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Psalm 17:15

Published by S.M. Wibberley on June 19, 2017
Psalm 17:15 “And I—in righteousness I will see your face;”
 
[Praise you, Lord Jesus, that you have given me your righteousness and opened the way so that I will see you in eternity, face to face. What a hope, what a high and wide security, equipping us to face the future, knowing where we are going. And what joy to see more and more of you here on earth in your Word, in your Works, and in your Wisdom.]
 
“when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.”
 
[When I awake each morning, you are there, Lord Jesus, watching over me, having prepared this day with all that is needed: grace, wisdom, insight, discernment, challenges and opportunities, as well as protection and provision.
 
You are a marvel, a joy, a wonder, a glory. I praise you for the deep, rich, powerful and glorious privilege of being yours, of being with you, being in you.
 
Knowing you now, living with you now is certainly enough reason for joy! Seeing you through your Word and works, veiled and dim as it is, is majestic, transforming, marvelous and far more than enough reason to find all my joy in you.
 
When I awake from death you will be there, too. How much more stupendous it will be when I arrive in your full presence, Lord Jesus, seeing you without the veil of sin and selfishness. It will be indescribably wondrous.
 
I praise you for the daily revelations you give now from your Word, through your Spirit, through God sightings, as you remind of us of truths taught and lessons learned so we can apply them again.
 
As one who has the privilege of knowing you so, of living in your joy, may I be a hope carrier, a perspective bringer, and faith supplier to all those around me as I pass through this life.
 
May the wonder of your love flow through and out of me to those I meet today, giving you glory and honor and bringing further surrender and obedience in us all.]
 
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Psalm 17:12-14

Published by S.M. Wibberley on June 17, 2017
Psalm 17:12 “…the wicked who assail me…are like a lion hungry for prey, like a great lion crouching in cover.”
 
[Our powerful enemies (primarily Satan and his hordes who use men for their purposes) are like a beast desperate for food: dangerous, destructive and determined, burning churches, killing Christians, persecuting children. They are terrifying and terrible, too strong for me. I am in desperate need help before they overcome me.]
 
Psalm 17:13 “Rise up, O LORD, confront them, bring them down;”
 
[In your might, Lord, you can easily win this battle. You are the Creator of the universe, the Breather of the stars, Bringer of the dawn, Captain of history and Ender of time. You are strong enough to deliver us from any enemy.]
 
“rescue me from the wicked by your sword.”
 
[No one can withstand the onslaught of your sword of Truth and the Power of your right hand, Jesus. As John wrote in Rev. 19:11.21, “…there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war….[those who fought against God] were killed with the sword coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse….”]
 
Psalm 17:14 “O LORD, by your hand save me from such men, from men of this world whose reward is in this life”
 
[The wicked are in the hand of the evil one; they live only for this world: they are shortsighted, short-lived and focus on only what they can get in the short run.
 
But praise you, Lord, that in contrast, you have given us the long range perspective of living for eternity, living for greater things than the values of this world. You have lifted us from the narrow, dark pit of sin and slavery, and brought us into a wide, pleasant position before you, into the light of your Word, into the place of your presence, into the peace and joy of your love.
 
Praise be to you for all the good you share, all the beauty you bring, all the gifts you give. Looking at those forces of men and devils who attack us and what they want to force on us—slavery, fear, despair, hopelessness and death–and then to look at where you have brought us—into the Kingdom of light, into your grace, into your embrace–the contrast is stark, deep, powerful and wonderful.
 
To you be glory and honor for sharing your goodness with the naturally godless like us, making us your children, putting your divine nature in us, placing us in your family, your Kingdom, your plan and your heart.
 
May you be glorified in my life today through gratitude, gratefulness and being a glory-giver in each instance, each decision, each challenge by offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
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Psalm 17:9-11

Published by S.M. Wibberley on June 16, 2017
 
Psalm 17:9 “… hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.”
 
[For David, these enemies were actual people; for us it is sometimes people but always our spiritual foes, Satan’s forces of demons and devils, who regularly use people.
 
This opposition is real, it is powerful, it is beyond our abilities to withstand and overcome. We know that Satan’s goal is to rob us (of joy), to destroy (our testimonies, families, churches and lives) and to kill (as he is doing in the Middle East and parts of Africa with attempts by terrorists to wipe out all Christians). We need help desperately!
 
Praise be to you, Lord, that you do want to hide us in the shadow of your wings. You are our rock, our salvation and our high tower. You call us to take shelter in you–just as David is doing in Psalm 17 by pouring out his heart to you and asking for help–so that we will never be shaken.]
 
Psalm 17:10 “They close up their callous hearts, and their mouths speak with arrogance.”
 
