The Lifter of My Head

"But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head." (Psalm 3:3).

In his troubles, David remembered the goodness of the Lord. The Lord is a shield for David. Although he faces hardship and experiences discipline for his sin, God does not treat David as his sins deserve. He shields him from many troubles that could come. God treats all of his creation in this way. This is one of the reasons unbelief is so offensive. God is continually preventing many terrible things from happening in each of our lives. We clearly ought to be more grateful to him. The thousands of ways he shields us from troubles all around are merely samples of the greatest way he shields believers, saving us from hell through the gracious work of Christ the Savior. 

God is David's glory. Belonging to the Lord brings hope, meaning, purpose, and dignity to David's life. His value does not come from the success of his kingship. I comes from his belonging to God. There is glory in the life of a believer. Life as a child of God is a life that matters. The Christian, whether rich or poor, healthy or ill, learned or unlearned, enjoys a glorious life in the household of the glorious One.

Thus God is the lifter of a believers head. Why are you downcast O my soul? Why are you troubles within me? Hope in God! Whatever troubles may come, the man who belongs to the Lord has reason to keep his chin up.

According to the Way

"But this I confess you you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the law and the prophets, having hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust" (Acts 24:14-15). 

This is a confession of faith by the Apostle Paul. It states his faith in Jesus, the Messiah who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Jesus is the Way of salvation. His work, completed on the cross means sin and death are defeated. All who place their faith in him can enjoy the forgiveness of sins and a restored, right relationship with God.

Jesus is the Truth. The Logos who brings order out of chaos. The law and the prophets do this. God's truth is revealed in his word. His word shows us how to believe in, worship, and walk in the Way.

Jesus is the Life. Paul lived in this world with his heart set on the next, new world. He believed the Scriptures teaching that there will come a day of judgement for all mankind. Through faith in Christ, he was ready for that day, ready to receive his inheritance of eternal life from and with his God.

This faith motivated Paul's mission, shaped his life, inspired his worship, and by God's grace changed the world. Let us confess and live all this faith with our brother Paul.

The Lord takes Pleasure in Those who Fear Him

 "But the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those whose hope is in his steadfast love" (Psalm 147:11).

According to this verse, the man who pleases the Lord does two things: He fears the Lord and hopes in him.

The hear of the Lord is a way of speaking about genuine faith. In our day, it may be a preferable way, because the idea of faith is reduced to a sort of wish, intellectual notion, or personal energy directed toward an object or idea. But biblical fain includes deep trust and obedience. It includes reverence, awe, confidence, worship, and good works. The man who fears the Lord, recognizes God as the greatest power and authority. Thus he builds his life on him.

The man who pleases the LORD also hopes in him. This hope is a certainty, not a mere wish. The LORD is full of steadfast love. He declares it to be so all over the Old Testament and the New Testament gospel is the pinnacle of his steadfast love in action toward mankind. The Lord has promised salvation and he delivers on his promise.

Further evidence of God's good ness is here in the expression that God deigns to take pleasure in his creatures. What a dignifying and inspiring reality to think that God could be pleased with a men like us. 

He Gives to His Beloved

"Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep" (Psalm 127:1-2).

Here, in miniature, is the message of Ecclesiastes. Without the Lord, life in this world is full of emptiness and anxiety. Even if a man builds an impressive house, he does not know if he will live in it tomorrow or if it will be inhabited by another man. Even is a city grows strong and prosperous, many sudden troubles can befall it—war, disease, disaster. But no one and nothing can stop the Lord from building and blessing. The man who fears the Lord has confidence. The many who fears the Lord has a security that unbelievers cannot know. 

Without trust in God, life is vain and toilsome. Man rises and woks, anxious for the future or even just for tomorrow. We live in especially anxious times. The pace of life is rapid. The space of work is spread 24/7. Bad news, both public and private pours into our smartphones continually. Without God, we will rise early and rest little. Our hearts will be full of anxiety. But if need not be this way. Let's turn our hearts to him, the great builder and blesser of his beloved. 

Why Do You Stand Looking into Heaven?

 "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way. you saw him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11).

The angels spoke to men of Galilee. It was an unimportant area in a despised part of a great empire. Yet these were the men our Lord Jesus chose to befriend, train, and prepare for the task of world evangelization. Like our Lord, we. must never despise small people and small beginnings.

The men stood and stared. It is understandable they would do this. They witnessed many wonderful things in three years with Jesus, but the past forty days were most amazing of all. Jesus had returned to life and now, in super-natural fashion, had returned to heaven. But God does not want his men to just stand and stare. He has work for them to do and therefore sends his angels to get them moving. And we should also be obeying Jesus instructions to witness for him in this world. 

But the angels remind the disciples of another great truth. Jesus will come again. This is not the last time they will see him. They will experience his presence in ministry as many come to faith. They will see him when they follow him in martyrdom. And one day, he will come again on the clouds in glory and power. 

Better to Get Wisdom Than Gold

 "How much better to get wisdom than gold. To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver" (Proverbs 16:16).

Wisdom and understanding are greater than treasure. This is true, first of all, because God made the world through Wisdom. He is wisdom. In the biblical literature it can be said that having genuine wisdom is having a relationship with the Word. Through him, the wise Word, was made everything that was made. Possessing wisdom shows his ruling presence in your life.

Another way wisdom is greater that treasure is evidenced in the wise man's ability to care for himself and others. A man of wisdom and understanding can replace his treasure. That is, he knows the value of labor, of saving, looking to the future, and storing up. Many fools with treasure find themselves with nothing and are then unable to replace their goods or even take modest care of themselve.

The man of wisdom and understanding also enjoys the pleasure of an active mind and enlightened heart. Oh what adventures, joys, refreshments, and fascinating considerations are available in the mind of a wise man. He need never be bored or without occupation. Wisdom and understanding are God's gifts. 

Just as I am Not of the World

"I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one" (John 17:14-15). 

There are at least three amazing kindnesses from Jesus here. First, he give us God's word. How wonderful it is to receive the truth, wisdom, instruction, and gospel of God. We have it in Holy Scripture and in the person of the Holy Son of God himself. The word of the Father, given us by the Son, and illuminated by the Holy Spirit.

Second, Jesus identifies with us here. Again, he tells his disciples the world will hate them. as they live by his word, the unbelieving way of thinking, living, and desiring that permeates human nature and society will be offended by them. They will be a scandal to it. But here Jesus offers encouragement saying his disciples are like him in this way. What honor is given to men to associate with the Lord like this.

Third, Jesus prays for us. The mighty Christ prays that his Father will keep us from the evil one. It is a great comfort and wonder that sinners like me would be mentioned in the prayers of the Sinless One. Of course, one day we will be out of this world and in heaven with him. But for now we have his word, he is our friend, and he prays for us.