O MY SOUL, BLESS GOD!

When I woke up this morning I looked out my window and the Sun had not risen yet and for some reason I had the thought, Is the Sun going to rise? Then later as I was going about my daily chores the Holy Spirit spoke, "There will be more Sunrises and more Sunsets", which had a urgency to it. I searched the Biblical Meaning and PSALMS 103:1-22 was one of the scriptures given. Also a Blog post showed up in the search titled "Sunrise and Sunset: Evidence of God’s Goodness." The post also had the same scriptures, so I read it, and because of the urgency when the words were given I'm sharing that blog info at the bottom of my blog post.

PSALMS 103 1-2 O my soul, bless God.

    From head to toe, I’ll bless his holy name!

O my soul, bless God,

    don’t forget a single blessing!

3-5     He forgives your sins—every one.

    He heals your diseases—every one.

    He redeems you from hell—saves your life!

    He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown.

    He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal.

    He renews your youth—you’re always young in his presence.

6-18 God makes everything come out right;

    he puts victims back on their feet.

He showed Moses how he went about his work,

    opened up his plans to all Israel.

God is sheer mercy and grace;

    not easily angered, he’s rich in love.

He doesn’t endlessly nag and scold,

    nor hold grudges forever.

He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve,

    nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.

As high as heaven is over the earth,

    so strong is his love to those who fear him.

And as far as sunrise is from sunset,

    he has separated us from our sins.

As parents feel for their children,

    God feels for those who fear him.

He knows us inside and out,

    keeps in mind that we’re made of mud.

Men and women don’t live very long;

    like wildflowers they spring up and blossom,

But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly,

    leaving nothing to show they were here.

God’s love, though, is ever and always,

    eternally present to all who fear him,

Making everything right for them and their children

    as they follow his Covenant ways

    and remember to do whatever he said.

19-22 God has set his throne in heaven;

    he rules over us all. He’s the King!

So bless God, you angels,

    ready and able to fly at his bidding,

    quick to hear and do what he says.

Bless God, all you armies of angels,

    alert to respond to whatever he wills.

Bless God, all creatures, wherever you are—

    everything and everyone made by God.

And you, O my soul, bless God!

"The real message in sunrises and sunsets is their predictability. Every day the sun comes up, and every evening it goes back down. No need to be sad when it sets, or to worry whether it will rise again the next morning. It will. Some days the sky may be covered in thick clouds that hide the sun from view, but we don’t doubt that it’s up there shining away, or worry that it won’t rise again the next day. We can count on it". ~Bits & Pieces of "Sunrise and Sunset: Evidence of God’s Goodness"

GOD LOOKS INTO THE HEART

                                      

The cure for Saul’s affliction came through David’s music, and it was two-fold. 

First, Saul Benefited From Temporary Spiritual Deliverance: Whatever one believes concerning the identity and/or scope of the “evil, distressing spirit,” this much is clear the music had the power to cause the spirit to depart from Saul. 

The implications here are important for the discussion of the morality of music because the ability of David’s music to interrupt spiritual oppression qualifies its moral substance.

The text is not implying, by any stretch of the imagination, that music has the power to deliver men from their sin. Only the gospel of Jesus Christ contains that atoning power (cf. John 14:6; Ephesians 2:8–10).

The point here is that the music created by David evidenced the unique ability to either directly remove the distressing spirit or indirectly create an atmosphere whereby the spirit could no longer distress Saul.

Both possibilities direct us to the same conclusion. The elements of David’s music were able to render the spirit unable or unwilling to continue its oppression of Saul. One must not relegate to obscurity this representation of music’s power.

The Cure for King Saul’s Affliction: Physical Deliverance

Second in this two-fold cure, Saul benefited from temporary physical deliverance: The word used here is ravach, which means “to be spacious or wide, cause enlargement, relief.” It may also contain the idea of feeling relieved. 

This word is also used in Job 32:20 where Job seeks relief from terrible abdominal pain. The word signifies that Saul’s body felt complete relief from the affliction. Medical research has proven that the right kind of music can speed physical healing in war casualties.

A writer points out the similarity of this Hebrew word with the word translated “spirit, wind, breath” and believes that Saul’s affliction may have included difficulty in breathing.

David’s music was powerful enough to bring about temporary, complete physical relief from the severe agony that Saul was experiencing.

