Psalm 119

I have been enjoying Psalm 119 this morning - just amazed by the honesty of these prayers. No one really knows who wrote this one - maybe Ezra the priest.

I am just struck again with the cry that comes from the whole heart:

Vs 2, 10 - the psalmist is seeking God with his whole heart

Vs 34 - the psalmist searches God's Word - or Law with his whole heart

Vs 58 - the psalmist seeks God's favor and blessing with his whole heart 

Vs 69 - the psalmist seeks to obey God with his whole heart

Vs 145  - the psalmist cries out to God with his whole heart

In verses 7, 8, 15, 16, 93 we can see how the psalmist focuses his heart on God and sets his course to accomplish these goals with his whole heart. Once he has committed his whole heart to God, He is able to set his will and run with God:

• I will praise - Praise Him through the Word - it sets your heart on the right course

• I will keep your Word - obey God's Word

• I will meditate - study and reflect on God's Word

• I will delight myself - give yourself to the enjoyment of God's Word

• I will not forget - train yourself to keep God's Word in your heart and thoughts - don't forget what He has said in His Word - remember

This wonderful Psalm basically unfolds from here - it is a psalm totally dedicated to the power and wonders of God's Word in our lives. Those five little foundations (praise, obedience, meditation, delighting, remembering) make the rest of the psalm possible.

The the psalmist is able to accomplish these "I wills" - look at the results of setting our hearts on the right course...and following with the will:

V32 I will run the course of Your commandments
V44 I will keep Your Law (also vs 69, 145)
V45 I will walk in freedom (liberty)
V46 I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings
V47 I will be delighted by Your commandments
V48 I will meditate in Your statutes (v78)
V81 I will quietly and confidently hold onto the Word

Father, I thank You for Your Word today

how wonderful is Your work in my heart

through this faithful companion!

15 

Worship Teams - A Commitment To God, The Church and One Another

Neh. 10:28-39

Nehemiah called his musicians to make an oath – or commitment to holiness. This kind of oath was only required on this one occasion—there is no other mention of an oath like this anywhere else in the Word. It is worthy of mention, however, as there are some applicable points when considering the character of worship team members.

The word “oath” in Hebrew is Shebuah which comes from the word sheba, meaning “seven.” Seven is a sacred number and its use in this context is meant to imply the seriousness of such an oath. In taking this oath the musicians were, in fact, inviting the curse of God if they failed to fulfill their commitment. It is a promise to sever the old ways, and become bound to the new. In the same way, we need to “put off” the old nature, and become “bound” to Christ (Col. 3:1–16). The following is a list of the seven promises the musicians and singers made in Neh. 10:

• They separated from the people of the lands (worldliness v. 28 (1Jn. 2:15)

• They separated their families and children v. 28• They were committed to one another v. 29 (2 Chron. 5:13; Ps. 133:1–3; 1 Thess. 3:12)

• They were committed to obey all the commands of God v. 29. This promise included the honor of the Sabbath v. 31

• They made a commitment to the practical matters of faith and lifestyle vs. 30-39

• They promised to be honorable concerning their finances, tithes and offerings v. 32–38

• They promised not forsake the house of the Lord v. 39

These seven promises committed the families to be faithful in small matters as well as larger, more serious issues.

Even though we may not make similar oaths as these ministers in Nehemiah’s time, the principles outlined here need to become our personal code of honor. Integrity is something that cannot be taught. David said, “I will walk in my integrity.” (Ps. 26:11)

Here is an application of these seven promises for worship team people today:

• We need to separate ourselves from the world - search your heart to see if there is any lack of holiness as you live in the world. (Rom. 12:2; 1 Jn. 2:15)

• We need to include our entire families in our ministry.

Every member of our family needs to participate in, and learn to respect, treasure and be blessed as they serve the Lord. The whole household of Onesiphorus ministered to Timothy (2Tim. 1:16 see also 1 Tim. 3:2-5, 12).

• We need to minister out of unity. Our music will even sound different if we submit to one another and love one another (Eph. 4:3; 1 Thess. 3:12; 1 Pet. 1:22).

• We need to live as children who obey God (Rom. 16:19; 2 Cor. 2:9).

• We need to be committed and excellent in practical matters of faith and spiritual lifestyle (Phil. 1:9-11; 1 Tim. 3).

• We need to be honorable and worship God with our finances (1 Tim. 3:3, 8)

• We need to honor God’s house and his presence (1 Tim. 3:15; 1 Pet. 2:5).

Just think how your worship team would function if they made a similar commitment to God, the Church and to one another.

