# 05 2022 Dev. Psalm 131:2. Comfort! Read all of Psalm 131 first.  We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think and interact with it. This is God’s story. How will it affect your story?  All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 131:2 “I have calmed and quieted myself,”

Intro. Ps. 120-137 is a series of Psalms that include 15 “songs of ascents.” Songs of ascents were sung at the temple by the Priests walking up the 15 steps entering the sanctuary, also sung by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem for the three feasts required, Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles, as well as during the return from Babylon back to Jerusalem.

Psalm 131 is a three verse “song of ascents. Of David.” There is a question about David as the author, the Psalm is “David like” some have assumed. We tend to take it like we read it, but this is also the inspired Word of God, as is every word in the Scriptures. It follows well after Ps.130 that answers a cry for mercy, honors God for His unfailing love, for God’s redemption and His forgiveness. Both Psalms are seeking comfort.

V. 1 “My heart is not proud, Lord,” Followers of Jesus identify with David, we understand that Jesus pulled us back from the brink of the pit. “my (our) eyes are not haughty.” Even the most accomplished among us have no grounds for false pride, for haughty eyes, looking down on someone. But this often happens and we are not even aware of it.

“I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.” Humanity has made great progress; we could say wonderful things, things too wonderful for us. But we are only scratching the surface of the possibilities God has for man. When God is not given credit for what His creation holds for us, we make ourselves gods.

V2. After rejecting what the world seeks after with a vengeance, he moves to what every human longs after- peace, only after he/she rejects all that the World has to offer; pride, selfish ambition, unrealistic dreams of greatness, he turns to the real meaning of life. He choses: “But I have calmed and quieted myself,” Peace is our own choice, it comes from inside by the power of the Spirit of God and is not about what goes on around us. “I am like a weaned child with it’s mother;” Some will say, well that is childish, but no, it is child like as Jesus told us in Mat. 18:2-4. It means to have faith like a child, complete trust in God as a child trusts mom. Trusting Jesus for all our needs and not trusting in ourselves, “like a weaned child I am content.” Contentment: spiritual peace and physical peace. Will you pray that for yourself today?

V.3. “Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.” People of God: followers of Jesus, trust Him, look to Him, have faith in Him, accept His love and salvation. You will sleep like a baby!

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# 05 2022 Dev. Psalm 131:2. Comfort! Read all of Psalm 131 first. We invite you into God’s space, to read and think about His Word, to interact with it. This is God’s Story. How will His Story shape your own? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 131:2 “I have calmed and quieted myself,”

Intro. Ps. 120-137 is a series of Psalms that include 15 “songs of ascents.” Songs of ascents were sung at the temple by the Priests walking up the 15 steps entering the sanctuary, also sung by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem for the three feasts required, Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles, as well as during the return from Babylon back to Jerusalem.

Psalm 131 is a three verse “song of ascents. Of David.” There is a question about David as the author, the Psalm is “David like” some have assumed. We tend to take it like we read it, but this is also the inspired Word of God, as is every word in the Scriptures. It follows well after Ps.130 that answers a cry for mercy, honors God for His unfailing love, for God’s redemption and His forgiveness. Both Psalms are seeking comfort.

V. 1 “My heart is not proud, Lord,” Followers of Jesus identify with David, we understand that Jesus pulled us back from the brink of the pit. “my (our) eyes are not haughty.” Even the most accomplished among us have no grounds for false pride, for haughty eyes, looking down on someone. But this often happens and we are not even aware of it.

“I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.” Humanity has made great progress; we could say wonderful things, things too wonderful for us. But we are only scratching the surface of the possibilities God has for man. When God is not given credit for what His creation holds for us, we make ourselves gods.

V2. After rejecting what the world seeks after with a vengeance, he moves to what every human longs after- peace, only after he/she rejects all that the World has to offer; pride, selfish ambition, unrealistic dreams of greatness, he turns to the real meaning of life. He choses: “But I have calmed and quieted myself,” Peace is our own choice, it comes from inside by the power of the Spirit of God and is not about what goes on around us. “I am like a weaned child with its mother;” Some will say, well that is childish, but no, it is child like as Jesus told us in Mat. 18:3. It means to have faith like a child, complete trust in God as a child trusts mom. Trusting Jesus for all our needs and not trusting in ourselves, “like a weaned child I am content.” Contentment: spiritual peace and physical peace. Will you pray that for yourself today?

