Another long time has passed since my last blog. I went on vacation the last week of July to visit my kids and grandkids. I didn't get back until August 3rd. After a few days, I began this journal entry and have worked on it until today. I never seemed to be satisfied with what I was saying. Here is the finished work, finally! I hope it is written clearly enough, and that there are at least a few parts that will bless you or inform you in some way. I wrote a song, as you will see. Perhaps somebody with musical talent could set it to music for me. I have a tune in mind. It would be interesting if it was similar to the one you come up with. 😄
Ps
31
For
the director of music. A psalm of David.
31
In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. 2 Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. 3
Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. 4 Free me from
the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. 5 Into your hands I
commit my spirit; redeem
me, O Lord, the God of truth.
6
I hate those who cling to worthless idols; I trust in the Lord. 7 I will be
glad and rejoice in your love,
for you saw my
affliction and knew
the anguish of my soul. 8 You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious
place.
9
Be merciful to me, O
Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my
body with grief. 10 My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my
strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak. 11 Because
of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors; I am a dread to
my friends — those who see me on the street flee from me. 12 I am forgotten
by them as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery. 13 For I
hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side; they conspire
against me and plot to take my life.
14
But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, "You are my God." 15 My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and
from those who pursue me. 16 Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. 17 Let me
not be put to shame, O Lord, for I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to
shame and lie silent in the grave. 18 Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride
and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous.
19
How great is your goodness,
which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on
those who take refuge
in you. 20 In the shelter
of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling
you keep them safe from accusing tongues.
21
Praise be to the Lord, for he showed his wonderful
love to me when I was in a besieged city. 22 In my alarm I
said, "I am cut off from your sight!" Yet you heard my cry for mercy when
I called to you for help.
23
Love the Lord, all his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full. 24 Be
strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.
NIV
|
I. Hope – vv. 1-8
II. Help! – vv. 9-20
III. Hail – vv. 21-22
IV. Heart – vv. 23-24
Psalm 31 is a mixed bag. It contains verses filled with hope and trust, as well as distress and pleading. The ups and downs, the seesaw way of life, are all reflected in this song of bewailing and belief, of plaint and praise.
Constable notes:
This lament-thanksgiving (or lament-trust) psalm grew out of an experience in David's life in which his foes plotted to kill him. That incident reminded David that the Lord would protect those who trust in Him. He urged others who might encounter similar affliction to love and trust in God as well.(Biblesoft: from Thomas Constable's Notes on the Bible. Copyright © March 4, 2014 by Thomas L. Constable. All rights reserved. Used by permission.)
The exact historical setting is unclear. Some commentators place it in the time when Saul was pursuing him to kill him. Others say it was in the time when Absalom, one of David's sons, rose in rebellion against him to try to wrest the kingdom from him. To me, it makes no difference what the particular chapter in David's life this psalm refers to. This psalm is a reflection on the past and could relate to multiple experiences in his life, not just a singular one.
Two observations
This is a God saturated psalm. That becomes clear from the highlighted words above. It is not a doctrinal treatise on the attributes of God. Instead, it is God’s attributes applied! Not a dry description of who God is, but a testimony dripping with the character of God as He intersects with David and his life. It is vital that we learn doctrine. We cannot know anyone in depth unless we gain a breadth of knowledge about that person. Yet facts about someone in itself will not lead us to know and understand someone fully. Only through actual interaction with someone can we apply this information and have a real and more profound knowledge of who they are. This interaction is seen clearly in Psalm 31. If you go back through the psalm, you will observe that it is densely packed with the words “I” & “me,” in almost every verse. (see vv 18-20; 23-24 for the exceptions).
This leads to my second observation, which is the proper use of testimony. There is no hint of pride or boast, no whitewashing of the days of David’s life. It is a testimony that is raw and honest. It testifies to the interplay between David’s fears and God’s faithfulness. It demonstrates that God is a refuge and deliverer, but such things might take time to come to fruition. God’s deliverance might be relatively quick (v. 22) or long and drawn out (v. 10). As someone has said, “God is not a vending machine.” You cannot “just name it and claim it.” But neither must you be silent. Like David, we can bring our burdens and fears to the Lord boldly but humbly.
