September 28 ~ Psalm 77:1-10
1 I yell out to my God, I yell with all my might, I yell at the top of my lungs. He listens.
2-6 I found myself in trouble and went looking for my Lord;
my life was an open wound that wouldn't heal.
When friends said, "Everything will turn out all right,"
I didn't believe a word they said.
I remember God—and shake my head.
I bow my head—then wring my hands.
I'm awake all night—not a wink of sleep;
I can't even say what's bothering me.
I go over the days one by one,
I ponder the years gone by.
I strum my lute all through the night,
wondering how to get my life together.
7-10 Will the Lord walk off and leave us for good?
Will he never smile again?
Is his love worn threadbare?
Has his salvation promise burned out?
Has God forgotten his manners?
Has he angrily stalked off and left us?
"Just my luck," I said. "The High God goes out of business
just the moment I need him."
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Does this passage describe you to a “T”? Are you in the middle of something so stressful or challenging that you are wondering how you will ever survive it? Maybe you are juggling a heavy college study load – and even a job on top of that – or a family – or both! Maybe you have a new job, or new or bigger responsibilities at work, and you feel like the more you do, the more the boss gives you to do, and it seems like an endless cycle. Maybe you are in a relationship that is struggling – or has broken up completely. Maybe a friend or loved one has stopped communicating with you – and you don’t have the foggiest idea how or why this happened – or how to fix it.
Maybe you are worried about the state of the world – the war and the failing economy and whether you will have enough money to pay your bills now, much less retire someday. Maybe you are having health issues – and if you are fortunate enough to have health insurance, you are worried it won’t be enough to cover your care and recovery. Maybe things are going pretty well in your life right now… but you know from experience that troubles come to everyone, and you have had your share and probably will have more.
This particular passage doesn’t end positively – you will have to read again tomorrow to see how this resolves! But let me assure you, whatever you are going through, God has NOT gone out of business! He KNOWS what is happening to you… and HE has answers and options. God will give you the strength and courage to endure – remember Philippians 4:10-14 – “I'm glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you're again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don't mean that your help didn't mean a lot to me—it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles.” Another translation/paraphrase of verse 13 says, in essence, “I can do all things through Christ Jesus, who strengthens me.” And we CAN do exactly that! Let’s focus more on what God has done for us – and what He will do in the future – and less on our troubles. We CAN make it through anything in the One who makes us who we are… that is GREAT NEWS!
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 27 ~ Psalm 68:19-34
19-23 Blessed be the Lord—
day after day he carries us along.
He's our Savior, our God, oh yes!
He's God-for-us, he's God-who-saves-us.
Lord God knows all
death's ins and outs.
What's more, he made heads roll,
split the skulls of the enemy
As he marched out of heaven,
saying, "I tied up the Dragon in knots,
put a muzzle on the Deep Blue Sea."
You can wade through your enemies' blood,
and your dogs taste of your enemies from your boots.
24-31 See God on parade
to the sanctuary, my God,
my King on the march!
Singers out front, the band behind,
maidens in the middle with castanets.
The whole choir blesses God.
Like a fountain of praise, Israel blesses God.
Look—little Benjamin's out
front and leading
Princes of Judah in their royal robes,
princes of Zebulon, princes of Naphtali.
Parade your power, O God,
the power, O God, that made us what we are.
Your temple, High God, is Jerusalem;
kings bring gifts to you.
Rebuke that old crocodile, Egypt,
with her herd of wild bulls and calves,
Rapacious in her lust for silver,
crushing peoples, spoiling for a fight.
Let Egyptian traders bring blue cloth
and Cush come running to God, her hands outstretched.
32-34 Sing, O kings of the earth!
Sing praises to the Lord!
There he is: Sky-Rider,
striding the ancient skies.
Listen—he's calling in thunder,
rumbling, rolling thunder.
Call out "Bravo!" to God,
the High God of Israel.
His splendor and strength
rise huge as thunderheads.
35 A terrible beauty, O God,
streams from your sanctuary.
It's Israel's strong God! He gives
power and might to his people!
O you, his people—bless God!
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Who doesn’t love a parade?! Our team wins the World Series… the home city throws a grand parade. Ditto for the winning team in the Super Bowl. Confetti abounds, the team members ride through the throng in convertibles, waving their caps that proclaim them the best of the best (for that year, at least!) and people take time off from work and school to line the streets and cheer like maniacs.
