Doeg – Read the Bible

Hope: “A Freewill Offering”

Today’s reading is Psalm 54.

Biblical hope is not wishful thinking. As preachers have said for years, it is earnest expectation. It is the continuation of our trust. Because we believe God, trust God, we have hope. We have earnest expectation of God’s promises.

When we read Psalm 54 in the context of the historical setting found in the ancient heading, we look back to the context of 1 Samuel 23-26. In the chapters just prior to these events, David sought help from Ahimelech the priest in Nob. He received bread and Goliath’s sword. He went on his way. Doeg the Edomite betrayed David and Ahimelech to Saul, who killed not only Ahimelech but eighty-four priests, along with their wives, children, and herds. These events were memorialized in Psalm 52.

In Saul’s kingdom, David was not welcome to visit priests. He wasn’t welcome at the tabernacle or the altar. Not only would he take his life into his own hands, he would endanger the lives of any priests who welcomed him along with their families and neighbors.

Yet, in Psalm 54:6, David proclaims, “With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your Name, O Lord, for it is good” (ESV). David expects to visit God’s altar. He can’t visit it at the time the psalm memorializes. However, he is certain he will. Further, he is committed to do so.

This is not a barter, “God if you will deliver me, I will sacrifice a freewill offering.” This is a commitment, “When you deliver me, I will sacrifice a freewill offering.” David does not attempt to bribe God. Rather, David knows the appropriate response to God’s deliverance. David is not entitled to deliverance. When God graces David with it, David will reciprocate with sacrificial thanksgiving.

In like manner, we do not worship or serve the Lord in order to attract His grace. Having trusted Him and expecting His grace, that is hoping in Him, we reciprocate our worship and service as thankful people do.

Further, as David could look forward to the day when he would again walk into God’s figurative presence at the tabernacle and altar, we earnestly look forward to the eternal day when we walk into God’s throne room. We will praise Him freely for eternity. This is no wishful thinking. This is true hope. This is our earnest expectation because God is and He rewards those who seek Him.

Hope in the Lord. He will deliver.

Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 54.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

Discuss the Following Questions with Your Family

What are your initial reactions to the chapter and the written devo above?
Do you find other reasons in Psalm 54 to hope in God? If so, what reasons?
Why is it difficult to hope in God in the face of difficulties like David’s in this psalm?
What advice would you give to others to increase our hope in God?
What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this chapter and today’s post?

The Fool: A Case Study

Today’s reading is Psalm 53.

Yesterday, we talked about singing old songs in new contexts. There are actually some really fascinating context markers surrounding this new placement of the old song about the fool. Psalm 52 ties itself to the events of 1 Samuel 21-22, speaking as the heading does of Doeg and Saul. Psalm 54 ties itself to the events of 1 Samuel 23-26, speaking as the heading does of the Ziphites. Between these psalms, we are reminded of the fool. In the middle of those stories in 1 Samuel, we meet a fool: Nabal.

When David requested food for the feast from Nabal, and he refused, Nabal was acting the fool. In fact, his name means “fool.” We can recognize Nabal’s folly by contrasting his behavior with that of his wife, Abigail. When Abigail approached David, her speech was full of the Lord’s purpose for David, the Lord’s law for David, David’s need to rely on the Lord. All Nabal thought about was the politics of the situation. To Nabal, David was just a rebel against the king. Nabal was a fool because he acted without regard to the Lord and the Lord’s plans. Abigail was wise, because she had the Lord at the center of her plans.

In this new location in the psalms, the song of the fool takes on new meaning. It isn’t just about any old person wanting to dwell in the Lord’s house as back in the surrounding context of Psalm 14. It is about how Nabal acted the fool and how David was actually kept from acting the fool along with him. Abigail reminds David God has plans for him. Abigail reminds David he is not to take his salvation into his own hands. Abigail reminds David bloodguilt and murder are against God’s law. David was also about to act in a godless way. That is not to say David was no longer believing in God. He was, however, about to act as if God wasn’t the one who was in charge of vengeance.

To put a cherry on top of all this. When David backs off and leaves room for God to do His work, God actually takes the vengeance for David. Nabal dies without David’s hand at all. God scattered the bones of him who encamped against David here. Nabal was put to shame. God rejected Nabal.

Being godless doesn’t mean I necessarily disbelieve in God. It does mean I act without consideration of Him. It means I forget what His job is and start trying to do it for Him as if He isn’t there to do it. That is foolish even if I still “go to church.”

Don’t be Nabal. Don’t be a fool.

Today’s reading is Psalm 53.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

Discuss the Following Questions with Your Family

What are your initial reactions to the psalm and the written devo above?
What do you think of the story of Nabal, Abigail, and David?
Considering that story and Psalm 53, is it possible for a Christian who still claims belief in God and even faithfully “goes to church,” to act like a fool? How so?
What is God’s job? What is our job?
What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this psalm and today’s post?

Et tu, Judas

Today’s reading is Psalm 52.

To my knowledge, Psalm 52 is not quoted in the New Testament. It isn’t even alluded to. However, all week long, I’ve seen Judas in this psalm.

