Reading Through the Psalms #10 (120-134)

We continue in the fifth and final book of the Psalms today accompanied by Psalms, vol. 2, The College Press NIV Commentary, by S. Edward Tesh and Walter D. Zorn. This post focuses on the Psalms of Ascent, probably sung as the people traveled to Jerusalem for one of the annual feasts. I am posting quotes from the book on my Facebook page on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday (NT is Mon-Wed-Fri) and we can discuss comments and questions about the passage there. As usual, quotes from the commentary are in blue below…

Psalms 120-134 are titled "the Psalms of Ascent." They were probably sung by those on pilgrimage to Jerusalem as they ascended the hills into the city on their journey. They praise God's care as king and look forward to the reestablishment of the Davidic kingdom. 120 is a psalm of trust in God when defamed or slandered. 121 celebrates God's commitment to guarding and protecting his worshipers. 122 is a prayer for the peace of Jerusalem. 123 views the relationship with God as master-servant and asserts the psalmist's attentiveness to God's will and trust in His provision.

Some people lie for no reason at all. Others would deal in treachery, fully intending to deceive by making the lie so believable that all accept it for the truth. When this occurs, the innocent victim has no defense except the knowledge of his own integrity and his faith that God will bring the wicked to judgment. Psalm 120, 396

One whose life is founded upon faith in God and who stands firmly upon this rock will be sustained through all trials and stresses of that life. God is his keeper (literally the “one watching over” him) and he is ever watchful; he does not slumber. Psalm 121, 400–401

He has seen already why the city should be accorded peace and prosperity—For the sake of the house of the LORD our God (v. 9a). It is this, and this only, that made Jerusalem any different from any other city in the world, and this made all the difference in the world. Psalm 122, 406

The servant in ancient times always stood ready at his master’s command. Just the slight movement of the master’s hand caused the servant to react...And so the servant’s eyes were ever watchful and desirous of the master’s approval. In his looking upon the hand of his master, he acknowledges both his dependence and his confidence that that hand will be opened to supply the needs of his people. Psalm 123, 407

The next section continues the Songs of Ascent. 124 celebrates deliverance from a powerful enemy. God is the reason Israel has continued to exist. 125 is a proclamation of faith that, despite the prominence of the wicked in the present, God's way will win out  and God's people will be preserved and blessed. 126 celebrates the return from exile as a dream come true, and asks God to restore the blessing of fertility to the land. 127 is a wisdom psalm that teaches the importance of the centrality of God for successful and secure families. 128 celebrates the happiness of a family that walks with YHWH and extends this blessing out to the wider family of God.

With the creator of heaven and earth on our side, Israel would say, deliverance was assured. In the words of the Apostle Paul: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.… You, my brothers [and sisters], were called to be free” (Gal 5:1a, 13a). Psalm 124, 412

So long as God surrounds his people, as the mountains surround Jerusalem, their preservation is assured. Consequently, the godly person may with confidence address his prayer to God to do good to the upright in heart, assured that the LORD will deal with the wicked and grant peace to his people. Psalm 125, 415

Answered prayers are the greatest foundation upon which to pray again. So it is with the psalmist and the community on behalf of which he speaks. While there has been great rejoicing at some great restoration of fortunes, be that of exiles having returned or some other great event that lifted their spirits just as high, the psalmist prepares another request. Psalm 126, 418

The message of the psalm is very clear: only God can provide the best shelter, true security, and essential food (vv. 1–2). But, above all, only God can provide a family, particularly sons to carry on the family line and to care for one in old age (vv. 3–5). Psalm 127, 421

To be blessed in this way is to be “endued with the power” to live a long life in order to see the birth and growth of your children, grandchildren, and perhaps even great grandchildren. The truly happy and blessed life cannot be expressed any better than through a grand and glorious family surrounding one in his or her old age. This is surely the goal of blessing. Psalm 128, 429

The Songs of Ascent continue with 129-134. 129 praises God that despite the unceasing historic opposition to and oppression of Israel by the powerful surrounding nations, God has preserved them. 130 counsels us to wait on God because His covenant forgiveness is our only hope. 131 reflects on a life satisfied in God that does live according to pride and ambition. 132 recounts the Davidic covenant and placing of the ark in Zion and expresses the hope that God's presence will return and the Davidic dynasty will be restored. 133 is a call to God's people to be unified and experience the joy and refreshment that unity brings. 134 ends the Songs of Ascent with a call to the departing pilgrims to continue to bless YHWH and a reminder that He will bless them wherever they go.

