epcblog

Devotional thoughts (Monday through Thursday mornings) from the pastor of Exeter Presbyterian Church in Exeter, NH // Sunday Worship 10:30am // 73 Winter Street

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Psalm 61


Hear my cry, O God.” David's psalms regularly followed an inspired road from crisis to praise. They taught Israel good habits of prayer. Even when God's people had been taken to “the ends of the earth” in exile, the fainthearted could call out to the Lord. When all seemed lost and hopeless, the Almighty was still Israel's rock.
God's chosen people faced many serious problems. They needed a “refuge” and a “strong tower against the enemy.” They could not find the praise of God in the midst of their troubles unless they learned to cast their cares upon the Lord.
The real help that they needed was more than momentary assistance. David's words spoke of eternity. “Let me dwell in your tent forever!” Under the shelter of the “wings” of God, Israel would find safety, even beyond this life.
But what if the God over all eternity was incapable of communication? What if God could not hear or speak? David was confident that the Lord could hear him, and not only him, but all who would call upon the Almighty One.
In his distress, David had made certain promises to God. The king knew that the Lord had heard his vows. Success was so certain that he could speak of it as a completed fact. “You have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.”
David was emboldened to make more requests of the Lord. He asked for long life for a future chosen king. God had made a promise that a descendant of David would sit on his throne forever. That promised King has come. Because He reigns, our confidence in the Almighty can be very secure.
King Jesus is filled with the steadfast love of the Lord God. No one can remove Him from His place of supreme authority. Therefore we will praise Him forever. He has become the one Rock upon which the church may stand. He is the way to heaven, and on earth, the only Mediator between God and man who can lead us from our present crisis to eternal praise.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Great Lord and Helper, give us strength. We want to be with You now and always. Grant to us eternal life and love in Your Son, our King. We live in the security and power of His holy promises to You.

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Psalm 60


O God, you have rejected us.” This composition of David was written for the people of Israel at war. The nation called out to the Lord for help. They believed that their setbacks were the result of divine disfavor. They “staggered” in military disappointment, knowing that only the Lord could turn their losses into victory.
The Almighty was their banner. They determined to run to Him and to find renewed strength. His “right hand” would bring salvation.
In the midst of their entreaty, the Lord Himself spoke. He reaffirmed his eternal commitment to His people. Listing some of the cities in the Promised Land, God reassured Israel that they still belonged to Him.
He also referred to people groups that stood against them. Moab was His as was Edom and Philistia. The Lord would assert His sovereign power over all the enemies of Israel. He would “shout in triumph” over every troubling foe.
Yet would God actually lead His armies into battle? Would He bring them to victory over Edom? David asked the question that was on the hearts of all of the Lord's people. “Have you not rejected us, O God?”
If the Lord loved Israel, they needed Him to show that covenant commitment by going forth with their armies. They would not count on the help that might come to them from other powerful nations. “Vain is the salvation of man!” God alone would bring about a glorious victory. That was David's hope, and his words became Israel's song.
The church today is engaged in a different kind of mission with the glorious Son of David as our Captain. He calls us forward as agents of His love and truth. We go out, not to kill, but to suffer for His Name's sake. We follow the King who died on the cross for us. With our God, we shall do valiantly.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Lord God, help us now. As we look around our lives we see trouble and destruction everywhere. Send Your salvation and help Your church. Claim Your people again with Your strong Word. You will bring us home in triumph. You will have the victory over all of those who oppose You.

Monday, December 22, 2014

Psalm 59


Deliver me from my enemies, O my God.” David knew that Saul, the king of Israel, wanted to kill him. When Saul sent men to watch David's house, David wrote Psalm 59. David turned his tragedy into praise.
The Lord God Almighty could help David even at this time when the most powerful man in Israel was trying to murder him. Saul had strong men on his side. They were David's enemies because Saul insisted that they serve as an extension of his own jealousy. These “bloodthirsty men” warmed to their task and sought success in their evil designs.
David knew that his troubles were not a result of his own sins. He called upon God to come swiftly to his aid. “Rouse yourself to punish all the nations.” David styled Saul's allies as Gentile adversaries rather than as true Israelites. In the case of men like Doeg the Edomite, this was literally the case. David did not ask the Lord to show such men mercy, but to give them the justice that they deserved. If they were to live, he hoped that it would only be so that Israel would not forget important truths that are remembered when real enemies are seen and known.
Above all, David praised the Lord as his “Strength” in this great time of crisis. He knew that God's steadfast love for him was not just a weak idea. The Lord's nearness to His beloved servant would bring victory over violent foes. David concluded his song with these words of dependence and worship: “O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.”
Jesus Christ, the greatest descendant of David, is the Strength of the Almighty now become flesh. He is the fullest answer to David's prayers for justice and his confidence in God's presence with His people. Jesus is the same forever, and He has defeated all our foes.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers
Glorious Lord, though our enemies are making plans to destroy Your people, You will see and help. You are awake to the needs of Your people, and to their cry for aid. The day will come when every foe will be trapped and destroyed. Everyone will see that You love Your people with unwavering faithfulness, and we will worship You forever.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Psalm 58


Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods?” The Almighty One gave mankind a god-like responsibility to judge and to rule. Some were granted special positions of authority to be used for His good purposes. The Lord called such human judges “gods” in Psalm 58, yet these “gods” were not the ultimate God.
Those who used their power only to “deal out violence on the earth” would one day face the divine Defender of the poor. David knew that the Lord would not tolerate injustice forever. He understood from his own life experience what it was like to be oppressed by powerful people. He called on the Lord to “tear out the fangs” of these “lions.”
Those who had wealth and authority imagined that they answered to no one. They assumed that their god-like power would be eternal. How would they be able stand before the Almighty?
God will judge between the wicked and the righteous. The Lord who came in humility to die for our sins will come again in glory. Vengeance belongs to Him. All those who have found their safety in Christ will rejoice when they see His perfect justice. “Mankind will say, 'Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth.'”

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Righteous Lord, there are many who rule with injustice. They justify themselves and insist on their own way. They use the power they have been given for immoral purposes. Our trust is in You. The wicked will not win forever, for You are God, and You will judge.

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Psalm 57


Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge.” David wanted to live. He looked for the Lord to protect him and to save him from those who were seeking his speedy demise. He believed that God had a purpose for his life, and that the Lord's intentions for him would be fulfilled.
Because of the “steadfast love and faithfulness” of God, David knew that he would be saved and that his enemies would be stopped. This important man in the history of Israel knew that his life was in danger. Yet even though he might “lie down amid fiery beasts,” the Lord would protect him.
David was not primarily concerned about true wild animals such as lions or bears. People with their sharp tongues were after him. Yet these adversaries were no match for God.
David's chorus, repeated twice in Psalm 56, is a great expression of praise. “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!” The Lord had a plan for David and for God's little Israel, but His intentions were bigger than that. God's plan for glory would reach all the way to the ends of the earth and even beyond the heights of the heavens. God's greatness would be magnified in every detail of creation. Therefore, David knew that his own little life mattered.
Even with this fervent expression of faith, David still had to deal with the reality of those who were very much against him. The Lord has a purpose in our most frightening trials. His own Son faced murderous attacks from the earliest months of His life on earth. Only through the warning of angels was Jesus able to live long enough to fulfill the plan that His Father had for Him. What was that divine mission? The promised Son in the line of David would have to die on the cross for us. Despite the difficulty of the journey that stood before Him, Jesus was not angry or resentful. He was ready to give the fullest praise to His Father. He looked beyond the cross to the glorious prize.
We join our Messiah in considering our present suffering as nothing compared to the glory that will one day be revealed to us. Even now we are able to consider the worldwide mission of the church and lift up our voices to the Lord in worship. “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!”

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Creator God, we take refuge in You. Troubles are many, but Your steadfast love is above them all. People come against us, but You are stronger than men. We will worship You early in the morning. We will worship You when our situation seems hopeless, for You are God.

Monday, December 15, 2014

Psalm 56


Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me.” God sent Israel into the land of Canaan as agents of conquest. But now, centuries after His revelation to Moses, David cried out to the Lord because the Philistines were seeking to destroy him. The “proud” stood against David, but the man who would be king put his trust in God.
David did not deny that he was afraid. In the midst of his fear, he found strength in God and in His Word. With confidence in his sovereign Lord, he knew that his enemies could not win the day.
Were David's enemies dangerous? Yes, their thoughts were continuously against him. They stirred up trouble for him and looked for an opportunity to bring his life to an end. Yet David knew that the Lord would hold them accountable for their malice.
David also knew that the Lord was on his side. His God had tender regard for him. Though he was forced to wander among the Philistines, God was well aware of all his troubles and tears. The man whom God had chosen to replace Saul reminded himself again that he could rightly trust in the Lord and in His Word.
David looked forward to the day when he would be able to testify before his own people concerning the Lord's faithful care. “I will render thank offerings to You.” He knew that the Lord would deliver him from the threat of death. He would “walk before God in the light of life.”
David would never be killed by his enemies, but one thousand years after David rested in the grave, the enemies of Jesus would seem to win the day. Jesus would suffer mortal wounds because of their violence. Nonetheless, like David, Jesus would “walk before God in the light of life.” Through the suffering of Jesus on the cross, sin and death would be utterly defeated. We who believe in the resurrection of Jesus should sing these great words of David with confidence: “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?”

