soul tending in the Psalms

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What can I do when I face injustice?

/ Anthea Kotlan / Leave a comment

In the summer of 1994, my family was locked in a legal battle in a Houston courtroom with a powerful car manufacturer. Images of David and Goliath sprung to my mind, but our lawyer had no smooth stones or slingshot. His arguments were not enough to cause a jury to vote in our favor. Four long years after my sister was killed, no justice was served.

Once the shock wore off, sadness settled in, and we all went back to the business of grieving her death all over again and caring for her young children.

When faced with injustice, what does God call me to do?

We are called to praise God 

1 We praise you, God, we praise you, for your Name is near; people tell of your wonderful deeds.
(Psalm 75:1 NIV)

Psalm 75 begins with thanksgiving and praise for God’s sovereign rule.

This is counterintuitive to society’s expectations. Many of us have been influenced to believe that we don’t praise until we gain a victory.

Sharing testimonies of God’s wonderful deeds encourages other believers, and in a sense, sharing stories of God’s faithfulness reveals his work. God is always right there beside me, but I often need reminders of his presence. I become distracted by my daily stresses and lose sight of his work in my life. We need to remind one another of God’s continuous gracious interventions, especially when facing injustice.

Praising God does not deny the current circumstance, but it does remind my heart of God’s faithfulness to me and those I love.

We are called to be watching for God’s justice

2 You say, “I choose the appointed time; it is I who judge with equity.
3 When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm.
4 To the arrogant I say, ‘Boast no more,’ and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns.
5 Do not lift your horns against heaven; do not speak so defiantly.’”
(Psalm 75:2-5 NIV)

Every single day, I confront the brokenness of this world. I see those who believe they don’t have to follow the laws of the land. Some of society’s most vulnerable members become victims and cry out for justice.

Are you seeking justice for yourself or a loved one?

We are made in the image of a just God, so we each long for justice to be done here on earth. It is imprinted on our very souls.

In verses 4 and 5, God reassures his people that he not only chooses the perfect time to judge but will do so with balance, insight, and fairness.

Earthly judges may be corrupted or prevented from bringing justice to this world, but God will prevail. That may be now or years from now.

God reminds his people that he holds the foundations of the earth firm even when all is quaking. Notice that the scripture does not say if the earth and people shake. It says when. Sooner or later, we will all experience seasons of uncertainty and lack. But God will hold us close in the middle of the darkest seasons of our lives if we will only look to him.

God identifies the arrogant people, those who defy him, and he commands their obedience sooner or later. There is no escape for them.

We are called to wait on God’s placement


6 No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt themselves.
7 It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.
8 In the hand of the Lord is a cup full of foaming wine mixed with spices; he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth drink it down to its very dregs.
(Psalm 75:6-8 NIV)

How far is the East from the West? This area covers the entire Earth; therefore, no one can exalt him or herself —only God can do that for a person.

While our society celebrates those who “take what they want” and make “power grabs” for fame and fortune, this is not God’s way. If the manner in which I succeed is questionable, God will not bless my efforts.

Therefore, I shouldn’t try to gain an elevated position because if I do, I won’t be able to stay there. But no force on Earth can remove me if God puts me there.

God knows our hearts, minds, and motivations. He will force the wicked to drink down the full measure of his judgment, and they will have no escape. Can I wait on God’s plan for judgment and justice? Not without his help, every single day.

We are called to persist in praise

9 As for me, I will declare this forever; I will sing praise to the God of Jacob,
10 who says, “I will cut off the horns of all the wicked, but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.”
(Psalm 75:9-10 NIV)


When I come face to face with the goodness of God, I can’t help but praise Him.

Our praise will go on forever because God will go on forever. This is a glimpse of the now and not yet.

Someday, we will have endless days and nights to praise God in Heaven. We will never get weary but be filled with awe and wonder in his presence.

Psalm 75 begins and ends with praise because God wants to remind us of how he works. Jesus’ death and resurrection brought the ultimate reconciliation between God and man. This will someday pass away, all will be put to right, and real and restorative justice will prevail in all situations. We will live in the new heaven and earth, praise the Lord all day and night, and never grow weary.

All those years ago, my family did not receive a favorable verdict. It seemed that all was lost. Sadly, I don’t have a report of how eventually we prevailed or received what was owed. I have had to choose to release this situation to the Lord. Despite it all, I can praise God, watch for his justice, and await God’s placement.

All was not actually lost that day because despite massive damage to my sister’s car, her two children, aged just four months and not quite two, survived with barely a scratch. I learned during the trial that emergency responders had to use the “jaws of life” to cut my sister’s infant daughter out of her car seat, sitting inches from the full impact of a ¾ ton pickup truck. God miraculously shielded two tiny children that day, and I will be forever grateful to know and love them.

