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Psalm 23:4

Published by S.M. Wibberley on September 4, 2018
 
“I will fear no evil for You are with me….” Ps 23:4b
 
You, Lord God, are ever present, ever with us, your little lambs. If there is evil threatening, you are there, watching, providing, protecting in whatever way you deem best.
Often we are living in limbo, in fear of possible danger or disappointment, uncertain of what is going to happen. When the doors to the future open, we have no idea what is on the other side. But there is one thing we can be sure of: that you are there on the other side of that door, waiting to greet us with the path prepared.
 
As you announce in Jeremiah 29:11, “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” In you we can rest.
 
“Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
 
The shepherd’s rod is a stout club to beat off attackers. Your rod is powerful, effective, more than sufficient to protect us from whatever Satan can bring against us–for you are invincible, undefeatable and all powerful. You have already won every battle at the cross.
 
And then there is your staff, the shepherd’s crook used to guide and correct your sheep as we stray. You are faithful to warn us when we wander willfully out of the way: you tap us on the shoulder, or you pull us back, giving us a wack if we need it. You guide us persistently, even when we insist on rebelling, trusting ourselves rather than you.
 
You are absolutely faithful, fully wise and eternally good. Praise you that your pristine and positive character assure us of your perpetual protection and provision, all shown in the next phrase:
 
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”
 
As the good Shepherd, you bring us into positive places to graze. On the edges of the pasture may lurk wolves, bears, lions, or the great serpent, Satan. Their presence, however, does not need to disturb us, for you are our protector. No one can skirt you, no one can thwart your plans or purposes. We can ignore the threats of the enemy and quietly, peacefully feed on what you have given, resting in your goodness, greatness and glory.
 
You are our Shepherd, our Warrior King who has defeated the enemy. As we remain in the shelter of your Word, your Way, your Wisdom, praising you in and for all, we are safe from true harm. You may lead us through many challenges, but in these you will protect and carry us through as we follow you. Help us, your little lambs, to do so today.
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Psalm 23:4

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

Psalm 23:4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;”

[At least one of the paths of righteousness you will lead me on, Lord, goes through this dark valley. It may be a time of dying to a desire, to my will, to a possession or it may be physical danger and sickness or death of a loved one or myself. Whatever it is, I do not need to fear that evil will triumph.

There may be loss and suffering, but in the end, evil will not win because Jesus is already the Victor and I belong to Him.

Think of Paul in his shipwreck described in Acts 27. In the midst of a great storm there were days and nights of uncertainty where Paul was cold, wet and hungry; and then the crashing of the ship into a sandbar and everyone having to swim to shore through crashing surf. There was evil: the soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners, Paul included, so they couldn’t escape, but that was prevented. Then the viper bit Paul, but God protected him and no harm was done.

It was a dark valley, but in it, the witness of Paul shone brighter in his faith, in his declaration of God’s sovereignty, in his prediction (all possessions will be lost, all people will be saved), and in his being protected. Without that dark, the light would have not been seen so clearly.

As we take refuge in His love, power and truth, God does not always protect us from what will harm us physically, but from what would harm us spiritually. Then we can shine in the darkness of this world as a light house for those seeking Truth.

The valley of the shadow of death is not a threat but an opportunity to fulfill the purpose of our lives: honoring the One who walked this road before us and will walk with us through it again. So, let us look to Jesus, “who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2).

Let us follow the advice of the Word to “throw off everything that hinders [our natural worldview] and the sin that so easily entangles [addiction to comfort, selfishness and security, to name a few] and run with perseverance the race marked out for us [some of which will go through the valley of the shadow of death], fixing our eyes on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1,2a) and we will come out on the other side, into a pleasant place: “He brought me out into a spacious place, he rescued me because he delighted in me” (Ps. 18:19).

 

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Psalm 23

Published by S.M. Wibberley on September 1, 2018
Home again from the hospital, doing well.
 
Psalm 23:1, 2 “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.”
You, Lord Jesus, as my Shepherd, MAKE me to lie down in green pastures—you don’t ask what I think or want. You select the pasture I need now and keep me there as long as is necessary so I can grow and deepen, mature and develop to become more like Christ, a better instrument in your hand.
 
Joseph in the OT didn’t particularly want to be a slave, or go to prison, but those were the green pastures you had for him. And there he learned to deny self, to live for you and to be a good administrator. This made him fit to save many others, including his family, the Egyptians, and the line of Jesus–so the Messiah could be born and eventually save us!
 
When finding ourselves in green pastures that aren’t pleasant (sickness, time in the hospital as I just had, loss, disappointment, heartache or failure, to name a few), we can follow this advice: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you KNOW that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).
 
In the hand of our Shepherd, difficulties are directive, problems are providential and heartaches can be healing if we cooperate with Him, continuing to lie down in the green pastures He selects.
 
A key aspect here is to embrace what He brings with thanksgiving rather than just suffering through with discontent and complaining. To embrace is to receive grace, to complain is to reject it: “God resists the proud [who reveal their pride by complaining] but gives grace to the humble [who accept with thanksgiving what He brings]” (James 4:6).
 
So, let’s trust Him to know what is a green pasture for us and join Him in what He’s doing in and through it, in and through us.
 
 
 
 
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We Have It!

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 31, 2018
 
I praise you that as I awoke this morning, Lord Jesus, you were there–my God, my Shepherd, my elder Brother, my King. I praise you that this day I shall not want, for you in your wisdom, your riches and your power have already provided all that I need and much more.
 
As it says in 2 Peter 1:3,4 “[Your] divine power HAS GIVEN us EVERYTHING we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of [you] who called us by [your] own glory and goodness.”
 
We just need to learn to take up your provision and use it—to get to know you more and more, to be filled with your Spirit, to put on the whole armor of God daily, to lift our souls to the Father and off-load our junk stress, to meditate on your Word and to flee temptation, taking refuge in you.
 
In addition, through your glory and goodness, Lord Jesus, you have “given us [your] very great and precious promises, so that through them [we] MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE DIVINE NATURE and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
 
Wow! We are able to participate in YOUR divine nature! What a gift, to have the Holy Spirit indwell us, as He did David, Isaiah and Daniel. We are truly different from all other creatures and peoples because, as your born-again children, your divine nature dwells in us!
 
As John wrote in astonishment, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1).
 
Help us, Lord Jesus, to live today in the reality of your personal indwelling and powerful provision. Help us to take up and use all that you have given us so we can live godly lives, bringing you honor, while shining your light and hope on all those around us, including my grandkids in the picture below.
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Psalm 10:16-18

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 30, 2018
 
Psalm 10:16 “The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land.”
 
[You, the Eternal One, set up and take down rulers and nations, you begin and end all, you will remove the wicked and restore the righteous. Of this we can be certain, because you, O God, are faithful and good forever.]
 
Psalm 10:17 “You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,”
 
[Praise be to you, the God who hears, who listens with complete understanding, who knows our hearts and answers in wisdom and power, with comfort.]
 
Psalm 10:18 “defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.”
 
[Praise you, Lord, that you defend, you provide, you protect and encourage. You will move us out from the oppression Satan wields through wicked men. Your love and care, your protection and deliverance will bring you glory and praise, honor and exaltation, for you are the King of Salvation!]
 
Help us to live today in the light of your goodness, trusting in the sure hope of your deliverance, whatever our situation might be.
 
You hear our cry, you will faithfully answer in the right way at the right time with the right deliverance, whether it be in this life or the next. Help us to trust you fully so that you may use us fully. And my request today is that you would get my heart to work right so I can get out the hospital and back with my family! Amen
 
Picture: me in my hospital gown with my IV buddy.
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Psalm 10:12-15

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 29, 2018

Psalm 10:12 “Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.”

[The psalmist has ended his complaint and now turns to you, Jehovah God, the only true help, who will move to intervene. Perhaps you have not acted earlier because no one prayed for your help, even though you prompted them to do so. But now the writer prays and you will answer.]

Psalm 10:13 “Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, ‘He won’t call me to account’”?

[the answer: he is blind, caught in the net of delusion the enemy has set for him; he fell into this trap because he rejected the light, the truth that God offered him. He has, like Esau, valued power, position and prosperity above what is of eternal value.]

Psalm 10:14 “But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.”

[We can commit our feeble, helpless and vulnerable lives to you, O Lord, for you are our defender, our shield, our high tower, our salvation. You are the One who sees the fatherless, the widow, the helpless ones and will act on their behalf.]

Psalm 10:15 “Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out.”

[You, O Holy God, do see all, you will act and judge evil, at the right time. Praise you for your great and powerful working! Help us to wait for your perfect timing.

As it says in Psalm 37:7-9, “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret–it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.”

Help us to be still before you, Lord, to reject our anger, wrath and fretting, to rest in you, knowing that you will deal with evil. Help us to obey you in what we know to be right so we can be a light in your light–like the double sun in this picture–shining grace and the gospel on all those around us.]

 

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More from the past

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 28, 2018
The Lord is answering prayer (thank you for yours), as all my symptoms are subsiding as the medications kick in here in the hospital. Hopefully I will be able to go home today.
 
Below is a picture of us in the Fall of 1973 after my announcement that we were getting married. I wanted to marry in December, but Germans don’t make such quick decisions, so I had to wait til April, which was actually better timing. The Lord knows best!
 
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Psalm 10:1-11

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 27, 2018
 
Writing again from the ER with complications from taking coumadin: swelling of feet, irregular heartbeat, infection at the blood clot sight in my right leg. Another adventure with Jesus!
 
