I was out with my friend Billy late last night, and we were musing about Christians being discouraged and losing faith because they look around and see God-less people doing much better off than them. I admit that I myself also get distracted by that, wondering where my material riches are, heck I don’t just compare myself with non-Christians, I even compare myself to those in the church!
I speculated last night with Billy that it could be because we lose the fear of God, hence we let such issues creep into our thinking because our focus is not on Him anymore. But this Psalm goes one steps further in suggesting that the best way to overcome our insecurities about this is to take on an eternal perspective.
7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret—it only causes harm. (NKJV)
This eternal perspective is to recognise that what we have here is merely temporal. It definitely is hard, especially when you see others that are significantly better off than you. But we got to maintain our focus on Him, ask yourself what do you place value in, for
16 A little that a righteous man has
Is better than the riches of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
But the LORD upholds the righteous. (NKJV)
I really would much prefer having my arms and enjoying my little, then to have all the riches but not any means to use it!
I am greatly encouraged by the fact that as long as I can wait patiently for God’s timing, He will give unto me what he deems fit for my inheritance, and I truly recognise that it quite possibly will not be money, gold, silver etc. but instead the ‘abundance of peace’ (v11). And that is the currency of our eternal riches.
Filed under: Cogitations, God, Life, Psalm
Wisdom is something I cherish a lot. The thing is, only God can grant you wisdom, but it is freely available to all who fear God.
1 An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked:
There is no fear of God before his eyes.
2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes,
When he finds out his iniquity and when he hates.
3 The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit;
He has ceased to be wise and to do good.
4 He devises wickedness on his bed;
He sets himself in a way that is not good;
He does not abhor evil. (NKJV, emphasis mine)
It seems to me from that line, that being wise is associated with doing good. They operate hand in hand. It also implies to me that wisdom is innate in all of us, and choosing to flatter ourselves before our own eyes (i.e. putting ourselves first instead of God) is not exercising wisdom. Not just being unwise, rather completely stop being wise.
And so for me the wise thing to do is really to fear God. Even if you want to cheapen God but comparing His rewards for those who fear him, it makes wise business sense to choose God. Look at this:
7 How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.
8 They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house,
And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.
9 For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light. (NKJV)
I’ll definitely cease to be wise if I choose to put myself first, especially with promises like that!
Filed under: Cogitations, God, Life, Psalm
How often do you take matters into your own hands?
I know I do, especially with areas I think I know how best to deal with. But this is not how God wants it, He wants us to leave it up to Him. We can look to David’s life as an example.
1 Plead my cause, O LORD, with those who strive with me;
Fight against those who fight against me.
2 Take hold of shield and buckler,
And stand up for my help.
3 Also draw out the spear,
And stop those who pursue me.
Say to my soul,
“I am your salvation.” (NKJV)
Here is the man who killed the giant Goliath, who has slain tens of thousands upon tens of thousands of men on the battlefield. Let alone his mighty men of valour, and army. Yet he still calls upon the help of the Lord to fight those who are in pursuit of him.
Grant me my speculation that if I was in David’s shoes, I may have very well fought the battles myself, especially with that kind of combat ability. But then if I did, I probably would not have gotten as far as David did.
I need to recognise that in any circumstance, God is my help, and that all I need to do is place it in His hand and leave it up to Him. And He will assure me, that He is my salvation.
Filed under: Cogitations, God, Life, Psalm
I am a very proud man.
If I do not keep my tongue in check, and exercise restraint over it, no one would hear the end of how awesome I think I am sometimes. Not only that, I do flare up (internally I hope) when no one sees things my way or my character comes under attack. And of course I enjoy being under the spotlight where my virtues are praised.
But I thank God that He continually works to mould me and address that area of my life. And this morning’s Psalm reminds me who God is for, and why.
1 I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make its boast in the LORD;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
And let us exalt His name together. (NKJV)
God is only for the humble.
Those that are willing to put their pride aside, and accept that God is bigger than them. Those who are willing to fill their mouths with His praises every second of the day instead of their own. Those whose very lives, and not just their tongues are willing to be a living boast of God’s, instead of their own self-centeredness. But they boast not to the proud, rather it is to those humble enough to hear of God.
Thus begins the vicarious cycle again. As long as we can remain humble, humble enough to recognise that our lives is not ours, that it has been purchased by the blood that was shed on the cross, and every part of it is purposed to boast about that wonderful saving truth.
Filed under: Cogitations, God, Life, Psalm
Many of you would know that I play keyboards for my church. If you didn’t know, it’s quite obvious in my “I’m Who” page which I need to update.
Personally I don’t think too highly of my ability as a keyboardist. I know just enough keyboard hacks to hide behind when I play for Sunday Service. Slow atmospheric songs where I can pad it out with organs, and cut through with the electric piano is my specialty.
But there are many more aspects of keyboard playing that I struggle with. Especially with the more traditional keyboardist stuff, figuring out songs by ear, or heck even keeping time.
It’s no good to remain like this. I really want to improve.
1 Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous!
For praise from the upright is beautiful.
2 Praise the LORD with the harp;
Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.
3 Sing to Him a new song;
Play skillfully with a shout of joy.
It’s one thing for me to be sensitive to the Spirit whilst I’m playing keys, it’s another to do so skilfully. I cannot ignore the truth that God has given me a skill that requires my stewardship over it to improve and become skilful at it. That process of stewardship for God, I believe is as much a praise to Him if not more than that which I offer on stage on Sunday.
By no means is this restricted to musical instruments. I’m merely writing it from a very personal experience because I do play keys. For those that aren’t musically incline….go learn the instrument of ten strings! 
Narh… I believe that for everyone of us the creator God has placed at least a creative gift in each one of us to sing the equivalent of a new song to Him. To become skilful at it and thus bring praise to His name.
Filed under: Cogitations, God, Life, Psalm
