Out of the Depths

Out of the depths, O Lord, I cry to You

When I am tempted to despair

Though I might fail to trust Your promises

You never fail to hear my prayer
And if You judged my sin

I’d never stand again

But I see mercy in Your hands

So more than watchmen for the morning

I will wait for You, my God

When my fears come with no warning

In Your Word I’ll put my trust

When the harvest time is over and I still see no fruit

I will wait, I will wait for You

The secret mysteries belong to You

We only know what You reveal

And all my questions that are unresolved

Don’t change the wisdom of Your will

In every trial and lossMy hope is in the cross

Where Your compassions never fail

by Bob Kauflin

Unsearchable Riches in the Psalms

I recently returned from the Worship God 08 conference in Gaithersburg Maryland. The topic was "Discover Unsearchable Greatness in the Psalms." At the conference, Sovereign Grace Ministries released their newest album Psalms. You can download a free song "Praise the Lord" here.

I know I say this a lot, but this is quickly becoming my favorite album. :) My favorite by far is "Out of the Depths" by Bob Kauflin (based on Psalm 130).

Of all the songs, the raw honesty is most visible here through lyrics like "though I may fail to trust Your promises, You never fail to hear my prayer" and "when the harvest time is over and I still see no fruit, I will wait for You."

I think one reason I like Sovereign Grace music so much is because of the genuine emotion that is expressed through the lyrics. It is not simply "be happy in Jesus." Rather, what is expressed is genuine Christianity - struggles and trials and sorrows, but a hope in the midst of those trials as a result of our Reedemer who is steadfast in love and faithfulness.

So often, I fail to connect doctrine with my real life. I fail to see the link between my emotions and the hope found in the gospel. The words on the page don't seem to be living. It is through songs like this that the dots begin to connect in a new and sweet way.

God, thank you for these songs. Thank you for the gift of words. Thank you for the dedication of Bob Kauflin and the other songwriters to write songs that help us to realize Your involvement in our daily lives. I pray that You would use my words, my thoughts of You to help connect others lives to Your unfathomable greatness.

Psalm 100: 4-5 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

Bless the Lord

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.

Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will! Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul! (Psalm 103)

Last night at care group, I stood in a crowded room, yet felt very much all alone. I was struggling to arrest my soul with truth instead of being discouraged by my emotions. I was fighting to praise instead of mourn. I knew that my soul was desperately thirsty for those Words that bring life. So, in the midst of the second song, I stopped singing and opened my Bible and began to read.

I was reading Psalm 103 and was freshly reminded and encouraged by God's love to me. By His intimate care and by His awareness of my weakness. I was encouraged of the reminder that God knows I'm dust. But even the rocks can cry out and praise God. So, dust can too.

As I was reading through the Psalm again, Matt stopped singing and began to read. It was spooky. He began reading exactly Psalm 103. Not just the first verse -- the whole chapter. It was as if God were saying "see, Emily... I really do love you. I do care. I am more powerful than you - you're dust. But I care for you... softly and tenderly."

Big surprise... I started crying. :)

He loves me. He's forgiven me. Wow. Julie again reminded me of those same things later that night. He loves me. He chose me in my sin. He is pleased when He looks at me because He sees Jesus. I have a Mediator, so when Christ looks at me, He is pleased. He does not see me as unworthy of His love. Through the cross, He sees me through Jesus' worth.

I don't get that. But its grace. And its amazing. That's why my soul can bless the Lord. That's why there's joy. That's peace. That's rest. Wow. That's cool...

Psalm 40

In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. Then I said, "Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.

for you, O LORD, you will not restrain your mercy from me;your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me! For evils have encompassed me beyond number;my iniquities have overtaken me, and I cannot see;they are more than the hairs of my head; my heart fails me. Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me! O LORD, make haste to help me!

As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me.You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!

Psalm 143

Daddy, be near to me. Listen to me. I'm crying for you. Please don't judge me - I know I deserve that judgment but I cling to the promise that your cross is sufficient. I cannot stand before you if not for Christ so I hide in the shadow of His sin-removing cross. His payment that covered all my sin - this is why I can come and call you Daddy. So, Daddy, I'm hurt. Please listen to me. Please be near and care as I'm crying out to you. I'm discouraged and crushed. I'm lifeless. The only life flowing in me is that of my sin. Be faithful once again to strip me of my sins and to once again bring me to life. You've been faithful in my past - now I need grace for today and hope for tomorrow. God, I'm crying. I'm reaching. But without your compassion its to no avail. Listen to me - not because I deserve it but, Daddy, your love doesn't change. Show me once again that love. I'm dry and need the healing rains of your unchanging love. Lead me, guide me, hold me, take me where I need to go because I can't see the way. Help me - I'm coming to you to be my help and safe rock. Teach me - my heart is ready to learn. Guide me - I'm listening. Help me - I'm weak. Continue and complete what you started. Comfort me that its true - you can't and won't give up. Your love will last forever. You won't leave me as an orphan. You are near to me. Help me - I'm in trouble and need you to pick me up. Carry me to your table - I'm hungry and longing to be fed. I'm desperate Daddy. I'm gonna die without your care. Help! Don't be angry - forgive me for turning from. Please be near to me as you strip my idols away. Please turn your ear to listen. I need you.

