"O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever."
A powerful and splendid verse of God's mercies and our response of giving thanks. O give thanks unto the Lord - word study, give; The description of giving thanks is numerously repeated in the Psalm. The beginning of the first three verse begins with this very phrase. As well as the last verse of the Psalm ending it. It should be our work daily to give thanks. Yet, in the honesty of it, most Christians confess they do not give thanks enough to God. It is not from ungratefulness that they do this. It is from poor structure in their lives to discipline themselves to have a time in which they give thanks that is the reason of neglect. You must make time in your prayer life to give praise and thanks for Who He is and what He has done. From the simplest glory of your salvation to detailed answered prayers and blessing given, you should have a time of thanksgiving unto Him. If it is not your habit of doing it, why is it not? If you know that it should be, then make sure you are faithful to give thanks unto Him, Who is faithful unto you. For He is good - from God proceeds goodness; Who else can bestow goodness, unless He was good? If God had sin, or any form of evil, then He could not bestow goodness to His children. He created everything in the beginning and it was 'good' to Him. All that proceeds from Him is good, it can be nothing else. Everything outside of Him, is where evil and sin came from. Satan, who proceeded from God, as an angel chose to rebel and sin. Adam and Eve, who were made in 'very good' by Him, chose to sin. Anything of evil and sin came not from God but from God's creations. He Himself is good and holy. Holiness cannot have anything else but goodness. Count His good works; see His goodness upon the sons of men; know His good thoughts toward us. He is good and greatly to be praised for this. For His mercy endureth for ever - the mercy that comes from God is continual; His mercy shall always be upon us. We deserved nothing, but wrath and judgement. Yet, He bestowed grace and mercy. How many times of mercy have found us and been given, despite our evil, sinful natures? But this proceeds from God, just the same as His goodness. His attributed know no end. They are forever. And on into eterntiy His mercy will contineu to hold and keep us. For left to oursevles failure and evil will rise up. I cannot read nor think of this phrase without knowing that twice, as far as I am able to remember and find, did God send forth His glory when this was prayed and sang in the Old Testament. When Solomon finished the temple and they sang this, God entered the temple and filled it with His glory. And when King Jehoshaphat had the singers sing this, God worked wondrously for them against the enemy. May we sing it, pray it and know the truth of His Divine mercy which lasts forever. Praise Your Holy Name! Let us give thanks unto Him.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Psalm 135:1
"Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the name of the Lord; praise Him, O ye servants of the Lord."
Three times in this one verse is the command of praise. How honoring and worthy is the privlege to praise Him. Of all the things unto God, we should bestow proper praise for Who He is and what He has done for us. We have covered this a mulitutde of times but will move through these 3 phrases of praise in this verse. Praise ye the Lord - you are to give praise unto God Almighty; Can a soul of this earth be God's and not praise Him? I don't think that is possible. One of the highest things to do is praise God. Yet, with all the clutter of life, it is one of the least practticed things done by Christians on a daily basis. WE are removed from His Presence so far, that we are going through motions and until we hit trouble or trials we do not know His full Presence. Praise draws us before Him to acknowledge Who He is and what He has done. It forces us to see how blessed His hand is upon us and for us. It is the simple command, 'Give praise unto Him Who is worhty to receive praise.' Is this your daily practice? Are you in the habit of praising Him whether good or bad? When was the last time you uttered praise unto Him? We are top reflect upon Him and see His tender mercies, grace and blessings and know that all that we are is from HIm. OUr praise is a product of recognizing this truth. If we think that anything in our life is because of us, we have lost the art of praise and sin has come in. You cannot replace God with self for anything. Anything that you can name that you think is from your own ability, I will show you how it orginated with God. Recognize the source, that all things are of God and from God. Praise ye the Name of the Lord - His Name is great and greatly to be praised; How many names are there for God? When you read through the Bible it is constant that the Name of the Lord is mentioned. Many different descriptions, attributes, Greek, Hebrew, all show forth the slightest of His infinite Presence. We begin with God, not god; but He is the Almighty God, the 'I Am', the only God of this universe. He is three in One, Father, S0n and Holy Ghost. And then Jehovah and all the attributes of that Jehovah-Nissi; Jehovah-Jireh; Jehovah-Rophi. Then there is the character descriptions of His Name - Creator, Sustainer, King of Kings, Alpha and Omega, Lion of Judah, Light of the World, etc. These are only samples of the fullness that is laid out in the Scriptures that give praise to His Name. When you mention a name it reminds you of the person. So when you consider the marvelous, powerful Name of God, it reminds you of Him. This leads you to praise His name for all things. And the more you know Him, the more you have to praise Him for. The least you know of Him, the little amount of praising Him. These is the reason of such poor worship in the church today. They do not know Who God is. They can not talk 5 minutes about Him. Take a sheet of paper and ask them to write as much as they can about Him, His ways and His attributes, they cannot fill up one page. But the heart that puruses to know Him, will find many glorious ways in which to Praise His Name. Praise Him, o ye servants of the Lord - the Master has servants that are devoted to His Great Presence; Are you one of these servants? Do you desire to please your Master? A servant of the Lord will praise Him. A servant that does not desire to praise Him is not His servant. You cannot know all that He has done, is doing or will do and not have a cause to praise Him. And as He is the Master we are His servants. We are to be found in obedience unto Him and His ways. We know Him to be right and holy and His ways are the same, for they proceed from Him. And this puts us daily before Him to worship and adore Him. He speaks, l;eads and commands us and we rise up and obey. Giving praise unto His great name all the way in His service. It is our joy, our privileghe to serve the Most High. We know at the end all the sorrows and pains fo this life will be over and a new life with Him will begin for all eternity. The rewards of being His servant are numerous here and infinite there. 'O ye servants of the Lord, give praise unto Him Who is worthy of our praise'.
Three times in this one verse is the command of praise. How honoring and worthy is the privlege to praise Him. Of all the things unto God, we should bestow proper praise for Who He is and what He has done for us. We have covered this a mulitutde of times but will move through these 3 phrases of praise in this verse. Praise ye the Lord - you are to give praise unto God Almighty; Can a soul of this earth be God's and not praise Him? I don't think that is possible. One of the highest things to do is praise God. Yet, with all the clutter of life, it is one of the least practticed things done by Christians on a daily basis. WE are removed from His Presence so far, that we are going through motions and until we hit trouble or trials we do not know His full Presence. Praise draws us before Him to acknowledge Who He is and what He has done. It forces us to see how blessed His hand is upon us and for us. It is the simple command, 'Give praise unto Him Who is worhty to receive praise.' Is this your daily practice? Are you in the habit of praising Him whether good or bad? When was the last time you uttered praise unto Him? We are top reflect upon Him and see His tender mercies, grace and blessings and know that all that we are is from HIm. OUr praise is a product of recognizing this truth. If we think that anything in our life is because of us, we have lost the art of praise and sin has come in. You cannot replace God with self for anything. Anything that you can name that you think is from your own ability, I will show you how it orginated with God. Recognize the source, that all things are of God and from God. Praise ye the Name of the Lord - His Name is great and greatly to be praised; How many names are there for God? When you read through the Bible it is constant that the Name of the Lord is mentioned. Many different descriptions, attributes, Greek, Hebrew, all show forth the slightest of His infinite Presence. We begin with God, not god; but He is the Almighty God, the 'I Am', the only God of this universe. He is three in One, Father, S0n and Holy Ghost. And then Jehovah and all the attributes of that Jehovah-Nissi; Jehovah-Jireh; Jehovah-Rophi. Then there is the character descriptions of His Name - Creator, Sustainer, King of Kings, Alpha and Omega, Lion of Judah, Light of the World, etc. These are only samples of the fullness that is laid out in the Scriptures that give praise to His Name. When you mention a name it reminds you of the person. So when you consider the marvelous, powerful Name of God, it reminds you of Him. This leads you to praise His name for all things. And the more you know Him, the more you have to praise Him for. The least you know of Him, the little amount of praising Him. These is the reason of such poor worship in the church today. They do not know Who God is. They can not talk 5 minutes about Him. Take a sheet of paper and ask them to write as much as they can about Him, His ways and His attributes, they cannot fill up one page. But the heart that puruses to know Him, will find many glorious ways in which to Praise His Name. Praise Him, o ye servants of the Lord - the Master has servants that are devoted to His Great Presence; Are you one of these servants? Do you desire to please your Master? A servant of the Lord will praise Him. A servant that does not desire to praise Him is not His servant. You cannot know all that He has done, is doing or will do and not have a cause to praise Him. And as He is the Master we are His servants. We are to be found in obedience unto Him and His ways. We know Him to be right and holy and His ways are the same, for they proceed from Him. And this puts us daily before Him to worship and adore Him. He speaks, l;eads and commands us and we rise up and obey. Giving praise unto His great name all the way in His service. It is our joy, our privileghe to serve the Most High. We know at the end all the sorrows and pains fo this life will be over and a new life with Him will begin for all eternity. The rewards of being His servant are numerous here and infinite there. 'O ye servants of the Lord, give praise unto Him Who is worthy of our praise'.
Psalm 119:22
"Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept Thy testimonies."
word for law - testimonies; Revmove from me reproach and contempt - where did these come from? and why does he want them removed? Those that have erred and been proud have been condemned in the previous verse. Now he makes a comparison between himself and them. They erred, he has not. They have proud ways, he does not. They have rejected God, he has not. And because of this, they have placed scorn upon him. For as the wicked see the ways of the righteous they will attack. The wicked know they should be walking rightly, but they choose not to. And when they see a rightoues man, they have scorn for them. For in their minds, yea, in their conscience, they know, but they refuse to obey. They cast the teeth at the one desiring to be good. We read so often in the Bible where Satan was always casting scorn upon the children of God. We see it in the story of Job; we see it in the story of Christ; we see it in the story of Joshua the high priest as Satan accused him. We see it acted out through Satan's willing vessels as the Pharisees. We see it at the stoning of Stephen. Over and over the act of reproach and contempt is demonstrated. We see death, judging, accusing, vicious attacks. This is no minial thing, it is a major attack on one's life. Reproach and contempt, they have toward the righteous, seeking a valid accusation to condemn. Walk worthy, be void of offence, it matters not, they lie as their father the devil lies.
word for law - testimonies; Revmove from me reproach and contempt - where did these come from? and why does he want them removed? Those that have erred and been proud have been condemned in the previous verse. Now he makes a comparison between himself and them. They erred, he has not. They have proud ways, he does not. They have rejected God, he has not. And because of this, they have placed scorn upon him. For as the wicked see the ways of the righteous they will attack. The wicked know they should be walking rightly, but they choose not to. And when they see a rightoues man, they have scorn for them. For in their minds, yea, in their conscience, they know, but they refuse to obey. They cast the teeth at the one desiring to be good. We read so often in the Bible where Satan was always casting scorn upon the children of God. We see it in the story of Job; we see it in the story of Christ; we see it in the story of Joshua the high priest as Satan accused him. We see it acted out through Satan's willing vessels as the Pharisees. We see it at the stoning of Stephen. Over and over the act of reproach and contempt is demonstrated. We see death, judging, accusing, vicious attacks. This is no minial thing, it is a major attack on one's life. Reproach and contempt, they have toward the righteous, seeking a valid accusation to condemn. Walk worthy, be void of offence, it matters not, they lie as their father the devil lies.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Psalm 119:21
"Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from Thy commandments."
word from law - commandments; Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed - the proud shall be destroyed before the Lord; God has spoken against the sin of pride from the very beginning. As I consider most of the sins in lives and even in my own, I see at the root of it all the sin of pride. We exalt ourselves, we trust in ourselves and refuse to humble ourselves unto Him. Those that refuse to humble themselves receive the curse of God upon them. They shall be destoryed. The whole work of salvation is centered on this one principle; in order to be saved we must see the need for a Savior that will save us from our sins. The proud will not acknowledge that need of Christ to save them, and they refuse to accept and obey Him. And because of their rejection of Christ as Savior they receivew the curse of God. The curse is a condemnation for all eternity. There is no parole or deliverance becuase they have hardened themselves against His love and mercy. There is no hope for them. It is the saddest of estates for men, to know all this and still reject it. How hard are their hearts. But as Pharoah hardened his heart so is the same for men and women that reject the Gospel. The Lord has rebuked them and condemned them from His Word. We have numerous Scriptures that declare these truths and what shall be. Which do err from Thy commandments - the Lord has given His word and we are to obey it; But these that have a proud heart, have erred, by choosing to walk in disobedience. They have made a choice to choose evil or good. They have heard the commandemnts, they have been instructed in it and made their sinful choice. Is this sin named among us? Are we guilty of disobedience to His commands? Some will say, 'we are under grace, not the law or commandments'. That is true. However, did Jesus not say, 'If you love Me, you will keep My commandments?' Yes, HE did. Our love for our Savior is keeping His commands. The first commandment, 'Thou shatl love the Lord thy God with all that you are'; and the second command, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.' Are we keeping these commands? ARe you obedient? Or are you proud and disobedient? 'The flesh wars against the spirit and these two are always contrary the one to the other.' It is battle of who will win and who will prevail. Abide in Him and be obedient.
word from law - commandments; Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed - the proud shall be destroyed before the Lord; God has spoken against the sin of pride from the very beginning. As I consider most of the sins in lives and even in my own, I see at the root of it all the sin of pride. We exalt ourselves, we trust in ourselves and refuse to humble ourselves unto Him. Those that refuse to humble themselves receive the curse of God upon them. They shall be destoryed. The whole work of salvation is centered on this one principle; in order to be saved we must see the need for a Savior that will save us from our sins. The proud will not acknowledge that need of Christ to save them, and they refuse to accept and obey Him. And because of their rejection of Christ as Savior they receivew the curse of God. The curse is a condemnation for all eternity. There is no parole or deliverance becuase they have hardened themselves against His love and mercy. There is no hope for them. It is the saddest of estates for men, to know all this and still reject it. How hard are their hearts. But as Pharoah hardened his heart so is the same for men and women that reject the Gospel. The Lord has rebuked them and condemned them from His Word. We have numerous Scriptures that declare these truths and what shall be. Which do err from Thy commandments - the Lord has given His word and we are to obey it; But these that have a proud heart, have erred, by choosing to walk in disobedience. They have made a choice to choose evil or good. They have heard the commandemnts, they have been instructed in it and made their sinful choice. Is this sin named among us? Are we guilty of disobedience to His commands? Some will say, 'we are under grace, not the law or commandments'. That is true. However, did Jesus not say, 'If you love Me, you will keep My commandments?' Yes, HE did. Our love for our Savior is keeping His commands. The first commandment, 'Thou shatl love the Lord thy God with all that you are'; and the second command, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.' Are we keeping these commands? ARe you obedient? Or are you proud and disobedient? 'The flesh wars against the spirit and these two are always contrary the one to the other.' It is battle of who will win and who will prevail. Abide in Him and be obedient.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Psalm 134:1
"Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord, which by night stand in the house of the Lord."
