Monday, June 30, 2014

Psalm 65-Blessed is the Man



Truth for Truckers” *April 5, 2014* Psalm 65 “Blessed is the man”

       In (v.5) an important truth is given to every Believer: “Blessed is the man whom Thou choose, and cause to approach unto Thee, that he may dwell in Thy courts”. This brief sentence has important truth and real significance for the 21st century Believer for it points out the fact that God does the choosing and the causing in the matter of approaching Him in prayer.

     Why is that? Is it right that He selects those Believers who get the blessing of being in His presence and the simple answer is “yes” it is right for He alone knows our hearts and unless the heart has been searched by Him and deemed holy, without sin, we cannot enter into His presence, we cannot approach unto Him, we cannot dwell in His courts. “Follow peace with all men and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14)

     If the sky is brass and you do not sense the presence of God when you go to prayer, try using the instruction from Psalm 139:23, 24 “Search me O God and know my heart, try me and know my thoughts. See if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” God’s blessing will follow the Believer whose heart is clean and the Lord will definitely answer the prayer of the one who prays: “Create in me a clean heart O God” (Psalm 51:10).

Chaplain LEWolfe  www.btmi.org I-85 Exit 35 SC  McPilot  Stop in, and please pray for our ministry!


Psalm 64-Praying for Protection



Truth for Truckers” *April 4, 2014* Psalm 64 “Praying for Protection”

      David’s pattern of calling on God as soon as trouble arises occurs here in Psalm 64. He cries to God for protection from the wicked workers of iniquity:
I. Four Actions of the Afflicted (v.1, 2)
   1. Hear my voice O God
   2. Preserve my life from fear of the enemy
   3. Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked   
   4. Hide me from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity
II. Six Actions of the Enemy (v.3-6)
   1. They whet their tongue like a sword
   2. They bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words
   3. Suddenly do they shoot at him and fear not
   4. They encourage themselves in an evil matter
   5. They commune of laying snares privily
   6. The search out iniquities
III. One Action from God is all it takes (v.7-10)
   1. But God shall shoot at them
   2. They make their own tongue to fall upon themselves
   3. All that see them shall flee away
   4. All men shall fear and shall declare the work of God for they shall wisely consider His doings
   5. The righteous shall be glad in the LORD and shall trust in Him and all the upright in heart shall glory

     How does this apply to us in our daily walk with the Lord? This Psalm is a faith-building account for the Believer. We know that we can rely on God for protection when we are in a situation of conflict with the wicked or those who are not saved. We just need to call upon God and expect Him to take care of the situation for all it takes is one action from Him to resolve any conflict! When we expect Him to act and wait on Him to do it His way, our faith is put in gear and God has His reason to move on our behalf…”For without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

Chaplain LEWolfe  www.btmi.org I-85 Exit 35 SC  McPilot  Stop in, and please pray for our ministry!


Sunday, June 29, 2014

Psalm 63-"Early will I seek Thee"



Truth for Truckers” *April 3, 2014* Psalm 63 “Early will  I seek Thee”

      Upon awaking this morning my mind began to scan the Psalms for the Day and immediately after considering Psalm 3 and Psalm 33 the next Psalm in order for today came to mind: ‘O God, thou art my God, early will I seek Thee, my soul thirsts for Thee, my flesh longs for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.’(Psalm 63:1, 2). The situation of David’s writing is told in the Psalm title notes. He was in the wilderness of Judah, and this certainly fits my circumstances at different times in my life.

     The Lord has much to say about spending time in the wilderness, whether it be physical or spiritual, for He Himself was one of the many different Bible characters who were led into the place of solitude, barrenness and great difficulty. It was also the place of His great temptation for the Lord Jesus Christ as Satan assaulted him with full force right at the beginning of His ministry for (40) days.

     Moses was led into the wilderness, and Elijah too spent time there as did his spiritual protege John the Baptist. Although the lessons we can learn from their experiences are manifold, especially in the Lord Jesus Christ’s wilderness experience recorded in Matthew 4 and Luke 4, this Psalm also provides us with some valuable personal instruction to help us as we go through our own ‘Wilderness’ in this life which Job rightly labeled ‘The days of my struggle’ (Job 14:14).

      When I am contending with my own difficulties, I ask the Lord to show me His will and way out of these trying circumstances that He has arranged for me to experience. David too was going through a time of solitude and certain difficulty, but his example provides us with the invaluable direction we need to encourage us to go on in the midst of it all. The first thing that David did was confirm to himself and to God that God was truly his God and because He was, he was going to earnestly seek Him early on in the day. This in itself will put us in the right perspective to face the coming events of each day.

     He then shows his souls desire: ‘My soul thirsts for Thee’ demonstrating the condition necessary according to the Lord Jesus Christ for the filling of the Spirit: ‘They which do hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled’ (Matthew 5:6) and in another passage He said: ‘If any many thirst let him come unto Me and drink’ (John 7:37) which agrees with David’s cry to God here a full millennium earlier!

     David’s continued plea says: ‘My flesh longs for Thee in a dry and thirsty land where no water is.’ Here the flesh is not what we think of in New Testament terms as the enemy of the Spirit, but David is merely showing the entire involvement of his being in this statement describing his earnest and intense desire. He focuses on God and His ‘Power and...glory.’ in (v.2) demonstrating his certain longing for personal revival as he had so experienced previously ‘In the sanctuary’ referring here to the place David met with God in the tabernacle or tent of meeting as the temple was not yet built.

     David recalls his past experience of God’s personal presence and now longs to have Him manifest Himself in the same way even though he is not in the formal place of worship as before, but now he is isolated in the wilderness without any of the comforts or aids of the designated place of worship. In (v.3) his attention is fixed upon the ‘Loving-kindness’ of the Lord, which emphasizes His mercy the very lifeblood of every believer. God’s great mercy which was wrought by the Cross of Christ through God’s grace is David’s source of hope knowing that it is ‘New every morning’ (Lamentations3:23) and positively this ‘Loving-kindness’ is cause for great praise from the lips for it ‘Endures forever’! (Psalm 136:1-26). 

     His praise overflows in (v.3-5) when David blesses the Lord and lifts up his hands to His name in this marvelous demonstration of personal and private worship. His soul is ‘Satisfied with marrow and fatness’ using physical illustrations of plenty and prosperity, ‘Joyful lips’ shows his state of mind even though he is in the wilderness, a place of seeming lack and desolation physically. David’s spirit soars spiritually as he is alone with his God.

     ‘When I remember Thee upon my bed and meditate upon Thee in the night watches’ tells of the places of worship emphasizing his day and night devotion to remembrance and meditation on the Lord. Now in (v.7) David tells the reason for his devotion: ‘Because Thou hast been my help. Therefore in the shadow of Thy wings will I rejoice.’ Even in this wilderness experience, he knows that regardless of the circumstances he can count on the Lord and the security of the Lord’s covering protection. Truly this is great cause for rejoicing!

     ‘My soul follows hard after Thee: Thy right hand upholds me’(v.8) records the full effort David gave in seeking his God, he knew that the Lord would support him and undergird him in his wilderness situation regardless of the enemies onslaught and their subsequent peril mentioned in (v.9,10). He was confident in the outcome, regardless of the present situation as he proclaims in (v.11) ‘But the king shall rejoice in God; everyone that swears by Him shall glory; but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.’

     His pledge to rejoice regardless along with those of like precious faith is contrasted sharply with the sudden but deserved silencing of the liars. Although David’s confidence in God was based upon His future working in his wilderness experience, it supplies us with the faith-building substance we need as we look to the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word for the promised victory when we pass through similar ‘Wilderness’ experiences, rejoicing regardless, first of all, because our names are written down in heaven, and secondly, because all things work together for good to them that love God, to those who are called according to His purpose! David’s response “Rejoice Regardless” must also be our response in times of trouble for “All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)”Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.”(Philippians 4:4)

Chaplain LEWolfe  www.btmi.org I-85 Exit 35 SC  McPilot  Stop in, and please pray for our ministry!


Psalm 62-"Wait on the Lord"



Truth for Truckers” *April 2, 2014* Psalm 62 “Wait on the Lord”

      Waiting upon God is the theme of this Psalm with the first two verses repeated in (v.5, 6) ‘Truly my soul waits upon God: from Him comes my salvation. He only is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Defense; I shall not be greatly moved.’

     David’s patience is demonstrated here knowing that God will indeed intervene, rescue and defend him from the hand of his enemies. The three titles he gives immediately point us to the Lord Jesus Christ for He is the Rock spoken of here. (I Corinthians 10:4) David will not be shaken by the assault which is described in (v.3, 4)

     ‘How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? Ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence. They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.

     Wicked devices, destructive plans, deception and devious hypocrisy are the tools utilized by these doomed foes of God. Their untimely death is assured being likened to the collapse of familiar structures that are dangerously defective and are about to fall to their ruin!

