Down an Unfamiliar Road

THE BELIEVER’S MOTTO –

This is another of the psalms sung by Jewish people following the Passover Meal, and after drinking the third cup of wine. The Temple musicians loved this psalm because it offered magnificent praise to God for keeping His ministers from becoming complacent or falling prey to the discouragement that comes with being criticized for not doing a good job. Although it doesn’t describe going through some crucial stage of life-threatening proportions, it does implore being grateful for being miraculously delivered from a crisis of faith. Most of all, it presents God as a great listener. And by listening, the LORD assures us that we’re worthwhile, and someone He’s interested in seeing become significant to those around them. This way He makes us feel accepted and loved, even in times of weakness.

“I love the LORD Eternal because He listened and paid attention to me when I cried out in desperation. I was so stressed out and in such despair, I thought I would die. I believed what I’d heard about the LORD Eternal, so I pleaded with Him, ‘O LORD Eternal, keep me going!’ The LORD Eternal is our One True God; He is gracious, caring, and compassionate. Yes, the LORD Eternal watches over those who are immature and treated like fools. That’s the reason He came to my aid just in time. That’s why I keep telling myself how blessed I am because I benefited from the way the LORD Eternal took care of me. He kept me from certain ruin; yes, He kept my eyes from needless tears and my feet from tripping over things I didn’t see. Now the LORD Eternal and I walk in harmony every day. Even though I suffered greatly, I was able to keep my faith. That’s why I no longer pay attention to those trying to hinder me. So what can I give back to the LORD Eternal for all His graciousness to me? I will honor the LORD Eternal with the cup of remembrance as I celebrate who He is. I will do what I promised to do for the LORD Eternal, for all His saints to see. It must be heartbreaking for the LORD Eternal to see one of His saint’s give up. But I promise to be faithful to You, O LORD Eternal, as Your servant, the son of a mother who served You, and because You got rid of what was hindering me from going forward. I now offer You prayers of thanksgiving, and tell everyone that You were the One who made it all possible. Yes, I will be what I promised You I would be, O LORD Eternal, so all of Your children can see me serving in the ministry of Your sanctuary. O Hallelujah! ” Psalm 116:1-19

Reflection: On Sunday morning, October 23, 1983, at 6:22 a.m., a truck drove into the Beirut International Airport. After turning onto an access road leading to the U.S. Marine compound, the driver stepped on the gas and plowed through the barbed-wire fence; rushed through two sentry posts and crashing through the final gate slammed into the lobby of the barracks. The driver then detonated explosives equal to 12,000 pounds of TNT. The explosion crumbled the four-story building, crushing 220 Marines and 21 other U.S. service members to death while they slept. A few days later Marine Corps Commandant General Paul X. Kelly visited some of the wounded survivors in a military hospital in Frankfurt, Germany. Among them was Corporal Jeffrey Lee Nashton, who was severely wounded in the incident. The visitors saw so many tubes running in and out of Nashton’s body that a witness said he looked like a machine. As General Kelly drew near to him, Cpl. Nashton, though racked with pain, struggled to sit up. He motioned for a piece of paper and a pen, on which he wrote the Latin motto of the Marine Corps: “Semper Fi” meaning “Always Faithful.” With those two words Corporal Nashton spoke for millions of American servicemen and women, who while sacrificing their bodies, their limbs, and their lives for their country over the past centuries, remained faithful to the very end. The writer of this psalm had come through a very trying situation, but wanted God to know that he never considered giving up, for one moment. It wasn’t whether or not he came through this horrifying ordeal in good health; with all his organs and faculties intact, but that He was able to keep the faith. He did not want a medal or commendation; he only wanted to be counted among the faithful. He knew that faithfulness impresses God more than anything. It ought to make all of us examine ourselves to see where faithfulness rates on our list of important things to do in times of peril. For Corporal Nashton, and the Psalmist, it stood at the top of the list. Where does it stand for you?