The first word of this Psalm is the same as Psalm 133, 'Behold'. It is the calling of attention to the statement. There are 3 sections to this verse that we will look at. Behold, bless ye the Lord - He Who gives us physical and spiritual blessings is to be blest; We have seen this throughout the Psalms of blessing the Lord. We will address the highlights of it again on how to bless the Lord. A blessing imparted is worship of praise unto the Lord God. 'Blessed be His Name'; 'Blessed by His works'; and 'Blessed be Him'. for all things that proceed from God is blessed. We, as His creatures, are to bless our Creator. For He not only made us and gave us life, but He sustains that life. His blessed ways imparts to us all provisions and needs that we enjoy and have. When we sing that old hymn, 'Count your many blessings' we see all that God has done for us. We quickly turn to God and bless Him for blessing us. Here is the crux of it all, can you still bless Him if you don't see the blessings? Do we not know that our sins have cursed us yet, 'while in sin Christ loved us and died for us'. Thus, we bless Him for such a means of salvation and redemption. Each facet of our life should lead us back to God to bless Him. All ye servants of the Lord - the called out ones, the saved, the sheep, the Bride of Christ; All men should bless the Lord, but not all men are His servants. They serve another master, self and Satan. This is in reference to the servants of the Lord that have had the scales taken away and see the Lord.
The first word of this Psalm is the same as Psalm 133, 'Behold'. It is the calling of attention to the statement. There are 3 sections to this verse that we will look at. Behold, bless ye the Lord - He Who gives us physical and spiritual blessings is to be blest; We have seen this throughout the Psalms of blessing the Lord. We will address the highlights of it again on how to bless the Lord. A blessing imparted is worship of praise unto the Lord God. 'Blessed be His Name'; 'Blessed by His works'; and 'Blessed be Him'. for all things that proceed from God is blessed. We, as His creatures, are to bless our Creator. For He not only made us and gave us life, but He sustains that life. His blessed ways imparts to us all provisions and needs that we enjoy and have. When we sing that old hymn, 'Count your many blessings' we see all that God has done for us. We quickly turn to God and bless Him for blessing us. Here is the crux of it all, can you still bless Him if you don't see the blessings? Do we not know that our sins have cursed us yet, 'while in sin Christ loved us and died for us'. Thus, we bless Him for such a means of salvation and redemption. Each facet of our life should lead us back to God to bless Him. All ye servants of the Lord - the called out ones, the saved, the sheep, the Bride of Christ; All men should bless the Lord, but not all men are His servants. They serve another master, self and Satan. This is in reference to the servants of the Lord that have had the scales taken away and see the Lord.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Psalm 133:1
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"
Only 3 verses in this Psalm. A Psalm of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity - a universal statement of the significance of unity; Behold - a profound thought is getting ready to be declared and stated. How rare it is found in the Scriptures, but when it is it is important. The statement to follow is one to pay attention to. There are two aspects of this unity of the brethren, it is 'good' and it is 'pleasant'. If either of these are missing then something is wrong with the unity. 'Can two walk together unless they be agreed?' The brethren referred to, of course, is the church. The people of God have a command to be together. From the very beginning when Christ called His followers to Him, He maintained them together. When Pentecost came, they were to be together. When great works of God have been done, they have been together. Then why do some feel that they do not need to be together? It is nothing else except the disobedience of their heart toward God. They will not be governed by Him. For they will not be told by anyone what to do or how to do it. And it is not good nor pleasant when they come together but there is no unity among them. Just because you put a group of people in a room together does not make them unified. Paul wrote to the church of Corinth and addressed the divisions among them. Unity is derived by the brethren laboring for it. It doesn't simply drop from the sky.
Only 3 verses in this Psalm. A Psalm of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity - a universal statement of the significance of unity; Behold - a profound thought is getting ready to be declared and stated. How rare it is found in the Scriptures, but when it is it is important. The statement to follow is one to pay attention to. There are two aspects of this unity of the brethren, it is 'good' and it is 'pleasant'. If either of these are missing then something is wrong with the unity. 'Can two walk together unless they be agreed?' The brethren referred to, of course, is the church. The people of God have a command to be together. From the very beginning when Christ called His followers to Him, He maintained them together. When Pentecost came, they were to be together. When great works of God have been done, they have been together. Then why do some feel that they do not need to be together? It is nothing else except the disobedience of their heart toward God. They will not be governed by Him. For they will not be told by anyone what to do or how to do it. And it is not good nor pleasant when they come together but there is no unity among them. Just because you put a group of people in a room together does not make them unified. Paul wrote to the church of Corinth and addressed the divisions among them. Unity is derived by the brethren laboring for it. It doesn't simply drop from the sky.
Psalm 119:20
"My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto Thy judgments at all times."
word for law - judgments; My soul breaketh - 'my soul' is used 168 times in the Bible; over 100 times it is mentioned in the Psalms; and we have it here in Psalm 119 8 times; this is the first of those 8 times; When does the soul break? Can the soul break? Once the soul is imparted to a body, a person, it will not be destroyed. We know that the soul has a beginning but it will not have an eternity. The soul is removed from this body of earth and translated to a new one in heaven or hell. The usage of this imagery is the strain imparted to a soul for some paticular end. The eight times 'my sou' is mentioned, each one is doing remarkable things. A soul breaking for something. Almost with the thoughts of straining until it cracks, it explodes into a shattering mess under that labor of it. We see in a moment what it is pursuing. But for now, consider the impact of your soul and what it is doing? Is it breaking for the strain and stress over something? OR is it comfy and relaxed under sloth? We should be breaking over many things. Breaking over the mass of humanity that are perishing. Breaking over the progression of sin and evil so vast and so deep it almost seems unrepairable. Breaking, more so, for the pursuit of God and to know Him. such straing to fight the battle. What battle? what strain? For the flesh and the spirit are always at enemity; striving for mastery. And if your soul is saved and bought by Chrsit you must labor for Him. But the enemy is not content with that, the devil is fighting through your flesh to defile and destroy your walk and relationship with Him.
word for law - judgments; My soul breaketh - 'my soul' is used 168 times in the Bible; over 100 times it is mentioned in the Psalms; and we have it here in Psalm 119 8 times; this is the first of those 8 times; When does the soul break? Can the soul break? Once the soul is imparted to a body, a person, it will not be destroyed. We know that the soul has a beginning but it will not have an eternity. The soul is removed from this body of earth and translated to a new one in heaven or hell. The usage of this imagery is the strain imparted to a soul for some paticular end. The eight times 'my sou' is mentioned, each one is doing remarkable things. A soul breaking for something. Almost with the thoughts of straining until it cracks, it explodes into a shattering mess under that labor of it. We see in a moment what it is pursuing. But for now, consider the impact of your soul and what it is doing? Is it breaking for the strain and stress over something? OR is it comfy and relaxed under sloth? We should be breaking over many things. Breaking over the mass of humanity that are perishing. Breaking over the progression of sin and evil so vast and so deep it almost seems unrepairable. Breaking, more so, for the pursuit of God and to know Him. such straing to fight the battle. What battle? what strain? For the flesh and the spirit are always at enemity; striving for mastery. And if your soul is saved and bought by Chrsit you must labor for Him. But the enemy is not content with that, the devil is fighting through your flesh to defile and destroy your walk and relationship with Him.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Psalm 132:12
"If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore."
The Lord had made a promise to David, that he would always have someone to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of Israel and Judah, if they kept the law and covenant of God. And we see this promise continue throughout the kings of Judah until they were carried away to Babylon for captivity. David went in before the Lord and rejoiced over such a promise, he was humbled before the Lord. How great was this word for him. Is it not a word for us? If thy children will keep my covenant - word study, to keep; It is the desire of every parent to see their children saved and live rightly with the Lord. If it is not their desire, it is because they themselves are lost. And as the parents are, so often the children follow the same path of sin and hell. God makes a promise to parents, 'bring up a child in the ways that you would have them to go, and when they are old they will not depart from it'. so many hold God to this promise, yet they do not fulfill their end of the agreement. As we can see here in this one verse, God has extended a hope and promise to one and all. Every man, woman and child is extended the means and way of salvation in Christ Jesus. 'The Gospel hath appeared unto all men'.
The Lord had made a promise to David, that he would always have someone to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of Israel and Judah, if they kept the law and covenant of God. And we see this promise continue throughout the kings of Judah until they were carried away to Babylon for captivity. David went in before the Lord and rejoiced over such a promise, he was humbled before the Lord. How great was this word for him. Is it not a word for us? If thy children will keep my covenant - word study, to keep; It is the desire of every parent to see their children saved and live rightly with the Lord. If it is not their desire, it is because they themselves are lost. And as the parents are, so often the children follow the same path of sin and hell. God makes a promise to parents, 'bring up a child in the ways that you would have them to go, and when they are old they will not depart from it'. so many hold God to this promise, yet they do not fulfill their end of the agreement. As we can see here in this one verse, God has extended a hope and promise to one and all. Every man, woman and child is extended the means and way of salvation in Christ Jesus. 'The Gospel hath appeared unto all men'.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Psalm 131:1
"Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me."
The writer, David, declares his abaseness before God. Lord, my heart is not haughty - the honesty with God that pride is absent from his heart; Haughty - blatantly and disdainfully proud; an attitude of arrogance; Do not let your heart be lifted up in your own accomplishments or life itself, for pride is sure to follow. A self love that makes us think of ourselves more than we should. But to declare that this is not found means that a soul must know and acknowledge that God has done it all. It is not us, it is God. Nothing is done or achieved or accomplished that is done by self. God imparts the life, the means, the talent and the opportunity. A haughty soul declares, 'Look at what I did'; a humble soul declares, 'Look at what the Lord did'. It is not easy to obtain a humble heart, for self is always seeking to rise up and declare dominance over the heart. This is the reason of daily searching in our hearts if there be any wicked way in us. Great is the need to cast out this pride for it is the leading to other more deadly sins that destroy and ruin the soul. It seems to me, that almost all sin is founded in this one act of the heart lifting itself up.
The writer, David, declares his abaseness before God. Lord, my heart is not haughty - the honesty with God that pride is absent from his heart; Haughty - blatantly and disdainfully proud; an attitude of arrogance; Do not let your heart be lifted up in your own accomplishments or life itself, for pride is sure to follow. A self love that makes us think of ourselves more than we should. But to declare that this is not found means that a soul must know and acknowledge that God has done it all. It is not us, it is God. Nothing is done or achieved or accomplished that is done by self. God imparts the life, the means, the talent and the opportunity. A haughty soul declares, 'Look at what I did'; a humble soul declares, 'Look at what the Lord did'. It is not easy to obtain a humble heart, for self is always seeking to rise up and declare dominance over the heart. This is the reason of daily searching in our hearts if there be any wicked way in us. Great is the need to cast out this pride for it is the leading to other more deadly sins that destroy and ruin the soul. It seems to me, that almost all sin is founded in this one act of the heart lifting itself up.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Psalm 119:19
"I am a stranger in the earth: hide not Thy commandments from me."
word for law - commandments; I am a stranger in the earth - we are not of this world, but simply pilgrims passing through; How many of the church today are settled upon the deception that this world has our best. This world is not even close to our best which shall come in eternity. The desired end is heaven, which means that we are only passing through this world. Here for a short time and then on to our eternal destination. If it is not heaven then I can understand why one would want to extract all goodness from this earth. But a child of God knows that sin, evil and pain is all around in this earth. To be a 'stranger' means that we are unfamilar with it. We say, if you meet a stranger on the street, they are unknown unto you. and the same truth is applied here. Why should a child of God know this world and its antics of sin? Why should be so familar with their evil practices and ways? If we live for the Lord as we should, then we will not spend our time and energy learning their ways. Yet, we see within so many of the Christian living that they know more of this earth than they do of their Lord's. They know more of the latest trends and headlines than they do of God's Word. Why is this? Becasue we have not practiced this truth of being strangers of this earth. We make time and give place to the things of this life. It is not strange to us, but normal. Yet, the things of holiness and righteousenss are strange to us. How is this? Because we do not know our place, of where we come from and where we are going.
word for law - commandments; I am a stranger in the earth - we are not of this world, but simply pilgrims passing through; How many of the church today are settled upon the deception that this world has our best. This world is not even close to our best which shall come in eternity. The desired end is heaven, which means that we are only passing through this world. Here for a short time and then on to our eternal destination. If it is not heaven then I can understand why one would want to extract all goodness from this earth. But a child of God knows that sin, evil and pain is all around in this earth. To be a 'stranger' means that we are unfamilar with it. We say, if you meet a stranger on the street, they are unknown unto you. and the same truth is applied here. Why should a child of God know this world and its antics of sin? Why should be so familar with their evil practices and ways? If we live for the Lord as we should, then we will not spend our time and energy learning their ways. Yet, we see within so many of the Christian living that they know more of this earth than they do of their Lord's. They know more of the latest trends and headlines than they do of God's Word. Why is this? Becasue we have not practiced this truth of being strangers of this earth. We make time and give place to the things of this life. It is not strange to us, but normal. Yet, the things of holiness and righteousenss are strange to us. How is this? Because we do not know our place, of where we come from and where we are going.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Psalm 130:5
"I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His word do I hope."
