I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD. Psalms27:13-14
We come to the third and final part of the Psalm in which David brings together his faith-full start in v.1-6 with the choosing-to-courageously trust section in v.7-12. (The whole of the Psalm is pasted below...)
David has not yet seen the conclusion of his current trial, but he is confident that he will "see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." It's interesting, it is not the end of trouble that has David's hopes up - it is seeing God's goodness. Sometimes we get to experience God's goodness in the ending of our trouble and sometimes we experience God's goodness even though the trouble hasn't gone away.
But how do we bring the optimistic faith of v.1-6 together with the courageous faith in v.7-12? How do we keep trusting and hanging on?
David doesn't mince his words in the final verse:
1. We have to learn to wait (David says this twice!) Sometimes God's timing isn't the same as our desires. Someone once said: "God isn't always there when I want Him, but He is always right on time!"
2. We must be strong and we must take heart. This means making choices, it means that we don't let our emotions run the show, it means that we choose to trust, that we hang on and that we push through.
And we will see God's goodness!
And as David anticipated in v6 we will be able to say:
"Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the LORD."
---------------------------------------
That brings us to the end of our series and I will take a break until the third term. God bless, Theo
---------------------------------------
PS 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation--
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life--
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh,
when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then will I be confident.
4 One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the LORD.
7 Hear my voice when I call, O LORD;
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, "Seek his face!"
Your face, LORD, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
O God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
breathing out violence.
13 I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Friday, June 21, 2013
Thursday, June 20, 2013
EMMDEV 2013-06-20 [Trusting Faith] An important prayer in trouble
Teach me your way, O LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
breathing out violence. Psalms27:11-12
When we go through hardships we are at risk of falling into traps of bitterness, cynicism and temptation.
David prays a courageous prayer in the midst of his trouble:
-Teach me YOUR way
-Lead me in a STRAIGHT path
It is very tempting to "fight fire with fire" or "repay a wrong with a wrong." When we are depleted and demoralised, it is tempting to take shortcuts or let our tongues run away with us. When we fall into these traps, we fall into the Enemy's hands.
David's earnest prayer begins with God ("do not hide Your face"), then moves to himself ("teach me Your way"), and to his enemies ("don't turn me over to their desires").
David recognises that when we are in trouble, we often focus on the problem (the illness, the financial shortage, the conflict, the heartache, the loss) but we should focus on staying close to God, keeping our integrity intact and then on the problem.
This takes courage, but it bears good fruit!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
breathing out violence. Psalms27:11-12
When we go through hardships we are at risk of falling into traps of bitterness, cynicism and temptation.
David prays a courageous prayer in the midst of his trouble:
-Teach me YOUR way
-Lead me in a STRAIGHT path
It is very tempting to "fight fire with fire" or "repay a wrong with a wrong." When we are depleted and demoralised, it is tempting to take shortcuts or let our tongues run away with us. When we fall into these traps, we fall into the Enemy's hands.
David's earnest prayer begins with God ("do not hide Your face"), then moves to himself ("teach me Your way"), and to his enemies ("don't turn me over to their desires").
David recognises that when we are in trouble, we often focus on the problem (the illness, the financial shortage, the conflict, the heartache, the loss) but we should focus on staying close to God, keeping our integrity intact and then on the problem.
This takes courage, but it bears good fruit!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
EMMDEV 2013-06-19 [Trusting Faith] Parents
My heart says of you, "Seek his face!"
Your face, LORD, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
O God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me. Psalms27:8-10
Yesterday we saw that even after starting out with bold certainty, David is able to express some of his desperate longing and he articulates the fears and doubts that have been gnawing at his soul.
But even as he expresses his worries ("Don't hide your face, turn away, reject or forsake me"), David also affirms his core belief: "Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me."
As unlikely it is that parents will forsake their children, it is even less likely (i.e. impossible) that God would forsake him.
God says the same thing in Isaiah 49:15
"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget, I will not forget you!"
David's faith is not bravado or stoicism but it is also not a careless plunge into emotionalism. This is a fine balance:
He expresses faith, brings his doubts to God and then takes a firm stand.
May we do the same!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Your face, LORD, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
O God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me. Psalms27:8-10
Yesterday we saw that even after starting out with bold certainty, David is able to express some of his desperate longing and he articulates the fears and doubts that have been gnawing at his soul.
