OUR EVERLASTING DWELLING PLACE

 Psalm 90:1-2 Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.  Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. (ESV)

I’m struck by the opening words of this Psalm, which is attributed to Moses.  If you asked a Christian  about an everlasting dwelling place, I suspect most would think of heaven. But, the “dwelling place” in this Psalm isn’t a location at all. Instead, it’s the very person of God. Now, I’ve heard heaven described as “the dwelling place of God,” but I’m not entirely sure that is what this Psalm is talking about. Perhaps Acts 17:28 provides the needed insight:  “...In him we live and move and have our being...”  Put another way, no matter where we are or what we are doing, we dwell in the presence of God. He is omnipresent—everything is laid out before Him.

At times, that thought may be convicting. It ought to be when we’re not living in right relationship with God. However, when our lives are set right with God through the cross of Jesus Christ, that thought should be comforting. Though our circumstances change, God does not! As the verses noted above say, “from everlasting to everlasting you are God!”

If you were to keep reading Psalm 90 (that’s your homework), you would find that these opening verses must have provided comfort through some trying times. There is remembrance that our sin deserves God’s wrath. There’s thought about how short our lives are. But, there’s hope because of God’s mercy and grace. 

So, when faced with uncertainty and change, please remember that your dwelling place is in the presence of God. He is the one who gives comfort and peace in the midst of any circumstances. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Heb. 13:8) No matter what may come, if you are His child, you are securely …  In His grip,      

                   Pastor Decker

GOD’S GRACIOUS CHARACTER

 Psalm 89:1 I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations. (ESV)

I don’t know about you, but when I see this verse, a popular chorus instantly pops into my mind. That song begins, “I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, I will sing, I will sing …” Do you know the one I’m thinking of?

That song is based on the King James version of this verse. Other than a word order matter— “will I” or “I will” - and a “your” vs. “thy,” the difference comes down to my favorite Hebrew word. Put in English (transliterated), it comes out something like “hesed.” When used of God, it is a word that takes multiple English words to properly express. That’s why the translations differ: KJV & NKJV say “mercies;”  NIV says “great love;” NASB says “loving kindness;” ESV says “steadfast love.” Another way the word can be translated is “covenant faithfulness.”

All of these speak to God’s character (there is a reason I didn’t change the title this week). This verse and the corresponding chorus are resolutions to declare God’s character to the world around us, whether through song or teaching, preaching, and proclaiming (making known). As you sing the chorus or read that verse, I hope you personally make that resolution.

Take another look at the different ways “hesed” is translated. When you speak about God to others (and I hope you do), do you use some of those terms? You ought to.  Sometimes, we can come down hard on people because of their sin, only presenting God as Judge, which He is.  God takes sin seriously, and so should we. In His righteousness, God’s wrath against sin had to be satisfied, and it was … on the cross of Jesus Christ.

That very same cross is the ultimate expression of God’s “hesed,” no matter which terms you use.  We should all celebrate God’s mercies, great love, loving kindness, steadfast love, and covenant faithfulness. This week, I encourage you to speak of God with those terms, whether it be in prayer or in conversation. I think it might just be an encouragement to you and others.  Give it a try and see what happens!

In His grip, 

Pastor Decker

GOD’S GRACIOUS CHARACTER

Psalm 86:4-5 Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.Psalm 86:15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. (ESV)

I like being around gracious people. But, then, who doesn’t? They carry themselves a certain way that lets you know that they are approachable. They’re not proud or arrogant. They don’t seek to force their opinions on you. In fact, they may not even give them unless you ask. As a general rule, they are people who are genuinely concerned for the well-being of others. Though they may be going through a rough time themselves, they are ready to lend a hand, an ear to listen, or even a shoulder to cry on. I hope that you have some of these people in your life … people you can be open and honest with, and who will support you in your time of need.

Isn’t it great that God is both merciful and gracious? Take a moment and read the verses noted above one more time. Yes, God is holy and righteous. He knows the thoughts and intents of our hearts (Hebrews 4:12), and is our judge.  If we’re honest with ourselves and God about our sin, we know that God has every right to be angry with us. Yet, He is “good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon [Him].”

The last part of that verse is vital. While there is such a thing as common grace (God’s sustaining grace and care for all people), there is a special kind of grace (called efficacious grace) that applies to those who call upon Him … who have salvation through Jesus Christ. We, who are His people, will experience His grace for all eternity.  Through Christ, we can even call Him, “Abba! Father!” (Rom. 8:15; Gal 4:6). What a privilege!

Today, I hope you take time to thank God for His grace and rejoice in His gracious character!

In His grip,

Pastor Decker

BEFORE THERE’S MORE DAMAGE ...

         

Just over a week ago,      we started hearing something rubbing on the back wheel of our Suburban. Since it had just been down an unpaved road, I thought that a small stone might have gotten caught in the brakes. With hopes of a quick fix, and hoping that I could get it fixed before more damage was caused, I took the truck in to the repair shop. Unfortunately, it turned out not to be a stone but a needed brake job, and the bill that goes with it. Regardless, I’m glad I took care of it … before more damage was done.

But, this lesson doesn’t only relate to vehicles … it also relates to life. Maybe it’s the “something’s not right” feeling that should send you to the doctor’s office to deal with some malady. Sometimes, a visit to the doctor’s office can spare you a trip to the hospital. As they say, “it’s better to be safe than sorry.” Perhaps it’s a police officer sensing “something’s not right” that makes them call for backup. I’ve heard it said that if a situation doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. In situations like these, it’s best to slow down or change your plan of action before there’s more damage.

On the spiritual side, that “something’s not right” feeling could be the prompting of the Holy Spirit, whether convicting of sin or guiding us in the path of truth: 

 John 16:8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: (ESV)John 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth... (ESV)

The question is, how will we react when we get that “something’s not right feeling”? If it’s the Holy Spirit’s prompting, there’s a very good chance that Satan will do all he can to make us ignore it (the feeling) and the Holy Spirit. Contrary to the common saying, ignorance is not bliss! In most cases, ignoring the signs of trouble or the prompting of the Holy Spirit, results in damage that may have been avoidable.

So, today, my encouragement is to listen to that “something’s not right” feeling (be it physical or spiritual) and take corrective action before there’s more damage.

In His grip, 

Pastor Decker

UNSHAKABLE!

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:28-29 ESV)

This familiar verse gives great assurance for those who put their hope in God. Those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ can rest assured that their eternity is settled. Don’t take my word for it, listen to what Jesus had to say on the matter:

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. (John 10:28-29 ESV)

Thanks to Jesus, our hope is unshakable, and we will have the privilege and joy of being a part of His eternal and unshakable kingdom.

But, you may have noticed that Hebrews 12:28 starts with a “therefore.” Some have rightly said that when we encounter a “therefore” in Scripture, we must dig into the context to see what the “therefore” is there for. When we do this and read the preceding verses, we get the bad news that most other things are, in fact, shakable. As the author of Hebrews notes, 

This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of things that are shaken-- that is, things that have been made-- in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. (Heb. 12:27 ESV) 

This all goes together for a timely reminder. People put their hopes, dreams, and trust in all kinds of things. The problem is that many of the things people rely on are “shakable.” They are “things that have been made,” and will one day pass away. When that happens, they may find themselves shaken to the core.

On the other hand, when you put your trust in God through the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, you will find yourself on solid ground, even when everything around you is shaking. Sure, we may struggle with things in our lives, and we will face trials and temptations.  We may face change that is uncomfortable and possibly unwanted. Yet, if Jesus Christ is Lord of your life, you will find that He is “unshakable.”

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken …”

In His grip, 

Pastor Decker