The Promises God Gave to Israel: Deut. 7

It is so interesting to see God’s promises to His people, Israel. Read this passage and see how the Lord requires 7 things from Israel, but His reward is double that – He gives 14 things to those who are obedient:

Deut. 7

“When the LORD your God brings you into the land which you go to possess, and has cast out many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than you,

 2 “and when the LORD your God delivers them over to you, you shall conquer them and utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them nor show mercy to them.

 3 “Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son.

 4 “For they will turn your sons away from following Me, to serve other gods; so the anger of the LORD will be aroused against you and destroy you suddenly.

 5 “But thus you shall deal with them: you shall destroy their altars, and break down their sacred pillars, and cut down their wooden images, and burn their carved images with fire.

 6 “For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.

 7 “The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples;

8 “but because the LORD loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

 9 “Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments;

 10 “and He repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack with him who hates Him; He will repay him to his face.
11 "Therefore you shall keep the commandment, the statutes, and the judgments which I command you today, to observe them.

 12 “Then it shall come to pass, because you listen to these judgments, and keep and do them, that the LORD your God will keep with you the covenant and the mercy which He swore to your fathers.

 13 “And He will love you and bless you and multiply you; He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your land, your grain and your new wine and your oil, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flock, in the land of which He swore to your fathers to give you.

 14 “You shall be blessed above all peoples; there shall not be a male or female barren among you or among your livestock.

 15 “And the LORD will take away from you all sickness, and will afflict you with none of the terrible diseases of Egypt which you have known, but will lay them on all those who hate you.

 16 “And you shall destroy all the peoples whom the LORD your God delivers over to you; your eye shall have no pity on them; nor shall you serve their gods, for that will be a snare to you.

 17 “If you should say in your heart, ‘These nations are greater than I; how can I dispossess them?’--

 18 “you shall not be afraid of them, but you shall remember well what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt:

 19 “the great trials which your eyes saw, the signs and the wonders, the mighty hand and the outstretched arm, by which the LORD your God brought you out. So shall the LORD your God do to all the peoples of whom you are afraid.

 20 “Moreover the LORD your God will send the hornet among them until those who are left, who hide themselves from you, are destroyed.
21 "You shall not be terrified of them; for the LORD your God, the great and awesome God, is among you.

 22 “And the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you little by little; you will be unable to destroy them at once, lest the beasts of the field become too numerous for you.

 23 “But the LORD your God will deliver them over to you, and will inflict defeat upon them until they are destroyed.

 24 “And He will deliver their kings into your hand, and you will destroy their name from under heaven; no one shall be able to stand against you until you have destroyed them.

 25 “You shall burn the carved images of their gods with fire; you shall not covet the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, lest you be snared by it; for it is an abomination to the LORD your God.

 26 “Nor shall you bring an abomination into your house, lest you be doomed to destruction like it. You shall utterly detest it and utterly abhor it, for it is an accursed thing.

7 things we are commanded to do:

1.   Make no covenant with the enemy (v2)

Do not marry the enemy or bring them into your family (v3)

2.   Show no mercy to the enemy

3.   Destroy their altars and sacred pillars (v2, v16)

Cut down their wooden images, Burn their carved images with

fire (v25 burn the carved images and do not take the silver or gold),

Do not bring the idols into your home – detest and utterly abhor them

4.   Keep the commandment, statutes and judgments of the Lord

(v11, v26)

5.   Do not serve (worship) their gods (v16)

6.   Do not be afraid of them (v18, v21 – do not be terrified of

them)

7.   You will destroy the names of Kings (v24)

14 things the Lord will do (double):

• The Lord will cast out these 7 nations before you V1

• The Lord will love you and make you His special treasure above all peoples in the earth V6-8

• The Lord will keep His promises to you – for a thousand generations if you keep His commandments – He will keep His covenant V12 

• The Lord will love you V13

• The Lord will bless and you V13

• The Lord will bless your children V12

• The Lord will bless your land and your ability to have an income V12  

• The Lord will bless your livestock V14

• The Lord will take away barrenness V14

• The Lord will heal you from all sickness V15

• The Lord will help you to destroy all your enemies V16-20

• The Lord will dwell in your midst V21

• The Lord will drive out enemy nations before you and will deliver them over to you V22-23

• The Lord will deliver Kings into your hand and give you great power over your enemies V24

Claim these promises for you and your family today

7 Things - The Repentance Process

 I love this verse from Joel - the concept of repentance here, is that we come to God, but we also have to keep on coming to Him:

Joel 2:12 "Therefore also now, says the Lord, turn and keep on coming to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning [until every hindrance is removed and the broken fellowship is restored]. (Amp)  

