Hallelujah Archives - Gracefully Truthful

Worship VII Day 5 Lower Still

October 30, 2020 by Melodye Reeves 1 Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Isaiah 53:2-3
Matthew 11:28-30
John 13:12-16
Philippians 2:5-8
Hebrews 2:14-18

Worship VII, Day 5

For years, I stood in church services and wrestled with my conscience.

Am I singing lyrics I sincerely believe?
Are my motives sincere?

Oh, what grace I have discovered as I sought the Lord with these concerns!

In our songs as believers, we address three audiences: ourselves, others, and God.
Sometimes, we are reminding our own souls of Who God is. (Psalm 103:1-2)
Other times, we join in song with, and to, each other as we sing truth. (Ephesians 5:18-21)
Most importantly, we lift our spirits and songs directly to God in awestruck wonder. (Psalm 92:1-4)

Though we may not always “feel” the words, God takes our imperfect praise and uses it to reveal Himself to us.

As I considered the lyrics to Lower Still, my heart could barely contain my angst mixed with glorious praise.

“Look, He’s covered in dirt
The blood of His mother has mixed with the Earth
And she’s just a child who’s throbbing in pain
From the terror of birth by the light of a cave
Now they’ve laid that small baby
Where creatures come eat
Like a meal for the swine who have no clue that He
Is still holding together the world that they see
They don’t know just how low He has to go
Lower still”

The sight of a young mother laying her newborn child in a feeding trough intended for the animal’ food is likely unimaginable to us. The irony of the humble surroundings of Christ’s birth is much more significant when we understand this baby was God in the flesh.

The child’s mother, Mary, submitted to her God (Luke 1:46-49), despite her limited understanding. Did Mary realize her son’s humble beginning would set the trend of His life? That Jesus would become her Savior?

Just as obediently, the omniscient Son of God, humbled Himself and came to earth in human form (Hebrews 2:14-18), knowingly embracing a sacrificial life on the dusty planet He’d created. How do we comprehend a Father sending His Son to the agonies of earth and leaving the glories of Heaven? For, as we follow Jesus’ story, we learn He would go even lower than a feeding trough.

“Look now He’s kneeling He’s washin’ their feet
Though they’re all filthy fishermen, traitors and thieves
Now He’s pouring His heart out and they’re fallin’ asleep
But He has to go lower still”

Unable to grasp this level of humility, Simon Peter initially refused Jesus’ invitation to wash his feet. (John 13:6-8) He didn’t realize Jesus was demonstrating why He had come.

Although we don’t know much about Jesus’ life between His boyhood and His manhood, the apostle Paul wrote to the believers at Philippi, describing Jesus’ heart. It would be difficult to find a better example of Jesus’ humble depths than Paul’s words in Philippians 2.

God in Jesus “emptied Himself.” That’s low!
He took upon Himself “the likeness of humanity.” That’s lower!
In this human condition, Christ humbled Himself “to the point of death — even death on a cross.” Lower still.

Commentators help us imagine why the apostles would have been gripped by death on a cross, in comparing it to the barbaric way many Jews died during the Nazi regime. Stripped of their belongings, clothing, and dignity, millions were led to gas chambers to die an agonizing death. Crucifixion was THIS kind of death. And Jesus went willingly. Author and pastor, Trevin Wax, explained, “The Creator was slain by His creation. The Shepherd was slain by His sheep. The Creator of life submitted to death.”

Even lower He went.

“There is greater love to show
Hands to the plow
Further down now
Blood must flow

All these steps are personal
All His shame is ransom
Oh do you see, do you see just how low, he has come
Do you see it now?
No one takes from him
What he freely gives away
Beat in his face
Tear the skin off his back
Lower still, lower still
Strip off his clothes
Make him crawl through the streets
Lower still, lower still
Hang him like meat
On a criminal’s tree
Lower still, lower still
Bury his corpse in the Earth
Like a seed, like a seed, like a seed
Lower still, lower still

Lower still, lower still…”

But God! (Romans 5:6-8)
Christ was lowered into a borrowed tomb, then rose out of it
that we may be lowered and raised with Him!
Christ went low so our songs could rise:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

“The Earth explodes
She cannot hold Him!
And all therein is placed beneath Him
And death itself no longer reigns
It cannot keep the ones He gave himself to save
And as the universe shatters the darkness dissolves
He alone will be honored
We will bathe in His splendor
As all heads bow lower still
All heads bow lower still.”

