Psalms 62:1-2
"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken."
I was always one of those kids who would turn an ordinary couch into a pillow fortress or a wooden bunk bed into a regal castle, adorned with the "finest of linens" made up out of the sheets of my bed. With my brother as my prince and my sister as the princess, I would be queen of the land, dressed with a plastic crown on my head and a Disney princess costume touching the floor. From the top bunk, I could gaze across the land of beauty before me, imagining it an army on horses racing towards me, and a feeling of security behind my makeshift fortress. I would be lost in my kingdom for hours until a blanket would fall or a pillow would topple and I was brought back to reality again.
Psalms 18:2 reads,
"The Lord is my rock, my fortress, my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." (NIV)
Similar to Psalms 62, David writes Psalms 18 to remind himself of who he finds his security and strength in. Now take a look at the same verse in the Message translation:
"I love you God - you make me strong. God is the bedrock under my feet, the castle in which I live, my rescuing knight. My God--the high crag where I run for dear life, hiding behind the boulders, safe in the granite hideout." (The Message).
David describes God as a fortress and "castle," as well as a "rock" and a "granite hideout." For those of you who aren't scientifically savvy, granite rocks are igneous rocks that form out of cooling pockets of magma trapped under the earth's surface. This understanding allows you to realize that there's a reason why most monuments and historical buildings are made out of it: they last. From that, it is clear that God is not only reliable, but also long-lasting, faithful to sustain David whenever he needed Him.
David may have lived thousands of years ago, but he and I share one thing in common: a childlike imagination. Jesus said in Matthew 18:3, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." David understood that as, although he aged in years, he could always rely on God as his security. Looking back now, I too am learning how God is a place of refuge that I can trust will never fall ... He's more than a blanket or a pillow -- He's the rock on which I stand.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Psalms 97:5
Those seemingly giant obstructions and issues in life (like where to go to college and who to date and what to have for dinner) are nothing compared to God. You remember that big problem you thought you'd never get over on March 23rd, 1998? Or that gigantic issue that seemed to mess up your life on November 15, 2003? I certainly don't. Why? Because my God is so much bigger than those things. Of course, problems still taunt me daily, but it comforts me to know that, when I present the troubles to God in prayer, "they'll melt like wax" before Him. I'd LOVE to see that!
When you have a better understanding of who God actually is, you have a deeper awareness of His presence and power in your life. Suddenly, that colossal obstruction will turn into a miniscule puddle of wax, and that binding fear of a new-college chapter will disappear as you rely on the promise of God's protection. As Psalms 97:6 points out, God isn't a distant Santa-Claus figure bowling on occasion, or a "big guy in the sky"; instead, He's everywhere, present in all of His creation. The next time someone asks you who God is, just take a look around you: He is closer than you think, and greater than you could ever imagine.
When you have a better understanding of who God actually is, you have a deeper awareness of His presence and power in your life. Suddenly, that colossal obstruction will turn into a miniscule puddle of wax, and that binding fear of a new-college chapter will disappear as you rely on the promise of God's protection. As Psalms 97:6 points out, God isn't a distant Santa-Claus figure bowling on occasion, or a "big guy in the sky"; instead, He's everywhere, present in all of His creation. The next time someone asks you who God is, just take a look around you: He is closer than you think, and greater than you could ever imagine.
Psalms 97:4
If you were ever fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of a lightning bolt across a stormy sky, you'd be fascinated by it. But think about a lightning that not only affects you're town but one that occurs throughout the entire earth at the same time? This verse explains the magnitude of God's size over our earth. The Bible says that God holds the universe in the span of his hand, meaning from his thumb to his pointer finger (unfortunately, I can't think of that reference as of right now. If anyone else finds it, please let me know). And this all-powerful God has time to love me as his scriptures say? Yes! And it's his delight to, as well (Psalms 139).
Psalms 97:3
3 "Fire goes before him
and consumes his foes on every side."
Did you ever attempt to take out a flame with your finger but left it in too long? Who knew a small flicker could cause so much pain?! Well, apparently, this God that the Bible talks about isn't some wimpy, guy who needs angels to protect Him. Nope, according to this verse, God's enemies are extinguished and destroyed completely, even before He catches a glimpse of them. Just His presence ignites a flame that destroys anyone against Him. Certainly, that boosts my confidence in the fact that the angels who protect me are backed by a God who's all-powerful and mighty--even against the things I can't see!
and consumes his foes on every side."
