Journal for Christ

Friday, May 27, 2022

Keep Your Eyes on the Lord - Not the Storm!

May 27, 2022

Worship in WORD

Ps 31:23-24

23 Love the Lord, all you his saints!

The Lord preserves the faithful

but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.

24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage,

all you who wait for the Lord!

ESV

Ps 31:23-24

23 Love the LORD, all his faithful people!

The LORD preserves those who are true to him,

but the proud he pays back in full.

24 Be strong and take heart,

all you who hope in the LORD.

The New International Version. (2011). Zondervan.

Ps 31:23-24

23 O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.

24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

KJV

Ps 31:23-24

23 Love the Lord, all you godly ones!

For the Lord protects those who are loyal to him,

but he harshly punishes the arrogant.

24 So be strong and courageous,

all you who put your hope in the Lord!

Psalm 31’s Thought flow: Hope→Help!→Hail→Heart

I. Hope – vv. 1-8

A. Action – v. 1

B. Appeal – v. 2

C. Acknowledge – vv. 3-4

D. Abandon – v. 5

E. Abhor – v. 6

F. Acclaim! – vv. 7-8

II. Help! – vv. 9-18

A. Sorrow – vv. 9-13

1. Soul sickness – vv. 9-10

2. Societal scorn – vv. 11-13

B. Sovereign – vv. 14-18

1. Surrender – vv. 14-15

2. Shine – v. 16

3. Shame – v. 17

4. Silence – v. 18

III. Hail – vv. 19-22

A. God, for His Great Goodness – v. 19

B. God, for His Sheltering Presence – v. 20

C. God, for His Hesed [ds#j# ]#] – V. 21

D. God, Who Hears and Answers His People – v. 22

IV. Heart – vv. 23-24

A. Love – v. 23

B. Long – v.24

A. Love— v. 23

David encourages the true believers (i.e., the saints/faithful ones) to love the Lord, and he gives two (of the many in Scripture) reasons why they should. The first is that He protects His loyal and obedient followers. The second is because He punishes the proud ones. I believe the proud here are those who live as if God doesn’t exist or don’t need His help. In this passage specifically, they are the ones who delight in persecuting God’s people. But let us look below the surface of these reasons lest we think David urges others to love God for purely self-serving reasons.

The firm foundation upon which David’s exhortation stands is WHO God is. He is the faithful and true one (v. 5). Marvelous in His goodness, mercy, and steadfast love (vs. 19 -21). David would not have a solid foundation to stand on if the LORD were not these things. Name any attribute of God, and it would fit well with verse 23 of this Psalm.

Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord... (ESV)

Now think about Who and what the Lord is. That is – to our limited understanding – what stands behind this exhortation and the promise and warning that follows it. The Westminster Larger Catechism (question 7) has an excellent summary of who God is:

*God is a Spirit, in and of himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.

This is the Lord to whom David directs our love. Therefore, we love God for who He is in Himself. And this is the God who preserves and protects us! Therefore, let all saints – those who are “faithful,” “true,” and “loyal” – love Him and praise Him. Sincere praise is what flows out of our mouths from a heart full of love for the Lord.

The second reason David gives is the recompense promised against the proud who persecute the saints. This is not said to provide the saints with a cause to rub their hands in glee at the prospect of the proud person's punishment. How can we delight in that which our Lord does not take delight in (see Ezekiel 33:11)? The response desired is not “Yes! Let the proud persecutor get their just deserts.” Indeed, all the godly want justice (see Rev. 6:10-11). However, as David does in this verse, we leave justice in the Lord's hands (see Romans 12:17-21). This verse is not only a promise of justice for the faithful. It is also a gracious warning to the proud to repent and humble themselves before the Lord.

But I don’t believe that verse 23 is only given for the abovementioned reasons. There is another unstated reason behind David’s words. That being that David wants to encourage the saints. He wants them to persevere in the face of the seeming victories of the proud. Everything looks like all is going in favor of the arrogant. They seem to live in peace while the saints are surrounded by turmoil. But God will not only preserve His people; He will also punish the proud. So, this verse turns out to be more than a promise. It is also an appeal to persevere when things are not going well, and the wicked prosper. David ran to God for shelter. He urges others to do the same. Let us not run away from God’s cover when surrounded by the enemy. Let us not surrender to them but trust in our faithful God.

*Note: some may object that the word “love” is not included in this definition. However, upon deeper reflection, one will see that love is encompassed in these words: “most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.”

Worship in Witness:

Believers worldwide face so much today: Pandemics and persecution, Wars and famines, Political adversaries and postmodern skeptics, racial unrest, cults, the rise in power and presence of other religions, false teachers, and prominent church leaders who have “deconverted.” Immorality reigns as once commonly held beliefs about sex and gender are considered outdated and narrow-minded.

