Mercy in the Wilderness (Part 5 of the Psalm 136 Series)

Photo by Sergey Pesterev (Wikimedia Commons)


to him who led his people through the wilderness;
His love endures forever.

Psalm 136:16 (NIV)

Recognizing the wilderness experience as a distinct juncture in Israel's history, the updated NIV isolated verse 16 as a separate stanza. Even if none of the popular bible versions did such, I would still do a separate post on verse 16 for the reason that many of us are unfamiliar with Israel's history.

Israel's exit from Egypt was an spectacular event. With such a grand display of YHWH's power, one would think that the faith of the Israelites would be immensely fortified and the nation would be on a roll to glory. But to our disappointment, what follows that great event were accounts of Israel's unbelief. Because of YHWH's displeasure, they wandered aimlessly around the desert way too long than they should. In fact, none of the mature men who experienced the Exodus, except Joshua and Caleb, survived long enough to see the land promised to the patriarchs.

Their prolonged stay in the wilderness meant a difficult life for the area does not provide sufficient resources to sustain long-term community existence. The wilderness juncture was marked by grumbling, rebellion and unbelief. They grumbled about food and water. They unreasonably opposed God's man Moses. They refused to engage in battle as they trembled in fear when they should have been emboldened by God's promise to fight for them. Perhaps the episode in the wilderness narratives that most clearly shows their idolatrous hearts is when they used the gold they've taken from Egypt to make a molten calf. They held a feast in honor of the golden calf and attributed their liberation from Egypt to it!

Being holy as he is, YHWH always expressed his displeasure whenever the people did grievous sins. But even in all these, God did not terminate his steadfast love. He still accompanied them in the wilderness. He supplied their needs. He gave them manna. He gave them quail meat. He gave them water to drink. He led them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Their clothes and their sandals have not worn out for 40 years!

In the wilderness juncture, we learn that YHWH is merciful. He was merciful to a people living a difficult life through the desert. Though it was their own fault why they wandered in the desert for too long, their suffering was alleviated by God who is by nature merciful. His mercy is often mentioned in the Scriptures along with his other excellent moral attributes. No less than Moses, the appointed leader of the people, proclaimed: "YHWH, YHWH, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6). The aspect of mercy has always been in God's work of redemption. So in the New Testament, we read that his regenerating work in Christ flowed out of his nature as being "rich in mercy" (Ephesians 2:4). Salvation is never because of any obligation on the part of God to reward undeserving sinners. It was always God freely acting in mercy, grace, and love to rescue the undeserving.

Much more could be written about the wilderness but I don't want to make this post unnecessarily long. I would like to end this post with a passage where Jesus alluded to a scene in the wilderness to describe his saving work. He said, "Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life” (John 3:14-15, NET2). By alluding to Numbers 21:4-9, the implication is that the whole sinful world is afflicted with some kind of a spiritual venom. Do not ever think that the ancient Israelites were especially aberrant and that we are better than them. No! We are all depraved and worthy of death. You may not feel it, but a deadly venom flows in your blood stream and it will only end in death if you will refuse the cure. And the cure, the anti-venom, is  Jesus Christ. Whoever puts his trust in Jesus will be spared from death. There is saving mercy for sinners in the cross of Christ. There is mercy in the wilderness.

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God's Steadfast Love in the Exodus (Part 4 of the Psalm 136 Series)

10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
11 and brought Israel out from among them,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
for his steadfast love endures forever

PSALM 136:10-15

English Standard Version

Verses 10-15 recounts the Exodus event by which YHWH brought Israel out of Egypt through mighty acts particularly the death of all the firstborn in the land, Goshen exempted (Exodus 12:1-36) and the parting of the sea (Exodus 14:5-31). This is because of God's loyal, steadfast love. Perhaps it is necessary to provide some background for those unfamiliar with Israel's history.

Abraham was the first and foremost of Israel's patriachs. He was called to leave his ancestral roots with a promise from YHWH that he will be the father of a great nation with an accompanying land and blessing (Genesis 12:1-3). But before the promise takes fulfillment, God foretold that his descendants must first be enslaved in a foreign land (Genesis 15:12-14).

That foreign land turned out to be Egypt. Abraham's descendants migrated there when Joseph, one of his great-grand-sons, rose to power second only to the Pharoah himself. They settled peacefully in a particular place called Goshen and multiplied quickly. Yet Joseph was aware that they would not enjoy peace and freedom forever in Egypt. He knew they would be enslaved one day and subsequently leave Egypt to settle in the promised land, for these were prophesied beforehand. So he gave an instruction to his brothers that they should carry his bones out of Egypt when God comes to rescue them (Genesis 50:24-25)

The prophesied enslavement did came! It happened when a new ruler emerged in Egypt who was ignorant of Joseph's contributions in the past (Exodus 1:6-14). The oppression against Abraham's descendants were so great, they groaned out of anguish and the merciful and faithful God heard them (Exodus 2:23-25). In response, God raised Moses.

This is the very essence of YHWH's faithful love (hesed), that the promise made to Abraham several generations beforehand was unforgotten even when YHWH himself was already forgotten by Abraham's descendants. Ezekiel 20:6-8 reveals that it was not only the Egyptians who were guilty of idol worship, but the Israelites as well. They too deserved God's wrath. They too deserved to be drowned in the sea but by God's mercy they were made to “pass through the midst of it, for his steafast love endures forever” (verse 14). Such is the depth of his love.

Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus

Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free

Rolling as a mighty ocean

In its fullness over me

This deep, deep love is not only for the biological descendants of Abraham. From the very start, God had in mind a worldwide blessing. Abraham was told, ”in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). The birth of the Messiah fulfills the promise (Luke 1:54-55), and all who would believe in the saving work of Jesus are counted among Abraham's children (Galatians 3:7-9). Praise the Lord!

They're All Intimidated (Psalm 114)

From the free stock photos of Pixabay 

Psalm 114

Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

1 When Israel came out of Egypt—

the house of Jacob from a people

who spoke a foreign language—

2 Judah became his sanctuary,

Israel, his dominion.

3 The sea looked and fled;

the Jordan turned back.

4 The mountains skipped like rams,

the hills, like lambs.

5 Why was it, sea, that you fled?

Jordan, that you turned back?

6 Mountains, that you skipped like rams?

Hills, like lambs?

7 Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord,

at the presence of the God of Jacob,

8 who turned the rock into a pool,

the flint into a spring.

The Weaklings Made Special

"If God is for us, who can be against us?"; that's the question asked by the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:31. It demands no answer for the answer is obvious. If God is on our side, there is no power or force that can prevail against us. In fact, God employs all these to work in favor of those who love God and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

Before Israel's birth as a nation, they were perceived as weaklings for they were just slaves in Egypt. But to the surprise of the ancient world, they scored a decisive victory over one of the superpowers of that time.

Psalm 114 begins by calling to mind that very event in their history. The psalmist views the Exodus as a turning point. Not only did the nation secured their liberation and independence, they also became YHWH's sanctuary and dominion (verse 2).

