October 21 ~ Psalm 103:6-18
6-18 God makes everything come out right;
he puts victims back on their feet.
He showed Moses how he went about his work,
opened up his plans to all Israel.
God is sheer mercy and grace;
not easily angered, he's rich in love.
He doesn't endlessly nag and scold,
nor hold grudges forever.
He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve,
nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.
As high as heaven is over the earth,
so strong is his love to those who fear him.
And as far as sunrise is from sunset,
he has separated us from our sins.
As parents feel for their children,
God feels for those who fear him.
He knows us inside and out,
keeps in mind that we're made of mud.
Men and women don't live very long;
like wildflowers they spring up and blossom,
But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly,
leaving nothing to show they were here.
God's love, though, is ever and always,
eternally present to all who fear him,
Making everything right for them and their children
as they follow his Covenant ways
and remember to do whatever he said.
(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.)
Oh, how I love Psalm 103! The words of these verses are so encouraging. If this passage sounds vaguely familiar, take a look at the phrase “And as far as sunrise is from sunset, he has separated us from our sins.” In many translations, this phrase says that our sins are scattered as far as East is from West! Isn’t that wonderful? Isn’t that a promise to hang on to and remember? When someone tells me, “I don’t know if God can ever forgive me… I’ve asked Him, but I have done such despicable things” – I am more than happy to tell them that Psalm 103 says that God will scatter the sins of those who ask His forgiveness… “as far as East is from West!” Hallelujah! That is so, so comforting!
You know, when you commit a crime and are convicted, you usually have to “do the time.” And some crimes are so serious that a record of them follows you forever. Certainly many of our sins are so serious, so horrible that by all rights, the stain of them should follow us the rest of our lives. But PRAISE GOD, He does not operate in the ways of the world. In Him, our stains are washed away by the blood of Jesus, and the slate is wiped clean. I am so humbled by this. I am filled with joy over even the THOUGHT that God would love me enough to do this.
1 Corinthians 8:3 says “But if any man love God, the same is known of him.” (KJV). In The Message, this scripture is translated as “We never really know enough until we recognize that God alone knows it all.” I am so grateful that God DOES know it all… and He loves me anyway. Remember – God scatters the sins of those who ask His forgiveness as far as East is to West – and praise Him for such amazing love!
©2008 Debbie Robus
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October 20 ~ Psalm 103:1-5
1-2 O my soul, bless God. From head to toe, I'll bless his holy name!
O my soul, bless God,
don't forget a single blessing!
3-5 He forgives your sins—every one.
He heals your diseases—every one.
He redeems you from hell—saves your life!
He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown.
He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal.
He renews your youth—you're always young in his presence.
(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.)
Are you discouraged? Has school, work, poor health, family struggles, the economy, loss of loved ones and more got you down? Psalm 103 is your “rescue” Psalm! God is your answer! Remember, you can’t wear the garment of praise and the garment of despair at the same time! So let’s put on that praise garment, and with everything in us, let’s bless the holy name of God!
I strongly encourage you to not only read and re-read today’s verses, but you might want to jot down Verses 3-5 and keep them in your pocket or your purse! Remind yourself that God forgives your sins, heals your diseases, saves you from hell, crowns you with love and mercy, wraps you in goodness and keeps you forever young in His presence! This is GREAT NEWS! This is fabulous information to keep handy! Times ARE troubling. People are worried, upset and concerned about a myriad of issues. But GOD is still in control… and these verses are a wonderful reminder and explanation of how - and why - He deserves our praise… now more than ever!
©2008 Debbie Robus
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October 19 ~ Psalm 100:4-5
4 Enter with the password: "Thank you!"
Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
Thank him. Worship him.
5 For God is sheer beauty, all-generous in love,
loyal always and ever.
(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.)
