Subscription Lists
Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
Psalm 95 is quoted in Hebrews 3verse 7,4verse 7 , where it is said that God is speaking - so it is very much a Psalm for believers.
In his mind he is thinking - the rock which Moses hit, and water poured forth - the Red Sea - the Tabernacle - and the mountains of Sinai.
Verse 8 – It is when we are worshipping and feeding upon the Word of God and receiving from the Holy Spirit that something can happen. We can hear His voice. "If you hear His Voice - do not harden your hearts - as you did at Meribah - which means 'quarrelling' - as you did as Massah in the desert, which means 'testing' - where your fathers tested and tried Me - though they had seen what I did."
Quarrelling and Testing - they had seen what God had done - rescuing and delivering them out of bondage and slavery in Egypt, under the leadership of Moses.
The Psalmist has to warn the people of God against being wilfully, wantonly, repeatedly, obstinately rebellious.
Even in the midst of this theme of worship the writer reminds us of what we can be like. These are the dangers we face - we see Jesus at work - and then, we quarrel - or we are tested and we resist and rebel and cause bother to our God.
"IF" - what an "IF" - we cannot repent too soon - because we never know how soon it will be too late. Life is short and uncertain - and there are dangers when we delay - the dangers of indifference - unbelief - just not bothering to pay attention - apathy - presuming all is well.
Verse 10 – For forty years I was angry with that generation - I said - "They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they have not known My ways." There are times when God speaks about us - about His people - He looks at us - not unbelievers, but His called chosen ones who have seen Him in action - performing miracles - sending plagues and removing them - leadership provided - waters parted - enemies drowned - wicked ones destroyed - but within three days they found it hard to trust and rely upon Him to set them free.
Verse 11 – God became angry. It wasn't the unbelievers who caused Him to become angry, but His chosen ones who were right in the middle of an outpouring of His Mercy and Grace and Power.
God said they would not enter the Promised Land - and they didn't.
God always has a special time for us - and it is TODAY. Let the example of that unhappy generation who had experienced so much - be a warning to all of us.
Consider Israel's terrifying experiment of tempting God - the painful consequences - and the unlearned lesson. Some 40 years after Jesus died and rose and ascended - this people were cut off again - as Rome overran and conquered Jerusalem.
It is possible for believers in Jesus to react in similar ways.
We can be so slow to learn, and we are good at repeating former mistakes.
If we continue to Praise - as we continue in Thanksgiving and Worship - making an effort at times to do so - that will go a long way in protecting us from quarrelling and grumbling - which is displeasing to God.
It was a new generation who crossed the Jordan led by Joshua - and the other man who left Egypt and crossed the Jordan with Joshua was Caleb.
There can be no rest to the unbelieving heart. Manna and miracles do not always result in service and obedience and discipleship.
The invitation to Worship is to us - just as the warning is to us - and worship is the highest activity of which any human being is capable. And this is something more than just what the individual does. It is an expression of the people of God - when worship can be so uplifting - strengthening - encouraging - releasing - as well as pleasing to God.
Worship is an attitude of the body - the whole inner being - with palms turned upward.
"Thank you" in Hebrew is TUDAH - and is directly related to the hand.
Hebrew is a very physical language - hands outstretched with palms upward to say "Thank You" - and also to receive what He has to impart to you.
It is as we worship that a door can be opened whereby, we might hear the voice of God - and receive encouragement - guidance - warning - direction.
Be as physical in worship as the Scripture guides and permits.
“Lord our heavenly Father – we have so much to learn when it comes to praise and thanksgiving – and worship. Deliver us routines and ruts. Open us to express what is really in our hearts. Forgive us when we have been satisfied with what man has suggested. Risen Christ, set us free from what has become rigid and cultural – Holy Spirit motivate and inspire us to sing and praise and worship as we come before the Father – in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Word from Scotland" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.