LookingtoJesus

JANUARY 20

Psalm 14

Psalm 14:1, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.”

To say that there is no god is to deny all the plain evidence to the contrary.  God’s creation testifies to his existence (Romans 1:19-20).  Man’s conscience, and the moral law it bears (no matter how diminished) likewise evidences his reality.  It is with a prideful naivete that a person would sin in making such a claim.  As Charles Spurgeon put it, “Sin is always folly, and as it is the height of sin to attack the very existence of the Most High, so is it the greatest imaginable folly.  To say there is no God is to belie the plainest evidence, which is obstinacy.”

C. S. Lewis was a brilliant man and among the most influential Christian writers of the twentieth century.  What might surprise you is Lewis, though raised in a traditional Christian home, became an avowed atheist in his early teens.  It would be years later, well into his Oxford education, before he began to search for a better understanding of God’s existence. 

There were two events that helped to lead Lewis to God.  The first began when he read G. K. Chesterton’s book, Everlasting Man.  The second had a shattering impact.  One of the more militant faculty on the Oxford Staff confided that he believed that the historical authenticity of the gospels appeared to be surprisingly sound.  The conversation disturbed Lewis, but it led him to investigate the matter for himself by carefully reading through the entire New Testament in the original Greek.  That ultimately worked to bring Lewis to faith. 

By God’s grace, Lewis experienced salvation.  God transformed the foolish skeptic into one of the church’s greatest apologists.  His book, “Mere Christianity,” is one of the all-time best-selling Christian books.  No doubt it has worked to save many fools from their denial of God to devotion to Him.

It is both foolhardy and hazardous for a creature to deny the existence of its creator.

Application Questions: Why is it arrogant and foolish to disavow the existence of God? What means did God use to open your eyes to the truth?  What argument would you use to convince an unbeliever of God’s existence?

JANUARY 17

Psalm 13

Psalm 13:1, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?  How long will you hide your face from me?”

“I was sure by now
God, you would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
And once again,
I said, “Amen” and it’s still rainin’.”
—Casting Crowns, “I Will Praise You in this Storm.”

Whenever I hear this song, I think of Laura in her cancer situation.  Diagnosed to have cancer in January 2017, she’s carried the burden of a terminal illness and chronic pain for almost eight years now.  In that, there’s the temptation to assume that God has hidden his face or forgotten her situation. But He’s not forgotten!

The exact circumstances of David’s situation are unknown to us.  But it’s fair to say that his thoughts have echoed through the centuries in the lives of others who likewise found themselves in a longstanding difficulty.  That David asked, “How long?” four times speaks to his intense desire for deliverance and great despair in hearing no answer from God.  As Charles Spurgeon put it, “Time flies with full-fledged wing in our summer days, but in our winters he flutters painfully.”  I’ve witnessed the “painfully” part in the day-after-day anguish experienced by some of our hospice patients.  They’ll asked, “how long?” with respect to the days until God takes them home.

David asked, “how long?” but was refreshed and encouraged by recalling God’s steadfast love (Psalm 13:5).  No matter his circumstances, the fact remained that the Lord had “dealt bountifully with (him)” (Psalm 13:6).  The cross serves as an ongoing reminder that no matter how troublesome our circumstances or deep our sorrow, nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39).  He cannot and will not forget us!  

“But Zion said, ‘The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.’  ‘Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.”—Isaiah 49:14-15

Application Questions: Have you ever felt as if the Lord has abandoned you?  Have you ever felt as if your prayers were bouncing off the ceiling?  How can focusing on the steadfast love of God, and his faithfulness, help?  What can help to shift your focus?

JANUARY 16

Psalm 12

Psalm 12:2a, “Everyone utters lies to his neighbor.”

Psalm 12:6a, “The words of the Lord are pure words.”

The beauty of a thing becomes even more apparent when set in contrast to something contrary.  For example, the moon’s brilliance stands out against the surrounding darkness.  We read of such a situation here in this psalm by David.

David cries out to the Lord to save him, for he can find no one faithful.  He’s surrounded by those who utter lies.  They flatter.  They boast.  They answer to no one and presume to prevail through the power of their tongues. 

In surveying that barren and hopeless landscape, David finds confidence in the pure words of the Lord.  They are like “silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times” (Psalm 12:6).  The process of refining silver was arduous.  Workers melted the raw silver ore in a primitive hearth to separate it from impurities.  To repeat it seven times was to ensure its utmost purity.

