Genesis is pretty full of shady characters; of people worse than morally flawed. It is full of sinners who commit some horrendous acts. But should that surprise us? No, not at all. The Bible deals with real life. It doesn’t hide the sins and flaws of its characters. Consider Genesis 38 and that whole story of Tamar and Judah’s sons, and then Judah himself. Judah does not act uprightly and the double-standard that we see toward the end of the chapter is glaring. Yet God uses these very imperfect people as he keeps his covenant promises.

Matthew 1:1-6: 1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, 4 and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of David the king.

David is in the line of Judah and Perez…and Jesus is in that same line.

• What does this tell us about God and his grace?

• What does this tell us about God’s promises?

• What does this mean for ourselves and how God can work in us as flawed and sinful people?

Just a simple thought this morning to ponder. In Genesis 25:23 we read:

“The sons in your womb will become two nations. From the very beginning, the two nations will be rivals. One nation will be stronger than the other; and your older son will serve your younger son.” (NLT)

• What sticks out in this?

• What is abnormal, or different?

• What does this tell us about God and his sovereign grace?

• What should this develop in the hearts of believers?

The letter of 1 John is one that many people are familiar with. There is a focus on multiple themes; from the truth of Jesus as the Son of God and as our advocate, to obedience as evidence of our love and of our faith that is manifested in love for others. But what I want to meditate on this morning is 5 verses found in chapter 4.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Here we hear the call to love one another. This is not an unfamiliar call (cf. John 13:34,35; 15:12, Romans 12:10; 1 Thess. 4:9, 1 Peter 1:22; 4:8). This is something we all believe and hopefully we strive to do. And how vitally important this is in the time in which we find ourselves. Not only to help care for others in the midst of our ‘shelter in place’ order, but also to be loving and gracious toward others who hold different persuasions in regard to what should be done next as we move out of this season of sheltering. Love is an amazing attribute that we all hope and pray grows more fully in us.

Yet as great as the display of love between humans can be truly beautiful, there is a much greater love - that is the love of God. And John makes clear that his love is most plainly and undeniably seen in Jesus Christ. God sent Christ so that we could live. Ponder that for a moment! And he didn’t just send Jesus to give us some steps to follow in order to know how to live. He sent Jesus to be the propitiation for our sins. Now there is a million dollar word: propitiation. What does that mean?

To propitiate is to turn away wrath. It is the satisfaction of God’s demand for justice. God is holy and righteous - and that cannot be ignored. Our sins cannot merely be swept aside (cf. Romans 3:21-26). They must be dealt with. They must be atoned for. That is what Jesus did for his children. He took the penalty that our sins deserved. He died in our place. This is unquestionably the greatest love ever witnessed.

In the Heidelberg Catechism Question 37 asks (this in reference to a line in the Apostles’ Creed): “What do you understand by the word ‘suffered’?”

Answer: “That during his whole life on earth, but especially at the end, Christ sustained in body and soul the wrath of God against the sin of the whole human race*. This he did in order that, by his suffering as the only atoning sacrifice he might deliver us, body and soul, from eternal condemnation, and gain for us God’s grace, righteousness, and eternal life.”

Jesus took the blame and bore the wrath - and because of him - through our faith in him - we stand forgiven at the cross. Take time to meditate on this glorious truth…this wonderful manifestation of the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

"The Power of the Cross" Official Lyric Video As performed by Keith & Kristyn Getty Stream this song and others on our official Spotify channel: https://open...

* For those who read this and wonder if it goes against the “L” in the TULIP - it does not. This, according to Ursinus (the primary author of the catechism), refers to the sufficiency of Christ’s death. It is absolutely sufficient for all, but it is efficient only for those who are God’s sheep (cf. John 10:11, also John 6:37, Matthew 1:21, Acts 20:28, Ephesians 5:25).

This will likely be the last post for a little while. I am taking this next week off and I’m not sure whether I will be posting anything. If I do, I don’t know what time of day it will be posted, and I seriously doubt it will be daily.

But for today, I turn back to the Psalms. In particular Psalm 130.

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD! 

2 O Lord, hear my voice! 

Let your ears be attentive 

to the voice of my pleas for mercy! 

3 If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, 

O Lord, who could stand? 

4 But with you there is forgiveness, 

that you may be feared. 

5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, 

and in his word I hope; 

6 my soul waits for the Lord 

more than watchmen for the morning, 

more than watchmen for the morning. 

7 O Israel, hope in the LORD! 

For with the LORD there is steadfast love, 

and with him is plentiful redemption. 

8 And he will redeem Israel 

from all his iniquities. 

Here is a lament over sin. The language and tone that the psalmist uses expressions desperation. This is a cry for mercy. These are the words of someone who understands the weight of sin. Sin is rebellion against God and it is an affront to his character.

On top of that the psalmist knows that if the Lord kept account of our sins and held them over or before us - none of us could stand. If he held us accountable with strict justice…we would be lost. And then we come to the great conjunction - “But.” God is not one who holds sins over those who are penitent. With God there is forgiveness (cf. Psalm 103:3; Nehemiah 9:17; Ephesians 2:4-10). That forgiveness that God gives restores our relationship to him. It allows us to walk in proper fear (cf. Psalm 128:1). We are forgiven to be free to obey, not to continue to walk in disobedience.

The psalmist then waits in hope. He waits with eager anticipation - more than the watchmen (the sentry or night guard) waits for the morning. And he closes the psalm with encouragement. It is a call to all of God’s people to hope in the Lord. His soul had been refreshed and now he calls on others to find that refreshment - the blessing of forgiveness. Because - with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption. What an amazing description!! What an amazing God! And we see that so fully displayed in Christ Jesus - the one who died so that we might be declared righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Romans 5:6-8: 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Here’s a song I love (though I wish it were played a bit faster).

Where do we find our calm? I remember as a child seeing the old Calgon bath commercial. It advertised that a bath with Calgon was a place where an exhausted mother could go to escape and find some peace. It seems we all need some Calgon these days. But we really need something much greater. We need to stop trying to figure everything out. Everyone wants an answer. Quite often demanding an answer. That will rarely bring calm and peace (truly…I don’t believe it ever will).

You can turn to one news station and ten minutes later turn to another and get whiplash from the massive differences in how things are reported. It’s overwhelming, and honestly, I don’t think it’s good for our souls. We often have this complex that we have to know all the answers. Well, let me put it simply. We don’t know all the answers. We (you) are not God. This does not mean we shouldn’t seek to be informed or to grow in our understanding of the way life works. But what it does mean - is that we need to learn to rest rather than to be constantly chasing after things that are perhaps a bit bigger than us.

Psalm 131 is a short and simple song of David. It is a psalm of confidence and of great rest. The controlling image is of a weaned child…calmed and quieted in his mother’s arms. It is so peaceful. It is true contentment. How does David get to that point? He humbles himself. He does not chase after things in arrogance and pride that are too big for him (cf. Deuteronomy 29:29). He places his hope and his trust solely in the one who has the power and ability and the wisdom to handle everything. He hopes and rests in God.

In some sense, this is an Old Testament version of Romans 8:28. We can rest and trust because we believe that God is working in all things…and we don’t need to know all the specifics. Let us look to God in calm and rest. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus (his life, death, and resurrection a perfect example of God working all things). Calm yourself in his presence. Trust and hope in the Lord, from this time forth and forevermore.

1 O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; 

my eyes are not raised too high; 

I do not occupy myself with things 

too great and too marvelous for me. 

2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul, 

like a weaned child with its mother; 

like a weaned child is my soul within me. 

3 O Israel, hope in the LORD 

from this time forth and forevermore. 

Here is the song “Psalm 131” by the band Waterdeep.

As we face another Sunday at home, it could be tempting to find little to praise God for if we focus on the negative of our circumstances. That is always a temptation. However, our eyes see much more clearly when we set them on Christ above, on our life (cf. Colossians 3:1-4). Daily this is our privilege and our joy. Daily we are to remind ourselves of the greatness and the beauty of the grace of God. We are to remind our souls of the steadfast love of the Lord.

As we dwell on that reality. As we dwell on who God is and who he is for us…we cannot help but praise and give thanks. And it calls for the response, beyond praise, of our lives - following him wherever he may lead. The one who would give us life by the sacrifice of his son….this one is absolutely worth following and he is absolutely worth everything we can give because we know in him we have all things (Romans 8:32).

So let us steadfastly sing and make melody to our great God!

7 My heart is steadfast, O God, 

my heart is steadfast! 

I will sing and make melody! 

8 Awake, my glory! 

Awake, O harp and lyre! 

I will awake the dawn! 

9 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; 

I will sing praises to you among the nations. 

10 For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, 

your faithfulness to the clouds. 

11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! 

Let your glory be over all the earth!  (Psalm 57:7-11)

This morning, here is a song by Keith and Kristyn Getty called “What Grace is Mine.”

What grace is mine that He who dwells in endless light
Called through the night to find my distant soul
And from His scars poured mercy that would plead for me
That I might live and in His name be known

So I will go wherever He is calling me
I lose my life to find my life in Him
I give my all to gain the hope that never dies
I bow my heart take up my cross and follow Him

What grace is mine to know His breath alive in me
Beneath His wings my wakened soul may soar
All fear can flee for death's dark night is overcome
My Savior lives and reigns for evermore

So I will go wherever He is calling me
I lose my life to find my life in Him
I give my all to gain the hope that never dies
I bow my my heart take up my cross and follow Him
I bow my heart take up my cross and follow Him

Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group What Grace Is Mine · Keith & Kristyn Getty Awaken The Dawn ℗ 2009 Getty Music Label, LLC Released on: 2009-01-01...

Psalm 40 is a psalm rich in comfort, because it is rich in the character of God. The psalm begins with these words:

1 I waited patiently for the LORD; 

he inclined to me and heard my cry. 

2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction, 

out of the miry bog, 

and set my feet upon a rock, 

making my steps secure. 

3 He put a new song in my mouth,

a song of praise to our God. 

Many will see and fear, 

and put their trust in the LORD. 

Our God is one who saves people from pits of destruction. We are, by nature, not only stuck in a pit, but driving aimlessly on the road to destruction. But yet God, in his grace, pulls people out of that pit and sets their feet on solid ground. If there is not reason for song in that, then there is no reason for song at all.

Those who are in Christ have moved from desperation to blessing. As many have heard me repeat the theme of the Psalter: “Blessed are all who take refuge in the King who reigns” (Thank you Dr. Mark Futato), you see that very theme stand out in this psalm. The person whose God is the Lord has been blessed beyond measure. Look at verse 5:

5 You have multiplied, O LORD my God, 

your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; 

none can compare with you! 

I will proclaim and tell of them, 

yet they are more than can be told. 

His thoughts towards us - his wondrous deeds…if we were to seek to tell them all it would be well beyond number. Have you considered that? Have you considered that God, your Savior, considers you? Works for you daily? Blesses you beyond what you know?

Take some time and read and meditate through this entire psalm. Look at David’s response to all that the Lord has done for him (and for others). Look at how he speaks of God. But there is something a bit different about this psalm - it has great thanksgiving, yet lament and petition are the last words. Yet in all of it, it is informed and guided by the character and attributes of God.

16 But may all who seek you 

rejoice and be glad in you; 

may those who love your salvation 

say continually, “Great is the LORD!” 

17 As for me, I am poor and needy, 

but the LORD takes thought for me. 

You are my help and my deliverer; 

do not delay, O my God! 

The hope of David - the Lord takes thought of him. I think of the most tangible display for us of the Lord taking thought of those who are in Christ. Galatians 2:20…listen to the language used: I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Paul personalizes the sacrificial death of Christ. It wasn’t just for some random group, but for each and every one of God’s children. What an amazing God who has pulled us up out of the pit. Let us sing a new song of praise!

Going back to 1983 and one of the greatest rock albums of all time. Here is the song “40” by U2.

U2-40+lyrics

This morning my Bible reading had a bit of a theme running through them - sin and guilt…and thankfully, grace. Beginning with Numbers 15. At the end of that chapter the Lord spoke to Moses:

38 “Speak to the people of Israel, and tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a cord of blue on the tassel of each corner. 39 And it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the Lord, to do them, not to follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after. 40 So you shall remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God. 41 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the Lord your God.” 

The people were to have a reminder with them so that they would not follow after their own deceitful hearts (cf. Jeremiah 17:9). And then I came to Isaiah 5. In that chapter Isaiah has the task of pronouncing judgment to the people of Israel. They have been those who call evil good and good evil. They have oppressed the poor. They have clearly turned aside from the ways of the Lord and they are in danger, grave danger.

But I also read Psalm 51. It is David’s great psalm of confession. He is certainly guilty. He has committed adultery. He has committed murder. He has lied. And he has been confronted by Nathan and he is brought low (2 Samuel 12:1-15). He confesses his sin and guilt before the Lord. He pleads to be washed from his iniquity and to be cleansed. He longs for the joy of his salvation to return (because living in contradiction of the ways of God will never bring true joy). David knows that what is required is humility, contrition, brokenness (Psalm 51:17). The Lord will not despise that heart…in fact it is the heart he looks upon (Isaiah 66:1,2). What a glorious promise! The Lord looks to and saves the brokenhearted…the contrite…the humble. He saves those who know they are sinners and have only one plea…God’s mercy and grace.

This is the greatness of the God we worship. He saves sinners. He saves people like you and me. He saves us through Jesus Christ our Lord who gave himself to take the wrath, the punishment, that you and I deserve. What love! What grace! What a Savior!

For your musical selection today - two that might be a bit different than what you would think - and quite possibly different than your normal tastes. But I figured I’d expand your repertoire.

The first is by Charlie Peacock.

Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group Psalm 51 · Charlie Peacock West Coast Diaries ℗ 1991 Sparrow Records Released on: 1991-01-01 Composer: Charlie P...

The second is by Timothy Brindle. And yes, it’s hip hop/rap. Brindle has an M.Div. from Westminster in Philadelphia and even if you don’t like rap, his lyrics are powerful.

LYRICS LYRICS LYRICS ((below)) Dear LORD, hear my repentance supplication I've behaved like a condemned and lustful pagan I deceived your Word-I admit I did ...

Because you will need the lyrics for the second one - here they are:

Dear LORD, hear my repentance supplication
I've behaved like a condemned and lustful pagan
I deceived your Word-I admit I did it again
Please return-I'm sick of living in sin
My breath, it groans, as my flesh erodes
Transgressions are startin' to stretch my clothes
The infection grows, this sickness is visible

This Christian's despicable, my addiction is pitiful
Lust is a poison, it plagues the soul
Makes it cold, breaks and reshapes its mold
Then it fades and rusts, I didn't live the commandments
I obeyed my lusts and took forgiveness for granted
This sin is implanted: this kid was conceived in it
I'm Mr. Deviant and disobedient
My flesh literally loves filthiness
O God, deliver me from blood guiltiness

I cheat on You daily, but You take me back
To celebrate Your Love, we made this track
I defiled Your sanctuary, abused Your Grace
This vessel's useless, Lord renew this place

This sheep has gone astray on an evil rotten way
The grief has brought dismay, I need to stop and pray
My sweetness is sour, I'm weak in my power
I'm doubting Thomas combined with Peter the coward

If saints were tried, to see if we're sanctified
I'd of disgracefully walked the plank and died
And if Your standard was the Sears Tower
I fell short of Your Glory by the 40th story

Your Law convicts me
But You have awesome pity
I'm forgiven, even when my paws are sticky
Everyone's sauced and tipsy, it's awful risky
Living in this modern Sodom it's Gotham City
I don't deserve to be blessed, I squirm to wrestle
This earthly vessel, determined to murder my flesh
I've forsaken You, I lie and say it's true
But You're faithful to forgive so this praise is due

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity
I'm adoring Thee for forgiving me
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity
I'm adoring Thee for forgiving me!

I've been subtle and hush that I struggle with lust
It makes me smuggle disgust, when I huddle and fuss
I'm just a puddle of slush, my bubble will bust
I should be smothered and crushed to rubble and dust
But Your Love is a must, there's no other to trust

Jesus you cuddle with us when we're covered in puss
I disobeyed, but You patiently amazingly
Took my punishment and felt the pain for me
You suffered for my own misbehaving
I so wish to praise Him for propitation
I should be fried and burned for my lies and slurs
But Jesus took the wrath that I deserve
I praise You gleefully for your leniency
And for inconceivably redeeming me
My verse will tell of how I cursed and fell
You give me Grace, but all I deserve is Hell

But Lord I praise you, because it says in your word
First John one nine that if we confess our sins, you are faithful and just to forgive us our sins
And to cleanse us from all unrighteousness
Because Jesus Christ took the punishmnent for our sins
On the cross
Thank you Lord
We asked in Jesus name, amen

Psalm 25:4,5:

4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD; 

teach me your paths. 

5 Lead me in your truth and teach me, 

for you are the God of my salvation;

for you I wait all the day long. 

This is the desire of all who are in Christ. We know our past. We know the ways in which we used to walk…the paths our feet so easily trod. We know the temptation to walk those paths again. We know how easy it would be.

This is why we need the grace of God. We need him to teach us his ways. Psalm 86:11:

11 Teach me your way, O LORD, 

that I may walk in your truth; 

unite my heart to fear your name. 

The prayer of the psalmist here is for an undivided heart. How prone our hearts are to wander. They are pulled in myriad directions each and every day…each and every moment. This is why we must keep them (our hearts) with all vigilance, because from them flow the springs of life (Proverbs 4:23).

Part of that keeping is knowing God’s Word and meditating upon it. We desperately need to know his Holy Word. We need God to work…to teach…to seal…to unite our hearts to fear his name. That comes through the work of the Spirit sealing the Word in our hearts. Because the temptation to wander is strong, but the Word of God is our sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17), our weapon against the enemy.

Consider our Lord when he was tempted. How did he respond? By the Word of God (see Matthew 4:1-11). He knew the Word. He knows that the paths of God are steadfast love and faithfulness (Psalm 25:10). His heart is fully aligned with truth, with the way of righteousness. May the Spirit of God work that same trust, that same heart in us who are so often prone to wander. May he work it in us by leading us and teaching us the Truth. And may we love the Truth with all that we are.

Provided to YouTube by Absolute Marketing International Ltd Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing [Live] · Sovereign Grace Music · Bob Kauflin Together for the ...

It is another Monday…and another Monday under ‘stay-at-home’ orders from the governor. Not only that, but (unless something drastic brings about change) there are going to be at least three more Mondays beyond today. And often Mondays are hard enough as it is for many, but when it’s under circumstances like what we find ourselves in…it can be all the more gloomy.

This gloominess can often lead to anxiety.

Anxiety: a.) apprehensive uneasiness or nervousness usually over an impending or anticipated ill. b.) mentally distressing concern or interest. c.) a strong desire sometimes mixed with doubt, fear, or uneasiness.

And there is a weight to that on our lives. Proverbs 12:25: Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.

Our hearts need encouragement. We are commanded to encourage and build up one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11). We know that must include more than mere words (James 2:14-16); however, my focus today is on words. A good word can cheer the heart. A good word can bring life back to a weary soul. I think it’s obvious that the greatest word that can cheer the soul is the Word of God…the gospel that calls sinners to repent and by faith come and find rest for their weary souls (Matthew 11:28-30). It is the word that tells us our sins are forgiven and that nothing (literally nothing…not a pandemic, not distress or danger) can separate those who are ‘in Christ’ from God’s love (Romans 8:31-39).

We desperately, moment by moment, need to hear that word. And we can hear that by ourselves in God’s Word, but it is also great to hear words of encouragement from one another. Maybe today…pick up the phone and call someone. Pray for them. Or send them a text that you have prayed for them and you want to know how you can continue to pray. Drop off some fresh baked bread or cookies with a note of encouragement.

Let’s be conduits of the good word that makes the heart glad. And remember this, those in Christ, though literally all hell should break loose, it is well with our souls because Christ regarded our helpless estate and shed his own blood for our souls.

Together for the Gospel Live 2008 - Bob Kauflin Buy album here: http://sovereigngracemusic.org/Albums/Together_for_the_Gospel_Live

When peace like a river attendeth my way 
When sorrows like sea billows roll 
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say 
It is well, it is well with my soul 

It is well with my soul 
It is well with my soul 
It is well, it is well with my soul 

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come 
Let this blest assurance control 
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate 
And has shed His own blood for my soul 

My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought 
My sin, not in part, but the whole 
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more 
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul 

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight 
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll 
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend 
Even so, it is well with my soul 

It’s Saturday morning, and as of late I have merely been posting a song. This is a song from the 1800’s, and though it has been redone, it still retains the beauty of the original verse. It is all based off of what is arguably the best known psalm in all of Scripture - Psalm 23. This is the psalm with the “hounds of heaven” - the goodness and mercy of the Lord that will pursue me all the days of my life. This is a psalm of tremendous comfort and hope, because it focuses on the Great Shepherd. Because it is so familiar, I encourage you to read it as well this morning in a different translation. I’ve included one below by Alec Motyer (an Irish scholar who died a few years ago. He said of himself: "I’m not really a scholar. I’m just a man who loves the Word of God.”).

(The Shepherd)

1. Yahweh is my shepherd:

I will not lack.

2. In pastures of fresh grass he makes me lie.

Beside secure waters he guides me.

3. He restores my soul.

He leads me along tracks of righteousness,

for the sake of his name.

(The Companion)

4. Even when I am walking in the valley of deadly shadows

I do not fear evil,

because you are ever with me:

your rod and your staff reassure me.

(The Host)

5. You lay a table before me,

in front of my adversaries.

You have refreshed my head with oil;

my cup is more than full!

6. But indeed good and committed love

will pursue me

all the days of my life,

and I will return to Yahweh’s house for ever.

And now to get to the song - “The King of Love” by I Am They.

I AM THEY - King Of Love: Song Sessions Free Chords + Lyrics: https://essentialworship.lnk.to/KingLoveTutorialID Stream or Download: https://essentialworship...

The King of Love my Shepherd is
Whose goodness faileth never
I nothing lack if I am His
And He is mine forever
And He is mine forever

Where streams of living water flow
My ransomed soul He leadeth
And where the verdant pastures grow
With food celestial feedeth

Never failing, Ruler of my heart
Everlasting, Lover of my soul
On the mountain high or in the valley low
The King of Love my Shepherd is
The King of Love my Shepherd is

Lost and foolish off I strayed
But yet in love He sought me
And on His shoulder gently laid
And home rejoicing brought me

In death's dark veil I fear no ill
With Thee, dear Lord, beside me
Thy rod and staff my comfort still
Thy cross before to guide me

Never failing, Ruler of my heart
Everlasting, Lover of my soul
On the mountain high or in the valley low
The King of Love my Shepherd is
The King of Love my Shepherd is

Oh, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Oh, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Never failing, Ruler of my heart
Everlasting, Lover of my soul
On the mountain high or in the valley low
The King of Love my Shepherd is

Never failing, Ruler of my heart
Everlasting, Lover of my soul
On the mountain high or in the valley low
The King of Love my Shepherd is
The King of Love my Shepherd is

And so through all the length of days
Thy goodness faileth never
Good Shepherd, may I sing Your praise
Within Your house forever
Within Your house forever

This morning I want to get back to the heart of God…I’m not sure there is a better place to focus than that. The text I turn to is Jeremiah 6:16.

16 Thus says the LORD: 

“Stand by the roads, and look, 

and ask for the ancient paths, 

where the good way is; and walk in it, 

and find rest for your souls.

Stand and look. The Lord is commanding the people to look…to think…to consider as a traveller does on a journey. They should take care to find their way. Matthew Henry, the great Bible commentator wrote: “O that men would be thus wise for their souls, and would ponder the path of their feet, as those that believe lawful and unlawful are of no less consequence to us than the right way and the wrong are to a traveller!”

And then we find another imperative - ask for the ancient paths. What are the paths? They are the way of faithfulness that had been given to Moses and the people. The paths are the way of God and that which he blesses. They are the way of godliness and righteousness and peace and joy. They are the way of God’s law.They are the way laid out in Holy Scripture…the written Word of God given to us to be treasured and followed. This is the good way that we are to walk in.

Psalm 1:1-3

Blessed in the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, 

nor stands in the way of sinners, 

nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 

2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, 

and on his law he meditates day and night. 

3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water 

that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. 

In all that he does, he prospers. 

This ancient way is the way of delight in the Lord and in his ways. It is delight in his Word and in all that he has given us. It is following these ways even when the road seems quite rough. It is an ancient way, not necessarily a smooth way. It will likely cost you a bit of pain, but you will find much help along that way, and certainly the end of the journey will make it all worthwhile. It is a way that will bring rest to our souls. The way of faithful obedience is the way of true and lasting growth (John 15:1-17). And we have a forerunner, because this is the path that our Lord walked before us and in him we have the strength to walk it too.

Yet there is a little bit of the verse that I left out - the response: But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ Let us not say the same thing. Let us walk the road before us. Let us take up our cross and follow our Lord on his path of obedience and blessing. It is the good road. It is the road that reveals the heart of God…that he desires the best for his children.

Below is a song by Andrew Peterson (by now you know I really appreciate his music). It’s called “You’ll Find Your Way.”

Music video by Andrew Peterson performing You'll Find Your Way. (P) (C) 2012 Centricity Music. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is a violation ...

When I look at you, boy
I can see the road that lies ahead
I can see the love and the sorrow

Bright fields of joy
Dark nights awake in a stormy bed
I want to go with you, but I can’t follow

So keep to the old roads
Keep to the old roads
And you’ll find your way

Your first kiss, your first crush
The first time you know you’re not enough
The first time there’s no one there to hold you

The first time you pack it all up
And drive alone across America
Please remember the words that I told you

Keep to the old roads
Keep to the old roads
And you’ll find your way
You’ll find your way

If love is what you’re looking for
The old roads lead to an open door
And you’ll find your way
You’ll find your way
Back home

And I know you'll be scared when you take up that cross
And I know it'll hurt, 'cause I know what it costs
And I love you so much and it's so hard to watch
But you're gonna grow up and you're gonna get lost
Just go back, go back

Go back, go back to the ancient paths
Lash your heart to the ancient mast
And hold on, boy, whatever you do
To the hope that's taken hold of you
And you'll find your way
You'll find your way
If love is what you’re looking for
The old roads lead to an open door
And you’ll find your way
You’ll find your way
Back home

Many of us have sung the words: “As the deer pants for the water so my song longs after You. You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship You.” It sounds really sweet, but the situation of the psalmist in Psalms 42 & 43 (almost certainly one psalm) is anything but sweet. This picture of the deer panting for water - it is desperation. There is no water in sight. The psalmist uses that to describe his longing; and it is a longing that can only be satisfied with the presence of God.

And it is this image that the psalmist uses to express his longing for God. He is away from the presence of God. He has been mocked by foes (42:3, 10). HIs heart breaks at the thought of what he no longer enjoys. And it leads to the refrain we come to three times in these verses:

5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, 

and why are you in turmoil within me? 

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, 

my salvation 6 and my God. (cf. 42:11; 43:5) 

But that refrain is not one of total despair; it is the psalmist talking to himself and encouraging his own soul to hope in God. These words show us that the psalmist is not actually far from God - or more truly - God is not far from him. God is his salvation and his God. God will not leave his children (John 10:28,29; Hebrews 13:5).

Yet in verse 6 we see those feelings turn from this hope again. His soul is cast down. But he remembers God is his rock (42:9), his only refuge. Even in that language we see hope. Then we come to verse 8:

8 By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, 

and at night his song is with me, 

a prayer to the God of my life.

The Lord directs, sends out his steadfast love and his song is with the psalmist. That may well be that because the psalmist remembers God’s steadfast love he sings, or it could well be that the song of the Lord (God’s singing) is with him. What a thought! God singing over his children and showing forth his steadfast love! Oh to hear that song!

Then in the next stanza (Psalm 43) the psalmist prays. He is not just remembering his circumstances and God, but he prays to his rock.

3 Send out your light and your truth; 

let them lead me; 

let them bring me to your holy hill 

and to your dwelling! 

4 Then I will go to the altar of God, 

to God my exceeding joy, 

and I will praise you with the lyre, 

O God, my God. 

The psalmist needed the light and truth of God to lead him to the dwelling of God - to the Temple. But the Temple was just a shadow of the true presence of God. Now, in Christ Jesus, who is the only way to the Father, we have been brought into the presence of God (John 14:6; Hebrews 10:19; 1 Peter 3:18). God has sent out his light and his truth in Christ.

No matter our circumstance…God is always with us. We need reminded of that, because it doesn’t always seem to be the case. Thankfully we have his truth before us in his holy Word. Let that Word, the Word of Christ, lead us daily into the presence of the God who sings and rejoices over his children! Be not cast down O my soul.

Provided to YouTube by TuneCore Send out Your Light (Psalm 43) · Sandra McCracken Psalms ℗ 2015 Towhee Records Released on: 2015-04-14 Auto-generated by YouT...

One of my favorite hymns is “Rock of Ages.” It was written by Augustus Toplady to conclude a magazine article in which he emphasized that humans can never repay, through their own efforts, the debt which they owe to God. And it’s interesting he correlated that to the national debt of England at the time. There is nothing we can do on our own to satisfy the justice of God in regard to our rebellion against him.

Two passages from Paul’s letter to Titus highlight this. First I’ll go with 3:4-7:

4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

This may be the second largest “but” in Scripture (behind Ephesians 2:4). Paul reminded Titus right before this of how we were all foolish, disobedient, led astray, etc…BUT then the goodness and kindness of God appeared. And we have been saved not by our works, but only by his mercy.  

And then let’s jump back to 2:11-14:

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Here we see that "double-cure” that comes through the work of Christ on the cross. By his blood we are not only redeemed (saved from wrath), but we are also made pure (sanctified). It is all from the grace of God. The grace does not merely saves us, but thankfully, God’s grace makes us more and more like him. God’s grace conforms us to the image of Christ.  

I got to know a band called Vigilantes of Love when I was on a summer project with CRU in 1993. One of their songs is called “Double Cure” (here is a rare solo performance of it - and here is another version with lyrics) and there is a line in it that I have loved for years: “I wanna drink out of that fountain, on a hill called Double Cure…” I want the grace of God to keep me from the things that masquerade as fountains and I want to drink solely from the fountain of his grace. The hill of Calvary, because of Christ, is a fountain of life for sinners. Let us run to that fountain daily and draw from all that he has for us. The things of this world pale in comparison to all that we have in Christ

Music Rock of Ages (lyrics) Artist: Chris Rice Place: Namibia South Africa July 2017

In light of the past few days on the blog, the song I am posting this morning is another from Rich Mullins - though originally from Fanny Crosby. Take time today and find in Scripture all the references in this song to the care of our Great Shepherd. Why should we not doubt his mercies? How is he such a comfort? How do we know that God does all things well? Where is the perfect rest promised?

The hymns of old are so often filled with rich Biblical allusions - take the time and find them and may your soul be strengthened by these words leading you to the fountain of living water.

All of the way my Savior leads me 
What have I to ask beside? 
Can I doubt His faithful mercies? 
Who through life has been my guide 
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort 
Ere by faith in Him to dwell 
For I know whatever fall me 
Jesus doeth all things well 

All of the way my Savior leads me 
And He cheers each winding path I tread 
Gives me strength for every trial 
And He feeds me with the living bread 
And though my weary steps may falter 
And my soul a-thirst may be 
Gushing from a rock before me 
Lo a spring of joy I see 

And all the way my Savior leads me 
Oh, the fullness of His love 
Perfect rest in me is promised 
In my Father's house above 
When my spirit clothed immortal 
Wings it's flight through the realms of the day 
This my song through endless ages 
Jesus led me all the way

Rich Mullins & Beaker play their version of Fanny J. Crosby's classic hymn, "All The Way My Savior Leads Me" at a concert in Holland, 1994.

For me, a place of rest and tranquility and peace would be waking up in tent looking out at the scene of the picture above. The mountains have always been a place to which I have been drawn. I love the serene beauty and the sounds of nothing but nature. If I could think of a place that would bring me contentment - this would be on the top of the list.

In our men’s groups we are studying the book The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs (and it is a book I would highly recommend). In our study last night and this morning we looked at a point the author made that a truly contented Christian is content with any condition/circumstance they find themselves in, but they are not satisfied. What he means is that a believer is content with what they are providentially given in this world (with affliction, with blessing…whatever), yet the only thing that truly satisfies a believer is God and his presence.

Psalm 73:25: Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

It also reminded me of Psalm 16 (which we have looked at a few times in this blog). Burroughs made this point: “A little in the world will content a Christian for his passage, but all the world, and ten thousand times more, will not content a Christian for his portion.” The only portion that will satisfy is God himself (Psalms 16:5; 73:28).

From there Burroughs went to Philippians 4:7,9: 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus…9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. 

Do you see the difference between verse 7 & 9? It moves from the “peace of God” being with you to the “God of peace” being with you. And Burroughs writes: “Here is what I would observe from this text, That the peace of God is not enough to a gracious heart except it may have the God of that peace.”

The blessings of God are wonderful, but without God himself they mean very little. A Christian will only truly be content with God himself. We don’t just want the grace of God…we long for the God of grace. We don’t merely rejoice in the mercy of God…we rejoice in the God of mercy.

It is the presence of God that brings the Christian to contentment. The covenant of God with his people could be summarized with this promise: “I will be your God, and you will be my people.” God will be our God…we will be in his presence. And through Christ God has dwelt with us (John 1:14). And he will be with us to the very end of the age…and we will be with him forever. That is our greatest joy and our greatest longing.

Here is a song that goes back to my youth group days, but it still speaks just as strongly. It’s “My One Thing” by Rich Mullins. (see THIS for a live version - and it reminded me of seeing Rich live in high school and singing this song in the audience)

It seems as though restless is becoming an apt word to describe people in our country (and perhaps throughout the world). We are seeing stories of protests all over the country clamoring for the ‘shelter in place’ orders to be lifted. And though it’s becoming more and more apt, I think it is simply becoming more and more visible. Naturally we are restless people. It was the great theologian Augustine who wrote in his Confessions: “Thou has formed us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee.”

This is a truth that has been set forth throughout Scripture. Our hearts wander and pursue other places of refuge. In Isaiah 30 we see the prophet call out Israel for its stubbornness in continuing to look to Egypt for its salvation. They sought refuge in Pharaoh rather than in the Lord. This was the sign of a rebellious people. They even called out for the prophets to speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions (Isaiah 30:10).

And yet in all of this we see in verse 15 a spotlight shining brightly on the heart of God.

15 For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, 

“In returning and rest you shall be saved; 

in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” 

The call is to return; to repent. The people of Israel were called to repent of their trust in what cannot save. They were called to return and rest in the Lord alone. It is a call to faith in the Lord, and in the Lord alone. There is no one who can deliver the salvation that God’s people long for but God himself. And it is in God alone - in our quietness and trust in him that we shall find strength.

When we turn and rest, and trust in our Lord we will sing with the words of Exodus 15:1-18 and Isaiah 12 (see verse 2 below).

2 “Behold, God is my salvation; 

I will trust, and will not be afraid; 

for the Lord GOD is my strength and my song, 

and he has become my salvation.” 

But you were unwilling…These are the sad words that complete Isaiah 30:15. The people instead ran to other places of refuge (all that would fail). Let us learn from history and not be people unwilling. Let us be people who trust…who have faith…who repent of our false gods (idols, other sources of trust and refuge). Let us learn to rest. It is hard for us to be still and to trust, especially in the midst of some massive unknowns (but isn’t the unknown the place where our resting in God is actually tested?). This is a time where we feel the heaviness of the unfamiliar and the somewhat scary. But the call remains the same, and so does the heart of our God.

In Isaiah 30:18 we read: Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. Hear the heart of God in that for his children. And hear that same heart in the words of Jesus from Matthew 11:28,29.

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Lord, calm our anxious hearts. May we find our rest in You and in You alone.

A song written by Keith & Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townend and featured in the Getty's album "Awaken The Dawn". The song is about being still and trusting in...

My daily routine in the morning has been much the same for many years. I started a habit of Bible reading when I was younger (thankful for my mother encouraging that), and by God’s grace, I continue in that habit (though honestly it is constantly a fight to make sure it’s not just reading, but also devotional in nature). One of my standard approaches to reading Scripture is to use the M’Cheyne Reading Plan and along with that D.A. Carson’s devotional books called For the Love of God (you can find the books [there are two volumes] here or go to the daily blog). This is a great resource that helps connect the readings and points your heart to Christ. As an aside - I know it’s already over halfway through April, but if you don’t have a plan to read God’s Word - it’s never too late to start, and today is always a good day.

All that to say as I was reading this morning one of the readings was 2 Timothy 3. We are probably all very familiar with verses 16 & 17:

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

The divine nature and value of Scripture in our lives is something we should know. Scripture is God’s ordinary means of grace: which means this is how God has set forth for us to grow (at least one of his key methods).

But aside from that what I want to point out is the two verses prior:

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Paul is charging Timothy to continue in what he has learned and in what he has believed. He knows the character of those he has learned it from and how, since his childhood, he has known the Scriptures - the sacred writings. Look at that last phrase: which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

It is in the Scriptures that we are made wise to salvation. It is not through nature or common sense (see Psalm 19), but through God’s revelation of himself. And what do the Scriptures do? They reveal Christ Jesus. The Scriptures do not save - it is Christ who saves. If in our reading of Scripture we miss Jesus, we have missed the point (see the interaction between Jesus as the two disciples on the road to Emmaus after his resurrection). As we see Jesus thought Scripture we see the heart of God and we see the glory of God.

This reminds me of something I saw from Dane Ortlund:

Let’s not just stop at our salvation, our faith in Christ, let us press on to know him…to know his heart and his love. Let our gaze into the face of our God transform us (2 Cor. 3:18).

Two songs this morning. First is Wes King simply saying that he believes in the Word of God.

And the second is this beautiful song from Fernando Ortega:

From "Live in St. Paul"-DVD. Eternal God, Unchanging Mysterious and Unknown Your boundless Love, unfailing In Grace and Mercy shown. Bright Seraphim in endle...

Today is Saturday and I slept in - therefore this post is going to be simply an great song. I recently came to know the group CityAlight (they are an Australian church - great lyrics and good music) and we have sang a couple of their songs at church (which I cannot wait to do again). Here is one of my favorites, and I certainly think it applies to our current situation.

Before you play the song - just a reminder - the place we learn the truths in this song is not from this song, but from Scripture. Don’t let the lack of routine in this time keep you from Scripture - let this time drive you more and more into Scripture.

“Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me”

What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer
There is no more for heaven now to give
He is my joy, my righteousness, and freedom
My steadfast love, my deep and boundless peace

To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
For my life is wholly bound to His
Oh how strange and divine, I can sing: all is mine
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

The night is dark but I am not forsaken
For by my side, the Saviour He will stay
I labour on in weakness and rejoicing
For in my need, His power is displayed

To this I hold, my Shepherd will defend me
Through the deepest valley He will lead
Oh the night has been won, and I shall overcome
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

No fate I dread, I know I am forgiven
The future sure, the price it has been paid
For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon
And He was raised to overthrow the grave

To this I hold, my sin has been defeated
Jesus now and ever is my plea
Oh the chains are released, I can sing: I am free
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

With every breath I long to follow Jesus
For He has said that He will bring me home
And day by day I know He will renew me
Until I stand with joy before the throne

To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

CityAlight ~ Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me (Lyrics) get "Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me" Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2T15n2J Apple Music: https://appl...

Sometimes while reading Scripture it seems as though it leaps off the page at you. That’s what happened for me this morning as I was reading Psalm 81. This is a familiar psalm for me, but this morning the heart and character of God shone through this psalm with the brightness of the sun.

1 Sing aloud to God our strength; 

shout for joy to the God of Jacob! 

2 Raise a song; sound the tambourine, 

the sweet lyre with the harp. 

3 Blow the trumpet at the new moon, 

at the full moon, on our feast day. 

4 For it is a statute for Israel, 

a rule of the God of Jacob. 

5 He made it a decree in Joseph 

when he went out over the land of Egypt. 

I hear a language I had not known: 

6 “I relieved your shoulder of the burden; 

your hands were freed from the basket. 

7 In distress you called, and I delivered you; 

I answered you in the secret place of thunder; 

I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah 

8 Hear, O my people, while I admonish you! 

O Israel, if you would but listen to me! 

9 There shall be no strange god among you; 

you shall not bow down to a foreign god. 

10 I am the Lord your God, 

who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. 

Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. 

11 “But my people did not listen to my voice; 

Israel would not submit to me. 

12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, 

to follow their own counsels. 

13 Oh, that my people would listen to me, 

that Israel would walk in my ways! 

14 I would soon subdue their enemies 

and turn my hand against their foes. 

15 Those who hate the Lord would cringe toward him, 

and their fate would last forever. 

16 But he would feed you with the finest of the wheat, 

and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.” 

As you read through that psalm - what leapt off the page for you? We see that it begins with a call to give God great praise. God has delivered his people from slavery, from bondage. The allusion is to the exodus, and for believers today there is a greater picture - our redemption from slavery to sin. But what it shows is God responds to our pleas, to our cries. And then when we see verses 8 & 9, God’s heart admonishes and warns his people of danger - specifically of the danger of foreign gods, of idols that we bow down to and to whom we give our allegiance.

And then the folly of that turning to false gods is shown so clearly in verse 10. The image is of baby birds opening their mouths wide as can be for their mother to feed them with everything they need. God is saying to his people - “Simply open up…come to me…and I will fill you with all you need.” Can you hear the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30? What about Psalm 23:5 or John 15:11 or Ephesians 3:14-19?

Yet the Lord will let us suffer in our poor choices to help us to see our own folly. Yet he longs for us to choose the path of blessing, the path of abundance. He is the God who longs to bless us (see v. 16).

Oh may we hear the heart of our God! May we hear the delight he has in his children and how he delights (yes…delights) to care for us and to provide us with abundant blessings. His grace is magnificent. And those blessings are most clearly and gloriously shown to us in Christ Jesus our Lord. Let us open our mouths wide and be filled with the goodness of our God!!

Two songs this morning. The first is Good and Gracious King by CityAlight. Beautiful words. The second is from The Gray Havens - Storehouse. (Here’s a little information about the song)

"Good and Gracious Kingl" from our new album "Only a Holy God" recorded live at our church St Paul's Castle Hill available to purchase at http://apple.co/2h3...