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Psalm 26:1

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 5, 2017
Psalm 26:1 “Vindicate me, O LORD,”
 
[You, Lord Jesus, are the only One who can clear the deserved accusations against me; I am, in myself, a sinner only worthy of condemnation. But you are the One who, in your death and resurrection, bought forgiveness, honor, power and transformation, granting me your righteousness.
 
Therefore, you can and do vindicate me before Satan and his accusations, before myself and before others. It is your righteousness that declares my innocence: “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Rom. 8”:33,34).]
 
Psalm 26:1b “for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.”
 
[This I cannot say about myself, Lord–I sin every day in my thoughts; I waver every hour in my decisions. I need your help to trust, and then you vindicate me: “Trust in the LORD, and do good… Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday sun” (Psa. 37:3,5,6).
 
Praise you for the new start every day—actually, every minute. I thank you for your grace-filled kindness to me, to your creatures, to your creation.
 
As we wait for the great and total restoration of perfection, we can heed your call in Psalm 37:4, “Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” As we delight in you, you will put into our hearts the right desires and then fulfill them at the perfect time.
 
Praise you for your great patience, Lord God, waiting until all who are willing to believe are swept into your kingdom, and then you will bring the day of judgment, righting all wrongs and eliminating all evil, ushering in an eternity of Light and Love and unending Life.
 
I revel in your forgiveness and love, I give you glory and honor, Lord, for you are absolutely worthy of it.
 
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Moon Shine

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 4, 2017
It was a full June moon night. The air was clear and cool, silvered twice by the two shining orbs, one in the sky, one reflected in the perfectly still water.
 
In the near daylight brightness all was quiet–even the frogs seemed awed into stillness by the beauty around them as the cattails and bushes at the edge of the pond put a black frame on the silver scene.
 
This evening was the height of light, the shortest night of the year, the official tipping point of Spring spilling into Summer. And God did it beautifully, magnificently, powerfully, displaying His wonderful wisdom in setting that lovely moon in the sky, using it to give us beauty, the rhythm of months and light we can reflect on.
 
The glory of His creation reveals to us His goodness and grace, His power and presence. He alone is worthy of worship, of surrender and of obedience.
 
May we, like the moon, reflect His beauty to all around us, shining the light of His goodness and grace into all the dark corners of the world, joining Him as He moves history to a conclusion and takes us with Him.
 
“If you look around you, you will be distressed.
If you look within you, you will be depressed.
If you look to Jesus, you will find rest.” –Corrie Ten Boom
 
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Lilly Pad Analogy

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 4, 2017

 

 

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Psalm 25:19-22

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 2, 2017
Psalm 25:19 “See how my enemies have increased and how fiercely they hate me!”
 
[Satan is always after me, seeking to trap me, to trip me up, even to take me out–if you, Lord, gave permission. I am too weak to stand against him and the people he uses. But I praise you that you are very aware of my situation and are protecting me moment by moment. As your Word says, “The angel of the Lord camps around those who fear Him and delivers them” (Ps. 34:7).]
 
Psalm 25:20 “Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame,”
 
[Every day I must appeal to you, Lord Jesus, to rescue me from my powerful enemies, from my foes who are too strong for me. Thank you that, instead of shame, you offer us honor–the honor of being your children, of belonging to your Kingdom, of joining you in your work, of keeping on the armor and standing against the enemy, and of living for you.]
 
“for I take refuge in you.”
 
[This is my part, I must flee to you, my High Tower, my Rock of Salvation, instead of trusting in myself. I do this in my weakness and need by offering praise and thanksgiving for whatever comes.
 
You only, Lord God, are my mighty Shield, my high Fortress, my powerful Defender, standing firm against the attacks of the enemy. You are my God, my great Rock in whom I take refuge, my Protector, the Provider of my salvation and my Stronghold. I call to you, O Lord, who are worthy to be praised and so I am saved from my enemies! (Ps. 18:16-19).]
 
Psalm 25:21 “May integrity and uprightness protect me,”
 
[I praise you, Lord Jesus, for the integrity and uprightness of your character and that you have imputed these to us, your children. Help me to live in your integrity (doing what I say I believe) and in your uprightness (obeying what you say is right) so I can give you honor and glory in all.
 
“because my hope is in you.”
 