To be YHWH's sanctuary means being a sacred place which is set apart for God's presence and to be his dominion means being a nation ruled by God for Israel was supposed to be a theocracy (1 Samuel 8:5-7). God made Israel his “own possession out of all the peoples” although the whole earth is his. He set them apart as a special, a “kingdom of priests” and a “holy nation” (Exodus 19:5-6). He who is enthroned above chose to dwell among his people. The nation of weak slaves became special, not because of anything meritorious in them but because God has chosen them to be the object of his special love. It was sheer grace.

We do not belong to that nation. But you know what? In the New Testament, the Apostle Peter wrote something about the church that is so similar to this. And this should excite everyone who belongs to the church of the redeemed:

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9-10 CSB)

The Stable Structures Moved!

In the next stanza (verses 3-6), the psalmist as a true poet employed personifications and imageries depicting how some of the most fixed of geographical features namely the sea, the river, and the mountains were all disturbed and moved during some of the events in Israel's history.

• The sea is told to have looked, and after seeing what he saw, it fled. This points back to how the Red Sea was divided into two to give way to God's people. (Exodus 14)
• The Jordan River is described as turning back. This is the event narrated in Joshua 3; the priest were carrying the ark of the covenant and as soon as their feet reached Jordan, the waters flowing downstream were cut off
• The mountains and hills also were pictured as skipping like animals. I don't know exactly what historical event is this but I know one mountain that was moved like this. In Exodus 19, Moses and the people met with God and Mt. Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke; there was thunder and lightning and the mountain shook violently. It was a frightening sight (Exodus 20:18-19)

God's Intimidating Presence

The last two verses of this stanza (5 & 6) asked what is the reason behind these? When the sea looked, what did he saw that he fled? What did Jordan saw that he turned back? What caused the mountains and hills to skip like rams? The answer seems to be so obvious for us now. But let us make it explicit, just as the psalmist had made it explicit even when it sounds obvious already. The reason is in verse 7: they trembled because of the presence of the God of Jacob.

There was nothing inherently intimidating in Israel as nation; they were just weak slaves remember? But with God on their side, who can be against them? Now it's not just the sea, rivers, and mountains that must tremble before the Lord. The whole earth and everything in it are commanded to tremble (see verse 7): the forces of nature, kings and kingdoms, politicians and criminals, things visible and invisible can't inflict harm on a people on whom God dwells. This people is loved by God that he turns even the driest of dry things into pools and springs if that is what is needed for their survival and nourishment. (see verse 8)

Just as the Moses-led struggle of Israel against Egypt was a turning point in their history, a new testament believer's inclusion in Christ by faith and repentance is also a turning point. Not many of us were of noble birth (1 Cor. 1:26). Most of us were less than ordinary. We don't belong to the high and mighty of the society. But by our inclusion in Christ, we were counted among God's blessed people. The same intimidating presence that moved the seas, the rivers, the mountains, and the earth is among us. He is Emmanuel, God is with us– so we could have an impact in the world (Acts 4:13; Acts 17:6).

We fear things in nature. We fear the powers that be. We fear the unseen spiritual forces of darkness. We fear natural calamities, stray bullets, diseases, the fragile economy and many other things. But in this song, the things we fear were all commanded to tremble before the Lord. With God on our side, it's not us who are supposed to be afraid, but the the things we fear.

The LORD is my light and my salvation—

whom should I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my life—

whom should I dread?

(Psalm 27:1 CSB)

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Our Immortal Help (Psalm 146)

 

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB); screenshot taken from www.biblegateway.com

They don't have much in life. They are weak and powerless. They belong to the lowest layers of the socio-economic strata. The world refers to them as the "less-fortunate" as they are not so "lucky" in life. And since they don't have the ability to defend themselves, they are the most vulnerable victims of abuse by those who have guns, goons and gold.

People who belong to this marginalized group would naturally dream of moving up higher. Who doesn't want a little improvement in life? Nobody enjoys hardship; everyone wants a little more comfort. If help is available, we can't blame the powerless for taking the offer.

Yet oftentimes in their pursuit of moving up to a higher stratum, they forget God. Their faith is not on the Sovereign God who has the power both to demote and to promote. Rather they put their trust is princes, those who possess political and financial advantages. What a fatal mistake! They have forgotten the Heavenly Judge who has the authority to put down one and exalt another (Psalm 75:7)

Not so the psalmist. This psalmist is calling upon all including the powerless ones to praise the Lord and has stated his commitment to praise the Lord as long as he lives (v.1,2). This is followed by his instruction to the people that they should not put their trust in the current political powers who are but mortals just like the rest of us (v.3-4). They too are subject to the frailties and limitations of the flesh. Putting one's trust in them is a dying hope for this hope dies with the prince.

Instead of holding on to a dying hope, we ought to choose a living hope. This hope will not die for it places its trust in the immortal God. Perhaps at present, one is "not so lucky" in the eyes of the world but if he has chosen to trust in the right person, he has positioned himself into a state of blessedness. Why? Let me give six reasons from the psalm at hand:

1st, He has put his trust in the God of Jacob (verse 5). Jacob is of course, the father of all the tribes of Israel. Putting one's trust in YHWH is putting one's trust in the same God who has founded the nation of Israel. One could not go wrong with the tried and tested foundation-builder namely YHWH, the God of Jacob.

2nd, He has put his trust in the Creator of the universe (verse 6). The one who made the earth and everything in it. The One who spoke the words and all the world came into order. Greater is he than anything else in the created order for every power in existence is indebted to Him.

3rd, He has put his trust in the faithful God (verse 6, "who remains faithful forever"). In other psalms, this faithfulness is said to be reaching up to the skies. In Psalm 89:2 says that God has established his faithfulness in heaven itself.

4th, He has put his trust in the God whose benevolence has already been experienced by many, even among the weakest of the weak and the poorest of the poor (verses 7-9)

The oppressed has experienced how he executes justice.
The hungry has experienced being fed by his hand
The prisoners has been set free.
The blind were given sight.
Those who are bowed down has been raised
The righteous are loved.
The strangers/aliens were protected.
The orphans and the widows were cared for.

Notice that in all these, it is God who is the doer of the action: he executes... he feeds... he sets free... he gives... he raises... he loves... he protects... he cares... Those who trust him contributed nothing. All they did was to put their faith in him. Isn't that a picture of our own eternal salvation? God did all the work. Salvation belongs to our God!

5th, He has put his trust in the God who doesn't show favor to the wicked (verse 9c). In human systems of justice, the guilty often get away because they have the money and the influence to elude punishment. Not so in God's system of justice. God is not a respecter of persons. No matter who they are, if they will not repent and surrender to God, they will pay for their crimes.

6th, He has put his trust in the King whose reign is unending (verse 10). That is in contrast with the mortal princes whose plans and ambitions die with them. God however reigns forever. Forever the crown belongs to him. Forever the scepter belongs to him. Forever the throne belongs to him.  From everlasting to everlasting, he is God.