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Father God, You are gracious. We trust You. There is much danger everywhere, but You will protect us. You know about every enemy who stands against us, and every difficulty that will come before us. You are powerful to save in every situation, and You are with us.

Tuesday, December 09, 2014

Psalm 55


Give ear to my prayer, O God.” David cried out to the Lord for help and admitted his restlessness as he waited for the Lord to answer him. He heard the voices of enemies all around him, but not the voice of God for which he longed.
David was not doing well. He wrote about his experience of anguish, terror, fear, trembling, and horror. He wanted to fly away like a dove from all his troubles, finding shelter in the wilderness from “the raging wind and tempest.”
David was surrounded by all his trials even inside the city walls where he was king. The crowds within the marketplace were not places of joyful provision for him, but centers of “oppression and fraud.” Yet the king's biggest troubles came not from the throng within the gates of Jerusalem, but from the king's close companion, his “familiar friend,” who had turned against him.
The king's trust in this time of despair was in the Lord alone. He was now able to affirm that God was paying attention to him at his greatest time of need. “He hears my voice.” Even more, “He redeems my soul.” David knew that God would humble those who were arrayed against him.
When Christ was preparing to do His great work of salvation for us, psalms like this one prepared him for the betrayal of Judas, his close companion. Jesus knew that the “righteous” would never “be moved.” Others would fall into the “pit of destruction,” but the Son of God would trust in His Father to the very end.
We are called to this same life of faith. We cry out to God even when He does not seem to hear us. We continue to turn to Him even when our best friends disappoint us. We pray and sing until we remember the unfailing love of our Savior, and by the grace of God we continue to turn to the Lord God Almighty as our only hope.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Hear us, O Lord! We feel the danger of trouble and wickedness everywhere, and we are greatly concerned. We would like to run away from all our anxieties, but we do not know where we can go. Even familiar friends seem to be against us. We call out to You. Surely You will save us. There is a dangerous battle going on here. Please help us, and deliver us from those who make false promises of love and loyalty. We cast our cares upon You, for You care for us.

Monday, December 08, 2014

Psalm 54


O God, save me by your name.” Many treacherous people sought to kill the author of Psalm 54. David's confidence throughout many great trials was in God alone. He trusted that the Lord would bring about his vindication. He called upon the Name of the Lord asking God to overturn the plans of ungodly strangers who were plotting against him.
Instead of bringing evil upon the heads of others himself, David often called out to God to show him His favor. He knew that God was sustaining him. The Lord would be the one who would judge David's enemies and even “put an end to them.”
David was looking to see the unfolding of a divine drama in a way that would make it clear to all that he was in the right. His enemies would be destroyed, and he would be shown to be God's friend. Then David would give public testimony to the Lord's faithfulness. He would sacrifice a “freewill offering” to the Lord. His thanksgiving to the Lord would be publicly acknowledged.
Only those who have a bold confidence in the Lord would record the sentiments that David wrote about in Psalm 54. Most of the Lord's servants might want to acknowledge the ambiguity of their moral contests with other people. Not David in his struggle with the Ziphites. And not Jesus in His contest with the religious leaders of His day.
Jesus was opposed by Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians, and other powerful players when He came to do the will of His Father. He spoke words of forthright rebuke against those who hated Him without a cause. He was not afraid to pronounce a sentence of “woe” against those who were headed in the wrong direction in their hatred of Him. He knew that He was doing His Father's will.
If we lack a godly assurance that we are in the right when we are opposed by others, we might do well to just consider others as better than ourselves, and then to let love cover a multitude of sins. But when we are treated unjustly for the Name of Christ, when our only offense is our connection to the Lamb of God, we can look to the Lord to vindicate His own Name. We can remember what our Lord accomplished for us with His victory on the cross and find strength from above. We can look for the Lord's vindication of His own glory and our good in the coming resurrection.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers
Savior God, we need You now. There is danger and trouble on every side. We ask for Your deliverance, that we might look with triumph over every adversary.

