When David hid in a cave while being chased by King Saul, did he cry out to God? Do we cry out to God knowing our helplessness? Let’s begin in Psalm 142.
A contemplation by David, when he was in the cave. A Prayer. (WEB)
Have we ever been in desperate circumstances, feeling totally helpless, like no one cares?
I cry out with my voice to the Lord; With my voice I implore the Lord for compassion. I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare my trouble before Him. When my spirit felt weak within me, You knew my path. In the way where I walk They have hidden a trap for me. Look to the right and see; For there is no one who regards me favorably; There is no escape for me; No one cares for my soul. (Ps 142:1-4 NASB)
Where else can we go for refuge? Who else can we totally trust in a dangerous world?
I cry to you, Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me. (Ps 142:5-7 NIV)
Was the apostle Paul abandoned by many at one point? Have we ever been forsaken by a traitor and harmed from within the church?
Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words. At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. (2 Tim 4:9–17 NKJV)
If Jesus was betrayed by a close companion, should we be shocked if it happens to us even within the church?
And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people. The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss.” So Judas came straight to Jesus. “Greetings, Rabbi!” he exclaimed and gave him the kiss. Jesus said, “My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.” Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. (Mat 26:47-50 NLT)
When David hid in a cave while being chased by King Saul, did he cry out to God? Do we cry out to God knowing our helplessness? You decide!
Sweet-Smelling Incense (Ps 141)
How does God picture our prayers? Does He treat them as trivial or as a sweet odour, a pleasant smelling incense? Let’s begin in Psalm 141.
A Psalm by David. (WEB)
When we think our prayers are silly or trite, how does David ask God to view them?
I pray to you, Lord! Please listen when I pray and hurry to help me. Think of my prayer as sweet-smelling incense, and think of my lifted hands as an evening sacrifice. (Ps 141:1-2 CEV)
Do we watch the words that come out of our mouths, or are we too quick to slander others and use filthy words?
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies! (Ps 14:3-4 ESV)
When we are corrected, do we humbly accept it or ignore it as unwanted criticism?
Let the righteous one strike me—it is an act of faithful love; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let me not refuse it. Even now my prayer is against the evil acts of the wicked. When their rulers will be thrown off the sides of a cliff, the people will listen to my words, for they are pleasing. As when one plows and breaks up the soil, turning up rocks, so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of Sheol. (Ps 140:5-7 HCSB)
In a world with many traps, to whom do we look for ultimate protection?
Nevertheless, my eyes are on you, Lord God, as I seek protection in you. Don’t leave me defenseless! Protect me from the trap laid for me and from the snares of those who practice evil. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I come through. (Ps 140:8-10 ISV)
Did God honor this Psalm by confirming that the prayers of the saints are like incense?
Then I saw in the midst of the throne and the four living creatures and in the midst of the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. And He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sits on the throne. And when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. (Rev 5:6-8 LSB)
How does God picture our prayers? Does He treat them as trivial or as a sweet odour, a pleasant smelling incense? You decide!
A Psalm by David. (WEB)
When we think our prayers are silly or trite, how does David ask God to view them?
I pray to you, Lord! Please listen when I pray and hurry to help me. Think of my prayer as sweet-smelling incense, and think of my lifted hands as an evening sacrifice. (Ps 141:1-2 CEV)
Do we watch the words that come out of our mouths, or are we too quick to slander others and use filthy words?
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies! (Ps 14:3-4 ESV)
When we are corrected, do we humbly accept it or ignore it as unwanted criticism?
Let the righteous one strike me—it is an act of faithful love; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let me not refuse it. Even now my prayer is against the evil acts of the wicked. When their rulers will be thrown off the sides of a cliff, the people will listen to my words, for they are pleasing. As when one plows and breaks up the soil, turning up rocks, so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of Sheol. (Ps 140:5-7 HCSB)
In a world with many traps, to whom do we look for ultimate protection?
Nevertheless, my eyes are on you, Lord God, as I seek protection in you. Don’t leave me defenseless! Protect me from the trap laid for me and from the snares of those who practice evil. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I come through. (Ps 140:8-10 ISV)
Did God honor this Psalm by confirming that the prayers of the saints are like incense?
Then I saw in the midst of the throne and the four living creatures and in the midst of the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. And He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sits on the throne. And when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. (Rev 5:6-8 LSB)
How does God picture our prayers? Does He treat them as trivial or as a sweet odour, a pleasant smelling incense? You decide!
Rescue Me (Ps 140)
Has every form of human government failed to correct evils, stop wicked schemes, and bring justice to the poor? Is there a kingdom that will? Let’s begin in Psalm 140.
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. (WEB)
In a dangerous world of violence and evil and wars and venomous tongues, who alone can truly protect us?
Rescue me, Lord, from evil people; Protect me from violent men Who devise evil things in their hearts; They continually stir up wars. They sharpen their tongues like a snake; The venom of a viper is under their lips. Selah (Ps 140:1-3 NASB)
Who alone can keep us safe from the wicked, the violent, the arrogant, and traps in our path?