We must approach our God with a dependant demeanor, not a presumptuous posture or haughty habitude. For our God, who hears will save, restore, and deliver the humble. And He who is mighty is also merciful. He is full of compassion and goodness and unfailing love. And in all these things, He is consistently righteous and just. People of the LORD: “Behold your God!” (see Isaiah 40:9 and whole chapter for that matter)
Worship in Witness:
Doctrine is downplayed in many evangelical circles today. For some, it is seen as divisive and better left untouched. For others, it is viewed as dry and dull. This has opened up the way to much confusion, false doctrine, and the inroads of cultic teaching into the church. It is not possible to propose a full solution to the problem in a few short paragraphs (or even in a book, for that matter – as long as evil pervades this world and imperfect people exist). Perhaps, however, a few suggestions might prove helpful.
First of all, we must be students of the Scriptures. We must be approved workers of His word. "A minute a day will keep the devil away," will not do. Think of the training and education you received to do what you do for a living. Should we not then invest time and effort in the study of the Bible, the supreme book of all ages?
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
2 Tim 2:15 ESV
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
John 17:17 ESV
This is important in our study of God's word as well as in teaching it to others. How dissatisfying it is when you are sitting in a class with a teacher that has not prepared and appears to be "just winging it."
We must also be discerning and not gullible. We must weigh all teachings (i.e., doctrine) by the word of God. We should balance healthy skepticism with humble receptiveness. Let us be noble and not negligent when being instructed by a preacher or teacher or author.
Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
Acts 17:11 NIV ('84)
We must lay aside our pride and prejudices as best we can when approaching the Scriptures. It is the inerrant, infallible word of God. However, we are fallen creatures and subject to error, false logic, and preconceived notions when we study the Bible. Even the righteous will fall prey to this sometimes.
42 Then
Job replied to the Lord:
2 I know
that You can do anything
and no
plan of Yours can be thwarted.
3 You
asked, "Who is this who conceals My counsel with ignorance?"
Surely I spoke about things I did not
understand,
things too wonderful for me to know.
4 You
said, "Listen now, and I will speak.
When I question you, you will inform
Me."
5 I had
heard rumors about You,
but
now my eyes have seen You.
Job
42:1-5 HCSB (2005)
Use useful tools wisely. Commentaries are very helpful, as well as Bible Encyclopedias and Dictionaries. Other reference works, such as Study Bibles and Concordances, are profitable as well. If you are a hardy learner, don't be afraid to pick up theological works and monographs on certain doctrines. But again, weigh these by the word. Don't outright reject something just because it was not what you were taught by someone else you respected. Putting all our trust in one teacher, preacher, scholar, or even ourselves is dangerous. It will result in an unbalanced and narrow (though comfortable) mindset when it comes to an understanding and applying Scripture. This will lead to an unstable walk in our life, as well.
Where there is no guidance, a people falls,
but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
Prov 11:14 ESV
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but a wise man listens to advise.
Prov 12:14 ESV
A word of caution is necessary here. If the reference work or person you are reading or listening to does not believe the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, and infallible word of God, then view what they say with a grain of salt. What they say might be God's truth spoken through a donkey, but it also may be the devil speaking through a serpent. It is high time for the church to be more discerning when it comes to false teaching. Read the Epistle of Jude.
But let us not let anger get the best of us. I left a church once in anger. The Pastor had adopted some of the false teaching popular in some segments of the Evangelical Scholarship. The one which says that God does not know the future because it hasn't happened yet. Known as "Open Theism," this pernicious false teaching has invaded a small portion of believing academia. It is filtering down now into some churches, such as the one I left. But I jumped up in anger in the middle of the service and stomped out. Later, I did try to correspond with the Pastor, who had suggested we do that. He wrote a short email, specifying the point of contention and his viewpoint on the matter. I wrote a lengthy treatise on the issue (no one can ever accuse me of being brief about anything 😂). He never replied. Perhaps if I had approached it more calmly in the beginning, he might have been more responsive to me. However, anger got the best of me, and I should have followed Paul's exhortation to Timothy, his son in the faith.
24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
2 Tim 2:24-26 ESV
We might be better received by those we disagree with if we begin with a calm but forceful defense. A hot-tempered and explosive tirade (like I often see on social media) creates more heat than light.