DOUBTING GOD, IS NOT BEING INTELLECTUAL –

Each time Jewish believers gather for the Passover Meal and after they drink from the third cup of wine, they then sing this psalm. In the previous psalm they exalted God because of what He did to liberate them from Egyptian slavery, including His power over nature. In this psalm they are asked to praise the LORD for their freedom and because of His superiority over the gods worshipped by pagans in the old country they left behind and the new land they conquered. They saw how these idols were venerated with reckless behavior and fanatic devotion, yet they were dead and powerless to respond. That’s why they celebrated their living God as supreme above all.

“O LORD Eternal, it is You alone, not any of us, who is to be honored because of who You are; because of Your undying love, and because You can be trusted to never fail. Unbelievers should never be able to tease us with ‘Where’s your One True God now?’ There is no doubt, our One True God is over all and does whatever pleases Him. Besides, look at their man-made idols of silver and gold. They have mouths but can’t speak; they have eyes but can’t see; they have ears but can’t hear; they have noses but can’t smell; they have hands but can’t use them; and they have feet but can’t walk. Unfortunately, those who make such idols and put their complete trust in them, end up just as ineffective as they are. My fellow believers trust alone in the LORD Eternal, He’s the only one who can keep you going and help you survive. So let all His ministers show their absolute trust in the LORD Eternal because He is the one who will sustain and protect them. Let all who reverence the LORD Eternal show their absolute trust in the LORD Eternal as the one who will sustain and protect them. The LORD Eternal will always keep His eye on us so that He can bestow honor on all believers, and on all His ministers, and on all those who reverence the LORD Eternal whether they be leaders or followers. So I pray that the LORD Eternal will increase your number and those who follow you. May the LORD Eternal, the maker of heaven and earth, show you His favor. The LORD Eternal takes care of the heavens, but He turned over stewardship for the earth to mankind. You won’t be able to celebrate the LORD once you’re gone and lie silent in the grave. So let us bestow honor on the LORD from now on and into eternity. Hallelujah!” Psalm 115:1-18

Reflection: The University of Chicago Divinity School once promoted each year what they called “Baptist Day.” They ask students to bring their lunch to an outdoor picnic area and the school invited a popular lecturer to speak. One year, liberal theologian Dr. Paul Tillich was the guest speaker and spent two and one-half hours attempting to prove how Christ’s resurrection was a myth. He quoted liberal books and scholars to make his point, and then asked for questions. An older gentleman near the back of the courtyard stood up, and taking an apple out of his lunch bag begin speaking. “Dr. Tillich,” he said before taking a bite out of his apple, “I have a simple question.” After taking another bite from his apple, he continued, “I haven’t read any of those books you talked about,” then pausing he took another bite, “and I can’t recite the Scriptures in Greek,” followed by another bite, “and I don’t know that much about Reinhold Niebuhr and Martin Heidegger,” followed by yet another bite from his apple, “but I would like to know if the apple I just ate was sweet or sour?” Dr. Tillich paused and then somewhat annoyed responded by saying, “I cannot possible answer that question, I haven’t tasted your apple, sir.” The old man dropped the apple core into his sack and replied, “Neither have you tasted of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!” The audience of over 1,000 erupted into applause and cheers, to which Dr. Tillich responded by leaving the platform. The psalmist more or less makes the same point. Don’t be tempted to question God for who He is and turn to other sources to explain life and its meaning, until you’ve given Him an opportunity to show you who and what He is. Once He has convinced you, you will never doubt Him again.

