Psalm 107: Redeemed! How I Love to Proclaim It

Today’s reading is Psalm 107.

Intro to Book V

Psalms is obviously not a narrative. However, the five books do loosely provide the story of Israel. In Books I and II, we see meditations under the monarchy. We begin with the King, God’s Son set on God’s holy hill in the second Psalm, and get all the way to a psalm by Solomon at the end of Book II. Book III, though short, gave an abundance of psalms demonstrating God’s judgment and destruction of His city and house. Book IV gave us meditations of people in exile. It ended with an incredible look at why Israel had been in exile: repeated rebellion.

Book V is the longest of the books. It certainly provides a miscellany of topics and meditations. However, it clearly provides meditations for redemption, restoration, and return. It kicks off with a beautiful hymn of redemption. It includes the Hallel psalms (incredible praise psalms). The Songs of Ascent, seen by many as songs sung on pilgrimages to Jerusalem. It ends with what one author calls a virtual fireworks of praise for God. This year, we get to read and study these psalms.

Praise the Lord!

Telling Redemption’s Story

“Let the redeemed of the LORD say so” (Psalm 107:2, ESV). Or as the NIV renders it, “Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story.” Then the psalmist tells four stories of redemption.

It’s hard to say if this is four different stories of four different redemptions. If it is, do they reference particular periods in Israel’s history. Wandering in desert wastes, being in chains, and even being sick because of foolish sin would fit. However, the sea-faring danger would be highly metaphorical. Israel rarely got involved in sea travel. However, Isaiah 54:11 does use the idea of being storm-tossed as a metaphor for Israel’s struggles and punishments. Or perhaps it tells four stories of “individual” Israelites and their redemption experiences. Their individual stories become an opportunity for communal praise because all Israel has a story much like these even if the details differ.

However, this may be four different metaphorical looks at Israel’s redemption. It may be a metaphorical retelling of Psalm 106. Book IV ended with a look at Israel getting into a sinful mess, being delivered, then foolishly getting into another one, being delivered again, only to get into another mess. Each story follows the paradigm of Judges 2:11-23: punishment, outcry, deliverance, and then it happens again. As Psalm 106:10, 13 says, God redeemed them, but they quickly forgot His works. They needed to be rescued again.

Psalm 106 ends (before the book-ending doxology) by crying out, “Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise” (Psalm 106:47, ESV). Psalm 107 begins as if in response to that final plea:

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south (ESV).

They cried out in their distress at the end of Psalm 1o6, and in Psalm 107, God redeems and gathers them. The psalmist celebrates by telling the story again and again and again. Each telling sounds a little different. But each telling tells the whole story. Israel was lost and wandering, captive and imprisoned, sick and dying, storm-tossed and helpless. She cried out in distress. The Lord delivered.

That’s Israel’s story. That is Israel’s story again and again. That’s our story. That’s our story again and again. Let’s praise God for it and tell it to as many people as we can so it can become their story as well.

Praise the Lord!

Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 107.

PODCAST!!!

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

PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family

How does Psalm 107 prompt or improve your praise of God?

Revelation 16: The Mountain of Megiddo

Today’s reading is Revelation 16.

Armageddon

We all know what Armageddon is, right? The final battle. Everyone in the world, except the inhabitants of God’s city, gather to battle against God and His people. This happens right before the end of the world. The destruction in that battle leads right into the final judgment. That’s what Armageddon is. Right?

Maybe.

Can we first recognize “Armageddon” is only found once in Revelation. In fact, it is only found once in the entire New Testament. In fact, it is only found once in the entire Bible. It is found right here in Revelation 16:16:

And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon (ESV).

Now, Revelation is a kaleidoscopic whirlwind of visions. It repeats and switches back. So, this may well be the same gathering and battle as we see in Revelation 19:11-21, when the beast and false prophet are captured and thrown alive into the lake of fire. But that battle is not called Armageddon. This may well be the same gathering of the earth’s inhabitants when Satan is released after a thousand-year imprisonment in the abyss to surround the camp of the saints and the beloved city in Revelation 20:7-10. Of course, it is hard to see how the Revelation 19 battle and the Revelation 20 battle are the same. But, even for that, we must say, “Maybe.” However, this final battle is not called Armageddon. Further, it takes place on a plain, not on a mountain.

Why then is the gathering in the sixth bowl called Armageddon?

The Mourning at Megiddo

While there is some question about translation, most see “Armageddon” as a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew phrase meaning “Mountain of Megiddo.”

Megiddo has a long history, not an illustrious one. We only know a few things about it. This was one of the cities in which the Israelites failed to complete the conquest and drive out the Canaanite inhabitants (Judges 1:27). The battle under Deborah and Barak was, at least in part, fought there (Judges 5:19). Solomon built up or rebuilt the city (1 Kings 9:15). When Judean king and son-in-law to Israelite king Ahab, Ahaziah, was mortally wounded by Jehu’s men, he fled to Megiddo and died there (2 Kings 9:27).

