Psalm 123 - 2009.12.26

“Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.” — Psalm 123:1-2

Someone has said, “The eye is the window of the soul.” The Lord Jesus addressed the principle in somewhat different terms when He said, “The light 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 that darkness [Mark 6:22]!” There can be no doubt that whatever the eye lingers upon, literally or figuratively, it influences character and inevitably conduct.

With that in mind, how wise is the man who declares with the psalmist, “Unto Thee I lift up mine eyes, O thou that dwelleth in the heavens.” This is the proper perspective of the Christian. When our eyes are fixed upon our Lord, everything else will be subordinated to His glory, and that is as it should be. Then will we see clearly and judge rightly the myriad attractions of this present evil world.

Focusing upon God will acquaint us with His glory and majesty. “Lift up your eyes on high, and behold Who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: He calleth them all by names by the greatness of His might, for that He is strong in power; not one faileth [Isa. 40:26].”

Focusing upon God will assure us of His grace and stimulate godliness. “For Thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in Thy truth [Ps. 26:3].”

Focusing upon God will generate a proper humility. “Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts [Isa. 6:5].”

The psalmist here not only reveals his perspective, but discloses it as a passion when he says, “Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters…so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God…” The responsibility of the servant or the handmaiden in those days was to keep their eyes upon the one to whose service they were committed so as to miss no indication of the master’s will, which was more often than not indicated by eye contact or a hand signal. Thus the Lord says in another place, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye [Ps. 32:8].” If we would not miss His will, we must not allow our eye to be drawn aside by competing interests. As Spurgeon put it, "…we must use our eyes with resolution, for they will not go upward to the Lord of themselves, but they incline to look downward, or inward, or anywhere but to the Lord: let it be our firm resolve that the heavenward glance shall not be lacking."

Finally there is here an indication of the psalmist’s perseverance. The rest of this short psalm indicates that it was generated by some distressing circumstance that had confronted the believer with scorn and contempt. Rather than allowing the difficulty to distract him he takes his burden to the Lord with confidence that his case will be addressed in due time and he will remain focused as long as it takes; “until that He have mercy upon us.” Too often in the conflict of life we divide our time between seeking His face and focusing on the problem, thus losing the “perfect peace” promised to those whose minds are stayed on Him.

When king Nebuchadnezzar was reduced to eating grass like an ox he testified after his deliverance, “And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation…Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase [Dan. 4:34, 37].”

May you and I learn by the easier route of faith in God’s word the value of a fixed focus on “the God Who is there.”

’‘The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart:
the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.” —Psalm 19:8

For our good and His glory,

"Pastor" Frasier

CHRISTmas

…the rest of the story

He came:

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners… I Tim. 1:15

He saw:

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Matt 9:36

He conquered:

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Heb. 2:14-15

And…

He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

But as many as received him,

to them gave he power to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name.

John 1:11-12

May you and yours have a truly blessed

CHRISTmas and new year.

Psalm 122 - 2009.12.19

“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.” —Psalm 122:1-2

The Psalm from which our text for today is taken relates to temporal Jerusalem, and aside from the petition to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem,” (v.6) it has no immediate significance for the New Testament believer. It will of course come into focus again during the millennial reign of Christ and will figure darkly in the tribulation period, but for the moment it must serve us for spiritual purposes in the way of type or figure. The New Testament gives legitimacy to this.

Paul, writing to the Galatians, said of earthly Jerusalem, “Jerusalem which now is…is in bondage with her children.” That remains true to this day as Israel remains in unbelief with respect to the Lord Jesus Christ. But in the next verse he refers to “Jerusalem which is above.” (See Gal. 4:25, 26) The writer to the Hebrews refers to “the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem [Heb. 12:22],” to which, says he, believers have come. And in the Revelation we read of “…the city of…God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down from God…” in a day yet future. (See Rev. 3:12, 21:2, 10.) Israel is identified with the former, the earthly Jerusalem; the church with the heavenly.

Symbolically this Jerusalem represents our center of worship and the heavenly habitation of God and of the redeemed. From that perspective our text will offer us some relevant food for thoughtful meditation. First let us observe that its benefits and blessings are not to be enjoyed in isolation. The gladness of the worshipper is found in a corporate fellowship. Note the plural words: “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.” And again in v.2, “Our feet shall stand…” There are no “lone rangers” in the true church. The church in scripture is likened to a body, a building, a “holy temple.” Each member is part of a whole and both dependent and interdependent on all the others to fulfill his or her intended role. We need one another.

The second thing that comes to mind is that we need to encourage one another in spiritual matters. The picture is that of a company on the way to worship inviting another, who might have been passed by, to join them in their journey and objective. In fact v.3 says, “Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together.” It is not a loose, but an intimate fellowship. In fact, the apostle Paul employs a different figure but addresses the same principle when he urges the Ephesians that “… speaking the truth in love [we] may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Casual Christianity and spiritual isolation do not fit the New Testament model for the church.

Not only are believers to encourage one another to “go into the house of the Lord,” but they must also extend the invitation to those outside of Christ to become a part of the congregation of the Lord through faith in His name and in His finished work. After all, “He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world,” and “Whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved [I John 2:2; Rom. 10:13].”

A third thought emerges from meditating on this passage. It is the assurance of things to come. “Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.” For the moment our Jerusalem lies before us, but this terse verse assures us of the success of our journey, as certain as the promises of God. And that not because of the firmness of our commitment to Him, but because of the nature of His commitment to us. The Savior said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand [John 10:27-28].” And again, “…I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also [John 14:2-3].” What a glorious prospect, well suited to encourage us to “keep on keeping on,” even if at times the journey seems long and difficult.

