Pit Pull.

I will praise you, O Lord, for you lifted me up, and did not allow my enemies to gloat over me. (Psalm 30:1)

As we reflect on this first verse of Psalm 30, let's consider what it means for us to be lifted up by God.

The scholars who edited the NET Bible note that the Hebrew verb we translate as "lifted up" is dalah. It is a word that denotes being drawn up out of a well, literally (see Exodus 2:19) or figuratively (see Proverbs 20:5).

The Lord has lifted us up. We were in trouble, but we did not drown.

Some of us have been rescued from destructive situations by the mighty hand of God. Some of us are given revelation of the depth of our own depravity, and we experience God's compassion drawing us out from the world and pulling us ever closer to Him.

The Lord has not allowed our enemies to gloat over us.

When we are rescued, it is not merely for our own comfort. The rescue is a testimony of God's power to save and keep His people. The rescue sends a message to the devil and his agents that God hears and answers the cry of those whose hearts are perfectly turned towards Him. 

O Lord, I will praise You.

In Psalm 30:3, the thought is continued: "O Lord, you pulled me up from Sheol; you rescued me from among those descending into the grave." The Hebrew word we translate as "grave" is bor, which can also be translated as "pit" or "cistern". Whether we are thrown in, or whether we fall in through our own carelessness, the Psalm tells us that God hears and answers the genuine cry for deliverance (Psalm 30:8 and 30:10).

Yes, James, I hear your voice taking up the refrain: "Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praises." (James 5:13)

Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, pull us out. Lord, receive our praise.

When You're Spoken To...

During this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Shane made reference to the ministry of Reverend Eliseus Joseph, who blessed our local church immensely during two separate revival services (held a year apart).

At the heart of Pastor Shane's comment was this testimony: Rev. Joseph has a God-given ability to speak prophetically into the lives of people. Though Rev. Joseph did not know the people he was praying for, he was nonetheless able to share very specific information about each individual, the challenges they were facing, their faith journey, their need for deliverance or encouragement, and so on.

It is a joy to know that God speaks as our Christian walk takes us through sorrows and joys. Psalm 30 reminds us that weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning (see Psalm 30:5). Who is the source of this joy? It is the Spirit of Christ, the Comforter who gently draws us to Himself.

God speaks through His word, inerrant and constant through the ages.
God speaks through His prophets-- men and women called to be His ambassadors.
God speaks through His people, the community of faith.

And as He draws us near, as we hear Him speak, there may be moments where we hear His rebuke. Because He loves us, He will warn us when we are found straying from the fold; He will woo us and guide us back into His protective care. "O Lord, you pulled me up from Sheol; you rescued me from among those descending into the grave." (Psalm 30:3) Sometimes the wooing is through relative strangers, as we experienced with Rev. Joseph. At other times the wooing is through fellow believers whom we know well. At still other times, a loving rebuke may come through our Scripture reading or during our personal devotions with the Lord.

I remember the moment Pastor Shane referred to, and can testify with him. It was indeed two o'clock in the morning when he and others were still receiving ministry from Rev. Joseph. And it was about five o' clock that same morning that I had my turn at hearing God speak: not in church, but at a local diner where I and three ministers went after service ended. What did I hear? The warning of God. What did I feel? The most incredible sense of love; a love that drew me in and made me want to be free. How did I respond? I submitted myself to God and to the leaders He set over me... and after a season, I experienced His grace and deliverance. Thank You, Lord.

God continues to speak, woo, love, rebuke, and deliver.

What do you hear?

What do you feel?

How will you respond?

Blessing Our Building, Two Years In Advance.

Our guest speaker this past Sunday was Shane Burt-Miller, a member of Bronx Bethany and a recent graduate of Eastern Nazarene College. Though Pastor Shane is only in his early twenties, he has done much to advance the kingdom of God in his spheres of influence.

Pastor Shane's message was a reflection on Psalm 30. For today, let's take time to meditate on this psalm.

Incidentally, or perhaps intentionally, this psalm is a harbinger of the dedication of our new building. (Most scholars believe the psalm was written around 1042 B.C., intended either for the dedication of the house of King David or the dedication of Solomon's temple.)

I will praise you, O Lord, for you lifted me up,

and did not allow my enemies to gloat over me.

O Lord my God,

I cried out to you and you healed me.

O Lord, you pulled me up from Sheol;

you rescued me from among those descending into the grave.

Sing to the Lord, you faithful followers of his;

give thanks to his holy name.

For his anger lasts only a brief moment,

and his good favor restores one’s life.

One may experience sorrow during the night,

but joy arrives in the morning.

In my self-confidence I said,

“I will never be upended.”

O Lord, in your good favor you made me secure.

Then you rejected me and I was terrified.

To you, O Lord, I cried out;

I begged the Lord for mercy:

“What profit is there in taking my life,

in my descending into the Pit?

Can the dust of the grave praise you?

Can it declare your loyalty?

Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me!

O Lord, deliver me!”

Then you turned my lament into dancing;

you removed my sackcloth and covered me with joy.

So now my heart will sing to you and not be silent;

O Lord my God, I will always give thanks to you.