STUDY OF PSALMS - Chapters 6-10

PSALM 6 - “How Long O Lord?”

(Lament of David)

This is the first of seven Penitential Psalms - songs of confession and humility before God. It was a custom among some in the early church to sing these psalms on Ash Wednesday. Some scholars consider this only a Lament, as no indication of sin is directly mentioned.

[Psalm 6 is a gift of prayer for our darkest nights of ugly crying.  Cause who hasn't cried til the  bed is a'swimming in tears?]

Vs. 1-4 – Believing that his suffering is the result of God's discipline, David cries out for mercy for the sake of God's steadfast love.

The Hebrew word used for love is “chesed” or “hesed” and describes not only a steadfast or faithful love, it is a covenant love based on promises. There is no exact English equivalent for this word. David was clearly appealing to God from within His covenantal relationship. The Lord's “hesed” will never let us go. The fullness of His “hesed” - God's original covenant - was seen on the cross. We can cry out to God in confidence that nothing will separate us from His faithful, steadfast, loyal, sanctifying love.

Vs. 3 – Jesus used these same words to describe his anguish (John 12:27) but unlike David, He knew His suffering would bring God glory and salvation unto all who believe.

Vs. 9 – “The Lord has heard my plea... the Lord accepts my prayer.”

💛NUGGET: Because of His steadfast, covenantal love, God hears us even in our darkest times. He gives hope to our hopeless hearts. Prayer changes everything!

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PSALM 7 - “Song of the Slandered Saint"

(Lament of David)

The superscription identifies this psalm 7 as a Shiggaion of David, “which he sang unto the Lord concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite.” NKJV translates "shiggaion" as a meditation. Cush the Benjamite was a relative of Saul and apparently an enemy of David.

As David is pursued by his enemies, he declares his innocence to God as a Righteous Judge. Charles Spurgeon called this psalm, "the song of the slandered saint."

Vs. 6-8 – David's call for God to bring judgment upon his enemies causes this hymn to also be classified as an “Imprecatory Psalm”. Imprecation is calling down God’s anger and judgment on one's enemies. These psalms were not written out of vindictiveness, but are prayers asking God to provide justice and protection.

💛 NUGGET: Notice in vs. 12 that God's bow is bent. The arrow is in place. What then, is holding back His divine judgment and punishment? One word: Mercy. Better yet, two words: Undeserved Mercy.

Vs. 14 – Sin is conceived from within and given life BY the sinner, just as a mother gives birth to her children.    (And I ain't gonna lie... those sin babies are U-G-L-Y !)

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PSALM 8 - “What is Man?”

(Praise hymn of David)

This psalm is also a Creation Hymn – focuses on earth & the heavens. It begins and ends by extolling the majesty of God. The chapters in between show the tension between His Majesty and Glory and our lack, thereof.

Vs.2 - ”From the mouths of babes”... Jesus chided His accusers with this passage in Matthew 21:15-16. Just as infants and nursing babies give testimony to God with their simple faith (8:2), so were the children able to recognize Jesus in the temple with shouts of “Hosanna to the son of David!”.

Vs.4-6 – Quoted in Hebrews 2:6-9 as being ultimately fulfilled in Jesus. The Majesty of Heaven came down to earth as a lowly man, but was eternally crowned with Glory and Honor.

Vs.5-8 – Essentially a commentary on Genesis 1:26-28

Psalm ends in “inclusio” (ends as it begins, creating “bookends”)

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PSALM 9 - “Here Come da Judge”

(Thanksgiving / Praise Hymn of David)

While most believe the title “Muth-Labben” (found in the superscription) refers to a tune, others suggest that it refers to an instrument upon which the song was played. NKJV associates it with the phrase “The Death of the Son” corresponding to the ancient Chaldee inscription which states: “Concerning the death of the Champion who went out between the camps,” referring to Goliath.  This song describes the Lord coming to the rescue.

