psalms – Stushie Art

Midweek Message: Winging It

Psalm 57:1 Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.

I can remember my old pastor preaching part of this psalm to me when I was about twelve years old. It left me confused, not because of what he said, which was all about security and refuge in God, but because of the mistaken image that I had concocted from what the psalmist wrote. You see I tried to picture God having wings, but I couldn’t decide whether they were the soft, white wings like a dove, or the mighty, golden wings of an eagle.

My problem arose because I was trying to interpret the Bible verse literally. I got so hung up on picturing g the image that I missed what was really important in the psalm – that of knowing God as my refuge in times of trouble.

I also fell for the same mistake when I was at seminary. This time it wasn’t the wings that caused my confusion, it was the shadow of the wings. I reasoned that in order for a shadow to be produced, light has to be behind and above the object in order to cast it on the ground. “How could anything be above and behind God?” I argued. Again, I was taking the text too literally and just using it for the sake of debating with my professors and peers.

The Bible helps us to understand about who God is and how He intervenes in our lives. However, if we take the scriptures too literally, as in the case of this image, then we will miss the point altogether. The Bible guides us towards God and reveals to us His plan of salvation through Christ. It is sacred and gives us a better understanding of the holiness, power, and grace of God, but the Bible is not meant to be fanatically idolized or worshiped like God.

Point to ponder: What biblical images of God mean something special to me?

Prayer: Lord God, when we take refuge in the shadow of Your wings, we know that it means we can find a haven and sanctuary in You. As we rely upon You for everything in our lives, encourage us to read more from the Bible, so that we can learn more about You in order to faithfully and thankfully worship You. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Midweek Message – Hidden Surprises

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Psalm 42: 10b “…my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long,” Where is your God?”

They say that life is full of hidden surprises and one morning that turned out to be true at a church I served. A contractor, who was clearing a ditch behind the church offices, dug through a hidden gas main, causing an unexpected emergency. Within minutes, fire engines and utility trucks swarmed into our parking lot. Local businesses were all shut down and for about an hour everything was intense. An explosion could have occurred at any time, but thankfully the professionals managed to cap the pipe and quickly repair it.

This all happened because the pipe was not where it was supposed to be. A painted yellow line was meant to indicate where the pipe was, but it turns out that the gas pipe was twelve feet away from the actual line. Someone somewhere had made a serious miscalculation, which could have resulted in a fatal explosion. If the pipe had been properly marked and located, this error would not have occurred. We learned that day that knowing exactly where the gas pipe rested was crucial to any ditch digging around the building.

The writer of today’s highlighted verse from Psalm 42 was deeply troubled and tormented. His painful experience caused those around him to ask whether or not God actually existed. The inevitable question of ‘where is God when it hurts?’ must have crossed the psalmist’s mind, so he dug deep into his soul to find an answer. And that’s where he found God, right at the heart of his suffering, right in the midst of all his pain.

We each go through ‘dark nights of the soul’ and crises of faith. In the midst of heartbreak, illness, and sorrow, it’s very easy for us to lose our hold of God, But, as one of my Hebrew professors used to say, “It’s not our grasp of God that is important, but that God still has a grasp of us.” In other words, knowing where God is located is not as crucial as God knowing where we actually are.

Point to ponder: Have I ever felt isolated from God? How did God find me?

Prayer: Lord God, life is full of hidden surprises, and we seek Your presence every day. It helps us to know that You are with us, no matter what we experience or endure. Reveal to us Your whereabouts this day and remind us that Your mindfulness of us is far more important than our understanding of You. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Sabbath Psalms – Shadow Play

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Psalm 91:1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (NIV)

My two-and-a-half-year-old granddaughter Ellie discovered her shadow recently and like any other child, she started playing games with it. She tried to run and catch it; she attempted to jump up and down on it; she even began talking to it as if it were another person. Her childlike innocence is a beautiful blessing to behold, and she even encouraged me to play games with my own shadow. I guess my neighbors thought I was being a silly old man with Ellie on my driveway, but her laughter and squeals of delight were wonderful, too.

I like today’s highlighted verse from Psalm 91 because of the comfort and assurance that resting in God’s shadow conveys. It makes me feel that God is mindful of all of us, joyfully watching over us like a parent or grandparent. I also feel, just like the psalmist before me, that there is a level of protection attached to God’s shadow which in today’s world, with its uncertain and chaotic ways, creates more confidence within me that no matter what is going on, God is always in control.

Perhaps you may be presently dealing with some uncertainty and anxiety in your own life. Maybe you’re fearful of the future and somewhat depressed by what we’re all dealing with these days. Perhaps you feel like giving up or are so worn down with worries about the world that your energy and focus is depleted. Please take time to rest in God’s shadow and receive it as a sanctuary or safe haven where you can renew your faith and refresh your weary soul.

