Psalm 93: Stronger Than Water

The weekend Psalm for:
December 19-20.2009
Read Psalm 93 from the English Standard Version
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The Big Idea

My wife and I just spent a long weekend in Iowa. On Monday, we decided to go into Cedar Rapids and meander around in the downtown area. With all respect to Cedar Rapidians, this proved to be a waste of our time. 

About two years ago, Cedar Rapids--and most of Iowa--were inundated by flood waters. As we wandered around the skyway system, we found closed stairways and roped-off escalators. In one building, we looked down from a mezzanine to the closed first floor, where windows clearly showed the water-line. It was high on the windows, just under 8 feet up. 

Water is strong. Even today, downtown Cedar Rapids is mostly closed up. Offices on upper floors are open, but the first floor retail spaces are mostly abandoned. Just down the road, the Veterans Memorial building is still closed--with hopes of reopening next year.  

If you've ever had to deal with water, you know what a force it is. It is heavy (8 lbs per gallon), destructive, and persistent. 

This Psalm offers the reminder that when you face troubled waters, God is stronger. The waters rise up, they roar, they thunder--and against that unrelenting force, God reigns. They are no match for his power.  

Meditation

Water. We count on Goldilocks Quanities: The just right amount. Too much, and we can be swept away by the flow. Too little, and we face withering drought. Either one can end in death. 

Remember, whether the waters of your life are too high, too low, or just right, that God is sovereign over all. His grace abounds.

This weekend, look at the raging waters of uncertainty, and put your hope on God. Look at the dry riverbeds in your life, and put your hope on God. The Lord is Holy, and the Lord is Trustworthy. He is better, and stronger, than water.
 
Praying With This Psalm
You can pray scripture prayers for yourself or for others.

• Father God, may _________ know that you reign, and that you are robed in majesty.
  
  
• When ______ faces unrelenting waters of difficulty in life, may they rest confidently in the fact that you are stronger than the waves and the tempest. 
  
  
• Almighty God, when the floods overwhelm ______, may they know that you are still in control. May they cry out to you for rescue, but may they also cry out to you in praise.
  
  
• Lord God, may _____ understand that your decrees are very trustworthy, and that holiness befits your household and your people.
  

Related Scriptures and Scripture Prayers

• Ephesians 6:14. Tighten your belt...
  Lord, just as you wear strength as your belt, you have given your people to wear truth as their belt. May _____ put on that belt in their life. 
  

• Titus 1:9. Trustworthy decrees, trustworthy Word...
  Lord Jesus, may ______ know the trustworthiness of your Word, and may they know the trustworthiness of your very self.   

(Some Rights Reserved, CC-BY-NC, 2009). L. J. Sam Helgerson, PhD

Psalm 63: Thirsty or Distracted?

The weekend Psalm for:
December 12-13.2009
Read Psalm 63 from the English Standard Version
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The Big Idea

Bob Goudzwaard recognized our problem way back in the early 1980s--and he's not the first one. We have a tendency to turn things in our lives into idols. Back then, Goudzwaard pointed out that the emerging idols were nationalism, prosperity, and security (There's much more to his argument, of course). Today, we might well add technology, connectivity, and personal autonomy. 

This Psalm begins with a reminder that must not be taken lightly: Oh God, you are my God. That confession ought to remind us to put away the idols and false Gods that keep us from relying on the one true God. Only God is real water for our thirsty souls (remember, Jesus is the Living Water). He satisfies us the way we wished that food could--how many people have you heard say after a large meal: "It will be days before I have to eat again." Yeah, right. 

Meditation

What are the Gods in your life? Do you count on friends, family, spouse, lover, food, technology, facebook, intelligence, beauty, common sense, p0rnography, friends in high places, high friends in low places, social networks, church membership, alcohol, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, or...or...or...the list goes ever on and on. Do you count on any of those things to soothe you and make everything okay? Anything--even a good thing--that gets between you and God is at risk of becoming an idol. 

Do you want God more than any of those things? Does your soul cry out to him? Can you read the words of this Psalm, and see far beyond the figures of speech, and recognize that longing in your own soul? 

This weekend, ask yourself this: Can you say "Oh, God, you are my God!"? Is your thirsty soul in the only place where it can find refreshment? Are you looking to Jesus Christ as your one, true, heart's desire? He is the wellspring of life itself--why would we look anywhere else?

 
Praying With This Psalm
You can pray scripture prayers for yourself or for others.

• Father God, let _________ say from the depths of their heart, Oh, God, you are my God.
  
  
• May ______ thirst for you, and may they never settle for the worthless idols that surround us and press in upon us.
  
  
• Almighty God, may ______ find them self satisfied with you. May they feast on you, and find contentment greater than their most memorable meal.
  
  
• Lord God, grant ______ your protection and your guidance. May they turn away from the things that so impress our society, and may they turn to you. Uphold ______ with your right hand.
  
  

Related Scriptures and Scripture Prayers

• John 6:48-59. Jesus Christ is real food and real drink...
  Lord, may _____ experience you as real food and real drink. The bread of heaven, the living water. May they feast on you through your Word, and find their satisfaction in you. 
  

• 2 Peter 1:3-4. His power, His glory...
  Lord Jesus, may your power call ______ into your glory and your excellence. May _____ know that you are sufficient for all we need for life and godliness.
   
• Revelation 19:7. The only time we exult in the whole New Testament...
  Lord Jesus, may _____ truly know you, and may they look forward to that Great Day when we will exult, rejoice, and give you glory--the day of the "Marriage of the Lamb" when all is fulfilled.
  
