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Psalm 17:8

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 25, 2020
 
 
Psalm 17:8b “hide me in the shadow of your wings.”
[You, Heavenly Father, actively shelter your children, covering us with your Presence and Power, keeping us safe from what is truly evil. But we, like chicks, must choose to stay under your wings, to abide in your love, as you, Jesus, command us in John 15:9-10, “Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.”
If we choose to disobey your commands, Lord Jesus, and in arrogance and selfishness elevate our intellect and desires above your Word, as Adam and Eve did, we remove ourselves from the protecting shelter of your love.
Even then, though, you never stop loving us. You are always there, calling us, waiting for us to come and again abide in your shelter, your grace, your unconditional love.
And when we do stray in disobedience, you actively, in your love, chasten us by letting us suffer the consequences of our poor choices (Heb. 12:1-17). You do this so we will come to our senses and return to obedience to you. You WILL hide us under your wings, if only we will come and abide there.]
Help us, Lord, to do that, to abide in your love, obeying what we know to be true, reveling in the Truth of your great and wonderful compassion and care for us. May we have the glow of your love in our hearts, in our souls and on our faces as we go with you into today, that we may bring light and hope to all those we meet.
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Psalm 17:6-7

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 22, 2020
 
 
Psalm 17:6 “I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.”
[Your faithfulness, Lord, is the impetus for prayer. You Will hear, you Will answer, you Will help–because it is your nature to be faithful!
We can be so certain of your answering, that in any circumstance we can give thanks before we see any sign of an answer, we can fully rest in you, we don’t have to panic, we don’t have to cling to our desired outcome, we don’t have to be afraid. We can, before an answer comes, know that you will faithfully do what is best. Your promise to hear and answer was David’s hope–and ours, too.]
Psalm 17:7 “Show the wonder of your great love,
[Yours, Lord Jesus, is a love far richer and deeper, more committed than even David could know in his time. He was not able to see your great plan to move through immense suffering–spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically and volitionally–which you were willing to endure because of you love for your rebellious creatures. To say your love is wonderful is a woefully inadequate statement! Praise you for your immeasurable, mighty, all-encompassing, all consuming compassion]
“you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.”
[Your right hand, the hand of honor, is powerful and adequate to save us in any danger. You are our sure Refuge, our high Tower, our mighty Rock, our righteous Redeemer and sufficient Savior who is every watching over us. We must, however, run to you and take shelter in that refuge. We are called to partnership with you and need to actively join you so you can do your promised part.
I praise you, Lord God, that you, in your immense might, your persistent power, your notable knowledge of all and your pervasive presence, can never be defeated. No one can trick you, fool you or get around you. Therefore, you are fully able to protect us, to bring us through whatever events you allow and bring us down your green path and out into the wide and pleasant place you have prepared, into the green pastures of your pleasure.
We praise you now for what you will do today in protecting us, preparing all for us and providing what we need. May we live in the light of this truth and rest in you, no matter what comes.]
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Psalm 17:3-5

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 21, 2020
Psalm 17:3 “Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing;”
[Here is a statement I find hard to understand. I cannot say this–only a slight probe in me will find a multitude of wrong in my motives, thoughts and actions. Perhaps David was speaking more of the fact that he has not responded incorrectly in his present situation; maybe he has forgiven and prayed for the good of his enemies. Perhaps he has already confessed his sin in the situation and now stands cleansed as far as he knows.]
“I have resolved that my mouth will not sin.”
[He’s not going to give a response of the flesh, but speak what he knows is pleasing to you, Lord. That hints at checking his motives, thinking through his possible responses and choosing to obey what he knows is right. May I live like that.]
Psalm 17:4 “As for the deeds of men—by the word of your lips I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.”
[Perhaps here David, who was a man of war, is talking specifically of the instance before him where he did not respond to these people in violence (which he could have done), acting instead according your commands in grace and quietness. May I do the same!]
Psalm 17:5 “My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not slipped.”
[As David sought to obey, running in the paths prepared by you, Lord, he did not stumble or fall. It was only when he strayed from your path that he slipped, fell and took many others down with him.
Lord keep me on your path, surround me with your hedge of thorns, pricking me immediately when I zig or zag off your way so I can quickly repent and get back on your path. May I not slip today and thereby bring you honor.]
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Psalm 17:1-2