Moses was so perplexed by the mission God had given him, he just wanted to know more about God. So in Exodus 33:13 Moses says to God, “Teach me the way You do things. I want to know You.” So God say, I’ll let you get to know Me by seeing me in action. So in Exodus 34:6-7, here are the things God was known for, “The Lord, is a kind and merciful God. He is slow to become angry. He is full of great love. He can be trusted. He shows his faithful love to thousands of people. He forgives people for the wrong things they do.” In other words, God’s actions were a demonstration of His qualities. So just remember, if that’s how God wants us to know who He is, then why not make it the same method in letting people know who you are. In this case, actions to speak louder than words. – Dr. Robert R Seyda

A few months ago as I listened to a Gospel radio station a song came on with a beautiful melody, but the lyrics contained an obvious contradiction about God. The line that caught my attention went: “He forgives and forgets…” God certainly forgives, but how can an omniscient God forget? If He knows all, then what could slip His mind? God does not live in the past or future, but in the eternal present. Nowhere in the Bible does it ever say, God forgot, or forgets, or cannot remember. The fantastic thing about God’s forgiveness is that even though He knows every wrong we’ve ever committed, every lie we’ve ever told, everything we’ve stolen, and every dishonest thing we’ve ever done, He still forgives us when we confess and admit our wrongdoing. Once He forgives our sin, He never brings it up or punishes us for it later—no double jeopardy with God. The mythical “Sea of Forgetfulness” does not exist. God never says He’ll forget, but God does promise never to hold it against us again, even though He knows all about what we’ve done in the past. It takes a lot more love to forgive someone for a mistake that still burns in your mind, than it does to forgive them for something you can’t recall. But God’s heart is just that big and His love is just that deep, and He’ll do it every time. To forget suggests a faulty memory, but choosing not to remember is a deliberate act of love.

NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED OF –

Every time Jewish believers sit down to eat the Passover Meal, after pouring the second cup of wine to commemorate their escape from Egyptian bondage and the story of the Passover is retold, they then sing this psalm. For them, this celebrates the rebirth of their nation, and a new beginning in their walk with God. The Psalmist wanted God’s people to see what the LORD did for them not only with their eyes, but with their emotions. He also wanted them to acknowledge that when God moves, there is no force of man or nature strong enough to resist Him.

“After the children of Israel fled from Egypt, leaving behind a people whose language they didn’t understand, God ordained that He would build His sanctuary in Judah, and the land of Israel would become His realm. That’s why the Red Sea parted; the Jordan River made a path; Jericho’s mountains shook, making them look like rams jumping, and the hills like little lambs hopping. O sea and river and hills, what caused you to respond this way? I’ll tell you, you trembled at the presence of the Divine Master, yes, the God of Jacob, who filled a lake with water out of a rock, and caused a fountain to spring out of hard flintstone.” Psalm 114:1-8

Reflection: Many years ago, while serving in the military a young American soldier was led to Christ by a comrade on the battlefield in Europe, and immediately began testifying of his conversion to all the men in his unit. After the war ended, he returned to a wealthy suburb in his hometown in the Midwest. He confided to his pastor that he didn’t want to slip back into his old habits and way of life. The minister told him that the best way to prevent that was to openly proclaim his faith to everyone he met. A few days later while waiting for a train at the station, he was spotted by a girl he previously dated. She beamed upon seeing him and asked how he was doing. Without hesitation he told her that the greatest thing in the world happened to him. She wanted to know if it was because he got married. “No, it’s even better. I’ve received the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior!” he replied. The girl’s expression froze, and then she mumbled a few polite words and hurried away. A short time later he bumped into an old drinking buddy. His friend was ecstatic, and burst out with excitement that they could now attend some great parties once again. But the young man looked his friend in the eye and said, “Nope, I’ve become a Christian!” At that, his old friend faked a smile and quickly changed the subject. This scene occurred over and over again with acquaintances and old pals. Soon the word got around town and many of his old friends stopped coming to see him. The psalmist presents a similar proposition to his compatriots. He knew that they had been rescued from a land of wickedness and idolatry. He wanted to make sure that they did not allow themselves to drift back and become entangled into a worldly way of living, just as their forefathers were tempted to do in the wilderness. He also wanted to remind them of the power God exerted in saving them from their enslavement so they could live in the Promised Land. Few things will drive off those seeking to pull believers back into a sinful lifestyle than an open and honest confession of faith in a saving God. Even the devil doesn’t want to stick around and hear that kind of testimony.

