Wisdom in Jesus

"I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ, God’s great mystery. All the richest treasures of wisdom and knowledge are embedded in that mystery and nowhere else. And we’ve been shown the mystery! I’m telling you this because I don’t want anyone leading you off on some wild-goose chase, after other so-called mysteries, or “the Secret.”"

Eugene Peterson. The Message (Col 2:2–4).

Some Thoughts on Psalm 29

Psalm 29

“The power of his kingdom: He sits upon the flood. As he has founded the earth, so he has founded his own throne, upon the floods, Ps. 24:2. The ebbings and flowings of this lower world, and the agitations and revolutions of the affairs in it, give not the least shake to the repose nor to the counsels of the Eternal Mind. The opposition of his enemies is compared to the flood (Ps. 93:3, 4); but the Lord sits upon it; he crushes it, conquers it, and completes his own purposes in despite of all the devices that are in men’s hearts.^[1]

(3.) In the kingdom of grace. Here his glory shines most brightly, [1.] In the adorations he receives from the subjects of that kingdom (v. 9). In his temple, where people attend his discoveries of himself and his mind and attend him with their praises, every one speaks of his glory. In the world every man sees it, or at least may behold it afar off (Job 36:25); but it is only in the temple, in the church, that it is spoken of to his honour. All his works do praise him (that is, they minister matter for praise), but his saints only do bless him, and speak of his glory of his works, Ps. 145:10. [2.] In the favours he bestows upon the subjects of that kingdom, v. 11. First, He will qualify them for his service: He will give strength to his people, to fortify them against every evil work and to furnish them for every good work; out of weakness they shall be made strong; nay, he will perfect strength in weakness. Secondly, He will encourage them in his service: He will bless his people with peace. Peace is a blessing of inestimable value, which God designs for all his people. The work of righteousness is peace (great peace have those that love thy law); but much more the crown of righteousness: the end of righteousness is peace; it is endless peace. When the thunder of God’s wrath shall make sinners tremble the saints shall lift up their heads with joy.^[2]

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^[1] Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 782). Peabody: Hendrickson.

^[2] Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 782). Peabody: Hendrickson.

Personalizing Psalm 21.6,7

Surely I have been granted with unending blessings and I have been made glad with the joy of Jesus' presence.For I trust in the Lord; through the unfailing love of the Most High I will not be shaken.

The Counter Cultural Nature of Trusting (and resting in) Jesus

“Such a grid in two movements reveals an understanding of life that is fundamentally alien to our culture. The dominant ideology of our culture is committed to continuity and success and to the avoidance of pain, hurt, and loss. The dominant culture is also resistant to genuine newness and real surprise. It is curious but true, that surprise is as unwelcome as is loss. And our culture is organized to prevent the experience of both.

This means that when we practice either move—into disorientation or into new orientation—we engage in a countercultural activity, which by some will be perceived as subversive. Perhaps that is why the complaint psalms have nearly dropped out of usage. Where the worshiping community seriously articulates these two moves, it affirms an understanding of reality that knows that if we try to keep our lives we will lose them, and that when lost for the gospel, we will be given life (Mark 8:35). Such a practice of the Psalms cannot be taken for granted in our culture, but will be done only if there is resolved intentionality to live life in a more excellent way.”

--Walter Brueggemann

http://ref.ly/o/spiritltypsalms/31768 via the Logos Bible Android app.

Yielding to The Holy Spirit

“Why is faith in the Holy Spirit so seldom preached and practiced in Christendom? The world rules too much in the lives of Christians. Christians rarely live the heavenly life to which they are called in Christ Jesus. The love of the world—“the lust of the flesh” pleasure in eating, drinking, ease and comfort; “the lust of the eyes” delight in all that the world offers of beauty and possession; “and the pride of life” the self-exaltation in what the wisdom and power of humans have accomplished  (1 John 2.16)—robs the heart of its desire for the true self-denial that enables one to receive the Holy Spirit.”

—Andrew Murray

Thanksgiving in Action

Just a simple thought that thanksgiving and gratitude in action means that we live like we trust God!


"Wait on God alone in stillness, O my soul.
O God, teach us to seek security,
not in money or theft,
not in human ambition or malice,
not in our own ability or power,
but in you, the only God,
our rock and our salvation."

From the Daily Office, the refrain on Psalm 62 (wonderfully and simply translated in the NLT).

Reflection After Reading Psalm 147

"Great is our Lord and mighty in power.

Compassionate God, as you know each star you have created, so you know the secrets of every heart; in your loving mercy bring to your table all who are fearful and broken, all who are wounded and needy, that our hungers may be satisfied in the city of your peace; through Christ who is our peace."

(from the morning Daily Office)