Down an Unfamiliar Road

When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, their moral compass was broken; the needle of their minds and consciences no long pointed toward God so they could choose the right direction. That’s why God decided to legislate laws so that signs could be posted along the highway of life to help travelers avoid the dangers that would lead to a tragic end of life and living. But God knew ahead of time this was only temporary, that man’s moral compass needed to be replaced with a new one. So He sent His Son Jesus whose moral compass was perfect, so that all who followed him would find the right path and stay on the right road so they could enjoy a good and abundant life. That’s why Jesus said that once He was lifted up He would draw all mankind to Him. In other words, He would become the magnet for our moral compass so that the needle of our mind and conscience would automatically point to Him when we need direction. On top of that, it’s free! A new compass as a gift from God. Today we hear the swelling roar of voices and see the increasing clamor to enact new laws, pile new regulations on top the stack of old regulations; to demand greater punishment for breaking of these new laws even though the punishment for the already existing laws is not carried out. What we need in this country is to have our individual and societal moral compasses repaired. It is impossible to legislate morality and righteousness. The Ten Commandments given by God to Moses did not stop idolatry, profanity, murder, adultery, lying, stealing, or perjury. I believe with all my heart that if every parochial school, every charter school, every home school and every Christian based college and university would require a class on morals that would include the Ten Commandments and Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, it would infuse into our society the needed influence so that fewer and fewer laws would be required to guide our citizens in living in harmony and doing what’s right. Just my view.

DON’T BE SCARED TO ASK FOR HELP –

The young man in this psalm continues his story about the emotional, psychological, and spiritual struggles he went through trying to get a better understanding of why God called him and gave him his purpose in life. Philosophy concerns ideas about where we came from, why are we here, and where are we going. Others had their concepts, but he wanted to know what God had to say about it. That’s why he concentrated on searching God’s Word to find the answers. Human opinions are a dime a dozen, but often prove to be unreliable. But there is One whose opinion is worth its weight in gold, that’s the One the psalmist decided to follow and obey.

“I want You to help me succeed and enjoy life by following Your advice; So give me greater understanding so I can comprehend the deeper truths found in Your teachings. My journey here on earth is like that of a pilgrim, so don’t conceal the wisdom of Your commandments from me. There’s nothing I want or desire more than to fully comprehend Your declarations. I’ve seen what You do to the unfortunate people who ignore Your commandments. That’s why I don’t want to be identified with them, because I’m serious about following Your instructions. And when those know-it-alls get together and disapproved of my dedication to You, I simply buried my face in Your principles for living. Your instructions not only proved to be a delight for me, but they served as my constant advisers.”

“I admit, right now I’m sort of down in the dumps, but You said that Your advice would perk me up. After all, You and I agreed on what I should do, now let me see even clearer Your will for my life. I want to see firsthand how Your guidelines make life work, so I can better grasp the miracles You perform. Things seem to get harder and harder every day, so I need advice from You to cheer me up. I don’t want to pretend I’m happy; that’s why I ask You to give me the grace to understand Your teachings. I’ve made the right choice when I begin this journey; I will abide by all Your declarations for my life. So I plan to follow Your instructions, O LORD Eternal, don’t let it end up embarrassing me. I know there’s still more to learn about Your commandments, so I’m open to gaining more wisdom from You.” Psalm 119:17-32

Reflection: In his first inaugural address on Tuesday, January 20, 1981, President Ronald Reagan told of a young soldier named Private Martin Treptow, who left Al Popma’s barbershop in the small rural town of Cherokee, Iowa in 1917, to go fight in France with the famous 42^nd Rainbow Division, where a young Chief of Staff named Colonel Douglas McArthur also served. On Monday, July 29, 1918, Treptow was sent to carry a message between battalions, but died in a heavy barrage of artillery fire. When they found his body, they discovered a diary inside his fatigue jacket, and on the flyleaf under the heading, “My Pledge,” Private Treptow had added these inspiring words just eight months before his death: “America shall win the war. Therefore, I will work, I will serve, I will sacrifice, I will endure, I will fight cheerfully and do my utmost, as if the whole issue of the struggle depended on me alone.” Not only did the crowd on inauguration day see tears in President Reagan’s eyes, but I’m sure if this Psalmist had been present we would have seen tears in his eyes as well. Such dedication brings warmth to any person’s heart, and makes them proud to be part of a society where such loyalty to one’s country is expressed. What wonderful examples both the psalmist and Pvt. Treptow give us as men of courage and resoluteness! God expects the same from us to be just as loyal to His kingdom, His word and His guidelines in times of spiritual warfare? Let your life’s story include such a heroic example to inspire others to remain true until the end? It’s your decision, just like that of the psalmist and this dedicated solider.

EMBARRASSED TO ASK FOR DIRECTIONS –

This longest psalm in the Psalter is the story of a young man’s spiritual journey, and how he fought to maintain his faith while under severe persecution. Each section contains a small vignette describing his struggles, and he explains how he coped with his opponents by turning to God’s Word for instruction and comfort. It is very similar to David’s 19^th Psalm, which scholars believe was used by a musician who expanded it. For the Psalmist, ignorance of God’s Word was considered being in darkness, because God’s Word was the light needed to shine on his path so he could find the right way in order to fulfill God’s will and purpose for his life. And one thing this young pilgrim knew for sure, God’s light never went out. Even when he closed his eyes to it, God’s Word kept shining.

