Try God and See!

Psalm 34 is an acrostic poem in its original Hebrew language; the first word of each stanza begins with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

While the Psalm may read more like prose in English, it can be helpful to remember that it is indeed poetry, and to read it like carefully crafted poetry is meant to be read: slowly, reflectively, savouring each new thought.

Pilgrimage to Peace

Psalm 120 is the first in a series of “Pilgrim Psalms.” On this first step of the journey we find the Psalmist in distress. He is a foreigner in a land known for warlike and barbarian acts. We sense the Psalmist’s frustration at his ill-attempts to make peace.

Bless You

It is a common way, if being in many cultures, to wish a person God’s blessing when they sneeze. A practice of uncertain historic origin, it may derive from the attempt to quell the bubonic plague or it may have found it’s roots in a sense that something of one’s soul departs a person when they sneeze. In any case, to this day it is considered polite to wish a person blessing and not cursing whenever they are sneezing.

From Potiphar to Prison

The story of Joseph’s life seemed to revolve around the fact that he was frequently in the middle of a storm or another one was lurking on the horizon. Again, his coat would be the launch of another storm. This time it would catapult him from the palace to the prison.

It is clear that Joseph depended on God every step of the way.

In the Midst of a Storm

Although he was a king, David was no stranger to trouble. From the time he defeated the giant Goliath as a young man, his list of enemies grew. Many had it in mind to destroy David, to force their own ill-gotten agendas into play. He was a man after God’s own heart, but many were after his life.

The first words of this Psalm invoke an image of David on his face before God, begging him to pay attention, to hear his desperate pleas

Read More protection, trouble, assurance

Life is Everywhere

Few of us are likely to be a king. The wealth and authority may appeal to us. However, with the wealth and authority come responsibility and challenges. King or not, we do experience life like King David and life is not always easy. We live with the choices that we or others have made. Some of those choices are good. An education usually means a higher income. A wise choice in a spouse means a happy home and family.

Read More prayer, trouble, rock, suffering

The One who is Always Nearby

We all walk through seasons of our life which are stormy. We understand how the disciples may have felt in Matthew 8:23-27. While they were at sea a fierce storm rose and they were panicked. Fear gripped their hearts, though Jesus was right there! They thought he was not paying attention.

The writer in this portion of Psalm 119:97-120, while acknowledging his great love for the Word of God, is suffering terribly.

You are in for trouble!

There’s an old saying, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” That saying quite accurately reflects my assessment of today’s scripture reading.

Isaiah looks at his world – his city Jerusalem – and points out its faults. He sees a society of great disparity with wealth flowing to those in grand houses, while others are left without.

Read More trouble, change, selfishness, society

Lost in Translation

The CEV’s “fat cows” may be in step with modern idiom, but it lacks the class of “The cows of Bashan” (4:1 NIV) The poetry of the putdown. The lush plains of Bashan yield the fatted calf. The imagery of waddling udders and cow bells satirizes the wives of the wealthy, indulgent, drunken, selfish, servant-beating women of Israel.

Priorities

Have you ever forgotten God?

If we’re honest with ourselves, we all must answer this question in the affirmative. When things are going well, it’s easy to get distracted by this life. We may spend our days jumping from one activity to another, forgetting to pray, to engage with the Bible, even to worship.