Psalm 23:1 – “The LORD is…”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, the 23rd Psalm drew me like a moth to a flame.  It has long been a comfort, a challenge, and an encouragement.

It begins, “The LORD IS…”   That is the indispensable foundation.  If we fail to capture the “Is-ness” of God, none of the remaining promises has any power for us.  He IS…

Then, because He IS, we can embrace Him as our shepherd.  He is the one who watches over and provides for us.  And, because He IS and is our shepherd, “I shall not want.”   Want is lack.    Because He is all sense of lack dissipates.    Why?    He has all things and has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places.   He supplies all our needs according to His abundance.   All belongs to Him.   He cares for all of creation.  “The LORD IS my shepherd; I shall not want.” That’s our position and promise in Christ.

Then, the Psalmist takes us on a visual journey detailing the abundance of God’s provision for those to whom He IS and shepherds them.  Green pastures (daily provision).  Still waters (renewal and regeneration).  Restoration in our souls (spiritual nourishment and enlightenment).   Paths of righteousness (godliness).

He continues with assurance that no matter what we face, we have the God who IS with us.  The Living God is guiding every step.  Awareness of His “Is-ness” drives out all fear because fear lives in uncertainty, and if we are conscious and confident that He IS, there is no uncertainty.

Then, we see the pavilion tent of rest, protection, and provision – “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies…”   Take devil: you can see me, but the God who IS, is providing for me, and to touch me, you have to go through Him.

“Anoints my head with oil; my cup runs over.”    The Isaiah 61 anointing is ours, and we have a well springing up inside to enable us to live, but also to bless others with life!

Then comes the finale – “Surely goodness and mercy shall relentlessly pursue me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”   There is nowhere to hide from His provisions, protection, and presence.  Because He IS, we are more than conquerors.  We pull down strongholds.  We set captives free.  We give what we have, and we have HIM, which means we have EVERYTHING, NO LACK!

It is time to refocus on the “IS-ness” of God.   When He IS in our hearts, He can become LORD of our lives.  It is then that we become who He says we are, More Than Conquerors!

Let’s learn to rest and rely on the “is-ness” of God!   He is our Shepherd!

Psalm 15:1 – “LORD, who shall dwell in Thy Tabernacle?  Who shall inhabit Thy Holy Mountain?”

As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, my thoughts focused on Psalm 15, 18, and Galatians 5.   The question of the Psalmist reverberates in my heart and produces both desire and conviction simultaneously.

Psalm 15:1 asked an incredible question.  For some, that question is discouraging.  They think it is not possible, so they drift into the clutches of despair.  Others hear this and long to be qualified or accepted, and to make this a reality in their life.  The goal is to dwell in God’s presence.  Abide in His shadow, live in His temple, and be covered by His protective shield.

Who can?  Who can dwell in the Tabernacle of God?   In vv.  2-3, we read, “He that walks uprightly and works righteousness and speaks the truth in his heart.  3 He that deceives not with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor accepts a bribe from his neighbor.”  Remember, the definition of who our neighbor is that Jesus gave in the parable of the Good Samaritan is a guide.

In Psalm 18:32-35, we find that it is God who wraps us up in His strength, enabling us to live in purity.  He enables us to maintain a good balance as we navigate the rocky road of life and lifts us into His presence, equipping us for the war and strengthening us for the journey.

In Galatians, and especially in Chapter 5, we realize that God’s Grace equips us, but we also have a responsibility.  We receive Grace and then, by an act of our will, avoid or reject the works of darkness.  Galatians 5:1 – “Stand firm therefore in the liberty with which Christ has made us free, AND be not harnessed again under the yoke of servitude.” What we obey, we become servants to.

In Galatians 5:18-26, we have a detailed list of lifestyles to resist and reject.  We have the New Testament response to the question of Psalm 15.  We put off and put on, and what we put off and put on determines where we abide spiritually.

In Galatians 6:7-8, Paul connects everything to the Law of Sowing and Reaping.  The principle Jesus gave in Luke 6:38 is the principle of life.  Cause and effect lived out.

Do we desire to dwell in God’s Tabernacle and live on His Holy Mountain of the Presence of God?  Then we receive His Grace and do our part, rejecting the works of darkness and embracing the fruit of His Spirit.  It is not working to earn favor, but working out of favor that establishes us.  It is Grace, Faith, and Choice.

