eDevs

Thursday, November 19, 2020

EmmDev 2020-11-19 TYPO CORRECTION [Walk between the Lines] Hooked on God's Word

Hi everyone - there was a typo in the last line... Sorry. Thanks to BrianD for spotting it!

Hooked on God's Word

The letter "Tsadhe" has a wide range of connotations. It's associated with a fish-hook and all the thoughts that go with a lure: To pull or draw in, something inescapable or desirable. As such it also represents trouble and hunting. On a completely different tack it can also imply righteousness.

Not many of us can stay up late and get up early. There are some things that we are willing to "burn the candle at both ends" for.

The Psalmist will do it for God's Word.

He is in need of help. He is looking for answers. His enemies who devise wicked schemes are near and he is under pressure. He makes a decision to spend time with God's Word. He chooses a lifestyle where he can begin and end each day with a reflection on God's Word.

The idea of a "quiet time" - a time we set aside to read the Bible, reflect on it and pray - is not new. Throughout the centuries this discipline is has been seen as a fundamental to meaningful spiritual growth. These days of traffic, rush and scurry militate against our spending time with God like this, but as we find (make) time to eat and wash, we should be finding (making) time to read and reflect on God's Word and talk to Him in prayer.

The Psalmist's practice is helpful. He uses the parallels of morning and evening to highlight the basic framework. So,

Rise early and at night, keep your eyes open.
Cry for help, put your hope in the Word, meditate on the promises.
It does not need to take long - go for quality and not quantity.
Once you get into it, you will be amazed at how refreshing it is to body and soul.

Over 37 years of following Christ, I have found a clear pattern: I become selfish, ineffective, unproductive and lack courage when I neglect the daily routine. But I grow spiritually, handle challenges better and am more of a blessing to others when I have a simple daily pray-read-meditate routine in place.

God's Word leads us to His righteousness - we can take this "bait" or our enemies will hunt us...

Righteous are you, O LORD,
and your laws are right.
138 The statutes you have laid down are righteous;
they are fully trustworthy.
139 My zeal wears me out,
for my enemies ignore your words.
140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested,
and your servant loves them.
141 Though I am lowly and despised,
I do not forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is everlasting
and your law is true.
143 Trouble and distress have come upon me,
but your commands are my delight.
144 Your statutes are forever right;
give me understanding that I may live. (Psalms119:137-144)

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EmmDev 2020-11-19 [Walk between the Lines] Hooked on God's Word

Hooked on God's Word

Not many of us can stay up late and get up early. There are some things that we are willing to "burn the candle at both ends" for.

The Psalmist will do it for God's Word.

The Psalmist's practice is helpful. He uses the parallels of morning and evening to highlight the basic framework. So,

Rise early and at night, keep your eyes open.
Cry for help, put your hope in the Word, meditate on the promises.
It does not need to take long - go for quality and not quantity.
Once you get into it, you will be amazed at how refreshing it is to body and soul.

God's Word leads us to His righteousness - we can take this "bait" or our enemies will hunt us...

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

EmmDev 2020-11-18 [Walk between the Lines] Prayer after reading

Prayer after reading

The letter for this stanza is "Peh" and traditionally it has represented a mouth, an opening, an entrance with the idea of speaking, opening and beginning but it can also imply the present "here and now..."

This is a very wide range of meanings!

The stanza gives one the feeling that the Psalmist has reflected on God's Word and is now praying for help to put it all into practice...

He starts off by recognising that God's Word gives light and understanding (v129,130) and then describes something I have become familiar with: The more we read God's Word the more we want it.

The psalmist describes it as panting, but it is not like the stamps that pimps coat with narcotics so that kids become addicts unwittingly, but rather a conscious voluntary longing. The Psalmist reads and knows that the experience is good and longs for more.

Here we have what I like to call his "prayer after reading"

Have mercy on me: Scripture reveals that God alone can save us.
Direct my footsteps: The Word has shown the way, let me walk in it.
Let no sin rule over me: Someone said "This Book will keep you from sin, but sin will keep you from this Book"
Redeem me from the oppression of men: Resistance from men can discourage us greatly
Make Your face shine on me: I struggle to stay motivated, please reassure me of Your presence and empowering.

The stanza ends a picture of how his soul has been transformed. The law isn't external anymore - it's in his heart - and his heart breaks when God's law is disobeyed.

