A String of Selah Pearls - Psalm 61:4

Positioned gracefully across the Book of Psalms is a string of seventy-one pearls, lovely beads of wisdom followed by the admonition SELAH which means, “Pause, think on these things, meditate.”

Psalm 61:4 “I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Selah.”

Meditation:

We took so many camping trips when I was a kid that I don’t care if I ever set foot in a tent again. Despite daily activities of fishing, swimming, and exploring, nights were something else again. I was scared most of the time and longed for the safety of home!

Though a canvas tent is durable against the rain, it doesn’t provide much protection from bears that roam campgrounds at night scouring for food. Sometimes in the morning, we kids would detect paw prints all around the tent (sometimes even on it!) and realize we might have been instant breakfast for bears.

This pearl describes another kind of tent, one offering more than shelter—one offering protection. The owner figuratively spreads his wings over the tent and its occupants. Safety reigns. No worries, no cares. No bears! This campout will be heavenly . . . and it will never end.

SELAH

Look up: Psalm 91:1-2

A String of Selah Pearls - Psalm 60:3-4

Positioned gracefully across the Book of Psalms is a string of seventy-one pearls, lovely beads of wisdom followed by the admonition SELAH which means, “Pause, think on these things, meditate.” 

Psalm 60:3-4 “You have shown your people desperate times; you have given us wine that makes us stagger. But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow.  Selah.”

Meditation

Why would a loving God who has openly identified himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob treat his people this way—showing them desperate times, giving them wine that made them stagger?  Why?

One of my favorite Bible passages is Psalm 107.  It begins with, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”  But then it goes on to detail how this God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob allowed his rebellious people to suffer until they turned back to him.  Over and over again.  The psalm ends with, “Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the LORD.”

Although certainly not all suffering indicates rebellion, Psalm 107 suggests that God, in his loving kindness, made life miserable for Hebrew prodigals so that they would return to the safety of his loving arms?

Remember this the next time someone asks you, “How can you believe in a God that allows suffering?”  It is precisely because of his protective love that he sometimes allows suffering.  The hot iron certainly gets our attention.

SELAH

Look up: Psalm 107:1-43

A String of Selah Pearls - Psalm 59:12-13

Positioned gracefully across the Book of Psalms is a string of seventy-one pearls, lovely beads of wisdom followed by the admonition SELAH which means, “Pause, think on these things, meditate.” 

Psalm 59:12-13 “For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride.  For the curses and lies they utter, consume them in wrath, consume them till they are no more.  Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob.  Selah.”

Meditation

In scripture we read that God hates lying tongues, false witnesses, proud looks and haughty eyes. Such things betray a prideful heart, a spirit of rebellion against God. Those who were out to kill David were certainly rebelling against God in his choice of David as Israel’s future king.

What about me?  I may not have stood in the way of someone being crowned king, but have I stood in the way of someone receiving deserved honor or recognition? 

Have I been unkind to the new pastor . . . or his wife? 

Have I been dismissive to the Sunday School teacher, my boss at work, the policeman on the corner? 

Have I dishonored my parents?  My children?

Have I neglected to pray for those in authority over me?

Have I done any of those things?  If so, I need to acknowledge that I, too, have been guilty of disobedience and rebellion against God. 

SELAH

Look up: I Kings 11:4; 14:8; Proverbs 6:16-19; I Thessalonians 5:12-13; Exodus 20:12; Philippians 2:4; I Timothy 1:1-2

Book Review: Green by Ted Dekker

Several years have passed since I read WHITE, the last installment of The Circle books. As intricate as the story line is--with Thomas the Hunter inhabiting two separate realities divided by thousands of years--I had no difficulty reconnecting with the characters in the newest installment GREEN. Characters, settings, plot lines--all are woven seamlessly throughout the four books, with GREEN written intentionally to represent either the beginning or the end of the series.

