The Central Chapter of the Bible

 

“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man” (Ps. 118:8). 

We all have our favorite psalms that we run to for comfort in times of distress, worship and prayer. Recently, I have been in awe of Psalm 118, which if you’ve never studied in-depth, is worth your time.

First, consider these amazing facts. Pslam 118 is called by scholars “The Center of the Bible.” The longest chapter of the Bible falls just after this center chapter - Psalm 119. The shortest chapter of the Bible falls just before this chapter - Psalm 117. There are exactly 594 chapters before Psalm 118, and exactly 594 chapters after it. When you add the number of chapters before Psalms 118 and those after, the sum is 1,118. And the verse at the very center of the Bible is Psalms 118:8.

The central verse of the Bible challenges believers to put their confidence in the Lord rather than the things of this world, which offer only temporary safety. Its rather amazing that the core of the Bible reminds us that our lives had better be “centered” on the Lord or else our faith is misplaced. It’s as if this Psalm is asking us, “Who or what is the central pillar holding up the structure of your life?”   

Notice the term “refuge” in 118:8. That makes us think of a shelter from the storms of life or a fortress from the attacks of an enemy. Worldly people put their trust in their riches, their accomplishments, science and technology, the government or their own righteousness to give them security. But the Bible reminds us that none of these institutions will last. Earthly riches are susceptible to rot, robbers and rust (Mat. 6:19-20). Man’s best works are as filthy rags compared to God’s glory (Is. 64:6). The philosophers and sages are intellectual beggars whose lectures have as much substance as soap bubbles floating in the wind (Ecc. 1:16-17). Empires rise and fall and the names of their mighty kings are forgotten (Dan. 2:21), while man-centered religion is like drinking from a broken cistern (Jer. 2:13).

Also of note in Psalm 118 is how it prophetically points to Jesus. This psalm was often sung by ancient Jews during the Passover celebration and many scholars think it likely that Psalm 118 is what Jesus sang with the disciples on the night before his crucifixion (Mat. 26:30). Recall, that Psalm 118:26 was recited by the adoring crowds on the day Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem (Mat. 21:9). On Sunday, they championed Him, but by the end of the week, the same crowd cried “crucify Him.”

Indeed, Christ was the “stone which the builders rejected” according to 118:22. The Lord quoted from this verse in reference to himself after teaching the Parable of the Tenants (Mat. 21:42).  Peter also quoted this verse in relationship to Christ – pointing out the irony. The discarded stone that the Jewish people saw as flawed and useless, has now become the chief cornerstone in the grand masterpiece of the Church (1 Pet. 2:4-7). Right now, God is building a grand cathedral of redemption from the refuse of the world.

Psalm 118 not only looked to Calvary and the church age, but also ahead to Christ’s conquest. Upon Jesus’ return He will destroy the nations of the earth at the climactic battle of Armageddon, which verses 118:10-11 allude to. Then we will witness His victory procession as Jesus enters the gates of Jerusalem to rule and reign for 1,000 years of unparalleled peace and prosperity, “19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord” (see also. Ps. 24:7-10). On that awesome day, the church shall sing the chorus of Ps. 118:23-24, “This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Learn to Discern

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1)

A few years ago, I made a trip to Washington, D.C. and along the streets were all kinds of vendors. Snack shacks, t-shirt huts, and presidential memorabilia were lined up like a curbside bazaar. One man had a table set up that advertised, “Rolex watches—Great Deals!” He wasn’t kidding, for only $50 I could own a replica of the Omega that James Bond sports in the movies.

The well-dressed Indian man behind the counter assured me that these watches had a lifetime guarantee and that if I ever had trouble with one I could just send it back to the manufacturer. I was already suspicious, but I really knew I was dealing with a fake when I examined the watch face and noticed the spelling of this particular brand—R-O-L-E-X-X.

In the marketplace of spirituality there are numerous fakes, knockoffs, and counterfeits. It has been said that Satan is not a creator, but a great imitator. For every one of God’s truths, Satan has concocted ten counterfeits that look right, sound right, and feel right. This is why knowing true Biblical doctrine and developing the discipline of discernment is so vital.

