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Psalm 37:30-31

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 16, 2017
 
Psalm 37:30 “The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just.”
 
[Lord, this is certainly not the natural me. Help me to move ever more in this direction, spotting ungodly advice I give myself, rejecting the temptation to stand in the way of sinners, and certainly refusing to sit in the seat of the scornful.
 
Help me to be like Job who properly and positively rebuked those who gave him ungodly advice. Help me to know how to talk about the situation with a destructive man in my life in a way that will be edifying, speaking wisdom, uttering what is just. May you be glorified in it.]
 
Psalm 37:31 “The law of his God is in his heart;’
 
[Here is the key: your Word is hidden in the heart of a righteous man, flowing out constantly, influencing his thoughts, motives, words and actions. Praise be to you, Lord Jesus, for your great and wonderful work to bring such change in us through Scripture. Help me to cooperate with you in the process by consistently memorizing and meditating on your Word.
 
Thank you, Lord, for your gracious wisdom, your careful discretion, your good direction. Help me to walk in them, to be alert to the wisdom you offer each moment. Bring to mind the Scripture, the truth, the principles I need to heed.]
 
“his feet do not slip.”
 
[When we walk in your path, Lord, this will be true: our feet will not slip, our ankles will not turn, we will not fall, for you open the way, bring the changes, protect us from our natural, sinful pitfalls.
 
I praise you, Lord, for the great and sweet privilege of walking on your way, of belonging to you, of being given such wonderful gifts. I praise you much, Lord God, for the greatest gift of all: being your beloved son, dearly loved, deeply cared for, doted on and delighted in—the opposite of what I deserve.
 
This is the outpouring of what you are, Lord God: the great Lover, the great Forgiver, the great Transformer. Praise be to you for all you will do today out of your goodness, righteousness, wisdom and power. May I join you in wisdom and obedience so that your Name may be lifted up before all the unseen hosts.
 
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Psalm 37:27-29

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 15, 2017
 
Psalm 37:27 “Turn from evil and do good;”
 
[Simple, clear command. This is part of fearing God, walking in His way, and part of bringing blessing to our children. Our primary motive should be our love for you, Heavenly Father, and our desire to give you glory, then our secondary motive is to bring what is good to our children: “their [the righteous’] children will be blessed” 37:26.]
 
“then you will dwell in the land forever.”
 
[Such obedience places us squarely in the center of your will, meaning we will dwell with you, live with you, in whatever good place you have chosen for us, ending up in the everlasting New Heaven and New Earth.
 
We can praise and glorify you at each juncture, knowing that you are in control, guiding, directing, protecting each moment, To live in such certainty is a wonder, Lord, we praise you for your faithful, powerful goodness–especially in the midst of difficulties, like the one I’m in now with my wife again fallen into the deep hole of despair and darkness, an attack of the enemy after the advances of this week. But I choose to offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving, knowing that you are good, powerful and with us. ]
 
Psalm 37:28 “For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones.”
 
[You, the Holy and Perfect One, love those whom you have justified—Ah, if only all people would come to you and have that forgivness, cleansing, transformation and joy!
 
In you, Lord, there is no end to our joy, to our getting to know you, to our growth and your glory. Praise you, Lord, for what you are doing, for how you are working, for what you will do.
 
Your commitment to your children is iron clad, rock solid and mountain strong, something we can rest in more and more as we get to know you. Praise be to you, Lord, for your strength of character, your utter dependability, your never changing, perfect and powerful love.]
 
“They will be protected forever,”
 
[There is no end to this protection, for you, Lord Jesus, live forever to intercede for those you have purchased with your blood. You live forever, so our protection will go on forever-]
 
“but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off;”
 
[sadly, those who refuse to submit to your Kingship, your Word, your Truth, your provided salvation and love, will be cut off from life forever–they and their children who follow them. How sad this makes your heart, yet you rejoice for each one who believes and follows you.
 
Psalm 37:29 “the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.”
 
[A repetition, a bookend to this thought of your great and gracious giving of what is good to your children. Yes, we will inherit your land and we will live in it with you forever: no end, no death, no depression, no loss, no evil, no sadness, sickness or sin.
 