The supreme characteristic of God is that he is righteous (צַדִּיק, ṣaddîq, “just”). Being “just” he desires to put things right, especially with regard to his people. God’s people can appeal to his righteousness to save them. Psalm 129, 432

This psalm...speaks to our heart’s need more than most, for indeed we cannot stand before God with any record of our sins in his hands. We are absolutely helpless and totally dependent upon his grace, mercy, and forgiveness if we are to survive, either individually or corporately. We can only put our hope in God and wait—wait for his covenant love and loyalty to come through and bring us “full” redemption. Is there any other way? Psalm 130, 438

Apparently the psalmist looked upon life itself as a gift of God with which he had been entrusted, and he chose deliberately to accept that trust in a spirit of childlike humility. My eyes are not haughty, literally, “I do not lift up my eyes.” I do not fix my sight on the lofty goals determined by the world. Instead, he has deliberately chosen for himself an outlook on life that finds both fulfillment and contentment in whatever role may be his. Psalm 131, 439

For the pilgrims returning to a Jerusalem without a king, the psalm has become messianic and eschatological. Present circumstances do not support the promise, but God’s word is faithful. One day there will be an “anointed one” who will sit on David’s throne and reign forever (see Luke 1:32). Psalm 132, 449

One’s relationship to God then, as now, was as an individual, but it was as an individual in community! The community of believers, God’s community, is to be “fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household” (Eph 2:19). To be in the fellowship of God is to be in fellowship with the people of God. Psalm 133, 453

Do not suppose you are beyond his care when you leave the holy city, for the God whom you have worshiped in this temple in Jerusalem is the Maker of heaven and earth (cp. Ps 121:2; 124:8). So go with God’s blessing, wherever you journey. You are never beyond his care. Psalm 134, 456

More Pictures With The Grandkids

Before Matt and family left on Monday we took a few pictures in the usual spot

The boys and the girls

And one more set

Snow Day

We have enjoyed having our family up here for the last few days. Matt, Kristin and the kids will be headed home to San Diego this evening, but we had a fun time this week. I mentioned in previous post that Joyce had taken them up to the snow for a day. They had a good day playing in the snow. The kids had never seen snow before. I wish I could have gone too. Here are a few pictures of the snow day.

I am not sure how much Meika enjoyed it, but everyone else enjoyed the tobogganing and other snow activities

 

And a few more pictures

Latest Prayer Letter From PIU

(Note: Below is the latest prayer and support letter from Pacific Islands University, written by interim president Howard Merrell. Howard has graciously consented to serve in this difficult position while I am receiving cancer treatment in California. I would add a prayer request for Howard that God would give him an extra blessing of wisdom and strength as he leads the school through this difficult time. This has been an unprecedented season of trial for the whole PIU family, that I attribute to a critical bout of spiritual warfare. I would ask for your redoubled prayer for the students, staff and faculty of PIU. Thank you for your continued support of the ministry of PIU.)

Dear Friend of PIU:
Thank you for your continued support of PIU. We are grateful.

I am asking you to join me in prayer. I pastored a small church for four decades. In that time I received hundreds of letters, and phone calls from leaders of ministries, some printed in four-colors on impressive shiny paper. I said then that if I were ever in a position like the one I’m in now, that I would never use the arm-twisting, tear-jerking methods that some of those communications contained. I sincerely hope that my current request does not appear to use those. That’s not my intention.