  

(Some Rights Reserved, CC-BY-NC, 2009). L. J. Sam Helgerson, PhD

Psalm 33: Zoom Lens

The weekend Psalm for:
December 5-6.2009
Read Psalm 33 from the English Standard Version
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The Big Idea

This Psalm was written by an anonymous author, but it is a staggering revelation of the work and character of God. It starts off quite matter of factly--allow me to paraphrase: you really need to be praising God. Shout, sing, play the guitar, knock out a few chords on the piano--hold nothing back. It's like the worship leader who suddenly realizes that no one is singing along with him. And he pauses. 

He then takes the time to bring all the people up to speed.  And he takes us from a 50 Billion Light-year view, down to a startlingly intimate point of view. "By the word of the Lord, the heavens were made." Roll that around in your brain for a while. We are 93 million miles from the sun, so far, that it takes the light about 8 1/2 minutes to get here. 

Too big for you? Stand at the side of the ocean, and try to wrap your mind around that. Then think about this--God has more than that in storage, ready whenever he needs it. God spoke, and creation took form, and stood firm. 

God has the maps and landforms, the nations, the kings and rulers, in his control. He looks down from heaven and sees the children of man. The God who spoke the universe into existence lovingly shaped the hearts of people.  

Now, we're all on the same page. Now, let's praise Him.  

Meditation

One of the most misused pieces of scripture is there in verse 12: Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. Yes, but let's not stop there. Notice that He chooses the people who are to be his heritage. In the words of Rich Mullins, "Remember, you did not choose me, no, I have chosen you." 

This weekend, think about all that God has done. This is the God whol called creation into existence with a word, and took the time to shape your heart. You were not just called into existence--you were lovingly formed by the living God. This is no cause for pride. It is a cause for gratitude, brokenness, and humility before the Righteous One. 
Praying With This Psalm
You can pray scripture prayers for yourself or for others.

• Father God, let _________ marvel at your creation, and praise you. From the stars and galaxies, on down to the trees and the "me," you did it all.
  
  
• May ______ know you as holy, upright, and full of steadfast love and justice. Let them see their own frailty before you.
  
  
• Almighty God, because you are ______'s maker, you are the only one who can be ______'s sustainer. that you are the God who grants rest to his people, and that you are ______'s sustainer. May they fear no one because they know you and your protection.
  
  

Related Scriptures and Scripture Prayers

• John 1:1-3. Jesus Christ creates and sustains...
  Lord, may _____ know you as the Word who created everything. Nothing was made apart from you, and you are worthy of our worship. 
  

• Acts 17:28. Even the pagans figured this one out...
  Lord God, may ______ know that only in Jesus Christ can they live and move and have their being.
   
• Colossians 1:16-17. He keeps our atoms from flying apart...
  Lord Jesus, you created _____ and you hold them together. Let them never take that mercy for granted, but let them know you as their Creator, Sustainer, and only hope.
  
  

(Some Rights Reserved, CC-BY-NC, 2009). L. J. Sam Helgerson, PhD

Psalm 3: Heads Up!

The weekend Psalm for:
November 21-22.2009
Read Psalm 3 from the English Standard Version
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The Big Idea

King David wrote this Psalm from the pit of despair. Sometimes, we read right past the few words that fall between Psalm 3 and verse 1. They can, however, provide valuable context. David was in hiding from Absalom, his own son. Absalom tried to take the Kingdom from his father, and the king was forced into hiding. The whole story is in 2 Samuel 13-16. You'll notice that Absalom killed one of his own brothers--David had real reason to fear for his life. 

This is a dysfunctional family, and seeing that, David cries out to God. Every piece of his life was shattered. His work life: Chaos--his job was threatened by someone younger, more appealing, and ambitious. His home life: Broken--he had proven himself to be a failure as a father, and his children were at war with each other (the whole story is not pretty).

It was so bad that people were saying "Even God cannot help David." Even so, David found hope. God had not abandoned him, and God assured him of His faithfulness.

Meditation

I think the most beautiful phrase of this Psalm is: But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. 

It's not always easy to remember this, but this reassurance came to David when he was at the lowest point of his life. There are many word pictures in this Psalm, all of them reassuring to this frail king, beset by trouble. God is shown here as the one who hears, the one who answers, the one who sustains, the one who avenges, the one who saves. 

How reassuring it is to know that God cares for us beyond our circumstances. His goal is to bring us to repentance, transformation,  and redemption. That requires trust and what I call "God-confidence." 

This weekend, ask yourself--where is my hope when all of life falls apart. It is best to consider that question, and its answer, before all of life falls apart. If you happen to be there now, do what David did: Cry out to God. Even if he does not get you out of it, he will certainly get you through it. 

Bonus Information: You see that little word "Selah?" It shows up in many places in the Psalms, and three times in this third Psalm. Scholars will tell you that we don't know exactly what that word means. Here's my take (and if I'm wrong, my theory certainly will not do you any harm). Whenever I see the word Selah, I take that as a sign to stop and think about this idea, and by the way you'll find echoes of this all over the Bible. I see that word Selah as an ancient Post-it note to help us see some of the grand themes of scripture.  

Praying With This Psalm
You can pray scripture prayers for yourself or for others.

• Father God, remind _________ that no situation is hopeless, and people are only beyond reach when they deliberately turn away from you. Let _____ seek you and cry out to you, from the depths of their heart.
  
