to the return of Jesus Christ, who will rule over the nations with a rod of iron!

There will be times like Psalm 10, when it seems as though the LORD is standing far off - just watching while evil goes from bad to worse.  “Why, O LORD, do you stand far off?  Why do you hide Yourself in times of trouble?” (10:1).  There will be times when you pray, "Arise, LORD!  Lift up your hand, O God!" (10:12).  Yet, even then, you and I are called to testify, “But You, O God, do see trouble and grief; You consider it to take it in hand. ... The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from His land” (10:14,16).  God is faithful to His promises and His people.

Where else can you go to find comfort and assurance but to the One who reigns from His throne in heaven, to whom God has now given all authority, in heaven and on earth?  Yes, Jesus IS on the throne and He WILL come to reign!!  So, "in the LORD I take refuge" (11:1).  Is that where you are finding refuge?  When the storms come, when faced with trials, when you are feeling overwhelmed, where do you go?  Do you panic?  Do you turn to the distractions of the world and indulge yourself in self-pity or try to "drown your sorrows" in some worthless activity?

David asks, "When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (11:3).  The answer:  "The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His heavenly throne" (11:4).  We can declare the truth that in spite of what we see, "Our God reigns!"  God has not forgotten those who trust in Him.  The foundations of our nation are being destroyed today, from outside the church and from within.  But the LORD is still in His holy temple … He dwells with His people.  His Spirit lives within us.  "Greater is He that is in US, than he that is in the world" (I John 4:4).  Judgment WILL come, sooner rather than later, but "upright men will see His face" (11:7).

Those who are "upright" are not those who are perfect, for then none of us would qualify, but rather, those who seek the LORD, who trust in Him by faith in His Son Jesus Christ, and who desire to love, honor and obey HIM, our God.  For these, for you and me, faith means trusting our God and living for Him no matter what our circumstances.  HE is our Rock, our Fortress, our Shield, our Defender, our Deliverer, our Refuge, our Savior … and so much more.  REST in Him today and do not allow the wicked to overcome you, to discourage you or to cause you to fear.  When the foundations are being destroyed … JESUS is still on the throne!!

"My Father and my God, help me today to trust in You.  I see evil all around me and I know that without You I would be among the wicked.  I entrust myself to You, confessing my sin, trusting in Your forgiveness and desiring that my life may be a light in the darkness, pointing others to You.  I praise You for revealing Yourself to me and I thank You for Your faithfulness!  In Jesus' name, Amen"

"Knowing where to find your hope!"

Day #128

Scripture Reading:  Psalm 6 - 8 …

Knowing where to find HOPE in this world is crucial to every person who is alive!  More and more people face anxiety and despair every day for one reason: they have no hope!  In spite of what they see and in spite of past experiences, they foolishly expect only “good things” to happen, and when they don’t, or when faced with trials and suffering, they lose what little hope they had.  Others pretend that all is well as they live on the edge of a cliff, waiting for the earth to shift.  Worry, fear and despair plague the human soul as God's wrath continues to be poured out on a world in rebellion against Him (Romans 1:18), and we await His final judgment when Jesus returns.  What a desperate state of heart and mind threatens to overwhelm the soul at any and every moment.  That WOULD be depressing ...

But … there IS hope!  David and the other writers of the Psalms lived in this world and faced the same temptation to give up, to be depressed, to despair, BUT they knew where to find their hope, and as you read their words the Spirit of God offers to you the same hope today.  The writers of the Psalms knew the same God you and I can know today:  the sovereign God who rules over all things.  If you worship a “god” who is NOT sovereign, who is NOT in control over the affairs of men, then what good does it do to pray, to believe, to attempt to live life with any true purpose.  Hopes and dreams may fail.  Everything is ultimately left to chance.  But this is not the God of the Psalms!!

