Lessons from the Psalms: In the Lord I Take Refuge

“In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me. Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!” -Psalm 31:1-2 (ESV). [Read Psalm 31}

The 24 verses of this Psalm are a prayer, a lament, from the pen of David, the great Psalm-writer of Israel. Many incidents in his life could be the occasions that inspired this prayer for help from the Lord. He is worn out with trouble and beset all about by enemies. In fact, he may be at the point of death, for in verse 5 he prays: “Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.”

During the month of January, my daily devotionals (posted on Facebook and sent out to many friends by e-mail) have been on the theme of Lessons from the Psalms. I have proceeded, one-a-day-through January, until today we look at Psalm 31. I have tried not to be repetitive to dwell too much on one particular theme. I thank God for His guidance and inspiration in this endeavor, and I can truthfully say that as I have studied a Psalm a day, the Spirit of the Living God has been my teacher.

Today I want to give credit for the organization and outline for Psalm 31 to a great minister of the gospel and Bible teacher whose commentaries on both the Old and New Testament are part of my resources for study. Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe in his Wiersbe Bible Commentary. OT (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook Publishing, 2007, p. 910-912) gives this excellent outline for Psalm 38:

1. When Others Do Evil, Trust God for His Strength (vv. 1-8)
2. When Others Cause Pain, Ask God for His Mercy (vv. 9-18)
3. When Others See the Victory, Give God the Glory (vv. 19-24)

If you study the verses carefully, using Dr. Wiersbe’s outline, you will possibly remember the great truths of this Psalm more readily. The emphasis throughout the Psalm is on taking refuge in the Lord, no matter how difficult the circumstances. He asks God to act speedily in delivering him and to be his Rock and his fortress. When others inflict pain, remember to ask God for His mercy, and the fortitude to bear up under the distress. The Christian way, and following the admonition of Jesus, the one praying would also ask forgiveness for those who inflict the pain. In the last verses of the Psalm, David remembers how abundant God’s protection has been for him and he constantly gives God the glory for victory.

Circumstances in my early life were such that I grew up in a hurry. The time following my mother’s death when I was only fourteen were hard years, not only because I missed her loving counsel, but because I had to “grow up” and assume leadership of a home and caring for other members of my family. The work was hard, both in the house and on the farm. And all the while I had such a determination to go to school and excel in studies. Many were the times I poured out my heart in daily jottings in diaries and journals. Early I formed the habit of reading from the Bible to gain strength, and praying to God for help in time of weakness. My oblations read like David’s laments, a constant crying out to God for His help and strength. I know now that “all things work together for good” (Romans 8:28) and that all of those years of struggle to do what was required of me helped me to grow and develop. Like David in Psalm 31:14-15a, I prayed: But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘you are my God.’ My times are in your hand.”

-Ethelene Dyer Jones 01.31.2016

Lessons from the Psalms: Declaring the Universal Sovereignty of God the Creator

“The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For He hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord, or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” -Psalm 24:1-5 (KJV) [Read Psalm 24]

Scholars believe this Psalm was written for a very special event. It marks the occasion recorded in 2 Samuel 6 when King David brought the Ark of the Covenant from the house of Obed-edom to a special tent prepared for it on Mt. Zion in Jerusalem. The entourage had started out with a large number, 30,000 chosen men. They had the ark on a new cart, one especially for the purpose, although God had commanded that the ark be carried by Levites, with poles placed through rings on the side of the ark so that the sacred ark would not be touched by human hands. When the donkeys stumbled, one of the men, Uzzah, reached out and touched the ark. He lost his life because of this act. David was so disturbed that he left the ark for three months in the home of Obed-edom, but after that he declared that the Ark would be moved to Mount Zion. There was much rejoicing in the streets, dancing and singing before the Lord as the Ark was carried on its journey.

Psalm 24 is divided into three distinct parts. Verses 1-2 declare God as the Creator of the universe and the Sovereign over all. Verses 3- 6 ask who receives blessings from the Lord and answers the question. Verses 7-10 are a call to worship and a response.

Maybe you, as I, grew up in a church where responsive readings from the back of the hymn book were a part of Sunday morning worship service. The responsive reading was a solemn and sacred time when God’s Word was honored and read meaningfully by pastor and congregation. Imagine a great host of people ascending the hill of Mt. Zion, with the Ark of the Covenant being borne on poles and carried by the Levites. The worship leader (a chosen person—likely the chief priest) began the Psalm and the people answered in unison. It was a meaningful time of worship, a time of remembering who God is, what He has done in Creation, and why the people should worship Him. 

 

      The priest would ask: “Who is this King of glory?”

     And the people would answer with confidence: “The Lord strong and mighty! The Lord mighty in battle!”