In the original Greek and Latin versions, Psalms 9 and 10 are joined as one song. Together they form a partial alphabet acrostic and both psalms praise God in the role of a good Judge. But there are differences that justify their separation. Psalm 9 focuses on Thanksgiving while Psalm 10 is more of a Lament.

Vs. 8 – 1000 years after David's writing, the Apostle Paul quoted this verse to the Christians in Athens in speaking of Jesus: “He shall judge the world in righteousness.”  (Acts 17:31).

Vs. 14 – Daughter Zion = Jerusalem (referring to both the city and its inhabitants)

💛 NUGGET:  There is a play on words in vs. 17-18 with “forget” and “forgotten” where David illustrates a contrast between the wicked who forget God and those who are oppressed, yet never forgotten by God. 

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PSALM 10 - “There Is A God”

(Lament)

Although this psalm is untitled and shares some similar themes with Psalm 9, it is able to stand on its own as a song decrying the prosperity of the wicked but ultimately trusting in the righteousness and sovereignty of God.

“There is not, in my judgment, a Psalm which describes the mind, the manners, the works, the words, the feelings, and the fate of the ungodly with so much propriety, fullness, and light, as this Psalm.” (Martin Luther)

Vs. 4 - The wicked believe that since they are not held accountable, there is “no God”. This type of denial of God is “practical atheism” - denying that God pays attention. “Metaphysical Atheism” is an absolute unbelief in God's existence

Vs. 17-18 – Notice David says God has heard the “desire” of the humble, rather than their “prayer”. Sometimes, we are unable to put our desires into words.  Or perhaps we don't feel worthy to bring them to God. But God listens carefully and hears even our unformed prayers.

💛 When my oldest son, Lucas, was 3 and I was 7 months pregnant with my second son, we were in a horrible car wreck. It ended up being a 6-car pileup, including the semi who hit my side of the car and turned it into a twisted heap of mangled metal. I lost consciousness briefly and had a small skull laceration. Lucas had a few tiny scratches from broken glass and Jacob – in utero - never stopped kicking. We were taken by ambulance to the ER and I received stitches in my head. The doctor deemed it wise for me to stay overnight for observation. As I was being wheeled from the ER to my hospital room, I looked up to see that the halls were lined – literally lined – with friends and family who had come to check on us (small town love, y'all). When everyone finally left and I was alone in my bed, I knew I had to somehow find the words to thank God for saving our three lives. But the words wouldn't come. Hard as I tried, there were just no words big enough or holy enough to express my overwhelming gratitude. As I lay in humble stillness, I lifted my hands in supplication, silently begging God to reach into my heaped up heart and understand the depth of my love and thankfulness.  Tears streamed down my face and peace flooded my soul as He listened to the desires of my heart.

READING FOR TOMORROW:  Psalms 11-16

LINK TO READING PLAN:

https://bibleplan.org/plans/psalms-in-a-month/

STUDY OF PSALMS - Chapters 1-5

Book 1 of the Psalms traditionally includes Chapters 1-41, but there is a growing consensus among biblical scholars that Chapters 1 and 2 stand alone as an introduction or prelude to the entire book. Chapters 1 and 2 are both untitled and are likewise bound together with the word "blessed", which opens Chapter 1 and closes Chapter 2.   In essence, they establish the basic theology for the rest of the book.

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PSALM 1 – “Who Is Blessed?”

“Blessed” in this reading is more aptly translated “happy”, as distinguished from the Hebrew word usually translated for "blessed".

In this song we are told that in order to be blessed, we must avoid three things:

1. Walking with the wicked
2. Standing with sinners
3. Sitting with scoffers

Did you notice the progression from walking to standing to sitting? Seems to me the comfort level increases in direct proportion to the amount of time spent hanging out with the wrong people on the wrong path. As this psalm clearly states, there are two distinct paths. One way (following the Lord through His WORD) leads to blessing and the other leads to ruin. The difference is where you plant yourself. Location. Location. Location.

