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What a Privilege!

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

After yesterday’s very rainy start, today dawns clear and sunny. Thank you for a good start also in time spent with you, Lord.

I praise you for how you are guiding in me on the continual upward path, moving forward with you along the narrow way of discipleship where denying self and taking up our cross daily is a pleasure, because these have great and eternal purposes.

In doing these we join you in significant ways in your perfect plan to right wrong, eliminate evil and sweep many into your great Kingdom of Kindness.

I am thankful, Lord, that you moved me out of maintenance mode into mountain climbing mode. It is so wonderful to live with you, to move ahead with you in a life of purpose, meaning, power and hope.

We have the certainty of a future in eternity that causes all around us to pale in importance: what difference does it make that we don’t have the newest car or that our favorite sports team loses?

I praise you, Lord Jesus, for inviting me into this new day, another opportunity to enter into further adventures with you: time in your Word and worship, prayer to be offered, people to meet, encouragement to give, disappointments to embrace with the sacrifice of thanksgiving—and all the while knowing that in doing these, I’m joining you in what will count for eternity.

Praise you for your indwelling Spirit–earlier He only dwelt in Jerusalem, now He lives in each of your children! What a privilege. As the Apostle John wrote, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1).

Lord help us to live today worthy of you, of your love and goodness, your grace and kindness. Use us, guide us and glorify yourself.

 

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Psalm 17:3-7

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 16, 2016
Psalm 17:3 “Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing;”
 
[Here is a saying I find hard to understand. I cannot say this– only a slight probe will find a dozen wrong things 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 you, Lord, prepared, 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.
 
Psalm 17:6 “I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.”
 
[Your faithfulness 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 answer. 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 is a love far richer and deeper and more committed than David, in his time, could know. He could not see your great plan, Lord Jesus, 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 Redeemer and 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 17:1-2

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 15, 2016

Psalm 17 A prayer of David.

“Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry.”

[You are the prayer answering God–intercession was your invention, giving a way for us to enter 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 King of creation, the Lord of the universe, 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).

Psa 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 see 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. I praise you now for how you will answer in faithfulness and righteousness.]

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Psalm 16:9-11

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 14, 2016

Psalm 16:8b,9 “…he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;”

[You, Lord God, are the reason I can be glad and praise, for you are mightily faithful, strongly consistent, lovingly good, totally wise and graciously giving. There is no lack for those who follow you. “The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing” (Psa. 34:10). It is in you, in your character that all comes together, that all is provided, that all stability rests. It is so right to rejoice in you!]

Psalm 16:10 “my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave,”

[I live in the land of the dying–but in your love, power and provision, I will move to the land of the living, going through the doorway of death into the light of eternity. And there you will give me a new body, uncorrupted, undying, unending. The certainty of this has already been established and demonstrated in the resurrection of Christ.]

“nor will you let your Holy One see decay.”

[You, Jesus died, but did not stay dead, your body did not deteriorate, but was brought back to life and transformed into the new and eternal form our bodies will have.

You, Lord God, have provided the ultimate redemption, transformation, and salvation in which we can rest secure. And within these you have given us three wonders for life right now:]

Psalm 16:11 “You have made known to me the path of life;”

[In your love and grace, your compassion and forgiveness your Spirit has opened my eyes to the way to life, and now I walk on that path, “of the righteous” which “is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever more brightly til the full light of day” (Prov 4:18).

You pour out on us a continual stream of blessings as we walk with you in your way: your presence, your perspective, your power, your provision. Every day we can learn more of you, every day you bring further transformation, every day we can experience your care, your wisdom, your goodness.

And every day we can give you glory and honor by responding to every situation with praise. You are the God of righteousness, goodness and glory. To know you is wonderful!]

“you will fill me with joy in your presence,”

[The more we know you, the deeper our joy goes, overflowing, energizing, transforming and guiding. The certainty of your presence is the well-spring of joy in our lives. And this will be multiplied a thousand-fold when pass through death into eternal life. We praise you for it!]

“with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

[The certainty of spending eternity with you, at your right hand, enjoying the pleasure of your presence, the wonders of your being, the marvels of your new heaven and earth, this is beyond comprehension–but to have this certainty is a further aspect to our present joy.

Truly, Lord Jesus, to know you is enough for joy, a joy that will be ever increasing until death and then exploding into all the dimensions in which you now live, expanding throughout eternity as we learn more and more of your marvelous, infinite character.

To you be glory and honor now. May I reflect back to you the joy you are giving me. May we walk together in this day, shedding the light of your joy on all I meet.]

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Psalm 16:7-8

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 13, 2016
Psalm 16:7 “I will praise the LORD,”
 
[Yes, I will wholeheartedly, with every part of my being, praise such a wonderful Lord who, out your great love, pours blessing after undeserved blessing in our lives. You are worthy beyond all measure of all the worship I can give!]
 
“who counsels me;”
 
[You are the God who reaches into my life moment by moment, you speak to me through your Word and through your Spirit, through counsel, through realizations and understanding of circumstances.
 
When I am confused, uncertain or afraid, you are there to counsel me out of your measureless love and knowledge. I can turn to you for wisdom and know for sure that you will give it. I am ever with you, you ever helping, protecting and guiding me.]
 
“even at night my heart instructs me.”
 
[As I wait for sleep and meditate on your Word, you teach me new things, reinforce old truths, reveal insights and bring further transformation.
 
Even in my dreams you speak to me as Scripture comes to mind. Sometimes, without realizing I am in a dream, I face life-threatening circumstances and can respond with praise and trust, hearing the leading of your Spirit.]
 
Psalm 16:8 “I have set the LORD always before me.”
 
[To my shame, I cannot say that I do this always, but certainly want to put you first, to acclaim you in every aspect of my life, to have my heart open to your guidance at each juncture, to follow your leading constantly. Help me to do that faithfully, Lord Jesus.]
 
“Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
 
[In contrast to me, you, Heavenly Father, are always consistent, always faithful. Since you never leave me, you are persistently there when I need you and you will always give what is necessary in protection, guidance, wisdom and provision. So there is no reason for me to be shaken. In every instance you give beyond what I need and I can praise you in it.]
 
Praise you, Lord, that as I go into this day, it is certain that you will be there, keeping me within the pleasant boundaries you have set to protect me, blessing me with your presence, giving me new vision to understand what is good and what is not.
I praise you for your great wisdom, your abundant love, your ever-flowing grace, your endless kindness. To you l lift my voice of praise, to you I give my life anew. Glorify yourself today in all that will come, that those around may see your greatness and bow before you, too.]
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Psalm 16:6

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

Psalm 16:6 “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;”

[Where you have placed us, Lord, is actually more than pleasant: we are within the Kingdom of Light, under the Lordship of the Great Shepherd, within the Family of God, on the narrow way to Heaven, in the company of the saints, equipped and assigned to a specific area of service to you, my beloved King.

This Truth is a wonder, a joy, a pleasure, an ever increasing realization of the undeserved, unearned privilege of walking on the pathway of the Creator of all, the Ruler of all, the Restorer of all. In my opinion, “pleasant” is far too mild a word for this state of ever-growing joy!]

“surely I have a delightful inheritance.”

[Out of your glorious riches you have prepared a rich inheritance for your undeserving children. As it says in Ephesians 1:3, you have blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus—every possible spiritual blessing will be ours. As you are infinite and all-powerful, Lord, so these blessings will be unending, uncountable, incomprehensible.

These will include a sinless life, total security and significance, sweet fellowship with all, ever increasing joy, and living in the light of your presence. In addition, you have made us fellow-heirs with Jesus, meaning that whatever He inherits, we will get also!

This will include an infinite future, an unending walk with you, an unlimited growth in knowledge of your character, having fulfilling, positive challenges of service for you, and rich, uninterrupted fellowship with all other beings in Heaven.

It will include living in your glory: “When Christ, who is our life, appears, then we also will appear with him in glory” (Col 3:4). It will include mostly and most importantly the ability to gaze uninterruptedly on your face, being in the full presence of the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Ruler of all, the Holy, Pure, Powerful, Wise and Good God of all. That will be far more wonderful than we can imagine!]

Lord, help me to walk in the knowledge the riches of your goodness, the pleasantness of knowing you. Help me to see where I let the small (very small!) things in life take my focus off of you, to steal my joy, to trap me in the dust and dirt of a natural worldview. Help me instead to let go, hold on and rise above in the shining knowledge of you and who you are. May I think truth, keep on the armor and be able to stand no matter what comes, thereby bringing more honor to you.