Remarking that the phrase can be rendered “our feet are standing,” Spurgeon concludes appropriately, “Many feet are running the downward road, or kicking against the pricks, or held by snares, or sliding to an awful fall; but our feet, through grace divine, are "standing" -- an honourable posture, "within thy gates, O Jerusalem" -- an honourable position, and there shall they stand for ever -- an honourable future.

May our feet stand together in the City of God in the great “day of His appearing!”

For His glory and our good,

"Pastor" Frasier

Psalm 121 - 2009.12.12

My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. - Psalm 121:2-3

Happy, indeed, is the man who has the Lord for his help. And that is the good fortune of those who have trusted His Son for their salvation and eternal destiny. Nevertheless, laying claim to this high privilege it behooves us to reflect on its significance.

Consider the Person: “My help cometh from the Lord.” Remember His position, “Lord.” The prophet said, “I saw…the Lord…high and lifted up…” and “Mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts [Isa. 6:1-5].” The encounter left him exposed and humbled before Him, yet susceptible to His gracious cleansing, ever essential to fellowship with God. “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time [I Pet. 5:6].” To be sure, we are invited to “come boldly to the throne of grace,” because it is a throne of grace, but we are not authorized to approach flippantly or brazenly. As we seek His face, let us be ever mindful of Who it is “with Whom we have to do.”

Consider the Power: If a proper approach to the Lord proves humbling, it also proves supremely encouraging. He it is Who “made heaven and earth,” and thus we can be assured that our problems, many or few, great or small can never be beyond His power to address and deal with them. The resources that “hung the world in space” have become available to meet our needs. When promised a son in her old age, childless Sarah laughed in her incredulity and was gently rebuked, “Is anything too hard for the Lord [Gen. 18:14]?” And this Lord is ours!

Consider the Protection: Not only are we assured of power sufficient, but we have also the promise of His protection. “He will not suffer thy foot to be moved.” Among the great doctrines of the Christian faith is the security of the believer. It is most wonderfully and concisely expressed in the promise of the Saviour, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee [Heb. 13:5].” And the apostle expressed it this way, ”For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord [Rom. 8:38-39].”

The glorious promise of our text is, “He will not suffer thy foot to be moved;” the margin reads, “to slip.” We walk a slippery road through this “present evil world,” and if left to our own resources would not only be in danger of falling, but of perishing in the process. The Lord sustains His own. How wonderful to make the journey leaning hard upon the One who knows all the pitfalls, Who “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin [Heb. 4:15],” and who has the wisdom, experience and power to see us safely to our ‘expected end.’ How wonderful to have God for our guide and guardian!

Finally, Consider the Performance of His care: “He that keepeth thee will not slumber.” Our creator and redeemer never takes a vacation or even a day off. He is never distracted, will never be “off guard.” Our watchfulness is subject to moments of failure or even seasons of carelessness; His is unbroken.

This was the ground upon which the apostle rested when he wrote to Timothy. ”I…am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day [II Tim. 2:12b].” With that in mind, it behooves us to commit everything to His care.

Strong in the Lord of hosts,

And in His mighty power;

Who in the strength of Jesus trusts,

Is more than conqueror.

Leave no unguarded place

No weakness of the soul.

Take every virtue, every grace,

And fortify the whole.

—Wesley

“Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God” —Ps. 146:5

For resting assured,

"Pastor" Frasier

Psalm 120 - 2009.12.05

“Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.” —Psalm 120:2

The tongue is a weapon that can deliver painful blows, and many are it‘s victims. Christians are not exempt from its abuse, and worse, sometimes the attacks come even from those who profess to be fellow believers, compounding the suffering. David expressed that kind of pain when he cried, “mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted…hath lifted up his heel against me [Ps. 41:9].” Heel or tongue, it hurts to be wounded and doubly so when the blows are delivered by one who has been a friend or by another Christian.

The issue at stake is, really, how we react when we are the victims of slander. The temptation is at once to self defense if not retaliation, in either case adding fuel to the fire. Certainly clearing one’s name seems a legitimate course of action, but it is often not easy to do.

David declares, “My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war (v. 6-7)”, suggesting that he had probably attempted to clear the issue with the offender—certainly the appropriate course of action in any issue, especially between fellow believers. In a passage well known, but too little applied, the Savior commands, “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone… [Mt. 18:15].” Sadly, this, does not always succeed in resolving a matter, as the following verses indicate, and the Lord enlarges the procedure, indicating that every reasonable effort should be made to clear the issue, restore fellowship and endeavor to “keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Sometimes our best efforts fail as seems to have been David’s case here, and though we are “for peace,” “they are for war.” What then for the committed believer? Do you recall the Holy Spirit’s instruction through the church at Corinth? A conflict had risen there, whether of “tongue” or “heel,” and it would appear there were lawsuits initiated by brother against brother (cf. I Cor. 6:6) and the apostle’s sharp reproof is, “Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded [I Cor. 6:7]?”

David, unable to make peace with his slanderers “cried unto the Lord and [the Lord] heard him.” He simply left his case with the Supreme Court of heaven. The problem did not vanish, but the burden was transferred to the One who could—and would— ultimately resolve it. Subsequently his wise son and successor, informed by the Holy Spirit, counseled, “Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord and He shall save thee [Prov. 20:22].” This wisdom of Solomon is amplified through the apostle James, who is worth hearing again:

“Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell…Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom…the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” (See James 3:5-18)

There is, of course, a supreme example. The One who suffered the worst slander and least deserved it cried from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And, the apostle Peter draws upon this as he instructs us,

“… if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to Him that judgeth righteously [II Pet. 2: 20-23].”

