Beauty, love and Buckley

Today: Psalm 21-25

The 23rd Psalm is near and dear to my heart. My mom (a former schoolteacher, now principal) taught it to my sisters and I when we were toddlers. Apparently, she taught us the NIV version at about the same time we learned to memorize our address. Family legend has it that one of us (Me? Or my sister Hannah?) got a little bit mixed up and said on at least one occasion, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in Buckley, Washington..." :)

I think it's interesting that this passage was probably the first chapter of the Bible I ever memorized. It says a lot about God and about living your life with Him--things my Mom probably wanted me to know (virtually) all my life. Thank you, Mom, for teaching me this:

God, my shepherd!

I don't need a thing.

You have bedded me down in lush meadows,

you find me quiet pools to drink from.

True to your word,

you let me catch my breath

and send me in the right direction.

Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I'm not afraid

when you walk at my side.

Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure.

You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies.

You revive my drooping head;

my cup brims with blessing.

Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life.

I'm back home in the house of God

for the rest of my life.

Isn't that good?!?

I think David's depiction of the shepherd's crook is interesting--he wrote it "makes me feel secure." As a shepherd, David knew that the crook was used to provide not only guidance, but protection and correction to a herd--akin to how God's commandments and His Word can guide and protect our lives.

I also adore the idea of God's love chasing after us. Sometimes, people write verses and songs about running and chasing after God. I get what they're trying to say, but ultimately, God first loved us so much that He died for us. That's even more extreme than a chase!

Lastly, David's love for the House of God is definitely noteworthy--he wanted to find a home in it forever. How many people love church that much? David knew that God loved His House. God was there. So David loved God's House. Period.

Tomorrow: Psalm 26-31

God's direction

Today: Psalm 17-20

Sometimes people talk about God's direction in a very mystical way...like God's guidance is almost impossible to grasp. But is that really accurate?

In today's passage, David had some interesting things to say to the contrary:

The revelation of God is whole
and pulls our lives together.
The signposts of God are clear
and point out the right road.
The life-maps of God are right,
showing the way to joy.
The directions of God are plain
and easy on the eyes.
God's reputation is twenty-four-carat gold,
with a lifetime guarantee.
The decisions of God are accurate
down to the nth degree.

I love David's confidence in God's direction here. In my own life, I haven't really experienced God giving GPS-style, step-by-step direction. But I do think His Word is clear--and when I've needed wisdom or direction in my life, He's always provided it. Love that!

Tomorrow: Psalm 21-25

My first and only

Today: Psalm 9-16

Can I just say how much I love reading the Psalms?

David wrote many of them and he's one of my favorite Bible characters (a man after God's own heart, musical, a writer...love!). I will say that as we read the Psalms, they may seem kind of dramatic. In one chapter, a writer is shouting about God's grace and goodness from the mountaintops and in the next chapter, they're down in the lowest valleys and wondering where God is. But I actually love the fact that David and the other writers were very expressive in both their good and bad moments. It's very real.

From today's passage, this part was my favorite. I think it beautifully expresses awe-filled love for God and the wonder of His love for us:

My choice is you, God, first and only.

And now I find I'm your choice!

You set me up with a house and yard.

And then you made me your heir!

The wise counsel God gives when I'm awake

is confirmed by my sleeping heart.

Day and night I'll stick with God;

I've got a good thing going and I'm not letting go.

I'm happy from the inside out,

and from the outside in, I'm firmly formed.

You canceled my ticket to hell—

that's not my destination!

Now you've got my feet on the life path,

all radiant from the shining of your face.

Ever since you took my hand,

I'm on the right way.

Tomorrow: Psalm 17-20

God's more-than-enough

Today: Psalm 1-8

Every day, you and I are bombarded by advertisements--on TV, at the movies, in the newspaper, online and even on our cell phones. Billions and billions of dollars are poured into advertising each year, as organizations try to convince us that we need, want and must have the latest and greatest products.

Millions of Americans (and people all over the world, actually) have given in. They buy and buy. They overspend to the point of overextending themselves. In 2009, the average credit card debt per American household with a credit card was $16,007.* Wow!

Many people try to fill their homes with stuff--but stuff can never bring us happiness, love or peace. In today's chapters, I love what David wrote here:

I have God's more-than-enough,

More joy in one ordinary day

Than they get in all their shopping sprees.

At day's end I'm ready for sound sleep,

For you, God, have put my life back together.

*Woolsey, Ben and Matt Schulz. "Credit card statistics, industry facts, debt statistics." March 26, 2010. (Accessed: April 27, 2010) www.creditcards.com

Tomorrow: Psalm 9-16

Rumors versus reality

Today: Job 40-42

If you've ever watched a reality show, attended junior high or even (gasp!) a church, you know that rumors can be dangerous...and often, inaccurate. Rumors and reality are often vastly different. There's a big difference between knowing about someone and actually knowing them. And when it comes to God, the difference between knowing about Him and actually knowing Him? Life-changing.

Job was a stand-up guy. He loved God. But in these chapters, he actually got to know God and hear His voice in a real, fresh way. Here's how Job responded:

"I'm convinced:

You can do anything and everything.

Nothing and no one can upset your plans.

You asked, 'Who is this muddying the water,

ignorantly confusing the issue, second-guessing my purposes?'

I admit it.

I was the one.

I babbled on about things far beyond me,

made small talk about wonders way over my head.

You told me, 'Listen, and let me do the talking.

Let me ask the questions. You give the answers.'

I admit I once lived by rumors of you;

now I have it all firsthand—

from my own eyes and ears!

I'm sorry—

forgive me.

I'll never do that again, I promise!

I'll never again live on crusts of hearsay,

crumbs of rumor."

When we really know God (instead of just knowing about Him), it changes us. For Job, this moment marked a new start. He lived in awe of God's power and all-knowing nature. He surrendered himself to it. And when he did, God brought healing and restoration. Job moved from a place of total desolation on to a place of blessing. God poured multiple blessings on his life.

Tomorrow: Psalm 1-8

Where were you...?

Today: Job 38-39

Has God ever seemed silent to you?

Job would have answered that question with a resounding, "YES!" But in today's passage, God made Himself really clear to Job. He's always pretty good showing up right on time...and providing some perspective. :)

Here's what God said to Job...and what He'd probably say to most of us at moments, too:

...Where were you when I created the earth?

Tell me, since you know so much!

Who decided on its size?

Certainly you'll know that!

Who came up with the blueprints and measurements?

How was its foundation poured,

and who set the cornerstone,

While the morning stars sang in chorus

and all the angels shouted praise?

And who took charge of the ocean

when it gushed forth like a baby from the womb?

That was me!

I wrapped it in soft clouds,

and tucked it in safely at night...

Tomorrow: Job 40-42

"Easy street" faith

Today: Job 35-37

"When you leave here today, you're going to have the same eye color. You'll be wearing the same clothes. You're not going to be perfect. You're not going to stop facing challenges. But you're making a fresh start...and God's going to be with you."

Every weekend my pastor says something like this at the end of each church service. He says it to people who have just decided to believe in God and ask Him to lead their lives. I'm really glad he does--because there are a lot of people who have what I'm calling today "easy street faith." In today's passage, Job's long-winded friend Elihu (yes, the same guy we heard from yesterday) seems to hold that philosophy. Here's what he said to Job about people who follow God:

If they obey and serve him,

they'll have a good, long life on easy street.

Hmm...interesting theory. Too bad it's wrong. I'd love to say that since I've believed in God and served Him, that I've had a perfect life. Don't get me wrong--my life is better because God's in it, but it's far from perfect.

If we look at Jesus Himself (perfect God in flesh), it's clear that loving God and following what He says doesn't lead to easy street. It lead Jesus to Calvary, a cross and a painful death (though not to cut the story short, it also lead Him to resurrection and eternity in Heaven!).

For all of us that are simply human, we make mistakes that have consequences. Even when we don't necessarily mess up, the people around us might--and that could have a major impact on us. On top of that, we're human beings--we eventually die (and so do people we love). We feel pain and sickness and heartache.

I know that last paragraph could sound like a major downer--it's not meant to! I'm trying to actually take pressure off anyone who feels that because they love God, their lives should be picture-perfect...and they're not.

I'm also trying to encourage anyone who's mad at God because of their not-so-easy street lives. God's not to blame for that. And here's the really cool thing--in the midst of whatever you and I face (good and bad), God's there. He wants to listen and help. Mostly, He will always love.

Tomorrow: Job 38-39