Psalm 50

Hello, my friend.   These are beautiful days, when our hearts feel liberated and our bodies refreshed.  In fact, these are days when one would like just to go to some mountain range and bask in the glory of God.  So PSALM 50 begins with the Psalmists effort to speak a bit about God’s glory, in vs. 1, “The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets… God shines forth, Our God comes and will not be silent…” And we are stirred with anticipation to hear what the Mighty One, God, the Lord has to say.    I am reminded of Isaiah’s recurring statement about God, in chapter 45, “Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker…I am the Lord and there is no other, vs. 5 and 9, “Surely God is with you and there is no other, there is no other God” vs. 14; “I am the Lord and there is no other”, vs. 18; “Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God and there is no other,” vs.22.  I love these strong declarations about our Mighty One, God, the Lord.

So as we wait to hear what the Lord says in Psalm 50, we immediately notice that the writer declares emphatically that all things belong to the Lord, as God says, “Every animal of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.  I know every bird in the mountains, the creatures of the field are mine…the world is mine and all that is in it” (vss.10-12.)  That, my friend, makes it clear that we belong to Him.  He looks at us today and says, with such love, “You are mine!”  As vs 15 says, we call upon him in the day of trouble, knowing he will deliver us, and we honor Him.

But then notice the radical change, as He speaks to unbelievers who have rejected Him.  He says, “What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips?  You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you.”  In other words, the Lord defines wicked people as people who quote Scripture, are familiar with the Word of God, but who refuse to be obedient, or, in effect, cast God’s words behind them. Asaph continues to describe some things that even religious people do, a series of astonishing things, dishonesty, sexual impurity, disrespect of family and slandering even a brother.  And the Psalmist says, “Consider this, you who forget God…”

And he closes this great Psalm by saying, “He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way, so that he may be shown the way of God.”  This is a remarkable contrast between people who are walking with God and hypocrites who think that mouthing Scripture, even quoting creeds without obedience, can help them.  We all need to be reminded of this danger of pretending to be what we know we are not.  God will help us, as He speaks to us.

“Thank you, Lord, for a Psalm like this that does indeed stir us to review our motives and remind us of the danger of a half-hearted walk.  We are thankful that we belong to you; help us to live that way.  Bless my friend who is alongside, with whatever need, there may be, especially little ones, Lord.  Thank you for your presence.” 

And thank you, friend, for yours.  Great to be together.  Cheerio!

These meditations on the Psalms were written by Village Schools of the Bible Founder, Monty Sholund and first published in book form as Monty’s Musings on the Psalms in 2000.

Meet our summer teachers: John Mayer

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’ve grown up and lived in the Twin Cities my whole life.  I hold four degrees: Associate of Arts, (A.A. Phi Theta Kappa Honors), Bachelor of Arts (B.A. Magna Cum Laude), Master of Arts in Theological Studies (M.A.T.S.), and a Doctor of Ministry degree (D. Min.).  I worked 15 years for U.S. Bank on Lake St. in Minneapolis in the most diverse neighborhood in America: The Phillips Neighborhood with over 100 languages spoken there (I even got robbed when working at the bank).  In 1995, I founded a non-profit ministry called City Vision.  At City Vision I have multiple roles as a Visionary, Global Strategist, Catalyst, Consultant, Thought Leader, Researcher, Missiologist, Professor, and Author.City Vision has worked with over 1,500 churches/ministries from 72 denominations conducting research, consulting, and strategy in the areas of churches, church planting, world religions, movements, cities, countries, diaspora peoples, and unreached people groups throughout the U.S. and globally.  We have organized a number of citywide and city reaching events and partnerships both locally and nationally.  I have personally taken over 26,000 people on a Discover Your City Tour in several different U.S. cities.  I  have also taught 26 different college and graduate courses for several colleges and universities over the last 20 years.  I have authored the CityView Report book which has been updated and expanded into 17 Editions since 1996 in addition to  several other published papers and articles. 

Why are you passionate about teaching the Word?

