Category Archives: Psalms

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Hurts Donut

All These Years Later, It Still Hurts

PREVIEW: To be human means to be born in criticism season with a big ol’ bull’s-eye on your back. And the higher in leadership you climb, the greater your visibility, the more you accomplish, the uglier and more painful the criticism becomes. And even worse, it is usually unjustified and indefensible, and too often it’s anonymous. It’s just part of the territory—and it really hurts, don’t it? To be anything and do anything means to invite criticism; it is just one of the harsh and unpleasant realities of life. So, expect folks to criticize you, but like David, so live your life in innocence and integrity that nobody will give your critic much credence — especially not God.

"To be anything and do anything means to invite criticism; it is just one of the harsh and unpleasant realities of life." —Ray Noah

A Journey of Worship // Psalm 26:1-3

Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth.

Have you ever been savagely and unfairly criticized? Sure you have! Hurts, don’t it?

Do you remember that old schoolyard prank??A kid walks up to you and asks, “Hey, ya want a Hurts Donut?”?Thinking you’re about to get a glazed cruller, you say, “Yeah, man, thanks.”? Then he hauls off and slugs you in the arm and says, “Hurts, Donut?” Kind of lame, I know, but still, it hurts, don’t it?

That kind of stuff doesn’t stop just because you become an adult. In fact, it’s a little more devious because now you’re not even asked whether you want that “hurts donut.”

To be human means to be born in criticism season with a big ol’ bull’s-eye on your back. And the higher in leadership you climb, the greater your visibility, the more you accomplish, the uglier and more painful the criticism becomes. And even worse, it is usually unjustified and indefensible, and all too often it’s anonymous. It’s just part of the territory—and it really hurts, don’t it?

Apparently, David was experiencing a “Hurts Donut” when he wrote this psalm.?He was facing some tough criticism, which was bothering him a great deal. And there wasn’t a whole lot he could do about it except take it to God — which is always the best thing to do, by the way — and there lift his innocence and integrity before the only Critic who really counts.

You will notice in this psalm that David doesn’t claim perfection — which is a good thing since he was far from it. If he were that deluded about the true condition of his life, inviting Divine scrutiny (“test me…try me…examine me…” v.2) would have been the worst thing to do at that moment. David was not under the illusion that he was perfect, but he could offer an innocent heart before the Lord; he could point to the integrity of his way and call upon God to vindicate him before his human critics.

To be anything and do anything means to invite criticism; it is just one of the harsh and unpleasant realities of life. So, expect folks to criticize you, but like David, so live your life in innocence and integrity that nobody will give your critic much credence — especially not God.

And the next time the critic is getting the best of you, remember that you answer to the One who knows your heart, and if you can lift a life of innocence and integrity before him, feel free to call out to him for his vindication.

Divine vindication is always the sweetest revenge you can dish out to your critic!

My Offering of Worship: Are you living under the painful barrage of criticism at the moment? I know, it stinks. But why not take it to God? Pour out your complaint to him — he cares, he will use it for your good, and he will forgive you if it is valid or defend you if it is unfair and uncalled for.

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The Sins of My Youth

Unconditional, Unlimited, Undeserved Forgiveness

PREVIEW: David knew better than anyone the benefit of God’s gracious forgiveness. Perhaps no other person in history had his dirtiest, darkest laundry aired in public more than David did. Adulterer, conspirer, manipulator, cold-hearted you-know-what, murderer—that’s what David was! Yet David found in God something that you and I depend on for our very existence, something the non-believing world cannot grasp: Unconditional, unlimited, undeserving forgiveness.

“Here’s what you and I depend on for our daily existence, something the non-believing world cannot grasp:?Unconditional, unlimited, undeserving forgiveness.” —Ray Noah

A Journey of Worship // Psalm 25:7

Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD.

Aren’t you glad that God doesn’t remember the sins of your youth, the indiscretions of yesteryear, your violation of his law—both the letter and the spirit—just yesterday? For that matter, aren’t you glad God doesn’t count the silent sins of heart and mind that only you know of? I sure am. And so was David.

David knew better than anyone the benefit of God’s gracious forgiveness. Perhaps no other person in history had his dirtiest, darkest laundry aired in public more than David did. Adulterer, conspirer, manipulator, cold-hearted you-know-what, murderer—that’s what David was! Yet David found in God something that you and I depend on for our very existence, something the non-believing world cannot grasp: Unconditional, unlimited, undeserving forgiveness.

Of all the Divine benefits David enjoyed in his life, forgiveness was right there at the top of the list. In that eloquent poetic listing of the blessings of belonging, Psalm 103, forgiveness was the very first one he mentioned:

Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-
who forgives all your sins… (Psalm 103:1-3)

David went on to describe the scope of God’s forgiveness in verses 9-14:

He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

How does God forgive? According to those verses, in grace and mercy, God forgives all of our sins. He doesn’t give us what we deserve — punishment — and he gives us what we don’t deserve — forgiveness. How does he forgive us?