He Has More Insight Than His Bishop

Sa kalagitnaan ng takot at pagkalito ng publiko nang nakaraang linggo bunga ng iresponsableng pag-uulat ng Bandila (late night newscast ng ABS-CBN), nag-tweet si Bishop Eddie Villanueva ng JIL:

Haynaku! ang Intercessors for the Philippines (IFP) nga naman. Mag-iimport ng mga Propeta na mananakot sa mga tao. Kapag tsumatsamba, "Ang galing ng mga propeta namin!" Kapag naman hindi natutupad ang mga hula, "Ang galing namin mag-intercede". Win-win situation palagi.

"Palakpakan! Na may kasamang hiyawan!"

Ganyan din ang pangangatuwiran na nasa likod ng tweet na iyan ng Obispo ng JIL. Samantala, isang karaniwang bahagi ng Pastoral staff ng JIL U-Belt na nagngangalang Jade Angelo Gascon ang nagpahayag ng ganitong puna:

As I have observed from conversations surrounding Sadhu Selvaraj’s prophecies, it is always a dead end: “If they come true, he’s a true prophet. If they don’t come true, it’s because the people repented.” Whatever happens, he’s always right. Although I disagree with that line of reasoning (on the basis of Deuteronomy 18:21-22 and 13:1-4), I will not dispute it for now because it would seem to be an effort in futility to do so.

Thus, this post is not intended to examine his or Bro. Selvakumar’s prophecies bit by bit. Instead, I would like to turn your attention to a doctrine taught by Sadhu Selvaraj which, in my opinion, should be a major reason for all Christians to genuinely reconsider whether or not his prophetic statements are of any value. The doctrine is that dead Biblical prophets or saints can and actually do help Christians achieve God’s purposes on Earth.

I was present in one of his gatherings in Manila a few years ago (I’ve forgotten the exact year) when, much to my surprise, he claimed that the prophet Joel was in our midst, imparting to him revelations he was supposed to tell the people. No, it wasn’t Joel Houston or Joel Osteen or Joel Lamangan. It was the prophet Joel son of Pethuel of the Bible he was talking about. It was the first time I heard someone claim that a Biblical prophet is personally and spiritually coming down from heaven to deliver a message through him.

Basahin ang kabuuan ng kanyang blog post DITO.

Nang mabasa ko ang magkasalungat na posisyon ng isang Obispo at isang mas nakababatang bahagi ng pastoral staff , ang unang pumasok sa aking isip ay ang awit ng Salmista:

Dalawang Magkasalungat na Buhay sa Unang Salmo

AWIT 1, Bagong Magandang Balita Biblia

v.1 Mapalad ang taong hindi nakikinig sa payo ng masama,
at hindi sumusunod sa masama nilang halimbawa.
Hindi siya nakikisama sa mga kumukutya
at hindi nakikisangkot sa gawaing masama.

v.2 Sa halip, kasiyahan niyang sumunod sa kautusan ni Yahweh.
Binubulay-bulay niya ito sa araw at gabi.

v.3 Katulad niya'y punongkahoy sa tabi ng isang batisan,
laging sariwa ang dahon at namumunga sa takdang panahon.
Ano man ang kanyang gawin, siya'y nagtatagumpay.

v.4 Hindi gayon ang sinumang gumagawa ng masama,
ito ay tulad ng ipa, hangin ang siyang nagtatangay.

v.5 Sa araw ng paghuhukom, parusa niya'y nakalaan
siya'y ihihiwalay sa grupo ng mga banal.

v.6 Sa taong matuwid, si Yahweh ang pumapatnubay,
ngunit ang taong masama, kapahamakan ang hantungan.

1. Magkasalungat na mga Prinsipyo
Kung meron mang hindi ipinagdaramot ang mga taong walang takot sa Diyos, 'yan ay ang pagbabahagi nila ng kanilang mga prinsipyo sa buhay. Feeling talaga nila mga wais sila; papayo-payo pa. Ang kanilang mga paninindigan ay kanilang ibinabahagi sa mga personal na pag-uusap, sa kanilang mga awitin, sa kanilang mga isinusulat, sa kanilang mga ipinapaskil sa kanilang timeline at sa kanilang mga itini-tweet. Natutuwa sila kapag may sumasang-ayon sa kanilang likong pamumuhay.

Pero ayon sa unang salmo, ang tugon ng taong matuwid ay pagtanggi sa mga payo ng masasamang tao at sa kanilang mga baluktot na pangangatuwiran. Sa halip, ang mga prinsipyo sa buhay ng mga taong matuwid ay kanilang hinuhugot sa Salita ng Diyos. Ito ang kanilang patnubay sa pamumuhay.

2. Magkasalungat na Kagalakan
Ang kagalakan ng taong masama ay ang kutyain ang mga bagay-bagay na may kinalaman sa kabanalan. Wala silang interes sa mga matuwid na aral. Kapag tuturuan mo ng tama, magagalit pa sa iyo at iinsultuhin ka pa. Bakit? Kasi naman, tinatanggal mo ang kanyang happiness. Ang gusto niya happy siya, at ang happiness niya ay kalikuan.

Salungat yan sa kagalakan ng taong matuwid. Kasiyahan niya ang ipamuhay ang mga prinsipyong nahuhugot niya sa Bibliya. Marami mang pinagkakaabalahan sa buhay, hindi niya kinaliligtaang pagbulayan ang mga banal na aral araw at gabi.

3. Magkasalungat na paglalarawan
Ang taong masama ay inihalintulad sa ipang tinatangay ng hangin. Ang bagong aning trigo ay tinatahipan ng mga Hudyo gamit ang winnowing fork. Bago nila imbakin ang trigo sa kamalig, pinapatangay muna nila sa hangin ang mga ipa sapagkat wala naman itong pakinabang.

Sa kabilang banda, ang taong matuwid ay inihalintulad sa punong itinanim sa tabi ng batis. Laging luntian ang kulay nito at namumunga sa tamang panahon. Salungat sa ipang walang pakinabang, ang punong matatag, luntian at namumunga ay maraming pakinabang.

4. Magkasalungat na kinabukasan
Sa oras na hahatol ang Diyos, hindi makakatakas ang masama. Ihihiwalay siya ng Diyos sa kapulungan ng mga mututuwid tulad ng paghihiwalay sa mga tupa at kambing. Habang sila ay walang hanggang mawawalay sa presensya ng Diyos, ang mga matutuwid ay sasamahan ng Panginoon magpakailanman.

 "Tingnan ninyo, ang tahanan ng Diyos ay nasa piling na ng mga tao!
Maninirahan siyang kasama nila,
at sila'y magiging bayan niya.
Makakapiling nilang palagi ang Diyos
at siya ang magiging Diyos nila" (Pahayag 21:3)

Subalit huwag iisipin ninuman na ang mga matutuwid na tinutukoy sa Awit ay nangaligtas dahil sa kanilang sariling kabanalan. Kung babasahin ang mensahe ng buong bibliya, walang matuwid, wala kahit isa. Maliligtas lamang ang tao dahil sa sakripisyong ginawa ni Kristo sa krus. Ito ay biyayang kaloob ng Diyos at tinatanggap sa pamamagitan ng pananampalataya lamang. Ang kontribusyon ng Awit na ito sa kabuuan ng teolohiya ng Bibliya ay ang katotohanan na ang mga nananampalataya sa Diyos ay kakikitaan ng buhay na banal, salungat sa buhay ng mga hindi kabilang sa kanyang kawan.