V.3. “Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.” People of God: followers of Jesus, trust Him, look to Him, have faith in Him, accept His love and salvation. You will sleep like a baby!

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# 03 2022 Dev. Psalm 130:4. Forgiveness! Read all of Ps 130 first. We invite you into God’s space, to hear and think about His Word, God’s Story. How will His Story shape your own? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 130:4 “But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.”

Intro. Ps. 120-137 is a series of Psalms that include 15 “songs of ascents.” Songs of ascents were sung at the temple by the Priests walking up the 15 steps entering the sanctuary, also sung by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem for the three feasts required, Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles, as well as during the return from Babylon back to Jerusalem.

Psalm 130 is a four stanza song of ascents that cries out to the Lord on the way to the temple in Jerusalem (city of peace). The psalmist is in a bad place; they seek peace. The Psalm is in the first person but all the people are represented here; they cry out for Mercy.

Vs.1-2 is the request (cry) “Out of the depths…” The Psalmist is in a bad place; it appears to be a matter of sin. We all identify with that problem; for true followers of Jesus, sin drives us into a hole of depression. “I cry to you Lord; Lord, hear my voice… to my cry for mercy.” There is only one place to go and that is to plead for God’s grace in Jesus.

Vs. 3-4 the Psalmist anticipates God’s grace and mercy: “if you, Lord kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?” Could you stand? I cannot. “But with you there is forgiveness,” when we seek grace and mercy, God removes our sin as far as east is from the west (Ps 103:11-12) In God’s grace we are able to serve “with reverence” and a clear conscience. Praise the Lord!

Vs.5-6 …my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.” This is what we also must do. “Be still, and know that I am God;” (Ps 46:10). “I wait for the Lord…” repeated here for emphases. Waiting, perhaps for a length of time, is difficult for us, but we wait like a watchman, anticipating the morning.

Vs. 7-8 Paraphrased. Followers of Jesus, (Israel) “put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.” God in Christ, “will redeem” all of God’s people (Israel) “from all their sins.” Praise be to God!

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# 02 2022 Dev. Rev.12:3. Protection from a Real Dragon! Read all of Rev.12 first. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Rev 12:3 “Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads. Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth.” This sign indicates a powerful being and we should not underestimate the power of evil in our world, but the one who is with us (Jesus) is stronger than the one who is in the world.

Intro. This vision that John sees is put into the words of men so that those who believe will understand by the power of the Holy Spirit. What is being described here is from eternity to eternity. God, who is outside of time, operates in the eternal present, represents to us what is about to happen in time, as long as time lasts.

Rev.12 begins again from the beginning of time but what John sees is a vision, describing God protecting His own from the attacks of Satan. To put this chapter in perspective, we go back to the very beginning; “so the Lord said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life ¹⁵ And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring^[a] and hers; he will crush^[b] your head,  and you will strike his heel.”(Gen.3).

 Vs.1-6 Two signs appear in heaven, one great sign represents all that is good and one that represents all that is evil. There is middle ground here. Who or what is the woman decked out with all the great lights of creation and is pregnant? Could she represent Mary? Yes, definitely! Could she represent the church? Yes, definitely! The sign also represents the great multitude sealed in Rev. 7:9-17.

The second sign, a hideous dragon in red, he is dangerous, has 7 heads, 7horns and 7crowns, represents the complete powers and principalities (agents) of evil from Satan in the garden (Gen.3) and every evil up to the end of time including Herod the Great trying to kill the Christ Child (Matt. 2). God intervened, using divine and natural means to save the women, the child, the church, and all those who God has called and sealed.

Vs.7-9 “Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.” The dragon is here identified; “that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray.” They lost the battle, “he was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.” They are very much with us today.

Vs.10-12 There is rejoicing; “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Messiah.” It was and still is a spiritual battle; “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” This battle is now going on all over the world. Is this battle going on in your life?

