Don't keep your blessings to yourself

Reading this again reminded me that my life has a purpose and that is to live for the Lord and give myself for others.

October 27, 2015

Worship:           

       

Rita Baloche
2002 Sardache Songs (adm by Integrity's Hosanna! Music)/ASCAP and Integrity's Hosanna! Music/ASCAP

When the battle's fierce
And the walls are crashing in
And I have no place to go
Surrounded by my foes yet not alone
'Cause one thing I know that they don't know

You prepare a table for me
And bless me in the presence of my enemies
You fill me till my cup overflows
You restore my soul

If not for You
I would surrender to my fears
And hope would surely slip away
I find comfort knowing You are near
Ready to save, renew my strength

I will lift up my eyes
To where my help comes from
I know You hear my cries
You are my champion 

http://www.newreleasetoday.com/lyricsdetail.php?lyrics_id=61577

Video:

  https://youtu.be/pCC3O5r3ODM

Witness:

Sometimes I struggle to find a song to worship with. Sometimes I struggle with the WORD, though usually, it’s a time factor more than anything else when it comes to the WORD. There is an irony in there somewhere. Most people say they don’t have time for the WORD, they are excusing themselves do to the business of life―real or imagined. I try to spend 1-2 hours in quiet time, yet by the time I get to the WORD, I often run out of time and have to go to work.

This time, I struggled in this section. Usually, God has impressed something on my heart or something comes as I begin writing. This time, I searched my mind for what God might have me share in this section. Then it hit me. I had read or heard somewhere today, perhaps in the message on Haggai I listened to today by John Piper about the Lord’s people who had returned to the promised land, but for 18 years had concerned themselves about their own houses and had neglected the house of the LORD. How often have I made excuses on why I can’t be more involved in the work of the Lord? I tell myself that the work I am doing at home is the work of the Lord, and it is. However, to do that to the neglect of helping others in the body of Christ is to neglect the house of the LORD. Listen to what God told His people in Haggai:

Hag 1:1-11

1 In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest:

2 This is what the Lord Almighty says: "These people say, 'The time has not yet come for the Lord's house to be built.'"

3 Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: 4 "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?"

5 Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. 6 You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."

7 This is what the Lord Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. 8 Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored," says the Lord. 9 "You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the Lord Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. 10 Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. 11 I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil and whatever the ground produces, on men and cattle, and on the labor of your hands." NIV

If one wonders why there is so little blessing in their life, perhaps it is due to a stingy attitude in their life and not a “Scrooge” attitude. Oh now you are saying, “I think you made an error here, are not ‘stingy’ and ‘Scrooge’ saying the same thing?” On the contrary, Scrooge was the most generous of men after his haunted night. Before he had great wealth, yet with no friends and a mean and callous heart, he was the poorest of souls. Yet when confronted by the truth, his wealth may have dwindled, but O what he gained in friends and blessedness of generosity. By way of contrast, George, in It’s a Wonderful Life had forgotten this. Once content in his poverty, having a richness in family and friends and generosity, now wanting to end his life when faced with calamity. Clarence, the angel, had to remind him that he had such a great influence in the life of others:

 Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?

When he finally came to his senses, he rejoiced in the blessed wonderful life he had lived in giving to others, and his brother declared with a toast:

A toast to my big brother George: The richest man in town.

What do we miss when we neglect the House of the LORD? More importantly, how do we honor God when we neglect His House?

Consider these verses:

1 Cor 3:16-17

Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

James 2:14-17

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

NIV

1 John 3:17-18

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth NIV

WORD:

Ps 23:5-6 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. NIV

Ps 23:5-6 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. KJV

 The metaphor seems to change here from Shepherd to that of a host, though Wiersbe seems to think it has not. He says:

Psalms 23:5

Some students believe there is a change of metaphor here, from the shepherd and his sheep to the host and his guest, but this is not necessarily the case. "Table" doesn't necessarily refer to a piece of furniture used by humans, for the word simply means "something spread out." Flat places in the hilly country were called "tables" and sometimes the shepherd stopped the flock at these "tables" and allowed them to eat and rest as they headed for the fold (see 78:19). After each difficult day's work, the aim of the shepherd was to bring the flock safely back to the fold where the weary sheep could safely rest for the night. Sometimes at the fold, the shepherd would spread out food in a trough, because sheep lie down and rest after they have eaten. As they slept, they would be protected by a stone wall that surrounded them, and the shepherd himself would sleep across the opening and be the door (John 10:7-9). During the night, thieves and dangerous animals might approach the fold, but there was no way they could reach the sheep. The Lord doesn't always remove the dangers from our lives, but He does help us to overcome them and not be paralyzed by fear. This is what it means to be "more than conquerors" and have peace in the midst of danger (Rom 8:31-39).

