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Awesome and Fearful Is Our God

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 18, 2016

“For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.” Psalm 96:4

You, O Yahweh, are great beyond comprehension: great in wisdom, great in power, great in patience, great in creativity, great in knowledge, great in holiness, great in love, great in mercy, great in justice, great in strength, great in kindness, great in faithfulness.

You are truly most worthy of praise and honor and glory and exaltation, “For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens” (Ps. 96:5).

You stretched out the tent of the skies, driving in its pegs firmly, tying its ropes securely, making it strong and sure: it cannot be changed without your desire. You spoke and the stars became, you shepherded them into galaxies, assigning them their places and names, and at your command they settled there. You spread the galaxies across the vast empty stretches, forming immense patterns, beyond the perception and comprehension of man. You, O Lord, are immense in power, wonderful in wisdom, awesome in creativity.

We exalt you in your greatness and your goodness; we submit before you in amazed submission, leading us to whole-hearted obedience. We proclaim among the nations, “The LORD reigns!” You are truly God and I bow before you in awe, in smallness, in humility that flows from a vision of your holiness. You are God, you do what pleases you and it is always good. We tremble before you, the Holy One, the great I AM, the righteous Judge, the faithful Father. You alone are worthy of obedience, of submission, of trust and praise.

Prayer: “You reign rightly, O Lord. Reign in me today. Convict me of where I am following my own whims and desires instead of your great goodness; bring me up short, bring me to submission. Amen.”

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Weakness is Good

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 17, 2016

Praise you, Lord Jesus, for working daily in me, helping me to see my weaknesses as positives, rejoicing in them.

One can do this only in the light of your Being, knowing the goodness of your heart and the desire you have for the benefit of your children. We can know that your power will work to bring what you know to be best.

Yesterday was a “topsy-turvey” day, as my plans were over ridden by the needs of another, and trusting you I could let go and move wholeheartedly into a different program of heavy, difficult work–which we were able to finish just in time for an evening appointment. To let go, hold on and rise above is a wonderful thing, as I could leave my plans behind with joy.

I praise you now for what you will do today, whether it be what I desire or the opposite, or anything between. In you I can trust: “my soul, find rest in God alone, for my hope comes from Him.” Ps. 62:5

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Psalm 22:4,5

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 16, 2016
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, there is no certainty of getting 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, God waits, allowing us to suffer the consequences of our poor decisions so that we might come to ourselves and turn to Him in trust.]
 
“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 than what we would like you to do and when we would like you to do it.
 
As it says in Psalm 46, “God is with her [Jerusalem then, now He is in us], she will not fall, He will save her at break of day.” We would like help 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 glory, honor and praise. And the greatest way to do this is through praise and trust 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 said, “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.
 
I praise you now for all you are doing in the unresolved things before us, 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 April 15, 2016

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 recieved no immediate answer, had no sense of presence, no 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, 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. Glory be to you for your great wisdom and your persistence in carrying it out. 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 know that I am with you, that you love me, that you will guide me in the way I should go. I surrender to you and praise you for what you will do. May you be honored in my life as the Holy One, enthroned on high.

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Psalm 22:1

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 14, 2016
[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 here helped those before Christ and inspires wonder in us who come after.]
 
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
 
[David felt far from you, abandoned and alone; 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. The perfect relationship–without strife, without conflict, with perfect harmony, commitment, love and unity–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 sin, as you, Father, turned away, and you, Lord Jesus, were left alone. Your shared reason for doing this, was that we would not be left alone, that all might have the possibility of being saved and have a rich, intimate relationship with the Trinity.
 
In offering your enemies such a never-ending relationship 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 you are faithful to the end. In you is all our hearts long for, and we can only have it because you were willing to suffer the pain of separation to bring salvation.
 
I praise you, O Triune God, for your great, deep, powerful Love that would lead you to embrace and endure such suffering for the undeserving. You are a gloriously wonderful God, full of love and wisdom, grace and goodness. 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 April 13, 2016
 
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, Truth and 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. 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, so that the new heaven and earth can 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. To you be glory forever and ever. Amen!]
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Psalm 21:6,7

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 12, 2016

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. Jesus now lives forever to intercede for those who believe in Him, blessing us with 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.”

[You, Heavenly Father, have 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 there is no end to your joyful, righteous relationship–the Father, Son and Holy Spirit’s rich unity–and your joy of being in the presence of each other. And you share that joy with each of us who believe!]

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

[In submitting to death, the Lord Jesus trusted you, LORD, Jehovah. He was totally vulnerable, absolutely submitted, helpless in his humanness. He was willing to be weak because He knew and trusted your pure, positive, perfect character which proved true again in the resurrection:]

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

[Your love did not fail, did not leave Jesus in death, 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 in my life today and on into eternity forever. Amen.]

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Psalm 21:3-5

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 11, 2016
Psalm 21:3 “You welcomed him with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on his head.”
 
[You crowned David, after his long wait of living as an outlaw; you crowned Jesus, after His 30 year wait, then His intense work and immense suffering; and you crown us now every day with love and compassion (Ps 104:4) as you continually pour out abundant, good and gracious blessings on us.]
 
Psalm 21:4 “He asked you for life, and you gave it to him—length of days, for ever and ever.”
 