May God give us the grace and wisdom to do likewise.

He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

—I John 2:6

For growth in grace,

"Pastor" Frasier

Psalm 119 - 2009.11.28

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee..” — Psalm 119:11

With only two verses, Psalm 117 is the shortest in the Bible. Choosing a nugget as a given. This Psalm, just two beyond, is the longest chapter in the scriptures, and settling on a single verse or short passage is somewhat akin to having to choose one morsel in a candy store. This familiar text is, perhaps, as appropriate as any, and representative of the essence and objective of the whole Psalm. One can only hope to not offend the Spirit of God by serving so tiny a portion of so magnificent a feast.

“THY word.” That is the subject of this magnificent continuum man somewhere chose to break up into 176 verses. Every one of those segments, except for two or three contain some synonym for the Divine revelation: the law, His testimonies, precepts, commandments, statutes,, “thy righteous judgments,” Thy Word, etc. It is God’s word in man’s language, and its magnificence is disclosed in this Psalm like a diamond turned slowly in the light that its radiant beauty may be observed and enjoyed from every facet.

That God has SPOKEN is wonderful. That GOD has spoken is awesome. That God has spoken in a language we can understand, for our information and instruction (and in the interest of our eternal salvation) should make it the most compelling, important and interesting communication in this “information age.” It was that to the Psalmist. If you had in your library a book written by the hand of the eternal God and personally presented to you with His signature, it would be the greatest treasure in your possession. And we do! Yet few of us esteem it that highly. It was that to the Psalmist, and so ought it be to us.

This book, however, was not written to grace a library shelf or reside in some place of honor in the living room, but to be tucked away for security purposes in a safety deposit box of the heart. Only there will it fulfill the purpose for which God gave it to you and me. Observe that the sanctuary for God’s word is not the head, but the heart. The head is the seat of the intellect, and that is the avenue through which it must travel, but it is in the heart that it must find its resting place, the seat of our affections.

Fifteen time the word heart occurs in the Psalm, and fourteen of them refer to affection for God and His word. “Out of the heart are the issues of life.” An intellectual approach to the word of God will afford information, but it is only when it travels eighteen inches further and affects the heart that it will accomplish its intended goal. That goal, as expressed in our text, is the reinforcement of the soul against the ravages of sin.

The reading of the word is important and necessary. The memorization of scripture is a good and wise exercise. But neither will automatically bring victory over sin. It is the heart’s embrace of the word that does that. The word of the Lord is not a coffee table book for occasional viewing, but a working manual to be cherished and employed as a functional tool. Ministering in a rescue mission on Boston’s skid row many years ago I dealt with an inebriated soul who proudly muttered as he pulled a little New Testament out of his shirt pocket, “I always carry the bible over my heart.” His statement defined his problem; it was over his heart, but clearly not in it. There he might appreciate it in measure, but he could never reproduce it. That is the problem for many a soul, even in more glamorous circumstances. It is the great service of scripture to direct us to life eternal and how to live it, but the heart must not only incline to embrace it; one must purpose to follow its direction. The Psalmist said in another place, “Give me understanding, and I shall keep Thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart (v. 34). If the heart is not involved, the will is not engaged.

One more thing, it seems to me, remains to be said. We have an insight that the Psalmist did not. He knew the scriptures only in print. We have access to the word in Person, the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the function of the written word to introduce us to a living relationship with the Living Word. Short of that, the word will never render the grand service of which it is capable. Through the centuries there have been many, and there are many today, who have a high regard for scripture, but who have never come to embrace the One who is its author and objective. For all such, the word that could have saved them from sin will instead be their indictment.

For His glory and our good,

"Pastor" Frasier

Psalm 118 - 2009.11.21

“The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.” — Psalm 118:22-23

Our text for today is an appropriate companion to last week’s. As that referred to the hope of the nations in their call to worship the Lord of glory, this relates to the foundation upon which that hope rests.

The idea of the “head stone of the corner” as used in scripture appears to have a two-fold significance. Sometimes it infers a key foundation stone, architecturally or symbolically. Again it seems occasionally to refer to the “capstone” or keystone of an arch, for example, by which the structure is held in place. In our language the term has acquired the figurative meaning, “An indispensable and fundamental basis.” Christ is both the foundation and the capstone of our hope of eternal life. All begins and ends with Him.

That the prophetic reference here is to the Lord Jesus Christ, the New Testament makes indisputably clear. In a passage too extensive to include in our brief meditation, when the chief priests and elders of Israel challenged Jesus’ authority, near the conclusion of an extended discourse in reply the Savior quoted this very passage: “Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?” And He added, significantly, “And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to a powder.” (Mt. 21:42,44. See the whole passage, Mt. 21:23-44.)

The apostle Paul draws upon the figure when he declares to the Ephesians, “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone [Eph. 2:20].” It is in Christ that the ages long conflict between Jew and Gentile is ended in a common entity, the church.

And the apostle Peter employs the same illustration:

“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed [I Pet. 2:2-8].”

