Well Lit Path

EP.56 - Valiant in Tragedy

This Psalm is written on the heels of a great tragedy in Israel. 
It's easy to get in the mindset that tragedy strikes as punishment for a fault in our lives. What we must realize is that in a sin-cursed world, sometimes tragedy touches our lives because of living in a sin-cursed world.
When we face tragedy, can we approach it valiantly (with great strength TO conquer)? Psalm 60 gives us hope in tragedy.
 

EP.55 - I'm in the Lord's Army

In Psalm 58 & 59, David speaks of corruptness in high places and attacks from all sides in his own country. 
Sound familiar? What did he do? What can we do? 
What we know of David is that he was a man of war but also the apple of God's eye. Is it possible to be both today? As Christians should we be waging war on the behalf of our Savior? 
We are in a battle. We are up against wickedness on every side. Will we build up defenses or we will run toward the fray and fight? What should the Lord's army be doing in this age? Psalm 58 & 59 may hold some answers for us.

EP.54 - Come out Singing

As we look at Psalm 57, David finds himself in a cave after his fateful trip to Goliath's hometown. Hiding out. He could have allowed anxiety and fear to rule his thoughts, instead he prays and praises. 
As he lays his head down, he rests in the confidence that God is faithful and that morning would come.
As we look at our lives today and a world filled with anxiety and fear even in the lives of Christians, do we lay down worrying about tomorrow, or do we lay down trusting he has tomorrow and emerge from sleep singing praises to our God.
From our cave, do we come out singing?

EP.53 - Enemies Abound, God is faithful

Psalm 56 thrusts us into the life of David regarding his first trip to Gath, where he had to fake insanity to leave the city alive.
What we find is that is is a beautiful reminder of how God hears our cries and has secured victory in our lives. It gives us assurance that while our enemies are many - and more powerful than us - that they are not more powerful than the God we serve, the God that in this New Testament age dwells within us. 
He is always present now just as he was then, and we have victory in him.

EP.52 - Peace - the Best Remedy for the Blues

In Psalm 55, David once again laments the situation with his son Absalom and the betrayal of his trusted friend Ahithophel. 
But in the struggle, he gives us some options how we can deal with our struggles. In the end, he points us to the ultimate solution - finding peace in the struggle, even if the struggle persists.

EP.51 - The wicked give us reason to rejoice

In Psalm 52, 53 & 54, we find a common theme. David speaks of the wicked and the contrasting righteous.
In light of where we see the wicked and their hopelessness, their condemnation, should we not rejoice the greater knowing that that is exactly what God has saved us from? Can we look at their blindness and remember when we were in their shoes and see where God has brought us and rejoice?
Should we not want to show them a God that wants them to rejoice with us?

EP.50 - Be Restored and Worship

Psalm 51 begins a string of psalms written by King David. This on takes us back again to David's sin with Bathsheba.
In this psalm, David gives us a pattern for how we should pray when we've come to a place of repentance. What we should pray for in restoration, how we should ask for our desires to be changed, how we can move from broken fellowship to full worship.
David knew what he needed. He shows us in his prayer how to join him in that place of worship, where God can get the glory in our lives.

EP.49 - Down with Fake Worship

Psalm 50 is a wonderful song penned by Asaph, one of David's worship leaders. Asaph writes of God's call to worship. why we should worship him, and then tells us that worship falls into 3 categories.
The dutiful worshiper worships God because it is what is required of a Christian.
The negotiating worshiper worships God so they can balance the scales of the evil in their lives.
God doesn't want that fake worship. God wants the worship of a loving and thankful believer, who cannot help praise escaping their lips. 
Which worshiper are we? Which do we want to be?