Down an Unfamiliar Road

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

On the Tonight Show, comedian Johnny Carson used to have a segment called, “Carnac the Magnificent,” and now Jimmy Fallon has, “Celebrity Tweets,” where they give the answer before revealing the question. The answer part often does not make sense until the question is given. We find a similar thing in the Scriptures. The apostle Paul was encouraging the Christians in Rome in response to their times of hardship and persecution. Paul certainly knew what it was like to be tortured and jailed by opposition forces. He talks about his own suffering, hardship, and weaknesses. So this raised the question: can death or life, angels or demons, present or future hardships, or any powers, or heights or depths, or anything else in all creation, be able to separate them from the love of God they received through their Lord Jesus Christ? Paul’s answer: “If God be for us, who can be against us!” It’s not that we won’t have troubles or persecution or opposition, it’s just that none of it can cancel or make void God’s love for us. You can certainly believe without doubt, when ever thing else fails, His lovingkindness is secure and will last for eternity.

TURN YOUR GRIN INTO A SMILE –

There were so many incidents in King David’s life where he had to deal with circumstances caused by his own mistakes and errors in judgment. When he needed his friends to stand by him until he was able to get straightened out and back on the right path, he often found that they were now his biggest critics and were taking advantage of his weakness and vulnerability as an opportunity to make him look bad so they would look better. But there was always that guiding light from God that he focused on to lead him through such foggy incidents and keep him on the path laid out for him. Even though with eyes closed he could hear the loud drums of discontent, he could also hear the quiet voice of God whispering, “Do not be afraid, for I am with you always, even unto the end.”

“O One True God whom I adore, please say something! Dishonest people and those who are full of deceit have begun lying about me; calling me bad names and verbally attacking me for no reason. In return I offered them respect, but denouncing me was the only thing on their minds. So they repaid my good with evil; my love with hate. They are saying of me, ‘Appoint a dishonest lawyer for him, let his accusers take the stand. When he goes to trial don’t let him be acquitted, even hold his plea of innocence against him. That way his position in authority will come to an early end and allow someone else to take his place.’ That’s why I’m asking You, O LORD Eternal, my Divine Master, act on my behalf. This is what You’re known for, and through Your undying love You will see that I’m acquitted. You know how despondent and destitute I am, with my heart bleeding inside. My life is quickly fading; I’m being brushed off like a pest. And because of my fasting I’ve been reduced to skin and bones. Even my friends just shake their heads at me; I’ve become a disgrace to everyone I know. So don’t leave me now, O LORD Eternal, my One True God; let Your steadfast love come to my rescue so that everyone will know that it was You who pulled me through; yes, that You, O LORD Eternal, did it. Let them wish me the worst, but You bring honor; let them try their hardest, but let it become their shame so that Your servant can feel relieved. They will walk out wearing the humiliation like a robe, but I will certainly adore You, O LORD Eternal, in a special way, and celebrate You publicly no matter how many may be watching. Because You never leave the side of those being wronged; You make sure they never become victims of such undeserved prejudice.” Psalm 109:1-8, 21-31

Reflection: When the British and French fought in Canada in the 1750s, Admiral Phipps, commander of the British fleet, received word to anchor outside Quebec and wait for the British land forces to arrive, so he could cover their landing with artillery fire. Admiral Phipps arrived early and spent time surveying the city. He became disturbed by all the statues of saints that adorned the towers of a nearby cathedral, so he decided to have his men fire at them with the ship’s cannons for practice. No one recorded how many rounds they shot or how many statues they destroyed, but when the British troops finally arrived to storm ashore, the admiral proved to be of no help. It turns out that because of his annoyance he used up all his ammunition blasting away at the saints. David was asked by God to stand by while things were sorted out before making him King of Israel. But like the admiral, David may have been tempted to fire on all the idols he saw in the character of his enemies, but he held back. After all, he didn’t beg God to make him king, nor did he run after Samuel and insist on being anointed; neither was his heroic defeat of Goliath the result of prior planning. It all came about as part of God’s will and plan for his life. He stood ready to suffer any inconvenience for the LORD’S sake, but refused to buckle under and give up hope when falsely accused. David learned that with God on his side he stood the best chance of being vindicated. As the third stanza goes in the song Amazing Grace: “Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; ‘tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.” We possess every right to fight the good fight for honesty, but we must be patient and let God fight in defense of our honor. Remember, any serviceman on whom is bestowed the Medal of Honor did not go into battle with the intent to earn it, but their bravery and faithfulness to the mission were found worthy of it. Don’t be like Admiral Phipps and throw away your needed ammunition on petty aggravations and perceived annoyances. You’ve got bigger battles to fight and God is depending on you to be ready when the time comes.

