Psalm 31 [p2] - 2008.01.26

"Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!" — Psalm 31:19

The "goodness of God" is "laid up" for the believer in the treasury of heaven. Last week we suggested that this includes the assurance of resurrection from the dead, the gift of eternal life (in an ideal environment), a crown of righteousness and an unassailable inheritance as "joint heirs with Christ." Doubtless there is more, but if this were all, it would be enough!

We need further to note, however, that like any gift, though it comes to us free, it did not come cheap. The Holy Spirit through the psalmist hinted at that when He included the phrase, "which Thou hast wrought." We are saved and made the beneficiaries of this goodness of God by grace, through faith alone. We make no investment in our eternal welfare except simple trust in Christ. "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus … [Eph. 2:4-10a]." The believer is His work; "wrought in God."

And behind the work He has done in us, is the work He has done for us. "For ye are bought with a price… [ I Cor. 6:20]." That price is indescribable, but is best expressed in the words of the prophet Isaiah, "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all [Isa 53:4-6]." And in the words of the apostle Paul, "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him [II Cor. 5:21]."

Meditate on it: The eternal fellowship of the triune God was interrupted ("My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken Me?") and the infinite love of the Father for the Son was introduced to the agony of separation and death so that you and I might live; the "spotless Lamb" of God, Who "knew no sin," and is "of purer eyes than can look upon sin," became sin for us, "enduring the cross" and all its indignities and agony heightened to the level of infinity; He who is the very essence of life tasted death for every man—not just for those who would eventually believe on His name, but "for the sins of the whole world." The mind can apprehend it, but no man can comprehend "what God hath wrought!"

It is this simple phrase that justifies the remaining emphasis in this great text. The "prize" of redemption is "for them that fear Thee," and "for them that trust in Thee before the sons of men."

Scripture declares, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding [Prov. 9:10]." And, in fact, this principle lays the foundation for the judgment of the ungodly, of whom the word declares, "there is no fear of God before their eyes [Rom. 3:18]." Without a genuine reverence for God there is little reason to believe that one is saved.

It is the divine intention to bestow this grace on "them that trust in [Him] before the sons of men." That implies a walk of faith in the public arena. Our faith and trust in God is demonstrated by our walk. By faith alone we are saved, but the faith that saves conditions behavior. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them [Eph. 2:10]." The apostle James argues convincingly, "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works [Jas. 2:18]." To be sure, our works do not save us, but they do certify us! In a day of "cheap grace," may the Spirit of God motivate us to glorify God for the price He paid for the incredible goodness "laid up for us," by walking worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, proving we value what He has wrought in our behalf.

With God's glory in view,

"Pastor" Frasier

Psalm 31 [p1] - 2008.01.19

"Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!" — Psalm 31:19

The Holy Spirit, through the the all availing word of God, has indicated the perspective which will keep us from despair in face of the uncertainties and apparent tragedies of this present evil world. "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal [II Cor. 4:17-18, italics mine]." This matter of focus was brought home to me this week in a quote from a book just put into my hands: "We think we are in the land of the living going to the land of the dying when in reality we are in the land of the dying going to the land of the living." Our text for today is penned from the proper perspective, and should be the perspective of every believer, all the time.

Consider, if you will the prize set before us in the gospel of the grace of God. Here it is simply expressed, "Oh how great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up… " This "goodness" is not here spelled out, but it is alluded to in various ways in the New Testament. The apostle Paul, for example, reveals his own viewpoint when he declares, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus [Phil 3:13-14]." The context indicates that he connects this "prize," associated with the goodness of God, with the resurrection from the dead. He was, in the goodness of God, moving out of the land of the dying into the land of the living. Moreover, there was another prize "laid up" for him; he said, "I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing [II Tim. 4 6-8]."

For fellow saints he prayed, "Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ [II Thess. 1:11-12]." Before us lies "the goodness of God," and it is linked with His glory and ours. Peter sums it up, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time [I Pet. 1:3-5]." Resurrection from the dead, the gift of eternal life, a crown of righteousness and and indestructible inheritance (as "joint heirs" with Christ) are all incorporated in the goodness of God "laid up" for His children.

Little wonder, then, that the Savior counsels us, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also. The lamp of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is the darkness [Matt. 6:19-23]!"

The "double vision" that divides our minds and hearts between the 'here and now' and things eternal, accounts for the "darkness" that so oft beclouds our journey "from the land of the dying to the land of the living." May the Spirit of God correct our vision so that we may share the psalmist's joy in the goodness of God "laid up" for those who trust in Him!

(To be continued)

For our present and eternal good,

"Pastor" Frasier

Psalm 30 - 2008.01.08

"O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit… Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever." — Psalm 30:3,11-12

This psalm is a chronicle, as are many of the psalms, of personal struggle and ultimate triumph. It is also, especially in the verses we have selected for consideration today, what we might call a parable of salvation, an illustration of a true conversion experience.