Magnificent verse here is offered to us of the secret of faith. We are to wait upon God! Andrew Murray wrote a book on this truth of waiting, truly a blessing if you will take time to read it and pray it. I will wait for the Lord - we must learn this truth in order to grow and glean; Any of the great saints, learned and practiced this great truth of waiting upon the Lord. It was not an option for them, they did it. Yet, what we see and hear in the church today, is that waiting upon the Lord is a lost spiritual discipline. Their reasons and excuses are: 'I don't have time'; 'I can't sit still that long'; 'I know I should, but I don't'. The simple fact of it is that we must do it. We have lost a higher place without waiting for Him. And we have devleoped into a people of self. Since God doesn't answer our prayers, then we simple go about trying to do it ourselves. Since God doesn't respond to my questions, I will simply answer them as best I can; note: when we answer out of our own minds, we have a half-truth of doctrine, which is a whole lie unto God. The idea of prayer in the church today is all about casting our wish list at God. Repeating over and over the same phrases and names without any real praying unto God. Very few, and I don't even want to speculate how many, in the church that do pray, give real time to God. And even fewer sit in His Presence and wait for Him. They wait for Him to speak to them. For most it is a one sided conversation, they do all the talking. It never even occurs to them to sit still and shut up and listen. We need to learn and practice this truth again for the sake of the church and the saving of the nations. And with this pledge, ' I will wait for the Lord'; it means that I will not do anything unless it be from the Lord; I will not work up my own agenda; I will not hurry in and out of His Presence, for that is an offense unto Almighty God. I will honor Him and be still before Him. I will not speak to Him, until He speaks to me. My soul doth wait - the very longing in my being is to be before Him;
Magnificent verse here is offered to us of the secret of faith. We are to wait upon God! Andrew Murray wrote a book on this truth of waiting, truly a blessing if you will take time to read it and pray it. I will wait for the Lord - we must learn this truth in order to grow and glean; Any of the great saints, learned and practiced this great truth of waiting upon the Lord. It was not an option for them, they did it. Yet, what we see and hear in the church today, is that waiting upon the Lord is a lost spiritual discipline. Their reasons and excuses are: 'I don't have time'; 'I can't sit still that long'; 'I know I should, but I don't'. The simple fact of it is that we must do it. We have lost a higher place without waiting for Him. And we have devleoped into a people of self. Since God doesn't answer our prayers, then we simple go about trying to do it ourselves. Since God doesn't respond to my questions, I will simply answer them as best I can; note: when we answer out of our own minds, we have a half-truth of doctrine, which is a whole lie unto God. The idea of prayer in the church today is all about casting our wish list at God. Repeating over and over the same phrases and names without any real praying unto God. Very few, and I don't even want to speculate how many, in the church that do pray, give real time to God. And even fewer sit in His Presence and wait for Him. They wait for Him to speak to them. For most it is a one sided conversation, they do all the talking. It never even occurs to them to sit still and shut up and listen. We need to learn and practice this truth again for the sake of the church and the saving of the nations. And with this pledge, ' I will wait for the Lord'; it means that I will not do anything unless it be from the Lord; I will not work up my own agenda; I will not hurry in and out of His Presence, for that is an offense unto Almighty God. I will honor Him and be still before Him. I will not speak to Him, until He speaks to me. My soul doth wait - the very longing in my being is to be before Him;
Psalm 119:18
"Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law."
word for law - law; Open Thou mine eyes - God is able to make us see or make us blind; When we read and consider the many mighty miracels of Christ opening the blind eyes, how marvelous it is! We know that this miracle has been done repeatedly to those that worked in faith of God's power. But the physical eyesight is not what is referred to here. It is the spiritual eye to see. WE are blind in this world of the spiritualness all around us and without Divine help we will never see. The story of Elisha praying for his servants eyes to be opened so that he may see the angels that stood armed and ready to defend the prophet is a comparison to ours. It is real, it is there all around, but we cannot see it. So the prayer of David here is for his eyes to be opened so that he may see the truth lying in the law from God to him. Many a soul has read the Bible, and it is just like any other book, black ink on white paper, unless Spiritual illumination takes place. For when a soul read the Bible and their eyes are opened, wondrous things happen. When a solider of the cross reads the Bible, the same verse that they have read 20 other times, but this time when they read it, their eyes are opened and a promise is received. This is the difference of night and day, of saved and lost, of eyes opened and eyes closed. Are you eyes opened to see? This prayer is not jsut for a few, it is for all the church. How mcuh we have left ungleaned because of our spiritual eyes being blinded by our weak faith, lack of praying this prayer and sin. God is able to open our eyes; let us do our part in obtaining this blessing. The scales of our set ways hinders us from seeing. When we are set in our agenda of tradition, modes, routines it limits us in seeing deeper and bigger. When we have scales on our eyes of sin, where the flesh and this world blind us to the truths of God, we miss out. And worse yet, is when we simply close our eyes to the Divine visitation because of fear, ashamedness or sloth that restricts the full sight from seeing all that God desires for us to see. He is the Great Healer, He is able to take away the scales from our eyes; He is able to open our eyes, are you willing for it to happen? That I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law - the spiritaul gleaning out of the Scriptures God's wonderful Word;
word for law - law; Open Thou mine eyes - God is able to make us see or make us blind; When we read and consider the many mighty miracels of Christ opening the blind eyes, how marvelous it is! We know that this miracle has been done repeatedly to those that worked in faith of God's power. But the physical eyesight is not what is referred to here. It is the spiritual eye to see. WE are blind in this world of the spiritualness all around us and without Divine help we will never see. The story of Elisha praying for his servants eyes to be opened so that he may see the angels that stood armed and ready to defend the prophet is a comparison to ours. It is real, it is there all around, but we cannot see it. So the prayer of David here is for his eyes to be opened so that he may see the truth lying in the law from God to him. Many a soul has read the Bible, and it is just like any other book, black ink on white paper, unless Spiritual illumination takes place. For when a soul read the Bible and their eyes are opened, wondrous things happen. When a solider of the cross reads the Bible, the same verse that they have read 20 other times, but this time when they read it, their eyes are opened and a promise is received. This is the difference of night and day, of saved and lost, of eyes opened and eyes closed. Are you eyes opened to see? This prayer is not jsut for a few, it is for all the church. How mcuh we have left ungleaned because of our spiritual eyes being blinded by our weak faith, lack of praying this prayer and sin. God is able to open our eyes; let us do our part in obtaining this blessing. The scales of our set ways hinders us from seeing. When we are set in our agenda of tradition, modes, routines it limits us in seeing deeper and bigger. When we have scales on our eyes of sin, where the flesh and this world blind us to the truths of God, we miss out. And worse yet, is when we simply close our eyes to the Divine visitation because of fear, ashamedness or sloth that restricts the full sight from seeing all that God desires for us to see. He is the Great Healer, He is able to take away the scales from our eyes; He is able to open our eyes, are you willing for it to happen? That I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law - the spiritaul gleaning out of the Scriptures God's wonderful Word;
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Psalm 130:4
"But there is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared."
Upon stating that sin cannot be tolerated by God, the Psalmist now utters the truth of God's mercy and forgiveness to those that will receive it in Christ. But there is forgiveness with Thee - what can wash away my sin? nothing but the blood of Christ, that cleanses me from all sin'; It is a joy when we hurt a loved one and seek their pardon, and they gladly give it. but it is nothing in comparison to God, through Christ atonement that offers to one and all forgiveness of sin. How much sorrow over sin that has offended Him, incurred His wrath and then to bow before Him seeking His forgiveness. And then to know the truth, Christ hath borne your sin and iniquity and has made a way for you to come and be forgiven in great and small things of sin.
Upon stating that sin cannot be tolerated by God, the Psalmist now utters the truth of God's mercy and forgiveness to those that will receive it in Christ. But there is forgiveness with Thee - what can wash away my sin? nothing but the blood of Christ, that cleanses me from all sin'; It is a joy when we hurt a loved one and seek their pardon, and they gladly give it. but it is nothing in comparison to God, through Christ atonement that offers to one and all forgiveness of sin. How much sorrow over sin that has offended Him, incurred His wrath and then to bow before Him seeking His forgiveness. And then to know the truth, Christ hath borne your sin and iniquity and has made a way for you to come and be forgiven in great and small things of sin.
Psalm 119:17
"Deal bountifully with Thy servant, that I may live, and keep Thy word."
word for law: word; Deal bountifully with Thy servant - only God can grant to us blessings in abundance; This phrase, 'Deal bountifully' is repeated several times through Scriptures and we should meditate on it. God's desire is to grant abundance in blessings upon His children. Our prayer should be for the fulfillment of that truth with 'Deal bountifully with us O Lord'. The response is not to everyone and anyone for God to deal bountifully with. But it is to His servants, His followers. ARe you a follower and disciple of Christ? This relationship between Christ and us is most important. Across the churches today there is the staggering truth that mass amounts of people are religious but they are not born again in Christ. They are not His servants and therefore He cannot deal bountifully with them. But God will deal bountifully with thsoe that are not His servants, those that are lost. He will pour forth in judgement and wrath His anger upon those that are sinners for their final destruction into hell for all eternity. Oh, how severe the wrath of the Lord upon such. And what a contrast is here in this truth; for the servant of the Lord there is bountiful blessings; but upon the sinner there is bountiful curses.
word for law: word; Deal bountifully with Thy servant - only God can grant to us blessings in abundance; This phrase, 'Deal bountifully' is repeated several times through Scriptures and we should meditate on it. God's desire is to grant abundance in blessings upon His children. Our prayer should be for the fulfillment of that truth with 'Deal bountifully with us O Lord'. The response is not to everyone and anyone for God to deal bountifully with. But it is to His servants, His followers. ARe you a follower and disciple of Christ? This relationship between Christ and us is most important. Across the churches today there is the staggering truth that mass amounts of people are religious but they are not born again in Christ. They are not His servants and therefore He cannot deal bountifully with them. But God will deal bountifully with thsoe that are not His servants, those that are lost. He will pour forth in judgement and wrath His anger upon those that are sinners for their final destruction into hell for all eternity. Oh, how severe the wrath of the Lord upon such. And what a contrast is here in this truth; for the servant of the Lord there is bountiful blessings; but upon the sinner there is bountiful curses.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Psalm 130:3
"If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?"
Seeking for the mercy of God during time of trouble. If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities - the Lord knows all our folly and sins against Him and His ways; There is no secret unto the Lord. The Psalmist is crying out to God for help. He knows that if iniquity abounds in him that his prayer may not be heard nor answered. He seeks for God's mercy and grace upon him, knowing that all have sinned and come short of His glory. And since all men are sinners, he acknowledges that God must have mercy lest they be consumed off the earth. And does not God mark iniquities? Most certainly, He does. This brings us to another one of the Bible's contrast. Contrast such as, 'God is light, yet HE dwells in the thick darkness'; 'He is perfect, yet He seeks after imperfect people'. Here in this verse, we have that God marks sin, yet He does not look upon sin. How vast is His nature to be able to do these things. It is far beyond our comprehension. And recognizing this truth that God does know men's sin. HE knew when Adam and Eve sinned and came after them to expose the sin and deal with it in judgement of casting them forth from the garden and cursing them. He knew the sin of man so severe that He sent Christ and marked Him with sin for the redemption of all lost mankind. And for those that are humbled in this to know their lost estate and need of a Savior, He casts forth grace and mercy. We learn in the Scriptures it is not the will of God that they should be destroyed but redeemed. HE has made a way to save and redeem. And for that all sin must be marked here in this lifetime, for no sin shall enter into the kingdom of God. God knows it all in our lives and the lives of the men of this world; do you know your sin? How much we must daily look and mark our own sin. We must be able to recognize the sin of our minds, hearts and flesh and quickly confess and repent of it.
Seeking for the mercy of God during time of trouble. If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities - the Lord knows all our folly and sins against Him and His ways; There is no secret unto the Lord. The Psalmist is crying out to God for help. He knows that if iniquity abounds in him that his prayer may not be heard nor answered. He seeks for God's mercy and grace upon him, knowing that all have sinned and come short of His glory. And since all men are sinners, he acknowledges that God must have mercy lest they be consumed off the earth. And does not God mark iniquities? Most certainly, He does. This brings us to another one of the Bible's contrast. Contrast such as, 'God is light, yet HE dwells in the thick darkness'; 'He is perfect, yet He seeks after imperfect people'. Here in this verse, we have that God marks sin, yet He does not look upon sin. How vast is His nature to be able to do these things. It is far beyond our comprehension. And recognizing this truth that God does know men's sin. HE knew when Adam and Eve sinned and came after them to expose the sin and deal with it in judgement of casting them forth from the garden and cursing them. He knew the sin of man so severe that He sent Christ and marked Him with sin for the redemption of all lost mankind. And for those that are humbled in this to know their lost estate and need of a Savior, He casts forth grace and mercy. We learn in the Scriptures it is not the will of God that they should be destroyed but redeemed. HE has made a way to save and redeem. And for that all sin must be marked here in this lifetime, for no sin shall enter into the kingdom of God. God knows it all in our lives and the lives of the men of this world; do you know your sin? How much we must daily look and mark our own sin. We must be able to recognize the sin of our minds, hearts and flesh and quickly confess and repent of it.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Psalm 130:2
"Lord, hear my voice: let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications."
I cannot pass over this verse without once again bringing to those that read the hope in prayer. How frustating it is to see such diversity in understanding of how prayer works. ONe the one end, you have those that pray. Just ask them and they will tell you, 'I pray all the time and for everyone.' Just mention a prayer need, and they will tell you that they will pray for you and the need. Yet, in truth they never pray unto the Lord about it. It is on their mind, they have a cognitive understanding of it, but they never enter into a spirit of prayer before God Almighty. Many of these type, are not even saved Christians, they are religious but they have no relationship with the Lord or in Him. They pray as they eat, out of habit. Never knowing who they are praying too or how they are supposed to do it rightly. These are always asking amiss, simply because self rules and reigns. They know nothing of the will fo the Lord or His ways. The other end of the spectrum is those that know they should but never do. There is a hosts of these in the church today. Knwoing that they are to be in prayers for many people and things in their life. Yet, they never make time nor ascert themselves to pray. So I come again to the simple truths to me about prayer. We are to pray, we are to pray rightly and we are to pray in faith. Let us look at this simple verse and its truths for us in this pursuit of prayer. Lord, hear my voice -
I cannot pass over this verse without once again bringing to those that read the hope in prayer. How frustating it is to see such diversity in understanding of how prayer works. ONe the one end, you have those that pray. Just ask them and they will tell you, 'I pray all the time and for everyone.' Just mention a prayer need, and they will tell you that they will pray for you and the need. Yet, in truth they never pray unto the Lord about it. It is on their mind, they have a cognitive understanding of it, but they never enter into a spirit of prayer before God Almighty. Many of these type, are not even saved Christians, they are religious but they have no relationship with the Lord or in Him. They pray as they eat, out of habit. Never knowing who they are praying too or how they are supposed to do it rightly. These are always asking amiss, simply because self rules and reigns. They know nothing of the will fo the Lord or His ways. The other end of the spectrum is those that know they should but never do. There is a hosts of these in the church today. Knwoing that they are to be in prayers for many people and things in their life. Yet, they never make time nor ascert themselves to pray. So I come again to the simple truths to me about prayer. We are to pray, we are to pray rightly and we are to pray in faith. Let us look at this simple verse and its truths for us in this pursuit of prayer. Lord, hear my voice -
Psalm 119:16
"I will delight myself in Thy statutes: I will not forget Thy word."
word for law: statutes and Word; I will delight myself in Thy statutes - the first of two, "I will"; the soul that knows God will delight and rejoice in His standards; His statutes are His declarations unto man on how to live. We find throughout this Psalm the cry of David to learn them, know them and apply them. It is has beginning a journey. At the beginning, the trip may seem long and distance, but as you go, that distance shortens. At the very beginning of learning His word, it may seem too much, but as you start to grow and learn, you sink deeper into its truth and direction. Knowing that at the end of the way, there is perfection. The reward of this is too great to comprehend. We know that God is pulling us, beckoning unto us and speaking to learn and know His ways. We learn that all our sinful, evil ways are undone in Him and we learn what a life is supposed to be and how we are supposed to overcome in Him. 'I can do all things in Him and through Him.' Knowing these things produces 'delight' in His commands. To know that you are living a life pleasing unto Him and in Him produces joy unspeakable. This is the reason we delight in His statutes. A person that has no delight in the Word of God, simply does not know God nor the ends of these ways. they see Bible reading, study and memorizing as a chore, almost as a punishment.
word for law: statutes and Word; I will delight myself in Thy statutes - the first of two, "I will"; the soul that knows God will delight and rejoice in His standards; His statutes are His declarations unto man on how to live. We find throughout this Psalm the cry of David to learn them, know them and apply them. It is has beginning a journey. At the beginning, the trip may seem long and distance, but as you go, that distance shortens. At the very beginning of learning His word, it may seem too much, but as you start to grow and learn, you sink deeper into its truth and direction. Knowing that at the end of the way, there is perfection. The reward of this is too great to comprehend. We know that God is pulling us, beckoning unto us and speaking to learn and know His ways. We learn that all our sinful, evil ways are undone in Him and we learn what a life is supposed to be and how we are supposed to overcome in Him. 'I can do all things in Him and through Him.' Knowing these things produces 'delight' in His commands. To know that you are living a life pleasing unto Him and in Him produces joy unspeakable. This is the reason we delight in His statutes. A person that has no delight in the Word of God, simply does not know God nor the ends of these ways. they see Bible reading, study and memorizing as a chore, almost as a punishment.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Psalm 130:1
"Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord."