Discernment is the skill of being able to tell the difference between good from evil, fact from fiction, black from grey. Charles Spurgeon said, “Discernment is not just knowing the difference between right and wrong. It’s being able to tell the difference between right and almost right.” Discernment looks beneath the surface and reads between the lines.

A Christian without discernment is like a submarine in a harbor plowing full speed ahead without radar or periscope. Or a loaded 747 trying to land in dense fog without instruments or radio. Lots of noise, a great deal of power, good intentions, until . . . bam! Disaster.

John tells us to “test” the spirits to see if they are from God. In the original language that word “test” comes from the world of pottery. In fact, the English word “sincere” comes from two Latin words: sine (without) and cera (wax). In the ancient world, dishonest merchants would use wax to hide defects, such as cracks, in their pottery so that they could sell their merchandise at a higher price. More reputable merchants would hang a sign over their pottery — sine cera (without wax) — to inform customers that their merchandise was genuine.

That’s what we must do every day, especially in the digital age when we are constantly bombarded with information and fake news. Does the conspiracy theory video we’re watching hold up to critical scrutiny? That catchy tweet from a celebrity preacher sounds good, but it is biblically based? The sensational headline we clicked on has lured us in, but what is the writer’s real agenda?  

Satan is so tricky and here’s the thing about deception: you don’t know you’re being deceived until its too late! Remember that 99% of rat poison is healthy food, it’s the 1% that kills. Just so, a Devilish lie can contain a kernel of truth, that has been corrupted and distorted slightly. How do we develop discernment? Read the Word every day. Memorize it even. Think critically. Break ideas down and compare them to the Bible. Be like the Bereans. “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11).   

Mental Health and the Church

A recent study by Mental Health America found that 50 million adults are suffering from a mental illness, and more than eleven million have serious suicidal thoughts. These mental health issues can manifest in myriad ways – depression, anxiety, PTSD, eating disorders, and gender dysphoria. 

Ruth Graham seemed to understand this before many in the church did, when she wrote years ago “There’s a pain in every pew and a hurt in every heart.” The church has been slow to understand and respond to the epidemic of mental illness that plagues this nation.

There are a few reasons for this. First, medical science has just in the past few years began to understand the link between mind and body. It wasn’t that long ago, that depression was called “a case of the blues” and PTSD among soldiers was referred to as “shellshock” or “combat fatigue.” We are only beginning to understand how these maladies result from chemical imbalances in the brain or trauma.

Second, is the false notion in the church that somehow Christians are supposed to be immune to these infirmities. Many of us have shaken hands with a friend at church and when asked “how are you doing?” we deflect and say, “I’m good,” when in reality our world is falling apart. Who came up with stupid “Christianese” mantras like “Too blessed to be depressed?”

Moreover, when you search the Scriptures, you discover people whose lives were mentally frayed. Did you know that some of God’s choice servants hit low points in which they despaired unto death?

Moses cried out to the Lord in Num. 11:15, “I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me. If you will treat me like this, kill me at once, if I find favor in your sight, that I may not see my wretchedness.” 

Elijah was so fatigued and fearful that he retreated to a cave and asked to die (1 Kings 19:4).  

In the crucible of suffering, Job wondered why the Lord allowed him to be born at all (Job 3:11). 

Jeremiah was called “the weeping prophet” for a reason and he wrote a whole book expressing his anguish called “Lamentations.”

And when we are distraught, we run to the Psalms for comfort where David’s raw emotions erupt, “My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O Lord—how long?... I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping” (Ps. 6).

I think we would do well to stop with the fakeness of “putting on a happy face” when we go to church. Sometimes it is a struggle to even show our face on a Sunday. Sometimes the pain is so great it’s difficult to sing hymns. Sometimes all we have to offer to God is broken pieces and burdened minds.