You, Lord God, are the One to be followed, obeyed, worshiped and exalted. You are worthy, you are wonderful, you are the One and Only True God. I bow before you this morning, I give you glory, exaltation and praise. May you be honored in my life today as I give you praise in and for all. Amen.]
 
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Provision!

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 14, 2017
Praise you, Lord, that you never lose your way, never lose your focus, never lose in the end, but always bring a just and positive conclusion. I praise you for your power to do so, as you live outside of time, as you are everywhere at once, as you exist forever.
 
After watching the film of the Gospel of John, I thank you for reminding us of the difficulties you suffered in living as a human being and revealing yourself as God. It also reminds us of how stubborn and negative we are as humans, protective of our position and status, willing to reject eternal truth in order to keep some temporary comfort.
 
I praise you that you did not shrink back from any challenge, that you did not move too fast, and that you did not give up. I praise you that you pressed on to the conclusion of your task here on earth, dying in agony in the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual realms so we, your enemies, might be set free from the clutches of sin. Praise be to you for your noble, gracious, loving acts of redemption and restoration. To you we must give glory and honor and praise in all.
 
Thank you, too, for all the protection you provide now, for all the provision you give, for all the positives you pour out every day, every minute, in every situation. I think of how many, many times we’ve gone places by car and returned safely because you are the God of power and protection. We do not take that for granted, for all it requires is for me or another driver to lose concentration for a second or two and there’s an accident.
 
Praise be to you, Lord for all that you do, orchestrating a myriad of actions and events to protect us daily. You are a wonderful God, a marvelous Shepherd, and majestic King. I give you glory and honor now for what you will do before the day unfolds.
 
Lord, in praising you ahead of time, I want to align my desires with yours, to give up my small ambitions for your great and good ones. I want to wholeheartedly let go of my desires and to wholeheartedly embrace yours, knowing that they are far better, far higher, far richer than any I want.
 
Praise you for your work in me to bring my will into line with yours, knowing that what you will work out will be part of the great plan you have for bringing sin and suffering to an end.
 
So I submit to your wisdom, to your power, to your decisions. Knowing that you are good, wise, loving and kind, I can trust you to bring into our lives what is edifying, transforming and good. Therefore, I bow before you afresh, gladly surrendering to you, giving you my will and taking yours in its place. May you be honored in my life today.
 
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Answers!

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 13, 2017
Thank you so much for all who posted replies to my request for prayer for yesterday’s session. We appreciate your encouraging words and support.
 
The Lord answered your prayers wonderfully and more widely than I had expected in the midst of some intense spiritual warfare.
 
1. On Wednesday we had an appointment with one of Barbara’s two counselors. We tried to do it by skype, but there were technical problems (spiritual warfare), so the counselor drove right down to our house when she could have just postponed it. During the session she gave us a very simple and powerful model for changing ones’ thought patterns concerning a core belief. And Barbara accepted that, an important step.
 
2. Then yesterday we went to Barbara’s other counselor, in spite of the fact that Barbara was having a very bad day and strongly did not want to go (spiritual warfare). The session did not go the way I’d hoped, with the counselor delving into what I thought were irrelevant points, seemingly wasting time. But in the last few minutes, the Lord exposed the foundational cause of Barbara’s depression and guided the counselor in describing it in a powerful way that Barbara could grasp.
 
3. And then the most important answer: Barbara accepted that painful and distressing truth, one she had buried for many years and didn’t want to face—this is a huge step forward which potentially opens the way for real progress.
 
4. Then shortly after returning from the counseling session, Barbara’s visiting mental health nurse came. Barbara shared the discovery of the foundational cause (big step forward for her to be open and share something so painful), and the nurse very strongly affirmed that truth and encouraged Barbara in wholeheartedly embracing it.
 
Now we have to move forward together, applying what the Lord has provided in information and the model for changing her thought patterns, disempowering the source of her depression. As we discussed this, the Lord brought out how the “irrelevant” things her counselor was dealing with yesterday turned out to be important tools in helping Barbara work things through.
 
Praise God for His faithfulness in answering your prayers powerfully, specifically and graciously. To Him be the credit and glory for this. He has placed us on a path to freedom.
 