Christ is both the foundation and the finish, the beginning and the end of God’s redemptive program. But note; it is “the stone which the builders rejected, refused, disallowed.” The prophet Isaiah said of the Messiah, “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not [Isa. 53:3].” Jesus said, “The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed… [Mark 8:31].” The saddest thing is not that He was rejected of men, as Isaiah predicted, but that He was rejected of “the builders,” clearly referring to the religious leadership. It is not the pagan world that is here accused of rejecting the CornerStone, but the “builders” of Israel. And Spurgeon remarked in his day, "Still do the builders refuse him: even to this day the professional teachers of the gospel are far too apt to fly to any and every new philosophy sooner than maintain the simple gospel, which is the essence of Christ" It was so then; sadly it is still so today in the vast majority of churches.

Nevertheless, by His death and resurrection Christ has become “the head of the corner,” the chief cornerstone,” and those who put their trust in Him are joined with Him as “living stones, built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God.” This is, indeed, the Lord’s doing and is marvelous in our eyes.

Have you made Him the foundation and capstone of your life?

For His glory and our good,

"Pastor" Frasier

Psalm 117 - 2009.11.14

“O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.” — Psalm 117

There are few things more deadening than spiritual pride. It blinds us to our own needs and tends to make us indifferent to the needs of others. It was one of the great plagues of Israel, generating in the nation generally a sense that they were the “chosen people” and the rest of the world (the Gentiles) hopelessly lost and beyond their concern.

Like many in the church today, neglect of their scriptures or indifference toward them, left them in a state of spiritual myopia not shared by the prophets who were in touch with God. Our text for today is the entire 117th Psalm, “at once the shortest chapter of the scriptures and the central portion of the whole bible.” And its reach, in this short compass, is as great as the gospel of the grace of God. An invitation is here extended to all nations, peoples and individuals to join in praise to the Lord of glory. No one is excluded. No one is excluded from the scope of “His merciful kindness.”

It is a brief, but telling reminder to us of this later dispensation that in His merciful kindness that “the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world [I John 4:14],” and that when Christ died he died “not for our sins only, but also for the sins of the whole world [I John 2:2].” “God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself [II Cor 5:19].” These are representative of the grand emphasis in the New Testament of the ground and validity of the scope of this wonderful gem of a Psalm; like a diamond, it is small, but of immense worth. And let me note in passing, it is the ground upon which all our efforts in world evangelism rest.

Justification for this emphasis is made clear by the reference to this Psalm in Paul’s epistle to the Romans:

“Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust [Rom. 15:8-12].”

The Psalm is not only precious, but prophetic. When the King comes back “some from every tribe and nation” will be in the chorus of adoration, “to the praise of the glory of His grace.” The apostle John saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” and “the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven.” When he finishes his description of it he declares, “And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour unto it… And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.”

The emphasis in the Revelation on the coming international community is, in fact, quite remarkable. In chapter 12 the “woman” “brought forth a man child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron” (v. 5). In ch.15 the great choir sings, “…all nations shall come and worship before Thee…” (v.4). And in Ch. 22, wrapping up his vision of the Holy City the prophet observes, “He showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations (v. 1-2, my italics).

Beloved, the nations are not going to be healed at the ballot boxes, nor by armies of liberation nor by becoming “democracies,” The problems of the nations, including this one, are the result of sin and idolatry, and the only cure is in the disclosure of the merciful kindness of our God Who has made the “water of life” available to all who will “come and drink.” Let the church not waste her energies on campaigns to correct the wrongs in human government which, like every other dispensation is doomed to failure, but on getting the gospel out, which alone can change the hearts and destinies of men. Let us remember that the Savior said, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall first be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come [Mt. 24:14].”

For a world in desperate need,

"Pastor" Frasier

Psalm 116 - 2009.11.07

“The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of the LORD…I was brought low, and He helped me.” — Psalm 116:3-4, 6b

Through the prophet Isaiah the Holy Spirit made an interesting and important disclosure: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts [Isa. 55:8-9].” This truth accounts for a number of real or apparent paradoxes in God’s dealings with us. One of those paradoxes, illustrated in our “nugget” for today, is that for the soul under the influences of the Spirit, “the way up is down.”

The Lord Jesus illustrated this when He concluded His parable of the wedding feast with this principle, ”For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted [Luke 14:(7-)11].” This is exactly opposite to the prevailing attitude of man in general. The concept could well be explored in a number of directions and at some length, but the use we want to make of it here is just this: it is a principle that explains the value of what we are inclined to call negative experiences in the life of a soul with whom God is dealing, saved or unsaved.

The key word in our text, a word of more than passing interest in scripture, is the word “then.” The writer indicates some kind of affliction so intense that he associates it with death and hell and defines it as “trouble and sorrow.” This surely is not, in our way of thinking, a “blessed experience” in the ordinary sense. But, it was God’s way of getting his attention. It was not until he was put in the crucible of suffering that he “came to himself,” like the prodigal son, and then he “called upon the name of the Lord.” There are some who would never call upon His name did they not feel His chastening rod.

However we perceive it in the process, what a blessing God has bestowed upon us when He causes or allows some trial or testing in our lives that drives us at last to Himself. The New Testament elaborates on this Divine principle this way:

“Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby [Heb. 12:6-11].”

Certainly not all suffering is to be interpreted as chastening, but when it is, it is a wonderful evidence of God’s love for His wayward child, seeking to humble him until he will “call upon the name of the Lord” and be a candidate for God’s gracious exaltation. “I was brought low, and He helped me.” And see what great good came out of it: “I love the Lord because He hath heard my voice and my supplication (v.1).” The relationship between the child and the Father was restored and love revived in a heart that had grown cold.