The Bible has so inspired me and grounded me and given me the tools I needed to grow as a Christian and I want that for others. 

Who or what inspired your career path?

Besides reading and studying the Bible, other authors such as C.S. Lewis and Francis Schaeffer have really helped me grow.  I have a saying, “Learners are earners (God’s affection and man’s money).  Readers are leaders.  And Writers are fighters.”  I think it is very important to read, learn, and write about what you are learning.  I had trouble learning growing up and I had to go to special classes for my first six years because I had such trouble learning.  So, I learned to learn.  Asking many questions is the key to learning.  They asked Jesus 183 questions in the Bible and He only answered three of them directly.  He would ask questions back and so dialogue was the way He taught and I teach like this as well.

How did you get involved with VSB?

I think I heard of it for many years as they would teach at my church when I was also teaching other classes.  Later, Pastor Warren Coe contacted me to ask me some questions about how to help grow Village Schools, then he asked me to substitute teach his class a few times and eventually I started teaching the Cover to Cover classes about 6 years ago, I think.  I enjoy interacting with Warwick and Trish also as I knew them when I taught at their church over the last 20 years.  And now Laurie is another great leader to work with since she took over as Executive Director last year. 

What inspired you to choose Genesis to teach this summer?

I’ve taught a Genesis class once before in college to adults and they just loved it. Genesis has everything in it.  It sets the core and tone for all of Scripture.  There is so much to learn and study in Genesis.  Genesis starts macro and then goes to the micro family level and then it ends with the formation of the Jewish people as God’s chosen nation.  We’ll be able to go really deep and learn about just one key biblical book.    

What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of teaching Cover to Cover?

Cover to Cover is great as you get to go through the whole Old Testament and the whole New Testament in 9 months. Students see how all the pieces fit together. They learn about all the covenants God made with us over time and His promise of the coming Messiah Jesus is seen all the way through.  People who take the class finally understand how the whole Bible is really one book and fits together. 

The hard part is getting it all in as it is still a lot to cover in 9 months.  So, as much as we all want to go deeper, we usually just have an overview.   

What challenges do you see in current culture that can be addressed through knowing God’s Word?

There is nothing new under the sun as Ecclesiastes says.  So, every week when we have class, today’s news is all over the pages of what we are studying. We learn that the same issues our culture struggles with were things people have always struggled with.  It’s great to see how God wants us to focus and gives us guidance in how to live under any circumstance. 

How have you seen your teaching impact students?

People are not just learning from the Bible but are applying it and they are using their spiritual gifts and talents in the class and in their lives.  They are always deconstructing and reconstructing their theology, throwing out the non-biblical ideas and putting in what God wants for our lives.  The class becomes a small group and a learning community and they see it as life changing. 

What would you say is the most important thing for Christians to know about the Bible?

Christians need to read the whole thing.  80% of Christians don’t read the whole Bible.  Real growth and change cannot come without reading and studying it.  They have to see how it all fits together, each book to the other and understand the major themes of the Messiah Jesus and other things God wants us to live by. 

Psalm 49

Hello my friend.   This Psalm 49 is a strong reminder of the difference in values between people whose trust is in God and people whose trust is in others, in things, in achievements and in wealth.  It’s a good reminder, especially in a time when we are in the midst of a prosperity hitherto unknown.  We’re sometimes uncomfortable when it comes to thinking about how possessions and power and even privilege can become idols and we lose the purpose of life altogether.

I was touched by a statement written in an essay by a very spiritual, Christ-loving student.  She said, “I wonder, Monty, if you had a bit of wisdom to share with me.  I struggle with contentment, horribly.  Is there anywhere in Scripture where I can see how Paul could say, ‘I have learned the secret of being content whatever the circumstances’ (Phil.4:12).    I sometimes feel so greedy, I am always wanting or needing more!  I do think I bring my husband down, because I so often ask of him things he can’t give me, i.e. a bigger home, new car, more in-style clothes.”