[In his death, you granted Jesus resurrection; He rose to eternal life, and passes it on to all who believe in Him, David included. We, as your children, now have eternity before us—length of days forever and ever–and can rejoice now in the certainty of it.]
 
Psalm 21:5 “Through the victories you gave, his glory is great;”
 
[David was given many victories, beginning with Goliath and spanning his whole reign. Jesus, in His incarnation was strengthened by your power and had one long string of victories: no sin, no failure, no losses. The greatest possible defeat, death, led to the greatest possible victory, overcoming the power of death, the devil and destruction. What great glory Jesus earned in His many victories. And so He passes this possibility on to us, calling us to be more than conquerors with Him in His power; and He wants to share His glory with us, as we triumph through our faith in Him (1 Pet 1:7).]
 
“you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty.”
 
[David ruled in the golden age of Israel. Jesus now reigns from his throne on high as the mighty and majestic Ruler of creation and all beyond. You have raised Him up above all principalities and powers, above all might, above all names and seated Him, the eternal Victor, at your right hand to reign forever and ever.
 
Evil can now be eliminated. A new and sinless start can be had through our physical death, into the new heaven and earth where the splendor and majesty of Jesus will be on display forever, and we will be ever with Him in wonderful, wide and endless love.]
 
Praise be to you, Heavenly Father, for revealing these things by the pen of David, by the triumph of Christ and by bringing us into your great and beautiful Kingdom. Help us to live daily in this unseen reality, rejoicing in you, in your love for us and in the certainly of what you will bring.
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Psalm 21:1,2

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 9, 2016
Psalm 21 For the director of music. A Psalm of David.
[This Psalm has a triple message: first it speaks of David’s relationship with The Lord; secondarily it is a Messianic prophecy, predicting the victory of Jesus over death and the devil; third, it speaks truth about the life of each believer.]
 
“O LORD, the king rejoices in your strength.”
 
[In realizing how weak we are, Lord, it is wonderful to know that your strength is at work in our weakness. David struggled with his own weakness in dealing with inner danger (his general, Joab and his son, Absalom), as well as those who attacked from the outside.
 
Jesus made himself vulnerable and weak as a human being, having to rely on prayer, the help of the Spirit in His ministry and your power to rise from the dead.
 
We, also, on an everyday basis, face enemies who are too strong for us, both human and spiritual, but we have your strength to rely on.]
 
“How great is his joy in the victories you give!”
 
[The victories in our live are gifts from you, and we can rejoice as you help us move ahead, defeat our inner evil (the flesh), the evil one and evil in the world, just as Jesus did. To know you, Lord Jesus, to intentionally live in your Truth, is to experience your power, and to receive your joy.]
 
Psalm 21:2 “You have granted him the desire of his heart and have not withheld the request of his lips.”
 
[You consistently answered David’s prayers, giving guidance, help, protection and victory—in the many battles he was involved in, there is no mention of him ever being wounded. And you answered every one of Jesus’ prayers, Heavenly Father, and so you answer ours, especially when we delight in you so you can put in our heart the right desires and grant these “idol-proofed” requests at the right time.]
 
Help us, Lord, to ask according to your Word, to find our delight in you and to rejoice in whatever answer you give, whether it be “Yes!” “No” or “Wait.”
Selah
 
 
 
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Wondrous, Transforming Love

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 8, 2016
Praise be to you, Lord, for the wonder of stability in you, in your amazing, unchanging, ever flowing love. I praise you for your gracious and good commitment to us, your beloved children who are so often selfish, unbelieving and rebellious.
 
Every day we grieve your Spirit, choosing to exalt our ideas and agendas over your Word. But you endure this willingly: suffering this pain inflicted by us does not alter the course of your love, your plans or your grace. In your wisdom you take each failure and use it to chasten, teach and bring surrender. You are love itself, so you will never not love.
 
In this truth of your perfect and powerful character, I can rest, sure that my place in your heart is secure, certain, unshakable, “My soul, find rest in God alone, for my hope comes from Him. He only is my rock, my fortress, my high tower, I will never be shaken” (Ps. 62:5)
 
I am deeply thankful, ecstatic, quietly and wildly joyful that you chose me to be your child, to be your partner in your plans, to be a fruitful branch in your vine. Thank you that nothing can separate me from your love and that my place in eternity is secure.
 
To you be honor and glory, Heavenly Father, for inexplicably drawing me to yourself, for giving me a place in your heart, in your family, in your plan, in your Kingdom, in your eternity.
 
I praise you for your never ending flow of grace, forgiveness and transformation in this life. I praise you that today is a gift from your hand, prepared and packaged perfectly so that I might walk with you through every event in the light of your presence, as your ambassador, as your servant-warrior in the attacks from the enemy you will allow.
 
I praise you for the opportunities you have prepared for me to give you honor through faith responses: offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving and willful belief in your Word, living in the light of truth rather than in the darkness of what I can see.
 
I thank you, too, that in each of these you also give the possibility of earning honor which you will bestow on us at the appearing of Christ. We have “all kinds of trials…so that the proven genuineness of [our] faith…may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Pet.1:7,8).
 
This is life on a high and wondrous level, where every event, every interaction is filled with potential significance, if we will join you in what you are doing. Help me to do that today, grant me discernment so I can see what you are doing, Lord, that you may be honored, that the enemy may be defeated and that your light and hope may overflow from me to all those around me. Praise be to you now for what you will do in this day.
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