Now there is an interesting alternate reading of this verse. The ARV renders the last clause, “I was brought low and He saved me.” This translation captures the fact that God not only uses affliction to “help” His wayward child back into a right relationship with Himself, but He has and may use the same principle to bring the arrogant sinner to his knees (literally), wakening him to his need for repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, bringing him to salvation, a proper love for God and the joy of eternal salvation.

An acquaintance of mine described with gratitude the physical pain that sent him to the doctor who diagnosed his heart condition which, unattended, could have taken his life. How many a believer today can testify with joy of the “trouble and sorrow” that moved him to seek the Great Physician and find the remedy for that spiritual heart trouble which could have resulted in eternal death and damnation. Such will join in chorus with the Psalmist and say, “I love the Lord, because He hath heard my voice and my supplications!”

“Trouble and sorrow” could prove to be one of the best things that ever happened to you!

For an understanding of His ways,

"Pastor" Frasier

3 Week Hiatus

Due to the preaching responsibilities of Pastor Frasier, Nuggets from the Word of God, may be on a 3 week hiatus after Saturday's post. We will begin where he leaves off, upon his return. Please keep him in your prayers as he will be pulpit filling for a friend.

Psalm 115 - 2009.10.10

“Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.” — Psalm 115:1

In our approach to God, motive is everything. And the only proper motive is that God should be glorified in all that we are and all that we do. When in anything we seek our own glory, we set the stage for self destruction. No life, however impressive, or “beautiful,” or talented that deliberately draws attention to itself will survive the judgment of God. No ministry that covets the approval or honor of men will have the approval of God. And no danger is so subtle as the danger of serving ourselves at the expense of the glory of God. The most important question we can ask is not “what am I,” or “what am I doing,” but why am I thus, and why am I doing this?

God is justly and necessarily jealous for His own glory, and He calls the whole world to recognize and subscribe to His honor. That is not only the divine prerogative, but is essential to the welfare of the race.

“I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof. Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands.” (Isa. 42:8-12)

The root of the whole human problem lies just here, that Adam, in whom we all were implicit when the world began, failed to glorify God, so that we all sinned—and died—in Adam (Cf. Rom. 5:12, 19a). The tempter’s bait was “ye shall be as gods.” It was this solicitation to self glory that lured Adam into disobedience and plunged the race into its awful ruin. The Holy Spirit explains it through the apostle Paul in the epistle to the Romans: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness…Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened [Rom. 1:18, 21 my italics].”

There can be but one God. When we glorify ourselves instead of the living God, we become His competitor, to our own everlasting loss. He had early warned, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me [Exodus 20:3].” His position as creator and governor of the world is justification for His honor.

There is, however, another reason why we are to glorify Him, suggested in our text: “For Thy mercy, and for Thy truth’s sake.” Truth is inflexible. And, the truth is,”The soul that sinneth, it shall die. That is the demand of God’s holiness. Yet in His attributes there is another quality that would hold hope for the self glorifying sinful sons of men. That is mercy. But mercy cannot compromise justice or turn truth into a lie. Hence in the heart of God truth and mercy are in conflict with one another—or at least they would be had not God Himself found a resolution to this divine “problem.”

It is in Christ “and Him crucified” that “Mercy and truth are met together; [and] righteousness and peace have kissed each other [Ps. 85:10].” That was the consummation of the plan God laid “before the foundation of the world” for the redemption of lost mankind. Even before Adam brought the roof down on the human race, God had a rescue plan in place so that there has never been a time when sinners could not be saved. And that salvation is all that stands between any of us and eternal judgment. Where, then, is there any room for self-glory? And what, of all we may do, can be done out of anything but a debt of gratitude? And what could be done except for His grace?

If I pray in public; if I preach; if I witness; when I give; when I serve—in any capacity, what is my motive? Is it to honor and glorifiy Him? Or to draw attention to myself?

The Lord Jesus warned, “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven [See Mat. 6:1ff].” And again, “When thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward [v.5].”

Self exaltation can be very subtle—and very deadly! May our hearts ever echo this vital petition: “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory…”

For His glory and our good,

"Pastor" Frasier

Psalm 114 - 2009.10.03

“Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob…” —Psalm 114:7

The Psalm relates clearly to the Exodus and the entrance into the Promised Land via the crossing of the Jordan. The writer, noting both the Red Sea and Jordan crossings, suggests the reaction of nature to the Divine intervention: the mountains and little hills “skipped” like playful sheep as the sea parted and the river made a path for Israel to cross. Nature took note of the presence and power of the Lord and reacted appropriately. His contemplation leads the Psalmist to cry, “Tremble thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob.”:

Here I am reminded of a New Testament reference to trembling. The apostle James,appealing to those who professed faith, but did not follow it with appropriate works, said “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble [Jas. 2:19].” His inference is that demons tremble before the Lord and that those who have a genuine faith in the living God should exhibit a similar awe in His presence.

When king Darius witnessed the Lord’s deliverance of Daniel from the lion’s den, he issued a universal decree “unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. I make a decree, that in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for He is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall be even unto the end [Dan. 6:25-26].” He understood something of the majesty and power of the eternal God.

Indeed, God Himself calls for man to tremble before Him. “The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble…[Ps. 99:1].” It is not only an appropriate reaction to His presence, but an inevitable one where His glory is disclosed. And, He expresses His displeasure with those who have no fear of His presence: “Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?” And He explains why men are unmoved at His presence; “Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withheld good things from you [Jer. 5:24-25].”