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 19, 2020
Psalm 17:1 “Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry.”
[You, Lord, are the prayer-answering God. Intercession was your invention, giving us a way to enter your presence, your arms, your heart, your plans.
You are the God who
–heard Joseph and gave him the interpretation of dreams;
–who heard Moses and opened the Red Sea;
–who heard David and defeated his enemies;
–who heard Daniel and told him the dream of the king;
–who heard Jesus and raised Lazarus from the dead.
–And you are the God who hears us still and will answer in the same faithfulness and power you always have.]
“Give ear to my prayer—it does not rise from deceitful lips.”
[Your part is to hear, ours is to come to you in integrity, not trying to manipulate you or paint ourselves as better than we are, or trick you into moving against someone unjustly. To do any of these is, of course, ridiculous, for nothing is hidden from your eyes, including our motives. You are the all-seeing, all-knowing, all-present One.
Praise you that we can and must be totally transparent before you—and that such honesty does not negatively affect your openness to us one bit, “for you are good and ready to forgive and plenteous in mercy to all who call upon you” (Psalm 86:5).
Psalm 17:2 “May my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right.”
[Truly, real vindication can only fully come from you, Lord, for only you know fully what is good. We can rest in that awesome truth that you see everything, both right and wrong, and love us anyway.
Your Word is clear on how we should trust you to deal with those who oppose us. As it says in the Old Testament, “Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psa. 37:1-4).
This concept is repeated more powerfully in the New Testament: “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:19-21).
In the picture here, the beauty of these leaves was revealed by the recent frost. Likewise, the beauty of the Lord is revealed in us through difficulties, if we respond according to His Word.
Lord, help us to look to you for vindication and for dealing with those who treat us like their enemies. May our delight be in you, not in vengeance or winning. May you thusly be glorified before all those around us, especially before those who oppose us. And right now, I am in the midst of such a conflict with a renter who sees me as the enemy, so I must apply all this personally! I praise you for how you will answer in faithfulness and righteousness and bring vindication.]
Epilogue: as I asked, the Lord gave wisdom through Psalm 37 (do good) in how to do good to this renter who treated me as an enemy, and he straightened out.
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Moving Out

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 19, 2020
At the beginning of September 2008 we had an opportunity for a short break at the seashore with both our sons and daughters in-law. It was a pleasant and restful time, just what we needed after the extreme stress of the conferences and my subsequent stent insertion. I felt good, strong and refreshed.
 
As soon as we returned from our break, we had a tour group arrive for a guided trip to the seven churches of Revelation. Such tours were part of our business venture; this was to be our last one.
 
Barbara and I traveled with them by bus for ten days, giving them the inside story of what Turkey was like spiritually in Paul’s time and what it was like now.
 
We walked on the marble paving stones of the streets of Ephesus, the same ones the Apostles Paul and John had walked on. We sat in the amphitheater where the crowds who rioted against Paul’s preaching shouted, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians.” We stood in the ruins of the synagogue in Pisidion Antioch and read from Acts the sermon Paul gave on that same spot. In Iconium, we visited one of the old city gates, perhaps the one Paul walked through. These were, for me, spine tingling connections with biblical history.
 
It was a stimulating trip, but also a strenuous one, what with spending every night in a different hotel, traveling long distances and having continual interaction with people.
 
During the tour Barbara and I also made a side trip. Our visas would run out a week before our scheduled departure for Germany, so we wanted to make a quick exit to a Greek island to extend them. However, we discovered that the harbors in Greece were all closed by a strike, so we could not get that accomplished. This meant we would have to leave our apartment and Turkey a week earlier than planned.
 