This world can seem desert-like in its aversion to the truth.  And sometimes it might seem nearly impossible to find someone honest.  In contrast to that, the Word is always trustworthy.  God always says what he means and always does what he says.  Just as the moon shines bright against the darkness of night, God’s word is “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

“As pure gold suffers no loss by the fire, so the promises suffer no loss when they are tried.”—Thomas Manton

Application Questions: Can you relate to David’s experience of finding no one trustworthy and discouraged by all the falsehoods of this world?  In contrast, do you understand the inspired Word to be always trustworthy?  When looking for answers and help, how prone are you to turn to the Scriptures? 

JANUARY 15

Psalm 11

Psalm 11:5, “The Lord tests the righteous.”

She’d been bedridden for months, exhausted and dealing with much pain.  Although she believed in Jesus, she mistakenly attributed her suffering to having offended God.  I explained otherwise and reminded her of God’s loving presence and care.

It is naïve and unbiblical to assume that the believer should experience a life without troubles.  Believers and unbelievers alike experience them (Matthew 7:24-27). The difference is that God uses the trials in the life of a believer for good.  Whereas the trials in the unbeliever’s life are but a precursor of the greater trial that is sure to come lest they trust in Jesus.

“Do not be surprised,” the Apostle Peter wrote to persecuted Christians, “at the fiery trials when it comes upon you to test you” (1 Peter 4:5).  He further explained the necessity of trials in God’s refining process.  As with gold that is refined by fire, trials have a way of driving the impurities of our lives to the surface so that they can be Spirit-dealt with in his maturing us in Christ (1 Peter 1:6-7).  The author of Hebrews explained it this way: “He disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness” (Hebrews 12:10).  Trials in the believer’s life are not evidence of divine displeasure.  Quite the contrary.  Our part is to keep trusting him amid our troubles and learn the lessons he has for us to learn.

“You are a tree that never would have rooted so well if the wind had not rocked you to and fro, and made you take firm hold upon the precious truths of the covenant grace.”—Charles Spurgeon

Application questions:Though we may experience troubles as a direct consequence of a personal sin, often they enter our lives simply because we live in a sin-cursed world.  What troubles are you now facing?  How does it help to know that God lovingly disciplines those whom he loves?  What will a “by faith” response to your current troubles look like?

JANUARY 14

Psalm 10

Psalm 10:1, “Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?”

The psalmist’s concern is one that is sometimes felt, but seldom “telt”.  Though we may wonder about the lack of God’s intervention in a situation, we seldom voice our concerns to others.  Why doesn’t God do something about all the troubles that I see?  The psalmist wondered about that.

He was well-aware of the wicked ways of evildoers—their ruthlessness, boastful arrogance, ungodliness, bully-like behavior, and blasphemous words.  He wondered how they could prosper despite their atheism.  He knew God to be a righteous judge, so how could he then allow them to get away with all their mischief?

In the end, the psalmist confidently put the matter in God’s hands (Psalm 10:16-18).  He trusted God to deal with such things in his own way and in his own time.  We’ve been called to do the same.  There is evil in the world, but it is never okay to respond in kind to evil doers.  We are to never avenge ourselves, understanding that vengeance belongs to God, and he will repay (Romans 12:19).  As with Jesus, our part is to not be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).  God is not missing; in due time, he will settle all accounts.

Though it might seem sometimes that God is missing, He who knows all and judges righteously will settle all accounts in due time.

Application questions: Can you relate to the psalmist’s question?  Is the prosperity of the wicked something that troubles you?  How can a better understanding of the nature of God, work to alleviate some of your concerns?  Can you trust him to deal with the troublesome situations in your own life—in his own time and his own way?

JANUARY 13

Psalm 9

Psalm 9:1, “I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.”

To worship God is to acknowledge Him for who he is and what he does.  At the heart of worship is spirit-filled awareness of the truth of both his glorious nature and his wonderful deeds.  The psalmist set out to recount such deeds, reminding himself of how God had worked to defeat his enemies, rebuke the nations, rightly judge the world, and provide a stronghold for the oppressed.

What about you?  Can you even now recount the wonderful deeds of the Lord?  Everyone who’s been born again has at least one miraculous work of God to remember.  Can you recall the countless times since that God has worked in your life?  How he responded to your prayers?  How he intervened to bring good out of some bad situation?  How he did something beyond anything you had asked for or thought possible (Ephesians 3:20)?

If you struggle to find some wonderful deeds in your own life, take time to consider all the wonderful deeds recorded in your Bible. From cover to cover you’ll find examples of how God worked mightily to save in countless ways.  He is even now at work in the lives of your friends.  Lend a listening ear as they share of how God has worked in their own lives.  In heaven we’ll enjoin ourselves to a mighty choir that will sing praise to God for all He’s done (Revelation 5:6-14).  For now, we’ve got choir practice!