Don’t get me wrong, there is joy in the Lord and church should be filled with His praises. But at the same time, we can’t keep pretending when people in the pews are struggling in silent desperation. That’s why the Word calls us to “rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”

What’s the answer? I’m not a psychologist or doctor, I feel so ill-equipped to deal with people’s problems. The only thing I know to do is point troubled souls to Jesus. There was no body more deranged and mentally unstable than the demoniac Jesus encountered in Mark 5. He howled at the moon like a werewolf, lived among the tombs and practicing cutting. And yet, when Jesus cast out the Legion of demons torturing him the Bible says, “And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind” (Mark 5:15).

Don’t miss that last part – “in his right mind.” Doesn’t the Bible call Jesus “wonderful counselor” (Is. 9:6)? Jesus can do what pills and programs can’t. If you are depressed, tortured or confused, Jesus can heal the wounds that no one can see. If you are a Jesus-follower and there are days where you feel like you’re hanging on to your last shred of sanity, it doesn’t mean you are not saved or “less than.” What it means is that you will have to rely on God to carry you through in ways that others may not. But leaning on Him more is no lack of faith. It’s a declaration that He is sufficient.

Questions

“Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me” (Job 38:1-3).

A few years ago, several stories emerged in the news media about an 8th grade graduation test from 1912 that somehow turned up in the archives of a Kentucky museum. In its heyday this test was called the “Common Test” and it was administered to students all across the Bluegrass State. How students performed on this test determined if they would move on to high school. The exam spanned eight subjects: spelling, reading, arithmetic, grammar, geography, physiology, civil government and history.

Some sample questions were: “A man bought a farm for $2,400 and sold it for $2,700. What percent did he gain in profit?” “Diagram the following sentence—The Lord loveth a cheerful giver.” “Name in order of their sizes the three largest states in America.” “What is liver? Where is located in the body and what is its purpose?” “Who invented the Cotton Gin? “Name two presidents who died in office and the last battle of the Civil War.”

So how would you do? Need to hit the books again? When the test was administered to adults and high-schoolers today, most could not pass it. Are you smarter than an 8th grader from 1912? Perhaps, one of the most daunting series of questions is found in Job 38-39. Since his suffering began Job had sought an opportunity to put God on the witness stand and ask Him some questions. Instead, Job is put in the hot seat and cross-examined by God in order to show him how weak, ignorant and limited his understanding of the universe really is compared to God’s omnipotence and omniscience.

God bludgeons Job with a series of 77 unanswerable questions from different scientific disciplines – cosmology, oceanography, meteorology, zoology and more. Not once in God’s monologue, does the Almighty answer any of the questions Job posed earlier in the book about why he was suffering. When God was finished blasting Job all he could do was sit in stone silence. “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further” (40:4-5). Job was humbled—the suffering stripped him of the physical props in his life while God’s interrogation stripped him of his pride.

Like Job, I’m sure each of us have some questions we’d like to demand of God, especially when it comes to the nature of suffering. There’s nothing that produces questions like when we are afflicted, or when someone we love dies, or when we witness heinous evil that goes unpunished. But after meditating on this scene, I am reminded of three truths. 

First, God owes us nothing. God is not obligated to explain Himself to finite, fallen creatures. Second, perhaps God keeps us ignorant of the reasons for our suffering because we are incapable of comprehending the answer. God’s ways are higher than ours (Is. 55:11). How can the finite understand the infinite? We might as well try and explain calculus to a dog. 

Third, when we suffer God doesn’t reveal His grand design, He reveals Himself. God spoke to Job from the whirlwind, which was the same storm that wrecked his life in the beginning (1:19). The vehicle that God used to bring suffering and great dread into Job’s life was also the means that God used to reveal Himself. And such is the nature of suffering. It’s the thing we dread the most that will teach us the deep things about God. 

There will always be questions this side of eternity. Faith is trusting God and leaving room for the mysteries of life. As Augustine said, “Better that I find you God, and leave the questions unanswered, than to find the answers and not find you.”   -DM