Some have used Saul’s murderous treachery in Chapters 18 and 19 to argue that the music could not help Saul. The context of these two examples is key to answering this objection. One must remember that David had become a national hero by slaying Goliath in Chapter 17.

King Saul had promoted David from a lowly shepherd to the King’s royal armor-bearer, and now the nation of Israel had fallen in love with David! This irony was not lost on Saul, and the people singing “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands” only fed his resentment toward David.

David’s political popularity created deep hatred within the heart of Saul, and he was now determined to murder David. The text indicates that David’s music had refreshed Saul previously on numerous occasions; it says that whenever the distressing spirit would come upon Saul, he would call for David to come and play, and only then would the spirit depart. Saul’s physical deliverance is emphasized clearly in the Hebrew language: the music made him well.

First Samuel contains remarkable instances of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the prophets, as well as upon Saul and his servants. In 10:6 the Holy Spirit comes upon Saul, who prophesies and is “turned into another man,” that is, equipped by the Spirit to fulfill God’s calling.

It is not only in the broad sweeps of history that God’s hand is obvious. The following lessons are also evident in First Samuel. God steps into the pain and misery of Hannah to give her, not only a son, but three sons and two daughters (2:21). Though men look on the outward appearance, God looks on the heart (16:7). 

Obedience is better than sacrifice (15:22, 23), indicating that God is concerned about men’s hearts as well as their actions. God does not spare even those in high position when they have sinned, but He is still a God of patience and forgiveness.

The tragic end of Saul illustrates the ultimate result of earthly kingdoms. The only hope is a kingdom of God on Earth, whose ruler is God Himself. In David, the earthly lineage of God’s King begins. In Christ, God comes as King and will come again as King of Kings. 

The similarities between Jesus and the boy Samuel are striking. Both were children of promise. Both were dedicated to God before birth. Both were the bridges of transition from one stage of the nation’s history to another. Samuel combined the offices of prophet and priest; Christ is Prophet, Priest, and King.

The phenomenon of the Spirit inspiring worship occurs in chapter 10 and 19:20. This was not the emotionalized raving of the pagans, but true, Spirit-inspired worship and praise to God, not unlike what happened on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2).

On a side note, the musical abilities of man made in the image of God, coupled with the Bible’s teaching that God sings (Zephaniah 3:17), remind us of the possibility that God did not create music but rather that music is a part of His very being. Man’s expression in music could be a part of the image of God placed within him. This author believes that music is a part of God’s essence and that He has evidenced this aspect of His being in the universe.

Music that contains elements consistent with the fruits of the Spirit such as goodness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22–23) can communicate those concepts to the listener. Music is ultimately a spiritual issue. 1 Samuel 16:14–23 communicates that good music has power to relieve spiritual and physical suffering. The text states that, when David would play his lyre, the spirit would depart from Saul. David’s music, therefore, was responsible for Saul’s relief.

The current debate within Christianity concerning music certainly invites further study and writing among theologians. The implications of such a study would yield valuable information for the application of music both in the church and in the individual Christian life.

Our anointing is displayed in the gifts God has given us. Others might notice them before we realize them ourselves. They will be pleasing and helpful to someone. Just like David played the harp for Saul, our gifts are a help to someone.

BITS & PIECES OF DAVID’S MUSICAL THERAPY, I SAMUEL 16:14-23

THE PARABLE OF THE TARES & OF THE DRAGNET

What is the main point of Matthew chapter 13?

First, Jesus describes the different responses a person can have toward knowledge of the kingdom of heaven and their consequences. The Lord then told a parable about a farmer whose field had been sown with both wheat and weeds.

Matthew 13:24–30 MSG PARABLE OF TARES (WEEDS): The central message of this parable is that the consummated kingdom of God will be different from the present kingdom (reign) in that the consummated kingdom will be in a perfected environment of only sons of the kingdom. Currently, sons of the kingdom and sons of the Evil One live together in human society.

This means that on Earth, good and bad people will grow and live together. The Kingdom of God will be present amongst the evil of the world. At the end of time people will be separated into their eternal destiny.

24-26 He told another story. “God’s kingdom is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. That night, while his hired men were asleep, his enemy sowed thistles all through the wheat and slipped away before dawn. When the first green shoots appeared and the grain began to form, the thistles showed up, too.

