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Worship and Stability

Published by S.M. Wibberley on September 1, 2017
As you lead me into worship each day, Lord Jesus, there is a definite sense of solidification within, a strengthening in my inner being. I am more at rest in you; my confidence is shifting from other sources to you; there is a growing sense of firm faith in you which stands against self-pity, impatience, discontent and fear.
 
Worship (praising you for who you are) brings transformation as I gaze on your greatness: “…we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2. Cor. 3:18).
 
Worship of you, Lord, shines into my being the light of your character–pure, powerful, passionate, perfect, positive—and you use it like a laser beam, shining deep into the recesses of my soul, exposing the filth of sin, burning away dross, purifying, healing, and guiding me into confession, repentance and the filling of the Spirit.
 
One result of worship–especially extolling you for your power and might, sovereignty and wisdom, omniscience and omnipresence–is that my being weak is no longer something to be feared and despised. It has become like a lens, focusing my attention on you, Lord God, and your mighty, loving, wise personality, waiting for you to act in each situation.
 
I praise you for the great love you have for us, leading you to work so patiently, so graciously, so faithfully, even when I tend to focus elsewhere on the trinkets and trash of earth, on selfishness and security, on busyness and business.
 
Your goodness persists through all, Lord, and I am so thankful that you do not give up on me, but, as I spend time in worship, you are continually bringing me into a wider place as my first love for you grows. Spending that daily time with you is so good, so powerful, so transforming. I praise and thank you for keeping me consistent in it, keeping my passion for you burning.
 
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Psalm 22:9-11

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 31, 2017
Psalm 22:6,9 “I am…scorned by men and despised by the people…Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother’s breast.”
 
[You, Lord God, were with David, and with Jesus in His human form from before conception, preparing the way to give them protection and guidance, to have them trust you.
 
So you have been with us, watching over our development in the womb, preparing our parents, our upbringing, our education and every other detail in life, that we may serve you in unique ways. What personal, intimate, deep concern shown in arranging even minute details of our lives to develop our ability to join you in your great Plans.]
 
Psalm 22:10 “From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God.”
 
[Long before they are born, you know all who will respond to your invitation to be their God. In fact, before the creation of the world you saw who would believe (“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world…” Eph 1:1). And on that basis prepared the way for those who would respond to the work of your Spirit: “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…” (Rom. 8:29);. What a great privilege to be thus brought into your Kingdom by your love, mercy and grace, Lord Jesus.]
 
Psalm 22:11 “Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.”
 
[David had only you, Lord God, to turn to, his great Shepherd. Only you could help Jesus in His earthly life. And so it is in our lives: in the midst of powerful forces swirling around us, only you, Heavenly Father, can actually help. All others are limited and weak, they fail, are faulty, are fickle, but you are faithful.
 
As it says in Psalm 18:16-18, “He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters. He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the LORD was my support.”]
 
I praise you, Lord God, that you reach into every aspect of our lives to carry us through whatever challenges come. You take us through the valley of the shadow of death “out into a broad place; [you] rescue me, because [you] delight in me” (Ps. 18:19).
 
Thank you that today you will work this way in my life. Save me from the evil one, from evil people, from evil events and from my own evil within. Help me to keep on the armor, to trust in you that you may shield my head in today’s of battle. Amen.
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Psalm 22:6-8

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 30, 2017
Psalm 22:6 “But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people.”
 
[Here David experiences powerlessness in the rejection of those around him, and turns to God for support. This foreshadows what Jesus experienced 1000 years later in a much greater way: rejected by his own people, betrayed by two of His disciples, abandoned by them all, and turned away from by His Father–yet trusting Him.]
 
Psalm 22:7 “All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads:”
 
[This is precisely what happened to Jesus, when even those crucified with Him mocked Him. Matt. 27:39 “Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads….”]
 
Psalm 22:8 “He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.”
 
[Again, just what the Pharisees said to Jesus in Matt. 27:43 “He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.”
 
They insulted the Creator and Sustainer of all as He hung on the cross. But you, Lord Jesus, saw the greater picture and chose not to defend or vindicate yourself to men by saving yourself; instead you stayed on the cross to save them.]
 