But even as he expresses his worries ("Don't hide your face, turn away, reject or forsake me"), David also affirms his core belief: "Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me."
As unlikely it is that parents will forsake their children, it is even less likely (i.e. impossible) that God would forsake him.
God says the same thing in Isaiah 49:15
"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget, I will not forget you!"
David's faith is not bravado or stoicism but it is also not a careless plunge into emotionalism. This is a fine balance:
He expresses faith, brings his doubts to God and then takes a firm stand.
May we do the same!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
EMMDEV 2013-06-18 [Trusting Faith] Faith needed
My heart says of you, "Seek his face!"
Your face, LORD, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
O God my Savior. Psalms27:7-8
In the next couple of verses David moves from positive confident faith expression to a tone that sounds a little fearful and insecure and is more of a plea than a dogmatic statement of faith. The change is so abrupt that some commentators speculate that this is actually a separate psalm.
I think there is a better way to resolve the change in tone...
When faith is one hundred percent certain, then it is fact and not faith. Faith is always a leap into trust. As David faces his circumstances there are two issues: His knowledge and experience of God on the one hand and the challenge of his circumstances on the other.
He has discovered that God is good and he remembers that God has been faithful in the past, but now he is faced with a set of circumstances that put that to the test. This is the divide that faith must bridge. David bridges the gap with _relational_ faith.
Faith is not a rational exercise. It is not simply stoically believing in my idea of God. That is a mere mental exercise and runs the danger of being idolatry. David's belief in God means that he reaches out to his God. Real faith is not a rational determined cognitive belief in a set of principles. Faith is not in the head. Real faith is to reach out in trusting _relationship_.
For David faith means reaching the end of his own abilities and seeking God's face, asking for help.
So the psalm takes on a desperate tone.
David sounds a little like the dad of the demon-possessed boy who cried out to Jesus: "Lord I believe, help my unbelief."
Like the dad, David takes the problem to God.
(We'll unpack this some more tomorrow...)
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Your face, LORD, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
O God my Savior. Psalms27:7-8
In the next couple of verses David moves from positive confident faith expression to a tone that sounds a little fearful and insecure and is more of a plea than a dogmatic statement of faith. The change is so abrupt that some commentators speculate that this is actually a separate psalm.
I think there is a better way to resolve the change in tone...
When faith is one hundred percent certain, then it is fact and not faith. Faith is always a leap into trust. As David faces his circumstances there are two issues: His knowledge and experience of God on the one hand and the challenge of his circumstances on the other.
He has discovered that God is good and he remembers that God has been faithful in the past, but now he is faced with a set of circumstances that put that to the test. This is the divide that faith must bridge. David bridges the gap with _relational_ faith.
Faith is not a rational exercise. It is not simply stoically believing in my idea of God. That is a mere mental exercise and runs the danger of being idolatry. David's belief in God means that he reaches out to his God. Real faith is not a rational determined cognitive belief in a set of principles. Faith is not in the head. Real faith is to reach out in trusting _relationship_.
For David faith means reaching the end of his own abilities and seeking God's face, asking for help.
So the psalm takes on a desperate tone.
David sounds a little like the dad of the demon-possessed boy who cried out to Jesus: "Lord I believe, help my unbelief."
Like the dad, David takes the problem to God.
(We'll unpack this some more tomorrow...)
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Friday, June 14, 2013
EMMDEV 2013-06-14 [Trusting Faith] Rescue and Thanksgiving
For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the LORD. Psalms27:5-6
The key to understanding this section of the psalm lies in something David says to Saul when just before facing Goliath. "The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." (1Sam17:37)
David uses his past to inform his future. In effect he is saying: "God has been trustworthy in the past - why will He stop now?"
As we enter into this long-weekend ahead of us...
- Has God been with us in the day of trouble?
- Have we, with His help, been able to overcome our enemies and challenges?
- Have we been able to lift up our heads after difficult times?
I think all of us can say "Yes - He _has_ been with us!"
David urges us to look back and then look ahead.
We can face the challenges in the future with the clarity that the past gives us.