Praise you that I can do what is difficult and unnatural (like offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving in the midst of trouble), because my hope is in you alone. In you there is the certainty of help, guidance, and protection.]
 
Psalm 25:22 “Redeem Israel, O God, from all their troubles!”
 
[Praise you, O God, for your great act of redemption in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In this you have provided salvation for all in all our troubles.
 
I pray that you will save me from my present troubles, Lord. Help me in the midst of them to act in wisdom and obedience to you and your Word. I praise you now for how you are going to help me today. Amen.
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Psalm 25:16-18

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 1, 2017
Psalm 25:16 “Turn to me and be gracious to me,”
 
[Praise you, Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus and Holy Spirit, that you have turned to me, and you are gracious to me when I deserved the opposite. You are faithful, persistent, wise, graciously at work in my life, for you are the Perfect Father, the Good Shepherd, the Wise Guide and the Great Protector.
 
I thank you for your daily gracious work in the lives of your children, as you provide our needs, lead us in paths of righteousness, protect us from our enemies with your rod, and correct us with your staff.]
 
Psalm 25:17 “for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart have multiplied;”
 
[Although I feel lonely and abandoned, this is not true. In the midst of my troubles, you are there, working, protecting, guiding and maturing me. Therefore, I can offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving and honor you. I can praise you in the midst of uncertainty and disappointment, for you are all I need.]
 
“…free me from my anguish.”
 
[In my pain of distress and the uncertainty of the future, I look to you, to your wisdom, power and love. Your Word tells me that what you allow, including what brings me anguish, is going to be used for good.
 
I need to change my perspective, from short term to long term; my understanding, from human to divine; and my focus, from my comfort to your glory. In these changes and through my praising you in all, you will lessen my anguish, giving me joy in the place of distress and rest instead of turmoil.]
 
Psalm 25:18 “Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins.”
 
[My distress can surface my sins: impatience, selfishness, anger, rebellion, unbelief, trusting self instead of You, and self-pity. Forgive me for these. Take them away—I praise you that you dealt with them on the cross, wiping my record clean–bringing me further out into the freedom you purchased for me, and for each of your children, if only we will believe your Word and follow you.
 
Guide me today in following you, rather than myself, or my desires, or my understanding. You are the God of goodness and glory who rules in wisdom and power. I praise you now for what will come, for how you will protect, for what you will do in and for all things.
 
Today help me to give you honor, for it is your due; to give you love, for it is your desire; to give you obedience, for it is your right. May you be lifted up in my life today before people, angels and demons. Amen.]
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Lifting My Soul in the midst of Conflict

Published by S.M. Wibberley on October 31, 2017

Written in my worship journal some years ago after a run in with a team mate, an example of lifting my soul to God.

Lord, as this conflict with my fellow worker seeks to occupy my thoughts, I must think of the many refugees in the Middle East, forced out of their homes, villages, jobs, security, possessions and into uncertainty, insecurity, having physical and emotional needs, without safety or the necessities of life, living in tents, sleeping on the ground, never being sure of food the next day. They are without hope, without a future, without peace.

That’s what is actually difficult, not the present uncomfortable conflict I have. Help me to keep this perspective, to remember all you give me every day, Lord: so much good, so much protection, so much provision.

Praise you for your rich, warm, positive, supportive grace and love. Help me to walk in the light of your presence all day long so that you may be glorified through the faith you have given me.

Give me wisdom in how to proceed in the painful conflict before me, remembering that this person is not my enemy. Thank you so much, heavenly Father, that I am not left in this alone, but have your presence, your help, your wisdom. Instead of fighting to win, to protect my ego and my sense of significance and position, I want to focus on who I am in you, and operate out of a position of weakness and humility, for then your power will be made perfect in my life (2 Cor. 12:9,10). Then I can move through these difficulties with others from the solid foundation of your goodness, grace and greatness.

Truly, my soul finds rest in you alone, Lord Jesus. No other can give me what I need, weak and needy as I am. Only you, Lord Jesus are eternal, infinite and perfect. Only you live forever to intercede for me. You have given me worth in creating me in your image, in choosing me before the foundation of the world.

You left all in Heaven to live among rebels and liars, and, for your Father’s glory, to die for all and defeat death. You chose me, called me, you transformed me into a new creature, you adopted me as your son, you have given me your Holy Spirit, you invite me to live with you, work with you, be your partner in all that you are doing. What more could I ask for!?

