Psalm 22:2-32 (DB of 30/6/2017)

Friday June 30th 2017

key verse: 22b

YOU RESPONDED TO ME

The psalm is divided into two parts, the first is the prayer of an oppressed person and the second is the exaltation of those who see that his prayer is answered. It's the prayer of our Lord in suffering.

1. My God, my God, why are you turned away from me ? (2-22a)

This scene of the suffering of the king very precisely relates the ordeal of Jesus on the cross. It seems that salvation is far and that God's silence is absolute. He considers himself like a worm, as he confesses in his weakness. The mockery of the people is unbearable, it's seems that he was born for pain. He is surrounded by animals which lick him. Verse 15 particularly describes the suffering of Jesus on the cross. He is flowing away like water, his heart is like wax. The people make a division of his robes among them. So the king prays that God doesn't leave him (12, 20-22a).

2. You answered me (22b-32)

The psalmist David gazes with joy and elation upon the fulfillment of his prayers. God isn't indifferent to the unfortunate people's pain. In his time, God raises and puts up his hand to save them. The king strongly urges the people to exalt the name of the very benevolent Eternal God. He humbles the mighty of the world who are only like dust, but he raises the humble from contempt and disdain. All the families of the earth will be blessed in him and their posterity will give worship to God. His justice will be recognized by the descendants.

Prayer: Lord, thank you because you watch over my anguishes and pains, and when I cry you don't forget me and you answer me. I want to exalt you among your saved people.

A word: the Lord saved me from the abyss of death

Psalm 20:2-10 (DB of 28/6/2017)

Wednesday June 28th 2017

key verse: 7

THE MIGHTY RESCUE OF THE ETERNAL GOD

This psalm constitutes one part with the second: both describe the intercession and the thanksgiving of the people, before and after the fight led by the king.

1. The people intercede (1-6)

When Jacob was in a crisis, God had rescued him. On the way of the desert, at Laban's home, and in Yabboq, God was his rescue. Israel well knows the God of Jacob. We have reason to depend on him and implore his rescue, because God doesn't forget to send his rescue from the sky. God remembers our offerings and he responds when we are in the lack of materials. Above all God is the one who listens to the requests of our heart (5,6). The people know that the king is sacrificial, so they pray that God blesses him and gives him success. 

2. But us, in the name of the Eternal God (7-10)

Now it's the king who prays. He knows that the Eternal God saves him and rescues him in the fight. The powers of this world rely on their military power. But for the Messiah, God's people rely on the Eternal God's name, which is the source of all power. When God sends his rescue, even if the powers of this world are powerful, they abide and surrender, whereas we stand firm. In the v. 10, the soldier prays for the king. Assurance coming from God ensures the near certain victory. But in the Bible, assurance doesn't provide sufficiency, but rather it provides the occasion for a pressing prayer and a call on God's salvation.

Prayer: Lord, help me to ask you and invoke you. We know that you will never forget to respond to us. So help me to wait on you with patience and faith. I pray that the king wins the fight making the people repent. 

A word: from where comes the rescue ? The rescue comes from the sky.

SONG OF VICTORY (II) (DB of 26/6/2017)

Monday June 26th 2017

key verse: 47

Previously, David made two declarations about his personal righteousness and about God's principle in his dealings according to human character. This second part deals with God's call and the conclusion.

1. God's resouding call (29-46)

The Eternal God with his light and his strength encourages David and gives him an ardent and constant fire to serve Him. God is worthy of honour and worship because of his blessings and also because of the absolute truth of his word (31). God had carefully formed David on the physical point of view (health, strength, agility), giving him a warrior instruction, and on the moral point of view (perseverance, resistance, humility) to make the small shepherd David become a mighty king. David accepts the goal of this training. The conquest of his enemy is God's action (40). God refuses all the prayers of his enemies (42). God makes David the chief of numerous nations, even the peoples who don't have any relation with him recognize his sovereignty when they hear something about him. (46). It's historically proved (2 Sa: 10-18) and also it's prophetic (Ps 2:8).

