Archives for July 2020

OVERVIEW:

A recounting of Israel’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 of today’s reading, the psalmist continues his praise and thanks to the Lord as he recounts God’s mercy through Israel’s history. Note that verse 8 identifies God’s ultimate purpose in Israel’s deliverance through the exodus: “Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.” That is a monumental declaration! To make sure we didn’t miss the point, God repeats that overarching principle in several places in the Old Testament. In Exodus 9:16, again, God was careful to let Israel know that the real issue of their exodus was “that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.” As God told Ezekiel what to say to the elders of Israel, as He recounted WHY He delivered them out of Egypt, again He said in Ezekiel 20:9: “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.” So, as you can see, God repeatedly lets Israel know, “I did what I did, and I worked how I worked, not first and foremost for YOU but for ME! It was for MY NAME’S SAKE! It was so My name would no longer be polluted! It was so Who I really am could be known by the whole world! It was so My power could be known!”

The reason these verses are so significant is because they have a very distinct application and a very direct impact on us as in the “Church Age saints”! God tells us something very important in 1^st Corinthians 10:1–6 and 11! He lets us know that Israel’s exodus out of their bondage in Egypt was just a picture of our exodus from our bondage to sin and the world! (2^nd Timothy 2:26; Ephesians 2:2. Note that Egypt is always a picture of sin and/or the world in the Bible!) Oh, sure, everything that happened concerning Israel all happened exactly as it was recorded in the Old Testament! It is historically accurate from beginning to end! But God so orchestrated the recording of it, to make sure that we understood that in the final analysis, contrary to “fundamental, Bible-believing, Laodicean” thought and teaching, God’s motivation behind OUR exodus was the same as it was for ISRAEL’s exodus! It was for HIS GLORY! It was for “HIS NAME’S SAKE”! (Psalm 106:8a; Ezekiel 20:9) He saved us so that His “mighty power could be known”! (Psalm 106:86) He saved us so His name could be “declared throughout all the earth!” (Exodus 9:16) In other words, the purpose God had in saving us, wasn’t first and foremost, for US it was for HIM! It was to display His glory! That’s certainly not to discount or diminish what incredible beneficiaries we are in that display; oh my, it could not be more wonderful and spectacular! But it screams to us that the theme of the Bible, the theme of salvation, and the theme of every dimension of existence is not about US, or for US; it is about our holy, magnificent, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent GOD!

Be sure that you understand, this is no small thing! This is not just some moot point! Understanding this truth is the difference between a “ME-centered” Christianity and a “CHRIST-centered” Christianity! This simple point concerning God’s real purpose in our salvation smacks totally against everything that even fundamental, Bible-believing Christianity in the Laodicean Age believes and teaches! In effect, the “Christianity” OF OUR DAY:

• Says that Christianity is primarily about God benefiting His creatures. (i.e. God exists for us.)
• Says that the most important thing to God is people.
• Asks, “How should I position my life to gain the most blessing?” (i.e. Seeks God’s hand.)

The “Christianity” OF THE BIBLE:

• Says that Christianity is primarily about God glorifying His Son. (i.e. We exist for God.)
• Says that the most important thing to God is His glory. (i.e. His name.)
• Asks, “How should I position my life to bring God the most glory?” (i.e. Seeks God’s face.)

No wonder Paul said, “In the last days perilous times shall come” (2^nd Timothy 3:1), and that “in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” (1^st Timothy 4:1) We must be very careful and discerning!

Based on what 1^st Corinthians 10:6 and 11 teaches us about how God recorded the history of Israel’s exodus so that what happened to them doesn’t happen to us, the things the psalmist lays out about Israel’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 verses 8, 15, 21, and 31) All of the verses in-between are designed to help us to do just that!  Again, the application of these verses to our lives is limitless!

In Psalm 108, note that the first five 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; it’s about the Messiah’s humiliation, His confrontation with Satan, His exaltation 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 — Psalm 107:29 (Matthew 8:27; John 14:27)

OVERVIEW:

Exhortation to praise God; the psalmist’s profession of uprightness; the prayer of an afflicted man for mercy upon 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! We must never lose sight of the scope of our commission! We are to make disciples of all nations, or as verse one says, in “all lands.” In light of God’s passion to reach the whole world, perhaps we would all do well to ask ourselves a few pertinent questions:

• What are the things I am actively seeking to allow the Lord to do through me that would give evidence that I share His passion to see His Son glorified in all lands?
• Am I presently “discipling” someone, or stated differently, am I presently “reproducing a reproducer of reproducers?”
• When was the last time I actually opened my mouth to present the gospel to someone who is lost? 
• Am I participating in any way to financially support the cause of missions in the world through my local church?

Note also in 100:2, 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 doozie! The psalmist says, “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes.” Evidently, some “more mature believers” in the 21^st century must feel that in the name of their “liberty in Christ”, they’ve “graduated” past obeying the extreme measures the psalmist clearly states under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in this verse! Unbelievably, in many places in the 21^st century, when you suggest that “setting no wicked thing before our eyes” might include many (most?) movies, TV shows, commercials, magazines, advertisements, and websites, there’s a strong chance you’re going to get labeled “legalistic!” Maybe the question we should consider asking is, “What part of ‘NO’ in ‘set NO wicked thing before your eyes’ is even remotely difficult to understand?” We must be very careful, as Peter talked about, that our “liberty” doesn’t become a “cloke of maliciousness” (1^st Peter 2:16); or as Paul said in Galatians 5:13, that we “use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh.” Yes, we are gloriously free in the Lord Jesus Christ, and yet, even in our “liberty” and “freedom”, we have still been commanded to “cleanse ourselves from ALL filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting HOLINESS in the fear of God.” (2^nd Corinthians 7:1) Obviously, then, there are still some things the Spirit of God fully identifies as “filthy” or “wicked” (Psalm 101:3), and from which He fully intends that we will willfully and aggressively separate ourselves!

Whereas verse 3 of Psalm 101 is a warning about HOW we spend our time, verse 4 warns us about with WHOM we spend it! We have been called to reach the lost, but we must recognize the reality of verses like 1^st Corinthians 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 the times in our lives when we find ourselves “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, this psalm points, once again, to the nation of Israel at the end of the Great Tribulation when the Lord Jesus Christ will “arise and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come!” (102:13) Note also, the definite Second Coming references in 102:16 and 102:21–22. But devotionally, allow this psalm to minister to you in your affliction today!

Considering the admonition in Psalm 103:1, I know I’ve sought to bless the holy name of the Lord from “my soul”; I’m just not certain I’ve ever actually done it with “all that is within me.” But, I’m absolutely certain that’s what the worship of heaven will be (Revelation 4), the difficulty is in bringing the worship of heaven to earth, and to our lives, now!

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” both from our “souls”, and “with all that is within in us”! (103:1)

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, highlights Israel’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; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:11)

• As the ONE WHO FORGIVES ALL OUR INIQUITIES — Psalm 103:3 (Matthew 9:6)

OVERVIEW:

God’s eternality and man’s transitoriness; the security of the one who trusts in the Lord; praise for God’s goodness; the majesty of the Lord; the vengeance of the Lord; a call to sing, worship, and praise the Lord; the Lord’s power and dominion; praise for the Lord’s righteousness; the exaltation of the Lord as our holy King.

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Psalm 90 is unique for several reasons: First, it’s unique because it was the first psalm ever written, obviously then, also making it the oldest psalm! Secondly, it’s unique because of its unsuspecting author: it was written by Moses! (Note that the very next psalm, Psalm 91, was also written by Moses.) Be sure to notice the prophetic application of Psalm 90:4: “For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.” In the Old Testament, there were three watches to a Jewish night. (Judges 7:19) In the New Testament, there are four watches of the night. (Mark 6:48) Note that Christ was born (i.e. His first coming) in the “first watch of the night,” and He will return (i.e. His second coming) in the “fourth watch of the night” (Matthew 14:25) which is the “morning watch” (Mark 13:35), and hence the title, “the Day of the Lord”, when the “SUN (!!!) of Righteousness will arise…” (Malachi 4:1–2)

Note also in Psalm 90:10 that the normal lifespan for a typical man until the Second Coming of Christ is 70 years (i.e. average age at death). The Lord will “take that up a few notches” for those born during the Millennium (Isaiah 65:20), as men will live to be several hundred years of age, just as they did in some Old Testament times. (Genesis 5)

In terms of “numbering our days” (90:12), the point is, “redeem the time” (Colossians 4:5; Ephesians 5:16), or make the absolute most of each day! Consider, if we were to take “numbering our days” literally:

• If you are age 20, you have 18,250 days to live.
• If you are age 25, you have 16,425 days to live.
• If you are age 30, you have 14,600 days to live.
• If you are age 35, you have 12,775 days to live.
• If you are age 40, you have 10,950 days to live.
• If you are age 45, you have 9,125 days to live.
• If you are age 50, you have 7,300 days to live.
• If you are age 55, you have 5,475 days to live.
• If you are age 60, you have 3,650 days to live.
• If you are age 65, you have 1,825 days to live.
• If you are age 70, you are now on “borrowed” time!

But also keep Proverbs 27:1 in mind! “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Remember, none of us are guaranteed 70 years, that’s just the average lifespan! We must approach each day as if it will be our very last. Remember, also, what time it is on God’s clock! We are the generation whose days will, no doubt, be shortened by the rapture, so once again, it just emphasizes the main point of Psalm 90:12: Live each day as if it were your last because it just might be!

Psalm 91 is another favorite however, without understanding the doctrinal/prophetic application of Scripture, you can get more than just a little messed up by claiming promises that are not intended for you, or promises that are not intended for you in THIS life. Though most Bible scholars are unable to identify the prophetic application of this Psalm as it applies to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself; Satan understood it very well! Satan makes this identification in Matthew 4:6 (91:12), and the Holy Spirit records it to reveal (1^st Corinthians 2:10, 13) the real meaning of Psalm 91. (Note also that there is a double prophetic application in Psalm 91 in that the verses also apply to the remnant of Jewish saints in the Great Tribulation. (91:3, 5-6, 10) Any way you slice it, God’s people in the Church Age are not promised protection from “the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.” (91:5–6) There are a minimum of 50 million people in the Church Age who sought with everything within them to “dwell in the secret place of the Most High,” who were shot through with arrows; sewn in the skins of animals and thrown to wild beasts; and placed on the rack to have every joint, every ligament, every tendon, and every muscle totally ripped to shreds! They were burned at the stake; crucified; boiled in oil; or had done to them anything and everything the devil could imagine and could prompt people to mete out on God’s precious saints. That’s not to mention a minimum of another 50 million saints who have been struck down in wars, or by some sickness or disease (pestilence). (91:5–6)

There is, however, an incredible devotional/inspirational application of this Psalm for those of us living in the Church Age:

1. There is a “secret place” (91:1) of intimacy with Christ that we can experience in our relationship with Him that others don’t experience. (Isaiah 57:15; 4:6; 32:2; Song of Solomon 2:3, 6)

• Our eyes will one day “behold and see the reward of the wicked” (91:8), as we (Church Age saints) will be the ones who make up the “armies” that follows the Lord out of heaven at His Second Coming when He returns to the earth to unleash His judgment. (Revelation 19:11–16; Isaiah 63:1–4)

• Once we have been raptured and have entered into our physical “secret place” (91:1; John 14:3), then “no evil shall ever befall [us]” (Psalm 91:10a), “neither shall any plague come nigh [our] dwelling.” (91:10b)

• We will be “delivered” at the rapture, at which time He will “set [us] on high.” (91:14)

• The Lord has not promised us, as Church Age saints, the ABSENCE of trouble in this life, but He has promised His PRESENCE “with us” through it! (91:15; Hebrews 13:5; 2^nd Corinthians 12:9)

• The Lord has and will, both “deliver” and “honor” us. (Psalm 91:15; John 5:44; 12:26)

• We will be “satisfied” with “long life” beyond our wildest dreams! Jesus called it “eternal life” and I think you’d agree, that’s a long, long time!

Many other incredible prophetic and devotional truths unfold in the remainder of the psalms in today’s reading (92– 99) that hopefully, you are now beginning to see how to identify and apply for yourself. Enjoy!

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

• As the GOD WHO COVERS WITH HIS FEATHERS — Psalm 91:4 (Matthew 23:37)

• As the ROCK OF OUR SALVATION – Psalm 95:1 (1^st Corinthians 10:4)

• As the LORD WHO JUDGES THE EARTH IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TRUTH — Psalm 96:13 (Revelation 16:5–7)

As the LORD WHO RETURNS IN FLAMING FIRE — Psalm 97:4 (2^nd Thessalonians 1:7–9)