Encourage the Good

The presence of anyone without hearing their voice is a worrying thing. “Who’s there?” or “What do you want?” are questions that probe the unknown. What is true of people is even more true of God. The presence of God without the word of God is a deeply troubling and foreboding eventuality.

The God of the Bible is a God who speaks. He does not leave us to divine in the dark to discern what our response should be. 

It was by the word of the Lord that the heavens and the earth, the land and the sea and everything who dwells there was brought into being. The voice of God continues to be heard. 

The language here likens the voice of the Lord to a storm.

This is the twenty ninth of a series that began life as a commitment to Counting my Blessings every day after ankle surgery on July 2nd 2021.

Initially I made a brief post on social media and wrote a personal daily reflection on a Psalm following the same numerical progression.

Later on in the 100 days I began to also reflect on other scriptures and combine those into my public post

These thoughts from Psalms earlier in the journey have not been made public  until now as I was writing primarily for my own benefit. I have been encouraged to share these now.

The epithet “they are my rock” is ascribed to a friend or colleague who is stable, who can always be relied on. Rocks have a permanence about them, they speak of strong foundations and feelings of safety and security.

The idea comes from this phrase used in the Bible.

But here David is not ascribing this quality to another person. He addresses the Lord directly and says “you are my rock”. There is great comfort in knowing that there is one who provides strength, shelter and stability.

This is the twenty eighth of a series that began life as a commitment to Counting my Blessings every day after ankle surgery on July 2nd 2021.

Initially I made a brief post on social media and wrote a personal daily reflection on a Psalm following the same numerical progression.

Later on in the 100 days I began to also reflect on other scriptures and combine those into my public post

These thoughts from Psalms earlier in the journey have not been made public  until now as I was writing primarily for my own benefit. I have been encouraged to share these now.

Fear is not a pleasant experience. It is a powerful and primal emotion that heightens our senses and can alert us to danger but can also overwhelm us. There are many things which can cause us to be afraid.

We can be afraid of the unknown. Anyone who is not afraid of the dark is somewhat lacking in imagination and has not considered what might be out there. More seriously we can fear outcomes that are uncertain, situations that are new or people we do not know.

We can also be afraid of the known. A legacy of a negative experience, an undesirable outcome that seems increasingly inevitable, people and situations that make us uncomfortable or threaten us.

This is the twenty seventh of a series that began life as a commitment to Counting my Blessings every day after ankle surgery on July 2nd 2021.

Initially I made a brief post on social media and wrote a personal daily reflection on a Psalm following the same numerical progression.

Later on in the 100 days I began to also reflect on other scriptures and combine those into my public post

These thoughts from Psalms earlier in the journey have not been made public  until now as I was writing primarily for my own benefit. I have been encouraged to share these now.

Many experiences and circumstances can erode our foundation. Without a secure platform it is difficult to stay upright. There are people whose influence can destabilise us and who even try to see us fall. In Psalm 26 David is buffeted and looking for vindication and level ground.

David starts this Psalm asking that he will be cleared of blame, that charges against him will be shown to be false and that he will be declared innocent. This request for vindication is what all who face trial or accusation desire. David appeals to God as the one who will do this and his appeal is based on the fact that he is innocent. 

This is the twenty sixth of a series that began life as a commitment to Counting my Blessings every day after ankle surgery on July 2nd 2021.

Initially I made a brief post on social media and wrote a personal daily reflection on a Psalm following the same numerical progression.

Later on in the 100 days I began to also reflect on other scriptures and combine those into my public post

These thoughts from Psalms earlier in the journey have not been made public  until now as I was writing primarily for my own benefit. I have been encouraged to share these now.

There are many things people put their trust in. We can trust in our own talents, intelligence or ability. “I back myself”. We can trust another person, their love or professional knowledge or expertise. We can trust in an object, tool or implement to get the job done. We can trust leaders in church, politics, culture or thought.

The problem is that we are often let down, either because our expectations were unrealistic or because we are disappointed. 

This is the twenty fifth of a series that began life as a commitment to Counting my Blessings every day after ankle surgery on July 2nd 2021.

Initially I made a brief post on social media and wrote a personal daily reflection on a Psalm following the same numerical progression.

