BibleJournal.net

Psalm 80

This is another Psalm written by Asaph that can be described as a prayer to God to help those who felt oppressed or that God has turned his back on them.

If you think about it, verses 1-7 are probably what many of us ask or think about in our prayers quite often.  This small, simple prayer might sum it up a bit:

‘Father, please help me.  Shine Your light on me and keep me safe through the trials that I am going through.  I know there are things that I do that don’t always make You happy, but please don’t ignore me and leave me all alone.  Life can be so difficult. Help me to not embarrass myself by my actions in front of my loved ones so that those with ill intentions can use it against me.  Please restore me and bring me closer to You.’

The rest of the Psalm is Asaph describing how previously God cleared the promise land, drove out the evil nations, and planted a vine.  This vine did very well while it was in the protection of God. But then to the fault of its own, the vine became no longer healthy.  The wall that was there before had been torn down.  Anyone or thing that wanted to do harm to this vine was allowed to do so.

This vine was a depiction of Israel.  God cleared the way for Israel to be safe, to thrive and to be protected.  Once the people of Israel rebelled, God took the walls down.  He let all nations that wanted to oppress Israel go ahead and crush them.

Asaph’s prayer was simple.  ‘God, please come back.  You’ve seen what has happened.  Your people are devastated as if a fire has burnt everything to the ground.  Please restore the vine and make it strong once more.  If you do this, we promise we won’t turn away from you again.’

Now how many times have we prayed in similar ways like this?  “God, if you do this, then I promise to do that.” We know that our intentions are good and just, He knows our intentions are good and just, but how often do we actually hold up our end of the bargain?  I certainly can’t tell you the exact date this Psalm was written by Asaph but Google says it was at least 586 B.C to 722 B.C.  And yet, here in 2025, some of us make promises to God just like they did back then.

Don’t get me wrong, as I said earlier, our intentions are good!  We just need to do a better job of not forgetting who cleared the way for us.  Who planted the vine for us.  And who keeps the walls up and protects us.  At those times when our walls start to break and the outside world starts to bust through, it is only our Creator that can truly help restore us, save us and make us shine again!

Psalm 78 is a solemn reminder that God’s people must never forget His mighty works or take His mercy for granted. Asaph urges Israel to hear God’s Word and pass it on to future generations so that their children will “set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments” (v.7, NKJV). The psalm recounts how God miraculously delivered His people from Egypt, provided food and water in the wilderness, and guided them with His presence. Yet despite His goodness, they sinned repeatedly, tested Him with their rebellion, and provoked His anger.

Still, God showed compassion, restraining His wrath and remembering they were but flesh. However, persistent disobedience brought judgment: Ephraim was rejected, Shiloh was abandoned, and God raised up Judah and David to shepherd His people with integrity.

For today’s Christians, the warning is unmistakable. We too are in danger when we grow comfortable with God’s blessings yet continue in sin. To test God by presuming upon His grace is to invite His discipline. The Lord calls His people to genuine repentance, not half-hearted obedience. Just as Israel’s unfaithfulness brought loss and sorrow, so unrepented sin in our lives can grieve the Spirit and hinder our witness.

Psalm 78 urges us to repent quickly, to remember God’s faithfulness, and to walk in holiness before Him. By doing so, we not only honor the Lord but also leave a testimony of faithfulness for the next generation to follow.

Heavenly Father,

I thank You for Your mighty works and for the mercy You have shown me through Christ. Forgive me, Lord, for the times I have taken Your blessings for granted, tested Your patience, or walked in disobedience. Cleanse me from hidden sins and give me a heart that is quick to repent and eager to obey.

Lord, keep me humble, keep me faithful, and let me be a vessel through which the next generation learns to trust You. I place my hope fully in You and commit to living for Your glory.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Written with the assistance of ChatGPT

Psalm 75

The title of this psalm in the NKJV is Thanksgiving for God’s Righteous Judgment. In the subtitle we see it’s a song written by Asaph. This is a psalm where not only are Asaph’s words dictated, but the Father’s words are dictated as well in verses 2-5 and 10.

The psalm starts with the people thanking God for His nearness to them. That is so important for us to realize that God is always near to His people. Sometimes we feel like He is far from us and there are two main reasons for this. The first is that He wants your faith to be in Him and His Word, not in your feelings or experiences. The second reason is because you have unrepentant sin in your life that is breaking your fellowship with God, and therefore you don’t feel His presence. Always remember that God is near and is drawing you closer to Him with chords of kindness (Hosea 11:4).

Then immediately in verse 2 God starts to speak. If you want to hear God audibly, read this verse out loud and boom you have heard him audibly. But His message is more important. His message is about his impending judgment of the proud and the wicked. God always chooses the “proper time” for his upright and fair judgment. Sometimes in our minds we think God takes too long to bring justice. Other times we think He is too quick. But God is sovereign, and He always picks the proper time for His judgment. The danger for us humans is we don’t know His timetable. It is dangerous because we often think, “I’m still young, I will deal with my sin later because it’s still fun right now. I will get right with God when I need to raise kids.”  Don’t delay. Humble yourself before God casts His judgment on you.