Did you ever attempt to take out a flame with your finger but left it in too long? Who knew a small flicker could cause so much pain?! Well, apparently, this God that the Bible talks about isn't some wimpy, guy who needs angels to protect Him. Nope, according to this verse, God's enemies are extinguished and destroyed completely, even before He catches a glimpse of them. Just His presence ignites a flame that destroys anyone against Him. Certainly, that boosts my confidence in the fact that the angels who protect me are backed by a God who's all-powerful and mighty--even against the things I can't see!
Psalms 97:1-2
1 "The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad;
let the distant shores rejoice.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne."
If you put "reign" after the name of someone, chances are a sense of royalty and honor is associated with them. Therefore, simply because of David's descriptionPsalms 97 begins by labeling God as the Ultimate King. I've often thought about what it would be like to be the daughter of someone in high authority. Look at celebrities, princesses, princes...it's an entirely different world when you live in a place of honor, simply because of your associations. I mean, how secure would you feel if your dad was the president of the United States and you walked around with the Secret Service 24/7? You could go anywhere you wanted, and you'd be protected from all harm! Well, according to the Word, I'm a child of God, and I have angels surrounding me because of that. Oh, isn't it great to be a princess--a daughter of the King? Knowing that I have a God with an army of angels behind and besides me allows me to walk forward in courage as I head off to college. The journey ahead is unknown, as well as the problems and challenges that I may face. However, I can march ahead in strength instead of cowering back in fear, knowing that I'm certainly not alone. My God's just not a God who would leave his loved ones behind. It's just not the way He is.
let the distant shores rejoice.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne."
If you put "reign" after the name of someone, chances are a sense of royalty and honor is associated with them. Therefore, simply because of David's descriptionPsalms 97 begins by labeling God as the Ultimate King. I've often thought about what it would be like to be the daughter of someone in high authority. Look at celebrities, princesses, princes...it's an entirely different world when you live in a place of honor, simply because of your associations. I mean, how secure would you feel if your dad was the president of the United States and you walked around with the Secret Service 24/7? You could go anywhere you wanted, and you'd be protected from all harm! Well, according to the Word, I'm a child of God, and I have angels surrounding me because of that. Oh, isn't it great to be a princess--a daughter of the King? Knowing that I have a God with an army of angels behind and besides me allows me to walk forward in courage as I head off to college. The journey ahead is unknown, as well as the problems and challenges that I may face. However, I can march ahead in strength instead of cowering back in fear, knowing that I'm certainly not alone. My God's just not a God who would leave his loved ones behind. It's just not the way He is.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Psalms 97: So Who IS that Big Guy in the Sky, Anyway?
If you were to ask someone who God was, chances are they could recite a list of religious words and philosophical theories to you. If not, they'd probably shift their stance uncomfortably, point their thumb to the ceiling and whisper with a nervous laugh, "he's the big guy upstairs in charge of everything." Or, ask a young child the same question, and they'd come up with a more imaginative answer. Her eyes would widen, followed by a lift of her eyebrows and she'd exclaim, "He's kind of like Santa Claus, with the white hair and deep voice, except shinier."
Where are all of these ideas coming from? What is the root of these creative illustrations? They're all different because they're all dependent on an individual's perspective--an attempt by a limited human mind to understand an unlimited God.
When you want to get to know someone more, like a famous actress or actor, one would assume that you'd look into a biography of sorts. Well, it turns out that the Bible can be likened to God's autobiography. It is the "Word of the Lord," acting as a link between humans and the spiritual realm. In order to get a more accurate picture of who "the big guy upstairs" is, let's take a look at the words He uses to describe Himself:
Psalm 97:1-7
1 "The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad;
let the distant shores rejoice.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him
and consumes his foes on every side.
4 His lightning lights up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory."
Psalms 97 is only one of the many chapters in the Bible that describes God in comparison to things of this world. I've broken down these six verses in smaller segments, since in this case, it will be easier to discuss them out of context. Read on to the specific verses to see them described in detail.
Where are all of these ideas coming from? What is the root of these creative illustrations? They're all different because they're all dependent on an individual's perspective--an attempt by a limited human mind to understand an unlimited God.
