His foundation is in the holy mountains.  The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.   Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.  I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.   And of Zion it shall be said, this and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.  The Lord shall count, when he writes up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.  As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee. (KJV)

As I read the psalms there are some of them that I seem to read over quickly to jump to the next Psalm.  Psalm eighty seven is one of these Psalms.  Charles Spurgeon gives this short introduction to this Psalm:

The song is in honour of Zion, or Jerusalem, and it treats of God’s favour to that city among the mountains, the prophecies which made it illustrious, and the honour of being a native of it. Many conceive that it was written at the founding of David’s city of Zion, but does not the mention of Babylon imply a later date? It would seem to have been written after Jerusalem and the Temple had been built, and had enjoyed a history, of which glorious things could be spoken. Among other marvels of God’s love in its later history, it had been untouched by Sennacherib when other cities of Israel and Judah had fallen victims to his cruelty. It was in Hezekiah’s reign that Babylon became prominent, when the ambassadors came to congratulate the king concerning his recovery, at that time also Tyre would be more famous than at any period in David’s day. But as we have no information, and the point is not important, we may leave it, and proceed to meditate upon the Psalm itself. We have no need to divide so brief a song.

As I read this Psalm I reflect upon the verses found in Revelation chapter twenty-one.

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

The phrase “those who acknowledge me” means more than just stating that there is a possibility that god could existed.  The meaning of the word acknowledge is “to admit to be real or true; recognize the existence, truth, or fact of” which is more than recognizing God, it is accepting Him.   Not only is it accepting Him but it is also accepting His way.  Knowing God is more just becoming religious.  Oswald Chambers stated in his devotional The Mystery of Believing “Many people begin coming to God once they stop being religious, because there is only one master of the human heart— Jesus Christ, not religion.”  To truly acknowledge God we must make Him the master of our heart.

God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.  How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.  Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.  They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.  I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.  But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.  Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations. (KJV)

This is the psalm that Christ referred to in John 10:34.  It was on this discourse that the Jews ask him this question “How long dost thou hold us in suspense?  If thou art the Christ, tell us plainly.”  Christ answer was simple “I told you and you believed not.”  He ended by saying “I and the Father are one.”  To this the Jews took up stones to stone him and answer him “we stone you not for your good works, but because thou being a man make thyself God.”  Then Jesus referred them to this psalm.   The theme of John chapter ten is the good shepherd and his flock.  In this discourse Christ pictured himself as the good shepherd who took care of his sheep, and did not act as a hireling who did not care for the sheep, but for his own personal needs.  The good shepherd cares for the sheep, but the hireling only cares for himself.  The rulers of the Jews who were to guide the weak and needy, the fatherless and the poor, forsook their duty and focused on making their lives better at the expense of the ones that were entrusted to protect.  As I was studying A.W. Tozer’s book Knowledge Of The Holy this week I realized that the religious as well as the political leaders at the time of Christ did not have right view of God.  The same can also be said about the religious and political leaders of today.  As I study the truths in his book I realized how much of our daily activities does not included the realization God in our decisions.  After studying the chapter on God Incomprehensible, I realized how thankful I am for Christ.  By trusting in Christ I can get a glimpse of God.  As John writes in I John 1:3 “that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you also, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his son Jesus Christ.” I can now fellowship with my creator.   He also states in chapter 3 verses one and two that we are the sons of God.

So think about the quote from this psalm “ye are Gods” in relationship to John’s writings in I John chapter three.  Christ the son of God came to earth as the son of Man and was manifested to take away sins so that one day we too will be like him.  Therefore, everyone that has this hope in Christ purifies himself even as Christ is pure.   Ask yourself this question today “where is your hope for eternity found?”  Does your daily activities center on the pursuit of the knowledge of the holy, eternal, and incomprehensible God?

