Something Greater

Psalm 56 Milt Reynolds | Last updated: August 10, 2022 Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me; all day long an attacker oppresses me; my enemies trample on me all day long, for many attack me proudly. When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? All day long they injure my cause; all their thoughts are against me for evil. They stir up strife, they lurk; they watch my steps, as they have waited for my life. For their crime will they escape? In wrath cast down the peoples, O God! You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? I must perform my vows to you, O God; I will render thank offerings to you. For you have delivered my soul f...

Psalm 55 Milt Reynolds | Last updated: August 4, 2022 Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy! Attend to me, and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and I moan, because of the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked. For they drop trouble upon me, and in anger they bear a grudge against me. My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me. And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest.” Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongues; for I see violence and strife in the city. Day and night they go around it on its walls, and iniquity and trouble are within it; ruin is in its midst; oppression and fraud do not depart from its marketplace. For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I co...

Psalm 119:121-128 | Ayin Milt Reynolds | Last updated: July 30, 2022 I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors. Give your servant a pledge of good; let not the insolent oppress me. My eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise. Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes. I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies! It is time for the LORD to act, for your law has been broken. Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold. Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way. - Psalm 119:121–128 ESV Deal With Me According To Love Image by Gray on unsplash.com Lord, what have I done that is just and right? What have I done grudgingly, pridefully, or thoughtlessly? I can name no one as my oppressor, except my own flesh, and the devil that entices. My eyes long to see the perfect good you've promised....

Psalm 54 Milt Reynolds | Last updated: July 28, 2022 Photo by Timon Studler on unsplash.com TO THE CHOIRMASTER: WITH STRINGED INSTRUMENTS. A MASKIL OF DAVID, WHEN THE ZIPHITES WENT AND TOLD SAUL, “IS NOT DAVID HIDING AMONG US? O God, save me by your name, and vindicate me by your might. O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth. For strangers have risen against me; ruthless men seek my life; they do not set God before themselves. Selah Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. He will return the evil to my enemies; in your faithfulness put an end to them. With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good. For he has delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies. - Psalm 54:1–7, ESV My Enemies O God, why does David not pray for his enemies? Why does David not frame the rising of insolent strangers as a circumstance under your control and direction...

Psalm 119:113-120 | Samekh Milt Reynolds | Last updated: July 15, 2022 I hate the double-minded, but I love your law. You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word. Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God. Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope! Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for your statutes continually! You spurn all who go astray from your statutes, for their cunning is in vain. All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross, therefore I love your testimonies. My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments. - Psalm 119:113–120, ESV Pushing Away, Yet Loved Anyway Photo by Philbo on unsplash.com I hate my double-mindedness, and I long to love your Word, God. At times you are my hiding place and my shield, protecting me from anger and fear and selfishness -- at times I push away from you, hopelessly dark and alone -- Oh! that e...

Psalm 119:97-104 | Mem Milt Reynolds | Last updated: July 13, 2022 Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. - Psalm 119:97–105, ESV Lovingly Walking In God's Word Photo by Frank Busch on unsplash.com Wisdom is not natural, at least not now, in our sin-riddled existence on earth. Wisdom is not to be expected merely through age, experience, talent, money, fame, comfort or even hardship. There is no direct cause-an...

An Uncomfortable Resonation | Matthew 7:22 Milt Reynolds | July 10, 2022 Photo by Nick Fewings on unsplash.com - https://unsplash.com/photos/ka7REB1AJl4 On that day many will say to me, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?" - Matthew 7:22, ESV I think that I mostly operate day-to-day with a "heart of works". This article by John Piper resonates uncomfortably with me: Proud Works vs. Humble Faith - John Piper, Desiring God Especially during this season of my life, in the circumstances that we are in this week, and probably the next. When I see how little is our progress compared to the long checklist of things to do and resolve, I feel discouraged. When I wake up with little desire to take even the next steps I feel discouraged. Piper's distinction between the self-glorifying "heart of works" and the God-glorifying "heart of faith" is helpful. Bu...