Abide Together: Reflections on Psalm 110

Psalm 110 is one of the most quoted Psalms in the New Testament concerning Jesus as the Messiah.  Jesus refers to verse 1 when to dealer that He is God in Matthew 22:44.  This Psalm depicts the Messiah as both the holy King and the High Priest.  This is something that no other King of Israel ever experienced.   The Messiah, Jesus not only rescues people from their sin as the perfect High Priest, but he will judge those who reject Him as King.  Lord, thank You for rescuing me from my sin and for the promise of living in Your kingdom forever.

– Bryan McKenzie

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Abide Together: Reflections on Psalm 109

In Psalm 109 David asks the LORD to bring judgment on his enemies who persecute and speak evil against him.  This psalm is considered a Messianic Psalm, because Acts 1:20 quotes verse 8 in reference to Judas’ betrayal of Jesus.  The verse that stands out to me this morning is verse 27 where David writes, “And let them know that this is Your hand; You, Lord, have done it.” David writes this on the heels of asking the LORD to help him and save him.  He wants everyone to know that when he is delivered, it is the LORD who has accomplished it.  This is how I want my life explained – that things happen in and through my life that can only be explained by the LORD.  This way HE alone gets the glory.  LORD, be glorified in my life.

– Bryan McKenzie

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Abide together: Reflections on Psalm 104

God is good. He is really good. Good to us in countless ways. The psalmist, touches on some of those things here, but I’m struck this morning by the idea that our focus is not on creation itself, but on the Creator. The psalmist is not praising the things he sees in creation, but God Himself. How often do we fall into the same habit? When we notice something beautiful in creation, He should get the glory. The object of our awe is Him. When I find myself in wonder, whether I realize it or not, I’m seeking more of Him. The psalmist takes time to notice God’s handiwork and is awestruck by Him.

I can’t help but turn this attitude onto myself. Do I take time to notice God’s work and give Him glory? I mean, in this psalm, we see countless blessings that I must admit I take for granted most of the time. The birds sing. Rivers provide resources. Plants grow so that we can eat. We are sustained by God in every possible way and yet I find myself striving for that which I don’t have. I work to get more shiny junk – things which look good but are ultimately worthless. All the while, God is at work providing and sustaining and demonstrating His character with His creative hand.

Prayer: LORD, change my selfish heart. Make me grateful. Draw my attention from the “shiny junk” and to You instead. Let me see Your blessings and recognize Your glory. Let me praise You with my life and lips. For You are good. You are worthy. You are provider, and healer, and Savior. You are God!  

Steve Corn

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Abide Together: Reflections Psalm 102

Psalm 102 is a prayer of one who is afflicted. Yet in the midst of his affliction he remembers that the LORD is sovereign and reigns forever.  This truth brings him comfort as it does for all who are suffering. Verses 25 & 26 are quoted in Hebrews 1:10-12 in reference to Jesus. They point to the fact that Jesus is eternal, for He was there in the creation of the earth and while other things perish – He will endure forever.  His eternality is what guarantees those who are His will live eternally in His presence.  LORD, thank You that in Christ I will live forever in Your presence.  By Your grace, help me call others to trust in Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

– Bryan McKenzie

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Abide Together: Reflections on Psalm 89

Psalm 89 is a prayer that the LORD would remember his unconditional covenant to David and his descendants.  The Psalmists recounts the LORD’s greatness and faithfulness in the past and calls on HIS faithfulness in the present and the future. He does this in the midst of the nation of Israel’s current pain. This Psalm also points to the fact that the Messiah, Jesus, will ultimately fulfill all the promises of the Davidic Covenant.  The thing that stands out to me this morning is the phrase in verse 38, “You have been full of wrath against Your anointed.”  Yes, the LORD’s wrath had been justly against Israel to discipline them for their sin, but this points to its greatest fulfillment in Jesus.  The Father poured out his wrath in full on Jesus, the Son, while He took on the sin of the world. “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)” On this Christmas Day as I remember Jesus coming as a babe, may I never forget why HE came and what HE did.  HE came as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and HE had the Father’s just wrath poured out on HIM – so that my sin could be paid for and forgiven.  WOW!  LORD, thank YOU for Your amazing grace toward me.  May I live today in that Grace that changed me and empowers me.