The shepherd would examine the sheep as they entered the fold to be sure none of them was bruised, injured, or sick from eating a poisonous plant. To the hurts, he applied the soothing oil, and for the thirsty, he had his large two-handled cup filled with water. He would also apply the oil to the heads and horns of the sheep to help keep the flies and other insects away. The sheep knew they were safe and they could sleep without fear. 

(from The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament © 2001-2004 by Warren W. Wiersbe. All rights reserved.)

Most, however, concur with what this Commentary says:

Psalms 23:5

23:5. In this verse the scene changes to a banquet hall where a gracious host provides lavish hospitality. Under this imagery the psalmist rejoiced in the Lord's provision. What was comforting to David was that this was in the presence of his enemies. Despite impending danger, the Lord spread out a table for him, that is, God provided for him.

The image of anointing the head with oil, which was refreshing and soothing, harmonizes with the concept of a gracious host welcoming someone into his home. In view of the table and the oil, David knew that his lot in life (his cup) was an abundant blessing from the Lord.

(from Bible Knowledge Commentary/Old Testament Copyright © 1983, 2000 Cook Communications Ministries; Bible Knowledge Commentary/New Testament Copyright © 1983, 2000 Cook Communications Ministries. All rights reserved.)

It’s difficult for me to decide who is right. I hate leaving at this point, but I have to go to work. I guess you can munch on that until tomorrow (pun intended).

Its not in trying but in trusting

I can identify with this journal entry from last year. My eyes are closing even as the reality of going to work tonight approaches. I have been tempted to just lay down and nap till I have to leave for work. However, this message invigorated me enough to finish reading it and posting it rather than succumb to the urge to sleep. I hope it speaks to you as well.

October 26, 2015:

Worship: Strength of the Lord by Larnel Harris

Watch this video first!

https://youtu.be/DQ9tVkdEfoo

Video: 

Sometimes life seems like words and music
That can't quite become a song
So we cry and sigh then we try again
And wonder what could be wrong
But when we turn to the Lord at the end of ourselves
Like we've done a time or two before
We find His truth is the same as it's always been
We never will need more

It's not in trying but in trusting
It's not in running but in resting
Not in wondering but in praying
That we find the strength of the Lord

He's all we need for our every need
We never need be alone
Still He'll let us go if we choose to
To live life on our own
Then the only good that will ever be said
Of the pains we find ourselves in
They are places to gain the wisdom to say
I'll never leave Him again

It's not in trying but in trusting
It's not in running but in resting
Not in wondering but in praying
That we find the strength of the Lord

It's not in trying but in trusting
It's not in running but in resting
Not in wondering but in praying
That we find the strength of the Lord

It's not in wondering but in praying
That we find the strength of the Lord

Video: https://youtu.be/mWFpj7S-Tbw

Witness: Sleep was elusive today. I went to bed at around 3 AM after finishing “yesterday’s” journal entry. I was awoken two hours later by a text from my son-in-law. I spent the next hour conversing with him by text. I then took care of my dog, Prince. I Let him out, then back in again and then I fed him. After that, I spent till 9 AM talking with my younger daughter. Tried to go back to sleep but was awoken by a call from my daughter saying she had to go to work and I would have to pick up her kids from school. One had stayed home from school because he wasn’t feeling well, so he came over to the house. I had to go and get my blood test done for my health review, so I took him with me. I got my flu shot there as well. I then bought lunch and went home. I never did get back to sleep. Picked up the kids from school, had dinner at my moms, then went to the store. In between all of this I did the dishes and the wash and various little things and finally sat down to have a quiet time with the Lord. Now my eyes are trying to shut on me. It’s now 12:08 AM.  What began as today became yesterday and what was tomorrow became today. When I was driving home from the store I decided I would break a pattern I had and sing a song I had sung before by Meredith Andrews called “Soar”. However, when I came home, the Lord impressed on my mind to send a song sung by Larnel Harris called “Strength of the Lord” to my son-in-law. I did and later I decided that song would be my worship song instead. The song, portrayed in a temporal way by how my day went, begins with these words:

Sometimes life seems like words and music
That can't quite become a song

Just like my day of trying to get some rest and also to get some things done, only to fail to achieve it all, we try to do this in the spiritual realm as well. Somehow, many people believe they need to do certain things or stop doing certain things in their lives in order to become a “sheep of His Pasture”¹. You will hear them say they are trying to be a Christian or to be a good person. When they fail time and time again, they begin to question the possibility of this ever happening in their life. They begin to think it’s just easier to go back to their old sinful ways.² “To be or not to be” becomes the question in their mind, whether it is easier to run back to the “pleasures of sin”³ instead of all this failing effort in trying and running to reform their lives. They don’t understand that as the song says:

It's not in trying, but in trusting
It's not in running, but in resting
Not in wondering, but in praying
That we find the strength of the Lord

The fact is that we are all sinners and in need of forgiveness.⁴ That we can never do enough to “become a Christian”⁵, so we need to stop trying and start trusting and stop running and start resting in the finished work of Christ on the cross. We can stop wondering if we are in or out with God and recognize that our sinful failures keep us out⁶ and pray to receive His forgiveness and our right standing with Him as we confess Jesus as our Lord and Savior⁷ who died for the punishment of our sins⁸ and rose again for our right standing before God.⁹ Then we will find the strength needed to live for Him.¹⁰ Yet we will realize that the same truths that bring us in, sustain us as Christians, that of trusting, resting and praying to the Great Shepherd of our lives.

I told you that I was going to sing “Soar” for my worship tonight, but changed courses and decided on “The Strength of the Lord’. So as was my habit I read a previous journal entry. What was the worship song for that day? You guessed it― “Soar”. And so I sang!

¹ Ps 100:3

Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. NIV

John 10:7-10

Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. NIV

² Heb 12:2-5

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. NIV

³  Heb 11:24-26

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's  daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. NIV

⁴  Rom 3:21-24

But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. NIV

Rom 5:12

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned— NIV

⁵  See # 4 above

   Rom 4:1-6

 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about — but not before God.  What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."

Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation.    However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

"Blessed are they

whose transgressions

are forgiven,

whose sins are covered.

Blessed is the man

whose sin the Lord will

never count

against him." NIV

⁶  Isa 59:2

  But your iniquities have separated

  you from your God;

  your sins have hidden his face from you,

  so that he will not hear. NIV

  Rom 6:23

  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  NIV

⁷  Rom 10:9-13

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised   him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."  For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile — the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." NIV

⁸   Rom 5:6-8

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.   Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. NIV

⁹  Rom 4:25

  He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. NIV

¹⁰ Phil 2:12-13

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed — not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence — continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. NIV

  1 Cor 15:10-11

   But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them —   yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. NIV

WORD:

Well, it’s 3:00 AM and I need to go to sleep. I am very tired. May the WORD shared in my witness section, fill God’s sheep with praise. May those who are wandering as lost sheep suddenly hear the voice of the Shepherd and cry out for help. He will surely come to your rescue.

The seven fold comfort of God's rod and staff

I needed to read this one again. In fact, as I was praying God drew me to view this entry and again He rescued me from my feelings of despair. How my Shepherd loves me and seeks my good continually. Perhaps you are in the throws of despair. I hope this entry will help you as it did me. Please post a comment if it did. Thank-you.

October 25, 2015:

Worship: None But Jesus by HillSong United

"None But Jesus"

In the quiet, in the stillness
I know that you are God
In the secret of your presence
I know there I am restored
When you call I won't refuse
Each new day, again I'll choose

There is no one else for me
None but Jesus
Crucified to set me free
Now I live to bring Him praise

In the chaos, in confusion
I know you're sovereign still
In the moment of my weakness
You give me grace to do your will
When you call I won't delay
This my song through all my days

There is no one else for me
None but Jesus
Crucified to set me free
Now I live to bring Him praise

I am yours and you are mine...