Times of distress and need press sore upon us and we must cry out to Him, for there is no one else to do so. The depths - the mass of trials, sorrows, sickness, sin and others things that weigh us down. We are not elevated to heights of heaven but cast down into the depths of sorrow that fill our minds and hearts. Jonah cried out in his anguish, while in the whales belly, saying, "Out of the belly of hell cried I". And this is the essence of verse and meaning of lifting our prayers up unto Him. Throughout Scripture the description of prayers go upward. God is above, 'high and lifted up' where our prayers come before Him. We lower our heads; we bow our knees or lay low in a prostrate form to humble ourselves before Him Who is above all. When we think our thoughts unto Him, or utter our words before Him, they ascend up. In Revelation, it tells us the angels gather our prayers, place them in a censer and offer them unto God Almighty. 'the depths' described in this verse does not simply mean a illustration of God above and we below. YEt, it is describing the circumstances at hand for David. When the times of trials and tribulations come, it sink the soul. The impact lowers our desire in life. ONly those that lay hold on great faith rises above and is able to perservere in these moments. Souls that are caught in depression, constant discouragement and other faithless moods have allowed for the circumstances to sink them into the depths.
Times of distress and need press sore upon us and we must cry out to Him, for there is no one else to do so. The depths - the mass of trials, sorrows, sickness, sin and others things that weigh us down. We are not elevated to heights of heaven but cast down into the depths of sorrow that fill our minds and hearts. Jonah cried out in his anguish, while in the whales belly, saying, "Out of the belly of hell cried I". And this is the essence of verse and meaning of lifting our prayers up unto Him. Throughout Scripture the description of prayers go upward. God is above, 'high and lifted up' where our prayers come before Him. We lower our heads; we bow our knees or lay low in a prostrate form to humble ourselves before Him Who is above all. When we think our thoughts unto Him, or utter our words before Him, they ascend up. In Revelation, it tells us the angels gather our prayers, place them in a censer and offer them unto God Almighty. 'the depths' described in this verse does not simply mean a illustration of God above and we below. YEt, it is describing the circumstances at hand for David. When the times of trials and tribulations come, it sink the soul. The impact lowers our desire in life. ONly those that lay hold on great faith rises above and is able to perservere in these moments. Souls that are caught in depression, constant discouragement and other faithless moods have allowed for the circumstances to sink them into the depths.
Psalm 119:15
"I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways."
word for law, precepts and ways; also two stuides of the "I will" and "I have" - (a note, it is not the normal 'I have respect . . .', because of the absence of the "I"; but I counted it in because of the personal pronoun of "I" at the beginning of the verse, and makes sense for the second half of this verse which would read, "I have respect unto Thy ways") I will meditate in Thy precepts - here is the resolve of David saying unto the LOrd, 'I will meditate on Thy law'; The parallel of this is found in II Timothy, 'Study to show thyself approved unto God'. Study and meditation is so needful in these days of abandonment of the Scriptures. Of course, the use of the word mediation often invokes thoughts of eastern chanting and meditaitons. But Christians are to practice and learn to meditate on the truths of God's Word. If you do not give thought to such things you can never grow nor learn of His ways.
word for law, precepts and ways; also two stuides of the "I will" and "I have" - (a note, it is not the normal 'I have respect . . .', because of the absence of the "I"; but I counted it in because of the personal pronoun of "I" at the beginning of the verse, and makes sense for the second half of this verse which would read, "I have respect unto Thy ways") I will meditate in Thy precepts - here is the resolve of David saying unto the LOrd, 'I will meditate on Thy law'; The parallel of this is found in II Timothy, 'Study to show thyself approved unto God'. Study and meditation is so needful in these days of abandonment of the Scriptures. Of course, the use of the word mediation often invokes thoughts of eastern chanting and meditaitons. But Christians are to practice and learn to meditate on the truths of God's Word. If you do not give thought to such things you can never grow nor learn of His ways.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Psalm 129:1
"Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:"
This is a song that has the repeat in verse 1 and then repeats in verse 2 but with the conclusion of the statment. Many a time have they afflicted me - recognize the affliction upon us in our lifetime; It is that afflictions come from all sides. 'Many' is the description given for our afflictions; not a few, but many. It seems that our focus so often is on the 'many', and we lose sight of the times of reprieve. Let us know with certainty that every time the afflictions come, our Lord is faithful to be with us and for us. Great is His faithfulness in all times of good and bad. Now let us look at the accused. Let us see that as the writer refers to Israels attackers, he is speaking of the children of Israel's enemies. As you read through the Old Testament we see from the days of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who their enemies were.
This is a song that has the repeat in verse 1 and then repeats in verse 2 but with the conclusion of the statment. Many a time have they afflicted me - recognize the affliction upon us in our lifetime; It is that afflictions come from all sides. 'Many' is the description given for our afflictions; not a few, but many. It seems that our focus so often is on the 'many', and we lose sight of the times of reprieve. Let us know with certainty that every time the afflictions come, our Lord is faithful to be with us and for us. Great is His faithfulness in all times of good and bad. Now let us look at the accused. Let us see that as the writer refers to Israels attackers, he is speaking of the children of Israel's enemies. As you read through the Old Testament we see from the days of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who their enemies were.
Psalm 119:14
"I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all riches."
word for law - testimonies; I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies - word study, way; the study of 'I have' in this Psalm; Throughout this Psalm, seeing it is so long, repeated phrases are used to give directives. It is a great study for all the 'I have. . .' that David writes of. In verse 7 and 8 we read the 'I will. . .' directives. And we will see two more 'I will' proceeding this verse in verses 5 and 16. But this is our first "I have'. 'I have rejoiced' is his directive. I am finding fewer and fewer Christians that learn to rejoice. They might be happy or content, but they exercise and know little of rejoicing. why is this? With all that God has done for us, why can His people not rejoice in Him? He is the Great I Am; He is the provider; He is the great lover of our souls and Redeemer for our lost estate; is this not enough to cause us to rejoice in Him.
word for law - testimonies; I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies - word study, way; the study of 'I have' in this Psalm; Throughout this Psalm, seeing it is so long, repeated phrases are used to give directives. It is a great study for all the 'I have. . .' that David writes of. In verse 7 and 8 we read the 'I will. . .' directives. And we will see two more 'I will' proceeding this verse in verses 5 and 16. But this is our first "I have'. 'I have rejoiced' is his directive. I am finding fewer and fewer Christians that learn to rejoice. They might be happy or content, but they exercise and know little of rejoicing. why is this? With all that God has done for us, why can His people not rejoice in Him? He is the Great I Am; He is the provider; He is the great lover of our souls and Redeemer for our lost estate; is this not enough to cause us to rejoice in Him.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Psalm 128:1
"Blessed is everyone that feareth the Lord; that walketh in His ways."
A blessed Psalm of hope to those that know God and live for Him. Blessed is everyone that feareth the Lord - to fear the Lord is wisdom; How many fools there are that run around for self and have no fear of God. We have lost this truth among us in the church today. A blessing is poured out on them that learn and apply it. do you know what it is to fear the Lord? Have you received the blessing imparted upon such as do? How can we not fear Him Who is holy and dreadful in His ways? when you read the Bible and you see the works of God against sinful men, it should make us tremble with fear. Let us look at just His actions agianst sinful men. Let us fear the sin that offends Holy God. Upon Sodom and Gomorrah, He poured out fire and brimstone that consumed them. Upon disobedient Lot's wife, He turned into a pillar of salt. Upon Cain, He marked him. Upon adam and Eve, He drove them from paradise. Upon Christ, Who bore all our sins, He forsoook Him and allowed for men to kill Him and die. Look at the weight of sin and the high costs of it.
A blessed Psalm of hope to those that know God and live for Him. Blessed is everyone that feareth the Lord - to fear the Lord is wisdom; How many fools there are that run around for self and have no fear of God. We have lost this truth among us in the church today. A blessing is poured out on them that learn and apply it. do you know what it is to fear the Lord? Have you received the blessing imparted upon such as do? How can we not fear Him Who is holy and dreadful in His ways? when you read the Bible and you see the works of God against sinful men, it should make us tremble with fear. Let us look at just His actions agianst sinful men. Let us fear the sin that offends Holy God. Upon Sodom and Gomorrah, He poured out fire and brimstone that consumed them. Upon disobedient Lot's wife, He turned into a pillar of salt. Upon Cain, He marked him. Upon adam and Eve, He drove them from paradise. Upon Christ, Who bore all our sins, He forsoook Him and allowed for men to kill Him and die. Look at the weight of sin and the high costs of it.
Psalm 119:13
"With my lips have I declared all the judgments of Thy mouth."
word for law: judgment; A shorter verse for us to deal with but still much for us to grasp and apply. With my lips have I declared - we are given the gift of speech to speak of Him; What do you use your lips to declare? Do you speak things of vanity or purpose? A christian is to recognize the gift of God to speak. A Christian is to use his words for purpose of His kingdom and glory.
word for law: judgment; A shorter verse for us to deal with but still much for us to grasp and apply. With my lips have I declared - we are given the gift of speech to speak of Him; What do you use your lips to declare? Do you speak things of vanity or purpose? A christian is to recognize the gift of God to speak. A Christian is to use his words for purpose of His kingdom and glory.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Psalm 127:1
"Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain."
Only 5 verses in this Psalm and we begin with the first verse of Divine instruction. Two parts to this verse: 'Except the Lord build' and 'Except the Lord keep'. Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it - a lasting structure is found only in the Lord; The Lord does not build homes of this earth. For all that is in the earth shall be consumed with fire and destroyed. The homes referred to here are of deeper and great importance for us and the generations to follow. We should define the 'house', as the building of the church. Church is begun and maintained in homes (buildings) for gathering. It is not the physical structure that is importance to us, it is the Divine building of people. Christ said to Peter, 'Upon you I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.' If man attempts to build the church, which it has, their works and efforts are in vain. God must do what only He can do. Man cannot do what only God can do.
Only 5 verses in this Psalm and we begin with the first verse of Divine instruction. Two parts to this verse: 'Except the Lord build' and 'Except the Lord keep'. Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it - a lasting structure is found only in the Lord; The Lord does not build homes of this earth. For all that is in the earth shall be consumed with fire and destroyed. The homes referred to here are of deeper and great importance for us and the generations to follow. We should define the 'house', as the building of the church. Church is begun and maintained in homes (buildings) for gathering. It is not the physical structure that is importance to us, it is the Divine building of people. Christ said to Peter, 'Upon you I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.' If man attempts to build the church, which it has, their works and efforts are in vain. God must do what only He can do. Man cannot do what only God can do.
Psalm 119:12
"Blessed art Thou, O Lord: teach me Thy statutes."
word for law: statutes; Blesssed art Thou, O Lord - a heart full of praise unto God; when a soul blesses His Maker he is found with adoring affection. Does your heart and lips explode with such passion to Your God? I never have been able to get my mind around how finite creatures bless the Great Creator of all blessings. All blessings proceed from Him, and any thing that we do have to bless others is orginated from Him. So how do we bless Him? You and others may get it more profoundly, I am limited in it. And even though I may not understand it to the fullest, my heart is still compelled to be as David and bless His Holy Name. 'Bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me'. I will lift up praise and honor unto Him for that which He ahs done, is doing and will do. WE talk so often of our blessings, but what of the Lord's blessings. Is He blessed? 'Blessed art Thou' is the Divine favor upon His Own existence. That which God is, is blessed. Holy, all power, no limitations, void of evil and sin and wickedness, having always been and will always be, Divine sight are only a few of the blessedness that rests upon Him and proceeds from Him. He is blessed becasue He is God and there is no other god. Adoration and worship of this focuses on Who He is and has nothing to do with us. It is all about Him, pure worship and undefiled. To often worship and praise digresses to self and then it is spoiled. Teach me Thy statutes - the petition of David for God to work in his life; And how blessed to be taught from the Blessed One? Petitioning God to teach him, His very Own laws and ways. You can ask men to teach you something, but it is not perfect. But when God teaches it is perfect. For He is perfect and all His ways are. The desire to be taught is so precious and not all have it.
word for law: statutes; Blesssed art Thou, O Lord - a heart full of praise unto God; when a soul blesses His Maker he is found with adoring affection. Does your heart and lips explode with such passion to Your God? I never have been able to get my mind around how finite creatures bless the Great Creator of all blessings. All blessings proceed from Him, and any thing that we do have to bless others is orginated from Him. So how do we bless Him? You and others may get it more profoundly, I am limited in it. And even though I may not understand it to the fullest, my heart is still compelled to be as David and bless His Holy Name. 'Bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me'. I will lift up praise and honor unto Him for that which He ahs done, is doing and will do. WE talk so often of our blessings, but what of the Lord's blessings. Is He blessed? 'Blessed art Thou' is the Divine favor upon His Own existence. That which God is, is blessed. Holy, all power, no limitations, void of evil and sin and wickedness, having always been and will always be, Divine sight are only a few of the blessedness that rests upon Him and proceeds from Him. He is blessed becasue He is God and there is no other god. Adoration and worship of this focuses on Who He is and has nothing to do with us. It is all about Him, pure worship and undefiled. To often worship and praise digresses to self and then it is spoiled. Teach me Thy statutes - the petition of David for God to work in his life; And how blessed to be taught from the Blessed One? Petitioning God to teach him, His very Own laws and ways. You can ask men to teach you something, but it is not perfect. But when God teaches it is perfect. For He is perfect and all His ways are. The desire to be taught is so precious and not all have it.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Psalm 126:6
"He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."
