Psalm 18 (NIV)
1 I love you, O Lord , my strength.
Lord,
I love you…my strength.
We are in the anxious season, Lord. Some the key anchors in my life have been pulled up and things are changing. I’m leaving a church community that I love to accept a call to a job the likes of which I have never done. My network of friends is changing. My schedule is changing. My responsibilities and opportunities are changing. In some ways, my identity is changing.
So today, I call on you, “my strength.” As the anxiety roils and the thick fog of uncertainty creates a short-distance visibility into the future, be the certainty of my life. Grant me such a confidence in your faithfulness that all other threats, known and unknown are put into their secondary places. Calm the waters of my soul just as Jesus calmed the stormy sea.
I give you thanks for the constancy of your love and grace.
PERSONAL PRAYERS:
Ask God to be the strength of your life.
Give your anxiety to him and ask for faith to meet the uncertainties before you.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “Thank you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen
2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horna of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I call to the Lord , who is worthy of praise,
and I am saved from my enemies.
4 The cords of death entangled me;
the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.
5 The cords of the graveb coiled around me;
the snares of death confronted me.
6 In my distress I called to the Lord ;
I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry came before him, into his ears.
7 The earth trembled and quaked,
and the foundations of the mountains shook;
they trembled because he was angry.
8 Smoke rose from his nostrils;
consuming fire came from his mouth,
burning coals blazed out of it.
9 He parted the heavens and came down;
dark clouds were under his feet.
10 He mounted the cherubim and flew;
he soared on the wings of the wind.
11 He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him—
the dark rain clouds of the sky.
12 Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced,
with hailstones and bolts of lightning.
13 The Lord thundered from heaven;
the voice of the Most High resounded.c
14 He shot his arrows and scattered the enemies,
great bolts of lightning and routed them.
15 The valleys of the sea were exposed
and the foundations of the earth laid bare
at your rebuke, O Lord ,
at the blast of breath from your nostrils.
16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
he drew me out of deep waters.
17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the Lord was my support.
19 He brought me out into a spacious place;
he rescued me because he delighted in me.
20 The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness;
according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me.
21 For I have kept the ways of the Lord ;
I have not done evil by turning from my God.
22 All his laws are before me;
I have not turned away from his decrees.
23 I have been blameless before him
and have kept myself from sin.
24 The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness,
according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.
25 To the faithful you show yourself faithful,
to the blameless you show yourself blameless,
26 to the pure you show yourself pure,
but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.
27 You save the humble
but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.
28 You, O Lord , keep my lamp burning;
my God turns my darkness into light.
29 With your help I can advance against a troopd ;
with my God I can scale a wall.
30 As for God, his way is perfect;
the word of the Lord is flawless.
He is a shield
for all who take refuge in him.
31 For who is God besides the Lord ?
And who is the Rock except our God?
32 It is God who arms me with strength
and makes my way perfect.
33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he enables me to stand on the heights.
34 He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
35 You give me your shield of victory,
and your right hand sustains me;
you stoop down to make me great.
36 You broaden the path beneath me,
so that my ankles do not turn.
37 I pursued my enemies and overtook them;
I did not turn back till they were destroyed.
38 I crushed them so that they could not rise;
they fell beneath my feet.
39 You armed me with strength for battle;
you made my adversaries bow at my feet.
40 You made my enemies turn their backs in flight,
and I destroyed my foes.
41 They cried for help, but there was no one to save them—
to the Lord , but he did not answer.
42 I beat them as fine as dust borne on the wind;
I poured them out like mud in the streets.
43 You have delivered me from the attacks of the people;
you have made me the head of nations;
people I did not know are subject to me.
44 As soon as they hear me, they obey me;
foreigners cringe before me.
45 They all lose heart;
they come trembling from their strongholds.
46 The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock!
Exalted be God my Savior!
47 He is the God who avenges me,
who subdues nations under me,
48 who saves me from my enemies.
You exalted me above my foes;
from violent men you rescued me.
49 Therefore I will praise you among the nations, O Lord ;
I will sing praises to your name.
50 He gives his king great victories;
he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed,
to David and his descendants forever.
[1]
a Horn here symbolizes strength.
b Hebrew Sheol
c Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint (see also 2 Samuel 22:14); most Hebrew manuscripts resounded, amid hailstones and bolts of lightning
d Or can run through a barricade
[1] The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
psalm 17
Psalm 17 (NRSV)
Psalm 17
Prayer for Deliverance from Persecutors
A Prayer of David.
1 Hear a just cause, O Lord ; attend to my cry;
give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit.
2 From you let my vindication come;
let your eyes see the right.
3 If you try my heart, if you visit me by night,
if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me;
my mouth does not transgress.
4 As for what others do, by the word of your lips
I have avoided the ways of the violent.
5 My steps have held fast to your paths;
my feet have not slipped.
6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me, hear my words.
7 Wondrously show your steadfast love,
O savior of those who seek refuge
from their adversaries at your right hand.
8 Guard me as the apple of the eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings,
Lord,
“Guard me as the apple of the eye,
Hide me in the shadow of your wings.”
What a pleasant thought to compare myself with “the apple of the eye!” It is simply astounding to believe that I could have that much value to you, that you could take such delight in me, one of your simple ordinary children.
This feels a little strange to me. It feels like an exercise in arrogance to allow myself to consider my significance to you and I do so only under the influence of the poet. If the poet can claim a special place in your heart, why should the rest of us claim a similar status? I would deny this privilege to no other person. I am looking for no advantage over others. But, dear Lord, in these few moments, I will allow myself to sit and absorb the amazing love that you have for me and for each of your people. And I follow the poet and also ask that you will give me a region of security "in the shadow of your wings".
PERSONAL PRAYERS:
Give thanks to God for the love that God has for you, the apple of his eye.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “Thank you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.
9 from the wicked who despoil me,
my deadly enemies who surround me.
10 They close their hearts to pity;
with their mouths they speak arrogantly.
11 They track me down;a now they surround me;
they set their eyes to cast me to the ground.
12 They are like a lion eager to tear,
like a young lion lurking in ambush.
13 Rise up, O Lord , confront them, overthrow them!
By your sword deliver my life from the wicked,
14 from mortals—by your hand, O Lord —
from mortals whose portion in life is in this world.
May their bellies be filled with what you have stored up for them;
may their children have more than enough;
may they leave something over to their little ones.
15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;
when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.
[1]
a One Ms Compare Syr: MT Our steps
[1] The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1996, c1989. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Psalm 17
Prayer for Deliverance from Persecutors
A Prayer of David.
1 Hear a just cause, O Lord ; attend to my cry;
give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit.
2 From you let my vindication come;
let your eyes see the right.
3 If you try my heart, if you visit me by night,
if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me;
my mouth does not transgress.
4 As for what others do, by the word of your lips
I have avoided the ways of the violent.
5 My steps have held fast to your paths;
my feet have not slipped.
6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me, hear my words.
7 Wondrously show your steadfast love,
O savior of those who seek refuge
from their adversaries at your right hand.
8 Guard me as the apple of the eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings,
Lord,
“Guard me as the apple of the eye,
Hide me in the shadow of your wings.”
What a pleasant thought to compare myself with “the apple of the eye!” It is simply astounding to believe that I could have that much value to you, that you could take such delight in me, one of your simple ordinary children.
This feels a little strange to me. It feels like an exercise in arrogance to allow myself to consider my significance to you and I do so only under the influence of the poet. If the poet can claim a special place in your heart, why should the rest of us claim a similar status? I would deny this privilege to no other person. I am looking for no advantage over others. But, dear Lord, in these few moments, I will allow myself to sit and absorb the amazing love that you have for me and for each of your people. And I follow the poet and also ask that you will give me a region of security "in the shadow of your wings".
PERSONAL PRAYERS:
Give thanks to God for the love that God has for you, the apple of his eye.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “Thank you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.
9 from the wicked who despoil me,
my deadly enemies who surround me.
10 They close their hearts to pity;
with their mouths they speak arrogantly.
11 They track me down;a now they surround me;
they set their eyes to cast me to the ground.
12 They are like a lion eager to tear,
like a young lion lurking in ambush.
13 Rise up, O Lord , confront them, overthrow them!
By your sword deliver my life from the wicked,
14 from mortals—by your hand, O Lord —
from mortals whose portion in life is in this world.
May their bellies be filled with what you have stored up for them;
may their children have more than enough;
may they leave something over to their little ones.
15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;
when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.
[1]
a One Ms Compare Syr: MT Our steps
[1] The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1996, c1989. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Psalm 17
Psalm 17 (NRSV)
1 Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry;
give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit.
2 From you let my vindication come;
let your eyes see the right.
3 If you try my heart, if you visit me by night,
if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me;
my mouth does not transgress.
4 As for what others do, by the word of your lips
I have avoided the ways of the violent.
5 My steps have held fast to your paths;
my feet have not slipped.
6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me, hear my words.
7 Wondrously show your steadfast love,
O savior of those who seek refuge
from their adversaries at your right hand.
Lord,
What amazing confidence the poet has, what a wondrous faith! He is apparently under siege. His opponents, his enemies, are out to get him and he dares to declare his own righteousness and to seek your protection. He asks, believing that you will answer, not only with warm feelings that all will be well in time, but that you will protect him in the time of immediate danger.
