Seeing Jesus in the Psalms

Psalm 87 Citizenship is sometimes a confusing part of our identity. I have many foreign-born friends and acquaintances. And interestingly, some of my friends of foreign identity were born in Belgium but adamantly identify as Italian. Lyssa and I are Belgian. Don’t you believe me? My identity card says I am. But my passports from England and America both say I am a citizen of those countries respectively.  “When the LORD registers the nations, he will say, ‘ They have all become citizens of Jerusalem. ’” Interlude Psalms 87:6 It looks like I will (or already) have at least one more citizenship. Another close friend, when asked her country of origin, prefers to reply, “I am a European.”  Paul says that you can even be broader and more inclusive if you have faith in Christ. “In the new life there is no difference between Greeks and Jews, those who are circumcised and those who are not circumcised, or people who are foreigners, or Scythians. There is no difference between slaves...

  Psalm 84 This Psalm brought so much joy to my heart this morning and resonated with the wonderful message we heard in our local gathering of God's family this Sunday. And before I break it all down, let me challenge you to go back and read the Psalm and consider that God lives in His people: the church is the dwelling place of our God. In fact I am so filled with a similar heart of thanksgiving today that I read here in Korah’s descendants’ Psalm that I want to start with my own praise session: MAIN POINT: Get close to God by getting close to where He is and where He works, and you will find immense joy. I love what I see God doing in my heart. I love what I see God doing in Lyssa’s heart; she is so wonderful to others and to me. Praise You, God for the work you are doing in and through her. I love my church and the messages I have heard over the past months there. I love the fellowship, the friendships, the loving caring attitudes, the worship and praise, the connect groups, the...

Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close. Psalm 27:10 NLT   Psalm 27 The feelings of insecurity are not sin. Such fears lead us to need God more. These inevitable niggling doubts cause us to consider the character of God. Although David knows who God is, he still faces significant struggles and obstacles in his life, and these even erode the confidence He has in God. His faith is tested so he explores his priorities and his allegiances and concludes that when all is said and done, he has only one desire. And that is to be in the presence of God where he will meditate on the character of God. No other relationship, not even his parents, is as important to him.  Mark 3: 20-21,31-35 20 One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon he and his disciples couldn’t even find time to eat. 21 When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. “He’s out of his mind,” they said. 31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers...

Don’t let me suffer the fate of sinners. Don’t condemn me along with murderers. Psalm 26:9 NLT   Psalm 26 v.9 Don’t let me suffer the fate of sinners. Don’t condemn me along with murderers. Mark 15:7 , The man named Barabbas had been imprisoned with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the insurrection. Mark 15:28 [And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with transgressors.”] Luke 23:19 , (He was one who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection made in the city, and for murder.) Matthew 27:38 , At that time two robbers *were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left. Luke 23:39 One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!”  Isaiah Chapter 53:12 cf. Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Hims...