Vs.13-17-point back to all that went on before in this chapter. When the effort to kill the woman and her child failed, the church has survived and is on the rise, and the innumerable multitude that are sealed is safe at the throne of God, “The dragon is enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against her offspring- those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.” Followers of Jesus, let it be known and you should not be surprised that we are in a spiritual battle as long as this present earth will last.  We do not fear for “now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah.” Praise be to God!

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# 01 2022 Dev. Psalm 129:2. A Non Blessing! Read all of Psalm 129 first. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 129:2“They have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but…”

Intro. Ps. 120-137 is a series of Psalms that include 15 “songs of ascent.” Songs of ascent were sung at the temple by the Priests walking up the 15 steps entering the sanctuary, also sung by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem for the three feasts required, Pentecost, Passover and Tabernacles, as well as during the return from Babylon back to Jerusalem.

Psalm 129 is a two stanza song of ascent, perhaps sung on the way from Babylon after 70 years of captivity. It is a song of endurance, of final victory and it lays out the result of oppressing God’s people. it is in the first person but represents all of the people.

Vs. 1-2 the memory of oppression repeated twice for emphasis, “but they have not gained the victory over me.” He is victorious!  From the very beginning God’s people were under oppression and it continues in the New Testament, the Gospel age. In our day the oppression continues and is on the increase. Our constitution demands our government to be supportive, neutral in the very least but they are not.

Vs.3-4 gives us a graphic metaphor of the oppression: “Plowmen have plowed my back and made their furrows long.” They were slaves, beaten, whipped perhaps, they were oppressed. He praises God as righteous and praises Him for cutting him loose, setting him free from the wicked. That is how it was and that is how it is and how it will be, God has set us free in Christ Jesus. Free from what? You know!

Vs.5-8 “May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame.” All who hate, dismiss creator God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, will be put to shame. (v.6) They will not be blessed; like the blessing of abundance, (v.7) and the abundance of the harvest, so important in that day, nor will anyone bless them in the name of the Lord (v.8). Us, followers of Jesus have gotten away from blessing each other in God’s Name (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). We should bring that back and say what the Psalmist says we should not say to the wicked. We now say it to all followers of Jesus and we should say this to people around us every day: “the blessing of the Lord be on you; we bless you in the name of the Lord.” We suggest you do this during this New Year. Amen and Amen!

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# 53 2021 Dev. Revelation 11:1,2. Two Witnesses! Read all of chapter eleven first. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Revelation 11:1,2 “Go and measure the temple of God and the alter, with its worshipers. But exclude the outer court do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles.”

Intro. This vision that John sees is put into the words of men so that those who believe will understand by the power of the Holy Spirit. What is being described here is from eternity to eternity. God, who is outside of time, operates in the eternal present, represents to us what is about to happen in time, as long as time lasts.

Rev.11 continues with the interlude and is the end of the first of the two sections of Revelation. John is told to measure God’s Temple, the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD but most commentators think this is the temple, don’t forget this is a vision. 

Vs.1,2 “I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the alter, with its worshipers, but exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the gentiles (non believers) for 42 months.” Jesus also reacted to what was going on in the outer court (Mt. 21:13). Here God has set a boundary separating His own from the desecration by the world. This is meant to include all of God’s sanctuary and all of God’s people from creation up to the second coming of Jesus.

Vs.3-6 “and I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth. 1,260 day equals 42 months. Verses 4-6 explain the two witnesses. The following explanation is taken from: “More than Conquerors”, Hendriksen, P 156, paraphrased.  1^st Just as “the two olive-trees and the two Lampstands” Joshua and Zerubbabel (Zech. 4) represents the blessings of God through the offices of Israel so God blesses the offices; pastors, missionaries, leaders of the church by the preaching of the Word and the sacraments. 2^nd Just as missionaries were sent two by two (Lk.10:1) so the church: her leaders and every true member, fulfils her mission to the world. 3^rd Just as the fire of judgment and condemnation proceeded out of Jeremiah’s mouth, destroying God’s enemies (Jer.5:14), so also the church of every generation condemns the wicked on the basis of God’s Word, leading to destruction. 4^th Just as Elijah received power that shut up the rain (I Kings 17:1) and just as Moses received authority to turn water into blood (Ex.7:20), the church in the Gospel age has the authority to judge when God’s message of salvation is rejected by the world. The two witness represent all of God’s redemptive grace extended to humankind from the moment of the fall (Gen3) to the very end of time (Jn.3:16-21).

