Devotional: Psalms 72

A Psalm for Solomon. Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.

He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment. The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness. He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor. They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations. He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth. In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him. For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth the poor also, and him that hath no helper. He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy. He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight. And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised. There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth. His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.

Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.
The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.
Psalms 72:1-20

This Psalm was written by King David for his son King Solomon. It begins with a petition to God that Solomon would be a righteous and worthy King. King David specifically asks that his son receive God's righteousness and God's judgments to equip Solomon to reign as a godly king. If you are familiar with Psalms 119, you have some idea of the amazing request David asks for his son. Oh, that each of us would consider and petition God so wisely on behalf of our children, both when they are young and as adults, as Solomon is already a king when this is written. The bulk of the Psalm describes the result of God's granting King David's request. King Solomon will be a very successful and righteous king, acting as God's authority in the land and therefore the nation would be blessed as well.

This is also prophetic. Solomon is often viewed as a type of Jesus. He is the King of Righteousness who will one day be the Judge of the whole earth. The result of His Righteous Judgment is peace--shalom. Not just a world without conflict and war, but the full meaning of the word shalom--wholeness, completeness, soundness, tranquillity, health, prosperity. Jesus reigns as Sar Shalom, Prince of Peace. The name Solomon means peace, it comes from the word shalom. So this Psalm and prayer of David's was fulfilled during the reign of King Solomon, and looks forward to the reign of Jesus.

It ends with absolute praise and wonder of the Lord. David recognizes that it isn't by any work of man; not his son's training, nor genetic superiority that will equip him as the King to reign in righteousness with the authority of Almighty God--it is God Himself that blesses with favor, and gives the ability for Solomon to walk in God's righteousness and judgments, instead of man's. David also recognizes that the only way the whole earth can be filled with the glory of God, is when each of us walk, as a kingdom of God's servants, according to the Righteousness of God in Judgment, Justice and Truth. As he concludes this Psalm, let us also look forward to that day when the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord. If Jesus reigns in our hearts and lives, we can experience God's glory in our lives, and others will see it too. Lord, let it begin in us today!

Devotional: Psalms 149

Praise ye the LORD.
Sing unto the LORD a new song,
and his praise in the congregation
of the saints.
Let Israel
rejoice in their maker:
let the children of Zion
be joyful in their King.
Let them praise his name
in the dance:
let them sing praises to him
with the timbrel and harp.
For the LORD takes pleasure
in his people:
he will beautify the humble

with salvation.

Let the saints
be joyful in glory:
let them sing aloud upon their beds.
Let the high praises of God
be in their mouth,
and a twoedged sword
in their hand;
To execute vengeance on the nations,
and punishments on the people;
To bind their kings
with chains,
and their nobles
with fetters of iron;
To execute upon them
the judgment written:
this honour have all his saints.
Hallelujah.
Psalms 149:1-9

The Lord gave me the tune of an old chorus "I will sing unto the Lord with all of my strength, I will sing praises to God while I have my being...." If you remember it, you will see how the cadence of Psalm 149 can fit the tune. If not, well then you will just have to read it as a poem.

This is a psalm of praise. One is caught up immediately with joyous praise--singing and dancing with timbrels and instruments. It is like a parade going through the streets where those in the parade run to the onlookers and drag them into the celebration. What are they celebrating? Their King! Jesus, Yeshua the Messiah, in all his glory, is pleased with the celebration of His devoted, loyal worshippers.

But then the psalm takes on a new dimension. The worshippers are to continue being joyful--"ON THEIR BEDS". The Bible tells us we are to praise the Lord in the evening, in the morning, and at noon--but also while we are sleeping. It goes on: "Let the high praises of God be in their mouth and a twoedged sword in their hand". The high praises of God, what is that? These praises do spiritual warfare. It is NOT something that takes an orchestra or loud music in some large church to be the high praises of God. As we lift our sincere, joyous praise to God He apparently releases the angelic hosts to do warfare on behalf of the Kingdom of God. Yes, we have the Sword of the Lord, the Word of God, in our right hands. That means as we praise we declare His victories according to His Word. Read the rest of this psalm again.

It doesn't always take hours or days of prayer and fasting to execute God's divine judgements against the enemy. In this psalm we are instructed to praise the Lord and He fights our battles for us. I am reminded of the story in 2 Chronicles 20. The Lord instructed Jehoshaphat to send the singers and worshippers to go first into battle. The victory was all the Lord's. We can also do this on our beds--execute the written judgements, God's decrees against the wicked. The night does not belong to the enemy! It belongs to God. We just need to realize we can, and should, praise Him all the while we are awake and even while we are sleeping.