In you I have significance, for you have made me important with your love. In you I have security, for you have made me safe in your power. In you I have meaning, as you have made me a partner in your plans. In you I have purpose, as you have granted me the possibility of giving you glory in everything I do.

You, O God, are my King, my Lord, my Shepherd, my Protector, my Guide, my Corrector, my Loving Brother. Praise you, Lord Jesus, that in you I am complete, need nothing else and can live a life of giving rather than of getting.

Help me to live in the light of all this truth, to be a spring giving living water, rather than a sponge taking from others, a source rather than a sucker who is dependent on others’ approval and acceptance. In you I already have all that and can trust in you with all my heart.

Praise you, Lord Jesus, that you are the God of completeness, full of far more than I need, always pouring out grace and goodness and greatness into my life. I give you praise and today want to honor you with all my heart. Guide and direct me, Lord, especially in resolving this conflict, that you may be lifted up before all those around me. Amen.

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Psalm 25:14,15

Published by S.M. Wibberley on October 31, 2017

Psalm 25:14 “The LORD confides in those who fear him; ”

[Praise you, Lord God, that your desire is to intimately share your secrets with us, to confide in us, to talk with us through your Word and Spirit. Praise you that in your Fatherhood, you make known to us your heart, your mind, your wisdom.

But you have a requirement: we must first fear you–that is, care deeply what you think and desire, be in proper awe, seek to obey and live for you, not for the thoughts or approval of others.
To fear you is a condition often cited: “The angel of the Lord encamps round about those who fear him and delivers them” (Ps. 34:8). “Fear of man brings a snare, but those who trust in the Lord are safe” (Prov. 29:25). Help me, Lord, to fear you, submitting my thoughts and emotions to your Word and your Spirit.]

“he makes his covenant known to them.”

[Praise you that as we fear you, you reveal to us the deep truths of your Word as we read and study and meditate on it. You are the great and gracious Giver, ever desiring to share. And you call us to receive your goodness and grace so we can glorify you more.]

Psalm 25:15 “My eyes are ever on the LORD,”

[May that always be so in my life, Lord, looking to you, thinking of your desires, alert to your Spirit, checking in with you often during the day, following your lead. Praise you for your good and loving ways that I can ever trust.]

“for only he will release my feet from the snare.”

[Yes, Lord, only you can take me out of temptation’s traps, save me from the sins of my old self, free me from the snares of Satan.

Without you I would wander about in the dark, not knowing what makes me stumble; but in you there is always light, ever increasing illumination on the way, and you release my feet from the weight and sin that so easily entangles (Heb. 12:1). Then I can run in the paths of your Truth, pursuing with endurance the race you have set out before me.

May I run well today, tired in body, but strong in Spirit and soul, serving you with all my heart. I praise you for what you will bring, for how you will guide, for how I can trust you completely. May my life bring you glory, honor and pleasure today, Lord Jesus. Amen]

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New Book is Out

Published by S.M. Wibberley on October 29, 2017

Well, after two weeks of work, the latest book, Pass-it-on Parenting, is finally up on Amazon, both in paperback and kindle versions.  You can find it at: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=s.m.wibberley

Our two sons are now middle-aged and well-married with three children each. They have been called to difficult, challenging ministries in the Middle East and are making growing contributions to the life, future and welfare of many.

People say to us, “You must be proud of your sons!”
We quickly reply, “No! We are thankful for how they turned out, because we know what they could have been!” Our younger could possibly have become a criminal, and the older one a geek in some cubical, unmarried and eccentric.

No, what made the difference was God’s grace in sending people along to help us at critical junctures, combined with much prayer. And our sons still could have chosen differently, for even with “perfect” parents, a child can choose to go a negative way in life–think of Adam and Eve’s choices.

It is God’s grace that ours did choose well, not our superior parenting, and we are deeply thankful for it.

At the same time, the wise advice we got helped greatly. The basic parenting approach we used was presented to us by our first supervisor in our overseas work, John Bell. His advice has proven wise, effective and powerful.

We’ve shared his input with many young parents and they have encouraged us to put this advice in writing so they, and others, can better profit from it. So, here in the book Pass-it-on Parenting are the 6 powerful principles that can make it easier for your children to embrace your faith. It is wisdom received from God, passed on to us through others, which we’d now like to pass it on to you.

