This will be a very brief explanation of why I am writing this blog. I hope to give more details eventually. After years of service within churches, theological study, and listening or reading the vast quantities of "Christian" teaching that exists, I have become frustrated. We Christians seem to do two horrible things with the Bible. We put way too much emphasis on the parts that make other people look bad, and we ignore the parts that we don't like. To make matters worse, when we seek a middle ground it is usually in the form of compromise, which makes us look uncomitted and hypocritical. Instead of compromise I have always tried to achieve balance in my teaching and, when shown to be wrong, tried to admit so and grow from the situation. I am hoping that this blog will contain balanced and informative information on the Bible. I will be putting notes from my Sunday messages on here each week (I hope) so that anyone who stumbles on this page will be able to share in what God has been showing me. Because they are only notes there may be some holes in what is written. I don't write out complete sermons to read aloud. I tried once and it was very dry. If something doesn't make sense, please feel free to let me know. If you disagree with my interpretation, please let me know. I am willing to learn. God bless you.
Brett Davis

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Psalms 34:22


ESV: Psalms 34:22. The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. (English Standard Version)

This is a rather short message. Two of the words in this verse stood out to me.

  1. Redeems – This word made me think of Ruth and Boaz. Boaz had a responsibility as kinsman-redeemer to protect and provide for Ruth. He seemed to have a desire to do this also because from the time they met he was gracious and kind to her. We see from the moment he enters the story that Boaz is a good man who wants to do what is right. Likewise, no one who thinks about it would deny that Jesus is good. There are few who would argue that He was a good man who wanted what was, and is, best for His disciples.
  2. Refuge – This word made me think of the cities of refuge in Israel. These were places that one could go to for safety from retribution in cases of manslaughter. All a person had to do to benefit from a city of refuge was get there. This not only speaks of grace and protection, but also humility. To benefit from these refuges you would have to know that you were wrong. You would have to admit that you were wrong. Then you would have to do something about it. You would have to go to the refuge. Not that you would save yourself. The Law would have its way with you eventually. No, you had to humbly seek refuge in something outside of yourself to avoid the punishment for what you had done.

When our verse says that the Lord redeems those who seek refuge in Him it shows a desire on His part to be a redeemer. It shows a need on our part to humbly accept that we need redeeming. We need a refuge. Left on our own we are unable to stand before a righteous God. We can't be what He desires us to be, nor do what He wants us to do. But, when we admit our shortcomings and seek the safety provided by Jesus, He is faithful to fulfill His place as our redeemer (I Thessalonians 5:23-24). And no one who seeks that safety will be condemned.

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