My wife and I serve at Pacific Islands University as missionaries with Liebenzell Mission USA. LMUSA’s heritage goes back to J. Hudson Taylor. He said something like, “God’s work, done God’s way, will never lack for God’s supply.” I believe that. Right now we find ourselves in short supply of what we think we need. Please join us in praying that God will refine us, and teach us more about the work He has for us to do and the way we should do it. James speaks to people going through trials. He says in Chapter 1 that when we face our trials with a Godly attitude, we will emerge better on the other side.

Please pray that we will learn from current difficulties.

We face difficulties in regard to finances, infrastructure, staffing, and student-recruitment. From what I understand, these are problems with which all smaller Christian colleges struggle. In addition to those concerns, our hearts ache because our President, Dave Owen, and a beloved teacher, April Stone are battling cancer.

Please pray for Dave and Joyce Owen and for April and Howard Stone.*

*As of this letter’s sending, April Stone has gone home to be with the Lord. As son-in-law Ken Dixon wrote in correspondence some weeks ago: “April is someone who truly treasures Jesus and lives for Him! She inspires us all.” PIU will miss this precious servant of the Lord Jesus who so selflessly touched many. Howard Stone, April’s husband and also dear teacher at PIU, appreciates prayers for him and his five children with their respective families.

I determined, as I began this assignment, to do everything I could to cherish and honor the people who serve the Lord at PIU. If I could, I would give all of them a raise, or provide them with nicer tools to use in their work. I can’t, but there is much that I, that we, can do. One of the most basic, yet most valuable ways we can honor those who serve here is to pray for them.

Please pray that the people God has sent here will know how valuable they are. These servants are like Epaphroditus in Philippians 2. Paul says to “honor people like him.” Pray that we will honor the priceless servants God has placed in PIU.

The bottom line is not found on the financial report. It is seen in the lives of our students, who grow and go, making a difference around the world.

Pray for our students, especially those who will be graduating in a few weeks. Pray that the Lord will lead new students to us. Please recommend our school to students who are interested in an education that not only informs, but transforms. Right now (through 4/15) applying students can save up to $340 on first time fees. Encourage them to call and find out more.

Pray that our rich God will supply us with what we need. Since He uses His servants to supply ministries like PIU, pray that God will move hearts to give as they are able.
One more thing, since you are part of the family, I figure that you take joy in the good things the Lord is doing in the lives of our students and alumni. We can rejoice in what they are doing in the communities where they serve.

Please join me in Thanking the Lord for Pacific Islands University.

By His Grace,
Howard Merrell, Interim President, PIU

Update and Some Sad News From PIU

I have gotten through my second chemotherapy session and I am no longer toxic. My side effects were relatively mild. I had a little bit of the chills and the sweats and one small bout with nausea. Not too bad at all.  I am losing a lot more hair as you can see in the picture. My beard is getting thin so you can see my chin again.  The edema is slowly leaving my body, a little more slowly than I would like. But I am happy for that. Next Wednesday I will get evaluated by the doctor. He will decide when to refer me back down to Stanford to get another PET scan to see how the chemotherapy is affecting the T cells in my lymph nodes.  I'm very curious to know how the chemotherapy has progressed  and where my cancer stands.  I'm thankful for your prayers regarding my chemotherapy.

Today we are also mourning the passing of PIU volunteer April stone.  April was a wonderful woman of God and the students and staff loved her as she came out to PIU for the last few years as a volunteer to teach English.  Yesterday, she went home to be with the Lord.  She will be missed by all of us.  Please pray for her husband Howard Stone and her daughter and son son-in-law, Ken and Ruth Dixon, and their family. This is been a tough semester at PIU. We have been going through a lot of difficult things. I would ask that you remember the staff, faculty and students in prayer.

Finally, we are enjoying having our son Matt, his wife Kristin and the kids here with us this week.  Joyce especially has been enjoying the baby. Today she is taking the kids up the mountain so that they can have their first experience of being in snow.  I get a quiet day to relax, rest and write. We appreciate all of you who pray for us.  Please continue to pray for healing for me, strength for Joyce and God's provision for Pacific Islands University.