I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me.  When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted.  I remembered you, O God, and I groaned; I mused, and my spirit grew faint. Selah You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.   I thought about the former days, the years of long ago; I remembered my songs in the night.   My heart mused and my spirit inquired: “Will the Lord reject forever?  Will he never show his favor again?  Has his unfailing love vanished forever?  Has his promise failed for all time?  Has God forgotten to be merciful?  Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”  Selah Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High.”  I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.  I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.  With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.  Selah The waters saw you, O God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed.  The clouds poured down water, the skies resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth.  Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked.  Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.  You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.  (NIV)

What actions do you take when everything around you seems to be falling apart?  In this psalm Asaph cries out to the Lord.  Whatever the situation might have been it seemed to him that the Lord had abandon him.  Look at the questions he states in his prayer:

Will the Lord reject forever?

Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever?

Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful?

Has he in anger withheld his compassion?

I have also asked these questions before God.  One thing I have realized as I have age is that there will be hard and difficult times in life.  Many of us will face issues that many of the Old Testament saints faced in their life.  This psalm gives us the answers to these times and to the questions above.  The first step is to mediate on the things God has done “Then I thought”.  In this mediation we must make our appeals directly to God “To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High”.  I must remember the deeds of the Lord.  I look back and the focus usually starts with how God has been moving in my life.

This is the second of twelve Psalms bear the name of Asaph

Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.  But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.  For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.  They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.  They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills.  Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.  From their callous hearts comes iniquity; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.  They scoff, and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten oppression. Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.  Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. They say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?”  This is what the wicked are like always carefree, they increase in wealth.  Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.  All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning.  If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed your children.  When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.  Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.  How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!  As a dream when one awakes, so when you arise, O Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.  When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, 22 I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.  Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.  You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.  Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.  But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds. (NIV)

My purpose in life is found in verse 28.

This is the second of twelve Psalms that bears the name of Asaph and is probably one of the Psalms that has had the most material written about it.

In this psalm Asaph tackles several difficult questions that believers will face in life.  The first question he addresses is the question is why a sovereign God permits evil and why this evil behavior seems to prosper.  Below is some of the reasons that Asaph gives to address this issue.

Verse 1.  Stated as a fact: ^“Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.”

Psalm 15 gives the characteristics of this type of person:

• walk is blameless
• does what is righteous
• who speaks the truth from his heart
• has no slander on his tongue
• does his neighbor no wrong
• casts no slur on his fellowman
• despises a vile man
• honors those who fear the LORD
• keeps his oath even when it hurts
• lends his money without usury
• does not accept a bribe against the innocent

He who does these things will never be shaken

Verses 2 and 3: The problem is stated as “I almost slipped”.  Why? Because I envied the arrogant.  I saw their prosperity and desired it.

Verses 4 thru 12 Characteristics of the Arrogant:

They have no struggles

Their bodies are healthy and strong

They are free from the burdens common to man

They are not plagued by human ills.

They wear pride is their necklace

They clothe themselves with violence.

Their callous hearts are full of iniquity

The evil conceits of their minds know no limits.

They scoff, and speak with malice

In their arrogance they threaten oppression.

Their mouths lay claim to heaven

Their tongues take possession of the earth.

Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance.

They say, “How can God know?”

They say “Does the Most High have knowledge?”

This is what the wicked are like always carefree

They increase in wealth.

Verses 13 -16 The reasons I almost slipped (I saw their earthly treasures and desired them):

Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure.  In vain have I washed my hands in innocence.  All day long I have been plagued I have been punished every morning. If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed your children.             When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me

Verses 17 thru 20 The answer to my question:

When I entered the sanctuary of God

I understood their final destiny             Surely you place them on slippery ground

You cast them down to ruin             How suddenly are they destroyed

They are completely swept away by terrors!    As a dream when one awakes, so when you arise, O Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.

Verses 21, 22 How the knowledge of God’s way has an effect me:

When my heart was grieved

My spirit embittered,            I was senseless and ignorant

I was a brute beast before you

Verses 23 thru 28 My relationship with God:

I am always with you

You hold me by my right hand            You guide me with your counsel

Afterward you will take me into glory            Whom have I in heaven but you

And earth has nothing I desire besides you            My flesh and my heart may fail

But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever            It is good to be near God

I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge

I will tell of all your deeds.