May each of us come to the place where our worship of our Lord Jesus is all consuming in our lives, that we worship him with our words, our deeds, our hearts and our consciousness--even when we are asleep.

It's All Good- by Christine Sakakibara

This is a blog written by a good friend here in Israel. At the end is a link to a video from Israeli TV. The video is in Hebrew, but you can still get the sense that it is POSITIVE coverage of a very contraversial subject in Israel--Messianic Jews. This was aired on national TV on Friday evening, Feb 16, 2007. This is a breakthrough! Some of those featured are close friends. The reason the show was done was one of the young children in the video was witnessing to a schoolmate, the reporter's child. God is AMAZING!

We all know that bad news sells more newspapers than good news, well at least that is the case in Israel.

One of the leading stories on the last day of December 2006 said the following: "Report paints gloomy picture of life for Israeli children". The report went on to reveal statistics released by the National Council for the Child. More Israeli children than ever are suffering from divorce, poverty, abuse, neglect and trauma. In short.. Third of Israel's children live below the poverty line. What the reporter of this particular article did not mention was all the assistance, both financial and material, that is being provided in aid by numerous non-profit Christian and Jewish organizations.

The reports that do not make the front page news are many times very encouraging and exciting. If the media had the good sense to give them time and space it would be a real morale builder, both to those who live in Israel and to the faithful ones who pray and support Israel in other ways.

Let's look at the immigrants from Western countries. According to figures released by the Jewish Agency, immigration from the West is on the rise. Aliya from the UK in 2006 reached a record high and surpassed all figures and was the best in 22 years. Russian immigrants are still coming and still make up the majority of immigrants. For the first time ever 220 Jews from the Bnei Menashe tribe in India immigrated after receiving approval that they indeed were one of the lost tribes of Israel.

Despite Israelis' many problems and complaints, a survey carried out by the Ministry of Health found that nearly half of all interviewed felt "happy most or all of the time". The survey interviewed 10,000 Israelis'. The conclusion of the survey showed, half of all Israelis' suffer from "chronic happiness"!

From all media reports, we often come to the conclusion that Israel is isolated and in danger of constant threat from surrounding Arab countries. Recently there was a report that an Israeli system for milking camels has been installed in Dubai. The system, the first of its kind, can milk 48 camels at the same time. Israel and Dubai do not have diplomatic relations. This particular system has the potential to attract 200 million Arab customers. Other countries, who do have diplomatic relations, act as the go between in purchasing Israeli technology for Arab countries. By the way, people who are lactose intolerant can drink camel milk.

Europe is becoming a hot bed of anti Semitism, yet the German government is encouraging tourism to Israel for German citizens who suffer from skin diseases such as psoriasis. The German Ministry of health made a decision to include Dead Sea treatment in the German basket of health services. A health study carried out in Germany concluded it was more economical and proved more successful if patients were sent for four weeks of treatment at Dead Sea hotels and clinics, rather than to skin clinics in Germany.

A Christian Arab researcher, 31years old, now living in Haifa and originally from Nazareth, recently won the largest grant ever given by the European Union to an Israeli scientist. He was given 1.75 million Euros to develop an "electronic nose" to sniff out cancerous cells and tumors before they have a chance to spread and kill. The grant will allow him to set up a new lab and hire researchers from Israel and abroad. He said the team's first goal will be "sniffing out" lung cancer.

But the biggest and best news was stated just this week on a Friday night TV report (Channel 22) on Messianic Jews in Israel. The reporter said that it's believed that there are now 15,000 Messianic Jews living in Israel and in Jerusalem alone are 15 congregations. Three years ago an Israeli newspaper reported they believed there were 10,000 Messianic Jews in Israel. One thing is for sure, souls are being added to the body of Christ.

Good things are happening in Israel, too good to be kept hidden. Israel is well on its way to becoming "A light to the nations". (Isaiah 42:6, 49:6)

link to Israeli tv-video (it begins with advertisements, but the video starts with the family at the kitchen table)

For more articles and news from Christine go to her blog: http://christine-theview.blogspot.com

Devotional: Psalms 42

To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. PSALMS 42:1-5

Many of you may be familiar with the old chorus that is written based on the first few verses of this Psalm. "As the deer panteth for the waters, so my soul longeth after thee. You, Oh Lord, are my heart's desire and I long to worship thee...." I always loved the sweet, soft peace in the atmosphere of that song, but this song is not as soothing sounding. The words of these first five verses are a cry of a heart in desperation.