All my delight is in you Lord
All of my hope
All of my strength
All my delight is in you Lord
Forevermore

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

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A-Z Lyrics HILLSONG UNITED Lyrics

Video:

https://youtu.be/R9qoqQ75ifs

Witness:

Tough day. Tension fills the air. Trouble on the Homefront. The Devil is in full attack. My daughter and I can identify with the Apostle Paul:

For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn — conflicts on the outside, fears within. 2 Cor 7:5 NIV

Our faith sorely tested. Tears dotted our eyes. Yet we testify with the Apostle:

But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us

2 Cor 7:6a NIV

Our continual profession:

In the chaos, in confusion
I know you're sovereign still
In the moment of my weakness
You give me grace to do your will
When you call I won't delay
This my song through all my days

Our eternal possession:

There is no one else for me
None but Jesus

Our lifelong procession:

Crucified to set me free
Now I live to bring Him praise

WORD:

A psalm o fDavid. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. NIV

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. KJV

Yesterday I spoke of 7 things I had gleaned concerning the “rod and staff”.

1.     Protection

2.     Support

3.     Rescue

4.     Inventory

5.     Guidance

6.     Preservation

7.     Discipline

I mentioned that most believe these to be two different instruments the shepherd carried with them.

The IVP Bible Background Commentary says:

           

 The rod was a club worn at the belt, while the staff was a walking implement that doubled as a weapon in time of need (1 Sam 17:35) and guided and controlled the sheep. These were traditional tools of the shepherd, as is shown already in a cylinder seal inscription of the third millennium.

(from IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament, Copyright © 2000 by John H. Walton, Victor H. Matthews and Mark W. Chavalas. Published by InterVarsity Press. All rights reserved.)

Barnes says:

[Thy rod and thy staff] It may not be easy to mark the difference between these two words; but they would seem probably to refer, the latter to the "staff" which the shepherd used in walking, and the former to the "crook" which a shepherd used for guiding his flock.

(from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database Copyright © 1997, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Wiersbe says:

The rod was a heavy cudgel with which the shepherd could stun or kill an attacking beast, and the staff was the shepherd's crook, which he used to assist the individual sheep.

(from The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament © 2001-2004 by Warren W. Wiersbe. All rights reserved.)

Three different commentaries and three different views on what each word refers to. One resource tells of another view, though it doesn’t necessarily agree with it:

The rod was a club used to drive away wild animals; the staff was a long stick used for support in walking. Kirkpatrick takes the two words to be a poetic description of the shepherd's crook, using two names for the one instrument. So FRCL* "your shepherd's rod, that is what reassures me." Most translations, however, have two different words. TEV has used the traditional "rod and staff"; but since there will be many readers who will not know what these are, TEV qualifies them with "Your shepherd's rod and staff."

(from UBS Old Testament Handbook Series. Copyright © 1978-2004 by United Bible Societies. All rights reserved.)

*  FRCL – French common language version (La Bible en francais)

With that thought in mind, I came across this little anecdotal story:

Psalms 23:4

The shepherd's rod and staff: -- In 1849 Dr. Duff was traveling near Simla under the shadow of the great Himalaya mountains. One day his way led to a narrow bridle path cut out on the face of a steep ridge; along this narrow path that ran so near the great precipice he saw a shepherd leading on his flock following him, but now and then the shepherd stopped and looked back. If he saw a sheep creeping up too far on the one hand, or going too near the edge of the dangerous precipice on the other, he would at once turn back and go to it, gently pulling it back. He had a long rod as tall as himself, round the lower half of which was twisted a band of iron. There was a crook at one end of the rod, and it was with this the shepherd took hold of one of the hind legs of the sheep to pull it back. The thick band of iron at the other end of the rod was really a staff, and was ready for use whenever he saw a hyena or wolf or some other troublesome animal coming near the sheep, for especially at night these creatures prowled about the flock. With the iron part of the rod he would give a good blow when an attack was threatened. In Ps 23:4, we have mention made of "Thy rod and Thy staff."

(from The Biblical Illustrator Copyright © 2002, 2003, 2006 Ages Software, Inc. and Biblesoft, Inc.)

This is as good a description as any of the “rod and staff”. One instrument in the shepherd’s hand serving different needs of the sheep. So our great Shepherd wields the rod/staff according to our need.

Do we need protection? He wields it with a mighty hand and outstretched arm to ward off the attacking enemy.

Do we need rescue? Have we strayed from the flock and found ourselves caught in the thicket of sin? Have we fallen into a hole of despair? With the crook of His staff, he pulls us out.

Clarke says:

With the rod or crook the shepherd could defend his sheep, and with it lay hold of their horns or legs to pull them out of thickets, bogs, pits, or waters.

(from Adam Clarke's Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright © 1996, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Do we fear He has forgotten us? Spurgeon quotes Obadiah Sedgwick, concerning the rod, who says:

[T]o reckon up or count the sheep; and in this sense they are said "to pass under the rod" (Lev 27:32), the shepherd tells them one by one. And even so are the people of God called the rod of his inheritance (Jer 10:16), such as he takes special notice or account of. And take the words in this sense — Thy rod doth comfort me — it holds well; q.d. "Though I am in such eminent dangers by reason of evil men, yet this is my comfort — I am not neglected of thee; thou dost not suffer me to perish; thou takest notice of me; thou dost take and make an account of me; thy special care looks after me."

(from The Treasury of David, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database Copyright © 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

I have spoken of guidance at length and some of discipline as well, but what of preservation? How are we preserved with His rod/staff? Again from the same person quoted above we have this insight:

[T]he sheep sometimes are petulante divagantes*, idly and inconsiderately straying from the flock, grazing alone, and wandering after other pastures, not considering the dangers which attend them by such a separation and wandering; and, therefore, the shepherd doth with his rod strike and fetch them in again, and so preserve them. In this sense also David might well say, "Thy rod doth comfort me;" for it is a great comfort that the Lord will not leave his sheep to the ways of discomfort, but brings them off from sinful errings and wanderings, which always do expose them to their greatest dangers and troubles. So that the words do intimate a singular part of God's gubernation** or careful providence of his flock.

(from The Treasury of David, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database Copyright © 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

* petulante divagantes – indolent, petulant wanderers

** gubernation – the act of governing or ruling (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/gubernation)

Barnes says:

           

The "crook" is said  to have been used to seize the legs of the sheep or goats when they were disposed to run away, and thus to keep them with the flock.

I have not mentioned support because I don’t see God as needing support. He is sure footed and steady. He never grows weary and never needs rest. However, Genesis 2:2 speaks of God “resting from His work” on the “seventh day” of the creation week. So, if I can take a little literary license here, I see our Shepherd leaning on His staff of rest when He has led me through a particular journey in my life. Is He pleased with how I made the journey? Is He pleased with the progress I have made? Surely He sees all that He has done or permitted as good according to Romans 8:28:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. NIV

If I can mix my metaphors as the JFB Commentary seems to it yields this observation:

The Word of God is at once a prop to support the child of God, and a defense against Satan and the powers of darkness

(from Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright © 1997, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Just one more observation in connection with this verse. It is an observation that comes from Calvin in reference to “fear no evil”. He says:

               

Psalms 23:4

Yet David did not mean to say that he was devoid of all fear, but only that he would surmount it so as to go without fear wherever his shepherd should lead him. This appears more clearly from the context. He says, in the first place, I will fear no evil; but immediately adding the reason of this, he openly acknowledges that he seeks a remedy against his fear in contemplating, and having his eyes fixed on, the staff of his shepherd: For thy staff and thy crook comfort me. What need would he have had of that consolation, if he had not been disquieted and agitated with fear? It ought, therefore, to be kept in mind, that when David reflected on the adversities which might befall him, he became victorious over fear and temptations, in no other way than by casting himself on the protection of God. This he had also stated before, although a little more obscurely, in these words, For thou art with me. This implies that he had been afflicted with fear. Had not this been the case, for what purpose could he desire the presence of God? Besides, it is not against the common and ordinary calamities of life only that he opposes the protection of God, but against those which distract and confound the minds of men with the darkness of death. For the Jewish grammarians think that tsalmaveth, which we have translated the shadow of death, is a compound word, as if one should say deadly shade. David here makes an allusion to the dark recesses or dens of wild beasts, to which when an individual approaches he is suddenly seized at his first entrance with an apprehension and fear of death. Now, since God, in the person of his only begotten Son, has exhibited himself to us as our shepherd, much more clearly than he did in old time to the fathers who lived under the Law, we do not render sufficient honor to his protecting care, if we do not lift our eyes to behold it, and keeping them fixed upon it, tread all fears and terrors under our feet.