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Psalm 6:3-5

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 11, 2016
Psalm 16:3 “As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.”
 
[You, Heavenly Father, made us saints when we were born again. You qualified us to be partakers in the Kingdom of light. You have made us glorious in Jesus and you delight in us, despite what we are naturally—rebellious, unbelieving, selfish and proud. To you we have become a new creation in Christ, welcomed with joy into your presence, delightful, rejoiced over and treasured. In you we can rest securely, knowing that you have accepted us fully, finally, faithfully. It is in you alone that we are safe: safety is not the absence of danger but the presence of Jesus.]
 
Psalm 16:4 “The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods.”
 
[Every other god is false (the gods of every religion, along with the gods of comfort, power, materialism, politics and business, sex and entertainment, getting my way and controlling others). Each one is an illusion and leads only to disappointment, bondage, oppression and darkness—the opposite of what you bring, Lord, for you are Light, Love and Truth, you bring freedom, joy and peace as well as grace and goodness. You are the opposite of all other gods, you are the only One worthy of worship.]
 
“I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips.”
 
[I must avoid involvement in any way with these other gods, not offering them any acknowledgement or worship, time or affection; I must not put any hope in them. I must not give them any credence or credit, but look only to you, Lord Jesus, the Creator, Sustainer and Ender of all, the only true Hope there is.]
 
Psalm 16:5 “LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;”
 
[All I have comes from you, O Holy God: my position, my provision, my protection, my portion. And what you give is good: my body, my brains, my boundaries, my bonds, my bounty; whatever they appear to be from a human perspective, they are good and I will praise you for them.]
 
“you have made my lot secure.”
 
[You, Lord, are the God of power and authority. Only you can give security: whatever you choose to protect will be untouched by the enemy; whatever you allow to be attacked will be used for good, no matter how unpleasant it may be.
 
I can rest in the security of your salvation and the certainty of your powerful protection. Whatever may happen, positive or negative, pleasant or painful, I can rest in your great and endless power and perfection, knowing you will weave all into your great plan for the end of sin, evil and time, and to sweep as many as possible into your Kingdom.
 
To you be glory and honor today, Lord. May praise and thanksgiving continually well up in my mind and spill off my lips. May the light of your love shine from my being, may you be lifted up in my actions and reactions, my attitude and speech. May praise be the keynote of my life today, may the darkness of complaining and discontent, grumbling and negativeness be swept away in the brightness of your presence so you may have more glory before both the unseen hosts and visible folks.]
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Psalm 16:1-2

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 9, 2016

Psalm 16:1 “Keep me safe, O God,”

[You can easily do this, Lord Jesus, my Good Shepherd, for you are incredibly powerful, deeply wise, all-knowing, all-present and all-seeing, as well as passionately loving and whole-heartedly compassionate. I can cry out to you, know that you will hear and that you will answer in the best way. Praise be to you.]

“for in you I take refuge.”

[This is my part, by coming to you, meditating on Scripture, thinking Truth, trusting, praising before any answer comes—prayer without obedience does not “work.” As always, it is a partnership between you, Lord, and your children. I praise you for how you call us to join you in what you are doing, making us responsible.]

Psalm 16:2 “I said to the LORD, ‘You are my Lord;’”

[This is a statement of surrender—you are my Adonai, my Authority, the One I obey, the One who has the right to demand absolute obedience while promising absolute provision. To say “You are my Lord” means, “What you command I will do.”]

“apart from you I have no good thing.”

[This is a full focus on Truth—only you, Lord,  are truly Good; all else that I have is chaff, temporary, worthless in the long run. As the author of Psalm 73 said,“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you!”

To live this Truth is freeing, powerful and focusing: “apart from YOU I have no good thing!” All else must be viewed in relation to you, as elements of stewardship, tools, means of obeying and glorifying you. It is in you that all comes together.

Praise be to you, Lord God–Heavenly Father, King Jesus, Holy Spirit–for you are the reason for existence, the focal point of life, the eternal and infinite God.