Malayo pa ang Umaga (Rey Valera)

Psalm 130:6

My soul waits for the Lord

more than watchmen wait for the morning,

more than watchmen wait for the morning.

          Marahil ay nakikita ng karamihan ang kanilang mga sarili sa mga letra ng kanta kung kaya't ito ay sumikat. Ang mga tao ay dumadaan sa sari-saring mga suliranin. Mapait ang buhay; may mga pagkakataon na walang patid ang pagpatak ng ating mga luha. Ang buhay natin ay isang madilim at mahabang gabi. Panay ang lingon natin sa silangan sapagkat doon natin inaasahang sisikat ang araw. Subalit sa ating bawat paglingon, wala man lang ni isang guhit ng sinag tayong nasisilayan. Malayo pa ang pagsilip ng araw.
          Ang salmistang nasa likod ng Awit 130 ay dumadaan sa matinding suliranin; inilarawan niya ang kanyang kalagayan bilang isang taong dumadaing buhat sa kalaliman (talata 1). Subalit sa kabila ng lahat ng ito, ang salmista ay buong tiwalang naghihintay sa kung ano ang gagawin ng Panginoon. Paano nga kaya kung malayo pa ang umaga?
          Sa talata anim ay kanyang isinulat na ang kanyang pananabik sa pagdating ng umaga ay higit pa sa pananabik ng mga bantay. Sa kanilang kapanahunan, ang tungkulin ng mga bantay na ito ay magmatyag sa gabi. Habang nakahimlay ang karamihan, at habang maging ang mga mandirigma ay mahimbing na natutulog, nasa taas ng tore ang bantay. Siya'y nakatanaw sa malayo upang kung sakaling may papalapit na mga kaaway at nagbabanta ng pagsalakay, gigisingin ng bantay ang taong-bayan upang sila'y maging handa sa pakikidigma.
          Gabi-gabi, iyan ang gawain ng bantay. Siyempre, ang pinananabikan ng bantay ay ang pagdating ng umaga upang sa paggising ng mga tao, siya naman ang may pagkakataong magpahinga. Ang sabi ng salmista, higit ang kanyang pag-aabang sa umaga kung ihahambing sa pag-aabang ng mga bantay.
          Sa mga pagkakataong madilim at mahaba ang gabi ng ating buhay, ano ba ang mga maaari nating asahan?


1. Maaasahan natin na ang mga dalangin natin ay hindi nasasayang (talata 1,2).
       Iyan ang ginawa ng salmista; dumaing siya sa Panginoon upang humingi ng saklolo.
       Eh paano kung sa pakiramdam natin ay tila hindi nakikinig ang Diyos sa ating mga dalangin? Ang lunas ay panalangin pa rin! Huwag titigil sa paghiling na tayo ay pakinggan ng ating Diyos.


2. Kung sakali man na karapat-dapat tayong maghirap dahil sa ating mga pagkakasala, maaasahan natin na ang Diyos ay mapagpatawad (talata 3,4, at 8)
       Sa talata 3 ay kanyang ipinahayag ang katotohanan na wala ni isa, maging ang mga pinakabanal sa piling natin ang karapat-dapat sa harap ng Diyos. Maaaring sa tingin ng madla ay banal siya, subalit kanyang inaamin na kung siya ay sisingilin ng Diyos sa kanyang mga kasalanan, ni hindi siya makakatayo sa harap ng Diyos.
       Subalit panatag siyang lumalapit sa Diyos sapagkat alam niya na ang kanyang nilalapitan ay isang Diyos na mapagpatawad. Nakakamangha rin na ang pagkakilala ng katangian na ito ng Diyos ang nag-uudyok sa atin na mamuhay ng may takot sa kanya (talata 4)


3. Maaasahan natin na ang salita ng Diyos ay totoo at maaari nating panghawakan (talata 5)
       Dumampot tayo ng isang pangako mula sa Salita ng Diyos. Hebreo 13:5- "Hindi kita iiwan; ni pababayaan man". Dahil hindi niya tayo iiwan, hindi kailangang hintayin ang umaga upang masabing kasama natin siya. Sa hinaba-haba ng gabi, Siya'y kapiling pa rin natin.

Ang mga halaman ay matutuyo;

Ang mga gusali ay maglalaho

Subalit ang kanyang mga pangako

Ay hindi mapapako

4. Maasahan natin na ang pag-ibig ng Diyos ay hindi nagmamaliw (talata 7)
       Ano ang dapat alalahanin kung alam mong iniibig ka ng Diyos? Wala. Dahil mahal niya tayo, hinding-hindi siya gagawa ng anuman na ikakapahamak natin; at ang pag-ibig rin na ito ang dahilan kung bakit siya gagawa ng mga hakbang para sa ating kapakanan. Ang pinakadakilang pagpapakita ng pag-ibig na ito ay ginawa na niya halos dalawang libong taon na ang nakakaraan nang kanyang ibigay ang buhay ng kanyang anak para sa ating ikakatubos. Kung 'yan ay kanyang nagawa noon, ano pa kaya ang hindi niya kayang ibigay? (Roma 8:32)
       
       Dumadaan ka ba sa isang napakahabang gabi? Mabagal ba ang takbo ng orasan na tila ang isang segundo ay tumatagal ng isang oras? Pagbulayan ang Awit 130 at hintayin ang pagdating ng umaga ng may pagtitiwala.

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Church Harmony and Hermon's Dew

Psalm 133:1

How good and pleasant it is
    when brothers live together in unity!

Psalm 133:3

It is as if the dew of Hermon
    were falling on Mount Zion.
  For there the LORD bestows his blessing,
    even life forevermore.

As mandated by the Mosaic Law, the Israelites would go up to Zion to celebrate the God-ordained feasts three times a year (Exo.23:14). They have a set of songs to sing on their way up which we now call The Song of Ascents; the 133rd Psalm is one of them. What a pleasing sight it would have been to witness people from all walks of life singing a song about national and spiritual unity!

Two out of three of those annual feasts take place on dry months. At the peak of a drought, there is not even a drop of dew in Zion and in the  rest of the land (1 Kings 17:1).

There is a mountain range between Lebanon and Syria, and the tallest among them is Mount Hermon. In contrast to Zion, there is never a time in a year when Hermon is dry. You could  find ice at Hermon's peak even in the most severe droughts in the region. The dry months increase the usefulness of Hermon as its melting ice become a source of water to nearby places including the Jordan River.

