Focal Passage: Psalm 18:16-29

Psalm 18 begins with David’s declaration of love for the Lord whom he described as his strength, rock, fortress, deliverer, refuge, shield, horn of salvation, and stronghold. Did you notice the military significance of most of those words?

As an experienced warrior, David knew that without God’s power he was as helpless as an unarmed man exposed in battle! A couple of centuries later, the prophet Jonah prayed part of this Psalm (vv. 4-6) as he lay in the belly of the great fish (Jonah 2:1-10) desperate for God’s intervention. [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Psalm 110:1-7

When we think of a footstool, we typically think of some type of ottoman designed to prop up one’s feet. When Psalm 110:1 declares, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool” the word picture is much more dramatic. Ancient artworks demonstrate a conquering king, such as Tiglath-Pileser III or Hadrian, with his foot on the neck of his conquered foe to demonstrate the absolute defeat and humiliation of his enemy (see also Joshua 10:24).

Jesus’ referencing of Psalm 110:1 to identify the Messiah as the Son of David was recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The same passage was later noted in Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost as he explained that David, who had not yet ascended into the heavens, was clearly speaking of Jesus (Acts 2:34-35). Numerous other New Testament passages found in the Gospels, Paul’s letters, and Hebrews employ part of the same verse as they refer to Jesus sitting at the right hand of the Father. [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Psalm 132:1-14, 17-18 

Mary Poppins taught us that promises can be like pie crusts — easily made and easily broken. Mankind has become so cynical about the value of promises, that we learn as children to cross our fingers to create a loophole that frees us from fulfilling them. Yet promises are not taken lightly by most people. The outcome of the 1992 U. S. presidential election was greatly impacted by the phrase, “Read my lips: no new taxes,” because many people viewed it as a broken campaign promise. 

Sinners are good promise makers, and even better promise breakers. On the contrary, God is a perfect promise maker and promise keeper. Sometimes we try to promise things outside of God’s will. David vowed that he would not rest until he had built a house for the Lord (Psalm 132:3-5), but God spoke through the prophet Nathan (who had previously affirmed David’s desire to build a temple) to tell him that He had not asked for a house (II Samuel 7:7). Conversely, as God explained His plan to plant His people in a designated area, He declared, “The Lord Himself will make a house for you” (II Samuel 7:11). God also explained that He would raise up David’s descendent (Solomon) as king and that he would build the temple and have a throne permanently established as David did. Solomon, unlike Saul, would always experience the faithful love of Yahweh (II Samuel 7:12-15).  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Psalm 96:1-13 

Did you and your sweetheart ever pick “our song?” You know, the song that marked a particular event in your courtship. Every time it came on the radio you thought of each other because the song was a celebration of the person you loved. You probably started singing even if you couldn’t sing! Every time I heard “You’ll Be in My Heart” by Phil Collins I went googly-eyed over the beautiful young lady that would one day become my wife. When you adore someone, your inhibitions collapse as you are swept up into their praiseworthiness. 

Sadly, corporate worship sometimes sounds more like “our song” than praises to the true and living God. Emotionalism, impressionism, and plain old egocentrism sideline the glory of God in exchange for emotive songs about our struggles and a cherry-picked view of a God that exists for our glory, not His.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Psalm 19:1-11

In May of 1995 I went on a mission trip to Canada with a group of Tennessee BSU students. During a brief sightseeing time we visited Lake Louise where a friend and I rode up the mountain on the ski lift. As we viewed the beautiful landscape, I remember wondering how anyone could deny the existence of God. 

The psalmist came to a similar conclusion as he proclaimed, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of His hands” (Psalm 19:1). He went on to confirm that both day and night speak to us and teach us about God without ever saying a word (Psalm 19:2-3)! [Read more…]