Your statutes are wonderful;
therefore I obey them.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
it gives understanding to the simple.
I open my mouth and pant,
longing for your commands.
132 Turn to me and have mercy on me,
as you always do to those who love your name.
133 Direct my footsteps according to your word;
let no sin rule over me.
134 Redeem me from the oppression of men,
that I may obey your precepts.
135 Make your face shine upon your servant
and teach me your decrees.
136 Streams of tears flow from my eyes,
for your law is not obeyed. (Psalms119:129-136)

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

EmmDev 2020-11-17 [Walk between the Lines] Seeing and Understanding

Seeing and Understanding

In this stanza (vv121-128) the lines start with the letter "Ayin" which is associated to the eye, seeing, looking, appearing, understanding and experiencing.

The Psalmist speaks about those who are oppressing him and about the temptation to walk a wrong path. The situation is getting desperate: His eyes are failing as he is looking for God's salvation and he is longing for God's promise.

In these desperate situations we often lose clarity and direction. Our ability to discern is often impeded and we can make poor judgement calls. So the psalmist sorts out his attitude and prays for discernment.

The attitude adjustment is to remind himself that he is a servant. -Servants don't demand their rights.
-Servants don't always get to see the full picture.
-Servants need to trust the Master.
-Servants are ready to respond obediently.
-Servants aren't too stuck up about their dignity and their egos.

With the attitude sorted out, he prays for discernment:
-The ability to apply Scripture's wisdom to day to day life.
-The ability to see between right and wrong.
-The sensitivity to suss out motives and agendas.
-Discernment grows through good exposure to Scripture.

The end result?
vs: 128 Because I consider all Your precepts right, I hate every wrong path.

I have done what is righteous and just;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Ensure your servant's well-being;
let not the arrogant oppress me.
123 My eyes fail, looking for your salvation,
looking for your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant according to your love
and teach me your decrees.
125 I am your servant; give me discernment
that I may understand your statutes.
126 It is time for you to act, O LORD;
your law is being broken.
127 Because I love your commands
more than gold, more than pure gold,
128 and because I consider all your precepts right,
I hate every wrong path. (Psalms119:121-128)

Friday, November 13, 2020

EmmDev 2020-11-13 [Walk between the Lines] Propped up

Propped up

The letter Samekh is associated with a prop or support. To me the letter looks a bit like the loops of material I used to fasten my tomato plant to the scaffold I supported them with...

This strophe (113-120) sets up some interesting contrasts:
On the one side is God who is a refuge, a shield, a sustainer, a promise-keeper, a deliverer and a hope-preserver.

On the other side are double-minded people who stray and deceive and will be discarded like dross for the vanity of their ways.

Why is the Psalmist not like them?
He is propped up by God's Word:
- He loves God's law (v113)
- He puts his hope in God's Word (v114)
- He distances evildoers so that he can keep God's commands (v115)
- He is sustained by God's promises (v116)
- He has regard for God's decrees (v117)
- He rejects those who stray from God's decrees (v118)
- He loves God's Statutes (v119)
- He stands in awe of God's laws (v120)

Look at the "support" words we find here: Refuge. Shield. Hope. Sustain. Uphold. Delivered.

When we are on the throne of our lives, we are self-referencing and double-minded. We are Unstable and Volatile people. We can come unstuck easily.

BUT, when we love God's Word and lean on it as our support, we can become stable people. We can lose the double-mindedness and instability.

Our respect for God makes us take His Word seriously and His Word "props us up" and helps us to see Him even more clearly and respect Him even more. It's an upward Spiral.

113 I hate double-minded men,
but I love your law.
114 You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word.
115 Away from me, you evildoers,
that I may keep the commands of my God!
116 Sustain me according to your promise, and I will live;
do not let my hopes be dashed.
117 Uphold me, and I will be delivered;
I will always have regard for your decrees.
118 You reject all who stray from your decrees,
for their deceitfulness is in vain.
119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;
therefore I love your statutes.
120 My flesh trembles in fear of you;
I stand in awe of your laws. (Psalms119:113-120)

Thursday, November 12, 2020

EmmDev 2020-11-12 [Walk between the Lines] Spreading, Action and Heritage

Spreading, Action and Heritage

The letter "Nun", which starts the first words of each line in our next Psalm 119 strophe, has a variety of associations and meanings: "A fish, to sprout, to spread, offspring, descendant, action, life, heir to the throne and faithfulness."

Today's strophe displays similarly diverse thoughts...

Spreading:
Verses 105, 110 and 112 have the idea of spreading: In v.110 the wicked give/spread a net or snare. But in v.105 God's word is a lamp ("neir") that spreads light for our feet. The important principle is that if we want to see further, we have to take some steps... But when he does, we see in verse 112 that his heart is stretched out (set) on keeping God's laws...

Actions:
Verses 106-108 are about actions: Even though he has "suffered much", he has "taken an oath" and offers the "willing praise" of his mouth".