If you have ever completely closed down a house, disposing of everything in it, leaving it repainted, empty and swept clean, then you know how much time that takes. It is a much more difficult process than just moving. And we were now under a time crunch to get this completed a week earlier than planned.
 
The Lord helped us with the good assistance Josh and Sarah, Robert and others gave us. We stored some things with Robert in faith that we would sometime come back. The rest we were able to sell, give away or put on the street so we were fully moved out in time to have the apartment painted.
 
The Lord even worked it out so that the landlady gave back all of our sizable deposit—something she rarely did for her renters. We then moved in with Josh and Sarah for the last few days before our departure.
 
One of our teammates very generously offered to loan us his van to drive to Germany, and Nat and Abby volunteered to go with us and drive the van back. The thought of spending some extra days traveling with Nat and Abby made the prospect of our trip much more pleasant.
 
Our visa expiration dates forced us to leave in the midst of a major four-day Muslim holiday, but that turned out to be a gift from the Lord, too. First, there was very little traffic on the roads, and second, all the tolls on the turnpikes and the bridge over the Bosporus were waved. We zoomed our way out of Turkey and into Greece in record time.
 
Picture: on our way to Germany; note how skinny I am after the very stressful summer.
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Prayer requests

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 18, 2020
 
 
Please post this on your FB page
 
Today – Global Day of Prayer for Turkey – Sat Apr 18
In 2009 we asked the world to join us each year for a Global Day of Prayer for T on April 18, the day in 2007 when three of our brothers were tortured and brutally murdered in T. We offer these requests for your individual use or in your churches tomorrow.
 
As you pray, consider Paul’s words…
He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. (2 Cor 1:10-11)
 
1. Please pray for the blessing and peace of T in general, as the Lord desires us to bless and be a blessing to all.
By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted…. (Prov 11:11)
 
2. Pray the Lord will display His love and mercy to the people of T by pouring out His Holy Spirit upon our land, revealing His glory through healings, signs and wonders.
3. Pray the Lord breaks down the lies and the endless disinformation about Christ, the Bible and Christians that has blinded and hardened hearts in our land. Pray that God redeems the negative memories of history.
 
Of course, we are living in the flesh, but we do not fight in a fleshly way. For the weapons of our warfare are not those of the flesh. Instead, they have the power of God to demolish fortresses. We tear down arguments and every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive in order to obey Christ.. (2 Cor 10:3-5)
 
4. Pray that hearts and eyes are opened to see Jesus as the way, the truth and the life.
 
5. Pray for the Turkish believers who are always on the frontline to walk close to the Lord. Pray for refreshing, emboldening, strengthening, protection and encouragement.
 
6. Pray for more servant hearted leaders. For good role models. For faithful laborers.
 
7. Pray for the ongoing unity amongst the churches and for its increase and deepening.
 
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus that together you may, with one voice, glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom 15:5-6)
 
Thank you for your prayers. May the Lord’s hand be upon you always.
 
On behalf of the Body of Christ in T,
Alliance of Protestant Churches (Turkey)
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Psalm 16:8-11

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 18, 2020

Psalm 16:8b,9 “…he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;”

[You, Lord God, are the reason I can be glad and rejoice, for you are mightily faithful, lovingly good, totally wise and graciously giving. There is no lack for those who follow you. “The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing” (Psa. 34:10). It is in you, in your character that all comes together, that all is provided, that all stability rests. It is SO right to rejoice in you!]

Psalm 16:10 “my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.”

[This is a prophetical statement about you, Lord Jesus, written 1000 years before you were born. You died on the cross, but your body did not deteriorate; it was brought back to life and transformed into the new and eternal form our bodies will have.

Right now, we live in the land of the dying, but being in you, but we already are in the Kingdom of the eternally living. And along with this, you have given us three wonders for life right now:]

1) Psalm 16:11 “You have made known to me the path of life;”

[In your love and grace, your compassion and forgiveness, your Spirit has opened and is opening my eyes to your way, so I can walk on the path, “of the righteous” which “is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever more brightly til the full light of day” (Prov 4:18).