  
• May ______ know you as their shield, their glory, and the one who lifts their head out of despair. When ______ cries out, grant them an answer.
  
  
• Almighty God remind ______ that you are the God who grants rest to his people, and that you are ______'s sustainer. May they fear no one because they know you and your protection.
  
  
• Father, may _______ know that grand theme that runs throughout your Word: Salvation belongs to the Lord.

Related Scriptures and Scripture Prayers

• Philippians 1:27-28 Salvation is from God...
  Lord, may _____ serve you faithfully without fear. May they express your salvation through faithfulness, vigilance, community, and courage. 

• Hebrews 4:9. A much needed rest...
  Lord God, may ______ know Jesus Christ, and by knowing him, enter into that sabbath rest that you have promised for your people.  
  
  

(Some Rights Reserved, CC-BY-NC, 2009). L. J. Sam Helgerson, PhD

Psalm 122: The Path to Peace

The weekend Psalm for:
November 14-15.2009
Read Psalm 122 from the English Standard Version
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The Big Idea

I once heard a sermon on the opening phrase of this Psalm: "I was glad when they said to me 'Let us go to the house of the Lord'." All these years later, I still remember the challenge--does the idea of worshiping God delight me? 

In this Psalm, Jerusalem represents that place of worship--that personal encounter with the living God. I love the description of it as "a city that is bound firmly together." It was solid, reliable, safe--and not by its own merits, but by the presence of God.  

Meditation

Think back over your life. Where is that place where you always felt loved, and always felt at peace. For me, that was in the little town of Mount Sterling, WI, when visiting my great aunt and great uncle, Thelma and Elmer Lee. There was a real sense of joy, peace, and the grace of God in their home, and in my youth the most beautiful sound in the world was my dad's voice saying "We're going to Mount Sterling."

That's the idea behind this Psalm. For the people of God under the Old Covenant, Jerusalem was their home, their hope, and the place where they knew the presence of God. 

The climb uphill to Jerusalem was a time of prayer, singing, and gratitude. It meant not only life, peace, and security, but it meant justice, reconciliation, and wholness. Quite simply, Jerusalem meant far more to the Jewish people than Mount Sterling means to me.  

This weekend, consider your life, and ask yourself--is it an expectant, eager climb into the very presence of God? Or is it aimless wandering? Take hold of "the peace of Jerusalem." Ultimately, that peace comes through Jesus Christ.

Praying With This Psalm
You can pray scripture prayers for yourself or for others.

• Father God, let _________ find gladness at coming into your presence. Let them seek you with perseverance and eagerness.
  
  
• May ______ seek to live their life in your presence, and to plant their feet firmly in your peace.
  
  
• Oh, God remind ______ that your judgement means justice. May they know your justice, and by knowing it, seek your mercy without delay or excuse.
  
  
• Father, may _______ learn the truth that Jesus is the "peace of Jerusalem." He is the promised Messiah, the redeemer, and the King of Israel. It is only by his grace the promise is fullfilled: "Peace be within you."

Related Scriptures and Scripture Prayers

• Philippians 4:6-7. Real Peace...
  Lord, where _____ knows anxiety, may they know your peace. May _____ experience the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. May they come to Jesus Christ, that he may guard their hearts and their minds.

• Colossians 3:15. The Peace of Christ...
  Lord God, may the peace of Christ reign in _______'s heart. Let _____ know the gratitude and thanksgiving that comes from being reconciled to you through Jesus Christ.
   
  
• I Thessalonians 5:23. Complete sanctification...
  Father God, you have the power to transform lives. I ask that you will bring your sanctifying, transforming, redeeming power into ______'s life. Lord Jesus, by your grace, may their whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless, that they may be found whole, holy, and transformed at your return. 

(Some Rights Reserved, CC-BY-NC, 2009). L. J. Sam Helgerson, PhD

Psalm 92: In Praise of Good Work

The weekend Psalm for:
November 7-8.2009
Read Psalm 92 from the English Standard Version
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The Big Idea

I've had a lot of projects that I started with all the best intention, only to realize that they did not live up to my hopes or expectations. So often, I step back from what I have done, look at it objectively, and I see every fault. In woodworking, it's the mis-cut miter; in teaching, it is the well intentioned statement that was misconstrued; in writing, it's the idea that's way clearer in my head than it is on paper.

Face it: My best efforts are pretty lame.

No wonder the Psalmist says "For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy." What God does matters. What God redeems endures.

The fool doesn't understand the works of the Lord, and in fact, tries to build and make things that will upstage God. In the final analysis, they are corrupt, doomed, and unrighteous.

This Psalm reminds us to put our trust in the faithfulness of God. That's the only way our best efforts will ever add up to anything.

Meditation

Years ago--more years that I care to think about--we did a paper-mache art project. I was in second or third grade, and I settled on making a reindeer. Our art teacher taught us to make a wire frame to support the sculpture while we were working on it.

It was a beauty. Perfect, well proportioned, painted the ideal "reindeer brown" and shellacked to preserve it for posterity. Throughout the project, I knew who was going to get the finished project--my grandfather (I called him 'Pa'). I gave it to him with great fanfare.

It rocked. No, I mean it rocked--it didn't sit level on all four feet. At some point, my idealistic vision cleared: This was an ugly reindeer. Two sharp points of wire jutted out of the antlers; its eyes were big and bright red; any resemblance to a deer was strictly coincidental. Pa didn't care. It sat on top of one of his bookcases until he passed away, when I was well into my 20s.

