A Global Invitation and a Grand Explanation

“Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol Him, all you peoples. For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise ye the Lord.” –Psalm 117:1-2 (ESV)

Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible and the shortest of the Psalms. It is also at the very center of the Bible, the middle chapter. It is significant that this Psalm, placed exactly where it is in the canon of our Scriptures, has both a global invitation to all peoples to praise, extol and honor God and a grand explanation of why all peoples should honor God.

Paul quoted Psalm 117:1 in his epistles to the Romans (15:11). His point was that from the very beginning of time with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, God had a worldwide purpose of redemption. Because of God’s love for mankind and His provision of salvation, peoples everywhere ought therefore to praise and extol Him. This is the “global invitation” to all peoples to come to Him in faith.

The grand explanation of why God is due our worship and praise is given in verse two. Great is God’s love for us. His love is faithful. God does not fall out of love with us. We may prove unfaithful to God and wander far away from Him, but still His love for us is enduring, even when we are unworthy of it. Because of God’s redemptive kindness to us and because of his enduring truth, we therefore should praise the Lord.

Let us read again the doxology recorded in Psalm 117. I can remember years ago when I was taking a course on the Psalms at Mercer University when I was studying for my AB degree that I learned this Psalm was in the middle of the Bible, with all that preceded it and all that followed it being pivotal to our understanding the necessity of all peoples coming to God the Father in faith. No peoples on earth have a monopoly on praise to God. He invites us all to come to Him, rely on Him, praise Him and be faithful to him.

I like the way Eugene Peterson in his The Message Bible translates Psalm 117:

“Praise God, everybody” Applaud God, all people! His love has taken over our lives; God’s faithful ways are eternal. Hallelujah!”

On this Lord’s Day, may we renew our zeal in seeking and thanking God for His steadfast care and love for us. –Ethelene Dyer Jones July 26, 2015

Our Source of Help

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills. from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” –Psalm 121:1-4 (KJV)

I grew up in the mountains of North Georgia. The lay of the land there has a strong hold in my way of life and appreciation. I am awed even after the many years of seeing the sweep of mountains in their majesty at the beauty and wonder of the blue ridges.

In Israel long ago the people looked up to the mountains in portions of that land and were also amazed at the captivating scenery. But the Psalmist also had another deep and thought-provoking intention behind this psalm that declares that he will life up his eyes to the hills. Sometimes on the steep slopes, neighbors to the Israelites who were pagan in their beliefs would erect shrines to idols. Upon seeing these, the God-fearing and faithful Israelite psalmist declared that he would look to the hills but proclaim that his help is from the Lord. His help came not from any false belief in idols. His protection also came from the Lord because He would not allow him to stumble.

This weekend has been an event which many of my extended family enjoys. We gather in the hills of North Georgia, at a church between the two highest peaks in Georgia, Brasstown Bald and Blood Mountain. Our ancestors settled in valleys between these mountains in the 1830’s and descendants have lived there since. Those kinsman who live away now enjoy going back for our annual large family gathering. Our Dyer-Souther Family Reunion in a sense is a restatement of values that have been dear to many generations. We greet each other with love and we seek by our spoken word and our lives lived in God’s precepts to declare “My help cometh from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.” We tell each other how the Lord has preserved and helped us since the previous year. And we leave the reunion with renewed hope, knowing that “The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” (Psalm 121:8, KJV). –Ethelene Dyer Jones 07.19.2015

That Which Is “Far Off and Exceedingly Deep”

“All this I have proved by wisdom. I said, ‘I will be wise.’ But it was far from me. As for that which is far off and exceedingly deep, Who can find out? I applied my heart to know, To search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things –Ecclesiastes 7:23-25. “For I considered all this in my heart, so that I could declare it all: that the righteous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God. People know neither love nor hatred by anything that is before them. Everything occurs alike to all.” –Ecclesiastes 9:1-2a. Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed’ ” –John 20:29 (NKJV).

So much escapes our knowledge. As the writer of Ecclesiastes laments: “that which is far off and exceedingly deep, who can find out?” We may study the Bible sincerely, but its rich mine of knowledge and spiritual wisdom may escape our understanding. Are we in despair? In our efforts “to search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things,” can we gain enough knowledge to give assurance along life’s pathway? Sometimes, we like the “assembly man,” --for that is the meaning of Ecclesiastes, the one who calls a religious assembly or who is its spokesman or preacher—think, “vanity of vanity, all is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). But, fortunately for the wisdom-seeker, Ecclesiastes, the “assembly-man,” there is an optimistic conclusion to his searching: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments. For this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, Whether it is good or whether it is evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, NKJV).