We are on the path, but, of course, are not out of the swamp yet, so need your continued prayers for daily progress. Pray with us for Barbara’s continued cooperation, for the Lord to bring healing and growth, with new thought patterns developing out of consistent rejection of lies and negatives, replacing them with truth and positives.
Thank you so much for your prayers. Warmly, Steve
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Psalm 37:23-26

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 13, 2017
Psalm 37:23,24 “If the LORD delights in a man’s way,”
 
[Lord, it is a wonder that you can delight in our ways when we are so prone to sinful, selfish motives, thoughts, words and actions. Praise you that you view us with the perfect and proper balance of love and forgiveness, chastening and grace. Help me to walk in such a way as to give you delight, to be responsive to your leading, your Word, your conviction, your wisdom. Correct me with your staff immediately as I begin to wander. Praise you for the direction you will give.]
 
“he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.”
 
[Praise you, Lord, that you are actively, powerfully, wisely at work in my life, smoothing the way, protecting my steps, keeping my spiritual ankles from turning.
 
In spite of this, I stumble at times, but you are there to catch me and keep me from falling. I praise you for your personal, intimate, gracious, constant involvement in my life. You, Lord, are the One I can trust, the One I can rest in, the One I can praise at every happening, whether it is pleasant or painful.
 
You are the Sovereign One, wise, good and firm, always doing what is best, right and gracious. Help me to walk with you today, Lord, to move forward in your protection, in your love, in your preparation. Help me not to run out before you, but to wait for your timing. Help me to walk in a way that is delightful to you, that will bring you glory before the angels, demons and people around me.
 
Psalm 37:25 “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.”
[You Lord, provide what is necessary through all our days. You are our rich, wise, gracious Shepherd, powerful enough to provide all that is needed–and way beyond, as you often do. We can trust you, we can rest in you, both during want and during plenty. Help us, Father, to keep that wonderful, biblical view of life that we truly have no lack, even though by the world’s standards we may.]
 
Psalm 37:26 “They are always generous and lend freely;”
 
[With the view of a Father who provides all, we can and should be generous, freely sharing what we have been given. We need to grow more in this. Help us to know how much to give and where. Praise you that you will lead us so.]
 
“their children will be blessed.”
 
[As we give, our children will receive more grace and goodness from you, also learning to give, learning that you provide what is needed and that we can trust you 100%.
 
I saw that recently in the sermon by a young teacher; his message had depth, understanding, specific application and a concrete challenge for us to take away. He was a third generation believer, standing on the shoulders of his parents and grandparents, given a definite head start in life, understanding things I only grasped much later.
 
Praise you, Lord for the blessing you give to our children as we trust and obey you. Guide today, Lord in how we should act and live, to bring you more and more glory. Amen.]
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Prayer Request

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 11, 2017
We continue on in Barbara’s journey through the tunnel of darkness, through the swamp of depression, where every day we experience the Lord’s grace and help.
 
So often I have to pray the prayer of Psalm 86, “Bow down and hear me, Lord, for I am poor and needy, I am weak, give wisdom and help us.” And He gives direction. The other night when Barbara was quite agitated, after I prayed, the Lord gave the idea to read the Narnia stories together and that calmed her down. Now she’s reading them on her own and this helps her.
 
Thursday we have an important and potential filled session with one of her counselors. Please pray with us for a breakthrough for Barbara; may she be willing to go to a painful place in her past and deal with what appears to be the source of her depression. Thank you.
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First Love Renewed

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 10, 2017

From the book EDIFIED!

“…I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.” Revelation 2:4

Barbara says it’s easy to tell when I am “in cahoots” with God, because then I am in tune with her. What she is referring to is the condition of my first love for Christ. I can perform all the spiritual disciplines correctly (quiet time, prayer, attendance, giving, being nice) but Barbara can tell when the connection with God is missing, when I have no passion for Him.

As you may remember, when Jesus spoke to the Ephesians in the opening chapters of Revelation, He had a lot of positives to say about them, but ended with rebuking them for losing their first love. They had all the mechanics right, but their hearts had grown cold.

His command to them was, “Remember therefore from where you have fallen. Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place” (Rev. 2:5).

