Fighter Verse Songs

(You may have recognized the voice of Pastor Sam Crabtree singing this song (with his wife, Vicki, playing Keyboard) – He agreed to do guest post for this verse. Thanks Pastor Sam!)

Psalm 23:3-4

He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his names’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Our God is a soul-restoring God, the kind who is a path-navigating shepherd. It matters not that the path descends into dark valleys and deadly places. We need fear no evil, and our weary souls find restoration, even through his rod of correction.

He is a comfort-giving God, even if he leads us through uncomfortable circumstances.

Our circumstances can be comfort-removing, but he triumphs over them in bring comfort for us in his embrace.

Application of the Fighter Verse for December 10/11

Psalm 23:1-2

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.

Where to start? How about ‘still waters’? That’s where the good shepherd brings us.

Have you ever taken a walk along a peaceful river? Doesn’t it restore your soul? Yes, but not as well as the Lord does. That restoration is complete. It fixes everything.

And why does he do it? Why does he give us all these blessings? For his name sake. Which brings to mind Luke 2, so appropriate for this month.

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.”

Peace for us and Glory for God. Amen.

1 John 1:8-9

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

So here – as is often found in scriptures side by side – is good news and bad news. Or more accurately: really, really bad news and really, really good news.

We are all sinful. We cannot claim to be otherwise.

But for the saved person – repentance brings forgiveness. Perfect, holy, just forgiveness.

So what are we supposed to do?

1. Don’t claim to be sinless. Don’t think we’re good enough on our own.
2. Fall down at the foot of the cross and confess our sins.
3. Ask for forgiveness.

Like I tell my kids – what would we do, where would be if it weren’t for the good news part of this passage?

We would be lost. But because of God’s faithfulness, we are righteous.

Psalm 141:3,4

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;
Keep watch over the door of my lips!
Do not let my heart incline to any evil.

The implication here is that the inclination of our hearts to evil (yes, it’s an inclination implication) often is shown in the darks words we say. Isn’t this true?

We find ourselves thinking – why did I say that? Where did that come from? Am I not better than that?

Unfortunately, no we’re not.

But there’s hope and David the psalmist gives us the answer – we can pray. God will keep watch over what we say. God will help us control our tongues.

Do you pray this? Do you ask for help in this way?

Psalm 125: 1-2

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people,
from this time forth and forevermore.

Another happy, peaceful, comforting verse!

The nights have grown cold here in Minnesota and when I go check on our kids late at night, I take great comfort in seeing our kids warm, safe and comfortable in their beds. But this is nothing compared to the security that we have in the Lord.

And I will ask the same question I’ve asked with other blessings – do you (do I) believe it? Do we live like we believe it?

I note that this is a different kind of mixed metaphor. We are both like a mountain and like a city that is surrounded by mountains.

How many nations and cities, down through ages of human history, have been protected by mountains? And how many mountains, down through the ages of human history, have been torn down?

The answers are many and none, respectively. And that’s what we are like, thanks to our heavenly Father.

John 14:2-3

In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

This must be one of the happiest verse in the Bible. Such good news. A room with many homes prepared by a loving Father and his Son the Savior. And Jesus is encouraging us: Don’t think I’m leaving you forever. Don’t think that your life will just end when you die.

Jesus’ message for those who have chosen him as Savior (and for whom He has chosen) is: You will have a happy ending. With me and my Father.

We will be more bold, joyful, gracious, merciful, God-honoring and obedient if we believe it. Do you?

Good sense makes one slow to anger and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

Proverbs 19:11

Something very rare happens in this verse. Do you know what it is?

This verse says that glory should go to someone and it isn’t God.

This verse actually says a certain kind of person should have glory ascribed to them.

Doesn’t that make you curious? Doesn’t that make you want to be that kind of person?

So what kind of person is it?

Someone who looks past their own interest, their own pride and sense of what is due them and overlooks an offense done to them. And lest we say, ‘That’s all?’, we should remember how hard that is.

Because we think, “I deserve better than that. That person must pay.”

But when we overlook the offense, we’re actually saying, “I trust that God will make sure that justice will be done.”

And it will. Either on earth, or in hell, or on the Cross.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

We’re all so tempted to lean on our own understanding, aren’t we? Maybe God’s way isn’t the best way right now. Maybe in my situation, it would be best if I go against his will.

No it won’t.

“A straight path.” Yes, that’s what we all want, don’t we? If only God would tell me which way to go. Should I take this job opportunity? Should I break up with the person I’m dating? Should I send my child to this school?

And how does the proverbs writer suggest we find God’s will?

Trust God and acknowledge him.

Acknowledge him? That’s something we all don’t do enough. We forget he’s there. We act as if he weren’t a part of everything that is happening to us. We ignore the truth that every good gift is from above and he wants to give us more.

Trust God and acknowledge him, always. More than you are right now. Pray that God will help you.

Which paths would you like to be made more straight?
In what ways are you leaning on your own understanding?
In what ways could you trust him more?

My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.

Proverbs 1:10

Well, how is that for short and sweet?

And it’s very clear, isn’t it.

A few things we could notice –

“My Son”: This advice is from someone who loves you and cares about the outcome of your faith.

“if sinners”: That person who is trying to get you to do the sinful act is himself sinning. Be warned.

“entice you”: You don’t get someone to sin by making it look ugly or pleasant. No, you make it look attractive. And we humans (especially we modern human) have been trained to think that attractive=good.  We have allow God to untrain us of this way of thinking.

“do not consent”. There it is – plain and simple – do not do it. Do not go along with them and their attractive ideas.

What things are you considering right now that are attractive but you know are wrong?

Are there any situations in your life right now where you are unwittingly acting as the enticer?

Where should you decide not to consent this week?

I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’

Isaiah 46:9,10

One thing we need to get used to with our heavenly Father is this: Since all goodness comes from Him, and only goodness comes from Him, He has the right to boast. He has no need to be humble.

We do. As does every Prophet, Philosopher, King or Famous Actor.

And everything he wills to have happen, he sees that it happens.

We can’t. Nor can any Emperor, President, Wise man, or Rock Star.

This is one good reason why we worship. Because worship is due him.

But happily, there is another reason to worship him – because we love him.

Isn’t it good to love the God that there is none like?