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And you shall not bring an abominable thing into your house and become devoted to destruction like it. You shall utterly detest and abhor it, for it is devoted to destruction.

Deuteronomy 7:26

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The “Isolation Introspection” series started as an opportunity for me to encoruage members of our Bible Study with daily reflections from the M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan during the 2020 “Stay at Home” mandate in Los Angeles. I’ve moved them here so that they can be shared easily, and perhaps benefit others. I hope you enjoy!

“And I pleaded with the Lord at that time, saying, ‘O Lord God, you have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as yours? Please let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan, that good hill country and Lebanon.’”

Deuteronomy 3:23–25

This is one of Moses’ many requests of the Lord that he may enter the Promised Land, after the events of Numbers 20:10-13 in which he struck the rock in anger and was told he would not see Israel enter the Land. Can you imagine the pain of that consequence? After 40 years of faithfulness, to lose it all in a single moment? What a sobering reminder to us to be consistent in our pursuit of God and to recognize the gravity of sin against him, even when we are well into our walk.

In this passage, Moses cries out to God to see if God is wiling to change his mind. Notice the focus of Moses’ request, though. As he so often does, he appeals to God’s glory. Have you considered what Moses has seen in his 40 years of ministry? Is there a man on earth, pre-Jesus, who has more clearly seen God and his hand of might than Moses? Through the 10 Plagues, the Red Sea, the pillar of fire, Sinai, even the fact that God passed before him! Moses has so clearly seen God’s glory that he glowed with it (Exodus 34:29-35). And yet, when he makes his request of God, he says, “You have only begun to show your servant your greatness and mighty hand.” Wow! What a remarkable statement. Moses was greedy for the glory of God. He wanted to experience it. He didn’t want to enter the Promised Land as a personal victory lap, he wanted to see God’s glory displayed in the final step of the Exodus!

Oh, that we would have this same craving. Oh, that we would ache to see the Glory of God, taking every opportunity to see and savor it. Do you ask the Lord for that? Finally, consider Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 3. What Moses experienced of the glory of God is only a fraction of what we experience in Christ himself, revealed to us, abiding in us, sanctifying us and renewing us. Do you praise him for that? Do not take it for granted!

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The “Isolation Introspection” series started as an opportunity for me to encoruage members of our Bible Study with daily reflections from the M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan during the 2020 “Stay at Home” mandate in Los Angeles. I’ve moved them here so that they can be shared easily, and perhaps benefit others. I hope you enjoy!

In my Bible, Psalm 77 is titled, “In the day of trouble I seek the Lord.” While our collective fear about the coronavirus has faded somewhat, I think we can all agree that the “Day of Trouble” has not passed yet. This Psalm gives us some incredible things to meditate on as we attempt to trust our Lord in this time.

I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted. When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah

Psalm 77:1-3

Notice here that Asaph starts with calling out to the Lord. The Day of Trouble has come and he is focused on crying out to his God for aid. I don’t tend to do this. I tend to spend time trying to “understand the situation.” Have you caught yourself reading the news more than your Bible? Here, Asaph shows us a better way: seek the Lord, all day.

You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak. I consider the days of old, the years long ago. I said, “Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.” Then my spirit made a diligent search: “Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah

Psalm 77:4-9

I don’t know what was troubling Asaph, but he is clearly in a dire situation. How does he respond when he can barely speak? He remembers the goodness of God. He sifts through his memories to remember God’s kindness towards him, and asks himself if he has any reason to assume that God would stop being loving. This is wisdom, this is a good method for dealing with our anxiety: Get your mind filled with God, his goodness, and his character. He will not fail.

Then I said, “I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High.”

Psalm 77:10

This truth—the faithfulness of God—becomes Asaph’s rock. He will appeal to his knowledge of God’s faithfulness when he feels himself slipping into despair and anxiety. He will rest in the knowledge of the holy.