Dekker's followers have come to expect action-packed stories filled with twists and turns and memorable characters. GREEN does not disappoint. What thrilled me even more is Dekker's generous infusion of biblical allusions, from the showdown between the prophets of Ba'al and Elyon to the confusion over the timing of Elyon's return (pre-mid-post trib). Thomas the Hunter is clearly portrayed as a man after Elyon's heart whose son Samuel is clearly a type of Absalom. When the people grow restless for some "sign" of a heavenly presence, an angelic-type being presents himself and, as in Elisha's day, declares that Elyon's people are surrounded by heavenly beings. They just don't have eyes to see. The final battle takes place in the Miggdon Valley (Armageddon) where people who have taken the mark of the beast fight those who have not. Throughout the book, scripture is paraphrased frequently.

I recommend GREEN for those who like adventure but also for those who like to delve deep. It seems to me this book needs to be read more than once.

Ted Dekker grew up in the jungles of Indonesia where his parents were missionaries. His background is, at least, partially responsible for giving him a boundless imagination and a unique point of reference. 

A String of Selah Pearls - Psalm 59:5

Positioned gracefully across the Book of Psalms is a string of seventy-one pearls, lovely beads of wisdom followed by the admonition SELAH which means, “Pause, think on these things, meditate.”

   

Psalm 59:5 “O LORD God Almighty, the God of Israel, rouse yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to wicked traitors.  Selah.”

Meditation:

Sounds like David has had a bellyful of wicked traitors!  He’s fed up! If you read I Samuel, you’ll see that he had good reason to be angry.  You’ll also see that he turned the evildoers over to God’s judgment. And it’s a good thing, too, for God (despite David’s plea) is known for showing mercy . . . more mercy than we who are quick to speak and quick to anger.

When I am angry with someone, I try to do as David did—give it to God.  I have found that he has a handle on working all things together for good.

If God seems slow in bringing judgment, it’s not because he is asleep, unaware, deaf, or uncaring.  Working things together for good takes time, especially where humans are involved.  Sometimes both parties need to address some issues—need to do some growing up—before attempts at reconciliation can be made.

As for mercy, God will decide who gets that.

SELAH

Look up: Lamentations 3:22-23; James 1:19-20; Ephesians 4:26; Romans 8:28; 12:17-20; Psalm 18:25-26 (KJV). 

A String of Selah Pearls - Psalm 57:6

Positioned gracefully across the Book of Psalms is a string of seventy-one pearls, lovely beads of wisdom followed by the admonition SELAH which means, “Pause, think on these things, meditate.” 

Psalm 57:6 “They spread a net for my feet—I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path—but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah.”

Meditation

Now there’s poetic justice!  But, honestly, doesn’t that make you wonder about the intelligence of David's enemies?  

Think about it:  they dig a pit in their victim’s path and cover it with a net so he won’t see it.  It’s a sure bet he’ll fall.  They’re probably congratulating themselves on their craftiness. But then they themselves fall into it!  

From the victim’s point of view, it’s sheer deliverance, a miracle! In point of fact, God has many ways and agents to protect and defend his children.  Remember Elisha?  God struck his enemies blind temporarily, then graciously fed them and sent them on their way, changed men. Whatever the means, God is faithful to provide for each according to the need!  

SELAH

Look up: 2 Kings:6:15-20; Psalm 17,18

A String of Selah Pearls - Psalm 57:3

Positioned gracefully across the Book of Psalms is a string of seventy-one pearls, lovely beads of wisdom followed by the admonition SELAH which means, “Pause, think on these things, meditate.”

Psalm 57:3 “He sends from Heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me. Selah.”

Meditation

They’re not just chasing me—they are in hot pursuit! My adrenalin is kicking in: I’m “running” faster than I ever thought I could, but my heart is racing, too. I hear myself screaming and realize I’m terrified.

“Help!”

God sends help. It may be the State Policeman just ahead. It may be a passing motorist who calls 9-1-1 on his cell phone. It may be a friend who drops by unexpectedly. It may be words of comfort found in the Bible, or in a book of poetry.

Whatever agent God may use, he sends help for his children. And while he is in the process of saving us, he may be rebuking those who are giving us a bad time. Be sure their sins will find them out! Whether they are physical or spiritual enemies, they are no match for our protector and defender, our ever-present help in trouble.

SELAH

Look up: Ephesians 6:12; Numbers 32:23; Psalm 46:1