Prayer

We praise you, God, for your Name is near; let us be known as a people who tell of your wonderful deeds and encourage one another. Help us to be those who bear the light of your presence in a dark world where justice can be hard to find and painful to wait for. Help us to wait on you, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Elusive Satisfaction – Psalm 65

/ Anthea Kotlan / Leave a comment

Curbside Convenience

Sitting “curbside” at a grocery store, my wait time dragged as I closely monitored the doorway where the delivery personnel came and went.  My online grocery order was now ten minutes past the time I expected. Aggravation bloomed, and a decided irritation sat down beside me. As the worker finally started putting groceries into my trunk/ car boot. A notification on my phone asked me to take a short customer satisfaction survey, and I was more than ready to weigh in. I efficiently responded with all my irritation before the worker finished and closed the trunk.

Additional Information

Upon arriving home, I noticed the employee had carefully placed all my frozen items in a cooler bag she noticed in my trunk. Other non-perishables had been carefully separated into yet another bag. Larger objects carefully nestled on the outer edge. This made unloading the groceries at my house easy.

Would I have given the same rating after I noticed all the care and consideration this worker had put into her work?

Could I see now why she had been running behind?

My Urge to Evaluate

My inbox overflows with customer satisfaction surveys, hoping to quantify my experience in a store, at a local restaurant, or even with a medical professional. These queries feed my urge to evaluate. The questions seek to weigh and measure my perception. How well my needs were met, and how much value I believe I received. Unfortunately, I tend to fill those out when I am not happy.

Sadly, it is far too easy to conclude that I am dissatisfied in a world that tries to convince me that there is much more for me to have. Our culture celebrates my right to receive everything I am owed on time and in the ways I expect.

Sometimes, my default setting is to complain.

How Can I Shift My Perspective?

Psalm 65 celebrates the deep soul-tending satisfaction that can only be found in the presence of the Lord.

1 Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion, and to you shall vows be performed.

2 O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come.

3 When iniquities prevail against me, you atone for our transgressions.

4 Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!

(Psalm 65:1-4 ESV)

The psalmist reminds me that I owe God a debt of praise and fulfillment of my promises because He alone is worthy of my worship and promises. (vs. 1)

  • He faithfully hears my prayers when spoken aloud in the sanctuary and when I whisper in the dark of the night. Everyone can come to Him in prayer. (vs. 2)
  • He creates order in my heart with atonement for my sins. He provides a way for me to be reconciled to Him through Jesus. (vs.3)
  • My heart and mind are soothed by spending time in His presence. To a world that says I might never have enough, I can declare the satisfaction refilling me daily when I take time to be with God. (V.4)

How Can I Adjust My Posture?

5 By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas;

6 the one who by his strength established the mountains, being girded with might;

7 who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples,

8 so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.

(Psalm 65:5-8 ESV)
  • I can live in a posture of hope despite the daily news updates. God will answer every question of this world with righteousness. (Vs. 5)
  • The one who established the highest and most extensive mountain ranges uses His might to control the roaring seas, the crashing waves, and especially turmoil amongst his people on Earth. There will be wars, but He can redeem damage created by forces and violence surrounding us. (vs. 6 &7)
  • Across the entire expanse of the world, God displays signs and wonders that testify about His power and might, and we cheer him on. (vs.8)

How Can I Choose Gratitude and Praise?

9 You visit the earth and water it; you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide their grain, for so you have prepared it.

10 You water its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges, softening it with showers, and blessing its growth.

11 You crown the year with your bounty; your wagon tracks overflow with abundance.

12 The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy,

13 the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy.

(Psalm 65:9-13 ESV)

  • God brings the water, the grain, the blessings, and the growth to this Earth. (Vs. 9-10)
  • Bounty, overflow, abundance, and joy break out when God passes by. I can respond with joyful singing and praise whenever I see God’s abundance displayed in His creation. (vs 11-13)

Ironically, I can remember sitting curbside at the same store I mentioned above a few years ago.  As the worker delivered my groceries while I sat comfortably in my car, I vividly recall my gratefulness. This store provided the service for free, which I needed in that season.

Perhaps focusing on all God has done for me could refill my soul with an abiding satisfaction. Then, there would be scarcely room for complaining about what I didn’t have or didn’t get when I wanted it.

Prayer

Lord, teach me how to grow and nurture greater satisfaction in my heart and mind. Thank you for all you have done to reveal that to me. Thank you for all you have freely given to me. Help me to walk in that truth today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.  

