A String of Selah Pearls - Psalm 67:1

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 67:1 “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us.  Selah.”

Meditation

Our grandson Luke, learning to walk, would look up at daddy’s face and find great encouragement in Mike’s smiles and words of blessing.  Pretty soon, the little guy was off . . . and running, exercising his newfound independence.

However independent we eventually become, we never outgrow our need for God; for it’s in leaving the safety of home that many find the world to be a very unfriendly place—so unfriendly, at times, that we could easily lose our balance and fall.

It is then that we, like little Luke, can find encouragement in our Father’s face, experiencing his blessings and his grace.  It is then that we regain our composure, and press on.

SELAH

Look up: Numbers 6:25; Psalm 67:1; 104:15; Philippians 3:12

A String of Selah Pearls - Psalm 66:13-15

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 66:13-15 “I will come to your temple with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to you—vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke when I was in trouble.  I will sacrifice fat animals to you and an offering of rams; I will offer bulls and goats.  Selah.”

Meditation

Many of us have made “foxhole conversions” to God when we were in trouble.  “Oh God, if you will just get me out of this, I will do such and so.” This pearl reminds us of the importance of keeping vows made to God.

The circumstances surrounding those promises do not matter.  What matters is that promises made to God must be kept.  That includes promises made to others with God as our witness, e.g., marriage vows and other pledges made in faith.

God always keeps his promises.  As his spirit-filled child, how can I do any differently?  And when I pay my pledge, let me give the best “fat animals” that I have, my utmost for his highest.

SELAH

Look up: Psalm 56:12; 66:13-14; 76:11

A String of Selah Pearls - Psalm 66:7

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 66:7 “He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations—let not the rebellious rise up against him.  Selah.”

Meditation

An American president exerts great power—for four years, possibly eight.   

Senators for six years.   

Representatives, two.

Most of us have at least some authority within our spheres of influence during our brief lifetimes.

But God reigns forever, “re-elected” by his own power.  And he warns all of us, great and small alike, not to rebel against his authority, not to exalt ourselves. 

Yet, how easy it is for us to find reasons to pat ourselves on the back.  Perhaps a simple compliment, such as:

            “You did that job well” or

            “You always look so nice” or

            “I wish I could cook as well as you” or

            “Where did you learn to play piano like that?”

can turn our heads and cause us to exalt ourselves and our abilities above the Creator who gave them to us.

This pearl advises us to guard against self-idolatry.  God loves us too much to let us share his glory.  We would get lost in it.

SELAH

Look up: Psalm 44:8; Jeremiah 9:23-24; I Corinthians 10:31; Romans 1:21-25; James 4:7-10

A String of Selah Pearls - Psalm 66:3-4

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 66:3-4 “Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!  So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.  All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name.  Selah.”

Meditation

Until a relatively short time ago, the mighty wonders of the Old Testament God were known by all.  Creation.  The Flood.  Plagues.  Parting of the Red Sea.  Victories in the Promised Land.  You could mention crossing the Jordan without needing to clarify that you were referring to the Bible—not a television series.

That was then.  This is now.  A foul wind has blown around the earth in an attempt to sweep God from our minds and hearts.  But one day, possibly very soon, a blast from on high will reverse the current trends.

God will return and make things right. And those who love him will bow before his power, confess his holy name, and sing his praises.  All will be well with the world . . . at last!

SELAH

Look up: II Corinthians 4:4; I Thessalonians 4:16-17; Philippians 2:5-11 

A String of Selah Pearls - Psalm 62:8

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 62:8 “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah.”

Meditation

Are we to trust him some times . . . when we feel like it . . . or at all times? How about when there’s no money left and payday is a week away? The cupboards are nearly bare. A couple of bills have not been paid. You’re worrying about the power being shut off, and you have just learned that your job status is insecure.

As a result of corporate downsizing, Sandra ended up on the streets homeless. Living out of a car, not knowing where her next meal was coming from, she continued to trust God anyway. She poured out her heart to him, sought him as her refuge.

Where is she now? She is off the streets and getting back on her feet. Though she would never have chosen this pathway, Sandra has ended up with a new confidence, both in herself and in God.

Through Sandra’s testimony of God’s grace in a difficult time, she encourages others to keep on trusting in his unfailing love and his promise of a future and a hope. God is our refuge, and he makes all things beautiful, in his time.

SELAH

Look up: John 9:1-3; James 1:2-6; I Thessalonians 5:18; Isaiah 26:3; Jeremiah 29:11

A String of Selah Pearls - Psalm 62:1-4

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 62: 1-4 “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.  How long will you assault a man? Would all of you throw him down—this leaning wall, this tottering fence?  They fully intend to topple him from his lofty place; they take delight in lies.  With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.  Selah.”

Meditation

Look at me.  See me for what I am, a tottering fence, a leaning wall.  No strength of my own.  Weak.  An enemy could see this and take pleasure in plotting my destruction, bringing me down through deception and lies.

But I have this friend.  He lives in a lofty place and his name is God.  He’s big and he cares about me.  In fact, whenever I’m in trouble, I can go to him and find rest and protection.  He’s my rock and I shall never be moved.

So I don’t fear an enemy.  I may fear FOR him because I know what God is capable of doing to those who pick on his children. But I also know that God is patient and kind.  While he gives my enemy more time to repent, he continues to protect me.

Sometimes I wish he’d just cream the creep. But he usually doesn’t.  I know . . . because I’ve been a creep myself.

SELAH

Look up: Genesis 12:1-3; Luke 12:4-5; Romans 12:17-21; Psalm 31:19; Romans 11:33-34; Isaiah 55:8