icon__search

Psalm 74 | Part 1: Psalms for Shepherds

An audible devotional on Psalms 74

July 16, 2022 • Holly Culhane, Psalms for Shepherds • Psalm 74

Today, we’re in Psalm 74, where the nation of Israel is in deep lament over the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. In fact, this psalm very much seems to be a community lament over what’s happened, similar to how we now gather at a site of tragedy and leave flowers and notes. Let's read together.

1 O God, why have you rejected us so long?
Why is your anger so intense against the sheep of your own pasture?
2 Remember that we are the people you chose long ago,
the tribe you redeemed as your own special possession!
And remember Jerusalem,[b] your home here on earth.
3 Walk through the awful ruins of the city;
see how the enemy has destroyed your sanctuary.

4 There your enemies shouted their victorious battle cries;
there they set up their battle standards.
5 They swung their axes
like woodcutters in a forest.
6 With axes and picks,
they smashed the carved paneling.
7 They burned your sanctuary to the ground.
They defiled the place that bears your name.
8 Then they thought, “Let’s destroy everything!”
So they burned down all the places where God was worshiped.

9 We no longer see your miraculous signs.
All the prophets are gone,
and no one can tell us when it will end.
10 How long, O God, will you allow our enemies to insult you?
Will you let them dishonor your name forever?
11 Why do you hold back your strong right hand?
Unleash your powerful fist and destroy them.

12 You, O God, are my king from ages past,
bringing salvation to the earth.
13 You split the sea by your strength
and smashed the heads of the sea monsters.
14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan[c]
and let the desert animals eat him.
15 You caused the springs and streams to gush forth,
and you dried up rivers that never run dry.
16 Both day and night belong to you;
you made the starlight[d] and the sun.
17 You set the boundaries of the earth,
and you made both summer and winter.

18 See how these enemies insult you, Lord.
A foolish nation has dishonored your name.
19 Don’t let these wild beasts destroy your turtledoves.
Don’t forget your suffering people forever.

20 Remember your covenant promises,
for the land is full of darkness and violence!
21 Don’t let the downtrodden be humiliated again.
Instead, let the poor and needy praise your name.

22 Arise, O God, and defend your cause.
Remember how these fools insult you all day long.
23 Don’t overlook what your enemies have said
or their growing uproar.

If you are in a similar place of despair as you are listening today, be encouraged by how the psalm's author went from despair to hope by remembering who God is and what he has done.

He lifted his eyes by faith from the burning ruins to the holy throne of God and with that, he received a new perspective on the situation. Confidence IN God always flows from attention TO God. And I believe that’s one of the most important lessons this psalm has for us. Be encouraged.

May you live deeply into your calling this week.

Psalm 119 | Part 17 | Psalms for Shepherds

March 2, 2024 • Holly Culhane, Psalms for Shepherds, P4S • Psalm 119:129–136

Welcome to week 17 of our series on Psalm 119, and we’re looking at verses 129 through 136. This stanza of the Psalm is based on the 17th letter of the Hebrew alphabet, known as Pe which in Hebrew means mouth. I have not spoken of the meaning of the Hebrew letters during this Psalm 119 series, but I’ve been so drawn to the meaning with this particular letter. The fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet also means “mouth”, but interestingly it means breathing, breath, Spirit, and revelation. Pe, the letter associated with these 16 verses, however, means “speech, the spoken word, testimony”.  There is so much truth in this short passage. God’s testimonies ARE wonderful. His Word DOES give light, as well as understanding. His way toward those who love Him is, in fact, to turn toward us and be gracious to us. He DOES redeem us from our oppression, He surely shines His face upon us, and He does give us a passion for those who do not know and love the Father. To me, it feels like the real power in this passage is the reminder the psalmist gives in verse 133. The ESV reads, “Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion [or autocratic rule] over me. The New Living Translation of that verse says, “Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.” The Message translation reads: “Steady my steps with your Word of promise so nothing malign [or nothing harmful, hurtful, or damaging] gets the better of me.”  You know, it seems that we often use so many excuses as to why we sin, that we forget so many passages like Peter’s reminder that “We have been given everything we need for life and godliness”. In other words, to live as Christ would have us to live, and Paul’s admonitions to believers to live a godly life. Not letting sin overcome us is not just an aspirational thought or an aspiring goal, but can be our experience as shepherding believers. If we abide in Jesus Christ, then He has the power, through the Holy Spirit, to daily draw us to Himself and to direct our feet, our hands, our hearts, and our minds into the ways of righteousness. “Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.” (verse 133)   Our Good Shepherd will keep that promise, fellow under-shepherd. He will help us keep our steps steady and He will not let sin have dominion over us. And we must do our part, as well by beginning our day by crying out to Him and staying focused on Him throughout the day. In essence, we abide in Him. All day. Every day. Never wavering from keeping our minds fixed on Christ, the author and protector of our faith. Our Good, Great, and Chief Shepherd. Whatever tempts you the most and it does not matter whether it is an addiction or an occasional attraction or enticement you can live in a way that does not let that sin get dominion over you. It is really your choice, fellow under-shepherd. Giving into temptation will always produce a negative situation in your flock, because as Scripture teaches us sin always separates us from God, us from others, and, even, us from ourselves. Shepherd leader, How willing are you to move from separation to community? Even with the flock you shepherd. Be encouraged to spend time contemplating that question, evaluating how you are living, if you are crying out to the Father, longing after His Word, and meditating on Him and His Words day and night the only sure-fire way that you will not be overcome by evil and that nothing harmful, hurtful, or damaging will get the better of you.  May you live deeply into your calling to shepherd well all those entrusted to your care.