Now go back a year or two – to the time of King David! He’s suggesting a parade, too – but not for a football or baseball team. He is suggesting we hold a parade to celebrate GOD and how He has annihilated His enemies – the agents of Satan. There won’t be cap waving and confetti, because that’s not God’s style. He really isn’t into openly boasting about all that He does. And yet, nobody – NOBODY deserves the accolades more than God!
So, how DO we celebrate the Most High God in a way that is worthy of His greatness? For starters, let’s try praising Him in our daily prayers. Tell Him how amazing He is to you and how much you value your relationship with Him. Worship in public (church) with others and sing hymns and songs of praise. If you are moved to lift your hands and wave them in adoration, go for it! If that is not your style, open your mouth and sing, or clap your hands. Credit God for His work in your life – and in the lives of others. Be a cheerful, willing servant – ready to give back to the One Who has given you everything.
I am more and more amazed every day at how quick we are to celebrate everything and everyone under the sun – just about any excuse for a party or celebration will do. But when it comes to God and celebrating Him, we’re often simply too busy. We need to “reboot the hard drive” a little and change the way we think. We need to realize that the biggest and best celebrations should be in honor of the God of the Universe. I don’t know about you, but I feel a “Holy parade” coming on… will I see you there?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 26 ~ Psalm 68:11-18
11-14 The Lord gave the word;
thousands called out the good news:
"Kings of the armies
are on the run, on the run!"
While housewives, safe and sound back home,
divide up the plunder,
the plunder of Canaanite silver and gold.
On that day that Shaddai scattered the kings,
snow fell on Black Mountain.
15-16 You huge mountains, Bashan mountains,
mighty mountains, dragon mountains.
All you mountains not chosen,
sulk now, and feel sorry for yourselves,
For this is the mountain God has chosen to live on;
he'll rule from this mountain forever.
17-18 The chariots of God, twice ten thousand,
and thousands more besides,
The Lord in the lead, riding down Sinai—
straight to the Holy Place!
You climbed to the High Place, captives in tow,
your arms full of booty from rebels,
And now you sit there in state,
God, sovereign God!
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
I have to admit that this was one of those passages that I read and re-read in several translations. I reviewed several commentaries and asked over and over, “What does this passage mean for us?” And the answer that kept coming to me was to stay faithful… to be who and what God wants us to be rather than what MAN wants. It may not be popular, and it may not even be pleasant at times, but in the end, the only thing that matters is pleasing God.I know it’s hard sometimes to choose to follow God over fitting in with your friends. I know at times it is so tempting to just follow the crowd. After all, the media is full of messages that “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” and “the coolest people drink this or that drink, as long as you ‘drink responsibly.’” We see celebrities who have been elevated to iconic heights who dress in next to nothing, partying and misbehaving and then appearing as spokespersons for the latest critical cause or global issue.
We see leaders of businesses, government and even churches who are chasing wealth and fame at the expense of everyone around them, and there doesn’t seem to be much consequence when they are “called on the carpet” for their indiscretions, greed or unlawfulness. And honestly, it may seem like the “good life” comes to this sort of people while we “honest” folks are left to struggle. You may even know someone of whom you have said, “How is it they always come out smelling like a rose, while I skimp and scrape and work hard and barely get by?”
Can I tell you something? There will come a day when God will do just what He did in this passage. He will get so fed up with the rebellion and the deceit and the lying and the sinfulness, and those who have gotten caught up in it and served the devil will have to account for all that has happened, and God will in essence “scatter them to the four winds.” Meanwhile, those who have stayed faithful – those who have followed God and served Him well and lived a life of obedience and honor to our Heavenly Father and His only Son, Jesus Christ – will be given a seat at the High Place. We will sit at the feet of God, our arms full of riches. And all of the “glory” of this earth won’t mean a thing.
So keep your “eye on the Prize” – salvation in Jesus Christ equals a rich, amazing eternity in Heaven. What happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas, but God knows – EVERYTHING – and He is the only One who matters. Those who appear to “have it all” will have to choose for themselves Who to serve. Stay faithful and obedient to God. Serve HIM, and store up your treasure for Heaven.
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 25 ~ Psalm 68:5-10
5-6 Father of orphans,
champion of widows,
is God in his holy house.
God makes homes for the homeless,
leads prisoners to freedom,
but leaves rebels to rot in hell.
7-10 God, when you took the lead with your people,
when you marched out into the wild,
Earth shook, sky broke out in a sweat;
God was on the march.
Even Sinai trembled at the sight of God on the move,
at the sight of Israel's God.
