Lessons from the Psalms: Prayer for Restoration

“Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved!...Turn again, O God of hosts! Look down from heaven, and see; have regard for this vine, the stock that your right hand planted, and for the son whom you made strong for yourself…Restore us, O Lord God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved!” -Psalm 80:7; 14-15; 19 (ESV) [Read Psalm 80]

This Psalm is a community lament at a time when at least a portion of the people have received hard treatment at the hand of Gentile conquerors. The refrain, “Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine that we may be saved!” is repeated in verses 3, 7 and 19.

The occasion of the Psalm by Asaph is debated by scholars. Some believe it represents the fall of the city of Samaria in 721 B. C. The tribes mentioned in the Psalm are that of Joseph, the combined tribe of his sons, Ephraim and Benjamin, and the tribe of Manesseh. The writer remembers that “God brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. You cleared the ground for it; it took deep root and filled the land.” (vv. 8-9). Those were the good days, when the refugees who had come out of Egyptian bondage conquered the land of Canaan for their own homeland and established a nation there. It is no wonder they liked to remember those days before faithlessness and disobedience brought downfall. Now the Psalmist is leading his people in praying that the vine may be restored and the Lord’s face will shine upon them.

The Psalm reminds us of words Jesus taught as recorded in John 15: 1-3: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”

Having grown up on a farm, I was familiar with the grapes that grew in both my Grandfather’s and my father’s grape arbor. I observed how well they tended the vines, pruning off some of the branches so that the growth would be strong and productive. When I studied the words of Jesus in Sunday School, I could understand the principle of pruning off so that the major vine could be productive. And likewise, in our Christian life, if we do not abide in Christ through obedience to His Word and in prayer, we cannot have a productive Christian life. Jesus ended the “abiding” passage by stating: “These thing I have spoken to you that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11, ESV).

Psalm 80 was a community lament and prayer for a nation. How we today in America need to pray earnestly that God will “Restore us…and let His face shine upon us, that we may be saved!” We are not only speaking of the saving grace that initially brings us into the vineyard of the Lord, but of the grace that forgives our wandering astray—as we certainly have as a people, a nation—and the grace that brings us back into fellowship with God to seek and follow His ways. Let us pray that this may be so, and “Let it begin in me.”

              -Ethelene Dyer Jones 03.20.2016

   

When Holding on Is Hard, God Holds onto Me

“Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand, You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” -Psalm 73:23-26 (ESV) [Read Psalm 73]

Psalm 73 is the opening Psalm of Book Three division of the Psalms. This section contains Psalms 73-89. The tone is somewhat dark in Book Three of the Psalms. For example, the opening Psalm in this division starkly questions God’s justice. But then in verses 23-26 the writer comes to realize that a personal relationship is the way to recognize that God is still at work and is holding onto those who love and serve Him faithfully.

Although we desire a nation that fears and serves God, when we think about it, and use the analogy of a chain being only as strong as its weakest link, we come to the conclusion, as did Asaph to whom the writing of Psalm 73 is attributed, that it is the individual who is responsible for being “continually with God” and depending on His counsel, as expressed so strongly in Psalm 73:23. To identify Asaph, we note in 1 Chronicles 15:16-19 that he, Heman and Ethan (also known as Jeduthun) were Levites who were worship leaders and musicians in the sanctuary during King David’s reign. Twelve Psalms 50 and 73-83 are attributed to Asaph. Psalm 73 deals with the age-old question of “Why do the righteous suffer and the ungodly seem to prosper?” Psalm 73 gives five stages of seeking to answer this universal question:

1. The believer stands on what he knows (v. 1).
2. The doubter slips from where he once stood (vv. 2-3)
3. The wrestler struggles with what he feels and sees (vv. 4-14)
4. The worshiper sees the bigger picture (vv.15-22)
5. The conqueror rejoices over God’s goodness (23-26)¹

Asaph comes to a wonderful conclusion: “But for me, it is good to be near G0d; I have made the Lord my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.” (v. 28).

Looking back over the years of my life, I can see high points and low, times of doubt and times of great assurance. But I can testify to the strength of this Psalm’s testimony. The times of questioning “Why” do come, but through the darkness an eternal light always shines to show forth God’s light and His way. With the Psalmist the believe can say triumphantly: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. But for me, it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works!”  (Psalm 73:26, 28, ESV). When holding on is hard, God holds onto me. Selah!

-Ethelene Dyer Jones 03.13.2016

1 Warren W. Wiersbe. The Wiersbe Bible Commentary. OT. “Psalms.” Colorado Springs, Co: David Cook. 2007. Pp. 953-954.

Lessons from the Psalms: God’s Awesome Deeds

“Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise! Say to God, ‘How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you. All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name’.” Psalm 66:1-4 (ESV) [Read Psalm 66]

Psalm 66 is not “signed”; that is, no authorship is given to it in the introductory remarks. The Psalm begins with a global invitation for all nations to praise the Lord (vv. 1-7). It continues with a national proclamation for Israel to praise the Lord (vv. 8-12). Then comes the invitation to personally praise God: “Praise the Lord with me” (vv. 13-20). The severe trials God’s people had endured as shown in Psalm 66:8-12 are believed to be the historical events told about in Isaiah 36-37 when King Sennachrib of Assyria came against King Hezekiah of Judah. Hezekiah prayed for victory and the Lord answered his prayer. Some scholars think the words of Psalm 66:13-20 are from King Hezekiah himself.

What do we learn from this Psalm? Not only is the historical context of interest, but there are strong admonitions for persons of any age. In the “global invitation” verses, indeed all peoples everywhere should “Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man” (v. 5). As Paul wrote in Romans, there is enough evidence all about any peoples who show the awesomeness and majesty of God, so that they are “without excuse” of following God, obeying Him, and accepting His salvation (see Romans 1:19-20; 2:1)

In the national proclamation verses, the psalm notes the people have gone “through fire and through water, yet God has brought them to a place of abundance” (v 12). This certainly was true of the Israelite nation. As we apply this verse to America and how God led our founding fathers to establish the constitution and to uphold it, we can agree with the Psalmist (Ps. 33:12): “Blest is the nation whose God is the Lord,” as we have long declared. I just this week got a message online about a now-popular gospel song that has the testimony: “In God We Still Trust.” Those who want no mention of God as related to America want the song banned. Many are urging that the message be passed on and the song be sung, over and over again.

In the personal affirmation and the invitation to “worship the Lord with me,” (vv 13-20) we can exult in the testimony expressed in verse 20: “Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!” There is a true saying: “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.” This Psalm invites us to examine the awesome deeds of God, globally, nationally and individually and see how strong our personal link is in the chain of this circle of obedience and follow-ship of God. We often admonish others to draw closer to God. Do we examine our own relationship with God and see what sins should be confessed, what commitments should be made to make us a stronger link in the chain of believers? God’s awesome deeds should, indeed, inspire each of us to a closer walk with Him.    -Ethelene Dyer Jones 03.06.2016

Lessons from the Psalms: God My Strength and Fortress

“But I will sing of your strength; I will sign aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.” -Psalm 59:16-17 (ESV) [Read Psalm 59]

When taking the Psalms one by one as I have done since January 1, 2016 to write daily devotional thoughts, it will naturally occur that one comes to a Psalm which is difficult to explicate or to find key verses on which to base devotional thoughts. On the 59^th day of the year 20016, and this 59^th Psalm, one with the title “Deliver Me from My Enemies,” I found at first a mental block. Then, upon second reading, and with prayer, I found very strong key verses in Psalm 59:16-17, the concluding verses of this prayer for deliverance from enemies.

The occasion of this Psalm by David seems to be when Saul sent men to David’s house to watch for him and kill him. David was a “tracked” man, one whom King Saul, David’s father-in-law, wanted out of his way. After all, the people had sung in the streets: Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands” (1 Samuel 18:7). Jealousy like an angry monster had beset Saul and he wanted the younger man, favored by the people, chosen by God, and anointed to be the next King to be out of the way. The Psalm describes the enemy as “bloodthirsty men” (v. 2), “howling dogs” (v. 6), and filled with pride and cursing (v. 12). From such enemies David prays to be delivered and remembers that God has been faithful to him, his fortress, refuge, deliverer and his God who shows steadfast love.

We may never have had the physical enemies David experienced during that time in his life, but always there are those who are enemies to Christians. People will ridicule and make light of one’s sincere commitment to the Lord. Many view Christianity as a “when it is convenient” commitment and seek to find no reason for faithful church attendance, tithing and a firm commitment to lead in some capacity within the church. Or there are those who serve for a season and find that they need relief from their regular church commitments of teaching, ministering or attendance. They drop out a Sunday or two, and then the absenteeism from church and spiritual responsibilities become a way of life.