The dual verses of 5 and 6 linked together over tears and weeping. Verse 6complements verse 5 in its conclusion. You may weep, but what good does it do if you do not obtain an end result with joy. HE that goeth forth and weepeth - word study, to go; the action is not sitting and weeping, it is going and weeping; What a contrast; that while you are in action, service and living life, tears are flowing. Jesus beheld the city and wept over it. In minstiry and service during those days He beheld and knew their rejection of Him and tears flowed for the hardness of their heart and the lostness of their souls. These verses are usually always linked to seeing the people and their rebellion against God. It is not over the self absorbed lives and crying over petty matters. It is over the eternal destination and works of sin found within so many. It is weeping over the state of the church and lack of power to do anything about our nations' desire to do evil. 'Go and see' the horrible condition of families. How many homes are homes of divorce and separation? How many chidlren have seen horrible scenes of fighting, abuse and lived their childhood, not in bliss but in fear? Look at the marriage of husbands and wives and the lack of respect and love. It doesn't matter whether they have been married 1 year or 50 years. Most marriage are convenience and they just exist together. Never knowing the fullness of two becoming one. 'Go and see' the condition in the church. Preaching is pathetic. Unbiblical, unholy, and useless for the saving of the soul. Most churches have adopted a 'friendly seeker' mode and have comprised the Gospel. More interest now in numbers than in holiness. Prayer has become obsolete. We don't need prayer because we have ingenuity, modern techniques and the latest wave of entertainment. The Bible is not read nor taught among God's Own people. Henry Blackaby has often said, 'This is the most ignorant age of Christains in regards to the Bible.' Why? Because we have teaching, tapes, DVD's, CD's, schools, internet classes, and Bibles glaore, and still we are in ignorance of what it says and how our lives are to be lived. 'Go and see' the horrible spiritual condition that lies in most churches void of preaching, void of prayer and in all essence should be declared 'Ichabod', the glory of the Lord has departed. But the need is to see how great the work is and not run from it, but do the work God called us to do. Now where is the tears when we see all this evil? Is there that weeps over the sad state of our families, the church and our nation? We are left desolate and sin ridden. Should this not make the chidl of God weep?
The dual verses of 5 and 6 linked together over tears and weeping. Verse 6complements verse 5 in its conclusion. You may weep, but what good does it do if you do not obtain an end result with joy. HE that goeth forth and weepeth - word study, to go; the action is not sitting and weeping, it is going and weeping; What a contrast; that while you are in action, service and living life, tears are flowing. Jesus beheld the city and wept over it. In minstiry and service during those days He beheld and knew their rejection of Him and tears flowed for the hardness of their heart and the lostness of their souls. These verses are usually always linked to seeing the people and their rebellion against God. It is not over the self absorbed lives and crying over petty matters. It is over the eternal destination and works of sin found within so many. It is weeping over the state of the church and lack of power to do anything about our nations' desire to do evil. 'Go and see' the horrible condition of families. How many homes are homes of divorce and separation? How many chidlren have seen horrible scenes of fighting, abuse and lived their childhood, not in bliss but in fear? Look at the marriage of husbands and wives and the lack of respect and love. It doesn't matter whether they have been married 1 year or 50 years. Most marriage are convenience and they just exist together. Never knowing the fullness of two becoming one. 'Go and see' the condition in the church. Preaching is pathetic. Unbiblical, unholy, and useless for the saving of the soul. Most churches have adopted a 'friendly seeker' mode and have comprised the Gospel. More interest now in numbers than in holiness. Prayer has become obsolete. We don't need prayer because we have ingenuity, modern techniques and the latest wave of entertainment. The Bible is not read nor taught among God's Own people. Henry Blackaby has often said, 'This is the most ignorant age of Christains in regards to the Bible.' Why? Because we have teaching, tapes, DVD's, CD's, schools, internet classes, and Bibles glaore, and still we are in ignorance of what it says and how our lives are to be lived. 'Go and see' the horrible spiritual condition that lies in most churches void of preaching, void of prayer and in all essence should be declared 'Ichabod', the glory of the Lord has departed. But the need is to see how great the work is and not run from it, but do the work God called us to do. Now where is the tears when we see all this evil? Is there that weeps over the sad state of our families, the church and our nation? We are left desolate and sin ridden. Should this not make the chidl of God weep?
Psalm 126:5
"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy."
Another of these continued short Psalms found from Psalm 120 - 150. Six verses in this Psalm. And verse 5 and 6 are well known, or should be well known, to the church. The reason of any familiarity with these verses is due to the nature of comfort and hope to those that weep and are in sorrow. They that sow in tears - it seems it is the most natural of things to weep or cry; It is a part of our lives. Either we cry or those around us weep. It is not given to the point of those that are able to turn the tears on at any given point; we are not talking about fake crying. One only has to watch movies and TV to see actors and actresses cry over fake things of life. We are talking about real tears, real weeping. The purpose of the tears is to obtain a Divine blessing. It is the relevance that God sees our tears and knows our sorrows. And they that make it a pracitice to weep before the Lord and have His attentions weep for that desired end. Tears are shed for two agendas: self or others. A person that weeps over themselves the majority of the time is selfish. But there is nothing wrong with crying over things in your life. One may weep over their sins; one may weep for their failures; or tears of joy. But to always be crying over things in your own life means that you are self absorbed. It may be the best test, to see if you weep more for yourself or others. And there are those that are selfish and self absorbed and never regard weeping on behalf of others. JEsus wept for what He saw at Lazaraus' tomb. His tears were not for Himself, but those of sorrow around Him. But 'they that sow in tears' on behalf of others hold a much deeper place of weeping. Their tears are for others sorrows, sins, and issues of life. and the second example of 'Jesus wept' is when He wept over the city of Jerusaleum. For He beheld, the sin of unbelief of the people. To know that they had missed their Divine vistitation, Oh, how sad. When you view the church today and the Unites States today, is there not a cause to weep. For these two places have missed the great opportunity of what God intended for them both. How much God has blest, How much He has led, How much He has provided and yet, how little done. With all that God has imparted to us, we should have turned the world upside down for the cause of Christ. The simple fact, that recognition is made about these things is the right start. To sit in ignorance is the worse possible scenario. But once realized, we should be moved to tears and then to action to resolve it. And this brings us to the last part of this verse: reap in joy. It is the desired end, that you may begin with tears but joy is coming. To weep and have no hope leaves one in tears. But to have faith that God is working and will work, is to hope for the tomorrrow that joy is coming. It may be a long season of work, of tears, of sweat, but joy is coming. And every day may be the opporytuntiy for that joy to drown out the tears of sorrow and grief. Tears of sorrow will be turned to tears of joy for the victory is given. Reaping is the work of harvesting in. You sowed, now it is time to reap. YOur faith must say, 'At any given point of God's Divine providence my sowing will reap joy.' The prayers for souls; the prayers for the church; prayers for the nation; filled with sorrow but turned to joy. But if you stop sowing you shall never reap. You msut sow till you reap. Always rejoicing in Him Who is able to turn our tears into joy. Praise His Name!
Another of these continued short Psalms found from Psalm 120 - 150. Six verses in this Psalm. And verse 5 and 6 are well known, or should be well known, to the church. The reason of any familiarity with these verses is due to the nature of comfort and hope to those that weep and are in sorrow. They that sow in tears - it seems it is the most natural of things to weep or cry; It is a part of our lives. Either we cry or those around us weep. It is not given to the point of those that are able to turn the tears on at any given point; we are not talking about fake crying. One only has to watch movies and TV to see actors and actresses cry over fake things of life. We are talking about real tears, real weeping. The purpose of the tears is to obtain a Divine blessing. It is the relevance that God sees our tears and knows our sorrows. And they that make it a pracitice to weep before the Lord and have His attentions weep for that desired end. Tears are shed for two agendas: self or others. A person that weeps over themselves the majority of the time is selfish. But there is nothing wrong with crying over things in your life. One may weep over their sins; one may weep for their failures; or tears of joy. But to always be crying over things in your own life means that you are self absorbed. It may be the best test, to see if you weep more for yourself or others. And there are those that are selfish and self absorbed and never regard weeping on behalf of others. JEsus wept for what He saw at Lazaraus' tomb. His tears were not for Himself, but those of sorrow around Him. But 'they that sow in tears' on behalf of others hold a much deeper place of weeping. Their tears are for others sorrows, sins, and issues of life. and the second example of 'Jesus wept' is when He wept over the city of Jerusaleum. For He beheld, the sin of unbelief of the people. To know that they had missed their Divine vistitation, Oh, how sad. When you view the church today and the Unites States today, is there not a cause to weep. For these two places have missed the great opportunity of what God intended for them both. How much God has blest, How much He has led, How much He has provided and yet, how little done. With all that God has imparted to us, we should have turned the world upside down for the cause of Christ. The simple fact, that recognition is made about these things is the right start. To sit in ignorance is the worse possible scenario. But once realized, we should be moved to tears and then to action to resolve it. And this brings us to the last part of this verse: reap in joy. It is the desired end, that you may begin with tears but joy is coming. To weep and have no hope leaves one in tears. But to have faith that God is working and will work, is to hope for the tomorrrow that joy is coming. It may be a long season of work, of tears, of sweat, but joy is coming. And every day may be the opporytuntiy for that joy to drown out the tears of sorrow and grief. Tears of sorrow will be turned to tears of joy for the victory is given. Reaping is the work of harvesting in. You sowed, now it is time to reap. YOur faith must say, 'At any given point of God's Divine providence my sowing will reap joy.' The prayers for souls; the prayers for the church; prayers for the nation; filled with sorrow but turned to joy. But if you stop sowing you shall never reap. You msut sow till you reap. Always rejoicing in Him Who is able to turn our tears into joy. Praise His Name!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Psalm 119:11
"Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee."
word for law - word; Most of the times the reference for law is used at the last half of the verse. Here is a rare use of it at the very beginning. Many a child may know this verse simply from vacation Bible school. Rehearsing of the pledges to the Bible has this in it. Many VBS does not do pledges to the American flag, the Bible or the Christian flag any more, but in days gone by it was a stable practice. Thy word have in I hid in my heart - the Word of God in our hearts for God's use for our lives; What can we do without it? Utter failure. How many of the old saints in the Bible, did not have the Word of God, yet they walked with Him. But yet today, the church has the Word of God and don't walk with Him. Sin is dominant among the Lord's people. The absence of the Word of God in our hearts is the direct result to this issue of abiding sin. Now some may wish to go further and say 'the absence of Christ altogether is the reason for it'; but I am not willing to draw such a conclusion universally. And keeping us close to our study, the absence of God's Word is a reason of such sin in the church. A sin that when revival comes, it will have to be confessed and repented of from the pulpit to the pew. A Christian should love the Word of God. It should be their greatest joy in reading, memorizing, studying and gleaning from it. Hold fast to the precious promises, the precious ways of God illustrated throughout the Scriptures. We must learn the preciousensss of it again. Any sain in the church's history can be found to have a direct link with the Word in their heart. But without the obedience to the Word sin is near and controlling. Hiding the Word in our heart then should be a priority. We should read it first, to know what is there. And as we read it, God's Spirit will reveal and open truths to us. The more we read it the more we glean from it. Is it possible that a Christian can live a lifetime in this world and not read through the Word? It is the knowledge of the Word that God honors in the midst of His people. Through preaching, salvation is granted; through teaching, Christians grow and mature. It is your duty to work to putting it your mind and heart for future use by God's Holy Spirit. If you put nothing in your heart and mind then you tempt the Lord. You have been given opportunity to memorize it, do it. We should all know that a child has great potential to memorize and keep it throughout our life. As we get older we are not as able to memorize and keep Scriptures. OUr duty should be as parents and grandparents to instruct our children to memorize. TEach and read and help them develop a study fo the Word for God's use in their life. Now the purpose of putting the Word in our hearts: That I might not sin against Thee - may the knowledge of the Word keep us from sin; 'I might not' is the first phrase that should hold us captive in studying and contemplating. We have verses in the New Testament that are more complete in a Christians life. Verses like: 'Now unto Him that is able to keep us from falling'; and 'Whoever is born of God will not commit sin'. These are pretty absolute in their defining a Christians life with sin. David had seen the sin in his life, as every Christian shoul. Do you know 'the sin that does so easily beset you'? You ought to by the Word revealing it. Now 'might' here is in direct relationship to a Chrsitians knowledge of the Word and their will of choice. The mind may know of it, the heart may be compelled to it, but the flesh may give in to it. Absolute dominance of God's Spirit over all aspects of our life is to make it completely void of sin.
word for law - word; Most of the times the reference for law is used at the last half of the verse. Here is a rare use of it at the very beginning. Many a child may know this verse simply from vacation Bible school. Rehearsing of the pledges to the Bible has this in it. Many VBS does not do pledges to the American flag, the Bible or the Christian flag any more, but in days gone by it was a stable practice. Thy word have in I hid in my heart - the Word of God in our hearts for God's use for our lives; What can we do without it? Utter failure. How many of the old saints in the Bible, did not have the Word of God, yet they walked with Him. But yet today, the church has the Word of God and don't walk with Him. Sin is dominant among the Lord's people. The absence of the Word of God in our hearts is the direct result to this issue of abiding sin. Now some may wish to go further and say 'the absence of Christ altogether is the reason for it'; but I am not willing to draw such a conclusion universally. And keeping us close to our study, the absence of God's Word is a reason of such sin in the church. A sin that when revival comes, it will have to be confessed and repented of from the pulpit to the pew. A Christian should love the Word of God. It should be their greatest joy in reading, memorizing, studying and gleaning from it. Hold fast to the precious promises, the precious ways of God illustrated throughout the Scriptures. We must learn the preciousensss of it again. Any sain in the church's history can be found to have a direct link with the Word in their heart. But without the obedience to the Word sin is near and controlling. Hiding the Word in our heart then should be a priority. We should read it first, to know what is there. And as we read it, God's Spirit will reveal and open truths to us. The more we read it the more we glean from it. Is it possible that a Christian can live a lifetime in this world and not read through the Word? It is the knowledge of the Word that God honors in the midst of His people. Through preaching, salvation is granted; through teaching, Christians grow and mature. It is your duty to work to putting it your mind and heart for future use by God's Holy Spirit. If you put nothing in your heart and mind then you tempt the Lord. You have been given opportunity to memorize it, do it. We should all know that a child has great potential to memorize and keep it throughout our life. As we get older we are not as able to memorize and keep Scriptures. OUr duty should be as parents and grandparents to instruct our children to memorize. TEach and read and help them develop a study fo the Word for God's use in their life. Now the purpose of putting the Word in our hearts: That I might not sin against Thee - may the knowledge of the Word keep us from sin; 'I might not' is the first phrase that should hold us captive in studying and contemplating. We have verses in the New Testament that are more complete in a Christians life. Verses like: 'Now unto Him that is able to keep us from falling'; and 'Whoever is born of God will not commit sin'. These are pretty absolute in their defining a Christians life with sin. David had seen the sin in his life, as every Christian shoul. Do you know 'the sin that does so easily beset you'? You ought to by the Word revealing it. Now 'might' here is in direct relationship to a Chrsitians knowledge of the Word and their will of choice. The mind may know of it, the heart may be compelled to it, but the flesh may give in to it. Absolute dominance of God's Spirit over all aspects of our life is to make it completely void of sin.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Psalm 125:5
"As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel."
