SOAP 11/27/2015; Psalm 125:1

Today's reading: Psalm 125; Matthew 26, 27

S) "¹ Those who trust in the LORD
Are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever."

Psalm 125:1 (NASB)

O) This verse is a reminder of two principles. First, that trusting in the LORD sustains us. It preserves us, making us stronger. Trusting in Him makes us unshakable, firm, and everlasting. The second is a broader point, that being counted among God's people has always been contingent on trusting in Him. Now, there are a lot of evidences, revealing genuine trust, but all of them together will bring about strong character, that resembles Mount Zion.

A) It took me a bit to remember one of my favorite worship songs ("Trust" by Kristene Mueller) that uses this verse as a backdrop. That song, and this verse, reminds me that my strength is not going to be enough. I need to confess my impotence, and then trust in the One who can (and will) sustain me. In trusting God, I will be made into the man I want to be, but could never become without Him.

P) Father, Your grace is all that I need. I don't need to be strong enough, or skilled enough, or wise enough. I cannot make myself become those things. I cannot will myself into the man I want to be, the husband I want to be, or the dad I want to be. I want to be like a mountain. I want to be consistent for You, a clear point of reference to give direction for my wife, and a stronghold for my family. I know that in myself, I cannot do and be these things. But, I want to trust You, because You are who You say You are. I know that You are trustworthy. Even if You took me home tomorrow, I know that my wife and kids are in Your hands, and it's not up to me to provide for them. But I want to be used this way. I know I have propose and calling, as a man, husband, and dad. I want to reflect Your character. Make me a mountain, God, as I learn to trust You more each day. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/26/2015; Psalm 106:30-31

Today's reading: Matthew 23, 24, 25*

S) "³⁰ Then Phinehas stood up and interposed,
And so the plague was stayed.
³¹ And it was reckoned to him for righteousness,
To all generations forever."

Psalm 106:30-31 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Psalm 106

O) In this recap of the history of Israel, and God's goodness to them in spite of their unfaithfulness, Phinehas gets a shout out for what he did (see Numbers 25:6-9). To be sure, his actions were unique, and they cannot be taken out of context as some kind of repeatable solution to a plague. Still, this grandson of Aaron saw that the situation was desperate, and he took to action. He trusted the laws that God has given. He trusted that God was telling the truth about the consequences for breaking the covenant with Him. So, even though the circumstantial methods are different, his decisive obedience, the immediacy of his faithfulness to the covenant Moses had just brought, is what really is credited to Phinehas as righteousness.

A) With almost any anecdotal act of obedient violence from the Bible, I must always remember what Ephesians 6 teaches. The weapons of my warfare are not carnal, but spiritual. My "violent obedience" should be one of prayer. Reading stories about Epaphras reminds me that spiritual warfare is, indeed, vigorous. Or, it seems like maybe it should be. There seems to be a direct connection between a life of righteousness, and a life of decisive, no-nonsense, rigorous prayer. As much as I am studying the Word, and worshiping Jesus throughout my day, the power of my prayer life is certainly the weak link of the three. I think it starts with my response to crisis. When Phinehas was confronted with crisis, he took immediate steps to remedy the situation. In a similar way, when I am confronted with crisis, I need to respond with adamant prayer. I cannot wait, I cannot waiver. I must immediately bow my head and lift my voice, and labor in prayer for those in need.

P) Father, teach me in prayer. Train me to be a more powerful spiritual warrior. Not for my own glory, but only to Your greatness. I want to be faithful in my prayer life, God. I want to be consistent, strong, and fervent. Give me the discipline I need to be an effective tool in Your hand, Lord. You are faithful to answer prayers. When I am praying Your will, I know it will be done, because You said it and You do not lie. Let my reactions prove my beliefs. Have Your way, Lord God. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/25/2015; Psalm 105:45

Today's reading: Matthew 20, 21, 22*

S) "⁴⁵ So that they might keep His statutes
And observe His laws,
Praise the Lord"

