Read Psalm 75, 93, 94, 97 thru 100
 
Psalm 94:1-5 O Lord, the God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, let your glorious justice shine forth! 2 Arise, O judge of the earth. Give the proud what they deserve. 3 How long, O Lord? How long will the wicked be allowed to gloat? 4 How long will they speak with arrogance? How long will these evil people boast? 5 They crush your people, Lord, hurting those you claim as your own.
 
THE opening sentence twice uses “vengeance” to describe God. We understand vengeance to define strong, even hateful retaliation. This, then, causes us to see God judging with uncontrolled anger. We would then read the next verses as David’s prayer for God to violently respond to the wicked and prideful.
   But it is more likely David was praying for peace to all who opposed God. Vengeance here means to uphold God’s law. And “shine forth” is calling God to reveal himself. David prayed God would reveal his truth to all, and they would humbly submit to God.
    Then four times David asked, “How long?” And why not? When we pray, we must do so with expectation God will answer our prayers, and we desire he does so very soon. Our petitions to God are always to solve a problem we can’t handle. We certainly desire, “How long?” to be answered with, “Right now.”
   David wanted that. Think of the years he was continually pursued and persecuted. He was tired of the noise and wickedness of those who rebelled against himself and God. “How long?” is certainly a question from the human heart that demands an answer from the Sovereign LORD.
   But God is not prone to answer directly. He does occasionally indicate a day or time when certain things will happen. But most often he used his prophets, his apostles, his Son and his Word to teach us to wait. Jesus said it this way when asked about the end of the age: Matthew 24:36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat.”  
   How long? David did see an end to some of the threats against him. And God certainly raised him up to become Israel’s most powerful king. Yet, David not see the end of all rebellion and agitation against him. He did not see the Temple built. He did not see Jesus come. Still, it all happened in God’s time.
   How long will we wait for God to answer our prayers? Only the Father knows when and how the answers will come. Our task is to live with the humility that our life belongs to God. And we must believe God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven. “How long?’ must be a faithful question of expectation joined with humble submission.  
 

Read Psalm 29, 33, 65 thru 68
 
Psalms 68:1, 5-6a Rise up, O God, and scatter your enemies. Let those who hate God run for their lives…5 Father to the fatherless, defender of widows – this is God, whose dwelling is holy. 6a God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy.

THE events, commands, laws and worship established in the five books of the law were to remain very constant with Israel’s leaders and people. We can remember that, “Remember.” is God’s essential exhortation to Israel. They must always know who I AM is, what I AM has done and what I AM is going to do. This, too, is our duty as we say, “I am a Christian.”
   David remembered God’s word and works in many ways. In our previous lesson David exalted God as our Creator. And here, in verse 1 David remembered Moses’ words from Numbers 10:35 And whenever the Ark set out, Moses would shout, “Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered! Let them flee before you!” Moses was praying for God’s power and presence as the Ark of the covenant was lifted to acknowledge the LORD God as Israel’s leader through the wilderness. David remembered and used the same words here to pray for God’s protection over Israel. Now we can do the same. Remember God’s Words. What strength and courage we would have in any circumstance if we would proclaim, “Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered! Let them flee before you!”   
   Note, too, David’s prayer, “God is Father to the fatherless.” was an intercession and an assurance God would care for orphans and neglected children. We must be very purposeful to teach God is Father to the fatherless. Far too many people equate fathers with something bad, nonessential or nonexistent. Orphans and abandoned children must know God does not want them alone, without help and subject to abuse. We must teach God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. Then we must live it. Our work must be to make this happen as far as God will lead us.
   The church and the world need men of God to be God’s fathers to the fatherless. Men of the church worldwide must stand as they are able to care for the children around them. God’s Word must not be empty promises. Instead, God’s Holy Word must free children and widows from abuse and despair.
   Let’s be alert to remember what God has done for us. Then let’s be active to be his loving hands to those who do not know his love.   

 

Read Psalms 8, 9, 16, 21, 24
 
Psalms 8:3-6 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers – the moon and the stars you set in place – 4 what are people that you should think about them, mere mortals that you should care for them? 5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. 6 You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority.
 