DID YOU KNOW HE CARES –

When the Jewish exiles returned from captivity in Babylon and Persia, they were so grateful for what God had done that they couldn’t help but joyfully express their praise and thanksgiving. While sitting in their refugee encampment, the writer of this psalm must have read Hannah’s song where she expresses gratitude, “The LORD has made me strong. Now I have an answer for my enemies; I rejoice because you rescued me.” (cf. 1Sam. 2:1-10). The psalmist wanted to express his appreciation to the God who not only personally knows each of His children, but cares about their well-being as a loving Father; who hears their sighs, counts their tears, and answers their prayers. That’s something every believer should be happy for.

“Everybody who loves the LORD Eternal, let us celebrate Him for who He is! Let us praise Him because He is the same yesterday, today and forever! Let people from every spot on the face of the earth celebrate the LORD Eternal for who He is! The LORD Eternal is above all and overall both in heaven and on earth! There is no one to compare with LORD Eternal who sits enthroned on high; the One who takes time to look down on His creation; the One who reached down from above to lift us up from the dirt pile of misery; yes, who lifted us up from the garbage heap of despair to become something noble; to guide His people; the One who can transform a complete failure and make them a success; so successful that they can inspire others. O Hallelujah!” Psalm 113:1-9

Reflection: The Reverend Frank Graeff became known in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as the “Sunshine Minister.” That’s because of his sunny disposition and optimistic attitude that prompted him to spend time encouraging those weighed down with problems, encouraging them to look to God because of His compassion and kindness. But one day, Frank found himself confronted with his own set of difficulties in which he battled depression and discouragement. Frank would write of those trials: “My whole attitude became one of doubt, despair and defeat; and because of this, I lived a life of unhappiness and failure. Each passing day I fell deeper and deeper into that pit of despair, until finally I felt I could stand no longer.” But despite his struggles, Frank never gave up his daily devotions. One day he turned to 2 Corinthians 1:4, and received such encouragement that it inspired him to pen these words that became one of the most beloved hymns of the church: “Does Jesus care when my heart is pained too deeply for mirth or song; as the burdens press, and the cares distress, and the way grows weary and long? Oh yes, He cares! I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief; when the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares.” I’m sure that the psalmist and his fellow captives would gladly sing along with Frank about their caring, loving great I AM, followed by a loud, “Hallelujah!” In the same way, as many of those held in the past as prisoners of war came back and reported how they kept their faith alive, because deep down in their hearts they knew that their families, their country, and their nation’s leaders cared about them and stood ready to use everything in their power to free them. If a person can put that much faith in their fellow human beings, how much more can we put faith in the One True God for whom the word “impossible” does not exist.

DARING TO BE DIFFERENT –

Many of the psalm writers found that it provided a great opportunity to teach life’s lessons through the lyrics of a song. In many cultures that’s how children learned the alphabet. For such psalmists, the best way to become wise was first by recognizing and reverencing the LORD Eternal for who He is and what He’s done. In this song the writer outlines the finer traits that a wise man chooses in developing the spirit of generosity. He also teaches how to discern between those fears based on reality and those predicated on unproven thoughts of our imagination. In other words, False Expectations Appearing Real. While genuine fear makes us cautious so that we take steps to promote our safety, unfounded fears created by phobias, lead to anxiety and actions difficult to justify. In any case, it’s hard to imagine anything nobler than emulating God’s goodness.