The final verse of this Psalm. Again, truth and instruction about what is happening now in our midst as well as that which shall be. As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways - word study, way; There is always the potential for sin. All sin is a choice of our own making. We, as DAvid writes in Psalm 51, were born in sin. Our flesh, as Paul says, has no good thing in it. WE are defiled from the very beginning. As we come to an age of understanding, that there is a difference between good and evil. We either accept or reject the basis that God is good and all else is evil. The defining of reality for this life and eternity is needful to understand. Because, once this is understood that their are two sides at work in everyones life, God and SAtan, good and evil, we discern which one we want. If this is not understood or received, as an atheist or agnostic might ascert, then there is no contrast. Under their assumption, the one individual makes choices of good and bad. And as the illustration in the Bible directs to understand, 'how can pure water and unpure water come out of the same fount?' Those that turn aside to their crooked ways, are evil. They are the childre of Satan, unbelievers in God's redemptive power through Christ. They make their choice to refuse good, to restrain the Holy Spirit from delivering them from evil. OUr phrase of being 'born again' in Christ, is the understanding of our sinful plight. WE need a Savior to rescue us from our sins and evil flesh. That redemption is in what Christ did for us in His life of perfection and His perfect offering of atonement unto God on our behalf. Because of Christ we make a choice to leave the old sinful man behind and enter into a new life of Christianity. Where we are not making choices of our own to do evil or sin, but to live and walk in Him, Who is righteous and without sin. He makes us sinless; He clothes us in righteousness; He adorns us in faithfulness. It is all His work of redemption. and the thought and choices to do evil will continue in our hearts and minds to tempt us to turn aside. But His Holy Spirit is speaking and leading us to not choose to sin but to do good. This is the understanding of which side you are on - Christ side or your side. Those that turn aside make their choice against Christ. The Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity - God shall put them with the hell deserving for all eternity in the lake of fire; Many times over in the New Testament, Jesus speaks on the eternity of the worker of iniquity. He declares that at the judgement seat they shall be condemned for their turning aside to crooked ways and shall reap wha they have sown in this lifetime. You see, there is no other deliverance but in and through JEsus Christ. Your works cannot do it; your best efforts cannot do it; no religion can do it; nothing is received on behalf of our sins but the sacrifice of Christ blood for our sins. That is the only thing acceptable to God the Father. Those that will not receive it, are apart of the workers of iniquity who shall be condemned in hell forever. They rejected God's love, God's mercy, God's plan of salvation, God's grace and chose sin. And because they chose wrongly, God will lead them down the path that is broad and wide that leads to destruction. And the Bible tells us that many are on this path. Many have chosen this path and unless they repent there is no hope for them. The Lord's way of justice (the Lord shall do right) must condemn that which is contrary unto His nature of holiness and truth. The workers of iniquities sentencing is to be bound hand and feet and cast by the angels into hell. Their punishment for choosing self over Christ. What an eternal sorrow is upon our families, friends and fellow human beings! many shall go therein; weep over their souls, brethren! And if the Lord lead them to their eternal judgment, who is able to thwaryt God? None. It is determined unless they receive in this lifetime the mercy and grace given by God Himself. OH, be not foolish to reject it or fight, recieve and receive everlasting life in Him. Stay away from the crooked ways that lead to eternal damnation. Live in Him, serve Him, know Him and live. But peace shall be upon Israel - the Lord knows His Own; the Old Testament tells of God's chosen people, the Jews through Abraham's descendants. In the New Testament, Christ not only came to redeem the Jews of Israels twelve tribes, but the He was a light to the Gentiles as well. Those outside of Abrahams blood line. Those that receive Christ, Jew and Gentile, are His bride, the church. This is the Israel, the people of God in the New Testament. No longer circumcision and claim to Abraham; but now, circumcised in the heart unto Christ and children of God through Christ. Peace is granted from God upon His people, the church. If they are not of the church then they are of the wicked. You either are or you are not of Him. Christ said to His disciples, 'My peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you.' God, is able to impart peace to His children. It is not the work of men to make peace. And God condemns those that are not His by saying, 'There is no peace with the wicked.' Do you have it or not? Are you His or not? This short Psalm 125, with only 5 verses, gives us instruction from God to His children. How happily we should be to understand and apply each truth to our own lives and for the church. Grow in these things of knowing Him and His ways. Blessed be the Word of God that gives us instruction and feeding to grow in grace and knowledge of Him.
The final verse of this Psalm. Again, truth and instruction about what is happening now in our midst as well as that which shall be. As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways - word study, way; There is always the potential for sin. All sin is a choice of our own making. We, as DAvid writes in Psalm 51, were born in sin. Our flesh, as Paul says, has no good thing in it. WE are defiled from the very beginning. As we come to an age of understanding, that there is a difference between good and evil. We either accept or reject the basis that God is good and all else is evil. The defining of reality for this life and eternity is needful to understand. Because, once this is understood that their are two sides at work in everyones life, God and SAtan, good and evil, we discern which one we want. If this is not understood or received, as an atheist or agnostic might ascert, then there is no contrast. Under their assumption, the one individual makes choices of good and bad. And as the illustration in the Bible directs to understand, 'how can pure water and unpure water come out of the same fount?' Those that turn aside to their crooked ways, are evil. They are the childre of Satan, unbelievers in God's redemptive power through Christ. They make their choice to refuse good, to restrain the Holy Spirit from delivering them from evil. OUr phrase of being 'born again' in Christ, is the understanding of our sinful plight. WE need a Savior to rescue us from our sins and evil flesh. That redemption is in what Christ did for us in His life of perfection and His perfect offering of atonement unto God on our behalf. Because of Christ we make a choice to leave the old sinful man behind and enter into a new life of Christianity. Where we are not making choices of our own to do evil or sin, but to live and walk in Him, Who is righteous and without sin. He makes us sinless; He clothes us in righteousness; He adorns us in faithfulness. It is all His work of redemption. and the thought and choices to do evil will continue in our hearts and minds to tempt us to turn aside. But His Holy Spirit is speaking and leading us to not choose to sin but to do good. This is the understanding of which side you are on - Christ side or your side. Those that turn aside make their choice against Christ. The Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity - God shall put them with the hell deserving for all eternity in the lake of fire; Many times over in the New Testament, Jesus speaks on the eternity of the worker of iniquity. He declares that at the judgement seat they shall be condemned for their turning aside to crooked ways and shall reap wha they have sown in this lifetime. You see, there is no other deliverance but in and through JEsus Christ. Your works cannot do it; your best efforts cannot do it; no religion can do it; nothing is received on behalf of our sins but the sacrifice of Christ blood for our sins. That is the only thing acceptable to God the Father. Those that will not receive it, are apart of the workers of iniquity who shall be condemned in hell forever. They rejected God's love, God's mercy, God's plan of salvation, God's grace and chose sin. And because they chose wrongly, God will lead them down the path that is broad and wide that leads to destruction. And the Bible tells us that many are on this path. Many have chosen this path and unless they repent there is no hope for them. The Lord's way of justice (the Lord shall do right) must condemn that which is contrary unto His nature of holiness and truth. The workers of iniquities sentencing is to be bound hand and feet and cast by the angels into hell. Their punishment for choosing self over Christ. What an eternal sorrow is upon our families, friends and fellow human beings! many shall go therein; weep over their souls, brethren! And if the Lord lead them to their eternal judgment, who is able to thwaryt God? None. It is determined unless they receive in this lifetime the mercy and grace given by God Himself. OH, be not foolish to reject it or fight, recieve and receive everlasting life in Him. Stay away from the crooked ways that lead to eternal damnation. Live in Him, serve Him, know Him and live. But peace shall be upon Israel - the Lord knows His Own; the Old Testament tells of God's chosen people, the Jews through Abraham's descendants. In the New Testament, Christ not only came to redeem the Jews of Israels twelve tribes, but the He was a light to the Gentiles as well. Those outside of Abrahams blood line. Those that receive Christ, Jew and Gentile, are His bride, the church. This is the Israel, the people of God in the New Testament. No longer circumcision and claim to Abraham; but now, circumcised in the heart unto Christ and children of God through Christ. Peace is granted from God upon His people, the church. If they are not of the church then they are of the wicked. You either are or you are not of Him. Christ said to His disciples, 'My peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you.' God, is able to impart peace to His children. It is not the work of men to make peace. And God condemns those that are not His by saying, 'There is no peace with the wicked.' Do you have it or not? Are you His or not? This short Psalm 125, with only 5 verses, gives us instruction from God to His children. How happily we should be to understand and apply each truth to our own lives and for the church. Grow in these things of knowing Him and His ways. Blessed be the Word of God that gives us instruction and feeding to grow in grace and knowledge of Him.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Psalm 125:4
"Do good, O Lord,unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts."
In verse 3, the writer speaks against the wicked and for the Lord to protect His Own. Now in verse 4, he gives God a directive. This quite unusal for most to dictate to God. But it is not contrary to God's desire in this verse, and we should agree with it, pray for it to happen to all God's children and do all to make sure it does happen. Do good, O Lord, unto those that be good - twice mentioned good, 'do' and 'be'; The directive is for God to do good. Well, this is His nature, He cannot go against His nature which is goodness. He changes not, and so always proceeding from Him is His goodness. He has to do good, for that is Who HE is. To say otherwise, reflects that He is not good and capable of doing bad or evil, this is not possible with God. But who does God 'do good' unto? The request is for God to bless those that are 'being good'. It is natural for us to conclude that God does good, to those that are good. Those that walk in oneness in Him, that seek Him, that love Him; it is natural to conclude this. But God gives rain and blessings and merices of goodness unto those that are wicked, as well. If God did not do good to them, then they would not be living today. His wrath would consume them in a moment. And what hope is there for a soul, a family, a nation that ceases to receive goodness from God? There is no hope. And the danger for any living soul is when they cross that line of God's goodness stopping and His wrath starting. We should learn to do good and cease to do evil, so that we may live forever with Him. But do not think for a moment, that God is lack in His judgment upon the wicked. They shall receive their end verdict too soon. As the one parable teaches us, 'they said he delays his coming; let us eat, drink'. and they were counted as fools, for the Lord appeared and they had ceased to do good. A Christian cannot do good on his own. He must abide in Christ and He in him. So we can easily say, that when a Christian is in sin, it is because they have left off being with the ONe that is good. The Lord knows such that are with Him, and desire Him and abide in Him. He will grant to them the desires of their heart. And to them that are upright in their hearts - the heart is the center of desires, whether that be for good or evil; Jesus declared that out of the heart proceedeth sin from an evil heart. But what do we say then of a heart that has been transplanted? 'I will give them a new heart'. The heart that has been made over from evil and sin unto goodness and holiness is the heart of the upright. To be upright means to labor and seek to be right with a standard excelling those of this earth. They seek to rise above the sins of this world unto the place of God. The heart has been changed, the behavior is different, the desires are different. The prayer of Daivd is for those that do good to be blest by the Lord for their pursuit. 'Do good. . . to those that are upright in their hearts'. God imparts His blessings of mercy, grace, power, Divine love and light upon such that have a heart to do right. What say you of your heart brethren? What works are you doing in goodness and uprightness? Not works of salvation, (for there is none, but Christ work of atonement), but what works of laboring for Him. Labor not for the things of this world, but for the heavenly kingdom that shall never end. The Lord will reward at that day in which stand before Him, for the labors of our hearts and hands. May He find us filled with goodness and uprightness.
In verse 3, the writer speaks against the wicked and for the Lord to protect His Own. Now in verse 4, he gives God a directive. This quite unusal for most to dictate to God. But it is not contrary to God's desire in this verse, and we should agree with it, pray for it to happen to all God's children and do all to make sure it does happen. Do good, O Lord, unto those that be good - twice mentioned good, 'do' and 'be'; The directive is for God to do good. Well, this is His nature, He cannot go against His nature which is goodness. He changes not, and so always proceeding from Him is His goodness. He has to do good, for that is Who HE is. To say otherwise, reflects that He is not good and capable of doing bad or evil, this is not possible with God. But who does God 'do good' unto? The request is for God to bless those that are 'being good'. It is natural for us to conclude that God does good, to those that are good. Those that walk in oneness in Him, that seek Him, that love Him; it is natural to conclude this. But God gives rain and blessings and merices of goodness unto those that are wicked, as well. If God did not do good to them, then they would not be living today. His wrath would consume them in a moment. And what hope is there for a soul, a family, a nation that ceases to receive goodness from God? There is no hope. And the danger for any living soul is when they cross that line of God's goodness stopping and His wrath starting. We should learn to do good and cease to do evil, so that we may live forever with Him. But do not think for a moment, that God is lack in His judgment upon the wicked. They shall receive their end verdict too soon. As the one parable teaches us, 'they said he delays his coming; let us eat, drink'. and they were counted as fools, for the Lord appeared and they had ceased to do good. A Christian cannot do good on his own. He must abide in Christ and He in him. So we can easily say, that when a Christian is in sin, it is because they have left off being with the ONe that is good. The Lord knows such that are with Him, and desire Him and abide in Him. He will grant to them the desires of their heart. And to them that are upright in their hearts - the heart is the center of desires, whether that be for good or evil; Jesus declared that out of the heart proceedeth sin from an evil heart. But what do we say then of a heart that has been transplanted? 'I will give them a new heart'. The heart that has been made over from evil and sin unto goodness and holiness is the heart of the upright. To be upright means to labor and seek to be right with a standard excelling those of this earth. They seek to rise above the sins of this world unto the place of God. The heart has been changed, the behavior is different, the desires are different. The prayer of Daivd is for those that do good to be blest by the Lord for their pursuit. 'Do good. . . to those that are upright in their hearts'. God imparts His blessings of mercy, grace, power, Divine love and light upon such that have a heart to do right. What say you of your heart brethren? What works are you doing in goodness and uprightness? Not works of salvation, (for there is none, but Christ work of atonement), but what works of laboring for Him. Labor not for the things of this world, but for the heavenly kingdom that shall never end. The Lord will reward at that day in which stand before Him, for the labors of our hearts and hands. May He find us filled with goodness and uprightness.
