More than a month has passed again. I intend to be more intentional in writing and posting my blog/journal. However, I am less able to do this with my new work schedule and the stress accompanying it. My sleep is interrupted, and I often wake up several times during the day (I work the night shift). So, I find myself taking a nap after dinner before I go to work. Needless to say, I don't get much done during the week and cram most chores onto my weekends. This includes my blog. Please pray that I can sleep better and not be distracted by other things (like politics). Thanks to all who read my blog (all the few who do 😄).
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Worship in Word:
IV. Call/Seek – v. 6
We have been transported from the valley to the heights in verses verses 1-5 of Psalm 32. Yes, the psalmist began the psalm at the top of the mountain, but we learn that he hadn't started there. He had begun in the valley (vs. 3-4). He only attained the heights by God's grace and mercy after repentance and confession (v. 5).
Having gone from down in the depths of sin and silence up into the heights of confession, forgiveness, and blessedness, David looked outward. Did he see others down in the valley struggling with unconfessed sin? Did he hear the groans escaping from lips parched by the relentless heat of conviction? Did he shudder as he remembered the crushing weight of guilt he experienced as he viewed the valley dwellers bowed under the same pressing hand of God? And in alarm, did he see the approaching waters of judgment rushing towards them?
So David cried out, "let everyone who is godly pray to You (v. 6b NASU95)." His voice is urgent, "in a time when You may be found (v. 6a NASU95). The NLT captures this urgency: "while there is still time (NLT 2015). God is very patient, but there will come a time when the time of deliverance will end, and His judgment will ensue. The time for repentance and confession is now!
Therefore let everyone who is faithful pray to you immediately.
Christian Standard Bible (Ps 32:6). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
The day will come when judgment will fall upon unconfessed sin, and in that day the Saviour will not be found to make our confession to. We must indeed seek the Lord while He may be found
Hindson, E. E., & Kroll, W. M., eds. (1994). KJV Bible Commentary (p. 1020). Thomas Nelson.
He is confident ("surely" NIV) from his own experience that judgment will be averted for all who pray, acknowledging their sin.
When great floodwaters come, they will not reach him.
Christian Standard Bible (Ps 32:6). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.").
Because he knows what it is to be forgiven, because he knows what it is to be without guile, he can pray with glad, happy assurance and know that the Lord will protect him in every time of trial.
(from Ironside Commentaries, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database Copyright © 2012 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
Floods are often used metaphorically for a time of judgment.
Judah's leaders are like those
who move boundary stones.
I will pour out my wrath on them
like a flood of water.
Hos 5:10 NIV
Hence, the NLT says: "that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment." (v. 6)
The godly will recall when God used a flood in judgment, such as the Noahic flood of Genesis chapters 6-8.
The person, who in faith prays to the LORD, will find him, and knows that he keeps his children safe, even when the mighty waters look like overwhelming them. There may be an allusion here back to the flood in Noah's day
Harman, A. (2011). Psalms: A Mentor Commentary (Vols. 1–2, pp. 277–278). Mentor.
Thus, verse 6 contains an urgent call to confessional prayer, a promise to those who do, and a warning (by implication) to those who won't.
When the heart is softened and the conscience alarmed, that is a time of finding. God is ever ready; men are not so. Who can pray with a hard heart and a dark mind? While you feel relentings, pray.
Clarke, A. (2014). The Holy Bible with a Commentary and Critical Notes (New Edition, Vol. 3, p. 322). Faithlife Corporation.
Worship in Witness:
As I sit here today, waiting for one of my grandchildren to get off work, I am struck with the thought: "Is there any concern for one's standing before a holy God?" A holy God who also desires to forgive our sins and cleanse our conscience from guilt? Who brings joy to the hearts of the saints whose sins have been covered by the blood of Jesus, our Savior and Lord? Oh, what Love is this!
Eph 2:4-5
4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved.
NIV
Rom 5:8-11
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
ESV
Transcendent wonder and a vertical relationship with this God of Holy Love have been replaced with a utilitarian view of God or religion. A god who serves my needs and makes me happy by my own standards. Sin is belittled or redefined. Yes, "God is Love," but a love that is watered down and tolerant of any lifestyle. Love as the world defines it and not as God defines it. Unfortunately, this "tolerance" has infected the church, and many have fallen for the lies of the "world, the flesh, and the devil."
However, the Apostle John, who spoke of God's love:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 NIV
And reminds believers of this great love by which they have become His children:
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
1 John 3:1 TNIV
Also says this:
2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
1 John 3:2-3 ESV
Those who have genuinely repented of their sins and placed their faith and hope in Christ alone as their Lord and Savior are the children of God. And as His children, we are to imitate our Heavenly Father. And this is done when we follow Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, His Son, through the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
1 Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Eph 5:1-2 TNIV
Imperfect, yet forgiven and growing into the likeness of God's Son (Rom. 8:28-30; 2 Cor. 3:18). These are the "godly" (ESV) or "faithful" who pray when sin does beset them.
Witness in Promise, Poem, Prayer, and Praise
See
Father,
May I see things as You see them.
May I obey Your precepts and believe all Your promises.
May I yield to your Spirit, Who's changing me into the image of Christ.
Help me to keep my eyes on my Savior and not the storm.
Help me to focus on Christ and not my circumstances.
Help me to look to my Lord and not my lot.
In Christ's Name. Amen
Your Glory in Me
May others see
Your glory in me
Oh magnificent
And glorious Trinity
With unveiled face
Let others embrace
That same glory
In me, You doth trace
Teach Me To Obey - (Upper Room Sessions) // Bria Jean
You have always been a faithful Father; love has drawn me in as Your child
So I'm trusting You with all of my desires, all of my desires
I'm bowing to Your sovereignty; I'm trusting You are guiding me
And when my failing flesh is tempting me to stray, oh teach me, teach me to obey
You will not forget a single promise; all Your plans are meant for my good
And I will lay my life completely in Your hands, completely in Your hands
I'm bowing to Your sovereignty; I'm trusting You are guiding me
And when my failing flesh is tempting me to stray, oh teach me, teach me to obey
Place in me a heart that sees all you have is good for me
Even when each step is by faith
When the time of testing comes, not my will but Yours be done, even when it calls
for me, to give myself away
I'm bowing to Your sovereignty; I'm trusting You are guiding me
I'm bowing to Your sovereignty; I'm trusting You are guiding me
And when my failing flesh is tempting me to stray, oh teach me, teach me to obey
SONGWRITERS:
Aryn Calhoun, Sean Hill, Robby Valderrama
Lyrics and Video link https://youtu.be/F2Jt5C1qm-E