2. Conclusion (47-51)

With all this reflection, David fully recognized the will of  the loving God. He is the living God (47). Even though David is an avenger, he knows that God avenges his noble cause using men (48). His sovereignty contributes to spread God's law far (50), and finally David benefits from the permanent alliance with God which will be accomplished in the end in the eternal reign of David' Son (51).

Prayer: Lord, you are my Eternal God, my rock and the God of my salvation. I pray that the news of your Son spread out far and near.

A word: be a winner because He is with you

DAVID'S PRAYER

Friday June 23th 2017

key verse: 1

We see in this psalm a prime example of David's prayer. He overcomes the enemy by the mighty prayer which goes up to the sky.

1. David's pure conscience (1-3)

Sincerity is the first condition of the prayer, says John Bunyan. David claims his sincerity before God. With the assurance of having a proper heart, each person can start approching God. 1) his things are pure and his tongue is bound (1b, 3b). He relies on God's word before doing whatever. 3) he defends himself from the bad actions of the wicked. 4) he decides to be faithful to God's word.

2. He demands God's justice (4-12)

Now he invokes God who protects those who flee to him. David wants God's justice to be fully manifested when the enemy attacks. The assault of the enemy is like the assault of a devouring lion which looks out in the shadow for the step of its prey. The situation is perilous like when we walk on sharped blades. But Davis is assured of God's caring who protects him like the apple of his eye. Note the constrast between the wicked and the righteous man about the use of the tongue (3b, 10b).

3. The satisfaction of the psalmist (13-15)

The wicked are closed in their fat (10). Their part is the life on the earth;  (14b) they are satisfied by abundance of the world and they enjoy the wordliness. Their system of value is age-old. But the interest and the value of the man of God are different. David searches to be satisfied by God and his image, and no water of Jacob's wells can do it (15).

Prayer: Lord, make me really pray. I pray that your reign comes, expulsing the wicked ! And make me be satisfied by your image !

A word: really pray

BEYOND DEATH Psalm 16:1-11 (DB of 22/6/2017)

hursday, June 22nd 2017

key verse: 11

The psalmist manifests his decision to act in a certain way, and though surrounded by enemies, he continues to put his trust in God.

1. The psalmist's decision (1-4)

In Psalm 1, the psalmist already said that those who walk in the way of sinners and receive council from evildoers are unhappy. The world is filled with the wicked and sinners who do not seek God. Their lives are filled with idols, but the psalmist has clearly decided to not share in their way of life. 

2. The psalmist's portion (5-11)

David the psalmist has a clear idea of his portion. It happened when he decided to separate himself from sinners. Sin and the Holy Spirit each have antipodes directly linked to other antipodes : the portion of the psalmist in verse 5, his lines in verse 6 and even his inheritance in verse 6b. All Christians inherit eternal life in the kingdom of God (1 Peter 1:3-4). It never fades; therefore, it is a living hope. So, this portion or inheritance is something that transcends death. It is prepared for us in heaven by our Lord God. When his disciples worried about the future, Jesus told them that there are many rooms in heaven. The Holy Spirit comes to instruct the psalmist, especially at night when obscurity falls. Surrounded by idolatrous enemies, David risks falling into temptation. Yet, with the help of the Holy Spirit, he sets the Lord before him. God, protecting him from falling, fills him with more and more joy and gladness. The greatest fear will come at the hour of our death. Yet we can be in peace if we trust in God who saves us (verse 10). In complete confidence, the psalmist confesses, "for you will not abandon my soul to Sheol (the grave)". He will not see the pit of death.

Prayer: Lord, separate me from idolatrous people and help me to trust in you. You will lead me beyond death into your kingdom.

Bottom line: You will have fullness of joy before Him.

WHO WILL STAY IN MY TENT ? (DB of 2162017)

Wednesday June 21th 2016

Psalm 15:1-5

key verse: 1

This short poem talks about the behaviour of a righteous man. He understands personal and social behavior.

1. The aspiration of the righteous man (1, 5b)

The aspiration of a pious man is to remain in his tent and on the mountain of Sion. He searches God's presence in the life of pilgrimage and in the holy city in the midst of the assembly of the people. Here is the most trusted place. Then, he aspires to have a noble character, personnaly and also socially. Therefore, he will never falter in his life.