So it is with us: we get busy, we give our heart and passion to something else, like our work/ministry/hobby/sport. As a result, our relationship with God grows cold, so slowly that we don’t notice it. But our spouse often does because our marriage relationship reflects the warmth or coolness of our walk with God.

What can we do to nurture, strengthen and deepen our first love for Christ? Here’s what I’ve found effective in rekindling that love.
First, repent: acknowledge that our relationship is not what it should be.

Second, remember: take the time to think about the early days of our walk with Him, the delicious sense of freedom from condemnation, the giddy wonder of having a new start, the soothing warmth of being fully accepted by God.

Third, reveal: practice lifting our souls to God, regularly telling Him honestly what we are thinking (mind), wanting (will) and feeling (emotions), then evaluate these by the Word, surrendering each to Him.

Fourth, rejoice: spend time daily in personal worship, extolling Him for who He is without thinking about how that benefits us. This kind of worship is standing in the light of God, seeing more and more of Him, having sin exposed, being transformed (2 Cor. 3:18), reveling in His love and grace. As I do this, usually by writing my worship thoughts in my journal, there is continual renewing of my first love, there is a growing passion for Christ—and Barbara can see the difference!

Here’s an example of personal worship, using Psalm 84, meditating on the name “Lord Almighty” or “Lord of Hosts”.
“Praise be to you, Lord God Almighty, Commander of the hosts of Heaven. To you we give glory and honor and praise, for you, Lord God, King Jesus, Gracious Father, Holy Spirit, are the most High, the most Wise, the most Powerful, the most Good and the most Holy of all.

You are without beginning or end. You are the junction point of seeming opposites: justice and mercy, truth and grace, holiness and redemption. Only you could be so, only you are worthy of honor and praise. It is right to bow down in worship before you. It is right to surrender all to you. It is right to rise up in obedience. Praise be to you, Lord God Almighty.”

I encourage us all to make a fresh beginning for our first love for Christ, and intentionally nurture it. With time, those around us will be amazed at the difference!

Prayer: “Lord, I confess my failure to intentionally nurture my first love for you. Forgive me and help me to do this every day in worship, in your Word, in praise and in obedience to what I know to be right. Amen.”

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Psalm 37:21,22

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 9, 2017

Psalm 37:21 “The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously;”
 
[Here is a clear contrast between those who follow God’s character and those who don’t. The wicked raise money and possessions to the level of an idol, holding onto to them even when it comes to stealing.
 
The righteous, however, are willing to part with the money God has entrusted to them, distributing it to those in need. And, as we know, giving away money makes us happier; for your principles are always the best, Lord. Help us to follow your wisdom, walking in the fear of the Lord, caring deeply what He thinks.]
 
Psalm 37:22 “those the LORD blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be cut off. “
 
[And here is the outcome of obeying or disobeying God: receiving more or being rejected. The choice is clear. I, for one, want to be blessed by God. This begins with belief in His Word and His provision of forgiveness, being born again; and it continues with walking in His Way, growing in our knowledge of God and His commands, listening to the Spirit, obeying what we know to be true, doing what is best. Then blessings roll more and more, and we will inherit the land, whatever land that may be, whether here on earth or there in heaven.
 
To be cursed is what we were at birth: alienated from God, living in darkness, a resident of the dominion of the devil, cut off from grace, without hope, meaning or purpose. There was nothing in our future but being permanently separated from God by going into a Christless eternity.
 
But, praise you, Lord, that you made the way out from under that curse, providing forgiveness, redemption and reconciliation for each person who has ever lived. So, with the work of the Holy Spirit, we can each make our decision to remain under the curse or move out into your righteousness. You are so gracious, O King, you are so good, O God.]
 
Praise you for what you will do today, Heavenly Father, for how you will provide, guide, protect and carry us through the difficult, dark time we are in at the moment. Give me your wisdom, your guidance, your care today. I thank you for what you will do, knowing that from your hand comes only what is good. May my life bring you glory today.
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Psalm 37:18-20

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 8, 2017
Psa 37:18 “The days of the blameless are known to the LORD,”
 
[My times are in your hands, Lord; you determine the number of my days; you, who live outside time, know completely how long I will live and all that will happen during my lifetime.
 
