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Psalm 14:4-7

Published by S.M. Wibberley on October 4, 2018

Psalm 14:4 “Will evildoers never learn—”

[Lord, this means you are consistently working at teaching all rebels the error of their ways, letting them suffer the consequences of their destructive choices as you, in your faithfulness and love, are calling them to repentance and surrender–but they are not listening!]

“those who devour my people as men eat bread and who do not call on the LORD?”

[These rebels commit two evils: they abuse people and they trust in themselves, rather than you, Lord. They delusively believe they are in control, able to handle life on their own as they bully all those around them.]

Psalm 14:5 “But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous.”

[In spite of their bravado, inside they have dread because they sense God’s presence among believers. That’s why they so viciously attack those who call themselves followers of Jesus Christ, as has happened all down through history. And we see this today as Isl.amic ter.roists and leaders try to wipe out all Christians in their territory.

Such evildoers are afraid of death. They may be aware of the coming judgment, and that they are apart from the righteous–those have surrendered to Christ–but they do not repent.]

Psalm 14:6 “You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge.”

[Ungodly people prey on the poor instead of praying to God. But when the poor turn to you, Lord, you are their help and protection. You are faithful, you are good and you are powerful. As it says in Psalm 68:6, “God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.”]

Psalm 14:7 “Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!”

[And it was brought by Jesus, who was a Jew!]

“When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people,let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!”

[Yes, the first believers, who were all Jewish, as well as we gentiles who are your children, have rejoiced and will rejoice in our salvation!

And we can continue to rejoice in your daily ongoing practical protection and salvation, Lord Jesus, as you lead us out of our personal prisons, further up and further into your glorious Kingdom,. Truly, you are our Good Shepherd and we will not lack anything we need, as we follow you.]

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Psalm 14:1-3

Published by S.M. Wibberley on October 3, 2018

Psalm 14:1 “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”

[This is a clear definition of a fool: one with no spiritual discernment or interest, who rejects truth in favor of his own unfounded opinion.

The statement that there is no God is so far from reality, so entirely limited to this tiny earth, moment, and view that it is a sorry position, void of hope, truth, goodness, meaning and a future. I pity the person who believes this, as he is caught in his own delusion and ends up in the darkness of a meaningless, hopeless existence.]

“They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.”

[We are all by nature fools, making ourselves our own god until we meet Jesus, the true and living God. In our natural selves there is no good, no ability to do true good, for all we do is corrupted by our selfishness.

This is reality, this is why we desperately need you, Lord Jesus, you who are goodness itself and desire to give all people a new heart filled with righteousness, joy and peace so we can do the good works you have prepared for us (Eph. 2:10).]

Psalm 14:2 “The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.”

[This means, Lord, that you look into the heart of every single person, you check them out, you are concerned for them. Only an infinite God could be in close contact with 6 billion people all at the same time! And in doing so, you love all of them, wanting each to come to you, giving each chances to enter your Family, your Kingdom, your Eternity with you. You are a wonder!]

Psalm 14:3 “All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

[This is the sad truth: not one single person in the whole world, in the whole of history since the Fall, ever sought you out on their own. Not one naturally followed you in the right way. We all turned away from you, we were all corrupt. And because we are sinners, any good that we did was tainted with selfishness, pride and deceit; we futilely try to convince ourselves we are good.

What a hopeless situation! In ourselves we are unable to alter it. But praise you, Lord Jesus, that you have entered history, paid the great price and made it possible for us to be released from the hand of the enemy and our own wickedness so we can come into your Kingdom of Light and Life and Love! Like in this picture below, you bring life and beauty out of what is dead and decaying.

May we be ever thankful for your unwarranted grace, goodness and love. May my life, being focused on you, reflect your love and light to all around me today.]

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The Gift of God’s Faithfulness

Published by S.M. Wibberley on October 2, 2018
 
The Gift of God’s Faithfulness
 
Psalm 13:3 “Look on me and answer, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;”
 
[Thank you that we can cry to you in our desperation, as David did here, O Lord. We can always appeal to you, knowing that your faithfulness will flow like a stream forever. As it says in Psalm 86:7 “In the day of my trouble I will call upon you: for you WILL answer me.”]
 
Psalm 13:4 “my enemy will say, ‘I have overcome him,’ and my foes will rejoice when I fall.”
 
[Even if we fall, we can stand again, firm in your faithful power, with you as our persistent Shield and Defender. I praise you, Lord Jesus, that you are our unshakable rock, our faithful fortress, our high tower and can never to be defeated.]
 