Waiting Well – Psalm 62

/ Anthea Kotlan / Leave a comment

Waiting well is hardly my strong suit. How does time spent getting stuck in traffic when you run late to pick up your child expand into an unknowable amount of time? Suddenly, everyone is moving in slow motion, yet the time is speeding forward, and your estimated arrival time continues speeding further into the future.

Waiting in Silence 

1 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.

2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

3 How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?

4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood.

They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. Selah

(Psalm 62:1-4 ESV)

The psalmist declares his willingness to wait on God because God is the source of all he values most. Even when attacked and vulnerable, he chooses to focus on the Lord.

When faced with a threat, I am tempted to fill the waiting with words of worry, complaint, and even catastrophizing. I can raise the “what if” scenarios to an outstanding level, but to what end? Will any of that help me?

What if I chose to wait in silence?

The psalmist decides to wait quietly and in the certainty of his rescue. While acknowledging the threat, he doesn’t fall for his enemy’s deceptive or intimidating ways. He turns down the volume on the doubters and tunes into the quiet presence of the Lord.

Waiting Unshaken

5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.

6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

7 On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

(Psalm 62:5-7 ESV)


The psalmist decides to remain unshaken and focused on the solid rock of God. He declares his dependence on God alone.

When dealing with uncertainty, I am tempted to lose hope.

Waiting on God’s Wisdom

8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah

(Psalm 62:8 ESV)

The psalmist reminds believers to trust God at all times and in all circumstances and encourages believers first to pour out their hearts to God.

When dealing with human betrayal, I am drawn to seek justice from those in authority on earth. Or tempted to take matters into my own hands and rush to justice before even seeking God’s wisdom. At this point, I don’t know what I don’t know. I must wait on God’s wisdom.

Waiting on God’s Conclusions

9 Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.

10 Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them.

(Psalm 62:9-10 ESV)

The psalmist recognizes how fleeting the favor of man can be. Relationships die, people drift apart, and financial gains and losses come and go.

When I feel people fail me, it’s easy to allow disappointment to crush me. I must choose to trust God.

Waiting on God’s Steadfast Love and Justice

11 Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God,

12 and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work.

(Psalm 62:11-12 ESV)

The psalmist reminds believers to listen to God’s word and recognize his power. God has all the power and the most remarkable ability to ensure everyone is treated fairly and receives what he or she is due.

When the world celebrates the strength of the mob, the influence of the crowd, and the loudest voices, it’s tempting for me to lose hope. I must choose to cling to God’s steadfast love.

Prayer

Lord, teach me to wait well. Help me to focus on you even when I am distracted by anxiety and uncertainty. You are always worth waiting on. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

LORD of All – Psalm 50

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“Son, the sun never sets on the British Empire.”

My grandfather once told my Uncle Tony this as they stood in Trafalgar Square around 1945 or 1946. The British forces had defeated Germany, but the British Empire would lose much of its power and influence over the next few decades.

Psalm 50 opens with a similar sweeping statement about the LORD.

LORD of All Time Zones and Nations

1 The Mighty One, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.
2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.
(Psalm 50:1-2 ESV)

The Mighty One works around the clock from the time the sun rises worldwide. The sun never sets on the Lord’s Empire, and He never sleeps. Not only does God keep watch at all times, but He also summons his subjects because He seeks to have a relationship with each of them.  

He is a fantastic communicator who uses the beauty of His creation to reveal His character.

LORD of All Righteous Judgement

3 Our God comes; he does not keep silence; before him is a devouring fire, around him a mighty tempest.
4 He calls to the heavens above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people:
5 “Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!”
6 The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge! Selah
7 “Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, I will testify against you. I am God, your God.
(Psalm 50:3-7 ESV)

Some Christian fiction stories about the end of days narrate a plotline where many people miss the Lord’s return. They somehow sleep through it or don’t notice His arrival. Verse 3 reassures us that we can’t miss Him. He does not keep silent, and a devouring fire and a big storm surround his arrival.

When He does arrive, He will call His faithful ones. He will recognize those who made a covenant with Him.

We don’t need to fear His judgment because He is a righteous judge. The heavens declare it.

He judges, and He will testify about his people’s lack of faith.

LORD of All of Creation

8 Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; your burnt offerings are continually before me.
9 I will not accept a bull from your house or goats from your folds.
10 For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine.
(Psalm 50: 8-11 ESV)

God owns all the animals on the earth, so when we sacrifice without true repentance, it looks like someone regifting a Christmas present like a boomerang. God instructed His people in a sacrificial system, but His desire is for hearts to return to Him and obedience.  