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Psalm 25:12-13

Published by S.M. Wibberley on October 28, 2017
Psalm 25:12 “Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD?”
 
[This is what you desire, O LORD Jehovah, that your children fear you, that is, care deeply what you think and value, walk in awe of and obedience to you, seeing ever more of your overwhelming holiness and power, goodness and love. When we move in that direction, then you have a flood of gifts you pour out on us.]
 
“He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.”
 
[You personally give each of your children guidance and teaching to direct us into the specific, personal path you have prepared. There are some commonalities here in each plan, but also many totally individual aspects: what to do in each day, where to live, what work to do, how to share with others from all the resources you give, whether to marry or not, and who to marry–to name a few.
 
It is, of course, up to us to accept your plan, opening ourselves to your guidance, being willing to deny self, take up our cross daily and follow you. If we do this, we will advance, mature, be fruitful. We will join you in the accomplishment of your great overarching plan: to sweep as many as are willing into your Kingdom, to end time, eliminate evil and move into a perfect eternity where you will lavishly reward those who did follow the personal plan you laid out.
 
Psalm 25:13 “He will spend his days in prosperity,”
 
[You supply our necessities—and you often pour out an overabundance with them. This is always true on the spiritual level, the relational level, the volitional level, the emotional level, and sometimes on the physical level. And that is the order of importance in the process.
 
Praise you, Lord God, for your good and wise provision. My life is certainly brimming over with spiritual prosperity: an abundance of joy, peace, patience, love, grace, goodness and growth, which flow all the time.
 
You give out of your glorious riches, strengthening us with power through your Spirit in our inner being so that Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith (Eph. 3:16,17). You give us an ever-increasing faith that allows the Spirit to dwell in an ever widening place in our lives. This is spiritual wealth, spiritual prosperity. Praise you for your gracious giving, your gracious goodness, your gracious greatness.]
 
“and his descendants will inherit the land.”
 
[This originally spoke of the land of Israel, but now can speak of the heavenly land we can give our children, meaning belonging to you, Lord, and having a place in your Kingdom, in your Home. Our fearing you can help our descendants follow us into surrender and obedience of belief and becoming your children.
 
I praise you, Lord God, for the privilege of fearing you, of trusting you, of obeying you and thereby bringing blessings to others you bring into our lives.]
 
You, Lord God, are the only One I can trust, and you are the only One worthy of trust. worship, glory, honor and exaltation. I bow before you now in worship, I rise up before you in obedience so that you may be honored before angels and humans today.
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Psalm 25:11

Published by S.M. Wibberley on October 26, 2017
 
Glory be to you, heavenly Father, for you are “good and ready to forgive and plenteous in mercy to all who call upon you” (Psalm 86:5).
 
Psalm 25:11 “For the sake of your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.”
 
[What a solid basis for appeal, that your Name be lifted up, glorified, magnified. And that is what happens as you forgive my sin–which is great. I do not know a tenth of it, but you know it all and have provided full, complete, free and effective forgiveness–cleansing and changing me from the inside out.
 
In Jesus, my record is wiped clean, my past is changed, my future is sure and secure, full of upward movement into ever increasing freedom. This is so because you are good, you are gracious, you are giving, you are great in mercy and love, kindness and grace. We are undeserving while your love is unending. We are unworthy, but you are unrelentingly gracious. We are unrighteous in ourselves, but your forgiveness in inexhaustible.
 
Praise be to you, the Great and Glorious God, whose forgiveness flows forever, transforming, teaching and training us to walk in your wonderful way.
 
Today lies before us now, an unknown blank, but you know all that will come and have prepared for us a course to run. You stand ready to lead us into it, walking before us, revealed in your Word, known in your ways, trusted in your goodness.
 
I praise you for what will come, for how you will protect, for how you will act in wisdom and love to weave all into the fabric of your plan for today, a portion of your plan for eternity. We can trust you, the Great and Mighty Shepherd to lead us on the path of righteousness and bring us safely through to the end today, then on to the end of time and the beginning of eternity.
 
In the light of your beautiful character, may continual praise flow to you from my life today through trust, thanksgiving and obedience. Amen.
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