But David also sets the example for us in the area of gratitude and praise. In the light of God's past-remembered and future-anticipated goodness, David chooses to sacrifice with shouts of joy and music and song.
God has been good to us and He will be good to us.
Let's be sure to offer Him praise.
Especially when we're gathered together as His people on Sunday, but we don't have to wait until then - we can start now!
HALLELUJAH!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the LORD. Psalms27:5-6
The key to understanding this section of the psalm lies in something David says to Saul when just before facing Goliath. "The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." (1Sam17:37)
David uses his past to inform his future. In effect he is saying: "God has been trustworthy in the past - why will He stop now?"
As we enter into this long-weekend ahead of us...
- Has God been with us in the day of trouble?
- Have we, with His help, been able to overcome our enemies and challenges?
- Have we been able to lift up our heads after difficult times?
I think all of us can say "Yes - He _has_ been with us!"
David urges us to look back and then look ahead.
We can face the challenges in the future with the clarity that the past gives us.
But David also sets the example for us in the area of gratitude and praise. In the light of God's past-remembered and future-anticipated goodness, David chooses to sacrifice with shouts of joy and music and song.
God has been good to us and He will be good to us.
Let's be sure to offer Him praise.
Especially when we're gathered together as His people on Sunday, but we don't have to wait until then - we can start now!
HALLELUJAH!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Thursday, June 13, 2013
EMMDEV 2013-06-13 [Trusting Faith] Faith and Focus
One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple. Psalms27:4
Part of David's faith is his focus.
So far into the Psalm David has indicated his steadfast trust in God who is His light, stronghold and salvation. Furthermore David has declared that _when_ (not _if_) trouble comes, he will not be unsettled or afraid...
How is he capable of such faith and courage??
Part of the answer lies in his FOCUS.
David does not focus on safety and security as the destination of his life. His end goal is not the comfort and complacency of earthly materialism. David is not concerned so much with where he will live and what his retirement will look like.
David simply wants to be in the presence of God - Doing what God wants and experiencing the closeness of God.
The word that the NIV translates as "temple" is better translated as "dwelling place" and we would do well to remember that the temple had not yet been built in David's time. David is not worshipping a church building... when he speaks of God's dwelling, he is thinking of the tent of the tabernacle that the Israelites erected wherever they camped on the way to the promised land.* David envisions God being with His people.
David's great faith emerges from a great focus.
While everyone else may true to live life cautiously avoiding trouble and saving up as much as possible for a secure retirement, David marches to the beat of a different drum:
He wants to know God, worship Him and live in His will.
This focus is the dynamo of great faith.
-------------------------------------------------
* Although it is true that David also dreamed of building a temple, his psalms always depict God as free and with his people and never convey the idea of God being confined to the temple.
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple. Psalms27:4
Part of David's faith is his focus.
So far into the Psalm David has indicated his steadfast trust in God who is His light, stronghold and salvation. Furthermore David has declared that _when_ (not _if_) trouble comes, he will not be unsettled or afraid...
How is he capable of such faith and courage??
Part of the answer lies in his FOCUS.
David does not focus on safety and security as the destination of his life. His end goal is not the comfort and complacency of earthly materialism. David is not concerned so much with where he will live and what his retirement will look like.
David simply wants to be in the presence of God - Doing what God wants and experiencing the closeness of God.
The word that the NIV translates as "temple" is better translated as "dwelling place" and we would do well to remember that the temple had not yet been built in David's time. David is not worshipping a church building... when he speaks of God's dwelling, he is thinking of the tent of the tabernacle that the Israelites erected wherever they camped on the way to the promised land.* David envisions God being with His people.
David's great faith emerges from a great focus.
While everyone else may true to live life cautiously avoiding trouble and saving up as much as possible for a secure retirement, David marches to the beat of a different drum:
He wants to know God, worship Him and live in His will.
This focus is the dynamo of great faith.
-------------------------------------------------
* Although it is true that David also dreamed of building a temple, his psalms always depict God as free and with his people and never convey the idea of God being confined to the temple.
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
EMMDEV 2013-06-12 [Trusting Faith] Trouble
When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh,
when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then will I be confident. Psalms27:2-3
David's faith is not ivory tower stuff.
His "fearless faith" isn't merely theoretical or philosophical.
