Uncategorized

Uncategorized

Psalm 62:5

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 1, 2019

I praise you for your wonderful Word, Lord, and the powerful way you use it in our lives. During a very trying time in my life, I wrote the following.

Psalm 62:5, “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;”

[This is a command, not a suggestion. In 62:1 the same truth is given as a statement “My soul finds rest in God alone,” telling us where rest is possible. Then here we are called upon to make a choice to find our rest in You, Lord.

We need to turn away from what we naturally pursue for rest–getting what we want, resolution of situations and tensions, positive reactions of people, or removal of conflict.

The fact is that each of these solutions is fleeting and superficial, so quickly replaced by other stresses. But finding our rest in you, Lord God, is the true solution, one that is deep, powerful and eternal. Help us to willfully find our rest in you alone.]

Psalm 62: 5 goes on to say, “my hope comes from him.”

[Again, this statement is a bit different from verse one (“my salvation comes from him”). Here is the hope, the certainty of receiving what we desire: rest. But we need go beyond this, to turn from our desire for rest to desiring the One who can grant it.

As it says in Psalm 37:4, “Delight yourself also in the Lord and He will give you the desire of your heart.” You. Lord, are to be the focus of our affections; then you can safely give us good things, knowing that they will not become idols.

And as we trust, the power of the Spirit comes into our situation; as we intentionally find our rest in you, Lord, then you pour out all kinds of goodness in our lives.]

We can trust you because you are Elohim, the incredibly powerful and persistently faithful One. You show your power in creation–you are the star Breather, the galaxy Former, the planet Hanger, the earth Spinner, the dawn Bringer. You are great beyond comprehension.

And you are the fully faithful One–you promise and it happens; you plan and it comes to pass, you speak and it comes to be. At the right time you came to be our Savior for eternity; and at the right moment you also save us in our daily lives.

Therefore, in the midst of present uncertainty and disappointments, I choose now to embrace your character as Elohim–the powerful and faithful One–for you know what you are doing as you shape, guide, change and transform my life. I gladly join you today by wholeheartedly trusting you with total praise.

 

Image may contain: 1 person, flower, plant, nature and outdoor

Filed under:

Psalm 33:21-22

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 31, 2019
Psalm 33:21 “In him our hearts rejoice, ”
[You alone are the source of our joy, Lord Jesus. All that is good comes from you, from your gracious heart and grace-filled hands. To know you, to live with you, to be your child, to serve in your power–this is far more than enough for rejoicing, no matter what our circumstances may be.]
“for we trust in his holy name.”
[Yes, our joy flows because you make it possible for us to trust in you, whose name means “Savior.” You have opened the way so we can know your Name in all its power and purity, its love and light, its faithfulness and forgiveness. You are worthy of trust and submission and obedience.]
Psalm 33:22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,”
[Praise you that your love never fails, that your consistency never fades, that you character never changes. Praise you for your promise that your love will rest upon us now, today, in every moment of need, and on into forever!]
“even as we put our hope in you.”
[Again you remind us that this is a partnership: you provide all, you wait for our participation, our choosing to hope in you. May our daily decision be to hope in you and may that hope ever be evidenced by persistent praise in our hearts, minds, souls and mouths.
To you be glory forever and ever, Lord Jesus, King of Glory, Lord of lords, Shepherd of power and God of love. I bow before you now in awe and respect, I rise up in submission and obedience to your, your Word, your Spirit, your Truth. Glorify yourself in my life today.
Image may contain: plant, flower, tree, sky, outdoor and nature
Filed under:

Psalm 33:19-20

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 29, 2019
 
Psalm 33:19 “But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him…to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.”
[Here is the true picture. You, Lord Jesus, are the only One who can deliver us from death. In the greatest way you have delivered us from eternal separation from you, by your own death and resurrection. We are saved and safe now for eternity!
And you save us every day. How many times have you saved me from near accidents, including potential head-on crashes–and how you protected us in the one head-on crash we did have. You are at work in seen and unseen ways, delivering us from death daily.
On another level, you are the One who keeps us alive by supplying our daily bread, often in great abundance. You see our need and provide it. You are the Source of all, you are the Provider of all that is necessary and far more.
Psalm 33:20 “We wait in hope for the LORD;”
[Instead of trying to save ourselves in our feeble strength, it is much wiser to pray and wait for you to act, Lord, and then join you in it.
Sometimes we wait for a long time, but you are faithful and will act at the right time, just as you did with Joseph. You kept him in prison until he had learned all that was necessary. Then at the right moment you brought him out, ready for the great work for which you had prepared him.
In you there is hope, a certainty of provision at the right time, the hope of love moved by wisdom and power to bring about what is best.]
“he is our help and our shield.”
[Your mighty, majestic power moves in love to support us in our weakness. You consistently pour out grace, wisdom, insight, peace, joy and rest upon us. Out of your superb strength you move to shield us from the attacks of the enemy, from all that would harm us spiritually. You hold your hand of power over us to ward off the evil one and evil men. Only you are our true help and shield.]
You are the God who is beyond our dreams, beyond our hopes, beyond our understanding. You are Great and Powerful, Glorious and Perfect, Gracious and Pure. You are the fulfillment of every longing of our hearts and far more. Glory and honor certainly belong to you alone! May they flow from my life to you today.]
Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, outdoor
Filed under:

Psalm 33:18

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 29, 2019
Psalm 33:18 “But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,”
[It is wise to choose to fear You, Lord, rather than people. This means to stand in awe of your wisdom, to care deeply what you think about each thing, and to live in submission to your Truth rather than culture or personal preference. Fearing you leads us to choose what is right, rather than just what is comfortable.
Our hope must be in your gracious and good heart of love, not in people, or circumstances or our own efforts. We must choose to come to you in each situation, to seek your help, to rest in and trust in you. Then you will act on our behalf. You call us to an active partnership role, to live in responses of faith.
King Jehoshaphat demonstrated this for us in 2 Chronicles 20 when he was suddenly confronted by a massive invading army. He chose to fear you rather than the enemy and demonstrated this by immediately coming to you for help and guidance rather than turning first to his generals. He proclaimed a fast and call all of Judah to prayer with him.
He then demonstrated his trust of you by sending a choir out before his army to sing praises to you. And as the choir began to sing, you caused the enemy soldiers to turn on each other and the whole attacking army was destroyed.
You saved Jehoshaphat and his people by your power poured out in response to praise generated by trust that flowed from fearing you.]
Lord help us to find our hope in you, to fear you rather than whatever threatens us. Help us to actively trust you by coming to you first in any challenge, and by offering praise to your name instead of complaining and living in fear, hopelessness and despair.
May we walk in the light of the truth that, “The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining on ever more brightly until the full light of day” (Prov. 4:18).
Image may contain: sky, tree, outdoor and nature
Filed under:

The next Arrest

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 28, 2019
The Next Arrest
 
The day I returned from being put on trial was Barbara’s birthday and we had planned a celebration for the evening. Ivan’s wife was one of the guests and she asked to stay overnight. We all went to bed by 11 pm and I was out like a light.
 
At midnight the doorbell rang–and rang and rang. I stumbled groggily to the front door. “Who is it?” I asked.
“Police! Open up!” came the gruff reply.
I opened the door carefully and sure enough, there were four plainclothes men. I stepped back to let them in.
“We are here to arrest you!” the leader announced.
I blinked in astonishment. “What have I done? I was just acquitted of any wrong-doing!”
“We have new charges against you,” answered the policeman.
“I want to see your warrant,” I demanded. I was now wide awake, feeling aggressive and angry. The aftermath of my trial the day before, the stress of travel, the party and my general weariness all contributed to anger to rising up in me.
 
I knew that this was not going to be resolved quickly, and could easily stretch on for days, maybe ending in deportation. I chose not to praise but to complain. Not a good decision.
 
The policeman handed me his papers. I scanned them quickly. “This has nothing to do with me,” I protested. “This is a warrant for Ivan and Harry for a past due bill to a publisher.”
 
“Look at the last item,” said the policeman. There was a small strip of tissue-like paper stapled onto the bottom of the warrant. I squinted at the small type, reading, “Also pick up Harry and Ivan’s partners in crime.”
 
“That means you,” said the policeman. Then he turned to his men and said, “Let’s see what we can take for evidence.” He turned back to me and asked, “Where’s your office?”
 
