E42 – Psalm 51 – Confession’s Song

Aren't you glad that the Psalms gives us a song to sing when don't feel like singing? A song for when we sin- a song of confession. Confession's Song is Humanity's song, for we all have a need to sing it- and sing it often. Confession is what restores our relationship with God, and the lyrics of this song chart a course that guides us from a fall back to the heart of God.

Before the lyrics begin in verse one, the Bible gives an introduction to this song. We are told that David wrote this after he was confronted by the Nathan the prophet, for his adulterous affair with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband to cover it up (2 Samuel 12). The narrative tells that Nathan got there around the time of the birth of the son conceived during the affair, so about nine months have gone by since the sin took place. Nine months have gone by without David confessing his sin. We may be alright living without confession, but God isn't.

The confrontation of sin and the judgment of God break up the dam of unconfessed sin. The result is a song that even though is painful to sing, it restores our relationship with God (Ps. 51.8). The song establishes a process for all of us to wash and cleanse so we can get a new heart and a renewed spirit that is aware of God's presence.

The only way to get back to God's presence is to sing the song of confession. No offerings and no sacrifices can make things right, what God desires is a "broken spirit and a contrite heart" (Ps. 51:17). The song is also a promise, that when we sing confession, God hears, God forgives and God cleanses. (1 John 1:9).

Aren't you glad that God breaks up the dam of denial? Aren't you glad that we are given a song to sing when we don't feel like singing?

E29 Judges 13-16 – Samson’s Anticlimactic Story

The account of Samson begins with such promise. The Angel of the Lord [the Lord Himself] appears to his barren parents and promises them to give them a child whom he will use to deliver Israel (Judges 13:5). A childless family who has an appearance and promise from God to have a child is usually a starting point for a story of one of the heroes of the faith- think Abraham with Isaac, Hannah with Samuel. The story of Samson began in such a way, with so much promise of greatness and destiny.

You read the story of Samson and it begins with great expectations. The Lord appears personally to his parents, accepts their sacrifice in an amazing way (Judges 13:19-20) and gives instructions on how the child is to grow up. They fittingly give their promised son a great name, Samson, which means "Sun" or "Brightness." They expected their Samson to shine like the sun, or be as bright as the sacrifice which God accepted. The Lord blessed him and the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him (Judges 13:24).

The story begins with such promise, you are looking forward to a great life, but instead we read about a man who did not live up to his potential. Some narratives in the Bible are there for you and I to aspire to, some are there for us to avoid. Samson's anticlimactic story is a warning to us; don't waste your potential, don't trash your destiny, don't wreck your purpose.

Unique gifts come with specific expectations from the Lord. Samson wandered from his commitments and at the end he was not even aware that the Lord had left him (Judges 16:20). Is that one of the most tragic statements in Scripture?

E28 – Judges 6-7 – Calling Out Of Hiding

You just got to love how God calls different people. In Gideon's calling he calls him out of hiding into being a mighty warrior (Judges 6:12).

The circumstances were grim for the Israelites. They were being so oppressed by their enemies that they were living and hiding in caves (Judges 6:2). They were literally living in hiding. I hate it when I regress to the point that I am living and hiding at the same time- how about you?

I am glad that God calls us out hiding; all the way back to Adam, God has been calling those who are living in hiding (Gen. 3:8-9). At this point of his life Gideon is inside a winepress, hiding so his food is not stolen (Jud 6:11). It was in hiding that the Angel of the Lord appears to him. You got to love the greeting- "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior" (Judge 6:12). Gideon is hiding but the Lord calls out his potential.

Can you imagine the intrigue in Gideon's mind? "Mighty warrior?" "But I am living in hiding!" Yet, this is no ordinary angel talking to him. Can you imagine what the Angel of the Lord looks like? (By the way, this is a pre-incarnate Jesus) Its one thing for an ordinary person to call you mighty warrior; but, to be called mighty warrior by Warrior-God its got to transform your self-image. Jesus was calling him out of hiding and into his potential. And, you know he wants to the same for us!

Jesus doesn't stop at calling, once He calls he usually commissions! "Go in the strength you have, and save Israel out your [enemies] hand. Am I not commanding you? (Jud. 6:14)

Gideon responded to the call and he never hid again, in fact, he indeed became the mighty warrior that God called him out hiding to be.

Dear Jesus, call me out of hiding, reluctance, and hesitance. Thank you that you draw us out of our unproductiveness, meaninglessness, and unfruitfulness. Open my eyes to my potential, let me hear your transformational Voice. Like Gideon, I want to respond and be filled with the strength of your Spirit in me.

E27 – Judges 4&5 – Deborah: Coolest Woman of The Bible

(Disclaimer: Mary is the most honored woman- I don't want to mess with Jesus' mom)

I love the story of Deborah; true to her name (The Bee), she accomplishes a vast spectrum of endeavors in just two chapters of Scripture. Here are the highlights of her leadership:

1. Judge of Israel (Judges 4:4)- In this post she led the whole country of Israel.
   
2. Prophetess (Judges 4:4)- God enables her to speak for Him.
   
3. She was a military commander and strategist (Judges 4:6-7) – and by the way, when her general, Barak refuses to lead the army, she does it herself!
   
4. She was a songwriter and singer (Judges 5:1)- In her song she brings praise to God and mocks her enemies. You got to love a woman who praises God and talks smack to her enemies! (Reminds me of my wife!)
   
5. She was a mother (Judges 5:7) - When Israel was in trouble, God called a mother to arise.
   
6. Effective Leader (Judges 5:31) - The land had peace for forty years while she reigned.
   

 

As I write this, now I know why I think Deborah is so cool; I think I married one!

E26 Judges 2-3 – Living Like We Drive

Don't we are drive differently when we see a cop car? Even if we are not speeding, we still hit the brake just in case. Is this how we live our spiritual lives? What happens in our spiritual lives, when we don't see the cop car? That is what this passage of Scripture is about.

Israel's leaders who led people into the Promised Land passed away, and now their children were living differently without their leaders. As long as they had a "cop" watching they were obedient to the faith, when there was no more "cop car" they sped towards their wreck (Judges 2:7, 10-11).

This chapter is not just about historical facts, is also a morality story. We read this and ask ourselves, if this narrative describes us as well. Who are we when no one is looking is the definition of character; and also who we truly are. This is the part of us that God cares about the most.

David, discovered that God was always watching, and came to terms with this ever-watching Father. However, he does not describe a monitoring authority figure waiting to "catch us on the act," but rather a loving Father who wants to guide us by His Hand.

Psalm 139:7-12 (NIV)

⁷ Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence?

⁸If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

⁹If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

if I settle on the far side of the sea,

¹⁰even there your hand will guide me,

your right hand will hold me fast.

¹¹If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me

and the light become night around me,"

¹²even the darkness will not be dark to you;

the night will shine like the day,

for darkness is as light to you.