A Life Worthy

…before those who fear you will I fulfill my vows. The poor will eat and be satisfied; they who seek the Lord will praise him–may your hearts live forever! (Psalm 22:25-26).

So, here’s the plan: David cries out to God in his distress. God hears David and rescues him. In gratitude, David presents an offering at the temple. This offering goes to feed the poor, who now see their prayers answered. They, in turn, offer their praise to God…

and so it goes.

What will you offer today, Beloved? And how will it bless the people of God, so that they glorify him with their praise?

You probably don’t have an ox, but I’m sure you can think of something.

Happy Tuesday, Beloved

I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you. You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help (Psalm 22:22-24).

Thank you…in advance.

This isn’t an “if” statement. David is not negotiating here. There is no, “God, if you do this for me, I will…”

The kind of weak promise I may or may not have made a thousand times.

No, David spoke as if he knew, from the bottom of his being, that God would rescue and restore him. 

Because he did

Beloved, consider your yuck today. Look squarely in the face of whatever is grieving and afflicting you. Then, look beyond it to the God who will deliver you as surely as morning follows night. Praise him, loud and clear, for what he will accomplish in and through and for you.

Because he will do it, Beloved.

Happy Friday

Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing (Psalm 22:16-18).

For David, this was metaphorical.

For Jesus, not so much.

The Gospel writers point out the prophecy of these lines. As the Word of God now Son of God now Lamb of God took on the endless, brutal weight of sin and shame and death, the objects of his sacrifice pointed and laughed and argued over his stuff. They had no idea.

But you do, Beloved. You understand–as well as any mortal mind can–what was happening on that cross. You receive–as well as any mortal heart can–the forgiveness he offers. You walk–as well as mortal feet can–in the love and grace he has given you. You submit–as well as mortal man can–to the One who paid the price of redemption and now calls you his own.

You get it.

So…walk in it today, ya?

Happy Wednesday, Beloved

Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help  (Psalm 22:11).

Many moons ago, I taught my daughter to ride a bicycle. She had one request of me as she pedaled her wobbly way up and down the sidewalk in front of our house:

Don’t go anywhere.

So I didn’t.

Interesting how little we change as we grow up. When disaster swirls around us and we feel completely in over our heads, our cry is simple.

Don’t go anywhere.

Stay with me.

I heard my daughter’s cry–every single one of the 50,000 times she uttered it.

I heard her, and I loved her, and I stayed by her side.

And God’s way better at this than I am, so…

Happy Monday, Beloved.

All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: “He trusts in the Lord; let the Lord rescue him. Let the Lord deliver him, since her delights in him.”  (Psalm 22:7-8).

An innocent man who stands for God, mocked by those who will not believe.

David was in good company.

Matthew tells us that, as he died, Jesus was also mocked. Fools laughed and jeered and challenged Jesus to come down from the cross, if he was really who he said he was.

Thank you, Father, that he did not.

Most of us will never be called upon to suffer as David did, let alone as Jesus did. But we all will know pain and loss, sometimes in a way the world can see.

Beloved, when those times come, there are people in the world who will use it as an opportunity to mock you

or God

or both.

Even if they do not spit in your face, they will laugh behind your back. It is your job to glorify God in your suffering. Let the world see that you cling to the One who is faithful and true. Like David’s friends, be willing to endure the flames whatever the outcome.

Because in the end, there is only one opinion that matters, ya?

Stand firm, Beloved.

Happy Thursday