2. Personal and social behaviour (2-5a)

First, the psalmist talks about personal behaviour. From a positive point of view, he leads an honest life (Gn 6:9; 17:1), he practices justice in all his transactions, because his heart is founded on truth. From a negative point of view, he doesn't slander, that's to say that he is not a rapporteur with the wicked and unfair words. Then, he behaves properly socially. The Christian judges the people according to moral criterions. He doesn't take into account the people who merit disdain because of their actions, but he respects all person who honour and fear the Eternal God. If they had an engagement which is expensive and boring, he doesn't avoid his responsability because the terms of a vow are sacred (Jos 9:19).  About wealth, he rejects the greedy practice of stealing and practices liberality toward others, and he doesn't corrupt justice through gifts, especially if the result damages an innocent person. 

Prayer: Lord, make me have a pious aspiration and obtain the character worthy of you practicing justice towards you and the others.

A word: search his presence and burn his character 

I REJOICE DESPITE ALL THAT (DB of 19/6/2017)

Monday June 19th 2017

Psalm 13:1-6
key verse: 6

The psalmist prays for a subject, he thanks God and rejoices despite all that. His joy is much contrasted with the despair in his heart.

1. How long ? (2-5)

David says "how long ?". The tribulations and the persecutions continue to make him suffer. They are endless. In this situation, his heart is full of afflictions. It seems that God hides his face. We often experience the same thing. God appears to be deaf to our requests. So our heart is down and we moan in the suffering. But God permits us to pray to him with our laments. "How long, O Eternal God ?". There is also another reason for this lament. David prays that the enemy doesn't rejoice because of David's fate, so that God's name be not degraded. That's why he demands that God save his servant from contempt. He wants his eyes to be illuminated to see the spiritual reality, without being clouded by an unfortunate fate (4).

2. I trust in you (6)

The psalmist confesses that he trusts in God's kindness. His heart is full of grief because of the delay of God's coming. But it's not a reason to query God's love. The psalmist doesn't change, he continues to put his trust in God and in his mercy which doesn't change. When he continues to put his trust in God depite all that, God pours his clear waters in his heart, his heart doesn't blur and his eyes remain illuminated. Above all, God pours an unchanging mercy in his soul and an indescribable joy. His heart is very joyful and is full of new songs. "He blesses me" says David. The illuminated eyes are those which can see the sky and mercy depite the whole visible, unfortunate situation. God pours his immeasurable love and mercy.

Prayer: Lord, humble the enemy, raise me up, because I want you to be raised up. Make me fully rejoice in your presence.

A word: thanks be to God despite all that

THE WORDS OF THE LORD ARE PURE WORDS (DB of 17/6/2017)

Saturday, June 17th 2017

Psalm 12:1-9

key verse: 7

The believers are called "fidèles" in French, or "faithful" in English. Deacons must have the quality of faithfulness. Yet in this fallen world, it is pointless to look for it, since there are no more people like that. Above and below, they are absent. However, there are many flattering lips with a double heart. They are arrogant, impious and, boasting about their ability to speak, they exclude the lordship of Christ from their lives.

However, God's words and human words are incomparable. God's words are pure, like silver refined seven times in a furnace. They are right for teaching, convicting, correcting and educating in righteousness. Human words based on ideas try to do the same, but the effect is humanistic, without power to solve men's true problems and unhelpful in their effort to do truly good works. Yet, the words of God are different. They establish the kingdom of God in the hearts of men and motivate them to do truly good works. 

There is nothing good in human words (9). Ideas and conversations are filled with insanity and obscurity, maligning the children of God. Yet, God will keep and preserve them from all of man's evil. 

Poem:

The words of men are filled with bitterness

They flatter one another, as is their custom

But the words of God are full of truth

They are well-adapted for teaching and convicting

They come from the Creator God on his eternal throne

Silver refined in the furnace like on Carmel

Seven times refined, they rescue us from deep waters

They make us carry torches victoriously

Help us to bridle our tongues, like James told us

And to seek your word of truth, to abide in it day and night

Psalm 11:1-7 (DB of 16/6/2017)

Friday June 16th 2017

key verse: 4

THE ASSURANCE WHICH COMES FROM FAITH

The psalmist is burdened in front of a danger of peril on the one hand, and on the other, he is assured of God's protection. It's the reality of a man of faith.