Keep me safe, Lord, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from the violent, who devise ways to trip my feet. The arrogant have hidden a snare for me; they have spread out the cords of their net and have set traps for me along my path. [Selah] (Ps 140:4-5 NIV)
When everyone else ignores our pleas, who will hear us?
I said to the Lord: “You are my God; Hear the voice of my supplications, O Lord. O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle. Do not grant, O Lord, the desires of the wicked; Do not further his wicked scheme, Lest they be exalted. Selah (Ps 140:6-8 NKJV)
Do we get involved in the deceptive politics of this world or pray for God to destroy the plans of liars in our land?
Let my enemies be destroyed by the very evil they have planned for me. Let burning coals fall down on their heads. Let them be thrown into the fire or into watery pits from which they can’t escape. Don’t let liars prosper here in our land. Cause great disasters to fall on the violent. (Ps 140:9-11 NLT)
Politicians do not often maintain the cause of the afflicted or bring justice for the needy, but does God?
I know that Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the needy. Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name. The upright will dwell in your presence. (Ps 140:12-13 WEB)
What will the kingdom of God actually deliver that is totally different from every form of human government?
Jesus went to Nazareth, where he had been raised. On the Sabbath he went to the synagogue as he normally did and stood up to read. The synagogue assistant gave him the scroll from the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me. He has sent me to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to liberate the oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the synagogue assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the synagogue was fixed on him. He began to explain to them, “Today, this scripture has been fulfilled just as you heard it.” (Luke 4:16-21 CEB)
Has every form of human government failed to correct evils, stop wicked schemes, and bring justice to the poor? Is there a kingdom that will? You decide!
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. (WEB)
In a dangerous world of violence and evil and wars and venomous tongues, who alone can truly protect us?
Rescue me, Lord, from evil people; Protect me from violent men Who devise evil things in their hearts; They continually stir up wars. They sharpen their tongues like a snake; The venom of a viper is under their lips. Selah (Ps 140:1-3 NASB)
Who alone can keep us safe from the wicked, the violent, the arrogant, and traps in our path?
Keep me safe, Lord, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from the violent, who devise ways to trip my feet. The arrogant have hidden a snare for me; they have spread out the cords of their net and have set traps for me along my path. [Selah] (Ps 140:4-5 NIV)
When everyone else ignores our pleas, who will hear us?
I said to the Lord: “You are my God; Hear the voice of my supplications, O Lord. O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle. Do not grant, O Lord, the desires of the wicked; Do not further his wicked scheme, Lest they be exalted. Selah (Ps 140:6-8 NKJV)
Do we get involved in the deceptive politics of this world or pray for God to destroy the plans of liars in our land?
Let my enemies be destroyed by the very evil they have planned for me. Let burning coals fall down on their heads. Let them be thrown into the fire or into watery pits from which they can’t escape. Don’t let liars prosper here in our land. Cause great disasters to fall on the violent. (Ps 140:9-11 NLT)
Politicians do not often maintain the cause of the afflicted or bring justice for the needy, but does God?
I know that Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the needy. Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name. The upright will dwell in your presence. (Ps 140:12-13 WEB)
What will the kingdom of God actually deliver that is totally different from every form of human government?
Jesus went to Nazareth, where he had been raised. On the Sabbath he went to the synagogue as he normally did and stood up to read. The synagogue assistant gave him the scroll from the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me. He has sent me to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to liberate the oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the synagogue assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the synagogue was fixed on him. He began to explain to them, “Today, this scripture has been fulfilled just as you heard it.” (Luke 4:16-21 CEB)
Has every form of human government failed to correct evils, stop wicked schemes, and bring justice to the poor? Is there a kingdom that will? You decide!
You Have Searched Me (Ps 139)
Are money, celebrity and things as important to God as a person’s heart? Let’s begin in Psalm 139.
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. (WEB)
Does God know everything about us, even what we are thinking?
Yahweh, you have searched me, and you know me. You know my sitting down and my rising up. You perceive my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, Yahweh, you know it altogether. You hem me in behind and before. You laid your hand on me. This knowledge is beyond me. It’s lofty. I can’t attain it. (Ps 139:1-6 WEB)
Where can we go to escape God who is everywhere, ubiquitous?
Where could I go to get away from your spirit? Where could I go to escape your presence? If I went up to heaven, you would be there. If I went down to the grave, you would be there too! If I could fly on the wings of dawn, stopping to rest only on the far side of the ocean—even there your hand would guide me; even there your strong hand would hold me tight! If I said, “The darkness will definitely hide me; the light will become night around me,” even then the darkness isn’t too dark for you! Nighttime would shine bright as day, because darkness is the same as light to you! (Ps 139:7-12 CEB)
During our mother’s pregnancy, who is the one who designed a single cell to become a complete baby?
You are the one who put me together inside my mother's body, and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt. (Ps 139:13-14 CEV)
Who designed the intricate self-replicating DNA in that first cell, to become a variety of cells that formed a complete human body?