Heritage:
In verse 111 we have the idea that God's Word is his heritage and what he will pass on to his descendants...

Can you think of times that God's Word has spread out light to your feet and kept your from the snares spread out before you?
Or were that there times that, even though you have suffered, God's Word inspired you to keep your vows or to offer praise?

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.
106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous laws.
107 I have suffered much;
preserve my life, O LORD, according to your word.
108 Accept, O LORD, the willing praise of my mouth,
and teach me your laws.
109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
I will not forget your law.
110 The wicked have set a snare for me,
but I have not strayed from your precepts.
111 Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees
to the very end. (Psalms119:105-112)

Wednesday, November 11, 2020

EmmDev 2020-11-11 [Walk between the Lines] Respect

Respect

Today we're at the letter "Mem" which is associated with large bodies of water or as a source or flow of water (like a stream from a spring).

With regard to meaning of the verses, this strophe has been hard to connect the letter Mem but there were two thoughts that occurred to me... Firstly, from a young age I have loved the sea, but my dad taught me also to have deep respect for it. You could play in its waters, but it could also drag you away. Secondly, we have a modern saying that describes the experience of abundant knowledge or teaching - we say "It feels like we're drinking from a firehose."

I wonder if the Psalmist wasn't feeling like God's Word was a massive mighty ocean which needed to be handled with great respect, but that it was like a strong stream gushing from an abundant stream. Even visually, "Mem" looks like a big dam with a small outlet... (Imagine the pressure of that stream...)

Look at some of the phrases in this strophe:
- I love your law - I meditate on it all day long (Abundance)
- Your commands make me wiser/give me more insight) (Strong stream)
- I have kept my feet... I have not departed (Deep Respect)
- Sweet Honey ... (Nourishing stream)
- Gain Understanding yet hate wrong paths (Stream and Respect)

Read through the strophe for yourself imagining the ocean and an abundant stream/firehose...

Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are ever with me.
I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts.
I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word.
I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me.
How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path. (Psalms119:97-104)

Friday, November 6, 2020

EmmDev 2020-11-03 [Walk between the Lines] Shepherded by God's guidelines

Hi Everyone

Two things:

1. Apologies for the break in devotions - it has taken me a while to change gear.
I hope you enjoyed the month of mission devotions.

2. We return to our series on Psalm 119 where each stanza has 8 verses starting with the next letter in the Hebrew Alphabet. We started with Alef and we are now all the way through to "Lamed". Visually, Lamed looks a bit like a shepherd's crook. The letter is associated with the work of a shepherd: controlling, prodding, urging and protecting, but it also refers to the verbal aspects of shepherd-like nurturing: Teaching and Learning.

Shepherded by God's guidelines

In a world where change just seems to happen faster and faster and faster, we need some constants. God's Word and God's Faithfulness are our constants. We are guided by God's precepts and preserved by His law.

Even in affliction and the attack of the wicked, the Psalmist finds comfort and support in God's Word.

Look at his approach to God's word.
He has delighted in God's Law.
He has not forgotten but sought out God's precepts.
He will ponder God's statutes.

If we bear the Lamed shepherding image in mind then the words "Law", "Precepts" and "Statutes" are helpful because they imply the guidance that God's Word provides.

There are two lines that grab me:

"If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction." (The implication is that a deep foundation in God's Word will sustain one through trouble.)
"To all perfection I see a limit; but your commands are boundless." (There are many voices and many theories and some very clever people out there - but ultimate truth comes from God's Word.)

So this strophe reminds us of the eternal faithfulness of God and urges us to be teachable so that His Word can shepherd our souls...

Your word, O LORD, is eternal;
it stands firm in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
you established the earth, and it endures.
91 Your laws endure to this day,
for all things serve you.
92 If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have preserved my life.
94 Save me, for I am yours;
I have sought out your precepts.
95 The wicked are waiting to destroy me,
but I will ponder your statutes.
96 To all perfection I see a limit;
but your commands are boundless. (Psalms119:89-96)

Saturday, October 31, 2020

EmmDev 2020-11-01 [Overcomers MoM2020] GIDEON: God sees more than we do...

GIDEON: God sees more than we do...

Names are an important part of most cultures, and so often names get passed down from one generation to the next. I wonder if you know what your name means? Have you ever looked it up? Does the meaning of your name impact who you have become or who you are today?

Gideon is a Hebrew name and it literally means "hewer" or "feller", as in someone who cuts down; it also seems to mean great warrior, perhaps someone who "cuts" down the enemy. The angel in our narrative calls Gideon a 'mighty warrior' (v 12); but what is interesting is that Gideon doesn't seem to be a mighty warrior or believe that he is a mighty warrior.

