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Summery

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 22, 2018
[In his book, “Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands,” Tripp concludes his talk on the themes of God’s greatness, grace and glory with these words].
 
The central work of God’s Kingdom is change. God accomplishes this work as the Holy Spirit empowers people to bring his Word to others.
 
We bring more than solutions, strategies, principles and commands. We bring the greatest story ever told, the story of the Redeemer. Our goal is to help one another live with a “God’s story” mentality.
 
Our mission is to teach, admonish and encourage one another to rest in his sovereignty, rather than establishing our own; to rely on his grace, rather than performing on our own; and to submit to his glory rather than seeking our own.
 
This is the work of the Kingdom of God: people in the hands of the Redeemer, daily functioning as his tools of lasting change in the lives of those around them.
 
[We do this by living what we say we believe; by offering the sacrifice of praise for each event; by sharing with others about our quiet times and interactions with God; by praying for those around us; by sharing the gospel with as many as possible.
 
Actually it’s pretty simple. It means us fitting into God’s story with Him at the center, living in the light of His sovereignty (He has a plan), His grace (He is always ready to forgive) and His glory (we live to give Him glory and honor through obedience). This is the basic change in orientation we need; if we make this change in our lives, then we can help others to the same. Let’s get with it!]
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God’s Glory

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 21, 2018
Continuing with “Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands,” the third grand theme of the Bible: God’s glory.
 
The center of the story of the Bible is the Lord. “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen” (Rom. 11:36). We are made for his glory and are called to display his gory in everything we do. However, sin leads us to be glory thieves, [taking His glory for ourselves].
At the bottom of every broken marriage, every shattered family, every forsaken friendship you will always find stolen glory. We want to be the center of our story and are willing to step on one another to get glory, credit, praise and attention. Sin leads us to steal God’s story and rewrite it with ourselves as the lead.
 
But, there is only one stage and it belongs to the Lord. Any attempt to put ourselves in his place puts us in a war with him…a fight for divine glory, a plot to take the very position of God.
 
[Think of how often we use humor to put someone down: “Hey, nerd, how’s your homework coming?” Why? Because it puts us at the center, makes the one who is better, smarter, in control. But it is the Lord who is truly better, smarter and in control because of His character. I just tried to steal His glory by stepping on someone weaker.]
 
We do not suffer well, because suffering interferes with our lust for glory. We do not find relationships easy, because others are always competing with us for glory. We do not serve well, because we want to be served.
 
But the story of Scripture is the story of the Lord’s glory. It calls me to an agenda that if far bigger than myself. It offers me something truly worth living for. There is no deeper personal joy and satisfaction than to live committed to his glory.
 
[This means thinking consistently of how to honor Him, how to please Him, how to serve Him rather than how to make myself look good.] Living for God’s glory would revolutionize every marriage, family, friendship and church.
 
[Let’s consider how we can stop being glory grabbers and instead become glory givers. The most simple and important step is to give thanks in all things. In doing so we affirm that our God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the seas and all that is in them, is sovereign, full of grace and worthy of glory].
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Being Grace Receivers and Grace Givers

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 20, 2018
Continuing with Paul David Tripp’s description of the three great themes of the God’s story. My added comments are in brackets [ ].
 
The second grand theme of the Bible is God’s grace. This theme confronts and encourages me at the deepest personal level, diagnosing the problems that affect my relationship and giving me the only reliable reason to press on. [In spite of what I am and what I have done, God loves me unconditionally, deeply, consistently. Grace is giving us the opposite of what we deserve.]
 
God is not only sovereign, he is also abounding in grace. Immediately after Adam and Eve disobeyed him, God made it clear that he was going to do more than punish them. He would send the seed of the woman (Christ) to defeat the Enemy and provide redemption for his people (see Gen. 3:15). God’s response to the willful rebellion of his creatures was grace!
 
This grace justifies, providing complete forgiveness and unwavering acceptance with God. This grace adopts, welcoming us into his family with all the rights and privileges of true sons and daughters. This grace enables, empowering me to think, say, and do things I could not do in my own strength. This grace transforms, radically changing every aspect of my life.
 
God’s grace is most powerful and effective at the moment of my greatest weakness, [as He forgives and pours out His unending love on me]. Only in the presence of grace, [as we extend to others the opposite of what they deserve] can the biblical principles for healthy relationships bear lasting fruit.
 
[God’s call to us is to be grace receivers (accepting His forgiveness, forgiving ourselves) and grace givers (forgiving others as He has forgiven us). Grace brings God’s Kingdom, opening the way for transformation in us and in those around us. Let’s determine to consistently be grace receivers and grace givers.]
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Psalm 9:17-18

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 18, 2018
 
Psalm 9:17 “The wicked return to the grave, all the nations that forget God.”
 