One traveller narrates some memories from his visit:

"The vapour, coming in contact with the snowy sides of the mountain, is rapidly congealed, and is precipitated in the evening in the form of a dew, the most copious we ever experienced. It penetrated everywhere, and saturated everything. The floor of our tent was soaked, our bed was covered with it, our guns were dripping, and dewdrops hung about everywhere. No wonder that the foot of Hermon is clad with orchards and gardens of such marvelous fertility in this land of droughts."(Henry Baker Tristram, 1867)

The Psalmist is saying that in the unity of God's people, it is as if Jerusalem is refreshed by the water descending from Hermon. Jerusalem may be too distant to be a recipient of Hermon's dew, but it is very near God, the one who has "commanded the blessing." And where there's water, the grasses are green, the trees bear fragrant blossoms, the grains are plump, luscious fruits are in abundance, and the animals are well-fed. Best of all, human life is sustained.

Individual members of God's people face various trials daily. Souls are severely dehydrated wandering around the Desert of Sahara. May they find oasis in our churches. Let's pursue unity.

Church Harmony and the Oil Poured on Aaron

Psalm 133:1

How good and pleasant it is
    when brothers live together in unity!

Psalm 133:2

It is like precious oil poured on the head,
    running down on the beard,
  running down on Aaron's beard,
    down upon the collar of his robes.

Unknowingly, those who cause unnecessary divisions in the church deprive themselves of wonderful blessings, much like dumping a pile of mud on the very well where they fetch water.  

Psalm 133 should motivate us to pursue church unity; for it pronounces blessing upon brothers who "live together in  unity". That blessedness was likened to two things: first, the oil poured upon Aaron (verse 2); and second, the dew of Mt. Hermon (verse 3).

In this post, we will dwell on verse 2. The third verse will be tackled in the next post.

1. The Oil Conveys the Blessing of Being Special
We derived this first point by looking into two questions:
       a. What the oil was?
       b. What the oil did?

Both of these questions are answered in Exodus 30:22-33.

As to the question "What the oil was?" we see that it was a very special fragrant oil. It was exclusively for tabernacle use. The proper blend was a general knowledge; the right proportion is known by all for it is written in the book. But I guess no one dared to imitate the blend for personal use, for a warning was issued: "Whoever makes perfume like it and whoever puts it on anyone other than a priest must be cut off from his people.'"

As to the question "What the oil did?", we find out that whatever it touched became holy (v.29). Ordinary utensils became holy. Ordinary men from the tribe of Levi became special when the oil was applied on them.

Thus, church harmony is pleasant for it conveys that we are a special people. It is a manifestation that we are a holy nation. We may look ordinary in the eyes of men, but our unity in the faith testifies that we are a people belonging to God.

2. The Oil Conveys the Blessing of Acceptable Worship.
The mention of Aaron's name drives us to look into the significance of the Aaronic ministry. The primary aspect of the ministry is to offer sacrifices in behalf of the people.

In Leviticus 9, after Aaron offered the sacrifices, the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people, and fire came out before the Lord's presence to consume what was offered. The people fell on their faces out of reverence yet they were shouting with joy knowing that their sacrifices were accepted.

Another aspect of Aaronic ministry is to pronounce the priestly blessing upon the people (Numbers 6:23-27). Part of the formula to be uttered is "the LORD make his face shine upon you" (v.25). The NLT renders it as "May the LORD smile on you". The opposite of that is for the Lord to face you with a frown. When a king is displeased with you, you know your life is in danger. You may sing praises to him all day but it will not change a thing; it may even aggravate the situation for your voice is an abomination to his ears.

Church harmony is pleasant for it conveys that out worship is not in vain. We can come to God corporately and he faces us with a smile. We may not be the best of singers but our praises are accepted before his throne. He is pleased with what we offer and he bestows blessing upon our lives.

3. The Oil Conveys Abundant Grace
Notice that the Psalmist pays attention to the quantity of the oil poured upon Aaron. Upon the first drop, it would have been enough to make Aaron fit for the ministry. Yet the oil was poured lavishly that it flowed from his head, to his beard and to his robe. You can also imagine how fragrance filled the air.

Church harmony is pleasant because it conveys the abundance of God's grace on his people. When he bestows blessing upon us, he doesn't measure it in teaspoons. What he gives his people is "grace upon grace" (John 1:16)

Ang Dignidad ng Tao sa Kamay ng Manlilikha

Awit 8:3-8

3 Pinagmasdan ko ang langit na gawa ng iyong kamay,
pati ang buwan at mga bituin na iyong inilagay.

4 Ano ba ang tao upang iyong pahalagahan;
o ang anak ng tao upang iyong pangalagaan?

5 Nilikha mo siyang mababa sa iyo nang kaunti,
pinuspos mo siya ng dangal at ng luwalhati.

6 Ginawa mo siyang pinuno ng lahat ng iyong nilikha,
sa lahat ng mga bagay, siya ang iyong pinamahala:

7 mga tupa at kawan pati na ang mababangis,

8 lahat ng ibong lumilipad, at mga isda sa karagatan,
at lahat ng nilikhang nasa karagatan.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Ang isa sa mga dapat pahalagahan ng tao ay ang kanyang dignidad. Ang bibliya mismo ay nagtuturo na dapat nating ingatan ang ating karangalan. Tulad na lamang sa Kawikaan 22:1-- kung tayo raw ay kinakailangang pumili sa pagitan ng yaman at dangal, marapat na isuko ang yaman at panatilihin ang malinis na pangalan.

May mga taong nagtataguyod ng dangal ng tao subalit tumatanggi naman sa kapahayagan ng bibliya. Sinasabi nilang sila ay makatao subalit itinatanggi naman nila na merong Diyos na siyang lumikha. Ano ang bunga nito? Sa halip na maiangat ang dignidad ng tao, kabaligtaran ang nangyari. Nasaan ang dangal ng tao sa paliwanag na sinuwerte lang tayo sa proseso ng ebolusyon? Nasaan ang aking dignidad sa paliwanag na ako'y isang malayong kamag-anak ng mga bakulaw?

Mauunawaan lang natin ang dignidad ng tao kung makikinig tayo sa kapahayagan ng bibliya. Sino nga ba ang mapapagpapaliwanag ng dangal ng tao kundi ang mismong lumalang sa tao?

Dito sa Awit 8:3-8 ay matutunghayan natin ang dalawang hakbang upang maunawaan natin ang dignidad natin bilang mga tao.

Unang hakbang:
Maaaring ito ay isang sorpresa sa ilan. Ang unang hakbang upang maunawaan natin ang ating dignidad ay makita muna natin kung gaano tayo kaliit-- Tayo ay maliit kung ihahambing sa malaking Diyos.

Isang gabi'y pinagmamasdan ng salmistang si David ang kalangitan-- ang buwan at mga tala; ni wala siyang hawak na telescope ngunit siya ay lubhang namangha, ang kalangitan ay nagpapatotoo kung gaano kadakila ang Diyos sapagkat ang lahat ng mga nasa kalawakan ay gawa lamang ng maikhaing mga daliri ng Diyos

"3 Pinagmasdan ko ang langit na gawa ng iyong kamay,
pati ang buwan at mga bituin na iyong inilagay."

