DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- SINGING TO ONE ANOTHER

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – SINGING TO ONE ANOTHER

Psalm 136:1-3: "Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Oh give thanks to the God of gods! Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever."

This psalm is an exercise for your imagination. Just imagine two great choirs singing to each other in antiphonal praise. The choir on your right side sings, "Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!" The choir on your left side sings back, "For His mercy endures forever." Throughout this psalm, one choir sings a verse, and the other sings the chorus, "For His mercy endures forever."

I get this picture of two choirs from the instructions given to the musicians at the dedication of the wall built by Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 12:31, 38; see also II Chronicles 7:6; I Chron. 15:16n; II Chron. 5:13).

Singing is a God-ordained form of worship and is a vital part of our praise. It has been supposed that Lucifer was the one in charge of music in heaven before his fall. And King David assigned whole households of Levites to be the singers in the tabernacle worship (I Chronicles 6:31-32). 

Although it is not used in this Psalm (136), the Hebrew word for singing praise "praises" is zamar. It is used to indicate both vocal and instrumental music, as in Psalm 147:7b: "Sing praises on the harp to our God."

When Governor Newsom of California forbade singing in churches during the COVID pandemic, he struck at the heart of worship. Let us never minimize its importance as a part of our worship. As it is recorded in Psalm 92: "It is a good thing to praise the Lord, and to make music to Your name, O Most High"

So let us speak to one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in our hearts to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19).

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GOD IS ON OUR SIDE

DAD'S RAMBLING – GOD ON OUR SIDE

Psalm 124:1-2 – "Had it not been the LORD who was on our side, ' Let Israel now say, 'Had it not been the LORD who was on our side…..."

David, the writer of this psalm, implies that he understood and was confident that the LORD was on his side. But he kind of leaves you hanging and does not answer the question until vss. 4 and 5: "Then the waters would have engulfed us, the stream would have swept over our soul; then the raging waters would have swept over our soul." If God was not on our side, we would be overwhelmed with life.

It is the LORD who takes us through the raging floods that would sweep over our being. The raging waters can be deep and strong. But God is greater than the flood.

"When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him." This was a promise to a people who fear the Lord.

One time, I and my brother got into a rock fight with a bunch of neighborhood kids. We were outnumbered 6 to 2. The rocks were coming fierce and heavy, and I got hit and was wounded. My heart was filled with fear. I was glad to have my big brother – who is three years older than I – on my side. He delivered me from certain destruction!!! But greater still is to know that God is on my side. He delivers me from the raging water that sweep over my soul.

God is on our side. "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31b).

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- PRAISE LIVING

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – PRAISE LIVING

"Seven times a day I praise Thee because of Righteous ordinances." (Psalm 119:164)

The Psalmist had established a lifestyle of praise. He had a pattern that prompted him to lift his heart in adoration to the Lord God seven times a day – when he got up in the morning, at breakfast, during his mid-morning break, at lunch, at his afternoon break, at supper, when he went to bed. This sounds like a good plan.

Or maybe there is a better plan: How about praising God all day long? Call it "Praise Living." "From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised" (Psalm 113:3). "I will bless the LORD at all time, His praise shall continually be in my mouth" (Psalm 34:1).

We do have a lot to praise and thank the Lord for. It is not always easy to live a life of praise, especially when things go wrong. Or we get so wrapped up in living that we neglect praise to our God. But praise-living is the best way to live – living with an attitude of praise.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE NARROW PATH

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE NARROW PATH

"How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD. How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all their heart. They also do no unrighteousness, for they walk in His ways." (Psalm 119:1-3)

Our culture seems to denigrate what they view as "narrow-mindedness," especially anything that is contrary to what is politically correct. The popular culture has rejected the idea of absolute truth – that there is only one way that is right. Our pluralism has dismissed the concept of absolute truth. But the Bible counters that idea, especially in regard to Jesus who claimed to be the only way to God

These first three verses of Psalm 119 set the tone for the rest of the Psalm. We walk on a path. There are only two paths to walk: my path which follows the world's ways or God's path which follows after His righteousness. The person is blessed who chooses to walk God's way.