Psalm 105:45 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Psalm 105

O) This is such a revealing way to close this psalm. In this song, there is a retelling of the history of Israel, from Abraham through the Exodus. It summarizes the covenant with Abraham, tells of Joseph being sold, and then Moses and Aaron performing miraculous plagues. Then it finishes by remembering the water, bread, and quail that God supplied for His people, as they waited for the Promised Land. Then it finishes with this verse. So, this psalm says over and over, "God's grace, God's grace, God's grace..." and then finishes with God's people observing His laws and keeping His statutes. This is so contrary to the achievement/performance/earning mentality that we often have as humans. God was good to us first, then He told us what to do. It's almost as if His lovingkindness drew them to repentance! (see Romans 2:4) It is also worth noting, that the wording of this last verse does provide a slightly different understanding. Certainly, it is still showing us that God operated (and continues to operate) in a grace-first method. But, in the wording of the verse, it can also imply, not obedience, but possession. That is, "keep His statutes," could mean, "have His statutes," and, "observe His laws" could mean, "know His laws." Some other translations seem to suggest this, notably the Orthodox Jewish Bible (although I'm certainly not a Hebrew scholar). Even still, the principle is that God's goodness is what brings people into relationship with Him, and then He shows them His standards for living a holy life. This was their banner to wave, to show the world the standard of the only true God. But, He asks for obedience after blessing people with goodness.

A) The most important thing from this, is that I don't get works and grace twisted. Sometimes, I can get trapped into thinking that my obedience brings about the blessings of God. Or, perhaps more accurately, I think that if I've sinned (especially successive or repetitive sin), that God will withdraw blessings from me because of my disobedience. Certainly, in the context of this Psalm (pursuant to a covenant), there are consequences for walking away from God. However, this is not the same thing as failing His righteous standard. In my confession of sin, and repentance from it, I receive God's forgiveness. That is the perpetual offer of mercy that I have in Jesus Christ. His grace, though, was at work upon me even before I ever confessed and repented. So, His grace is not dependent on my righteousness. Quite to the contrary, His grace is only dependent on His righteousness, and that will never fail.

P) Father, because I know You are a good Father, I invite Your discipline. Your goodness to me really does inspire me to works of righteousness. I desire to live a more holy life today, than I did yesterday. And, I desire to live a more holy life tomorrow, than I will today. I know that I am a work in progress, but I also know that You are the One working within me. My hope and faith is not in my own efforts, but in the Holy Spirit at work in my life, in grace today as You have always been. Thank You for the forgiveness I receive, and need everyday. As I seek to obey You better and better each day, I pray that You are glorified in my life. Help me to hold up Your standard, as You hold me up to it. Let other people see my life, and recognize Your fingerprint on me. Let them see Your goodness through me, that they might also keep Your statutes and know Your laws. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/24/2015; Psalm 103:12

Today's reading: Matthew 17, 18, 19*

S) "¹² As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us."

Psalm 103:12 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Psalm 103

O) This verse is quite popular in Christian culture today. There was a successful song about it ("East to West" by Casting Crowns), it seems to show up in a lot of worship songs in one form or another. In our current scientific understanding, this verse is impossibly symbolic. Because the earth is a sphere, you can travel east forever, and always be headed east. That is, it will never suddenly be that the direction becomes western. East and west are directions, and so anywhere on the globe could be called east or west, depending on perspective. So in that context, separating east from west becomes impossible to rightly measure. David was prophetic in many of his Psalms, but I don't think that his understanding of the world would have been spherical. Or at least, it doesn't have to be; there is another significant image to glean from this verse. East and west were mostly related to the rising and setting of the sun, in most ancient cultures. In fact, for many centuries, maps were often oriented with east on the top (which is why orient, which has roots in "rise" became associated with correctly aligning something). So, in this verse there probably was not as much "right to left" imagery coming to mind for the readers, as much as there was "top to bottom" imagery. In fact, with context read from v.11, just before this, we see a clue to that very idea. So, this verse probably isn't as much about geographical impossibilities, as it is about highlighting His righteousness above ours, and that in His mercy, we are brought up from our transgressions.

A) Regardless of how my mind is oriented (right-left, top-bottom), the main point is that God has removed my transgressions from me completely. The mercy I receive through the cross is not temporary. The mercy I have through Jesus Christ cannot be reversed. He has already finished the atoning work. This is cause for perpetual thanksgiving and praise! God has corrected my orientation, so I am facing up.

