Debt Forgiven

A couple testifies that a $4000 bill is forgiven by lawyer.

House Sells

A couple puts their house on market and it closes within five days.

Psalm 6

Psa. 6:0 To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. On an eight-stringed harp. A Psalm of David.

Psa. 6:1 O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger,

         Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure.

Psa. 6:2 Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak;

         O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled.

Psa. 6:3 My soul also is greatly troubled;

         But You, O LORD—how long?

Psa. 6:4 Return, O LORD, deliver me!

         Oh, save me for Your mercies’ sake!

Psa. 6:5 For in death there is no remembrance of You;

         In the grave who will give You thanks?

Psa. 6:6 I am weary with my groaning;

         All night I make my bed swim;

         I drench my couch with my tears.

Psa. 6:7 My eye wastes away because of grief;

         It grows old because of all my enemies.

Psa. 6:8 Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity;

         For the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping.

Psa. 6:9 The LORD has heard my supplication;

         The LORD will receive my prayer.

Psa. 6:10 Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled;

         Let them turn back and be ashamed suddenly.

There comes a time in everyone’s walk with the Lord that they go through adversity.  David is going through adversity with his enemies, those workers of iniquity.  David views it as the chastening of the Lord.  The Lord does sometimes allow for circumstances that refines us.  It is in these situations that we are shaped to carry a greater anointing.  I am not talking about sickness and disease. 

David prevails in the night with the Lord and is able t make some declarations.  Let all his enemies be greatly troubled and turn back in shame.  Too many people don’t know how to prevail in prayer or like facing things head on with the Lord.  This, for the most part, is one of David’s greatest attributes.  He is able t talk to the Lord about everything and honestly communicate with Him.

If you live long enough you will go through one or two situations.  If you prevail, you will have a history with God that will anchor you through any storm.  

Psalm 5

Psa. 5:0 To the Chief Musician. With flutes. A Psalm of David.
Psa. 5:1 Give ear to my words, O LORD,
        Consider my meditation.
God knows your thoughts. Even when we meditate on Him and the things of the kingdom He is paying attention. Our Father is one that is concerned about the littlest details of our lives. He is right there with you all the time.
Psa. 5:2 Give heed to the voice of my cry,
        My King and my God,
        For to You I will pray.
Psa. 5:3 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD;
        In the morning I will direct it to You,
        And I will look up.
You have to love and admire the relationship David had with the LORD. David is certain that the Lord will hear his voice when he prays and worships. The other part of this relationship is David's confidence that He will talk to Him in the morning.
Psa. 5:4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness,
        Nor shall evil dwell with You.
Psa. 5:5 The boastful shall not stand in Your sight;
        You hate all workers of iniquity.
Psa. 5:6 You shall destroy those who speak falsehood;
        The LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
Some might say that God is tolerant of the evil, He is not. He is, however, long suffering which is a big difference from tolerant. God still hates evil, He changes not, but He is patient to wait. Several things are listed here and none of them are good. Eventually, the Lord will deal with those who do evil things.
Psa. 5:7 But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy;
        In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple.
This is something the Lord just spoke to me on Saturday morning; Passionate for His Presence-Positioned for His Purpose. David certainly was someone who was passionate for the presence of God. He pursued it all the days of his life and as a result of this it positioned him in the purposes of God.
Psa. 5:8 Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies;
        Make Your way straight before my face.
This is an interesting statement to me, David’s request is to be lead in righteousness because of his enemies. When you are pursued by enemies it is in that time more than ever that you need to stay the course. David was always hearing what others were saying about him and he needed the Lord to keep him on track.
Psa. 5:9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth;
        Their inward part is destruction;
        Their throat is an open tomb;
        They flatter with their tongue.
Psa. 5:10 Pronounce them guilty, O God!
        Let them fall by their own counsels;
        Cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions,
        For they have rebelled against You.
When people get off the correct path it shows up int heir speech. They take counsel in the wrong place and eventually they are in rebellion. Ultimately, they have rebelled against the Lord.
Psa. 5:11 But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
        Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;
        Let those also who love Your name
        Be joyful in You.
Psa. 5:12 For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous;
        With favor You will surround him as with a shield.
Oh, but David has a different mindset. Let those who trust in the Lord rejoice, let them shout for joy because it is the Lord who will defend them. You are surrounded by the Lord as a shield. How does He do this? He puts more favor on you. There have been times when people have done us wrong and in those times it seems like we get crazy favor. David’s wife found this out and so did her father Saul. When you are called to be king you are called! Not everyone is going to be happy with that but it does not matter. The Lord will bless the righteous, those who love Your name will be joyful in You.