Sin, whether in the unconverted or in the life of the believer, makes the heart harder than the rocks and hills of nature, robbing Him of His glory and men of their eternal welfare. But there is a day coming when the dullest minds and the hardest hearts will quaver before Him. The prophet Joel, anticipating “the day of the Lord,” writes:

“Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand…The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?” (Joel 2:1,10-11)

Contemporary Christianity is often too flippant with holy things, irreverent in dress, decorum and even in “devotion.” “Awe” is a word that has little meaning in our approach to spiritual things, and there is not much “trembling” before the Lord in our churches. We are too often like the children of Israel when they had persuaded Aaron to make them a self styled god before whom they “sat down to eat and to drink and rose up to play.” (See Exodus 32:6) The churches have become a playground or a social center, and the presence of God is little recognized or regarded.

Whether sinning saint or indifferent sinner, we will do well to hear Joel’s cry: “Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the Lord your God [Joel 2:12-14]?

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…” (Ps. 111:10a)

For His glory and our growth in grace,

"Pastor" Frasier

Psalm 113 - 2009.09.26

“The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth." —Psalm 113:4-6

We devote far too little time to reflecting on the glory of God, and as a result our “God is too small.” Our prayer life suffers and our faith suffers as a result. The psalmist did not make that mistake. In his reflection he said, “The Lord is high above all nations, and His glory above the heavens.”

Lately I have had opportunity, as no doubt you have, to see photographs of earth from space. Not very far in space, of course, but far enough to see earth, the nations and man from a different perspective. To us on a day to day basis, man looms large, the nations are important and earth is everything. But just a few hundred miles aloft, earth is about as significant as a tennis ball, the nations are indistinguishable and man disappears into oblivion. “The Lord is high above all nations”—and high above the orbit of our space junk.

Most recently I viewed a striking presentation on the theory of “black holes.” The graphics were stunning, the dimensions awesome and the thoughtful viewer had an impressive look at the glory of the heavens. In terms of immensity, complexity and baffling beauty, it was quite overwhelming, whether real or imagined. But the Psalmist reflected, “His glory (is) above the heavens.”

The glory of God is beyond the inspection of our feeble spacecraft or the vaunted Hubble telescope. The only “telescope” that will give us the faintest glimpse of His glory is the written word of God opened under the illumination of the Holy Spirit. When the prophet Isaiah saw the Lord “high and lifted up” (Isa 6:1), he was moved to humility crying, “Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips…for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts [Isa 6:5].”

When Jeremiah was introduced to God through His word he said, “Ah, Lord God! behold I cannot speak: for I am a child (Cf. Jer. 1:4-6).” When Ezekiel beheld “the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord,” he said, “When I saw it, I fell upon my face,… [Ezek. 1:28b].” And when Daniel got just a glimpse of that glory, he said, “I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comliness was turned into corruption, and I retained no strength [Dan. 10:8].”

Then there is Saul, in the New Testament. “Breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord,” he was making his way toward Damascus to arrest Christians when he saw “a light from heaven (and) fell to the earth…trembling and astonished” and was blinded by the light of that glory, emerging from the experience a new creature. (See Acts 9:1-22). And finally, John the great New Testament prophet, while exiled on the Isle of Patmos, having a splendid vision of the exalted Christ, “fell at His feet as dead (See Rev. 1:10-17a).”

What all of this illustrates is the paradox that the closer we are to God the more difficult it becomes to pray! Prayer, in fact, comes to most of us all too easily. If we catch but a glimpse of His glory, we will be overwhelmed by His majesty, ashamed by His holiness, broken and speechless before Him. The only proper posture is on our faces, and the only proper exercise is worship. Oh, how sorely that humility and awe is wanting in the church today!!

The psalmist continues, noting that God’s position is so lofty that He has to “(humble) Himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in earth.” Nowhere was that more vividly illustrated than at the tower of Babel in the post-flood world when man, still defiant of God, set out to “build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and …make us a name…” When the project was well under way, the next verse declares, “The Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded [Gen. 11:4-5].” Man’s proudest accomplishments, individually or collectively, are insignificant in the sight of his Creator and Lord, of whom it is said, “All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity [Isa.40:15].”

Recently I heard again a gospel chorus which contains the line, if not the title, “Without Him I would be nothing.” It is a solemn truth when reflected against the background of this “nugget.” Indeed, less than nothing. Meditate upon this great text. It could change your prayer life. It might change you!

For His glory and our good,

"Pastor" Frasier

Psalm 112 - 2009.09.19

“Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in His commandments…He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.” — Psalm 112:1, 7-8

The subject of this psalm is, as one has expressed it, “the blessedness of the righteous man.” It is to such a man that our text applies. But, it behooves us to ask, ‘How does one qualify as a righteous man?’ For after all, the prevailing position of the New Testament is that “There is none righteous, not not one [Rom. 3:11].” By nature, then, there are none who qualify for the blessings here and elsewhere assigned to “the righteous man.”

There is a clue, however, in the first verse of the psalm: “Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord…” Elsewhere is that familiar text, “”The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding [Prov. 9:10].” When a man recognizes himself as lacking the righteousness demanded by God, and turns to the Lord in reverence and repentance, he discovers another kind of righteousness available to him:

“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: [Rom. 3:21-24].”

This is not inherent righteousness, but imputed righteousness; the righteousness of Christ, credited to our account by faith in His Name and in His atoning work in our behalf on the cross. The man who,in the New Testament context, trusts in Christ as his personal Savior from sin, qualifies by God’s grace as the “man that fears the Lord” in the Old Testament,” and will be motivated to practical righteousness in his daily walk, “delight[ing] greatly in [God’s] commandments.”