Look at the Psalmist attitude toward walking in God's way: "Make me walk in the path of Thy commandments, for I delight in it" (vs. 35).  "I will walk at liberty, for I seek Thy precepts" (vs. 45).  "I considered my ways, and turned my feet to Thy testimonies" (vs. 59).

Throughout this Psalm, the writer wants to be instructed in God's way – as in verses 12, 26, 33, and 68 – "Teach me thy statutes." Vs. 18 – "Open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things from Thy law." Verse 27 – "Make me understand the way of Thy precepts." It is the desire of his heart to walk blameless in God's ways.

We have a choice which path we are going to follow. The path of the world is glittering with alluring things but they are temporary. God's path leads to lasting peace and joy.   It is a daily choice which path I will follow.

Remember what Jesus said: "Narrow is the way that leads to life" (Matthew 7:14). The narrow way may not have as many people traveling on it but it has a better destination.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- PRAISE THE LORD!

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – PRAISE THE LORD!

"Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart, in the company of the upright and in the assembly" (Psalm 111:1).''

Psalms 111, 112, and 113 all begin with this phrase: PRAISE THE LORD! Exclamation mark!

"Praise the Lord" is the translation of the Hebrew word, Hallelujah. This is a combination word – Halal meaning Praise, and Jah or Jahweh. So when we say, Praise the LORD, we are saying Praise Jahweh.

The basic meaning of the word Halal means shining. It's basic meaning is bright, brilliant. It conveys the thought celebration: of being boisterous, loud, exuberant, even to the point of looking foolish.

We often sing the chorus, Allelujah, in a slow somber tone. But Hallelujah itself is more like the Hallelujah Chorus. It is not somber. It is loud and joyous. There are times to be exuberant in joyful praise to our great God.

If anyone should be boisterous and exuberant in our praise, it should be those of us who have experienced the grace of God in our lives. Jesus is alive and is worthy of all the praise we can give him. As the Psalmist says, "with all my heart." HALLELUJAH!!!!!!

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- SEEK THE LORD

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – SEEK THE LORD

"O give thanks unto the LORD, call upon His name ... Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad. Seek the LORD, and His strength; Seek His face continually. Remember His wonders which He has done…." (Psalm 105:1, 3b-5a).

God calls us to seek Him. When I read a portion of Scripture and a word is repeated, it makes me sit up and take notice. Often in Hebrew literature, emphasis is created by repetition. So when a word is repeated – like the word "seek," it means that the author – in this case the Holy Spirit – intends for us to pay special attention.

So, what does it mean to "seek the LORD?" We get several clues from these few verses. First we, we give His thanks for all He has done.

Then we call upon His name. God's name represents everything that He is. He is holy, He is love, He is good, full of grace and mercy and justice. So when we seek the LORD, we are recognizing Him as the source of all good things. He is high and lifted up. He is our holy God to be reverenced and exalted.

As we remember Who He is and what He has done, we are filled with gladness. Joy come from knowing Who God is, and what He can do.

Finally, we are to seek His face continually. So often we only seek God when we have a problem. But is our habit is to seek God daily, then it will be no problem seeking Him when we have a need. In another psalm, David wrote, "When You said, 'Seek My face,' my heart said to You, 'Your face, LORD, I will seek' " (Psalm 27:8). God promises that when we seek the LORD our God, we will find Him if we search for Him with all our hearts and all our souls(Deuteronomy 4:29). God wants us to seek Him "while He may be found call upon Him while He is near" (Isaiah 55:6). Come, let us seek the Lord with all of our hearts.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- SELF-TALK

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – SELF-TALK

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord; O my soul, and forget none of His benefits" (Psalm 103:1-2).

Self-talk is a big issue in current society. I am told to only say good things to myself – how good I am.