He believes that you command the forces of protection required to get him out of his jam. Secure in the rightfulness of his cause, he believes that his enemy will be destroyed.
So, Lord, how shall I pray? Shall I simply assume that I’m right and that you are on my side and that all who disagree should be destroyed? Knowing my own propensity for error, that seems a little brash. It seems better to ask that I will be on your side, that I will discern your character and will, and that I will conform to your mission and purpose in this world. And, in that spirit, I indeed pray. I pray that you will first make me right with you.
I remember that Jesus taught us to pray for our enemies and so I pray for those who disagree with me and, indeed, for those who have gossiped, lied, and distorted the truth about me. And while, as a disciple of Jesus, I cannot pray for their destruction, I do pray that you will heal and correct their misunderstanding and distorted perceptions. Where it is I who have been wrong, correct my mistakes and sins. Forgive me and attune my life again to you.
And while I may never really deserve it, indeed I seek your protection for myself, my family, my church, and all that I love.
PERSONAL PRAYERS:
Ask God to attune your life to his character and purpose.
Ask God to protect you and all you love from that which is threatening.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “Thank you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.
8 Guard me as the apple of the eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings,
9 from the wicked who despoil me,
my deadly enemies who surround me.
10 They close their hearts to pity;
with their mouths they speak arrogantly.
11 They track me down;a now they surround me;
they set their eyes to cast me to the ground.
12 They are like a lion eager to tear,
like a young lion lurking in ambush.
13 Rise up, O Lord, confront them, overthrow them!
By your sword deliver my life from the wicked,
14 from mortals—by your hand, O Lord—
from mortals whose portion in life is in this world.
May their bellies be filled with what you have stored up for them;
may their children have more than enough;
may they leave something over to their little ones.
15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;
when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.
[1]
a One Ms Compare Syr: MT Our steps
[1] The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989
1 Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry;
give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit.
2 From you let my vindication come;
let your eyes see the right.
3 If you try my heart, if you visit me by night,
if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me;
my mouth does not transgress.
4 As for what others do, by the word of your lips
I have avoided the ways of the violent.
5 My steps have held fast to your paths;
my feet have not slipped.
6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me, hear my words.
7 Wondrously show your steadfast love,
O savior of those who seek refuge
from their adversaries at your right hand.
Lord,
What amazing confidence the poet has, what a wondrous faith! He is apparently under siege. His opponents, his enemies, are out to get him and he dares to declare his own righteousness and to seek your protection. He asks, believing that you will answer, not only with warm feelings that all will be well in time, but that you will protect him in the time of immediate danger.
He believes that you command the forces of protection required to get him out of his jam. Secure in the rightfulness of his cause, he believes that his enemy will be destroyed.
So, Lord, how shall I pray? Shall I simply assume that I’m right and that you are on my side and that all who disagree should be destroyed? Knowing my own propensity for error, that seems a little brash. It seems better to ask that I will be on your side, that I will discern your character and will, and that I will conform to your mission and purpose in this world. And, in that spirit, I indeed pray. I pray that you will first make me right with you.
I remember that Jesus taught us to pray for our enemies and so I pray for those who disagree with me and, indeed, for those who have gossiped, lied, and distorted the truth about me. And while, as a disciple of Jesus, I cannot pray for their destruction, I do pray that you will heal and correct their misunderstanding and distorted perceptions. Where it is I who have been wrong, correct my mistakes and sins. Forgive me and attune my life again to you.
And while I may never really deserve it, indeed I seek your protection for myself, my family, my church, and all that I love.
PERSONAL PRAYERS:
Ask God to attune your life to his character and purpose.
Ask God to protect you and all you love from that which is threatening.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “Thank you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.
8 Guard me as the apple of the eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings,
9 from the wicked who despoil me,
my deadly enemies who surround me.
10 They close their hearts to pity;
with their mouths they speak arrogantly.
11 They track me down;a now they surround me;
they set their eyes to cast me to the ground.
12 They are like a lion eager to tear,
like a young lion lurking in ambush.
13 Rise up, O Lord, confront them, overthrow them!
By your sword deliver my life from the wicked,
14 from mortals—by your hand, O Lord—
from mortals whose portion in life is in this world.
May their bellies be filled with what you have stored up for them;
may their children have more than enough;
may they leave something over to their little ones.
15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;
when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.
[1]
a One Ms Compare Syr: MT Our steps
[1] The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Psalm 16
Psalm 16 (NRSV)
1 Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”
3 As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble,
in whom is all my delight.
4 Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names upon my lips.
5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
I have a goodly heritage.
7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
8 I keep the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
my body also rests secure.
10 For you do not give me up to Sheol,
or let your faithful one see the Pit.