Therefore I choose to bow down before you, praise you, love you, glory in you, honor you, exalt your name and your Word, rejoice in you, revel in you, and obey you for your honor. May you be exalted in my life today.

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Spiritual Amnesia

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 8, 2016

Praise be to you, Lord, for your guidance and goodness, for your kind and consistent, detailed and direct involvement in our lives. I praise you, Lord, for how you are so consistent in pouring grace into our lives, giving us the opposite of what we deserve.

Thank you for your patience with us as we zigzag along, bouncing between arrogant rebellion and abject self-pity.

We so quickly forget the most basic spiritual truths, like the fact that you are our Shepherd so we will not lack; like need to offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving instead of complaining; like what we actually deserve is condemnation and rejection but you give us the opposite; like the fact we can do nothing without you, and that we should keep the armor on so we can effectively fight the devil rather than people. We are so prone to spiritual amnesia!

But you do not give up on us, Lord. You are gracefully, lovingly consistent in correction, protection and, when necessary, rebuke.

I thank you so much, Lord, for the privilege of not just being in your family, but of being able to come at any minute directly to you in the throne room of Heaven,  and to crawl up in your lap for comfort, encouragement and redirection. You are a wonder, too good to be true, but are actually even better than that!

Help us to live in the light of your great goodness, your rich righteousness, your lavish love and your powerful presence. Help us to join you today in your plans, to shed our pride, our selfishness, our lust for significance and security and to find rest in humbly bowing before you in the fear of God, joyfully accepting all you will bring.

Help us to move by prayer, to work through obedience and to overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit so that you may be honored throughout this day.

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Psalm 15:3-5

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 7, 2016

Jesus is the perfect Paragon of excellence, the sinless Savior and Shepherd, the marvelous and majestic Author and Perfecter of our faith. As we look at Psalm 15, every quality the LORD, requires for dwelling in His sanctuary is found in Jesus.

Psalm 15:1 “LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?”

Psalm 15:3 He “ has no slander on his tongue,”

[When you accuse or judge, Lord Jesus, it is correct, it is spoken to the right person with the right motive at the right time. There is no falsehood, no exaggeration, no twisting of truth. There is no malice, selfishness, evil motive or wrong desire when you speak. Instead you speak correctly to convict, to bring repentance, to restore and lead, giving light, love and healing.]

“who does his neighbor no wrong”

[You only do what is right, pure, helpful, good and positive. To live with you is to experience the light of your goodness, the power of your purity and the provision of your positiveness.]

“and casts no slur on his fellowman,”

[You never speak unjustly, you never maliciously cut people down, or try to put them in a bad light. In fact, as the good Shepherd, you will work to protect people rather than expose them to ridicule. You always first nudge us towards repentance before having someone come and confront us. As you are light and live in the light, so you shine the light on what is true, not to condemn people, but to bring them to repentance and restoration.]

Psalm 15:4 “who despises a vile man”

[You see all, nothing is hidden from you, so you know what is vile and rightly reject it. In righteousness you despise what is unrighteous, while somehow still loving every sinner and seeking to bring them into your Kingdom, into your Family, into your Forgiveness.]

“but honors those who fear the LORD,”

[You love what is right and good, and are able to discern what really motivates a man: fear of people or fear of God (Psalm 34:11-14). And you will give glory and honor to those who walk in your ways because they love you and trust you.]

“who keeps his oath even when it hurts,”

[You are the One who always keeps your Word—you kept your Word to provide a Savior who could only redeem through intense, infinite suffering, and you, Lord Jesus, followed through by submitting yourself to anguish, pain and an unjust punishment of death. Praise you for your faithfulness.]

Psalm 15:5 “who lends his money without usury”

[You are generous and good, pouring out your riches on us without thought of profit.]

“and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.”

[You are absolutely just and do only what is right. No one can cause you to move against your children, who through Christ’s sacrifice are declared innocent in your sight. A bribe has no influence to change your mind to condemn the anyone. On the other hand, we believers can’t get you to change your mind with our “good works,” our fasting or self-denial; we can’t twist your cosmic arm, to “make” you answer our selfish prayers. Praise be to you for your unbending goodness and purity.

Lord, help us to live like you, to follow your example in each of these wonderful qualities and thereby bring honor to your name by showing your glory to all those around us.

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