Posts Tagged ‘Psalms’
 One of my favorite quotes is from Plato – "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." Jesus promised us as much. (John 16:33) In Psalm 76:2-3 there is an important principle for fighting those battles.
"In Salem [Jerusalem] also is His tabernacle
And His dwelling place in Zion.
There He broke the arrows of the bow,
The shield and sword of battle." (NKJV)
Did you see it?
It was in the tabernacle, the temple, His dwelling place in Zion, that the victory was actually won. The prayer, the worship, the offerings and consecration the soldiers underwent before they ever took the battlefield was what sealed their ultimate triumph.
The battle is won in worship.
 We've discussed how our study time should reveal God in some way, drawing us closer, and highlighting His character. Scripture also serves as a mirror, showing us our true selves.
Sometimes, we learn about mankind in general. Like in Psalm 8, we find out God crowned us with glory and honor. Human beings were the pinnacle of His creation. In Hebrews 2:17, we find out Jesus had to become a human, like us, in order to be a proper High Priest for us.
However, there are also verses that get more personal. For example, Psalm 94:19 says, "In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul." This one tells me that when I'm feeling stressed, or worried or concerned (or whatever other synonym) I'm not alone. David, the man after God's own heart, felt them too. It also tells me, I can feel one hundred and eighty degrees different- comfort and delight. Comfort, God's personal comfort, is available, and there is room for it, even in the middle of the anxiety.
So- as you study, look for things the Scripture may be telling you about yourself. Do you see yourself mirrored in the verses or in the people and their situations? Is it encouraging, or maybe convicting?
On a more personal note- Psalm 65:11 says "You crown the year with Your goodness." I'm thankful and humbled by His grace and goodness for these 43 years.
 Lately, I've been cleaning out my office. It's amazing (and disappointing) how much stuff accumulates in such a short time. Once I'm through carrying out bags of junk, and vacuuming and dusting, I'll have neater, more functional space. All the stuff I need will be close by making it easier and faster to accomplish what I need to each day.
It's not just my living spaces that need periodic cleaning- my hearts does, too. I know I've picked up a lot of junk- a box of frustration there, a folder or two of fear stacked on the bookcase, a bad attitude cluttering up my workspace. Sometimes things like joy and peace are hard to find underneath all that other mess, (I know they're in here somewhere… I remember bringing 'em in and putting them right over there by that big pile of doubt…)
For a packrat like me, determining what needs to go is often a challenge, but in the right mood, I can toss out with the best of them. However, when it comes to de-junking my heart, I need outside help.
I have to rely on God and His word to identify the junk in the first place. (Search me, O God… and see if there be any wicked way in me. Ps. 139:23)
I have to make the effort to let go of the stuff. (Let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us… Heb. 12:2)
Finally, I need Him to vacuum and clean out the place, so He has room to work. (Create in me a clean heart, O God… Ps 51:10)
Therefore if anyone cleanses himself… he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master 2 Timothy 2:21
 My son heads back to school today, so in honor of that, let's review the basics of good Bible study. In school, you start with the ABCs. When you study, you always come back to the OIAs (Awkward, I know) Observation, Interpretation, and Application. (At least they all end in 'ation'.)
Observation – What does the Bible SAY?
Let's look at a familiar example. "The Lord is my shepherd."
The- There is only one.
Lord- Ruler over all
Is-Present tense
My- personal pronoun
Shepherd-someone who tends sheep.
Interpretation – What does it MEAN?
Don't let this part throw you. You interpret Scripture all the time without realizing it. For instance, no one has to tell you you are not a sheep and God is not really a sheep-herder. Your command of language has already told you this is a metaphor, a word picture designed to make a point. So in comparing God to a shepherd, what does this mean? God selflessly cares for our every need. He protects us.
Putting that interpretation with what we observed, we find out The One Sovereign Ruler over all presently, currently takes care of me, personally.
Application – What do I DO?
Now that we know what the Bible SAYS and what that MEANS, how should we live as a result? Is there something that I need to change? If I know that God is taking care of me, maybe I won't worry about a rumor of layoffs, or test results from the doctor. Maybe I'll stop trying to do everything myself. Maybe I'll sleep better at night.
As you study this week, take some time and review those OIAs and see what you learn!
 In previous tips, we've discussed how studying Scripture should serve to reveal God, and to deepen our relationship with Him. One way it does this is by giving us a constant stream of reasons to praise and worship Jehovah God.
So as you study, watch for reasons to praise God. Sometimes, this is a piece of cake. Many of the Psalms are structured just that way- "I will praise the Lord because …"
Other times, it's not so obvious. Yesterday, I read Psalm 110, which begins, "The LORD said to my Lord, 'Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.'" Praise is never mentioned. However, in those few words, there are some awesome things worth praising God for.
His sovereignty- He has a plan that is progressing on His timetable.
His victory- He will defeat all the enemies.
His regent- Christ will reign over all.
His work- Christ is sitting at His right hand, a place of honor, because He completed the redemption work the Father entrusted to Him.
By making our study time a search for reasons to praise God, it becomes not just a time that benefits us, but an offering we can give back.
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