I'm quite sure that all of my life's work will wind up looking like that pathetic reindeer. For Pa (and for God), it was not the quality of the workmanship--it was the love that drove it. Only God's works are Good. Everything else is basically junk, unless it is done in a spirit of Love for the Lord. God's grace redeems us, and the praise for works in the Bible always amounts to praise for the wonderful works of God.

Praying With This Psalm
You can pray scripture prayers for yourself or for others.

• Father God, let _________ give thanks to you and sing praises to your name.
  
  
• May ______ recognize that their work is frail and faltering when they work apart from you.
  
  
• Oh, God let ______ be planted in your courts and flourish there. May _____ bear fruit for you throughout their lives.
  
  
• Father, may _______ declare that you are righteous, and may they know you as their rock--the only solid point of reference to judge the meaning of their work in this life.

Related Scriptures and Scripture Prayers

• I Cor 15:57. Where Thanksgiving grows...
  Lord, let _____ give thanks to you, and may they know that you have given them the victory through Jesus Christ by taking hold of your grace in repentance and trust.

• Romans 5:10. We were all enemies of God...
  Lord God, may _______ recognize that without Jesus Christ, we are all enemies of God, no matter how we try, or how much good we do. May _____ be reconciled to you through the death of Jesus Christ.
   
  
• Ephesians 2:19. The righteous find a home...
  Father God, give ______ your grace, so that they will no longer be a stranger and an alien, but let them find their home and their identity in your household. May ____ recognize that all who come to you through Jesus Christ are fellow citizens with the rest of your saints.  

(Some Rights Reserved, CC-BY-NC, 2009). L. J. Sam Helgerson, PhD

Psalm 62: Which Ladder Are You On?

The weekend Psalm for:
October.31-November1.2009
Read Psalm 62 from the English Standard Version
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The Big Idea
People are basically unreliable. In life, stuff happens: People get sick, cars get stolen, plans change, jobs end, friends face emergency surgery, families relocate, people die. And that's been just this past week in my life, and the lives of people I care about. And that's just my friends!

There are also those people--every life has them--where there are the malicious ones, just waiting for you to trip and fall. Ready to offer sarcasm over sympathy; heckling over encouragement; bitterness over mercy.

Yes. People are unreliable.

This Psalm asks an important question: Why, if people are so unreliable (even at their best), why are you working so hard to impress them? At your best, you are either a whisp--a breath, or a mask--a delusion.Those are harsh words, but that is the nature of a life that finds its meaning in this life, and not in God.

Meditation

There is a graveyard in my hometown, and there are people buried there who were once the toast of the town. A former governor. A national business leader or two. Tombstones that bear the names of major streets or wards in the city. All, side by side with people whose legacies have been forgotten, lost, or never existed.

This weekend, consider your goals, and where you are going in life. Are you climbing a ladder to success? Good for you, now ask yourself: What will this mean in 200 years. Grim, isn't it.

The Psalms are unblinkingly honest. Trust God. Remember that you (like the rest of humanity) are ultimately unreliable. The word of comfort and encouragement we get here is not easy. Everything falls apart except God. He alone is powerful; He is the only source of steadfast love; He will judge us for our works. The rest of the story is that, through Jesus Christ, he will also redeem us by his Grace.Make sure that the ladder you are climbing is taking you up the right wall.


Praying With This Psalm
You can pray scripture prayers for yourself or for others.

• Father God, let _________ stop arguing with you and wait in silence for your salvation.
• May ______ recognize that there are malicious, destructive people in their life, and may they turn to you as their only refuge, their only source of hope.
  
• Oh, God help ______ to trust you at all times, and pour out their heart before you. May ______ know you as their rock and their refuge from a world that is hostile, harsh, and unfriendly.
  
• Father, may _______ see themself as a breath or a delusion, and find comfort in the fact that their real identity, meaning, and direction can be found only in you. Protect ______ from the errors of both arrogance and despair. 
• Lord God, remind ______ that yours is the power, and you are the source of steadfast love. Help _______ know that the only way they can stand before you is through Jesus Christ and the grace that He brought to us.
  

Related Scriptures and Scripture Prayers

• John 2:24-25. We are not reliable...
  Lord, help _____ to follow Christ's example and entrust themselves to God, and not to other people. Jesus knew our failures, and yet he showed us mercy. May ______ turn from impressing others, and seek you in true repentance and trust. 
  
• 2 Corinthians 6:8-9. The Paradox of the faithful...
  Lord God, may _______ know that it is now how others view them, but how you view us. You are the source of our real life, in Jesus Christ. Grant ______ the grace to experience that.  
  
• James 2:9. All favoritism is sinful...
  Father God, help ______ understand that all favoritism, all partiality, all comparing people against one another, is sinful. Help us to view each other, and ourselves, with your eyes.  

(Some Rights Reserved, CC-BY-NC, 2009). L. J. Sam Helgerson, PhD

Psalm 32: Turnabout is Fair Play

The weekend Psalm for:
October.24-25.2009
Read Psalm 32 from the English Standard Version
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The Big Idea
Got any secrets? Sure you do. You know what it is: It's that thing that looms over your heart and reminds you of your failure (one of my college friends used to call it his dragon). Maybe it's your anger, pride, gossip, backstabbing, stubbornness, that problem with alcohol or some other addictive; maybe it's fear. Whatever it is--you know it. You are afraid to acknowledge it--it's so much easier not to talk about it. Keep it stashed away, and hope that it causes you no trouble.