“Count your blessings if you are one of those who live right, one who is committed to trust the Teachings provided by the LORD Eternal. Count your blessings if you are one of those who follow His instructions, and does what He has to say with all their hearts. They don’t pursue their own ideas, but seek to do His will. After all, He took the time to write out all the guidelines we need to stick to. I wish I could be more committed to obeying the principles for living You gave us to follow; then I wouldn’t be so convicted whenever I look at Your commandments to see what I should have done. So I dedicate myself to observe and learn more about the declarations You made about right living. I will make Your principles for living my number one priority; that way I know You will always be with me.

And if I’m asked how a young person can clean up their life, I know it’s by following your advice. That’s why I seek to know You better with all my heart; I don’t want to get lost by not using the commandments You gave. So I’ve memorized Your advice; that way I will not fall short of Your expectations. You are so wonderful, O LORD Eternal, so help me to get to know Your principles for living. I love to repeat over and over the declarations You’ve made for me. I get a thrill when Your instructions become clearer and clearer to me; it’s like finding a pot of gold. Each day now I study Your guidelines as a way of showing respect for Your will. I can’t wait to discover new regulations for me to follow; and I promise never to neglect Your advice.” Psalm 119:1-16

Reflection: Many years ago in London, England, poor children often roamed the city streets begging for money to take home. One day a city policeman found a young girl apparently lost and asked where she lived. She didn’t know her address, so the police officer began naming the surrounding sights and objects – the river, the bridge, the railway station, etc. She kept shaking her head until he mentioned a well-known landmark: “Charing Cross.” The little girl’s eyes lit up and she exclaimed, “Oh yes sir, if I can just see the cross I know how to get home from there!” The psalmist saw God’s Word in a similar light. If he ever got lost, he’d study God’s teachings to help him find his way back to where he needed to be. The same goes for us; if we try to find our way through this world with its many obstacles and pitfalls without some guidance, we too will become hopelessly lost. Like the stars in the sky, even though things on earth may change, God’s Word does not change or alter course. We can always trust it to be our guiding light, especially when we find ourselves stumbling around in the darkness. And just like that little girl, if we can get our eyes back on the cross, we know we can find our way home again.

LOVE WITH NO EXPIRATION DATE –

These are the last two psalms sung following the Passover Meal after raising the third cup of wine. The shorter one (117) was often used as a prayerful hymn to introduce observances and festivals in the temple; while the longer one (118) was sung at the dedication of the new Temple after the exiles returned from captivity. Both these jewels speak in terms of the future; expressing joy and hope in a God whose undying love cannot be quenched, nor can it be exhausted. What better way to end a meal that celebrates being set free from bondage, than by recounting the number of times that freedom was challenged but remained steadfast because the God who performed the miracle of salvation could not be persuaded to cancel His promises.

“Let everyone around the world stand up and praise the LORD Eternal for how great He is! His undying love simply overwhelms us, and the faithfulness of the LORD Eternal will never, ever end. O Hallelujah! Yes, praise the LORD Eternal for He is kind, and His undying love will never, ever end. Let all believers declare, ‘His undying love will never, ever end.’ Let all His ministers declare, ‘His undying love will never, ever end.’ Let all who reverence the LORD Eternal exclaim, ‘His undying love will never, ever end.’ When I felt so penned in, I called out to the LORD above, and the LORD above responded by giving me room to breathe. Since the LORD Eternal stands ready to help, I will not be afraid no matter what others may say or do. And with the LORD Eternal on my side, it gives me the strength to look any enemy straight in the eye. I would rather put my full trust in the LORD Eternal than depend on anything mankind may promise me. I say again, it is better to put one’s full trust in the LORD Eternal than to accept assurances from those who claim authority.” Psalm 117:1-2 & Psalm 118:1-9

Reflection: Jewish historians tell us that when Solomon’s Temple was being built, chiseling of stones was forbidden on temple grounds; so all the stones had to be cut to specifications at the quarry site. The stonemasons then sent these stones to be placed into the building of the Temple. One day a stone arrived and the builders couldn’t figure out where it was supposed to go. It looked out of place and not cut correctly, so they threw it away down the hillside. Sometime later the builders began wondering when to expect the most important stone, the cornerstone. With all the other stones in place they need this last one right away. So they sent word back to the quarry, asking where the cornerstone was. The workers at the quarry replied that the cornerstone had already been sent a long time ago so it would be there when needed. That’s when the builders realized that the stone they threw away as not being of any use turned out to be the most important of them all. In like fashion, believers need to guard against throwing the cornerstone of their faith away. Its place cannot be filled by another, and without it our temples cannot be completed for God’s Spirit to occupy. In such cases, it will remain incomplete and undedicated. But just like these builders of Solomon’s Temple, if we ever throw that cornerstone away we can always find it right were we left it, because God in His undying love will not hide it or take it away out of spite. He is more interested in us getting our temples built than He is in revenge or doing something out of spite. No wonder the writers of these Psalms declared over and over again, His undying love will never, ever end. This same thought from this Psalm also inspired hymn writer George Matthewson to pen these words in 1882: “O Love that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee; I give thee back the life I owe, that in thine ocean depths its flow may richer, fuller be.” Where else can you find any other love like this?

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.