What a refreshing acknowledgment of need.  Psalm 49 deals with that very issue.  Vs. 10, “All can see that wise men die; the foolish and the senseless alike perish and leave their wealth to others.  Their tombs will remain their houses forever. Man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish.”  And vs. 15, “But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself.  Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him.  Though while he lived he counted himself blessed–and men praise you when you prosper–he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of life.  A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts of the field.”

How important to be reminded of the deceitfulness of money, of things, of this strange hunger within us to acquire.  I think of Solomon who wrote, rather bitterly, in Ecclesiastes 5:10, “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.  This is meaningless.”   So then I turn to Job 22:15, “Let the Almighty be your gold, the choicest silver for you.  Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty and will lift up your face to God.  My feet have closely followed His steps; I have kept to His way without turning aside.  I have not departed from the commands of His lips.  I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.”  We need to remember the foolishness of spending money on bread that never satisfies, and allow God to be our greatest treasure. 

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt.6:21).

“O Lord, help us all to face this peril with courage and honesty, the danger of being lured into pursuing idols.  Thank you for those whose hearts hunger after you; cause their cups to overflow with praise and thankfulness.  Bless my friend who is alongside, Lord and those in whatever kind of deep need.  You are able!” 

Thank you, partner, for your faithful prayers.  We trust in the Lord.  Cheerio!

Psalm 48

Hello, my friend.   One of the joys of travel is the privilege of visiting various cities.  I will never forget my first visit to Europe in 1947, when our ship passed by the severely war-damaged ports of France and finally landed in Belgium.  It was my first glimpse of what had been the terrible battlefields of the Second World War and it was so impressive.  Many of the streets of Antwerp were still rubble-strewn, and buildings were still giving evidence of the atrocities of war. Then when I got to Brussels, I was immediately fascinated and overjoyed at the beauty of the Grande Place and other areas.   My first trip to London was one I will never forget, visiting many beautiful churches, attending great concerts and enjoying the beauty of this city along the Thames River.  I have always considered it my second favorite city.

But my favorite city is Jerusalem.  I well remember driving up the hills of Israel from Tel Aviv, with a Jewish friend of mine. We saw a sign along the side of the road, “The Border between the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.”  And just a bit further we rounded corner and there was the City of David, in all the glory of its limestone buildings.  And I simply stopped the car and wept at the sight.  And that city has provided me more pleasure than any other city on earth, because of its spiritual significance, and its remarkable historical importance as a crossroads of the nations through the centuries.

So our PSALM 48 for today is simply a powerful tribute to Jerusalem, the City of our God, on His holy mountain.  The writer says, “It is beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth.” (vs.2) And the reason for this joy?  “Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.  Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth, your right hand is filled with righteousness.”

This is speaking, I think, about the universal glory of God after Christ returns to the earth.  But we can apply it, I think, to today because in many ways God’s praise reaches to the ends of the earth, even though the whole earth hasn’t yet begun to praise the Lord.  It is amazing how the Word of God has spread throughout the world during the last fifty years.  At least parts of it are available in every major language on earth and in 80% of the dialects.  But the important thing is that the Bible, made available, is allowed to dwell in the heart of the reader.  What is the point of owning even a dozen versions, if we refuse to meditate on it, day and night?  Just owning a car will get one nowhere.  The point is to learn how to use it.  So with God’s Word.  When we do, we can shout vs.14, with the Psalmist, “For this God is our God forever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.”

“We’re so thankful Lord that you are indeed our guide even to the end.  And the end will come, perhaps sooner than any of us dream.  But with your Love in our Hearts, your hand on our Heads, your Word on our Lips, we can walk with you and praise you all the journey through.  Thank you, Lord.” 

And thank you, my friend, for your fellowship in Christ.  It’s so good to be together.   Cheerio!

These meditations on the Psalms were written by Village Schools of the Bible Founder, Monty Sholund and first published in book form as Monty’s Musings on the Psalms in 2000.

Meet our summer class teachers: Harlan Seri

Harlan will be teaching a class on the book of Exodus over Zoom, starting on May 13.

Tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am a pastor in Clear Lake, Iowa.  It is a resort town with great fishing, swimming and bike riding.  Clear Lake is famous for Buddy Holly playing his last concert here.

I have been a full-time pastor now for 12 years.  Before that, I was a
part-time pastor in Brownton, Minnesota and for 25 years I was a full time Minneapolis public school teacher. I have a Master’s degree in Theological Studies from the University of Northwestern – Saint Paul, (Northwestern College when I went there), in Roseville, MN.

I am married to Debi who is a cardiac sonographer.  We have 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren.  I love being a pastor and I knew at the age of 17 that God called me.  I enjoy traveling to Door County, love riding bike, and enjoy reading Bible commentaries.  I have been online mentoring people with Cover to Cover Bible study for the past 3 years.

Why are you passionate about teaching the Word?

I love helping people understand how God loves them and wants what is best for them.  I enjoy seeing the “light bulb” go on when they connect events in the Bible with their own daily lives.

Who or what inspired your career path?

My mother loved the Lord and Jesus was her best friend.  Even as a little child, I could see that Jesus was so real to her.  I don’t think she inspired me to be a pastor, but she sure prayed an awful lot for me!

How did you get involved with VSB?

My wife went through Cover to Cover Bible study with Max Frazier and always talked about Cover to Cover being the best Bible study ever.  I had taken a class on the book of Jude from Warren Coe and I enjoyed his teaching style so much that I decided to go through Cover to Cover with him.  It was great!  Warren later asked me to substitute teach for him and then to mentor people online.  It has been a treat for me to be connected with Village Schools of the Bible.

What inspired you to choose this topic to teach this summer?

I love Exodus because of the great stories in there (Moses, the plagues, the Passover, the golden calf, etc.).  But I had always “bogged” down when reading the last 20 chapters of Exodus.  I came to realize that in those last 20 chapters God wants to reveal His character to us and He wants a home.  Yes, God wants a home.  Exodus helps us better understand the Old Testament prophets but also the New Testament.    I also want people to understand what the purpose of our salvation is (it’s more than just going to heaven when we die).

What challenges do you see in current culture that can be addressed through knowing God’s Word?

I feel that because of all the uncertainty in our world today, the Bible helps us understand that God is still in control, that he can even use evil for good (see Genesis 50:20), and that God has a plan.

What would you say is the most important thing for Christians to know about the Bible?

That Jesus loves you, died on the cross for you and that we need him as our Lord and Savior.

Summer Class Information

Exodus: The Reason for our Salvation Register

Virtual Class over Zoom | 3 weeks | $30 | Thursdays, May  13, 20, & 27 | 6:30-8:30 pm

God saves us so that we can know Him and take on His character.  This is what He wanted for those Israelites in slavery.  Canaan was not the goal, but it did fulfill a promise.  Come and learn more about God’s holiness, the 10 Plagues, the Mosaic Covenant and the Tabernacle.  Perhaps you yourself will hear a “call” like Moses during this time.

A limited number of scholarships are available for this course. Contact the office for more details.

Psalm 47

Hello, my friend.  There is something about spring that for many makes it the best season of the year.  It is like resurrection, after a long, silent winter of dark and damp.  It is like a song of jubilation.  As you know, Doris was born in Oxford, England, and I love that country.  And I echo Robert Browning’s familiar poem, “O to be in England, now that England’s there, and whoever wakes in England sees some morning, unaware, that the lowest boughs and the brushwood sheaf round the elm-tree bole are in tiny leaf, while the chaffinch sings on the orchard bough in England–now.”  Spring, what a time for remembering the greatness of our God.

So our Psalm for today is appropriate, PSALM 47, a joyous expression of the writer’s exultation of God.   How is God described in this Psalm?  He is awesome, the great King over all the earth, subduing evil, choosing our inheritance for us, He has ascended among the sounding of trumpets, He is King of all the earth, reigning over the nations, and all the kings of the earth belong to God.