    Then everyone in unison would say: “Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, and the King of glory may come in.”

     Again the priest would ask: “Who is this King of glory?”

     And with great emphasis and meaning the people would answer: “The Lord of hosts; he is the King of glory!”

The Psalm represents a joyful and significant time of worship. We need outstanding occasions in our worship, maybe a time of dedication of a building for the glory of God; an occasion of Homecoming and welcoming back those who were once a part of the local fellowship; a commemoration time of goals reached and God’s kingdom moving forward. But every Sunday should be a time of rejoicing together and praising God that He is our Creator and our King. Selah! Ethelene Dyer Jones 01.24.2016

Lessons from the Psalms: A Prayer of Confidence in God’s Salvation and Justice

“Hear a just cause, O Lord, attend to my cry; Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips. Let my vindication come from Your presence; Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright.. Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings. As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.” -Psalm 17: 1-2, 4, 15 (NKJV).[Read Psalm 17]

Another Psalm of David, this is a lament asking the Lord to protect him from enemies and appealing to God to execute justice and bring salvation to the one who is faithful to Him.

The Psalmist pleads that he is unjustly accused by his enemy. He prays for vindication from his enemy, but at the same time pleads that the Lord will see his innocence and remember how he has lived with trust in the Lord.

Since the beginning of 2016, my daily devotionals (posted on Facebook and also sent by e-mail to several) have progressed through the Psalms to today, the 17^th, and the 17^th Psalm. It is difficult to write a short devotional summary on a Psalm with 15 verses, as this one has, and so I just focus on a few verses and select a theme that somewhat summarizes the chapter.

Have you ever had a situation in your life when you have been unjustly accused? How you longed that the truth would be revealed and you would be exonerated from false charges. Maybe such a situation would cast doubts upon your character or place you in poor standing with an employer or certainly with persons who trusted you.

The Psalmist prays that he will be kept as “the apple of the Lord’s eye.” Imagine the keen imagery of being always reflected in the Lord’s pupil, expressed in the metaphor “the apple of the Lord’s eye.” Proverbs 7:2 pleads that the son of the wise man keep his teachings as “the apple of your eye.” Deuteronomy 32:10 tells how the Lord found his people in a desert land and “kept him (Jacob, a term for his people in general) as the apple of His eye.” This metaphor carried the meaning of being special to the Lord, being always in His eye, watched over and cared for by Him. He will also hide the believer “under the shadow of His wings,” another metaphor indicating safety and protection by the Lord who knows where the believer is and what he needs in the line of protection and care.

The Psalm also describes the enemy—one not to be taken lightly or without defensive warfare against him. The enemy is pitiless and speaks with arrogance (v. 10 and is powerful as a lion in ambush (v. 11, 12). We can reckon this enemy as the Tempter, Satan, who lies in wait to attack us. We can also conceive of the enemy as those who treat us unjustly or accuse us falsely. Attacks from either are volatile and hard to overcome. It is only through the Lord’s help that we can be victorious, and the psalmist recognizes this truth and prays for victory. The attackers expect reward only in this life, as with large families to whom they can leave their riches.

On the other hand, the one praying with confidence for God’s salvation and justice knows that he will be protected from the enemy and will finally be victorious. He will behold the Lord’s face in righteousness and will be satisfied and restored to the Lord’s likeness. We are reminded of the wise words from St. Augustine that we are made in the image of God and we are restless until we find rest in Him. We learn from this prayer of David in Psalm 17 that we can go to the Lord in prayer with our fears, frustrations and weaknesses and that He leads us to victorious living. The Lord’s salvation and justice for the believer are sufficient for this life and for eternity. -Ethelene Dyer Jones 01.17.2016

Lessons from the Psalms: The Majesty of the LORD and the Dignity of Man

“O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, You who set Your glory above the heavens!

Out of the mouths of babes and infants You have ordained strength, Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.

You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, All sheep and oxen—Even the beasts of the field, The birds of the air, and the fish of the sea That pass through the paths of the seas.

O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth! -Psalm 8:1-9 (NKJV).

Read Psalm 8 until its majestic language and infinite truths permeate your thinking. As a young Christian, my Sunday School teacher, Mrs. Mert Shuler Collins, led her junior Sunday School class to memorize Psalm 8. Since those early days as a Christian, Psalm 8, and likewise Psalm 23, have been favorite psalms to bring to mind, to repeat and to meditate upon.

What lessons can we learn from this Psalm? David, the author of this Psalm, stood amazed that the great God of Creation would pay attention to frail man. That God in His majesty and glory would condescend to consider man is proof of man’s dignity above all other created beings, and that we are made in the image of God. Man can experience the majesty and power of God and bow in worship to Him. We can have fellowship with God and learn from Him what we are to do in this great universe God created.

