Psalm 5
Verse 12:
Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
There is the shield imagery again. In the middle east at this time the Israelites were very, very familiar with warfare. God's protection is often described as being like a shield. The epitome of defense and protection. Without your shield you were vulnerable, open for more wounding. Throughout the Psalms there is a clear distinction between the righteous and the wicked. There is much comfort for the former. God's gracious kindness surrounds those like a shield, all encompassing.
March 11, 2011
March 10, 2011
Raw Emotions
Psalm 4
This Psalm starts off with a phrase that I don't think I've ever said to God, yet the writer does not shy away from his true deep emotions.
"Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer."
Our God is a God who is big enough to handle our deepest emotions, the ones that may scare even us. It is interesting that the writer does however, still address God with respect as, 'O my righteous God.' I think this is important for us to remember, that even in our darkest moments when all seems to be against us, we can turn to God and question him, but it should not be out of a hate or arrogance. What kind of God would he be if he did not allow us to respectfully question him but expected blindfolded fear?
This Psalm starts off with a phrase that I don't think I've ever said to God, yet the writer does not shy away from his true deep emotions.
"Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer."
Our God is a God who is big enough to handle our deepest emotions, the ones that may scare even us. It is interesting that the writer does however, still address God with respect as, 'O my righteous God.' I think this is important for us to remember, that even in our darkest moments when all seems to be against us, we can turn to God and question him, but it should not be out of a hate or arrogance. What kind of God would he be if he did not allow us to respectfully question him but expected blindfolded fear?
March 8, 2011
A Shield Around Me. (Song Lyric 3)
Psalm 3:
The picture that is drawn in my mind when I read the phrase, "You, O Lord, are a shield around me." is quite beautiful. I imagine this highly explosive action film where the main character, me, is running from some bad guys that are shooting at him. (and probably shooting like 100 times without reloading, cause that is how movies are. The time I was shot at, the guy had to reload after 6.) But running with me is a hulk of a man with muscles in his teeth and he is completely blocking the sight line of the enemy. He is taking the full brunt of the lead. And then when we reach out destination, I sleep and rest, while he stays vigilant.
What a picture of God. Rescuing, protecting, and delivering.
The picture that is drawn in my mind when I read the phrase, "You, O Lord, are a shield around me." is quite beautiful. I imagine this highly explosive action film where the main character, me, is running from some bad guys that are shooting at him. (and probably shooting like 100 times without reloading, cause that is how movies are. The time I was shot at, the guy had to reload after 6.) But running with me is a hulk of a man with muscles in his teeth and he is completely blocking the sight line of the enemy. He is taking the full brunt of the lead. And then when we reach out destination, I sleep and rest, while he stays vigilant.
What a picture of God. Rescuing, protecting, and delivering.
March 7, 2011
Song Lyric 2 (Psalm 2 of POTD)
Psalm 2:
I'm struck by the supremacy of God. Things do not go unnoticed by God.
I also found it interesting that the command is to 'Kiss the Son' in verse 12. The footnote said that in the Near East a kiss doubled as a sign of submission. The 'Son' is referring to the King in this passage, which makes sense to the person reading it, since they are commanded to take refuge in the King. However, we can claim this verse as truth about Jesus because of what we know about him from the New Testament. The writer was not writing about Jesus, but God, who ordained this book, knows his own plan and I believe the fact that many things written in the Psalms seem to be experiences from Jesus life, or truths about Jesus is not by chance.
I'm struck by the supremacy of God. Things do not go unnoticed by God.
I also found it interesting that the command is to 'Kiss the Son' in verse 12. The footnote said that in the Near East a kiss doubled as a sign of submission. The 'Son' is referring to the King in this passage, which makes sense to the person reading it, since they are commanded to take refuge in the King. However, we can claim this verse as truth about Jesus because of what we know about him from the New Testament. The writer was not writing about Jesus, but God, who ordained this book, knows his own plan and I believe the fact that many things written in the Psalms seem to be experiences from Jesus life, or truths about Jesus is not by chance.
February 22, 2011
Injustice
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| A well fed Sudanese man steals maize from a starving child at a food drop off. 1998 |
This demands justice. Was it the way that I was raised, or is it something deep inside me that screams for justice?
Yet, The Christian God has a plan for redemption and justice for this and the rest of life. Until that day of complete restoration, we must bring 'heaven to earth' in situations like these.
February 12, 2011
Resurrection! ? . !
Been doing a lot of reading on the Resurrection of Jesus, the keystone of Christian faith. Remove the keystone and everything crumbles. I'm looking for some of the best refutations to the resurrection. Feel free to post anonymously.
February 7, 2011
February 3, 2011
This Stirs me toward love.
Egyptian Christians protecting Egyptian Muslims while they pray. This is loving your neighbor.
January 29, 2011
January 25, 2011
January 23, 2011
January 22, 2011
Retributive vs Distributive
Another paradox? It seems that God presents many paradoxes; love and justice, all-knowing yet free will, retributive justice and distributive justice, choosing second borns over first borns, choosing barren women to carry out his Abahamic promises.
I've been struck lately by the many instances of distributive and retributive justice in the bible. It seems that I can not nicely place God into one particular box.
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