Psalms 118:22-25 KJV  The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.  (23)  This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.  (24)  This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.  (25)  Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.

I recently visited a relative of ours in the Dallas area and the home where they were staying was in the process of renovation. The owner, who was actually performing the renovation spent more than an hour taking me through the house pointing out all the details of the remodel. Everything was being crafted, not just built, with every room containing custom cabinetry, flooring, and trim. The home was thoroughly sealed to be efficient and there was no detail that wasn’t taken care of with incredible creativity and detail. Especially compared to many of the homes I’ve seen in this area, this was another construction altogether. This was a work of art.

There is an opportunity today to experience the workings of the Master Builder. He is able to take elements that may have been rejected by the world and use them to form a construction that is far superior to anything ever before seen. Much better than anything formed by the designs and performances of man, we are privileged to have the One who makes days and has specifically made this day for our enjoyment and rejoicing. Where there may have been brokenness and lack, where there may have been less than enough provision, the King is here to bring prosperity to every area of life. Beyond the range of vision that would only reveal the workings of man, there is a lifted heart and a raised focus to the sight of His doing which is marvelous to behold.

1 Peter 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials, 7 that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ: 8 whom not having seen ye love; on whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (ASV)

The toughest quarter is the fourth, when you have grass poking out of your helmet, blood stains on your britches, bruises and frogs up and down your arms and legs, and sweat-soaked everything. You’re out of wind, there’s a pulled muscle in your leg, it’s hard to see out of one eye, cuz you got something in it, and your tailbone is causing you to walk real funny since you fell on it. It just plain hurts all over to even move, and yet there is still a play to be played and a goal to be scored and defended. As the coach yells out, “Who owns the 4^th quarter? We do!” you’re having a hard enough time just owning your next breath, let alone the next play.

So, what is it about the game of football that causes someone to actually look forward to this ordeal- to keep coming back for more? – Because there is a triumph waiting for those who can keep pressing on with energy and power through the final seconds. Even when the scoreboard says otherwise, there is triumph in the heart of the one who doesn’t give up, but keeps lining up and teeing off on the opposition. In fact, the greater the opposition and the greater the pain- the sweeter is the victory. It is in those moments that all the preparation is truly proven. Anyone can jump up and down and act like their big time at the beginning of the game, but it’s the ones who still believe it and act like it after some major contact that get to walk home with the ‘W’.

Hunter is playing on this ‘Extreme Flag Football’ team, where they’re starting this brand new approach to flag football. Instead of the normal flag rules where you’re barely allowed to make contact with the opposing team, they wear a helmet and shoulder pads and are allowed to make contact within certain guidelines. Their game this last Saturday was on a grass field that had been watered that morning after several days of rain, so water was standing all over the field, mosquitoes were buzzing and stinging, and players were getting soaked, bloodied and bruised. They played a team that hadn’t lost yet, talked a big talk, and generally went through all the motions of those who thought they were really something. As the game progressed, though, there was a gradual, but continual loss of the swagger. They never even were ahead; as Hunter’s smaller team never lost the energy, tenacity or the lead. How wonderfully sweet it was, especially in the fourth quarter against a dominant team, when it became apparent that victory was assured. Every owie just seemed to make it that much sweeter as it was just another part of proving that, for that day, they were the better team.

There is reason for great rejoicing, no matter the score, and no matter the swagger of the foe. In fact, the more banged up we may feel and the more obnoxious the opposition, the more raucous should be that rejoicing, because we’re in the fourth quarter and we know who wins. The greater the battle, the greater will be the proving of our preparation and our unstoppable pursuit of the prize. Before the very one who once laid claim on our life and even now wants nothing more than to stomp all over it, we can rise up as ‘more than conquerors’ (Romans 8:37).

