13Make them like tumbleweed, ...

13Make them like tumbleweed, my God, like chaff before the wind.

14As fire consumes the forest or a flame sets the mountains ablaze,

15so pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your storm.

16Cover their faces with shame, Lord, so that they will seek your name.

17May they ever be ashamed and dismayed; may they perish in disgrace.

18Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord— that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.

- P147

The psalmist pleads with God to act against Israel‘s enemies, who conspire todestroy them. The psalmist recalls past victories and asks God to defeat Hispeople‘s enemies again.  - P147

He prays that their enemies‘ faces be covered withshame, so that they will seek God‘s name and recognize He is the Most Highover all the earth. - P147

The raw emotions of the Psalms can make us uncomfortable, especially inpassages that sound confrontational. Like life, the Psalms are full of complex emotions and they provide us with the language to cry out to God ina deeply honest way.  - P148

The book of Psalms shows us that we can call out toGod even in His moments of silence, trusting that He will be faithful as Hehas been in the past.  - P148

Amid his outcry, the psalmist‘s ultimate goal is not thedestruction of his enemies; he concludes his prayer with the request thatGod‘s name be sought by those very enemies.  - P148

Even when we bring painfulemotions to God, prayer is not about convincing Him to carry out ourdesires.  - P148

Prayer is our way of pouring out our heart to God while allowingHis glory to take center stage. - P148

Dear Jesus, You won the victory. We ask that the Father‘s will be done andthat the plans of those who oppose You will fail. Make Your name knownthrough us who belong to You. In Your name, amen.
140 - P149

Matthew 5:25 NLT
[25] "When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison. - P208

Philippians 3:12-15 NLT [12]...

Philippians 3:12-15 NLT
[12] I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. [13] No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, [14] I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. [15] Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you.
- P206

하나님이 택하실 때우리가 하나님의 일을 할 수 있는 이유는 우리의 자격이 아니라 하나님이 먼저 우리에게 베풀어주신 은혜 때문입니다.  - P206

하나님께서는 복음 전하는 자를 택하실 때, 재능이나 기질에 근거하지 않으십니다. 우리를 택하시는 순간, 하나님께서 사용하실 수 있도록 우리 자신을 내어드려야 합니다. "모든 그리스도인은 증인이 되어야 하지만, 말씀을 전파하는 것은당신을 아프도록 붙드시는 하나님의 손이 있어야 합니다." 


- P206

우리가 하나님의 목표에 의식적으로 동의해서, 즉 선택해서 나아가는 것이 아닙니다. 무의식 가운데 강권하시는 하나님으로 인해 나아가는 것입니다. 이 말이 쉽지 않습니다. ‘부르심‘은 분명하게 우리가 선택할 수 있는 것이 아닙니다.
나의 의지로는 하나님의 부르심을 완성할 수 없습니다. 그러니 하나님이 우리를부르시고 강권하심을 느껴야 합니다.
- P206

한줄노트 부르심을 입은 자들의 승리는 끝까지 쓰임 받는 것입니다.
묵상 질문 당신은 구원의 은혜만 받은 사람인가요, 더 나아가 하나님께 쓰임 받는 사람인가요? 혹시 지금 우리의 상태가 하나님께 쓰임 받지 못할 모습은 아닌가요? - P206

Matthew 5:30 NLT
[30] And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
- P207

3Defend the weak and the fath...

3Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.

4Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
- P140

8Rise up, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are your inheritance. - P141

The psalmist depicts God judging the "gods". He rebukes them for theirinjustice and for favoring the wicked over the weak and needy. Though theyare "gods," they will die like mere mortals. The psalm ends with a plea for Godto rise and judge the earth, as all the nations are His. - P141

God presides over a great assembly. He is furious with the leaders who see themselves as gods. They should care for the poor, oppressed, and fatherless, but they instead face judgment for defending the unjust and showing favoritism to the wicked. They have done nothing for the needy and socially vulnerable. - P142

We see in this psalm that God cares for all people, especially those who need Him most. Likewise, we are expected to act justly and compassionately in the society where we have been placed. - P142

Whether we are leaders or members of the community, let us shine the light of Christ in our dark world with sacrificial love and biblical justice. - P142

The psalmist continues to use the imagery of God speaking to the "gods?
The community leaders may see themselves as invincible in power and-authority, but their failure to faithfully oversee God‘s people demonstratestheir weakness. They will fall from their place of power, just like every otherruler, and they will die like every other mortal.  - P142

When we have opportunitiesto take up leadership in our families, churches, or communities, we bear agreat responsibility to fulfill our duties well. One day, we will face God andbe held responsible for how we acted.  - P142

Let us, therefore, exercise authorityappropriately in every role we undertake, not seeing ourselves as gods butrecognizing the importance of our responsibilities under the omnipresentand omnipotent God. - P142

Dear Lord, our world is filled with injustice, oppression, and deception. When I am faced with various injustices, give me courage to affirm and proclaim Your ways. - P142

May I reflect the character and message of Christ, leading well instead of being indecisive or lazy. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P142

God converses with us primarily through His words in Scripture.
We can also use His words to respond to Him.
Use the following guide to pray through this week‘s memory verse.
"Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the op-pressed." - Psalm 82:3 - P143

다른 사람에게 받는 대우보다 중요한 것은 하나님과의 ...

