Chapter 4

Gordo and I went to the DFW area this weekend for a Marriage Enrichment event that had been scheduled for many months.  Otherwise, we would have been there to hear Dr. Tuttle.  We didn’t leave until early AM Saturday, so we planned to hear him preach Friday evening, but his flight was cancelled.  I knew we would miss a blessing, and it sounds like I was right.  : (

On the way home Sunday, Gordo drove, and I read the passages from Psalms aloud for both of us.  We then discussed each one, and I wrote down our thoughts.  We both struggled with Psalm 72:8-20.  I read just these verses, then the footnotes in my Bible.  I read it again.  Then I read the entire Psalm.  The theme for this Psalm was:  “The perfect king.  In this psalm, a king asks God to help his son rule the nation justly and wisely.  It looks forward to the endless reign of the Messiah, who alone can rule with perfect justice, and whose citizens will enjoy perfect peace.”  Solomon is identified as the author.  In the Psalm, is he speaking of a human king or The King?  In the beginning, it seems to be a human king, but by the end, it seems to be The King.   Is it actually about both?  We were not able to come to any conclusion on this one.  What do you think?

The footnote for v.1 in this Psalm posed an interesting question: “God desires all who rule under him to be just and righteous.  Think how the world would change if world leaders would commit themselves to these two qualities.”

As I read v. 12-14 of Psalms 72, I could not get West out of my mind.  The need is so great, what can I do?  On the way home we stopped there after we called and found out that Gerik’s Bakery, our favorite kolache stop, was open.  They received only minor damage and had re-opened Saturday.  Since they were open, we wanted to support a local business in some way.  We were able to see some changes in that area, just off I35 on the main road into town, but did not try to go any further because we didn’t want to get in the way.  We have since made a donation to ADRN for West, and are ready to go to West when needed to help.  What better way to witness to people of God’s love, than to help them in their time of need. 

Be Still and Know That I am God

Before I go on to Chapter 4 for this week, I have to share with all of you that I have seen the passage “Be still and know that I am God” in a number of places the last week or so.  It just keeps coming up!  I’m thinking God is trying to tell me something.  Of course, for me, this is a very difficult command.  There is always something to do, so I’m seldom still.  I ask for prayers to help me with this, please.  - di

When you look up Psalm 46:10 at biblegateway.com, there is a link to Psalm 46:10 in all English translations.  Now I like to look at different versions because some speak to me and others make me go huh?  However, in this particular case, it thoroughly muddied the waters! 

21st Century King James Version says “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted on the earth.”  Pretty much what I had expected

The Message says “Attention, all! See the marvels of God!  He plants flowers and trees all over the earth, Bans war from pole to pole, breaks all the weapons across his knee.  “Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.””  OK, this is a figurative look at the Bible.  Sometimes I like it in the wisdom literature and it speaks to me.  This time, not so much.

Easy to Read Version says “God says, “Stop fighting and know that I am God! I am the one who defeats the nations; I am the one who controls the world.””  Where did this come from?

So, I ask you my reader, which version speaks to you?