So what should be our response in our worship?  We should clap our hands, shout to God with cries of joy, singing praises, singing praises, singing praises.  And the whole Scripture here is a remarkable challenge not only to love the Lord, but to praise Him.  How often we traditional, conservative Christians are so feeble in our expressions of praise.  People attend a thrilling Vikings game and their whole being expresses their excitement.  People experience joy when their children make some new discovery in their work or study, and they are so eager to talk about it.  But we are so expressionless in our praise, so motionless in our celebration of the awesome God we love and serve. 

Don Wyrtzen puts it so freshly.  He says, “Church services are not sit-coms which ‘couch potatoes’ view for entertainment.  They should be dynamic encounters with God.”  Why is it that we are so passive in our praise?  We view the charismatics in their exuberance, and conclude that they are superficial.  We notice some preacher who is deeply gripped by his message and we say he is a manipulator.  All the while we reflect neither joy nor excitement at what indeed should be an awesome walk with the God of the universe.  We all need to take this brief psalm to heart, and review what may be robbing us of the joy of spiritual exuberance and may be robbing God of the praise and honor he deserves. 

“Thank you, Lord, for this sharp reminder that we are commanded to praise you with shouts and cries of joy.  Forgive us for allowing our excitement to be focused on earthly things, and allowing our eagerness for you and your word to become so casual and lifeless.  We are thankful for the blessed reminder of your Word and praise you for the joy of sharing it this way.  Bless my friend who is along, and especially anyone who may be in the grip of discouragement or even of despair.  Help us to know, Lord, there is power in praise.  Thank you for your love.”

And thank you, my friend, for your sharing this way.  Cheerio!

These meditations on the Psalms were written by Village Schools of the Bible Founder, Monty Sholund and first published in book form as Monty’s Musings on the Psalms in 2000.

Psalm 46

Hello, my friend.   Right off I say that it is a thrill to be reading PSALM 46, which was Martin Luther’s favorite chapter in this great collection of Psalms.  And I love the statement by Don Wyrtzen, in his book A Musician Looks at the Psalms, regarding this Psalm.  “How does one face the possibility of world catastrophe?  How does one guard against internal disintegration of the personality in view of pressure to conform to the false standards of society?  The answer is found in God alone, not in God plus anything else.  When that which seems unchangeable and impregnable falls, God is my stability.  He is my refuge–`my shelter and protection from danger.’  He is my strength–’my vigor, mental and moral power, firmness and courage.’  He is my ever-present help in trouble.”

It’s no wonder, then, that this was Martin Luther’s favorite Psalm, facing as he was the overwhelming power, with threats of excommunication, of ecclesiastical authority, coupled even with threats of his death.  He mentions how this great Psalm was a refuge, a mighty fortress, as his wonderful reformation hymn goes, “A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;  Our help is He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.  Did we in our own strength confide our striving would be losing, were not the right Man on our side, The Man of God’s own choosing.  Dost ask who that may be?  Christ Jesus it is He–Lord Sabaoth His name, from age to age the same, and He must win the battle.”

And not only does this Psalm praise God for His help, but it reminds us in vs. 4, that there is a river whose streams make glad the city of God. And I immediately think of that great verse in John 7:37, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”  So it is not only praising God that matters, but it is the wonderful way that, when we praise Him,  God can work within us, enabling us to be a strong resource of Grace as well as a recipient of it.   

It is exciting to read, in the midst of all the splendor and power this Psalm represents, vs. 10, “Be still and know that I am God;  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  And being still doesn’t only mean being silent, it means to stop trying to solve our problems in our own wisdom.  It means that we should stop arguing, complaining, grumbling, and simply be still.  It means that I must not only agree with the doctrines of the faith, but that I can know that He is God. When I do that, He’ll be exalted in me, and the whole world will know it.

“Thank you, Lord Jesus, that we with the Psalmist can say, “The Lord Almighty is with us;  the God of Jacob is our fortress.”  We thrill to know that you are indeed with us, and we find refuge in your presence and your love.  Bless my friend who is alongside, and bless those in special need who need to rest in you.” 