I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

Psalm 77:11-15

And then Asaph does what we ought to do, all the time! He worships. Do you hear it? Do you sense the confidence that is returning to Asaph’s outlook as he begins to recount the works of God? The God who loves him is the God who has worked wonders, who has demonstrated his might. If he can rescue all of Israel, can he rescue one man?

When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled. The clouds poured out water;
the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side. The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook. Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Psalm 77:16-20

The climax of the Psalm moves into the natural world. All of God’s creation is astounded at his glorious might and power. Those things which seem out of control, bent on destruction and raw power—the wind and the waves—they tremble at the sight of Yahweh. He simply walks through the oceans without even leaving a mark. This is the God who lead his people through the storm to safety. And he has never stopped doing so.

Conclusion
What an encouraging Psalm to dwell on. Whether life hasn’t really changed for you over the last three months, or you are facing real hardship and difficulty ahead, you can find hope in these words. If the God of the Bible is your Lord and Savior, he will protect and keep you. You can find peace in the Day of Trouble.

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The “Isolation Introspection” series started as an opportunity for me to encoruage members of our Bible Study with daily reflections from the M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan during the 2020 “Stay at Home” mandate in Los Angeles. I’ve moved them here so that they can be shared easily, and perhaps benefit others. I hope you enjoy!

And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

1 Peter 1:17-19

Do you value the blood of Christ as much as Peter does? Notice the train of thought:

• If you call on God as “Father,” you need to do so recognizing that he “judges impartially” and therefore we should live in reverent fear. This undoes the modern American Christian “God is my daddy” mindset which permits and promotes a flippant, childish view of God as a doting Father who gives whatever we want and avoids discipline unless absolutely necessary. We serve a God who is a “consuming fire”! If we will call him our Father, we must understand the implications.

• This means that we must stop the “futile ways” of our forefathers–because we have a new Father. We cannot do this on our own, and as the realization of the impact of our decision to follow God’s law becomes clear, the command to “be holy, as I am holy” should raise a humble dread in our hearts.

• However, we were ransomed. Here’s the key: the righteous judge has reason to bring us to task for our failure to conform to him, but his Son Jesus has stepped in and provided a ransom payment.

• This ransom is no million-dollar payment in a silver briefcase delivered anonymously. This is the precious blood of the spotless lamb of God. In a callback to the Passover, Peter reminds us that Jesus was the only person who could truly pay this debt.

Thus, our sin required the ultimate cost, and Christ paid it, willingly. Thus, his blood–shed for us–is the most priceless gift that any of us can possibly receive!

So, we need to question ourselves: do we live in light of this precious gift? Do we pursue holiness in light of the fact that we are able to do so because of Jesus? That should create a humble pursuit of holiness out of pure thankfulness for what Christ has done. I pray it does!

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The “Isolation Introspection” series started as an opportunity for me to encoruage members of our Bible Study with daily reflections from the M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan during the 2020 “Stay at Home” mandate in Los Angeles. I’ve moved them here so that they can be shared easily, and perhaps benefit others. I hope you enjoy!

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.

James 5:13

A broken yo-yo stops “coming back up.” It stops returning to the hand which releases it. As Christians, we should never stop returning to God, whether we suffer or find joy and happiness!

I love this verse because it reads like a proverb. Everything we experience must draw us back to the Lord. The Christian heart is tethered to the God of the Universe! Whether we experience great blessing or great trial, we root ourselves to God. We come to him with both our desperation and our delight.

Every element of the Christian life is about our relationship to God. Piper says this:

“[The purpose of the gospel is] seeing and savoring God himself, being changed into the image of his Son so that more and more we delight in and display God’s infinite beauty and worth.”

John Piper, God is the Gospel, 45

The point of the Gospel is to bring us into relationship with God. As we live out that relationship, we must commune with him, both in thankfulness and in our requests for aid. Do you live this way?