Vs.7-14 “Now when they had finished their testimony…” There comes a time when it is finished, be sure that it is God’s timing. “The beast that comes up from the abyss” attacks and kills them, the churches’ witness is ended, never again to be spoken on the earth. We see the attack of the beast all around today, the attacks on followers of Jesus, on the Word of God, and on the church, sometimes from within, are increasing in our time. The church and her witness is not long dead; the evil world rejoices at her demise but it is short lived. In 3 1/2 days, a short time, God revives His church and calls her to Himself in a very public rapture.

“At that very hour there was a severe earthquake” a tenth of the former holy city collapsed and 7000 died but this is a representative vision of all evil in the world, there will be massive destruction and death. The survivors give glory to God, alas, to no avail, the time is now past.

“The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon.”

Vs.15-18 “The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.” This is what every follower of Jesus is waiting to hear, praise be to God! We join in with the heavenly host in praise! Read vs.16-18 again.

 V.19 “Then God’s temple in heaven was opened and within the temple was seen the ark of his covenant.” God’s covenant: “I will be your God and you will be my people.” This is God’s love, Jesus’ sacrifice for our redemption, upheld in us by faith, powered by the Holy Sprit. This is not the end of God’s revelation, part two starts over with much more detail.

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# 52 2021 Dev. Psalm 128:1. The Blessing! Read all of Psalm 128 first. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 128:1 “Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.”

Intro. Ps. 120-137 is a series of Psalms that include 15 “songs of ascent.” Songs of ascent were sung at the temple by the Priests walking up the 15 steps entering the sanctuary, also sung by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem for the three feasts required, Pentecost, Passover and Tabernacles, as well as during the return from Babylon back to Jerusalem.

Psalm 128 is a two stanza psalm of ascent and speaks to the very essence of our lives on earth. Songs of ascents are the anticipation of worship in the congregations but they shape individual worship as well.

V.1 Begs the question, how are we blessed and what does that mean for us personally? Answer: “Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.” Blessings come by worship, blessings come by radical faith and by absolute obedience to God.

V.2 Blessings mean; “You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.” The importance of work and the result of work is highlighted. Does that mean one will be rich? No, not necessarily, but our needs will be met. It is good to remember David’s prayer, (paraphrased) “Lord don’t bless me so much that I forget about you, give me enough so that I do not need to steal.” I believe that those who live that prayer; by keeping just enough for themselves and giving away the excess are the happiest people in the world.

V.3 Next the Psalmist moves to the other half of our lives; “Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house. Your children will be like olive shoots…” Here we look to the Epilogue of Proverbs: “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.” Read the rest (Proverbs 31: 10-31.) Amen! God blessed me with a wife like that.

V.4 “Yes, this will be the blessings for the man who fears the Lord”The Psalmist confirms the blessings given to men and women who fear the Lord. He might as well be talking to Joseph and Mary here; he is not but they are included just as we are as followers of Jesus.

V.5-6 Here the Psalmist pronounces a blessing on all who read this Psalm and practice the precepts of the Lord. It is a Christmas Blessing; The blessing of Jesus who joined us in our humanity as a child born in Israel, bringing great joy, peace on earth, salvation for all who believe and call on His Name and live the life the Psalmist calls us to live. We also send this blessing in this Christmas season from our house to yours, Amen and Amen.

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# 51 2021 Dev. Revelation 10:8. God’s Word! Read all of chapter ten first. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Revelation 10:8 “Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel…”

Intro. This vision that John sees is put into the words of men so that those who believe will understand by the power of the Holy Spirit. What is being described here is from eternity to eternity. God, who is outside of time, operates in the eternal present, represents to us what is about to happen in time, as long as time lasts.

In Rev.10 we have another interlude, this comes right after the Ch.9 evaluation of the judgments of the 5^th and 6^th trumpet. These judgments / tribulations / plagues, cover all of history, including the plague we are in now. The evaluation is: no impact on the actions of men, no repentance but an increase of wrong doing. Many people are seeing that today. Also, read Ezek. 2- 3:3 to put Rev.10 into a clearer light.