Habang pinagmamasdan ni david ang ganda ng kalangitan, nabatid niya kung gaano siya kaliit kung ihahambing sa karangyaan at kaluwalhatian ng diyos. Tuloy ay kanyang naitanong:

4 "Ano ba ang tao upang iyong pahalagahan;
o ang anak ng tao upang iyong pangalagaan?"

Pangalawang Hakbang:
Ang pangalawang hakbang upang maunawaan natin ang dignidad ng tao ay ang mabatid na sa kabila ng liit natin, binigyan niya tayo ng espesyal na tungkulin sa sannilikha.

Sambit ng Salmista sa talata 5:
"Nilikha mo siyang mababa sa iyo nang kaunti,
pinuspos mo siya ng dangal at ng luwalhati."

Ito ay tumutukoy sa likas ng tao na galing sa Diyos. Bago likhain ang tao ay may usapang naganap sa loob ng Banal na Trinidad:

"Ngayon, likhain natin ang tao ayon sa ating larawan, ayon sa ating wangis..." (Gen. 1:26). Bukod diyan ayibinigay niya sa tao ang pinakamataas na posisyon dito sa ibabaw ng lupa-- ang tungkulin ng pamamahala (Awit 8:6-8) kalakip ang kanyang pagpapala sa kanila (Gen.1:28a).

Ito ang tunay na dignidad ng tao: bagamat tayo ay maliit sa gitna ng malawak na solar system; maliit sa gitna ng malawak na galaxy; maliit sa gitna ng malawak na universe, tayo ay nilikha ng Diyos upang ating isalamin sa ating buhay ang Diyos.

 Ang Nasirang Dignidad ng Tao

at ang Solusyon ng Manlilikha

Malayo na nga ang agwat sa pagitan ng nilikha sa manlilikha, mas lumapad pa ang agwat nang ang tao ay magkasala. ang buhay natin na dapat sumalamin sa Diyos ay nagkaroon ng lamat. Nasira ang larawan at wangis ng Diyos sa atin dahil sa kasalanan. Naging pangit tayong lahat at ito'y hindi natin kayang ayusin.

Subalit sa kagandahang-loob ng Diyos, siya na rin ang gumawa ng paraan upang maayos ang lamat sa ating pagkatao. Isinugo niya ang kanyang anak, nagkatawang tao, nag-anyong alipin at namuhay nang walang sala. Sa kanyang kamatayan at muling pagkabuhay ay nilinis niya ang lahat ng bahid ng kasalanan sa sinumang sasampalataya sa kanya.

Siya na malayo ang agwat sa atin; Siya na lubhang mataas at hindi natin maabot ang siya mismong nagpakababa upang tayo ay abutin. Hinango niya tayo mula sa putik ng kasalanan. Sa kanyang piling lamang maibabalik nang buong-buo ang dignidad ng tao.

2 Corinto 3:18

"At ang kaluwalhatiang iyan na nagmumula sa Panginoon, na siyang Espiritu, ang siyang magbabago sa atin mula sa isang antas ng kaluwalhatian hanggang tayo'y maging kalarawan niya".

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ang salin na ginamit ay ang Bagong Magandang Balita Bibliya

When I'm 64

Wala akong maisip na pamagat para sa paskil na ito. Eh naalala ko lang ang kantang ito: In sports which require high levels of physical strength and skill, retirement comes early. If you are 40 and still active and productive, that's extraordinary. That's why the world was shocked when George Foreman regained the heavyweight championship belt at the age of 40. Cagers who seemingly walked on air have come and gone. They were called by different monickers: Aerial Voyager (Vergel Meneses), Sky Walker (Samboy Lim), Air Jordan (do I have to name him?). I really miss Jojo Lastimosa's acrobatic shots which were common to him in his rookie year. They are all retired now ; and by the time they reach the age of 70, I doubt if they could jump three inches high. As age advances, physical and mental productivity progressively declines. That's why there is a point called mandatory retirement in the workplace. When it come to spiritual service, Psalm 92:14 offers hope for the aged saints. They will still bear fruit in old age,     they will stay fresh and green (NIV) If the Lord will be pleased to grant me a long life, I would love to be an instrument in the Master's hand to strengthen the weak, to enlighten the confused, to humble the proud, and encourage the weary. But I can't wait till I'm 64. Lord use me NOW. Let me bear fruit NOW.

The Happiest and Safest Place in the Universe

The Manila Bus Hostage Crisis; a screenshot from a Youtube video.

I will use the 2007 data because I can't find a more recent report on Philippine tourism. In that year, the Philippines ranked #53 with 3.1 million tourist arrivals. I hope my forecast is wrong, but it is reasonable to expect a decline in our tourism industry after that horrible Manila Bus hostage crisis.

I would say that in order to attract tourists, we have to convince them of two things:

1. We have to convince that they will be happy here-- that they will enjoy their stay here.
2. We have to convince them that they are safe here-- that no harm awaits them.

France was the top tourist destination for that year with 81.9 million tourist arrivals (kaunti lang lamang nila sa atin-- 78.8 million lang).

For some reasons, people are convinced of two things:

1. They are convinced that they will be happy in France
2. They are convinced that they are safe and secure in France

Now, suppose a multi-billionaire offers you an all-expense paid trip to France with the following benefits:

• you shall be there not as a tourist but as a resident in Paris, France's best city for a period of 1,000 days (almost three years)
• you can take your loved ones with you so you won't miss them
• you shall receive a lavish allowance regularly so you don't have to worry about earning money.

Let's suppose all these are available to you with a few conditions:

• You are forbidden to open the bible
• You are forbidden to pray
• You are forbidden to attend church
• You are forbidden to sing songs of praise and worship to your God.

 Would you accept the offer?

The psalmist has already made up his mind:

Better is one day in your courts
    than a thousand elsewhere;
  I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
    than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

Psalm 84:10 (NIV)

He is convinced of two things:
a. True happines is in the Lord's presence only

the LORD bestows favor and honor;
  no good thing does he withhold
    from those whose walk is blameless.

Psalm 84:11

b. True security is in the Lord's presence only
he is our "shield" (v.11) a protection from flaming arrows and bullets.

Apprehending the goodness, grace, mercy, and power of God will make you desire to stay with him. You will not trade him for all the best things the world has to offer. The happiest and safest place in the universe is God's presence.

The Returning Exiles: Young and Old

OCTOGENERATIANS and NONAGENARIANS
I once asked the GLCC-Dagupan flock to put themselves in the shoes of the returning octogenarian and  nonagenarian exiles from  Babylon. I did so because the exiles 70 years old and below did not see the terror of Jerusalem's fall. The octogenarians and nonagenarians however saw it all. They witnessed how the buildings were burned including the King's Palace and even worse, the Temple. Beautiful Jerusalem turned to ashes before their very eyes.

Seventy years ago, they arrived at Babylon as grief-stricken young men. The sorrow in their hearts was so severe that even their best musicians hung their harps; their best singers can't sing.

  PS 137:3-4 for there our captors asked us for songs,
    our tormentors demanded songs of joy;
    they said, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion!"

  How can we sing the songs of the LORD
    while in a foreign land?"