1 Ascribe unto Jehovah, O ye sons of the mighty, Ascribe unto Jehovah glory and strength. 2 Ascribe unto Jehovah the glory due unto his name; Worship Jehovah in holy array.
Psalms 29:1-2 (ASV)

Just got through with Hunter’s basketball season with a community league. He had a great time and it has been so much fun to see him motivated to improve and make progress. Though the league he played in was supposed to be for his age and the next year older, it was difficult to believe that many of the kids weren’t several years older as many appeared to be well over 6 feet tall. Just this size difference made the competition significant, but then, there were many that were also very skilled, and often with this skill came a great deal of arrogance along with a bit of glory sponging. One kid in particular, after making a shot would strut around and gesture with his hands to let it be known how really ‘special’ he was. He indeed was very good, and it is important, I’m sure for him to keep believing in himself, but in the presence of someone like, say Lebron James, all of his little glory hogging would be completely inappropriate. It is so natural especially for young men to be driven by ego and the desire to recognized as ‘mighty’, but in the presence of someone on an extremely exalted level, there is only a need to give up all that self focus for recognition of the one who has really done something of real significance and is so much more deserving of glory. Wherever the accomplishments of Lebron are proclaimed in the magnitude of their record-breaking greatness, it’s somewhat difficult to be too impressed with the feats of a junior high strutter.

The verses that follow these first two give an exposition of the accomplishments of Jehovah that make it most difficult for any of these sons of the (otherwise) mighty to do anything but give up all their glory in the presence of the One who is clearly in another league altogether. Where there might be a little strutting going on in a worldly realm somewhere, whenever the Maker of all realms is truly proclaimed in all of His self-initiated acts that will never know a rival, there is nothing really to do but give it all up for Him. In fact, where this recognition of His greatness is on every sign and billboard, there is never even a consideration of a strut. However, in the observance and deference to His extreme greatness, there is an identity acquired that raises and enables the one who’s given it all up for His glory. Rather than being limited to the little conquests of the self-proclaimed ‘mighty’, there is an ability to be a part of the overwhelming victories of the Almighty.

11 Jehovah will give strength unto his people; Jehovah will bless his people with peace. Psalms 29:11 (ASV)

Rather than just claiming to be a ‘mighty’ dude with a strut in a community league, it’s much better to be part of a people who’ve given up all glory to the One who’s really worthy. Better to have the strength and peace of the winning team of the ages than getting a short-lived ego boost making a few shots alone in a desperately held self-glory. To Him may all glory be given up to, and from Him may the satisfaction and the fulfillment of the soul be filled with in-Christ victory identity.

Joshua 17:17-18 KJV
(17)  And Joshua spake unto the house of Joseph, even to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, Thou art a great people, and hast great power: thou shalt not have one lot only:
(18)  But the mountain shall be thine; for it is a wood, and thou shalt cut it down: and the outgoings of it shall be thine: for thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and though they be strong.

The number of the people of Joseph was large and they were contending that they needed more than one section of land. This was the reason for the addition of the mountain, but I love how it is stated here in the King James Version, because it speaks of mountain ownership. Once something is owned it can pretty much be dealt with at will. Whatever you want to do with it, it’s up to you. In this case it also had something to do with their dominance over their enemies. Which mountains can be spoken to so that they are moved into the sea?- The ones that are owned.

Now, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the existing difficulty the mountain presents has to be an ongoing possession, but there is a right and a position in ownership of it to cut down, ship off and reduce or produce from the mountain in whatever way that you might deem necessary. In sports part of the ‘trash’ talk that goes on in the sparring of words is, ‘I own you’. In every opponent is a form of mountain, an obstacle and a threat that needs to be dominated and overcome. As this declaration of ownership is proclaimed, so is the confidence and self image of the boaster raised to see themselves not only defeating their foe, but taking the strength that opponent once possessed and adding it to their resume, their record of success. With every mountain is either an insurmountable obstacle or a victory trophy- just depends on who takes ownership- who owns who.

