More Than Bread

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Psalm 77 is a unique psalm. What makes it interesting is the deeply profound shift in perspective and emotion as we journey through the psalm. At the beginning it’s anxiety and anguish. The psalmist cries out to God, pouring out his soul, but finding no relief, no comfort, no peace. His heart is overwhelmed. He feels forgotten, unseen and ignored by God; wrestling with doubt, unable to find hope.  But as you read on, a transformation takes place; a shift of focus from present troubles to God's faithfulness in the past. He begins to reflect on God's goodness, God’s wonderous faithfulness. And as he remembers God’s goodness, doubt and despair drift into hope and trust. 

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There was a time in his life where he really had lost everything that we would say was necessary for the good life. He was living in caves on the run from a King who wanted to kill him.  Lost his family.  Lost his home.    Lost his reputation.  Lost his freedom. And it was during those days that he would would sit and create this song of worship found in Psalm 63.  A Psalm of David written in the desert...in the wilderness.  

"O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you.  My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.  I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life..."

It's kind of like when he had nothing, he knew that God was his everything.  God was his life.

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In Psalm 51, David wants more than forgiveness.  Way more.  I hope you do too.  The grace of God is not just a forgiving  grace.  The grace of God is a healing grace.  The grace  of God is a joy-restoring grace.  The grace of God is a renewing, sustaining, strengthening grace.  The grace of God brings an unstoppable tsunami of transformation.  And it's available for you!

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As I look around us, as I look among us, and as I look within me, I would say that a sin-soaked heart is life's greatest problem. We would prefer to highlight other issues. At least in part because when we talk about sin, sooner or later it's going to come back to me. Because here is what I know, my sin-soaked heart is my greatest problem. My own heart is the dominant problem of my life. My heart is my problem. But Psalm 51 gives me hope that God has a solution for my problem!

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Psalm 51 takes us into the heart of a deeply personal prayer of confession and repentance. It’s a prayer prayed by David when he was caught in sin. David’s heart was pierced with conviction and burdened by guilt and Psalm 51 is a heartfelt response to  that sin. It’s a raw and vulnerable cry for mercy. David doesn’t justify or minimize what he did, he simply lays his soul bare before God. 

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Psalm 46 trumpets a clarion call to trust, from the very beginning. The words "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble," set the tone for the entire psalm. Even in the midst of mess, chaos and confusion, God is our steadfast and reliable refuge. BUT he’s not an impersonal refuge. He desires a personal relationship with each of us. He is a personal God. That’s why I love the invitation in Psalm 46:10. "Be still and know that I am God." 

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Psalm 43 is a companion to Psalm 42 with a common chorus in both. Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? You know it’s good to ask ourselves questions like that. We can’t ignore what we feel but it’s ok to ask ourselves if our feelings align with reality. Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? Are you discouraged? Is your heart sad? You’re not alone, I know that doesn’t necessarily make you feel better, but you need to know you’re not alone. Others have walked that road, but more importantly...God is with us and because of that we hope!

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Psalm 42 is a psalms that can bypass the walls of our intellect and stir up our hearts. It’s a song of desperate longing and the unsatisfied thirsts of our soul. It’s a cry for the refreshment of our hearts. It's a psalm that authentically reminds us of the good and the hard, but in the midst of it all is our souls thirsty for God.

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I’ll be honest, I’m not exactly sure why I chose Psalm 38 to be in my top 40. It’s a hard Psalm that dives into the depths of  human suffering, guilt, and a desperate cry for God’s mercy. Psalm 38 gives us a vivid portrayal of physical and emotional anguish; especially the anguish that comes from sin and the burden of guilt. Psalm 38 does not shy away from the consequences of sin, and yet even in the mess of sin, there is this hope that God is close, not distant. God is merciful not angry. There is a hope that God is ready to pour out grace when we run to Him.

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There's just too much good stuff in Psalm 37 to let it go with one episode. So here we are again. But this time, we'll take some time pondering our place in the land. God wants to give us the land...but the land is for the meek. Meek? Anyone looking for a little more meekness in their life? Meek isn't weak, it's strength under control. Let's go for meek!