[People used by Satan are certainly callous—I read recently that a young man publicly executed his own mother for opposing his joining ISIS! And when you hear the pronouncements of those who oppose biblical truths and standards, there is huge arrogance. As pawns in Satan’s plans, mercy and grace are far from them. May this not be true of us!]
 
Psalm 17:11 “They have tracked me down, they now surround me, with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.”
 
[Satan intentionally sends his servants out to track us down and attack. This description of spiritual warfare is expanded on in Psalm 62:3-4: “How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down– this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
 
We are weak and unable to stand on our own against the attacks of Satan’s forces, whether he uses people or events]
 
“Surely they intend to topple me from my lofty place;”
 
They want to have us forget who we are in Christ, to forsake Him as our high tower, to topple us into the swamp of self-pity, materialism and despair.]
 
“they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.”
 
[Satan’s forces can be slick, sounding so positive and constructive at times (“we welcome all, we don’t want anyone to be offended”), but their goal is destruction, causing people to accept lies and harmful values–as we see happening all around us today, with abortion, rampant divorce, twisting of the definition of marriage and political correctness.]
 
Our strength is inadequate, but yours, Lord God, is mighty, invincible, far more than adequate–you who breathed the stars, who hung the earth on nothing, who brings the dawn each day, you are able to empower us to stand in any situation.
 
Help us to remember these truths: that we are in a spiritual battle every day; that our real enemies are not people, but Satan’s forces using them.
 
Help us to keep on the full armor you have provided, to fight with praise, prayer and persistence in obedience and to see your mighty power triumph in our lives and in those of people we are called to serve.]
 
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Dealing with Frustration/Anger/Impatience

Published by S.M. Wibberley on June 15, 2017
As I continue to deal with a difficult relationship/situation with a renter, today’s entry in EDIFIED! spoke directly to me–a God sighting to encourage me in doing what is right.
 
“…you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.”
Psalm 59: 9b,10a
 
David wrote Psalm 59 during the time Saul sent men to kill him in his home. The reoccurring theme is “O my strength, I watch for you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.” David was giving a “response of faith” to a desperate situation.
 
The challenge came to me: do I give a “response of faith,” thinking truth, speaking praise in daily life? For instance, how do I respond when I get interrupted in my reading; or the task I want to complete gets put off; or someone’s derogatory remark strikes at my sense of significance; or I lose miserably in a game?
I can honestly say that my emotions certainly do not give a response of faith in any of these situations; my feelings encourage me to react naturally, according to what I can see: “He has no right to interrupt me!” or “I can’t do anything right!” or “I’m such a loser!” I need to recognize the lie in these and replace it with truth.
 
A response of faith is not based on the situation but on God’s character. In Psalm 59 David was still in danger, but he focused on what he knew of God and could say, “In the morning I will sing of your love, for you are my fortress…” (Ps. 59:16). He knew that God is loving and powerful. He could sing of God’s love before the day unfolded, knowing that God would be at work to bring what is best, to bring him through whatever difficulties would come, to protect him from what was truly evil. The outcome could be death or suffering for David, but he would be safe from evil as he trusted God.
 
One of the most effective ways of giving a “response of faith” is to give thanks when the unpleasant appears. This is, in fact, how we lift the shield of faith, which can quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. I’m not speaking of blind, rote mouthing of praise words, but of responding with our will to the great Truths we know of God.
 
He is our loving Father. He will give grace in each situation. He will protect us from true evil. He allows difficulty and disappointment to point us away from the chaff of life to the rich way of living for eternity. The question every day is, “How will I respond, in faith or in folly?”
 
Prayer: “Lord, I need your help to give a response of faith to difficult, distressing or disappointing situations today. Help me to remember that you are my fortress and that whatever comes is with your permission and love. May praise be the keynote of my life today. Amen.”
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Quote from, "Canterbury, Connecticut Characters in the 20th Century,"

Published by S.M. Wibberley on June 14, 2017
A short portion of one couple’s story in my latest co-authored book, “Canterbury, Connecticut Characters iin the 20th Century,” which, with great help from the Lord, just finished on Monday night and sent off to the printers. Should have some copies in hand in a week. The cover is pictured here
 
Rene and Val married in 1971 and Valerie got pregnant on their honeymoon. However, she had multiple hospitalizations during her pregnancy, and then lost the baby, a little boy, at 18 weeks.
 
Because she was weak, they couldn’t do a cesarean, so she went through 72 hours of labor, and in the end lost so much blood that she clinically died (flat lined). This seemingly horrible experience would change the rest of her life.
She said that after she died, she was outside of her body, looking down on herself lying on the table with the doctor and nurses around her. She was aware of a light shining on her from behind and watched the doctor pull off his mask and say sadly, “We lost her!”
 
Just then another doctor came in and said, “We aren’t going to give up!” Valerie said that at that point she seemed to have a choice to go or stay. The second doctor put the paddles on her two times and then the next thing she knew was waking up in the hospital.
 