💛NUGGET: Plant yourself by the Living Waters (John 7:38) and you will flourish. 

 Choose your path wisely.

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PSALM 2 - “Kiss The Son”

This Psalm is basically a poetic reflection of 2 Samuel 7:16, where God promises David that his throne will be established forever.

In Psalm 1 we learned about two different types of people (wicked vs. blessed). Psalm 2 is about two different types of kingdoms or nations (rebellious vs. submissive).

Psalm 2 is a Messianic Psalm. This means that somewhere within the psalm, a reference is made about the Messiah who is to come.

Vs. 1-2 describe the nations of the earth raging in rebellion against God's “Anointed One”. The word “anointed” is translated into Greek as Christos (Christ) and in Hebrew as Messiah.

Although no authorship of this psalm is identified, it is attributed to David in Acts 4:25-26, where we find the early church praying this psalm as they faced persecution.   In fact, Psalm 2 is the most quoted psalm in the NT.

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (the true author), David wrote this psalm not only about himself, but even more profoundly about Jesus. Just as kings and nations rebelled against King David, they continue to do so against the Heavenly King.

What?!  Rebel against the King of Kings? It's laughable! At least it was to the Omnipotent God in vs. 4. 

The structure of this psalm goes something like this:

• Vs. 1-3: Rebellion is a' brewing in the kingdom.
• Vs. 4-6: Wanna make God laugh? Try rebelling against His King.
• Vs. 7-9: God and Jesus talk amongst themselves: Jesus is King
• Vs. 10-12: Wise up you royal knuckleheads. Kiss the Son.

💛NUGGET: The dialogue in verses 7-9 gives the only OT reference to the Father/Son relationship in the Trinity. Verse 7 is quoted in the NT in regard to the birth of Jesus (Hebrews 1:5-6) and also in Acts 13:33-34 discussing the resurrection.

This psalm ends where Psalm 1 begins... offering happiness for those who trust God.  

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PSALM 3 - “Lifter Of My Head”

(Lament of David)

[There is a “superscription” before some of the Psalms, which is a statement describing the historical setting of the psalm or a specific note regarding the music. The superscription before Psalm 3 states “A psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son.”]

This psalm is classified as a Lament. Over 1/3 of the psalms are Lament Psalms which fall under the category of a Basic Structure:

• “I'm gonna complain to God!”
•  “And here's why I'm complaining!”

Or a Complex Structure:

• Lament (Complaint)
• Petition (Request for help)
• Affirmation & Praise to God

Laments begin with complaining but usually end up in faith and praise.

Per the superscript, Psalm 3 is linked to events in David's life when he was forced to flee from his hairy son Absalom as recorded in 2 Samuel chapters 15-18. His son had turned against him, his enemies were increasing in number, David's life was falling apart, so what did he do? He wrote a psalm... a prayer of petition to God.

💛NUGGET:  When David's focus shifts from himself to God (vs. 3), his worries melt away.  He takes a nap and wakes up with enough courage to face 10,000 enemies, because God is his Shield.

A note about “SELAH”: This word is used 71 times in the Psalms. I wish I could tell you definitively what it means, but other than assuming it refers to a type of musical notation or perhaps a cue to pause... the meaning is uncertain.

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PSALM 4 – "Night Prayer"

(Lament of David)

[This is the first psalm to have musical instructions to the choir.]

Vs.1 - David boldly calls out to the “God of my righteousness”. This particular way of addressing God is not used anywhere else in the scripture. It's personal. David is imbued with Holy Boldness because he knows his righteousness does not depend on the whims of men or even his own actions, but is instead a gift and reward from God.

Vs. 6 - During this time of chaos (which some scholars of the Psalms attribute to a famine), David prays that God would “let the light of His face” shine upon them all. 