As time flew, they witnessed the death of the men older than them one by one. Upon reaching the age of 80, they told themselves, "I'm next, I shall never see Jerusalem again".

Suddenly, they heard the news that Babylon's king ordered the return of the exiles. He also agreed for the rebuilding of the city. That explains the joy described in Psalm 126:1-3

"When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion,
    we were like men who dreamed.

  Our mouths were filled with laughter,
    our tongues with songs of joy.
  Then it was said among the nations,
    "The LORD has done great things for them."

  The LORD has done great things for us,
    and we are filled with joy.

THE YOUNGER EXILES
As I said, I asked the congregation to put themselves in the shoes of the elderly. My pastor, Jun Malazo however played the maverick's role that day. He put himself in the shoes of the younger ones instead.

They were already comfortable and settled in Babylon. They have their own families. They are peaceful and productive in Babylon (Jeremiah 29:4-7). It takes so much faith for them to rejoice in the King's order for them to return to Jerusalem.

What a faith indeed!

81-year old blogger: Donn Arms explains why Jay Adams (born Jan. 30, 1929) is blogging

"... while he is enjoying a degree of good health he is not able to travel far from the 'Adams compound' in rural Spartanburg county in South Carolina. We are thankful that today’s technology enables him to continue to have a wide ministry.

The psalmist wrote:

    The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still yield fruit in old age, they shall be full of sap and very green.
                                                                        Psalm 92:12-14

I believe you will find, as you read Dr. Adams’ blog, that he is still ”full of sap and very green!” (-Donn Arms, read the whole thing here)

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Books by Dr. Jay Adams:

Competent to Counsel

The Christian Counselor's Manual

Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage in the Bible

How to Help People Change

A Theology of Christian Counseling

Christian Living in the Home:

The Biblical View of Self-Esteem, Self-Love, and Self-Image

Solving Marriage Problems

Ready to Restore

From Forgiven to Forgiving

How to Overcome Evil

Handbook of Church Discipline

Preaching with Purpose 

Shepherding God's Flock

His Presence, Our Protection (Psalm 46)

Nang rumagasa ang bahang dulot ng bagyong Pepeng sa Pangasinan, kinansela ng Guiding Light-Dagupan ang kanyang worship service dahil lubog sa baha ang lungsod at mga karatig-bayan. Nang sumunod na linggo, sa habag ng Panginoon, ako po ang nabigyan ng pribilehiyong mangaral sa likod ng pulpito. Ito po ang buong manuscript ng mensaheng iyon.

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His Presence, Our Protection (Psalm 46)

Agosto ng taong 2001, libu-libong katao mula sa iba't ibang iglesiang Kristiyano mula sa iba't ibang panig ng bansa ang lumuwas sa Quezon City upang dumalo sa isang prayer and healing meeting sa pangunguna ng Don Clowers Ministries (DCM). Sa kagandahang-loob ng DCM, ang mga delegado ay nabigyan ng libreng lodging sa sari-saring budget hotels na malapit sa Araneta Coliseum kung saan ginanap ang naturang pagtitipon. Ang ilan sa kanila ay naka-check-in a Manor Hotel.

Sa loob ng Manor Hotel ay mahimbing na natutulog ang mga delegado-- hanggang sa pagsapit ng alas-4 ng madaling araw kung kelan narinig ang mga sigawan at daing, wala nang ilaw-- at ang lahat ay nagkakagulo. May SUNOG na tumutupok sa hotel at ang bawat isa ay naghahanap ng paraan kung paano makaligtas. Tinangka nilang tumakas sa pamamagitan ng mga bintana, subalit sa takot ng may-ari ng hotel sa mga magnanakaw, ang mga bintana ay may harang na mga iron bars. Kuwento ng isang survivor: tinganggal niya ang isang aircon unit upang siya makapag- hole in the wall.

Tumagal ang sunog sa loob ng dalawang oras. Hindi ko alam ang huling bilang pero halos tiyak ako na ito ay mahigit 70. Karamihan sa kanila ay hindi naman nadampian ng apoy o baga, kundi namatay dahil sa suffocation.

Itong aking kuwento ay bunga ng aking paghalukay sa sa mga news archives, ngunit mayroong isang bagay na sariwa pa rin sa aking alaala hanggang ngayon. Sa isang panayam ng isang TV reporter sa isang Pastor, ang tanong ay "Sa palagay po ba ninyo, itong nangyari ay plano ng Diyos?"

Napailing ang pastor kasunod ay ang sagot niyang "Hindi"

I do not want to withdraw my sympathy for that pastor. You can just imagine the pain seeing the lifeless bodies of members of your flock whom you love so much.

Yet I know from the moment I heard that interview that is was bad, bad, theology. It suggests that God is so helpless that he can't even implement his plan. Such a god is too weak-- that is not the God of the bible.

Kung siya ay talagang masugid na tagasunod ni Don Clowers, hindi nakapagtataka na ganun ang sagot ng pastor. Si Don Clowers ay isa sa mga nagtataguyod sa salot ng prosperity gospel. Nawa'y 'di na kumalat ang aral na 'yan.

Mga kapatid, kung kayo po ang lalapitan ng isang TV reporter at kayo ay kanyang tatanungin, "Sa palagay po ba ninyo, itong si bagyong Pepeng ay plano ng Diyos?"-- Ano po ang inyong isasagot.

Brethren, I have high hopes for you because I know that you are all well-taught. The last sermon you heard from our pastor before Pepeng ravanged our province was about the sovereignty of God over the affairs of the world so that when you tune-in to CNN, you will see the hand of God actively moving over the current events in Pakistan, Indonesia, Russia, Iraq, Washington, and anywhere else on earth and in the universe.

Naramdaman ba ninyo ang pagkilos ng Panginoon sa nagdaang rumaragasang baha? O tulad ba ng kamangmangan ng iba, ang tingin ninyo sa nangyari ay hatid ng isang impersonal force na tinatawag nilang Mother Nature?

What we say about God after a calamity is not trivial. It is of immesurable importance. Pagkatapos ng kalamidad na tumangay sa mga ari-arian at mga anak ni Job, kanyang sinabi:

"Naked I came from my mother's womb,
and naked I will depart.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised." (Job 1:21)

Ano ang komentaryo ng bibliya dyan sa sinabi ni Job, "In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing." (Job 1:22)

The object of this lesson is keep our view of God high-- so that in the midst of calamity, we will not sin with our words.

GOD ASSURES HIS PRESENCE WITH US IN TIMES OF TROUBLE
Ang madalas naming laruin nang ako ay bata pa ay yung shatong/shato-- gamit namin ang dalawang patpat (isang mahaba at isang maiksi). Para mahati namin ang aming sarili sa dalawang koponan, ang ginagawa namin ay yung Impyang (hindi ko kasi alam ang Tagalog niyan eh). Yung mga naglabas ng palad ay magkakakampi. Yung naglabas ng likuran ng kamay, magkakakampi.