(from Calvin's Commentaries, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database Copyright © 2005-2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

What a great comfort Thy rod and staff

For all my needs and fears and gaffs

You go before me on my behalf

Through verdant fields and quiet streams

On righteous paths where pleasures gleam

Or paths where darkness is the theme

You lead with your steady hand

And guide me, your precious lamb

Until I reach Your promised land!

The Way Up is Down

The title for this blog entry comes from the worship and witness sections rather than the WORD section.

October 24, 2015:

Worship: Humble Thyself by Maranatha Singers

Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord;

Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord.

And He (And He) shall lift (shall lift)

You up (higher and higher)

And He (And He) shall lift (shall lift) you up.



Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord;

Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord.

And He (And He) shall lift (shall lift)

You up (higher and higher)

And He (And He) shall lift (shall lift) you up.

And He (And He) shall lift (shall lift)

You up (up into heaven)

And He (And He) shall lift (shall lift) you up

http://www.hymnlyrics.org/newlyrics_h/humble_thyself_in_the_sight_of_the_lord.php

Video:

https://youtu.be/sU8MAQKSbEI?list=RDsU8MAQKSbEI

Who is the man to whom the Lord will have regard

He who is broken and has a humble heart

God is not impressed with the loftiness of man

For everything was made for Him and comes from His own hand

So humble yourself before your Lord and King

Give Him your heart, offer your everything

There’s no limit on the love He has for you

So humble yourself and see what God will do

Who are the people that the Lord will bless

Those who love and fear Him, and seek His righteousness

Nothing else in all the world can satisfy your soul

But the One who made the universe, He longs to make you whole

So humble yourself before your Lord and King

Give Him your heart, offer your everything

There’s no limit on the love He has for you

So humble yourself and see what God will do

“If My people humble themselves and pray

I will hear them and lead them in My way”

So humble yourself and let Him have His way

Love His word and His will obey

For His eyes are on the one who’s heart is true

So humble yourself and see what God will do

Video:

https://youtu.be/Knk-DlTLckg

Witness: Today’s time is fleeting by. I actually spent much of my time tonight finishing yesterday’s WORD portion. Today I sought to come up with a song for worship. As I finished my prayer time an instrumental version of “Humble Thyself” was playing. This seemed appropriate as a song to worship and encourage. Actually, the song’s emphasis is more horizontal than vertical. Nevertheless, it reminds me that the way up is down.  You see I am afflicted by something that many of us struggle with. It’s something I am not proud of. You see I struggle with pride. My form of pride comes in the form of self-doubt and lack of confidence. So when I write or speak, I am more prone to listen for praise from others than to pray for their edification and blessing. I seek it to confirm that what I said was good and not so much for their good. Instead of realizing that this is exactly where I should be, not trusting in my sufficiency, but God’s all-sufficiency through me, I search for that which will bolster my self-confidence and not God-confidence. I think if we were honest, many would admit that they struggle with this same form of pride, though they may have never seen it as pride until now.

So with this simple lyric and the lyrics from another wonderful song by the same people, I remind myself that the way up is down. Not “up” to make much of myself, but the way up, to bring me into the presence of my God, my Shepherd, my all in all. I remind myself with the words from the lyrics from the second song above:

“Who is the man to whom the Lord will have regard

                        He who is broken and has a humble heart

God is not impressed with the loftiness of man

For everything was made for Him and comes from His own hand”

I must remember I am the “sheep” and not the “Shepherd”.

2 Chronicles 34:27
You were sorry and humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this city and its people. You humbled yourself and tore your clothing in despair and wept before me in repentance. And I have indeed heard you, says the Lord.