💛NUGGET:  This prayer is very similar to the Aaronic blessing found in Numbers 6:24-26:

The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make His face shine upon you,

And be gracious to you;

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,

And give you peace.

And David slept in peace.

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PSALM 5 – "Shout For Joy"

(Lament of David)

At the end of David's peaceful rest in Psalm 4, he wakes up offering morning prayers in Psalm 5. And shouldn't we follow his example? “Give ear to my words, O Lord” should be the first words out of our mouths before the devil even realizes we're awake. And not only does David ask God to listen to his words, he also asks God to “consider his meditations”. The understood translation of “meditations” is a low murmuring or sighing. David has confidence that God (through the Holy Spirit) can understand and discern his innermost thoughts and silent prayers. This calls to mind Romans 8:26, "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses.  For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." 

Vs. 9 - “Their throat is an open grave...” Yuck.  We'll just have to recognize that David's poetic license is at work here and trust that he's not describing a really bad case of halitosis. I wonder how David feels about Paul quoting his ugly metaphor in Romans 3:13 as evidence of the sinful condition of ALL people.

💛NUGGET:  In verse 4, David states that evil cannot dwell with God. In verse 7, he pictures himself entering the temple to be nearer to God. But the nugget is in verse 11. The literal Greek translation of “you spread your protection over them” (NIV) reads “you will make a nest among them”.  God comes close.  And therein lies the source of our JOY.

I leave you with this beautiful song, inspired by Psalm 3:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EBhr-3cr2E&t=3s

READING FOR TOMORROW:  Psalms 6-10

LINK TO READING PLAN:

https://bibleplan.org/plans/psalms-in-a-month/ 

STUDY OF PSALMS - Introduction

Psalm is a book of Hebrew poetry, prayers and praise. It is a collection of songs that run the gamut  of  human emotion...  ALL the emotions.   These expressions  of  the heart are appropriately located in the center of the Bible.  Often raw, always real, forever relatable.

It is different from all the other books of the Bible in that it is not a narrative, yet Psalm is full of prophecy and profound theology.  So much so that it is the most quoted Old Testament book by writers of the New Testament.  Jesus often referred to the Psalms in His teachings, even quoting them from the cross with His dying breath.

The name of the book comes from the Greek word, psalmoi, which means "songs"... specifically, songs that are sung to a stringed instrument (i.e. harp, lyre). The Hebrew title, Tehillim, translates to "praises".  It was written by at least seven different authors over a period of 900 to 1000 years, ranging from the exodus of Moses to the exile of Israel.  It was likely  during or after the Babylonian exile (around 500-400 B.C.) that the scrolls of all 150 Psalms were collected into their final form by Ezra and other religious leaders.  To the Jewish nation separated from their promised land and clinging to the promise of a new king, the finished Book of Psalms represented a hymnbook of HOPE  

Scholars are uncertain as to why the original manuscript of Psalm is divided into five books.  The division certainly isn't based on authorship or chronology, as there is often a lack of cohesive relationship between various chapters.  According to Jewish traditions, the division was created as a purposeful representation of the five books of the Torah (Genesis to Deuteronomy), foundational to the faith of Israel.

[Note of Interest:  At least 30 partial or complete manuscripts of the Book of Psalms were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls, the largest collection of any Bible book found there.]

In reading the Psalms, it helps to keep two things in mind: (1) they are ancient Hebrew poems set to music, and (2) ancient Hebrew poetry doesn't rhyme.  Instead of prose, the writers use "parallelism", a style which links ideas in order to show relationship between sequential lines of poetry.  

So... in a 150-chapter nutshell, we have a book filled with poems that do not rhyme, songs that have no music, joyful praises interspersed with heartbreaking lament... in no real order or easily identifiable structure.  And yet, the Book of Psalms remains one of the most beloved books of the Bible among both Jews and Christians.  The cherished hymns of old continue to sustain and renew our hope today, as we find refuge in the God of Moses and David while we wait for our King to return.  