In the Psalms we find honest thought and emotion, and we find certain truth and faith and hope.  There is no pretending in the Psalms.  Everything is laid bare for all to see, to hear and to experience.  Interestingly, both Psalm 6 and Psalm 7 speak of God's wrath.  Psalm 6 begins with the prayer:  "O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.  Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am faint; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are in agony" (6:1-2).  And in Psalm 7, verse 11, David writes, "God is a righteous Judge, a God who expresses His wrath every day."  This is the God whom many deny even exists.  Yet, it is in the honest awareness of His just anger and wrath against sin that you and I discover something more of God.

David repeatedly asks for God's deliverance.  Why?  Because he knows he has nowhere else to turn.  But also notice why he calls on the very God who is angry at our sin and rebellion to deliver him:  "Save me because of your unfailing love" (6:4).  David knew of God’s judgment AND of God's love through the testimony of the prophets, by the testimony of God's Spirit and by the testimony of God's promise of forgiveness.  David knew himself and David knew his God.  He didn't presume upon God, but rested in God's mercy … on God's willingness to withhold His judgment and to show His grace.

Not everyone knows these things; in fact, very few ever come to this understanding because it is the gift of God to those whom He chooses. There is a stark contrast between those who know God and those who don’t.  David can say, “The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer” (6:9).  But then he says, "All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed" (6:10).  David writes these songs as one who knows the love and mercy of God.  He declares, "I take refuge in You; save and deliver me …" (7:1).  Where do YOU find refuge?  Where do you go to rest safely in peace?  Can you say, "My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart" (7:10).  Not one of us is perfect in all our ways, but those whose hearts desire to praise God and to make Him known … who "give thanks to the LORD because of His righteousness" (7:17), will experience His protection and His peace.

Even though he was king in Israel, David understood God’s justice better than most.  “Let the assembled peoples gather around You.  Rule over them from on high; let the LORD judge the peoples.  Judge ME, O LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity” (7:7-8).  Humility is always necessary in approaching God.  In one breath, as it were, David could write, “My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart” (7:10), and then declare, “God is a righteous Judge, a God who expresses His wrath every day” (7:11).  So many people try to ignore God, even though they witness the clear evidence of His wrath and judgment around them daily.  Yet, those who know God’s grace and mercy can say with David, “I will give thanks to the LORD because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High” (7:17).  What a privilege to know God through His Word and the testimony of His Spirit within you!!

It is in knowing God, then, and trusting in Him, that our hope is found. That fact should move you to cry out as David does in Psalm 8:  "O LORD, OUR Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"  (8:1,9).  It would be easy to feel like an insignificant speck in an infinite universe - especially today when modern technology shows us the far reaches of God's creation (at least, so we think!).  But David understands God's purpose in creating mankind in His own image:  that we might know and love God, our Creator, and live to serve and praise Him forever.  “You have set your glory above the heavens.  From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise!” (8:1-2).

In the variation and complexity and grandeur of His creation God has displayed Himself for all to see.  “Since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).  David looks at God’s creation and responds, “What is man that you are mindful of him?” (8:4).  The answer:  “YOU made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.  You made him ruler over the works of your hands” (8:5-6).  Therefore, WE have hope!!

May you have this hope today and every day as you sing God's praise and as you give thanks to Him for His justice and mercy, and for His grace in Christ Jesus, His Son and our Savior and Lord!

"O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your Name in all the earth!  Help me today to find my hope in You and trust that You WILL deliver me as I live to praise You and to serve You, because of Your unfailing love toward me.   In Jesus' name, Amen."

"The LORD will hear me when I call ..."

Day #127

Scripture Reading:  Psalms 3 - 5 …

Whoever thinks that God deals with all people the same has never read the Psalms and does not understand God's love for His people, for those who by His grace and the work of His Spirit know Him and trust in Him.  It could probably be said of David and of the writers of the rest of the Psalms, that they were "judging" people.  Certainly, by today’s standards, they would be accused of doing so.  But what they were doing in writing these Psalms and what the people of Israel were doing in singing these Psalms was simply stating what God had said:  that He hears the calls of His people and will deliver them from those who do evil.  That's His promise!

