psalmthing to chew on: psalm 56

what an incredible psalm.

we know it was ‘To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks” which makes me wonder what type of genre song that was? is this David at his hip hop best? the title does have more of a country feel to it, or maybe a rock ballad? who knows, but it makes for interesting speculation.

we also know this psalm is from ‘when the Philistines seized him in Gath’ so i’m picturing David sitting with his journal and pencil in a Philistine prison, okay probably not but then how did they write stuff in those days?

but two powerful concepts are waiting for you here:

By this I will know that God is for me. [vs. 9b]

i wonder how many christians believe that.

and maybe if more unbelievers could wrap their faith around that idea they would be more quick to follow.

do you actually really believe God is for you? or is your picture of Him closer to a ‘traditional old testament’ view of God – the angry headmaster just waiting for you to step out of line so he can march you to his office and exact the worst kind of humiliating punishment on you?

but David seems confident – by this i will KNOW that God is for me.

one picture i have of God which i find particularly helpful is the idea of a father standing at the finish line of a 100m race screaming his lungs out in cheering me on. He is not running the race for me, but he is giving me complete support and encouragement and motivation.

the passage that first brought this to mind was Hebrews 12, the first three verses:

‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.’ 

Know that your God is for you!

 the second Truth to hold on to or invite is this one:

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 

In God, whose word I praise – in God I trust and am not afraid. 

What can mere mortals do to me? [v. 3-4]

trusting God is obviously an important one and knowing He is the one we should run towards when tragedy strikes [and not away from, or towards in blame] but i am more looking at that last line – What can mere mortals do to me?

this week has been a bit of a tough one for me personally in terms of understanding just how easy it is to let mere mortals affect me, but it’s all about knowing that my core foundation stands firm on God. no matter how irritated people get with me or upset with what i say or how i come across, it really doesn’t matter. i know who i am in God and my identity stands firm in Him. when that really kicks in then it becomes so true that what can mere mortals do to me? nothing.

the two go hand in hand – i know my God is for me, and because of that, what can man do to me?’

do you know these two?

[To return to the Intro page and be connected to any of the other Psalms i have walked through before now, click here]

Mark, my words: The feeding of a crowd with no, or little, food.

When trying to feed a big gathering of people, it is normally essential that you plan way in advance and consider things like seating, table settings, courses of food, what time the function will start, who has been invited and the like…

Jesus decides to skip all that by throwing an impromptu crowd feeding… did i mention that He attempts this without food? [Don’t worry, He passes the buck to His disciples – “You feed them.”]

and that by no food i mean some bread, a little fish…

did i mention there were over 5000 people?

yes, we know the story, but is there something to learn from it? something new perhaps or maybe just a reinforcement of what we already now.

well, let’s go see – reading from Mark 6 verse 30-44

[to see the next passage where Jesus walks on the water, click here]

Mark, my words: John loses his head

Rule number 1 when trying to keep your head attached to your body – don’t piss off the king.

More importantly, do not piss him off directly to his face by telling him exactly how you think he is publically sinning.

If you do happen to inadvertently do that, be sure to be interesting enough when talking about God and life and the kingdom that he will keep you around out of curiosity and actually start enjoying your conversations.

Then really hold thumbs that when he throws that big party on the weekend he is going to stay far away from the booze, cos you know when he starts drinking what happens to his tongue…

But unfortunately we know how that story ended, but hopefully there is a thing or two we can learn from it…

Join me as i take a walk through Mark 6 verse 14-29

[click here to read about Jesus feeding the crowd without any, or much, food…]

Mark, my words: a prophet in his own town [a look at potential]

this passage is a semi well-known one where Jesus speaks about a prophet in their own town not being welcomed or recognised – i decided to take a look at the aspect of potential which i saw hidden in here…

Join me as i look at Mark chapter 6 verse 1 to 5

[to continue to the next passage where Jesus sends the disciples out to try the stuff, click here]

Mark, my words: A dead girl and a bleeding woman.

the journey through the book of Mark continues and this next passage is a little longer but contains two powerful stories and i am just going to pull one or two points out of them. they illustrate one of the most powerful lessons tbV and i learnt from our time with the Simple Way – namely that of making space for the interruption.

join me as i look at Mark chapter 5 vs 21 to 43

 

[to take a look at the next passage dealing with a prophet in his own town, click here]

Mark, my words: Jesus freeing the demon possessed man.

What i chose to focus on in this story that we have heard a lot of different preaching on, is the aspect of Jesus working out of the box in a sense and challenging the way things work and also a closer look at the response of people to God pitching up in a very clear way which both amazes and terrifies.

Mark chapter 5 verse 1 to 20.

The question we are left with is how open to God moving in an unusual way are we?

[to move on to the next story which is a lesson in making space for the interruption, click here…]

Mark, my words: Secret Kingdom growth.

“the kingdom of heaven is like…” and so Jesus begins two more stories both mesmerising and confusing his audience, but definitely giving them something to think about… and these are some of the simple thoughts i had as i looked at these two brief parables found in the next section of Mark…

Take a look with me at Mark chapter 4 verse 26-34.

these parables of the kingdom help remind us to be filled with hope as this is God’s kingdom and He is going to be the one responsible for making it grow – we just need to be faithful and obedient to what He has called us to be involved with.

to continue to the next passage and read about Jesus sleeping through the storm, click here.