YOU WILL KNOW IF IT’S REAL –

The history of the Jewish people combine four perilous types of travail they had to endure: being exiled, being disciplined, wandering in the wilderness, and traveling long distances under trying conditions. As a result, they experienced four traumas that affected them deeply: feeling lost, feeling vulnerable, feeling unloved, and feeling forsaken. But God responded with four divine interventions that brought them through each time: His kindness, His power, His love, and His promise. The writer of this psalm puts all twelve of these in perspective throughout his narrative of their historic legacy. He punctuates them again and again with a call to praise God for His endless grace.

“Here’s what the ransomed of the LORD Eternal should say, those He ransomed them from the clutches of their tormentors; those He gathered from countries around the world, say: ‘Let us worship the LORD Eternal, for He is so kind, and His grace never ends.’ Many wandered around lost in a wasteland because they didn’t know where to go for help. They were hungry and thirsty and were thinking about giving up. But that’s when they cried to the LORD Eternal for help, and He plucked them out of their hopeless situation. He then put them on the right road to reach His Holy City. So let them worship the LORD Eternal for His grace, and for the wonderful things He’s done for all mankind. He gave relief to the thirsty soul and satisfied the hungry heart with things that were necessary. Some wandered in darkness, weary of bondage because they went against His word and ignored His warnings. They realized after they sank in despair that no man could save them. In distress they cried to the LORD Eternal, and He rescued them. He brought them out of darkness and set them free. Let’s thank the LORD Eternal for His grace that worked miracles for man. In their foolishness they let sin imprisoned them, but He shattered the doors and snapped the bars; reduced to skin and bones they couldn’t eat and were on the verge of dying. But in their distress they called on the LORD Eternal; He sent His Word and healed them and delivered them from sure destruction. Let’s thank the LORD Eternal for His grace that worked miracles for mankind. Sing with joy and gratitude about His deeds. Those who sail life’s ocean see His greatness. He sends storms with huge waves tossing them up and down. They lose courage and become disoriented. But in their distress they call on the LORD Eternal, and He calms the storm and quiets the waves to bring peace, then guides them to a safe harbor.” Psalm 107:1-30

Reflection: There is a tradition about a young Chinese boy who wanted to learn all about the beautiful gem called jade. So he went to study under a monk famous for his expertise. This wise man accepted the lad and put a piece of jade into the youth’s hand and told him to hold it tight. Then the monk began to talk about philosophy, men, women, the sun, and almost everything he could think of except jade. At the end of their session he sent the boy home and told him to come back the next day. When the boy returned the old man repeated the same procedure, and continued to do so day after day. Soon the boy became frustrated, but feared interrupting his venerable master so he dutifully followed the instructions given him. One day when the monk put the stone in the boy’s hand, the boy cried out instantly, “That’s not jade!” It turned out that the boy became so familiar with the look, touch, weight and feel of this gemstone that he could tell the difference by merely touching another stone. The psalmist seems to be using the same method in teaching God’s children by putting in their hands the tablets that contain the historical record of God’s way in dealing with difficulties. Christians have adopted the same approach as they meet several times a week to hear the story of their redemption again and again; to sing about it over and over. To a genuine believer, it’s hard, if not impossible, to label something else as the gospel other than the Word of God, or someone else as their Savior other than the Lord Jesus Christ. But you won’t get to know it if you don’t hold on to it tightly every day.

