It’s VBS week at the Manchester NH church of Christ. Busy, busy, busy — but also pretty great at the same time. For that reason, however, this posting will be reasonably brief — all those of you who know me, can stop smirking.
Have you ever wondered this? (Psalm 142:4) — “Look to the right and see; For there is no one who regards me; There is no escape for me; No one cares for my soul.” Psalms 142:4, NAS95. “No one cares for my soul.” What a terrible, isolated, disconsolate place to be in. Ever been there? You’re not alone; a lot of people do. But you know what, you’ve likely got a church family that does care for your soul — you need to be at church! But you know what else? There’s a lot of people who don’t have your blessing of a church family and who believe that no one cares for their souls. Man, if that’s not a call to evangelism, I don’t know what is! We need to be caring for their souls — through the Gospel, through a cold cup of water, through food, through a conversation! They need Jesus first and foremost, but they need you, too. Be there. You could be the answer to just such a psalm being “sung” in someone’s heart. You could be God’s answer to them.
“Now I’ve gone and done it. Now what?” (Psalm 143) — This psalm is an interesting one, I think. He’s messed up; he says, “And do not enter into judgment with Your servant, For in Your sight no man living is righteous.” Psalms 143:2, NAS95. He’s feeling guilty and possibly that the circumstances of his life are the consequences from God for what he’s done. He’s asking for mercy, because everyone messes up — please forgive. So, he remembers how God has pulled His people out of the fire of punishment before — great rescues — and he longs for God to do something like that in his own life.
By the way, I’ve mentioned before how important remembering what God has done in our lives or the lives of others can be. This is one more example of it — take note and remember such things for your own soul’s sake.
But he concludes with a request for God guidance for extricating himself from the current problem, and more importantly for the future. Altogether, it’s a great example of what we should do, when we’ve really done something dumb. Admit it, ask for mercy, remember God’s past salvation, and seek to change our lives.
A beautiful blessing to ask (Psalm 144:12-15) — Here’s a psalm of what appears to be a man who has no illusions of grandeur or empire in his mind. He wants rescue from foreigners who have prompted conflict or war. And the last few lines seem to indicate that he’s be happy prospering in his own back yard. Perhaps you could call this a psalm of the middle-class. What a blessing it would be!
See you tomorrow, Lord willing.
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About parklinscomb
I'm a minister for the Rock Hill church of Christ in Frisco TX (rhcoc.org) where I've worked since 2020. I'm a big fan of my family, archaeology, the Bible, and the Lord's church.
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What do you say, when you’ve “done it now” — Psalm 142-144
It’s VBS week at the Manchester NH church of Christ. Busy, busy, busy — but also pretty great at the same time. For that reason, however, this posting will be reasonably brief — all those of you who know me, can stop smirking.
Have you ever wondered this? (Psalm 142:4) — “Look to the right and see; For there is no one who regards me; There is no escape for me; No one cares for my soul.” Psalms 142:4, NAS95. “No one cares for my soul.” What a terrible, isolated, disconsolate place to be in. Ever been there? You’re not alone; a lot of people do. But you know what, you’ve likely got a church family that does care for your soul — you need to be at church! But you know what else? There’s a lot of people who don’t have your blessing of a church family and who believe that no one cares for their souls. Man, if that’s not a call to evangelism, I don’t know what is! We need to be caring for their souls — through the Gospel, through a cold cup of water, through food, through a conversation! They need Jesus first and foremost, but they need you, too. Be there. You could be the answer to just such a psalm being “sung” in someone’s heart. You could be God’s answer to them.
“Now I’ve gone and done it. Now what?” (Psalm 143) — This psalm is an interesting one, I think. He’s messed up; he says, “And do not enter into judgment with Your servant, For in Your sight no man living is righteous.” Psalms 143:2, NAS95. He’s feeling guilty and possibly that the circumstances of his life are the consequences from God for what he’s done. He’s asking for mercy, because everyone messes up — please forgive. So, he remembers how God has pulled His people out of the fire of punishment before — great rescues — and he longs for God to do something like that in his own life.
By the way, I’ve mentioned before how important remembering what God has done in our lives or the lives of others can be. This is one more example of it — take note and remember such things for your own soul’s sake.
But he concludes with a request for God guidance for extricating himself from the current problem, and more importantly for the future. Altogether, it’s a great example of what we should do, when we’ve really done something dumb. Admit it, ask for mercy, remember God’s past salvation, and seek to change our lives.
A beautiful blessing to ask (Psalm 144:12-15) — Here’s a psalm of what appears to be a man who has no illusions of grandeur or empire in his mind. He wants rescue from foreigners who have prompted conflict or war. And the last few lines seem to indicate that he’s be happy prospering in his own back yard. Perhaps you could call this a psalm of the middle-class. What a blessing it would be!
See you tomorrow, Lord willing.
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About parklinscomb
I'm a minister for the Rock Hill church of Christ in Frisco TX (rhcoc.org) where I've worked since 2020. I'm a big fan of my family, archaeology, the Bible, and the Lord's church.