Many even in the professing church are surrendering when faced with all these things. And I would be a liar if I did not admit that sometimes I feel the weight of these things myself. The truths of God found in His word seem hard to believe. However, I remember the words of Peter when our Lord asked the Disciples, in the light of many defectors, if they would leave him too.

⁶⁸ Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life^{. 69} We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

John 6:68-69 NIV

I find that when I neglect God’s word and fellowship with other believers. And when my prayer time is rushed. Then I, too, can see my faith weakening. David uses the metaphor of a fortress or shelter. Surely, these three things are part of God’s means of grace to shelter us in His love. But, if I may, let me change the analogy of a fortress here to another—one surrounding one found in the New Testament. It concerns the time Peter stepped out of the boat he was in and onto the stormy seas. When he took his eyes off Jesus, he began to sink. When I look at the storm and not the Savior, I too, start to sink as Peter did. But, praise God, when I do, I cry out as Peter did and find our Lord’s hand waiting to rescue me. But so many have kept their eyes on the storm not on the Lord.

Lord,

Please keep me in Your sheltering presence.

Then, when pestilence, persecution, or problems,

both physical and intellectual, call me out to surrender.

May I trust in You

as my impenetrable fortress.

My mighty saving hand.

And when tempted by the tempest,

may I keep my gaze on You

and not the billowing waves.

I pray this in the Name of the One

who has the words of eternal life

– Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen

Worship in Promise, Poem, Prayer, and Praise

Image from: https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FrD9F40bqfJ0%2Fmaxresdefault.jpg&f=1&nofb=1

God is My Fortress

Though fear assails me

And troubles betide

God is my fortress

In Him, I’ll abide

His peace surrounds me

In life’s stormy gales

He’ll deliver me safely

His LOVE never fails

The Prayer of the Pursued

Lord, You are my Rock

Come quickly to my Defense

Be my Mighty Fortress

Please don’t keep me in suspense

My fears are all around

To You, my Refuge, I flee

My spirit yielded to You

My God of Victory and Verity

– Amen

A Song of Testimony - a song I wrote a while ago and will be included in my book of poems, prayers, and praise whenever I get around to publishing it. The book will have the title: The Pain & the Glory)

Verse 1:

Faithful and good, righteous and just

Merciful, mighty, One we can trust

Cherished by Him who made us from dust

A refuge, a shelter from the enemy’s thrusts

Chorus:

He’s my LORD and my God

He’s my Savior and my Rock

A mighty 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 have spewed

To You, my Deliverer, all glory is due

Chorus:

He’s my LORD and my God

He’s my Savior and my Rock

A mighty fortress

His foes He withstands

By loving and loyal

Omnipotent hands

For Further Thought or Study

Wear the Badge of Perseverance

Continue in the faith.

Acts 14:22

Perseverance is the badge of true saints. The Christian life is not only a beginning in the ways of God, but also means continuing in those ways as long as life lasts. It is with a Christian as it was with the great Napoleon: He said, “Conquest has made me what I am, and conquest must maintain me.” So under God, dear believer in the Lord, conquest has made you what you are, and conquest must sustain you. Your motto must be, “Aim higher.” The only true conqueror who shall be crowned in the end is he who continues until war’s trumpet is blown no more.

Perseverance is, therefore, the target of all our spiritual enemies.

The world does not object to your being a Christian for a time, if she can tempt you to quit your pilgrimage and settle down to trade with her in Vanity Fair.

The flesh will seek to ensnare you and to prevent your pressing on to glory. “Being a pilgrim is weary work and makes me wonder: Am I always to be mortified? Am I never to be indulged? Can I not have at least a holiday from this constant warfare?”

Satan will make many a fierce attack on your perseverance; it will be the target for all his arrows. He will strive to hinder you in service: He will insinuate that you are doing no good and that you need to rest. He will endeavor to make you weary of suffering; he will whisper, “Curse God, and die.” Or he will attack your steadfastness: “What is the good of being so zealous? Be quiet like the rest; sleep as others do, and let your lamp go out like the foolish virgins.” Or he will assail your doctrinal sentiments: “Why do you hold to these doctrinal creeds? Sensible men are getting more liberal; they are removing the old landmarks: Fall in with the times.”

So, Christian, wear your shield close to your armor and cry earnestly to God, that by His Spirit you may endure to the end.

https://www.truthforlife.org/daily/?date=05/26/2022&tab=devotional

In view of God’s consistent faithfulness to His promises to bless the righteous and punish the wicked, the godly can endure periods of persecution and suffering with strong confidence. We can trust in the Lord’s eventual deliverance, and even praise Him as we endure rough times.

