My Hope is in God

My Daily SOAP from today, from Psalm 121

Scripture

Psalm 121:1 A song of ascents, for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

“I look up to the mountains – does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!”

Observation

I imagine a pilgrim on his or her way to Jerusalem for a festival or sacrifice reciting this Psalm. Israel is a hilly country and Jerusalem is built on a mountain. You literally have to “go up” or ascend to get there. And a pilgrim could be thinking or hoping that Jerusalem, the safety of the mountains, or the leadership or government on the hill of Jerusalem would protect them from their enemies.

The Psalm itself calls out to the false or potentially misplaced hope and reminds the pilgrim: “My help comes from the Lord!”

God may (and does) use human institutions, governments, churches, and people to assist, but the help is ultimately from God and through his sovereignty.

These  pilgrims faced many dangers on their journey: the elements of nature, bandits, injury on rough terrain. The Psalm reminds us that God is watching over us, he doesn’t slumber sleep, he’s a protective shade over us and he’ll watch over us in the comings and goings in life, and in the dangers and risks and trials we face.

Application

The question is always “Will I trust God?”, “Will I put my hope in Him?” Or is my hope falsely in circumstances, men or government?

Prayer

Today God I tell you that my hope is in you, and and you alone!

Inspired Mentors

Over the years, the greatest gift to my life, other than the people God has put into my life (especially my wife and family, as well as my church, The Rock) has been books.  It’s been books that have brought the greatest contribution to my life.  They have inspired me, they’ve sharpened me, they’ve corrected me, they’ve taught me.  They’ve encouraged me and I wouldn’t be the man today I am without many of them.

Some day I hope to begin to write about some of the books that have been the most influential in my life and why. 

But whenever I look at my bookshelf and consider the wealth of knowledge they contain, I’m reminded that there’s been one book above all that I am seeking to pursue and understand and know. 

According to Google, there are 130 million books in the world.  So in all of those books, which one should I read and more importantly, which one should I trust and allow to shape my life?

As I was reading through the life of Joseph today in the Book of Genesis in the Bible, I was freshly reminded of how only the Bible speaks to every person uniquely, to every life circumstance and situation a person many find themselves in.  It can encourage, inspire, correct, shape, enlighten, and guide each person through each circumstance in life.

Joseph was treated unjustly, he was betrayed by his own family, he was sold into slavery, he was convicted for a crime he didn’t commit and sent to prison for 10+ years.  

People who have written the Bible have written it from every possible range of human emotion - from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows.  Jeremiah, saw his entire country obliterated, destroyed and carried into exile, and forced to watch unspeakable horror and anguish.  And yet there’s also the great hope for a perfect, eternal kingdom one day to come and swallow up all the evil, sin and injustice we see all around us.    We read about the reality of the Kingdom that will come, certain of it because of Jesus conquering sin and death through the cross and resurrection.  

It’s also full of flawed humans (just like me!) who make mistakes, learn from them (or not) and doesn’t sugar coat the reality of the world we live in - ideas have consequences, choices have consequences, and I would do well to heed the lesson from the lives of the men and women in the Bible, so I do not have to suffer the consequences that they faced.

The Bible inspires me as a father, husband, pastor, friend, and person.  It helps me to understand and sympathize with others with whom I am friends with and am ministering to.  It matures me and is the most inspirational piece of work every written.  

They provide the inspired mentors that God would have me influenced by in my life.

Children Can Praise God

Psalm 148:7a, 11-13

Praise the Lord from the earth…kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and maidens together, old men and children!

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven.

How incredible it is that in the same breath, God charges both kings and children to praise God. God values their praises just as much as any king or judge or ruler. It is just as important for any child to praise God as it is for any person in authority. God listens to children just the same and he sees them as just as capable to praise God as their parent or any other adult.

Adults can tend to dismiss, overlook, or underestimate their little hearts but they have their own soul and through Christ can have their own personal relationship with God!

What a wonderful God we serve - so understanding, so tender, so compassionate, and so loving of each and every person. Praise God for his word which gives us insight and instruction and guides us in truth.

A desire to know God

The greatest desire to cultivate in life is a desire to know God:

Psalm 84:10

A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else!

Psalm 63:1-5

O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy.

1 Samuel 16:7b

People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

Acts 13:22

I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart.

Psalm 27:8

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”

Psalm 119:20

I am always overwhelmed with a desire for your regulations

Jeremiah 30:21 (NIV)

For who is he who will devote himself to be close to me?

Isaiah 26:8 (NIV)

Your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.

1 Chronicles 28:9

And Solomon, my son, learn to know (get to know) the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind.

Deuteronomy 6:5

And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.

Who's really on trial?

John 19:10

Pilate: "Don't you realize that I have the power to release you or crucify you?"
Jesus: "You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above."

Despite his trial, flogging, and crucifixion, it was Jesus and not Pilate or the Jewish religious leaders who was in control.  The high priest was filled with anger and jealousy.  Pilate was insecure and wavered on what to do because he didn't think Jesus should die but he also wanted to appease the people.  But Jesus stayed composed because he knew his mission, and knew his Father had a plan for the persecution he was facing.

Jesus was on trial before Pilate, but he knew a secret:  Pilate and the Jewish leaders were on trial before God.

Inventor of the Dollar Store

The gentlemen who invented the concept of the dollar store just passed away.  His genius led to the ubiquitous dollar stores we now see, as well as the dollar spot at Target.  Interestingly enough, he died a billionaire.  It reminds me of this quote from Thomas Edison:

"Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration."

Really, is there anything that creative or spectacular about the idea of a dollar store?  And yet, no one had come up with the idea before Dave Gold.  I am certain that the reason for its success is not any sort of genius, however, but through much perspiration


Proverbs 21:5 says it this way:

"Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts leads to poverty."

The Wise Listen

Exodus 37:1 Next Bezalel made the Ark of acacia wood

Bezalel not only made the Ark, but all the other utensils, curtains, furnishings, and coverings that were used to make the Tabernacle.  He was especially gifted by God to craft all these things (Ex 36:1) as well as to teach his skill to others (Ex 35:34).  In fact ten chapters of Exodus (25% of the book!) is devoted to the plans for the Tabernacle and the craftsmanship that Bezalel and others faithfully carried out.

The common quality of wise people is that they listen to others.  Why did God take the pains to ask Moses to write down ten chapters devoted to the plans and construction of the Tabernacle?  After all, so much of these ten chapters merely repeats itself.  Because it underscores that fact that Bezalel listened carefully to God and faithfully carried out his commands.  He stands in stark contrast to the rest of the Israelites (see story of Golden Calf, Ex. 32).  Though it took him approximately one year (Ex. 40:1), much of it probably mundane, Bezalel completed the task God gave him.

What tasks does God have in mind for me to complete?  Am I carrying them out with diligence, faithfulness, devotion, and joy?  Am I setting an example for others with my attitude, focus, perspective, and diligence?  Am I allowing others to learn and participate in my work, like Bezalel did? (Ex. 36:2, 35:34, 35:21)

The common quality of wise people is that they listen.  Am I listening to God and obeying?