Rather it is gold refined in the crucible of trouble.
For David trouble was physical - it was the threat of the enemy.
The enemy advances like a devouring lion and he comes in three stages: (Look at how David responds)
- the attack - "My enemy will stumble and fall"
- the siege - "My heart will not fear"
- the war - "I will be confident even then"
At this point it is significant to note that David has a brave heart and confidence in spite of and in the _presence_ of trouble and _not_ in trouble's absence. David accepts that trouble is part of life, but he experiences God in the midst of this trouble.
Today things are very different...
Today we wish for easy lives. We want lives without trouble.
We have come to believe that the absence of trouble means that we will be confident and that fear will disappear.
But that is a shallow faith.
David reminds us that we can experience faith even and especially in trouble.
In our world doubts attack, illnesses besiege and stress declares war on us. BUT our enemies are temporary (they stumble), our hearts are protected from fear and we gain confidence in Christ.
In John16:33 Jesus said "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
to devour my flesh,
when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then will I be confident. Psalms27:2-3
David's faith is not ivory tower stuff.
His "fearless faith" isn't merely theoretical or philosophical.
Rather it is gold refined in the crucible of trouble.
For David trouble was physical - it was the threat of the enemy.
The enemy advances like a devouring lion and he comes in three stages: (Look at how David responds)
- the attack - "My enemy will stumble and fall"
- the siege - "My heart will not fear"
- the war - "I will be confident even then"
At this point it is significant to note that David has a brave heart and confidence in spite of and in the _presence_ of trouble and _not_ in trouble's absence. David accepts that trouble is part of life, but he experiences God in the midst of this trouble.
Today things are very different...
Today we wish for easy lives. We want lives without trouble.
We have come to believe that the absence of trouble means that we will be confident and that fear will disappear.
But that is a shallow faith.
David reminds us that we can experience faith even and especially in trouble.
In our world doubts attack, illnesses besiege and stress declares war on us. BUT our enemies are temporary (they stumble), our hearts are protected from fear and we gain confidence in Christ.
In John16:33 Jesus said "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
EMMDEV 2013-06-11 [Trusting Faith] Not afraid!!
For the next couple of days we're going to spend time with Psalm 27 which I love a lot. Many in our congregation who have been for surgery have heard me read it to them before their operations. It's a psalm I love very much and it ties in with Isaiah 40...
Psalm 27 is a Psalm of David. The psalm brings faith and fear together in a special way. It is made up of three parts:
- Faith (vv.1-6)
- Fear (vv.7-12)
- Balancing Conclusion (vv.13-14).
Hope you enjoy the journey!
-------------------------------
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation--
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life--
of whom shall I be afraid? Psalms27:1
Hebrew poetry doesn't rhyme, but uses parallel or contrasting lines to make a point.
Our introduction to David's "stand of faith" is a parallelism.
Twice over it asks and answers the same question:
"Of whom shall I be afraid?"
"Whom shall I fear?"
None! Because God is light, He is salvation and He is the stronghold of life.
In David's context the threats were very physical:
Armies, battles, desert, endurance and survival.
Darkness was dangerous, not having backup was dangerous and not having shelter was dangerous.
Darkness and its uncertainty chokes and stifles us.
Being alone, without a Rescuer, sucks the life out of us.
Having no place of shelter is bad for us.
We need light, a Rescuer (salvation) and Shelter.
Here in this first verse, David reminds us that God provides all three:
Light - shining into and dispelling darkness.
Salvation - backup: a Rescuer who makes a way where there is no way.
Stronghold - fortress: Shelter for our souls and an unchanging God who holds us in the firm grip of grace.
When trouble comes,
there is the darkness of uncertainty and we need light.
there is the concern that we won't escape and we need salvation
there is a longing for something solid and unchanging so we need shelter.
David reminds us that these three are found with God!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Psalm 27 is a Psalm of David. The psalm brings faith and fear together in a special way. It is made up of three parts:
- Faith (vv.1-6)
- Fear (vv.7-12)
- Balancing Conclusion (vv.13-14).
Hope you enjoy the journey!
-------------------------------
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation--
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life--
of whom shall I be afraid? Psalms27:1
Hebrew poetry doesn't rhyme, but uses parallel or contrasting lines to make a point.