However, the most important event occurring at Megiddo is revealed in 2 Kings 23:29. Josiah, great reformer king of Judah, was killed by Pharaoh Neco in a battle at Megiddo. More explanation and description is given in 2 Chronicles 35:20-27. There we discover Neco was on his way to fight against Babylon at the battle of Carchemish. Neco told Josiah he was sent by God. The text says Josiah “did not listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God, but came to fight in the plain of Megiddo” (ESV).

Josiah was shot and mortally wounded by an archer. He was taken from the battlefield back to Jerusalem where he died and was buried with his fathers. Then the scripture declares:

All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah. Jeremiah also uttered a lament for Josiah; and all the singing men and singing women have spoken of Josiah in their laments to this day. They made these a rule in Israel; behold they are written in the Laments (2 Chronicles 35:24-25, ESV).

The depth of the impact of this event on the psyche and imagination of Israel is seen by the legacy of mourning. This seems to be the reference when Zechariah wanted to describe great mourning in Zechariah 12:11: “On that day the mourning in Jerusalem will be as great as the mourning for Hadad-rimmon in the plain of Megiddo” (ESV).

This is the history called to mind when Revelation 16:16 says the kings of the whole world will be gathered to Armageddon for battle on the great day of God the Almighty.

But Why Call it Armageddon?

It’s a vision. They aren’t actually gathering at Megiddo. Its the armies of the whole world. They couldn’t actually gather at Megiddo. Why bring it up in this place?

I may not know any better than anyone else. But may I hazard a guess I think fits within the context we have seen this week?

Josiah was an incredible king. He was the great reformer. He began to reign in Judah at age 8. At 16, he began to seek God. At 20, he began to purge Jerusalem and Judah of idolatry. At 26, his people found the book of the Law. Josiah led them in even further reform, re-establishing the Passover. However, at 39, this great reformer king neglected to listen to the word of God and was killed in a battle at Megiddo.

I am glad I’m not the judge of Josiah. I admit, I do not think Josiah “lost his soul” in this final moment. I know God will do right with Josiah and however God judges Josiah eternally will be the right thing. That being said, I can’t miss how this fits within the context of Revelation.

John is writing to seven churches in Asia. These are people who have turned to Jesus. I don’t know all the reforms they made in their lives. I don’t know all the teaching they did. However, they certainly did some. Yet, when Revelation was written, some of them were struggling to maintain faithfulness to Jesus. Now, John is writing them words from the mouth of God. A battle is coming. If they do not repent, it will be an Armageddon.

No, that doesn’t mean it will be the end of the world. That means it will be a cause for incredible mourning when those who had once reformed are caught up in the judgment they are being called to avoid.

A Message for Us

When we talk about Armageddon, we are too influenced by all the wrong teachings on Revelation. The fact is, we can get caught up in our own personal Armageddons if not a world-wide one. If my guess above is anywhere close to the truth, the battle is Armageddon not because it is the end of the world. It is Armageddon when we who had turned to the Lord grow weary of doing good and leave our first love. It is Armageddon when we rest on a reputation from the past and do not complete our works. It is Armageddon when we become too much like the world around us. It is Armageddon when we compromise with the enemy kingdom and its false religion.

It is Armageddon when those who once listened to God ignore Him and get caught up in what was intended to be someone else’s judgment. Don’t let that happen to you.

Next week’s reading is Revelation 17.

PODCAST!!!

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

PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family

What do you want to share with others from Revelation 16?

Psalm 98: He Has Revealed His Righteousness

Today’s reading is Psalm 98.

The LORD has made known his salvation;
he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

Psalm 98:2 (ESV)

As we learned earlier in the week, God revealed His righteousness and His salvation to the ends of the earth in events like the exodus, the Red Sea crossing, and the return from Babylon. Every time God gave deliverance to Israel in the book of Judges, God was making known His righteousness and His salvation. When He defeated the four kings by Abraham, brought Jacob back to the promised land with a full tribe, delivered Joseph from the betrayal of his brothers, saved Moses from a watery grave, delivered David from Saul, and so much more, He demonstrated His righteousness.

He did not simply demonstrate His personal moral behavior. He demonstrated He keeps His word and His promises. He does what He commits to doing. He remembers His steadfast love and faithfulness.

With that in mind, we come to Paul’s letter to the Romans.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Romans 1:16-17 (ESV)

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it–the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Romans 3:21-26 (ESV)

True, God revealed His righteousness by the plagues, the Red Sea crossing, and the defeat of the nations in His land before Israel. Absolutely, God revealed His righteousness by bringing Israel and Judah back from Assyrian and Babylonian captivity, allowing them to rebuild the Lord’s house and city in Jerusalem. But the true demonstration of God’s righteousness, of God’s honesty, God’s trustworthiness, God’s keeping of His Word was demonstrated on the weekend when Jesus who is the Christ died on the cross as the propitiation for our sins and then rose from the tomb on the third day. When He did that and through Jesus established a kingdom in which Jews and Gentiles could come together to worship Him and be His house, He showed Himself to be righteous. He showed Himself faithful to His Word. He showed Himself to be the One who keeps covenants. He showed Himself to be not only just, but also the justifier of all those who will give our allegiance to Jesus the anointed King and Priest, the Messiah and Christ.

