Well Lit Path

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.

EP.66 - Urgent Plea, Glorious Praise

In Psalm 70, the episode explores the tension between our natural impatience and God's perfect timing, a theme that resonates deeply with many of us.
David’s urgent plea for God to "make haste" in delivering him is highlighted as a reflection of our own desperation during trials. David also emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's timing, even when it feels delayed.
The call for God to be magnified amidst his distress serves as a reminder to find joy in God’s salvation, regardless of our circumstances. He is always worthy of our praise.

EP.65 - Deep Waters and Deliverance

In Psalm 69, David’s cries for deliverance echo the deep anguish of a soul overwhelmed by enemies and suffering. This episode delves into the raw emotions David expresses as he seeks God's intervention amidst betrayal, slander, and relentless adversity.
David’s plea for salvation becomes a powerful reminder of God’s unwavering presence in our darkest hours. As we walk through this Psalm, we’ll see how David’s faith anchors him, even when surrounded by despair.
Ultimately, Psalm 69 teaches us to trust in God’s timing and deliverance, no matter the depth of our struggles.