Point to ponder: How overwhelmed am I with the world’s problems? Am I willing to let go of the things I cannot control and simply rest in God’s protective shadow?

Prayer: Lord God, You see and know everything. You love our world and all its people, so help us to remember that we are Yours forever. Whenever we are fearful, we ask You to remain faithful; whenever we are wearied with our worries, renew us with Your love. In Your Holy Name and under Your constant Shadow, we live and pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Sabbath Psalms – Footstool

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Psalm 99:5 Exalt the LORD our God and worship at His footstool; He is holy.

I think that my brother Alan is the most caring sibling in our family. He doted on my mother and took special care of her when she was ailing. He took time to wash her hair and make her comfortable. Alan and his partner, who is also called Alan, took her out for car trips that she enjoyed. He visited her in hospital constantly when she was admitted to long-term wards. He was gentle and loving with her, never seemingly getting frustrated or angry at her, even when she was at her most difficult.

Alan even washed her feet and gently massaged them. She suffered terribly from rheumatics, and sometimes just touching her feet could have her crying in agony. My brother patiently and tenderly took care of her, even making sure that she had a cushioned footstool to rest her weary and painful feet.

A footstool is a humble piece of furniture that provides rest for a weary person. It’s mentioned in Psalm 99, so does this mean that God sometimes grows tired and needs to rest His weary feet? No, of course not. In this case, the footstool is used as a majestic symbol of the promises God makes to His people. They rest assured, knowing God will keep those promises and abide by them, even when the people roast His heart and try His patience. This is why they worship at His footstool, which means that they humbly and reverently praise God for keeping His promises.

Today, we can do the same. In our busy lives, we sometimes get spiritually weary, causing our faith to weaken and become ineffective. During those moments, we are invited to come and worship at the Lord’s footstool in order to rely on God for strength, to look to Him for renewal, by holding on to His promises. If we make time to do this, God will make time to help us.

Point to ponder: What can I bring to God’s footstool today, to be relieved of my burden and refreshed in my soul?

Prayer: Almighty God, today we worship at Your footstool, placing all our hopes and dreams, aims and goals, as well as our times and lives into Your care. We pray that You will be patient and tender with us, so that You can help and heal us. We make these prayers, resting on Your promises and in the Holy Name of Jesus. Amen.

John Stuart is a Scottish Presbyterian pastor living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Midweek Message: A Hiding Place

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Psalm 32:7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. (NIV)

There is a lot of uncertainty in today’s world which is currently causing many people to retreat inside of themselves, by becoming emotionally distant from those things beyond their control. As Thomas Paine once remarked, “these are times that try men’s souls,” which means that current crucial issues are adding to our anxiety and stress. In order to endure this critical time, some folks are sheltering and hiding themselves from watching the news, reading political articles, or getting involved with others on social media. It’s a survival mechanism which helps them cope and focus purely on their daily lives.

The writer of the 32^nd psalm also experienced a similar time of turbulence and turmoil. The author wanted to retreat from the world, but instead of isolating himself, he chose to let God be his hiding place. He knew that he personally couldn’t change what was happening all around him, but he understood that God was still in control. So, the psalmist chose to hide himself in the presence of God to seek safety and sanctuary, solace and support.

Over the centuries, faith has always been more resilient than fear. We can read and take encouragement from what the psalmist wrote thousands of years ago because the word and promises of God have remained with us and sustained each subsequent generation as the years passed. Finding a refuge, a hiding place, a haven of strength and renewal is essential for all of us to endure and overcome our present troubles. We may be shaken by current events, but God remains solid and dependable, present and reliable, so let choose to keep persevering by sustaining our faith, hope, and love in God. Or as the apostle Paul would write centuries after the psalmist:

Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV)

Point to ponder: How can my faith in God overcome my fear of the world?

Prayer: Lord God, You are almighty and sovereign of all things. During these critical times, allow us to shelter in Your loving arms and be strengthened by Your constant presence. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Midweek Message – Finding the Light

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Midweek Message – Finding the Light

Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? (NIV)

Psalm 27 is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. It’s written by someone who is facing difficult circumstances, but instead of being overwhelmed by his current crisis, he confidently turns to God as the source of his well-being and strength. He calls God his light and salvation which means that although the psalmist is undergoing some dark moment in his life, God will be the One who safely leads him through it. Instead of being fearful, the writer remains faithful; rather than being afraid, he is confident about his future.