1. The danger of peril for a righteous man (1-3)

This psalm can reflect David's attitude when his friend advises him to flee Saul's hidden jealousy. But this advice isn't that which comes from David's friends, it can be a interior monologue which rises in ourselves: the voice of our rationale which is reverberating when evil threatens God's people. But David doesn't pay attention to the human voices, only to faith in God. God is the only valid refuge for all the troubled souls. What will the just do when there will a total upheaval ?

2. God is the protection of the people (4-7)

So the vision of God seated on the celestial throne gives the psalmist a deep serenity in his assurance. A man is weakened too much in front of the threat, his innocence, his justice seem useless. But there is God's reward for the righteous man. God looks at the interior of a man, God stands by the righteous man. God is so just, he pours a devouring fain rain from sky, The burning wind is really stifling. God judges and condemns the wicked through this natural phenomenon. In contrast, God likes the righteous man and he favorably receives his acts of justice. "Happy are the clean in heart: for they will see God" says Matthew 5:8.

Prayer: Lord, you are the shield of the righteous man. Help me to not flee the difficult reality but face it and see your celestial vision to triumph everyday. 

A word: your throne in your holy temple

Psalms 9: 1-21 (DB of 14/6/2017)

Wednesday June 14th 2017

key verse: 14

HAVE MERCY ON ME, O ETERNAL GOD

Jesus says "The Father isn't the judge of men, but he has given all decisions into the hands of the Son" (John 5:22). This psalm speaks about the judgment of the nations. Somewhere in this text there is certainly the presence of the Son.

1. The Eternal God, the judge of the nations ? (1-11)

The psalmist David enjoys in the presence of the Lord. In spite of the surronding enmity, his joy is extreme. Why ? Because he knows his God. He is his perfect protection. He is the Lord of justice so he judges the wicked. Seated on his celestial throne, God governs the world with justice. So David praysfor God to stand up for the underdogs and to be the fortress of the weak. David knows that God doesn't ever abandon his children who put their faith in Him (11).

2. Have mercy on me, O Eternal God (12-21)

The psalmist doesn't experience God's blessings only for himself but urges the people to put their faith in Him and to publish to the surrounding nations (12). When David is weakened because of the ferocity of the enemies he bows before God again to beg his mercy again. "Have mercy on me, O Lord!". The only area of interest of the psalmist is to emphasize God's glory. Maybe he thought that it's not important for himself but only so that God's name be not despised, so claims the issuance from the enemies judging them. Maybe he had the same feeling as Moses when Moses prayed for God to forgive the sin of the people so that the name of God be not despised by the enemies. The enemies turn back, trip and perish (4). The people must know that the enemies are only men (Lc 12:14).

Prayer: Lord, you are the judge of the nations. Have mercy on me so I overcome the evil, so that your magnificent name be exalted and praised among the people through my life.

A word: you are formidable however very much gracious. Thank you

Psalm 7:1-18 (DB of 12/6/2017)

Monday June 12th 2017

key verse: 1

I SEARCH FOR MY REFUGE IN YOU

1. The psalmist proclaims his innocence (1-6)

David prays as he previously prayed in tears using this verbs "save" and "deliver". Is there no desire even greater when a person is surrounded by the enemies ? David search for a refuge in God and wishes that he be not trapped and captured by the enemies. However, the war that he starts isn't a war in the body but it's a spiritual war. David wisely looks or secret of the success. This secret is to be pure and innocent before God. God knows our hearts and he penetrates it. With a soiled and compromised heart we can't avoid God's look and we can't hope for success. That's why he proclaims his innocence with all his will to assume his responsability.

2. The imprecation of the psalmist once more (7-18)

The reason of the imprecation in the psalms is marked here. Verse 10 says " let the evil of the wicked come to an end...give strenght to the righteous man". God searches men's hearts and inner being. David knows that God always sides with the righteous man and those which have a right heart (9b, 11b). The wicked diligently work to spread injustice and to hurt the righteous man. But, paradoxically, they are captured by their own trap. A bad fruit comes from a bad tree, says Jesus. They bear injustice from generation to generation. But they fall in the hole that they drilled for their opponents. Their iniquity is brought on their own heads. They are the pasture of a righteous man and his laughing stock. That's because God's justice is living, and that's why the psalmist praises God. 