Thank you, partner, for being along.  I trust your coming week will be greatly blessed of the Lord, who is your refuge and strength.  Cheerio!

These meditations on the Psalms were written by Village Schools of the Bible Founder, Monty Sholund and first published in book form as Monty’s Musings on the Psalms in 2000.

Meet our Summer Class Teachers: Harvey Martin

Harvey will be teaching a class on The Holy Spirit in Today’s Culture starting in May

Harvey is currently the pastor of Dale Evangelical Free Church in Harris, MN. He and his wife, Grace have been married for 63 years. They have three daughters, all of whom are accomplished violinists. They are blessed with six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Tell us a little bit about yourself?

I was born in Canada. Graduated from London Teacher’s College in London, Ontario. I taught elementary school in Ontario before moving to Portland, Oregon where I attended Multnomah School of the Bible.  I continued my preparation for ministry at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas, and completed it at Trinity Evangelical Seminary in Deerfield, Illinois where I received a Ph.D. Whilst studying at Trinity I was the Minister of Christian Education at Racine Bible Church. I was Professor of Christian Education at the University of Northwestern for 21 years. I have served as interim pastor of several churches in the St. Paul and Minneapolis area and was chairman of the board of Village Schools of the Bible from 2012 to 2015.

What inspired you to choose this topic to teach this summer?

I found that education had an impact on the lives of students, but I have found that it is the Holy Spirit through the Word of God that permanently changes lives. When one sees this happening in the lives of people, it produces a passion to teach the Word under the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Since there is much confusion about the person and work of the Holy Spirit, I desire to focus on what the Bible teaches about the Theology of the Holy Spirit.

How have you seen your teaching impact students?

I began teaching for Village Schools through the influence of Warren Coe several years ago. I have made several observations during this period of time. The Christian life is a process called sanctification that takes time and experiences to accomplish. Truth must become worked out in life (Faith without works is dead – James 2:17) Unless the student submits to a life of faith that is experiencing prosperity and adversity, he or she will not experience truth worked out in shoe leather. We, who teach God’s Word, must be careful to realize that because people are exposed to the Word does not mean that they will automatically live out it’s truth.

What challenges do you see in current culture that can be addressed through knowing God’s Word?

The problem in our culture is that truth is no longer considered to be truth. Truth is what the individual considers to be truth. But it has now moved beyond the individual concept of truth to the truth that the elite accepts as truth. Only truth accepted by the elite is truth and the average person must submit to that truth.  

Summer Class Information

The Holy Spirit in Today’s Culture with Dr. Harvey Martin Register

Virtual Class over Zoom | 10 weeks | $100 | Thursdays, May  6—July 8  | 6:30-8:00 pm

The Holy Spirit is perhaps the least understood member of the Trinity. Become
reacquainted with the person and work of the Holy Spirit. Among the many voices
competing for attention in our busy world, learn how to discern His leading correctly.
Understand how He can energize us to live in our world for God’s purposes. This class
will reignite your faith!

Psalm 45

Hello, my friend.   There is something about a celebration that stirs the heart and blesses the soul.  Whether it’s an anniversary or a birthday-party or, most spectacular of all, a wedding, a celebration brings together families and love and joy.  And our PSALM 45 for today certainly does that.  It is, as you see in your Bible, a Psalm by an unknown writer ‘of the Sons of Korah, a wedding song.’  And it begins with the essential prerequisite to any valuable celebration, when the writer says, “My heart is stirred by a noble theme, as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.”  Passion is necessary preparation for any venture!

