Author: arevans

“The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” (Ps. 121:8)

The Lord will keep you.  What does that mean?  He will watch over you – to protect you, to guide you.  Today.  Forever.  He will not cast you aside.

What a wonderful verse when we part company.  The Lord will keep your going out (away from us) and your coming in (back to us). 

The Lord’s keeping – is it something we can see or hear or touch?  No, of course not.  Even if we could, it would not last.  “For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

May the Lord bless and keep you – forevermore!

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me – bless his holy name.” (Ps. 103:1)

All that is within me. My joys and sorrows. My doubts and fears. My dreams and aspirations. My strengths and weakness. All my being’s ransomed powers…

“From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder.” (Rev 4:5)

This is how the apostle John described what he saw and heard when “in the Spirit” he stood before the very throne of God.  It must have been awesome beyond description. 

Yet, even more awesome is the understanding that all of this glory was laid aside when God became flesh and dwelt among us in the person of Jesus Christ.

“For God is the King of all the earth. … God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.”  (Ps. 47:7,8)

It is, sadly, all too easy to live our lives unaffected by this grand reality.  God reigns as King of all the earth.  It seems at times ethereal to us.  Even irrelevant.  After all, don’t people and nations seem to do as they please?

We are too focused on our small little worlds to see the big picture clearly.  This is why the Bible often refers to the brevity of life and the certainty of death and of judgement.  Scripture takes us, at it were, to the top of the mountain, where we can look down from God’s vantage point.  Where the big picture comes sharply into focus.  Where we realize that God is indeed King of all the earth.

“Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.” (Ps. 31:5)

The Bible reveals to us that God is faithful.  So much so, in fact, we could almost say that Faithful is God’s middle name.  Forever faithful.  This is truly something to rejoice over.  He is, after all, God.  The creator and sustainer of all things.  The Almighty.  “For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?” (Is. 14:27)  “Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth.” (Ps. 135:6)

And yet, he pleases to be faithful.  Merciful.  He pleases to save his people from their sins, and to give them a heart to obey him.  And eventually – to be like him.  “But we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2)

“The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.” (Ps. 25:14)

To be a friend of God, the creator and sustainer of all things – what greater aspiration could there be?

Friendship.  It is somewhat astounding that the scripture would use the word to describe a relationship with the Almighty.  But it is not a slap on the back, “You doin’ alright?” kind of friendship.  Rather, it is a deep, abiding relationship reserved for those who reverence the LORD, esteem his holiness and obey his commands.

 

“The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.  The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.” (Ps. 16:5,6)

This wonderful verse of Scripture has to do with my choices and God’s providence. 

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup.  My avowed decision.  For better or worse.  For richer or poorer.  In sickness and in health.  My circumstances – whatever they were, are now, or may be in the future – are not in the hands of fate.  You, O Lord, hold my lot.

What a wonderful reality.  What a beautiful inheritance.  Jesus I am resting, resting in the joy of what thou art!

“This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.” (Ps. 18:30)

This God.  The God of the universe.  The God of the ages.  The God of the Bible.  The Just and the Justifier.  His way is perfect, yet “past finding out”.  His purposes are fathomless,  unsearchable – yet trustworthy. 

He is infinite, yet personal.  He is holy, yet rich in mercy.  He is the Lion and the Lamb.  He is our Judge and our Savior.  This God.

“But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.” (Ps. 13:5)

There is no more absolute truth than this – the steadfast love of the LORD.  Never changing.  Never ceasing.  Not a whimsical abstract love, for that is no love at all.  On the contrary, God’s love is real.  Tangible.  Sacrificial. 

Something every heart is loving:
If not Jesus, none can rest;
Lord, my heart to Thee is given;
Take it, for it loves Thee best.
Thus I cast the world behind me;
Jesus most beloved shall be;
Beauteous more than all things beauteous,
He alone is joy to me.
Bright with all eternal radiance
Is the glory of Thy face;
Thou art loving, sweet, and tender,
Full of pity, full of grace.
When I hated, Thou didst love me,
Shedd’st for me Thy precious blood;
Still Thou lovest, lovest ever,
Shall I not love Thee, my God?
Keep my heart still faithful to Thee,
That my earthly life may be
But a shadow to that glory
of my hidden life in Thee.

Gerhard Tersteegan (1745)