Reading Through the Psalms #9 (119)

We continue in the fifth and final book of the Psalms today accompanied by Psalms, vol. 2, The College Press NIV Commentary, by S. Edward Tesh and Walter D. Zorn. We will focus on the longest Psalm, 119 which brings out almost every theme of the whole book. I am posting quotes from the book on my Facebook page on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday (NT is Mon-Wed-Fri) and we can discuss comments and questions about the passage there. As usual, quotes from the commentary are in blue below…

Psalm 119 is a wisdom psalm that teaches the absolute necessity of understanding and applying the torah to one's life if one wants live successfully, happily and productively here on earth. It is important to understand that torah does not mean "law" in a legal sense but "a manner of life, not a legal “system” that assures salvation. Only in this sense could torah be the object of such joy, devotion, and acclaim as shown for it in Psalm 119. Torah, then, is a general term indicating “instruction,” whose basic idea is “pointing the way.” (373) 119 is an acrostic poem with each section having 8 verses beginning with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Each section brings out a different aspect of the beauty, results and inexhaustibility of the torah. The first half of the psalm (1-88) mentions guidance, direction, help, perseverance, knowledge, steadfastness, courage, safety, ability to serve and preservation of quality of life.

The author of Psalm 119 was one who had tested the word of God even as he himself was being tested severely in the crucible of life. He found that word to be sure and steadfast, an unfailing light for life’s journey, illuminating the pathway of true joy and genuine happiness. This is the theme of his song. Psalm 119, 377

The question is, “How may one avoid the sins and the pitfalls of this world? How can he keep himself pure and blameless?” And the answer, by giving heed to God’s word (v. 9)...However, it is not by God’s word in one’s head. Only as the word is in the heart and in the life does it work its transforming power. It is hid in the heart. Psalm 119.9-16, 378–379

If the LORD will continue to teach him the way, he will let that be his way (v. 33). This is no boast, nor even an assertion of self-confidence. It is an appeal for God’s help. He dares to believe that if God reveals the way for man, he will also enable one to walk in that way, whatever the circumstances may be. Psalm 119,33-40, 380

Psalm 119 continues to describe the amazing and inexhaustible benefits of studying, knowing, obeying and living out torah. It preserves life. It gives wisdom and knowledge for living beyond our experience. It keeps us moving in the right direction. It keeps us within the safe boundaries for successful living. We can recognize the follies of the world around us and not be drawn into them. Our lives our short. Why would we want live apart from torah and make it harder?

Since life is preserved through God’s word according to the psalmist, he concludes with what amounts to a proverb: To all perfection I see a limit; but your commands are boundless (v. 96). Psalm 119.89-96, 385

Many young preachers and teachers can testify that an earnest study of God’s word can give one much wisdom beyond one’s years, even though he or she may be spurned, rejected, or ignored simply for being young. But it is not just knowledge of the word of God that counts, it is obedience. Psalm 119.97-104, 386

The psalmist knows that it is not just God’s word or words with which we must deal, it is God himself. He will either be our judge or our hiding place—our refuge and our shield! Psalm 119.113-120, 387

Psalm 119 closes with the psalmist's outpouring of love for God and His word. He sees himself as God's servant who receives his instruction from the torah. He is indignant that, despite the availability of God's word, many people are ignorant of it. Sometimes he wonders why God feels so far away even though he is immersed in torah. Yet he knows that God's word will preserve his life and he pledges to study and worship "seven times a day." He knows his capacity for straying and asks God to continue to seek him out and for God's words to keep him on the right path.

