Daily Meditations

Psalm 9:13    Continued!             We are still with David in verse 13 of the Psalm where he is positioned at the “gates of death.” Now we can look at New Testament teaching about Sheol which is given a Greek name. Hades is the Greek word for exactly the same place although the Greek idea of Hades with its ferryman and its different states, like the Elysian Fields is very different to the Bible. The Roman Catholic Church has taken this idea a step further by inventing purgatory – the place of spiritual cleansing that prepares a soul for the afterlife.  The New Testament does not say much at all about an intermediate state; it emphasises the return of Christ, resurrection, judgement and eternity with or without God. However, there is a New Testament story that gives us a little bit of light on the matter. It’s a story that is not recorded as a parable and in it Jesus talks about someone called Lazarus; He did not use proper names in H...

Psalm 9:13   Sheol                 David is now so low in his spirit that he senses death is approaching. He can no longer hope for deliverance, destruction by the surrounding nations is near. It’s interesting, isn’t it, that as he writes this godly man fluctuates in his emotions; one moment the Lord will reign and bring justice, the next moment everything is gloom and despair!  And now this great songwriter has reached his nadir, death is beckoning and only the Lord can save him. It is a good moment to stop and consider how the ancient people viewed death and in particular, the place of death.        Sheol is a Hebrew word which describes the place of the departed. It is used many times in the Old Testament but not always translated correctly in the old King James version.  [The NIV is very accurate]. The meaning moves between ideas of the grave, the underworld and the state o...

Psalm 9:12     Avenged!             We are thinking here about the desperate plight of those who give their lives and sacrifice everything for the sake of the gospel and our God. This verse is connected to v9 and the Cities of Refuge where a fugitive might hide from the avenger of blood. But some do not find refuge. Godly men and women have died for the cause.  Others have suffered greatly for the name of the Lord Jesus. What about their persecutors? Will they escape? Here, we are told that those who take lives and bring affliction against God’s people had better watch out! They will not evade justice. They may think they are safe; they may have hidden away in their own Cities of Refuge, they may think that they can persecute God’s people and abuse His children BUT there is no place of hiding for them.  Almighty God remembers, He has not forgotten, months and years may have passed but He will right the wrong and bring abou...

Psalm 9:11  Enthroned in Zion   The preceding verse takes us exactly to where the Psalmist wants to go, if we depend on the Lord’s name, we have to sing praises to that name. The holiest place in the physical universe or the spiritual universe is Zion for that is where the Lord dwells, where He is enthroned and where we lift our eyes and acknowledge His authority and power. On a coming day, the physical Mount Zion will be elevated and the throne of the Lord Jesus on earth will be established there. At that time all nations will bow and acknowledge Jesus Christ is Lord. We are privileged insiders if you like, we already know how the plot is going to pan out. We know the end and the beginning. We are the minority but immensely important for we are chosen ambassadors preparing the world for what is to come. Instead of gloom and doom we see nothing but hope and a future to anticipate.  Jesus is coming to reign, all of the Satan’s plans will fall to pieces. The earth ...

Psalm 9:10    A ll in the name      It is important to know that God’s name is synonymous with who He is. His name is His character and His character is His name – He is God Almighty, Jehovah, Lord of all. To invoke His name is to invoke Him because He is God, supreme above any other living being. The greatest insult to God is to use His name casually or without discernment or a as a swear word. Blasphemy, as a word, does not have an equivalent in Hebrew but in Exodus 22:28 the Israelites are told not to revile (blaspheme) God or His chosen leaders, to do so was punishable by death. Reviling God’s name was to call into question His holiness and integrity, to show a complete lack of understanding of who He is or worse to have no respect for Him even if we do know who He is!  So, those who know His name trust in Him. Those who know His name, know that He will never forsake them for that is contrary to who He is. The name of the Lord protects us, like a...

Psalm 9:9    Warfare!                 There are many expressions, in the Scriptures, that describe the Lord as a place of safety and confidence when trouble strikes. He is our refuge, He is our rock, our sure foundation. He is a strong tower and our shield, the horn of our salvation.  All of these metaphors have profound implications, in Proverbs 18:10 we read, “ The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.”    His very existence and His presence and the power of His name will protect us from evil and all kinds of trouble. When David was delivered from Saul and all his enemies, he used these expressions in a song of praise. 2 Samuel 22:1-4. In Deuteronomy 33:27 the Lord tells Israel, through Moses.  “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies before you, saying “Destroy them!” The Cities of Refuge ...

Psalm 9:8    Absolute justice          This verse sets out the nature of the rule and reign of Almighty God. How often we are perplexed by injustice, discrimination and prejudice. The justice systems around the world seem to favour the rich and powerful. Juries get tied up by clever barristers and often, on hearing the evidence, we all scratch our heads wondering who is telling the truth and who is telling lies. Factor in the likelihood that witnesses see situations subjectively and thus are prejudiced, even without knowing it, and you wonder “what is truth?” Well, God knows, for under His rule there will be absolute truth, leading to perfect justice based on a strict definition of what is right and what is wrong.  Some people fear such legal clarity but for most vindication and absolution founded on accurate evidence is what they have longed for. What a relief to know that no one will “get away with it” and no one will be wrongly i...