In this Psalm David was talking to himself. He told his soul to bless the LORD. Instead of tell himself how good he was, he was telling himself how good God is, reminding himself of all the good things God had done for him. In verses 3-5, he remembered how he had received pardon for his iniquities, healing from diseases, redemption from the pit, God's lovingkindness and compassion, how God satisfied him with good things, and how God had renewed his strength. This is the best kind of self-talk – rehearsing how good God is.

We don't know the circumstances of the writing of this Psalm, but I am reminded of the time when David was under stress. He was going through a time of trouble. In this dark place, Scripture says that "He strengthened himself in the LORD his God" (I Sam. 30:6c).

I believe that David spoke to himself, remembering all the things God had done in the past – delivering him from the lion and the bear, delivering him from Goliath, delivering him from Saul, and providing for him and his men. We can strengthen ourselves by speaking to ourselves about God and his blessings.

This I know: when things are going sideways in my life, I need to talk to myself and remind myself of all the good things God has done.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- LOVING GOD

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – LOVING GOD

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty …. Because he [the one who dwells in the secret place of the Most High] has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him…." (Psalm 91:1, 14)

God pours His blessings on everyone on earth. The rain falls on the just and on the unjust. But there are greater blessings that are reserved for the people who love God – who have set their heart upon Him. The real blessings of God are for those who love Him. The Psalmist lists some of them in verses 14b-16. He will deliver, He will set on high, He will answer him when he calls on Him; He will be with him in trouble, He will honor him, He will satisfy him with long life, and show His salvation. We cannot earn these blessings. They are freely given by a loving God to those who love Him. And we know that all things work together for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

What does it mean to love God. Is it just to acknowledge that He is? Is it serving Him from a sense of duty or obligation? Or is it full-blown adoration? I think we get a clue from what Jesus said. "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul, with all your strength (Mark 12:30)." This is more than just a passive tipping the hat to God. It is loving God with everything that is in us.

One way to enlarge that love for Him is to remember how much He loves us. He set His affection on us, and He loved us with everything that is in Him.

If God so loved me so much, how can I help but love Him? My love for God is only a response to His love for me. We love the Lord because He first loved us (I John 4:19). "But God who is rich in mercy because of His great love with which He loved us….." (Ephesians 2:4).

Praise Jesus for His great love for us, and the joy of loving Him.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GOD'S FAITHFUL MERCY

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – GOD'S FAITHFUL MERCY

Psalm 89:1-2 – "I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever, With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations. For I have said, Mercy shall be built up forever; Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens."

Mercy and faithfulness. Two great words that show God's nature and character. Sometimes we interchange the words "mercy" and grace. Mercy and Grace are two words that are flip sides of a coin. Mercy is not receiving what I deserve. Grace is receiving what I don't deserve.

When a convicted person stands before the judge, he pleads for mercy. The criminal does not fall on the grace of the court. He falls on the mercy of the court. The judge has the authority – even the duty – to throw the book at him. But if the judge is merciful, he does not give him what he deserves. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies." (II Cor. 1:3)

God, in His mercy, does not give us what we deserve. We deserve punishment for our sins. He does not give us the punishment that is our rightfully ours. But more than that, He gives us grace. He gives us not only pardon, but so much more. His grace is abundant. In fact, the Apostle Paul said that "the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus" (I Timothy 1:14). Paul deserved God's wrath for all that he had done to the church of Jesus by persecuting them, in putting them in prison, in putting some of them to death. But he obtained mercy (vs. 16). God's mercy kept him from God's punishment, but more than that, His abundant grace gave him blessings.

We are all great sinners, deserving of God's judgment. But in His love, Jesus took that punishment on Himself when He died on the cross for our sins. By receiving His mercy, we also receive His grace – His blessing, His inheritance, His provision, His protection, His presence. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3)

Thank God for His mercy. But even more, thank God for His grace, and His faithfulness to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9). "He's been faithful, faithful to me. Looking back, His love and mercy I see. Though at times, I have questioned, even failed to believe, yet He's been faithful, faithful to me."