Paul reminds us Christ died and returned to life. And one day every knee will bow lower still to the risen and reigning Christ. (Romans 14:9-11) May we choose now to fall honestly and humbly at the feet of Jesus, to bow our heads and hearts lower still, and discover His glorious grace.

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Blessed Day 15 Celebrate In Persecution

July 31, 2020 by Mandy Farmer Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

John 15:18-19
Acts 4:29-31
2 Corinthians 4:7-18
Philippians 1:12-14
Romans 5:3-5

Blessed, Day 15

In the 1950s, a young missionary pilot had a passion for the Huaorani tribe in Ecuador. This tribe was suspicious of, and known to kill, all outsiders. But Jim Elliot felt called to reach them and share the Gospel. Step by step, he made inroads to reach the tribe.

Finally, he and his team built a camp not far from the Huaorani people. They made contact and even took one of the tribespeople for a plane ride. Later, a larger group of tribesmen came to the base expressing interest in the plane, instead, they turned and killed all five missionary men.

Jim’s wife, Elizabeth, and the other widows continued the work to reach the Huaorani people, despite the great danger they faced. She persisted in the belief that, as her husband was often quoted to say,

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep
to gain that which he cannot lose.”

Eventually, the women reached the entire Huaorani tribe for Christ, including those who had killed Jim and the others.

The Elliots experienced what Jesus promised would be true for all believers in this world, we will be hated and even killed (John 15:18-19, Matthew 10:22). The world rejected Jesus and attempted to end His work; we are to expect the same. So rather than being surprised and caught off-guard when we face persecution, let’s prepare ourselves so we can endure to the end.

The apostles certainly experienced persecution! But they persevered to spread the Good News. They prayed for each other, not to be removed from trouble, but to seek boldness to continue speaking the Word of God and performing miracles. As they prayed for endurance, “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God boldly.” (Acts 4:31)

In my own life, there have been many trials and tribulations, and my ministry team has encountered persecution. But this opposition has drawn us even closer to God! We were made stronger in our faith and able to encourage others. Looking to Jesus kept us from becoming distressed and gave us boldness in ministry.

This boldness in kingdom work comes from equipping ourselves with the armor of God. Each piece of armor, fueled by the Spirit of God, adds strength and courage to our fight. As we don our armor daily, we are prepared for battle.

Paul wrote of his many trials in his epistles:

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; we are persecuted, but not abandoned; we are struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be displayed in our bodies.”
(2 Corinthians 4:8-10)

Rather than complaining about his poor treatment, Paul praised God in his suffering because it advanced the Gospel. (Philippians 1:12-14)

Yes! Because he was sent to prison, he testified not only to prison guards, but to the great leaders of the day. He would not have been allowed in their presence except to stand trial. In presenting his defense, he shared the Gospel with judges and counsels and great men, such as King Agrippa (Acts 26:1-32); Paul was even prepared to testify before Nero, who was Caesar at the time (Acts 27:4).

Paul, and other saints of old, surely experienced fear as they faced persecution and declared the Gospel to hostile leaders. Similarly, we are still human and may become fearful when confronted with opposition to the Good News. But, just as the prayers of fellow believers gave Paul courage to boldly speak the Word of God, we too can be strengthened and encouraged through prayer (Philipians 4:6-7).

We can even rejoice, not only because the Gospel is being spread, but also because of the transformation within our own spirits. As Paul explains,

“We also rejoice in our afflictions,
because we know that affliction produces endurance,
endurance produces proven character,
and proven character produces hope.
This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5)

Paul’s words encourage us even today! We can rejoice because our suffering produces character and hope within us. Hallelujah! God’s love is poured out into our hearts and we are able to share His Gospel Story.

Finally, the Bible promises reward to those who persevere through trials: the crown of life!

“Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)

Therefore, sisters, let’s endure persecution covered in the armor of God and shrouded in prayer; let’s rejoice in our suffering, ever keeping our eyes fixed on the promises of God to further the kingdom, transform our character, and bless us with the crown of life!

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Hallel Day 14 Love That Frees: Digging Deeper

April 16, 2020 by Rachel Jones Leave a Comment

Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Love That Frees!

The Questions

1) How does the Lord help when I am being pushed hard and the enemy tries to make me fall?

2) How can the Lord be my strength and my song?

3) What does it mean that the Lord’s right hand performs valiantly?

Psalm 118:1-16

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his faithful love endures forever.
2 Let Israel say,
“His faithful love endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say,
“His faithful love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the Lord say,
“His faithful love endures forever.”

5 I called to the Lord in distress;
the Lord answered me
and put me in a spacious place.
6 The Lord is for me; I will not be afraid.
What can a mere mortal do to me?
7 The Lord is my helper,
Therefore, I will look in triumph on those who hate me.

8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in humanity.
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in nobles.

10 All the nations surrounded me;
in the name of the Lord I destroyed them.
11 They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me;
in the name of the Lord I destroyed them.
12 They surrounded me like bees;
they were extinguished like a fire among thorns;
in the name of the Lord I destroyed them.
13 They pushed me hard to make me fall,
but the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.

15 There are shouts of joy and victory
in the tents of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand performs valiantly!
16 The Lord’s right hand is raised.
The Lord’s right hand performs valiantly!”

Original Intent

1) How does the Lord help when I am being pushed hard and the enemy tries to make me fall?
In Psalm 118, David recounts the ways his enemies have tried to harm him and how the Lord has delivered him each time. In Psalm 118:13, David declares, “They pushed me hard to make me fall, but the Lord helped me.” Author John Gill explains how David could be referencing Saul, who tried to kill David many times. He also points out that the reference describes Christ and “His many enemies.” One such enemy of Christ was Judas, who lifted up his heel against Him, and betrayed Him into the hands of His enemies; or how the devil thrust sore at Christ by Herod in His infancy, who sought to take away His life; and by the Scribes and Pharisees, who attempted it in different ways, and finally got Him nailed to the cross.” Others also see Psalm 118 as a Messianic chapter, noting that “When Jesus quoted Psalm 118, He was referring to Himself, just as He spoke of other passages in the same psalm as applying to Himself” (Jewsforjesus.com.) God shows himself as David’s Savior, helping him escape his enemies. Similarly, Psalm 118 foreshadows the coming Messiah, who will deliver everyone from their difficulties and sins.

2) How can the Lord be my strength and my song?
Psalm 118 is a Hallel, or hallelujah praise, traditionally recited at Passover. All four Gospels record that as Jesus entered Jerusalem in the days leading up to Passover, crowds gathered, acclaiming Jesus as the one “who comes in the name of the Lord.” (Jewsforjesus.com) As author G. Campbell Morgan explains, we are not sure of the author of Psalm 118. Morgan surmises, “though this was likely David’s psalm, it was also Jesus’ psalm.” This is pre-eminently the triumph song of the Christ, He the ideal Servant, He the perfect Priest, He the Leader of the people. How much all these words meant to Him as He sang them on that night in the upper room.” Author Alexander Maclaren also cites that this psalm is about the Messiah. He writes that, “Quoting Miriam’s song (Exodus 15:2), the singer knew not only that God could bring strength and a song, but that Yahweh Himself became their strength and the song of those who put their trust in Him. Going even further, the palmist understood that Yahweh had become his salvation. Yahweh is these things for His people.” If we put our trust in God, He becomes our strength and our song; He is our salvation.