Psalm 4

Psa. 4:0 To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.
Psa. 4:1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have relieved me in my distress;
Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.
Psa. 4:2  How long, O you sons of men,
Will you turn my glory to shame?
How long will you love worthlessness
And seek falsehood?
Selah
Psa. 4:3  But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly;
The LORD will hear when I call to Him.
Psa. 4:4  Be angry, and do not sin.
Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.
Selah
Psa. 4:5  Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
And put your trust in the LORD.
Psa. 4:6  There are many who say,
“Who will show us any good?”
LORD, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.
Psa. 4:7  You have put gladness in my heart,
More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.
Psa. 4:8  I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

This is a wonderful reminder of the One who satisfies.  David was a remarkable king.  He had great trials, great battles and great failures.  David gave everything his all.  One thing that he was a master at was putting his trust in the Lord. 

David stated that the Lord relieved him in his distress; relieved there actually means to broaden.  Another way to say it is that he was pressed on all sides and the Lord opened things up for him.  David is stressed for a couple of reasons apparently.  First, men are trying to take the glory (honor, splendor) given to him and turn into shame. Envy and bitterness are a couple of reasons this happens.  (see James 3) Second, it appears that David is stressed over the fact that they love worthlessness and falsehood.  If you ever have been a leader it will stun you to watch men and women run after everything but Him and His kingdom.

David then makes a bold statement to his fellow man.  The LORD (The Covenant name of God) knows how to separate the godly for Himself and He will hear when he calls.  It looks like someone is angry but has entered into sin with it.  (Eph 4:26)  He teaches that first they need to offer up the sacrifices of righteousness; thanksgiving would be the best place to start.  Then they need to trust in the Lord. 

David concludes with their unrighteous challenge, “Who will show us any good?” His prayer continues, “LORD, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.”

The Father has put gladness in the heart of the king that surpasses the gladness that comes from increasing in possessions.  He can lie down in peace and sleep in safety because it is the Lord that causes it.

Psalm 3

Psa. 3:0 A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son.

        

To get the understanding of this Psalm, we need to understand some of the things going on in David’s life.  Have you ever heard the term “Absalom spirit?”  It really is not a compliment.  It is dealing with someone that is not the lead authority and then undermines the authority of the house.  This is what Absalom did.  Make no mistake, the only reason one does this is because they are envious and want to gather people to themselves.  Let’s take a look at some scripture regarding this:

        

         2 Sam. 15:2 Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate. So it was, whenever anyone who had a lawsuit came to the king for a decision, that Absalom would call to him and say, “What city are you from?” And he would say, “Your servant is from such and such a tribe of Israel.”

         2 Sam. 15:3 Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your case is good and right; but there is no deputy of the king to hear you.”

         2 Sam. 15:4 Moreover Absalom would say, “Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice.”

         2 Sam. 15:5 And so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him.

         2 Sam. 15:6 In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

        

David has to flee from his own son who has plotted to steal the people and the throne.  Now we have the context for this Psalm.

        

         Psa. 3:1 LORD, how they have increased who trouble me!

                  Many are they who rise up against me.

        

         Psa. 3:2 Many are they who say of me,

                  “There is no help for him in God.”

                                    Selah

        

David laments over the fact that not only is there an increase of those who trouble him but they mock His trust in the LORD.  They say there is no help for him in God.  Nothing could have been farther from the truth.  

        

         Psa. 3:3 But You, O LORD, are a shield for me,

                  My glory and the One who lifts up my head.

        

David knew in whom he placed his trust.  Many people trust in Christian concepts but that is not the same as resting in the Lord.  The Father doesn’t want His children living by principle only, but by His presence.  David declares that with the Lord there are three things:  His shield, His glory and the one who lifts up his head.

        

         Psa. 3:4 I cried to the LORD with my voice,

                  And He heard me from His holy hill.

                                             Selah

        

Again we see the mountain imagery.  I love how David cries out to the LORD, he does this throughout his life.  My favorite example is in 1st Samuel.

        

         1 Sam. 30:6 Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.

        

         Psa. 3:5 I lay down and slept;

                  I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.

        

         Psa. 3:6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people

                  Who have set themselves against me all around.

        

David awakes with a new perspective.  The realization that the LORD sustained him brings about a faith that did not go well for Absalom.

