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Psalm 17:6

Published by S.M. Wibberley on October 26, 2018
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 to 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 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 David could know in his time. He could not 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 compassion.]
 
“you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.”
 
[Your right hand 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 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 complete 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 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 October 25, 2018
 
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 actions and thoughts, to say nothing of my motives and heart.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, like the one in the picture below; 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

Published by S.M. Wibberley on October 24, 2018
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, 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 below, 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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Psalm 16:8-9

Published by S.M. Wibberley on October 23, 2018

 

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,”

[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 earth–this is a prospect beyond comprehension. To have this certainty is a further aspect to our present joy.

`Truly, 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  this day, Lord Jesus, so that I can shine the light of your joy on all those I meet.

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Letting Go So You Can Hold On

Published by S.M. Wibberley on October 21, 2018
“My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare.”
Psalm 25:15
 
I ran down the street, my hands loaded with heavy shopping bags and a briefcase of truth, desperate to escape the thugs chasing me. Suddenly a shadow crossed my path. Looking up I saw a hot air balloon overhead with a rope dangling down within my reach. I glanced back to see the thugs closing in on me. Looking down at my bags, I realized in a flash how worthless these things were, and dropped all but the briefcase. Then, grabbing the rope, I was lifted to safety by the rising balloon, leaving the thugs behind.
This figuratively happens in my life every day. It is the illustration of following three biblical principles: Let Go, Hold On, Rise Above. As I struggle through life, weighed down by all kinds of nonessentials, I give Satan opportunity to catch me. At the same time, God offers a way to rise above Satan’s attacks.
As it says in Colossians 3:1 “Since you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, not on the passing things of earth.” To illustrate how this works, let’s ask three questions.
Let go of what? All that is temporal. This encompasses almost everything in life. To ‘let go’ means, to keep things in an open hand, to give them up to God and let Him decide which things to take and which ones are to remain. It means setting our hearts on things above, not on things on the earth. It means denial of self, giving up my impatience, selfishness, pride, “rights” and materialism, recognizing that holding on to them is carrying detrimental baggage that makes me vulnerable to attack. I’m going to lose them anyway (the definition of temporal), so why cling to them?
Hold on to what? To all that is eternal. This means, thinking Truth and acting on it: when I am impatient, I need to think, “Actually God is in control of the timing here; I can trust Him.” In order to do this, we need to know the Truth, meaning we need to spend time with God and in His Word every day.
Rise above what? The everyday hassles, hurts, frustrations and difficulties as well as big, painful events. As we relax in Him, trust Him to deal with it, join Him in what He is doing, He will raise us above the everyday fight so we can see things from a greater height, to understand His perspective, and make better decisions. Truly, “My soul finds rest in God alone” (Ps. 62:1).
 
Prayer: “Lord, help me to recognize what I must let go of, what I should hold onto, and then help me to do that, so I can rise above with you to live in the atmosphere of truth and praise! Amen.”
 
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Accidental Growth

Published by S.M. Wibberley on October 21, 2018
In the mid 1980s, when driving back from Germany to Turkey after visiting Barbara’s parents, as usual we drove through Yugoslavia in the night. After having a picnic breakfast under a tree by a river, we decided to make a short detour and visit Phillipi, the place where Paul and Silas had been jailed and then freed by an earthquake. I love to “touch history” like that.
We were back on the road by about 10 am, driving on a very curvy two-lane road along the sea. There were almost no shoulders and on the right side was a drop off into the ocean with no guardrail.
Very shortly after I saw a puff of smoke come from the left front tire of an oncoming Mercedes, and suddenly that car veered into our lane. We were going to have a head-on collision! By the Lord’s grace, instinctively I whipped the steering wheel to the right—usually I just freeze in such a situation—and was able to avoid a direct hit. The Mercedes struck our VW’s driver side right at the headlight and proceeded to crush in the side all the way to the back. We were thrown around and spun off the road on the sea side—but here, instead of a drop off into the water, there was a large parking area! Our car came to rest just short of a large concrete pillar planted on the edge of the area. What protection from the Lord!
My glasses were gone, slung over to the floor on the other side; we had to find those so I could see to proceed. Josh’s arm was bleeding, cut by the glass, and I had a particle in my good eye. The driver who had been behind us came up to the car and offered to take Josh to the hospital. So he and I went while Barbara and Nat stayed with the car. The doctor sewed up Josh’s cut, but didn’t use any anesthesia, and Josh let him know that it hurt!
While waiting for us, Barbara turned on the tape in the car and it began playing a hymn, “Trust In Jesus.” She was encouraged. The driver of the Mercedes also stayed and talked with her. It turned out he was a Greek who worked in Germany in a city very near Barbara’s hometown. His tire had blown out and there was nothing he could do to prevent the accident He very sorry for the damage, especially since he had grandchildren Nat and Josh’s ages.
Although the right rear wheel was bent at quite an angle, the car was still drivable. The man who hit us helped us find a place to stay and put us in touch with a friend whose son had a body shop.
God’s hand was so obvious in all that happened. The village near where this accident occurred had many Greeks who spoke Turkish (they had emigrated from Turkey when the great population exchange had occurred in 1923), so we could communicate with no problem. We found a reasonable place to stay right on the beach and spent a rather pleasant 8 days waiting for the car to be repaired.The hotel bill was all paid for by the German Touring Club, as we were members and the other driver’s insurance paid for all the repairs, even though it was more than the value of the car and they didn’t see the car!
Beyond the physical care the Lord gave us, there was another aspect to this happening: the Lord was working to get my attention on an important point. I didn’t think we had any time for a vacation (certainly traveling to and from German and spending time with my in-laws was not a vacation), but the Lord showed me that I could take time if I wanted. He give us a fine time to relax and enjoy and be refreshed here on the Greek coast. “OK, Lord, you got my attention and I hear you,” I said, “a vacation every year!”
Pictures below: our damaged car, Barbara and Nat on the beach.
 