Psalm 13:5 “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.”
 
[Yes, I look away to you, Lord, and look down the long history of your unfailing love where you–in faithfulness–answered, acted, protected, and guided your people: Abraham, Joseph, David, Daniel, Jesus and Paul. So you will do with us.]
 
Psalm 13:6 “I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.”
 
[David here still did not have an answer, he was still in danger, but this is a declaration of his trust in God to answer and save–based on his past experience of God’s help.
 
We also can sing now in praise and thanksgiving to you, Lord, before you act in our troubles, knowing that you will come and work things out, to rescue and save, to empower and carry us through–just as you have helped us in the past, always acting out of your pristine character and your powerful faithfulness to your Word. It is in this certainty that, while still in trouble, we can sing in praise for the help you will bring.
 
Help us to persistently praise you in every difficulty, Lord God, before we see any answers, resting and reveling in your full faithfulness. May you thereby be glorified before the people and the spiritual powers around us today.
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The Gift of God’s Goodness

Published by S.M. Wibberley on October 1, 2018
The Gift of God’s Goodness
 
Psalm 13:1,2 “How long, O LORD?”
 
[There will be times when God seems distant, when He is not answering our prayers on our time table, when things are going awry with no help in sight. We pray and wait, but nothing seems to happen. There is no hint of His goodness in the mists and darkness of our lives. Yet His goodness is still shining on the edges of our darkness and seeming barrenness. He is at work behind the scenes, as He was with Joseph, Daniel and Jesus.]
 
“Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart?”
 
[There are dark valleys in life, ones we must pass through when God is not answering our prayers. These may be sickness, unemployment, relationship problems, depression (like the deep one my dear wife is going through as I write this), the death of a loved one, fears sparked by governmental chaos and failure, or by wars and great disasters.
 
But we can know that you, Lord, in your goodness, designed or allowed each one to mature us, to give opportunity to bring glory to you through faith, and to demonstrate your power to the world.
 
As we know and believe this–even though at times our hearts fail us if we allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by disappointment and the immediate circumstances surrounding us–but we can choose to have hope in the midst of despair, we can have light in the midst of darkness, because you, Lord, are good, you have a plan for good and will carry it out.
 
“How long will my enemy triumph over me?”
 
[At times the enemy does triumph over us—evil leaders arise in nations (such as ISIS), bad decisions are made by government or mission leaders, churches fall apart, families dissolve in bitterness, hard-working people can suddenly become homeless.
 
None of these, Lord, may be your desired, overall will, but you allow them for greater reasons. For unbelievers, it is to nudge them towards belief (many have come to Christ in the Middle East because of ISIS). For believers, it is an opportunity for growth, glorifying you and rewards.
 
As it says in 1 Pet. 1:6-7, “Now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith and…may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
 
So we can know, no matter what, Lord, that you are always there: you are always at work for good, moving deeply, quietly, powerfully, patiently, waiting for the right moment to remove the pressure. “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” In your goodness we can rest. Help us to do so today.]
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77

Published by S.M. Wibberley on September 30, 2018
For Barbara’s 77th birthday on September 28, as is our custom, we went for a walk on the beach at Watch Hill, RI. This time it was cold, windy and raining, but we had a good time anyway, celebrating her long and lovely life.
 
Here’s what was written on one of her birthday cards
 
“God has created you
and rejoices in all that you are.
 
God has chosen you
and called you His very own.
 
God has blessed you
and made your life a blessing!”
 
Good thoughts for all of us.
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The Gift of God’s Flawless Word

Published by S.M. Wibberley on September 29, 2018
The Gift of God’s Flawless Word
 
Psalm 12:6 “And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.”
 
[Praise you, Lord God, the King of Glory, the Creator of only good, for you are Truth itself; therefore, your words are pure as newly opened flowers, for you cannot lie. You have revealed your words to your prophets, had them written down and preserved through the ages, bringing them to us as a bright light in deep darkness.
 
With your words you protect, guide, teach, correct, rebuke, comfort and encourage us. As you are flawless, so are your words. Therefore they are worthy of trust, of praise, and honor.
 
Psalm 12:7 “O LORD, you will keep us safe and protect us from such people [oppressors and liars] forever.”
 