In studying Dr. Warren Wiersbe’s commentary on Psalm 8, I was intrigued at his alliterative outline of the Psalm that helped me to put David’s poem into concise and memorable terms:

1. God Created Us (vv. 1-2, 5a). God the transcendent One is known throughout the earth.
2. God Cares for Us (vv. 3-4). He made the world and all in it for our enjoyment.
3. God Crowns Us (vv. 5-8) God has dominion over us; we have dominion over His creation.

Dr. Wiersbe writes: “To summarize: God the Father created us to be kings, but the disobedience of our first parents robbed us of our crowns. God the Son came to earth and redeemed us to be kings (Revelation 1:5-6), and today the Holy Spirit of God can empower us to ‘reign in life by one, Jesus Christ’ (Romans 5:17). When you crown Jesus Christ Lord of all, you are a sovereign and not a slave, a victor and not a victim.” (The Wiersbe Bible Commentar Old Testament. Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2007, p. 883).

Prayer: We acclaim with David: “O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth!” The New International Version uses the word ‘majestic’ where the King James uses ‘excellent.’ In the words and music of Michael W. Smith, we lift our voices in a song of praise: “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth. O Lord, we praise Your name. O Lord, we magnify Your name: Prince of Peace, mighty God; O Lord God Almighty!” Amen! -Ethelene Dyer Jones 01.10.2016

Lessons from the Psalms: The Lord’s Anointed Will Reign

“Now, therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” -Psalm 2:10-12 (ESV) [Read Psalm 2]

Abraham in the long ago was called by God from Ur of the Chaldees and commissioned to go to the land of Israel and possess it. With the going, God gave a covenant to Abraham which, briefly stated, was “In you shall all the nations of the earth be blessed” (see Genesis 12:1-3). That covenant was never broken, although God’s chosen people erred, were punished, repented, were restored and a remnant of them held onto the covenant promise. It was through King David’s line that a Messiah, a Deliverer, was promised—and came, in Jesus Christ. Psalm 2 declares that the Gentile nations will only find peace and lasting joy as subjects of this promised King. The Psalm begins by asking a pertinent rhetorical question: “Why do the nations rage?” The implication is that the heathen kings cannot possibly gain power over the Lord’s anointed One.

This is a Messianic psalm. Although the Messiah, a descendant of King David, has already come to earth, it was not yet time for Him to set up the earthly kingdom expected and promised. His first coming was for the purpose of making sacrifice for the rebellion and sin that bound mankind and made rendered subjects in the nations of the earth helpless without His interceding on their behalf. Verses 7 and 8 of Psalm 2 are clear on God’s plans” ““The Lord said to me, ‘You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.’ ” Hebrews 1:5 cites Psalm 2:7 and 2 Samuel 7:14 to show that Jesus is the Messianic heir of David. And in Romans 1:4 the Apostle Paul sees the resurrection of Jesus as His coronation and His entry into the Davidic kingdom, or the “kingdom of all nations” in the promise to Abraham.

What then is the major lesson from this Messianic Psalm? The Lord’s anointed will reign. All the kings of the earth will come to realize that the One whom they reject is not just another ruler. He is the Anointed of God who will reign over all the world. We are reminded of the Scripture: “To Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance” (Isaiah 45:23b, quoted also in Romans 14:11 and in Philippians 2:10).

The only escape from the wrath to come before the Messiah King assumes His rightful reign is to follow what we are taught in Psalm 2:12: “”Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.”

Rev. Franklin Graham, son of Evangelist Billy Graham, feels led of God to hold meetings in every state of the United States in 2016. Called “Decision America” Tour, he plans to hold massive prayer and Bible teaching/preaching inspirational rallies in the capitols of all 50 states. The first is set for Des Moines, Iowa on January 5, 2016. Georgia’s is set for February 10, 2016 in Atlanta. He hopes to hold these on or near the capitol grounds of each state. Contrary to “don’t speak of God, it’s not politically correct,” Graham will declare the message God has laid on his heart and call Americans to repentance and faith. Throughout 2016, Graham asks Christians to be involved with earnest daily prayers and attendance, if possible, at the rally in their state. These rallies certainly carry out the admonition in Psalm 2: “be warned, O rulers…Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling” (Psalm 2:11b, 12). 

 

Prayer: Lord, you have warned us in Psalms and elsewhere of the destruction of peoples and nations not following Your decrees. Awaken us to repentance and faith. May we ‘rejoice with trembling,” and may we turn again to You and ‘take refuge in You.” Amen. - Ethelene Dyer Jones 01.03.20016

Infant Jesus at the Temple and Testimonies about Him

“And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, ‘Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own side also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.’ “ -Luke 2:34-35 (ESV) [Read Luke 2:21-38]

Mary and Joseph as pious Jews had obligations concerning Jesus’ birth that had to be performed according to the law. On the eighth day after His birth they followed the command to circumcise a male child (see Genesis 17:12-24, 21:4, and Leviticus 12:3). This was a ritual act in evidence of the covenant God made with Abraham and his descendants. It indicated a devotion to Yahweh God. In Old Testament times, the father might perform the rite on his child. Later, the Jews had those who specialized in the operation, and it may have been to one of those that Mary and Joseph took Jesus. Circumcision also indicated that the person would not be cut off from the covenant of God. It was a solemn and binding agreement between parents and God and ceremonially passed on to the infant with the outward act of circumcision.

After forty days, the Jewish time set for purification of the mother after the birth of a male child (see Leviticus 12), Joseph and Mary went to the temple and presented the required offerings, two turtle doves or two young pigeons. This offering was for the poor. The more well-to-do couple would have offered a lamb. Their desire to follow Jewish law prompted them to do this. By not having the money to purchase a lamb, the act was symbolic: Jesus Himself would become the Lamb, Himself offered years later for the sins of the world. Mary and Joseph’s desired to follow Jewish law prompted them to follow purification rites. Had it not been for following the law, they should not have had to go for this purification rite, for Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit and therefore holy. Their conformity to Jewish law shows their faithfulness and obedience in keeping the covenant.

Two people in the temple interact with the Baby. First came old Simeon. “Waiting for the consolation of Israel,” was a term meaning a sign that God would soon come to comfort and rescue Israel. Upon seeing Jesus, Simeon took Him in his arms and blessed Him. His psalm of gladness in Luke 2:29-32 echoes some of the Messianic words of Isaiah (see Isaiah 42:6, 49:6, 52:10) and Psalms (98:2). Following his outburst of praise, Simeon turned to Mary and made a prophecy of his own. He told her that her son would “cause the fall and rise of many in Israel.” Fall indicates judgment upon the arrogant; rise foretells salvation for those who will accept it. He also tells Mary her heart will be pierced as though by a sword. We know that Mary watched years later as her beloved Son was crucified. Old Simeon’s prophecy came true.

Next came old Anna, a prophetess and long-time widow who was given to fasting and prayer. She also recognized Baby Jesus as the Messiah and declared Him “the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38). Not only did Mary and Joseph know of the mission of the Son, but now two elderly people recognized Him as the promised Messiah. From Mary and Joseph, we learn the lessons of piety and obedience. From old Simeon and old Annah we learn the importance of living close to God and watching for His revelation.

Prayer: Lord, whatever acts of piety and obedience You call us to do, may we perform them with sincerity and devotion in fulfillment of a binding covenant we make with you. Amen. -Ethelene Dyer Jones 12.27.2015

Wise Men Visit Jesus

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he who is born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him…And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country another way.” -Matthew 2:1-2; 11-13 (ESV) [Read Matthew 2:1-12]

Scholars hold that as much as two years had passed since the birth of Jesus when wise men from the east came to Bethlehem searching for the king whose natal star they had observed, and which they had followed until they reached Bethlehem. Who were these wise men—Magi, as they have been designated, from the Greek word Magos, meaning scientists or wise men. These travelers were probably form Persia. The nova—new star—they had seen in their own country was interpreted by them to mean that a new King had been born to the Jews. The logical place to look for a new king of the Jews was in Jerusalem, so they inquired at the court of Herod, the Roman ruler at his palace there. Since Jews had been in exile in Persia and Babylon—lands of the East—perhaps the Magos had read about prophecies of the coming king of the Jews. Numbers 24:17 was held as a prophetic scripture forthtelling this king: “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel.”

The Jewish scholars Herod summoned could quote from Mica 5:2, giving Bethlehem as the expected place of the new king’s birth. But it is interesting to note that neither the Jewish learned men nor Herod accompanied the wise men from the East on their further search. They continued to follow the star, and it led them to a house in Bethlehem where they found Mary and her baby, Jesus. They fell down and worshiped him. Notice the holy reverence with which they regarded the child. And being warned in a dream, they did not return to Jerusalem to tell Herod they had found the young king. They went back to their own land another way. Did these men recognize the impact the child they adored would have on peoples everywhere? It is not likely that they did at that time, but in their action was a foreshadowing of a time when all Gentile nations will acknowledge and recognize the Lord Christ. The presentation of gifts was significant: gold to represent Christ’s royalty; frankincense His divinity; and myrrh His passion and sacrificial death. In the Wise Men’s visit and adoration is deep symbolism of Jesus coming not just for the Jews but as the Savior of the World.

-Ethelene Dyer Jones 12.20.2015