[Those who forget you, Lord, will be forgotten. You are the most important One in existence, the most signficant Being in history, the most central Point of all the Universe.
 
How could we forget you–you who are the source of all good–and not be guilty of the fatal sin of unbelief (John 16:9)? You, O Lord, are worthy, not just of remembering, but of totally absorbing our attention, our affection, our adoration!]
 
Psalm 9:18 “But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish.”
 
[You, O Mighty and Loving Heavenly Father, remember and watch over the needy–and we are all needy–you see each one, you care for every one. You are the God of goodness, giving comfort to those who are hurting, support to those who are suffering, help to those who are hopeless. “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Ps. 34:18).
 
I praise you that you are the God of hope, giving “joy and peace to those who trust in you so” our lives can “overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:13).
 
In you, Lord God, there is all we need and desire: there is belonging, there is worth, there is meaning, there is purpose, there is a certain and positive future because you are moving history to a definite conclusion and taking us, your children, with you.
 
Help us to keep our eyes on you, Lord Jesus, to let go of what is temporal, to hold on to what is eternal and to rise above the turmoil and tragedy of life in a fallen world. Help us to remember that we are destined for a re-created and perfect world, where there will be no sin, no rebellion, no evil. In you, Lord Jesus, we are safe, secure and can be satisfied, no matter what our situation may be.
 
Help us, Heavenly Father, to live out today this truth of your faithful guidance, your powerful protection, your bountiful provision and your perfect plan, by offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving in every circumstance (Ps. 50:23), thereby honoring you in faith and cooperating with you in being open to the help you will bring.]
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Psalm 9:15-16

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 16, 2018
Psalm 9:15 “The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.”
 
[Praise you for your faithfulness to judge in righteousness, Lord, for evil without justice brings hopelessness. Therefore you bring upon evil doers what they have prepared for others. At the top of the list is Satan himself, who has been judged and will end up in the lake of fire where he has sought to send so many others.
 
I think of the destruction that came on Germany and Japan after WWII for the cruel and oppressive regimes that ruled there. I think of how the dictators ruling in Egypt, Libya and Tunisia were taken down in the Arab Spring. In the end, evil doers are consumed by their own plans.
 
Praise be to you, Lord, that you bring justice at the right time: “Fret not yourself because of the man who prospers in his way…for evil men shall be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord shall inherit the land.” (Ps. 37:7,9)]
 
Psalm 9:16 “The LORD is known by his justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.”
 
[Your justice, O Lord, is strong and broad, sure and right, certain and consistent. You will bring judgment on all who, in their evil independence, refuse the refuge of your love and forgiveness. This actually is the most wicked thing we can do, to reject the salvation Jesus provided at such great cost.
 
Praise you, Lord God, that your character is the measure of all. You are all we truly seek: Great Good, Perfect Peace, Total Truth, Wholly Holiness and Lavish Love. To you belongs exaltation, glory, praise and honor. To you I bow in worship, for you I rise to obey, with you I go forth into the day to join you in your great and beautiful plans. May you be glorified in my life today.
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Psalm 9:11-12

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 14, 2018
 
Psalm 9:11-12 “Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion; for he who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.”
 
[Praise you, O Great and Mighty Lord, for you are just; you will avenge evil; you will not forget.
 
I thank you that you pay close attention to the cry of the afflicted, that you know each person’s heart, each person’s suffering, each person’s deep desire for security and significance, for belonging, worth and competence.
 
As it says in Isaiah 51:12-15, “I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mere mortals, human beings who are but grass, that you forget the LORD your Maker, who stretches out the heavens and who lays the foundations of the earth, that you live in constant terror every day because of the wrath of the oppressor, who is bent on destruction?
 
For where is the wrath of the oppressor? The cowering prisoners will soon be set free; they will not die in their dungeon, nor will they lack bread. For I am the LORD your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar– the LORD Almighty is his name.”
 
We all long for freedom from the oppression of the enemy, and you, the LORD Almighty, have provided that for us in the death and resurrection of Christ.
 
I praise you, Lord, for your consistent care for us, your good guidance and your powerful protection, like a father watching over his son (below Josh watching over Kenan). You are truly worthy of worship, glory and honor. Today we offer you praise, exaltation and obedience in and for all that will come from your good hand.
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From My Morning Worship Journal

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 11, 2018
 
As I step outside on the porch in the early morning, the moon shines brightly in the west, while Mars, Venus and Jupiter form a clear triangle in the east and the Big Dipper points unfailingly to the North Star.
 