****************************************************************************

Psalms 31:23

On the other hand, he declares that he plentifully recompenses the proud, in order that when we observe them succeeding prosperously for a time, an unworthy emulation may not entice us to imitate them, and that their haughtiness, and the outrage they commit, while they think they are at liberty to do what they please, may not crush and break our spirits. The amount of the whole is this, Although the ungodly flatter themselves, while they proceed in their wickedness with impunity, and believers are harassed with many fears and dangers, yet devote yourselves to God, and rely upon his grace, for he will always defend the faithful, and reward the proud as they deserve.

****************************************************************************

Psalms 31:23

The command Love the Lord in the Bible refers not so much to the emotion as to the willingness and desire to be faithful to him, to obey him, and to do what he commands.

Monday, March 28, 2022

Who are the saints of the Lord?

March 28, 2022

Worship in WORD

Ps 31:23-24

23 Love the Lord, all you his saints!

The Lord preserves the faithful

but abundantly repays the one

who acts in pride.

24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage,

all you who wait for the Lord!

ESV

Ps 31:23-24

23 Love the LORD, all his faithful people!

The LORD preserves those who are true to him,

but the proud he pays back in full.

24 Be strong and take heart,

all you who hope in the LORD.

The New International Version. (2011). Zondervan.

Ps 31:23-24

23 O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.

24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

KJV

Ps 31:23-24

23 Love the Lord, all you godly ones!

For the Lord protects those who are loyal to him,

but he harshly punishes the arrogant.

24 So be strong and courageous,

all you who put your hope in the Lord!

I. Hope – vv. 1-8

A. Action – v. 1

B. Appeal – v. 2

C. Acknowledge – vv. 3-4

D. Abandon – v. 5

E. Abhor – v. 6

F. Acclaim! – vv. 7-8

II. Help! – vv. 9-18

A. Sorrow – vv. 9-13

1. Soul sickness – vv. 9-10

2. Societal scorn – vv. 11-13

B. Sovereign – vv. 14-18

1. Surrender – vv. 14-15

2. Shine – v. 16

3. Shame – v. 17

4. Silence – v. 18

III. Hail – vv. 19-22

A. God, for His Great Goodness – v. 19

B. God, for His Sheltering Presence – v. 20

C. God, for His Hesed [ds#j# ]#] – V. 21

D. God, Who Hears and Answers His People – v. 22

IV. Heart – vv. 23-24

A. Love – v. 23

B. Long – v.24

Thought flow: Hope→Help!→Hail→Heart

A. Love— v. 23

I want to look at the Hebrew word Hasid* found here in verse 23. If we consult the many English translations we have today, we will see that it has been translated in various ways. For example, as “godly ones (NLT, NASB),” as “faithful ones (CSB),” as “faithful people (NIV 2011),” as “saints (KJV, ESV, NIV’ 84),” and as “faithful followers (NET).”

Before I delve into this further, I must say as an aside (and an important one at that) that David may have had an “Elijah moment,” as expressed earlier in verses 11-13. In those verses, he speaks of a period in his life where he felt alone, abandoned, and like the “last believer standing.” But, like Elijah, he found that there is always a remnant (see 1 Kings 19:13-18). So David exhorts these “saints,” those who are the “hasid” of God, to love God (see https://journal4christ.blogspot.com/2022/01/o-love-lord-all-ye-his-saints.html).

Let me point out two things about the word “hasid,” which is translated in various ways by the aforementioned translations. First is its meaning, and secondly, its relationship to another word I wrote about in previous studies.

Its Meaning:

As noted above, this word has been translated differently by different translations. Consulting the various resources I have, I can see why. If we choose to use the word “saints” or “godly ones,” we may be misled by its widespread use today. On the other hand, if we translate it with the adjective “faithful,” we limit it to only one aspect of this word. The word saint can conjure up a more holy and pious person in the minds of many. Or a special group of men and women that have attained a higher level of spirituality. These “saints” are distinguished from the ordinary rank and file person. However, scripture everywhere calls all of God’s chosen “saints.” We seem to have lost the word’s true meaning, leading to a two-tiered view of the Christian life.

One resource I read from defines the word this way, and I think it covers all the bases when translating it as “saint(s).”

An adjective meaning kind, benevolent, merciful, pious. The word carries the essential idea of the faithful kindness and piety that springs from mercy

Do you see it? To be a saint is to be giving, gracious, and godly. This is a name God gives to His people. This is a name God calls all His people to be. Therefore, there are to be no “super saints” as opposed to ordinary, run-of-the-mill “saints.”

Its Relationship to Hesed:

The reason we are called saints, I believe, is because of a word closely related to it. The word hasid is the adjectival form of the noun hesed. I have written about the word hesed in many of my previous blog entries. I have done so because this word appears so often in the Psalms and the rest of the OT.

(see for example→ https://journal4christ.blogspot.com/2021/12/hesed-omnipotent-love-that-will-never.html).

