Van Neste on "The Psalms as an Entryway to the Scriptures"

If you weren't able to make it to the Ryan Center Conference at Union University back in April, I encourage you to listen to Ray Van Neste's excellent theme interpretation on "Read, Pray, Sing: The Psalms as an Entryway to the Scriptures."

The audio can be found here.

And check out the book on the Psalms edited by Van Neste and Richard Wells, Forgotten Songs: Reclaiming the Psalms for Christian Worship, which can be found here.

Meditating on Mercies Multiplied

Psalm 16, from the 1912 Psalter

When in the night I meditate
On mercies multiplied,
My grateful heart inspire my tongue
To bless the LORD, my guide.

Forever in my thought the LORD
Before my face shall stand;
Secure, unmoved, I shall remain,
With Him at my right hand.

My inmost being thrills with joy
And gladness fills my breast;
Because on Him my trust is stayed,
My flesh in hope shall rest.

I know that I shall not be left
Forgotten in the grave,
That from corruption, Thou, O LORD,
Thy holy one wilt save.

The path of life Thou showest me;
Of joy a boundless store
Is ever found at Thy right hand,
And pleasures evermore.

Can the Humble Be Confident?

Yes, humility can be coupled with confidence if the confidence is in the Lord. Consider the contrast between the first line in Psalm 40:17 and the second. The first is a confession of such humility that it sounds as if the psalmist is defeated, but the second line is an expression of such comfort and hope that it grants him complete confidence in the Lord.

As for me, I am poor and needy,
but the Lord takes thought for me. (Psalm 40:17)

Poor and needy we may be, but it should be enough for us to know that the Lord takes thought for us. What could give us greater confidence and assurance than that?

The Consoling, Heart-Cheering Word of God

"When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul." (Psalm 94:19)

Waiting Is Not Passive

"Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!" (Psalm 27:14)

Waiting on the Lord requires strength and courage. It's not a passive activity.

A Lifting Up for the Downcast

"The LORD upholds all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down." (Psalm 145:14)

When you're falling, it's fearful and harmful because no one is there to catch you. But the LORD upholds all who are falling.

When you're bowed down, it's difficult to get up on your own. But the LORD raises up all who are bowed down.

Don't be ashamed of falling or being bowed down. You're in the perfect place for the Lord to uphold you and in the perfect posture for the Lord to raise you up.

Ray Ortlund on Gospel Militancy

Ray Ortlund had a great post yesterday on Gospel Militancy, explaining how the gospel of loving one's enemy fits with the biblical sentiment accompanied by verses such as Psalm 139:21, "Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD? Do I not loathe those who rise up against you?" Here are the six explanations he gave.

One, gospel militancy is not personally spiteful.

Two, gospel militancy recognizes that Christ has real enemies.

Three, gospel militancy is (1) required by love for Christ and (2) compatible with love for his enemies.

Four, gospel militancy includes self-criticism.

Five, gospel militancy accepts suffering.

Six, gospel militancy is sustained by quiet confidence in the final triumph of Christ.

Click here to read the entire post (and see his elaboration of each point).