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- BIRTHPLACE

DAD'S RAMBLILNGS – BIRTHPLACE

Psalm 87:5-6 – "But of Zion it shall be said, 'This one and that one were born in her;' And the Most High Himself will establish her. The LORD will count when He registers the peoples, 'This one was born there.' "

Where were you born? My birth certificate says that I was born in Independence, Oregon, in 1941. I am still waiting for the city to erect a sign that says, "Birthplace of John Schiewek." Don't hold your breath.

The psalmist drew attention to the honor of being born in a certain nation or city. In verse 4, he says, "This person or that person was born in Rahab, or Babylon, or Philistia, Tyre, or Ehtiopia." Where a person was born or his cultural heritage is a point of identification. When we meet people, we say, "Where do you hail from?" "My family came from Germany (or Norway, or England)." Or, " I was born in Iowa." Or, "I spent most of my youth in Atlanta." Birthplace is an important part of my heritage.

It was a distinct privilege and honor for an Israelite to be born in Jerusalem. To have your birthplace in the city where the temple resided gave a person bragging rights. "I was born in Jerusalem."

But more important to me is where I was born again. I remember the place. It was at an old-fashioned altar where I knelt and confessed my sins, and received Jesus as my Savior.

When we get to heaven, God will open the books. One of the books is the "Book of Life" or, perhaps we could call it the Birthday Book. "And I saw the dead, the small and the great, standing before the throne, and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds...And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:12, 15). I can just imagine that when God opens the Born-Again book, he will look for my name and say, "Ah, yes, here it is. John Schiewek, born again at Stayton, Oregon, in 1950." Then I will sing with the Psalmist: "All my springs – the fountains of my being-- are in You" (vs. 7). And I'll be home where my real life will begin.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- TRUSTING OR COMPLAINING?

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – TRUSTING OR COMPLAINING?

Psalm 81:7 – "You called in trouble and I rescued you; I answered you in the hiding place of thunder; I proved (or tested) you at the waters of Meribah."

This Psalm is a psalm of rejoicing. Vs. 1 – Sing for joy to God our strength; Shout joyfully to the God of Jacob. In verses 3-6, the Psalmist recalled how God delivered Israel from the bondage of Egypt. God relieved the burden from their shoulder and from the basket – that is, from the slavery to Pharaoh that made them carry baskets of mud and straw to build Pharaoh's monuments. They called out to God and He rescued them through the Passover. The Passover feast was the celebration of God's deliverance from Egypt, and through the waters of the Red Sea.

But then God said, "I proved (or tested) you at the waters of Meribah" (vs. 7). To understand this, we need to go back to Exodus 15-17 for the context which chronicles Israel's early travels from Egypt. Just after the deliverance of the miracle of the crossing of the Red Sea, they came to Marah, where the water was bitter. The people complained (15:24). God was gracious even in their grumbling and did a miracle by making the waters sweet.

Then they entered the Wilderness of Sinai and they were without food. The people complained again (16:2) and God provided manna from heaven and quail for meat. God gave them precise instructions on how to collect the manna. God said the reason was so "that I may test them, whether they will walk in my way or not" (Exodus 16:4).

Then they journeyed to Rephidim where again there was no water. And again people contended with Moses – grumbled, murmured, and complained. Moses said, "Why do you tempt the LORD?" (Exodus 17:2). Moses went to the Lord with this problem and God told Moses to strike a rock with his staff. He did and water flowed.

Now which is it? Were the Israelites tempting God by their complaining? Or was God testing Israel to see how they would respond? Tests are not designed to show the teacher how much the student knows but to show the student how much he doesn't know.

Israel was a slow learner. God had shown His power and His provision in Egypt, at the Red Sea, at Marah, and by providing food. But still the people grumbled and did not trust God. They tested him like you would test a rope to see if it was strong enough to hold you. I was on a roof one time and to be safe, I tied a rope around a structure on the roof, and then around my waist. Before proceeding onto the roof, I yanked on the rope to make sure it would hold. It didn't. The rope broke and I went over backwards from the roof. I tested the rope, and the rope failed, but God never fails.