11 You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
[1]
Lord,
What a promise! “The path of life”, “fullness of joy”, and “pleasures forevermore”; these are the promises that you offer to all who will walk with you. Forgive us when we distort faith into a fear that your primary desire is to condemn and that your character is marked by a punitive righteousness.
Of course, you call us to follow Jesus and to live with character and integrity. But above all, you promise joy to all who live in you. Help me to receive the joy. Help us all to live the joy that you bring. Give us the indescribable joy that comes only in loving and being loved by you.
PERSONAL PRAYERS:
Be still for a moment and allow yourself to dwell in the love of God.
Tell God how much you love him and try to describe your your love for God.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “Thank you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.
[1] The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989
1 Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”
3 As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble,
in whom is all my delight.
4 Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names upon my lips.
5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
I have a goodly heritage.
7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
8 I keep the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
my body also rests secure.
10 For you do not give me up to Sheol,
or let your faithful one see the Pit.
11 You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
[1]
Lord,
What a promise! “The path of life”, “fullness of joy”, and “pleasures forevermore”; these are the promises that you offer to all who will walk with you. Forgive us when we distort faith into a fear that your primary desire is to condemn and that your character is marked by a punitive righteousness.
Of course, you call us to follow Jesus and to live with character and integrity. But above all, you promise joy to all who live in you. Help me to receive the joy. Help us all to live the joy that you bring. Give us the indescribable joy that comes only in loving and being loved by you.
PERSONAL PRAYERS:
Be still for a moment and allow yourself to dwell in the love of God.
Tell God how much you love him and try to describe your your love for God.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “Thank you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.
[1] The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989
Psalm 16
Psalm 16 (NRSV)
1 Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”
3 As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble,
in whom is all my delight.
4 Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names upon my lips.
5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
I have a goodly heritage.
7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
8 I keep the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Lord,
I have cast my lot with you. If it is a wager, then I have bet my life that you are God and that you have revealed yourself in Jesus. I believe that your character is Jesus’ character and that you want all people to follow Jesus. There is an abundance of evidence that I could be wrong so by faith I choose to believe in you. Empower my faith.
The poet trusted you for counsel and instruction. In the same way that you spoke to him, through his heart, I trust that you live at the center of my heart and that if I listen to the center of my heart, I will hear you there. Help me to listen. Help me to hear. Above all, help me to know the difference between the yearnings of my mistaken self and the counsel of your voice.
Jesus promised the Paraclete, the counselor. Perhaps the poet knew him too. Holy Spirit of God, be my counselor and guide, my wisdom and strength.
Lord, we are in the political season. Forgive me for saying so, but it is embarrassing to see good, well-intentioned, intelligent politicians being less than they are. It is painful to see good people play the role of pandering supplicants. They must be better than they show. So, help us all to discern the good sense and the nonsense and to find those men and women who will best lead this nation to become a place of “liberty and justice for all.”
PERSONAL PRAYERS:
Ask God to speak through the center of your heart to you and ask for “ears to hear”. Pray for God’s gracious guidance.
Ask God for the spiritual courage that comes from knowing that God is at your right hand.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “Thank you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
my body also rests secure.
10 For you do not give me up to Sheol,
or let your faithful one see the Pit.
11 You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
[1]
[1] The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989
1 Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”
3 As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble,
in whom is all my delight.
4 Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names upon my lips.
5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
I have a goodly heritage.
7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
8 I keep the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Lord,
I have cast my lot with you. If it is a wager, then I have bet my life that you are God and that you have revealed yourself in Jesus. I believe that your character is Jesus’ character and that you want all people to follow Jesus. There is an abundance of evidence that I could be wrong so by faith I choose to believe in you. Empower my faith.
The poet trusted you for counsel and instruction. In the same way that you spoke to him, through his heart, I trust that you live at the center of my heart and that if I listen to the center of my heart, I will hear you there. Help me to listen. Help me to hear. Above all, help me to know the difference between the yearnings of my mistaken self and the counsel of your voice.
Jesus promised the Paraclete, the counselor. Perhaps the poet knew him too. Holy Spirit of God, be my counselor and guide, my wisdom and strength.
Lord, we are in the political season. Forgive me for saying so, but it is embarrassing to see good, well-intentioned, intelligent politicians being less than they are. It is painful to see good people play the role of pandering supplicants. They must be better than they show. So, help us all to discern the good sense and the nonsense and to find those men and women who will best lead this nation to become a place of “liberty and justice for all.”
PERSONAL PRAYERS:
Ask God to speak through the center of your heart to you and ask for “ears to hear”. Pray for God’s gracious guidance.
Ask God for the spiritual courage that comes from knowing that God is at your right hand.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “Thank you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
my body also rests secure.
10 For you do not give me up to Sheol,
or let your faithful one see the Pit.
11 You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
[1]
[1] The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989
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