I have gone on longer than I should have. There is much more that could be said. Don't let culture or convenience influence what you know, or silence you from speaking about what is the clear teaching of God's word, or capitulate to the world's beliefs or ethics. Some things are shibboleths that we must stand for, such as the truth of the gospel.* Others, such as tongues or healing or the end-times, can be charitably discussed and disagreed upon.
Let me finish with a point I made earlier in my Worship in the Word section above. Doctrine should never be divorced from everyday life. Orthodoxy should lead to orthopraxy. I believe this is the reason why many feel theology is dry and boring. It has been taught without reference to our life situations. There is no effort to intersect doctrine with the daily. Psalm 31 is theology in action or doctrine in dialogue with life. David applies what he knows of God with his experiences in life. This, of course, is all based on David's study and knowledge of God's word.
Let us then adopt David's attitude towards God's word and what it teaches:
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the Lord are sure
and altogether righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.
11 By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then will I be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:9-14 NIV ('84)
Or be like Job when we are wrong:
but now my eyes have seen You.
6 Therefore I take back my words
and repent in dust and ashes.
Job 42:5-6 HCSB (2005)
One final point:
It is not enough merely to study the Bible and learn a great deal of doctrinal truth. We must also love Jesus Christ more as we learn all that He is and all He has done for us. Learning and loving should lead to living, allowing the Spirit of God to enable us to obey His Word. This is how we glorify Him in this present evil world.(from The Bible Exposition Commentary. Copyright © 1989 by Chariot Victor Publishing, and imprint of Cook Communication Ministries. All rights reserved. Used by permission.)
* This, and what is contained in the Gospel Coalition confessional, are what I believe are the essential beliefs we must defend. The details of each doctrine may differ from believer to believer. Still, I think we must not abdicate the central or core truths expounded here. To do so would be to destroy the faith in which we stand. (click the highlighted link above if you wish to read the confessional)
10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Matt 24:10-13 NIV('84)
Worship in Promise, Poetry, and Praise:
A Song of Testimony: (My composition)
Verse 1:
Faithful and good, righteous
and just
Merciful, mighty, One we can
trust
A refuge, a shelter from the
enemy's thrusts
Cherished by Him who made us
from dust
Chorus:
He's my LORD
And my God
He's my Savior
And my Rock
Almighty fortress
His foes He withstands
By loving and loyal
Omnipotent hands
Verse 2:
Provider and guider, trusted
and true
Defender, redeemer, no other
like You
Rescues from evil the wicked one
spews
To You, my Deliverer all
glory is due
Chorus:
He's my LORD
And my God
He's my Savior
And my Rock
Almighty fortress
His foes He withstands
By loving and loyal
Omnipotent hands
Wilderness: by Anna Byrd
I could pray for deliverance
I could beg You for greener pastures
I could question why I'm still here
Shake my fist and demand an answer
But right here, right now
Is where I start to know You better
So right here, I'll stay
Even in the wilderness
I know I'm not alone
Even in the desert place
Your river overflows
Even in the wasteland
Through the darkest valley, there is hope
'Coz even in the wilderness
You won't let go
I could settle for what I want
I could ask for the easy way out
But You've proven that You're still good
In the midst of the valley of doubt
But right here, right now
Is where I start to know You better
So right here, I'll stay
Even in the wilderness
I know I'm not alone
Even in the desert place
Your river overflows
Even in the wasteland
Through the darkest valley, there is hope
'Coz even in the wilderness
You won't let go
You will lead me, You will keep me
You will never let me go
You will lead me, You will keep me
You will never let me go
Even in the wilderness
I know I'm not alone
Even in the desert place
Your river overflows
Even in the wasteland
Through the darkest valley, there is hope
'Coz even in the wilderness
You won't let go
Even in the wilderness
I know I'm not alone
Even in the desert place
Your river overflows
Even in the wasteland
Through the darkest valley, there is hope
'Coz even in the wilderness
Even in the wilderness
You won't let go
You won't let go
Video: https://youtu.be/tUJf6zUJVFY
The story behind the song: https://youtu.be/gSen-4ckbo8
Good stuff, I love how the Psalms are a bible in itself almost.
ReplyDelete