This Psalm has been a favorite of mine through many a difficult time period in my life. Times when my world seemed to be crashing down all around me, and depression grabbed me, gripping me by the throat so that my very life felt like it was fading. The enemy comes in like a flood sometimes, he tries to convince us our hope is gone. Even our friends may ask us as Job's friends did, what is our secret sin? When we stand in faith, believing that the trials are temporary, they will ask, "Where is your God?" Our hearts and minds may know to trust in God, but it may become very difficult when faced with pain, disease, or lack; particularly if you have to watch a child or a loved one suffer. Sometimes there are no answers for those who question our trust in God. All we can do is persevere. Our hope is in God.

I have had conversations with Father God much like the words in this Psalm describe. I've done everything, I am praising you in the midst of the fiery furnace, yet the enemy mocks YOU! And he mocks my faith in You. Yet again God's grace reminds me of Job and his words. "I know my Redeemer lives!" "Though He slay me, yet I will trust in Him." It is good to remind myself that whatever I am going through, Jesus understands. He suffered and experienced everything we ever could, and He promises to never leave us nor forsake us. There is suffering in this world. We cannot know God's heart if we don't experience suffering. Sin and it's consequences doesn't make God as angry as it does cause Him to suffer and grieve. His Holiness and Righteousness produce the wrath but His Love shields us in Mercy.

So this Psalm intermingles grief and despair with hope and faith. We can speak to our own souls and tell them to hope in God, because all tears will be forgotten in the light of His Countenance. We can answer those who question, where is your God? He is right here with me. He is pouring His strength into me, because I have no more of my own. He is giving me joy and hope, when there is no tangible reason for these to exist in me. I will seek my God, not because He has an answer to stop my suffering, but because He is everything to me. If He would forsake me, I could not breathe another breath. He holds me in the palm of His Hand. By Him the stars are held in their places. He brings the sunshine and the rain, when the earth is parched. He floods me being with the warmth and light of His Love and His Presence. I desperately need Him, He is all I need.

Devotional: Psalms 18

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said, I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet. And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire. The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire. Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them. Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils. He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong forme. They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay. He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. PSALMS 18:1-16

This is the beginning of a song, or Psalm, written by King David after his victory from a very low point. He himself had been anointed as the new king of Israel by the Prophet and Seer Samuel. Yet King Saul, whom David had faithfully served, was still the king and he was chasing David through the desert to kill him. Can you imagine all the thoughts that might have gone through David's mind? It would certainly be difficult in his situation not to question God. David was the least in his father's house and had no aspirations for leadership. It was all God's idea! He has submitted to God, submitted to the authority of Samuel, and even the authority of the King, Saul. His reward is a death sentence. He finds himself running for his life to the desert.

David was probably well acquainted with survival in the deserts of the Judean hills were he had kept his father's sheep. Scripture tells us he had also slain a bear and a lion with his bare hands, so we know that it was not the desert itself that David feared. Yet we know that the desert place symbolizes a dry, difficult place where we begin to feel like we are alone. We seem to loose our perception and wonder if perhaps God himself has forsaken us. Even though we may know that God has promised in His Word never to leave or forsake us, and there is no place we could hide from God's presence even if we tried, we can forget these things in the face of extreme distress. Other Psalms written by David describe every "feeling" we could ever experience in the desert place, from fear to depression, from absolute loneliness to exaltation in the presence of God's nearness as we view the night sky in wonder.

In this Psalm David has just been delivered from death by the hand of God. What a victory! David sees God as having moved heaven and earth on his behalf! David is my personal hero because whether he is facing fear or victory his FIRST thought is always God. Though he is a mighty warrior himself, he ALWAYS gives God ALL the credit. This Psalm is no exception. David joyously sings of God's deliverance and then reminds himself, and us, that God has done this because because "He delighted in me". God's infinite love for us is the reason He walks with us through the valley of the shadow of death and brings us to victory. It isn't because David had earned God's favor, David believed in, and expected God's favor. The Bible says that God considered David His friend. What an honor to be called a friend of the Most High God.

Do you know that Father God delights in you? Every time you acknowledge His blessings in your life and give Him glory, He delights in YOU. Yes, He created the stars and all the wonders of this earth and in the universe, and yet He delights in our recognition, our dependence, our obedience, our love for Him. We are so blessed to have the Bible as we go through our desert places and come under the attack of the enemy. We can read through the Psalms and allow the Holy Spirit to remind of God's faithfulness, even when we are weak and fail. How grievous it is to hear someone say, "Oh, I am in a desert place and the Word is so dry I cannot read it." This is like refusing life saving water because your throat is too dry to swallow. Don't give into the enemy's lies!

I pray that today you will delight yourself in the Lord that He may delight in You. May you love, serve and glorify Him in ways that make Him sing, dance and rejoice over you.