God created the cattle on a thousand hills, and He knows the birds of the air, each one. He knows all the animals that move in the field. He created each one uniquely and knows what each one needs. He manages all of creation for His glory.

What difference does it make that you serve the Lord of all?

What difference does knowing that He is the Lord of all make when dealing with a problematic situation or praying for something that doesn’t appear to be working out?

Spend a few minutes today meditating on the Lord of all. He is sovereign over anything that comes your way. Release to Him all you are carrying because He is more than able.

Prayer

Lord of all, thank you for being on the job 24/7 so I don’t have to be. I can rest knowing you are still on your throne. Thank you for being a righteous judge who will evaluate me based on the covenant made through the sacrifice of Jesus’ blood that covers all my sins. Help me to be more concerned with being grateful and obedient than trying harder to please you. Thank you for tending to all of creation. While you may give me portions to manage in different seasons of my life, I don’t have to carry that as a burden. I can enjoy Your creation and see how You reveal Yourself in new ways every day. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Bearing Light in a Dark World – Psalm 41:1-6

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On my best days, I am happy to let others go ahead. When things are going well, being generous and kind can be easy. But on days when I get cut off in traffic, my head pounds with a migraine, my gas tank is drained, I am caring for someone I love who is suffering, I open a letter of complaint from my HOA, and I am running late, considering anyone else’s needs feels like a stretch.

The words of Psalm 41 challenge me.

Jesus Calls me to Consider

1Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the LORD delivers him;
(Psalm 41:1 ESV)

Even on a bad day, I am still called to consider the poor. I am called to contemplate my role in restoration. So many times, Jesus considered and served people left out and marginalized. He set the example of kindness and generosity even when His enemies surrounded him.

God does not NEED me to serve the poor. However, He calls me to consider those who cross my path in need. He asks me to see their needs. In seeing others’ needs and serving them, I am incrementally being transformed into the likeness of Christ. I become a bearer of Christ’s light in a dark world.

2 the LORD protects him and keeps him alive; he is called blessed in the land; you do not give him up to the will of his enemies. (Psalm 41:2 ESV)

Jesus did not waste His precious time defending Himself or His reputation in the face of false accusations. God reigns despite what the enemy of our soul plots and schemes. His will prevails. I can trust that my enemies are not writing my biography; God is. He determines all outcomes and my legacy.

Jesus Sustains me to Serve

3 The LORD sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health. 
4 As for me, I said, “O LORD, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against you!”
(Psalm 41:3-4 ESV)

God will sustain me, and in due time He will restore my body on Earth or in Heaven. If I am on Earth, God must still have assignments for me to complete. When my earthly body breaks down, and it will, my sins or mistakes don’t determine if I remain ill or receive healing. The enemy of my soul would like me to dwell on my sins and mistakes and become hopeless, but God provides grace for me to bear the light of His hope.

Jesus Protects me against my Enemies’ Deadly Schemes

5 My enemies say of me in malice, “When will he die, and his name perish?”
6 And when one comes to see me, he utters empty words, while his heart gathers iniquity; when he goes out, he tells it abroad.
(Psalm 41:5-6 ESV)

The enemy of my soul sends his emissaries to:

  • Plant seeds of doubt
  • Ask awkward questions
  • Speak curses
  • Collect evil
  • Spread gossip

But Jesus’ death on the cross protects me from the crushing weight of sin. I am saved from the death sentence but not from suffering. The enemy of my soul knows this. However, he continues to strategize ways to distract me with discouragement.

God has given me the weapon of His word. Declaring the truth of scripture in response to every falsehood the enemy utters defends my heart and mind. Speaking scripture floods my mind and heart with the light of Christ.

  • When I die, my name will be written in the Book of Life for all eternity. (Philippians 4:3)
  • My reputation is fiercely guarded and protected by my heavenly Father. (Psalm 135:13-15)
  • My heart can gather joy whenever I spend time with my heavenly Father. (Philippians 4:4-7)

What schemes is the enemy using against you today? What seeds of doubt does he try to plant? What curses have been spoken over you? What gossip is he trying to spread?

Prayer

Lord, help me to consider the poor, those You want me to serve. Help me to trust You for all outcomes. Thank you for sustaining me through difficulties and challenges. Please shield my heart and mind from the schemes of the evil one. Please help me to trust you more and more. Please help me to be a bearer of light in a dark world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

**The rest of Psalm 41 focuses on Jesus’ final days of earthly ministry. To read more about that, check out this post: https://antheakotlan.com/2022/04/13/a-view-from-the-table-at-the-last-supper/

How are you bearing the light of Christ today in a dark world?

Got Grit? Psalm 30

/ Anthea Kotlan / 1 Comment

Grit is living life like it’s a marathon and not a sprint.

