by Donya Dunlap | Oct 4, 2016 | Bible Study, The Spiritual Life
This chapter is another psalm of lament written by David. The circumstances surrounding this writing are unclear from the passage itself, but it is clear that his character is being maligned—a situation we likely can all attest to experiencing.
Verse 1
This psalm reads more like a troubled dream than a prayer. He begins with a bold request,
Answer me when I call, God who vindicates me.
Vindicate is strong word. It is even more vehement in nature considering the recipient of his demands. He forgoes Lord, Father, Shepherd. This speaks of an unabashed confidence in Who he is addressing—”God who vindicates me.” The One who will make sense of all this pain I am going through. The One who will ensure justice is meted out to the deserving. To this One, David pleads for grace and a listening ear.
Verses 2-3
David then addresses those opposing him. He calls them “exalted men” perhaps in status and wealth, or perhaps in pride and exaggerated self worth. He asks how long they will believe a lie and then reminds them that God is on his side.
Verses 4-5
In verse 4, the dialogue changes. David appears to be talking to himself before falling asleep.
Be angry and do not sin; on your bed, reflect in your heart and be still.
His self-direction points his mind away from his emotion and places it on his responsibility. He is not to vindicate himself, but to reflect, offer sacrifices from a pure heart, and trust in the Lord. He is to find rest in God alone. This is a perfect example of preaching to yourself when you would rather have a pity party.
Verse 6
David’s thoughts turn to those around him—possibly the men who travelled with him. There is discouragement in their words.
Who can show us anything good?
David answers by pleading with God to grant favor despite the dark circumstances.
Verses 7-8
As the psalm ends, it appears David’s calm reflection achieved the desired end. He remembers God has placed more joy in his heart than his enemies have in their plenteous harvest celebrations. He is satisfied with this memory—enough to rest in his sleep. I wonder if the old lyrics, “Count your blessings instead of sheep” were inspired by this song from long ago?
David’s trust is in God alone. He knows he is safe in God’s arms…as am I. I must learn to better surrender my fear and focus on my joy so that I too can rest in God’s arms rather than fight them.
This post is Day 4 of the 31 Days of Journaling through the Psalms series. If you would like to read the first post, Psalm 1: The Wise and the Wicked, click here. The introduction to the series can be found here.
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by Donya Dunlap | Oct 3, 2016 | Bible Study, The Spiritual Life
This is the first psalm with a known author. The heading tells us that David wrote this while fleeing from his son, Absalom. Imagine holding a newborn in your arms, raising him to be a man, and have him turn against you so violently that he seeks to kill you. I can’t comprehend the grief and conflicting emotions he must have been feeling while writing these lyrics!
Verses 1-2
This song is considered a lament. David begins by crying out to the Lord, bringing his situation before the throne in honest prayer. He quotes those around him who say,
There is no help for him in God.
The situation looks hopeless, but David knows better.
Verses 3-4
The next verses confirm David’s trust in God. God’s protection enables us to see thousands against us and still move through our fear. David writes that God is his shield, glory, and the lifter of his head. What a beautiful picture! The Lord gently cups David’s chin and pulls him to look into His eyes. Eyes that say, “I love you. I am with you. I understand your sorrow I know what it feels like to be rejected. You are not alone!”
God is still doing this today. He lifts up our head in love, begging us to meet His tender gaze. Urging us to cling to Him in our sorrow. Giving peace when we do.
Verses 5-6
Verses 5 and 6 are a testimony of God’s peace in troubled times. When I am worried, I lie awake for hours listening to my anxious thoughts. David did not. David trusted God to help him. Trust that made his sleep sweet.
Perhaps there were nights when David wished he wouldn’t wake from sleep. I can certainly understand the weariness of grief that promotes such thoughts. Perhaps he dreamt of this being the night Absalom murdered him. Either way, God took David’s fear and sustained him for another day. He will do the same for us if we allow Him to take our fears as well.
