From Psalm 74: In the Sanctuary

“They said in their hearts, “Let’s oppress them relentlessly.” They burned every place throughout the land where God met with us.” (v. 8)

Even in the sanctuary…

Even in our meeting places…

Even in Jesus’ church…

…listen, and look.

Listen for their roar, in opposition to the truth of God’s Word and the certainty of its moral authority.

Look for their emblems, any symbol to the wider world that we might be allied with those who reject the truth.

Listen for their roar, and look for their symbols, even in our sanctuaries.

It will sound like, look like, pride, variously defined.

— Tyler

From Exodus 40: “Just as the LORD had commanded him.”

“Moses did everything just as the Lord had commanded him.” (v. 16)

It’s an almost tedious refrain in Exodus 40:

Moses did “just as the LORD had commanded him.”

He put up the tent. He set God’s things in place. He got the water and washed up, and he led his brother to do the same.

“Moses did everything just as the Lord had commanded him.”

I’m always drawn to texts that highlight radical obedience. And this is why: I wonder if my own life story would read differently if I were doing everything the LORD commanded. My obedience is often minimal, not radical—and my biography is filled with stuff that couldn’t be followed by that statement. I do a lot, but so little of it is what He commands.

Maybe I ought to let Moses’ testimony influence my trajectory.

— Tyler

From Exodus 35: The Gifts of the Willing

“Take up an offering among you for the Lord. Let everyone whose heart is willing bring this as the Lord’s offering….” (v. 5)

Yes, God’s people are meant to give.

And, yes, their gifts are intended for the narrow, specific channel of religious offerings—not exclusively, but foundationally.

Why would the Holy God, whose authority and ownership are supreme, ask that from His people?

Because giving reveals our hearts.

Is your heart willing to obey? Is your heart willing to respond to Him with a costly and a generous release? Does your heart count right worship and righteous offerings as worth it?

Is your heart willing?

God doesn’t ask this from anyone and everyone—only from those who are His, who are with Him, who worship. He’s not at all embarrassed to ask, and He’s not at all ashamed of channeling it toward the house and the work of worship. But it is still a request, an invitation…

…and it’s our hearts that answer when our hands get giving.

— Tyler

From Psalm 71: The “Therefore” of Salvation

“Therefore, I will praise you with a harp for your faithfulness, my God; I will sing to you with a lyre, Holy One of Israel.” (v. 22)

If you have known God’s rescue…

If you have tasted redemption and trusted the Redeemer…

If you have run to the Rock when your world was shifting sand…

…what should you do about it?

The Psalmist here accounts for God’s faithfulness over the entire trajectory of his life. He has known the certainty of God’s presence and the hope of God’s salvation. From youth to old age, he has seen God’s gracious work, and he has worshipped.

And he closes his prayer with this:

“Therefore….”

Because of who God is and how he has known Him, the Psalmist draws an active conclusion: God has been this, therefore I will praise Him, sing to Him, recount His rescue, teach His Word and tell my story. The “therefore” of his salvation is a life of testimony and worship.

May we live into that “therefore,” too.

— Tyler

From Exodus 33: With Him

“If your presence does not go…don’t make us go up from here.” (v. 15)

How willing are you to go without Him?

In the Scriptures, believers are given a bunch of pictures of what it looks like to go with God: walking in the light, remaining in His Word, going with the Gospel. We are assured of His presence when we abide in Him.

But He wouldn’t have us go just anywhere. He doesn’t lead us into some things: darkness, stuckness, self-righteousness. If we strike out that direction, we willfully depart from His presence-path.

So…why do we keep going?

Let’s learn to love His way again, and let’s go where He leads, where He promises to go with us. Anything else anywhere else—anything that’s not with Him—isn’t where I want to be.

— Tyler

From Psalm 69: A Simple Prayer

“But as for me, Lord, my prayer to you is for a time of favor. In your abundant, faithful love, God, answer me with your sure salvation.” (v. 13)

I’m resting in this prayer today.

Won’t you join me?

— Tyler

From Psalm 68: Ascribe…but why?

“Ascribe power to God….” (v. 34)

We’ve been taught our whole lives to praise God—in our hearts, in song, and in worship. And, when we read the Psalms, we get insight into how we ought to praise Him—as in, what kinds of things to sing and say.

It probably comes as little surprise that we are instructed to praise God’s strength. The Psalmist knew, as we know, that God is inimitably mighty, incomparably strong, singularly powerful. We should sing and say as much: “Ascribe power to God.”

But…why?

Because, when we accurately account for God’s power, we’ll know where to turn when we feel powerless. When we have a pattern for praising Him in His strength, we’ll also have a path for prayer when we are weak. “The God of Israel gives power and strength to His people” (v. 35)—so we come to Him, with a worship-driven hope.

Remember His power…and rest in it.

— Tyler

From Exodus 30: Price

“Take the atonement price from the Israelites and use it for the service of the tent of meeting. It will serve as a reminder for the Israelites before the Lord to atone for your lives.” (v. 16)

Why are we instructed to give?

Why do God’s people make monetary offerings—regularly, deliberately, through the house of worship?

