God's Displeasure

King David brought the loosely-knit tribes of Israel together and formed them into a world power. During his reign, enemies on every side were subdued and humbled. Wealth poured into the nation's coffers.

But God never stopped dealing with David as an individual. In spite of all his accomplishments, David was still a human being and a sinner.

Psalm 39 reveals the inner struggles of a man who had to deal with the reality of sin and its consequences. David was weighed down by God’s displeasure. He said, You rebuke and discipline men for their sin . . . I dwell with you as an alien, a stranger. . . . (Ps. 39:11,12 NIV)

Is it possible that, at some point, David thought his position as king placed him on a pedestal of sorts? Perhaps he felt he no longer needed to face his sin. When God began to deal with him, his first thought was to hide his wrongdoing. He said, I will watch my ways. . . . (v. 1)

But it did not work. He describes what happened: My heart grew hot within me, and as I meditated, the fire burned. . . . (v. 3) Those of us who have tried to walk this road can only smile ruefully in recognition. The pain is real.

Out of pure desperation, David changed his direction. He turned his thoughts toward God and he opened up his heart for scrutiny by this God who offered salvation. He prayed, But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. Save me. . . . (v. 7)

Originally published September 9, 1983 and September 5, 1986.

Picture: Palm trees, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2008. Photo by Solveig.

Evil Conceived

God chose David to replace Saul as king, but David faced opposition to the end. A Benjamite named Cush (Saul had been from the tribe of Benjamin) sought to kill David. David, again fleeing for his life, wrote, He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment. (Ps. 7:14 NIV)

How strange that David recorded the psychology of evil-minded Cush in Psalm 7. But it has been preserved in Scripture so we can better understand the dangers of evil.

Perhaps David understood evil because he fought so many battles against it within himself—even while he fled from evil in others. Perhaps he had been pregnant with evil thoughts at some time during his many conflicts. He knew such thoughts eventually conceive and give birth. If evil thoughts remain unconfessed—remain outside of God’s grace—they seem to have life on their own.

The consequences of unconfessed evil are disastrous. He who digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit he had made. The trouble he caused recoils on himself; his violence comes down on his own head. (v. 15,16)

Truly, when evil is birthed, the result is disillusionment. For evil cannot satisfy. Instead, it returns to destroy those who give in to it.

Originally published June 3, 1988.

Praising God

Because human nature wants to focus on troubles, feelings, or perhaps a shaky future, many people have a hard time praising God during difficult circumstances.

But it’s possible to rise above human nature—at least some of the time. While David was hiding from Saul, he learned to praise God while living under great duress. Before he became King he even hid among neighboring tribes where Saul wouldn’t find him. At one point he hid with King Achish of Gath—among the Philistines—and pretended insanity so the Philistines wouldn’t kill him!

The introduction to Psalm 34 gives us an example of David's words written during times of extreme duress. As a result, we have this psalm of praise: “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. . . . I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. . . . O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him . . . The Lord is nigh [near] unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. (Ps. 34:1,4,8,18 KJV)

Praise lifted David out of despair into the wonder and glory of his God.

Originally published February 13, 1987.
Picture: Greater Twin City area, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Place of Refuge and Danger

The introduction to Psalm 18 tells us that David wrote this psalm when he was finally free from the attacks of many enemies, including Saul. It recounts some a strategic lesson he learned during the years when he found refuge in a wilderness.

After leaving Nob, David fled to the rock caves of Adullum, so he could have had a specific image in mind when he wrote, God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. (Ps. 18:2b NIV) He describes his desperate circumstance: The chords of the grave coiled around me; the snare of death confronted me. In my distress I called to the Lord. . . . (v. 5b, 6a)

But then we read, the foundations of the mountains shook. . . . (v. 7b) The rocks that had provided shelter had become a place of danger!

This can happen when we cry out to God. He might provide a place of refuge. But later, when we cry out again, He might answer by shaking the very things He gave us for security in the past. That’s when we’re called to draw from His abiding presence. David wrote, He reached down from on high and took hold of me . . . the Lord was my support. (v. 16,18)

His circumstances had changed, but his God had not.

The same holds true today. Everything around us can seem to crumble when things don’t fit our doctrine or theology—our concept of God. But His reality is bigger than circumstances. He is bigger than we can imagine. He is with us through the depths.

Originally published August 5, 1988.

Moments of Love?

Do we experience the love of Jesus? Even more significantly, do we experience loving Him in return? Does the thought of Jesus bring joy?

Peter said, Though you have not seen him, you love him . . . and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. . . . (I Pet. 1:8 NIV)

Of course, there will be times when we don’t feel love. There are times when love will be a choice—even if we feel more-or-less dead inside. But a close walk with God—just like a close walk with any other person—should include moments of tangible love and moments of joy.

These moments may come when we set time aside to be with Him—to pray, to ask questions, or to enjoy His Presence. They may come when we struggle with a specific task He sets before us. They may even come when we aren’t consciously thinking of Him at all.

Those special moments are like visitations. Whatever the circumstance, treasure His tangible expressions of love. We are precious in His sight, and He wants to be precious in our sight. He desires a love relationship with His children.

Originally published February 17, 1989.
Picture: Como Park, St. Paul, MN 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Who Needs God?

Who needs God?

All sorts of people need God.

Psalm 107 tells us about people who suffered from emotional distress or fainting hearts. Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their distress. (v. 6 KJV)

Other people experienced calamities, financial troubles, and lost hopes. These also fell down . . . Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. (v. 13)

Still others were afflicted by physical disease. And so, they also, cry unto the Lord in their trouble. And He saved them out of their distresses. (v. 19)

And finally, some lived with physical danger, typified by those who go down to the sea in ships. . . . (v. 23) And they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and He bringeth them out of their distresses. (v, 28)

All sorts of people can recognize God’s desire to save sinners. Yes, especially and specifically the people who know they are sinners. The people of the psalm lived with an understanding of judgment for their sin. But they also knew God could redeem them—could salvage their lives.

Only God can do the impossible.

Originally published December 6, 1991.
Picture: Como Park, St. Paul, MN 2009. Photo by Solveig.

If He Withholds

Life can be unfair. Look at the Biblical character named Job. Although he was a righteous man, he lost his children and vast material possessions. Then God allowed Satan to afflict him with boils covering his entire body.

After a long discussion between Job and his friends, God returned Job to health and prosperity on all counts—even gave him additional children. But between the time when his world came crashing down and when his world was restored, God took Job on an inner journey. While sitting on the ash heap—nursing his sores—he examined his motives and the nature of his God—the God who allowed so great a misfortune.

One thing was certain: God was (and is) sovereign. Job said, If He [God] breaks a thing down, it cannot be rebuilt; if He imprisons a man, there can be no release. If He withholds the waters, they dry up . . . He uncovers deep things out of darkness, and brings the shadow of death to light. . . . (Job 12, 14-13:1)

Originally published February 9, 1990.