Scripture Nugget 7.7.2016

“When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was stupid and ignorant; I was like a brute beast toward you. Nevertheless I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me with honor. Who have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire other than you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Indeed, those who are far from you will perish; you put an end to those who are false to you. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, to tell of all your words.” Psalm 73:21-28

Why was the Psalmist’s soul embittered? The earlier verses in Psalm 73 express dismay and complaint that those who do wickedly, those who are evil seem to prosper, to have easy lives full of abundance; while the pure in heart, those who walk upright with God at times seem not to be blessed materially. How often do I look around at the false appearance of wealth and suppose that person (those persons) have it made? How often do I follow that false conclusion with a desire to have earthly treasures, earthly success? I realize that these thoughts separate me from God. Separated from God it is easy to become embittered in the soul and feel stabbed in the heart. There is no reception of God’s love, there is no sharing of God’s love with God or others. No wonder the flesh and heart fail, there is no life. Separated from God I will perish, I will become a brute beast, mean spirited, stupid and ignorant. At the end of the day, when the pity party is over I realize it is good to be near God, God is refuge, God is redemption, God is love. O praise God from whom all blessings flow! Both the upright and the evil will be judged, by God, in due time. How I, you, how all respond to Gods’ grace is going to determine the outcome of the judgment. Seeing, recognizing, accepting God’s grace results in admission of sins, confession of sins, turning from sins and asking forgiveness. Grace forgives, Grace forgets. Cleansed by grace I am able to enter closely into God’s presence. My soul is no longer embittered, my heart is full to overflowing not broken. For me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge!” I will tell all I can about God’s goodness, God’s mercy.

Scripture Nugget 7.6.2016

“Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me. I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God. … Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let those who love your salvation say evermore, ‘God is great!’ But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay!” Psalm 69: 1-3, 70:4-5

O God I need a broad place to stand, a place of assurance, a place where I am not in fear of drowning while quenching my thirst. How miserable it must be to be up to one’s neck in water, so deep the water washes completely over you, yet your throat is parched because you are afraid to drink deeply. O God lift me, lift us out of the deep! You are our help and deliverer. From where does help come from? Help comes from the Lord, God Almighty!

Scripture Nugget 7.5.2016

“For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken. How long will you assail a person, will you batter your victim, all of you, as you would a leaning wall, a tottering fence? Their only plan is to bring down a person of prominence. They take pleasure in falsehood; they bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Those of low estate are but a breath, those of high estate are a delusion; in the balance they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. Put no confidence in extortion, and set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them. Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and steadfast love belongs to you, O LORD. For you repay to all according to their work.” Psalm 62:1-12

I must admit that today, in wake of the FBI Director’s announcement I am shaken. Shaken by those who, like myself swore an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution against enemies foreign and domestic. Shaken by other men’s callous disregard for not only earthly law but God’s law. How we have sacrificed good and right for that which we can get away with. Well it appears there are no elected leaders willing to step up, to do right, to be obedient to God by holding evil doers accountable. I have no choice but to wait on God, to trust in God, to take refuge in God. I pray he repays all according to their work, very soon. I want to be shaken no more!

Scripture Nugget 7.4.2016

“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, until the destroying storms pass by. I cry to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. He will send from heaven and save me, he will put to shame those who trample on me. God will send forth his steadfast love and his faithfulness.” Psalm 57:1-3

Oh why is it that more often than not my first reaction is to fight back on my own? Why don’t I cry out to God, to seek God’s guidance, to seek God’s protection, to rest in God, to request God’s merciful touch? I know God is with me, I know God leads me, that God has a plan and purpose for me and that his will, will be done. Oh impatience, how much like a deep pit are you in my life? That I would always take refuge with God, find solace, rest and protection in God, The Rock, my Rock, who provides that which I seek in the “broad places” he leads me through. Watch out, those who set a net to entrap me or dig a trench for me to fall into; you will be caught up in your own schemes. For God, in His faithfulness, will send forth his steadfast love, providing refuge for me. Not just me but all who look to God for refuge and strength.

Scripture Nugget 7.3.2016

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. Restore me to the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.” Psalm 51:10-12

Today I preach about God’s work in an “unclean” gentile who is afflicted with a skin disease. He is unclean by faith, by disease and because he is an enemy of and has fought against Israel. Yet, God heals him. God removes the leprosy, God cleans his heart and God puts, within this general, a new and right spirit. I can hear Naaman crying out, repeating the words from the verses above. Over and over, he will pray these words as he returns to Damascus, an unclean city, where he will serve his unclean king. Because now he knows there is but one true God who heals, restores and redeems! O God that I always remember, that I turn to you, the only One able to clean hearts and insert new and right spirits, the only One who provides salvation and whose Spirit empowers. Thanks be to God!