And now you call us to follow your example, to trust in you as you trusted in your Father, to suffer the scorn of men, knowing that you will deliver us because you delight in us—but not in ways that the world would expect, or that we might want. We must persevere through the dark and cold days, knowing that warmth will come.
 
We praise you, Lord God, that your ways are higher than our ways. You truly see the big picture and will work things out in your perfect understanding, timing and wisdom.
 
Praise you, Lord Jesus, my great Shepherd, for the wonderful, profound, powerful and complete way you provide for us. Our role is to find our shelter, our help and our rest in you: “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”(Ps. 91:1-2).
 
Help us to be like David, embracing our weakness so we can rest in your greatness.
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A Meditation on God's Method

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 29, 2017
 
 
He [God] is a shield to all those who take refuge in him” (Ps 18:30) This verse is a clear statement of God’s desired way with us: partnership.
 
You, Lord, prepare all and then wait for us to respond. In this process, you alert us, call us to cooperation, show us multiple times what your will is, and then you wait.
 
When we obey and join you in what you are doing, you act again, taking us a step further. As the verse above proclaims, when we take refuge in you, you shield us. It is not automatic, you require cooperation and wait for our response. This principle is all through Scripture.
 
You provided salvation; we must believe:
“…to all who received him [Jesus], to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12
 
You give the Holy Spirit; we must surrender and ask to be filled:
“be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18
 
You call us to stay in fellowship with you; we must decide to do so:
““I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
 
You give direction in your Word; we must read and obey it:
“…the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:25
 
You give input on what to embrace or avoid; we must pay attention and follow your lead.
“The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes….By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” Psalm 19:9b,11
 
You provided spiritual armor for us; we must put it on and use it:
“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:11
 
You call us to trust you and glorify you in the midst of difficulty; we must obey:
“He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.” Psalm 50:23
 
You show us needs around us; we must pray about them and give help.
“…always keep on praying for all the saints.” Eph 6:18b
“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?” James 2:15,16
 
Your Spirit gives conviction of sin; we must listen and repent,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
As we join you in your call to obedience in partnership, we grow, you are glorified, the gospel goes out, good is done, creation moves forward to its redemption and history towards its conclusion.
 
Praise you that you choose to share with us a partial understanding of your great plan, so that we can join you in seeing the world reached, believers matured and you glorified. Show me where I am not joining you so I can repent and obey today.
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Psalm 22:4,5

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 28, 2017
Psalm 22:4 “In you our fathers put their trust;”
 
[Throughout the history of Israel with Abraham, Moses, Joseph, David and Daniel, you were the One they could depend on. They turned to you and were saved in and through their difficulties.]
 
“they trusted and you delivered them.”
 
[This describes what you desire: a partnership with your children. We are to trust, then you act. Without our joining you in trust, we hamper your giving us answers. As it says in Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace, AS YOU TRUST in him….” Without that trust, joy and peace won’t come.]
 
Psalm 22:5 “They cried to you and were saved;”
 
[Trust is demonstrated by crying out to you first, not seeking answers elsewhere. If we trust in ourselves, or others, or circumstances, or luck, or culture (as Abraham did in producing a son by his own cleverness instead of waiting for God’s timing), God sits back and waits, allowing us to suffer the consequences of our poor decisions so that we might come to ourselves and turn to Him in trust (as Abraham did when God called him to sacrifice Issac).]
 
“in you they trusted and were not disappointed.”
 
[You, the faithful One, always come through in the right way and at the right time, which is often very different from what we would like you to do and when we would like you to do it.
 
As it says in Psalm 46:5, “God is with her [Jerusalem then,He is in us now], she will not fall, He will save her at break of day.” We would like help to arrive before it gets dark instead of having to wait through the whole cold, long night—but you act at the right time and we can praise you while we wait.]
 
You, O Triune God, are our unfailing Rock, our unassailable fortress, our undefeatable deliverer. When the darkness closes in, when pain and sickness come, when disappointment dominates and failure flows, you are there, making sure we have enough grace, that we can move through in faith, giving you great glory in trust.
 
Praise you for these opportunities you give to fulfill the purpose for which we were created: giving you honor. And the most frequent and best way to do this is through giving praise and thanks before we get any answers, rejoicing in our weakness and your greatness, in our difficulties and your power.
 
