This Psalm seems to divide naturally into three sections with the last one (vs. 12-14) being voiced as a confession flowing out of the preceding two. The first section focuses on God’s general revelation through nature (vs. 1-6) and the second section focuses on God’s special revelation through Scripture (vs. 7-11). I will share my personal insights and applications based upon these three sections.
Declarational
At times I feel like we have given too much attention to the theme of God’s glory. With the influence of John Piper, this theme has echoed loudly in our churches and in our hearts. In a sense, it has been somewhat of a course correction as we may have swung a little too close to a man-centered theology or at minimum a man-centered emphasis. Returning to the preeminence of God’s glory keeps us in our proper place in comparison to the magnificence of God. As I reflected upon this first section, I have been reminded that I actually cannot give too much attention to the theme of God’s glory. In fact, I have a responsibility to declare the glory of God and to proclaim His handiwork. The heavens and the sky never cease to display the significance of God. The sun faithfully and joyfully exhibits God’s brilliance from horizon to horizon so that nothing is hidden from its influence. In the same way, I must earnestly and eagerly share and show the significance of my God. From the morning’s rise to the evening’s retirement, I must speak of and point people to God’s glory. Just as the sun is created to shine and pour forth heat, I have been created to reflect the image of God in my life and speech.
Incaranational
Not only does creation reflect God, His inspired Word mirrors His character and nature. The adjectives outlined in this second section are beautiful pictures: perfect, sure, right, radiant, pure, true, and righteous. I realize that there is a distinction between God and His Word, yet the two are intrinsically interrelated. Jesus Himself is referred to as the Word or the very speech of God in John’s gospel. To describe the law of the Lord with the above adjectives is to describe the very essence of God. He is perfect, trustworthy, pure, and true. Just as His Word is sure, radiant, and righteous, so is God. To seek after God and to treasure Him as for the finest of gold is the highest prize for the believer. Moreover, this seeking and finding is filled with reward and blessing. God’s Word revives the soul, makes wise the simple, rejoices the heart, enlightens the eyes, and warns the servant. Keeping the law of the Lord is not just reward; it is great reward.
Confessional
The third section reminded me of Isaiah when he saw the Lord high and exalted and realized his unworthiness and uncleanliness before the Almighty. Likewise, my heart has been pierced as I have contemplated upon the awesomeness of God’s glory and Word. Just as David cried out in mercy to God for his hidden and willful sins, I too, must humbly bow before the glorious, perfect, and righteous God seeking forgiveness for great transgression. I fully submit to God’s mercy and grace so that the words of my mouth and meditation of my heart would be an acceptable and continual offering of praise and worship for the glory of God. Yes, I have now come full circle. My earnest desire is for His glory to be declarational, incarnational, and confessional in my life.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
A Reflection of Psalm 1
Psalm 1 is a song of promise both for the one who walks in righteousness before God and for the one who walks in rebellion against God. After meditating and reflecting upon this passage of Scripture for the past week, I have been encouraged and challenged to lift up the priority of God’s Word in my life, particularly through the spiritual discipline of continuous meditation of Scripture.
The Promises
There are five promises for the righteous outlined in this passage. God promises to bless (v. 1), to supply (v. 3), to sustain (v. 3), to prosper (v. 3), and to know the way of the righteous (v. 6). All of these promises are significant and powerful on their own, yet when packaged together as in this text, they display the magnitude of God’s infinite grace, love, and faithfulness to His followers. To live under God’s blessing, supply, sustenance, prosperity, and knowledge is humbling and overwhelming. Just realizing that I can be a recipient of such incredible goodness and mercy has deepened my desire to serve Him more fervently and reverently.
These promises are covenantal and dependent upon relationship with God expressed in obedience to His Word. To receive these blessings, one must not walk in the counsel of the wicked, stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of scoffers. The three verbs (walk, stand, and sit) basically cover places we could find ourselves in fellowship with others. Yet, as I thought more about these words, I believe they do not just speak to the present moment. To walk is to move in a direction, to go toward something, or to go down a path. My journey should lead to godliness, righteousness, and holiness. To stand with others implies that I am with them, supportive of them, agreeing with them, and will even defend them. My stance should reflect God’s desires and will. Lastly, to sit with others displays that I am not only comfortable with their behavior, beliefs, and worldview, but also that I am a part of that group representing those things I have grown comfortable with. My association should be God alone for His glory alone.
