THE LORD SPOKE (August 21)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Psalm 86-89

Love and faithfulness. The combination is found seven times in this psalm (Ps. 89:1,2,14,24,28,33,49). In human experience, the “spark of love” needs faithfulness to sustain it. Only then does the spark become a flame. God’s love and faithfulness are perfectly co-joined. Together, the balance becomes what is sometimes called a “divine perfection”. Take note of how it’s further balanced with God’s righteousness and justice:

RIGHTEOUSNESS and JUSTICE + LOVE and FAITHFULNESS

It’s most clearly seen in God’s covenants (Ps. 89:3,28,33,39) and particularly, in this psalm, His covenant with David. At the time of the writing of this psalm, probably just after Nebuchadnezzar’s attack and destruction of Jerusalem (Ps. 89:38-45), it must have felt like God goofed. It seemed like he had rejected and spurned the whole nation. The “City of David” was broken down and reduced to rubble (Ps. 89:40).

So the psalmist goes back to one sure anchor - God’s covenant with David (Ps. 89:3,28,33,39). II Samuel 7:8-16 is the historical statement of that covenant and, rather boldly, the psalmist tells God to “remember” (Ps. 89:47,50) that “you said” (Ps. 89:3,19) something in the past. The words crescendo to an astounding accusation by Ps. 89:49: “O Lord, where is your former great love which in your faithfulness you swore to David?”

The answer to that question had already been given. It was in the very terms of the covenant and the psalmist had himself just quoted it (Ps. 89:30-37). God’s promise to David is eternal but if his sons failed to follow God’s way they would not receive the promised blessing and security. They sinned and left God’s way so God removed His hand of blessing and the nation fell apart.

Fell apart but didn’t dissolve forever. We are still waiting to see God fulfill His promise to David. But, fulfill it He will! Israel’s failure resulted in our blessing and inclusion in the covenants (see Romans 9-11, especially 11:11-12). But we did not take the place of Israel. God will never forget His covenant with David (Ps. 89:28) which will endure like the very sun and moon (Ps. 89:36-37). David’s greater Son is still God’s “anointed one” (Ps. 89:20,38,51 - Heb. mashiach, Messiah) and...

Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
Does its successive journeys run;
His kingdom spread from shore to shore,
‘Til moons shall wax and wane no more.

God’s love and faithfulness guarantees it!


New Testament: I John 3

Because God has lavished His love upon us (I Jn. 3:1), we are His children and produce the affects of that love on others. It’s a pretty simple concept and one that works.

But what if it doesn’t? What if we don’t love others as we should. The first answer to that is to examine our own life to see if we really are His children for it says, “Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother” (I Jn. 3:10b). The very fact that you’re concerned about such things is probably proof that you have been born again. You are, in fact a child of God. If a struggle with sin or a lack of love continues to plague you, you need to look at the next step.

John tells us twice that one who is born of God cannot go on continually sinning (I Jn. 3:6,9). This is not an assertion of sinless perfection, but it does indicate a pattern. A believer’s life is characterized by a rejection of sin and an increasing growth in righteousness. It will be evidenced in his relationship with others. It will also be reflected in an increasing distance from the world (I Jn. 3:13). While this is the work of God in us, we also have a responsibility in the task. We must be actively involved in purifying ourselves (I Jn. 3:3).

Thirdly, the positive side of that purification process involves demonstrable fruit. It’s not just a purging of sin, it’s also a production of good deeds. We’re told to “not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth” (I Jn. 3:18). Specifically, it says we must use our material possessions to provide for those in need.

This then is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. (I Jn. 3:19-20)

Did you get that? “This is how!” Using your material possessions to bless others is how you flesh out the love God has placed in your own heart.