Our introduction to David's "stand of faith" is a parallelism.
Twice over it asks and answers the same question:
"Of whom shall I be afraid?"
"Whom shall I fear?"
None! Because God is light, He is salvation and He is the stronghold of life.
In David's context the threats were very physical:
Armies, battles, desert, endurance and survival.
Darkness was dangerous, not having backup was dangerous and not having shelter was dangerous.
Darkness and its uncertainty chokes and stifles us.
Being alone, without a Rescuer, sucks the life out of us.
Having no place of shelter is bad for us.
We need light, a Rescuer (salvation) and Shelter.
Here in this first verse, David reminds us that God provides all three:
Light - shining into and dispelling darkness.
Salvation - backup: a Rescuer who makes a way where there is no way.
Stronghold - fortress: Shelter for our souls and an unchanging God who holds us in the firm grip of grace.
When trouble comes,
there is the darkness of uncertainty and we need light.
there is the concern that we won't escape and we need salvation
there is a longing for something solid and unchanging so we need shelter.
David reminds us that these three are found with God!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Friday, June 7, 2013
EMMDEV 2013-06-07 [Renewing Strength...] Do you not know? #2
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah40:28-31
I was sorely tempted to send out only the text and say "enough said!" I didn't want to spoil this beautiful verses with inadequate commentary... (I'm still not sure that wouldn't have been better to say nothing... but here goes:)
And so we arrive to the great culmination of our journey.
Strategically positioned after the key complaint of the chapter, this final part of the "to whom?" and "do you not know?" question cycle brings to our hearts and minds the wonderful peace and comfort that God is with us in our troubles and renews our strength.
The previous "Do you not know?" dealt with the humbling of the arrogant and the powerful. This one deals with the strengthening of the tired, weary and weak.
Even youths and young men grow weary and weak. But God gives strength to the weary.
But note how Isaiah puts it to us:
He does not start with the need of the weary and weak.
He starts with the nature of God:
God is everlasting. God is the Creator.
God's nature is strength. God's nature is all-knowing.
God nature is to give.
- strength to the weary
- power to the weak
To soar on wings like eagles (to have perspective), to run and not grow weary to walk and not faint (to be inspired and persevere) comes from hoping in Him - from seeing Him clearly - from recognising that He meets us in our troubles and finds us in our brokenness.
This whole beautiful chapter has propelled us to this great and beautiful truth! Now go back and read our text passage slowly and joyfully...!!
=====================================================
That brings us to the end of this series - hope you have enjoyed it.
Schools close in two weeks time which means we have 8 devs before I take a break for the July holidays. Any suggestions on a short theme for the next two weeks??
God bless,
Theo
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah40:28-31
I was sorely tempted to send out only the text and say "enough said!" I didn't want to spoil this beautiful verses with inadequate commentary... (I'm still not sure that wouldn't have been better to say nothing... but here goes:)
And so we arrive to the great culmination of our journey.
Strategically positioned after the key complaint of the chapter, this final part of the "to whom?" and "do you not know?" question cycle brings to our hearts and minds the wonderful peace and comfort that God is with us in our troubles and renews our strength.
The previous "Do you not know?" dealt with the humbling of the arrogant and the powerful. This one deals with the strengthening of the tired, weary and weak.
Even youths and young men grow weary and weak. But God gives strength to the weary.
But note how Isaiah puts it to us:
He does not start with the need of the weary and weak.
He starts with the nature of God:
God is everlasting. God is the Creator.
God's nature is strength. God's nature is all-knowing.
God nature is to give.
- strength to the weary
- power to the weak
To soar on wings like eagles (to have perspective), to run and not grow weary to walk and not faint (to be inspired and persevere) comes from hoping in Him - from seeing Him clearly - from recognising that He meets us in our troubles and finds us in our brokenness.
This whole beautiful chapter has propelled us to this great and beautiful truth! Now go back and read our text passage slowly and joyfully...!!
=====================================================
That brings us to the end of this series - hope you have enjoyed it.
Schools close in two weeks time which means we have 8 devs before I take a break for the July holidays. Any suggestions on a short theme for the next two weeks??