What makes the journey, stance, and association more appalling apart from God is the company of people involved as well as their influence. Only our sinful nature would attract us to connect with the wicked, the sinner, and the scoffer. Depravity alone would lead us down a path where the chaff is driven away by the wind (v. 4), where there is no place of real significance (v. 5), where there is no fellowship with the righteous (v. 5), and where there is only destruction (v. 6). By God’s grace, I will not walk in their counsel, stand in their way, nor sit in their seat.
God's Word
Then how is this covenantal relationship expressed? It is found by delighting and meditating in God’s Word. The word “but” that separates verses one and two, suggests that the verbs in verse one can be transposed to verse two. Thus, God’s blessing is given to those who walk in the counsel, stand in the way, and sit in the seat of the law of the Lord. My delight is found in my journey, stance, and alliance to His Word. Any other way leads to a departure of God’s promise and presence and ultimately to devastation. In fact, living in God’s Word should be such a significant aspect of my life, that I am consumed with it day and night. .
Before God I must confess that His Word has not been the type of consuming fire described in this passage. I am grateful that His Word has been daily and consistently before me over the past months. Nevertheless, God has challenged me to bring His living words to constant meditation, both day and night. I will do so by spending more time with Scripture cards and reflections such as this. I will do so not for the promises He makes, but for His glory and honor alone.
The Promises
There are five promises for the righteous outlined in this passage. God promises to bless (v. 1), to supply (v. 3), to sustain (v. 3), to prosper (v. 3), and to know the way of the righteous (v. 6). All of these promises are significant and powerful on their own, yet when packaged together as in this text, they display the magnitude of God’s infinite grace, love, and faithfulness to His followers. To live under God’s blessing, supply, sustenance, prosperity, and knowledge is humbling and overwhelming. Just realizing that I can be a recipient of such incredible goodness and mercy has deepened my desire to serve Him more fervently and reverently.
These promises are covenantal and dependent upon relationship with God expressed in obedience to His Word. To receive these blessings, one must not walk in the counsel of the wicked, stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of scoffers. The three verbs (walk, stand, and sit) basically cover places we could find ourselves in fellowship with others. Yet, as I thought more about these words, I believe they do not just speak to the present moment. To walk is to move in a direction, to go toward something, or to go down a path. My journey should lead to godliness, righteousness, and holiness. To stand with others implies that I am with them, supportive of them, agreeing with them, and will even defend them. My stance should reflect God’s desires and will. Lastly, to sit with others displays that I am not only comfortable with their behavior, beliefs, and worldview, but also that I am a part of that group representing those things I have grown comfortable with. My association should be God alone for His glory alone.
What makes the journey, stance, and association more appalling apart from God is the company of people involved as well as their influence. Only our sinful nature would attract us to connect with the wicked, the sinner, and the scoffer. Depravity alone would lead us down a path where the chaff is driven away by the wind (v. 4), where there is no place of real significance (v. 5), where there is no fellowship with the righteous (v. 5), and where there is only destruction (v. 6). By God’s grace, I will not walk in their counsel, stand in their way, nor sit in their seat.
God's Word
Then how is this covenantal relationship expressed? It is found by delighting and meditating in God’s Word. The word “but” that separates verses one and two, suggests that the verbs in verse one can be transposed to verse two. Thus, God’s blessing is given to those who walk in the counsel, stand in the way, and sit in the seat of the law of the Lord. My delight is found in my journey, stance, and alliance to His Word. Any other way leads to a departure of God’s promise and presence and ultimately to devastation. In fact, living in God’s Word should be such a significant aspect of my life, that I am consumed with it day and night. .
Before God I must confess that His Word has not been the type of consuming fire described in this passage. I am grateful that His Word has been daily and consistently before me over the past months. Nevertheless, God has challenged me to bring His living words to constant meditation, both day and night. I will do so by spending more time with Scripture cards and reflections such as this. I will do so not for the promises He makes, but for His glory and honor alone.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Our Unashamedness
Today I want to close out the trilogy of Paul's "I am" statements found in Romans 1:14-16. Paul begins by saying he is under obligation - he is indebted with the gospel by God for the those who have yet to hear. Secondly, Paul says that he is eager - he is passionate about preaching the gospel to the point that it was ready to boil out of him. In this last "I am," Paul says that he is not ashamed of the gospel.
The Gospel is Central
One thing that is obvious in these three statements is that the gospel is central. Paul is not just indebted to God; he's been indebted with the gospel. Paul is not just eager to share about life as a Christian; he's bursting from the seams to share the full saving message of the gospel. Paul is not just lightly walking in with the gospel; he's full of boldness and inextinguishable fervor for the gospel's sake.