Angela Duckworth

Marathoner or Sprinter

One thing to be sure of is that I know very little about running. I am neither a marathoner nor a sprinter. While many members of my family enjoy running, I do not. Running is something that I have consistently avoided since I was a child. However, because I have shared life with more than one runner, I know about the consistency and determination it takes to succeed at running a marathon. Daily running schedules despite lousy weather, special shoes, and even diets designed to maximize stamina. Ultimately, preparing to run a marathon requires a runner not to quit.

Popular church culture teaches believers all about joy and abundance. Life as a believer can be portrayed as an endless array of positive affirmations and exercises in counting blessings. An expectation is set for a blessed and abundant life of ease for all who claim Christ.

But what happens when it doesn’t go that way? Please note that I used the word when not if.

Grit Required

Sooner or later, everyone who follows Jesus will experience disappointment. Eventually, many slam into the concrete wall of devastating loss and betrayal. What about the faithful wife whom her spouse betrays? The congregation who learns about their pastor’s secret life with waves of damaging revelation? The adult child who grows up with abuse inside his or her Christian family? What about the stage 4 cancer diagnosis that is not healed this side of Heaven?

In the Psalms, believers navigate times of disappointment, depression, and fear. Grit is required and starts with praise.

Choosing grit requires that I start with praising God.

In Psalm 30, King David begins with a huge praise report about how the Lord saved his life.

1 I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me.
2 O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.
3 O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.

4 Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.
5 For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
(Psalm 30:1-5 ESV)

Setbacks and Sadness

David begins with praise but rapidly moves to the reality of setbacks and sadness. David failed God many times, and his failures hurt his family members.

Choosing grit gives me room to acknowledge sadness and setbacks.

From time to time, my heart will be broken by the brokenness of this world. I will also see my flaws and how I fail those I love. Yet, each time I experience sadness, anger, or bitterness, I can cling to the idea that this shall pass. God promises us new mercies each day. Weeping may stick around for a season, but joy will come again and again.  

6 As for me, I said in my prosperity, “I shall never be moved.”
7 By your favor, O Lord, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face; I was dismayed.
(Psalm 30:6-7 ESV)

Dismayed

In January, I often find myself making new year’s resolutions to commit to new patterns of behavior or to give up something that needs to go. Like David, I might claim, “I shall never be moved.” Unfortunately, in times of abundance, it is all too easy to over-promise what I believe I can do in my strength.

Also, like David, I become discouraged and dismayed within a very short time. I lose sight of the Lord when I become distracted by my agenda without His input. It can seem that the Lord hid from me, but it is much more likely that I stopped looking for Him or listening for His voice to guide me.

Choosing grit requires me to refocus on the Lord.

8 To you, O Lord, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy:
9 “What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you?  Will it tell of your faithfulness?
10 Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me! O Lord, be my helper!”
(Psalm 30:8-10 ESV)

Sometimes when life feels unbearable, I can move to “worst-case scenario thinking.” David may have found himself there. When I become this discouraged, I might even try bargaining with the Lord.

Please rescue me so I can praise You. 

Please do this so that I can do that for You.

While I can cry out to God to help me, trying to persuade Him to act by suggesting He needs me is laughable.

Surrender

The Lord Almighty does not need me to do anything for Him. He does not respond to me trying to negotiate a deal. Instead, he calls me to surrender my agenda and commit to His. This will be ongoing work for me on this side of eternity. I must ask the Lord to help me to develop true grit to persist in seeking Him daily and, possibly, hourly. I need to surrender to His will.

11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,
12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!
(Psalm 30:11-12 ESV)

True grit is true surrender.

A deep and abiding joy comes out of complete surrender. God will provide joy for those who persist in surrendering daily, hourly, or even from one minute to the next. The Christian life requires grit and determination to keep on and finish well.

Prayer for Times of Sadness

Thank You, Lord, for turning my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness. May I sing Your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!  In Jesus’ name. Amen

(Psalm 30:11-12 ESV)

Is It Still Easter? Psalm 110

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(Women throwing glitter confetti in the air.)

The uphill journey to Easter Sunday from the low country of Lent takes effort and persistence. The steep pathway circles around the mountain week after week. Just as my calves feel shaky and I don’t think I can keep going, the view of Easter Sunday fills the frame. The top of this mountain, vast and spacious, provides room to sit and bask in Easter joy.  

In early March, I began my journey through the forty days of Lent and contemplated Jesus’ sufferings. Lent helped me refocus my attention on God by inviting me to give up something. Spending time in Jesus’ suffering as He walked to the cross makes the joy of Easter Sunday sweeter. The Holy Week services from Palm Sunday to the Saturday Easter Vigil prepare me much more deeply to celebrate the Resurrection on Sunday. 