When you want to get to know someone more, like a famous actress or actor, one would assume that you'd look into a biography of sorts. Well, it turns out that the Bible can be likened to God's autobiography. It is the "Word of the Lord," acting as a link between humans and the spiritual realm. In order to get a more accurate picture of who "the big guy upstairs" is, let's take a look at the words He uses to describe Himself:
Psalm 97:1-7
1 "The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad;
let the distant shores rejoice.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him
and consumes his foes on every side.
4 His lightning lights up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory."
Psalms 97 is only one of the many chapters in the Bible that describes God in comparison to things of this world. I've broken down these six verses in smaller segments, since in this case, it will be easier to discuss them out of context. Read on to the specific verses to see them described in detail.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Psalms 1: Growth
There's nothing as satisfying as a bite of juicy watermelon on a scorching hot summer day, or the delicious taste of grapes straight off of the vine. They're the evidence of hard work by the gardener's hand and the prize after a long season of cultivation. However, the apple you eat during your lunch hour and the oranges you snack on for breakfast wouldn't be there if it wasn't for the proper care during it's growing season. If the farmer forgot to prune or the plant wasn't watered, chances are there would be no fruit at all. If you think about it, fruit can be a little example of an everyday miracle...and an analogy at its best.
We all face seasons in our life where we are "growing"--going to a new school, experiencing a new friendship, working at a new job. However, we won't see the "fruit" of that growth unless we take care of ourselves properly.
Psalms 1:1-3 says,
The first thing David emphasizes in producing fruit is to be "planted by streams of water." This leads me to question: what does it mean to be planted? It's interesting that if you observe agriculture, all plants have some sort of roots, allowing them to withstand any weather and remain standing, no matter what might occur.
Similarly, we too have roots that will grow with the proper care. Like any plant, water, sunlight, and pruning are essential factors to our growth. Without any one of those things, our roots would be shallow and we'd risk falling at the instant a storm hits.
The Bible often refers to the Holy Spirit as water (1 Corinthians 6:11). Daily, we must find time to recognize and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit with our lives. As an ice-cold glass of water on a hot, summer day, engaging the Holy Spirit through prayer can be refreshing in a dry, spiritless world.
Our sunlight can be obtained through spending time in reading the Bible and prayer with God. Look at Isaiah 60:19:
"The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory."
God is sufficient for us and provides the warmth and the light we need in a dark world.
Lastly, one of the hardest but most essential aspects of growth is pruning. In a plant, typically a flowering one, it is vital for the gardener to pluck the dead flowers so that fresh buds could push through. Likewise, "God the Gardener" must prune the bad so that the new could grow in us and produce fruit (see John 15 for more about this).
God's first command to man was to "be fruitful." The Gardener, who knows his crops and everything that they need, is able to provide the water, light, and the pruning needed for man to succeed in fulfilling God's desire.*
We all face seasons in our life where we are "growing"--going to a new school, experiencing a new friendship, working at a new job. However, we won't see the "fruit" of that growth unless we take care of ourselves properly.
Psalms 1:1-3 says,
"1 Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers."
The first thing David emphasizes in producing fruit is to be "planted by streams of water." This leads me to question: what does it mean to be planted? It's interesting that if you observe agriculture, all plants have some sort of roots, allowing them to withstand any weather and remain standing, no matter what might occur.
Similarly, we too have roots that will grow with the proper care. Like any plant, water, sunlight, and pruning are essential factors to our growth. Without any one of those things, our roots would be shallow and we'd risk falling at the instant a storm hits.
The Bible often refers to the Holy Spirit as water (1 Corinthians 6:11). Daily, we must find time to recognize and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit with our lives. As an ice-cold glass of water on a hot, summer day, engaging the Holy Spirit through prayer can be refreshing in a dry, spiritless world.
Our sunlight can be obtained through spending time in reading the Bible and prayer with God. Look at Isaiah 60:19:
"The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory."
God is sufficient for us and provides the warmth and the light we need in a dark world.
Lastly, one of the hardest but most essential aspects of growth is pruning. In a plant, typically a flowering one, it is vital for the gardener to pluck the dead flowers so that fresh buds could push through. Likewise, "God the Gardener" must prune the bad so that the new could grow in us and produce fruit (see John 15 for more about this).
God's first command to man was to "be fruitful." The Gardener, who knows his crops and everything that they need, is able to provide the water, light, and the pruning needed for man to succeed in fulfilling God's desire.*
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