I heard a testimony recently from a man about 50 years old. He defined his education in a way that fits nearly all Americans. He stated he was always taught through all the 16 years of his formal education that evolution was true. It was only when he was in his mid-30’s that he heard the gospel. The Bible’s truth opened his mind to his true relationship with God.  
   What dramatic change comes to our minds when we know we are not a little higher than a lower species but only a little lower than God! And even more, we are not simply created and left to our own. God has crowned (us) with glory and honor! Stop and consider the vast, uncountable universe of stars. To know the Creator of the sun, moon and stars has created us is a stunning revelation. And even more, he has create us with glory and honor. What does that mean?
   Our status as a little lower than God is one way God glorifies – exalts – our lives. God exalted mankind as he created us in his image. God then honored Adam and Eve to name them his co-regents of the earth. This means humanity is to rule the earth under the Sovereign LORD’s guidance and commands. God gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority. What an honor!
   God also glorifies and honors us through his personal relationship with us. In the Garden, he walked and talked with the first couple. He was their Father, and they were his chosen, created children. He exalted their minds to know him, to understand him and to worship him. Of course, this relationship was broken in the first sin. But we thank God the break has now been repaired through Jesus Christ, who glorified and honored us with his suffering, death and resurrection. How glorious a truth it is to know we are loved and saved in our Creator’s power!  
   We must, then, receive our role in God’s creation with great humility and love. If we pridefully look upon our relationship with God as if we deserve it, we become prone to neglect and turn from God. Satan tempted Adam and Eve through their exalted relationship with God. They seemed to believe God would give them permission to step outside of his commands. After all, he gave them dominion over the earth and animals, didn’t he?
   Yes, he did. But they did not have dominion over God’s law – or over God. As we celebrate our role in God’s creative order, we must remember this is God’s gift to us. Be mindful the LORD God honors you. Be humble to respond with a servant’s heart and hands. Serve our LORD as his chosen stewards of the earth, his church and his kingdom. Know he is God, and you are not. All he has given to you comes from his love for you.
  

Read Psalm 76, 82, 84, 86, 90, 92, 112, 115
 
Psalm 82:6-7 “I say, ‘You are gods; you are all children of the Most High.7 But you will die like mere mortals and fall like every other ruler.’”
 
THE LORD God is talking to his representatives, his leaders in Israel. He calls them “gods”. How does this make sense? I AM would certainly not credit any man as a god, would he?
   In one way that is exactly what he did here. In fact, Jesus referred to this Scripture when he was accused of blasphemy for saying he is the Son of God. Jesus said, “At my Father’s direction I have done many good works. For which one are you going to stone me?” 33 The ruling Jews replied, “We’re stoning you not for any good work, but for blasphemy! You, a mere man, claim to be God.” 34 Jesus replied, “It is written in your own Scriptures that God said to certain leaders of the people, ‘I say, you are gods!’”
   Yes, this sounds strange and unholy to our ears. But words can have different meanings, and that is why we must study the Bible. Jesus taught that his Father appointed certain men throughout Israel’s history to be his representatives on earth to help administer God’s justice. The word “god” here certainly does not mean the Most High God, Yahweh or Almighty. And these men are not to be worshiped. But it is a Hebrew word that was occasionally used to refer to an exalted office of a magistrate or judge among God’s people. It seems Jesus was reminding those judging him that they needed to be faithful to their tasks. Instead of criticizing his healing, teaching and merciful works, they should have realized God had also appointed them to minister, not to block his mercy. They should have joined Jesus, not condemned him. After all, mercy was their purpose.
   In this sense, each Christian is a god appointed by the LORD God to administer God’s justice, mercy and physical care. “Social justice” is a common phrase people speak as they point to helping people who are persecuted or poor. But the real justice our societies need begins in knowing right and wrong as God declares. True administration of justice is to declare, as we’ve seen earlier, the good news of God’s justice, so we know wrong and right. Out of God’s right ways comes resolution and redemption. We can be merciful to the broken and lost when we lovingly share God’s mercy and compassion. This is the Holy Spirit’s way to draw some people out of sin and into a righteous life.
   Jesus’ work as the Son of God was to move people into God’s eternal salvation. He told them of sin. He taught forgiveness. He demonstrated mercy. He offered God’s love. He committed and submitted himself to death, so we would live. Our lives should be as the Son of God, who was truly God made flesh.  
  