There is no clear indication here as to the identity of the King, about whom the writer pens this grand chapter, but I like to relate it to the King of Kings, the Lord of glory, Jesus Christ, who alone is most noble.   The writer describes this King.  He is the most excellent of men, which means there are none who are as excellent.  His lips are anointed with Grace, declaring that He is indeed the Word of God.  He has girded His side with a sword, and I love to think of that verse in Ephesians 6:17, “Take the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”

And then the writer describes the King as one who rides forth victoriously on behalf of truth, humility and righteousness (vs.4).  Let these three words guide us through this coming day, TRUTH, HUMILITY AND RIGHTEOUSNESS.  God’s Word is truth, so let’s ponder it and claim it. God’s blessing is on the humble, as I Peter 5:18 says “Humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you.”  And of course Righteousness is a word describing the whole nature of God, who is our life.

The Psalm continues to rejoice in the glory of the King, especially in vs. 10, where he speaks of the King’s bride.  And may not this be a suggestion that this can relate to the Church, the body of Christ, so beautifully described in Ephesians 5:31, where Paul says, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and the two will become one flesh.  This is a profound statement” he continues, “…but I am talking about Christ and the church.”  And Paul continues in 2 Cor.11:2, “I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy.  I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to Him.”

However one looks at Psalm 45, I take it to remind me that I am loved by the King of Kings, about whom we read in Isaiah 62:5, “As a young man marries a maiden, so will your sons marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride so will your God rejoice over you.”  Take heart, my friend, if you’re feeling alone, even worried, because you are the treasure of God.  Enjoy the day with Him.

 “Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the wonder of this intimate relationship we share with you, as our bodies are your temples and we are here to share you with our world today.  Bless my friend who has joined along and any in very special need.  We love you, Lord.” 

Thank you, my friend, for your prayers and encouragement.  Cheerio!

Psalm 44

Hello, my friend.  Psalm 42, teaches us how to face the utmost difficulties in life.  Psalm 43 just continues to remind us that if God is not our primary delight, we will continue to be vulnerable to great disappointment.

Our Psalm 44 for today is another of those bewilderingly gloomy Psalms.  It starts out so well, from vs. 1 through vs. 8.  The Psalmist praises God for the wonderful way He blessed His people in the past.  He says in that jubilant vs. 3, “It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your face, for You loved them.”  How could one say it better?  He continues in vs. 8, “In God we glory all day long, and we will praise Your name forever.”  Isn’t that good?  Such a commitment, forever!

Until the very next verse, where he laments in a passage written in a minor key.  Hear the litany of defeat in the action words of these verses: rejected, humbled, plundered, scattered, devoured, a nation demoralized and in some ways destroyed. We need to be constantly on the alert of Satan’s devices.  When we are in a time of great, powerful joy, we soon will learn that the battle is still engaged, lest we forget. Chuck Swindoll gives a moving message on integrity.  He says that God tests His servants in two major ways–through adversity and through prosperity.  Or as Oscar Wilde puts it, “In this world there are only two tragedies one is not getting what we want and the other is getting it.”  And God permits this so we can stop relying on getting what we want, and begin praising Him for giving us what we need.  There are bound to be reversals and disappointments in life, and we can only discover the meaning behind them when we fulfill the instructions in I Thess.5: 16, “Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

And in moments of despair, we often say foolish things.  Note that verse 23, “Wake up, Lord.  Why do you sleep?  Rouse yourself.  Do not reject us forever.”  As if God ever was not concerned about us.  And Psalm 121:2 says so strongly, “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot slip–he who watches over you will neither slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep, the Lord watches over you.”   One never knows what the day will bring forth.  We need to constantly practice the presence of God.  Dr. Edman was President of Wheaton College in my days there, and he often said, “Never forget in the dark what God showed you in the light.”  That’s why when the opportunity is at hand to study and devour God’s Word, we should do it NOW.

“Thank you, Lord, for reminding us again of our only source of encouragement.  You know us as we are, so often swinging in our emotions, and you teach us and love us just the same.  We are so thankful.  Bless my friend reading this and all others in special need.” 

Thank you, partner, for being along.  Cheerio!

These meditations on the Psalms were written by Village Schools of the Bible Founder, Monty Sholund and first published in book form as Monty’s Musings on the Psalms in 2000.