WORD:

A psalm of fDavid. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. NIV

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. KJV

In reading commentaries about the “rod and staff”, one thing is clear. They are not clear on what each one is.  Most see these as two different instruments with different purposes. From what I can glean from the various commentaries and resources “their” purposes are the following:

1.     Protection

2.     Support

3.     Rescue

4.     Inventory

5.     Guidance

6.     Preservation

7.     Discipline

More tomorrow, the alarm is going off saying, “time to get ready to go to work!!!”

"I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me."

— Ps 23:4

Behold, how independent of outward circumstances the Holy Ghost can make the Christian! What a bright light may shine within us when it is all dark without! How firm, how happy, how calm, how peaceful we may be, when the world shakes to and fro, and the pillars of the earth are removed! Even death itself, with all its terrible influences, has no power to suspend the music of a Christian's heart, but rather makes that music become more sweet, more clear, more heavenly, till the last kind act which death can do is to let the earthly strain melt into the heavenly chorus, the temporal joy into the eternal bliss! Let us have confidence, then, in the blessed Spirit's power to comfort us. Dear reader, are you looking forward to poverty? Fear not; the divine Spirit can give you, in your want, a greater plenty than the rich have in their abundance. You know not what joys may be stored up for you in the cottage around which grace will plant the roses of content. Are you conscious of a growing failure of your bodily powers? Do you expect to suffer long nights of languishing and days of pain? O be not sad! That bed may become a throne to you. You little know how every pang that shoots through your body may be a refining fire to consume your dross—a beam of glory to light up the secret parts of your soul. Are the eyes growing dim? Jesus will be your light. Do the ears fail you? Jesus' name will be your soul's best music, and His person your dear delight. Socrates used to say, "Philosophers can be happy without music;" and Christians can be happier than philosophers when all outward causes of rejoicing are withdrawn. In Thee, my God, my heart shall triumph, come what may of ills without! By thy power, O blessed Spirit, my heart shall be exceeding glad, though all things should fail me here below.

(from Spurgeon's Morning & Evening, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database Copyright © 1999, 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Can discipline be comforting?

I have three songs of worship today. If you don't like to sing then pass by to the next two sections. However, if you do, then by all means enjoy the mix of styles before you move on to the rest of this journal entry.

October 23, 2015:

Worship: Shepherd of my Soul by Rivers and Robots; Shepherd of My Soul by Tony Miller; Shepherd of My Soul by Don Moen

Lord of the mountains and sea
You are treading a path set for me
God of the seasons and sky
You have always been holding my life

And Lord, You are the shepherd of my soul
So I lay down my plans, I give up my rights
And let You take control of this surrendered life

So I put my trust in the one
Who created the stars and the sun
You are eternally kind
Always faithful and endlessly wise

You comfort, You sustain
In shaking You remain
Unmoved and unafraid
Forever and always
You lead me by still waters
Lead me through the valleys
Lead me in Your wisdom
Shepherd of my soul

Through valleys of shadow and death, I am not afraid
By my Father’s breath, every star in the sky was made
And who can I fear when You’re standing right here by my side?
Always leading, protecting and guarding my left and my right

Father, You make all things new
Great God of creation
Father, You will always be my rock and salvation

https://riversrobots.bandcamp.com/track/shepherd-of-my-soul

Video:

https://youtu.be/P4S8ne-xU0E

Shepherd Of My Soul

Chorus 1
Oh Shepherd of my soul
Maker of my heart
Keeper of my life I will follow
Oh lead me by the hand
As I travel through this barren land
I will fix my eyes on You and You alone
Shepherd of my soul


Verse 1
All like sheep have gone astray
Each one following his own way
But the Father who cares for us ev'ry one
Has given us His Son
Just like a shepherd
He leads us to pastures and streams
Where our strength's renewed
Though the valley of death
He leads us through
We are never left alone


Verse 2
Your rod and staff they comfort me
In the presence of my enemies
At the banqueting table, I will not fear
For I know that You are here
You anoint my head overflow my cup
With the oil of joy, You fill me up
You pursue my heart
With Your goodness and love
I'll forever dwell with You

Copyright: 

2005 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing

http://wordtoworship.com/song/528

Video:

https://youtu.be/dsfeMhEdKeA

Shepherd of my soul

I give you full control

Wherever You may lead

I will follow

I have made the choice

To listen for Your voice

Wherever You may lead

I will go

(Repeat Chorus)