The word hesed is essential for describing who God is and how He acts. With reference to God, the word hesed points to His:

“loving-kindness; steadfast love; grace; mercy; faithfulness; goodness; devotion.”

Because of God’s prior hesed, we can be called the hasid or saints of God. As objects of God’s hesed, He has chosen us to reflect His hesed to the world. That is why it is wrong and dangerous to have a two-tiered view of the word saint. To do so may give one an excuse for lax and loveless living. Or it may give one a feeling of inferiority and failure because they do not see themselves as being as giving, gracious, and godly as another person they consider a “super saint.”

But God calls all His people saints. He does so because of His righteousness He bestows on them through Christ (2Cor. 5:21). All who place their faith in Christ are declared righteous. God sees us as saints in light of His Son, in whose image we are being conformed (Rom. 8:29). We are saints - and are becoming saints (Heb. 10:14). Thus whether we perform mighty deeds of sacrifice (John 15:13) or give a cup of water (Mk 9:41) to “the least of these” (Mt 24:34-46), we are His saints.

The giving, gracious, and godly life can be summed up in the word love. And this life of love flows out of God's holy, merciful, steadfast love (hesed!). The Apostle John states it succinctly this way:

We love, because He first loved us.

1 John 4:19 NASB

Worship in Witness:

Lord,

Please let me be described as one who is giving, gracious, and godly, for this is my calling. A calling that is not done in isolation, but together with all believers. Alone, Lord, these graces in me may grow cold. But stoked in the firepit of fellowship, they will always be flamed by the mutual love and encouragement of others and by the bellows of Your Holy Spirit. Thank You, Lord, for Your prior love by which You chose me, called me, and consecrated me to demonstrate Your hesed to the world.

— Amen

1 Cor 1:2-3 ESV

² To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 John 3:18-19 NLT

Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.

James 1:27

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

NIV (' 84)

Mic 6:7

He has shown all you people what is good.

And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy

and to walk humbly with your God.

TNIV

Worship in Promise, Poem, Prayer, and Praise

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.heartlight.org%2Fcards%2Fg%2F1john4_19.jpg&f=1&nofb=1

Burning Coals

O, Christian, you are burning coal

Aflame with a loving fire

With an all-consuming goal

To encourage and inspire

But like a coal that falls away

This truth you must remember

When you choose to go astray

You become a dying ember

A Prayer To See The Needs Of Others

Lord open my eyes to see the needs,

And bless others with words and deeds.

Grant to me a heart full of compassion,

And Thy strength to me, do not ration.

Open doors for me to serve people

In all places, not just under a steeple.

In Christ's Name. Amen!

Because He First Loved Us by Cheri Keaggy

We will stop and help when someone's in a bind

If we see a need, we will try to make the time

And while others think of reasons not to love

We love because He first loved us

We are quick to say "I'm sorry" when we're wrong

And instead of holding grudges, we move on

For we know the Father's grace will be enough

And we love because He first loved us

Teach us to love when we don't get it right

So when the world looks at us

They will see Your light

Teach us to love and to lay down our lives

And we'll praise our Father in heaven

We don't seek revenge; instead, we seek the peace

When life strikes a blow, we turn the other cheek

We will persevere when others would give up

And we love because He first loved us

Teach us to love when we don't get it right

So when the world looks at us

They will see Your light

Teach us to love and to lay down our lives

And we'll praise our Father in heaven

Yes, they'll praise our Father in heaven

We won't brag, we won't boast

But if they want to know

We will point to the One

Who has loved us the most

Well, it's not that we don't ever disagree

Still, when times get hard, you will find us on our knees

You might say we're all just diamonds in the rough

But we love because He first loved us

You might say we're all just diamonds in the rough

But we love because He first loved

That's what His love does

We love because He first loved us

Lyrics: https://flowlez.com/en/songs/because-he-first-loved-us-353421/

(With corrections made)

Video: https://youtu.be/436Zd0Srd6Q

For Further Thought or Study

It seems as if David felt that he could not love the Lord sufficiently by himself, so he calls upon all the saints to bring their hearts full of love, and yield their treasure unto God.

SAINTS

Chasid means "to be kind or merciful." These are qualities of God. Thus, chasid people are godly people because they reflect His character. Saints praise the Lord for His lifelong favor (Ps 30:4), rejoice in goodness (2 Chron 6:41), and know that God keeps their paths (1 Sam 2:9). God's encounter with His people through the covenant enables them to walk as His saints.

* The Hebrew words ds#j #(µesed) and dys!j* (µ¹sîd) are spelled differently depending on which reference works you consult. For instance, Strong's spells them as chesed and chaciyd.

My spellings come from this resource:

Friday, May 27, 2022

Keep Your Eyes on the Lord - Not the Storm!

Monday, March 28, 2022

Who are the saints of the Lord?

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