Completely — as far as the East is from the West, he removes the stain and guilt of our sin. The last time I looked, that was a long way away!

Compassionately — not grudgingly, but out of a father’s heart, overflowing with love for a wayward child.

Perhaps that’s why David could write so many beautiful songs about the goodness of God. He, more than anyone, understood the benefits and blessings of being forgiven.

Perhaps it would do you some good to stop and consider for a moment the benefits and blessings of the gracious, undeserving, unlimited forgiveness that God has extended to you. Maybe, like David, as you realize how much you have been covered by his grace and mercy, you too, will exclaim, “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.” (Psalm 32:1)

My Offering of Worship: Find time today to get alone with God and thank him for his gracious, undeserving, unlimited forgiveness.

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An Issue of Godship

The Critical Question: Who Will Rule

PREVIEW: The problem is, from the beginning of mankind’s history, the human race has tried to reverse the immutable laws that the unchanging God has eternally established. We have done our dead-level best to create God in our image. We have usurped his rightful place. We live as if we were God. That is what ails the world, isn’t it? It’s an issue of godship — who is going to rule. Every sin, every war, every crime, every calamity, and every sad story of a broken home can be traced back to the wrong choice in the decision of godship. We have consistently put ourselves on the throne in place of the One who rightfully owns it all. But truly wise people have settled the issue of godship once and for all — and hopefully, that includes you!

“The issue of godship — who is going to rule — is what ails the world: every sin, every war, every crime, every calamity, every broken home, everything that has ever gone wrong.” —Ray Noah

A Journey of Worship // Psalm 24:1

The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.

God owns it all—the entire earth and all it contains, which means you and me. So that reality has huge implications for us, and for every other human being who has ever lived, lives now, and will live in the future. What are those implications? Consider this:

  1. God has the right of rulership over everything, including our lives.
  2. God determines the ways this world must operate, both physical laws as well as the moral code, and even the way we are obliged to live our lives.
  3. We cannot approach Go on our terms; we must bend to his terms.
  4. God doesn’t yield to us; we are to yield to him.

Why? He created it all, therefore, he owns it all. The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it—and that includes every man, woman, boy, and girl!

The problem is, from the beginning of mankind’s history, the human race has tried to reverse the immutable laws that the unchanging God has eternally established. We have done our dead-level best to create God in our image. We have usurped his rightful place. We live as if we were God.

That is what ails the world, isn’t it? It’s an issue of godship — who is going to rule. Every sin, every war, every crime, every calamity, and every sad story of a broken home can be traced back to the wrong choice in the decision of godship. We have consistently put ourselves on the throne in place of the One who rightfully owns it all.

And of course, what is true of humankind in general is true of our lives individually, including your life and mine. Our biggest issue, bar none, is godship: who will sit as Master and Commander of our moment-by-moment lives?

Truly wise people have settled that issue once and for all. They understand that God owns it all, and they are simply managing what he has given them in a way that will bring honor to the Owner. When we get that right in the big and small, seen and unseen moments of life, everything else will fall into place.

The most important question that you will be asked today — the most important question you will need to resolve in life — is this: Who is ruling your life — you or God?

I am not talking about that to which you verbally assent or what you believe in your heart. I am speaking about what is evident in the way you think, plan, talk, react to circumstances, respond to people, spend your money, use your time, and whatever else you do in each of the 86,400 seconds that tick off the clock in each of the days the Creator has graciously provided for you.

The greatest thing you can do with your life is to respond to your Creator’s desire to take his rightful place as your God. And what unspeakable and glorious joy for those who do!

My Offering of Worship: By the evidence in the way you think, plan, talk, react to circumstances, respond to people, spend your money, use your time, and whatever else you do in each of the 86,400 seconds that tick off the clock in each of the days the Creator has graciously provided for you, who rules your life? After you honestly answer that question, it might be a good time to re-surrender your life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

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He’s All I Need

The Lord Is My Shepherd, and That’s All I Want

PREVIEW: The Twenty-Third Psalm is, universally, the most well-known and loved psalm out of all 150 of these amazing compositions. It has encouraged, guided, and comforted believers for hundreds of years before Christ and after Christ, even to the present day. What an amazing, simple yet profound, divinely inspire song this is. When you truly, deeply grasp the beauty, kindness, and care of God, the Great Shepherd, you will realize that he is not only all you need, but he also becomes all you want.

“When you not only know the Shepherd’s Psalm, but the Shepherd, himself, you will not only have all you need, you will find that he is all you’ve ever really wanted.” —Ray Noah

A Journey of Worship // Psalm 23:1

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

The Twenty-Third Psalm is universally, the most well-known and loved psalm out of all 150 of these amazing compositions. It has encouraged, guided, and comforted believers for hundreds of years before Christ and after Christ, even to the present day. What an amazing, simple yet profound, divinely inspired song this is.

I’m not sure any commentator on this psalm can do it justice; to add anything more inspirational to what is already there. In the devotional to follow, I will simply offer this reading of the Shepherd’s Psalm using the King James translation that I came across years ago. I am not sure where it came from, but I suspect you will be blessed by it as I was.

The Lord is my Shepherd—That’s Relationship!

I shall not want—That’s Supply!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures—That’s Rest!

He leadeth me beside the still waters—That’s Refreshment!

He restoreth my soul—That’s Healing!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness—That’s Guidance!

For His name sake—That’s Purpose!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death—That’s Testing!

I will fear no evil—That’s Protection!

For Thou art with me—That’s Faithfulness!

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me—That’s Discipline!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies—That’s Hope!

Thou anointest my head with oil—That’s Consecration!

My cup runneth over—That’s Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life—That’s Blessing!

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord—That’s Security!

Forever—That’s Eternity!

And that about covers it all. The Lord is my shepherd, and that’s all I want!

My Offering of Worship: Each day this week, read Psalm 23 when you awaken in the morning and when you go to be at night. And remember, the Lord is your shepherd.

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The Beauty Of A Really Rotten Day

Jesus Paid It All

PREVIEW: When David cried out, “My God, why have you forsaken me?” he was not just speaking on a personal level about having a rotten day. He was also speaking prophetically of a time when Jesus, the Son of David, would have a really rotten day hanging on a cross as God’s sacrifice for our sins. And even if David may have exaggerated his feelings a bit, our Lord’s words would be no exaggeration when he cried out, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ Jesus endured that really bad day on the cross so you wouldn’t have to. So, the next time you’re having a really awful day, take a moment to rejoice that even though your day is not so great, you will never have to know a really rotten eternity, thanks to Jesus.

“The next time you’re having a really awful day, take a moment to rejoice that even though your day is not so great, you’ll never really know a really rotten eternity, thanks to Jesus.” —Ray Noah

A Journey of Worship // Psalm 22:1-3,22

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief. Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel…. I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people.

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

David — the shepherd boy, the captain of Saul’s army, military hero of the nation, king over all Israel — no matter what season of life he was in, had more than a few really rotten days during his journey on earth. At times, hiding from Saul in a cave, or fleeing from his own son’s murderous plot, or betrayed by people he had trusted, life was tough for David, sometimes depressingly so. What led him to compose this plaintive psalm? We don’t know for sure, but I have a feeling that the depth of despair in this psalm was a bit exaggerated. I mean, really, did he really believe that God had forsaken him?

Whether exaggerated or not, Davide felt that way at the moment of writing Psalm 22. We do that, too, sometimes. When we’re going through a painful experience, we often use hyperbolic language to describe our emotions: “I just want to die…I’ll never get over this…this pain is too great to bear…I am all alone.” It is a universally accepted practice to communicate the depth of our feelings through this sort of exaggeration.

But think about this: David was not just speaking on a personal level about having a really rotten day. He was also speaking prophetically of a time when Jesus, the Son of David, would have a really rotten day hanging on a cross as God’s sacrifice for our sins. And our Lord’s words would be no exaggeration.

Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin for us, bearing the wrath of God on that old rugged cross. We will never in a billion years be able to understand the pain — not just the physical pain, but the spiritual pain of the sinless One taking on sin, and having the Father turn his back on the Son because his holy eyes could not gaze upon the sin his Son had become in that moment. That’s why Jesus fulfilled David’s prophetic utterance in Matthew 27:46 when he, too, cried out,

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

I am so grateful that my Lord endured that really bad day so I wouldn’t have to. So, the next time you are having a really awful day, take a moment to rejoice that even though your day is not so great, you will never really know a really rotten eternity, thanks to Jesus.

Try doing that and see if your really rotten day isn’t so bad after all.

My Offering of Worship: Take some time today to reflect on the pain and shame of the cross Jesus experienced for you, then express your gratitude for such wondrous love that led the sinless one to become your sin so you wouldn’t have to spend one rotten day in hell.

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Finding the Sweet Spot

Until You Do, Trust

PREVIEW: Much of King David’s life was categorized by going without knowing — he journeyed hundreds of dangerous and depleting episodes in his life with not much more than simple trust and gritty obedience. From this side of history, we tend to romanticize his life as one victory after another with only an occasional challenge. Not the case! David’s life was every bit as challenging as yours and mine — arguably more. But the secret of David’s amazingly blessed life was simply that he put one footstep of faith in front of the other until he hit “pay-dirt.” Through defeats, dangers, and disasters, he gritted out a long obedience in the same direction, and sooner or later, hallelujah, he hit the sweet spot. Yes, the secret to David’s experience of every desire fulfilled and every request granted was his ruthless trust in God: “For the king trusts in the Lord.” (Psalm 21:7) Make ruthless trust in God the secret of your life as well.

petros network The walk of faith requires obedience — going without knowing, yet trusting in the goodness of a God who does all things well.—Ray Noah

A Journey of Worship // Psalm 21:2

How the king rejoices in your strength, O Lord! He shouts with joy because you give him victory. For you have given him his heart’s desire; you have withheld nothing he requested.