“Let the person who reverences the LORD Eternal and takes great joy in following His Word, count their blessings. By living right, their children can become leaders in the community, because people with good hearts will be blessed. Their acts of kindness will result in blessings filling their own homes with prosperity and abundance. Their graciousness and compassion will shine like a bright light in the darkness. They will be considered good because they share generously with others, while managing their own budgets properly. They will be the image of success, and will long be remembered. They won’t panic just because of adverse financial forecasts; they have determined in their hearts to fully trust the LORD Eternal to get them through. Yes, their hearts are steadfast because they do not allow fear to overcome their faith; they are willing to wait until conditions change for the better. I’m telling you, those who give unconditionally to the unfortunate, will see their acts of kindness continue to bless the needy; and their legacy will be commemorated with honor. Now, closed-minded people watch this and ridicule such giving, and get all upset because of the attention paid to it, but they will end up seeing their selfishness lead to a dead end.” Psalm 112:1-10

Reflection: One night in 1891 a middle-aged couple entered the lobby of the upscale Bellevue Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, looking for extended-stay accommodations. After the manager told them all the suites were taken, he added that they could stay in his personal suite. The older gentleman said, “You are the kind of man who should be managing the best hotel in the United States”. Two years later, in March 1893, this manager received a letter from that man, with a round-trip train ticket enclosed asking him to come to New York for a meeting. After the manager arrived, his host took him to the corner of 5^th Avenue and 34^th Street, where this man’s mansion once stood. “That,” said the man pointing to a magnificent new building, “is the hotel I want you to manage.” This elderly gentleman turned out to be William Waldorf Astor, owner of the original Waldorf Hotel – on the site now occupied by the Empire State Building. That young manager, a Prussian immigrant named George C. Boldt, was its first manager. He later became the millionaire owner of the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia (now the Park Hyatt), and a trustee of Cornell University. What a wonderful example of someone who believed in doing things right, especially for others. He saw a need and met it, even with personal sacrifice. The psalmist describes these same virtues in his hymn, and shows how God honors such sterling character. While pessimists quote the old saying, “No good deed goes unpunished,” optimists say, “Hallelujah, anyway! The LORD Eternal blesses those who do things His way.” May both the words of the psalmist and the example of Mr. Boldt encourage all of us to be the kind of person described in this psalm, and let all for the glory go to our generous God.

ALIVE TO BE ALIVE –

The ten tribes of Israel had been through so much since the collapse of Solomon’s kingdom and the resulting disintegration of unity between themselves and Judah. Finding this divided nation now weak and without a leader like David, heathen kings were quick to take advantage and invade what was once called the Promised Land for Abraham’s children. This resulted in many Jews being exiled to foreign lands and integrated into the culture of Gentile nations. However, there were those that believed God’s promise that they would be brought back to rebuild the city of Jerusalem and the temple. One such returning exile wanted to express his faith and trust in the God who did not fail. He did not just want to exist, he wanted to be alive and live.

“Say, ‘Hallelujah!” I want to join the congregation of believers in worshiping the LORD Eternal with everything that’s in me. The things He’s done for us are incredible and appreciated only by those who really admire them. Every work He has completed in our lives is meant to lift us up so we can shine for His glory; He will complete what He begin in us no matter how long it takes. These things that only He can do, stand as a living memorial to Him as a gracious and compassionate LORD Eternal. He blesses those who worship Him, and never goes back on His promises. He has a purpose for what He’s done for His children, for they will one day inherit the earth. All the things He accomplishes are based on the reliable principles of truth and justice, that can be trusted to never fail. He established them to be permanent and operate openly and honestly. He initiated the plan of salvation for His people, and ordained that it would last forever as a testament to His sacred and holy name. Understanding this begins by recognizing Him as our Eternal LORD; then gaining insight from what we’ve learned so we can practice it in everyday life. That way, our praise for Him will go on throughout eternity.” Psalm 111:1-10