Today we will begin looking at a Psalm which is an example of “Lifting one’s soul to God.” Today’s part is the first step: describing the distress of the psalmist.
 
Psalm 10:1 “Why, O LORD, do you stand far off?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?”
 
[So it often seems that God is not there. Here the psalmist is lifting his soul to you, Lord, pouring out his thoughts, feelings and desires, wondering why you seem to be doing nothing about the suffering of the weak.
 
However, we know from your Word and our experience that you are actually at work behind the scenes, setting things up, preparing to act, working in deep and effective ways. The psalmist goes on in his complaint about the wicked:]
 
10:2,3 “In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises. He boasts of the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.”
 
[Sounds like current events.]
 
10:4 “In his pride the wicked does not seek him;
in all his thoughts there is no room for God.”
 
[Brutal, selfish, proud, greedy and arrogant—the wicked man does not think of God at all. Instead he bulls his way through life taking, getting, having his own way–while God seemingly does nothing.]
 
10:5,6 “His ways are always prosperous;
he is haughty and your laws are far from him;
he sneers at all his enemies.
He says to himself, ‘Nothing will shake me;
I’ll always be happy and never have trouble.’”
 
[So it seems to the psalmist. However, in all the wicked man’s seeming success and strength, he is deluded, caught in the web of Satan’s lies, while enjoying it—but only for a time, for you, O Lord, are prepared to act at the right moment, to bring him low, to bring justice.]
 
10:7-10 “His mouth is full of curses and lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue.
He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent, watching in secret for his victims.
He lies in wait like a lion in cover; he lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net. His victims are crushed, they collapse; they fall under his strength.”
 
[As ever, the wicked prey on the weak, never on the strong. They are cowardly and utterly selfish. Their goal is power, domination, wealth, control and comfort—and they will find it temporarily.]
 
10:11 “He says to himself, ‘God has forgotten; he covers his face and never sees.’”
 
[This is the utmost in arrogance, claiming that the all-seeing Creator, the all-knowing Sustainer isn’t aware of what is happening! This man’s concept of God is fatally flawed, twisted, and much too small—he has made God in his own image—his world view is willfully devoid of truth. And he will pay for it.
 
May we, Lord, be exactly the opposite of such a person; may we live in the light of your presence, rejoicing in your transforming Truth, reveling in your healing Grace, submitting to your ever-flowing Love. May we carry goodness, mercy, kindness and grace to the weak and weary. May you thereby be glorified in our lives today.]
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Full Moon Memories

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 26, 2018

The full August moon shines over our farm now, reminding me of the days of getting to know Barbara in 1973.  Under that full moon we would walk out into the ten acre lot and sit on a big stone in the middle of the field. My big dog, Isaac, would accompany us and when we sat down, would insert himself between us: he did not like this new relationship in my life! We talked of many things, getting to know each other.

At that point I was still uncertain about where this relationship was going; how could such a beautiful woman ever consider marrying someone like me.  It was not until a month later that the Lord used Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself also in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart” to convince me that Barbara was the woman He had for me. And then I announced to her, “We are getting married!” And she said, “OK!”

Wonderful walks and talks under that full moon, a reminder of how God is so gracious and good, giving us what we need to be more and more effective for Him.

Image may contain: night, sky, tree, outdoor, nature and water

 

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Let Go, Hold On, Rise Above

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 25, 2018
 
A second discipline to walk in God’s power
 
A while back we looked at the discipline of offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving (Ps. 50:23). Today we’ll look at “let go, hold on, rise above.”
 
Let go of human thinking, hold on to the Word of God and rise above all the obstacles He allows in your life.
 
Let go of what you can’t keep, hold on to what God has given you, rise above whatever challenge comes.
 
When disappointments come, let go of your plans, hold on to the fact that God is sovereign, and rise above your feelings.
 
When frustrations come, let go of your timing, hold on to the fact that God has a plan for you and rise above your impatience and selfishness.
 
When people hurt you, let go of you self-pity and resentment, hold on to the Word, forgiving and offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and rise above your natural responses into the joy of knowing Jesus.
 
When you lose something, let it go, hold on to the fact that God is your shepherd and you shall not want, and rise above your sadness into resting in Jesus.
 
Let go, hold on, rise above. Simple, profound, powerful. Freeing, equipping, empowering.
 
The Nigerian Christian woman in the picture below was shot by Islamic tribesmen; the same bullet killed her young daughter who hiding behind her. Then Her two older daughters were taken by the killers. Two weeks later her 12 year old son was shot and killed while walking home from school. In time she was able to forgive the killers, and prays regularly for the return of her daughters, trusting God to watch over them. In letting go and holding on she was able to rise above.
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