I concluded the cited verses above with John 20:29 for a specific reason. Jesus had already appeared after His resurrection from the dead to some of the disciples. Thomas had not yet seen the risen Christ and had made the statement, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). Eight days later, Thomas was with the disciples when Jesus appeared to them. Jesus invited Thomas to reach and touch His nail-scarred hands and His pierced side. But seeing Jesus was enough. Thomas did not have to touch His Lord to believe. Then Jesus made an astounding statement that includes you and me and any believers: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29, NKJV). It is possible through the eyes of faith to see that which is “far off and exceedingly deep” (Eccl. 7:24). “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NKJV. The necessity for faith is clearly stated in Habakkuk 3:4b as the prophet forth tells the vision that would come: “The just shall live by his faith.” This statement became the central thrust of Martin Luther’s “95 Theses” so boldly proclaimed in 1517 in Germany at the beginning of the Reformation.

I am amazed and grateful that the findings of archaeologists are unraveling that which is “far off and exceedingly deep.” For those who would criticize and term many of the events and people of the Bible as myths and legends, archeology is proving the Bible events to be true. Beneath the Gulf of Aquaba (the Red Sea) Egyptian chariot wheels and other artifacts have been found, proving the event of the Hebrews crossing on dry land and the Egyptian army and all their equipment being covered and destroyed with water. This find gave proof indeed that God did what was recorded in Exodus. These discoveries give insight to the awesome mystery and wonder of God, the omnipotent, omniscient One. We have adequate knowledge of His work to link us in faith to the Savior God. As the father of the sick child may we pray: “Lord, I believe! Help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24b). –Ethelene Dyer Jones 07.12.2015

The Christian’s Armor ~ All in Place and Covered with Prayer

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand, therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one, and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Sprit, which is the Word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert will all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” -Ephesians 6:13-18 (ESV) [Read Ephesians 6:10-18].

If you follow my devotionals posted daily on my facebook (Ethelene Jones) and/or if you receive them by e-mail, you will know that this is the seventh day we have considered the armor of the Christian. The first day was a general introduction to the necessity of being well-armed in the spiritual battle we wage in this life. Then we have considered each piece, important in the protection as defensive spiritual weapons. They are necessary to advancing offensively in the world to bear the message of the Lord Jesus Christ as one selected and appointed by Him as an ambassador for Truth.

Let us review the six pieces of armor as we consider arming ourselves for Christian warfare, well-dressed and ready: (1) The belt (girdle) of truth, the first piece to put on, being clad, first of all in Truth; (2) the breastplate of righteousness with the desire for right living in the heart; (3) feet shod with shoes of the gospel of peace, so that wherever we go we will want to walk in God’s peace and spread it; (4) the shield of faith which provides a formidable defense against any “fiery darts of the evil one”; (5) the helmet of salvation, to guard the mind against departure from the faith; (6) the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

The sixth piece, the sword which we take up daily, is the Word of God. The sword of the Roman solider was kept in readiness at all times. For the soldier the sword was the only piece of his armor used for offensive warfare; all remaining parts of his coat of mail were defensive pieces to protect him from the enemy. In Hebrews 4:12 we read a description of the Word of God as a sword: “For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart.” The soldier’s sword pierces the body of the one it attacks; but the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, pierces the mind and heart. The Spirit guided in the writing of the Word; He also guides as the word is wielded—when we study it and when we share it with others. It is so important that we “rightly divide the word of truth,” and hold it steadfastly so that it is a defensive weapon in our Christian warfare. We use it to lead others to the Lord Jesus Christ; we use it to keep ourselves on track and brave against the enemy.

Thus armed with the six pieces of distinctive armor, the Christian then permeates all of his defensive and offensive spiritual warfare with prayer. The battle in prayer prepares the Christian for the battle in the world. Without prayer, even if armed with the other important pieces of armor, you go into the battle unprepared. Be vigilant, be ready, consider the armor of the Christian, and even more “as you see the day approaching.” Be ready! -Ethelene Dyer Jones 07.05.2015