Psalm 18

October 12, 2015 Monday Message:

“I love you, Lord, my strength.” Psalms 18:1 NIV

God had rescued David from all his enemies and from Saul, and David was grateful. God is the best! So David sang Psalm 18 to the Lord, and gave the words to the worship leader, so others could sing along too.

David doesn’t hold anything back – he jumps right in: “I love you Lord!” Then he exposits upon that first thought: “You are my rock, my fortress, my shield, my deliverer … God’s way is perfect – Who is the rock except our God?”

David talks about God orchestrating his rescue: “He drew me out of deep waters ... He rescued me because he delighted in me.” Apparently this all happened the way God directed!

Too often our contemporary worship songs talk about us, what we are going to do for God: “I will worship you, I will answer Your call, I will sing praises.” These aren’t ‘bad’ themes, but sometimes I feel like there’s too much “I” and not enough God.

There is value in a song like Psalm 18, where God is King: “As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless.” Psalm 18:30 And David asks the rhetorical question: “Who is God besides the Lord?” Psalm 18:31a God is awesome, almighty and all-powerful – He is God and we are not! Amen!

Spend some time this week with Psalm 18, and witness David’s ultimate praise and worship experience!

Norton Lawellin

Come worship with us! Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers at 10 a.m. every Sunday in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This Sunday, Oct. 18, I’ll continue our study in Ephesians 1:15-23. See you at church!

Psalm 17

October 05, 2015 Monday Message:

“Hear me, Lord, my plea is just.” Psalms 17:1a NIV

David once again prays to God in Psalm 17. He first offers evidence, justification that the Lord should answer his prayer requests. “My prayer is not from deceitful lips. May your eyes see what is right. Probe my heart, examine me, test me; You will find that I have planned no evil, and my mouth has not transgressed.” Is your heart pure when you come before the Lord?

David restates the promise in scripture, that the Lord is forever faithful. “I call on my God, for you will answer me. Show me the wonders of your great love. Keep me as the apple of your eye, in the shelter of your wing.” Do we trust that God will be ever-faithful with us?

When Saul was king, he felt threatened by David, the future king, so he sent his soldiers to attack David. After David was on the throne, other countries were constantly attacking Israel. As David grew older, even his own sons sought to take over the nation. David had enemies in spades! “They have tracked me down, they now surround me, to throw me to the ground. They are like a fierce lion crouching in cover, hungry for prey.” Do you ever have days when you feel like everyone is out to get you?

David then calls upon the Lord for vengeance. “Rise up, confront my enemies, bring them down; with your sword, rescue me from the wicked.” Needing rescue from the wicked is a good time to call upon God.

No one picks up a sword to inflict a flesh wound. David is asking God to kill his enemies. He has no other solution – He believes that Divine intervention is the only answer. What God has for the wicked, David wishes upon their children and their children’s children. But Jesus taught us to pray for our enemies. But instead of praying for their death, we should pray that they would renounce their evil ways and repent.

And as for David – he’s the man after God’s own heart. The Lord will justify him. “I will be vindicated; I will see Your face.”

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers at 10 a.m. every Sunday in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This Sunday, Oct. 11, Pastor Michael Pilla opens up the book of Ephesians.

Psalm 14

(For some unknown reason, the Sept. 7 Psalm 14 message wasn't showing up on the blog list. I've been asked to re-post it, so the commentary on Psalms would be complete.)

September 7, 2015 Monday Message:

Happy Labor Day holiday!

“Only a fool would say, ‘There is no God!’” Psalm 14:1a CEV

David pens Psalm 14 “for the music leader,” literally one who shines for the Lord. The one who “shines” is to tell everyone the Good News, that there is indeed a God, a God who looks after all things on earth. To David, it’s self-evident.

If you examine the earth, its size, its complexity – or the vastness of our galaxy, and galaxies beyond our own – or even the complex systems within a human body – there is only one logical explanation: Divine Intervention. The intricacy of these entities tells us that all of this is no happenchance. In other words, God designed all of this. He planned everything, and He keeps his hand on all creation.

Good people celebrate their connection with the Lord. Evil ones should fear God. David asks, “Won’t you evil people ever learn?”

God is on the side of every good person. The Lord protects the poor. God’s people cherish their partnership with God. They’re confident knowing that God is the consummate leader. This psalm concludes, “When You bless your people again … Israel will celebrate.” Not “if” you bless your people, but “when.” God is faithful – He will never abandon his people. Jesus says, “I will be with you always, until the end of the age.” from Matt. 28:20

Norton Lawellin