Easter, in the Anglican tradition, is certainly not a single-day event. Long after we have found all those brightly colored plastic eggs, there is a great deal left to discover in the fifty days of Easter. Could it be another invitation to shift focus? How could I usher in feasting and celebration to take center stage?  

Soul tending in Psalm 110 gives believers an invitation to the ultimate resurrection party.   

Psalm 110 for Easter  

1 The Lord says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool."  
Psalm 110: 1 ESV

Jesus completed His holy assignment here on Earth, reconciling believers with the Lord. He then sat down at the Lord’s right hand by invitation. God was satisfied. Jesus sits in the front row, watching how the Lord continues to demonstrate His power over anyone or anything coming against Christianity. While various battles continue, the Lord has won the war once and for all.  

In these fifty days of Easter, how will I sit down and take time to consider what Jesus has done for me? I tend to run hard and rarely take breaks until I fall and collapse. I say this not out of pride but out of humility. I don’t believe God is pleased by my endless going and doing. So how can I take time in this season to sit with my savior?  

2 The Lord sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies! Psalm 110:2 ESV

What does it look like to rule in the midst of your enemies? Because the Lord seeks reconciliation, not annihilation, Jesus will rule on His throne even now. He will lead amid wars, oppression, and natural disasters. 

3 Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours. Psalm 110:3 ESV

We celebrate and give thanks for all Jesus has done during the Easter season. His mercies are new every morning, and great is His faithfulness to us.  

This verse also points to a verse from Revelation about holy garments. 

Let us rejoice and exult, and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure" 
(Revelation 19:7-8 ESV) 




4 The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, "You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek."  Psalm 110: 4 ESV

Abraham met this priest and was blessed by him after a battle (Genesis 14:18-20). The psalms remind everyone of God’s promises fulfilled in Jesus. So much of the Old Testament all pointed to the coming Messiah.  

5 The Lord is at your right hand; he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath. Psalm 110: 5 ESV

No world leader or military power will be strong enough to oppose the Lord. Therefore, the day of His Wrath will be the ultimate judgment day.  
 

6 He will execute judgment among the nations, filling them with corpses; he will shatter chiefs over the wide Earth. Psalm 110:6 ESV

All at once across the entire Earth, and without exception, the Lord will cast His judgment. Some will oppose Him, and they will pay with their lives. Others will fall on their knees and worship Him. No chiefs or worldly authorities will prevail on this final day of judgment.

7 He will drink from the brook; therefore he will lift up his head. Psalm 110:7 ESV

Verse 7 points back to the cross. One way Jesus speaks about preparing to die on the cross is to compare it to drinking from a cup of suffering. At one point, even the disciples become sure they are capable of this sacrifice.  

Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?"  
They said to him, "We are able." 
(Matthew 20:22 ESV)

This verse reminds us of the cost of Jesus’ victory. He drank from a brook of suffering, a continuous flow of beatings and abuse. However, he did this willingly. The apostle John describes the final moments of Jesus’ life on Earth.

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, "It is finished," and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30 ESV

Jesus gave His life for us. No one took it away. 

Psalm 110 reminds me to celebrate the Easter season for fifty days? What can I do at the ultimate resurrection party?  

I thought of three suggestions that all start with the letter F.  

Flowers – celebrate this season of new life in Christ by bringing some flowers inside your house. A modest bouquet or potted lily or tulip for less than ten dollars. The blooms could serve you and others who gather in your home with a gorgeous reminder of God’s love.  

Feasts – what exceptional food could you serve during the Easter season to remind you of the goodness of the Lord? Or maybe you could try a new food or drink?  

Festivals- celebrations – in the last two years, more than one special celebration had to be scaled back or canceled entirely. Are we experiencing a festival deficit? Perhaps we need to gather our people and set aside some space on our calendars to celebrate during this particular season. Depending on where you live, maybe even an outdoor garden party might be in order.  

How about you? How could you mark this celebratory season?  

Prayer 

Lord, we invite you to the party we want to throw during the Easter Season. You are our honored guest. We can’t wait to gather our people and talk about you while we break bread and drink wine. Help us to fill every seat at our table with friends and family. Thank you, Lord, for providing a gorgeous flower centerpiece featuring a bit of the glory of your creation. Please fill our mouths with your songs of remembrance and laughter. Amen 

Are you feeling lost, disoriented, or out of time in this season of Advent? Psalm 25

/ Anthea Kotlan / 5 Comments

Decades before GPS was available at my fingertips, my children and I roamed the earth in a Honda minivan, getting lost on many occasions. The only thing worse than getting lost with your own young children is getting lost with your friends’ children at the Houston Zoo.