Even though the psalm was written about three thousand years ago, it still offers us hope today. As we go through this uncertain time, we can look to God for guidance and confidence. Those ancient words are just as true now as they were way back then, so when we read or pray them, they become living promises for each of us, to strengthen and sustain us through this critical moment in history. This is what makes the Bible relevant in our daily lives and is why reading and reflecting on the scriptures remains meaningful. God’s Word helps us to rely on His support and be encouraged in our time of need.

So, today, dear friends, please embrace and share this thought: The Lord is our light and our salvation—whom shall we fear? The Lord is the stronghold of our lives—of whom shall we be afraid?

Point to ponder: What is really worrying me at this moment in time? Am I willing to trust God with my concerns?

Let us pray: Thank You, Lord, for preserving the ancient Hebrew psalms over the centuries. Though they were faithfully written long ago, they still speak to our present situation, offering us encouragement and hope. In Christ’s Name, we confidently pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a Scottish Presbyterian pastor living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Sabbath Psalms – The Lost Ring

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Sabbath Psalms – The Lost Ring

Psalm 36: 7 O Lord, your unfailing love is priceless! All of humanity finds refuge in the shadow of your wings.

My wife Evelyn once lost her engagement ring. She had put some hand cream on her fingers and the ring must have slipped off. She left a message on my cell phone to let me know. It saddened both of us to think that something so significant could be lost.

We bought the engagement ring with my last tax rebate before I went to college to study to become a minister in the Church of Scotland. I can remember shopping for it in Glasgow’s Argyle Arcade where most couples in the city bought their rings. It was an exciting time for us and eventually we found the one clustered diamond ring that Evelyn liked, after wandering from store to store. It cost us every penny that we owned at the time, and through the years it had become priceless to us. Thankfully, a couple of days later, Evelyn found the ring on the carpet next to her exercise bike. That was a moment of relief and jubilation for both of us.

When the author of Psalm 36 writes about God’s unfailing love, he calls it ‘priceless.’ He cannot buy God’s love, nor can he compare it to anything else in the whole universe. It is the most valuable gift the psalmist has ever been given, so he just wants to sing out loud his praises to God.

As Christians, we also consider this to be true, for how can we ever put a price on what Jesus has done to offer us complete and everlasting salvation? Don’t we similarly value Christ’s atonement for our sins as priceless?

Point to ponder: What is the greatest gift God has ever given to me through Christ?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are priceless to each and every one of Your followers. We can never repay the debt that we owe You for pardoning our sins, redeeming our souls, and restoring us to God. Thank You for such wonderful, amazing, and priceless love. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a retired Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Sabbath Psalms – Christ the King

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Sabbath Psalms – Christ the King

Psalm 93:1 The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength; indeed, the world is established, firm and secure. (NIV)

This Sunday is the last day of the Christian year when most churches celebrate Christ the King. It’s an annual reminder of whom we serve and to whom we belong. As Christians, we are called to be servants of God’s Kingdom whose main purpose in life is to enjoy God’s Creation and praise Him forever. It’s a time to be humble and meek, reminding us that we are not the center of the universe, no matter how great, powerful, or smart we may consider ourselves to be.

This celebration comes at the end of the Christian year to climatically remind us that when time finally runs out, for ourselves and for this world, Christ will be seen as He is: the King of all Creation and the Lord of all our lives. So, this Sunday, we are invited to gather as servants to praise the One Who has saved us from our sinful selves, given us an everlasting hope, and in Whose Name and service we seek to spread God’s love, share peace with one another, and heal our wounded world.

May Christ the King be with and bless you from this moment and forevermore. Amen.

John Stuart is a Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Psalms Art Image Links

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Image links to all of the Psalms’ art drawings I have made over the years which can be used as covers for psalms sermon series, greeting cards, websites, Facebook pages, bookmarks, Bible verse cards, or posters. Subscribers and donors can just click on the link to be taken to the Psalm page where different sizes are available. I’ve also added this as a page link on the top menu.

Psalm 01 Psalm 01 Psalm 01 Psalm 01

Psalm 04 Psalm 08 Psalm 09 Psalm 13

Psalm 14 Psalm 15 Psalm 16 Psalm 16

Psalm 17 Psalm 19 Psalm 19 Psalm 19

Psalm 19 Psalm 20 Psalm 20 Psalm 20

Psalm 23 Psalm 23 Psalm 23 Psalm 23

Psalm 23 Psalm 23 Psalm 24 Psalm 26

Psalm 27 Psalm 27 Psalm 29 Psalm 30

Psalm 34 Psalm 34 Psalm 34 Psalm 40

Psalm 40 Psalm 48 Psalm 50 Psalm 51

Psalm 52 Psalm 54 Psalm 62 Psalm 63

Psalm 67 Psalm 67 Psalm 71 Psalm 71