You see, the Midianites are consistently defeating and raiding the Israelites land and produce, so much so that the scriptures tell us that Gideon is threshing wheat in a wine press, which is totally bizarre, but it tells us that Gideon was trying to hide the wheat from the Midianites. Not really mighty warrior material to me! What is more, when the angel tells him that he will save Israel, Gideon's response is to tell the angel that he has the weakest clan in Israel and that he himself is the least (smallest).

Thank goodness the Lord sees beyond who we think we are, and with Him we can be and do anything for the Kingdom, all we have to do is be willing to allow God to use us. If you read the rest of the narrative, you will see that Gideon goes on to defeat all of Israel's enemies, and he even reduces the number of soldiers who go to fight, so that all the world would know that it was God who gave them victory and not in their own strength.

The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior." "Pardon me, my lord," Gideon replied, "but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, 'Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?' But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian." The Lord turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?" "Pardon me, my lord," Gideon replied, "but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family." The Lord answered, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive." (Judges6:11-16)

Gordon Cook's wife, Joshua and Rebecca's mom, minster at St Giles. The Rev Melanie Cook.

This brings us to the end of the Month of Mission... A very big THANK YOU to our writers: Peter Langerman, Lungile Mpetsheni, Sipho Mtetwa, George Marchinkowski, Jayne Nyirongo, Pat Baxter, Shingi Masunda, Kim Brown, Lydia Neshangwe, Nigel Chikanya, Natalie Barnard, Reuben Daka, Rodney Brits, Michelle Black, Joan Brummer, Faresy Sakala, James Gray, Jerry Pillay, Zepheny Kennedy, Richard Mkandawire, Greg Howse, Mukondi Ramulondi, Teddy Zimba, and Melanie Cook. Thanks to Wayne van Heerden who helped with social media. Also a very big thank you to Ruth Armstrong who worked with me on the theme, recruiting writers and editing the contributions. I have been blessed by everyone's inputs, the encouraging comments and the enthusiasm that has been generated... SOLI DEO GLORIA!

Friday, October 30, 2020

EmmDev 2020-10-30 [Overcomers MoM2020] JEREMIAH: Honest with God

JEREMIAH: Honest with God

O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived:
Thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed:
I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me. (Jeremiah20:7)

Jeremiah was honest. He felt deceived by God. The word "deceived" means to be enticed or seduced. Obviously, God does not mislead or trick people, but Jeremiah felt that God had lured him into the ministry only to make him a laughingstock. He felt like a helpless girl who had been seduced and overpowered by a deceptive lover. He felt ridiculed and offended. His voice was not making a difference. He was crying out for the people to repent, yet they continued toward destruction and judgment. Jeremiah's intense lament was private -- for God alone, not public.

God wants us to talk to him, even when we are angry, upset, and frustrated. He wants us to tell the truth. A lot of dishonesty goes on in relationships, even with God.

People ask me: Is it wrong to be angry with God? First, we must remember that anger is an emotion, and oftentimes emotions are neither right nor wrong: they just are. What we do with our emotions is a separate issue. People are sometimes surprised by the answer I give them: "If you feel anger toward God you should tell him. God is big enough and strong enough to handle your hurt and anger. So tell him about. He wants you to pour out your heart to him. He wants you to express what is in your heart."

Didn't Jesus pour out his heart to the Father in Gethsemane and on the cross? We should do the same. Hold nothing back when you pray. Tell the Lord exactly what's in your heart, especially the bad feelings. By pouring out these emotions we are freed from their hold, and we enter more deeply into the loving embrace of the Lord.

God does not want us stuck in anger or any other negative feelings we may have. This is why we should be honest with God in prayer. We should go before God as we are, not pretending to be someone we are not. If we are honest with God in prayer, we will feel a sense of deep freedom, and we will find ourselves having a deeper relationship with God and less discouragement.

To bottle up our anger - even anger toward God - does only harm, never good. To be dishonest - even in our prayers - clouds our relationship with God. God desires real people, honest and forthright, who pour out their hearts before him, bringing him all their motives and emotions. The truth is that God knows the depths of our hearts - our thoughts, our motives, our emotions - even before we speak them. So ,if we fail to be honest with God then we are only deceiving ourselves. Honesty with God is liberating.
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Teddy Zimba is Engaged to Rhudo Moonga, and is currently serving as a Church Development Evangelist (CDE) at Makeni Villa Presybterian Transitional Congregation, Munali Presbytery, Lusaka Zambia.