Subalit dahil may mga bata na mas mahuhusay maglaro kaysa sa iba, hindi maiiwasan na kung minsan, yung mga mahuhusay ay nagkakataong nagkakasama-sama at yung mga lampa ay nagkakasama-sama rin sa isang koponan. Kapag nakita mo na mahina ang iyong koponan, mapapakamot ka ng iyong ulo at makiki-usap ka sa kabilang koponan:

'Puwede bang amin na lang si ______________"

What's the point?
The point is that you want the best to join your team. But more else could you ask for if the Sovereign Ruler of the universe, the all-powerful God is on your side?

That is exactly what you can find in this Psalm.
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, A VERY PRESENT help in trouble.
vv.7- "The Lord of hosts is WITH US..."
vv.11- "The Lord of hosts is WITH US..."

It was the promise given to Moses (Exo.3:12). Remember the parting of the Red Sea?
It was the promise given to Joshua (Josh. 1:5). Remember the conquest of the Promised land?
Because we are in Christ, the same promise is for us: "... and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, GOD WITH US)."

In God's presence we find protection (Psalm 23:4).
In God's presence we find blessing (Gen. 26:3)

THREE METAPHORS FOR GOD'S PROTECTING PRESENCE

1. REFUGE (verse 1)
Naaalala pa ba ninyo yung mga panahong may mga Vietnamese Refugees na naglalayag papunta sa ating bansa? Sila ay sakay ng mga bangkang hindi mo aakalain na makakatawid pala sa dagat.

Ang nangyari kasi, matapos magwagi ang mga komunista sa digmaan, inusig ng pamahalaan ang mga mamamayan na kumampi sa Amerika. Ang mga inuusig ay naghanap ng mga ligtas na lugar kaya't sila'y kung saan-saan napadpad: Malaysia, Thailand, Pilipinas, Hongkong at Indonesia.

Subalit ang inaasahan nilang ligtas na lugar ay mapanganib rin pala. Ayon sa mga ulat, dumanas ng sari-saring mga pagmamalupit ang mga Vietnamese sa mga Refugee camps (lalo na sa Thailand). Malaking bahagi ng tulong na ipinapadala sa kanila ng Amerika ay hinaharang ng korapsyon.

Ang bilang ng mga naitalang namatay sa Refugee camps ay 763.

489 naman ang naitalang dinukot, samatalang 863 kababaihan ang ginahasa.

They were looking for a refuge; a place of safety-- but they did not find it.

May mga naganap rin sa kasaysayan ng Israel kung kailan naghanap rin sila ng REFUGE, pero ang napuntahan nila ay kapahamakan:

ISAIAH 30:1-3
"Woe to the obstinate children,"
declares the LORD,
"to those who carry out plans that are not mine,
forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit,
heaping sin upon sin;

who go down to Egypt
without consulting me;
who look for help to Pharaoh's protection,
to Egypt's shade for refuge.

But Pharaoh's protection will be to your shame,
Egypt's shade will bring you disgrace.

Contrast this with the refuge we find in God's presence:

Isa.25:4 "You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat"

Psalm 104:18 "the crags are a refuge for the coneys"
I don't know what a coney is (rock badger in some versions), but one thing I know, the life of his saints are more precious in his sight than coneys, sparrows or any other animal (Matt. 10:31)

2. STRENGTH (verse 2)
To proclaim God as our stength in times of trouble is to admit that we are weak., that is we do not have a stength of our own. We are entirely helpless without him.

Madalas ipakita ng Diyos ang kanyang kapangyarihan sa pamamagitan ng ating kahinaan.
Isipin na lang ninyo ang batang pastol na David laban sa bihasang mandirigma, at ang dambuhalang si Goliath.

Isipin rin ninyo ang kakarampot na mga mandirigma ni Gideon.

2 Cor.12:9 ""My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

3. FORTRESS (verse 11)
"an isolated, elevated place where people built a stronghold against the enemy". (Willem Van Gemeren, EBC).

Yet staying in man-made fortresses, no matter how inaccessible and thickly walled, is not an assurance that you are safe.

Remember Edom?
Obadiah 3 "The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, `Who can bring me down to the ground?"... And God destroyed them.

Only in God do we find a fortress where safety is guaranteed

FEARLESSNESS-- The result of our Awareness of God's protecting presence

1. Fearlessness amidst Natural Catastrophes
~ amidst the most horrifying earthquakes:
" Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea" (vv.2)

~amidst the fierciest floods
"though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." (vv.3)

Because there is safety and stability in the city where God dwells (vv.4-5):
"There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.

God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day."

2. Fearlessness in the midst of man-made catastrophes:

Ang mga kalamidad likha ng tao ay mapanganib rin gaya ng mga natural na kalamidad. Isipin ninyo ang ginawa na at maaari pang gawin ng tao:
i.pagsalpok ng eroplano sa isang gusaling sentro ng ekonomiya
ii. pagpapakalat ng mga liham na may lamang anthrax o bomba
iii. pag-iwan ng mga poisonous gasses sa mga mataong lugar
iv. paglalagay ng lason sa mga baby's food na nasa pamilihan
v. paglason sa ating water supply
vi. pagpapasabog sa mga oil depot (kaya nga pinapalayas na ng konseho ng Maynila yung nasa Pandacan)

But by the mere voice of God, the most powerful human forces will be stopped (vv.6-9). Kahit magsabwatan pa ang mga makapangyarihan sa ibabaw ng lupa, hindi nasisindak ang Diyos. Pagtatawanan lang niya sila (Awit 2:4).

Do you know how wars are ended? Verse 9 reveals that God's hand is behind the ending of wars. He determines how long will they last, and one day he will end the very last battle in history (Rev. 20:7 ff.)

THE CHIEF END OF GOD'S PROTECTING PRESENCE
The chief end of God's protecting presence is the exaltation of himself-- that is God's glory.

Psalm 46:10 ""Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."

CONCLUSION
Matapos ang paglilitis sa Diet of Worms, si Martin Luther ay tinanggalan ng legal rights. Ibig sabihin, walang proteksyon ang batas para sa kanya. Isa kang kriminal kung siya ay iyong bibigyan ng pagkain o bahay na matutuluyan. Kung makakasalubong mo siya sa daan, maaari mo siyang hampasin ng dos-por-dos sa batok o pukpukin ng martilyo sa noo-- at WALA kang pananagutan sa batas. Hindi ka makukulong ni hindi ka magmumulta ng kahit isang kusing. Hindi lang iyon ang panganib na pinagdaanan ni Luther sa kanyang buhay, at tulad rin naman natin, tiyak na dumaan ang iba't ibang suliranin sa buhay niya.

Madalas daw kay Luther na kapag may problema, kanyang niyayaya ang kanyang mga katabi, "Halika, awitin natin ang ika-46 na Awit". Paborito talaga niya ang Psalm 46, kaya nga naisulat niya ang isang himno na pinamagatang A Mighty Fortress is our God.

If by some reason, Luther was inside Manor Hotel eight years ago (of course not to attend Don Clowers' meetings), he would have asked others to sing with him. "Come, let us sing the 46th Psalm".

For even in death, his protection never ceases for those who are truly his: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life... will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 8:38-39)

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