First, there is recognition of the true condition of a lost soul: "Thou hast brought up my soul from the grave… " The unconverted soul is, in very fact, "dead in trespasses and sins (cf. Eph. 2:1)," and in principle already in the "pit." Conversion is equivalent to resurrection from the dead. The average convert of today does not, I fear, recognize the real nature of his lost condition, and comes to Christ without an adequate awareness of how desperate his plight really is apart from the grace of God revealed in Christ. In today's spiritual climate our views of both sin and God's holiness have been eroded into caricatures of the reality set forth in the word of God.

In the mind of the average man of today God (if he believes in God at all) has neither the will nor the power to seriously judge sin. And sin, if the concept remains in the mind at all, is a condition that merits more pity than judgment. The facts, of course, from the word of God, are far different. Sin, rooted in unbelief in the veracity of God's word, and resulting in disobedience to it, colliding with the holiness of God "Who cannot lie," accounts for every catastrophe in the world, in nature and history, at both corporate and individual levels. "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God [Heb. 10:31]."

It is only when we understand our true condition, through the Holy Spirit's illumination and conviction, that there will be a proper reaction to the experience of God's grace and salvation. Only then will our response parallel that of the psalmist here and bring forth from the depth of our souls the exultant cry, "Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: Thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness."

When the problem of sin and its consequences is rightly understood, and its solution through Christ properly perceived and received, all other problems fade by comparison, and a perennial joy is established in the soul. Short of that we will remain preoccupied with temporal matters and our relationship with God will remain superficial, rising and falling with the tides of earthly circumstances.

There is another point in which a valid salvation experience is illustrated here. This is reflective of the reason for redemption. Redemption is not first aimed at the welfare of man, but at the glory of God. The psalmist cites the purpose behind his great and glorious deliverance as "to the end that my glory may sing praise to Thee, and not be silent." Indeed, the aim of God's redemptive purpose is to form a choir of endless praise to Him. Paul puts it this way: "In Him (Christ) we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will: that we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ [Eph. 1:11-12 my italics]."

The response of the psalmist then illustrates what should be the constant aim and preoccupation of every redeemed sinner: "O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee forever." We have but recently noted Heb. 13:15, but it bears repeating here. Building on the atoning sacrifice of Christ the writer exhorts, "By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks unto His name." And the continuing aspiration of every true child of God will be not only to thank Him with our lips, but with our lives as well—forever!

"Oh give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good."

For God's glory,

"Pastor" Frasier

Psalm 29 - 2008.01.05

"Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." — Psalm 29:1-2

The first two verses of Psalm 29 constitute a call to worship. Three times the Spirit of God exhorts the reader, "Give unto the Lord…" It is not a request for a material offering, for God stands in no need of our material wealth. He says, "If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof [Ps. 50:12]." There is nothing we can give Him that will enhance His wealth, but to recognize and honor His glorious name.

It is of particular interest, however, to notice to whom the call is directed; it is addressed, "O ye mighty." Some have suggested that the angels are in view, but I think that unlikely. It seems to me that the more likely subjects are men of influence and power among the sons of earth. If there is a poverty of faith and its proper response, it is most apparent among those who are in the upper echelons of society; the most prosperous, independent and proud among mankind. With reference to the ministry of the Savior, it is written, "The common people heard Him gladly [Mk. 12:37]." The rich and famous were generally scornful of Him. And Paul writes, "… not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty [I Cor 1:26-27]." Pride is a chronic disease of the fallen human heart, and the higher one ascends in the social and political order, the more aggressive the disease threatens to become. But, while this may be the category specifically addressed, it behooves all of us to give an ear to what the Spirit has to say.

"Give unto the Lord glory and strength." The potentates of earth perceive themselves as possessing glory and power. The psalm urges recognition that whatever honor and might one may seem to have, it should be ascribed to God and not to men. Recall the words of Christ to Pontius Pilate, "Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above [John 19:11]."

"Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name." "O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens [Psalm 8:1]," writes the psalmist, and on the strength of that premise we read in another place, "Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake [Ps. 115:1]." It is appropriate here to remember Paul's characterization of the exaltation of Christ, "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father [Phil. 2:8-11]." Hence to believers he writes of Christ that He is "Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: [Eph. 1:21]."

How shall man give unto the Lord the glory due unto His Name? By worshipping Him! And how is that done? (What is worship?) It does not require a stately sanctuary, a majestic pipe organ, an impressive ritual. The proper sanctuary for worship is a redeemed heart; the organ is the human voice; and the ritual is that of endless praise from hearts sanctified by His Holy Spirit. That is "the beauty of holiness." In our present state, none of us will render it perfectly, but we can aspire and make progress — both "the mighty" and the most insignificant among us! In the end, that is all a man can really give to God.

"By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." [Heb. 13:15]

For God's glory,

"Pastor" Frasier