1. Sorrow over sin is the secret to the foundation of repentance.

Confront yourself

Psalm 38:18 But I confess my sins; I am deeply sorry for what I have done. (NLT)

Repentance is not only being sorry for our sin - however, we cannot have repentance without being sorry that we sinned. That sorrow can come when we take God's side in the matter and agree with Him over the seriousness of our actions. In order to truly repent, we need to understand the extent of what we have done, and how it has hurt our relationship with the Father. In fact, continued sin leads to death (Rom. 6:23)

2. Confession of sin is the secret to the power of repentance

Death to self

Confession doesn’t give you any more forgiveness, but it does put the full extent of our sin on record so that the full extent of His forgiveness can be applied. We don't necessarily need to confess to a person, although that can sometimes be helpful.

Prov. 29:13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. (NKJV)

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness.

We know that we have already been forgiven (1 John 2:12), but sin separates us from the Father. Confession propels us back to Him as we see the true extent of what we have done. Confession walks us through the door of repentance – it takes us from the destructive attitude of wallowing in shame to rejoicing in the reality of His forgiveness. True confession states clearly what we have done without offering excuses.

3. Turning is the secret to the heart of repentance.

Turn yourself

Matt. 3:2 And saying, Repent (think differently; change your mind, regretting your sins and changing your conduct), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

This means to change our hearts, minds and actions. Most scholars agree that true repentance means to be sorry, turn around and go in the opposite direction. Not only should we feel sorry for our actions, we must yield our heart so that it can be turned or changed until we have God’s heart for sin – a hatred for it. Only then will our actions follow along and we will have the strength to change our behavior.

It's one thing not to sin - it's another not to want to! Jacquelyn K. Heasley

Jeremiah cried out to God – asking Him to help in the process of turning and restoring his heart:

Jer.  31:18-19 Restore me, and I will return, For You are the Lord my God.

Surely, after my turning, I repented; And after I was instructed, I struck myself on the thigh; I was ashamed, yes, even humiliated, Because I bore the reproach of my youth.' (NKJV)

Turn me again to you and restore me, for you alone are the LORD my God.

I turned away from God, but then I was sorry. I kicked myself for my stupidity! I was thoroughly ashamed of all I did in my younger days.' (NLT)

4. Forgiveness is the secret to the release of repentance.

Wash yourself

Ps.86:5 O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask your aid. (NLT)

We must receive the forgiveness that the Lord has so freely given to us. It is not enough to believe in forgiveness, we have to receive it, walk in it, and minister it to others.

>Forgiveness comes through Jesus – Acts 13:38

>The Lord is eager to minister forgiveness to us – 1 Peter 3:9

>There is no unforgivable act. All sin has been fully dealt with on the cross. The total penalty has already been paid for your sin – 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 John 2:2

>Simply ask God to forgive you – then by faith, receive His forgiveness

>As we receive forgiveness, we release joy into our lives

>The process of forgiveness means that we must forgive others – Matt. 6:12
>The process of forgiveness means that we must forgive ourselves

“I think that if God forgives us we must forgive ourselves. Otherwise it is almost like setting up ourselves as a higher tribunal than Him.” C. S. Lewis

5. Restoration is the secret to the healing of repentance

Believe in yourself

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12

It is important to realize that the Lord has lifted the burden and shame of sin from us. He doesn’t just stop at that, He wants us to walk in full restoration. Once again, it is not enough to believe in forgiveness, or even to receive it by faith. Our hearts are healed as we move on from there and walk as forgiven people – restored to fellowship with Him, and participating in the destiny He has declared over us.

Acts 3:19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…

6. Obedience is the secret to proving your repentance

Rise up for yourself

Matt. 3:8 Prove by the way you live that you have really turned from your sins and turned to God. (NLT)

The time for words is over. If we want to see the fruits of repentance (Matt. 3:8), we must be walking in obedience. Our lives, and the changes we make will prove that we have really turned ourselves around.

Radical obedience will change your life

I love this verse that lists the 7 changes that come in our character as we walk in obedience and repentance:

2 Cor. 7:19-11 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

7. The fear of God is the secret to maintaining repentance

Guard yourself

The fear of God causes us to walk carefully and to respect the Lord above all things. When we walk in the fear of God, we become worshipers – our eyes are on the Lord, and we leave no room for our old sinful behavior.

Prov. 8:13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil (NIV)

Prov. 16:6 …the fear of the Lord makes men turn from evil. (NEB)

Job 29:28 …the fear of the Lord is wisdom, and to turn from evil is understanding. (NEB)

The temptation of the age is to look good without being good. Brennan Manning

More on Repentance: HERE and HERE and HERE