Tag Archives: Stand

Singing with the King (50) – No Secret

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Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy. (Ps 65:8)

MLK1I love this verse because it brings hope to an entire world.

But we have assigned His wonders to random acts of nature or unintentional human nature. And once His wonders have been explained away or “de-miracle-ized”, why would we be inspired to offer shouts of joy?

I think part of the problem is that we have so “personalized” our faith, that those around us rarely get to see what God has done within us. But salvation is neither secret nor hidden. Note these following verses:

The LORD has bared His holy arm in the sight of all the nations, that all the ends of the earth may see the salvation of our God. ( Isa 52:10)

I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner. I would not have told the people of Israel to seek me if I could not be found. I, the Lord, speak only what is true and declare only what is right. (Isaiah 45:19)

For there is no other God but me, a righteous God and Savior. There is none but me. Let all the world look to me for salvation! For I am God; there is no other. (Isaiah 45:21-22)

So now the question arises: Is salvation still noticeable? Is it still obvious and in plain sight, or have we become too cold or uncaring, or afraid? Has tolerance transformed the Gospel of offense to a mere suggestion of possible change (well, maybe, sort of, but only if you need to change)? That is not the way the LORD designed and ordained salvation. And that is not the way we are to live:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (1 Peter 3:14-16)

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.  (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)

Singing with the King (16) – Walk, Stand, Sit

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Who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked…
(Psalm 1:1b)

Walk Alone

The Hebrew word for walk also means to come and go, depart, proceed, to move and go away. It can also be translated as your manner or way of life (i.e.—your walk).

Wicked also means ungodly and criminal, and specifically are those hostile to God.

If you want to be blessed, do not walk in the advice of those who are hostile to God; do not make it a part of your life. Another way to put it, while you are coming and going, do not accompany the wicked.

… or stand in the way of sinners. (Psalm 1:1c)

Stand Alone

The Hebrew word for stand means as to remain, endure; to take one’s stand, to persist, and become a servant of such.

Here you’re no longer walking, but are taking a stand, not against sinners, but with sinners. You could also say that you have become a slave to sin.

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. (John 8:34)

 

…or sit in the seat of mockers. (Psalm 1:1d)

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The Hebrew word for sit also means dwell, remain, and abide. It also has a meaning as to be set (in one’s ways).

Seat has similar meanings to sit: dwell, dwelling, assembly.  Mockers means scorner, scoffer, and interpreter, one who should translate but instead of bringing understanding, makes it a mockery.

Finally our dwelling place is no longer with the godly, but the ungodly. With whom do you live?

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. (Psalm 84:10)

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Note the downward spiral, the devolution as it were in our actions: from walking to standing to sitting with the ungodly.

Even though this part of the verse has dealt with that which we are NOT to do, the following verse shows us what we are to do: “But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.” May God give you the wisdom to know the difference between what to do, and what not to do.

 

Singing With the King (7) – God is Good

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Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. (Psalm 73:1)

standing tallDo you have a foundational belief on which you stand? Something you can cling to regardless of what is going on around or within you? The Psalmist did—he made a declaration—and made his stand: Surely God is good to Israel.

The Hebrew word for surely has two uses: one is emphatic, the other is restrictive. So you can put an exclamation point behind the emphatic version: Surely God is good! Or because we understand Who God is and how He works, we use the restrictive version: Only God is good.

Christ Himself, the Son of God spoke to this: “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.” (Luke 18:19)

The Hebrew word for good has numerous translations; the most frequent are: better, best, pleasing, and favorable. It describes excellence of quality, excellence of character, and that which is of a higher nature (a vague way of saying God…).

This verse has the only occurrence of God is good in the OT. However, the Lord is good occurs seven times:

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. (Psalm 34:8)

For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 100:5)

Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant. (Psalm 135:3)

The Lord is good to all, and His mercies are over all His works. (Psalm 145:9)

Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for the LORD is good; his love endures forever. (Jeremiah 33:11)

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him. (Lamentations 3:25)

The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. (Nahum 1:7)

So, how can you experience God’s goodness? In His refuge. In His love. In His faithfulness. In His mercy. In His care. And when you do, you will sing His praises—forever.

 

Singing with the King (1) – Introduction

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The Psalms… Worship, Prayer, Songs. No matter how you explain them, categorize them, or use them, every single one will bring you in to the Presence of the LORD.

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Over the next few months you’re going to be introduced to the principle: Living Life in Context. Simply put, to live our lives in God’s Presence, we must stand before Him. When we are before the Lord, we stand in the proper context for our lives. To not be before the Lord (to be out of context) leaves us to our own devices, prejudices, misunderstandings, foolish thinking, sinful nature, bad attitude, and wrong actions. But to be in His presence, to be before Him, reveals Who He is, His attributes, His works, and His will; thereby revealing to us, who we are, what our relationship is, and what our attitude and actions should be. This is Living Life in Context—in His context. So to begin this dance through the Psalms, ironically, Being Still before Him is a great place to start.