Seeing Jesus in the Psalms

 Psalm 67 This is one of the most evangelical Psalms I’ve read so far. Short and powerful, the message of who God is is expanded to all the earth, to the whole world, to all nations, to people everywhere. If you ever wondered about what God was thinking and doing in the Old Testament compared to the New Testament, you can be assured that He was always interested in reaching the whole world. May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere. Psalm 67:2 Just so we are all clear, this has never not been the task. It has always been the goal of God’s people to make God's power known to all people everywhere throughout the whole earth. It has never been okay to just ignore the others, to be only focused on those in the circle of God’s current family. Jesus showed us this is for everyone. Jesus took it to Samaria. Paul took this message to the ends of the earth. And it has always been God’s plan to have missionaries, ambassadors, representatives and i...

  Psalm 63 MAIN POINT: God rules through His powerful, benevolent presence by establishing His kingdom of security and provision. If you are following my adventure through the Psalms then you probably have realised with me that the more traditional devotional psalm of quiet meditation, peaceful contemplation or restful jubilation are so far the exception and quite rare. Most of the psalms until now with a few notable exceptions have been desperate cries for help, vengeance and justice. And to be honest I think we need to correct our expectations a lot and recognise that life is pain, warfare and a struggle. And if we are determined to live for God, then we'll face roadblocks from our own selfish soul that doesn’t want to relinquish power, obstacles from friends and family who want to occupy the place in your heart where God must live and the ever present forces of darkness who are grasping to kill, steal and destroy everything of God’s that is good. That is probably why Psalm 63 is...

  Psalm 55 How could I read Psalm 55 and not relate? I was struck first by the vivid description of fear. As I copied over the words, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest! I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness” (vv.6-7), I remembered several times feeling the same way, even recently. The monster of betrayal , the spectre of fear , or the haunting ghost of wanting-to-escape , can be the close companions of many a Christian servant. These very same evil spirits hounded Jesus, the son of God, until  His death on the cross.  12 It is not an enemy who taunts me— I could bear that. It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me— I could have hidden from them. 13 Instead, it is you —my equal, my companion and close friend. 14 What good fellowship we once enjoyed as we walked together to the house of God . MAINPOINT: God can help you carry your burdens. Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the go...