There are some days, even entire seasons of life, when we find ourselves in the sweet spot of God’s will. Everything simply falls into place. The other shoe never drops. “Stuff” never happens. Rather, blessing after blessing makes for one big fat fantastic experience.

We long for days like that, and sometimes, we get them. At other times, we must simply walk in faith and obedience — going without knowing yet trusting in the goodness of a God who “does all things well” and has promised to give us the desires of our heart.

In reality, much of David’s life was categorized by going without knowing — he journeyed hundreds of dangerous and depleting episodes in his life with not much more than simple trust and gritty obedience. From this side of history, we tend to romanticize David’s life as one victory after another with only an occasional challenge. Not the case! David’s life was every bit as challenging as yours and mine — arguably more.

But the secret of David’s amazing life was simply that he put one footstep of faith in front of the other until he hit “pay-dirt.” Through defeats, dangers, and disasters, he gritted out a long obedience in the same direction, and sooner or later, hallelujah, he hit the sweet spot. Yes, the secret to David’s experience of every desire fulfilled and every request granted was his ruthless trust in God. Psalm 21:7 says,

“For the king trusts in the Lord. The unfailing love of the Most High will keep him from stumbling.”

Your hope and mine on this day is that it will include that sweet spot of God’s will — pay-dirt! Who knows if that will be the case? But the thing we do know is that our duty today is to take one footstep of faith at a time and leave the “when,” “where,” and “how” of the sweet spot up to God. Like David, our best option and our highest duty is to ruthlessly truth in the goodness of God.

My Offering of Worship: In your time of personalizing this psalm today, I would encourage you to prayerfully and worshipfully listen to Matt Redman’s song, Blessed Be Your Name. You can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTpTQ4kBLxA

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In God We Trust!

Let the Broken-Down Chariots Along Life’s Highway Be a Reminder

PREVIEW: You would think by now we’d know how foolish it is to trust in anyone but the Lord for our safety and security. That is not to say that we shouldn’t lock our doors at night, put our money on deposit with the banks, expect our leaders to provide a strong national defense, think through long-term investment strategies that will help us in our retirement years, and so on. There is nothing wrong with that! In fact, the Bible calls us “prudent” when we think in those terms. But our first and fundamental trust needs to be in the Lord. He is our source. He is our provider. He is our protector. He is our future. In fact, he is our very life! And every once in a while, look at all the broken-down chariots that litter life’s highway as a reminder that trusting in the name of the Lord is better.

In God We Trust

A Journey of Worship // Psalm 20:7

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

You would think by now we’d know how foolish it is to trust in anyone but the Lord for our safety and security. That is not to say that we shouldn’t lock our doors at night, put our money on deposit with the banks, expect our leaders to provide a strong national defense, think through long-term investment strategies that will help us in our retirement years, and so on.

There is nothing wrong with that! In fact, the Bible calls us “prudent” when we think in those terms. But our first and fundamental trust needs to be in the Lord. He is our source. He is our provider. He is our protector. He is our future. In fact, he is our very life! Listen to how Moses says it in Deuteronomy 30:20,

“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

So it should come as no surprise that when our primary trust for that which will bring us peace, joy, and comfort begins to drift from God to human beings and man-made institutions, we are on the road to disappointment, probably sooner but for sure, later. Just ask anyone who has lost a boatload of money in the sinking economy or who has lost what they believed to be a close friend over some issue how quickly their trust in an institution or a person failed.

Here’s the deal: Be wise, work hard, and do the things that will provide for both short and long-term safety and security; work hard to develop trusted and inseparable relationships, but make the Lord your God the primary and ongoing source of your wellbeing. Rather than trusting in chariots and horses, look at the coin in your pocket and do what it says: In God We Trust.

How can you do that? I think prayer is one of the best ways. Each and every single day, come before God and acknowledge your dependence on his provision. Before every meal, return thanks for his goodness. When you lay your head down on the pillow, review your day and ask yourself if you have honored God in everything you have thought, said, and done. At every decision, ask him for guidance.

Make God the critical part of your moment-by-moment life, keep him as the senior partner in every decision, and once in a while, look at all the broken-down chariots that litter life’s highway as a reminder that trusting in the name of the Lord is better.

My Offering of Worship: Read through Psalm 20 today to remind yourself that putting your trust in God rather than anything else will never disappoint.