Read Psalm 40, 49-50, 73
 
Psalms 40:9-10 I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O Lord, well know. 10 I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness.
 
PSALM 40 begins with David’s grand praise of God’s work in his life. Verses 1-8 include, “He turned to me and heard my cry…He lifted me out of the pit of despair…He set my feet on solid ground…He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God…Many will be amazed…They will put their trust in the Lord…O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us…You have no equal…I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.” These words certainly demonstrate a joy in the LORD, don’t they?
   What, then, does David do with his joy? He is sue to tell all God’s people about God’s work. David is a witness to God’s personal care for Israel, his beloved people. The psalmist also specified he was telling the “good news of God’s justice hidden in my heart.”  
   Is that what you want to hear? To the world, God’s justice is a very difficult thing to comprehend. Most of mankind has rejected God’s justice throughout history. And in truth, God’s justice is not good news in too many churches. We only hear the good news of God’s salvation. People have been trained to listen to God’s grace as God’s way of ignoring sin. We must know and remember grace is God’s means to forgive our unjust lives. Talk of God’s justice is a significant reason people turn away or keep away from God. To the unjust heart there is nothing good about God, who judges absolute right and wrong. To the guilty heart justice is to say, “Not guilty.” without penalty. But think of it. There could be no good salvation if God did not administer good justice!
   David knew deep in his heart, God’s justice came from God’s perfect law. He knew El Shaddai required obedience and repentance. Yes, David certainly knew sin’s penalty, and he truly knew God’s forgiveness. David knew the good news of God’s salvation comes when God forgives and removes our sins. That was his joy.
   We must know God is just to judge our sins in order to know our Creator is just to forgive us. “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 John 1:9)
   Yes, God’s justice is good news! He commands us to obey his way. He then offers through Jesus Christ the way of new life as we confess and repent. This is true justice. This is God’s way to bring us into a righteous relationship, to stand on holy ground with I AM. “But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.” (1 Peter 1:15)   
     

 

Read Psalms 1, 14, 15, 36, 37, 39
 
Psalm 15:1-2 Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? 2 Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.  
 
DAVID and his army have just captured Jerusalem. They have ascended to Mt. Zion, the highest point on the city, where David wants to establish a place to worship God. He is aware of God’s commands regarding worship and what is needed to be acceptable in God’s sight. So he asked a practical question, “Who, God, can enter into our house and worship you?”  By God’s rule, only priests could enter and David, the king, could not.
   The answer is summarized in verse 2: Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.  
   Does anyone qualify? The Bible tells us no one is blameless. Our nature is to do what is wrong. Surely, too, there are days when our hearts are not sincere.
   To be blameless is to have a desire to obey God – to be righteous. This is the core of being present with God. It does not mean we are without sin, but it does point us to be very purposeful about our life within God’s laws. A blameless person obeys with a servant heart. Aware of his sins, he repents to continually strive for a more blameless life with God. In contrast, those who are hypocrites, speaking one way and living another, are not acceptable to God. The LORD wants your heart to be directed toward him, so you will do what’s right. You will speak and live in God’s truth.
   In the remaining verses are the traits of a God-centered life: 1) refusing to gossip 2) protecting, not harming neighbors 3) speaking well of friends 4) rejecting flagrant sinners 5) honoring the LORD’s faithful followers 6) keeping even difficult promises 7) lending money without charging interest 8) refusing to lie about the innocent.
   Such people will stand firm forever. These are the people God will welcome into his house. We don’t have to be perfect to worship God. We do need to have a heart that desires him. Jesus said it this way: Matthew 5:8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
 

Read Psalms 120, 121, 140, 143, 144
 
Psalm 144:12-14 May our sons flourish in their youth like well-nurtured plants. May our daughters be like graceful pillars, carved to beautify a palace. May our barns be filled with crops of every kind. May the flocks in our fields multiply by the thousands, even tens of thousands, 14 and may our oxen be loaded down with produce. May there be no enemy breaking through our walls, no going into captivity, no cries of alarm in our town squares.  
 