Let’s look at these verses in the King James translation:
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
I think it is important to see this Psalm in the old translation of King James – the poetry – and to study it in tandem with the contemporary language of The Message as we examine what it means for us today. What if your password to access your e-mail account required you to “thank” the computer? “That’s absurd!” you might be saying. And you are right. Your computer, while a wonderful invention that makes your life – and mine – so much easier in many ways, does not deserve thanks and praise on the level due our God! The psalmist is telling us to come before God with praise and thanksgiving – blessing His name – because He is sheer beauty, all-generous in love and mercy, loyal and true forever and ever! He is giving us distinct, detailed steps for approaching our God in prayer and praise!I’ve been reading about prayer lately – and how people have “styles” of prayer just as varied as their personalities. Some pray with history – reminding God of how He worked in the past. Some pray with immediacy, calling on God to do TODAY what he has done for others in days of old. Others pray with love – interceding on behalf of people who don’t even know a prayer is being offered. Still others pray with confrontation – calling out the devil and rebuking him in the name of Jesus, believing that God will “have their back!” And often, we pray a “mix” of all of these prayer styles. The interesting thing is that in all prayer styles, there are common denominators. And one of these is praise. Terry Teykl, pastor and author of How to Pray After You’ve Kicked the Dog, says that “Praise is the physical manifestation of faith. It is your emotional expression of love, gratitude, reverence and adoration to your heavenly Father. It is the speed bump that will arrest your thoughts and enable you to honor God, build your faith and persevere as you wait for an answer.” (p. 186)
Tekyl further cites Isaiah 61:1-3 “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” (Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
The point Rev. Teykl makes is that “the ‘garments of praise’ simply cannot be worn at the same time as the ‘spirit of despair’.”(p.191) And that is the point I want us to get today from this passage. Our “password” to reach God – the key to prayers that unlock answers from God and mercy that is everlasting, and truth that endures forever – is PRAISE and THANKSGIVING! I don’t know about your “wardrobe,” but I do not want mine to contain any spirit of despair. I’m wearing my “garments of praise and thanksgiving” – are you?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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October 18 ~ Psalm 100:1-3
1-2 On your feet now—applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter,
sing yourselves into his presence.
3 Know this: God is God, and God, God.
He made us; we didn't make him.
We're his people, his well-tended sheep.
(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.)
The King James Version of this scripture passage is probably familiar to you:
1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
We talked yesterday about “making a joyful noise,” and that is what most people focus on in this Psalm, and yes, it is important. But today I want us to think about Verse 3 – and how God made us. Notice in The Message translation, it says that God made US – we did not make HIM! I think this is really important, because some of us seem to have forgotten WHO is God here… WHO is really in charge! We try to be like someone else instead of who God made us to be. We want what others have, and that’s nothing new. Go back and read the story of David and Goliath. King Saul tried to get David to wear his armor. It was far too big and heavy for David, and in the end, he did not wear it as he faced the giant.
But how often do we put on someone else’s “armor?” How often do we fail to thank God for who and how He made us, because we are so busy trying to be like someone else? We want the same house, car, clothes, job, social status, body, hair, athletic ability, family, friends, and more as the person we look at and assume “has it all.” I will never forget once when my car was full of junior-high aged girls, and we were discussing houses. The family of one of the girls was building a massive home… thousands of square feet, several levels and rooms on a scenic lot. Certainly no one else in the car had a house anywhere near as large or opulent as this girl’s – and some of the girls lived in homes that would be considered quite minimal by comparison. I was asking about the house - when it would be completed, what this girl’s room would look like – and she answered my questions. But she added, “I would much rather have XYZ’s house, though. My house is a HOUSE – hers is a HOME!”
Let’s face it… things are not always as they seem. The opulent house, the beautiful body, the athletic ability, money, cars, and other “armors” we may desire to “wear” are not always as wonderful as we think. Sometimes these things are “big and heavy” and do not fit us at all. Why? Because they are not what God intended. Maybe He intended for you to drive an old clunker, be ten or twenty pounds chunky with frizzy hair that won’t lie still, but a Sunday School teacher who would tell countless small children about His love. Maybe He intended for you to work a nine-to-five hourly job and go home to a small frame house with a squeaky door – and maybe you don’t have an athletic bone in your body, but on Saturdays you help unload supplies at the local food pantry and witness to countless needy people. Maybe He gave you wealth and every advantage, but He intended for your life to be one of public service and philanthropy with those gifts, through donations to charities and going on mission trips.