Worship is acknowledging God for who he is and what he does!

Application questions: There’s no more wonderful deed, in a personal sense, that the work God did in saving you from your sins.  How much thought do you give to what God has done for you in that?  What are some other wonderful deeds God has done for you in your life?  Take time to thank him in prayer.

JANUARY 10

Psalm 8

Psalm 8:4, “What is man that you are mindful of him?”

The psalmist gazed into the heavens and marveled that such a Creator could be mindful of man.  He saw the stars that littered with brightness, the immensity of heaven, but he couldn’t know how many they were.  Astronomers now estimate that there are roughly one septillion stars in the universe.  That estimate is based on an estimate of the number of galaxies times the number of stars in each galaxy.  But, of course, that’s just based on what we’ve caught a glimpse of.  An infinite God has created an infinite universe.

The psalmist couldn’t know that there were an estimated 2 million people on the earth in his day.  That number has ballooned to some 8 billion today.  And, of course, the psalmist was an Israelite, a member of God’s chosen people of whom God was specially mindful through his promises.

Does the God of the universe care about men?  You are but a speck in His big universe.  Does He care about you?  Proof of His concern is the death of His Son on a cross for your sins (John 3:16; 1 John 3:16).  His sacrifice has worked to avail salvation to Jew and Gentile, slave and free, and male and female (Galatians 3:28).  Red, brown, yellow, black or white, they are all precious in His sight, and He desires salvation for them all (1 Timothy 2:3). He who has named all the stars (Psalm 147:4), knows your name, and bids you to cast your cares upon Him, for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).

Though you be but a speck in this big universe, the cross of the Lord Jesus stands as proof of God’s loving concern for you!

Application questions: Take some time to consider your “smallness” in the immensity of the universe.  Then consider how amazing it is that God so worked in love to save you from your sins and call you one of His own?  And that though there be some 8 billion humans on this planet, He is big enough and loving enough to be troubled with ever your smallest concerns (Hebrews 4:16)!

JANUARY 9

Psalm 7

Psalm 7:1, “O Lord my God, in you do I take refuge.”

Some of us are old enough to remember the 1970s song “Up on the Roof.”  The song speaks of climbing up on the roof to find refuge away from troublesome people and the cares of the world.  But there is a far better place of refuge to be found.

The source of the psalmists’ troubles was evil doers who sought to do him harm.  He likened them to a lion who would work to tear his soul apart, rending it to pieces.  Have you ever felt like that?  The prophet Daniel was once cast into a den of lions.  Apart from God’s intervention, the lions would have had him for lunch.  But it was wicked men who put him there that were the greater threat.

It is in the God who is powerful to deliver that we can find true security.  He knows all and judges rightly.  We can trust Him to deal with the wicked in His own way and in His own time.  It is up to us then to pursue God even as other people or troublesome circumstances pursue us.  “When this old world starts getting me down, and people are too much for me to face,” I find my refuge in the Lord, and leave all my cares with Him.

There is no better refuge to be found than in the One who is powerful to save.

Application questions: Have you ever felt oppressed or threatened by others?  What was your response?  Practically speaking, what does it mean to take refuge in the Lord?  Is there some situation even now which you need to entrust to the Lord?

JANUARY 8

Psalm 6

Psalm 6:2, “Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing.”

While the specific circumstances of this Psalm of David are unknown, it is apparent from the context that it is a psalm of penitence and confession.  David found his soul deeply troubled– weary with his moaning, burdened with his grief, and tearful in his troubles.

The term translated “languishing,” is used to describe a state of weakness or feebleness, usually conveying a sense of being worn out or in a state of decline, whether that be physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Whether because of personal sin or otherwise, to languish is to deal with a prolonged, relentless, distress of some kind.  An inmate languishes in his imprisonment; a drug user in his addiction; a cancer patient in his illness; a hospice patient in his pain; a bereaved person in his grief.  To languish is not just to face some distress, but to endure it with no apparent remedy or relief.

The Psalmists response is instructive.  He poured out his heart in prayer to God.  As Archibald Smyson explained, “But coming before God, the most forcible argument that ye can use is your necessity, poverty, tears, misery, unworthiness, and confessing them to him, it shall be an open door to furnish you with all things that he hath.”

The Psalmist sought relief from God and was assured that God both heard and answered his prayer.  It’s good and prudent to take such concerns to Him!  There are hurts and troubles that God alone can heal.

“Though I deserve destruction, yet let thy mercy pity my frailty.”—Charles Spurgeon

Application questions: Can you relate to the Psalmists experience?  Why might someone be reluctant to turn to God when they find themselves in an overwhelming situation?  In what ways might God facilitate relief?