As you said to Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Then Paul responded with, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weakness SO THAT the power of Christ may rest on me.” He embraced his weakness, realizing it was partnering with you, and that it would open the way for your power to flow into his life.
 
I praise you now for all you are doing in the unresolved things before us, with my wife’s depression, with the uncertainty of how to proceed. I praise you for your perfect timing, help, protection, deliverance and guidance that will come. I see none of this now, but know that you will provide at just the right time. Praise be to you forever and ever for all you are doing and will do.
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Psalm 22:1b-3

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 27, 2017
Psalm 22:1b “Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?’
 
[This is how David felt: he received no immediate answer to his prayer, had no sense of presence, no visible support, no help, no guidance.
 
And this was the reality for Jesus on the cross: You, Father, were far from Him, you did not save Him from this suffering, because the Three of you had a greater plan.
 
So it is with us, as with my wife Barbara in her depression, you send us through suffering because you have a bigger, wider plan than our being comfortable, a plan which will accomplish much more and in a better way than what we desire. You gave us the pattern for this in the life of Job, who, suffering seemingly senseless loss, was actually playing a huge role in the cosmic battle and in bringing comfort to millions across the millennia.
 
Glory be to you for your great wisdom and your persistence in carrying out your great plans. Help us to walk in faith, embracing those times of your silence, trusting you to act when the time is right.]
 
Psalm 22:2 “O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent.”
 
[There are times when our prayers seem to go no further than the ceiling. These are times of testing our faith, a call to rest in the certainty of your goodness when there is no sign of it.
 
Jesus did this on the cross and in His descent into death. Becoming sin for us, He was far from you, but in the midst of His separation He also trusted you fully, following through with your plan. So must we.]
 
Psalm 22:3 “Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;”
 
[David here reminds himself–and you–of who you are, the Perfect Presider, the Supreme Shepherd, the Righteous Ruler, the Glorious Guide, the Ever-present Parent. The first thing we should do when we feel far from you, is to remember who you are.]
 
“you are the praise of Israel,” and of us!
 
[As we look over history and see how you faithfully protected, provided for and guided Israel through the centuries, it is so clear how you, in your unwavering love and care, are worthy of the praise of Israel. And you are worthy of our praise for your power and presence in our lives, for your goodness and grace, your faithfulness and fatherhood, your holiness and help, your greatness and glory.]
 
In the light of this, we must praise you, O Lord God, for your complete knowledge, your deep wisdom, your mighty work, your powerful faithfulness, your persistent love and your unending goodness.
 
Today, whether I sense it or not, I can know that I am with you, that you love me, that you will guide me in the way I should go. I therefore surrender to you and praise you now for what you will do. May you be honored in my life as the Holy One, enthroned on high.
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Realistic Perspective

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 27, 2017

Went to the Brooklyn Fair yesterday afternoon and saw this pleasant wall hanging there.

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Psalm 22:1

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 25, 2017
Psalm 22
 
[Praise be to you, O Triune God, for your rich and revealing Word. Here we have another prophetic, Messianic Psalm, foretelling your suffering on our behalf and for your glory. Praise you for your wisdom in preparing the way in such a manner that your revelation in this Psalm both helped those before Christ and inspires wonder in us who came after.]
 
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
 
[David here felt far from you, abandoned and alone and cried out in anguish. But this is much more a “pre-echo” of the actual abandonment by you, Heavenly Father, of the God-man Jesus as He became sin for us while hanging on the cross.
 
You, Father, had to turn away, breaking the relationship of the Trinity–that perfect, eternal intimacy which was without strife, without conflict, and had perfect harmony, commitment, love and unity–and all was torn asunder. All three of you, Father, Son and Spirit, suffered great pain in this ripping of the relationship.
 
It was brutally broken by the burden of iniquity, as you, Lord Jesus, took upon yourself all the sins of everyone who ever lived or will live, and as you, Heavenly Father, turned away from such sin, leaving Jesus utterly alone. Your shared reason for doing this, was that we would not be left alone, that all might have the possibility of entering a rich and intimate relationship with the Trinity.
 