It's hungry, though. From time to time, you can feel it gnawing at your bones. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, you are wasting away, and no one knows it but you. So far.

And into the midst of that, the Word of God speaks: "How Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered." And you realize: That's the problem--I can't forgive it by myself, and I can't cover it over--it keeps kicking off the covers.

This Psalm offers the cure. It offers hope. Uncover that sin, take it to God, turn away from it, and find forgiveness and freedom. The word is repentance: Acknowledging our sin (our dragons), and trusting Jesus Christ to take care of them for us. We can't get that freedom ourselves. And God is the only one who can give it to us.

Meditation

Think about those things in your life that you really hope God doesn't notice. We're so good at rationalizing--everbody has faults, nobody's perfect, this is no big deal. Yeah. Maybe.

But maybe you know the truth, deep down. That's why you see yourself wasting away under a burden that you can't get rid of. But there's hope.

The hope is not from "Emergency Prayers" to cover a moment of crisis (vs. 6). If you want to hear the shouts of deliverance, you have to bring that burden to God as soon as you realize its weight. Pretty soon, you realize that you are the source of those shouts of deliverance.

This weekend, consider your life and the burdens you bear. Turn those things over to God. Some people think "Repentance" is an old fashioned word, far too out of touch with our contemporary understanding of human psychology. In all compassion, let me say that those are probably the people who have never experienced repentance. The Grace of God that comes out of repentance is too amazing and wonderful for words. This, I know. I have lived it. I am a man set free.


Praying With This Psalm
You can pray scripture prayers for yourself or for others.

• Father God, let _________ feel their bones wasting away under the weight of their sin, and let them seek forgiveness through Jesus Christ--our only hope of freedom.
• May ______ find the courage and the strength to confess their transgressions to the Lord.  
  
• Oh, God teach ______ the way they should go, and make their heart open and available to you, that they can learn your will with humility, and not stubbornly so they must be curbed.
  
• Almighty God, give _______ the awareness that they are surrounded by your steadfast love. May they rejoice and shout for joy. 
  

Related Scriptures and Scripture Prayers

• Luke 5:32. Why Jesus Came...
  Lord, we know that you came to call sinners to repentance. We all fall into that category, and may ______ turn around and come to you in true repentance. 
  
• Acts 26:20b. How should we live...
  Lord God, may _______ repent toward you, and live a life that demonstrates the fact that they have turned to you, and not away. 
  
• Acts 17:30-31 Without the Resurrection, none of this matters...
  Father God, repentance is the right response when we truly understand that you raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Help _______ understand that Christ died to free us from the trap of sin, and that repentance is the only logical, proper, and normal response to that truth. 

(Some Rights Reserved, CC-BY-NC, 2009). L. J. Sam Helgerson, PhD

Psalm 2: Are You Pushing?

The weekend Psalm for:
October.17-18.2009
Read Psalm 2 from the English Standard Version
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The Big Idea
My grandfather was a railroad man. When I was only about 5 years old, we were walking along the tracks, and I saw a boxcar a little way ahead of us. I said "I think I can push that." He said that I could try.

As we walked toward it, it loomed larger and larger in front of me, and I quickly began to realize that this was going to be far harder that I expected. I pushed, and nothing happened--I expected it to at least rock a little, but no...nothing.

One of our culture's pervasive images is the idea that each of us is the King/Queen over our household. It's a clever idea that suggests that we all want a place where we don't have to live under anyone's authority. It's good to be the king. I've seen people work awfully hard to break any claim that God might have on their life. For many of us, our greatest battles are fought to win our autonomy. You go right ahead: Push that box car.

This Psalm reminds us that we are not, ultimately, in control. The more we wage war against God, the more he sits back and chuckles at us. I'm sure my grandfather chucked--finding great irony in my own self-assurance, and my own blindness to my own weakness.

Meditation
When all the world is in chaos, when sabres are rattling, and people are struggling to assert their power, influence, and self-sufficiency, God reminds us: "I've already set up my chosen king. The issue is settled, so don't kill yourself trying to change the outcome."

The kings of the earth are reminded to serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Yes, this means world leaders. But it also means you.

This weekend, consider your own autonomy, how you cherish it, and how you fight for it. Then remember this: If you think you have outgrown your need for God, go ahead, push that boxcar. Use this psalm as a reminder of your own frailty before the triumphant King.


Praying With This Psalm
You can pray scripture prayers for yourself or for others.

• Father God, when  _________ sees nations rage, remind them that the same battle is in their heart as well.  
  
• May ______ quit trying to break your sovereignty over their life, and quit trying to cast off all restraint.  
  
• Oh, God Most High, you have already chosen the one true King over all. May ______ turn to you and and live under the gracious rule and reign of Jesus Christ. 
  
• Almighty God, give _______ the grace of serving you with fear and rejoicing with trembling. May _______ know the fearsome comfort of being overwhelmed by your glory and holiness. 
  

Related Scriptures and Scripture Prayers

• Luke 12:31-32. The Kingdom Can Be Yours...
  Lord, forgive ______ when they forget to seek your kingdom. We are all so good at building our own kingdoms, but they will fall to nothing. 
  