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The “Isolation Introspection” series started as an opportunity for me to encoruage members of our Bible Study with daily reflections from the M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan during the 2020 “Stay at Home” mandate in Los Angeles. I’ve moved them here so that they can be shared easily, and perhaps benefit others. I hope you enjoy!

Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.

Psalm 61:1-3

David asks God to hear him, to listen to his request. He’s far from home, at “the end of the earth,” and he’s weary. There’s some sort of burden or struggle he’s engaged in, whether against an enemy (3) or just the weariness of life. But either way, he needs God’s help.

The actual request comes in the middle of verse 2: “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” I see two things worthy of note: first, the “rock” imagery often refers to God in his power and stability (see Psalm 18::1-2 and Psalm 31::1-4). David is looking to God as a that rock which sticks out in the ocean as he drowns in his anxieties; when he clings to it, he can find security, safety, and rest.

But second, David also asks for perspective. Notice that he asks God to take him to the rock “that is higher than I.” David is at one point of reference, but he needs a different vantage point. he needs to see what God sees in the situation he currently finds himself in. So often, our struggles are localized to our own tiny sphere of influence. The wise man or woman has the perspective to see above and beyond their current struggle and find peace.

We need this perspective, so badly, in our day and age. Are you allowing yourself to drown in the situation which God has providently placed you in? As your world changes around you, are you resting in the goodness of God, or are you angrily crying out that “this just isn’t fair”? We need perspective. We need our powerful, all-knowing God to hold our hands and guide us to his vantage point, where we see all things working out for his glorious plans and purposes–including our good (Romans 8::28).

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The “Isolation Introspection” series started as an opportunity for me to encoruage members of our Bible Study with daily reflections from the M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan during the 2020 “Stay at Home” mandate in Los Angeles. I’ve moved them here so that they can be shared easily, and perhaps benefit others. I hope you enjoy!

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

James 3:16-18

The Proverbs tell us so much about the benefits of wisdom. We learn that, for the wise, there will be physical and spiritual blessings commensurate with those who have chosen to fear God (Proverbs 9:10). Here, James tells us another benefit of wisdom: peace, specifically in interpersonal relationships.

It’s helpful to realize that disorder and sin reign where there is jealousy and selfish ambition. When we are diagnosing the problems we see in our relationships, we should be able to draw a direct line to that problem, as it exists. Do you experience chaos in your marriage or in your home? Do you struggle with your coworkers or your friends? Is there a general feeling of disorder in your life? It’s worth checking your heart for selfish ambition and jealousy. These two attributes are self-absorbed. They come from a mind which says either, “What can I get from this situation?” or “What do I deserve in this situation?” I constantly struggle with these desires. It’s very easy to develop a warped sense of justice which causes you to be on the lookout for when you are hurt, taken advantage of, or forgotten by those around you–especially those you love. This doesn’t really correspond with Jesus’ command that we “turn the other cheek” (Matthew 5:38-40).

James tells us that wisdom does the opposite. It seeks peace and is gentle. Are you open to reason? Are you looking for ways to vindicate those around you? When you are taken advantage of, do you believe the best, or assume the worst? That will tell you a lot about the amount of wisdom you are applying to this particular moment. And here’s the catch: wisdom asks the same questions: “What can I get from this situation?” or “What do I deserve in this situation?” However, the wise person understands that the best thing to get is glory for God, and experience of his love through obedience. And the wise person understands that all he or she deserves is the wrath their unrighteousness earns. So, wisdom will result in peacefulness towards others. The wise person sees himself for who he really is, and responds to other accordingly.

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The “Isolation Introspection” series started as an opportunity for me to encoruage members of our Bible Study with daily reflections from the M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan during the 2020 “Stay at Home” mandate in Los Angeles. I’ve moved them here so that they can be shared easily, and perhaps benefit others. I hope you enjoy!

You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Psalm 56:8–11

I love David’s confidence in God’s care for him in this passage. He is hiding out in a foreign land, the land of his enemies the Philistines, who would gladly destroy him if they knew who he was and were given the chance. Can you imagine how frightening that would be?