In offering your enemies such a never-ending connection with you, Lord God, the possibility of abandonment from your side became impossible, while the possibility of rest, stability and safety became rock-solidly certain for those who believe, for you are faithful to the end. In you is all that our hearts long for, and we can only have it because you, O Triune God, were willing to suffer the pain of separation to bring salvation.
 
I praise you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for your great, deep, powerful Love that led you to embrace and endure such anguish for the undeserving. You are a gloriously wonderful God, full of love and wisdom, grace and goodness, selflessness and tender mercy. To surrender to you is such a powerful privilege, embracing the truth that. when we are weak, then we are strong. Rule in us today, Lord, and use us for your glory.
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Psalm 21:8-13

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 24, 2017

Psalm 21:8 “Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies; your right hand will seize your foes.”

[You, Lord God, did just that in the resurrection of Christ. And you will continue to act in righteous justice against those who oppose you, every one of them: Satan and his forces of demons, and all human beings who join him in rebellion against your Word, your Truth and your Character.]

Psalm 21:9 “At the time of your appearing you will make them like a fiery furnace. In his wrath the LORD will swallow them up, and his fire will consume them.”

[You will appear again, Lord Jesus—this is a certainty–and deal with them in your righteous wrath, having given every one of your human enemies the chance to believe, to respond to the light they have received. Your judgment will be just. And only those who have accepted your gracious offer of salvation, whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life will escape this judgment.]

Psalm 21:10-12 “You will destroy their descendants from the earth, their posterity from mankind. Though they plot evil against you and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed; for you will make them turn their backs when you aim at them with drawn bow.”

[“There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.” You will triumph, overcome and win, destroying all evil.]

Psalm 21:13 “Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength;”

[You are strong, you are powerful, you are undefeatable, you will win over all your enemies. For this you deserve to be lifted up on high and exalted. We can be confident in your victories, past, present and future; we can rest in them and rejoice.]

“we will sing and praise your might.”

[We respond to these great truths with worship of you for your mighty, majestic, multifaceted power which will overcome all evil, sweeping it into the lake of fire and sealing it forever, then creating the new heaven and earth which will be the perfect paradise you intended, with no sin, rebellion or evil to mar it.

Your righteous wrath will right the wrongs that ravished creation. You will bring goodness and grace to every atom and every galaxy. We praise you that you have included us, your children in this. Help us to live in this majestic hope. To you be glory forever and ever. Amen!]

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Psalm 21:6,7

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 24, 2017

Psalm 21:6  “Surely you have granted him eternal blessings”

[You granted David the blessing of being an ancestor of Jesus and along with that, eternal life. You granted Jesus the blessing of the Resurrection and now He lives forever to intercede for those who believe in Him. And You grant us a rich, everlasting relationship with Him, from which flow further blessings into our lives: grace, goodness, power, protection and wisdom—all a foretaste of what we will have in eternity.]

“and made him glad with the joy of your presence.”

[To exult in your powerful and pure presence, Lord God, is to have joy! You, Heavenly Father, restored David’s relationship with you after his adultery. And in the Resurrection, you restored the fabric of the Trinity, which was torn when you turned away from Jesus as He became sin for us on the cross. Now in the God-head there is no end to your joyful, pristine relationships–the Father, Son and Holy Spirit’s rich unity–and your joy of being in the presence of each other. And you also brought us into your presence, into your family, into your embrace when you made us your children, giving us gladness.]

Psalm 21:7 “For the king trusts in the LORD;”

[When David trusted in you, he was led on in paths of righteousness. As the Lord Jesus trusted you, LORD, He submitted to the cross and death. As a man He was totally vulnerable, absolutely weak, helpless in his humanness–but He was willing to be weak because He knew and trusted your pure, positive, perfect character which proved true again in the Resurrection. And so can we!]

“through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken.”

[Your love did not fail, did not leave Jesus in the grave, but

brought about the great victory over death, decay and the devil. And that “unfailingness” continues in our lives, as you, the Most High, the Final Authority, the Almighty One, persist in your perfect love to protect us so we will never be shaken as we rest on the rock-solid reality of your rich and reliable character.

Praise be to you Lord God, Triune King, Gracious Shepherd, Mighty Warrior. Tender Father. To you be honor and glory and praise as I submit to and trust in your goodness today and on into eternity forever. Amen.]

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