I invite you to join me in this 31-day study of the Psalms.  Hopefully, we will gain a newfound appreciation of these scriptures as we find Christ - both anticipated and fulfilled - smack dab in the heart of our Bible.  

Here's a handy-dandy link to a reading plan (about 5 chapters/day) which you can also use to  send daily chapters to your email via the magic of the interwebs!

https://bibleplan.org/plans/psalms-in-a-month/

TOMMOROW:  Chapters 1-5

OUR BROKENNESS FOR HIS GLORY

My eyes can't believe the heartbreaking pictures I'm seeing of the apartment collapse in Surfside, Florida. The 'after' pictures of devastation - pancaked floors and mountains of rubble – are impossible to reconcile with the 'before' pictures of the beachfront condo. The twisted rebar and dangling sheetrock strips away all illusions of safety in things made by man.

It's not the first time our illusions have come crashing down and it won't be the last. Yet, we continue to see things as we want them to be, rather than how they really are. And each time, we are left flailing and grasping for air.

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I'm in the middle of the book of Job. (God's timing, huh? 😬) I usually speedread through this particular book. I mean, who wants to read about a guy covered in sores who is trying to convince his friends that he's innocent after everything but his nagging wife has been taken away? But I'll be danged if the Spirit didn't decide to flat out wreck me with these scriptures, showing me how delusional our illusions have become.

We typically view the story of Job as a complex lesson in suffering, which isn't entirely wrong... suffering is indeed complex. We are escorted into a world of suffering the second we leave the womb. Suffering is inevitable, no one escapes. But in God's plans, suffering is a means to an end. The overt lesson of Job is not about suffering... it's about SOVEREIGNTY.

I get it. I understand why Job and his helpful friends spent days questioning God's purpose. I might even know *ahem* someone who has indignantly demanded answers from Heaven for perceived injustices. That same *ahem* person may also be guilty of arrogantly offering suggestions for running the universe to The Very One Who Put The Stars In Place.

In our humanity, we cry out for a rational understanding of an Omnipotent God. It's hard to reconcile the Creator of hummingbirds with the same God who allows incomprehensible suffering to innocent people. But He is the same. We are told so in the very first chapter of Job. Not one thing happens on this planet that God has not allowed. We serve a sovereign God.

It is in our suffering that we are most likely to forget His Sovereignty. In our brokenness and despair, we need to be reminded that His ways are not our ways... His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8).

All we can know is what He wants us to know.

Read that again. It's a difficult concept to those searching for eternal meaning in a broken and finite world.

We would rather trust in the things we can see. Things like 12-story buildings. Politicians. A 24-Hour News Cycle.

God couldn't be trying harder to show us how far from Heaven our trust is misplaced. In fact, His Word tells us that we can only be certain of things we DON'T SEE (Hebrews 11:1). It is our faith that makes the unseen things real. And sometimes, when it looks as though things are falling apart... that same faith ensures that everything will eventually fall together.

And though my human knowledge and reasoning are pitifully inadequate, this I know for sure... that “the same Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living me” (Romans 8:11). That same Spirit convicts me to trust beyond human reasoning that all things WILL work together for GOOD, because I love Him. (Romans 8:28)

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We may never understand why bad things happen to good people, at least not on this side of heaven. But we can be certain that God will meet those good people in the midst of their suffering, just as He did with Job.

Maybe we're asking the wrong question in the first place. When bad things happen, instead of asking “Why?” perhaps our first question should be, “How?”

How will God use our brokenness for His glory?

SURRENDER

Surrender.

This is my word for 2021.

Besides surviving the pandemic, some of you know that our family went through another crisis of sorts last year – our oldest son's marriage was ended. Watching him face such a devastating trial with faith and perseverance taught me much about surrendering to God.