Verses 7-8
David again calls out for God to rescue him acknowledging that “salvation belongs to the Lord.” He closes the passage seeking God’s blessing on the righteous.
We often read blessing and think wealth. I don’t believe David did. I believe the salvation and the blessing are linked. We are blessed when we develop an intimate relationship with God. His presence is our security. His salvation in times of distress is connected to the peace derived from His presence. He does deliver those who love Him from their enemies, but not often immediately. We must learn, as David did, to trust Him in the trial.
This post is Day 3 of the 31 Days of Journaling through the Psalms series. If you would like to read the first post, Psalm 1: The Wise and the Wicked, click here. The introduction to the series can be found here.
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by Donya Dunlap | Oct 2, 2016 | Bible Study, The Spiritual Life
As the introduction to the book of Psalms continues, we see the scope of the writer widen. While Psalm 1 focused on the personal level, Psalm 2 takes a global approach.
Verses 1-3
The psalmist begins with a question,
Why do the nations rebel and the peoples plot in vain?
Essentially, this Psalm is world history wrapped in 12 verses. Nations and peoples plot against God’s anointed. They build concentration camps, detonate bombs, pass legislations. They set a course and make their plans all in an attempt to make themselves the ultimate authority in place of the God who governs all nations.
Verses 4-6
What does God do? Verse 4 says He laughs and ridicules them. He speaks in His anger, His tone sending shock waves of terror through the lands.
I have consecrated my King on Zion, My holy mountain.
All the treaties in the world are nothing in the face of God’s plan for the nations.
Verses 7-9
Verse 7 is quite interesting. It is almost as if we are getting a glimpse at God the Father determining roles for the Trinity. As the Son, Christ receives the nations as His inheritance. He prophecies that Christ will break the nations with a rod of iron like pottery. The words sound familiar because they are echoed in Revelation 2:27, 12:15, and 19:15. They are also included in the famous Handel’s Messiah, which reminds us every holiday season of God’s unfathomable, sacrificial plan to redeem the nations.
Verses 10-12
The psalm concludes with a word of warning similar to the one Psalm 1 began with. The psalmist urges the kings of the earth to submit and pay homage to the Son. He promises that all who take refuge in the Son will be happy.
From a modern perspective, we humans look at the world around us and fear. We are afraid for our lives and the lives of our children. We feel the existence of our country weigh in the balance of the national election. All the while God is laughing.
We should vote, and we should do so from the place of Christian values. We should fight against corruption in government and we should support and defend Israel. But in the end, The Lord will be our King. His throne, the holy hill of Zion.
Whom shall I fear? The God of angel armies is always by my side.
– Whom Shall I Fear lyrics by Chris Tomlin
This post is Day 2 of the 31 Days of Journaling through the Psalms series. If you would like to read the previous post, Psalm 1: The Wise and the Wicked, click here. The introduction to the series can be found here.
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by Donya Dunlap | Oct 1, 2016 | Bible Study, The Spiritual Life
Psalm 1 and 2 can be considered a unit that introduce the five books of the psalter.* Psalm 1 is considered a wisdom psalm and contrasts the wise and wicked and how God views each of them.
Verses 1-3
The psalmist begins this well known passage with an exclamation that also serves as a warning.
How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path of sinners or join a group of mockers!
If you, like me, shudder at the lack of commas in that sentence, keep in mind that these passages were written to be sung. If you are using an ESV, HCSB, or similar translation, you will note the line divisions making it easier to follow the ancient poetry.
Essentially, the psalmist is telling you what your mother did all those years ago. Be careful of the company you keep! It is good for a man to not seek advice or spend time with wicked men. And of all the wicked, avoid especially the “scoffers” or “mockers”—those who ridicule to feel a sense of superiority over others.
In contrast, a wise man’s delight, joy, happiness, will come from reading and meditating on God’s Word. In this habit he will grow strong, rooted, and stable.