I’ve seen the betrayer who thought more of 30 pieces of silver than he did his teacher. He trusted in wealth. He deceived his master (well, he attempted it, Jesus, of course, can’t actually be deceived). He conspired with the mighty men of his day to bring down the Righteous One. He loved evil more than good. His words were like razors, cutting down his own Messiah.

He came into Gethsemane with soldiers, torches, clubs, swords. He walked up to Jesus and betrayed him with a kiss. It was the symbol of friendship, but it was the action of enmity.

Why he thought that was worth 30 pieces of silver, I’ll never know.

But here’s what is really important for us. Though Jesus was nailed to a tree, though He died on that tree, He proved to be the green olive tree in the house of the Lord. Betrayal couldn’t defeat Him. Even death could not conquer Him. On the third day, the steadfast love of the Lord proved its endurance. He burst forth from the grave. And now we can thank God forever in the presence of the godly.

The wicked speak destruction. But the Lord in His steadfast love keeps His covenants.

Praise the Lord!!!

Next week’s reading is Psalm 53.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

Discuss the Following Questions with Your Family

What are your initial reactions to the psalm and the written devo above?
How are we like Judas every time we sin?
Considering the answer to the last question, what is our only hope?
Do we have to have the same final end as Judas? Why or why not?
What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this psalm and today’s post?

Planted in God’s House

Today’s reading is Psalm 52.

It’s been a very long time since the very first week of our reading in Psalms. However, I hope that very first psalm made such an impression on you that you have been thinking about it this week. In fact, this is so profound, I almost hate that this year has an extra week in it. It would be such a nice, neat little package to wrap up this year by thinking all the way back to our first week. Oh, well, we don’t always get what we want.

Have you already figured out what I’m talking about? Yesterday, we talked about the judgment of God coming on the wicked. How was that described? As being uprooted. But do you see the contrast in vs. 8? David is “like a green olive tree in the house of God.” Do you hear the connection back to Psalm 1?

David is that tree, planted by streams of water, bearing fruit, prospering. Saul (or Doeg) on the other hand is uprooted. And that uprooted imagery takes on special meaning when we consider Psalm 1, especially if this psalm is actually about Saul. Saul started off as that tree planted by streams of water. He was God’s chosen. He humbled himself before the Lord. He followed the Lord. But somewhere along the line, he moved from being the Psalm 1 tree to being the Psalm 2 king raging against the Lord and His anointed. His tree was not merely cut down, but uprooted. David was now the planted tree.

But here is what is really fascinating. At the time it was written, this poem was upside down. Saul seemed to be planted. He seemed to be the prospering, flowering tree. At least, from a worldly perspective. He was the king. He lived in a palace. He commanded armies. If he wanted someone dead, they were killed. He had fields and vineyards under his control. David seemed to be more like a wandering tumbleweed than a tree. He was roaming around. He had no home. He had no place to really lay his head. He had just a ragtag bunch of outlaws and rabble rousers following him around. How could he possibly win?

David didn’t write this psalm based on the way things were in the moment. He was able to look past his present circumstances. He wrote the psalm based on God’s promises. David may have been wandering in the wilderness in life, but in God’s promises, he was planted in God’s house. And he planned on staying there forever.

Don’t see yourself based on present circumstances. See yourself based on where God has promised you to be for eternity. That is all that matters.

Praise the Lord!

Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 52.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

Discuss the Following Questions with Your Family

What are your initial reactions to the psalm and the written devo above?
What promises from God do you most trust in?
Why is it so easy to get distracted from God’s promises by today’s actual circumstances?
What advice would you give others to stay focused on God’s promises instead of discouraged by today’s circumstances?
What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this psalm and today’s post?

Judgment Is Coming

Today’s reading is Psalm 52.

In Psalm 52:2-4, Saul and Doeg are taking refuge in their evil, in their might, in their wealth. They plot destruction with their tongues. They thought somehow they were in control. Why wouldn’t they? Saul was king. He had all the power in his hand. That upstart David was running around and hiding in the wilderness. The deck seemed to be stacked in their favor.

However, Psalm 52:5-7 declares the end of the matter even before it occurred. “God will break you down forever; he will snatch and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living.” Consider that last line. Uproot. A tree’s confidence is in its roots. David doesn’t say Saul or Doeg will simply be cut down, but will be uprooted. Their very hope for survival, their very strength, their very confidence is going to give way. They are digging their roots in the ground in order to hang on and withstand the storm. But God’s power against them is so amazing, He will pull their very roots out of the ground.

This psalm really gives a picture in two directions. There is the side of Saul and Doeg. Those who think their roots are dug in too deep to be defeated. They think they have it all under control. They think they will be able to bring judgment on any who stand in their way. The slaughter of Ahimelech the priest and his family demonstrates that. But they should not be so cocksure. God’s judgment is coming. Their roots will not help them.