The point is, God made EACH of us for a purpose… and it is not to chase the dream of being something or someone else! We are to be all that we can be, within His framework, and to focus on Him – His service, His glory and His praise. If we remember WHO made us and do all we can to live up to His design, God will bless us and care for our every need. Make a joyful noise – serve the Lord with gladness - know that HE is GOD, and we are His people… His sheep whom He loves and blesses.
©2008 Debbie Robus
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October 17 ~ Psalm 98:4-9
4 Shout your praises to God, everybody!
Let loose and sing! Strike up the band!
5 Round up an orchestra to play for God,
Add on a hundred-voice choir.
6 Feature trumpets and big trombones,
Fill the air with praises to King God.
7 Let the sea and its fish give a round of applause,
With everything living on earth joining in.
8 Let ocean breakers call out, "Encore!"
And mountains harmonize the finale—
9 A tribute to God when he comes,
When he comes to set the earth right.
He'll straighten out the whole world,
He'll put the world right, and everyone in it.
(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.)
On the evening of October 10th, I checked my e-mail and found a message from our church volunteer coordinator. The subject line said “Death of a Church Member.” Reluctantly I opened the message, not sure whose name I would find. What I discovered took my breath. It was Dave Pierce, age 61, a newly licensed Methodist minister. Earlier this year, Dave became pastor of two small churches near Batesville, Arkansas. He had been to visit members of these congregations and was returning home. His motorcycle hit a deer… Dave was killed.
My heart sank. Anyone who knew Dave knew him to be one of the most exuberant, joy-filled, overflowing Christian men on the planet. You couldn’t have a sad conversation with Dave. In my experiences with Dave, he was always “up!” I was heartsick for his family, his friends, and his church family – especially the two congregations he had served for about four months, and all the Walk to Emmaus Community who loved him so dearly. I knew that Dave will be sorely missed by many.
But I was also filled with joy for Dave, because THIS was the day he waited for – the day when He would meet Jesus face-to-face. I envisioned Dave standing at the feet of Jesus and talking and talking – he will have so much to discuss with the Master! And as this Psalm suggests, I envisioned the “heavenly orchestra” – a full ensemble with more than one hundred angels in the choir. I envisioned all of nature harmonizing - and the purest, sweetest, richest songs of praise being offered to God for someone like Dave! I could almost hear the orchestra and choir as they thundered a “Welcome Home!” song that thanked God for men like Dave and his ministry on God’s behalf. And when Dave was comfortably settled at the feet of Jesus, I could hear him shouting, “Encore! Encore!” before the music started again.
We don’t have to wait until a loved one goes to heaven to sing praises or “strike up the band” to glorify God. Dave would be among the first to tell us to be joyful HERE and NOW – to celebrate God with everything we have in us, and when we’re done, to shout “Encore” and do it all over again. I cannot be sad about Dave or other believers who sit in the presence of God today. I must honor their hard work and witness on earth by continuing the music and praise with all I have in me. “Let loose and sing! Strike up the band! Shout your praises to God, everybody!” Let all the earth join in and glorify His name!
©2008 Debbie Robus
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October 16 ~ Psalm 98:1-3
1 Sing to God a brand-new song. He's made a world of wonders!
He rolled up his sleeves,
He set things right.
2 God made history with salvation,
He showed the world what he could do.
3 He remembered to love us, a bonus
To his dear family, Israel—indefatigable love.
The whole earth comes to attention.
Look—God's work of salvation!
(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.)
