Our senses are fragile things, dainty things, occasionally trustworthy, yet always demanding of perspective. Our senses need horizons, they need gauges, they need rules by which to apply themselves, and in the sand storm there is no horizon and there are no rules.”
–Louis L’Amour (Last Stand at Papago Wells)
“Our great desire is that you will keep right on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent….”
“Our great desire is that you will keep right on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent….”
–Hebrews 6:11-12(NLT)
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Psalm 89 is one of those special psalms which should be contemplated and meditated upon. It is powerful and one that should stir our very souls. Today’s portion holds some vital truths that we would do to get into our hearts and minds.
8 — O LORD God of hosts, who is mighty like You, O LORD? Your faithfulness also surrounds You.”
9 — You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, You still them.
10 — You have broken Rahab in pieces, as one who is slain; You have scattered Your enemies with Your mighty arm.
11 — The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; the world and all its fullness, You have founded them.
12 — The north and the south, You have created them; Tabor and Hermon rejoice in Your name.
13 — You have a mighty arm; strong is Your hand, and high is Your right hand.
14 — Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; mercy and truth go before Your face.
15 — Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O LORD, in the light of Your countenance.
16 — In Your name they rejoice all day long, and in Your righteousness they are exalted.
17 — For You are the glory of their strength, and in Your favor our horn is exalted.
18 — For our shield belongs to the LORD, and our king to the Holy One of Israel. (NKJV)
Grasp the thought of verse 8–faithfulness. It has been translated “steady” or “faith” in other portions of the Old Testament. Faithfulness is at the very core of God’s character! He will not try to do what He promises like we humans do, but He is mighty enough to do them. He doesn’t need helpers. Oh, He might use angels to help, He might use us as His instruments, but none of us are capable of keeping the promises of God.
There are other characteristics of God we see in this portion: righteousness, justice, unfailing love, truth. Think of this–characteristics of God that we can count on. When things seem to be falling apart in our lives or in the world around us we can rely upon the character of God to see us through. Just realize that God can do only that which is right, just, equitable, and fair. We can trust Him! We can count on Him! He will never fail us!
One great theologian, Alexander Maclaren said that verse 15 should be paraphrased thusly, “Oh! How blessed are the people who are sure that they have God with them, and who, being sure, bow before Him in loving worship.” Are you sure? As His children we can be sure that He is steady; He is faithful. He will guide and care for us, and will be that shield when the enemy attacks. “As we steadily trust in God’s steadiness and faithfulness, we find life, even when the powers of death surround us. He holds us up in his mighty arms, and he will not let us down.” (William Petersen)
“Firm as His throne His promise stands,
And He can well secure
What I’ve committed to His hands
Till the decisive hour.”
–Isaac Watts
———————————-
Psalm 89 is one of those special psalms which should be contemplated and meditated upon. It is powerful and one that should stir our very souls. Today’s portion holds some vital truths that we would do to get into our hearts and minds.
8 — O LORD God of hosts, who is mighty like You, O LORD? Your faithfulness also surrounds You.”
9 — You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, You still them.
10 — You have broken Rahab in pieces, as one who is slain; You have scattered Your enemies with Your mighty arm.
11 — The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; the world and all its fullness, You have founded them.
12 — The north and the south, You have created them; Tabor and Hermon rejoice in Your name.
13 — You have a mighty arm; strong is Your hand, and high is Your right hand.
14 — Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; mercy and truth go before Your face.
15 — Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O LORD, in the light of Your countenance.
16 — In Your name they rejoice all day long, and in Your righteousness they are exalted.
17 — For You are the glory of their strength, and in Your favor our horn is exalted.
18 — For our shield belongs to the LORD, and our king to the Holy One of Israel. (NKJV)
Grasp the thought of verse 8–faithfulness. It has been translated “steady” or “faith” in other portions of the Old Testament. Faithfulness is at the very core of God’s character! He will not try to do what He promises like we humans do, but He is mighty enough to do them. He doesn’t need helpers. Oh, He might use angels to help, He might use us as His instruments, but none of us are capable of keeping the promises of God.
There are other characteristics of God we see in this portion: righteousness, justice, unfailing love, truth. Think of this–characteristics of God that we can count on. When things seem to be falling apart in our lives or in the world around us we can rely upon the character of God to see us through. Just realize that God can do only that which is right, just, equitable, and fair. We can trust Him! We can count on Him! He will never fail us!
One great theologian, Alexander Maclaren said that verse 15 should be paraphrased thusly, “Oh! How blessed are the people who are sure that they have God with them, and who, being sure, bow before Him in loving worship.” Are you sure? As His children we can be sure that He is steady; He is faithful. He will guide and care for us, and will be that shield when the enemy attacks. “As we steadily trust in God’s steadiness and faithfulness, we find life, even when the powers of death surround us. He holds us up in his mighty arms, and he will not let us down.” (William Petersen)
“Firm as His throne His promise stands,
And He can well secure
What I’ve committed to His hands
Till the decisive hour.”
–Isaac Watts