AS Moses’ bid farewell to Israel, he said, “The Lord will give you prosperity in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you, blessing you with many children, numerous livestock, and abundant crops.” (Deuteronomy 28:11) Growing families, bountiful crops and numerous livestock was God’s promise to Israel if they would faithfully live under the LORD’s authority. Now David was near the end of his life, and he prayed for Israel to become the land the LORD had promised.
   God’s foundation for his people was simple: have strong families, work hard and enjoy the benefits of the bounty that will come in a faithful life. This is very much as God instructed Adam and Eve: Genesis 1:22 Then God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply. Let the fish fill the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth.” God gave to his ambassadors on earth – first Adam and Eve, then Israel – the task to represent his creative authority on earth. Through a man and a woman, new children would be born. Through daily, good work, crops would grow. With good care, livestock would be plentiful. This is God’s order for his world. Families working in unity for the common good is essential to a strong nation. This all would be possible if God’s people obeyed his commands, summarized in Luke 10:27 “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. And love your neighbor as yourself.”  
   We have seen how Israel did not love God. The LORD held back his promise in the years of the Judges and the wars during Saul’s and David’s lifetimes. Look back through Judges and see how families fought and destroyed each other. The families of the priests also were filled with shame and guilt. And even David’s family was terribly broken.
   The core of Israel’s division began with a breakdown in the unity of Israel as God’s family. The 12 tribes under God became as 12 nations not under God. Horrible wars and generational conflicts scarred Israel’s heart.
   That’s why David earnestly encourages Israel with these words. As you look to David’s preparations for Solomon’s reign, you can see a father who knows the pain of losing his sons. He wants the killing to stop, so Solomon (meaning “peace”) and the nation can be one in purpose under God’s love.
   David’s desire can be our desire for our families, church and government – and for the world. Psalm 144 is a good prayer for us all.
    
 

Read Psalm 88, 91, 95, 108-109
 
Psalm 91:9-13 If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, 10 no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. 11 For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. 12 They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. 13 You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
 
IN our very brief look at the psalms, we have already seen the repeated assurance of God as a refuge, as our protection. God’s inspired Word stresses this for a reason. The world is a harsh place that continually assaults our faith. The devil even used these words from Psalm 91 to tempt Jesus: Matthew 4:6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone.’” The devil slings his arrows of doubt even toward the Living Word made flesh. And he certainly casts his lies toward the Christian. Doubt is evil’s catalyst to sin and weak faith. We must continually work to fight off the deceiver’s words, so the Holy Spirit can build faith into our hearts.
   That is David’s proclamation. Believe in your heart that God is your protection, and he will protect you eternally. There is no plague or problem that will destroy your relationship with God. Even as death draws its cloak over our eyes, it opens our soul to a new beginning eternally secure under God’s saving wings.
   The reference to trampling fierce lions and cobras is an image of defeating sin. “Snake” is very often a reference to the devil. And Peter warns Satan is a “roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8b). Be warned and be assured. Danger will assault every Christian in some form. God’s unyielding truth will deliver you from the evil. What comfort to know God protects us from the eternal hellish nightmare!
   One other comfort to understand here is the work of God’s angels. The Bible points often to angels as God’s protective hand over believers. Angels warned Lot to leave Sodom (Genesis 19). They welcomed Jacob back home (Genesis 32) after 20 years’ absence and his worries about Esau’s possible vengeance. Angels announced Jesus’ birth (Luke 2), and his re-birth from the grave. Angels freed Peter and John from jail (Acts 5). And angels are God’s agents of  final judgment on earth (Revelation).
   Live with an unyielding faith in God as your Deliverer, Protector and Savior. He has made a way for you to safely come to him.

 

Psalm 70, 71, 77, 83, 86
 
Psalm 70:4-5 But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “God is great!” 5 But as for me, I am poor and needy; please hurry to my aid, O God. You are my helper and my savior; O Lord, do not delay.
 