Do you ever get tired… I’m talking bone-weary tired? Do you ever feel like all you want to do is just lie down, close your eyes, and shut out the whole world? Have you ever been so tired that, despite your best efforts to stay awake, you fell asleep? Have you ever started watching something on TV - or a movie, and the next thing you knew, the credits were rolling and you had slept through it?
We all get tired. Many of us truly are fatigued… so worn out from the work and stress of our daily lives that we can fall asleep virtually anywhere, anytime! It’s not that we are not loving, caring, conscientious people. We care about our families, our spouses, our jobs, our church, our community, our home, and more. But we have a limited capacity, and sometimes, we just literally tap out (or is it “in”?) and exhaust our resources!
I am so thankful that God NEVER tires. His love is indefatigable! He never runs out of energy or resources for us. While our life’s “movie” plays, God never sleeps. He is “on the clock” 24/7/365 for us! Now, how can we do anything BUT praise such love and care? God’s salvation is ALWAYS at work for us… His sleeves are rolled and He is constantly setting things right in our world of wonders! Sing to God a brand-new song today… a song of praise and thanksgiving for His endless energy and love!
©2008 Debbie Robus
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October 15 ~ Psalm 97:7-12
7-8 All who serve handcrafted gods will be sorry—
And they were so proud of their ragamuffin gods!
On your knees, all you gods—worship him!
And Zion, you listen and take heart!
Daughters of Zion, sing your hearts out:
God has done it all, has set everything right.
9 You, God, are High God of the cosmos,
Far, far higher than any of the gods.
10 God loves all who hate evil,
And those who love him he keeps safe,
Snatches them from the grip of the wicked.
11 Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God's people,
Joy-seeds are planted in good heart-soil.
12 So, God's people, shout praise to God,
Give thanks to our Holy 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 watched a cable television program recently about socialite women in Atlanta. You can’t imagine how self-absorbed and over the top these women were – and how much money they spent on the stupidest things. But it was all very important to them. You might say they made their image and how others perceived them their “false god.” One of the ladies in the group threw a party, and the guest list was carefully scrutinized. She told her personal assistant that she did not want any “riff-raff” getting into the party. Security personnel were placed at the front door of the house, and names were checked off to ensure that everyone who entered was truly on “the list.”
Two other socialites arrived at the party together. Both of these women had gone to great lengths to get their hair, makeup and clothing just right for the big event. One lady named NeNe (I am NOT making this up!) had gone on and on about how she was going to outshine the hostess. She said, “When I walk through the door, everyone is going to notice and say, ‘Oooooo… NeNe is here!’”
Well, you can probably guess what happened. There was an error of sorts, and when NeNe walked through the door, she was not on the guest list, and security guards asked her to leave! She was more than hurt – she was absolutely furious! She created a scene on the front lawn, and then she and her friend left the party – and the other guests continued to celebrate with the hostess. And I am sure in subsequent episodes of this program, viewers will be privy to an all-out war between “NeNe” and the party hostess!
Now, this was a rather far-flung illustration of this scripture passage. But consider this… these people – both women AND men – are worshipping money and the lifestyle and image it can buy. I don’t know their personal life – and certainly I don’t know their heart and faith, spiritually. But it occurs to me that if they spent less time on themselves, homes, cars, clothes and parties – and more time focusing on God and serving Him, they wouldn’t get into these messes. It’s a matter of priorities. The Bible says we cannot serve two masters – and we can’t serve money and God, either. At some point, God will say, “Enough,” and those who have served other “gods” will not be on His “guest list!”
I don’t know about you, but I do NOT want this to happen to me! Scripture tells us that God loves those who love Him and desire to serve Him. Money will get us nowhere in heaven, and honestly, money and other false “gods” have no lasting power even on earth! They are as fickle and temporary as the wind… here today and gone tomorrow! What LASTS… what MATTERS… is GOD! Serve Him gladly – and only HIM! Others will be caught by surprise – and disappointed – when their “gods” fail them. Our God Almighty will NEVER fail. Serve God alone, and enjoy the security and abundance of His blessings.
©2008 Debbie Robus
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