So many have experienced or are in the middle of the fiery embers of divorce. I truly believe that destroying marriages is one of satan's favorite pastimes. In doing so, not only is he able to turn two souls against one another, but he also leaves behind a lifetime of pain and confusion in the hearts of the children of divorce. They are the ones left holding the tattered pieces of a shattered promise made without their consent.

I know there is someone out there right now, who is contemplating divorce. You're tired. Miserable. You feel that life would surely be better 'if only'...

There may be someone reading this who is just ready to give up, period. Life is too hard. There's no meaning or purpose. What's the point of continuing?

But if you feel like giving up on your spouse, your parents, your siblings, your best friend or even yourself, God has one word for you: SURRENDER.

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I grew up as most of you. saying this prayer at bedtime:

“Now I lay me down to sleep

I pray the Lord my soul to keep,

If I should die before I wake

I pray the Lord my soul to take.”

With my Mama bending over me and my hands around her neck, I remember rushing through the 'dying before I wake' and the Lord taking my soul part. I disliked it so much that when I had my own children, I only taught them the first two verses. In their sweet little boy voices, the prayer sounded something like this:

“Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray dalormysoullakeep. Aaaaaa-men.”

But you know what? I was wrong.

I should've taught them the whole prayer. I should've been as bold as the ancient Jewish Moms of long ago...

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Psalm 31:5 is one of the Hebrew Prayer Blessings that has been prayed by Jewish families for thousands of years:

“Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.” (KJV)

Think about it. Every single night, those tired Jewish Mamas would lean down as their sleepy babies pulled them nose to nose...

And committed their spirits to the Lord.

You might recognize the first words of that verse. They are pretty much the same words Jesus said on the cross. His final words on the cross:

“Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I COMMIT my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.” (Luke 23:46)

Instead of "commit" some versions say “commend” or “entrust”. The Greek word is "paratíthēmi" and it means to give something to another for safekeeping. In His final moments on the cross, Jesus was entrusting His Spirit – His Lifeforce – to His Father.

Our Father wants no less from us.

Life IS too hard... relationships ARE too complicated... if you don't commit them to God.

Entrust Him with your heartaches and worries. Give Him your life for safekeeping.

SURRENDER.

And when you've gotten yourself all surrendered and commited... go and teach your children. Let's raise up a generation of children and grandchildren who will fearlessly pray ALL the verses of that bedtime prayer.

Because all our souls have always belonged to Him... 💗

ARMOR UP!

I will never forget being a brand new Mama spending the afternoon with my 5 month old baby Lucas when my soap opera (General Hospital) was interrupted with the breaking news of the assassination attempt on President Reagan. I can remember the horror and fear that flooded my heart and the insecurity I felt about the crazy world into which I had brought my son.

Fast-forward 40 years and I'm really grateful that I could not have imagined just how much more crazy and evil our world would become. It feels closer, now. I mean, ever since God placed the serpent in That Garden and the apple on That Tree – sin and evil have always been within an arm's reach. But the darkness is ubiquitous; it's as though a curtain is being pulled back to unabashedly reveal what was once hidden. Evil on parade. In high-definition.

A few days ago, I was having a discussion with a young Mom who was concerned about the future of her babies, anxious to find a way to instill strength into their young souls – to teach them how to be unafraid when she sends them out into the world.

Even though I have six precious G-babes... I don't think I can truly imagine the overwhelming struggle of young parents who are raising kids in today's dark and destructive climate. But I do have 40 years of faith and God-given wisdom to share...

And this is the three-fold message God put on my heart for that sweet Mama:

1.  Satan is the enemy.
2. The battle is spiritual.
3. We have the Armor of God.

■SATAN IS THE ENEMY. We wrestle NOT against flesh and blood. The enemy is not your spouse or your ex-spouse or your uncle or your congressman or even the used car salesman who sold you a clunker. If that were true, we could go toe-to-toe with our enemy and end the fight with a mean right hook. But satan fights dirty. “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

■THE BATTLE IS SPIRITUAL. The darkness and evil that is happening on our earthly stage is being cunningly and skillfully produced in a spiritual realm directed by satan. “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using the weapons of man.” (1 Corinthians 10:3)

This 👏Is 👏 Why 👏 We 👏 Need 👏 God 👏. He is the Only One who can defeat our spiritual enemies.

■WE HAVE WEAPONS!! These are difficult days, but God hasn't left us defenseless... far from it. He's given us His Very Own Armor, the same Armor He wore in Isaiah 59:17. There were no Roman soldiers when Isaiah wrote these words. But about 700 years later, the Apostle Paul remembered them as he sat in captivity surrounded by Roman soldiers and gave us this message:

“Therefore put on the FULL ARMOR OF GOD, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to STAND your ground, and after you have done everything, to STAND. STAND firm then, with the BELT OF TRUTH buckled around your waist, with the BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the GOSPEL OF PEACE. In addition to all this, take up the SHIELD OF FAITH, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the HELMET OF SALVATION and the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, which is the Word of God.” (Ephesians 6:13-17)

[Notice that the SWORD – the WORD OF GOD – is the only defensive AND offensive weapon in our arsenal. What a weapon! “For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and DISCERNING the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12-13)]

Sweet Mamas... you're not just raising helpless mortals. You are raising SPIRITUAL SUPERHEROES. Empower them. Teach them how to ARMOR UP. In a world that seems to be falling apart, teach them to STAND.

And know this: There are armies of us “seasoned” women who have been where you are and are willing to stand in the gap whenever and wherever you need a mentor or prayer warrior.

We've got this, Mamas. ⚔

CHOOSE LIFE

As I was finishing up paperwork at my Octogerian patient's house today, I offhandedly asked him what his profession had been. He told me he was a preacher. Preached for over half a century... still preaching. We chatted a minute about the Bible and I asked him if he believed we were truly in the 'Last Days'. He nodded his head emphatically and said, “Most certainly!” He explained that America today is just like Israel in the OT... filled with lost people in search of an earthly king who will give us what we think we WANT, instead of a Heavenly King who gives us exactly what we NEED. He quoted Deuteronomy 30, where Moses – in his final speech – told the Israelites to “Choose Life” so that they would receive all the promised blessings from God.

Coincidentally (?) I had just finished Deuteronomy. It's a tough, book for me – it swamps me to read about the death of Moses. I can't deal with all the feels when God takes Moses up to Mt. Nebo to view the promised land. I cry every time, imagining the profound sense of accomplishment Moses felt after 80 years of service finally culminating in the deliverance of God's people; joy that the Israelites would finally be “home”; sadness in the prophetic knowledge that his "stiff-necked" people would eventually lose their homeland and be dispersed all over the world because they chose the curse instead of the blessing.

Today is my Daddy's birthday. He would be 87. To me, he is perpetually 64 – the age he left this earth. Several years ago I wrote this birthday tribute to him which popped up on my FB memories:

“It's been 15 years since my Daddy held me safe against his big ol' chest while I snuggled in, getting high on the scent of Old Spice. There was magic in that Old Spice. One whiff and a hug from my Daddy was all it took to make everything okay. I'm missing him more than usual. Maybe it's because the world seems to be going crazy and Tina Turner was completely wrong: we DO need another hero. He was mine.”

Undoubtedly, the world has become even uglier and crazier in the decades since my Dad found his way to heaven. We are surrounded by chaos, still searching for a 'king' to make everything better.

Life is hard and uncertain. Our hearts are troubled. There's not much I wouldn't give for one of my Dad's magical hugs...

But while he was my hero, God is my salvation. He reminded me of that today. His messenger was a tired, old preacher who believes without a doubt that he is still here for a purpose: to encourage others to Choose Life.

I'm thankful for men like him... beyond grateful for the modern-day Moseses who continue to lead lost wanderers into the Promised Land.

(Also, I'm pretty sure the Promised Land smells like Old Spice... 😉

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