You pour out rain in buckets, O God;
thorn and cactus become an oasis
For your people to camp in and enjoy.
You set them up in business;
they went from rags to riches.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
I don’t think there is a person among us who wouldn’t argue this is a great time of uncertainty for our nation – and indeed the world. Financial institutions are crashing, wars are raging, buildings are being bombed, natural disasters are plaguing the earth. This passage reminded me of a little girl whose mother deserted her and two sisters. Her dad took the family to Taco Bell one night, and as they reached the drive-thru window, this then 5-year-old girl looked at the cashier in the window and asked, “Will you be my mother?”
Such desperation is almost unfathomable for most of us, and yet who among us hasn’t wondered, “Where are we headed?” How many widows have wondered, “Who will care for me now?” How many times have we watched the nightly news and wondered, “What will become of us?”
The answer is HERE – in Psalm 68 – GOD is still in control. He pours out rain on the deserts and cares for the widows and orphans. GOD takes us from “rags to riches,” houses the homeless, and frees each of us from all types of bondage. No matter how hopeless things may appear, we must cling to these verses from Psalm 68 and be encouraged. The earth may tremble and even “break out in a sweat,” but God is still with us. He knows our every need, and He WILL meet them. I don’t know about you, but this gives me great comfort. NOTHING is so bad that God can’t fix it… I’m believing that for the long haul… are you?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 24 ~ Psalm 68:1-4
1-4 Up with God! Down with his enemies!
Adversaries, run for the hills!
Gone like a puff of smoke,
like a blob of wax in the fire—
one look at God and the wicked vanish.
When the righteous see God in action
they'll laugh, they'll sing,
they'll laugh and sing for joy.
Sing hymns to God;
all heaven, sing out;
clear the way for the coming of Cloud-Rider.
Enjoy God,
cheer when you see him!
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Dodgeball… do you remember that game? We lined the wall of the school building (or the side of the house), and somebody was “It” with a basketball, kickball, or some other pretty good sized ball. We watched in anticipation as “It” got ready to hurl that ball toward us with all of his/her might, and as the ball was released, we scattered away from the intended point of contact. Sometimes we didn’t quite make it, and man oh man, that ball could hurt in the hands of a really strong “It” person! This is what I thought of when I envisioned God approaching the enemies and scattering them with just the anticipation of His power.
On the other hand, think of a football game where all seems lost for our side. Down several points, we are wondering how we will ever rally. But we have hope, because we know we have a really strong quarterback and some great receivers. There isn’t much time left, but these guys don’t need much time. All they need is a good play and some missed assignments by the defense, and we will be in the lead. Everything works as it is supposed to, and we score, and the crowd goes wild! We celebrate our quarterback, the team, and the coaches. We go on and on about how amazing they are and how smartly they played and how proud we are to have them on “our side!”
These are silly analogies, in some aspects, for the enemies of God – and certainly for God’s power and amazing righteousness, and in no way do I mean to diminish or belittle either of them. But we can relate to dodgeball. We’ve all cheered at a football game. We have most likely all faced an enemy of the Lord… an agent of the devil in the form of temptation, sickness, misfortune, and sin. The question becomes, have we “partied like a rock star” and “cheered like a fan” for God? Have we celebrated Him appropriately for all He does for us? Isn’t it time we did?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 23 ~ Psalm 67
1-7 God, mark us with grace and blessing! Smile!
The whole country will see how you work,
all the godless nations see how you save.
God! Let people thank and enjoy you.
Let all people thank and enjoy you.
Let all far-flung people become happy
and shout their happiness because
You judge them fair and square,
you tend the far-flung peoples.
God! Let people thank and enjoy you.
Let all people thank and enjoy you.
Earth, display your exuberance!
You mark us with blessing, O God, our God.
You mark us with blessing, O God.
Earth's four corners—honor him!
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Ten years ago this very day, the morning dawned like many others in late September … humid, with the prospect of a bright sunrise. I watched out the window of my brother’s bedroom as neighbors dashed out in bathrobes to retrieve their newspapers and those who had to be at work especially early pulled up the street in front of my parents’ house. Shortly before 7:00 a.m., I woke my mother and my dad, and together with my sister and my brother’s Hospice nurse (and close friend) Ginger, we surrounded Tim’s bed and said “Goodbye.” Gently he slipped into heaven, where I know angels ushered him into the presence of God. I can still picture the events of that morning vividly… and especially the nights and days that filled the couple of weeks before Tim’s death, and it seems like they happened yesterday, not a decade ago.