It doesn’t really matter whether or not you’re a born ‘talker’, someone who boasts greatly and dominates those around them. There is an inheritance that is ours in Christ that includes the mountain. As it rises before us, so does the resource for the greatness that will bring glory to the One that enables and empowers us, utilizing the very things that would threaten to inhibit and destroy us. Rather than letting any difficulty bring a cloud of discouragement, there is an opportunity for the light of encouragement and strength to dominate as the reality of ownership is realized. In all things we are made to be more than overcomers in Christ. (Romans 8:37) All it takes is a word from the heart of the mountain ‘owner’ and it will be moved into the sea. (Mark 11:23) Though those enemies have ‘iron chariots’ and though they be strong’, they will be driven out by the one who has taken possession. The mountain is ours and to God be the glory of its dominance.

Deuteronomy 10:8-9 KJV
(8)  At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day.
(9)  Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD is his inheritance, according as the LORD thy God promised him.

Who gets what? This is the promise finally coming to pass- the possession of the land by each tribe according to relationship with their father, Israel. This is what inspired, motivated and drove them through the many long years in which they escaped from Egypt’s bondage, crossed the sea on dry ground, survived the wilderness and subdued a giant-filled land. There would finally be a place to call home, spread out and make it their own. Cheers possibly went up as each land portion was declared, and surely there was great celebration for all those receiving their promised inheritance. While it may be less than engaging to now read the list of how the land was divided, for each of those waiting for their own name, there must have been great anticipation and excitement -all of those, perhaps, until the very last one.

By that time the Levites may have been suspecting something, because there would have been no portion of the Promised Land left for possession; all had been already portioned out to the eleven. So, while the other tribes were already visualizing the best place for their swimming pool and golf course, the Levites discovered that their inheritance would be a continuation of what had been theirs all along, the sacrifices in the presence of the Lord. Now, where expectations were high for landscapes, neighborhoods, malls, and camel fleets, it might have seemed to some that instead of saving the best till last, that God had saved nothing at all for last and was going low budget. Maybe like a grandfather showing up at his own inheritance disbursal and giving the last of his children a room in his own house rather than their own county. This, however, was a perception that would prove to be quite the opposite of reality. All of the lands and possessions given to the other tribesmen that day would eventually be lost as enemies were allowed to invade, displace and rob them. But, the inheritance of their place in the presence and service of God could never be taken. It was an eternal inheritance that, while a possession itself, would also be the source of all other possessions and provisions they would ever need.

It may seem from time to time that in the dispersal of stuff there is a discrepancy and unfairness as to who gets what. Much may have been sacrificed for the sake of service to the Father. Lands may have been left behind, relatives died off in the wilderness and fortunes lost at a fork in the road. There is, however, an unshakeable confidence in the rejoicing of those who have come to realize just how truly fortunate and privileged they are with the inheritance of incomparable value and duration in God himself. While there may be others who are riding off on their camels to places of apparent grandeur and wealth, there will be a day when their eyes are cast with longing back upon those with the sacrifices. If their inheritance does not include the last and most precious dispersal, there will be a removal of all short lived earthly wealth while those in the presence of the King are taken to places of prominence and heavenly acreage.

Right when it may appear that the promise may only be for others, there is an opportunity to rejoice and celebrate the best part of the kingdom that could ever be inherited, the very presence and service of our Father. In His presence is fullness of joy and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore. For all those who find their true fulfillment in Him there will never be reason for frustration, disappointment or discouragement. He will more than satisfy and provide.

Revelation 5:9-13 KJV
(9)  And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
(10)  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
(11)  And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
(12)  Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
(13)  And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

Psalms 27:1 KJV

(1)  <A Psalm of David.> The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

There is a huge difference between ‘the’ and ‘my’. The application of whatever ‘the’ is completely changes once it becomes ‘my’. A commitment of the soul by the conversion of the word brings life changing identity with the mere claim of possession.