[Praise you for this certainty, Lord, both now and in eternity. And a major means of protecting us is your Word as you warn us, guide us and set us free of our natural worldview. “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). For a time, we may have to suffer the negative effects of liars appearing to win. But their seeming successes cannot affect the core of our stability–our relationship with you, nurtured through your Word.
You, Lord God, are our peace and joy, our hope and rest; these last forever, for they are bound up in you and your eternal and unchanging character, revealed to us through your Word.
 
Your Word tells us that all we own, all that we value here on earth is expendable and temporary. Knowing this we can let it all go, releasing it all to you.Then we can hold on to what is eternal–which is primarily our relationship with you, nurtured by your Word, from whence flows all goodness. And third, with your given grace and strength, we can rise above all the difficulties, problems and losses of this world, remembering that you, Lord, are all that really counts.]
 
To you be glory this day, Lord, in all I have to do and say. May I spot and reject lying and selfishness in myself as well as in others, and conform instead to your pure and positive Word.
 
May you, Holy and Eternal One, our Great God and Glorious King, be lifted up and exalted before the world today in my thoughts, motives, words, actions and attitudes. Amen.
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From “EDIFIED!”

Published by S.M. Wibberley on September 28, 2018
From “Edified”
 
“I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.”
Psalm 116:13
 
Praise be to you, Lord Jesus, that I awoke and remembered that you are Sovereign, that all is in your hands, that all the things that weigh on me, that trouble me, are all within your power. You are at work in them and with them to accomplish your greater purposes. This is beyond our knowledge and understanding, but we can trust you in it all. Like in the picture below, life has lots of rocks in it, but the water of life ever flows through to refresh us.
 
Praise you for your revelation of Truth in your Word that gives us enough to go by: the wonderful beauty of your character, the examples of your gracious dealing with your rebellious people in the past, the forgiveness you have prepared for all who will respond. This truth allows us to connect the dots of your goodness and our sin and suffering with those of forgiveness, salvation, grace and glory.
Psalm 116:8-14 speaks to this: “…you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.”
 
In the midst of all difficulties we can say, “I believe,” even while I say, “I am greatly afflicted.” When all is falling apart, when no one is trustable, when we are alone and forsaken, even then we can believe you, trust you, follow you, obey you.
 
As David said, “How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me? …I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.”
 
We can and must praise you before the peoples, no matter what comes, for the measure is not what we see, but what you are. The beauty, power, goodness, wisdom, grace and purity of your character shine the light of understanding on all that comes to us. They give us clues that bring an understanding of the future, of how all will fit together in your creative, powerful, loving hands.
 
Glory be to you, the Great and Mighty One, King of Glory, God of Goodness, Lord of Love and Ruler of Righteousness. Praise you that you hold back the tide of evil, exposing what is harmful, guiding in what is confusing, protecting in what is negative and loving in what is difficult.
You, Lord Jesus, have suffered the ultimate in living out your love for your rebellious creatures, so we can trust you when suffering comes to us and those around us. Glory be to you, continually, every day, all the time, throughout eternity.
 
Prayer: “Lord Jesus, you know all about suffering. When it comes to me and mine, help me to trust you, praise you, obey you instead of following my own understanding which leads to self-pity, anger and rebellion. Protect me from myself! Amen.”
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The Gift of Truth–Psalm 12:1-5

Published by S.M. Wibberley on September 27, 2018
 
Psalm 12:1 “Help, LORD, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men.”
 
[Thus it seems so often. I praise you, though, Lord, that you have always reserved some who are righteous in Christ for yourself. You are quietly at work to keep your children strong, to make them truth-bearers, shining the truth in love to all around them, to be yeast, salt and light in society. Help us be hope and truth carriers to all around us; convict us quickly when we are not.]
 
Psalm 12:2 “Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception.”
 
[This is true of so much of what goes on today: lies about what is right; the lies in political correctness; the lies of those who claim to be tolerant but are not.
 
You, Lord God, are the only One we can truly trust to speak only truth. Help us to be truth lovers (loving your Word), truth speakers (especially to ourselves) and truth discerners (in society).]
 
Psalm 12:3 “May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue that says, ‘We will triumph with our tongues; we own our lips—who is our master?’”
 
[Yes, Lord, show yourself mighty, expose the liars, bring them to justice; show yourself Master. May the deceived be brought into the light and grasp truth. May we not be fooled by anything that is put forth by liars, including lies we tell ourselves.]
 
Psalm 12:5 “’Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,’ says the LORD. ‘I will protect them from those who malign them.’”
 