My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. (Ps 139:15-16 ESV)
How can any human being possibly comprehend the thoughts of such a designer as God?
God, how difficult Your thoughts are for me to comprehend; how vast their sum is! If I counted them, they would outnumber the grains of sand; when I wake up, I am still with You. (Ps 139:17-18 HCSB)
Does God have a plan to bring justice to the wicked who hate Him and rebel?
God, if only you would execute the wicked, so that the men guilty of bloodshed would get away from me, who speak against you with evil motives, your enemies who are acting in vain. I hate those who hate you, Lord, do I not? I loathe those who rebel against you, do I not? With consummate hatred I hate them; I consider them my enemies. (Ps 139:19-22 ISV)
Do we desire that God would search our hearts and cleanse us and lead us in the way everlasting?
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Ps 139:23-24 KJV)
What did Jesus have to say about those who have such a pure heart?
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Mat 5:8 LSB)
Are money, celebrity and things as important to God as a person’s heart? You decide!
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. (WEB)
Does God know everything about us, even what we are thinking?
Yahweh, you have searched me, and you know me. You know my sitting down and my rising up. You perceive my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, Yahweh, you know it altogether. You hem me in behind and before. You laid your hand on me. This knowledge is beyond me. It’s lofty. I can’t attain it. (Ps 139:1-6 WEB)
Where can we go to escape God who is everywhere, ubiquitous?
Where could I go to get away from your spirit? Where could I go to escape your presence? If I went up to heaven, you would be there. If I went down to the grave, you would be there too! If I could fly on the wings of dawn, stopping to rest only on the far side of the ocean—even there your hand would guide me; even there your strong hand would hold me tight! If I said, “The darkness will definitely hide me; the light will become night around me,” even then the darkness isn’t too dark for you! Nighttime would shine bright as day, because darkness is the same as light to you! (Ps 139:7-12 CEB)
During our mother’s pregnancy, who is the one who designed a single cell to become a complete baby?
You are the one who put me together inside my mother's body, and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt. (Ps 139:13-14 CEV)
Who designed the intricate self-replicating DNA in that first cell, to become a variety of cells that formed a complete human body?
My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. (Ps 139:15-16 ESV)
How can any human being possibly comprehend the thoughts of such a designer as God?
God, how difficult Your thoughts are for me to comprehend; how vast their sum is! If I counted them, they would outnumber the grains of sand; when I wake up, I am still with You. (Ps 139:17-18 HCSB)
Does God have a plan to bring justice to the wicked who hate Him and rebel?
God, if only you would execute the wicked, so that the men guilty of bloodshed would get away from me, who speak against you with evil motives, your enemies who are acting in vain. I hate those who hate you, Lord, do I not? I loathe those who rebel against you, do I not? With consummate hatred I hate them; I consider them my enemies. (Ps 139:19-22 ISV)
Do we desire that God would search our hearts and cleanse us and lead us in the way everlasting?
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Ps 139:23-24 KJV)
What did Jesus have to say about those who have such a pure heart?
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Mat 5:8 LSB)
Are money, celebrity and things as important to God as a person’s heart? You decide!
He Regards the Lowly (Ps 138)
What is it about humble people that God loves? Let’s begin in Psalm 138.
By David. (WEB)
Do we give God thanks and sing His praises with all our hearts?
I will give You thanks with all my heart; I will sing Your praises before the gods. I will bow down toward Your holy temple And give thanks to Your name for Your mercy and Your truth; For You have made Your word great according to all Your name. On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul. (Ps 138:1-3 NASB)
What do we wish for all national leaders, that they would become true believers?
May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord, when they hear what you have decreed. May they sing of the ways of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord is great. (Ps 138:4-5 NIV)
Who does God highly regard, the lowly or those filled with pride? Which ones will He revive?
Though the Lord is on high, Yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand Against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me. The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands. (Ps 138:6-8 NKJV)
Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Does society often mock those who turn from their sins and become like little children? What does the hyperbolic language of cutting off a hand or gouging out an eye actually mean?
About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea. What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting. So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell. Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father. (Mat 18:1-10 NLT)
What is it about humble people that God loves? You decide!
By David. (WEB)
Do we give God thanks and sing His praises with all our hearts?
I will give You thanks with all my heart; I will sing Your praises before the gods. I will bow down toward Your holy temple And give thanks to Your name for Your mercy and Your truth; For You have made Your word great according to all Your name. On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul. (Ps 138:1-3 NASB)
What do we wish for all national leaders, that they would become true believers?
May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord, when they hear what you have decreed. May they sing of the ways of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord is great. (Ps 138:4-5 NIV)
Who does God highly regard, the lowly or those filled with pride? Which ones will He revive?
Though the Lord is on high, Yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand Against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me. The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands. (Ps 138:6-8 NKJV)
Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Does society often mock those who turn from their sins and become like little children? What does the hyperbolic language of cutting off a hand or gouging out an eye actually mean?
About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea. What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting. So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell. Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father. (Mat 18:1-10 NLT)
What is it about humble people that God loves? You decide!
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