Later on in the 100 days I began to also reflect on other scriptures and combine those into my public post

These thoughts from Psalms earlier in the journey have not been made public  until now as I was writing primarily for my own benefit. I have been encouraged to share these now.

Who can have access to God? Who can stand in his presence?

What are the the qualifications for entry.

You may have stood at a kiosk in an airport and answered questions to determine your eligibility to enter your destination or been asked a series of questions during Covid to be allowed admission to a restaurant or store.

Potential students will consider and weigh the entry qualifications for a particular course or university. Graduates applying for a job may need to meet essential requirements.  

To work or visit another country we may require a special visa or permit

There are many places and experiences where there are entry qualifications but this is perhaps the biggest question of all. Who can come into God’s presence?

David spells out the criteria.

This is the twenty fourth of a series that began life as a commitment to Counting my Blessings every day after ankle surgery on July 2nd 2021.

Initially I made a brief post on social media and wrote a personal daily reflection on a Psalm following the same numerical progression.

Later on in the 100 days I began to also reflect on other scriptures and combine those into my public post

These thoughts from Psalms earlier in the journey have not been made public  until now as I was writing primarily for my own benefit. I have been encouraged to share these now.

Because we have a good shepherd we are to be shepherds of others. Recognising that they do not belong to us, they are just under our care. We are called to be honest, humble examples who are eager to serve more than to be served. This all happens because we are charged by the chief shepherd who gives out crowns. 

Leadership goes wrong when we try to be kings, think we are important and dominate and control others. The CEO must never be the preferred leadership model in a church or mission agency.

This is the twenty third of a series that began life as a commitment to Counting my Blessings every day after ankle surgery on July 2nd 2021.

Initially I made a brief post on social media and wrote a personal daily reflection on a Psalm following the same numerical progression.

Later on in the 100 days I began to also reflect on other scriptures and combine those into my public post

These thoughts from Psalms earlier in the journey have not been made public  until now as I was writing primarily for my own benefit. I have been encouraged to share these now.

When we are disorientated and feel lost it can easily turn to accusations against God.

Why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far away? Why do you not answer me? Our anguish and pain causes us to question the presence of God and the love of God. It is a spiral that can quickly spin out of control.

This is the twenty second of a series that began life as a commitment to Counting my Blessings every day after ankle surgery on July 2nd 2021.

Initially I made a brief post on social media and wrote a personal daily reflection on a Psalm following the same numerical progression.

Later on in the 100 days I began to also reflect on other scriptures and combine those into my public post

These thoughts from Psalms earlier in the journey have not been made public  until now as I was writing primarily for my own benefit. I have been encouraged to share these now.

I have good days and bad days. That is not really the most earth shattering admission but in a leadership culture where weakness can be seen as failure and the tyranny of perfection assumes success it is often harder to be honest about our negative experiences.

We have seen David in fear, heard him pleading for help and rescue as he faced mortal danger. Here we see David on a day that he is confident and full of faith.

This psalm is a celebration of the Lord’s provision and victories. There is thanksgiving for all that God has done for David and also for God’s unfailing love.

This is the twenty first of a series that began life as a commitment to Counting my Blessings every day after ankle surgery on July 2nd 2021.

Initially I made a brief post on social media and wrote a personal daily reflection on a Psalm following the same numerical progression.

Later on in the 100 days I began to also reflect on other scriptures and combine those into my public post

These thoughts from Psalms earlier in the journey have not been made public  until now as I was writing primarily for my own benefit. I have been encouraged to share these now.

It is not easy being in distress. Wear and tear, anxiety, sorrow and pain take a toll. It is hard for us to admit when we need help and support. 

It is a blow to our pride and reputation when we have to acknowledge that we are facing challenges beyond our personal resources. Distressed can be a selling point with a piece of furniture or a pair of jeans but is a far less attractive quality when experienced directly.

Psalm 20 is a prayer for those who are in distress.

This is the twentieth of a series that began life as a commitment to Counting my Blessings every day after ankle surgery on July 2nd 2021.

Initially I made a brief post on social media and wrote a personal daily reflection on a Psalm following the same numerical progression.

Later on in the 100 days I began to also reflect on other scriptures and combine those into my public post

These thoughts from Psalms earlier in the journey have not been made public  until now as I was writing primarily for my own benefit. I have been encouraged to share these now.