Psalm 3 and 4

Psalm 3
O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God. But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill. I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the LORD; your blessing be on your people!

Thoughts: David was running from danger at this point. He was I'm sure you could say - in the midst of sufferring. He probably wouldn't have chosen to be running for his life. But he said "God - you are my shield." God was the barrier between David and his circumstances. He was protecting him from danger. He didn't send David into battle unprepared - He was there providing very physical, very real protection and comfort! David was so secure despite the turmoil around him that he was able to say "I lay down and slept... I will not be afraid..." That is God's grace on display - being able to say that is not a normal human response. David should have been scared out of his mind, yet he was able to say I'm completely at peace.
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Psalm 4
Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him. Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD. There are many who say, "Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!" You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Thoughts: David's confidence to pray for God's answers was based on his 2nd statement - He looked back at God's faithfulness in his past and confidently was assured of His continuing faithful generosity. The Lord hears when I call unto him. What relief. He isn't a Budda sitting uncaring with crossed arms and I'm just trying to reach his ears. My cry, my very breath reaches his all-knowing all-compassionate all-powerful ears. And He wants our confidence to be wholly on him. So, the one line that really stuck out to me is "You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound." Can our church family say that about us? Are we charaterized by joy? A confident joy in a faithful God that will never leave us? Again - what an evidence of God's amazing grace displayed in David - His joy was IN SPITE of his circumstances not because of them.

Psalm 1 and 2

Here were some of my thoughts as I was reading the 2 passages.

Psalm 1.
It starts with what we do (where we walk, sit, stand) but ties it together with what we think (v.2) - our actions are a result of what we meditate on. Our actions should be motivated by our thoughts - there is something behind "why we do what we do." If we walk and sit and stand with "sinners" its because we're not meditating the way we need to on the Scripture.

V.3 talks about "be what you are" - you're a fruit tree - you should be bearing fruit. And that fruit is a result of v2 - it happens as a reusult of what we set our minds on (thoughts).I read this in German too for another perspective.

Verse 2 talks about our desire being towards the ways of God. The German word for desire is basically the same as the English word for lust. Am I pursuing God with that much passion? With a lustful desire - I've "got to" have Him to be satisfied? Or am I just merely floating by the wind? The way to be planted is literally to lust after God - to want Him more than everything else.

Psalm 2.
the first part is talking about how futile it is to "plan" life without God - either plan how it should go with no regard to Him or plan it against His will - they're both the same - I'm taking control.

But what is His response? You're my son! You're my child! I've adopted you. I have promised to bless and protect those who run to me.

So, you're confused? You want to be planning? The answer isn't in receiving an answer, its in receiving comfort, protection and love and care from ME!

Psalm 18

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who addressed the words of this song to the LORD on the day when the LORD rescued him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said:

I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised,and I am saved from my enemies.
The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of destruction assailed me; the cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me.
In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.

Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled and quaked, because he was angry. Smoke went up from his nostrils, and devouring fire from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him. He bowed the heavens and came down; thick darkness was under his feet. He rode on a cherub and flew; he came swiftly on the wings of the wind. He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him, thick clouds dark with water. Out of the brightness before him hailstones and coals of fire broke through his clouds.

The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Most High uttered his voice, hailstones and coals of fire. And he sent out his arrows and scattered them; he flashed forth lightnings and routed them. Then the channels of the sea were seen, and the foundations of the world were laid bareat your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.

He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters. He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the LORD was my support. He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me.

The LORD dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me. For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. For all his rules were before me, and his statutes I did not put away from me. I was blameless before him, and I kept myself from my guilt. So the LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.

With the merciful you show yourself merciful; with the blameless man you show yourself blameless; with the purified you show yourself pure; and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous. For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down. For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness. For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall.

This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?—the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great.

You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip. I pursued my enemies and overtook them, and did not turn back till they were consumed. I thrust them through, so that they were not able to rise; they fell under my feet. For you equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me. You made my enemies turn their backs to me, and those who hated me I destroyed. They cried for help, but there was none to save; they cried to the LORD, but he did not answer them. I beat them fine as dust before the wind; I cast them out like the mire of the streets.

You delivered me from strife with the people; you made me the head of the nations; people whom I had not known served me. As soon as they heard of me they obeyed me; foreigners came cringing to me. Foreigners lost heart and came trembling out of their fortresses.

The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation—the God who gave me vengeance and subdued peoples under me, who delivered me from my enemies; yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me; you rescued me from the man of violence.

For this I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations, and sing to your name. Great salvation he brings to his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever.

Psalm 130

Psalm 130 - The Message
A Pilgrim Song

Help, God—the bottom has fallen out of my life!
Master, hear my cry for help!
Listen hard! Open your ears!
Listen to my cries for mercy.

If you, God, kept records on wrongdoings,
who would stand a chance?
As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit,
and that's why you're worshiped.

I pray to God—my life a prayer—
and wait for what he'll say and do.
My life's on the line before God, my Lord,
waiting and watching till morning,
waiting and watching till morning.

O Israel, wait and watch for God—
with God's arrival comes love,
with God's arrival comes generous redemption.
No doubt about it—he'll redeem Israel,
buy back Israel from captivity to sin.