PSALMS 42
November 24, 2005
Psa 42:1-2 KJV
As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. (2) My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
O brother, O sister; do you hear the longing of your soul towards its Creator and God? Do you hear it crying day and night to you for mercy? We fill our lives with so much care that our soul is parched for lack of His Spirit. We content ourselves with so much duty that our soul starves for the milk of His Word. We try to satisfy ourselves with so many religious duties and rituals that we ignore the “better place” of sitting at His feet, and feeding from Him. The soul of our spirit cries and groans for mercy under the slavery of our self-inflicted works.
How long, O how long, will you continue to vex your soul in this manner? Does not the Lord see it? Does not the Lord acknowledge it? Will not the Lord take it into account in the day when the rewards are handed out for faithfulness in the most important things?
Stop for just a moment your feverish activities. Stop and listen to the cry of your soul longing, panting, dying for daily communion with the God that created it. Let your heart be touched by its desperate cry. Bring it to the Oasis and see it revive. Repent then of your neglect and change your ways in not forgetting to daily feed and water your soul.
Jeremiah 29:13 - And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. (image placeholder)
November 26, 2005
Psa 42:2 KJV My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
David had the ordinances. David had the Ark. David had the sacrifices. David had the prophets Nathan and Samuel at his service to give him God’s Word. David even had within himself a gift of prophecy that uncontrollably flowed out of him, but yet, he said that his “soul thirsteth for the living God.”
David talks about God’s protection with faith, about God’s provision with anticipation, about His redemption with assurance, but yet his “soul thirsteth for the living God.”
Many of us can be satisfied with less than the best. Many of us claim to have a God that is the King of the universe, yet act as if He was an impotent, deaf, dumb, irrational and indifferent deity which lives so far away from them that He has no clues about their needs and heart cries.
David believed in a God that was alive, free, attentive to his needs--big or small. He believed in a God that is close to us, relevant, dedicated to our welfare. Believing in such a God as this, he could not be satisfied with the mediocrity of religious rituals, with shadow-pictures, with the rehearsals pertaining to future bounty and salvation, nor with anything that put God in a box that made Him less than the All-in-All. David needed more than the offices of religious duties to be satisfied, rituals and traditions couldn’t quench his spiritual thirst.
Dear child, in your discovery of God, do not stop at the mediocre, do not stop at the emulation projected by earthly elements. The emptiness, the hunger, the dissatisfaction that is within you cannot be filled with anything pertaining to this earth, or with any religious function. The only thing that will ever fill you to the fullest is the Living God Himself, the great “I Am that I Am”. So appear before Him daily in prayer. He is waiting for you, not just to hear the sound of your voice, but also to speak to you and fill your heart with the fullness of His everlasting Water of Life.
For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
(Heb 10:1 KJV)
November 27, 2005
(Psa 42:3 KJV) My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
One can come to such a place in his life when weeping lamentations supplant the voice of laughter. Sorrow and pain can take its toll on a human being so much that he can fall in such a state of depression that he cares no more to tend to his basic needs such as food, sleep or safety. Such was the state of the King in this verse. His state of offense was so great, his sorrow so immense, that he could not eat. He fasted and wept for the desolation of his heart.
What was the offense that so disturbed the King? What was the sin, the impertinence that caused him such grief? Was it his family situation? After all, his only daughter was killed by one of his sons, who in turn was murdered by another one of his sons who constantly stood in rebellion against him. He also carried the weight of the repentance of his own sins, which caused the sword to never depart from his house (2 Sam 12:10).
No! His grief and depression had nothing to do with ungrateful and selfish complaints pertaining to his personal conditions. Even when he was in bad health, he continually praised the Lord for his goodness, protection, provision, grace and mercies. His deep grievance was the blasphemous insults of the unbelievers against his God.
Beloved, if we are to complain and be vexed about anything, let it not be about His goodness towards us. Rather, let us be offended at the insults that are hurled at Him. Each unbelief, each doubt, each denial of His presence is an insult and an offense to His Name. As proud children, let us defend the honor of our Father even when don’t understand Him. As a proud “Bride”, let us stand with such love and trust at the sides of our “Husband” knowing that whatever others may say about Him, He is true.
Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
(Rev 2:4 KJV)
November 28, 2005
(Psalms 42:4 KJV) When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
David here utters a melancholic cry as he remembers good times of worshipping God in the congregation during religious feasts. There are times in life when God allows our enemies in the form of adversarial circumstances to overcome us and as a result, we lose many of the spiritual blessings God had so freely given us. This usually (but not always) happens as a result of our willful disobedience to Him. One may wonder, “How can we do this; how can we willfully and voluntarily sabotage ourselves out of what seems a wholesome and near perfect situation or life?”
This is the history of mankind. Adam and Eve were not content in the perfect happiness of the Garden of Eden and voluntarily chose out. Many people today, of their own choice, decide to leave wholesome and healthy conditions to go to a lesser state of living, in order to avoid having to keep some “rules” they would have to observe. This is very much like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, where their condition was dependant to their obedience to one rule (Gen 2:16,17). Jesus illustrated this point by saying, “men loved darkness rather than light” (John 3:19).
It is one thing to never have experienced wholesome, beautiful healthy living in the Spirit of God, but oh, what a dreadful predicament it is to have freely received it only to lose it later through sin or personal sabotage.
It has been said that we never appreciate what we have until we lose it.
“Lord, help me to be thankful, to count my blessings and realize how good I have it--to know that even the things that You refuse to give me are what keeps me happy and healthy.”
It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
(Psalms 119:71 KJV)
November 29, 2005
(Psalms 42:5 KJV) Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
What happens to a child who never gets the firm coaching and directing of loving concerned parents? What happens to a seedling that grows without a lead? What happens to a soul who never gets wholesome direction from one’s conscience?
Do you talk to your soul? Do you ask it to render an account of its feelings? Do you question your heart to find out if its inner conversation is based on the solid rock of the factual Word of God, or on the lying sand of emotion? Do you correct it, scold it, direct it? Or do you let it run wild like a spoiled child?
When you feel down, tell your soul to look up. When you feel discouraged, remind it of the wonders of God’s provision and protection. When you feel directionless, turn the ears of your heart towards the flow of the heavenly channel. When your soul has lost hope, ignore its feelings in favor of retiring to the closet of praising prayer.
Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
(Hebrews 6:19 KJV)
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
(Proverbs 4:23 KJV)
November 30, 2005
(Psalms 42:6 KJV) O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
What is the best way to lift your soul out of the dumpster of discouragement and doubt? What is the best antidote against the devilish lies that cause your spirit to be cast down?
Sit down, play the “Glad Game”! Think of all the things that you have, and then imagine them all gone! How often have you ever thanked God for your sight? A group of visitors at a summer resort had watched the sunset from the gallery of the hotel. A fat, unromantic-looking man had lingered until the last glow faded, & had seemed thrilled through & through by the beauty of it all. One guest, more observant than the rest, wondered about this, & so at supper she said to this man, who sat next to her, "You certainly did enjoy that sunset, Mr. B. Are you an artist?" "No, Madam, I'm a plumber," he responded with a slow grin. "But I was blind for five years."
O my child, to remember the Lord in a spirit of thankfulness is not the natural inclination of man’s complaining and insatiable nature. It takes a conscious effort to command your soul to stop whining, and remember all of His goodness towards you. Realize that every step we take without falling is a miracle of God’s creation. It is even more a miracle to take those steps in the right direction, away from your sinful condition.
Remember His goodness everyday by CHOOSING to thank Him for all that you have-- FOR EVERY ASPECT of the conditions of your life. By the same token, CHOOSE TO IGNORE what you don’t have that cause you grumble and complain. See if this will not bring your soul back from the slough of self-pity. A grateful and thankful heart is the key out of the dungeon of despair.