Verses 4-5
These verses describe the wicked using a word picture that would have been very familiar to the ancient Hebrew reader. He describes the wicked as chaff, the dry husk that is separated from the wheat after harvest. The chaff is blown away in the wind as it has no substance to keep it grounded as the wheat does. What an accurate picture of culture, even for today!
Verses 4 and 5 reveal a knowledge of the end times when the wicked are divided from the righteous at the judgment. Jesus used a similar analogy in Matthew 13:24-30, the parable of the wheat and the tares.
Verse 6
The psalm concludes with the reminder that God is still in control, overseeing the righteous and judging the wicked. One thing comes to mind in this reading—the idea that we are to be in the world and not of the world as Jesus described the disciples to be in John 17:14-15.
The wicked in this passage are influencers. The foolish seek advice from them rather than turning to God’s Word or godly counsel. The foolish are not discerning. In such ways even the righteous can be drawn into the snare of the wicked. We must take care to use God’s truth as the measuring rod against which all knowledge is compared.
The wise person who is a student of God’s Word is grounded in truth. He is fruitful and does not wither in trying times. The wise man is also an influencer. He will not be uprooted by foolish philosophies or changes int he culture around him. He is unmoveable due to the stablizing influx of God’s Word. His unwavering faith is a testimony to all who see him. His life shines brightly of God’s glory, illuminating the darkness around him.
This post is Day 1 of the 31 Days of Journaling through the Psalms series. If you would like to read the previous post, 4 Reasons Why You Should Be Journaling Your Devotions, click here.
To receive email reminders of new posts, please subscribe. As a thank you, you will receive a free ebook, The Wonder Woman’s Manifesto.
*Taken from notes in The Study Bible for Women: Holman Christian Standard Bible. 2014. Holman Bible Publishers. Nashville, TN.
by Donya Dunlap | Sep 30, 2016 | Bible Study, The Spiritual Life
Journaling? That current craze of drawing, stamping, coloring, and otherwise decorating the edges of your Bible? Not exactly.
In July I prayed about where God would have me spend my next several months in my devotions. God brought to mind the Psalms and the idea of Bible journaling. Rather than getting all crafty in the margins of my Bible, I decided to grab a fresh, paper journal and begin writing out my thoughts. This was such an instant blessing that I felt compelled to share 4 reasons you should consider journaling your devotions as well.
1: Journaling has built in cruise control.
It is impossible to journal through a passage of Scripture quickly. Before you can write down what the passage means, you have to understand what it’s saying. You have to read it carefully, and multiple times. Normally, when I read the Psalms as part of my devotions, I’ll speed read through 5 or so at a time. When journaling, I usually only read one at a time, taking much longer than is my usual habit.
If you are about to click off this post thinking you don’t have time for this…wait! I get it! You’re busy. I’ve been there. If you use a Bible translation that has paragraph breaks, it is easy to pick up where you left off the next day. Don’t let time rob you of the immense blessing that journaling can be to your spirit.
2: Journaling helps you connect the dots.
I have been amazed at the insights God has given me as I really think about what I’m reading. He has brought to mind other passages of Scripture and modern examples displaying the ancient truths. Word pictures contained in the Psalms string connections between prophecy, parable, history, philosophy, and more. When you write out your thoughts, the Holy Spirit has time to whisper in your ear.
Also, having your phone nearby can help you make the connections too. Use Google search or a Bible app to help you find other passages of Scripture that come to mind as you study. Just remember that you won’t find what you’re looking for on Facebook!
3: Journaling is a form of meditation.
Are you convicted when you think about meditating and memorizing Scripture? Me too. Meditation and memorization go hand in hand. By digging below the surface of the Word, your mind has time to dwell on what is being communicated. That is the essence of meditation—running over the meaning of the text repeatedly. Memorization takes a little more effort to remember the actual words instead of just the meaning, but journaling can be a wonderful first step in that direction.
4: Journaling provides a permanent record of your thoughts.
I am often encouraged by flipping through my journal and reading where I was mentally and spiritually at a previous time. It helps me see how far God has brought me on my journey. It reminds me that my current situation is only one point on the map. Journaling Scripture can have an even greater impact by reminding you of what God was teaching you during the seasons of your life.