God bless,
Theo
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Thursday, June 6, 2013
EMMDEV 2013-06-06 [Renewing Strength...] The key to the chapter
Why do you say, O Jacob,
and complain, O Israel,
"My way is hidden from the LORD;
my cause is disregarded by my God"? Isaiah40:27
As noted before, this verse is really the reason-for-being for this chapter.
This is the heart-cry of the exiles in Babylon.
Their experience of being defeated by a relentless enemy, losing all they held dear and being dragged off into a foreign land amounted to their own Job-like crisis of faith.
This heart-cry complaint is what elicits the fabulous God-picture we find in this chapter: The promise of comfort, a message in the wilderness, a Sovereign Shepherd, a big God: greater than idols and astrology, a God who humbles the proud. All these wonderful truths are a response to the heartache expressed in this verse.
There is a well known saying: "If you feel far from God, you need to realise that it may be you who has moved and not God."
Isaiah captures this thought in the complaint he puts in Israel's mouth: God is not the subject of the sentences. It is not "God has hidden Himself" and "God has disregarded us." In this the theology of the complaint is correct. It is the circumstances that cause us to lose sight of God. In this language use there is honesty and confession. It allows for the possibility that it is Israel that has moved and not God.
It is also a huge comfort to find this verse in Scripture. Isaiah is not angry that they have asked the question. He isn't saying: "Why have you dared to ask such an impertinent question." The rest of the chapter basically answers the question by saying: "if you look harder at God than at your circumstances, you will see that the question is irrelevant."
So now, the question that underlies the whole chapter has been asked and Isaiah will answer it with a crescendo "Do you not know?"
(I can't wait for tomorrow's EmmDev!)
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
and complain, O Israel,
"My way is hidden from the LORD;
my cause is disregarded by my God"? Isaiah40:27
As noted before, this verse is really the reason-for-being for this chapter.
This is the heart-cry of the exiles in Babylon.
Their experience of being defeated by a relentless enemy, losing all they held dear and being dragged off into a foreign land amounted to their own Job-like crisis of faith.
This heart-cry complaint is what elicits the fabulous God-picture we find in this chapter: The promise of comfort, a message in the wilderness, a Sovereign Shepherd, a big God: greater than idols and astrology, a God who humbles the proud. All these wonderful truths are a response to the heartache expressed in this verse.
There is a well known saying: "If you feel far from God, you need to realise that it may be you who has moved and not God."
Isaiah captures this thought in the complaint he puts in Israel's mouth: God is not the subject of the sentences. It is not "God has hidden Himself" and "God has disregarded us." In this the theology of the complaint is correct. It is the circumstances that cause us to lose sight of God. In this language use there is honesty and confession. It allows for the possibility that it is Israel that has moved and not God.
It is also a huge comfort to find this verse in Scripture. Isaiah is not angry that they have asked the question. He isn't saying: "Why have you dared to ask such an impertinent question." The rest of the chapter basically answers the question by saying: "if you look harder at God than at your circumstances, you will see that the question is irrelevant."
So now, the question that underlies the whole chapter has been asked and Isaiah will answer it with a crescendo "Do you not know?"
(I can't wait for tomorrow's EmmDev!)
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
EMMDEV 2013-06-05 [Renewing Strength...] To whom?? #2
"To whom will you compare me?
Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.
26 Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one,
and calls them each by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing. Isaiah40:25-26
The previous "To Whom" question had to do with idols. Now this "To Whom" question has to do with the starry host. This is not random.
The Babylonians were astrologers (not astronomers). They believed that the constellations influenced life-events an could be used to foretell the future. So the first "To Whom?" dealt with Israel's idolatrous past and this "To Whom?" deals with Israel's present temptation to adopt Babylonian Astrology.
The question here is as pointed as the one about the idols was. Surely the one who made the stars is greater than the stars? And He calls them out by name! When one looks at it rationally, worshipping idols that are made by human hands is futile and worshipping stars instead of the StarKindler is to miss the point.
God is greater than idols. He is greater than horoscopes or any other tool we try to use to predict (or control) the future. The universe is not a wound up clock that we live in where the pre-set paths of the heavenly bodies are our only clue and hope into the future. Our God is active in our history and our universe. He calls all things into being and purposes them by name.
There is nothing and no-one that compares with Him!!!