I have a friend with whom I’ve recently engaged in discussions about the current presidential campaign. As he has expounded upon the virtues of the candidate he favors- all the reasons why he’s quite convinced this man will win- there was initially just the presentation of why he liked the guy. My thoughts on some of the issues seemed to bring some weight to his consideration as it appeared his heart was still leaning and not yet committed. My last encounter with this individual, however, revealed another step he has taken in his commitment to the candidate; he referred to him as ‘my man’. No longer was he just an individual that had garnered my friend’s passing favor, the nominee had become, at least to a certain extent, an identity, a very part of his own self image. His defense of this man and his positions had become more than just contention for the candidate, it had become self defense. What was interesting about this for me was once possession had been taken of this personality, is seemed that whatever that personality came up with, no matter how much it might have originally contradicted my friend’s heart or own convictions, was the ‘gospel’, the way things should and would be. Where before there had been open consideration of an opposing thought or conviction, with the possession willingness came to even forfeit the relationship we had developed for the sake of this new identity. The candidate hadn’t changed. He was the same man he was before he even began his campaign. A transformation most definitely came to my friend, however, when whoever this man is went from ‘the’ to ‘my’.

I love how David refers to God in this Psalm. It’s like He’s telling someone about a contender for his world that has gone from just a being out there with some pretty incredibly attributes to a Being right in here who has become David’s own possession, his own identity. God, for David, had definitely gone through a huge transformation in his perspective as David laid claim on God’s characteristics. While always ‘the’ light and ‘the’ salvation, if He had just existed in the ‘the’ realm for David, there could also be a coexisting identity of fear. To merely know about the elements of God’s characteristics would retain the possibility of a fear response to life’s threats. When qualities of God were given the ‘my’ conversion, however, when they were no longer just items displayed in a window, but purchased and owned possessions, God defense became self defense, and fear could no longer remain. Any opposing threats or even sounds, rather than given any consideration at all, were put into the realm of the absurd and annoyance. They could no longer even be acknowledged as viable threats.

‘The’ Light is shining bright today with more than sufficient salvation for every aspect of life. Where fear and consternation are dominating, though, ‘the’ Light has not gone through a ‘my’ conversion. For with the possession and embrace of the Light evidenced by a verbal declaration there will be an identity with its source that will remove anything and anyone as a legitimate motivation for fear. In worship there will be more than just an observation of His brightness, but there will be an embrace and identity with it that resists with great aversion any opposing consideration. The heart opened and receptive to the flood of this Light will be established in its righteousness- a position far from any terror or oppression that an enemy might pose. For this day and every one to follow, may there be a ‘my’ conversion that lays claim on the complete wholeness and salvation that has been bought and paid for by Jesus’ precious blood. It’s no longer just for observation- it’s to be possessed.

Psalms 28:5-7 KJV

(5)  Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.
(6)  Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.
(7)  The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

Where there is a trusting heart, there is a rejoicing one, and where the works of the Lord are regarded in praise, there is not only escape from destruction, but also building up from the Lord.

Several years ago there was a businessman that chose to run on an independent ticket for the presidency. He was a very short man with a bit of an odd appearance that might be considered unattractive, and an annoying, nasally voice. At first sight and sound he definitely, at least for me, didn’t provide an impression that would make me want to trust him to clean my car, let alone lead my country. It wasn’t until you began to be interested in what he had already managed to accomplish that this impression could be altered. He had been very successful at running his companies and had developed some strong opinions of how the country should be run, but his biggest challenge was getting people to be impressed enough with those things to get past his appearance. He did manage to do this for a large number of people, however- those that most regarded his accomplishments and embraced him as their candidate. Most people, on the other hand, weren’t familiar enough with his qualifications or else didn’t really understand or relate to them. Their hearts were never turned by who he really was.

All right, I know God isn’t a small little man with a squeaky voice, but there is an issue, it seems, today with acknowledging His works and allowing this to affect the condition of the heart. For some it may be their perception has been a bit skewed by what they’ve seen in one of His followers, while others may have a difficult time with resolving circumstances regarding His existence. Some have just never even heard the news of the gospel. For those of us, though, who have tasted of His goodness and heard of His incredible works, there is no reason for anything other than a heart that is rejoicing and a resulting song of praise. Even in the direst of circumstances there will be more than enough reason for the heart to defy their normal response by rejoicing, if it will but spend some time regarding the incredible greatness of our God. Where the heart is overwhelmed, though, and oppression has set in, the inferior deeds and abilities of the frightening or challenging opposition must have gained precedence in praise. The mouth will have given more time and focus to regarding the wicked and their deeds than the far greater resume of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Today is a day of victory, preservation and building up in the presence of the Lord. Where He’s regarded and praise occupies the mouth this will most certainly be the case. If anything other than this victory starts to raise its little ugly head with a squeaky little voice, disregarding it and displacing it with regard for the Almighty will return the heart once again to the much preferred state of rejoicing and encouragement. Why even acknowledge the inferior?  He is great and greatly to be praised.