P) Father, I am amazed by the complete nature of Your grace and mercy. I confess that I am still prone to sin. Yet, every time I repent, You are completely faithful to completely cleanse me of my sins. Like a master surgeon, You cut away the dying parts of my life, and take them so far from me that it cannot be measured. You plunge death into the depths, while You raise me to life. All praise and glory are Yours, Lord. Thank You for this grace and mercy. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/23/2015; Psalm 100:3

Today's reading: Matthew 14, 15, 16*

S) "³ Know that the Lord Himself is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture."

Psalm 100:3 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Psalm 100

O) The middle line of this verse struck me as peculiar. What kind of world view existed, that people were crediting their own existence to themselves? Or even, crediting the creation of humankind to humans? Given many of the origin theories that have existed throughout history, including some of the theories of secular humanists that exist now, I suppose this wouldn't be a great surprise. That is taking the word "made" literally. The alternative is to view that more figuratively. A person may define themselves by their wealth, or influence, or possessions. In that case, if they are their accomplishments, then people credit themselves all of the time, for who they are (i.e., what they have been able to accomplish). Even today, people will use phrases like a "self-made man," referring to someone who has obtained success without help from other people (or at least, that's the perception). Whether this verse is addressing beliefs of literally making, or figuratively making, doesn't actually change the rebuttal. The LORD Himself is still God. He is our Creator, both in terms of existence and success.

A) This is really part of an invitation to worship the LORD (vv.1-2), and that's exactly what this verse brings me to do. This is a humbling verse, reminding me not to think more highly of myself than I should. I cannot make myself be who I want to be. I cannot make myself successful. My very existence fully relies on the grace of God alone. There is no more cause for worship needed. The very life I have is cause enough, since it is given to me as a gift everyday.

P) Father, You are my Creator! You are worthy of all my praise! Keep me humble, Lord. I cannot allow myself to think I am responsible for my own existence or success. I do not make myself wake up each day, alive and able. That is strictly by Your grace. Help me to see each day as a gift, genuinely and simply thanking You constantly. Be glorified in my life, in how I use the gifts You have given me. Receive all of the honor and glory, and all of my worship. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/22/2015; Psalm 99:8

Today's reading: Matthew 11, 12, 13*

S) "⁸ O Lord our God, You answered them;
You were a forgiving God to them,
And yet an avenger of their evil deeds."

Psalm 99:8 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Psalm 99

O) The author was speaking about the faithful ministry of Moses and Aaron, and Samuel later. This was highlighting the fact that God was hearing from those who were calling on His name. The verse above is really drawing attention to a duality of God's grace. He is both merciful and just. In His grace, even before Jesus took the penalty for the sins of the world, God was balancing mercy and grace to His people. He would forgive them, maintaining His covenant relationship with His people. At the same time, He was still using discipline to bring them in line with His will. In addition to showing this balance God has, between giving us forgiveness and allowing the consequences of our sins to still affect our lives (in His will, to His glory), this passage is also showing that God uses crooked sticks to draw straight lines (shout out to Propaganda's "Precious Puritans"). Moses and Aaron made mistakes that God had to avenge. Samuel was not perfect. Everyone that God could use, is broken and in need of His mercy.

A) This gives me hope, remembering that I don't have to be perfect for God to use me. His grace is sufficient for me. In my weakness, He is strong. He is glorified when He uses me for anything, because I am incapable of obedience aside from His grace. This verse also warns me, reminding me that my sins will be forgiven in Christ, but that I may still face consequences for the sins I commit. My mistakes may not send me to hell, but they may still be quite costly. Still, because I love my Father God, I invite His discipline. Even though He is a strict Father, His lovingkindness and compassion still draw me into repentance and obedience.

P) Father, You are holy. Everything about Your character stands in contradiction to my human, sinful nature. Help me to remember that, even in Your mercy, I may still face grave consequences to my sins. This is part of the discipline process that is still at work in my life. Help me to focus on the fact, that my life is improved when I am obedient to You, not only because I avoid negative consequences, but more importantly I am living in the richness that Your righteousness brings. Help me to be holy, as You are holy. Have Your way in my life. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.