Well Lit Path

EP.74 - Rehearse what He's done

In Psalm 78, later Asaph rehearses (recounts) for Israel everything that God has done for them. He highlights all the blessings God had brought them through, even when they didn't deserve it.
This may be something we need to practice more in our own lives, I know I surely need it in mine. Do we recount enough and keep record of all God has done for us? Do we read and reread the gospel account, acknowledging the blessings he has bestowed on us who are so unworthy, but who he has made worthy through his Son?
There's a challenge at the end of the episode for November and my prayer is that you'll join me in it.

EP.73 - A God of Promises

In Psalm 77 we join Asaph (of the Assyrian attacks) as he struggles again how God is working.
God had multiple promises for Israel, some conditional , some unconditional. In the Christian life, he has the same types of promises. It can be hard to see one when the reality of another type of promise draws the imminent focus of our lives.
The bottom line is, when we don't understand how God is working out his promises in our lives, our best course of action is to cry out and remember how many times he's blessed in our lives, what he has done for us before. Whether a promise to chastise those he loves, or to fulfill the work he has begun in us at salvation, his promises are yes and amen.

EP.72 - Not My Victory

Psalm 78 takes us back to the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem and another psalm of Asaph the Recorder.
God gives victory in our lives, yet all too often we say things like "God has given me victory over...". Let's be clear, these are not our victories. 
They are his. Just like he delivered Israel in this psalm for his name's sake, he delivers us through his grace and mercy from our sin - for his name's sake. Like Israel, we are underserving of this victory, yet in his grace and mercy he gives victory to us freely, we avail ourselves of this same victory all to little.
Have a persistent sin? God already has victory over it. Are you going to ask for his help, or give it to him? Let's see what our psalm can teach us.

EP.71 - Only God is Righteous

IN Psalm 75, the psalmist brings us face to face with a harsh reality: the wicked ARE wicked - and so were we once. We are only made righteous by the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
When we look at the culture around use the governments, the politics, it is easy to see wickedness. So what do we do? Pass condemnation without attempting to share the gospel? 
We're are not righteous in and of ourselves, it is the gift of God. So how can the world around us change? How can we show them how to be made righteous, even though they cannot achieve it on their own? 
The Gospel. We are ambassadors and pilgrims here on this earth, are we acting like it?

EP.70 - But why, God?

In Psalm 74 and 79, Asaph (not the same Asaph from 73) struggles with how God is working. 
As Christians, we often do the same. In the tragedies, in devastating moments, we cannot see how God could possibly be working. Loss, health issues, marital meltdowns, is God punishing us? Why would he allow this to happen? Doesn't he love us? 
The psalmist reminds himself as he reminds us, that God is always working and God is always worthy of thanks and praise. When we may not see it, when we can't get past it, God is on his throne.

EP.69 - Why do they get everything?

Psalm 73 is hands down my favorite Psalm. Write by Asaph, it captures well the struggles we get when we look around at non-believers who seem to have more and are able to do more with their lives than us. 
We look around in our culture today and may ask, why do they seem so happy and I feel so miserable? 
The answer can be found here. If we could take Asaph's struggle and apply his solution - the place and person he found his solution in, we may be able to answer the question, except the unbeliever in need of peace and joy would be asking the question of us, not the other way around.

EP.68 - Better than Us

In Psalm 72, we explore the challenges of leadership, legacy, and faith. We see in the Psalm the admonition by example about how we often struggle to let God lead. David’s prayer for Solomon in this psalm serves as a powerful reminder to pray for our children’s spiritual growth and success in God’s work. We should strive for the next generation to know God more deeply and to be used by Him in greater ways than we could ever imagine.

EP.67 - Good in the Past, Present and Future

In Psalm 71, the psalmist writes of trust and God's unwavering faithfulness. He reflects on a lifetime of reliance on God, acknowledging both past deliverance and present challenges.
We can find encouragement here to put our trust in God, who is our rock and refuge, and to praise Him for His righteous works, both seen and unseen. Ultimately, it calls us to perpetually abide in God's presence, finding strength and hope in His eternal promises.