Verse:

Be it in a quiet pasture

Or by a gentle stream

The shepherd of my soul

Is my by side

Should I face a

Mighty mountain

Or a valley dark and deep

The shepherd of my soul

Will be my guide

(Repeat Chorus)

(Repeat Verse)

Album: Forever Grateful

http://www.pwsonglyrics.com/shepherd-of-my-soul/

Video:

https://youtu.be/dtqliuDZlKA

           

Witness:

I tried something new today. I decided to pray through my prayer list when I woke up today. I realized that when I come home every day I am tired and sometimes even fall asleep for a few seconds as I am praying. I also rush through sometimes because I am so tired and want to go to sleep. Good intentions but poor execution today. Got up, but instead of getting on my knees I got on my phone and looked at my Facebook notifications. By the time I got praying my grandkids from next door came over and shattered the silence. Then there was the dinner I was cooking. So I had to pray in the midst of turmoil and task. Sometimes on my knees and sometimes as I walked around to make dinner or sat down to comfort a crying grandchild. I got through, but it was not the quiet, open-ended and personal time I planned on and yearned for. Nevertheless, instead of giving up, I persevered. I say that not as a boast, but as an encouragement. Plan well, use your time wisely, but when all else fails plow through and pray anyways!

WORD:

A psalm o fDavid. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. NIV

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. KJV

I believe we are just about to leave the valley, but before we do I want to share a few things I have come across that are too good to leave out. Let me also comment briefly on the songs of worship from today. These are songs, perhaps most of us are unfamiliar with. They come from three different genres of music: folk, rock, and praise & worship. Yet their messages all point us to the Great Shepherd of our lives. Read carefully the lyrics of each. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Rivers and Robots video. Worship the One who is faithful and surrender to the One who is able to bring us home safely.

It’s interesting to read various commentaries on the “Rod and Staff”. Some declare that there is no hint of discipline in these words.

JFB argues:

It cannot refer to the rod of affliction, for here "comfort," not chastening, is what is needed when passing through the darkness.

(from Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright © 1997, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Clarke comments:

We are not to suppose that by the rod correction is meant: there is no idea of this kind either in the text, or in the original word, nor has it this meaning in any part of Scripture. Besides, correction and chastisement do not comfort; they are not, at least for the present, joyous, but grievous; nor can any person look forward to them with comfort.

They abuse the text who paraphrase rod correction”.

 (from Adam Clarke's Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright © 1996, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Nevertheless, I will at the risk of abusing the text, say that the idea of correction is included in this verse. It is not the sole idea by any means but plays a part in it. I ended yesterday with these words:

Yet, we must realize that we all will enter vales of darkness in life. In those times, we must not lose heart, but trust in our Shepherd to see us through with His rod of protection and correction and His staff of guidance and preservation.

I think that the discipline of the Lord can be comforting to the child of God because, by it, we gain direction from God as well as a reminder that we are His child. The wise parent disciplines as well as rewards. Though discipline may not bring immediate comfort, the wise child of God eventually finds comfort in the fact that their heavenly Father loves them and is guiding them by saying in the discipline: “My Child, this is not the way you are to go!”

Hebrews 12:5-6 declares:

And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:

"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline,

and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

because the Lord disciplines those he loves,

and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”

NIV

Notice the author uses the word “encouragement”. The Greek word here is      

‎para/klhsis paraklesis (par-ak'-lay-sis).

(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.) 

Vines defines it as:

a calling to one's side" (para, "beside," kaleo, "to call"); hence, either "an exhortation, or consolation, comfort,"

(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers.)

In the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the O.T., the word used comes from the same root as the word used in Hebrews 12:5. Now I understand that the Greek of the Septuagint and the Koine Greek of the N.T. are not exactly the same, and the context determines the meaning of the word― which as you can see has several ranges of meaning. Nevertheless, I believe that comfort has at least a part in the understanding of Hebrews 12:5, after all when one is encouraged they are comforted as well. Therefore, by inference, I see discipline as at least having a part in the word “comfort” used here in Psalm 23:4. This will also become apparent went we look at the uses of the source of comfort, that is, His “rod and staff”.