Wednesday, December 03, 2014

Psalm 53


The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'” A fool might be afraid to publicly proclaim his atheism. Yet in his heart he denies the existence of the Almighty.
Deeper still in his soul, he actually knows the truth that God exists, but he suppresses the knowledge of this truth in unrighteousness. See Romans 1:18-23. Why such self-deception? In the words of Psalm 53 (and Psalm 14), “They are corrupt.” The fool wants to do everything his own way without any necessary submission to the Judge of the earth. His conscience may accuse him, but he finds a way to excuse himself with the thought that there is no one above who knows or cares for him.
How pervasive is this strange syndrome? David says, “There is none who does good.” All have gone in this dishonest direction to some extent. God looks across all the millions upon the face of the earth to see if there is even one person who is truly seeking Him. His conclusion: “They have all fallen away; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.”
Nonetheless, some give themselves over to the madness of pretended atheism more than others. They refuse to call upon the Name of God. They also devote themselves to the persecution of those who sincerely cry out to God for His grace. They “eat up my people as they eat bread.”
The Lord will be the defender of all who turn to Him. He will make a distinction between the man who humbles himself before the majesty of God and the one who will have none of it. The Lord will keep the former and will scatter the latter.
When will God finally vindicate those who cry out to Him? The very same Jesus who died for the sins of His people will return again to judge all of mankind at just the right time. When He comes He will bring the fullness of salvation from heaven. Then God will distinguish between the one who clings to foolishness and the child of God who receives the wisdom that comes from above.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Lord God, You are real. We come to You today in faith. We need You for help in every situation of trouble and terror. Bring salvation to us. Restore our fortunes, and make us glad in Your Son.

Tuesday, December 02, 2014

Psalm 52


Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man?” The title to Psalm 52 gives some historical context for this composition of David. Doeg the Edomite betrayed David to King Saul and brought about the slaughter of a group of priests who had innocently cared for David when he and his men were hungry. This episode was deeply troubling to the man who would one day be the king of Israel.
David was rightly angry about Doeg's treachery. With his words and his hands Doeg had destroyed those who represented Israel before the Lord. God would pay him back for his evil words. Doeg would be revealed before all of Israel to be a man who trusted not in God but “in the abundance of his riches.” His bad choices would only hasten his own destruction.
David understood that he was different from Doeg. David was “like a green olive tree in the house of God.” He would have the fruitfulness that springs forth from a genuine relationship with the God of Israel. The steadfast love of the Lord would always be his trust. He knew that his future was secure because of the refuge he had found in the Lord. His heart was thankful even in this disappointment. He would wait for the Lord's deliverance.
Jesus stood firm in the same way when He faced the powerful assaults that came against Him by the religious leaders of His day. Like David, He strengthened Himself in His Father's love. He found the courage to trust in the God of Israel all the way to the cross. Because of His victory, all who are connected to Him have a firm hope of the eternal favor of the Almighty. Though evil adversaries may seem to prevail for a season, all who call upon the Name of the Lord shall see the victory of the steadfast love of God. The Lord will rescue them from every danger.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Almighty God, men of evil turn against You. Surely a day of reckoning will come. We have made You our only refuge for that coming day. Your Son has trusted in You perfectly, and has won salvation for the congregation who fear You and are called by His name.

Monday, December 01, 2014

Psalm 51


Have mercy on me, O God.” King David took another man's wife and brought about the death of her husband and others in order to hide his behavior. After he had been confronted by the prophet Nathan, he called upon the Lord for forgiveness. Though there would be consequences for these actions in David's life, his song reminded Israel that God could forgive serious sin and cleanse a heart that was overcome by shame.
David knew his transgressions. He could not stop thinking about what he had done. He had certainly sinned against Bathsheba and her husband, but first and foremost he had sinned against God.
David's evil did not begin with actions. His thoughts and desires were wrong before he ever accomplished any sin. His adultery and murder came from within.
The king's soul problem could only be healed by God. David acknowledged that his defect had been with him from birth. He also testified that the Lord was able to fix that inner wound by teaching him wisdom “in the secret heart.”
The king knew that the Lord could make him “whiter than snow.” God could send him “joy and gladness.” He could give his servant a “clean heart” and renew within him a “right spirit.”
What would the king do if God forgave him and cleansed him? “I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.” David was willing to write honestly about the Lord's forgiveness. He would bring help to others who needed hope.
The Lord God delivered King David from “bloodguiltiness.” The king knew that the Lord would not despise his broken heart, so he offered himself up to God as a living sacrifice. He turned his shame into a song that would help millions and bring glory to the Lord.
How could a man like David find honest forgiveness and a new beginning? All divine blessing comes to sinners from the righteousness of Jesus. He would be the acceptable sacrifice who would one day be offered to God. The blood of the Son of God displayed the seriousness of sin, but through His life and death, people like King David could find new life.


Prayer from A Book of Prayers

O Lord, our Redeemer, You know the truth about our sin, and have uncovered transgression before our hearts at just the right time. You bring Your Word to bear upon the very points of our obvious faults. How could we have pretended that everything was alright when we continued in sin? Fill our souls with Your Holy Spirit. Change us, O God. We will lead others in the right way, for You have forgiven us. You have received us again through Christ. We give You all glory and praise through Him.