The horizon is touched with the fingers of dawn, a golden line against the lingering black of night. A frost lies on the grass; I can’t see it yet, but feel it in the crispness of the morning darkness.
 
Thank you, Lord, for your greatness, revealed in the glory of this morning. I praise you for your beautiful, pristine character: like this dawn light penetrating the darkness, the brightness of stars and the promise of the day.
 
Your attributes are perfectly balanced. In you there are both justice and mercy, judgment and love, hatred for sin and love for sinners. You are fully sovereign while bestowing the gift of responsibility on your creatures.
 
I praise you for your rich display of your qualties in your Word, showing us that you are eternal, without beginning or end; you are wise and joyful, powerful and kind, mighty and loving, and majestically great while paying attention to every minute detail.
 
You are all knowing while forgiving and choosing to forget sin. You are wonderful beyond conception, and for that I am glad—for that proves you are God, completely separate and outside your creation—no human being could ever think up a Creator like you!
 
This fall season’s display of beauty also reminds me of your character, Lord. The trees are clothed in brilliant shades and fiery glory. Some have three colors at once–red, yellow and green—reminding me both of your triuneness and of your love for variety.
 
This is echoed in maples of bright yellow standing next to pines of soft green and oaks of crisp brown. Everywhere there is diversity, a contrast and compliment of colors. This is truly a reflection of your character, where the diversity doesn’t divide but produces a richer beauty, a deeper grace and a more astounding complexity within a powerful unity.
 
You, Lord God, are the ultimate in every aspect: beauty and wisdom with power, judgment and righteousness with love, sovereignty and control with grace. I praise you, Lord God for how wonderful you are, worthy of our worship, deserving of our adoration, meriting our obedience.
 
May we dwell today in the light of your beauty, in the grace of your unified diversity and in awe of your monumental and majestic greatness. To you be honor and glory in all.
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Psalm 9:11

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 10, 2018

Psalm 9:11 “Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done.”

[You, Lord God, are worthy of praise, and more, for all that you have done; to you belong worship, exaltation, honor, glory and thanksgiving.

You have provided the possibility of forgiveness for all evil doers, you have redeemed and rescued all willing to become your children, you have released your saints from the dominion of darkness and ushered us into the Kingdom of Light, the Kingdom of your Son whom you love.

In Him we are forgiven, cleansed, transformed, adopted, commissioned to special service, equipped to join you in what you are doing. In Jesus we are dearly loved, doted on and delighted in.

You have glorified your name in countless instances of doing good to your enemies, being gracious to your rebellious children, being kind to all people, being holy in the face of evil, being patient in the face of rejection and being purposeful in your work of bringing history to a conclusion where you will eliminate evil and restore the perfection of pre-fall creation.

In the light of all this, what is our response? We must worship you, we must exalt you, we must praise you, for there is no other possible reaction for those who know your name.

May you be honored in our lives today, may obedience flow, may praises multiply, may trust reign, may glory rise to you each moment–for you are worthy, O Triune, Glorious and Eternal LORD!

 

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Psalm 9:10

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 9, 2018
Home from the hospital, doing well.
 
Psalm 9:10 “Those who know your name will trust in you,”
 
Your name, Elohim (God), means the powerful and faithful One. You have shown your power in your vast, varied and beautiful creation, as seen in the picture below,
and your faithfulness in following through on your promise to provide salvation through Christ for all, especially for those who will believe.
Your name, Adonai (Lord), means the powerful Authority who has the right to demand full obedience, and along with that, promises complete provision of all we need to live for and obey you. “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life…” (2 Pet 1:3).
Your name Yahweh (LORD), means the holy One who is utterly independent of your creation and utterly committed to caring for it. You are the Hater of sin, the Judge of evil and the Lover of your sinful creatures.
 
You are the great I AM, with no beginning and no end, ever existent, ever powerful, ever present. You are absolutely, utterly, completely, eternally trustable. To not trust in you is a great sin, denigrating your mighty, majestic, magnificent Names.]
 
“for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
[The record speaks! You have come to the rescue of all who have called upon you: Adam, Abraham, Moses, the Children of Israel (many, many, times), the Judges of Israel, David, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, the Apostles, Paul–and us.
 
As we seek you, call out to you, you are faithful to answer. As it says in Psalm 34:4-8, “I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
 
“Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
 
“The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
 
“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”
 
So let us take refuge through trust in and obedience to the Almighty One who will never forsake us and helps those who take refuge in Him.]
 
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