God’s Comforting Presence

October 31, 2010

Background Scripture: Psalm 63
Lesson Passage: Psalm 63

I believe that all of us experience times in our Christian walk when God’s presence seems distant. Sometimes this appears to happen as a result of our own behavior or even failure to act. At other times it seems to occur at the moment of indecision when we really want God to give us some clear directions. Whatever the time or occasion may be, we find ourselves groping for some tangible evidence of God’s presence with us. As we seek God, he always comes through for us. When he does, we are moved from concern and frustration to joy and excitement. It is exhilarating to go from longing and seeking to satisfaction and praise. How do we make that transition? One of the ways we transition from problems to praise is by meditating on God’s word. Meditation requires quiet time. We need a time and/or place where all of the distractions of this world can be tuned out so that we can just think and reflect on God’s goodness. Meditation allows us to reflect on God’s prior actions in our lives as well as on the promises in his word. Through meditation, we are somehow able to connect God’s promises with the anticipation of a brighter future. With such a wonderful gift of God through meditation, then meditation should be a regular activity in our day to day living. When should we meditate? For many of us, nighttime is the right time for meditation. In some cases, nighttime is the time when much of the activities that surround us in the day shut down. For certain, this would have been the case during the time of David. The wilderness of Judah was the setting for the occasion of the writing of this psalm. David was there in hiding from his enemy. While there, he was meditating on the comfort of God’s presence. Nighttime would have given David a temporary reprieve from pursuit by his enemy. While they would have rested in preparation for another day of search and destroy, David rested in the comfort of God’s presence through meditation. This is a very important lesson for us to learn. If we have become frustrated with our enemies, we can be assured that the fate of the enemies of the children of God is destruction. We are benefactors of God’s loving kindness towards us. God’s loving kindness is worthy of praise for it is greater than life itself because God’s reach is beyond even the grave. When God is our protector, who then should we fear? While our enemies seek strife, God’s children should meditate on the peace and tranquility of God’s sanctuary. Through meditation, God will cause us to think of the sanctuary while dwelling in the wilderness of life. With that, no matter where we find ourselves, we can rest in God’s comforting presence.


Robert C. Hudson
October 25, 2010

God’s Universal Reign

October 24, 2010

Background Scripture: Psalm 47
Lesson Passage: Psalm 47

I have never witnessed the coronation of a king. I believe that this is different than the inauguration of a president—which I have seen on television. The inauguration of a president places him in office for a fixed and very limited amount of time as prescribed by the constitution. If he is re-elected, the second inauguration places him in office for the second and final brief term. The service time of the president is seen as being the direct will of the people over whom he governs. The coronation of a king, on the other hand, presupposes that he is being crowned and recognized for a lifetime appointment on the throne. His reign continues throughout his lifetime. His reign is not a result of the will of the governed but it is seen as being divinely ordained. Psalm 47 allows the reader (or hearer) to have a unique vantage point. One actually witnesses the coronation of the eternal King here on earth. He is already acknowledged as the eternal King in heaven by all that are there. The inhabitants in the earth, up to this point, have not all acknowledged His kingship on earth but many pray for it daily (Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.). In Psalm 47, we visualize his passage down the parade route as spectators cheer from the sidelines. We know that this will be for our good and we celebrate with thanksgiving. Adoration and praise erupt as He approaches the dais. His reputation is acknowledged and the expectation of what He will do is vocally anticipated. Trumpets blast as He ascends the royal stairs. Singers lift their voices and belt out the notes in harmony and loud voices that ring throughout the earth and the heavens. Earthly rulers gather and acknowledge his lordship and bow in humble submission to the great King (a king over even them). Even those who do not know Him respond in deferred obeisance. On this day, every knee bows and every tongue confesses the King’s lordship. Then the King takes his rightful place on the throne of the earth. This is the place that Satan has occupied since the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden. Satan has become the prince of this world but he will be overthrown and trumpets will blast and singers will sing forth their joy. As the King looks over the crowd that cannot be numbered for magnitude, then slowly those that are his will move through the crowd and gather at His feet. These are the feet that were seen by Moses and the elders of Israel at Mount Sinai when He wrapped himself in a thick cloud. With this view, we have looked pass all of the frustrations and disappointments of yesterday and the cares and stress of today. We have seen where tomorrow stops and eternity displaces time. God has been enthroned as world ruler and we have given witness to it through the prophetic eyes of the psalmist. God is greatly exalted!


Robert C. Hudson
October 12, 2010