Savoring the Scripture

The End of Prayer is Praise Psalm 150 The end of prayer is praise. The psalms show praise as the end of prayer in both meanings of the word: the terminus, the last word in the final Psalm 150; and the goal at which all the psalm prayers arrive after their long travels to the unmapped back countries of pain, doubt, and trouble with only occasional vistas of the sunlit lands along the way. Eugene Peterson Two years ago I embarked on a journey to blog through the Psalms, writing prayer guides for each one. Donald Whitney’s book Praying the Bible had inspired me to take his suggestion of praying the psalms and intentionally make a resource for myself and others to use for our prayer lives. When I began, the majority of each post was the prayer suggestions with perhaps a small paragraph about a topic within that particular psalm. But as I continued through the psalms, and as God placed me in the refiner’s fire, the posts became a way for me to remind my own soul of the truth of Scripture a...

A Song of a Thousand Syllables Psalm 149 I can still believe that a day comes for all of us, however far off it may be, when we shall understand; when these tragedies, that now blacken and darken the very air of heaven for us, will sink into their places in a scheme so august, so magnificent, so joyful, that we shall laugh for wonder and delight. Arthur Christopher Bacon The nightingale, known as the night songstress, is one of the most magnificent singers of the animal kingdom. Its ability to sing over a thousand syllables means it is unrivaled and dwarfs other birds in its range and variety. “The powerful but mellow song really requires extended exposure to appreciate - it's not one that can be enjoyed in just a few small snippets” (Duncan). Additionally, its song feels more striking in the night hours against the backdrop of silence, the absence of other noises. Each song is unique, filled with phrases pieced together for a wondrous composition. We, too, like the visually unimpr...

  Stormy Winds Fulfilling His Word Psalm 148 I have learned to kiss the waves that throw me against the Rock of Ages.  Charles Spurgeon Storms can be frightening. The loud cracks of thunder, the flashes of lightening, the torrential rains and strong winds produce fear because in those things is the potential for harm and damage. Even children, unaware of the devastation a storm can bring, are anxious by the power displayed in the middle of a storm.  But storms are not just damage and destruction. Storms are beneficial. Storms bring much needed rainfall to alleviate and prevent drought. Storms clean the air, removing pollutants and dust particles. Storms break down nitrogen, leaving nitrates for fertilizer for plant life. Storms also replenish plant life, carrying spores and seeds to places they would not normally go, thus increasing biodiversity. These benefits parallel some of the spiritual benefits we can receive in the storms of life. In Psalm 148, in the midst of call...