There is also the side of David. Things don’t actually look so good for him at the moment. He is running in the wilderness. He is hiding in caves. He is barely surviving. His enemy is prospering. Yet, what confidence can he have? God’s judgment is coming. No matter how strong the enemy looks, God is stronger.

The same is true for us. Though the critics, the skeptics, the atheists, the enemies, the plotters rise up against us, though they seem to wield the power, though they bring all kinds of pressure against us, though they even persecute, imprison, and execute us, God’s judgment is coming. They will be broken down forever. They will be snatched from their very houses. They will be uprooted. And when they are, the righteous will laugh. They will point their fingers. They will taunt and say, “Look at the one who didn’t trust the Lord’s steadfast love.”

Everything will not continue as it always has. Judgment is coming. Put your trust in the Lord.

Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 52.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

Discuss the Following Questions with Your Family

What are your initial reactions to the psalm and the written devo above?
When you think of God’s coming judgment are you comforted or frightened? Why?
Does thinking about the coming judgment impact how you live today? How?
On the other hand, is God’s steadfast love a greater motivator for you in your daily life than His coming judgment? If so, why and how?
What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this psalm and today’s post?

Words Have Consequences

Today’s reading is Psalm 52.

To be perfectly honest, I think this psalm is likely more about Saul who heard the testimony in the psalm’s heading, rather than Doeg who gave it. I can’t be dogmatic about it, but it actually makes more sense to me. Either way, David’s explanation in Psalm 52:2-4 hits close to home.

What we say matters. Words have consequences.

If David is talking about Saul, they are quite literal. Saul was telling himself and everyone else lies about David. He was accusing David of conspiring against him. He was accusing David of treason. The more he told these lies, the deeper in sin he got regarding David.

If David is talking about Doeg, this statement in the psalms is a bit more metaphorical. As far as the written record, we don’t see Doeg actually lying. He told exactly what he saw. But his words had consequences. When he betrayed David and Ahimelech to Saul, I doubt he thought it would lead to murder. But once he verbally gave his allegiance to Saul, the actions were sure to follow.

However, the real key in this is not the destruction these words caused Ahimelech and his family. The real key is the destruction that would come on the one speaking with this razor tongue. As vs. 7 makes clear, this wicked person was actually taking refuge in his own destruction.

When we speak, we may only see the immediate pleasure we receive and the immediate pain on others. But in the end, when we wield our words like razors and swords, we are hurting ourselves the most. When you live by the sword, you will die by the sword. Even if we are talking about the sword of the tongue.

Words have consequences. And if we are using them to hurt instead of heal, in the end, we will find those consequences greater than we can or want to bear. Of course, we can use them to praise God and spread the gospel. Those words have consequences too. I think I like those consequences better.

Today’s reading is Psalm 52.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

Discuss the Following Questions with Your Family

What are your initial reactions to the psalm and the written devo above?
Psalm 52:2-4 sounds brutal. Why would anyone be like that?
How do words lead to actions?
Why is honesty important?
What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this psalm and today’s post?

For Love or Money

Today’s reading is Psalm 52.

In Psalm 52, David sets the stage pretty early. The very first verse establishes the contrast for the rest of the psalm.

On the one hand, there is the fellow who boasts in evil. He praises evil, lauds evil, takes confidence in evil. He is called a “mighty man.” Though, surely, this is said tongue in cheek, because nothing in the rest of the psalm expresses any strength on this fellow’s behalf.

On the other hand, there is the steadfast love of the Lord that endures all day. Implicit in this verse is the option for that mighty man to trust in something other than evil and his supposed might. He could trust in the Lord’s steadfast love.

To be clear, David comes back around to the contrast in vss. 7-8. The boasting mighty man is actually trusting in the abundance of riches. When we go back to the story that sets the stage for this psalm in 1 Samuel 22:6-23, Saul makes a boast out of material wealth. He wonders why his fellow Benjamites had not told him Jonathan made a covenant with David. His question was, “Will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards?” In other words, “Benjamites, you won’t get riches from David like you will from me.” When Doeg hears that, he tells Saul about Ahimelech’s “conspiring” with David. Whether Psalm 52 is about Doeg or Saul, the trust in riches still stands. Either Saul thought he could promise riches to get people to betray David or Doeg accepted the promise of riches in order to betray David. Either way, the trust was abundant wealth.

On the other hand, David trusted in the steadfast love of the Lord (vs. 8). And he would be like a firmly planted tree in the Lord’s house.

Perhaps we can understand the one who trusts in riches. We can see riches. We can see the houses they build. We can see the clothes they buy. We can see the service they purchase. God’s steadfast love is often unseen. In fact, when David says he is trusting in the Lord’s love, he is actually on the run, hiding in the wilderness. But we all know how this story is going to end. With David as king.

We have a choice. We can either live for God’s love or for man’s money. But we can’t live for both. Which one will you choose?

Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 52.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

Discuss the Following Questions with Your Family

What are your initial reactions to the psalm and the written devo above?
Why do so many people decide to pursue money than God?
Why is God’s steadfast love better than all the money in the world?
What advice would you give to others to help them live in God’s love than for money?
What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this psalm and today’s post?