PS: The beautiful irony in these words is that 500 years later, God would call out one of the heavenly host to lead the wise men from the East (probably the same area as Babylon) to Bethlehem. When I get to heaven I will ask Him what He named that star!!!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.
26 Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one,
and calls them each by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing. Isaiah40:25-26
The previous "To Whom" question had to do with idols. Now this "To Whom" question has to do with the starry host. This is not random.
The Babylonians were astrologers (not astronomers). They believed that the constellations influenced life-events an could be used to foretell the future. So the first "To Whom?" dealt with Israel's idolatrous past and this "To Whom?" deals with Israel's present temptation to adopt Babylonian Astrology.
The question here is as pointed as the one about the idols was. Surely the one who made the stars is greater than the stars? And He calls them out by name! When one looks at it rationally, worshipping idols that are made by human hands is futile and worshipping stars instead of the StarKindler is to miss the point.
God is greater than idols. He is greater than horoscopes or any other tool we try to use to predict (or control) the future. The universe is not a wound up clock that we live in where the pre-set paths of the heavenly bodies are our only clue and hope into the future. Our God is active in our history and our universe. He calls all things into being and purposes them by name.
There is nothing and no-one that compares with Him!!!
PS: The beautiful irony in these words is that 500 years later, God would call out one of the heavenly host to lead the wise men from the East (probably the same area as Babylon) to Bethlehem. When I get to heaven I will ask Him what He named that star!!!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
EMMDEV 2013-06-04 [Renewing Strength...] Do you not know? #1
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood since the earth was founded?
22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
23 He brings princes to naught
and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
24 No sooner are they planted,
no sooner are they sown,
no sooner do they take root in the ground,
than he blows on them and they wither,
and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff. Isaiah40:21-24
Do you not know???
Isaiah will ask this question twice in this chapter:
- Once about God and the strong
- and then about God and the weak.
The Babylonians boasted that their gods were more powerful than Israel's God. They argued that this was why the Babylonians had conquered Jerusalem and dragged the Israelites into exile.
But this passage leaves us in no doubt. God is not weak - He is enthroned above all the universe and people. He brings princes and rulers to naught and nothing. He can uproot them and blow them away like chaff.
There is an important warning for the powerful here: There is a difference between responsibility and arrogance. When power is given, there is also responsibility. When power leads to arrogance instead of humble dependence on the One who privileges us with power, we become god-wannabees.
And god-wannabees will be brought to naught and nothing.
Human power doesn't impress or intimidate God.
There is also important comfort here. When we are under the whip and boot of the powerful, it is simply a matter of time before God sorts them out. The Babylonians were defeated overnight when the Persians diverted the Euphrates river and marched through thigh deep water to conquer the city without a fight. Shortly after that Cyrus allowed the exiles to return home.
Do you not know?
God is powerful - earthly power is temporary and God will overturn it.
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood since the earth was founded?
22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
23 He brings princes to naught
and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
24 No sooner are they planted,
no sooner are they sown,
no sooner do they take root in the ground,
than he blows on them and they wither,
and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff. Isaiah40:21-24
Do you not know???
Isaiah will ask this question twice in this chapter:
- Once about God and the strong
- and then about God and the weak.
The Babylonians boasted that their gods were more powerful than Israel's God. They argued that this was why the Babylonians had conquered Jerusalem and dragged the Israelites into exile.
But this passage leaves us in no doubt. God is not weak - He is enthroned above all the universe and people. He brings princes and rulers to naught and nothing. He can uproot them and blow them away like chaff.
There is an important warning for the powerful here: There is a difference between responsibility and arrogance. When power is given, there is also responsibility. When power leads to arrogance instead of humble dependence on the One who privileges us with power, we become god-wannabees.
And god-wannabees will be brought to naught and nothing.
Human power doesn't impress or intimidate God.
There is also important comfort here. When we are under the whip and boot of the powerful, it is simply a matter of time before God sorts them out. The Babylonians were defeated overnight when the Persians diverted the Euphrates river and marched through thigh deep water to conquer the city without a fight. Shortly after that Cyrus allowed the exiles to return home.
Do you not know?
God is powerful - earthly power is temporary and God will overturn it.
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
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