Had I been to the Zoo before?

Sure, I had always gone with people who possessed a fabulous sense of direction. What didn’t I know? I had set off on a grand adventure with a friend who also had no sense of direction.

Somehow, we managed to arrive at the Zoo with little or no trouble, but that’s when it all started to go wrong. Let me explain to those of you who can drive to Dallas without consulting Google maps or even perhaps your local grocery store. The struggle for those with zero sense of direction is truly real. We are a small group in the general population, but on that fateful day, two adults lacking an internal compass came together. As we stepped into the parking lot of the Zoo with six children in tow, we had no idea the challenges we would face.

If anyone had been tracking us, they might have noticed the inefficient way we meandered around the Zoo. We must have passed by the East Indian Elephants no less than a dozen times. As we ambled along with our small gang of young ’uns, we became distracted by our own conversation and endless requests for snacks.  The animals, the signage, the photo opportunities, and crowds conspired to leave us wandering and wondering. Did we stop and study the map of the Zoo? A map for me is a lovely illustration of objects that may or may not be near or far away.

Hours later things would turn ugly when our six tired children needed to go home, and two mothers had no clue how to find the freeway to go back out to the suburbs of Houston. No amount of gripping the steering wheel brought clarity and a deep sense of dread began to bubble up inside me. A cold sweat beaded up on my forehead. At one point I even took out my ancient, folded map. We both looked at it as we sat on the side of the road trying to determine a way forward. Nothing.

The digital clock on the dashboard counted down the minutes to rush hour. Sheer panic mixed with paralysis glued me to the driver’s seat. Our supply of cold juice boxes and time were dwindling rapidly.

With just over two weeks left until Christmas, it’s far too easy to feel lost, disoriented, and out of time. In this season of Advent, the Anglican prayer book offers a prayer for the third Sunday of Advent (December 12, 2021) that speaks to our need for direction and waypoints in life’s spiritual journey.

O  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  you  sent  your  messengers  the  prophets  to  preach  repentance  and  prepare  the  way  for our  salvation:  Grant  that  the  ministers  and  stewards  of  your  mysteries  may  likewise  make  ready  your  way,  by turning  the  hearts  of  the  disobedient  toward  the  wisdom  of  the  just,  that  at  your  second  coming  to  judge  the world,  we  may  be  found  a  people  acceptable  in  your  sight;  for  with  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Spirit  you  live and  reign, one  God, now  and  for  ever.    Amen.

Anglican Church in North America Book of Common Prayer 2019 (page 599)

Questions

Am I taking time this Advent season to make way for more of Jesus in my life?

Do I live a life reflecting the hope found at the second coming of Jesus?

Psalm 25 offers some wisdom for these questions.

Psalm 25

1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me.
3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.
(Psalm 25:1-5 ESV)

This morning I will choose to lift my soul to the one who created it, by reading my Bible and praying. Even when I don’t have time, I will choose to trust my divine creator to make provision in all ways. I will seek Your next steps for me and not my own. Help me learn about Your path for my life. I want to go where You call me to and wait for your prompting and not get ahead or behind Your daily guidance.

6 Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!
8 Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. Psalm 25: 6-10 ESV

Lord, teach me to remember Your mercy. Help me forget my sins and transgressions and see Your steadfast love. Help me to keep a humble posture towards You. Lead, teach and guide me in Your paths of faithfulness.

11 For your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great.
12 Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.
13 His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land.
14 The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.
15 My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.
Psalm 25: 11-16 ESV

Lord, in Your presence I long to abide. In mercy, You extend friendship to me and a rescuing hand when I find trouble. Help me keep my eyes always on You. At this most joyful time of the year, loss and sadness can eclipse the glow of Christmas lights. In the darkest times, I will find solace in You as my soul-satisfying companion.

17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses.
18 Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.
19 Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me.
20 Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you.
22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
Psalm 25:17-22 ESV

Lord, You are my deliverer, one who understands me, the guard of my soul, my protector, and the only one worthy of my waiting.

Advent Prayer from Psalm 25

Lord, as I spend time in Your word today, I am reminded of Your kindness to me, and I give thanks. You know all about my propensity towards getting lost. You hear my cries, and You provide what I lack. Thank you for finding me and showing me the way of salvation when I was lost. Help me to live a life pointing the way for fellow travelers. This Advent season let me use my time wisely to prepare the way for others so they can see the hope I am holding on to in this season. Amen

Back at the minivan just outside the Zoo in a moment of collective brilliance, we both looked up and noticed a built-in compass above the rear-view mirror. We knew we lived North of Houston. Surely, if we traveled North, we would eventually get back to Spring.  Maybe?