Also, as much as you don’t want to think about it, at some point, your possessions will be all of you that is left on this earth. Recording your devotional thoughts on paper can be a wonderful treasure for your family after you are gone.
Remember…
Journaling is not just for artists or writers! Anyone with a pen and a sheet of paper can do it. I promise, you will receive a mountain of blessings by slowing your pace, focusing on what the Spirit is revealing, meditating on the passage, and writing down your thoughts.
Do you journal already? Share your tips in the comments below!
To help you get started, I am using the month of October to share with you my journaling journey through the Psalms. I’ll be posting my thoughts on one Psalm each day. If you would like to receive email notifications of each post as they go live, please subscribe here. As a thank you for subscribing, you will receive a free ebook titled, The Wonder Woman’s Manifesto.
by Donya Dunlap | Sep 27, 2016 | Bible Study, The Spiritual Life
As backstory to the 31 Days of Journaling through the Psalms series, I decided to read Beth Moore’s study, A Heart Like His: Intimate Reflections on the Life of David. I’m halfway through the book now, and just to the point where David is crowned king of Judah. One thing standing out to me above David’s character and exploits is this—David did a lot of waiting.
Waiting on God
At the age of 15, David was called in from caring for his father’s sheep to meet the prophet Samuel. Upon receiving confirmation from God, Samuel proceeded to anoint David the next king of Israel. It was another 15 years before David was crowned, and then it was only over Judah. It was another 7 1/2 years before Judah and Israel were united under David’s rule.
During these long years, David killed Goliath, married Saul’s daughter, Michael, became best friends with Saul’s son, Jonathon, and rose through the ranks of Saul’s army. Saul became so jealous over David’s success, he tried to kill David, forcing him into exile.
While on the run for his life, David had two opportunities to kill Saul and take the throne, but he refused to do so. Rather, David chose to wait on God to move on his behalf.
Enduring through pain
The psalms David wrote over the course of his life show us his struggle. Pleading with God to spare him from his enemies. Asking God how long he would have to watch while the wicked prospered in his way. Crying out to God in agony of spirit time and time again. But through it all, David’s faith never wavered.
The process and the praise
Waiting on God to move is never easy. There are times we feel God is not with us, as David did. We can grow depressed, weary of the struggle, as David did. But we can also choose to praise as David did. We can remember God’s actions on our behalf and battles we overcame in God’s strength. We can list ways God provided for us and rehearse His attributes in worship. There are many ways we can walk with God in the waiting, growing our faith as we do.
God’s multifaceted purpose
Our waiting may seem endless at times, but it is never purposeless. God always has a plan. In David’s case, God had to teach him to become a leader. First as a shepherd, then as a soldier and a husband, then as the head of a rag-tag band of exiles. Each role filled a gap in David’s kingly resume.
David also needed to build his patience and trust in God. As we see in his dealings with Goliath, David, though well meaning, could be a little impulsive. Israel needed a king who was willing to wait on God’s timing, unlike Saul who grew impatient and gave a sacrifice before battle himself instead of waiting on Samuel as instructed.
Lastly, David needed to deepen his relationship with the people. At 15, no one knew the son of Jesse, shepherd boy. The people had chosen Saul as their leader because of his dashing good looks and imposing stature. God needed to teach them the inside of a man is more important than his outward appearance. As God taught Samuel at the time of David’s anointing,
The Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. – 1 Samuel 16:7
Life is a puzzle
Life is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. We move around the pieces, connecting them occasionally while spending much time staring at the mess wondering how it will all come together.
The key to puzzles and to life is patience. God knows how it all comes together. He knows the end result is a beautiful image reelecting His power and glory. We only see in part. Like David, we need to wait on God to move the pieces in place in His time.
Don’t grow weary in well doing (Galatians 6:9). God is with you just as He was with David every step of the way. When the time is right, the picture will be made clear.
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