Psalm 119 | Part 16 | Psalms for Shepherds

February 24, 2024 • Holly Culhane, Psalms for Shepherds, P4S • Psalm 119:113–120

This is week 16 of our series on Psalm 119, and we’re looking at verses 121 through 128. This stanza of the Psalm is based on the 16th letter of the Hebrew alphabet, known as Ayin. In this portion of Psalm 119, the psalmist --- the author --- feels he is at the mercy of his enemies and that he has done what is just and right, and wants assurance that God will rescue him. The psalmist knows and expresses in this psalm that God is the ULTMATE PROTECTOR. He can intervene at any time He chooses, just as He did for the children of Israel. So he is begging God to do so. Sometimes, though, God does not intervene. Our status as children of God, as those who love Him, follow His Word, and serve as His under-shepherds, does not shield us from the arrogant and the evil around us. Sometimes it seems that God is doing nothing. Maybe someone in your congregation, on your work team, in your community, or even in your neighborhood, is making life difficult for you. They may be spreading lies, undermining a task you’re trying to accomplish, or, worse yet, working to tarnish your reputation. Maybe it is evil you are experiencing at school or at work. You have been clear with God, as the psalmist was, that you need to be rescued and delivered from whatever you are facing, but God has not yet acted. He has not stepped in and saved the day! He has not done whatever it is you are hoping He would do. Or does it just seem that way? My dear fellow under-shepherd, God is ALWAYS working. He is ALWAYS hearing our pleas for help, our complaints, our fears, our concerns. We need never question His presence even if we cannot feel it. We need never question His provision even if we cannot see it. We need never question His protection even if we cannot hear His army approaching.  As the psalmist ultimately says, we need to trust our Lord. Fully. With His timing. His ways. His truth. Even in the midst of oppression. The bottom line to this passage is that no matter what happens, no matter how long it takes God to save, we, like the psalmist, have blessed assurance that the Lord is our rewarder. He is our surety (because God keeps His promises). He is our Master and the final judge.  Shepherd leader, what will you do with the truths in this passage? How will you apply them? May we live deeply into our calling this week.

Psalm 119 | Part 15 | Psalms for Shepherds

February 22, 2024 • Holly Culhane, Psalms for Shepherds, P4S • Psalm 119:113–120

This is week 15 of our series on Psalm 119, and we’re looking at verses 113 through 120. This stanza of the Psalm is based on the 15th letter of the Hebrew alphabet, known as Samekh, and reminds us that God protects His people, God upholds the obedient, God rejects the wicked, and that God alone should be feared. This passage is a perfect reminder that respecting God’s judgments begins with respecting His Word, and that respect begins with a wholehearted commitment to Scripture. A commitment that we, as God’s under-shepherds, should demonstrate. Beyond that whole-hearted commitment to Scripture, the psalmist speaks of the importance of patiently relying on God’s Word for the ultimate victory. We must rest on God’s protection, making Him our hiding place....our refuge and shelter from the attacks of the enemy, whether they are by Satan and his forces or by those with whom we work or serve. God is our shield, our defense to fend off the attacks that do come our way.....and we must be leaders who protect the flock in our care, NEVER losing confidence in the ultimate triumph we have through God’s Word. As the psalmist wrote, “I WAIT for the Lord... and, He is counting on God’s Word to never let him down because of his deep trust He has in the Father. Fellow shepherd leader, if you do not ABSOLUTELY know that you can trust the Father and that He is faithful, then a follow-up exercise to this podcast would be to take a moment and make a list of every single time you have experienced God’s faithfulness in your life. We need to remember that as we shepherd, as the enemy plants seeds of doubts in our minds, when things get harder than expected ---- or harder than we would like ---- We. Can. Trust. Our God! Thank you for joining me this week. I pray that you will take time to make your “How God has proven Himself faithful to me” list and search your soul for how you regard His Word, His statutes, and His precepts.