So what does this have to do with a Psalm about the joy of the Lord? I’ll tell you! Recently, a childhood friend died from brain cancer. He was a brilliant surgeon – only 45 years old. At his graveside service, a dear Christian lady I know leaned over to me and said, “What a waste! I just don’t understand this.” My comment to her was this… “Take a look around at all of the people who are here to celebrate his life. Think of the countless people he touched with his surgical skills. Look at his children and his family and the legacy he has left.” Yes, it was a sad day. Yes, we will miss him and my brother… and countless other loved ones who have preceded us to heaven.
But look at the words of this Psalm again… “the whole country will see how You work, all the godless nations see how You save… You mark us with blessing.” I can’t count the people who were marked with blessing because of my brother – his engaging personality, his loving care as a registered nurse, his kindness and acceptance of others. Ten years later, God is still using him to bless others, through memories and the legacy he left us. Fellow nurses tell me that not a week goes by that they don’t refer to Tim in some manner in their conversations. And they will do the same with our dear friend and his family – and countless others. Even death cannot diminish God’s glory and His blessings. Even grief cannot hold up to the joy of God’s promises, His mighty works, and His amazing grace and power!
Please understand me… grief is not a bad thing, and I have grieved the loss of many. God understands we will be sad and ache for our loved ones… He knows what it is to suffer loss. But GOD is never lost to us… He never stops blessing… never stops working in and through us and those who have already gone to Him. He continues to mark us with His grace and blessings. So today, I will celebrate my brother by enjoying God and His awesome goodness. I will think of Tim and others who are in heaven and I will thank God and shout in my heart with happiness… and I will SMILE! Let ALL people thank and enjoy God today… and I hope you are smiling, too.
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 22 ~ Psalm 63
1 God—you're my God! I can't get enough of you!
I've worked up such hunger and thirst for God,
traveling across dry and weary deserts.
2-4 So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open,
drinking in your strength and glory.
In your generous love I am really living at last!
My lips brim praises like fountains.
I bless you every time I take a breath;
My arms wave like banners of praise to you.
5-8 I eat my fill of prime rib and gravy;
I smack my lips. It's time to shout praises!
If I'm sleepless at midnight,
I spend the hours in grateful reflection.
Because you've always stood up for me,
I'm free to run and play.
I hold on to you for dear life,
and you hold me steady as a post.
9-11 Those who are out to get me are marked for doom,
marked for death, bound for hell.
They'll die violent deaths;
jackals will tear them limb from limb.
But the king is glad in God;
his true friends spread the joy,
While small-minded gossips
are gagged for good.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Probably all of us have visited an all-you-can-eat buffet. Most certainly we have helped ourselves to a salad bar with a vast number of options. We’ve been to cafeterias where we must choose between those jiggly jello salads with the fruit or a tossed salad – the chicken or the roast beef – mashed potatoes or rice pilaf. It can almost be overwhelming at times. And often, particularly at a buffet, we want at least “a little dab” of everything we see, and we leave stuffed to the point we feel we might pop if someone bumps us!
Do you ever feel that full of God’s Holy Spirit? Do you ever feel like you came into God’s presence ravenously hungry and thirsty for His word and His love and you absorbed it like a sponge, poured over the scriptures, basked in the worship and the words and the prayers and walked away completely stuffed… and maybe even overwhelmed by God and His blessings? I don’t know about you, but for me, this doesn’t happen nearly often enough!
So what can we do? I believe that this experience takes effort on our part. We must place ourselves in a position to enjoy God’s spiritual buffet. We have been invited to dine… now it is up to us to show up… to open our Bibles, to pray, to go to church and engage in worship with fellow believers. We need to ignore the gossip and low-minded thinking and talk of those the devil is using to try to knock us off our game. We need to focus on finding the good in people and situations and looking at everything from the perspective of finding God in the details and the outcome.
We’ve probably all heard the story of the man who went on the cruise and took peanut butter and crackers to eat, and at the end of the cruise, the captain explained to him that all meals were included in the price… he could have dined like a king any time he chose. Yet he sat in his cabin eating peanut butter and crackers. Is that how we are spiritually? The price has been paid in full for us to dine like kings and queens on God’s blessings. But we have to “step out of the cabin” and open our eyes and ears and realize what awaits us. I know what I’m choosing… and it ain’t the devil’s “peanut butter and crackers”… what about you?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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