Day 181: Psalms 105, 106, 107 and 108

Many times he delivered them, but they were bent on rebellion. (Psalm 106:43)

Notice in Psalms 105 and 106 how the exodus story is retold yet once again. In 105 the writer recounts the incredible events of the exodus itself. Psalm 106 tells of Israel's disobedience in both the wilderness and the Promised Land.

Why?

Could these psalms have been written to a nation in exile? Israel in Babylon? It is likely that the exodus story was a favorite of Jews relocated to the land of Persia. The exodus was a defining moment in the life of Israel. The exile would be another. It would have been a natural way for a disenfranchised people to remind themselves that their God had delivered them before, and that he would come through for them again.

Then Psalm 106 recounts Israel's unfaithfulness. Could this perhaps be a warning to remember the lessons of the past once they were delivered from the Persians? The lesson: God freed our fathers from Egypt, but they soon forgot to be thankful. When God frees us from Babylon, let's not make the same mistake.

Have you ever said, "Oh that could never happen to me"?

Day 180: Psalms 101, 102, 103 and 104

If anyone secretly says things against his neighbor, I will stop him. (NCV - Psalm 101:5)

Every single one of us has been hurt by people talking about us. But if we were honest, we'd also have to admit that we've all said things we shouldn't, often about people who weren't there to defend themselves.

The first step to vanquishing gossip is to keep our mouths shut. Our mothers were right: If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.

What if someone tried to gossip, but no one would participate?

When someone tries to engage you in gossip, try active non-participation. Say, Excuse me; Bill's my friend and that's not something I want to hear. You shouldn't talk to anyone else about this either, but if it's something you feel strongly about, talk to Bill - just between the two of you. Of course, there's the ever popular option of responding with Plan B: Hey, when I talk with Bill later today, I'll be telling him everything you said.

I'd be really surprised if you need to have that conversation with someone more than once. Of course it won't stop them talking about you.

What's your plan to confront gossip?

Day 179: Psalms 97, 98, 99 and 100

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. (Psalm 100:4)

Did you know that worship is God's address? But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel (KJV - Psalm 22:3). The New American Standard Bible reads: Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel. Either way, this passage confirms that God lives in the praises of his people. If God seems distant, praise him and he is there.

If God's address isn't good enough, today's reading contains a map to his house... like an early iron age GPS: Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. No need to recalculate route here.

In Moses' time, worshipers entered the tabernacle with a blood sacrifice. The bronze altar was directly in line between the entrance of the courtyard and the door to the Most Holy Place... God's presence. No bypass - no detour.

Jesus became our once-and-for-all blood sacrifice - our access to God. Again... no bypass - no detour. It is through Christ that we offer our gifts of thanksgiving and praise. Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name (Hebrews 13:15).

When you can't find God, worship, because worship is where God is.

When was the last time you experienced God's presence?

Day 178: Psalms 93, 94, 95 and 95

The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. (Psalm 93:1)

Geocentrists interpret this verse and others to suggest that the earth is at the center of the universe and does not move - neither does it rotate on its axis, nor does it revolve around the sun.

Though I crinkle my forehead at their scientific conclusions, I applaud their high view of humanity as God's creation. If mankind truly is God's crowning creation, why wouldn't the earth be at the universe's center with the sun revolving around it?

In Carl Sagan's 1997 film Contact, Astronomer Dr. Eleanor Arroway (played by Jodie Foster) recalls a conversation with her father. Do you think their's alien life in the universe? His reply: If there's not, that's an awful waste of space. He might think a diamond engagement ring is an awful waste of money too. Whether there's other life in the universe or not, I don't know; although I'll go on record as saying I really don't think so. I think the stars in the heavens are a beautiful bauble created by a loving bridegroom as a gift to his bride.

While I don't think the earth is necessarily the center of the universe or that it remains solidly planted in space, never moving or spinning, I rejoice that we are at the center of God's universe. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,... (John 3:16).

How has God shown his love for you?

Day 177: Psalms 89, 90, 91 and 92

Lord, you have been our home... (Psalm 90:1)

Sometimes when Janelle and I think about the challenges of ministry, the most difficult thing is that we don't have any place to call home. Ministry has taken us to Kansas, Tennessee, Maryland, Georgia, Pennsylvania and most recently Oregon where we trust we'll be for a long time.

And I understand; it's not just pastors. Everyone knows we live in an increasingly mobile society. Lots of people feel the lack of roots that comes from living here today and somewhere else tomorrow.

My wife's family still lives in the Kansas City area. She has her mom, a brother, two sisters, their spouses, nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles and cousins all within the metro area. If I were pushed, I guess I'd say that Kansas City feels more like home to us than anywhere else. But we left Kansas City almost thirty years ago.

That's why we take comfort in this passage: Lord, you have been our home since the beginning. Before the mountains were born and before you created the earth and the world, you are God. You have always been, and you always will be (NCV, Psalm 90:1,2).

In an increasingly rootless society, no matter where we live, we can sink our roots down deep into Christ. How much stability can we have if our foundation is location, career or people? Everything changes... everything that is, except for God. That's why God is our home.

Where's your home?

Day 176: Psalms 85, 86, 87 and 88

Great is your love toward me. (Psalm 86:13)

Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me (vv. 11-13).

The Apostle Paul reminds us that it is God's kindness that leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4). John writes: We love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). Nothing but love will produce lasting change in the heart. Cash payments won't do it. Keeping a list of rules and regulations won't do it. Threats of eternal damnation won't do it.

The psalmist asks God to teach him his way that he might walk in obedience; not out of obligation, not from hope of reward, and not out of fear, but out of the dawning realization of God's love for him. Give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name. Translation: Give me perfect love for you that I may give you the respect and obedience your name deserves. Why? Because great is your love toward me.

Only love begets love. And we don't initiate it; God does. God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

What wondrous love is this?

How have you experienced God's love this week?

Day 175: Psalms 81, 82, 83 and 84

I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket. . . . but my people would not listen to me. (Psalm 81:6,11)

This is a sad psalm where the writer voices the sentiments of Yahweh. These few verses thumbnail the entire Isaeli experience: slavery, exodus, wilderness, choice. The first commandment reads: You shall have no other gods before me (Exodus 20:3). In the days before their river crossing into Canaan, Moses gave his farewell address, admonishing the people to choose wisely. Their choice could be summarized as: Choose Yahweh or choose the gods of Canaan.

On the gameshow Let's Make a Deal (NBC/ABC 1963-1976), host Monty Hall tempted contestants to trade the prize in their hands for an unknown prize behind Door #3. Once they made their deal, the door was opened and the result of their trade was displayed for all to see.

Likewise, time after time the Israelites rejected the prize they had (Yahweh), trying to trade up by choosing Door #3 (foreign gods).

Although they made a big show of affirming their fidelity to Yahweh, in reality, at almost every turn they went the wrong way, following false gods. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts (v. 12). In other words: You get to choose, but you have to live with the consequences.

Have you ever been warned about the consequences of making a wrong choice, and made the wrong choice anyway?