NEVER GIVE UP HOPE –

As in the preceding psalm, the writer of this Hallelujah Hymn uses David’s benediction in 1 Chronicles 15:36; along with parts of Daniel’s prayer where he appeals to God’s steadfast love for forgiveness and deliverance (Dan. 9:4-19); as well as wording from the Levite Prayer after they returned from exile to rebuild Jerusalem (Neh. 9:5-37). His focus was on confession and making things right with God. For him, most of man’s distress stems from willful sinning and hardheadedness. However, he compares that to the remarkable patience and forgiveness of a compassionate and understanding God. His great faith and hope was for a day when it would all be over and we would be together forever with the one who loved us and came to get us when no one else would, or could.

“Hallelujah! Let us thank the LORD Eternal, for He is good and His undying love lasts forever. Can anyone count all the great things He’s done for us, or give Him enough praise for doing them? Count your blessings when you follow His Word and treat others fairly in every situation. So I ask, O LORD Eternal, include me when You shower blessings on Your people. And don’t forget me when You come to bring deliverance, so I can experience what You have prepared for Your chosen and share in the joy Your people will experience as they celebrate being part of Your family. At one time all of us fell short of Your expectations, just like our ancestors did; yes, we’re all guilty of making mistakes and doing things unpleasing to You. But we await Your arrival, O LORD Eternal, our God above all gods, to gather us up out from among unbelievers, so we can worship You for who You are, and join together in jubilant praise to You. Even now we lift You up in praise, O LORD Eternal, the believer’s God above all gods; the same yesterday, today and forever. So let everyone say, ‘Amen!’ O Hallelujah!” Psalm 106:1-6, 47-48

Reflection: Two American boys grew up in the same small mid-western town; went to school together; played sports on the same teams; went on double-dates together, thereby becoming inseparable friends. When they joined the Army during the Korean Conflict they insisted on being in the same unit; on the same squad. They ended up in Korea assigned to the same reconnaissance platoon. One night they both were sent out to check on enemy positions. But when all the scouts in their squad began to straggle back in, after enduring gunfire and explosions, one of these two boys noticed that his life-long buddy did not return. He insisted on going out to find him, but his commanding officer forbade it. But that didn’t stop him, he snuck out anyway. After crawling for hundreds of yards toward enemy lines, he heard a familiar groan. He quickly went in the director of the sound and found his best friend lying in a pool of blood, his body mangled by a mortar shell. As he rolled him over, his long-time friend looked straight into his eyes, and then whispered something before he died. The GI brought his pal back into camp slumped over his shoulders. Right away the sergeant started chewing him out for disobeying the Captain’s orders. The boy calmly looked back at the Non-commissioned officer, and speaking slowly as tears streamed down his face, “Sorry Sarge, but when I got to him and rolled him over, right before he died he told me that he knew, if anybody would come back to find him it would be me. So do whatever you want, I just couldn’t let my buddy down.” The Psalmist says much the same thing about his God. No doubt if the lyrics of Squire Parson’s touching song about God’s love were available to him back then, we might hear the psalmist begin singing, “He came to me, O, He came to me. When I could not come to where He was, He came to me.” To anyone feeling somewhat isolated, maybe even lost in their despair, there’s no need to panic. Take the psalmist and this soldier boy at their word, when you cannot get to where Jesus is, He will surely come to where you are. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MsgOvfccu0

IT NEVER GETS OLD –

The writer of this psalm decided to make a compilation of David’s praise song in 1Chr. 16:8-12, Asaph’s Psalm 78, as well as repeating some of the wording in Isaiah’s song of praise (Isa. 12:4-6) as a contribution to the Hallelujah Hymnal portion of the Psalter. He wanted to emphasize the need to honor God for all He has already done before we ask Him for more. The psalmist knew that when we get despondent and lose our joy, it’s best to remember an old song that gave us a sense of assurance and feelings of love, and sing it over and over again until the joy returns. It may be hard at first, but soon it activates our memory and breaks our emotional gridlock, letting our soul soar to higher ground.