A common theme of the Psalmist is crying out to God for help against his enemies.  Those who know God have real enemies, both in this world and in the spiritual realm.  As David writes the words of Psalm 3 he is literally fighting his enemies, including his own son, Absalom, who is attempting to take his throne!  As he fled from his enemies others were taunting him, as he describes in verse 2: "Many are saying of me, 'God will not deliver him.'"  But David responds, "BUT you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head" (3:3).  He goes on to say that he lies down and sleeps and does not fear because of his confidence in the Lord and His promised deliverance.  What a wonderful thing to know, to live, to experience!

David depended on God in a way that so few others then or now seem to do.  He states firmly, “From the LORD comes deliverance!” (3:8).  One of the great benefits of reading through the Old Testament accounts of those who trusted in God is in seeing the miraculous deliverance He so often provided to those who called out to Him.  He does the same today for those who call out to Him in the name of Jesus, the Christ.  Jesus URGED His disciples to ask the Father in His name and He would give them what they asked.  The Apostle John writes in I John 5:14-15:  “This is the confidence we have in approaching God:  that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of Him.”

God has PROMISED to deliver His children from evil.  He has PROMISED to hear the cries of those who call out to Him in the name of Jesus.  His deliverance sometimes comes through His removing the problem.  Praise God when that happens!  His deliverance sometimes comes by giving us strength to endure the trial.  Praise God when THAT happens!  And His deliverance sometimes comes even in the “sleep” of death as God calls one of His children to Himself, leaving the body to enter into His presence.  However God provides deliverance for you, KNOW that He hears you when you pray and that He WILL deliver you.  He is faithful to His promises and to His people.

David knows the LORD will answer him because "the LORD has set apart the godly for himself" (4:3).  How often do people get stressed and worried and anxious, and then get angry at the injustice of it all.  I have even heard people who testify of their faith in Jesus Christ claim that God let them down or disappointed them.  That is not a good place to be or to stay.  Don’t  question God or doubt Him.  "Offer right sacrifices and TRUST in the LORD" (4:5).  David has experienced the peace of God and so he can confess:  "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O LORD make me dwell in safety" (4:8).

You and I continually need to check our hearts and ask ourselves if we are really trusting in God.  Do I really believe that He CAN deliver me and do I really believe that He WILL deliver me?  Often, the problem is that I want to tell God HOW to deliver me, and WHEN to deliver me.  Fear, worry, anxiety, doubt, confusion and all the negative emotions that go with them are not from the Spirit of God.  Even more than the Psalmist, we who believe in Jesus Christ know the love of God for His children and the grace He has given us.  We dwell in safety because God is with us!

The Apostle Paul encouraged the believers in Rome when he wrote, “We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us” (Romans 5:2-5).  There are so many examples of God’s deliverance in His Word and in the lives of His people!

If you want to know a good way to start your morning, read David’s statement in 5:3, "In the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation."  Only when you seek God first can you experience that peace that comes from knowing that "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).  Notice, this is a promise for those who know Him as “Abba, Father.”

Listen to what David prays for:  "Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies - make straight YOUR way before me" (5:8).  David doesn't want to be pulled to the right or to the left, or to be deceived by the lies of those around him.  "Let all who take refuge in YOU be glad; let them ever sing for joy.  Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in YOU!" (5:11).

Let that be your prayer every day and discover the "peace of God, which transcends all understanding" (Philippians 4:7).  David's God is our God.  He is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  And through His Son Jesus Christ He is "Immanuel, God with us."  Draw near to Him today; know that He hears you when you call, and trust in Him … TRUST in Him, and He will deliver you from fear and replace it with peace.  REST in Him and find joy that you can find nowhere else.  "The LORD will hear when I call to Him" (4:3).

"O LORD God Almighty, You are my Rock and my Fortress, my Shield and Defender.  I trust in You, let me not be put to shame.  Surround me with Your love and grace, for I rest in You.  Thank You for hearing me when I call out to You in the name of Your Son, Jesus.  Let the light of Your face shine upon me as I seek You, today and every day.  In Jesus' name, Amen"