And every day, as we walk on your way, we can give you glory and honor by responding to every situation with praise. To know you is wonderful!]

2) “you will fill me with joy in your presence,”

[Truly, know Jesus is enough for joy! The more we know you, the deeper our joy goes, overflowing, energizing, transforming and guiding. It is not our circumstances, but the certainty of your presence that is the well-spring of joy in our lives. And this will be multiplied a thousand-fold when we pass through death into eternal life. We praise you for it!]

3) “with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

[The certainty of spending eternity with you, Lord Jesus, at your right hand, enjoying the pleasure of your presence, the wonders of your being, the marvels of your new Heaven and new Earth–this is a prospect beyond comprehension. To have this certainty is a further aspect to our present joy.

Yes, Lord Jesus, to know you is enough for joy, a joy that will be ever increasing until death and then exploding into all the dimensions in which you now live, expanding throughout eternity as we learn more and more of your marvelous, infinite character. May I walk together with you in that joy this day, Lord Jesus, so that I can shine the light of your joy on all those I meet.

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Psalm 16:7

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 17, 2020
Psalm 16:7 “I will praise the LORD,”
[Yes, I will wholeheartedly, with every part of my being, praise you–such a wonderful Lord you are, the King of Kings, the God of greatness, the Lord of lords, the Sovereign Shepherd, the Mighty Master, the Creator of all creatures, the Ender of Epochs and the Leader of Love, Light and Life. Out your great love, you pour blessing after undeserved blessing in our lives. You are worthy beyond all measure, worthy of all the worship I can give!]
“who counsels me;”
[You are the God who reaches into my life moment by moment, speaking to me through your Word and through your Spirit, through the insights of others, through realizations and understanding.
When I am confused, uncertain or afraid, you are there to counsel me from your measureless love and infinite knowledge. I can turn to you for wisdom and know for sure that you will give it, for you have promised: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).]
“even at night my heart instructs me.”
[As I wait for sleep and meditate on your Word, you teach me new things, reinforce old truths, reveal insights and bring further transformation.
Even in my dreams you speak to me, as Scripture comes to mind. Sometimes, without realizing I am in a dream and face life-threatening circumstances, or temptations where I can respond with praise and trust and obedience, hearing the leading of your Spirit.]
Psalm 16:8 “I have set the LORD always before me.”
[To my shame, I cannot say that I do this always, but certainly want to keep you at the center of my life, Lord Jesus, to acclaim you in every aspect of my life, to have my heart open to your guidance at each juncture, to follow your leading constantly. Help me to do that consistently, Lord Jesus.]
“Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
[In contrast to me, you, Heavenly Father, are totally consistent, always faithful, unshakable. You have a detailed plan for me in each day and will carry me through it. You will never leave me; you are persistently there and will always give what is necessary in protection, guidance, wisdom and provision. So, there is no reason for me to be shaken, I only need to look to you, knowing that you will give beyond what I need. I can praise you in it ahead of time.]
Praise you, Lord, that as I go into this day, it is certain that you will be there, keeping me within the pleasant boundaries you have set to protect me, blessing me with your presence, giving me new vision to understand what is good and what is not.
I praise you for your great wisdom, your abundant love, your ever-flowing grace and your endless kindness. To you I lift up my voice of praise, to you I give my life anew. Glorify yourself today in all that will come, that those around may see your greatness and bow before you, too.]
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Truth

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 16, 2020
“Teach me your way, O Lord; I will walk in your truth;” Psalm 86:11
 
Praise be to you, Lord Jesus, that you came to be the Way, to teach the way, to be the Truth, to reveal truth. It is wonderful that in you we can now know truth, see what is right and wrong, be aware of what is hurtful before we act, of what is good before choosing.
 
“Unite my heart to fear your name…” (Ps. 86:11b). You are the only One who can heal and unite our hearts, making us single-minded, whole-hearted, completely committed to Truth.
 