When God says in verse 5, “Do not lift up your horn on high; Do not speak with a stiff neck”, He is using the imagery of a stubborn ox who doesn’t want to be yoked. God is saying don’t be stubborn with me and resist me. Humble yourself and take my yoke upon you because it is easy and light. The reason Jesus’ yoke is easy is because He is the one on the other side! I love you enough to tell you that there is a final judgment on those who don’t put their faith and trust in Jesus. The result of the Great White Throne Judgment is that all unbelievers are thrown into the lake of fire for eternal judgment which includes separation from God’s goodness (Revelation 20:11-15).

The beauty of verse 10, in this psalm, is that there is hope in the midst of impending judgment. It reads, “All the horns of the wicked I will also cut off, But the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.” God exalts those who are righteous. How can we be righteous? By accepting the gift of salvation. When you repent of your sins and put your trust in Jesus (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 10:9-10, 13), Christ’s righteousness is accounted to you. You are then exalted as a Child of God with a future reward waiting for you in heaven (2 Cor. 5: 9-11). The first step is humility. You need to humble yourself and recognize your sinfulness, and therefore your need for a savior. Jesus is near. Repent of your sins and turn to Him and He will wash you as white as snow.

Today’s Reading Colossians 4 

² Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

A steadfast prayer involves a constant and unwavering engagement with God.  He’s always engaged, am I?   Praying with thankfulness and attentiveness even amidst difficulties. He gives it all and can take it away.  Either way, it’s always His plan. Am I praying or complaining?   This mindset needs to be my daily rhythm, doesn’t shift due to what the world says and gives.

⁵ Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. ⁶ Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Walking in wisdom includes knowing His Word and applying it to every aspect of how I spend my life.  Am I making the best use of my time? 

Dear Heavenly Father,

You know the answers to these questions.  I pray for Your strength in all my weakness to draw closer to You in each aspect of our lives.  We thank you, Lord, for this life and the opportunity to build Your Kingdom.

With much Grattitude! 

 

 

Today’s Reading: Colossians 3

In this letter from Paul to the Colossians, Paul is writing to a church that is going through a transition. The church has been established by one of Paul’s friend and disciple.  In this established church,  there is division.  As is the case with the church and family there is going to be some high and low points.    There will be celebrations and confrontations.   There will be unity and division, but with communication and understanding all of the differences can be seen and acknowledged. 

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The strain in the church of the Colossians is due to two leaders coming from different backgrounds and attempting to share the gospel of Christ with the church.  Both have the common goal, but different ways of communicating.  One of the leaders comes from the traditional Jewish background and wants to make sure that the new Christians adapt all of the previous Jewish customs, including circumcision. The other leader comes from the polytheism of multiple guides and trying to establish the one God from the poly gods. The end goal for both of them is to show them Christ love. 

In the letter, Paul is showing how they are not only two families coming together, but are currently one family in Christ. Paul extends this family metaphor to take account the Roman family structure. In the traditional Roman family there were very stringent and complex laws and roles.  Paul is laying the foundation of a gentle and loving family structure which is the reflection of Christ. 

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 

Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. 

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬, ‭7‬-‭8‬, ‭11‬-‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

In this passage, Paul is also showing us how to step outside of our wants and be more in-tuned to our contentment. The more that we want things that creates division between us and others. 

sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

But when we find contentment, we are able to celebrate others successes and others joys.ss, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other.

Paul is showing us that the easy route is to have division among us. 

 This is what the world wants and this is what the enemy uses to divide us. The enemy chooses to create chaos where there is peace. The enemy chooses division where there is unity. The enemy chooses apathy or love.

 But God has given us the ability to have references such as this gospel to lead on and into study daily to form unity through this division. This is not an easy step, but it is a necessary step for us to grow and to heal each other.

 

Colossians 2

There is no shortage of advice in this world.  If you are not getting it on TikTok, YouTube or your favorite social media, just ask Google.  My quick search returned simple tips for happiness.  they include diet, exercise, better sleep and gratitude journals.  Sound familiar?

we are inundated, everyday with this advice.  They might even have “the appearance of wisdom,” as Paul says in Colossians 2:23.  In fact, diet, exercise and the like, easily turn into a “self-made religion” (v23).  I bet you know that person, I do.  But, there is a problem.  Paradoxically, they may lead to pride and self-indulgence.

These results are far more subtle than other sins Paul highlights. Consider sexual immorality or drunkenness.  These are overt and hard to conceal.  Spiritual-pride and self-righteousness, however, are much more covert.  In the end, they lead us down the same path.  As Paul puts it, “they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh” (v23).

While Paul addressed religious legalism, I believe our cultural obsession with self-improvement follows the same pattern. Our culture tends to take these good things and turn them into the things.  herein lies the mistake.  There is only One, Jesus Christ.  It is his death and resurrection that give us life.  Accepting that means that “you died to the elemental spirits of the world” (v20)  No, that doesn’t mean to stop exercising or eating healthy.  It does mean remembering that they are merely contributors to glorifying and serving Jesus Christ.