Scripture Nugget 7.1.2016

“Depart from evil, and do good; so you shall abide forever. For the LORD loves justice; he will not forsake his faithful ones. The righteous shall be kept forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land, and live in it forever. The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak justice. The law of their God is in their hearts; their steps do not slip. The wicked watch for the righteous, and seek to kill them. The LORD will not abandon them to their power, or let them be condemned when they are brought to trial. Wait for the LORD, and keep to his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land; you will look on the destruction of the wicked. I have seen the wicked oppressing, and towering like a cedar of Lebanon. Again I passed by, and they were no more; though I sought them, they could not be found. Mark the blameless, and behold the upright, for there is posterity for the peaceable. But the transgressors shall be altogether destroyed; the posterity of the wicked shall be cut off. The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their refuge in the time of trouble. The LORD helps them and rescues them from the wicked, and saves them, because they take refuge in him.” Psalm 37:27-40

Return again to the thought of a “broad place” we considered yesterday. Praise God the righteous shall inherit the land, live in it forever and their steps will not slip. God provides a place of refuge for those who walk in His way, a stronghold protected from the wicked. He provides it forever. That’s a “broad place”, it’s large enough for all the righteous and it is permanent (forever), it’s large in size and time! In verse 34 we are told, “Wait for the LORD, and keep to his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land; you will look on the destruction of the wicked.” The way of the Lord is life lived with God, a life of holiness, there is no compromise. The boundaries of righteousness are defined by God. Within those boundaries we find the “broad place”, outside them we find the wicked, who will be destroyed. Don’t be fooled, there is one way to life with God, God defines it; I/you/we cannot redefine that way. We cannot redefine holiness. Attempting to do so, living as if we are able to re-write God’s way will cause us to leave the “broad place”, the refuge God provides. “But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed; the posterity of the wicked will be cut off.” Good news! God provides a “broad place”. Bad news! We cannot change the rules, the definitions of holiness. Good news! “The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their refuge in the time of trouble. The LORD helps them and rescues them from the wicked, and saves them, because they take refuge in him.” Psalm 37:39-40

Scripture Nugget 6.30.2016

“In you, O LORD, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me. Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me. You are indeed my rock and fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me, take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, Faithful God. You hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the LORD. I will exult and rejoice in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have taken heed of my adversities, and have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place.” Psalm 31:1-9

“A ‘broad place’ is one far from the enemies who would be otherwise pressing in.” (Wesley Study Bible notes, pg 662) A “broad place” or broad path makes for easy footing, one may move quickly, run actually since one isn’t worried about falling off a cliff or into a river. Being in a broad place brings safety and security as visibility is good, one can see far off, one’s enemies are kept at a distance, regardless of what those enemies are. Being in the presence of God, indeed is being in a broad place, a place of refuge, a place of safety, a place of redemption. Doctor Luke tells us that on the cross of crucifixion, “Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father into your hands I commend my spirit.” (Luke 23:46) From the cross! Stop, think through what Jesus has endured physically (not to mention emotionally, relationally, psychologically) during the past few hours. In faith, he proclaims what the Psalmist wrote years before, “Into your hand, I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.” (Psalm 31:5) The cross is a “broad place”; Jesus found redemption on the cross, because he did, I/you/we find redemption at the cross. But let’s not kid ourselves that this “broad place” welcomes us to enter continuing to sin. No, it is by God’s righteousness we are delivered, redeemed, welcomed into the refuge, the strong fortress of God’s steadfast love. Yes, sinners are welcome, yes, sinners find redemption and salvation but only when they trust God to forgive their sins. A few psalms back, Psalm 23 we read about a “broad place”; green pastures, by still waters, where souls are restored, where God leads on right paths (broad places), where a table is prepared in the presence of enemies, anointing occurs and grace overflows. The last verse says, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD my whole life long.” (Psalm 23:6) The house of God – is a broad place! O God that I trust enough to enter into your presence (broad place) forsaking the sin in my life, accepting the forgiveness you offer, knowing you have redeemed me. “Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. (Psalm 32:1)

Scripture Nugget 6.29.2016

“I believe I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” Psalm 27:13-14

What do you believe in? This is a statement of faith, bold in the here and now faith! The writer declares that he/she will see God’s goodness now – with the living. The Psalmist declares God’s living abundance is available to enjoy in the present. O give glory to God for the great things we have, do and will see in His presence in this lifetime!

Scripture Nugget 6.28.2016

“The law of the LORD is perfect reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgressions. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:7-14

God’s commands, will, boundaries, definitions are perfect, sure, right, clear and pure. My accepting, following and being faithful results in my soul revived, my mind filled with wisdom, my heart full and rejoicing, my eyes not only opened but seeing and understanding. All this lasts forever! God was before, is now and will be forever. God is everlasting as are God’s promises and direction. Will I, will you, will we be wise enough to conform to God’s will and desires or will we continue to ask God to rewrite His definitions to fit our own desires?

Scripture Nugget 6.25.2016

“The LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; …..”

Regardless of our present circumstances do we possess and demonstrate faith in God's promises for the future? Over-the-Horizon Faith, is the faith required to respond to God’s Over-the-Horizon promises; it is the faith needed to continue the journey He has called us to. It is the faith that keeps us going even in troubled times. Over-the-Horizon Faith gives us the patience to endure in good and bad times. It is a higher degree of faith than that required simply to be obedient. It is a faith of assurance. Job, possessed this faith from the beginning. He offered burnt offering for his children, just in case they had sinned – demonstrating his faith in God’s forgiveness. Even when all was taken from him, when his friends were of no real help, Job asked to speak with God. When God speaks directly to Job, Job returns to declare the faith he has possessed all along but had temporarily been detoured from. “In a kind of leap of faith, Job shouts, ‘I see’ (see 42:5). He does not diminish anything about God’s character – God’s power and purposeful creation, God’s justice and governance – all of which is shrouded in mystery. But the ultimate mystery is grace. Job confirms one of the lessons we learn from the saints of the ages. All the saints passionately sought and found a gracious God. God doesn’t come only in the whirlwinds of life, but more. God comes to is where we are. This is the pinnacle truth of the Christian faith, the incarnation; the mystery of God’s presence and grace.” (Life Application Topic – Mystery – Wesley Study Bible, pg 646)