You are the only One who is worthy of that commitment, for you are the great God, the obedient Son, the willing Sacrifice, the Healer of the broken creation, and the Bridegroom dying for your bride. You bind up our wounded hearts and masterfully, tenderly unite them to yourself.
 
“I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify your name forevermore” (Ps. 86:12). Yes, I WILL praise you, for you are my Lord, my God—my final Authority, my King, the real Ruler, the Mighty I AM, the Great Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
 
Yes, I WILL glorify your name, Lamb of God, King of Glory, Redeemer of all, Everlasting Father, Son of Man, Son of God, the Most High, the Almighty One, the Gracious One, the Compassionate One, the Patient One, the Holy One.
 
You are worthy of exaltation, magnification, glory and praise forever and ever and ever. There will be no end to the revelation of new facets about your beautiful person, your rich personality, your infinite graciousness. And I thank you that we will be with you to praise you forever and ever and ever.
 
You are our All in all. You are glorious in goodness. You are majestic in mercy. You are wonderful in your works. To you be glory and honor, joy and worship in my life today. I love you.
 
Prayer: “Praise you that you give us the ability to choose to walk in your way, Lord Jesus. Help me to deny self and sin and to walk in your way and words. I bow before you in worship, and I rise up in surrender, agreeing to do your will, to walk in your Truth, for you, Lord Jesus, are worthy of obedience. Amen.”
 
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Lifting My Soul to God

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 14, 2020
“Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”
Psalm 143:8b
 
We came in the door just before midnight following a long and stimulating visit with some local friends. There had been several opportunities to share spiritual truth. The wife of one friend showed a real interest, asked a lot of questions and listened carefully to a full presentation of the gospel.
 
In spite of this wonderfully encouraging time, my heart was as heavy as my eyelids, and I longed to just drop into bed and forget ‘til the morning the things that weighed on my heart. However, the Lord reminded me of the importance of “lifting my soul” to Him, getting out my troubled thoughts and “processing” them. So I sat down with my journal and began to write about the email I’d gotten that day.
 
“Lord, after getting that negative email from Charlie I am angry, disappointed, discouraged and hurt – I feel sorry for myself! I feel like reacting in a similar way, writing back and fully, exquisitely expressing my anger—but that is not your way, Lord. I know the key is to not give into a negative response flowing out of self-pity and a sense of failure, but to praise you, Lord, for the unseen good you are working in this situation both in Charlie and in me, and to press on in truth.
 
Thank you, Lord, for reminding me of Psalm 50:23, ‘He who offers the sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me and opens the way that I may show him the salvation of the Lord.’ Thank you for helping me to ever lift up your name, to praise you and move on.”
 
There was a release of the burden as I thanked God for the situation and praised Him for what He was doing. It was fulfillment of David’s prayer, “Rejoice the soul of your servant, O Lord, for to you I lift up my soul” (Ps. 86:4, NKJV). That night I slept wonderfully and deeply, waking refreshed in spite of the late night.
 
During my quiet time the next morning, new thoughts came to mind of what to share with Charlie and a positive letter poured out of my head and into an email–it was truly a letter from the Lord. Charlie responded by asking forgiveness for his incorrect interaction, and later another email came expressing further remorse at his angry words.
 
The Lord worked; I am deeply thankful that He got me to listen, and to write out my thoughts in the evening, not the morning, so that He could give me both a good night’s sleep and His positive perspective.
 
The key was lifting my soul to God by writing out my thoughts and then comparing them to Scripture–to just express them verbally does not bring for me the insight that comes with writing. It brings clarity on what is actually happening so the Lord can give perspective and direction. It is truly good to “pour out our hearts to Him, for God is our refuge” (Ps. 62:8).
 
Prayer: “Lord, praise you that you call us to lift our souls to you. Help me to be consistent in honestly telling you what I am thinking, feeling, wanting, and to process these in the light of your Word. Restore my soul so that you may rule me wholly. Amen.”
–from Edified!
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