Verses 18, 19, 20, 27 The Ungodly relationship with God:

Surely you place them on slippery ground

You cast them down to ruin.           How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors?

Those who are far from you will perish

You destroy all who are unfaithful to you

        You will despise them as fantasies

This sentence from Oswald Chambers’ book My Utmost for His Highest from the reading on March 13 “ The consequences and circumstances resulting from our surrender will never even enter our mind, because our life will be totally consumed with Him”   This is what I believe the psalmist is trying to portrait in this psalm.  There is the way in which we should walk daily.  However, we see many that live life-styles we envy even through their walk is not in truth.  We then begin to question our walk with God.  The life of surrendering to God is a day by day actively.  Some days it seems to be a moment by moment actively where we must constantly go back to him for strength.  As I watched the Lord of the Rings, I marveled at the job that J.R. Tolkien did of portraying the Christian’s journey through life through the character of Frodo Baggins.  This journey is full of good times, bad times, times of failure, times of success, times of friendship, times of betrayal, but the journey does continue.  We can give up or go on.  However, if we are totally consumed to Christ as Frodo was to his mission we will keep moving forward in the task that is ahead of us.  Frodo could have just given up, but he did not.  The greatest purpose that a believer can have in his or her life is to grow into a closer relationship to God.  However, as in any great relationship such as a marriage this takes years.

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, Selah that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth. Selah May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us. God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him. (NIV)

I really did not know where to begin as I study this Psalm.  This is a simple Psalm with a simple message “may God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us”.   Yet it was this simple prayer that Moses (Numbers 6:22-27) instructed Aaron and his sons to use to bless Israel.  This benediction recognizes that God is the source of all good blessings in a person’s life.

Verse two presents two request for knowledge from the writer of this Psalm to God.  First that His ways may be known on the earth.  The second was that his salvation might be known among all nations.  The interesting issue in this verse is the focus on the whole earth, not just the nation of Israel.  We have the tendency just focus on the issues around us, but in this verse the author of this Psalm makes us realized that the knowledge of God and his salvation is for the whole world.

The last two verses are the realization of the results that can come from following God’s ways.  The land will yield it harvest, we will be blessed of God, and all the ends of the earth will fear him. As I reflect upon these verses I am reminded of the great Christmas hymn “I Hear the Bells on Christmas Day” by Henry Longfellow and the words of this song:

And in despair I bowed my head; “There is no peace on earth,” I said;  “For hate is strong,     And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!” Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail,  The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men.”

Yes these verses might not seem possible today; yet, one day soon Christ will return, there will be a new heaven and a new earth and man will enjoy a new relationship with God. The barrier of our sinful nature removed forever by the blood of Christ. Then the people of the earth will praise God.

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. How long will you assault a man? Would all of you throw him down this leaning wall, this tottering fence? They fully intend to topple him from his lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse. Selah Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah Lowborn men are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie; if weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath. Do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them. One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done.  (NIV)

As I read this psalm today it shed a lot of light on the verse found in Matthew:13:23 “The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted.”   What is the seed? It is the word of God. Therefore the harvest that is spoken here is not lost souls, or works that one does for the Lord; but your own personal growth in God’s word. Verse eight in this psalm points to three areas that a Christian needs to focus on: walk in faith and lean not on your own understanding (trust Him), a life devoted to prayer (pour out your heart to Him), and applying Romans 12:19 in your life “Dear friends never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God.” so make God your refuge.   Ask these questions to yourself today: did I let God’s word grow in me today? Did I surrender to sinful acts or ways or did I look to God’s Word for direction in my decision-making today? And last of all did I really believe his word even when I read a sentence like verse twelve in this psalm “Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done.”

This sentence from Oswald Chambers’ book My Utmost for His Highest from the reading on December 9 “It is not a question of giving up sin, but of giving up my right to myself, my natural independence and self-assertiveness, and this is where the battle has to be fought” reflects the life that we must live.   The last part of verse twelve reads “Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done” points to the direction we must live our life as we go about our day by day activities.   Are we living our life for the rewards that the world heaps upon us or are we heeding the words of I John 2:15, 16 ” Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vain glory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world”.   Going back to the Psalm one we must realize that there are only two directions in which we walk; the way of the righteous or the way of the wicked. Therefore, if we are reward for what we do let’s look at this chapter in light of this verse.

1. My soul finds rest in God alone. This verse points to our faith. Do we trust God and lean not on our own understanding?
2. My salvation comes from Him, I cannot earn it and do I deserve this salvation.
3. I should never be shaken because I trust in him.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills {his purpose} for me. He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me; Selah God sends his love and his faithfulness. I am in the midst of lions; I lay among ravenous beasts men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. They spread a net for my feet I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. (NIV)

This is another psalm of David as he fled from Saul into the caves. David’s starts out this psalm off in the same manner as he did in psalm 56. He asks for God’s mercy as he takes refuge in Him.

Key Facts:

We must ask for mercy because we have no righteousness to stand on.

God has provided a refuge for us and that is where we need to hide.

God has his purpose for me.

God does save me.

He rebukes those who are against his chosen.

David’s faith was steadfast and so must our faith in God.

The wicked will fall in their own traps.

I will praise Him. Why?

For great is His Love.

Great is His faithfulness

And He alone is exalted.

As I read verse two “I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills {his purpose} for me” it takes me back to Matthew 26:39 where Jesus prays “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” as his purpose. Yes David became king as God purposed him to be as we will someday be made Christ-like when Christ appears the second time. However, until this event takes place we must that refuge in the shadow of God’s wing and pray the same prayer that Christ our example prayed in the garden of Gethsemane. It is God who fulfills his purpose, not us fulfilling the purpose that God has given us. As a good soldier puts his life on the line to fulfill the military commander’s objectives so must we put on life and our dreams on the line to serve Christ.

When studying David’s life at this time we must realize that he was going through a period of self-examination.  Everything that he believed was being tested.  At this time he was surrounded by a small band of followers who like him was running and hiding.  It is a setting like this that even when you are part of a group you still feel like you are alone with God.  It is in these times of testing that God will slowly work to conform us to his purpose.

Why do you boast of evil, you mighty man? Why do you boast all day long, you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God?  Your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor, you who practice deceit.  You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth. Selah You love every harmful word, O you deceitful tongue!  Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin: He will snatch you up and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah The righteous will see and fear; they will laugh at him, saying, “Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!”  But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.  I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints. (NIV)

As you read this psalm go back and read I Samuel 22 where Doeg the Edomite informed Saul that David has gone to the house of Ahimelech. This was the start of David’s running which probably lasted about seven years. Seven years running as a criminal of the state. And yet during this time he placed his hope and trust in the Lord. So no matter what comes into your life remember this truth; the righteous will see and fear. I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. As you live your life on this earth do you live it in the light of today’s rewards or the rewards that eternality offers? Have you made God our stronghold and the one who will guide you, or have you made yourself the controller of your life? In Philippians chapter 4 Paul gives us an example of how to handle disputes. The key is to agree with each other in the Lord. However this does not always happen. So Paul gives us these final instructions on handling disputes in Philippians 4:8,9 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you”.  This is the path we must follow when we make God our stronghold.

How do you make a decision?  How do you handle the daily tough situation around you which forces you to make tough decisions?  One of the keys to making good decisions is found in the principles that Paul outlines for us in Philippians 4:8, 9.  However, I have come to realize in the last several years that following these principles and being Christ-like is not an easy task.   Consider what Paul is saying is these verses:

• whatever is true
• whatever is noble
• whatever is right
• whatever is pure
• whatever is lovely
• whatever is admirable
• if anything is excellent or praiseworthy
• THEN think about such things