1 Corinthians 1:27  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
:28  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
:29  That no flesh should glory in his presence.
:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
:31  That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

I recently met a retired Air Force Colonel, a high school graphics/web design geek, an insurance salesman, and a real estate broker. There was for each of them this very obvious and dramatic change in their stance/posture, tone of voice and look in their eye when they went from just casual introduction to discussing and expounding on who they were and the passions and dreams that occupied their hearts. I’m sure each of them had personal characteristics and life issues that could be reason for discouragement, inhibitions, and generally downcast image and presence, but there was this whole other world of confidence they entered into when they began to speak of those things that brought them fulfillment and self affirmation. It was like a light was turned on in their trophy and game room. To speak of their accomplishments and aspirations was something that only required a little prompting or questioning. Like a well spring just needing to be dug into or tapped, once released there was a flow that could go on for some time. In fact, there was an obvious reduction of excitement and interest, along with a glazed look in the eye that took over when they were politely listening to my comments. It was like they were just waiting their turn to glory once again in the motivation of their life.

In each of our lives there are those things that bring a spring in the step, a light in the eye, and a reason for living that brings vitality to life. It’s not like any of those things should necessarily be avoided when they are a definite part of our gifts and inspiration, but as another treasure begins to occupy the heart when Jesus takes up His residence there, those other elements will begin to be seen so differently as their value is placed next to the most valuable asset one could ever hold. Those things that had once brought a rush of adrenaline will begin to motivate the glazed look compared to the subject of wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption that are ours in Christ. When we’re dug into, the stuff that comes out will be the real substance of life in Christ.

A friend we came to know some time ago recently made contact with us for the first time in a couple years. He is a very wealthy businessman with several properties, a beautiful home on acreage, cars, toys, a lovely wife, precious small children and pretty much the ultimate life, or so it was the last time we’d seen him. The reason for his call was that he had come across our number in some of his wife’s things after she had left him to go discover all that she had been missing in life. He had been suddenly left with a broken heart and children to raise alone, not to mention the social embarrassment and separation from circles they’d known together. He shared with us that through this experience his whole perspective on life had been greatly adjusted. He had given his life to the Lord many years prior to this, but where he had once spent hours talking about business and his acquisitions and conquests, there was something else that had become the subject of his conversations and his glory- the incredible treasure that was his in Christ. As the presence of the Lord had become his refuge and his source of peace in the time of great storm, those other things that had motivated and driven him completely lost their luster. Where once their glory had overwhelmed his focus and occupied his meditation, he had discovered their true worth in the time of difficulty compared to the Rock of his salvation and the Refuge in which he could find peace, rest, security, and confidence. He said that all he had once identified as valuable and important in life had given way to those things that are real and eternal in his God.

The wisdom and the values of the world would say that making all the money and getting all the stuff is what life is all about. The perception of greatness that the flesh would promote, however, will always lead to a precarious position where all that is held dear in the glory of one’s life is subject to destruction. The true, eternal, and infinite value in life, on the other hand, is a substance that has no connection whatsoever with the flesh and its glory. It is faith alone in a God who formed all that stuff and holds the sum of all creation in the palm of His hand. It is becoming full of all that’s been provided in Christ so that, like that well, we easily overflow with boasting of His hand and His greatness in our lives. If there is a change of stance/posture, light in the eye, tone of voice, and air of confidence that comes in the glory that is ours, may it come from His expounded greatness and its great worth in our lives.