I led him into the room I used for my office. He spied my new typewriter, the one with a memory, the best thing before personal computers became available.
“Let’s take this,” he said.
“What for?” I asked, “That has nothing to contribute to evidence!”
 
“Well,” said the policeman as he began looking into my filing cabinet drawers, “maybe you are right.”
 
He pulled out the file with all my prayer letters for this year. “What does this mean: ‘Dear Friends?’ ”
“Just what it says, these are letters to some of my friends!” I was getting more irritated by the minute.
 
Another policeman said, “Look at all these Christian books, we can take some of them!” Then after closer examination he said, “No, here’s our seal on this one from the last time we took him in. These have already been cleared as acceptable.”
 
In the end they decided there was nothing worth taking. I was relieved because once something was taken for evidence it took weeks to get it back, and who knows what condition it would be in then.
 
“Ok, come with us,” said the leader.
“I’m not sure I want to!” I said, putting my face just inches from his. “You know very well that you are just harassing me. My acquittal in July said clearly that I’m doing nothing wrong. You have no basis for arresting me.”
 
The policeman took a step backwards. All the policemen were shorter than me and with my dander up I looked intimidating. These same men had been in on my last arrest and had made me carry big book bags, an easy task for a farm boy, but they had been impressed with my strength and nicknamed me “Rambo.” They did not want to fight with me.
 
“Now, big brother,” he said soothingly, “We all have to be up at this hour to do our work. Just cooperate and everything will be all right. We don’t want to bring any charges against you for resisting arrest.”
 
That got my attention. I reluctantly went and got ready to go with them. Knowing that I would spend some time inside a bare, cold cell, sleeping on a cement floor, I put on long underwear, pants without a heavy seam on the side, three pairs of socks, two sweaters, my jacket with extra pens in various pockets, and a wool hat,. Then off we went to the national police headquarters.
 
After we left, Ivan’s wife came out of the living room where she had been sleeping. When Barbara filled her in on what had happened, she made a face and gave her opinion of the police with a strong local word: “Microbes!”
 
The boys also had been wakened by the commotion. Thirteen-year old Josh came out and read a Psalm with Barbara to comfort her. Nat prayed and thanked God that I was allowed to suffer for Him. This response from her sons cheered Barbara up considerably.
 
The next day she called my parents to tell them of the recent events and to ask for prayer. My mother’s immediate response was, “Come home!”
 
Barbara said the answer that came out of her mouth was clearly from the Spirit as she said, “Discouragement does not come from God!” So true.
Picture: my brave and beautiful wife
Image may contain: 1 person, outdoor and closeup
Filed under:

Psalm 33:16-17

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 27, 2019
 
Psalm 33:16 “No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.”
[Large armies and great power are not the deciding factor–God is, as shown in many Old Testament stories.
 
–I think of the huge multinational army that came against King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20. He turned to God for help and God caused the enemy soldiers to turn on one another and destroy themselves.
 
–I think of the great army of Assyria that came against King Hezekiah and how the Lord put to death 185,000 of them in one night by a plague and saved Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:36).
 
–I Think of David versus Goliath, of Daniel versus the lions.
 
–Then there is Paul, attacked and beaten by the Jews at the temple, but God sent the Roman commander to save him. In each case the deciding factor is not might or size, but God.
So it is with us, Lord, we are weak and vulnerable to the powerful forces around us—Satanic, political, financial and physical. Think of how the poor Christians in Syria have had to flee from one conflict after another. But in the midst of such trouble, they–and we–can and must turn to you for help, rather than looking to the puny powers of this world.]
Psalm 33:17 “A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.”
[In David’s days a horse was the strongest weapon available in battle, the most powerful military means, but it was not enough to deliver. The rider needed help from God, or he was doomed.
So it is with us: technology, machines and weapons are available, but they are just tools, useless without you, Lord. Your are the Victor, as stated in Zechariah 4:6, “Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord Almighty.”
You alone, Lord, are the Ruler, the Decider, the Helper of all who turn to you. “My salvation and my honor depend on God. He is my mighty rock and my refuge” (Ps. 62:7). “Blessed is the man who trusts in Him.” (Ps. 34:8). In every circumstance we must turn first to you: “This poor man called, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles” (Ps. 34:6).]
Lord, forgive me for first looking for help in the wrong places: my own efforts, people, professionals, possessions, money and machines. Help me instead to call out first of all to you. Then use any means you desire to deliver me in such a way that you get the glory and that all around me will see that it is your work, not that of mere men. Thank you now for how you will answer this prayer in all that is to come.
Image may contain: 2 people, people smiling, people standing, tree, plant, eyeglasses, beard and outdoor
Filed under:

Psalm 33:13-15

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 26, 2019
Psalm 33:13-14 “From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth….”
[The Lord gazes across the universe, over billions of light years, past thousands of galaxies down to the tiny Milky Way, then on to one minuscule speck under one arm–the earth–where He is able to observe every single person, to see everything each does. Such all-encompassing, infinite capacity, such penetrating power, such total focus is amazing. No one is hidden from His sight.
What a grief it must be to you, Lord to see your creatures continually choosing to sin, to hurt others, to dishonor your name, to constantly rebel. Yet, in your great love and mercy you keep on looking down , loving and working among us.
Psalm 33:15 “he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.”
You, Lord, don’t just observe, you think about what we are doing, evaluating and weighing each decision and the motives behind it. This should strike fear in the hearts of rebels, and it should give encouragement to us who are your children to live according to your revealed will in your Word., to be stern and consistent in our dealing with known sin in our lives.
 
We can tell you all, confess all, knowing that we can be totally honest with you without condemnation, for you already know all. You are “good and ready to forgive and abundant in mercy and truth to all who call on you” (Ps. 86:35). You are beyond comprehension in your powers and goodness, grace and forgiveness, worthy of our worship and trust!]
[You, as our Maker, Lord, then go on to empower your children to live according to what is right. “By his divine power he has given us all we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him…” (2 Pet. 1:3)].
However, for those who are not your children–they who reject your offer of mercy, forgiveness and adoption, who rely on their “good works” to save them–for them the outcome is very different. As it says in Rev 20:13,15 “each person was judged according to what he had done…If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
Our own works bring not salvation, but condemnation. However, there is that wonderful “IF” in this sentence “if our names are…written in the book of life.” And praise God that, for all people this is a possibility, and for believers in Christ, this is a reality: our names ARE written in that book of life by the Lamb of God Himself!
Glory be to you, O mighty and loving Lord, the all-seeing God, for you are worthy to be honored, obeyed, lifted up and praised throughout this day. May I do so wholeheartedly, continually, persistently, for this is the purpose of my life, to glorify you in whatever comes.
 
Photo by Eidy Bambang-Sunaryo on Unsplash
Image may contain: night and sky
Filed under:

Psalm 33:12

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 25, 2019
Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.”
 
[Blessed is really too weak a word for the wonder of being the people of God, being chosen for His inheritance, being part of the universal Church, being included in His Kingdom and future as the Bride of Christ.
 
These great privileges are magnified when I consider what I actually deserved as an enemy of God, being selfish, proud, rebellious and incapable in myself of obeying Him. You, Lord, would have been right and righteous to strike me down upon birth, sending me directly to hell and separating yourself from me for eternity.
 
Yet you called me to be one of your children, a princeling in your family, a brother to Jesus and an ambassador for your Kingdom. You cleansed and transformed me, you chose and cherished me, and I stand before you dearly loved, deeply cared for, doted on and delighted in. Not because of what I am, but because of who you are: Love itself, Light itself, Life itself, breathing new creation into a life born a ruin, giving worth to what was destructive, making useful what was dangerous.
 
To belong to you, to be adopted by you, O Holy God, is a marvelous shift of fortune, a wonderful change of status, an undeserved magnificent privilege of grace, a more than miraculous outcome—all dependent on and flowing from your goodness. Praise be to you that you gave worth where there was waste, you gave value where there was viciousness, you gave life where there was lostness, you gave delight where there was death. In you we are wanted, worthwhile and watched over. To be your people is a privilege beyond comprehension.
 
To think on all this brings praise to my heart and lips. Praise is your due, praise is our privilege, praise is our gift, praise is our joy. You are worthy, O Lord, in every way.
 
So, we eagerly give you glory, honor and praise for the incredible goodness of your heart, the unbelievable forgiveness of your character, the incomprehensible love of your being.
 