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
(Philippians 4:11 KJV)
December 01, 2005
Psa 42:7-8 KJV Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. (8)Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
In the days of Noah, “deep” called “unto deep” (Gen 7:11) in order to destroy “every living substance” (Gen 7:4) from the face of the earth except for the inhabitants of the Ark. All the creatures that lived on the earth were destroyed except for Noah’s family on whom God had commanded His lovingkindness. Noah knew and believed God’s Words that even if the whole earth were engulfed in water, God’s command of protection was upon him in the daytime and in the nighttime. If he worried, all he had to do was to remember God’s Words.
There are times when life seems to be a constant struggle for survival and staying afloat. There are times when it feels like the one side of hell has called onto the other one to help it drown you in a sea of problems that defer you from the main focus of your life, and it’s all you can do to try to keep up--times when billows of discouragement follow waves of problems, and there is no way to stop the incoming flood.
My friend, do you then remember God’s command of goodness to wards you? Do you then tell your soul to remember God’s promises so to take you out of the pit of despair?
Peter had Jesus to look upon when he started to drown, today we have His Words of promise, “I will not leave thee nor forsake thee.” (Jos 1:5)
Mat 14:27-31 KJV
(27) But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
(28) And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
(29) And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
(30) But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
(31) And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
December 2, 2005
Psa 42:9-10 KJV I will say unto God my rock, “Why hast thou forgotten me? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, “Where is thy God?”
While dying on the cross, Jesus experienced certain abandonment from His father. He had to go through the lonely death of the sinner, death without God in order to be a high priest tempted in all things just as we are (Heb 4:15).
There are also time in our lives when we fell God is not present, when we know He looks at us, sees our desperate plight, but does not answer. When like Abraham, we wait for the blessed promise while seeing the years decaying our bodies, and after receiving it, God asks for it back in seeming total disregards for our wasted confused feelings. On top of it all, enemies, and even “bad blood” relatives who wish our downfall exacerbate the situation by questioning the avail of our avail. When God seems to be so slow at vindicating Himself and we take the brunt of the derision of the short-sighted earthlings.
During these times, their foolish and puny words seem as swords in our soul, but we dare not take away the punch line of the story from God by trying to project His own vindication, and justifying Him before as if He needed to defend His ways and prove His Wisdom and ways to anyone.
When Jesus was asked to go to the bedside of His bosom friend Lazarus, He purposedly waited two days before arriving though He knew His friend was dying. When He arrived, Lazarus’ sister couldn’t help but remarked to Jesus that if He had been present, maybe her brother would still be alive.
He waited for Abraham and Sarah’s body were decayed to fulfill the promise of a son, He waited for Lazarus to be dead to raise him up again. God comes at the last minute, and even after, after all of man’s attempts to save Himself have shown themselves to no avail so that He can do a miracle in the sight of all and teach us to put our trust in Him.
Are you waiting on God for a project, the salvation of a friend, for a desperate change in a n excruciating situation?? Fret not, He will not be a second too late, and He will work, fulfill His promises to you in a way that all will look in awes of praises mixed with shame for their unbelief.
Isa 55:9 KJV
(9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
December 3, 2005
(Psa 42:11 KJV) Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
As a person’s physical health is reflected on his countenance, so it is with the spiritual health. There is no face make-up in this world that can bring freshness and youth like what a God-abiding heart will. No amount of foundation will cover the wrinkles of passing years, no blush will bring the colors of health, no lipstick the attraction, and no eye-shadow, mascara or eye-liner will give the eyes the vitality and truth that is brought on one’s face by the Spirit of God.
In His days, Jesus told the Pharisees, “ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.” In the Middle Ages, when washing was complicated process, nobles used to cover their faces with white powder in order to hide the dirt and “look” clean.
Dear ones, do you do the same? Do you cover your face with “white” to hide the dirt? Do color it to hide the sickly look that could be the result of unhealthy living and appetites? Do you dress your eyes with colors to bring them the light that you feel is missing?
Dress yourself with the Lord! Fill yourself with His Spirit through the things that you see, hear, think and meditate on; He will be health, vitality and beauty in you that will surpass earthly works of the flesh.
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
(Isa 40:29-31 KJV)
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