Psalm 119:10
"With my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy commandments."
word for law - commandments; With my whole heart have I sought Thee - word study, whole heart; word study, sought/seek; At some point I will have to count how many personal pronouns are used in this Psalm. The phrase, 'my whole heart' is a compelling word from a soul that is desperate. There is no half-heartedness; there is no wishy-washy attempt. It is from the whole heart, every ounce of strength and vigor to obtain that which is desired. A Christian is to love the Lord with 'all his heart' - the whole heart. And we must often be a cardiologist of our hearts. Check your heart, is it wholly given unto Him? or is it divided between this world and His kingdom? The pursuit, 'with the whole heart' is after something. What is that something? 'I sought Thee'. With his whole heart he is seeking God. What are you seeking after? What a person wants, deep within their desires, is what they will pursue after. A soul that truly, deeply desire to know God and literally, apprehend God, has to do it with the whole heart. Somethings in this life can come with little effort. Some people are more talented and gifted and it comes easier, they do not have to apply the whole heart. But others when they truly desire something and it does not come easy, they must do it with the whole heart or they will find it. A parent loses their child in a crowd, if they really want to find their child, no half hearted effort will suffice. They must seek with all that they are to find them. And it is the same with God. You cannot find God with little effort. And you seek for Him in every avenue. Just as the parent would look in every corner, in every direction, in every position to find their lost child; so we must go this route to find God. 'I sought Him, but I could not find Him' says the lover in Canticles. And the only reason to seek for Him, is because you lost Him. Where did you lose Him? Then begin seeking for HIm there. There are a few places that are naturally given unto us of how to seek and find Him. We see the standard in seeking God must be with the whole heart. Now the question is, where do we seek for Him?
word for law - commandments; With my whole heart have I sought Thee - word study, whole heart; word study, sought/seek; At some point I will have to count how many personal pronouns are used in this Psalm. The phrase, 'my whole heart' is a compelling word from a soul that is desperate. There is no half-heartedness; there is no wishy-washy attempt. It is from the whole heart, every ounce of strength and vigor to obtain that which is desired. A Christian is to love the Lord with 'all his heart' - the whole heart. And we must often be a cardiologist of our hearts. Check your heart, is it wholly given unto Him? or is it divided between this world and His kingdom? The pursuit, 'with the whole heart' is after something. What is that something? 'I sought Thee'. With his whole heart he is seeking God. What are you seeking after? What a person wants, deep within their desires, is what they will pursue after. A soul that truly, deeply desire to know God and literally, apprehend God, has to do it with the whole heart. Somethings in this life can come with little effort. Some people are more talented and gifted and it comes easier, they do not have to apply the whole heart. But others when they truly desire something and it does not come easy, they must do it with the whole heart or they will find it. A parent loses their child in a crowd, if they really want to find their child, no half hearted effort will suffice. They must seek with all that they are to find them. And it is the same with God. You cannot find God with little effort. And you seek for Him in every avenue. Just as the parent would look in every corner, in every direction, in every position to find their lost child; so we must go this route to find God. 'I sought Him, but I could not find Him' says the lover in Canticles. And the only reason to seek for Him, is because you lost Him. Where did you lose Him? Then begin seeking for HIm there. There are a few places that are naturally given unto us of how to seek and find Him. We see the standard in seeking God must be with the whole heart. Now the question is, where do we seek for Him?
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Psalm 119:9
"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy word."
The second section of 8 verses titled under 'Beth'. word for law - Thy word; Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? word study, way; great questions of the Bible; A question that is asked and answered within this verse; And this is a question for all, what shall the unclean, sinner do? He shall cleanse his sinful ways, for he has offended a Holy God. But do all admit or acknowledge that they have sinned against God? No. Most make excuses and try to explain their sins away, adding to the offence to God. Our ways are not His ways. 'All have sinned and come short of His glory.' The purpose of the question is to get to the answer. You should be concerned and seeking the question for those that are lost around you. You should seek it for yourself; for your family; for your co-workers; for your school mates; for your church; for one and all. Ask the question, 'How shall we be made clean who are filthy?'
The second section of 8 verses titled under 'Beth'. word for law - Thy word; Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? word study, way; great questions of the Bible; A question that is asked and answered within this verse; And this is a question for all, what shall the unclean, sinner do? He shall cleanse his sinful ways, for he has offended a Holy God. But do all admit or acknowledge that they have sinned against God? No. Most make excuses and try to explain their sins away, adding to the offence to God. Our ways are not His ways. 'All have sinned and come short of His glory.' The purpose of the question is to get to the answer. You should be concerned and seeking the question for those that are lost around you. You should seek it for yourself; for your family; for your co-workers; for your school mates; for your church; for one and all. Ask the question, 'How shall we be made clean who are filthy?'
Psalm 125:3
"For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniqutiy."
All five of these verses in this Psalm are spiritual truth and direction for the Christian. REad, meditate on the truth found and allow the Spirit to speak for your own personal walk with God. For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous - the time of the wicked's reign is short and only lasts long enough to complete the Father's desire; During the wickeds reign it may seem like an eternity, but how quickly they come and how quickly they go. A comparison between the kings that ruled over Isreal during captivity demonstrates this. And the only reason that I can see in Scripture or history that the wicked rule over the righteous is because the righteous failed to conquer the hearts and minds of the people. Sin abounded in them and then God sent judgement by the wicked ruling. And because the wicked are evil from the very heart and soul, they seek to inflict pain and sorrow upon the righteous. This too shall only last a short while. God is longsuffering and merciful but He shall rise up to stop the wicked and shall reverse the order of their ruling over the righteous. God shall not permit one second longer than is necessary for His people to endure. And then suddenly. . . .God shall undo all the works of iniquity and lift the rod off of His people. The cross may endure for a while, but the resurrection shall come. This earth and the rod of the wicked may endure for a while, but soon and very soon, Christ shall return and the rod of the wicked shall be lifted off. The wickeds set time in this life has an end and the church must always remember this. IN the midst of the sorrow it is hard to remember this and know this truth. For the present circumstances of the rod limits some of the righteous from seeing or remembering that God is still in control. No matter what the circumstances may seem like, God is in control over all. And at the end the wicked shall have their eternity of their own choosing. But for the righteous, it is there in eternity that the weary are at rest. Lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity - if it is God's desire that the wicked should not reign, it is even more so that God desires that the righteous not sin; When the wicked are ruling and reigning, there is greater opportunity and measure of sinfulness. It is like a cancer, growing and multiplying across the land. And the propensity and the opportunity for sin grows and grows. It infiltrates even to the righteous. And then the righteous are tempted to sin. We see among the church today, the temptation is great and many are falling prey to it. There is such abundance of sin among the people of God. They are hooked on habits, practices, and routines of sin. We are commanded, 'To be holy, as He is holy'. Yet, we see such abundance of sin. We know so very little of the practice of holiness. We are found contrary to the desired will of God for His people because of the greater opportunity of sin. And God knows that we are prone to choose sin over Him. Even though it be in our minds to do right, our flesh is sinful and we choose evil over Him. It is mentioned many times in the Bible, 'learn to pracitce good and avoid evil'; but we say the words as we are off to pracitce sin. God kenw this from the beginning, as He watched and knew Adam and Eve would 'put forth their hands unto iniquity'. He has watched it repeatdly throughout the centuries. How much has He seen you put your hand forth to sin? Does it not shame you to know this truth? How much we have failed Him. So we read here, that God would keep us from evil and practice that which is good. Labor for the Spirit that 'keeps us from falling'. Many a soul has been destroyed in their walk and witness by 'putting forth their hand to iniquity'. We should pray one for another to be spared in this, to be delivered in this. 'Keep them from evil' was the prayer for the church, may we see it fulfilled this day.
All five of these verses in this Psalm are spiritual truth and direction for the Christian. REad, meditate on the truth found and allow the Spirit to speak for your own personal walk with God. For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous - the time of the wicked's reign is short and only lasts long enough to complete the Father's desire; During the wickeds reign it may seem like an eternity, but how quickly they come and how quickly they go. A comparison between the kings that ruled over Isreal during captivity demonstrates this. And the only reason that I can see in Scripture or history that the wicked rule over the righteous is because the righteous failed to conquer the hearts and minds of the people. Sin abounded in them and then God sent judgement by the wicked ruling. And because the wicked are evil from the very heart and soul, they seek to inflict pain and sorrow upon the righteous. This too shall only last a short while. God is longsuffering and merciful but He shall rise up to stop the wicked and shall reverse the order of their ruling over the righteous. God shall not permit one second longer than is necessary for His people to endure. And then suddenly. . . .God shall undo all the works of iniquity and lift the rod off of His people. The cross may endure for a while, but the resurrection shall come. This earth and the rod of the wicked may endure for a while, but soon and very soon, Christ shall return and the rod of the wicked shall be lifted off. The wickeds set time in this life has an end and the church must always remember this. IN the midst of the sorrow it is hard to remember this and know this truth. For the present circumstances of the rod limits some of the righteous from seeing or remembering that God is still in control. No matter what the circumstances may seem like, God is in control over all. And at the end the wicked shall have their eternity of their own choosing. But for the righteous, it is there in eternity that the weary are at rest. Lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity - if it is God's desire that the wicked should not reign, it is even more so that God desires that the righteous not sin; When the wicked are ruling and reigning, there is greater opportunity and measure of sinfulness. It is like a cancer, growing and multiplying across the land. And the propensity and the opportunity for sin grows and grows. It infiltrates even to the righteous. And then the righteous are tempted to sin. We see among the church today, the temptation is great and many are falling prey to it. There is such abundance of sin among the people of God. They are hooked on habits, practices, and routines of sin. We are commanded, 'To be holy, as He is holy'. Yet, we see such abundance of sin. We know so very little of the practice of holiness. We are found contrary to the desired will of God for His people because of the greater opportunity of sin. And God knows that we are prone to choose sin over Him. Even though it be in our minds to do right, our flesh is sinful and we choose evil over Him. It is mentioned many times in the Bible, 'learn to pracitce good and avoid evil'; but we say the words as we are off to pracitce sin. God kenw this from the beginning, as He watched and knew Adam and Eve would 'put forth their hands unto iniquity'. He has watched it repeatdly throughout the centuries. How much has He seen you put your hand forth to sin? Does it not shame you to know this truth? How much we have failed Him. So we read here, that God would keep us from evil and practice that which is good. Labor for the Spirit that 'keeps us from falling'. Many a soul has been destroyed in their walk and witness by 'putting forth their hand to iniquity'. We should pray one for another to be spared in this, to be delivered in this. 'Keep them from evil' was the prayer for the church, may we see it fulfilled this day.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Psalm 125:2
"As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about His people from henceforth even for ever."
Again, each of these verses (only 5) in this Psalm give a reference to Jerusaleum but hold a spiritual truth that we should glean from. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem - the physical description of the city; He is getting ready to draw the inference to the physcial dynamics of the region to our spiritual way. The landscape of the earth was created by God. He is the Creator and Sustainer of all that is. Behold, the beauty of the earth, it is by His hand that it is done. I love mountains, and I marvel at them. God raised them up and sets it all into motion of their continaul uprising. Going higher and higher, jsut as we should. Mountains are established for a reason. How plain would it all be if everything was flat. How could you appreciate the beach, or the flatness without a comparison to moutnains? Take knowledge of why and how God did by making this earth as He has. Regardless of where you live, there is too much in this earth to take in all its beauty. So the Lord is round about His people - the covering of His people all around; The illustration is to look at the mountains and how they are laid out around the city for protection and to know that God, Who created all that, is able to the same. His encompassing hands should be known by the believer to be all around us. His Presence, which is past, present and future, is covering us. As the Spirit brooded upon the deep waters, one writer says, He was praying for the souls of men before the chaos was ordered. Meaning He was covering us, His children, with the prayers of Divine providence. Throughout this life, we see moments in time that are Divine in God's healing, providing and protection. He knows the daily acts we undertake. He knows what we do not know and lays His Divine hand for help. All this is possible becasue our Heavenly Father covers us round about. He sends His angels to cover us; 'do you not know that you have entertained angels unaware?' It is the Lord's power through whatever means or method that He desires to cover us in time, in the moment of the need. Look at the covering for such moments of need. You are struggling with some problem, some sin, some unanswered prayer; and in the midest of that, there is a Divine word given for you that raises you out of the struggle to victory and fulfillment. God knew you would need that at that given moments and His timing is perfect. Let us know that there is nothing left unattended by our Lord. The phrase, 'all around' is inclusive to everything and nothing left out. 'Is anything too hard for the Lord?' Absolutely not. Yet, I have heard God's Own chidlren accuse Him that He had missed something or forgotten something. God cannot be accused of such things, He is not man that should miss something. He sees and knows everything. It is to be accepted as the will of God how these things work out. But do not be in doubt about God's provisions and protection, He is all about us. Why do we gather such favor? We are made in the image of God, created and formed by His Own hand for His Divine purpose. He loves His creation and has done everything to redeem and show His love toward us.