Reflection: Famous Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky tells about the time Czar Nikolai had him arrested on Friday, November 16, 1849, and sentenced him to die by firing squad. On the day he was to be executed he woke up early, and when they fed him his last meal he ate it slowly, savoring every morsel. As they marched him to the courtyard in freezing weather, he felt the heat of the sun and appreciated its warmth like never before. He drew in every breath with an increased sense of appreciation. As he walked by the onlookers, he studied intensely each face he looked into, etching them into his mind. All of a sudden everything around him took on a magical quality, and he saw the world in a way he’d never seen it before. For the first time in a long time he appreciated just being alive. Czar Nikolai liked to play cruel mind tricks on people just to torment them. In Dostoevsky’s case, he had him blindfolded and placed him in front of a firing squad. The commander of the squad called out the order to fire. Dostoevsky heard the guns fire, but felt nothing because their guns were loaded with blanks. It was all meant to terrorize him so that he would fall in line and became obedient to the Czar. After realizing that they did not actually shoot him, everything about life changed for Dostoevsky. He became thankful for every blessing. He even expressed gratitude to people he previously hated. This experience inspired him to become a novelist, and after his release in 1854 he wrote about life in a way never before known to him. The psalmist indicated a similar experience, and shared the new outlook on life it provided him. In the same way, when we as believers remember the sentence of death we faced as sinners, and how close we actually came to dying in our sins, it should make us appreciate each day with renewed gratitude to our God for caring so much that He did everything possible to save us from everlasting punishment and give us a new life that will last forever.

COMPLIMENTS CAN BE CONSOLING –

David certainly went through many trials and tribulations on his way to becoming king. He surely had a number of distractors and critics, but he also had those who stood with him and encouraged him to stay on course. One such supporter wrote this psalm to help fortify David’s belief in the mission chosen for him by God. He wanted David to know that even when he didn’t feel inspired, he was still anointed for the cause entrusted to him by his Divine King. No telling how many times David had this psalm read to him when he needed a lift to keep up the good fight until the battle was won.

“The LORD Eternal says this to the one who serves Him, ‘Stay next to Me until I put your enemies completely under your control.’ That way, the LORD Eternal can extend your effect far beyond where you serve, until your area of influence will include those who fight against you. You will thus inspire others to willingly join the fight. You were born with this anointing, and your eagerness to serve still drives you forward. The LORD Eternal made a promise He will not go back on, your anointing will last forever, just like the great ones before you. For with the Master right beside you, who can be successful against you? You will carry out your mission with great success; you will gain victory over those in power, both near and far. You will be refreshed along the way, and keep your head held high with confidence.” Psalm 110:1-7

Reflection: The Library of Congress houses a little blue box with the label: “Contents of the President’s pockets on the night of April 14, 1865.” That was the fateful night when John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. The box contains five items: A handkerchief embroidered, “A. Lincoln”; a small country boy’s penknife; a spectacle case repaired with string; a purse containing a $5 Confederate Note; and some old, worn newspaper clippings. The clippings report the great deeds of Lincoln. One of them was a speech by British statesman John Bright who called Lincoln, “One of the greatest men of all times.” In 1865 there were millions of people who held a contrary opinion because the nation was ripped to shreds by hatred and a cruel civil war. However, today the whole world agrees with Sir John Bright. President Lincoln is considered one or our greatest presidents. Our hearts may bleed in response to the image of this great leader as he tried to gain consolation and comfort from these old newspaper articles, perhaps reading them over many times in the oval office to the dim light of an oil lamp. But Lincoln may have also taken them as God’s way of speaking to him, and carried them around just for that purpose. But both King David and President Lincoln can serve as lessons for all of us appointed by God for a purpose. That in times of trouble, when under severe criticism for how we serve God at home, in the local house of worship, in the community, or public office; we can look at God’s Word to see what He said about those He invited out of darkness into His marvelous light and gave them His two-edged sword to go out and conquer in His name. Let reading such scriptures be your drink of refreshing water, to help you lift up your head and continue on your mission with confidence.

I wonder how many Christians celebrate the day they were born-again into Christ, the same way they celebrate the day they were born into this world? It would be fantastic if Hallmark came out with birthday cards for Christians to send one another on the day they they became part of the family of God! After all, our physical birth gave us life that will come to an end someday, but our spiritual birth gave us life that will go on forever. That way, when someone asks us how old we are, we could give them our spiritual age, which would make a lot of us much younger. And we wouldn’t be telling a falsehood about our age, because that’s when we really came alive and started to live! – Dr. Robert R Seyda