[Praise you, Lord, that you are the God of justice, that you will, at the right time, rise up to expose evil, judge righteously and protect powerfully.
 
We pray that you will do this soon. We cry out to you to expose the lies of Satan, self and sin (beginning with ours). Bring forth your righteousness as the light and our judgment as the noon day sun.
 
You, Lord God, love righteousness, and you love the righteous—those purified and forgiven in Christ—as well as all those who continue in darkness, believing the lies of the Devil.
 
Rise up and show your love in causing Truth to flow throughout the land, giving light to all, sweeping as many as possible into your Kingdom.]
 
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The Gift of Protection

Published by S.M. Wibberley on September 26, 2018
Psalm 146:9 “The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow,”
 
[You, O Lord, not only see, but act on behalf those who are weak, those whom men are so willing to plunder. You protect, provide and guide the vulnerable, the hurting, the defenseless. I praise you for your graciousness in doing so, for it shows your mercy and love, your justice, your compassion at work in wonderful ways.]
 
“but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.”
 
[Praise be to you, Lord, that you actively intervene to block the desires of the evil one as he seeks to work through evil people. You seem to let them prosper for a while–as Hitler did for twelve years–but then you bring them low.
 
Lord, act quickly against such evil desires and evil men; foil the plans of the nations and thwart the purposes of the people; bring instead your desires to pass.]
 
Psalm 146:10 “The LORD reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations.”
 
[Praise you, Lord Jesus, that you are the eternal King, ruling and over-ruling, inexorably moving history to the conclusion that you desire, the end you have ordained–undeterred by the rebellion of men, the failure of believers, or the resistance of the devil.
 
You reign, for you are the sovereign Lord, the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-loving and all-good God, worthy of worship, worthy of honor, worthy of glory, worthy of obedience.
 
So, Lord Jesus, I bow before you now, I eagerly acknowledge your right to rule in my life. I commit myself to give you glory and honor with my mind and mouth. And I rise up and go forth to obey you this day, with my whole heart, to bring you praise and thanksgiving by doing before men the good deeds you have prepared for me to do. May you be highly honored in my life today. Amen!]
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From Edified, written in 2006

Published by S.M. Wibberley on September 25, 2018
“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.”
Psalm 18:30
 
Recently I listed out the difficult events that have occurred among us here in the last 4 months:
 
•one family had to go home because of their small daughter’s serious medical problems;
•another of our workers lost his brother (39) to a heart attack in July;
•and then his father died unexpectedly in October;
•A believer had a serious operation and then died at age 33;
•my father died the same month;
•another of our fellow workers had emergency quintuple by-pass surgery;
•three weeks later I had emergency double by-pass surgery;
•the unbelieving brother of a local pastor was killed in a car accident, age 39;
•one of our old believers was just diagnosed with colon cancer and will have surgery.
 
These events came one after another, with hardly any time to recover in between. If they were attacks by Satan, God was certainly not taken by surprise and is using each one for good.
 
F.B. Meyer is credited with saying: “TRIALS ARE GOD’S VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN US. “The Lord knows that if we take up the grace He offers, with His power we will be able to move through whatever trials He allows.
 
Trials are intended to drive us into Scripture and to expose our wrong thinking so we can be aligned with God’s thoughts. Difficulties are to deepen us and to demonstrate to the world how we can take God’s help and move through stress and mourning with grace.
 
We can skip the early stages of grief (shock, anger at God, bargaining and denial) in dealing with such events, and we can move through the later stages (acceptance, adjustment, establishing a new norm) more quickly with power and healing.
 
In Psalm 3 David talks about his own trials, “…how many rise up against me, many are saying of me, ‘God will not deliver him.’ But you are a shield around me, O Lord, my Glorious One, who lifts up my head.” Our confidence is in the goodness, power and meticulous love of our Sovereign God; He helps us to turn away from the negative thinking of the world (such as Murphy’s law) to praising Him in the midst of whatever comes.
 
This has had personal application for me. As I was wheeled into the operating room for my emergency double by-pass surgery, a comforting thought came: “This is really a win-win situation. If I die, I get to go to heaven; if I live, I get to stay with my wife, my family and friends!” I had no fear or anxiety whatsoever, just a rich, settled peace. It is great to be a believer in Christ and to know where we are going!
 
Prayer: “Praise you, Lord Jesus, for the peace you offer us in every circumstance. Help me to continually look to you in each event, to take refuge in you through offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving and thinking your Word. Amen.”
 
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