Archives for July 2012

TODAY’S READING: PSALM 106-109

 

OVERVIEW:

A recounting ofIsrael’s rebellion and the Lord’s faithfulness to deliver them; the deliverance of the Lord in the troubles of life; the psalmist’s praise of the Lord and his cry of supplication for victory; the vengeance of God meted out upon His enemies.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

As we pick up in Psalm 106 in today’s reading, the psalmist continues his praise and thanks to the Lord as he recounts God’s mercy throughIsrael’s history. Note that verse 8 identifies God’s ultimate purpose inIsrael’s deliverance in the exodus: “Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.” God repeats that overarching principle in several places in the Old Testament. In Exodus9:16God said that the real issue was “that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.” As God told Ezekiel what to say to the elders of Israel in Ezekiel 20, as He recounted Israel’s history, He said in verse 9, “But I wrought for my name’s sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they were, in whose sight I made myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.” The reason these verses are so significant, is that God lets us know in I Corinthians 10:1-6, 11, that Israel’s exodus out of the bondage of Egypt was just a picture of our exodus from the bondage of sin and the world (II Tim.2:26; Eph. 2:2). (Note thatEgyptis always a picture of sin and/or the world in the Bible!) What that lets us know is that in the final analysis, contrary to fundamental Bible-believing, Laodicean thought, and teaching, the purpose of our salvation was not first and foremost for our benefit, though incredible beneficiaries we are! The real purpose of our salvation was God’s glory! He saved us for “His name’s sake” (Ps. 106:8a; Ezek. 20:9)!  He saved us so that His “mighty power could be known” (Ps. 106:86)! He saved us so His name could be “declared throughout all the earth” (Ex.9:16)!

 

Please take the time to understand that this is far more than a moot point! This simple point concerning the purpose of our salvation smacks totally against everything that even fundamental, Bible-believing Christianity in the Laodicean Age (1901 A.D. – Rapture – Rev. 3:14-22) believes and teaches!

 

The “Christianity” OF OUR DAY:

1. Says that Christianity is primarily about God benefiting His creatures (i.e. God exists for us)
2. Says that the most important thing to God is people.
3. Asks, “What do I need to do to gain God’s blessing?” (i.e. Seeks God’s hand)

 

The “Christianity” OF THE BIBLE:

1. Says that Christianity is primarily about God glorifying His Son. (i.e. we exist for God)
2. Says that the most important thing to God is His glory (i.e. His name)
3. Asks, “What can I do to most glorify God?” (i.e. Seeks God’s face)

 

No wonder Paul said, “In the last days perilous times shall come. (II Tim. 3:1), and that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (I Tim. 4:1)! Be very careful and discerning!

 

Based on what I Cor. 10:6 and 11 says, the things that the psalmist lays out aboutIsrael’s history in Psalm 106 provide limitless application for our lives.

 

The theme of Psalm 107 is, “Oh that men would praise the Lord of his goodness, and for his wonderful works, to the children of men!” (See verse 8, 15, 21 and 31). All of the verses in between are designed to help you do just that. Again, the applications of these verses to our lives are limitless!

 

In Psalm 108, note that the first 5 verses are a replica of Psalm 57:7-11 and verses 7-10 are a replica of Psalm 60:6-9.

 

There is certainly an historical application to David’s life in Psalm 109, but the psalm is not primarily about David’s situation, but the Messiah’s humiliation, His confrontation with Satan, His victory over death, and the ultimate vindication of His life as the Father executes His vengeance.

Though David composed this Psalm (under the inspiration of God, of course), the words actually compose the prayer of the Lord Jesus Christ, and every aspect of the prayer will be answered to the letter!

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the ONE WHO MAKES THE STORM A CALM – Ps. 107:29 (Matt. 8:27; John 14:27)

TODAY’S READING: PSALM 100-105

 

OVERVIEW:

Exhortation to praise God; the psalmist’s profession of uprightness; the prayer of an afflicted man for mercy on himself and Zion; praise for the Lord’s mercies; praise for the Lord’s majesty; the wonderful works of the Lord in behalf of Israel.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

The first verse in today’s reading is a call to “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands” (100:1). It is a reminder that God’s passion is and has always been the world-wide worship of His Son from every kindred, tongue, people and nation. Don’t ever lose sight of the scope of our commission! We are to make disciples of all nations, or as verse one says, in “all lands.” What could you point to that you are actively and specifically doing to see that God’s passion as it is expressed in verse one is being realized? Are you presently discipling someone (i.e. are you presently reproducing a reproducer of reproducers)? When was the last time you actually gave the gospel to someone? Do you give above your regular tithes and offerings to missions?  Are you involved in our Bible publishing ministry? When was the last time you went (or have you ever been) on a short term missions trip? Note also in verse 2, we are to carry out our commission with “gladness,” not out of guilt or obligation.

 

In a world that absolutely caters to the “lust of the eyes,” Psalm 101:3 is a doozey! “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes.” Some more “mature” believers evidently feel that they have “graduated” past such extreme measures in the name of their “liberty in Christ,” or want to label you “legalistic” when you say that setting no wicked thing before our eyes includes many (most?) movies, TV shows, commercials, magazines, advertisements, the internet, and any wicked thing we might set before the eyes of our imagination. Call it what they may, what part of “NO” in “set NO wicked thing before your eyes” is even remotely difficult to understand?

 

Whereas verse 3 of Psalm 101 is a warning about HOW we spend our time, verse 4 warns us about WHO we spend it with. We have been called to reach the lost, but we must recognize the reality of verses like I Cor. 15:33 – “Be not deceived: evil communications (also translated “company”) corrupt good manners (or morals).” Our most intimate associations must be with brothers and sisters in Christ, who have likewise (along with us!) surrendered themselves to Christ’s Lordship. Note the continuation of the thought in 101:7 – “He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight”!

 

At times of your life when you’re really “going through it,” Psalm 102 is a great place to find refuge.  Notice the title (listed in most Bibles), “A prayer of the afflicted when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the Lord.” Of course, prophetically the psalm points to the Nation of Israel at the end of the Great Tribulation when the Lord Jesus Christ will “arise and have mercy uponZion: for the time to favor her, yea, the set time, is come” (102:13). Note also, the definite Second Coming references in verses 16 and 21-22.

 

Feeding off of verse one of Psalm 103; I know I have sought to bless the holy name of the Lord from my soul, I’m not certain, however, that I’ve ever actually done it with “all that is within me.” Have you?  I’m absolutely certain that that is what the worship of heaven will be (Rev. 4); the difficulty is in bringing the worship of heaven to earth, and to our lives!

 

Note that Psalm 103 begins and ends the same way – “Bless the Lord, O my soul.” This psalm is about God’s mercy. The nature of mercy (vs. 4), the measure of mercy (vs. 8), the scope of mercy (vs. 11), and the duration of mercy (vs. 17). Perhaps the more we learn about and grow to appreciate the incredible mercy the Lord has extended to us, the more apt we will be to genuinely “bless the Lord will all that is within in us.”

 

The first and last verse of Psalm 104, likewise, includes the exhortation to “Bless the Lord, O my soul.”  Whereas Psalm 103 addresses God’s mercy, Psalm 104 is all about God’s majesty, and focuses on the wonder of creation.

 

Psalm 105 is the first in a series of five Psalms that feature the phrase, “O give thanks unto the Lord,” (See Psalm 106, 107, 118 and 136.) This Psalm, along with Psalm 106 highlightsIsrael’s history much like we observed in Psalm 78. The first five verses contain nine (9 is the number of fruit-bearing in the Bible) exhortations that should be carried out by every child of God in any dispensation:

1. “Give thanks” (105:1a)
2. “Call upon his name” (105:1b)
3. “Make known his deeds” (105:1c)
4. “Sing unto him” (105:2a)
5. “Talk ye of all his wondrous works (105:2b)
6. “Glory ye in his name” (105:3a)
7. “Rejoice” (105:3b)
8. “Seek his face” (105:4)
9. “Remember his marvelous works” (105:5)

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the CREATOR (“It is He that hath made us”) – Psalm 100:3 (John 1:3; Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:16; Rev. 4:11).

As the ONE WHO FORGIVES ALL YOUR INIQUITIES – Psalm 103:3 (Matt. 9:6).