“Let us hear you praise the LORD Eternal; describing who He is so everyone everywhere can hear what He’s done for you. Sing choruses and hymns about His miracles and mighty deeds. Boast about how special He is, so more and more people will get excited about getting to know Him. Learn all you can about the LORD Eternal and His power; don’t stop until you know as much about Him as you can. Study about the wonders He has performed; about His miracles and all His teachings.” Psalm 105:1-5

Reflection: During the second war in South Africa between Great Britain and the Dutch settlers, a visitor returning to England told a story about soldiers passing one another on the way to and from the front lines. The troops departing the combat zone greeted their replacements with the words: “Four-nine-four, boys; four-nine-four.” The arriving troops would reply, “Six further on, boys, six further on.” The visitor did not understand what this coded message meant, so he asked one of the servicemen to explain. The soldier told him that in a small hymn book sent to them from back home, on page 494 was the song, “God Be With You Till We Meet Again,” and six pages further on was the song, “Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine.” No doubt the psalmist wanted this song to be passed on from generation to generation, so that they never forgot who got them where they were and who would get them to where they needed to be. These troops in South Africa illustrate how faith becomes fortified when we share what God did in the past, in order to inspire hope for the future. If it worked for those soldiers; it should work for God’s army and His soldiers of the cross. Never let the new generation of believers forget what God did for you, so they can live by the same blessed assurance. But most of all, that God will receive all the praise, glory and honor He rightly deserves for every battle won.

GOD’S MASTERPIECE –

We know from previous psalms that David and other writers loved to spend time looking up into the sky, especially at night, and marvel at God’s creative power. They knew that some men believed they could duplicate whatever had been attributed to God’s handiwork here on earth, but when it came to what man saw in the heavens, there was little doubt that this lay beyond anything humankind could replicate. To these psalmists, the beauty of the stars in the universe was indicative of God’s majesty and splendor. No wonder this is the first psalm in which we find the word, “Hallelujah.”

“I want to magnify my LORD Eternal with all my heart; yes, sing to my LORD Eternal and One True God, ‘How great Thou art.’ For You are dressed in splendor and majesty that cover You in brilliant lights, spreading out Your mantle in the sky. And may the splendor of the LORD Eternal last forever; let Him always be proud of His handiwork. One glance at the earth and it quakes; yes, one touch on the mountains make them erupt. There will be no stopping me, for I plan to keep on singing hymns of praise to my One True God as long as I’m alive. I want every thought I have of Him to make Him glad, and cause the LORD Eternal to fill my heart with joy. And after sinners and evil doers are long gone, I will still be shouting, ‘Hallelujah!’ to the LORD Eternal with all my heart.” Psalm 104:1-2, 31-35

Reflection: As far back as the 1980’s, before the ensuing debate between evolution and intelligent design, molecular biologists like Dr. Michael Denton, who himself was a not a creationist thinker, questioned Darwinian evolution. He stated that to grasp the reality of life as revealed by molecular biology we must magnify a single cell a billion times until it’s about twelve miles in diameter resembling a giant airship large enough to cover New York City. Once that is done, we would see an object of unparalleled complexity and adaptive design. On the cell’s surface we’d see millions of pores, like the port holes of a vast space ship, opening and closing to allow a continual stream of materials to flow in and out. If we entered one of these openings we’d find ourselves in a world of supreme technology and bewildering complexity. Denton states, that this small element contains intricacies beyond our creative capacities, a reality that offers the strongest antithesis of this happening by accident or chance. He goes on to say, that practically every field of fundamental biological research continues to reveal ever-increasing levels of design and complexity at an ever-accelerating rate of discovery. We doubt that David or any other psalmist qualified as a molecular biologist, but one thing they never doubted for a second: God created the heavens and the earth. If the Almighty had decided to dictate His creative design methods in Genesis, detailing everything down to the smallest DNA and RNA, Moses would still be writing, causing the volume to rise above the tallest mountain peak, and beyond the ability of man’s brain to comprehend even the introductory portion. It is only by faith we can assimilate and embrace all of this wonder (cf. Isaiah 40:12-14).