        

         Psa. 3:7 Arise, O LORD;

                  Save me, O my God!

                  For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone;

                  You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.

        

With this newfound faith he makes his request known.  “Arise, O LORD.” Notice that his request sounds a lot like a command.  This is the relationship he has with the Lord.  

        

         Psa. 3:8 Salvation belongs to the LORD.

                  Your blessing is upon Your people.

                                             Selah

        

Many people try and make their own salvation.  David on the other hand makes it known that it belongs to the LORD.  Sometimes people make plans to get out of a situation, which in the end makes more of a mess.  David always inquired of the LORD except one time.  Uriah is the one time that He doesn’t go to the LORD and it cost him dearly.  Selah, pause and think about that.

Psalm 2

Psa. 2:1 Why do the nations rage,

         And the people plot a vain thing?

This is a great question isn’t it?  Why do the nations rage and why do people plot vain things?  It all goes back to the Garden and Lucifer.  It is a simple word called iniquity.  What is iniquity?  It is simply put, not wanting to be under authority.  It is those who don’t recognize any authority but their own.  We are all under authority.  If we are not under authority you will ultimately abuse any authority you have. 

Psa. 2:2 The kings of the earth set themselves,

         And the rulers take counsel together,

         Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,

This kind of attitude leads to another situation.  It consist of gathering others, with the same false spirit and they take counsel against the LORD and His Anointed.  They do it for this purpose.  They do it that the Lord will not be able to tell them what to do.  This exist in the church as well.  To a rebellious person, authority is control.  To a godly person it is empowering. 

Psa. 2:3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces

         And cast away Their cords from us.”

They look at authority as bondage not safety.  I have found that authority is one of the most empowering aspects of my relationship with others.  I have always submitted myself to other men and women in authority.  I can normally tell when someone around me has a will unharnessed by the Lord. 

Psa. 2:4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;

         The LORD shall hold them in derision.

How does the Lord handle this, He laughs.  This is not a joyful laugh, it is a laugh that you don’t want to hear.  The Father is really not in a battle like some think.  God is God and that is that.  Nothing created can match His uncreated nature.

Psa. 2:5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,

         And distress them in His deep displeasure:

There is a truth that is sometimes lost in the New Covenant.  It is the truth that we should walk pleasing to the Lord.  Too many people take grace to a point of it doesn’t matter what we do to others.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  To know the Lord’s displeasure will not feel good for anyone.

Psa. 2:6 “Yet I have set My King

         On My holy hill of Zion.”

The Father has set His King on His holy hill of Zion.  (read Hebrews 12)  I love the hill of Zion.  It is the mountain of the Lord that we are all to go up.  What a wonderful place of encounter.  Jesus went up the mountain many times to pray, what a wonderful picture for us. 

Psa. 2:7 “I will declare the decree:

         The LORD has said to Me,

         ‘You are My Son,

         Today I have begotten You.

Jesus is the only begotten of the Father and the Father loves to decree it.  Jesus loves to decree that with us.

Matt. 10:32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.

Luke 12:8 “Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God.

I love the fact the Lord loves to declare a decree about us.  We are his!  They belong to Me!  That should make your juices flow.

Psa. 2:8 Ask of Me, and I will give You

         The nations for Your inheritance,

         And the ends of the earth for Your possession.

Jesus has been promised the nations as an inheritance.  This is mentioned in the Book of Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Rev. 11:15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”

The magical thing about this is that it is our inheritance.  This is the true measure of Grace.  You see, grace is not what you can get away with in sin.  The essence of Grace is that we have been given something we could never have earned.  We need to explore the richness of that with the Lord. 

Psa. 2:9 You shall break them with a rod of iron;

         You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ ”

However, the psalm continues with a warning to those who won’t come under His authority. 

Psa. 2:10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings;

         Be instructed, you judges of the earth.

One is not wise if he obeys this instruction. If you are wise, you will listen.  Proverbs tells us not to rebuke a fool but a wise man.  Wisdom lends itself instruction.  Foolishness does not. 

Psa. 2:11 Serve the LORD with fear,

         And rejoice with trembling.

Here is a key point.  Don’t ever forget that the One we serve is God, the Creator of everything.  He judges righteously and He sees everything.  So...

Psa. 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,

         And you perish in the way,

         When His wrath is kindled but a little.

         Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

Make every effort to be nice. Put your trust in Him and follow His ways and this will certainly bring blessing upon you.