We have a lot of fools living in the world today. Psalm 14 starts by declaring the definition of a fool. Making the claim to know that the Creator of the Universe does not exist would mean the person making the statement would have to have all knowledge, be everywhere simultaneously, and have existed forever. It sounds like they would have to be God. Logical contradiction! And even with all the ignorance the LORD still seeks us. People who claim that there is no God, really do nothing for others. How many “atheist” soup kitchens do you have in your town? Just something to think about.
Learning and remembering the history of the LORD’s interventions in history can build our faith. Psalm 44 outlines the Israel’s history of rebellion and of the LORD’s rebuke. We must be careful that we don’t follow their path. Feeling like you are a sheep ready for slaughter is not a good feeling. The clock ticking toward judgment hour. Tick, tick, tick. HELP, LORD!
The psalmist reminds the LORD of His history in hopes that He will again intervene in their lives. He reminds the LORD of the damage done to HIS reputation as a result of Jerusalem’s destruction (Ps 74:18). He is desperate for the LORD’s intervention. At the end of the psalm he lists the things that might be negatively affected if the LORD does not intervene. It’s as if the psalmist is say, “Hey, LORD, if you don’t act your Name will be mud.” Do we ever do things that throw mud in God’s direction? If you have, now is the time to repent.
Psalm 104 begins with a lesson in hydrology, a lesson that shows the LORD’s signature on everything. The whole of creation is a canvas upon which the LORD has signed His Name. Everywhere we look we can see His ink, if we are open to seeing it. But unless the Spirit opens our eyes, we really can’t see it. And if we do, we must dismiss it rapidly because acknowledging the ink would require us to acknowledge Him and His claim on our lives. Verse 29-30 give insight into life and death, when it starts and stops.
The act of lifting our hands in worship is an ancient one (Ps134:2). We use our hands for so many things, special motions (the wave) at sporting events, celebratory “high fives”, the good bye wave, the “I see you over there” wave, and so many others. Why are we so hesitant to raise our hands to the One who created and redeemed us?
The Arnold Journey 