All of that by way of introduction to our “nugget” for today, which affords the blessed man freedom from “fear of evil tidings.” While this has broad significance, and more so for many in other parts of the world who do not enjoy many of the temporal blessings and social freedoms that we do here in our country, let me try to make this practical. We live in an age of “information overload,” and much of the information (or misinformation) is alarming and depressing. As a result, many are living in a state of anxiety and continual distress. That is not God’s will for those who numbered among “the blessed” of the Lord.

The prescription for deliverance from fear is suggested here, and is remarkable simple. The first and obvious thing, reflecting on our introductory remarks, is the establishment of faith in Christ. Apart from Him, we are left to our own resources, here and hereafter. But let it be noted that there is a great difference between faith and ‘a profession of faith.’ Many have made a profession of faith in Christ who have never entered into a practical, day-to-day walk of faith in the assurance that there are no problems, real or imagined, that He cannot handle. It is oxymoronic to say we trust Him for our eternal destiny, and not to trust Him unreservedly for our present concerns.

Two significant things distinguish the beneficiary of this freedom from anxiety and fear. First, what he feeds on: he “delights greatly in [God’s] commandments.” The word of God is his first source of information and motivation. Second is his focus. “His heart is fixed trusting in the Lord.” I have a good friend who is a very talented photographer. When she she fixes her camera’s focus on a raindrop, for example, everything else within range of the lens is thrust into a soft focused background, and the glory of the raindrop captures the attention. So when the heart is “fixed” on the Lord (v.7) and “established,” (v.8) fear fades into insignificance, and His glory is radiant in our hearts and lives.

Too many believers are “fixed” on circumstances, real or imagined, present or possible, rather than on God. If we were as focused on God and His word as we are on the “media,” so called, anxiety could give way to assurance and the journey could be made a lot lighter. Try it; you might like it!

“Jesus is the only perfect resting place; He giveth perfect peace.”

(Cf. John 14:27)

For His glory and our good,

"Pastor" Frasier

Psalm 111 - 2009.09.12

“Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation..” —Psalm 111:1

Given the nature of the Psalms, even using the fragmented approach of these “Nuggets,” it is difficult to avoid being redundant. Nevertheless, if you are inclined to say, “He’s said that before,” remember the words of the apostle Paul to the Philippians: “…To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe [Phil. 3:1].” Repetition is one of the laws of learning. My own observation over the years has been, ‘If the Lord says a thing once, we had better remember it. If He says it twice, we had better never forget it!’

Apply that, then, to the frequent exhortation to praise that occurs in this “hymn book” of the scriptures. It is important to God, and that surely not only for His glory, but for our good. We have that instruction elsewhere in the book; “Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright [Ps. 33:1];” Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely [Ps. 147:1].” “Comely,” used in this way, is defined as “fitting, suitable, proper.”

There is an interesting verse we may have referred to before, which touches significantly on the subject. In a Messianic passage God pledges to give mourning Zion “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…” (Isaiah 61:3). Years ago a friend of mine in the Lord’s work testified of a day when she was struggling with depression and the Lord called her attention to this verse. “Convicted,” she said, “I began to praise Him for everything I could think of. As I looked about the room, I even praised him for doorknobs, because without them we could not get out of the room!” And the Lord lifted her depression and set her free. Now that is not related to the strict interpretation of the text, but at that moment was a profitable application.

The point is that, among other things, praise—true praise—is therapeutic. It has potential in both the spiritual and the emotional realm. It keeps the mind “stayed upon Jehovah,” of Whom it is said, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee [Isa. 26:3],” Commanding us to praise Him, God’s motive is not self-centered, but has our welfare in view.

Wise, then, is the psalmist’s commitment; “I will praise the Lord with my whole heart.” I have another friend who has so developed the spirit of praise that you cannot speak with him for more than a few minutes before he will say, e.g., “The Lord is good; praise Him!” “Thank the Lord. Thank Him for everything!” And he will do the same thing on a difficult day as well as on a delightful one. Praise has become a habit of life with this man, and so should it be with every believer.

“With my whole heart!” Do I purpose to praise Him with my whole heart? I fear much of our praise, even when engaged in, is but half-hearted, and fails to convince the world, or even ourselves of the greatness, glory and goodness of God. This to our detriment and His dismay.

The Psalmist’s concern is not limited to his private devotion. He declares his commitment to whole hearted praise “in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.” He is going to go public with his affirmation of praise to God, and so should we. In so doing we may encourage one another in this most vital spiritual exercise, strengthening faith and imparting spiritual health to the whole assembly.

A grand illustration of this is found in the strategy of king Jehoshaphat when under the assurance of the word of the Lord he sent the choir in the forefront of his army to face his enemies. “And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. [II Chron, 20:20-22 my italics].”

Praise was the key to victory! May we learn to do likewise!

For His glory and our good,

"Pastor" Frasier

Psalm 110 - 2009.09.05

The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. — Psalm 110:1

This Psalm is another Psalm of Christ, closely related to the previous psalm. The former is descriptive of the conflict of the Savior; this one of the consequences of His conquest as He returned to glory, welcomed as both Priest and King. Greeting His returning Son the Father said, “Sit Thou at my right hand…” It is reflective of the administrative order of the Godhead. Though equal in glory and power, the Son is subject to the order of the Father. As He himself said before, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and My judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which sent Me [John 5:30].” He carried that spirit of subordination back to glory, and it conveys a great lesson for believers.

