Read Psalms 18 -- 22
Highlights In Today's Reading:
David's heart is full. The Lord delivered him from his enemies and Saul and he is now made king. He sings a tremendous song of thanksgiving, followed by a song of God's wonderous Word.
The heavens declare the glory of God (19:1); The Law of the Lord is perfect (vs 7); The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever (vs 9); Moreover by them is Thy srvant warned (vs 11); Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight (vs 14).
Seeking victroy, David sings a battle hymn and prayer trusting in the Lord for victory (20:7), then a thank you for the victory in chapter 21. Don't miss chapter 22. Written hundreds of years before the days of Jesus it is a vivid description of the crucifixion!
Prayer has always turned apparent defeat into victory for His obedient servants. The armies of those who trust in chariots and horses and rely on vast resources seem irresistable (20:7). Although the people of God who pray and trust in His unseen presence may appear outnumbered, they always rise up triumphantly while their enemies are brought down. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright (20:8). Prayer will deliver, but pride will defeat.
If David could pray and then testify how God would deliver him from Saul and all his armies, how much more can we pray and trust in His answering power!
Next to the revelation of God's love, there is not a more important or more often repeated subject on the lips of Christ than the importance of the Word of God. The constant repeated reminder to read His Word proves that God knows our heart, how doubt and distrust toward Him are natural to us in our fallen state and how easily we are inclined to repeat our prayers without expecting an answer.
Before Jehoshaphat entered into battle with the vast armies of the Moabites and Ammonites, he prayed, then appointed singers to praise the Lord for the answer. He obtained an easy victory (II Chronicles 20:20-22). We are sometimes so elated by the triumph that we forget the One who made it possible.
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For everyone that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened (Matthew 7:8).
Thought for Today:
Problems are rarely what they first seem to be. Let's pray that God will allow us to see through the eyes of faith. Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17).
Christ Revealed:
As the One to whom the psalms refer when they speak of the nails that pierced His hands and feet on the cross and the parting of His clothing (Psalm 22:16,18). When they had crucified Him, they parted His garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take (Mark 15:24; also Matthew 27:35; Luke 23:34; John 19:18.
Word Studies:
18:2 horn of my salvation = my strong deliverer; 18:26 froward (first use) = crooked; perverse; froward (second use) = hostile; 18:45 close places = fortresses or strongholds; 22:5 confounded = put to shame; 22:7 shoot out the lip = ridicule, hurl insults; 22:17 tell = count.
Prayer Needs:
Prayer Suggestion: Pray in faith, without doubting (James 1:6).
Optional Reading:
Colossians 1
Memory Verse for the Week:
II Corinthians 3:18
Next Day
Monday, June 30, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
Wicked People
Read Psalms 10 -- 17
Highlights In Today's Reading:
Wicked people and wickedness are mentioned throughout these chapters. Sins of any kind openly defy God. Infidels are called fools. In contrast, the righteous is upheld for he looks to God and sets his heart on the world beyond in chapter 17. Don't miss the subtle reference to the Lord's resurrection (16:10).
David's friends advised him to flee to the mountainous parts of the land of Judah to escape the danger which was threatening him. The psalmist was a victim of great personal danger, but his faith was unshaken; he stood his ground and trusted in God, saying: In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? (Psalm 11:1).
David's fearful counselors brought before him several pressing reasons why he should retreat from the scene of conflict. The wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string (11:2). How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? . . . I have trusted in Thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because He hath dealt bountifully with me (13:2,5-6). Though Satan would seek to destroy us, greater is He (the Holy Spirit) that is in you (us), than he that is in the world (I John 4:4).
Saul, who was God's anointed king, ignored his conscience and regarded neither truth nor justice, and was determined to kill David, a righteous man.
David expressed absolute assurance that righteousness shall triumph (Psalm 11:7). At one time or another, all of God's people may expect their faith to be severely tested. Let us fear only the compromising policy that tried to persuade David that all was lost and to flee as a bird to your mountain (11:1). But David's response to the world is: For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; His coutenance doth behold the upright (11:7). Among many other things David said: Lord, who shall aide in Thy Tabernacle? who shall dwell in Thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord (15:1-4). Let us not count our fears, but trust in God.
Thought for Today:
Our world is full of “good advice”, but only God's Word can safely guide us through the dangers of life.
Christ Revealed:
In the prophecy that God would not allow His Holy One to see decay (Psalm 16:10). This foretells the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 2:25-27; 13:35-39). When Jesus spoke the Revelation to John, He declared: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death (Revelation 1:18).
Word Studies:
10:5 puffeth at = makes light of; 10:13 contemn = defy; despise; 11:3 foundations = principles of society based on the Word of God.
Prayer Needs:
Prayer Suggestion:
Pray with unwavering faith so that your prayers may be answered (James 1:5-7).
Optional Reading:
Philippians 4
Memory Verse for the Week:
II Corinthians 3:18
Highlights In Today's Reading:
Wicked people and wickedness are mentioned throughout these chapters. Sins of any kind openly defy God. Infidels are called fools. In contrast, the righteous is upheld for he looks to God and sets his heart on the world beyond in chapter 17. Don't miss the subtle reference to the Lord's resurrection (16:10).
David's friends advised him to flee to the mountainous parts of the land of Judah to escape the danger which was threatening him. The psalmist was a victim of great personal danger, but his faith was unshaken; he stood his ground and trusted in God, saying: In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? (Psalm 11:1).
David's fearful counselors brought before him several pressing reasons why he should retreat from the scene of conflict. The wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string (11:2). How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? . . . I have trusted in Thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because He hath dealt bountifully with me (13:2,5-6). Though Satan would seek to destroy us, greater is He (the Holy Spirit) that is in you (us), than he that is in the world (I John 4:4).
Saul, who was God's anointed king, ignored his conscience and regarded neither truth nor justice, and was determined to kill David, a righteous man.
David expressed absolute assurance that righteousness shall triumph (Psalm 11:7). At one time or another, all of God's people may expect their faith to be severely tested. Let us fear only the compromising policy that tried to persuade David that all was lost and to flee as a bird to your mountain (11:1). But David's response to the world is: For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; His coutenance doth behold the upright (11:7). Among many other things David said: Lord, who shall aide in Thy Tabernacle? who shall dwell in Thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord (15:1-4). Let us not count our fears, but trust in God.
Thought for Today:
Our world is full of “good advice”, but only God's Word can safely guide us through the dangers of life.
Christ Revealed:
In the prophecy that God would not allow His Holy One to see decay (Psalm 16:10). This foretells the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 2:25-27; 13:35-39). When Jesus spoke the Revelation to John, He declared: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death (Revelation 1:18).
Word Studies:
10:5 puffeth at = makes light of; 10:13 contemn = defy; despise; 11:3 foundations = principles of society based on the Word of God.
Prayer Needs:
Prayer Suggestion:
Pray with unwavering faith so that your prayers may be answered (James 1:5-7).
Optional Reading:
Philippians 4
Memory Verse for the Week:
II Corinthians 3:18
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