The L-RD bless you and protect you!
The L-RD deal kindly and graciously with you!
The L-RD bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
(Numbers 6:24-26)
This morning I read and thoroughly enjoyed the following post by David Kitz:
You alone are my portion and my cup.
I hope you enjoy it too.
My uncle, Ivor, was born in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, South Wales. Tenby is a walled city. I am told the English built it for a place to live, and walled it to keep the fierce Celts out. It still has walls, and several gates that are just wide enough to allow cars and small trucks to come and go.
Another walled city, more widely known, is Jerusalem. In Biblical times, it was sealed off hoping to prevent intrusion. The Old City of Jerusalem still has walls. The walls have come down. The walls have been rebuilt. More than once.
Many of the Psalms tell us that G-D is our refuge, our shelter. The walls we erect to protect us work only if we abide in G-D, if He is our G-D. It doesn’t take long for our walls to be vulnerable if we refuse to put G-D first.
A Song. A Psalm of Asaph.
1 O God, do not keep silence;
do not hold your peace or be still, O God!
2 For behold, your enemies make an uproar;
those who hate you have raised their heads.
Here Asapf cries for G-D’s assistance when a multi-nation force is about to come against Israel. When the army went out to fight against the foe, it found G-D had already been there, had taken care of the enemy.
When I think about our modern enemies, and our modern walls we erect, I immediately think of the distractions offered by the”world” to keep me from G-D, and the walls I create around my heart to keep the “world” out. The wall around my heart can be too solid, and it hardens me. It can be too porous and let’s the in the World’s virus. The Spirit of our L-RD balances my heart’s walls when I look to Him. And to Him alone.
L-RD Bless, Keep, Shine. . .
My wife, a northerner originally and unaccustomed to the South, often complained that Georgia doesn’t have the four seasons she likes. We do have four seasons; they are just not well defined. Some years if you blinked you’d miss the transition between Winter and Summer, and between Summer and Winter, for instance. This year its one of those between-the-season times that’s lingered a bit. So it’s warmish days and cool nights.
In the morning we can work in the yard without being either too hot or too cold. Just Right! Like Goldie Locks. In the afternoon we can sit on the deck, in full sun, and feel comfortable, wearing light shirts. We can roll up our sleeves and generate a bit of vitamin “D.” Between the seasons is great, here in Georgia.
However, this morning I awoke and the house wasn’t warm enough to heat, but still a bit chilly.
“Oh, I really hate to admit it. I’m very bothered that I think this way.
“I think—gasp!—I’d actually enjoy a nice warm robe,” I said. “Arg!”
I thought about it for a moment.
“And maybe in the evening I’d wear a cardigan.”
Perhaps it’s my old age suddenly swooping down upon me. Perhaps it’s simply because CostCo allowed me into the store during its senior-only hours. I wasn’t asked for an ID, either. Ok, despite my declaration that my hair remains its golden blonde, I suppose it’s grey (buy only greyish).
Often my dad had worn a cardigan in the evening and early in the morning. I just never thought of myself as a cardigan person.
I guess as old age approaches, one begins to feel the chill. The Bible says so for at least one person.
“Now King David was old and advanced in years. And although they covered him with clothes, he could not get warm.” (1 Kings 1:1)
Have a Great Weekend! Let us together rejoice in the L-RD; Let us together praise His Holy Name!
We are continually living our lives in full view of an omnipresent God. Am I always aware of His presence?
Coronavirus causing Americans to pray, says an article in the Christian Post (CP).
“While the new coronavirus pandemic has resulted in many churches closing their doors in the name of social distancing, a new survey of more than 11,000 U.S. adults shows that the disease has also inspired more than half of them to pray.”
There has been a cry, for many years, for America to humble itself and pray. I suppose those cries are a reference to 2 Chronicles 7:14 in which G-D says, “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
“In times of crisis, humans have a tendency to turn to religion for stress relief and explanation. The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic is no exception,” wrote Bentzen [quoted in the article on CP]. “I document that Google searches on prayer has skyrocketed during the month of March 2020 when the COVID-19 went global.” [fyi: I disagree on March as SARS-COV-2 going global; it went when it left China in January 2020, maybe earlier.]
Prayer—seems to me Pastor Martyn Lloyd-Jones, who was quite firm in his definition of whom G-D would hear, would point out the part that says “who are called by my Name.” That means that an ecumenical gathering for “prayer” would not be heard. Likewise, calls for “all Americans to pray.” He’d point out that there must be humility involved, that those praying must the face of G-D, and the person praying must “turn for [his or her] wicked ways. Then, and only then, will G-D “hear from Heaven and forgive. . . and heal . . .”
“Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,” Asaf cried out to our L-RD (Psalm 80). Asapf knew to who he prayed. He didn’t pray to a higher power. He prayed to the Master of the Universe. He knew the Name of the L-RD. He was known by name, too. “You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth,” he continued. Asapf exalted the King of Glory, and calls to Him to shine forth His Glory.
Restore us, O G-D;
let Your face shine, that we may be saved!