These principles taken individuality are easy to understand, however when taken as a group can cause much confusion.  That is why verse eight ends in the phase “if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things” or as Psalm One states “mediate”.   As I look into God’s Word daily and see his word reflecting back the imperfections of my daily activity I am reminded how much I need my Bible study to get me started every morning.  Just as my looking into a mirror in the morning reflects back my physical appearances that must be corrected before I go out and face the world each morning, God’s Word reveals the things in my life that are not true, noble, right, pure, lovely, or admirable.  This is why we must mediate and think about all things in light of these six attributes working together.  David’s life is a great example of this process.  Samuel had anointed him to be the next King of Israel.  That was truth?  However these verses were written as he was running from Saul and being treated as a criminal of the state.  Should he not stand up and fight for what was rightful his position, knowing that God had rejected Saul and chosen David to be the next King?  What was noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable?  What route then should David take to secure this kingdom that he was anointed to take?  This was the issue that David was facing in this Psalm.

In John 1:10-12 it states of Christ “He was in the world and though the world was made him, the world did not recognize him.  He came to that which was his own, but his own did not received him.”  Christ came to this earth two thousand years ago as King, and yet the world rejected him and crucified him on the cross. Just as David was rejected by Israel to take his rightful place during the time of this psalm, Christ also was rejected by the world when he came to earth the first time.  Why did he not take the world by force since he was the King of Kings?  This is a mystery that many struggle with, “why does God not intervene immediately to right the wrongs in this world?”  To me the answer is simple, He did.  The answer is Christ.  As I study the psalms I have seen several features in David’s life that seem to reflect in Christ’s earthly ministry.  The three characters in this psalm, God, the evil, and the righteous are the three main characters in the world around us today.   By studying the psalms may I learn the principles of Philippians 4:8, 9 and apply them to my life.  May I like David learn to rely totally on the Lord, for guidance and direction?

Opinion is defined as a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter.  In a stronger form it means a formal expression of judgment or advice by an expert upon which a legal decision is based.  It is opinions that either bring people together, or divides people into different groups.  What happens when the mighty men of a nation look at their evil ways and call them good?  How do we make a stand against these evil ways?  Do we wait on God or do we make a stand and fight against evil?  Sometimes it seems the route in which the righteous chose to make their stand against evil practices results in greater separation in the forces against evil practices rather than the evil practices themselves.  By studying David’s life we can get a picture of what it means to truly wait on the Lord.

The very start of evil can be traced back to Satan.  By studying Isaiah chapter fourteen we see these I wills used by the son of the morning:

I will ascend into heaven

I will exalt my throne above the stars of God

I will sit upon the mount of congregation, in the uttermost parts of the north;

I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;

I will make myself like the Most High.

Evil is simply going against the way of God.  As I looked at this Psalm today in light of Isaiah fourteen I asked myself a simply question “Do I have the characteristics of a man who did not make God my stronghold or do I look to God to fulfill in me his daily purpose?”  To answer this question I went to Matthew chapter 20 verses one through fifteen:

¹ For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man who was a householder, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard.

² And when he had agreed with the laborers for a shilling a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

³ And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing in the marketplace idle;

⁴ and to them he said, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.

⁵ Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise.

⁶ And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing; and he saith unto them, why stand ye here all the day idle?

⁷ They say unto him, because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard.

⁸ And when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the laborers, and pay them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.

⁹ And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a shilling.

¹⁰ And when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received every man a shilling.

¹¹ And when they received it, they murmured against the householder,

¹² saying, these last have spent but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.

¹³ But he answered and said to one of them, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a shilling?

¹⁴ Take up that which is thine, and go thy way; it is my will to give unto this last, even as unto thee.

¹⁵ Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Or is thine eye evil, because I am good?

The characters:

Householder

12 hour Laborers for a shilling a day

9 hours Laborers for whatsoever is right

6 hours Laborers for whatsoever is right

3 hours Laborers for whatsoever is right

1 hour Laborers for whatsoever is right

The Plot:

A householder hired workers at different times to work in his vineyard.  He agreed with the first to pay them a shilling for their day’s work.  The others hired during the day were promised to be paid with the promise of whatsoever is right.  At the end of the day the householder paid the last to start to work a shilling and continue to pay the reminder of the workers a shilling.  These who worked longer expected to be paid more, but they were not.  Then they murmured against him.  The householder’s answer was simple “I did you no wrong I paid you what we agreed to.”  Is it not lawful for me to do what I want with mine own?