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Psalm 16:7

Published by S.M. Wibberley on October 20, 2018
 
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 put you first, 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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Psalm 16:6a

Published by S.M. Wibberley on October 19, 2018

Psalm 16:6 “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;”

[Where you have placed us, Lord, is more than pleasant: we are within the Kingdom of Light, under the Lordship of the Great Shepherd, within the Family of God, on the right way to Heaven, in the company of the saints, equipped and assigned to a specific area of service to you, my beloved King.

This Truth is a wonder, a joy, a pleasure, an ever- increasing realization of the undeserved, unearned privilege of walking on the pathway of the Creator of all, the Ruler of all, the Restorer of all. In my opinion, “pleasant” is far too mild a word for this state of ever-growing joy!]

“surely I have a delightful inheritance.”

[Out of your glorious treasures you have prepared a rich inheritance for your undeserving children. As it says in Ephesians 1:3, you have blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus—every possible spiritual blessing will be ours. As you are infinite and all-powerful, Lord, so these blessings will be unending, uncountable, incomprehensible.

These will include a sinless life, total security and significance, sweet fellowship with all, ever increasing joy, and living in the light of your presence. In addition, you have made us fellow-heirs with Jesus, meaning that whatever He inherits, we will get also!

This will include an infinite future, an unending walk with you, an unlimited growth in knowledge of your character, having fulfilling, positive challenges of service for you, and rich, uninterrupted fellowship with all other beings in Heaven. It will include living in your glory: “When Christ, who is our life, appears, then we also will appear with him in glory” (Col 3:4).

It will include mostly and most importantly, the ability to gaze uninterruptedly on your face, Lord Jesus, being in the full presence of our Bridegroom, the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Ruler of all, the Holy, Pure, Powerful, Wise and Good God of all. That will be far more wonderful than we can imagine!]

Lord, help me to walk in the knowledge of the riches of your goodness and all the pleasantness you have for stored up for us. Help me to see where I let the small (very small!) things in life take my focus off of you, to steal my joy, to trap me in the dust and dirt of a natural worldview.

Help me instead to let go of the temporary, hold on to what is eternal and rise above everyday hassels in the shining knowledge of you and who you are. May I think truth, keep on the armor and be able to stand no matter what comes, thereby bringing more honor and glory to you.

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Beauty

Published by S.M. Wibberley on October 18, 2018
From EDIFIED!
 
“My flesh and heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalm 73:26
 
As I look out the window, the morning sun creeps over the horizon. As it emerges, everything is lit with a burst of glory: the sun’s first rays shine golden on the maple leaves of fall, their beauty doubled by their reflection in the pond. The still-green grass, clothed in frost, shimmers like a thousand diamonds. Overhead a flock of geese wings towards the south, sent on their way by the barking of our faithful dog, Jack. Such is the beauty of our home in Canterbury.
 
This scene reminds us of the goodness of our God who loves beauty and shares it with us. He knows the future and has reminded us that the loveliness we have here is only a dim shadow of the beauty He has in store for us, both here and in Heaven.
Psalm 73:25 speaks of this: “Whom have I in heaven but you, and earth has nothing I desire besides you!” To live such a truth! That is where I would like to be–so in love with God that all here on earth pales, fading into the background, serving only as a picture frame for the character of Christ.
 
We can only move towards such an understanding by letting go and moving on when He calls. But thinking Truth brings both perspective and joy: a fierce kind of joy that comes from giving up what we can’t keep anyway and moving on to what He has not yet revealed. But because His is faithful, we know that whatever comes, it will be good.
 
Prayer: “Lord God, more beautiful than any scene on earth, more valuable than all the wealth of the world, more loving than all mothers put together, more powerful than all the energy of every star in the universe–You are the One to love, to worship, to honor, to obey. Help me to nurture my first love for you, to be in your Word every day, to praise you in all things, to live in the light of your love so that I may bring glory to you each day. Amen.”
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Psalm 16:5

Published by S.M. Wibberley on October 17, 2018
Psalm 16:5 “LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;”
 
[All I have comes from you, O Holy God: my position, my provision, my protection, my portion. And what you give is good. This includes my body, my brains, my boundaries, my bonds, my bounty; whatever they appear to be from a human perspective, they are good and I will praise you for them.]
 
“you have made my lot secure.”
 
[You, Lord, are the God of power and authority. Only you can give security: whatever you choose to protect will be untouched by the enemy; whenever you allow an attack, it will be used for good, no matter how unpleasant it may be.
 
I can rest in your glorious and endless perfection, knowing you will weave all into your great plan for the end of sin, of evil and time, while sweeping as many as possible into your Kingdom.
 
To you be glory and honor today, Lord. May praise and thanksgiving continually well up in my mind and spill off my lips. May the light of your love shine from my being, may you be lifted up in my actions and reactions, my attitude and speech. I thank you now for your provision for today.]
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