David Bahn - Reflections

Whatever may happen in our lives we can talk about God, "He..." But we can also talk to God, "You..." That's what David does in this psalm. And so did we during various times of challenge, danger, anxiety, and uncertainty in our lives. So can you. Whatever you are facing, you can talk about God. And you can talk to him. He listens...even though he has much to do. Last night we closed our choir pra...

The blessing of God's presence will be fully enjoyed by those who love him and yearn for his guidance, provision, and salvation. That's the promise of God recorded in Revelation 21:1-3 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a b...

The first step in the AA 12-Step recovery program is to admit that you have a problem. That's an attitude of humility. Other steps require confession, obedience, and even helping others along the way. That's the path of obedience. That's nothing new. These are God's ways from of old. Blessed is the one who will humble himself before God, and who will fully experience the blessings of God in follow...

David - 1000 years before Jesus was born - writes about the LORD being his shepherd. And all that he does is good. Safety, security, and rich supply are the LORD's gifts. Eternal joy in his presence is his hope. Confidence in the face of challenge and danger is his fortune. David identifies the One who supplies all this: the LORD. This is the holy name of God, the One who is, who revealed himself...

The imagery of suffering and torment in this psalm surely reflects that of Jesus on the cross: bones out of joint, pierced hands and feet, lots cast for his clothing, people mocking him. Jesus endures this for us because of his love for his Father and for us and all sinners. He perfectly fulfills all this - not just symbolically. I don't know of a situation when David's hands and feet were pierced...

You may be facing nearly insurmountable challenges, subject to unimaginable stress, or feeling grave difficulties. God does not want you to deny these brutal facts. But neither does he want you to give up hope. He is good. And our hope has been secured in the One who quotes this psalm from the cross. Our Lord Jesus remained faithful to the very end, and now has the name above every name. At the na...

Sometimes in times of grief and sadness we must simply continue in prayer and seek God’s comfort from his word. That’s where the Psalms are so very precious. We can pray the psalms and express our earnest needs and woes through psalms such as this one. But even in this one, we see words of hope-filled faith. That’s the other blessing of praying the psalms: They don’t leave us in the doldrums of gr...

Jesus cries, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Though God had forsaken him, he kept faith in God. Please don't try to comprehend the mysteries of the triune nature of God in regard to this. Entire seminary classes are given to Christology including things like the Genus Apostelismaticum, Genus Majestaticum, and Genus Idiomaticum, (the communication of human and divine attributes within t...

Followers of Jesus cannot read this psalm without thinking of Jesus on the cross. He cries these words as he suffers so unjustly. Later this week, I'll be reflecting more on Jesus' prayer. For now, consider with me the way in which these words - written 1000 years before Jesus so clearly describe Jesus' suffering and death. He did that for you and for me. He was forsaken so that we may never be fo...

Not long ago a friend offered this suggestion to overcome insomnia. I had shared that I will pray the Lord's prayer again and again, or sing/pray the Agnus Dei, or a favorite hymn. His suggestion: When you wake up in the middle of the night think of all the things for which you're thankful, things that bring you true joy.  I wonder now if the glory of the heavenly witness, the beautiful truth...

What are we to do as we contemplate our sins, confessing them and seeking God's forgiveness? Certainly we must take seriously the urgent confession in the words, "Declare me innocent from hidden faults." We can sincerely pray, "Keep me blameless and innocent of great transgression." And we can rejoice in Jesus' forgiveness. For we are also promised, "If we confess our sins, God is faithful and jus...

God's word is truly precious. More precious than gold and sweeter than honey. God's words are the word of life (cf. John 6:68-69 ). They enrich the soul. God's word warns us of dangerous thoughts, words, and actions. It directs us in paths of true joy and blessing. God's word points us to Jesus, the source of eternal life. God's word lifts our spirits to focus on more noble things. And it helps us...

God’s word adds to the testimony of creation and points us to the LORD God and his ways. David speaks of God’s Law, precepts, commands and rules. They revive the soul, give wisdom, joy and enlightenment. They endure forever, are perfectly righteous, precious and sweet. There are great blessings to be had in their keeping. Creation sings a song of praise to God. Those who hear and read God’s word a...

The heavens declare the glory of God. Will we echo that song of glory and praise among others?

This psalm is a lament of God over the sinfulness of humankind. It is a rueful expression of disappointment on God's part that there are none who care for the poor, call upon him in prayer, or do the good he calls for. On the one hand this is an overstatement, for we also see references to the poor and the righteous. They are not under the same judgment. On the other hand, even the righteous must...

"In peace, in peace we pray to you..." So begins the Holden Evening Prayer litany and prayer. The refrain throughout the prayer is a beautiful and appropriate call: "God of mercy, hold us in love." I've included a YouTube video below of that beautiful prayer, preceded by the text of the prayer itself. In light of this psalm, it seems to me very appropriate that we call on the God of mercy to hold...

God is looking for people who do good. He desires we be righteous--just in our dealings with one another. He values people who seek him. He cares if we care for the poor. He delights when we call upon him in prayer. Those who live in this manner have no terror of his retribution. And even when we realize we have transgressed against these character markers, we who repent of our sin and return to h...

God cares. He is watching. He is not only watching, he is looking, searching, seeking those who are faithful and upright. He is looking for those who are looking for him. Sadly all he finds are those who foolishly ignore him. All he discovers are those who do not do good. All he sees is a world devoid of people who call on him. He sees people who abuse the poor, take advantage of the weak, and ign...

The strong and powerful impose their will on the weak and vulnerable. Foolishly they think they will always get away with it. They don’t call on God in prayer - either in praise or supplication. They do abominable things. But surely they must always look over their shoulders. There may be someone stronger than they. And, of course, there is irrefutable evidence of God’s glory in creation and his h...

Faith is not just belief. It is also trust, and love. And that move in the heart is a miracle of the Holy Spirit that moves us to praise him. When God's Holy Spirit comes to us, and does his work, people are set free. Sins are forgiven. Joy is born. Peace prevails. Praise ensues. Who alone does this good work in us? Only God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - in whose name we are baptized. And in tha...

This name, LORD, is majestic and holy. So profound that scholars and rabbis have studied it and his works for millenia. Yet it is so accessible that a child can speak it in great power. It puts substance behind our faith. It is more majestic than the highest heavens, yet comes to the most humble of needy in grace and mercy. It instills fear and inspires love in the hearts of all kinds of people, y...

We don't know much about Joseph. But we can see the righteousness of his character in the little we do know. Obedience and patience are not often the counsel of the wicked, sinners, or scoffers. Thank God Joseph did not take their counsel, but obeyed God, believed the angel's message, and waited for God to lead and provide for him: Truly blessed he was indeed.

The promises of this Psalm apply to any follower of Jesus who is willing to reject the influences of this world and love his or her neighbor. We won't do it perfectly. But certainly we must do this - not to gain God's favor, or even merely to get these promised blessings - because God has loved us so fully in Jesus, and by reflecting that love to others we honor him. That's what I want to do, and...

How is it that Jesus who lived a perfect life in every possible way did not experience total outward success? Why does his life on earth not look like a tree planted beside the waters? He died a cruel and unjust death. How does that square with the psalm? First of all Jesus went through the valley of the shadow of death for us, carrying our sin to the cross. He took on the consequences of our wick...

When the law of God accuses us, that brings us to repentance and a return to God. Whenever that happens, God delights to forgive and receive us into his gracious presence. And when we are curbed from gross acts of disobedience by fear of God or consequences, we can thank God for the law that brings that fear to us, and calls us to repent. That was Jesus' first recorded sermon in Mark's Gospel, "Th...