The conclusion:

The Questions you must answer:

Was the householder right in what he did?

Who does the householder represent?

Who do the laborers represent?

Did the laborers who worked all day had a right to question the householder’s decision?

How does this parable relate to evil?

Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.  How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth! He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet.  He chose our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom he loved. Selah God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the LORD amid the sounding of trumpets.  Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.  For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise. ⁸ God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.  The nobles of the nations assemble as the people of the God of Abraham, for the kings of the earth belong to God; he is greatly exalted.  (NIV)

As I read this psalm this morning I stop and reflect about all the influences that have already occurred today in my life.  On my daily commute to work every morning I either listen to the radio or to my CDs on the scriptures.  When I listen to radio it seems that half of the time I am listening to advertising that makes claims on how to improve and make your life better and more productive.  Yet, most of these claim leave out one major compound and that is God.  By reading the psalms daily the reader will soon truly grasp how awesome the Lord really is in heaven and on earth.  When I listen to these claims that promise to give me a great and better life they leave God out.  They usually have one purpose and that is to make the person or company offering them a profit.  When hearing these claims I have to reflect on the very fall of man in the Garden of Eden. Man took the fruit from his wife who had taken it from the serpent, who had convinced her that there was more to life than God had provided.  He convinced Eve and she convinced Adam “that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise”.   However after they eat of the fruit their eyes were opened and they saw their own nakedness.

I see the same with all the claims that the world offers us today.  Even the claims of most Christian ministries seem to fall short of meeting the needs and desires of fallen man.  Unless fallen man truly returns to a dependence on God he will perish just like the beast of the field.  As Psalm 49: 20 states”A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish”.  However, when we truly get to a point in our life that we trust God and pursue a desire to live a blameless life in the light of his Word, then we will see that he will cloth us in His glory.   How awesome would our lives be if our daily routines in this world would truly reflect our true dependence upon God to manage the affairs of our life?

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?  My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”  these things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng. Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.  My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon from Mount Mizar.  Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.  By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me a prayer to the God of my life.  I say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?”  My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, “Where is your God?” Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. (NIV)

This psalm centers on these two questions.

Why are you downcast, O my soul?

Why so disturbed within me?

This psalm centers on these answers.

Put your hope in God,

I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Sometimes during our walk on this earth we seem to walk in a dry and thirsty land.  It is during these times that we must remember that the earth is under the curse of sin.  We are not in heaven yet but on a journey.  We sometimes forget that we are on a journey and live as if this life on earth is it and there is no life after we depart from this earth.   However, it is God that leads and sometimes these paths will lead us through a period of testing or should I state a desert place.  The key to getting through these times is to remember who God is (the One that our mind can not comprehend) and that this is just our journey and not our home.  The psalmist also reflects upon his time of worship with others (how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng) during this time of testing.  Remember Psalm 62:11-12 “one thing God has spoken two things have I heard: that you , O God are strong, and that you O, Lord are loving.”  It is these times of worshiping and praising God that we must look back to when we are in these periods of testing to give us hope for the future.

As I was studying the book There was a Time written by Mary Alice Wilhelm this week I ran across a list title Nine Aspects of Life written by a source not known in the second chapter.  Reflecting on these nine aspects can help us as believers when we face the two questions that this Psalm presents to us.

Nine Aspects of Life

1. The adventure of life is to learn.
2. The purpose of life is to grow.
3. The nature of life is to change.
4. The challenge of life is to overcome.
5. The essence of life is to care.
6. The opportunity of life is to serve.
7. The secret of life is to dare.
8. The spice of life is to befriend.
9. The beauty of life is to give.

Source not known

As we age and realize that our journey through this world is now much nearer to the end we begin to look back and reevaluate our understanding of the true meaning of life.  For those who know God and the work that Christ paid for us on the cross this reevaluation will usually lead to a more rewarding life for us in our later years.