DAVID opens this psalm praying God would humiliate and put to shame those who pursue him. Then in contrast he prays for them: “But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you.”
   This is a good way to pray for your enemies and a good way to live. What a profound change comes to the hearts of those who pursue God! He is the only source of our joy, a true delight in knowing, “God is great!”.  Why would we waste time challenging people who disagree with us? When has it been a benefit to win an argument – if that is even possible – or to criticize those who disagree with you? There is never resolution when enemies pridefully pursue each other.
   But what happens if the enemies become humble to pursue God? Might they see themselves differently? Is it possible in the pursuit of God they see others as God’s own and learn the amazing truth: “God is great!” Would they understand he is “my helper, my savior.” What does that do for one’s soul?
   Such knowledge creates joyful hearts and casts away division. We don’t have to worry about being “great” because God is. Our time is not spent on elevating ourselves or making others small, but we engage with others in prayer, mercy, love and forgiveness.  
   When David confessed, “But I am poor and needy.” he was telling his LORD, “I do not possess what I need for a true relationship with you. I need you. I can’t get through life alone. To have true joy in you is the only worthwhile thing to know.”
   Yes, “joy” is the unwavering knowledge you belong to the great God in all circumstances. Regardless of your situation you know the sovereign LORD has called you to be his own. Neither Saul nor Absalom had any reason to destroy David. Their pride took them to destruction. David knew his own pride, too, had nearly destroyed his kingship and legacy several times. As we sometimes wonder about David’s many faults, God had given this man a heart to understand the shame of his sins. David knew how to pursue God’s righteousness. David understood humble repentance. From this humility came David’s true understanding that God alone is the only one to pursue. David knew in his heart he belonged to God regardless of what his enemies did to him.  
 
  

Read Psalm 61-63, 69  
 
Psalms 62:1 I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.
&
Psalm 69:3 I am exhausted from crying for help; my throat is parched. My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me.
 
SEVERAL years ago, early in my calling to minister God’s Word, I was without a church to pastor. I did not know where, when, or if God would call me to a new church. Four months I waited through a series of interviews and assessments to determine what church might invite me to be their pastor. That time seemed a very long time.
   Then I read these psalms. David was not waiting for work. He was waiting for life to be safe, whole and purposeful again. The shepherd boy anointed to be King of Israel was waiting for God to rescue him from rebellious Absalom, his own son who threatened his life.
   We remember from 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles that David escaped Absalom’s rebellion by going through the Wilderness and across the Jordan River. Thousands of people were uprooted along the way as David fled for his life. David regarded his troubles, regretted his sins, and sought God’s salvation. This may have been the darkest days of David’s life.
   So why was I so restless in the waiting? My life was not threatened. No rebellion lurked outside my door! Why did I need to know what I would be doing in the future?
   Our basic human nature wants to know we are safe. Much material is broadcast over the airways and written on social media and in books about perceived future threats. People make money causing us to fear “tomorrow”. They want us to watch their programs, buy their books and rely on their advice, so we will know how to prepare for the threats they say are sure to happen.
   What do we do with the fears and worries? It is important to learn what is true. The truth helps us properly prepare for tomorrow. From our faith perspective, we learn of God and await him to fulfill his promises. In faith we can know that whatever challenges pursues us, God calls us to live with a sure confidence in him. His words from these psalms remind us again the ultimate victory comes from him.
   David also wrote in Psalms 62:8 O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. David is the king unveiling his weaknesses, fears, anger and doubt. He is also the king pointing his own heart and Israel toward their God to know their future is secure in his promises.
   The psalms speak deeply into our daily struggles and to our eternal destiny. These are real words from a man who was very, very real with God.
   One lesson we can learn here is that waiting can be a time of strengthening. That’s what the waiting did for me. Waiting for the next call prepared me for the call. I experienced in those weeks more time of intimate prayer with God. There was more time for children and grandchildren. And I enjoyed some very special moments with my wife.
   Look to the future with truth and wisdom that comes from God. He will prepare you for what he has prepared for you.