Prayer: Lord, make me live an honest life before you, because that's the secret of success and victory in the fight.

A word: Lord, you are my refuge

Psalm 3:1-9

Wednesday June 7th 2017

key verse: 5

IMPLORE THE ETERNAL GOD

The prayer is the measure of faith. The author is besieged by the enemies and he adresses God with an ardent prayer. He makes his prayer to God (Ac 12:5)

1. God's enemies (1-5)

His enemies were his confidants who endorsed Absalom to lift up their heel against David. They are like fierce lions who swallow him. They constantly spread rumours to slander David. Thinking about them David would have been afraid and would have trembled. But he doesn't, because he knows that the Eternal God is on his side. God is a shield. So the poet flees with trust. Above all, in this insurmountable calamity he flees to the Eternal God by the prayer spoken aloud. God doesn't despise those who cry, God listens to them. 

2. God's providence (6-9)

The psalmist has a firm assurance that the Eternal God supports him as his master. Because the Eternal God is the King of the kings, the Lord of the lords, the governor of the world. So there is no reason to be afraid even if they are the powerfuls men of the world. As they allied against the Messiah, also they allied against us by mutual agreement. David is surrounded by the myriads of enemies who prepare ambush everywhere against him. What can he do at this time ? He adresses to God his prayer with increased insistence. He prays that God rises up, fights the cheek of the enemies and breaks their tooth. The dentist will be busy with work. Finally, David recognizes that salvation and blessing belong to the Eternal God. The enemies against the saints will be deprived of it. 

Prayer: Lord, make me not be afraid of the enemies, because you are my shield. Make me believe in your providence and constantly pray so that God's kingdom comes and that the wicked are conquered.

Bottom line: you are my shield

Psalm 2:1-12 (Monday, June 6th 2017)

JESUS, THE SOVERAIN KING

Psalm 2:1-12

key verse: 9

Psalm 2 seems to describe a tumultuous political situation. It speaks concretely on the scene of Jesus' crucifixion.

1. The nations unite against the Messiah (1-5)

In this world, the kings lord it over men. They use their power every which way to impose their system on the world. They are sometimes very miserly, though they exploit their people without scruple. When Jesus came, political men, nobles and religious leaders united to eliminate Jesus. To a degree, they succeeded. However, in spite of the appearance of dominating, they did not really succeed and were simply puppets who served the will of the soverain Lord. He is the ruler of nations and he laughs at their power which is like castles of sand. Their arrogance will be judged one day. 

2. The king established in his soverainty (6-12)

The soverain king removes the proud kings of this world. He then establishes in his name a king over the earth. His name is Jesus, the Messiah, and he is annointed to rule over the world. For a moment, he is rejected and despised, but one day these kings will be rejected and despised, for God will pour his wrath on those who revolted against him. He will annoint his Messiah in giving him power over his enemies. He will break them with an iron scepter, a symbol of royal power. God tells his annointed one to ask him for the earth as an inheritance. Even followers of Jesus can ask God for his authority to lead people. Jesus said we will do greater things than he (John 14:12). Do you have the pious fear and faith to ask him for the earth?

Prayer: Lord, make me fear you who are soverain. Make me believe in you so that I ask for authority to care for this people.

Bottom line: The kings of the world, puppets

Psalm 1:1-6 (DB of June 5th)

INTRODUCTION TO PSALMS

In Psalms we see men of flesh and blood who are like us, who confront situations akin to ours, and who find in God a sufficient rescue. David is mentioned as author 73 times, Kore's children 11 times, Asaph 12 times. The head of the choir is mentioned as publisher 55 times. The musical liturgical annotation "Chela" appears 71 times. 150 psalms are distributed in 5 "books" (maybe like the five books of the law), and each transition is marked by the doxology of the publisher (41 :14 ; 72 : 18,19 ; 89 : 53 ; 106 : 48).