At least two reasons go all the way back….

Because these offerings have a purpose: Worshippers give so that worship might be afforded. It’s how the doors stay open. It’s how materials are procured. It’s how excellence—in doctrine, in care, and in programming—is pursued. God’s people have always been commanded to give, so that our places of worship might thrive.

But that’s not all…

…because these offerings remind us: We have been bought at a high price. From Exodus’ miracles to Jesus’ mission, God has done—God has given—for us. Every time we give, we are reminded (practically) that nothing we have is our own, that everything we have is gift. Our offerings in worship position our hearts for worship.

— Tyler

From Psalm 66: Forgetful

“I will pay you my vows that my lips promised…during my distress.” (vv. 13-14)

Has God ever answered your prayers?

Of course He has. He has proven infinitely and incredibly faithful. Yes, the answer may have differed from your specific desire, but God has generously and graciously preserved, provided for, and protected our lives—most evidently when we were most distraught.

Here’s the tougher question:

Have we lived up to who we said we would be, when we pleaded for His help?

If you’re like me, a while lot of promised life-change remains undone, unattemped, and unfulfilled.

Not because I don’t want to be the man I said I’d be if God rescued me.

But because I’m forgetful.

When my pain isn’t as acute—when my stress and distress seem manageable—I forget that that peace has only come after He has pulled me out of deeper pits. And I forget that, when I was in the pit, I knew I wanted to live for Him (and told Him as much).

What would your life—what would my life—look like if I lived up to the promises I made back then?

— Tyler

From Psalm 65: Good Friday

“Iniquities overwhelm me; only you can atone for our rebellion.” (v. 3)

On this day—the day we commemorate Jesus’ atoning work on the cross—it is fitting that even the Psalms would sing of God’s sovereignty in salvation.

Though iniquities overwhelm us, He—and only He—affords us our atonement.

Thank you, Jesus.

From Exodus 27: Around the Clock

“Aaron and his sons are to tend the lamp from evening until morning before the LORD.” (v. 21)

It’s the kind of thing we breeze past in the Scriptures:

The Tabernacle for worship had a lamp, and the lamp was tended by the priests, and the priests were commanded to do so from evening until morning every day (or, more accurately, night).

It doesn’t seem super relevant to us—or even to Israel, whose Tabernacle and Temples are now dust.

But try seeing it this way:

When the LORD calls His people to worship—by His sheer grace!—there is no time when all of it is put to bed. Worship isn’t confined to business hours. It was never designed as a once-a-week check-your-children-in and check-the-box event. Tending the light we would keep on earth—the light of prayer and offering and music and devotion—is an all-times invitation, a command for day and night, for His glory in our lives.

Beware snuffing the candle every Sunday lunchtime. Learn to tend the light across all of life’s moments.

—Tyler

From Psalm 63: Because

“My lips will glorify you because your faithful love is better than life.” (v. 3)

A critique of the contemporary Christian:

Too few of us are saying too little too infrequently about our God. We say a lot of faith-positive things—but, in the world, we offer only minimal verbal glory to Him. Our testimonies are shallow.

I have a theory as to why:

We lose sight of the “because.”

But what if we didn’t?

In Psalm 63, the Psalmist readily praises God—and explicitly—because he has known God’s faithful love. David’s testimony is one of rescue, mercy, strength, and blessing—so he testifies!

How in tune are you with the because for praise?

If you will remember what the Gospel has afforded you—your own testimony of rescue and mercy and strength and blessing in Christ—then you will open your lips, too.

— Tyler

From Exodus 25: The Pattern

“Be careful to make them according to the pattern you have been shown on the mountain.” (v. 40)

If you’ve made it this far into the Old Testament before, then you know what’s coming—and you probably aren’t thrilled:

Verse after verse—paragraph after paragraph!—of detailed instructions for Israel’s worship.

It can seem tedious to the modern reader. You’re likely not overly concerned about the height of the table or the placement of the poles or the shape of the lampstand. Never mind if you’re reading an old-fashioned translation, where everything is measured in handbreadths and cubits.

So…why is this Bible?

Try seeing it this way:

Holy God is serious about worship.

We don’t worship Him just any old way. He graciously welcomes His people into His presence—but our approach is according to His pattern. How we prepare our hearts, how we give, how we ought to act in worship—He cares, and He cares enough to tell us.

In the Old Testament, it sounds a lot like Exodus 25. But read the New Testament closely, too, and you’ll find another incredibly detailed pattern for worship. We are still asked to come to Him, in Christ, with particular repentance and character and offerings—and the organization of the church ought to represent the same deliberate approach.

May we worship the God who cares how we worship, and may we keep to His patterns.

— Tyler

From Psalm 61: Where Faith Leads

“Lead me to a rock that is high above me….” (v. 2)

In Psalm 61, the Psalmist prays out of some pretty familiar circumstances.

He prays “from the ends of the earth”—the prayer of one who has wandered far.

And he prays “when [his] heart is without strength”—the prayer of one who is weary.

What, then, is the prayer? What would he hope his faith in the strong God might accomplish?

Lead me to a rock that is high above me….