Notice David’s statement of faith in verses 9 and 17. His commitment to the Lord was not an “on” and “off” or “if it is convenient” type of resolution. He stated firmly: “O my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress.” (v. 9). He reaffirmed his statement of faith: “O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love” (v. 17). In my husband’s years of pastoral ministry, during the invitation time persons would come and “make a re-commitment” to the Lord. It was not that they had lost their salvation, for this, we believe, is a once-and-for all commitment. But they had grown cold in their Christian walk, wanted to repent, and wanted prayer that they could again join in Christian worship and service. They had found anew that “The joy of the Lord is my Strength” as David expressed when he had been rescued and restored and could proclaim again that the Lord was his fortress and his refuge. As the hymn by Ms. Fannie J. Crosby (1820-1915) so aptly expresses, we need to sing for reminder, renewal and strength: “Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord, to Thy precious bleeding side.” -Ethelene Dyer Jones 02.28.2016

Lessons from the Psalms: A Testimony to the Steadfast Love of God

‘But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever; I will thank you forever because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good in the presence of the godly.” -Psalm 52:6-9 (ESV) [Read Psalm 52]

By way of explanation, during 2016, I have taken a psalm a day in devotional writings and given a brief explication and application of verses from the Psalms in order. Today is the 52^nd day of 2016, and we take a brief look at the 52^nd Psalm, another from the pen of David.

A note to introduce the Psalm stated: “A Maskil of David when Doeg, the Edomite, came and told Saul, ‘David has come to the house of Ahimelech.’ “ A word of explanation is in order about the historic incident when David started the Psalm by asking: “Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man?” And he is quick to answer: “The steadfast love of God endures all the day.” Then David gives account of the evils done to him by the people who were seeking to harm him.

Here is a brief summary of the story from 1 Samuel 21:1-9 and 1 Samuel 22:6-23. Doeg the Edomite was one of the many men around Saul who bowed to King Saul’s whim hoping to gain favor. He is like people who promote themselves at the expense of justice and righteousness. Or to seek harm for others. Saul was very jealous that David had been anointed as king and wanted to kill the young man, chosen by God to succeed Saul. David was fleeing from Saul. At Nob the priests who had helped David were slaughtered. The priests had given David some of the showbread, and Doeg’s report of this put David in a poor light. When none of Saul’s men would strike the priests, Doeg willingly did so. This Psalm by David then tells of the way of these evil men, but ends telling of the steadfast love of God for his faithful people.

In verses 1-4 we see how sinners boast of what they do. “Mighty man” as given by David could mean our vernacular, “you big shot,” a derisive way of referring to those who are out to do evil to the good people. Verses 5-7 tell the end of those who go against God’s chosen. God himself will bring justice to them. Verses 6-9 show that the wicked are like uprooted trees, but the faithful are as a green, flourishing olive tree. The godly need not concern themselves with thoughts of vengeance. God Himself, because of His steadfast love, will vindicate those who love Him and serve Him.

Hymnwriter Charles A. Tindley (1851-1933) wrote both the words and music to “When the Morning Comes.” Lines in the hymn reflect the ideas David propounded in Psalm 52:

“Trials dark on every hand, and we cannot understand

All the ways that God would lead us to that blessed promised land;

But He’ll guide us with His eye, and we’ll follow till we die;

We will understand it better by and by.”

As David may we declare: “I trust in the steadfast love of God forever!” (Psalm 52:8b)

-Ethelene Dyer Jones -February 21, 2016.

Lessons from the Psalms: A Special Psalm for Valentine’s Day

“My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe…Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness; you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.” -Psalm 45:1; 6-6-7 (ESV). [Read Psalm 45].

Posted on a card above my computer are these words from Psalm 46:1 (NASB version) as a reminder to me that in my writing I have a calling, a gift, and I am to use my writing to help and encourage others: “My heart overflows with a good theme…my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.” I pray that these devotionals written daily, poems I write, the weekly newspaper columns I’ve written for almost 26 years now, the books I’ve written or helped to write, and even letters or cards of encouragement will flow from the “pen of a ready writer,” and “overflow with a good theme.” I appreciate those of you who read and “like” on Facebook and others who express gratitude for something that touches you that I have written

On this Valentine’s Day, 2016, I send love to you, and introduce you to a special psalm that says in its added-later title that it is a love song on the occasion of the wedding of one of the kings of Israel. The psalm was sung in worship or at the wedding ceremony for a king, and was used with “the lilies” tune known in those ancient times.