– Bryan McKenzie

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Abide Together: Reflections on Psalm 72

Psalm 72 is attributed to Solomon at the beginning of his reign as King.  Although this Psalm is dealing with hope for Solomon’s reign, it is ultimately pointing to and fulfilled in the reign of Messiah.  Solomon never fulfilled all that is recorded in this Psalm.  Yes, there were times when he ruled in righteousness, made good judgments, brought peace and the land flourished under his reign.  However, not in the perfection and magnitude this Psalm presents.  Only Jesus can perfectly fulfill this Psalm. HE will bring fulfillment to this Psalm when He comes again.  His first coming anticipates His second coming.  Lord, help me live every day for that day, so that You will be glorified.

– Bryan McKenzie

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Abide Together: Reflections on Psalm 69

In Psalm 69 David describes the fact that people hate him and they hate him, because of he is the Lord’s servant.  He asks the Lord to save him from his enemies, because of the Lord’s lovingkindness and compassion.  David even asks the Lord to curse his enemies.  The Psalm ends in hope as David praises the Lord and looks to the fact that one day the Lord will strike down all his enemies and will set up His kingdom on earth in which His people will dwell.  This will be accomplished through Jesus and will established at the 2nd coming of Christ. The line that sticks out to me the most this morning is found in verses 32-33, “You who seek God, let your heart revive. For the Lord hears the needy And does not despise His who are prisoners.”  This is a great reminder that the Lord does hear me in my need and in the end will bring me into His perfect Kingdom, because of Jesus.  Lord, empower me to live in reliance of You for all things.

– Bryan McKenzie

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Abide Together: Reflections on Psalm 68

In Psalm 68 David gives praise to God for his protection of His people and especially those who are week.  He recounts God’s faithfulness to His people during the exodus.  The verse that stood out to me and seems to be a good summary of the Psalm is verse 19, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, The God who is our salvation.” LORD, thank you for daily bearing my burdens and for being the God of my salvation.  May I never get over Your amazing grace in saving me from the penalty of my sin through Jesus.

– Bryan McKenzie

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Abide Together: Reflections on Psalm 45

In Psalm 45 is a Psalm in celebration of Royal wedding. In verse 6 the Psalmists writes, 6 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom. 7 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of joy above Your fellows.”  These verse are quoted in Hebrews 1:8-9 in reference to Jesus.  This is a clear statement that Jesus is God the Son and is the ultimate King who will reign forever and ever.  HE will bring His bride, the Church, into His kingdom pure and blameless.  This is something to be celebrated in an even greater way than the Royal wedding spoken of in Psalm 45.  Lord, thank You for making me part of the Bride of Christ, the Church, and that You for the promised wedding feast in Your presence.  By Your grace help me live like one who has been bought with the precious blood of Jesus, the bride-groom.

– Bryan McKenzie

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Abide Together: Reflections on Psalm 41

Much has been written about the first 3 verses of this Psalm. It is good to help the poor and I would do well to spend more time in this capacity. However the part of the Psalm that hit me today is found in verse 9. “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.” David had been betrayed. Not only that, but we read in the Psalm how he has been struggling with his own sin. He is pretty down on himself here. Not only has he sinned, but he is also noticing that other people are speaking badly about him and wishing the worst on him. Even his good friend has become a part of the problem. David is hurting. I would imagine that I would be feeling a deep sadness, maybe even the onset of a time of depression. Yet, in the midst of these feelings, He cries out to God for grace. (vs 10) He recognizes that the LORD “takes delight” in him. He feels good about his integrity and knows that God will honor those decisions. He recognizes God’s presence. When we recognize these things, we can endure and persevere through almost anything.

This Psalm foreshadows Jesus’ betrayal by Judas, His good friend. Jesus had even more reason than David to feel confident in His integrity. Unlike David, He had no sin. Jesus knew His Father would honor that integrity and certainly knew God’s presence more than anyone. Jesus endured these things so that He could offer us hope when we find ourselves in similar circumstances.

Friends, whatever situation you’re in – whoever has betrayed you – if death itself is knocking at your door, please recognize that Jesus has promised to be with us. In this Christmas season in particular, we celebrate “Emmanuel” – “God with us.” When we find ourselves saying, “Even my close friend has lifted his heel against me,” trust in the other part of the Psalm that says, “I know that you delight in me…….you have upheld me because of my integrity and set me in your presence forever.” (By the way, that kind of integrity is also only possible as we follow the Holy Spirit’s presence in our decisions.)

Steve Corn

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