He would have his faith—he would see God’s grace—lift him out of the fight and onto a firm foundation. He would be brought up and brought home, so that he might stand and be sheltered. He prays that those who worship Holy God would be covered by His wings.

Maybe you’re wandering. Maybe you’re weak. Maybe you’ve missed His firm foundation under your feet.

Pray, be lifted up, and come home.

— Tyler

From Exodus 20: The Headline

“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.” (v. 2)

The Bible is unequivocally clear:

God speaks. God instructs. God expects obedience—because obedience to His good commands is ultimately for our good.

Our picture of His sovereignty ought to prove sufficient enough for our faithful response. Because He has spoken it, and because He is God Almighty, we obey.

But, while that is a theologically correct argument, it isn’t the argument God makes.

Every instruction in His Word is filed under the headline of salvation, and not just authority. His authority would be unassailable regardless, but, when God speaks, He identifies Himself as the God who breaks chains, who frees captives, who brings His people home. He doesn’t thunder from the mountain, “I am the LORD your God, so fear me!” Instead, His voice resounds: “I am the LORD your God, who rescued you.”

As you pursue obedient faithfulness, remember the headline, and worship the God who saves and speaks.

— Tyler

From Exodus 19: If

“Now if you will carefully listen to me and keep my covenant, you will be my own possession out of all the peoples….” (v. 5)

The unforgettable, inescapable, unassailable headline is this:

God’s gift of salvation—His gracious rescue of us, accomplished in Christ—is the gift of faith. We cannot earn it. We add nothing to its effect nor to our election. It is a gift.

But…what does it mean to live by it, to grow in it, to remain in Him?

That’s where the “if” comes in.

In Exodus, God graciously rescued His people by His own power. Yet He did not free them for an unrestrained freedom. He saved them for lives that bring Him glory, mark the people as His, and reflect His goodness and His truth on the earth. “If you carefully listen to me and keep my covenant, you will be my own possession….”

And, in Christ, the principle holds.

We are to remain in His Word. We are to match action to orthodoxy. We are to carefully consider the truth He has given us and walk in it.

That’s what marks a people as His on the earth. If you and I would listen to Him—and obey!—the world will know to Whom we belong.

— Tyler

From Psalm 58: Consider

“Do you really speak righteously, you mighty ones?” (v. 1)

It’s a worthwhile question.

(And not just for the wicked, but also for we who believe we are right.)

Do you really speak righteously?

Give honest attention to your arguments, and carefully consider the justice you would uphold. Is it biblical? Is it His?

Or do you need to have your self-righteous teeth knocked out (cf. v. 6)?

— Tyler

Exodus 16: Enough for Worship

“On the sixth day they gathered twice as much food….” (Exodus 16:22)

Have you ever thought about the Sabbath, about a day for worship, about God’s design for our religious rhythm?

Have you ever thought about Sabbaths…and the fact that God didn’t have to grant them?

The Sovereign God could have—could still!—demand our labor each and every day. He could insist that His people work and work obediently, with neither rest nor rescue. He has already done so much in sparing our lives by His grace—so He could simply ask for our tireless efforts in return.

Yet He has organized everything around rest, around worship, and around the enjoyment of Him.

When Israel was in the desert, He provided food for them daily, which meant daily labor. Yet on the sixth day He provided twice as much. He has always ensured that His people would have enough so that, out of His gracious abundance, they could keep a rhythm of rest.

And, of course, a rhythm of worship—because the Good God who provides is worthy.

Something to think about when you think about the margin you’ve been given each and every Sunday.

— Tyler

From Exodus 14 & Psalm 56: Trust

“The LORD will fight for you, and you must be quiet.” (Exodus 14:14)

“When I am afraid, I will trust in you.” (Psalm 56:3)

Here is one of our great prayer traps:

We, in aiming for faithful and earnest and pleading prayers, try to have both sides of the conversation. We bring our requests, our struggles, and our fears to the LORD—and we just keep talking. We ask Him to move and we suggest how He might move and we wonder aloud why He hasn’t moved yet.

We ask…

…and we almost never leave room for His answer.

There is a real power to silence in prayer. Really, it’s the power of patience, which is a power ultimately rooted in trust. Bring your cares and your needs and your fears to the Father, who loves you—but trust Him enough to let Him answer in His way, His will, according to His when.

God is for you. He will answer. Every battle is won in Him.

But you have to be quiet, and trust Him.

—Tyler

From Exodus 13: Tell the Story

“On that day explain to your son, ‘This is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’” (v. 8)

So much of your life—especially your faith-life—will be incomprehensible to your kids.

They’ll wonder why you worship as your neighbors sleep in. They’ll wonder why you set aside time for devotion when the television is right there. They’ll wonder why you give, why you open your home, why you lead them to pray.

So tell them the story.

Recount God’s rescue—in history, and of your heart. Share the mighty acts of the Living God with them, and relate how you’ve seen Him act mightily for you, too. Make sure they know that, when you were a slave in utter desperation, He came for you in Christ.

Tell the stories, so that God’s faithfulness will live in their memories, too.

— Tyler