SUNDAY PSALMS PART 16 OF 48 - PSALM 65:4

Friendship Baptist Church, Indianapolis. Church marquee reads, "The church is a hospital for sinners, not a social club for the saints."

Blessed is the man You choose
And cause to approach You,
    That he may dwell in Your courts.
We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your House,
    Of Your holy temple.
                    Psalm 65:4, New King James Version.

Are you aware that God chose us? And isn't that wonderful? One of my favorite contemporary songs is Toni LaShaun's "You Chose Me." And don't forget that Jesus told His disciples, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you." (John 15:16a)

Of course, that opens a can of worms. Are we saved because we believed in Christ, or are we saved because God predestined us before time began? The Scripture says we're predestined, but is it election to salvation or is it election based on His foreknowledge to service? (The choosing in John 15:16 sounds like its being chosen for a specific task.) 

Important point: There. Are. True. Believers. On. Both. Sides. Of. The. Debate. Got that? It's a family squabble; neither Calvinism nor Arminianism are false teachings. I stated the Bible teaches we're predestined; there's portions that say we have choices to make. Both are true.

However, let's get off this rabbit trail and return to the voice. We should consider it a blessing God chose us. We should be thankful that God gives us the ability to approach Him and dwell with Him; that ability is not of the flesh. (Romans 7:18 applies to that.)

Psalm 65:4 talks about the man God chooses, but if you read the full verse, you'll see God has a houseful. The final part is in the plural. To paraphrase that comment, we're not just chosen to be in fellowship with God, but also chosen to be in fellowship with his other saints, that is, the Church (both local and universal).

This relates to the quote that's on the marquee of the church pictured above. "The church is a hospital for sinners, not a social club for the saints." How many of you, if you have a heart attack, will walk over to the hospital and fill out your registration and then walk down the hall with the nurse to your room? No, you need someone to call 911 for the ambulance and let others take care of you, without you doing anything. That's what salvation and the church are. It's where God takes you so He can provide the care you need. 

Again, isn't it great God chose us?

  

 

 

SUNDAY PSALMS PART 2 OF 48 - PSALM 4

 

Dogwood Park, Cookeville, TN

1   Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
    You have relieved me in my distress;
    Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.
2  How long, O you sons of men, Will you turn my glory to shame?
    How long will you love worthlessness And seek falsehood?

Selah

3  But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly;
    The Lord will hear when I call to Him.
4  Be angry, and do not sin.
    Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.

Selah

5  Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
    And put your trust in the Lord.
6  There are many who say, "Who will show us any good?"
    Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.
7  You have put gladness in my heart,
    More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.
8  I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
    For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:1-8, NKJV

Allow me to start with verse 2. Doesn't that sound like today? Don't people today love worthlessness and seek falsehood? I'll be honest - I'd rather listen to the news that's biased for my point of view than the news that's biased against it, admitting I may not always like hearing the truth. 

Verse 3 is an encouragement... that is, if I'm endeavoring to live a godly life. It brings joy to me to know that God has a purpose for me. It humbles me that God would choose me. (Especially for a person who, when they're choosing players for their sports team, can figure out which team I'm going to be on by figuring who gets the last pick. And the reality, God has no reason to be more impressed with me than my peers were with my athletic abilities (or lack thereof).

You're probably familiar with verse 4, "Be angry and do not sin," which is quoted by Paul in Ephesians 4:26. You note it doesn't say anger is a sin? There are times we will be angry - we're wired that way. But what do we do about that anger? We do need to remember James 1:20 - that the wrath of man will not accomplish the purposes of God.  

There are times I relate to verse 6: "There are many who say, 'Who will show us any good?'" There are times I get discouraged, and at points it's where I am not sure things will ever get better. But I need to realize that God is in control of all things.