     In (v.5, 6) the repetition brings about the strong confidence David patiently displays as he waits on the LORD to bring about His desired end. He does not look to man or himself for the answer to the enemie’s onslaught, but instead firmly states his position knowing that the LORD will indeed come through just as He has done in the past. Looking for answers from the Lord? Drivers, maybe He is saying: wait!

Chaplain LEWolfe  www.btmi.org I-85 Exit 35 SC  McPilot  Stop in, and please pray for our ministry!


Psalm 61-"Praying when Overwhelmed"



Truth for Truckers” *March 31, 2014* Psalm 61 “Praying when Overwhelmed”

     ‘Praying when Overwhelmed’ is the title and theme of this Psalm of David, a song which was played upon stringed instruments or ‘Neginoth’. Urgency is evident in the first words: ‘Hear my cry’ which come from the inner depths of a deeply distressed man. This plea for the listening ear of God underlines the emotional condition of David and calls for immediate help from the LORD. ‘Attend unto my prayer’ continues the force with which David’s appeal is set forth. He needs the attention of his God Who alone can bring him relief from these depths of perplexity. There is no answer unless the LORD gives His attending care to David’s needs, and David fully recognizes this fact, therefore, he does not let up in his appeal for help.

     In (v.2) he uses descriptive and somewhat extreme language to convey his message: ‘From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee, when my heart is overwhelmed’. This word picture illustrates the lengths to which he would go in order to reach the LORD while he is in the midst of this desperate condition. But, his third request shows he has the solution to the problem: ‘Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I’ The Rock refers to the Lord Jesus Christ as He is the only One able to minister to even the most extreme heart troubling malady as His personal invitation to all reveals: ‘Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly of heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light’ (Matthew 11:28-30).

     The three requests David makes in (v.1, 2) are based upon this statement in (v.3) ‘For Thou hast been a Shelter for me, and a Strong Tower from the enemy.’ His testimony to the past protection he received from God when He was David’s place of refuge tells us exactly why he now puts his faith in Him to do it again. Therefore, he pledges to continue counting on his God in the future: ‘I will abide in Thy tabernacle for ever, I will trust in the covert of Thy wings. Selah.’ (v.4) Long before the command of the Lord Jesus Christ was given to His eleven disciples in John 15, David understood the necessity of being connected to the Vine in full and complete intermingling communion which he accomplished by faith while he relied upon God’s supernatural protection ‘Abiding under the shadow of the Almighty’ (Psalm 91:1).

     Selah emphasizes the necessity to consider what has just been revealed by the Spirit of the Lord in the previous text. Meditation upon these facts will undoubtedly bring the needed message the Lord wants to give as we focus our whole being upon the Word of God. This compact series of truths found in (v.1-4) are rich in edification for the believer demonstrating to us that even when overwhelmed by the circumstances of life, God has delivered us in the past and will continue to provide His protective care as we faithfully abide in Him.

     The second half of this Psalm continues with the testimony of David: ‘For Thou, O God, hast heard my vows: Thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear Thy name.’ (v.5) He calls attention to his recent pledges made in (v.4) giving credit to those God-fearing men, father Jesse, grandfather Obed and great-grandfather Boaz, who supplied him with his firm foundation in the faith. ‘Thou will prolong the king’s life: and his years as many generations. He shall abide before God for ever’ (v.6,7a) His confidence in God swells based upon his understanding of the Lord’s past working in his family. His promise to ‘Abide’ reveals his heart’s desire to be in the presence of his God demonstrating one of the reasons that he was ‘A man after God’s own heart’.

     However, he fully realizes his need for God’s help: ‘O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.’ For without ‘David’s Dynamic Duo’ of mercy and truth from God, there will be no abiding for ever. David uses the combination of mercy and truth (Psalm 25:10, 57:3, 57:10, 85:10, 86:15, 89:14, 100:5, 115:1) throughout the Psalms recognizing that they are indispensable for his spiritual success.

      The final verse finds David on the mountaintop: ‘So will I sing praise unto Thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.’ His recognition of the necessity of praise in order for him to ‘Perform my vows’ shows the high regard he held for praising God as a vital act of obedience. This fact alone should drive the believer to praise and worship the Lord as we ‘Offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.’ (Hebrews 13:15). Another timeless message from the Shepherd King David, Drivers, let us go to the Lord and receive what we need in time of trouble and praise His holy name!

Chaplain LEWolfe  www.btmi.org I-85 Exit 35 SC  McPilot  Stop in, and please pray for our ministry!