Again, each of these verses (only 5) in this Psalm give a reference to Jerusaleum but hold a spiritual truth that we should glean from. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem - the physical description of the city; He is getting ready to draw the inference to the physcial dynamics of the region to our spiritual way. The landscape of the earth was created by God. He is the Creator and Sustainer of all that is. Behold, the beauty of the earth, it is by His hand that it is done. I love mountains, and I marvel at them. God raised them up and sets it all into motion of their continaul uprising. Going higher and higher, jsut as we should. Mountains are established for a reason. How plain would it all be if everything was flat. How could you appreciate the beach, or the flatness without a comparison to moutnains? Take knowledge of why and how God did by making this earth as He has. Regardless of where you live, there is too much in this earth to take in all its beauty. So the Lord is round about His people - the covering of His people all around; The illustration is to look at the mountains and how they are laid out around the city for protection and to know that God, Who created all that, is able to the same. His encompassing hands should be known by the believer to be all around us. His Presence, which is past, present and future, is covering us. As the Spirit brooded upon the deep waters, one writer says, He was praying for the souls of men before the chaos was ordered. Meaning He was covering us, His children, with the prayers of Divine providence. Throughout this life, we see moments in time that are Divine in God's healing, providing and protection. He knows the daily acts we undertake. He knows what we do not know and lays His Divine hand for help. All this is possible becasue our Heavenly Father covers us round about. He sends His angels to cover us; 'do you not know that you have entertained angels unaware?' It is the Lord's power through whatever means or method that He desires to cover us in time, in the moment of the need. Look at the covering for such moments of need. You are struggling with some problem, some sin, some unanswered prayer; and in the midest of that, there is a Divine word given for you that raises you out of the struggle to victory and fulfillment. God knew you would need that at that given moments and His timing is perfect. Let us know that there is nothing left unattended by our Lord. The phrase, 'all around' is inclusive to everything and nothing left out. 'Is anything too hard for the Lord?' Absolutely not. Yet, I have heard God's Own chidlren accuse Him that He had missed something or forgotten something. God cannot be accused of such things, He is not man that should miss something. He sees and knows everything. It is to be accepted as the will of God how these things work out. But do not be in doubt about God's provisions and protection, He is all about us. Why do we gather such favor? We are made in the image of God, created and formed by His Own hand for His Divine purpose. He loves His creation and has done everything to redeem and show His love toward us.
Psalm 119:8
"I will keep Thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly."
How vehement is his desire toward God! I will keep Thy statutes - word study, to keep; word for law - statutes; Verse 7 and now verse 8 begin with the 'I will'; He is resolved on these mandates. That is the reason that he uses it 18 times in this Psalm - "I will". You see, this is an absolute, 'I will keep'; there is no room for failure here. He should do it; he must do it; he will do it. He cannot afford to not keep it. Are you resolved on Christian prinicples as he was? Oh, to find men and women resigned to this life and surrendered that they will keep His ways. The church needs an army of such men and women that have such a dogmatic approach to their walk with God. You see in the church today, there is a broad response of just the opposite, which is so close to disobedience: 'I know that I should'; 'I have been thinking about starting that'; 'I am going to try to do better'. all these are failures at the outset. It is the absolute determination of David's heart that it will be done. and this is not humanism, that David thinks that he can keep the statutes of the Lord, he knows it is only by God' power and hand that will help him. Now look at your life and walk, are you keeping His statutes? Is there such a fervency of obeying as what David attests too here? Resolve in your heart to be 'true hearted, whole-hearted, faithful and true unto Him'. Give no place for not keeping the Word. And if you find disobedience, quickly repent, confess and fulfill that which you have lost. The church has much to account for already in not keeping His statutes, we cannot afford to provoke Him anymore. O forsake me not utterly - David recognizes that keeping (obeying) is so closely related to His near Presence; To disobey in keeping His statutes is to grieve, quench and resist the Holy Spirit. It lead to the perceived forsaking of God from us. But in reality, He has promised that He cannot forsake us, but we do limit Him and the manifest Presence when we sin against Him.
How vehement is his desire toward God! I will keep Thy statutes - word study, to keep; word for law - statutes; Verse 7 and now verse 8 begin with the 'I will'; He is resolved on these mandates. That is the reason that he uses it 18 times in this Psalm - "I will". You see, this is an absolute, 'I will keep'; there is no room for failure here. He should do it; he must do it; he will do it. He cannot afford to not keep it. Are you resolved on Christian prinicples as he was? Oh, to find men and women resigned to this life and surrendered that they will keep His ways. The church needs an army of such men and women that have such a dogmatic approach to their walk with God. You see in the church today, there is a broad response of just the opposite, which is so close to disobedience: 'I know that I should'; 'I have been thinking about starting that'; 'I am going to try to do better'. all these are failures at the outset. It is the absolute determination of David's heart that it will be done. and this is not humanism, that David thinks that he can keep the statutes of the Lord, he knows it is only by God' power and hand that will help him. Now look at your life and walk, are you keeping His statutes? Is there such a fervency of obeying as what David attests too here? Resolve in your heart to be 'true hearted, whole-hearted, faithful and true unto Him'. Give no place for not keeping the Word. And if you find disobedience, quickly repent, confess and fulfill that which you have lost. The church has much to account for already in not keeping His statutes, we cannot afford to provoke Him anymore. O forsake me not utterly - David recognizes that keeping (obeying) is so closely related to His near Presence; To disobey in keeping His statutes is to grieve, quench and resist the Holy Spirit. It lead to the perceived forsaking of God from us. But in reality, He has promised that He cannot forsake us, but we do limit Him and the manifest Presence when we sin against Him.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Psalm 119:7
"I will praise Thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned Thy righteous judgments."
Word for Law - judgments; I will praise Thee with uprightness of heart - this is the begining of the 'I will' verse found throughout the Psalm; praise unto the Lord, not by mouth, but by actions from the heart; Two references within this vers of 'being right' - uprightness of heart (being right by decisions of the heart) and Thy righteous judgements (the rightness of God in His choices).
Word for Law - judgments; I will praise Thee with uprightness of heart - this is the begining of the 'I will' verse found throughout the Psalm; praise unto the Lord, not by mouth, but by actions from the heart; Two references within this vers of 'being right' - uprightness of heart (being right by decisions of the heart) and Thy righteous judgements (the rightness of God in His choices).
Psalm 125:1
"They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever."
Only 5 verses in this Psalm, and each verse puts before us a spiritual truth that we must understand and apply. Application of the Word is so needful among us today for a healthy church. Knowledge is grand, but without application it is vanity. They that trust in the Lord - a believing heart in Christ is a trusting heart; A sinner must recognize that 'believing' in God is not about a mind set of knowing about His existence. The devils believe in His existence but they never trusted in Him. Saving belief is trusting in Christ with our whole life. Not a portion of it, but the whole - all the mind, all the heart, all the soul and all the body. Nothing withheld from Him, or it is not trusting faith. A Christian is born believer that has put his trust in the Lord. Trusting Him to keep your soul from eternal hell; trusting Him to keep your body for His service and glory; trusting Him to keep your possessions and loved ones for His Divine will and purpose; trusting everything of you unto Him. Are you such a one that trusts in the Lord? Is there evidence of this? Don't be religious, saying you know this but there is no proof of this. The Pharisees constantly argued with Christ for they did know the difference of believing in Him and trusting in Him. The church today has much religious people that believe in Him, but they do not trust in Him. They are lost and without the true Light. This is a false hope and at that day, they shall hear those words, 'Depart from Me, you worker of iniqutiy; I never knew you.' 'But Lord, did we not preach and teach in your Name?' The Lord will answer, 'No, you preached about My Name, but you did not trust in Me.' Shall be as mount Zion - the hill of the Lord; DAvid's city; the new Jerusaleum; It is the symbolism that Moutn Zion is everlasting and a sure place. And of course, the city of Jerusaleum was a safe, enduring place while the people sought the Lord and feared Him. But when they sinned and forgot the Lord and His ways, His Presence removed from it and the enemy gained the victory. The truest statement that we can know is this: when the Lord's people abide in Him, there is nothing that can be victorious over us; but at the same time, know this truth, that when we remove from Him, we allow the enemy to destroy us. MOutn zion was in safety until they forsook Him. But they that trust in the Lord shall find His angels gathered round about in protection. Who can get to us unless we open the doors? And no one could defeat Zion unless they opened the doors for their own defeat by forsakeing the Lord. Oh, let us be as sure as Mount Zion and stay ever so close to Him, Who is the great I Am. Which cannot be removed - it is a sure, established place; If God declares that it shall always be, then who can remove it? God's promise to Israel and David upon Mount Zion was a covenant agreement. 'If you keep My commandments, then you shall not be removed'; but if you forsake My commandments, I will remove you.' And when they forsook His commandments and His ways, God removed them from the land. There are two things in the Scripture that are told us that shall never be removed from existence. First, God's Word shall never be removed from existence; it shall be translated from this world where it is has been proclaimed to eternity, because Christ is the Word and shall always be. Second, God has declared that the church which HE started shall never be removed; 'The gates of hell shall not conquer it.' When Christ comes He is coming for Hsi church. So even though, the church may be frail now, there are days coming when He shall finish the work of the marriage of His bride to perfection. This heaven and earth shall be removed and a new heaven and anew earth shall be established. In the Scriptures we have these truths of the Lord. But abideth for ever - the certainty of the Lord's promises shall always be; He, the Lord, is the One that abides for ever. He has always been and will always be. Our souls are given unto by God, a precious gift. But we had a beginning and a starting point in living. But our souls shall be forever. OUr eternal destination of 'abiding forever' is determined by our relationship with Christ. Let us know this deep truth, that eternity is for ever. Men's final destination in hell or heaven is abdiing for ever with no reprieve. There is no end, it shall always be. And for that, it should cause to desire Him even more so. And we should pray like never before for others eternal 'abiding forever' in hell. Cling to Him Who abides for ever so that we may abide with Him forever as well. Learn of Him, know Him and love Him with all that you are.
Only 5 verses in this Psalm, and each verse puts before us a spiritual truth that we must understand and apply. Application of the Word is so needful among us today for a healthy church. Knowledge is grand, but without application it is vanity. They that trust in the Lord - a believing heart in Christ is a trusting heart; A sinner must recognize that 'believing' in God is not about a mind set of knowing about His existence. The devils believe in His existence but they never trusted in Him. Saving belief is trusting in Christ with our whole life. Not a portion of it, but the whole - all the mind, all the heart, all the soul and all the body. Nothing withheld from Him, or it is not trusting faith. A Christian is born believer that has put his trust in the Lord. Trusting Him to keep your soul from eternal hell; trusting Him to keep your body for His service and glory; trusting Him to keep your possessions and loved ones for His Divine will and purpose; trusting everything of you unto Him. Are you such a one that trusts in the Lord? Is there evidence of this? Don't be religious, saying you know this but there is no proof of this. The Pharisees constantly argued with Christ for they did know the difference of believing in Him and trusting in Him. The church today has much religious people that believe in Him, but they do not trust in Him. They are lost and without the true Light. This is a false hope and at that day, they shall hear those words, 'Depart from Me, you worker of iniqutiy; I never knew you.' 'But Lord, did we not preach and teach in your Name?' The Lord will answer, 'No, you preached about My Name, but you did not trust in Me.' Shall be as mount Zion - the hill of the Lord; DAvid's city; the new Jerusaleum; It is the symbolism that Moutn Zion is everlasting and a sure place. And of course, the city of Jerusaleum was a safe, enduring place while the people sought the Lord and feared Him. But when they sinned and forgot the Lord and His ways, His Presence removed from it and the enemy gained the victory. The truest statement that we can know is this: when the Lord's people abide in Him, there is nothing that can be victorious over us; but at the same time, know this truth, that when we remove from Him, we allow the enemy to destroy us. MOutn zion was in safety until they forsook Him. But they that trust in the Lord shall find His angels gathered round about in protection. Who can get to us unless we open the doors? And no one could defeat Zion unless they opened the doors for their own defeat by forsakeing the Lord. Oh, let us be as sure as Mount Zion and stay ever so close to Him, Who is the great I Am. Which cannot be removed - it is a sure, established place; If God declares that it shall always be, then who can remove it? God's promise to Israel and David upon Mount Zion was a covenant agreement. 'If you keep My commandments, then you shall not be removed'; but if you forsake My commandments, I will remove you.' And when they forsook His commandments and His ways, God removed them from the land. There are two things in the Scripture that are told us that shall never be removed from existence. First, God's Word shall never be removed from existence; it shall be translated from this world where it is has been proclaimed to eternity, because Christ is the Word and shall always be. Second, God has declared that the church which HE started shall never be removed; 'The gates of hell shall not conquer it.' When Christ comes He is coming for Hsi church. So even though, the church may be frail now, there are days coming when He shall finish the work of the marriage of His bride to perfection. This heaven and earth shall be removed and a new heaven and anew earth shall be established. In the Scriptures we have these truths of the Lord. But abideth for ever - the certainty of the Lord's promises shall always be; He, the Lord, is the One that abides for ever. He has always been and will always be. Our souls are given unto by God, a precious gift. But we had a beginning and a starting point in living. But our souls shall be forever. OUr eternal destination of 'abiding forever' is determined by our relationship with Christ. Let us know this deep truth, that eternity is for ever. Men's final destination in hell or heaven is abdiing for ever with no reprieve. There is no end, it shall always be. And for that, it should cause to desire Him even more so. And we should pray like never before for others eternal 'abiding forever' in hell. Cling to Him Who abides for ever so that we may abide with Him forever as well. Learn of Him, know Him and love Him with all that you are.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Psalm 119:6
"Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all Thy commandments."
Word for Law - commandments; Then shall I not be ashamed - the personal directive for his relationship with God; Paul writes the same words in Romans 1:16, 'I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ'. Are we ashamed of our Lord? Are we ashamed to admit to others that we our His and He is ours? Are we ashamed that as we place our confidence in Him others may make fun or jest at our simple faith? The shame is if the servant of the Lord does not trust and believe in what God has promised and what He is able to do. Woe unto us for not believing and living in Him. This brings shame upon the soul that does sin against His God. It is a progression from verse 4 through verse 6. In verse 4, God commands; in verse 5, David makes his declaration by the help of God to keep His commands; and now in verse 6, we see if he keeps these commands then he shall not be ashamed of failing His Lord.
Word for Law - commandments; Then shall I not be ashamed - the personal directive for his relationship with God; Paul writes the same words in Romans 1:16, 'I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ'. Are we ashamed of our Lord? Are we ashamed to admit to others that we our His and He is ours? Are we ashamed that as we place our confidence in Him others may make fun or jest at our simple faith? The shame is if the servant of the Lord does not trust and believe in what God has promised and what He is able to do. Woe unto us for not believing and living in Him. This brings shame upon the soul that does sin against His God. It is a progression from verse 4 through verse 6. In verse 4, God commands; in verse 5, David makes his declaration by the help of God to keep His commands; and now in verse 6, we see if he keeps these commands then he shall not be ashamed of failing His Lord.
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