Hidden Streams

This episode reflects on a time in Israel’s past where they are met by the goodness of God who has turned their misfortune into freedom and joy. Their mouths were filled with laughter, whereas before they were filled with groaning and cries of despair. Just as God has worked redemption in the past, God will not diminish and is worthy of our trust in the present and future, because God is the same, yesterday, today and forever. God provides streams in the desert. Izzi Ray sings “You Turned Tears In Joy.” Support the Show

This is a prayer which orients us in the morning to offer our lives to God with trust and thanksgiving. We align ourselves towards the One who made us and loves us.  Rebekah Caggegi sings “In The Morning.” Support the Show

Psalm 4 reminds us that our daily lives are lived in a battlefield. And just as the world hated Christ, so it will hate those who follow Him. David asks God to hear him when he calls, because God is the God of his righteousness. David shows us how he is pressed in and trapped and asks God to widen this place and set him free. Blake Flatley sings “Temporary World”. Support the Show

Moses highlights how ultimately short life is in the light of eternity. Chad speaks of the anger of God and and how he the passionate exclusionary relational God seeks to bring us back to Himself. Jeff Macare sings the hymn “O God Our Help In Ages Past.” Support the Show

Uniquely attributed to Moses, this Psalm offers a grand recalling of the creation account and God’s covenant faithfulness though the generations. Last described is the frailty of our humanity and sinful lives that bring suffering and death. Rebekah Caggegi sings “Generation to Generation.” Support The Show

Chad talks about the practice of prayer and the offering of incense. The tradition of meditating on the psalms helps explain and the symbolism involved in these practices. Izzi Ray sings the hymn “Sweet Hour of Prayer.” Support the Show

Chad explains the context and background of Psalm 52 and explores the destructive power of the tongue. The Psalm demonstrates why you cannot trust in your own ability and must rely on God for righteousness and salvation. Alissa Gifford sings “In the Eyes of The Lord.” Support the Show

Calling on the God’s vengeance, this militant prayer is aimed against the enemies of God and his people. Here we are reminded that the God of Israel is not a dead idol but active and powerful. Izzi Ray sings “Rise Up.” Support Hidden Streams

Using agricultural images, the Psalmist speaks of suffering and the persecutions that Israel endures. These words were sung alongside the declarations that “yet they have not prevailed against me.” This Psalm contains images of a future when there will be a righteous reversal of all that is wrong in our world. Leon McCrary sings “They have not prevailed.” Support the Show

The first section of Psalm 44 teaches about the life of the redeemed. Chad highlights the nature and simplicity of christian life. These first verses demonstrate that the promised land is not a reward for good living but a pure an act of God’s grace and favor. Izzi Ray sings “Grace and Favor.” Support Hidden Streams

Chad meditates on what it means to look to God and how He looks at us. The Scripture leads us away from ourselves so that we look to and trust in God alone for our salvation. Izzi Ray sings “Until You Show Your Mercy” Show Notes:  Support Hidden Streams

Words have great power to destroy. Chad meditates on the power of words in scripture and the contrast being the pure words of the Lord and the speech that tears down and brings shame and fear. This prayer cries out to God for the saving Word, the Word made flesh and for God to speak into us His living word and the gift of bringing those healing words to those around us. Morea Arthur sings “Speak Your Healing Words.”

When we are suffering persecutions, falsely accused and battling our own emotions, the truth of His grace is greater than anything that can attack us, including ourown thoughts. Christ prays this Psalm, and it gives us words to pray when we are persecuted for the sake of righteousness and drawn into the deep waters. Christ abides with us. Jeff Macare sings “Give me Your hand.” Support the Show

Asking God to be gracious to me, because my enemies are trampling on me. My enemies attack me with such pride, and spend time and energy devising ways to destroy me.But I trust in God and am unafraid. Chad meditates on God being for us, not against us. Chad shows us how to structure a prayer when we are fighting battles and facing uncertainty. We cry out to Him for mercy and protection until we emerge on the other side. Chris Lizotte sings “This I Know.” Support the Show

The Psalm is written in the cave, referring to the time David was hiding from Saul and his soldiers. Chad meditates on the meaning of caves in the Old Testament. Sometimes God ministers to us in times of aloneness. David pours his complaint to the Lord. David cries out with his voice. The voice is significant. We will emerge from this time of loneliness, clinging to our Savior and our common Father, the bestower of allgrace and good gifts. Rebekah Caggegi sings the hymn “Abide With me.” Support the Show

David states a very bold accusation that God has rejected and abandoned him. The land is quaking, shaking and full of tragedy. Sometimes our experience leads us to the conclusion that God has abandoned us as well. The Psalms give us language to express this rejection that we feel. Once again we see Christ hanging on the cross. God is on our side, joining our sins to Himself on the cross, and we are with Him and secure in Him. Ryan Delmore sings “God Has Forsaken Me.” Support the Show

This Psalm describes the wicked and the arrogant thoughts and scenes of wicked preying upon the poor. David prays that God will not forget the poor. Calls for eternal justice. Chad meditates on the lament that God has hidden Himself and allowed such evil to prosper. Our minds want to first figure out the “why’s of our pain, while God calls us to look at the crucified Christ. Izzy Ray sings “Why.” Support the Show

A call for God to hear our cries, a call for the Good Shepherd to carry His people. Going down to the pit, a prayer that God rescue him, lest he end up stuck there forever. Even in the midst of pain we bless the name of God and our heart trusts in Him, our saving defense and He’s one of us, joining us in our pain. Kris Winrich sings the hymn “ O Thou In Whose Presence.” Support the Show

In Psalm 3, David is fleeing from Absalom, and many are saying there is no God that will save him.We can feel these thoughts when we are under duress. At the end of this Psalm David declares that Salvation belongs to the Lord and will put his trust in Him. Chad sees the picture of Christ’s death and resurrection in this Psalm. Rebekah Caggegi sings “Arise O Lord.” Support the Show

Psalm 7 is a prayer that gives expression to those who have experienced persecution. Christ prays the Psalms and as we pray these Psalms we pray in Him and He prays in us that these prayers might go to the ear of the Father. God is described as a warrior who goes to battle for us. We can trust in Him to fight the battle that only He can win. Dave Irish sings “ You Are My Refuge.” Support the Show