The good news is we made it back home, eventually.

How about you this Advent? Are you making your own way or following what the Lord has for you? The gift of not having any real internal sense of direction has always reminded me to seek daily and even moment by moment directions. I may even have multiple GPS apps on my phone. However, when it comes to my spiritual life, I give thanks today to the Lord who never tires of showing me His way. He is always ready to give me turn by turn directions in real-time.

Can I Break Free from the Grip of Anxiety? Psalm 13

/ Anthea Kotlan / 1 Comment
The armor of God


The Oxford dictionary defines anxiety as: “a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.”

My childhood was steeped in a tradition of ominous concern for all outcomes. My mother is particularly gifted in creating worst-case scenarios. She was an apocalyptic prepper long before it became trendy.
Honestly, my inheritance of anxiety has been nourished and watered by me for many years. It’s a hard habit to break. My default setting is to worry first and pray later. I must intentionally surrender my fears and anxieties to God.

Does anxiety have a paralyzing grip on me?

Anxiety leaves me feeling small and weak and quite focused on myself.

Psalm 13 is a psalm of lament. The author feels desperate and without hope. I believe psalms of lament provide a liturgy for processing through feelings of deep sadness and fear. As I read the first two verses of Psalm 13, I notice the author feels overwhelmed with a state of lack and longing. Telling God exactly how I feel is never a problem. Crying out to him provides a chance to process my feelings, and that is the only healthy way to process them.

1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?2 How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day?How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
Psalm 13:1-2 ESV

In these opening verses, the psalmist expresses frustration with delay. “How long?” is a question focused on what I don’t have. I want a right now solution. The psalmist focuses on what he believes has not been considered or attended to by God. Have I questioned God’s timing on solving a problem I have prayed about? Choosing to believe that I am not getting what I deserve, and God is neglecting me, may cause me to become spiritually vulnerable to the enemy’s deceptions. I can choose to stop feeding the anxiety beast and stop focusing on what I don’t have.
How long? The real answer to that question is when it’s the best time according to God. The ideal timing of God’s provision for anything I ask for is based on things I don’t even know that I don’t know. Releasing my urgent need to know, brings freedom and peace.

The question in verse 2 feels like it was taken directly from my own life. “How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day?”

Have I taken counsel or advice only from myself at times? Yes.

I believe that God designed us to thrive in community. Isolation can lead to seeking advice based solely on my own experience. Sometimes I need a fresh perspective from a godly friend or mentor. All too often, isolation can lead to sorrow or even depression. I can feel isolated in a room full of people. One lie that I have believed at times is that I am the only one to have experienced something. Or I am the only one to have made such a terrible mistake. There is very little new under the sun. If I am willing to be vulnerable with a trusted friend or family member, I might find someone else who can help me carry the burden, because he or she has traveled this road as well.
The second part of verse 2 asked about my enemy. Who is my enemy? The person who cut me off in traffic. The family member who betrayed my trust. The church leader who failed me when I needed her help the most. In the pain of the moment, any human may play a role.

Who is our real enemy?

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesian 6:12 ESV
My true enemy is Satan, and he utilizes spiritual forces that trespass into heavenly places. The good news is that God has provided the ultimate victory for us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In Ephesians chapter 6, Paul goes on to challenge us to put on our spiritual armor.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints…Ephesians 6:13-18 ESV

When do I need to put on my armor?

We are called to suit up daily with the armor of God. Pray through each piece of armor and ask God to provide this for you and those you love. Carefully pray each verse and imagine you are putting each piece on.

  • Fasten on the belt of truth
  • Put on the breastplate of righteousness,
  • Put on the shoes for your feet, the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
  • Take up the shield of faith
  • Put on the helmet of salvation,
  • Carry the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

What are the benefits of using the armor of God?

Suiting up with God’s armor will break the grip anxiety has on our minds and hearts. Putting on the armor will also free us up to accomplish some important kingdom-building work.

  • Praying at all times – continually praying throughout the day and night
  • Praying in the Holy Spirit – letting God guide our prayer agendas • Keeping alert –avoiding distractions
  • Persevering— keep going• Receiving a renewed opportunity to pray for other Christians

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for your provision in times of fear and uncertainty. It is far too easy for me to allow anxiety to overwhelm and isolate me. Help me to cry out to you first and foremost. Help me to seek God’s counsel from friends and family. Remind me daily to put on the spiritual armor you have so generously provided. Help me to walk daily in greater freedom by surrendering every fear to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.