But David knows that all of his fears and anxieties are noted by God, he bottles up the tears and records them in his book. God knows, and he remembers—just as he did for the Israelites when they cried out to him in Exodus 2:23-25. At some point, David knows that God will act for him and turn his enemies away.

He ends this little stanza with praise for God: he praises God, trusts his Word. God, who is his “LORD,” or Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God of the people of Israel who promises to preserve them. David knows that with his God on his side, he has no reason to fear.

We serve the same God; we praise him and we thank him for his Word. We might not be living in hiding in the land of our enemies, but in our suffering and fear, Yahweh is there and he wants us to put our trust in him, lean on his Word, and wait to see him work—for his glory and our good (Romans 8:28).

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The “Isolation Introspection” series started as an opportunity for me to encoruage members of our Bible Study with daily reflections from the M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan during the 2020 “Stay at Home” mandate in Los Angeles. I’ve moved them here so that they can be shared easily, and perhaps benefit others. I hope you enjoy!

Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Hebrews 12:9–11

Discipline and “fun” don’t really go together. And that’s kind of the point. Discipline is a necessary course correct on the human tendency to pursue fun at all costs. Just ask any 5 year old (or maybe his parents!). Our culture has elevated the pursuit of fun, pleasure, and happiness above all else. Anything that gets in the way of us maximizing our fun needs to be corrected. This is why we are all trying to find jobs that will make us happy every minute of every day (and are depressed by the fact that work is cursed and even the best jobs just have bad days). This is why we maintain the abomination of abortion, so that our “fun” can be unlimited, and without “consequences” (or, in the case of children, blessings).

God disciplines his children out of love. While we humans can discipline in anger, or laziness, or ignorance, God always disciplines out of love and, as the author says here, “that we may share in his holiness.” And we know that it is worth it, because we have seen the result. Men and women who respond well to discipline from their earthly parents often live with wisdom and humility. And all the more for believers who do the same!

Do you seek out discipline? Do you praise its value and worth? Are you willing to ask God to discipline you so that you can be more holy, so that you can eradicate sin in your life and pursue him with fewer burdens? King David certainly saw the value of discipline. As painful as the discipline for his great sin with Bathsheba was, in Psalm 51, he recognizes the importance of the conscience, and our need to listen to it (vs 6), and he promises to grow and learn from the experience, so that he can help others learn and so that he can glorify God (v. 13-17). Discipline is good. The fight is worth it. Let us respond with humility and joy, at the love of our Heavenly Father!

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The “Isolation Introspection” series started as an opportunity for me to encoruage members of our Bible Study with daily reflections from the M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan during the 2020 “Stay at Home” mandate in Los Angeles. I’ve moved them here so that they can be shared easily, and perhaps benefit others. I hope you enjoy!

And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Hebrews 11:39-40

I tend to associate obedience with reward. If I do what I am supposed to do, then whatever is promised, should be received…right? My kids certainly think this way! I did what you asked, what do I get in return?

Faith doesn’t work this way. The author makes that clear here. These Old Testament saints which fill the verses of Hebrews 11 with their bravery, confidence in Yahweh, and steadfast hope in the face of persecution, did not see their reward in their lifetimes. They needed us, these verses say, as in, they needed the fulfillment of the plan of redemption. We, Christians, are the proof that their faith was valid! We are the evidence that God was faithful, is faithful, and will be faithful! But they had to die in faith.

This is the norm for most believers in the history of the world. Very few saw their faith fulfilled in their own lifetimes. Are you prepared for that to be the same for you? I know I struggle with that. But we have their example to remember and look to. Will we follow in their footsteps of faith?

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The “Isolation Introspection” series started as an opportunity for me to encoruage members of our Bible Study with daily reflections from the M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan during the 2020 “Stay at Home” mandate in Los Angeles. I’ve moved them here so that they can be shared easily, and perhaps benefit others. I hope you enjoy!