“We live in an age of enlightenment shrouded.” There are so many Bible helps and tools for the study of God’s word today but so few who use them effectively. Biblical illiteracy is so prevalent in the churches that the true Bible student should be totally burdened by righteous indignation, the same as our psalmist. Psalm 119.137-144, 389

His praise is directed toward God alone. He knows the difference between the Scripture, God’s word, and God himself. The psalmist will not be accused of bibliolatry (turning the Scripture into an object of worship!). Such love and devotion to God, demonstrated through regular prayer and praise, lead to great peace. Psalm 119.161-168, 392

The psalmist is acutely aware not only of his potential for straying (v. 10) but also the fact that he had strayed away at one point in the past (v. 67). And now, in spite of his great devotion to God’s word and his commitment to obey it, he feels like a “perishing” sheep who has lost its way on the “journey of life.” Psalm 119.169-176, 392

Affirming the Apostle's Creed by J. I. Packer #3

We are continuing to work through J. I. Packer's short commentary, Affirming the Apostle's Creed. In this post, and the next, we will continue the longest section in the creed about God the Son. Here he discusses the incarnation and death of Jesus. I am posting from my reading in New Testament theologies and devotionals on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I welcome comments and discussion on my Facebook page. I am using the Logos version of the book.

Next Packer discusses the phrase "born of the virgin Mary." Jesus' entrance and exit from the world in His incarnation was marked by two miracles: the virgin birth and the resurrection/ascension. Both attest to His full humanity and full deity.

The entry and exit miracles carry the same message. First, they confirm that Jesus, though not less than man, was more than man. His earthly life, though fully human, was also divine. He, the co-creator, was in this world—his own world—as a visitor; he came from God and went to God. 73

Certainly, if we deny the virgin birth because it was a miracle, we should in logic deny Jesus’ bodily resurrection too. These miracles are on a par, and it is unreasonable to accept either while rejecting the other. 76

But the real Mary, the Mary of Scripture, saw herself simply as a saved sinner. “My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour” (Luke 1:47, KJV). She sets us a marvelous example, not just of the privilege (and the price!) of cooperating in God’s plan to bless the world (see Luke 1:38; 2:34–35), but also of humble response to God’s grace. 77

Next Packer looks at the phrase "suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried." He points out that only Christianity focuses on the legal murder of its central figure. The responsibility and guilt for Jesus' murder fell on "lawless men" yet it was also part of God's eternal plan to atone for sin and bring humanity back into relationship with God. In his incarnation, including the cross, Jesus' experienced all the consequences of our sins and triumphed over them. He provided reconciliation with God and defeated all the forces of evil at the cross.

Jesus knew on the cross all the pain, physical and mental, that man could inflict and also the divine wrath and rejection that my sins deserve; for he was there in my place, making atonement for me. 81

As our propitiation, it was reconciliation, the making of peace for us with our offended, estranged, angry Creator (Romans 5:9–11). We are not wise to play down God’s hostility against us sinners; what we should do is magnify our Savior’s achievement for us in displacing wrath by peace. 82

The cross was redemption, rescue from bondage and misery by the payment of a price (see Ephesians 1:7; Romans 3:24; Revelation 5:9; Mark 10:45); and as redemption, it was victory over all hostile powers that had kept us, and wanted still to keep us, in sin and out of God’s favor (Colossians 2:13–15). 82–83

The next phrase "He descended into hell" is somewhat controversial. This was caused by an unfortunate translation of "Hades" into Latin in the 4th century. The meaning here is that Jesus went to the place of the dead. That is, Jesus was really, truly dead. He has overcome the last and greatest enemy, death and because he rose, bodily, to new life we can have confidence that we will also rise in the same way.

Now we can face death knowing that when it comes we shall not find ourselves alone. He has been there before us, and he will see us through. 89

Having tasted death himself, he can support us while we taste it and carry us through the great change to share the life beyond death into which he himself has passed. Death without Christ is “the king of terrors,” but death with Christ loses the “sting,” the power to hurt, that it otherwise would have. 85–86

What the Creed means, however, is that Jesus entered, not Gehenna, but Hades—that is, that he really died, and that it was from a genuine death, not a simulated one, that he rose. 87