This is the refrain of Asaf’s song to our L-RD. Like so many Psalm, they are model prayers. Yeshua prayed from the Psalms. Of course—He instilled their words into those hearts of the Psalmists, chiefly King David, a man after G-D’s own heart.
Asaph wasn’t afraid to ask the hard questions, either. No, not the “Why me?” question. Asaph prayed on behalf of his people when he cried out: “O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers? You have fed them with the bread of tears and given them tears to drink in full measure. You make us an object of contention for our neighbors, and our enemies laugh among themselves.”
In these days of fear and near panic, we should pray. Pray for lost souls throughout the world. For we, the called of G-D know that our G-D can save us from calamity, and even if He were to chose not to for His purpose, we are spiritual, and will eternally, always be in the loving arms of our L-RD Yeshua.
Earlier today I enjoyed reading Paid in Full posted at from a spark to a flame: fan into flame the gift of faith. Check it out, perhaps you will too.
According to an LA Times article, “Megachurch pastors defy coronavirus pandemic, insisting on right to worship,” there are only about 15% of American churches that are defying CDC recommendations for any large gatherings, which is hoped to contain the pandemic.
One pastor was arrested. He defied the mandated order stating that is his right under the Constitution (1st Amendment).
“Those that are continuing to have services are most likely to be those who subscribe to prosperity gospel beliefs that claim God will protect them from adversity or are pitting their claims of religious freedom against the welfare of those they would like to evangelize,” said Scott Thumma, a sociology and religion professor at Hartford Seminary.
What do you think?
If you missed it, see this earlier post that offers a different viewpoint on Christian responsibility.
L-RD Bless, Keep, Shine. . .
A blogger at JesusLuvsAll wrote “A Christian Response to the Corona Virus Crisis.” He based it on article, “COVID-19 and the Church: An Emergency Physician’s Thoughts.” Both the bloggers comments and the article are good reads, timely today, and appropriate for all Christians.
L-RD Bless, Keep, Shine. . .
Psalm 51
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
1 Have mercy on me,a O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a rightb spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
build up the walls of Jerusalem;
19 then will you delight in right sacrifices,
in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Footnotes:
a 1 Or Be gracious to me
b 10 Or steadfast
A Commentary from iTorah.com Tehillim followed by a brief comment by me.
“This chapter is among the few Psalms that make explicit reference to the context in which they were written. The opening verse informs us that David composed this chapter when he was approached by prophet Natan after his sin with Batsheva. As we read in the Book of Shemuel II (chapter 12), God sent Natan to David to condemn his sin and to warn of the harsh punishment he will endure as a result (“the sword shall not leave your household forever” – Shemuel II 12:10). Upon hearing Natan’s prophecy, David composed this stirring prayer begging the Almighty to forgive his wrongdoing.
“David’s prayer consists of a number of noteworthy elements, most prominently, perhaps, the emphasis on the theme of “cleansing.” He begs not merely for forgiveness, that he escape punishment, but also that he be “laundered” and “purified” from his sin (see verses 4,9). In fact, he asks for purification with “hyssop” (verse 9), which, as Rashi notes, refers to the purification process of a Metzora (leper) which included a hyssop (see Vayikra 14:4) and was required before the Metzora may enter the Mikdash. David recognizes that his misdeed not only renders him worthy of punishment, but also leaves an impression upon his soul; it hampers his ability to reach greater spiritual heights, just as a Metzora’s condition bars him from entering the Temple. He thus beseeches God for not only forgiveness, but for purification, for the complete eradication of the sin’s effects from his being so that he can continue his life of sanctity and Godliness. As he famously prays in verses 12-13, “Create for me a pure heart, O God, and renew within me a proper spirit. Do not cast me away from You, and do not take from me Your sacred spirit.”
“David also declares as part of his plea, “I shall teach betrayers Your ways, and sinners shall return unto You” (verse 15). Rashi and Radak explain this to mean that the forgiveness granted to David shall serve as inspiration for all sinners of all future generations, who will learn from his experience about the immense power of repentance. David understands full well the prominent place he has attained in Jewish history, that everything he does and that happens to him will be carefully studied for generations to come. He therefore appeals to God that for the benefit of all Jews for the rest of time, God should accept his repentance and thereby establish an inspiring precedent for all future sinners to follow.
“Towards the end of this Psalm, David proclaims that God is interested less in sacrificial offerings that in sincere, wholehearted repentance: “The offerings of God are a broken spirit, a broken and sorrowful heart – God will not reject” (verse 19). This, too, is likely intended for us, the readers and students of Tehillim who do not have the ability to offer sacrifices, reminding us that the true “sacrifice” is made by the heart, through genuine Teshuva. Even in the absence of the Temple, sinners can earn atonement and God’s favor through the process of repentance – the one “sacrifice” that the Almighty will never reject.”
We can be grateful for the full purification offered by Yeshua Messiah and L-RD. Our souls are washed and purified by Him. Spiritually we are seated with Him. In this present world, in our bodies, we are being made holy as we await the compete glorification of our bodies when we are with Yeshua. Hallelujah!
The L-RD bless you and protect you!
The L-RD deal kindly and graciously with you!
The L-RD bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
(Numbers 6:24-26)
Jonah’s Song 