I’ll use Psalms 31:1-4 and 16:2 for Temple worship today. (Temple worship is used in the manner we refer to church worship; we are speaking of what occurs in the assembly of Christ’s Church.)

My Shepherd met me in His green pastures and found me groggy and listless. I stumbled into my prayer closet, presented myself to the LORD in worship, and read a Bible verse from my Bible opened in front of me:

Psalms 66:12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.

GOD caused men to do this, to “ride over our heads.” To ride an animal, or a vehicle, such as a chariot, “over our heads,” indicating dominion, being conquered. It includes the idea of having our heads shaken, rattled, confused, and broken. The “head” includes our own and those who are in positions of leadership over us or our land.

This brought us through a time of judgment described as “fire” and “water.” In Hebrew parallelism, two terms distinct convey the same thought, in this case, destruction or judgment. Fire represents destruction via heat transfer, breaking down structures till they collapse. The waters represent a judgment like a flood that overwhelms us.

The “fire” is Ish, and the men who rode upon us (the plural of Iysh —a man), and Iysh with the yod removed (y) is Ish. Hassidic Jews sometimes use the Yod alone as a reverential substitute for the Divine Name rendered JAH in Psalm 68:4. These “men” God sometimes causes to ride upon our heads are men without God. Take the yod out of the word for men, and you have fire. The fire that destroys their souls refines us (1 Peter 4:12).

The water is mayim, a plural form, but a single force in nature. It is usually a representation of something good, refreshing, and sustaining. But water is also used to represent judgment, as in Genesis 1:1-2, when the earth is depicted as in a state of formless chaos, and darkness appeared and covered the deep.  Waters are also used to represent the masses of mankind (Revelation 17:15), and an army coming in against us is represented as a flood (Isaiah 59:19).

The word “but” is a term of contradiction to what precedes it. We expect that the fire and water are for our destruction, but what men mean for evil, God works to our good (Romans 8:28; see Genesis 50:20).

Along the still waters, I pondered the truth that God does sometimes cause the wicked to rattle our heads and flood our souls with dread. And these wicked enemies of God mean it for evil. But God means it for their destruction and turns it to our good (Romans 8:28).

We have these promises from our Creator:

Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

And this assurance:

Isaiah 54:16 Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.

Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

Our LORD controls the cause and leads us to the cure.

Let us not be rattled in mind or troubled in heart: for GOD is with us and for us. Because GOD is with us, fear not men but GOD. And fearing GOD, let us cleanse ourselves of all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness (2 Corinthians 7:1).

In the valley, shadowed by His cross, kneeling there, confessing my sins (1 John 1:7-9), and sighing for the sins of my nation (Ezekiel 9:1-6), I embraced His grace, taking up my cross as He called: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

At the table, I waited a moment longer than usual, till Jesus came with His anointing oil and poured it on my head. I lifted up to him my cup, and He poured into it His sufficient grace. He rose to lead me into the harvest, and I hesitated because there seemed to be something different. Trembling, I stood, and requested that my LORD would kindly tell me if I have left anything undone that should be done, or done anything that should not. All that came to mind is that fire and water are coming, but that on the other side is a “wealthy place.”

Praying for revival! 🙏

Remember, I am setting aside Monday for time with the Dove, and although I’ll post a devotional if the morning permits, I’ll not livestream on Mondays. Also, please pray for us as we sort through our budget issues and navigate these fires and waters to the “wealthy place.” Thank you!