The Lord God is righteous. Will you give your allegiance to Him? Can we help you do that? Let us know in the comments below.

Next week’s reading is Psalm 99.

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.

PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family

What do you want to share with others from Psalm 98?

Psalm 83: A Prayer for When We Know We Deserve Judgment

Today’s reading is Psalm 83.

As our psalmist considers the coalition coming against Israel, his prayer is God will deal with this host the same way He did with Midian, with Sisera and Jabin, with Oreb and Zeeb, and with Zebah and Zalmunna.

Jabin was the Canaanite king who oppressed Israel in Judges 4. Sisera was his commander. You may recall Sisera was killed by Jael the wife of Heber who drove a tent peg through his skull while he lay sleeping. Jabin was routed by Deborah and Barak and the army of Israel. When Gideon’s army of 300 defeated Midian in Judges 7, Oreb and Zeeb were two of the princes killed in the victory. Then in Judges 8, in the ongoing battle Zebah and Zalmunna were executed.

Perhaps the reason for mentioning these victories is simply to call to mind the overwhelming odds against which Israel took up arms against these enemies. God gave them victory when it looked like they couldn’t possibly win. But I think there might be a more poignant principle here.

As we have read the Asaphite psalms, we have seen a story arc. Israel and Judah enduring judgment. We cannot help but think of Israel and Judah in captivity when we have read the psalms about the destruction of the temple. They have asked “Why?” They have asked “How Long?” In Psalm 81, we read God’s response. Israel didn’t listen to Him. They went their own way instead of following their Shepherd. They did not love the Lord their God with all their heart. In Psalm 82, we read God’s response. Though Israel was God’s chosen, they acted like all the nations and did not love their neighbor as themselves. They perpetrated injustice. Therefore they were judged. They deserved the judgment they received.

What do you pray when you realize you know you actually deserve the judgment that is coming on you or has come upon you? You pray Psalm 83. You remember how God’s covenant people deserved judgment and God sent Jabin king of Hazor against them. You remember how God’s covenant people deserved judgment and God sent Oreb, Zeeb, Zebah, and Zalmunna against them. Then you recall that when God’s covenant people repented and cried out to Him, He judged the nations and delivered His people. Not because they deserved it, but because God is a covenant keeping God.

We struggle because we know what sinners we have been. Part of us doubts prayer because we know we deserve any judgment God would bring against us. We wonder what right we have to ask God for deliverance from the enemy. Why would God listen to our prayer? If we are in Christ, we have the right offered us by His death, burial, and resurrection. We have the right given us as children of God by the blood of Jesus. We do not have the right of merit, earning, or deserving. We have the right of God’s covenant people. Repent. Turn to God. Cry out to Him. He will not turn a deaf ear. He will not be silent. Do so with the same kind of confidence you see in this psalm. Not because we deserve it but because this is the kind of God we serve. He will keep His covenant with us. God will hear our prayer not because we deserve to be heard, but because He has promised us He will listen. Don’t you believe Him?

Praise the Lord!

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.

PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family

How does Psalm 83 prompt or improve your trust in God?

No King in Israel

Today’s reading is Psalm 47.

The conquest was a powerful time in Israel’s history. They seemed to have near universal victory. They were nigh unstoppable. However, as we read Joshua, there is an underlying hint that all is not as it should be. Then we get to Judges and discover there is a flip side. God was working through the nation to accomplish His purpose and His promises. Yet, the nation itself was not actually keeping up its end of the bargain. Therefore, God had to bring about discipline. We see that cycle in Judges played out repeatedly as Israel seems to get worse and worse and worse each cycle Four times in Judges, the author records “there was no king in Israel” (Judges 17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25). Two of those times, the text goes on to say everyone was doing what was “right in his own eyes.” For those who know Israel’s history, this seems to be a comment on the geopolitical situation in Israel. God didn’t bring in a king until the people asked for it in 1 Samuel. Then we have Saul, David, Solomon and so on. However, in Judges, there was no king. There was no single ruler. There was only a network of judges.

However, look again at Psalm 47. The statement “there was no king in Israel” was not a geopolitical statement. It was a theological statement. Yahweh is King over the whole earth. If anyone was supposed to realize that, Israel was. But they didn’t. They were doing what was right in their own eyes instead of what was right in God’s eyes (see Exodus 15:26). God was their king, but they didn’t recognize Him as such. Therefore, the nations began to subdue Israel.

May we learn from the conquest, the judges, and the Psalms. There is one King. He is King whether we recognize Him as such or not. May we always do what is right in His eyes, not our own. If we don’t, we are destined for discipline and judgment. If we do, we will be on the winning side in the end.

Praise the Lord!

Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 47.

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

1. What are your initial reactions to the psalm and the written devo above?
2. What authority does a king have in the lives of his subjects?
3. Do you think the above explains why few people actually want a king?
4. What does it mean then for God to be our King?
5. What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this psalm and our discussion today?