27 “The farmhands came to the farmer and said, ‘Master, that was clean seed you planted, wasn’t it? Where did these thistles come from?’

28 “He answered, ‘Some enemy did this.’

“The farmhands asked, ‘Should we weed out the thistles?’

29-30 “He said, ‘No, if you weed the thistles, you’ll pull up the wheat, too. Let them grow together until harvest time. Then I’ll instruct the harvesters to pull up the thistles and tie them in bundles for the fire, then gather the wheat and put it in the barn.’”

13:25 Tares were very common in Palestine and closely resemble wheat; they are not really distinguishable from wheat until the grain appears at harvest time.

13:30 The question of separation or relative purity in conduct or doctrine among the disciples and the church is answered by Jesus’ directive. This is not to be done by the disciples nor by the church—but will ultimately be done by God’s angels (vv. 39, 41). Premature separation in the present age is out of the question and becomes more destructive than it is purifying.

Matthew 13:47-50 MSG - PARABLE OF THE DRAGNET: “Or, God’s kingdom is like a fishnet cast into the sea, catching all kinds of fish. When it is full, it is hauled onto the beach. The good fish are picked out and put in a tub; those unfit to eat are thrown away. That’s how it will be when the curtain comes down on history. The angels will come and cull the bad fish and throw them in the garbage. There will be a lot of desperate complaining, but it won’t do any good.”

The parable of the dragnet, like the parable of the tares (vv. 24–30), deals with saints (the good) and sinners (the bad) in a mixed society. Its uniqueness is that it alludes to the church’s responsibility to cast the gospel message before all of society, realizing it will attract all types of people, some of whom will be found unredeemed by the angels at the end of the age.

What are the two meanings of the parable of the three servants?

The first two servants are able to see God in a positive perception, as understanding, generous, and kind, while the third servant sees God as harsh, demanding, and critical. Finley suggests these interpretations among the teachings for Christians: The nobleman (Lk 19:12), or the man (Matthew 25:14) is Christ.

Who are the tares in Matthew 13?

In Matthew 13, Jesus taught the parable of the wheat and the tares. Tares are weeds that resemble wheat. In the parable, a wheat field had deliberately been polluted by an enemy who sowed the seeds of the weeds intermixed with the wheat. Only after the plants were partly grown did the problem become apparent.

What does it mean to separate the wheat from the tares?

The tares bound and burned are the evil ones separated out and cast into fire (punishment) at the Judgment. The wheat gathered into the barn represents the righteous who are separated out and made to “shine forth” in the kingdom of the Father.

What do the parables in Matthew 13 mean?

The man represents God and the seed is His message. Just as a planted seed starts to grow, the word of God starts to deepen and grow within a person. Some seed fell on the path and the birds ate it. The birds represent Satan. The seed on the path represents people who hear the message, but it is immediately lost.

What is the main message of the parable?

The Parable of the Wheat & Weeds teaches us that God does have a plan for this world and He is working to accomplish it. However, it is unfolding over time and that means there's some waiting to do, something we find difficult. Jesus is teaching us patience – the patience of a God who chooses to delay His judgment. 

The central message of this parable is to be ready for Christ's return. Jesus said that no one knows the day or the hour when the end will come, only the Father in Heaven knows. Jesus is instructing His disciples to be vigilant in their walk with the Lord and be ready at all times for Christ's second coming.

Prayer: Merciful God, you plant each of us like seeds in the same field and together we are nourished and nurtured by the sun. We sway in the wind and are refreshed by the rain. We are blessed by the knowledge that you want us to grow towards what you call us to be.

When we deprive others of that same opportunity, forgive us. When we want to uproot those whom we believe do not belong in our part of the field, forgive us. When we label others as good or bad rather than accept them for who they are, forgive us. When we are reluctant to acknowledge that we ourselves are a mixture of weeds and wheat, forgive us. When we are afraid to look into the fields of our own lives to see what is growing there, forgive us.

O God, you know us inside and out, through and through. You search us out and lay your hand upon us. You know what we are going to say even before we speak. So we pray that you will help us to reach out to the uprooted and rejected, the lonely and the outcast, and to develop and grow the good in ourselves, in others, and in the world. This we pray in Jesus’s name. Amen.