The way to read Psalms:

Sometimes, the imprecations shock us; the desire that a sudden ruin reaches the enemies, that death startles them, etc. Does it conform with Christian faith ? There are three reasons:

1) The moral indignation of the pious men

2) The zeal to defend God's name

3) The search to be realistic 

But the Psalms are more than only the imprecations. The psalmist is committed to 4 great truths:

1) Recognizing their guilt, the men anticipate that their lives include some difficulties.

2) Remembering often God's kindness to Israel produces the assurance that God will never fully abandon his people. 

3) The precious privilege to have the Lord as our God overcomes provisional tribulation on earth. 

4) The blessed hope of having a glorious life from God in the other world

So let us study Psalms with this way of interpretation:

Each psalm appears in a unity of redaction and deals with only one theme (except certain psalms like PS 119). We must read and read again until discovering this theme. We must give particular attention to the expressions "because" and "therefore" which articulate the subdivisions. Thanks to it the modern reader can understand what were the circumtances which had inspired the meditations of the writer, what were his sufferings and what consolations and comfort he found in God.

Psalm 1:1-6

key verse: 2

HAPPY IS THE MAN

It's a psalm which introduces the whole collection. It seems that prosperity is guaranteed for the righteous man. But at the beginning of the second book we will see that the righteous man also is subject to insurmountable sufferings (Ps 41).

1. Two alternatives in front of man (1-2)

In life there are two ways: the way of justice and the way of wickedness. Man constantly confronts this reality. He is faced with the alternative. To man, the quality of the company is determinant and predominates (1 Co 15:33). We must depart from the bad company to be happy. Then, we must absorb ourselves in God's word. Happy is the man who loves God's word, and who meditates, searching its deep meaning hidden in it. 

2. The consequences of the choices (3-6)

The result of the choice is very eloquent. The absorption in God's word makes the practicer be prosperous in all things. He enjoys success in material life and also he enjoys perfect health. Not only that, above all, he has a very fruitful spiritual life like the abundant foliage of a tree. He is like a tree planted by the rivers of water, which constantly receives the lifeblood through his root. This food constantly strengthens him and constantly feeds his soul. In contrast, the man who chooses the way of the wicked experiences a great calamity. Even if his life seems abundant, it's empty, like the straw which flies away in the wind, his life evaporates like steam, not resisting Last Judgment. He disappears without leaving any trace.  Finally his soul burns out in the fire. In this world he suffers as a sinner from guilt with the premonition of the judgment, and he can't bear the presence of the community of the saints. 

Prayer: Lord, make me not choose the way of the wicked but the way of the righteous men. Make me constantly meditate your word and bear abundant fruit pleasant to you.

Bottom line: Choose God's word, not worldly friends 

Hebrews 13:1-17

Friday June 2nd 2017

key verse: 2

THE CHRISTIANS' DUTY 

First, the author talks about the social duties, then about the duties towards the pastors, finally about the attachment to the holy doctrine. 

1. Don't fail to practice hospitality and remember the leaders (1-8)

The author urges fraternal love as a basis. Loving each other means making way in our heart for the good of the others (Ph 2:4), and putting ourselves in their place (3a). Like Abraham, the hospitable person unwittingly receives God's angels (2). We must keep conjugal purity and guard against material lust. The security is for the saints who trust God in their material life. Then, we must remember the sufferings of our leaders, honour them and imitate their faith. The author adds Jesus' unchanging character to say that on one side Jesus is our ultimate leader, and on the other side that we must follow our leaders as we follow Jesus.

2. Don't let yourself be led away (9-17)

Apart from the various duties, the Hebrews must have a solid basis of fundamental doctrine: that is Jesus' blood. The doctrine of mercy which feeds the soul vs the doctrine of the works regarded as useless foods. The Christians' altar is the cross. They take part in it and this part has nothing to do with the service of the high priest in the tabernacle. However there is a symbol here: as the high priest burnt the meat out of the camp, also Jesus suffered outside. The Christian must suffer rejection instead of taking advantage of food, he must offer praises, confessing God's name and exersising mercy. The author urges us to listen to our leaders again. Indeed the holy doctrine comes through them. 

Prayer: Lord, help me practice fraternal love and hospitality. Then help me to obey my leaders and be sure about the doctrine of mercy taugh by them.

Bottom line: remember it