You, Lord, watch over your children who are blameless because their sins are forgiven in Christ. Praise you for you mighty and wise protection. Today I read in an article that those who believe in God and practice their faith live longer (average of 7 years) and more healthily than those who do not. Interesting confirmation of your Word.]
 
“and their inheritance will endure forever.”
 
[You have made us heirs, Lord, heirs of the riches of your Kingdom, all of which are eternal. The first treasure is our relationship with you, the wonder of knowing you in spite of our depraved and sinful nature. I thank you with all my heart that you are the Great Lover of all your creatures whether they are good or evil.
 
I praise you for your other gifts to us: eternal life, the indwelling Spirit, the written Word, the wisdom, grace and guidance, the protection, provision and power that are ours in you. And in the life to come, untold riches will be poured upon your children so that we might bring more glory to you. I praise you now, Lord, for all that you have already given us, and for all that will come in eternity.]
 
Psalm 37:19 “In times of disaster they will not wither;
in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.”
 
[Your hand of protection is always over us, your sustaining grace is always enough. We need not dry up under the withering heat of disaster, or worry and starve in famine, for you will provide what we need and will save us by miraculous provision, by grace, or by death.
 
In you we can trust, Lord, in you we can rest. I praise you that you know how much to provide to carry us through and give us more than that
 
It is up to us to take it up and use it so that we can be “like a tree planted by the streams of water, which will bear its fruit in its season, its leaf will never wither and whatever he does will prosper” (Ps. 1:3). This is your description, your promise as we take up, learn and live your Word which is a huge portion of our inheritance.]
 
Psalm 37:20 “But the wicked will perish: the LORD’s enemies will be like the beauty of the fields, they will vanish—vanish like smoke.”
 
[You will send what is needed to destroy the wicked while giving shelter to your people. I praise you, Lord, that you have planned this, that we can know you are going to carry it out.
 
As we see the madness of Ir.an, the hatred of Isl@m, the bitterness, oppression and violence of groups like Ha.mas and IS.IS, we praise you that you will deal with them after you have used them to prepare many hearts for the gospel. I praise you, Lord God, for your wonderful and powerful plan which you will bring to pass at the right times.
 
You, Lord God, my heavenly Father, my Lord Jesus, my indwelling Holy Spirit, are worthy of all my love, all my devotion, all my obedience, all my praise. Help me to give these to you throughout this day, trusting in you, resting in you, living your Word’s way as you empower and give wisdom. May you be honored in my thoughts, words and actions today. Amen.
 
 
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Psalm 37:16,17

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 7, 2017
Psalm 37:16 “Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked;”
 
[Better 15,000 a year than 200 million, if the difference is between righteousness and wickedness. This is thinking with a view from eternity, a judgment based on the unseen. To decide for this truth requires faith, rejecting what we can touch for what we know, resting on the Word of God. Praise you, Lord, that you have revealed this perspective in your Word. Help us to always decide for it.]
Psalm 37:17 “for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.”
 
[The power of the wicked was broken at the Cross. You, Lord Jesus, won in the midst of what seemed certain loss. You defeated sin and Satan, death and despair. You upheld righteousness, and made it available to all those received your by faith.
 
And now you give us the privilege of living out every day the reality of your upholding the righteous. This involves walking in your Spirit, drinking in of your Word, and deciding consistently to follow you rather than the world, the flesh or the devil. Praise be to you for the Light, the Freedom, the Love, the Hope, the Power, the Future you have given us from your gracious heart.
 
It is wonderful that we can praise you now for whatever you will bring into our lives–for what you give is always good. I thank you, Lord,
 
Here at the beginning of a new day, we ask that you guide us, Lord, that we may accomplish all that you desire. Help us to keep our eyes on you, to rest in your greatness, to trust your wisdom and power. I praise you now for the answers you will give, for the protection you will offer, for the progress you will grant us.
 
We can trust you because we know that you are good, always; that you are wise, always; that you are holy, always; that you are infinitely powerful, always; and that you win in the end, always. I praise you for how you will demonstrate your grace in all today. Help me to live in faith, offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving in all so that I may continually bring honor to you.]
 
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