Month: February 2015

Communication With GOD

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“Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not Thyself from my supplication.” Psalm 55:1 (KJV)

In all of life communication is a necessity.  Many times if we would communicate with those who are an enemy we could solve many problems between us.

We communicate sometimes without words.  For instance when we are driving an automobile we use turn signals to let someone know we are making a turn.  We turn on our headlights even though we can see to let others see us on a cloudy, raining, inclement day.

God desires to communicate with His crown of creation.  God’s greatest and loudest communication with people is the death of His only Son on the cross.  He does, and has for centuries, even millenniums spoken through the Law and the Prophets, through His Word.  That is still the chief way that people can hear from God.

God has given to us a way of speaking with Him.  It begins by believing Him through Jesus Christ.  It is given to us to pray.  Prayer is our communication with Him.  The apostle Paul tells us to “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).  Our focus on GOD.

The Psalmist prays, “Give ear to my prayer, O God…”  Of this Matthew Henry wrote,

Prayer is a salve for every sore and a relief to the spirit under every burden: Give ear to my prayer, O God! Psa_55:1, Psa_55:2.

-Matthew Henry Commentary

Prayer is also our way of remaining in contact with the King in the spiritual warfare we fight (Ephesians 6:18).  We cannot fight without the armor, the sword of the Spirit, or without prayer.

In summary of this Matthew Henry has written,

If we, in our prayers, sincerely lay open ourselves, our case, our hearts, to God, we have reason to hope that he will not hide himself, his favours, his comforts, from us.

When we are in the Lord Jesus Christ, God does not hide from our supplications.

God’s Name and Power

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“Save me, O God, by Thy name, and judge me by Thy strength.” Psalm 54:1 (KJV)

When we read the Bible we find many times where the characters of scripture cry out for salvation.  Many times that means deliverance from a present condition; as is with David’s case in the above verse.  It can carry with it an eternal meaning, and teach us that in every area of life we need God’s help.

On this verse Spurgeon has noted,

“Save me, O God.” Thou art my Saviour; all around me are my foes and their eager helpers. No shelter is permitted me. Every land rejects me and denies me rest. But thou, O God, wilt give me refuge, and deliver me from all my enemies. “By thy name,” by thy great and glorious nature. Employ all thine attributes for me. Let every one of the perfections which are blended in thy divine name work for me. Is not thine honour pledged for my defence? “And judge me by thy strength.” Render justice to me, for none else will or can. Thou canst give me efficient justice, and right my wrongs by thine omnipotence. We dare not appeal to God in a bad cause, but when we know that we can fearlessly carry our cause before his justice we may well commit it to his power.
From C. H. Spurgeon’s THE TREASURY OF DAVID

If we find ourselves harvesting a crop from evil seeds we should not expect God’s deliverance.  We do reap what we sow; both good and bad.  There is, however, forgiveness for every sin.

No GOD? (2)

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“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.” Psalm 53:1 (KJV)

This Psalm is very similar to Psalm 14, of which I have written on December 12, 2014. There is not much more that I will say of this matter except this.

I found a very beautiful house set up in the forest.  No one knows how it got there.  No one knows the builder.  There are some who says, “Well, it just appeared here one day.”  Others say,  “It is here.  It had to have a builder.”  Now who do you suppose is using a right thinking mind?

It is foolish to look at a beautiful home and think that no one built it.  That is what the atheist is doing when they live in a world, where everything is ordered, and operates with fine care and precision.  Think, think, think.  It is not even science to think something just appeared.  That is fantasy.

The Mighty, and the Goodness of GOD

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“Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? The goodness of God endureth continually.” Psalm 52:1

This Psalm’s title says,

“To the chief Musician, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech.”

The events of the evil of Doeg are recorded in 1 Samuel 22.  He was a very brave man to slay priests who were not soldiers, and could not defend themselves.  Of course I am being sarcastic here.

Why would evil boast of its “great” prowess and power against those who are weak?  There is no goodness, power or prowess in evil.  However, the goodness, the kindness, and the faithfulness of God is forever.  On Him we can trust and depend.

Mercy or Justice???

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“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.” Psalm 51:1 (KJV)

This Psalm are the words of David to the LORD following the confrontation of his sin with Bathsheba.  David is guilty of sin; adultery, and murder of Uzziah the husband of Bathsheba.  David deserves to die.  That would be justice.

Because of David’s repentant heart God gives David mercy, and preserves his life.

In 2015 I have heard many call out for “Justice”, and yes sometimes that seems in short supply.  There is justice for many unborn children, but no mercy.  There is much mercy shown to those who do not deserve mercy, because they have shown no mercy.  Wait a minute.  Who deserves mercy?

Let me define what these words mean; at least as I see them.  First “Justice”  equals getting what is rightly deserved – death, judgment.  “Mercy” equals not receiving what we justly deserve – but instead receive forgiveness, life, love, liberty.

The Psalmist asked for mercy.  I believe he received it.  He received forgiveness, cleansing, and his sins blotted out.  Hear the word of the LORD;

“I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” Isaiah 43:25

My prayer is that we ask for mercy from God for our transgressions, our sins; and that we also ask for mercy for those who sin against us.  I need mercy.  What about you?