• John 3:16-17. The son can save us...
  Lord God, thank you for sending your one and only son to save ______. May the power of these verses overwhelm _______ with a sense of your sovereign grace and the way your provided Jesus Christ as _______'s way to salvation. 
• I Corinthians 6:19-20. Bought with a price...
  Father God, when we know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we need to remember the price you paid. Help _______ know that they have been bought with a price, and give them the ability to honor you in what they do, and how they live. Remind ______ that living right before you does not gain us any points with you, but it is a way we can express our gratitude for saving us from the burden of our sin.

(Some Rights Reserved, CC-BY-NC, 2009). L. J. Sam Helgerson, PhD

Psalm 121: An Uphill Battle

The weekend Psalm for:
October.3-4.2009
Read Psalm 121 from the English Standard Version
(Link Opens In a New Window)

The Big Idea
When you feel like all of life is an uphill battle, take courage. This psalm is marked "a song of ascents." Smarter people than I disagree on this, so I'm giving you the approach that seems to fit best: As I tell my students, you can disagree with me and still get an A in my course. A song of ascents was one of the psalms that God's people sung on their way to Jerusalem, and Jerusalem is uphill. That's why, regardless of map direcetion, people go up to Jerusalem, and down to most anywhere else.

This uphill journey was fraught with troubles and terrors. Consider this--the journey was on foot (usually), uphill, and there were robbers and thugs along the way. The roads into Jerusalem were known for that, so well known that it's part of the setup in the parable of the good Samaritan.

When your life takes you uphill through scary, dangerous terrain, remember where your help comes from. Now, as then, it comes from the Lord.


Meditation
Worship takes place even on the way to worship. The God who made the terrain watches over you. The God who never sleeps or slumbers is watching over you. The God who protects you from sun and moon (threats by day and threats by night) is the one who keeps you.

This weekend, think about the uphill parts of your life. Look at those imposing hills, and the threats you cannot completely discern. Then remember to trust yourself to God. Use this psalm as a reminder that He is the one-and-only source of help.


Praying With This Psalm
You can pray scripture prayers for yourself or for others.

• Father God, when _________ looks up at the hills of their life, may they remember that you are the source of their help.  
  
• May ______ thank you, Father, that you created heaven and earth. None of the terrain of ________'s life is a surprise to you. Thank you for being our creator and protector. 
  
• Oh, God Most High, you reached out to us while we were outsiders. May ______ turn to you and no longer be an outsider. 
• You protect your people from "the sun by day and the moon by night." May _______ know that your protection is all-encompassing. 

Related Scriptures and Scripture Prayers

• Philippians 4:6-7. Promise of Protection...
  Lord, it is so easy to be anxious, so easy to fear. May _____ worship you in prayer and supplication. Let _____ experience your peace--the only peace that goes well beyond our understanding. 
• James 1:11. The sun will scorch us...
  In the scorching heat of day-to-day life, we all wither away. May ______ seek you: Father, you are the only pursuit that will never cause us to fade away.
• 2 Timothy 1:12. I know Jesus Christ, and I believe.
  Father God, in the words of the old hymn, taken right from your Word: "For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I've committed unto him, against that day." I pray that ______ will commit their life to you, through Jesus Christ, confident that you will protect--you have already guarded it with your life!

Note: When I decided to work through the Psalms, I chose an old church pattern so that I could have a usable pattern without going in order. Little did I realize how God would emphasize the theme of redemption and protection in this first batch of 5 Psalms. Let's see, together, what other truths God might have in mind for us.

(Some Rights Reserved, CC-BY-NC, 2009). L. J. Sam Helgerson, PhD

Psalm 91: Think Globally, Seek God Locally

The weekend Psalm for:
October.3-4.2009
Read Psalm 91 from the English Standard Version
(Link Opens In a New Window)

The Big Idea
There are times I hate to listen to the news. Trouble here and there, wars, senseless death, tragedy, sw1ne flu, mad dictators, bad public policy. Psalm 91 is a good reminder that "He's G0t the Whole World 1n His Hands." That might seem like a stretch, but that phrase "the most high" is a common reference to God that is addressed to non-Jews--people who were not under God's covenant or care.

It's quite remarkable that this outsider language appears in Psalms, the prayer book for God's people for ages upon ages.

God takes an eternal view of protecting us from harm, and the Bible offers no "Get out of Persecution Free" cards. Ask Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Ask Voice of the Martyrs. God offers his eternal viewpoint, his protection, to everyone--even us outsiders. No evil will befall you: You may die, but you shall still stand. The truth is, it's hard to explain the comfort of this to anyone who is completely bound to the here-and-now.

Meditation
About 2 1/2 years ago, my dad died of cancer. It was a year-long battle, and he fought, but he did not fight desperately. When he chose to quit the chemotherapy, I saw something that I have only rarely glimpsed: Peace. Shalom. Faith.
I can say, now, that my dad died well. He taught me a lot about life by the way he left it--holding firm to his Savior's hand, and trusting, no matter what.
In the midst of that, when we want healing as the outcome, it's hard to see. In retrospect, though, he did not fear the terror of the night, or the arrows of the day. Though we all wanted a different answer, I see how God delivered him, stood with him, rescued him, and honored him (see vs 13-14). Ultimately, our family saw God's salvation, because God showed it to my dad.

This weekend, think about the end of your life. Think about what it means to die well, because by this, you will learn to live well. Take time to pray for someone who has no peace--who fears politicians (on the left or on the right), world events, disaster, or tragedy. No one wants those things, but "The God Most High" offers peace and deliverance to a people who know no comfort. Thanks to Jesus Christ, no one ever has to be an outsider again.
Praying With This Psalm
You can pray scripture prayers for yourself or for others.

