deeper still

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

Psalm 130:1

Ironically, this is a “Psalm of Ascents” meant to be sung as pilgrims hiked up to Zion to the temple for festivals. While climbing up, they sang about being down!

The “depths” are places we feel overwhelmed or in need of rescue. Here are some examples I think of:

• Depths of sorrow — after loss.
  
• Depths of fear — an uncertain future
  
• Depths of loneliness — no one to understand
• Depths of suffering — pain that feels unbearable

Sometimes these depths are created by others with relational misunderstanding, disagreement, betrayal, rejection, injustice, or disappointment. In these places weakness strips away the false confidence of the illusion that we are in control. We must cry out: “Lord, hear my voice!” (Psalm 130:2) The depths call us to something and Someone deeper still.

The depths of Psalm 130 however are tied to sin and guilt. The text reminds us that no one could stand if God kept a record of sins (Psalm 130:3). These depths are not circumstances that happen to us, but rather are consequences of what is within us. Yet even these depths are not meant to drown the soul… “with you there is forgiveness” (Psalm 130:4).

Whether we sink in grief, fear, failure, or guilt, the “depths” can be the the place where we release the weight of self-reliance which drag us down and then find the deliverance of hope in God’s great salvation. At the bottom of the depths we find God’s mercy to be deeper still! Amen!

busting cultural pressure

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Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.”

Daniel 6:5

This old strategy to remove the authority of scripture is still at work big time today. Culture replaces God’s authority with human authority. That’s what happened in Daniel’s day… unsuccessfully. God is Creator, King, and the Definer of truth, goodness, and human conduct (Genesis 1:1; Proverbs 14:12). Culture reverses this with mantras like: I decide what’s true for me. Instead we should submit our thoughts, desires, and actions to the authority of God’s Word as truth (Romans 12:1-2).

Culture demands we follow our desires rather than having God transform desires. Self-expression is now the highest good. If I feel it, I do it and you should support me. Yet Scripture insists our desires are warped by sin and need examination, repentance, and transformation rather than exploration (Jeremiah 17:9; Ephesians 4:22-24). Christians deny sinful desires and let the Spirit develop holy desires (Galatians 5:16-24).

Culture confuses identity that scripture clearly reveals. Society says to define ourselves by success, possessions, sexuality, politics, fame, achievement, or victimhood. “I gotta be me” is more than just an old song. Scripture locates a believer’s identity solidly in Christ (Colossians 3:1-4). The gospel challenges our culture’s pressure to deny God’s Word at every point of contention.

We do not define our own truth, follow our own desires, or create our own identities. Biblically we receive God’s truth, submit our desires to Christ, and find identity in Him.

Growing like Jesus

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And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Luke 2:52

Here we are given a wonderfully balanced and clear description of the maturity of Jesus. It serves as a kind of map of human growth as well. Jesus grew in wisdom — intellectually, learning and understanding. He grew in stature — physically, maturing from boyhood to manhood. He grew in favor with God — spiritually, living in perfect obedience and fellowship with His Father. And He grew in favor with man — socially, relating well and accepted by the people around Him. Like all of us, Jesus developed as a whole human being — a person in mind, body, spirit, and relationships.

We also, as people redeemed by Jesus, the perfect God and man, should know well-rounded development over our lifetimes. Mentally we learn truth in scripture and seek the wisdom of Christ. Physically we are called to steward our bodies for the glory of God. Spiritually we know God through His word, prayer, and obedience. We are indwelt and led by His Holy Spirit. Socially we learn to love, serve, forgive, and encourage others. We will not, however imitate Jesus under our own power. The perfect Son of God grew in these ways so that He could offer His perfect, righteous life in exchange for our broken imperfection and sin. Through faith in Christ, we are forgiven, and by His Spirit, enabled to become more like Jesus every day… in every important areas of our lives.

non-impossibilities

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For nothing will be impossible with God.

Luke 1:37

A virgin

told she’d have a son

Savior of the world

Who would forever reign

no end to her son’s kingdom

It puzzled her.

“How will this be?”

It seemed impossible.

Impossible she’d conceive.

Impossible the Son of God would be hers as well.

Impossible her old cousin was pregnant.

Impossible that Israel would have a new King.

But she believed

“I am the servant of the Lord.”

“Let it be to me

according to your word.”

I too

have small impossibilities

facing me today

but He now reigns

and has me in His Kingdom

I lament pain.

“Why must this be?”

It seems impossible.

Impossible restoration.

Impossible to see things made right.

Impossible life provision.

Impossible for this world to submit to a King.

But I will believe.

“I will serve the Lord.”

“Your will be done,

Your kingdom come…

on earth as it is in heaven.”

the last verse

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The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.

Revelation 22:21

In the end

when we stand

no longer accursed

remember this last verse

we will see His face

be in His grace

no more night

for Jesus is our light

reigning forever

crying never

His grace with us all. Amen

We took a look

at prophecy in this book

we did not add

to what we read

nor take away

from what He would say

coming for us soon

now singing His tune

we have testified

and live sanctified

the grace of the Lord Jesus with all. Amen

this makes it heaven

​The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

Revelation 21:7

What makes heaven… well… heaven? Will it be gold streets, a crystal river, walls built of solid gemstones? Will it be the sights and sounds of the redeemed in a glorious life beyond imagination, forever happy and free from the pain of living? All that certainly is worth looking forward to, but I think a powerful reality is what will make heaven truly paradise. It will be that finally “the dwelling pace of God is with man” (Revelation 21:3). We will be His people, free from sin and living as we were first created, and He will be our God. We will all live at peace with God in His beautiful presence.

That is why comfort will be present, all tears gone as a former life is eclipsed with no regrets in the Almighty presence of God. All things new… forever… will be the experience our hearts have always longed to know. We will live as we truly have always hoped to live.

This is the heritage of the redeemed who are faithful in following Jesus. He is our God. We are His children. We are at home, finally! And knowing and loving an eternal God will be the thrilling joy of our lives forever in a New Heaven and a New Earth. It is right to long for that hope. It is really what I am living for!

truly blessed

Behold, thus shall the man be blessed

who fears the LORD.

Psalm 128:4

Here is the blessed life for one rooted in fearing God and walking in His ways. God blesses ordinary life: fruitful work, provision, marriage, family, generations, and the joy of home. The source of blessing is God Himself. It is not found in the gifts that are the blessings, but in the Giver of them. Blessing is not wealth, or an easy, painless life. Blessing is lived reverently before the Lord, receiving all His good gifts and presence with a grateful heart.

The psalm starts at home but then widens to the nation: “The LORD bless you from Zion!” It extends generationally: “your children’s children”. It rejoices in the flourishing of an entire community over time in covenant with God. The blessed life is God-centered, fruitful, relational, and generational. It comes as people fear the Lord, walk in His ways, enjoy His good gifts, and seek His blessing to spread to all who love the Lord.

All blessings point to Jesus Himself. In Christ we are brought into God’s family, given a deeper inheritance than any we can have now and are blessed in a vast community of His redeemed for eternity.