Using the Negative
The first two "I am" are in the positive. This third statement takes the negative approach. Some would say that using a negative adds emphasis. To say to one of my children during a time of correction, "I am not pleased with your behavior or attitude" may tend to give more stress to how I'm feeling than by simply saying, "I am upset with your behavior or attitude." Yet, let's take this a little deeper. What if my children have heard me often speak of my pleasure and joy in their behavior or attitude? For example, "Son, your humble and selfish attitude toward your brother brings great delight and joy to my heart." If my son had experienced me responding to him in this way, the negative statement would have more significance and impact.
I think that may be the reason Paul is using the negative here. He has experienced the temptation of fear, rejection, ridicule, and even persecution. Remember, Paul had been laughed at in Athens, considered a fool in Corinth, called a blasphemer in Jerusalem, stoned in Lystra, and more. In spite of these experiences, Paul was emboldened with the gospel. He is not just saying, "I am proud of the gospel." He is saying "I am not ashamed of the gospel."
Be Not Unashamed
To the unbeliever, the message of the gospel can be unattractive, foolish, offensive, intimidating, and repulsive. Sadly, in many of our churches today, the message of the gospel has been watered down for these same purposes. We sure don't want to offend people or make them feel guilty. I like the way John MacArthur said it in his commentary on Romans, "An inoffensive gospel is also an inoperative gospel." The gospel is hell's enemy. Therefore, Satan is going to do everything in his power to distort the message and paint it in these "bad" terms. Yet, the gospel is "good" news for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. The gospel is freeing, it is redeeming, it is saving, it is life.
Therefore, I will not be ashamed; I must not be ashamed; I am not ashamed of the gospel.
I will boldly share it and show it. I will unashamedly tell it and testify of it. There is too much at stake for me to be passive or timid. People are not rejecting me, they are responding as those who have been brainwashed by the enemy of God and held captive by his lies and deception. Yet, the gospel is the power or dunamis of God. It is like dynamite that is the only thing able to break down a stone mountain. God's power is glorious, irresistible, unsearchable, might, great, incomparable, strong, everlasting, effectual, and sovereign. "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18).
The Gospel is Central
One thing that is obvious in these three statements is that the gospel is central. Paul is not just indebted to God; he's been indebted with the gospel. Paul is not just eager to share about life as a Christian; he's bursting from the seams to share the full saving message of the gospel. Paul is not just lightly walking in with the gospel; he's full of boldness and inextinguishable fervor for the gospel's sake.
Using the Negative
The first two "I am" are in the positive. This third statement takes the negative approach. Some would say that using a negative adds emphasis. To say to one of my children during a time of correction, "I am not pleased with your behavior or attitude" may tend to give more stress to how I'm feeling than by simply saying, "I am upset with your behavior or attitude." Yet, let's take this a little deeper. What if my children have heard me often speak of my pleasure and joy in their behavior or attitude? For example, "Son, your humble and selfish attitude toward your brother brings great delight and joy to my heart." If my son had experienced me responding to him in this way, the negative statement would have more significance and impact.
I think that may be the reason Paul is using the negative here. He has experienced the temptation of fear, rejection, ridicule, and even persecution. Remember, Paul had been laughed at in Athens, considered a fool in Corinth, called a blasphemer in Jerusalem, stoned in Lystra, and more. In spite of these experiences, Paul was emboldened with the gospel. He is not just saying, "I am proud of the gospel." He is saying "I am not ashamed of the gospel."
Be Not Unashamed
To the unbeliever, the message of the gospel can be unattractive, foolish, offensive, intimidating, and repulsive. Sadly, in many of our churches today, the message of the gospel has been watered down for these same purposes. We sure don't want to offend people or make them feel guilty. I like the way John MacArthur said it in his commentary on Romans, "An inoffensive gospel is also an inoperative gospel." The gospel is hell's enemy. Therefore, Satan is going to do everything in his power to distort the message and paint it in these "bad" terms. Yet, the gospel is "good" news for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. The gospel is freeing, it is redeeming, it is saving, it is life.
Therefore, I will not be ashamed; I must not be ashamed; I am not ashamed of the gospel.
I will boldly share it and show it. I will unashamedly tell it and testify of it. There is too much at stake for me to be passive or timid. People are not rejecting me, they are responding as those who have been brainwashed by the enemy of God and held captive by his lies and deception. Yet, the gospel is the power or dunamis of God. It is like dynamite that is the only thing able to break down a stone mountain. God's power is glorious, irresistible, unsearchable, might, great, incomparable, strong, everlasting, effectual, and sovereign. "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18).
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