• Father God, show _________ all the ways you are our refuge and fortress. May _____ we find all of our comfort and protection in your presence. 
  
• I pray, Father, that you will protect ________ from all the snares and fears of life--the net of the fowler, disease, the terrors of night, and arrows of day. These come in many forms, and I ask that you will be ______'s protector--the only protector they need. 
• Oh, God Most High, you reached out to us while we were outsiders. May ______ turn to you and no longer be an outsider. 
• You protect those who know your name. Reveal yourself to _______ that they may come to you through Jesus Christ, and know you as our protector, our deliverer, our satisfaction, and our salvation. 

Related Scriptures and Scripture Prayers

• Romans 5:8. While we were outsiders...
  Lord, your word tells us "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." May _____ see what that means--you do care, and _____ is not out of your reach. 
• I Peter 2:10. God's people are never again the outsiders.
  Father, make it clear to ______ that apart from you, we're never a people--we have no meaningful identity. Show ______ that your people are those who have experienced your mercy.
• Hebrews 2:3. There is an escape from God's Wrath.
  Father God, I pray that ______ will be not neglect "such a  great salvation" that has been offered to us through Jesus Christ. 
  

(Some Rights Reserved, CC-BY-NC, 2009). L. J. Sam Helgerson, PhD

Psalm 61: Gimmie Shelter

The weekend Psalm for:
September.26-27.2009
Read Psalm 61 from the English Standard Version
(Link Opens In a New Window)

The Big Idea
Have you ever had one of those moments when all you could do was cry out to God? If you have, this Psalm is for you. I mean, literally, that it is for you--not just to read, but to pray: Let it provide you with words when words fail. When you weep in desperation, let its words be your "GPS" to find your way to comfort.

The words are rustic, yet they exert a powerful pull on our spirit. "Lead me to the rock that is higher than I;" "My Refuge...my strong tower;" these are the words of a person who has realized his own powerlessness.

MeditationWhen the Psalmist says "Let me dwell in your tent forever," we don't get that. This is a cultural thing--if we stay in someone's tent, it is our host who takes responsibility for our safety, our food, our water, and everything we need to live. It also implies a willingness to live under the rules of the house.

The psalmist's plea would be a bold imposition if it was made to someone else. It only makes sense in light of a gracious, all powerful, all holy God. Consider that. Is this your plea? Are you ready to move in?

This weekend, look into your heart, and think about whether this is your hope, your desire. Are you willing to live under God's tent, and be part of his household? Take time to pray for someone who is in a challenging time, and really needs to find their way to God's shelter. People fail us--and the truth is, we fail ourselves. Our only hope is to entrust ourselves to the God who offers his tent to us as our permanent address.

Praying With This Psalm
You can pray scripture prayers for yourself or for others.

• Father God, I ask that when _________'s heart is faint, and when life feels like the ends of the earth and far from you, that you will remind them to turn to you. 
• Lord, lead _______ to the rock that is higher than any of us. Lead us to you. 
• Remind ______ of the times when you have been faithful, and that you have protected them. Help _______ see that you have been merciful, even in the difficult times. 
• Almighty God, let ______ dwell in your tent forever. Make that their prayer, and turn their heart toward you.
• Father, you are our father. Let _____ find their heritage, their history, and their hope in you.
  

Related Scriptures and Scripture Prayers

• Ephesians 3:6. Through the Gospel, we can all be heirs of the promise.
  Lord, your word tells us that we are all fellow heirs of the promise. Father, may _____ know the power of the Gospel. May they be faithful members of your body, the church, and may they know your faithfulness through the promise, now fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
  
• Hebrews 9:14. There is life in serving God.
  Lord God, help ________ to turn from dead works to real life in Jesus Christ. Apart from Christ, nothing matters. May _____ experience life in him, and be cleansed from dead works, and that he can serve the Living God.

(Some Rights Reserved, CC-BY-NC, 2009). L. J. Sam Helgerson, PhD

Psalm 31: Miserable Faith

The weekend Psalm for:
September.19-20.2009
Read Psalm 31 from the English Standard Version
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The Big Idea
There it is, right at the end of verse 1. It's not only the big idea in this Psalm, it's one of the biggest ideas in scripture. Salvation is based on God's righteousness, not mine: ...in your righteousness deliver me. I'd far rather trust myself to God's faithfulness than my own.

This is a Messianic Psalm; in other words, it looks forward to Jesus. But it also has a message for us, since Jesus is not only Lord and Savior, he is also our example.

Don't you wish you could escape all of life's troubles, trials, and difficulty? It's an appealing idea, but if Jesus faced troubles, so will we. The promise here is quite simple: You will face affliction and distress of soul (vs 7), grief sorrow and sin all around (vs 9 & 10), and abuse from people who either hate us or misjudge our actions (vs 15-18).  Even in that, God will not abandon us.

Like Psalm 1, this Psalm shows two paths of life. This time, the Psalmist reminds us that hope in God must prevail to the end, and then, victory for God's people. Again, not because we are so righteous, but because God himself saves us through his righteousness.

Meditation
It's hard to persevere and be faithful in a prosperous age. Somehow, we easily fall into the trap that we deserve the good things God grants to us. Remember that all Good comes from God, but that we won't get all the good things until all of life is redeemed at Christ's return. In this life, we will have sorrows. The good news from this Psalm, and from the Gospels, is that He will faithfully see us through our challenges.