Seated, He represents the success of His mission. In John 5:36 the Savior speaks of “the works which the Father hath given me to finish.” From the cross He had cried, “It is finished!” The work assigned to Him is done, and He is seated. The writer to the Hebrews notes it another way: “And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified [Heb. 10:11-14].” His ministry as our great High Priest was finished. No further sacrifice is necessary, nothing needs or can be added to effect the sinner’s deliverance. He had accomplished the Father’s will, “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all [Heb. 10:10].”

Nothing remains for us to do but to “shine as lights in a dark place,” announce the good news that Jesus saves, and extend His invitation, “Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

But this posture represents as well His serenity. There is no panic, no anxiety, no apprehension. Everything is under the Father’s control, and He and we can rest quietly “until I make thine enemies thy footstool.”

Two important things are suggested by this remarkable word, “until.” The first is anticipation; the second is assurance. “Until” suggests that the promised eventuality will not be immediate. An interval of unspecified duration is implied. This relates to the question of the critics of the gospel which Peter addresses in his second epistle, “Where is the promise of His coming…?” Assuring that God is in control, the apostle declares, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (II Pet. 3:3-9).” “Until” covers the interval of Christ’s absence. It powerfully represents neither indolence nor indifference, but God’s mercy toward a fallen world. The King of kings and Great High Priest is seated because his work is done. All that remains is for the last of the sheep to be gathered into the fold of the Great Shepherd, and then the evidence of His victory will be made manifest from pole to pole and around this tottering globe for all to see and wonder at. “The Lord hath sworn and will not repent (Ps. 109:4).”

When the “until” arrives, then shall all His enemies be made His footstool. That the reference is, indeed, to Christ, the Holy Spirit makes unmistakably evident in the New Testament, as noted above,“But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.“ That day will surely come, and when it does the redeemed will be revealed clothed in the splendor of the righteousness of Christ, and the Redeemer will “…rule…in the midst of [His] enemies (cf. Ps. 110:2).” That is the prospect that awaits Him as He sits in the position of honor at “the right hand of the Majesty on High [Heb. 1:3].”

Let me close, then, with this quotation from the “prince of preachers,” Charles Spurgeon:

“While we see our Lord and representative sitting in quiet expectancy, we, too, may sit in the attitude of peaceful assurance, and with confidence await the grand outcome of all events.…there is no cause for alarm whatever may happen in this lower world; the sight of Jesus enthroned in divine glory is the sure guarantee that all things are moving onward towards ultimate victory.”

For rest in a restless age,

"Pastor" Frasier

Psalm 109 - 2009.08.29

“They compassed me about also with words of hatred;and fought against me without a cause. For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer. And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.” — Psalm 109:4-5

Our ‘Nugget’ for today is found in what is called an imprecatory Psalm—one in which the spokesman calls down judgment on the heads of his enemies. And the scope of this judgment is awesome, as even a cursory reading of the whole Psalm will reveal. It is the flip side of Calvary, not often thought about and seldom preached on.

If these words are viewed only as the words of the Psalmist, they must be seen as vindictive, and hard to reconcile with the principle of Him Who said, “Love your enemies…” and Who cried from the awful agony of the cross, “Father forgive them…, for they know not what they do.”

Yet it is from His lips, ultimately, that we must hear this awful call for judgment. For to whom else can the words apply, They “…fought against Me without a cause,” and “For My love they are My adversaries?” From the day of His crucifixion even until now the world has hosted a great company hostile to the Savior, and for no other reason than that He told the truth, did the truth and is the Truth (cf. John 14 :6). And, anticipating the cross, He took these words upon His lips, saying, “If I had not done among them the works that no other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both Me and My Father. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause [John 15:24-25].”

For now, wonder of wonders, we hear only His compassionate plea, “Father, forgive them…” That was then . And thankfully, is now, as well. The astonishing day of God’s grace continues as the world goes on becoming increasingly indifferent or hostile toward the testimony of Jesus. But not forever.

Once before, when God demonstrated His remarkable patience and love, His hand restrained judgment. Noah, under God’s direction, constructed an ark and preached, for 120 years, a warning and undoubtedly an invitation. God said, “My Spirit will not always strive with man.” (Gen. 6:3) Men failed then, as they do now, to recognize that there is a limit to God’s patience, and one day “the flood came and destroyed them all [Luke 17:27].”

So, one day hence God will lift His mighty hand in answer to the prayer of His Son recorded here and justice will overtake mercy. For the moment sinners are in the hand of a merciful God. In that day it will be ‘sinners in the hands of an angry God.’ The apostle Paul warned, “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape [I Thess. 5:1-3].”

When God sealed Noah in the ark, only one man’s family was inside. The day before the door was open and “whosoever” would heed the warning of the ‘Preacher of Righteousness’ could have joined him and found salvation from the impending judgment. But that day it was too late. And so will it be for the generation that witnesses the Father’s answer to this prayer:

“As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him. As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones. Let it be unto him as the garment which covereth him, and for a girdle wherewith he is girded continually. Let this be the reward of mine adversaries from the LORD, and of them that speak evil against my soul [Ps. 109:17-20].”

God has given us a graphic preview of that day. “And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? [Rev. 6:15-17].”

If you perchance are not saved, don’t delay. Turn to Christ; let Him embrace you in His love and prepare you to escape “the wrath to come.” Tomorrow could be too late!!

For His glory and our good,

"Pastor" Frasier