Psalm 73

In Psalm 73, Asaph describes how at first, he was envious and tempted after watching the way the wicked and arrogant live their lives in verses 1 through 14.  His jealousy was brewing.  He wasn’t seeing the instant gratification in what he knows of his own pure heart while the immoral were prospering right in front of him.  He wasn’t seeing them struggle, their bodies were healthy, and their lives looked so easy.  They spoke with such arrogance as if they themselves owned the heavens, and people around them were soaking up every drop.

Others could see this evil happening and began questioning God.  “Why is He allowing this?”  These heartless people were living carefree, getting richer and richer.  Meanwhile the righteous were suffering?!  Asaph was tempted to believe that all his time trying to live a holy life was for nothing.  Verse 13, “Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.”

Then in verses 15 through 28, Asaph brings himself back to what he knows is true and good after getting clarity from visiting the sanctuary.  When it came to decision time and whether he would opt in with the evil doers, he was wise enough to stay to true to God’s words.  He knew in his heart that these wicked people were walking a tight rope with no net underneath to catch them.  He understood that just because these individuals were ‘flourishing’ in this life, punishment awaited them in the next.

Asaph acknowledged his foolishness for initially questioning God. Verse 22, “I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.”  Also summarized in verses 27 and 28, ‘those far from You will perish, but as for me, it is good to be near You.”

We all see this every day.  People arrogantly boasting about how good they have it and how easy life is.  But if we keep listening, they are easier to spot than you would think.  It is usually those that seem to give all the glory to themselves and leave out any mention or thanks be to God.   Then you can truly see who has been feeding off the devil’s lies.

Our societies are filled with so many people who are completely confused about who they are, why they’re here, and the meaning of life.  They are walking off cliffs, and the only thing that will save them is the truth that flows out of the sanctuary of God.

Today’s Reading: Psalm 71

Psalm 71 is a psalm of lifelong trust, offered from the perspective of someone who has walked with God since youth and now looks back in old age. The psalmist pleads, “Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent” (v. 9). It is a prayer that God’s faithfulness will continue into life’s later chapters, but it is also a declaration of confidence: “You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again” (v. 20).

This perspective is deeply inspiring when we think about the idea of legacy. Leaders, influencers, and mentors—whether in faith, public life, or culture—are often remembered not just for their words, but for the consistency of their character and convictions across time.  While we as Christians mourn the murder of Charlie Kirk, we can remember him through the power of his convictions related to the Word of God. Psalm 71 reminds us that the highest calling of legacy is not fame or impact alone, but the testimony of God’s righteousness. Charlie consistently espoused that. The psalmist vows, “I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God” (v. 22).

For us as Christian, this means living in a way that, when our days come to an end, others remember a life anchored in trust and faith. Charlie Kirk’s legacy is just beginning to be written.  Whether someone leads a large movement like Charlie, teaches a small group, or raises a family, the psalm calls us to use every stage of life to proclaim God’s goodness. True influence lies not only in building platforms, but in leaving behind a witness that points beyond ourselves to the Lord. Whether you have an impact like Charlie Kirk or an everyday Christian, we all can make an impact. Psalm 71 encourages us to think of legacy as a lifelong song of praise, meant to inspire generations still to come. Charlie Kirk certainly accomplished that.

Psalm 68

This psalm was clearly a song that would have been sung in worship of God during David’s reign. We see in the title that the word “song” was added. In verses 7-10 of this psalm David highlights that God was ever present with Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. In other areas of this psalm we see that God is a father to the fatherless, a defender of the widow, a provider for his people, but most of all he is a fighter for His nation Israel.

Kings flee from YAHWEH because of His greatness and because of what He has done. God is a just God that hates wickedness. He went before His people in battle and was given the name Jehovah Nissi “The LORD is my banner”. Verses 20-21 read, “Our God is the God of salvation; And to God the Lord belong escapes from death. But God will wound the head of His enemies, The hairy scalp of the one who still goes on in his trespasses.” This verse is dripping with Truth that we can cling to. YAHWEH is a God who delivers his people; He delivers them not only from the physical enemy, but also the spiritual enemy Satan.

In Genesis 3:15, God spoke to the serpent in the garden of Eden after he deceived Eve and stated, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” God told Satan how his end would come. He gave the entire plot to His redemption story in a single verse in the first book of the Bible. Satan bruised Jesus’ heal on the cross, but Jesus crushed Satan’s head on the third day when He rose from the dead.

Although this psalm is David pleading with God to eliminate Israel’s oppressors, we can now look back and see Jesus all through this psalm. Jesus brought a final victory for mankind against their oppression. We now fight through this life from a stance of victory, not from a stance of defeat. David was still looking for the Messiah, but now the gentiles have access to the promises of God including Salvation because of the battle Jesus won. The Church today does not replace Israel, and God surely has a plan for Israel in the end times, but He has grafted the gentile into His family tree. We know that the God of the Bible fights for both of His beloved, Israel and the Church.