Hidden Streams

A Psalm of David, spoken as a prophet, seeing into the future what would happen to the Messiah. It is Jesus Christ who says "the Lord is my portion and my cup".   " I am secure, for you will not will let my flesh see corruption". Death loses all power over Christ and because of that, this Psalm is one to reflect on when considering our mortality. Where is our hope found? Jonathan Noel sings "You W...

  A Psalm of comfort for all of us. John Andrew Schreiner sings "The Lord is My Light and My Salvation".

In this painful Psalm, we read of distress that is caused by lying lips and deceitful tongues. This Psalm follows the majestic Psalm 119 which meditates on the benefits of God's decrees. Here in Psalm 120 we our alone, estranged from the world and concerned, even for our own predilection to wander. God is with us. Chris Lizotte sings "I'm A   Stranger on the Earth".  

In this episode, Chad Bird talks about the disconnect we often experience when reading Psalms like this. This tremendous,   encouraging Psalm can also be so different from what we experience, and as a result we end up doubting God, ourselves, and the truth of His Word. Chad reminds us that Christ lives in us, and we live in Him. We pray to Him, and through Him, and in Him. This is our confidence,...

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, then you have a duel citizenship; One on Earth, and one in the new in   Jerusalem. This is our confession, that this Kingdom has a capitol city, Jerusalem. When we gather, wherever we are, we come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God to worship together. We belong to the communion of saints, lead by our eternal King. Rebekah Caggegi sings "Glorious Thing...

God has looked down upon us with peace, righteousness, fidelity, and love. This Psalm is understood as describing our Savior who perfectly manifests all of these with mercy towards us. He gives us these gifts now, so humanity will never again be the same. God became one of us. Esther Mylar sings "Faithfulness and Love".

When we wait on God, sometimes it seems like we are waiting forever, and the things we hold dear seem to be falling apart. Sometimes, it looks like all is lost, and all we can pray is "How long, O Lord?". Sometimes we wonder how long will it be until we see light instead of darkness. Chad explains that "How long?" is actually both a prayer of pain, and also a confession of hope, because we know th...

When we wait on God, sometimes it seems like we are waiting forever, and the things we hold dear seem to be falling apart. Sometimes, it looks like all is lost, and all we can pray is "How long, O Lord?". Sometimes we wonder how long will it be until we see light instead of darkness. Chad explains that "How long?" is actually both a prayer of pain, and also a confession of hope, because we know th...

The enemies of God will be put to shame. David understands this as he looks back on his life. He sees God's kindness and seeks to document God's faithfulness to every generation. All done in mercy, grace, and love. All accomplished by the God who never leaves our side. Izzi Ray sings "My Deliverance".  

  Psalm 70 encapsulates all of our needs in this life. We ask God to hurry up, make haste,   and deliver us from all torments, in all situations. Isa Agape sings "Make Haste".

There is a time for everything under heaven. There is a time to cry out to God in anguish, and a time to cry out hallelujah in thanksgiving. We also cry out to God to make things right, to judge according to His righteousness, and put an end to the wicked workers of sin. Then we will say "surely there is a God who judges". If we repent and throw ourselves on the mercy of God, then we can trust in...

  Our enemies have weapons that can intimidate us and we can easily imagine being destroyed by them. The Psalms speak of how the weapons of the wicked are often used by God to destroy the enemy by their own hand. The wicked thought they destroyed Christ on the cross, but instead it was Christ that destroyed death, by dying for us and rising from the dead so that we could follow Him into an eternit...

It is helpful to realize that we all face different types of threats. We should take no good thing for granted, but instead receive each day as a gift from the God of mercy. David was surrounded by enemies that seemed like wild beasts, seeking to devour him. He looked to God for mercy and so should we. God is our Rescuer, who brings His faithfulness to us. So even if we are hidden in a cave, hunke...

David was betrayed when he was hiding from King Saul, but he trusted in the name of God, and so can we. No matter how confused and bewildered we have become, God hears us when we call on His name. We call Him into our twisted and damaged lives to show mercy, and to pick us up and carry us into the light once more. With such a faithful God, we can truly say "all shall be well" because we trust in G...

In Psalm 41, when we come to faith in Christ, our Savior's life becomes ours. His death is our death, His resurrection, our resurrection.   Jesus is surrounded by hateful enemies who desire His death. We remember that Christ lovingly considered us when He suffered the awful betrayal and humiliation. But how ow can Christ say He has sinned? He willingly became a curse for us, so that in Him we migh...

Psalm 35   This Psalm is a prayer from Jesus Christ who comes down to make war on our behalf. Christ calls out to His Father, and the fight is fierce and long. He comes in mercy but is opposed by the ones He loves, and hated without cause. Jonathan Noel sings "Without Cause".

Psalm 36 The children of mankind take shelter in the shadow of Your wings. Evildoers lie fallen, but those that repent find eternal hope in Christ. Both Jews and Greeks are under sin, but Christ restores us to life.   The lovingkindness of God extends to the heavens and His majestic love saves us from ourselves. We drink living water from the river of God's delights.   Kirsten Ford sings "By the W...

Psalm 26 begins with a plea that God will vindicate me because of my integrity. Our broken reality shows that this doesn't seem true when it is only our voice making statements like this. We never pray alone. We pray in and through Jesus Christ and we trust in His righteousness of His life and His integrity. We are united with Christ. We read much about standing and walking in this Psalm. In His t...

Psalm 25, an acrostic Psalm, begins with "to You I lift up my soul". This prayer covers everything we need from God, from A to Z. Blake Flately sings "A to Z".

Psalm 17     Life in this world is a life of conflict. Our battles are not against flesh and blood, and the devil looks to devour us. We look to the infinite mercy of God. We trust in His heart of mercy. Christ is the Savior of those who seek shelter in Him. We pray that God will guard us from every evil that threatens us as the apple of His eye. Izzi Ray sings "Apple of Your Eye"

This episode reflects on a time in Israel's past where they are met by the goodness of God who has turned their misfortune into freedom and joy. Their mouths were filled with laughter, whereas before they were filled with groaning and cries of despair. Just as God has worked redemption in the past, God will not diminish and is worthy of our trust in the present and future, because God is the same,...

This prayer expresses the feeling of separation and the resulting distress from feeling like we are abandoned. We cannot find an anchor within us, so we cry out to God to bring us close to Himself and cover and protect us. Chad explains the imagery of the Mercy Seat from the temple.   Izzi Ray sings "Under the Cover of Your Wings." Support the Show

This is a prayer which orients us in the morning to offer our lives to God with trust and thanksgiving. We align ourselves towards the One who made us and loves us.  Rebekah Caggegi sings "In The Morning." Support the Show

Psalm 4 reminds us that our daily lives are lived in a battlefield. And just as the world hated Christ, so it will hate those who follow Him. David asks God to hear him when he calls, because God is the God of his righteousness. David shows us how he is pressed in and trapped and asks God to widen this place and set him free. Blake Flatley sings "Temporary World". Support the Show

Moses highlights how ultimately short life is in the light of eternity. Chad speaks of the anger of God and and how he the passionate exclusionary relational God seeks to bring us back to Himself. Jeff Macare sings the hymn "O God Our Help In Ages Past." Support the Show