3) What does it mean that the Lord’s right hand performs valiantly?
In Psalm 118:15-16, the phrase “the Lord’s right hand performs valiantly” is repeated twice. According to Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, the word “hand” “represents the ownership, power, or control that its possessor (either an individual or a people) exercises.” It goes on to say that in particular the right hand of God is “understood as a place of salvation, refuge, and protection.” Author April Motl explains, “when Scripture uses the image of God’s right hand, it is meant to be a picture of the pinnacle of strength and ability. In passages that specifies God’s right hand, strength is a key focus.” Indeed, the Scriptures are filled with verses that mention God’s right hand (at least 166 references!). For instance, in Psalm 108:6 David pleads with God to save him with His right hand. In Psalm 44:3, the psalmist says he conquered the land because of the Lord’s right hand. David describes not only the strength shown by God’s right hand, but also how it performs valiantly, or, according to author John Gill “acts powerfully. This is repeated for the confirmation of it, and to show how much the righteous were affected with it, and how desirous they were of glorifying it.” Our God is not only a strong God who acts with power, but He is our strength as well (Psalm 118:14). We are blessed to find not only our protection, but also our strength, in Him.

Everyday Application

1) How does the Lord help when I am being pushed hard and the enemy tries to make me fall?
Do you ever have days when it seems like the whole world is making a concerted effort to take you down? Your own daily stresses (like the dishwasher leaking, the dog puking on the carpet, or your kid being bullied), combined with worries about your friends (your pals divorcing, your neighbor with depression), and the ongoing conflicts in the nation (inequalities, injustices and fast-spreading viruses) make you feel like you’re going down for the count. It is true that our enemy, the devil, wants to take us out. The Bible tells us he is “prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.” (I Peter 5:8) The Lord faithfully helps us when we are being pushed around by the enemy. The Bible tells us the One who is in us is greater than the devil. (1 John 4:4) God also encourages us in His word by saying, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10) Our God promises to be with us and strengthen us no matter what we are facing. We might get a little bruised and battered, but we are promised victory in the Lord!

2) How can the Lord be my strength and my song?
I have read plenty of verses telling me God is my strength. The Bible tells us God is our refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1), the strength of our life (Psalm 27:1), and that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). However, the idea that God is my song is not as familiar to me. I have heard songs based on Isaiah 12:2 and Psalm 118:14, but I’ve never contemplated what it means for the Lord to be my song. Author Alexander Maclaren explains, “When the Lord is our song, it means He is our joy and our happiness. We find our purpose and life in Him, and He never disappoints.” Author Joseph Benson connects the idea of strength and song by saying that since God gives us strength, He is “the just object of my praise.” The idea is that God in His grace and mercy gives me strength, and that makes me want to sing His praises! It works the other way around as well, for the Bible tells us, “the joy of the Lord is my strength!”. (Nehemiah 8:10) Whether God gives me strength that makes me sing, or His joy gives me strength, the Lord provides me with the strength I need to make it through each day.

3) What does it mean that the Lord’s right hand performs valiantly?
One winter day when I was a little girl, my younger sister and I were walking the two blocks home from school on a snowy day. Following us was a big, 5^th grade bully, so we were moving fast. In our haste, my little sister lost her red rubber snow boot, and the bully quickly pounced on it and began tossing it over our heads to her pal. We just booked it home, leaving the boot in their clutches. Later my mom walked us back to retrieve the snow boot they had left lying in the snow, and I felt ashamed that I had not protected my sister from the boot-thieving bully. At times, I still feel helpless all these years later when I can’t do anything in my own power to free myself or a loved one from anxiety, physical pain or relationship struggles. Today, I know I am not really helpless and I don’t have to run. I know the “Lord’s right hand performs valiantly.” (Psalm 118:1) I cannot do much to fight against the enemy on my own, but I am learning I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13) When I rely on God to help me with my struggles, He delivers me (Psalm 34:19) With the Lord on my side, I don’t have anything to fear. (Psalm 118:6) God says that through Him, I am more than a conqueror. (Romans 8:37) Sometimes I still feel like that little girl, quaking in her snow boots before the big bully, but the truth is that God fights my battles for me and I have no need to fear!

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1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
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in your everyday!

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Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

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Study Tools

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Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

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