How do we pray? Are like Israel? We forget so easily how God has provided in the past, and when a new challenge comes our way, we grumble and complain. We test Him. Do I come to God murmuring, grumbling, and complaining about the situation? Or do I bring my petitions in faith to the God who never fails? There is a difference between complaining to God and praying to God. It is a matter of attitude. One is focused on our situation, and the other is focused on God's provision. Could God be allowing the test just to see if I will trust Him?

I need to learn to trust God in all circumstances instead of complaining.

Love, Dad

        https://surl.me/z945   

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- WHY AM I HERE?

 

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – WHY AM I HERE?

Psalm 71:17-18 – "O God, You have taught me from my youth, and I still declare Your wondrous deeds. And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power for all who are to come."

So many senior people I talk to – especially those who have physical limitations – say, "I don't know why I am here. What is the purpose of my life? Why doesn't God just take me home?" I can assure you that our times are in God hands and that as long as He gives us breath, He has a purpose for us being here.

For most of my adult life, my life-verse was Psalm 26:1: "I have walked in my integrity." But in recent years, God has changed my life-verse to this Psalm, Psalm 71:18 --- Even when I am old and gray headed, I will declare Your power to this generation and future generations – my kids and my grandkids, and my great-grandkids. This is the reason God gives us these extra years – so we can declare His greatness and His salvation to those who are following us.

This is the purpose for life after retirement – when we are old and gray-headed – to declare His goodness to future generations.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- A SOURCE OF STRENGTH

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – A SOURCE OF STRENGTH

Psalm 68:19-20, 36 – "Blessed be the Lord who daily bears our burden. the God who is our Salvation. God is to us a God of deliverances; and to God the Lord belong escapes from death. ….. O God, You are awesome in Your sanctuary. The God of Israel gives strength and power to His people."

Sometimes it seems that our strength has evaporated. It is in those time that we learn to depend on God for His strength. We have a source of strength – someone to help carry our burdens. We do not have to carry them alone. This psalm says that He daily carries our burdens. That is why the Psalmist could say, "The Lord is the strength of my life" (Psalm 27:1).

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,

When our strength has failed ere the day is half done.

When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,

The Father's full-giving has only begun.

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,

His power has no boundaries known unto men.

For out of the infinite riches in Jesus.

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

Just as we left our burden of sin at the cross, so we take our daily burdens to Him.

We can come boldly to the throne of grace and find help in the time of need (Hebrews 4:16). He is there to help.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GOD'S AWESOME WORKS

GOD'S AWESOME WORKS

Psalm 66:1-3a – "Shout joyfully to God, all the earth. Sing the glory of His name. Make His praise glorious. Say to God, 'How awesome are Your works.' Come and see the works of God, Who is awesome in His deeds toward the sons of men."

Each of us has a song to sing of the awesome and marvelous works of God in our lives. He has done great things. The Psalmist recounted some of them.

      Vs. 9 – He keeps us in life and does not allow our feet to slip.

      Vss. 10-12 – Even in the times of testing, He brings us through the water and the fire and into a place of abundance.

I'd like to tell you of a wondrous and awesome work of God in my life. My wife and I have been married almost 60 years. Now that's a miracle of God's grace!!!

I can hear someone say, "I haven't had anything miraculous happen in my life. But if you have received Jesus as your Savior and you've been forgiven of your sins, that is the greatest miracle. The Psalm says: "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities; Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction; Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies" (Psalm 103:2-4). Jesus asked which was easier: to forgive sins or to heal? (Matthew 9:5). With God, one is not harder than the other. It took a miracle to put the stars in place; It took a miracle to hang the world in space; But when He saved my soul, cleansed and made me whole, it took a miracle of love and grace. You have a song to sing of God's awesome works.

Love, Dad