That whole experience made her very aware of God’s presence, and it was at this point that she gave her life to the LORD, having a new reality of God in her life.
 
In 1975 the one ovary she had left ruptured. Not knowing how serious her condition was, she drove herself to a lab in Norwich Town for tests, but felt so bad that she went Into Friendly’s to get something to eat. There she collapsed, but God was looking after her. A lineman who was at the register was trained in CPR and immediately went to work on her, continuing his work in the ambulance ride to the hospital, and saving her life. She was unconscious for two days but recovered. This was followed by 3 more surgeries on ovarian parts, with large tumors for a few more years.
When the tumor returned for a fourth time, Valerie heard of a priest who had healing services. When she went to see him, the priest prayed over her and she was healed. This was confirmed when her surgeon examined her and was amazed to find that the tumor was gone!
This event was so earth shaking that Rene, the skeptical, mocking, anti-religious Rene, bowed his knee to God and accepted Christ as his Savior. Rene and Val prayed together at home, using the prayer from the back of a “chic tract.” Rene said, “That the Lord would let my wife be sick for so many years just to get my attention so I would surrender to him is amazing.”
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Psalm 17:8b

Published by S.M. Wibberley on June 13, 2017
Psalm 17:8b “hide me in the shadow of your wings.”
 
[You, Heavenly Father, actively shelter your children, covering us with your Presence and Power, keeping us safe from what is truly evil.
 
But we, like chicks, must stay under your wings, must abide in your love, as you, Jesus, command us in John 15:9-10, “Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.”
 
If we choose not to obey your commands, Lord Jesus, in arrogance and selfishness elevating our intellect and desires above your Word like Adam and Eve, we remove ourselves from the protecting shelter of your love.
 
Even then, though, you never stop loving us. You are always there, calling us, waiting for us to come and again abide in your shelter, your grace, your unconditional love.
 
And when we do stray in disobedience, you actively, in your love, chasten us by letting us suffer the consequences of our poor choices (Heb. 12:1-17). You do this so we will come to our senses and return to obedience of you. You WILL hide us under your wings, if only we will come.]
 
Help us, Lord, to abide in your love, obeying what we know to be true, reveling in the Truth of your great and wonderful compassion and care for us.
 
May we have the glow of your love in our souls and on our faces as we go with you into today, that we may bring light and hope to all those we meet.
 
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Psalm 17:8

Published by S.M. Wibberley on June 12, 2017
Psalm 17:8 “Keep me as the apple of your eye;”
 
[This, Lord God, is how you view each of your children: special, unique and dearly loved. In you we are delighted in, doted on and deeply cared for. You chose us, you cleansed us from our sin and guilt, you called us into your arms, you claimed us as your children, you commissioned us to special service and you cherish us wholeheartedly with joy.
 
Jesus made an amazing statement in John 15:9, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.” This is an astounding, worldview-shifting announcement. If we grasp this in ongoing depth, it will change our whole lives, resulting in us “being filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Eph. 3:16-19).
 
And how does God the Father love Jesus the Son?
Eternally,
wholeheartedly,
without reservation,
without interruption,
without any doubts.
He loves Him joyfully, jubilantly and justly.
He loves Him positively, purposefully and powerfully.
He loves Him for His character, for His connection and for His companionship.
He loves Him constantly, creatively and consistently.
He loves Him fully, forcefully and forever.
 
Most foundationally, the Father loves the Son because God IS love; He never cannot love. His love is “agape,” that is, it does not depend on the response of the loved one. Whatever we may do, God’s love will not stop flowing to us.
 
Now, as the Father loves the Son, so Jesus loves us!!! This is an astounding, beautiful, transforming and wonderful truth, too good to be true–and yet it is true for all believers, because Jesus has purchased us and given us His righteousness, His guiltless record and His holiness.
 
As John exulted in 1 John 3:1, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
 
We can rest in His love, abide in His love and revel in His love because it is secure, eternal and wholehearted. It is not based on us but upon His unchanging, all powerful nature. We ARE the apple of His eye!]
 
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Psalm 17:6-7

Published by S.M. Wibberley on June 11, 2017
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, your 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, in his time, could know. He could not see your great plan to move through immense suffering–spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically and volitionally–that 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, powerful, 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 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 able to fully protect us, to bring us through whatever you allow and bring us out into the wide and pleasant place you have prepared.
 
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 June 10, 2017

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 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. 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 the path that he slipped, fell and took many others down with him.

Lord keep me on your path, surround me with your hedge of thorns, pricking me immediately when I zig or zag off your way. May I not slip and bring you dishonor.]

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Psalm 17:1-2

Published by S.M. Wibberley on June 9, 2017
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 heart, your arms, 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 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 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 right. 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).
 
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.]
 
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