If our heart craves nearness to God more than life itself, we will experience Him like never before!

Job 14:1-2 – “Man, that is born of woman (human) is of few days (compared to eternity) and full of trouble.  (Life and aging are not easy.)  2 He comes forth like a flower, and others fade away; he flees like a shadow and continues not.”

As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God, a reality gripped my heart from the Book of Job.  The words of Job 14:1-2 prompted me to meditate on life, aging, and eternity.
The young are seemingly invincible, strong, and filled with vigor and vitality.   They have smooth skin, strong muscles, and are agile, flexible, and active.   But time marches on, and soon, the evidence of age manifests itself, and we begin to wither.

That could be, and is, a morbid reality for many.   I have traveled the road of life for many decades.   My youthful vibrance has given way to the painful reality that my body cannot do what my mind can conceive.  Time marches on!  Facing that reality would be horrifying and depressing without several anchors and answers to several questions.

Job 14:14 – “If a man dies, shall he live again?”   The rest of that verse is never read – “All the days of his youth, he waits till old age comes.”   Job answered the question in Job 19:25-27.   He spoke of death and said, “In my flesh, I shall see God.”

Paul addressed this in 1 Corinthians 15.  He revealed that we have hope beyond this life because Jesus rose again, and so shall we.  (v.19).   He took a natural event to give a spiritual truth.  We die like naturally planted seeds, then spring into real life.  (vv 42-44).  In (v. 52), he gave that anchor to which we cling:  “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet…we shall be changed.” Life out of death, immortality out of mortality.  Renewed youth out of agedness.

We are temporary sojourners on Earth.  We wear out physically, even if not mentally.  We never wear out in our spirits.  Therefore, whether we are young and flourishing physically or in the sunset years, we are valuable and have a function, a commission, and a purpose.  But this is all temporary.

Two closing thoughts: Stay focused on the destination and cherish every day.  Life is for living, and living is for life.  Do not waste the time you have.   Do not live in a way that produces regrets.   I have always used Moses as my inspiration.   At 80, when most retire and lose the fire, he had just begun.   At 120, he went home, and it says, “His strength was not diminished, nor his eyesight lost.” Even if that cannot be said about us physically, let it be a reality spiritually.

Jesus is coming, and I believe it will be soon.  Live every day to the fullest.

Keep looking up, our help and hope are on the way!

Esther 4:14  – “For if you altogether remain silent this time, the relief and salvation shall arise to the Jews from another place; but you and your father’s house shall be destroyed; who knows whether you have been called to the kingdom for such a time as this?” 

As I read, prayed, and contemplated the Word of God today, something from the book of Esther captured my thoughts.  Esther was the Queen, and her ethnicity was unknown within the palace.    Mordecai had changed her name to Esther to hide her Jewish lineage.

Haman had convinced the king to let him have the Jews killed.   Mordecai called out to Esther for help, but she resisted, citing the kingdom’s protocol.   If she went to the king unsummoned, it could mean death. 

Mordecai grasped the gravity of the matter and said in Esther 4:14.  The thing that leaped out at me was in Mordecai’s words – “If you do nothing, God will use somebody else.”    Wow!    We sometimes forget we are not His only option.    Our participation will benefit the kingdom, but it will benefit us!   The incredibleness of God giving us the privilege of participating is amazing and humbling.

Esther’s response was, “Okay, fast and pray with me, and then if I perish, I perish.” 

Another reality gripped me.   Haman planned destruction for the Jews and, in particular, for Mordecai.   He built a gallows 50 cubits tall.   That was for show.   He was hanged on his own gallows.   The plans of evil against God’s people will come back to bite you.  The wicked will fall into their own pit.   Psalm 91 is our covenant promise.

There is a reward for obedience, and the weapons formed against us will turn on those devising plans against us if we walk in obedience.   That includes the devil.  He will suffer for his plans of evil.

Our life is not our own.   We have been purchased by Christ’s blood.  Therefore, even if we perish in the flesh, obedience has great reward!  We are kept! 

Embrace God’s call and enjoy His victory!  Today is your day to rise up in victory!  Embrace the Call.