Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

Solar Eclipse from August 21 2017. Photographic in Nashville, Tenn. - www.inspirationimages.zenfolio.com/p728398346

Our devotional has landed on Psalms 19. We will use this Psalm to consider God’s creation as a point of inspiration. David wrote in Psalm 145:5, "I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, And on Your wondrous works."

There is something life-lifting in meditating on the works of God. We often marvel at the works of man, but nothing compares to the works of God.

David wrote in Psalm 19:1-3, The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard.

The heavens are the skies, both the daytime and night skies, going into space. The heavens declare God’s creative glory and his power to regulate all things. David said that day and night utter speech. It also reveals knowledge. God speaks to us through His creation and challenges us to expand our knowledge. Jesus used parables about nature to illuminate truth. Of course, I don’t suggest we worship nature or put nature on the level of God’s word and and person of Christ. I do suggest that you become more impressed with what God has done than what man is doing.

I challenge you to elevate your thinking and remove yourself from the petty and pointless things of this world that compete for your attention. As a matter of fact, when you meditate on the glorious splendor of God's majesty and on His wondrous works, you will experience a reset in your outlook and in your thinking. By looking at a big God, you will see yourself in proper perspective and realize your help and strength are available from Christ.

Psalms 19:12-14 concludes with these words of correction and reflection:
"Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer."

Reflection Question: What are 2-3 inspiring messages from the heavens and nature to you?

Today’s action item based on insight:

Psalm 23:1, The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

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Psalm 23 is one of the most well read and memorized passages of Scripture in the Bible. Sometimes the things with which we are familiar are passed over, so let's highlight some of key point here.

1. "He makes me lie down in green pastures." Good shepherds always took their flocks to a place where they could rest and be nourished before nightfall. I've learned that sometimes God literally makes me lie down to rest. It's better to have the good sense to know when to slow down, but sometimes over burden ourselves and God has to literally "make me lie down."

2. "He leads me beside the still waters." Shepherds knew better than to take sheep close to rushing streams of water that was disturbing and dangerous for the young lambs. God does not lead you into the noisy and confusing places. Look for His peace and still waters even when your circumstances become noisy and disturbing.

3. "He restores my soul." Your mind, will, and emotions can be disrupted and thrown into disarray by difficult circumstances. Getting quiet and alone with God allows Him to reset (or restore) your soul. Sometimes when you have a malfunctioning computer the best thing you can do is turn it off and back on again.

4. "Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." Some Bible commentators assert that the shepherd's rod and staff we're opposite ends of the same pole. Some say that the rod was used for correction and the staff was use for a drawing sheep away from danger. We should view both correction and protection are forms of "comfort."

5. "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies." In any circumstance where you are faced with loss, peril, or betrayal, know that God has already made provision for you. When the challenge ends, provision will be waiting for you on the table.

Reflection Question: What do you need the Good Shepherd to do for you?

Today’s action item based on insight:

Psalm 16:11 (NIV), You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Challenging times will test your joy. This is especially true when you are unsure of your “path of life,” or the will of God. As David plainly states, in the presence of God, we are filled with joy.

I like to think of joy in two ways: Inward and Outward. Inward joy is what you know. Outward joy is how you respond. Inward joy is an inward satisfaction that your are living in the will of God and are pleasing God.
Outward joy is to be glad and rejoice in the victories and triumphs that you have received.

Some Sources of Joy:
Joy comes from abiding in the presence of the Lord. Psalms 16:11
Joy comes from discovering the will of God through His Word. John 15:11; Jeremiah 15:16
Joy is part of the Kingdom of God (“Your kingdom come”) Romans 14:17
Joy is a “fruit” or characteristic of the Holy Spirit within our spirit. Galatians 5:22 Victorious outcomes magnify joy!

Reflection Question: How do you maintain your joy?

Today’s action item based on insight:

Psalms 84:10 (NIV), A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked. 11 For the LORD God is our light and protector. He gives us grace and glory. No good thing will the LORD withhold from those who do what is right. 12 O LORD Almighty, happy are those who trust in you.

What a blessing it is to be a part of God's family!

We who live in our Father's House always live better than those who have the so-called "good life" in wicked places. Quality of life is not measured by how much stuff one has, but by our connection to the Lord. Because we are connected to God, we have access to all His stuff! As the text says, "No good thing will he withhold from those who do what is right."

Reflection Question: What do you appreciate about being in the house of God?

My Action Item Based on Understanding:

Psalms 19:9, “The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.”

There is “good” fear and “bad” fear. Bad fear is feeling a sense of terror or doom. This kind of fear is expectation of danger and harm. Most fears are imagined, but some are real. The only good thing about bad fear is that you are motivated to take action to avoid danger. Driving in snow and ice produces a healthy kind of fear that keeps you alert and cautious.

On the other hand, the fear of the Lord is “good.” Good fear is a dread of displeasing the Lord. It is a mindset that says, “I want to please God and not allow my actions to bring Him displeasure.” Honor and godly fear are foundational to living a victorious life. Authority flows in a line, or what the military calls a “chain of command.”

Those who function in the fear of God place a high value on having a right relationship with God and people with whom they relate. They are “clean” or “pure,” not only because foul things are removed. They are clean/pure because it has already been decided.

Reflection Question: How is the “clean” fear of the Lord helping to change your life and please God?

My Action Item Based on Understanding: