THE LORD SPOKE (August 8)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Psalm 25-30

Have you ever just sat and watched a storm roll in, discharge its fury, and then move on through, leaving a clear horizon and a happier earth behind? That’s how David describes the Lord of Glory in this psalm. Look at it more closely:

Ps. 29:3 - the voice of the Lord is over the waters”
= Mediterranean Ocean
Ps. 29:5 - “the voice of the Lord breaks the cedars...of Lebanon”
= central mountains of the Lebanese chain
Ps. 29:8 - “the voice of the Lord shakes the desert”
= the Transjordanian Plateau leading onto the desert

The storm metaphor that David uses is exactly the scene that one would experience in Israel. The prevailing winds along the Levant come off the Mediterranean and drop whatever moisture the clouds carry on the central highlands before moving across the Jordan Rift Valley and dissipating in the Arabian Desert.

The imagery of thunder (Ps. 29:3) and lightning (Ps. 29:7) describe the heavy storms which come in December and January. The mighty power of the storm reminds us of the mightier power of God and “Glory!” escapes our lips (4x - Ps. 29:1,2,3,9). Creation’s awesome voice (thunder) gives audible evidence of the God of glory (Ps. 29:3). Broken cedars (Ps. 29:5) and twisted oaks (Ps. 29:9) give further evidence of His power.

“The voice of the Lord” appears seven times in this brief psalm and it is powerful and majestic (Ps. 29:4). It shakes things up (Ps. 29:5-9) but then produces strength and shalom (Ps. 29:11).

Shalom. It means so much more than just “peace”. Indeed, there is a calm that comes after the storm but biblical shalom includes the calm before the storm and the very storm itself. The fundamental meaning of the Hebrew word is completeness or fullness. It is characterized by calmness and satisfaction. Nothing is missing or out of place. Everything is balanced and harmonious. Whole.

Only God can do that. Sin has broken our world but He “blesses his people with peace/shalom” (Ps. 29:11). It then becomes easy to ascribe glory to His name and worship Him “in the splendor of his holiness” (Ps. 29:2). That is a difficult Hebrew phrase which also appears in Psalm 110:3 where the NIV translates it as “arrayed in holy majesty”. He clothes us in garments of holiness. He restores our soul and He wants to bless us with shalom.

Let this word be on your tongue today.


New Testament: James 3

The only edged tool that gets sharper with use is the tongue. - Washington Irving

James tells us that “no man can tame the tongue” (Jas. 3:8), yet the emphasis of this chapter is that we submit our whole being to God in order that He might give us control over our tongue as well. A salty spring cannot produce fresh water (Jas. 3:11-12) but God is able to change the spring itself at the source.

Like a rudder on a ship, the tongue is capable of setting the direction of our entire life. That’s why the Devil is so very interested in getting control of it. He has come up with a pseudo-wisdom (Jas. 3:15) that is in reality a denial of truth. He brings all the resources of hell to bear on us (Jas. 3:6) and infects us with his deadly poison.

He uses two very effective tools to do this: “bitter envy” and “selfish ambition” (Jas. 3:14,16). These lead to “disorder and every evil practice”. Like a fire it spreads and our tongue has the same effect as gasoline on it. Not only does it spread quickly, it will actually consume our whole being if left unchecked (Jas. 3:6). Our stumbling (Jas. 3:2) then becomes a free fall.

So what’s the answer? How do we access the power of God to affect change? How can the tongue be tamed?

1. Don’t put yourself forward as a teacher (Jas. 3:1). This is the result of selfish ambition and will bring greater judgment upon you. If God has called and gifted you to teach, He will provide the proper timing and opportunities for that to happen within His purposes.
2. Consider well the power of the tongue (Jas. 3:3-6). Like a bit in the mouth of a horse, like a small rudder on a ship, and like the spark that ignites devastating fire, it must come under the control of a greater power and you are not able to do that on your own (Jas. 3:7-8). You must ask for help.
3. Make sure you understand the meaning and implications of being created in “the image of God”. Even unregenerate man is still a bearer of the imago Dei and to curse him is ultimately to curse God (Jas. 3:9).
4. Pursue the wisdom that “comes down from heaven”. It will make you wise and understanding. It is recognized by the humility that it produces and will result in good deeds. It’s the opposite of worldly wisdom which is characterized by bitter envy, selfish ambition, boasting, denial of the truth, disorder, and every evil practice (Jas. 3:14-16).

This kind of relationship with God will produce “a harvest of righteousness”. “The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (Jas. 3:17).

Isn’t that what you desire?