다른 사람에게 받는 대우보다 중요한 것은 하나님과의 관계입니다. 하나님은 우리의 생명을 지켜주시지만 다른 모든 것들을 항상 지켜주시지는 않습니다. 가장 중요한 것은 생명입니다.  - P205

누군가에게 공의를 베푸는 일을 멈춰서는 안 됩니다. 그것은 옳은 일이기 때문입니다. 이는 주님의 일을 행하는 데 있어 매우 중요합니다. 우리는 공의를 행하는 사람이 되어야 하지만, 우리가 행한 일로 공정한 대우를 받으려는 마음은 버려야 합니다. 우리가 주님께 헌신할 때 어떤 대우를 받는가는 그렇게 중요한 일이 아니라는 말입니다. 예수님께서 말씀하십니다. "계속 꾸준하게 내가 너에게하라고 한 것을 하거라. 내가 네 생명을 보호하리라. 만일 네가 스스로 자신을보호하려고 하면 너는 나의 구원을 받을 수 없다." - P205

우리 주변을 보면 아주 헌신된 사역자물도 하나님을 믿는 믿음 대신 상식을 자기 기준에 놓는 오류를 범합니다. 하나님보다 자신의 생각을 더 의지하는 것입니다. 누구보다 열심히 헌신하는 사람이 마치 ‘무신론자‘처럼 행한다는 사실이두렵습니다. 우리의 생명을 보호해 주신다는 하나님의 약속을 굳게 붙든다면,
세상의 기준과 상식을 뛰어넘는 일들이 가능하지 않겠습니까?  - P205

우리가 온전히 하나님을 믿으며 흔들리지 않는 삶을 사는 것이야말로 구원을 방해하는 먹구름을제거하는 일입니다. 우리가 기꺼이 헌신하며 가장 귀한 것을 붙들기로 작정할때 먹구름이 우리를 뒤덮지 못할 것입니다.
한줄노트 생명을 가진 자는 공의를 행하되, 공평한 대우받기를 갈망하지 않습니다. - P205

Jeremiah 1:8 NLT
[8] And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!"
- P205

Jeremiah 45:5 NLT
[5] Are you seeking great things for yourself? Don’t do it! I will bring great disaster upon all these people; but I will give you your life as a reward wherever you go. I, the Lord, have spoken!’" - P205

Philippians 3:12 NLT
[12] I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.
- P206

5When God went out against Eg...

5When God went out against Egypt, he established it as a statute for Joseph. I heard an unknown voice say:

6"I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket.

7In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud; I tested you at the waters of Meribah.

8Hear me, my people, and I will warn you— if you would only listen to me, Israel!

9You shall have no foreign god among you; you shall not worship any god other than me.

10I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.

11"But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. - P132

The psalmist calls God‘s people to rejoice in Him, recalling His deliverancefrom Egypt. God‘s people are to listen and worship Him alone but they refuse,
following their own ways instead. God laments their disobedience, longing tobless them with victory.  - P137

The psalm ends with a promise that if God‘s people
return to Him, He will protect them and provide for them abundantly. - P137

This psalm expresses God’s desire for His people to joyfully worship Him. These praises are not timid. The people are exhorted to sing for joy to the God who is their strength and to shout aloud to Him. The music comes from many instruments including some that they strike and blast during festivals. - P138

Like the nation of Israel, we should also celebrate God because He has saved His people. The immediate context of this psalm is about a people being saved from slavery in Egypt, but we have even greater reason to celebrate because of the salvation achieved through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Let us joyfully celebrate the Lord with all our might, with joyous praises of thanksgiving! - P138

God continues to speak to His people. After He reminds Israel of Hisdeliverance, warnings, and commands, God then tells His people of howthey have neglected Him. In the rest of the psalm, there is a strong emphasis on listening.  - P138

If we simply listen to God and obey Him, He is quick torescue and restore us. Let us not make the same mistakes that His peoplemade in the past.  - P138

Let us not live day by day ignoring God. Rather, let uslisten to Him by reading and obeying the life-giving commands He hasprovided in Scripture.  - P138

Sometimes, God‘s commands may seem restrictiveor undesirable, but following them pleases the Lord, protects us, and fuelsour love for Him. - P138

Christian obedience is an obedience from the inside out, not from the outside in."
- Joe Rigney - P138

Dear God, You are what brings me joy. Even when I feel discouraged and disappointed, You remain the joy of my salvation. - P139

Open my ears so that I may hear You. Help me listen to and obey Your wonderful decrees. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P139