Psalm 45 is a hymn celebrating a royal wedding. We don’t know specifically which of the Israelite kings, but he was one in David’s royal line After 2 Samuel 7:11-16, the line of David was the one appointed through which God would bless His people and carry out the promise to bless the whole world. The Psalm has also been taken as Messianic. In Hebrews 1:8-9, the verses from Psalm 45:6-7 are used to point to Jesus Christ. “But of the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”

Imagine a wedding day for a beloved king. The ruler is described as a king of beauty, majesty and justice. The scribe, a “ready writer,” able and equipped to write quickly and with ease of words, described the wedding and the reception of the king and his bride. The ruler was one who was highly respected. He held to high ideals and had the characteristics that gave him a noble position.

The Messianic theme is further emphasized in Psalm 45:17 as we see a foretaste of Christ and His kingdom, with His bride, the church, made up of believers in all generations: “I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore nations will praise you forever and ever.” How we ought to express our love for each other and for the Lord our King on this day of hearts, a day when we consider the true meaning of love and rejoice in loving and being loved. For God is love, and by loving Him we begin to learn how to love others genuinely and deeply. - Ethelene Dyer Jones 02.14.2016

Lessons from the Psalms: A Prayer of Petition and a Memorial Offering

“Do not forsake me, O Lord! O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation. -Psalm 38:21-22. [Read Psalm 38]

Psalm 38 is a prayer of petition with David as author. The title given to the Psalm is “For the Memorial Offering.” This is a reference to instructions to bring gifts from the firstfruits of the grain as a memorial offering: “When anyone brings a grain offering as an offering to the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour. He shall pour oil on it and put frankincense on it and bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests. And he shall take from it a handful of the fine flour and oil, with all of its frankincense, and the priest shall burn this as its memorial portion on the altar, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord. But the rest of the grain offering shall be for Aaron and his sons; it is a most holy part of the Lord’s food offerings.” -Leviticus2:1-4 (ESV). Why was this called a ‘memorial’ offering? It was a way of the Israelite worshipers offering a “reminder” (or memorial) to the Lord Himself asking Him to remember them with favor as they made their requests known to Him.

Much of Psalm 38, although termed a ‘memorial’ prayer brought at the time of harvest, had four major elements of sacrifice to pour out before the Lord. First came fine flour, and next salt. Then expensive frankincense was poured upon the flour before it was ritually set afire upon the altar. Oil was poured on a portion that was to be set afire, and frankincense was used to produce a sweet-smelling savor to the Lord. This went up as a burnt offering with a peasant flavor to the Lord. The remainder of the firstfruits offering was given to the priest, Aaron and other priests, for a food offering.

It may seem a bit strange that in this Memorial” or Petition prayer, David asks the Lord earnestly to deliver him out of the hands of his enemies. They have beset him on every side, and their treatment of him has been severe. He speaks of being in tumult of heart in verses 1-8 and fears that the Lord is angry with him. Even his friends and companions stand aloof (v. 11), and some seek his life (vv. 12-14). Yet he waits for the Lord and prays that his enemies not “rejoice over him when his ‘foot slips.’ (vv.15-16). We are reminded to be right with enemies as offerings are brought to the Lord. God alone is our hope and it is at the time of memorial offering that the worshiper remembers the goodness of the Lord and pleads for His mercy.

We no longer bring flour, oil, frankincense and salt offerings to the Lord. But we are urged in Scripture to “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need” (Malachi 3:10). Tithes and offerings are a blessing to the giver, but they are also a means whereby the work of the Lord is proclaimed to people who gather to worship and those whom Christians seek to win to the Lord and bring into the fold. Our tithes and offerings are still a “memorial gift” to the Lord’s goodness and graciousness to us, His people. I remember with great joy the “March for Missions” my preacher husband promoted near Christmas each year for foreign missions. It was a time when church members gave gladly and with generosity to help spread the gospel to places in foreign lands where people still walked without the light of Christ. Memorial offering time should bring self-examination as well as generous and joyful giving. -Ethelene Dyer Jones 02.07.2016