We bow before you in thankfulness, gratitude and joy. We rise up to return your love in obedience, rejoicing and praise. Glory be to you in our lives today. Amen.
Image may contain: 1 person, flower, plant, nature and outdoor
Filed under:

Psalm 33:10-11

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 24, 2019
Psalm 33:10 “The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.”
 
[You, O Lord God, rule. You are absolutely Sovereign. You, as the star Breather, the galaxy Former, the planet Placer, the moon Maker, the earth Spinner and the dawn Bringer are in charge. In darkness you bring light. You are great beyond comprehension and mighty beyond imagination.
 
You see all that the devil, demons and dominions are planning to do and, in your might, munificence and majesty, thwart the wrong purposes that contravene your great goals.
 
You frustrate the destructive desire of humans for selfish independence; you prevent us from reaching true joy and peace apart from you; you hold back the tide of evil that would keep people from deciding for you; and what you do allow, you will use for good in the lives those involved.
 
Praise be to you for your greatness, Lord, for your wisdom, your power, your love and faithfulness–all of which are continually at work to transform the evil of men into the goodness of God.]
 
Psalm 33:11 “But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.”
 
[In contrast to us weak humans and to the limited abilities of evil spiritual powers, you are unthwartable, unfoilable, unconquerable, undefeatable, eternally triumphant.
 
You will bring to pass the overall plans that you have prepared, no matter what people and evil powers may do. You are able to weave their rebellion and rejection of truth into the overall fabric of your purposes for the redemption, salvation and then recreation of the universe. In the process you rescue from the kingdom of darkness all those who are willing to believe and sweep them into the Kingdom of Light.
 
You are firm and faithful, you are constantly consistent, persistently present and perfectly powerful. What you planned from the beginning has come to pass, despite Satan’s constant attempts to thwart your desires: the line of Judah was preserved, the Messiah came at the right time, the necessary sacrifice was made, the resurrection from the dead occurred and salvation was provided for all, especially for those who believe.
 
And the rest of your plan will be worked out to eliminate evil, corruption and sin, to bring the New Heaven and New Earth which will be sinless, perfect, full of peace and joy and love. No force could prevent this plan, no power could thwart it. “There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord” (Prov. 21:30).
 
We praise you that you are ever at work to thwart what is wrong and bring to pass what is right. In you we can rest, in you we can find peace, for you have a plan! Help us to live in trust, in praise and in wholehearted obedience to you today.
Image may contain: night, sky and outdoor
Filed under:

Psalm 33:7-9

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 23, 2019
 
Psalm 33:7 “He gathers the waters of the sea into jars;”
[The vast oceans are but a small drop to you, Lord, easily channeled into the place prepared, kept there in store for your plans, the good of all. With it you regulate the climate, provide food, transportation and beauty.]
“he puts the deep into storehouses.”
[You, Lord God, prepared all that mankind would need for life and stored it up: minerals for health (zinc, magnesium, selenium), metals for help (iron, titanium, aluminum), means for heat and power (coal, oil, atomic energy) and measures for money (gold, silver, precious stones). You knew what would be needed and gave it all, putting it where men could find it. You are the great, good and wise Planner and Provider.]
Psalm 33:8 “Let all the earth fear the LORD;”
[Your might, your power, your dominion, your wisdom and your creation are all reasons to tremble before you, to bow in surrender to the Almighty, All-powerful, All-knowing, All-wise One. You are THE One to be feared, respected and obeyed–not puny man or polluted Satan, who is far more powerful than us, but immensely weaker than you.]
“let all the people of the world revere him.”
[The wonder of your creation–the beauty, the wisdom, the imagination, the intricacy, the variety, the vastness and the very attention to detail in all you have made–lead us to bow before you in awe, in wonder, in reverence at such power, such creativity, such greatness, such goodness, such beauty and such majesty. You alone are worthy of worship, O Lord God.]
Psalm 33:9 “For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.”
[With such ease you made all, with such finality you arranged everything. All creation obeyed you and even in its present twisted, fallen state, the universe follows the laws of physics you established. Your wisdom, your order, your goodness are visible to all who care to see–for what you made reveals your amazing, full-orbed character.
May this increasing knowledge of how great you are lead us to further trust, further surrender, further rest and ongoing praise.]
Image may contain: sky, tree, outdoor, nature and water
Filed under: