Tag: Psalms

Posted on

Losing Cynicism in the Sanctuary

Links for today’s readings:

Nov 7   Read: 2 Kings 20 Listen: (3:39) Read: Psalms 73 Listen: (2:56)

Links for this weekend’s readings:

Nov 8   Read: 2 Kings 21 Listen: (4:06) Read: Psalms 74 Listen: (2:34)
Nov 9   Read: 2 Kings 22 Listen: (3:45) Read: Psalms 75-76 Listen: (2:33)

Scripture Focus: Psalm 73.1-3; 16-17

1 Surely God is good to Israel, 

    to those who are pure in heart. 

2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; 

    I had nearly lost my foothold. 

3 For I envied the arrogant 

    when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 

16 When I tried to understand all this, 

     it troubled me deeply 

17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; 

     then I understood their final destiny.

Reflection: Losing Cynicism in the Sanctuary

By John Tillman

Psalm 73 begins with its conclusion: Surely God is good to the pure in heart. But the psalmist goes through disillusionment and cynicism before getting there.

The psalmist is distressed by disparity, to the point of despair. The wicked grow rich, healthy, wealthy, and (at least in their own eyes) wise. He begins to think God uncaring and unjust, sinking in a spiral of cynicism. He describes this as a trap he almost “slips” and falls into.

But there is more than one trap. The psalmist says the arrogant rich are also “on slippery ground.” (Psalm 73.18-20) Wealth that works like a charm in this life is, for many, a curse and a trap. (Proverbs 17.8)

We can be snared by both traps. Wealthy as we are, we may think that other wealthier ones are guilty of greed as we hoard our own resources. Poor as we are, we can be in denial of the blessings that God has given us and guilty of the same selfishness as the wealthy. All of us can be guilty of taking rest, ease, and luxury at the expense of others. How can we escape these traps of hubris, greed, jealousy, and despair? 

The psalmist loses cynicism in the sanctuary of the Lord. It is there he sees that all humanity’s unpaid debts to each other are ringing up interest in the Lord’s accounts and we will not avoid his justice. 

We mistake wealth in this world that will pass away as being more desirable than wealth in God’s kingdom that will not pass away. Tricks of perspective can make large things seem small and small things seem large. 

For the rich and the poor, worship of God is the doorway through which we see with a different perspective. This is why James speaks so harshly about treating the rich and poor equitably in God’s house. (James 2.1-13) This is why Jesus was zealous for God’s house, expelling the money changers. (John 2.13-17; Mark 11.15-17; Matthew 21.12-14)

God intends our worship to reflect heaven, not earth.

It will be in worship that we gain a better perspective to help us see things rightly. 
May the Holy Spirit confront us about equity and justice. 
May we question our justice, not God’s. Are we being prudent or greedy? Are we being responsible or cruel?

May moments of worship overwhelm our cynicism and reveal a perspective of eternity.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Keep watch over my life, for I am faithful; save your servant whose trust is in you. — Psalm 86.2


– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Greed and Envy

The trap the psalmist escapes is to mistake stored up justice for absence of justice.

Greed and Envy
Read The Bible With Us

Invite a friend to join our Bible reading plan. Journey in the Bible with us at a sustainable, two-year pace.

https://mailchi.mp/theparkforum/m-f-daily-email-devotional

Posted on

A “Righteous” Government?

Links for today’s readings:

Nov 6  Read: 2 Kings 19 Listen: (6:11) Read: Psalms 72 Listen: (2:21)

Scripture Focus: Psalm 72.1-4

Of Solomon.

1 Endow the king with your justice, O God,

   the royal son with your righteousness. 

2 May he judge your people in righteousness,

   your afflicted ones with justice. 

3 May the mountains bring prosperity to the people,

   the hills the fruit of righteousness. 

4 May he defend the afflicted among the people

   and save the children of the needy;

   may he crush the oppressor.

Reflection: A “Righteous” Government?

By John Tillman

What would a “righteous” government look like?

Remember, the Bible is not intended to dictate modern political policy. Beware anyone who tells you that it does. However, today’s psalm gives us an important picture of what characterizes a rule of righteousness and justice.

Psalm 72 is called “The Royal Psalm” because it describes a king of righteousness and justice. The “Of Solomon” is ambiguous. The Hebrew translated “of” could also mean “to” or “for.” The psalm ends saying, “this concludes the prayers of David.” Whether written by David for Solomon, by Solomon expressing his father’s prayers, or by some other author, the psalm speaks of David’s longing for a truly righteous rule, guided and blessed by Yahweh.

David alternates between asking God to bless the king’s reign and describing the purposes or results of that reign.

He asks for wealth and prosperity. (v. 3, 7, 10, 16) 
He asks for a long life and a long, stable reign. (v 5, 15, 17) 
He asks for a peaceful rule in which enemies are subdued, territory is secure, and all nations turn toward them with respect, gifts, and service. (v. 8-11, 15) 

Why?

So the needy and afflicted can be saved from oppression. (v. 2, 4, 6, 12-14)
So the Lord’s name would be praised over the whole world and all nations, not just Israel, would be blessed and call him blessed. (v. 11, 15, 17-19)

The Bible gives us moral principles, not political policies. What principles do you see in this picture of a righteous government? A righteous government creates prosperity that does not leave the poor in want. A righteous government creates stability and safety without resorting to brutality or oppression. A righteous government creates peace that blesses other nations and will be blessed by them in return.

Solomon’s kingdom, with its forced labor, promiscuous sexuality, flaunting of wealth, and growing idolatry, failed to live up to David’s vision. Many who try to build God’s kingdom on earth resort to Solomon’s corrupt methods. We should also remember that, theologically, this psalm is a prophecy about Jesus. Christ’s kingdom is the only one that could live up to David’s dreams.

We should not fall into the trap of thinking we can build a perfect government. However, we can and should dream of and work for a government that better reflects our principles.

When governments stray from principles of righteousness and justice, our prophetic role demands we speak up. Don’t stop dreaming and don’t stop “prophesying.” Endow us with your justice, O God!

Divine Hours Prayer: A Reading

Jesus went on to say, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it with? It is like a mustard seed which a man took and threw into his garden: it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air sheltered in its branches.” — Luke 13.18-19


– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Rulers with Borrowed Scepters

From Joseph’s beneficent Pharaoh to Moses’s genocidal Pharaoh, rulers are highly variable…None can be trusted to deliver us.

Rulers with Borrowed Scepters
Listen To: Apotheosis of Politics

Jesus is indeed a “foreign god” to us. (Acts 17.18) His kingdom is opposed to, not aligned with, any human government or party.

Posted on

Always the Rock of Refuge

Links for today’s readings:

Nov 5  Read: 2 Kings 18 Listen: (6:52)  Read: Psalms 70-71 Listen: (3:29)

Scripture Focus: Psalm 71:3a, 14

3 Be my rock of refuge,
    to which I can always go…
14 As for me, I will always have hope;
    I will praise you more and more.

Reflection: Always the Rock of Refuge

By Erin Newton

I remember sitting in the NICU with my twins hoping against the continual onslaught of bad news. Hope was hard to grasp; anxiety became a constant companion. I assumed that I would always feel that way.

Always. There is a constant and enduring essence to the word “always.” It is expected. It is reliable. For me, it was constant dread, then I latched onto Psalm 71 for dear life.

I needed a rock of refuge on day 1 of the NICU. I needed refuge on day 30, day 75, day 150 and on that last day, number 241. I read this psalm every day. It was my chant as I walked into the hospital. It was the prayer when I called each morning. It was the thought that helped me drift off to sleep.

I went to that rock of refuge again and again. And from that continual, enduring, and reliable source of refuge, I found hope.

Our story is a happy one. Just this week we celebrated the twins’ ninth birthday. Anxiety, doubt, and fear would have me think that maybe the Psalm 71 chant somehow guaranteed a positive outcome. But that’s not how Scripture and meditation work. It is not some magical spell (despite how much my dread wanted a solution). Prayers anchor our hearts against the ebb and flow of life.

For me, anxiety and fear continue to cling to the edges of my mind. I was right; I do always feel this way. I haven’t been freed of pain and suffering. New crises emerge. But what has changed is my relationship with that rock of refuge. I know he is reliable. I know he’s an open door for me any day or night. I know I can reach him with a faint whisper. I know I can reach him with a heartfelt scream.

While pain and suffering (and anxiety and dread) are always with me, so is hope. Verse 20 reminds us of the reality of life: “Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.”

Our life is restored when we learn that we can run back to God, our rock of refuge. Maybe we stumble and crawl, but this return to the rock is a defiant effort against darkness. God, our rock is always there, even in the depths.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.
Indeed, our heart rejoices in him, for in his holy Name we put our trust.
Let your loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, as we have put our trust in you. — Psalm 33.20-22


– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle

Read more: Embracing Uncertainty

Anxiety was always part of my life, so adding it to my faith was natural…I assumed my doubt meant my faith was in jeopardy.

Embracing Uncertainty — Readers’ Choice
Read more: Discipline for the Anxious

The psalmist writes of being “too troubled to speak,” yet he cries to God. He writes of insomnia, yet he rests in God.

Discipline for the Anxious

Posted on

Walk-on Roles — Readers’ Choice


Readers’ Choice is here: Over two-thirds of our devotionals get emailed responses from readers like you. Hearing that what we have written is meaningful to you is meaningful to us. That’s why we love sharing some of your comments and messages. Thank you, readers. We do what we do to serve you. There’s still time to tell us about your favorite, most meaningful posts of the year. If you shared it with someone, or it helped you, let us know via email, direct message, or by filling out the linked form.

Links for today’s readings:

Oct 20  Read: 2 Kings 1 Listen: (3:13)  Read: Psalms 45 Listen: (2:17)

Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:

Barbara, TN — Love this.
Jason, TX — I love the perspective you give here. It puts my life and that of those I encounter into a “bigger frame” of experiencing life following Jesus.
Brian, DC — Thanks for this reflection. The timing is perfect as I have been remembering how arrogant I was with pastors and ministry leaders here in Washington, DC when I arrived in 2001…Over the past 24 years I have learned to be gracious and kind to the pastors and ministry leaders…I have been thanking God for grace and patience. 

This post was originally published on January 13, 2025, based on readings from Genesis 14.18-20, Psalm 110.4, and Hebrews 7.1-3.

Scripture Focus: Genesis 14.18-20

18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying, 
“Blessed be Abram by God Most High, 
Creator of heaven and earth. 
20 And praise be to God Most High, 
who delivered your enemies into your hand.” 
Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

Psalm 110.4

4 The Lord has sworn 
and will not change his mind: 
“You are a priest forever, 
in the order of Melchizedek.”

Hebrews 7.1-3

1 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

“I am telling you your story, not hers. No one is told any story but their own.” — Aslan in The Horse and His Boy, by C.S. Lewis

Reflection: Walk-on Roles — Readers’ Choice

By John Tillman

The camera of scripture “zooms in” on Abram, cropping out the rest of the world, but occasionally others who know of God or follow God walk into the frame. One of the most notable and intriguing “walk-on” God-followers in the Old Testament is Melchizedek.

What is the rest of Melchizedek’s story? How did he come to know “God Most High”? How did he become king and priest? There’s no definitive answer within scripture. 

In The Horse and His Boy, Aravis asks Aslan what will happen to her family’s servant, whom she drugged to make her escape. Aslan says that he will not tell her someone else’s story.

When Jesus tells Peter about his own death, Peter asks Jesus “What about him?” referring to John. “What is that to you?”, Jesus responded. (John 21.18-22) Jesus refused to tell Peter about the rest of John’s story.

No matter how much we ask God, scripture, or each other, “What about him?” regarding Melchizedek, we will come up empty. The Melchizedek mystery is intriguing and intractable. However, there is something we can learn from the story.

God is working even when you don’t see it. Much of what God does is outside of our limited knowledge. Therefore, when it seems like God is doing nothing, it just means he is doing something we can’t see.

God is working through people outside your group. Whether outside your church, city, denomination, or country, God is working among and using people you don’t know and probably using some you wouldn’t approve of. When we encounter God’s work, we can bless it even if the workers are “not part of our group.” (Luke 9.49-50)

God is working through you where you are. Melchizedek didn’t join Abram’s daring rescue but he was still part of God’s work. Meanwhile, Melchizedek was king of a city while Abram was a migrant, living in tents. Both stood for and established righteousness in God’s name. Your position or role doesn’t make your part of God’s work less valuable. God wants to work through you to stand for and establish righteousness where you are in the role you have.

Melchizedek means “King of Righteousness” and, as priests under Jesus, we are priests in Melchizedek’s line. We are all walk-ons in God’s work. Serve your role, whether as priest, ruler, servant, or “walk-on.”

When it seems like “the action” is somewhere else, you are still part of God’s story.

Read more: Last Priest Standing

Jesus’ high priestly ministry on our behalf is perpetual, never-ending. If we could grasp the full ramifications of this reality, it would radically impact our daily lives.

Last Priest Standing
Read The Bible With Us

It’s never too late to join our Bible reading plan. Immerse in the Bible with us at a sustainable, two-year pace.

https://mailchi.mp/theparkforum/m-f-daily-email-devotional

Posted on

On What Are You Meditating?

Links for today’s readings:

Read: 1 Kings 2 Listen: (7:45)  Read: Psalms 19 Listen: (1:52)

Scripture Focus: Psalm 19.1-4b, 14

1 The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

2 Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they reveal knowledge.

3 They have no speech, they use no words;

no sound is heard from them.

4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world…

14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart

be pleasing in your sight,

Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Reflection: On What Are You Meditating?

By John Tillman

John Lennox says, “The most incomprehensible thing about the universe is that it is comprehensible.” (God’s Undertaker: Has Science Buried God?) It doesn’t make sense that the universe makes sense unless there is a mind behind it.

In Psalm 19 the universe speaks. Heavens and skies pour forth speech, despite having no speech, words, or sound. Soundless voices and wordless words echo on earth as the heat of the sun gives everything life. How can a languageless universe lecture us and what could we learn?

Perhaps it is not that mathematics, physics, and other sciences don’t say anything about God. Perhaps we have forgotten how to read their alphabet and decode their vocabulary and grammar. But God doesn’t leave us with only this forgotten language to guide us. What is revealed by the universe leads us to discover God’s law, principles, and prophets.

The rest of the psalm describes the effects of remembering our “letters” to read the speech of the universe and the other means God uses to speak to us.

The ways of God affect our thinking, reasoning, and action. God’s law refreshes our souls and minds. God’s statutes cause the simple to act like the wise. God’s principles bring joy to our hearts. God’s commands brighten our eyes. The fear of the Lord sustains us forever. From our inner emotions and thinking, to our outward actions and perceptions, God’s law shapes us.

Pleasing God begins with meditation and continues with communication and action. The results of this meditation are rewarding. God’s words become more valuable than anything we treasure and more pleasing than anything we might taste. They protect us by warnings, detect hidden faults, and free us from the tyranny of our willful rebellions.

Divine means guide us to God’s blessings to make us a means of God’s blessings. By meditating on, speaking about, and acting in ways consistent with God’s truth, we bless ourselves and others.

On what are you meditating? Your meditations affect your speech and actions like seeds in soil—words and actions are their fruit. If we do not start with good seed, we will never blossom with good words or actions. Give ear to better “speech” than that of the algorithms that send you messages, news, and politics.

If speechless stars can speak, so can you. If wordless heavens can teach, so can you. Meditate on his glory so that your words and actions propagate his gospel.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” — Psalm 14.1

– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summer
by Phyllis Tickle

Readers’ Choice is here!

#ReadersChoice is time for you to share favorite Park Forum posts from the year.

What post reminded you of Christ’s love?

https://forms.gle/aSD7X5psHqjSMtBFA

Read more: Meditation in Spiritual Rhythm

Meditation is a breathing apparatus to help us survive in a poisonous atmosphere polluted by anxiety and fear.

Meditation in Spiritual Rhythm :: Readers’ Choice