 Vs. 1-4 “Than I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven” he has a rainbow above him, there is a rainbow around the throne of God and speaks of the faithfulness, compassion and grace of God to His people as we see it in the time of Noah and what we celebrate at this time of the year. He is described much like Christ in Ch.1 but he is a different being. He is huge, he stands on the land and the sea, his authority covers all of God’s creation.  “He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand.” It is open, not like the scroll in Ch.5 but open, as if it has been already revealed. He roared like a lion and “the voices of the seven thunders spoke.” John wanted to write it down but he is prevented from writing it.

Vs.5-7 The powerful angel “raised his right hand to heaven. And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever,” the creator of of all things including the universe. ‘There will be no more delay! The mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.’” The mystery of God has moved throughout the Old Test. time and is revealed in the New Test. Paul speaks of the mystery of God: Rom. 16: 25-27, Eph. 3:1-6 and Col. 1:26,27 Quoted here (²⁶ the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. ²⁷ To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.) Since the fall, God’s intention is to reconcile all creation to himself. But only those who believe and have faith will be reconciled to God. Praise Him!

V.8 The voice said to John: “Go, take the scroll…” John obeys and moves to the angel to ask him for the Word of God. The Word of God is what makes a follower of Jesus, that is our standard, our guide, and our mandate, the true unadulterated Word of God. Not defiled by the pressure of the world, the world does not interpret the Word but rebels against that standard and wants to make it according to its own image.

 Vs.9-11 “So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll.  He said to me, ‘take it and eat it.” He wanted John, and us, who love the Word, to do more than read, but to become one with it, to devour it daily, that it may be an integral part of our daily living. John ate the scroll it was “as sweet as honey.” The Gospel is sweet, it revives the soul, it sets us free from sin, it heals us spiritually, it brings our lives back to God. “but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour.” John is told to “prophesy again about many people, nations, languages and kings.” That is the church’s mandate and the mandate of all who follow Jesus. What about that sour stomach? That is the persecution that comes from speaking and living God’s truth. That has been going on since Cain and Abel and will continue until the end of time. But God is good, he saves His people and brings us into His presence and says: “well done, good and faithful servant, come and share your master’s happiness!” Praise the Lord!

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# 50 2021 Dev. Psalm 127:3. A Reward! Read all of Psalm 127 first. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 127:3 “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”

Intro. Ps. 120-137 is a series of Psalms that include 15 “songs of ascent.” Songs of ascent were sung at the temple by the Priests walking up the 15 steps entering the sanctuary, also sung by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem for the three feasts required, Pentecost, Passover and Tabernacles, as well as during the return from Babylon back to Jerusalem.

Psalm 127 is a two stanza, (vs.1,2 and vs.3-5) “song of ascents. Of Solomon.” Not all commentators accept Solomon as the author. The Psalm is closely connected to Ps.128 in structure and theme.

V.1 “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” Houses built without the fear of God will never be a home: prayer, peace, love, hope, joy, forgiveness, kindness, respect and Salvation finish a real home.  

“Unless the Lord watches over the city the guards stand watch in vain.” Is that true? Are we not seeing that today? You decide. Take a look at cities that have defunded the police, or where the prosecutors do not prosecute. The guards (the system of justice and the police) “stand watch in vain.” Innocent people suffer!

V.2 “In vain you rise early and stay up late toiling for food to eat…” This has never been more true for people with small businesses today. No free and democratic country will survive for long in these conditions.  “for he (God) grants sleep to those he loves.”  See footnote a. (for while they sleep he provides for) God loves those who seek Him!

V.3 “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.” Children are a gift from God and grand children are a double gift from God.

V.4 “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.” The Psalmist here uses a metaphor of a well armed soldier. Children are a family’s strength. 

V.5 “Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.” An upright man with upright children find favor in the eyes of God in every situation. Children are a gift from God, sadly not everyone receives that gift and only God can tell you why not. But if you have that gift, thank God everyday and make every effort to keep children close to Jesus. Amen  

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