Here's the hard question, then: Is God your rock and your fortress? Because of your confidence in Him, do you live your life courageously, without fear, and in great confidence?

This weekend, throw aside your self-confidence, and instead focus on growing your God-confidence. Take time to pray for someone who is beaten down by fear, sorrows, and the reproach of others. Pray that they will find their strenth and comfort in the one who is righteous. Pray that they depend on the righteousness of God, and not their own.

Praying With This Psalm
You can pray scripture prayers for yourself or for others.

• Father God, I ask that you will be _________'s rock and refuge. May _____ know you as a strong fortress from sin and its effects. 
• I pray, Father, that ________ will know the disappointment of living for the approval of others. May ______ realize that you are the only faithful one. While others lay traps for us, you provide shelter.
  
• If ________ has idols (earthly things that control him/her) may they see them as worthless and turn to you and your steadfast love. 
• Father God, when people are abusive toward _______, protect them from the sting of words and emotional abuse. May _______ say to you, "You are my God," and I pray that you will step in quickly to save and protect him/her.
• Lord God, I thank you that the righteous can stand before you. Make that true of ______'s life. May _______ know your grace and your leading: May you know his/her way and watch over him/her.
• Father, make your face shine upon _____. May he/she take courage and confidence in you. May ______ wait on the Lord, but Lord, make the time of waiting short!
  

Related Scriptures and Scripture Prayers

• Romans 9:33. Jesus is a rock of offense.
  Lord, your word tells us that Jesus is the rock of offense, so may _____ never be offensive in him/her self, but, Jesus, please be so visible in _______'s life that the unfaithful are offended by you. May ______ believe in Jesus, and may he/she never be put to shame.
• Revelation 7:15. God will shelter.
  Father God, I pray that ______ will be "washed in the blood of the Lamb" and come to faith in Jesus Christ, so that he/she will be sheltered by you. 
• Romans 3:24 & I Corinthians 1:30. Jesus is our redemption.
  Lord Jesus, help ________ to understand the power of your redemption. Make it clear to _______ that redemption is a gift that comes by the grace of God. Also, Lord Jesus, make it clear that you are his/her only source for righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.

Note: A few words that might need explanation, though God himself will make these clear to you. Righteousness is proper standing and rightness before God, sanctification is living an ever-more holy life because God is at work in us, and redemption is being bought back from the penalty and burdens of sin.

(Some Rights Reserved, CC-BY-NC, 2009). L. J. Sam Helgerson, PhD

Psalm 1: Staying Green and Fresh

The weekend Psalm for:
September.12-13.2009
Read Psalm 1 from the English Standard Version
(Link Opens In a New Window)

The Big Idea
Are you going through a dry spell? It could be that the company you keep is weakening your roots. God's people choose all of their relationships wisely. In verse 1 of this Psalm, the blessed man avoids the common problem of getting more and more comfortable with sin. The progression is clear: First you walk its paths, then you stand still, and finally, you wind up sitting in it. Choose your friends wisely.

God is the cure. When you find yourself anchored in Him, drawing nourishment by having your roots in God, you will be fresh, fruitful, and beneficial to others. In contrast, this Psalm teaches that roots anywhere else will leave you dry, lifeless, and like chaff. Chaff is the dusty, dry remnant left over when wheat is prepared for making flour.

This Psalm shows two paths of life, and the present and ultimate outcome of those choices.

Meditation
I can't tell you if you are dry or not. Chances are, though, you know. Read through this Psalm, and consider your own life. Are you alive, fresh, green, and rooted in God? Or is your life dry, dusty, and choking. Be honest--that's were repentance starts, and where real life can begin.

Seek to put your roots down deep into Jesus Christ. He is the Living Water. He is your source. Take time this weekend to focus on planting yourself "by streams of water." Take time to pray for someone you care about who needs that living water in their own life.

Praying With This Psalm
You can pray scripture prayers for yourself or for others.

• Father God, I ask that you set _________ free from wicked counsel. Protect ________ from getting comfortable around people and situations that lead them to doubt your goodness or scoff at your mercies.
  
• I pray, Father, that you will plant ________ by streams of living water. May _______ live a life that is fruitful, pleasing to you, and refreshing to others.
  
• If there are areas of ________'s life that are dry and chaff-like, I pray that you will show that, and give ________ a desire to have roots in you, Lord.
• Lord God, I thank you that the righteous can stand before you. Make that true of ______'s life. May _______ know your grace and your leading: May you know his/her way and watch over him/her.
  

Related Scriptures and Scripture Prayers

• John 4:7-14--Jesus is the Living Water.
  Lord Jesus, let ____ find all of my satisfaction and contentment in you. Everything else we seek just makes us dry and thirsty. Only you can quench _____'s thirst.
  
  
• Col 2:6-7 -- Be Rooted in Jesus Christ.
  Lord Jesus, help ____ to walk in you, to be rooted in you, and to be established in the faith. Help ____ to live that out with gratitude for you and your mercy.
  
  
• John 15:5 -- Apart from Jesus, we cannot live fruitful lives.
  Lord Jesus, help _____ to abide in you. Without that, life is fruitless. Help _____ to be aware of our human limitations, and our pride. Remind ____ that apart from you, he/she can do nothing, but that with you, _____ can bear fruit. Help _____ to understand what that means.
  
  

(Some Rights Reserved, CC-BY-NC, 2009). L. J. Sam Helgerson, PhD