Monthly Archives: December 2010

Reflections in Psalms – Day 40 – Compromise

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Psalm 106

1 Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 2 Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? who can shew forth all his praise? 3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times. 4 Remember me, O Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation; 5 That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance. 6 We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly. 7 Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea. 8 Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known. 9 He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness. 10 And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. 11 And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left. 12 Then believed they his words; they sang his praise. 13 They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: 14 But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. 15 And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul. 16 They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron the saint of the Lord. 17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram. 18 And a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the wicked. 19 They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image. 20 Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass. 21 They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt; 22 Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red sea. 23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them. 24 Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word: 25 But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord. 26 Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness: 27 To overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter them in the lands. 28 They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead. 29 Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them. 30 Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed. 31 And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore. 32 They angered him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes: 33 Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips. 34 They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the Lord commanded them: 35 But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works. 36 And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them. 37 Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils, 38 And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood. 39 Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions. 40 Therefore was the wrath of the Lord kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance. 41 And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them. 42 Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand. 43 Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. 44 Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry: 45 And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies. 46 He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives. 47 Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise. 48 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the Lord.

Today’s Psalm hit me in such a way, I was grieved! :-( Why? Because Israel’s actions and sins against God are exactly what our beloved Country is experiencing!  Let’s take a look and compare:

  • Psalm 106:34 – God wanted His people to destroy the nations they conquered so they would not be contaminated by their idols and sins.  The United States is a haven for every known religion of the world. That’s a wonderful thing for those seeking asylum from religious persecution. However, our Country’s believers allowed the heathen’s doctrines into their lives.
  • Psalm 106:35 – They did not follow this and each time they disobeyed, they did exactly that – they adopted that nation’s sins and backslid. The usage of the word “mingled” is very poignant. They “learned” the heathen’s works. That doesn’t happen over night – it takes daily “mingling.” The U.S. believers mingled and learned the works of those other religions and adopted these works to their own.
  • Psalm 106:36 – After they mingled and learned the ways of the heathen, they served the heathen’s idols. It is especially obvious that the U.S. believers did this as we look upon our religious holy days. Easter has turned the Saviour into a bunny and Christmas has turned His birth into Santa Claus and presents. These are merely two examples but I think you know where I am going with this.
  • Psalm 106:37 – We have sacrificed our very children to the doctrines of the heathen (of demons) by allowing compromise into our home. What use to be sin with our forefathers is considered “passé”, old fashioned or no longer applicable to today’s society. Our children have now learned a watered down Gospel and are lucky to know the very foundations of truth from the Word of God.
  • Psalm 106:38 – We have shed the blood of our own children for the sake of convenience and money. Abortion should not even be considered in a Christian’s life. However, you would be surprised at the number of supposedly Christian women who have had abortions. Abortion is sin. Abortion is murder – plain and simple. Sacrificing our children because having a baby is not convenient or finances don’t permit is an act of pure selfishness. America will be judged for this sin!
  • Psalm 106:39 – What was considered sin a generation ago (according to the Scriptures) is no longer considered sin but a lifestyle. What people were put to death for or jailed are no longer judged – in fact, their sin is disregarded altogether. A good example of this is the sin of sodomy. What God had created as pure and holy between a married man and woman has not been defiled. America lingered long around this sin and it is now to the point where it is on the verge of collapse because of it.

I praise the Lord that I have read the Book and I know how this is all going to end (Revelation 1:3). And, it WILL end with judgment upon our Country for mingling and lingering around the sins that we have allowed into our Country. Christ WILL come again and will judge the nations for their sins. Christians need to get back to following God’s Word and not that of man. Repentance and separation from sin is our only hope.

We must learn from 2 Chronicles 7:14!

Reflections in Psalms – Day 39 – Provision

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Psalm 105

1 O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. 2 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. 3 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. 4 Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore. 5 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; 6 O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen. 7 He is the Lord our God: his judgments are in all the earth. 8 He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations. 9 Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac; 10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant: 11 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance: 12 When they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it. 13 When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people; 14 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes; 15 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. 16 Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread. 17 He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: 18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: 19 Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him. 20 The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. 21 He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance: 22 To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom. 23 Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham. 24 And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies. 25 He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants. 26 He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen. 27 They shewed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham. 28 He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word. 29 He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish. 30 Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings. 31 He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts. 32 He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land. 33 He smote their vines also and their fig trees; and brake the trees of their coasts. 34 He spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without number, 35 And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground. 36 He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength. 37 He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes. 38 Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them. 39 He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night. 40 The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven. 41 He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river. 42 For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant. 43 And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness: 44 And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people; 45 That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the Lord.

Today’s text is a beautiful extension of the last devotional, isn’t it? Psalm 104 was filled with praises of God’s beautiful creation. Today, the Psalmist encourages us to praise the Lord for all that He has done for us and for all His children!  The byproduct of this is glorying in His Holy Name!

You may feel as though the Lord has not done anything for you but this Psalm gives us an example of how to mend this bitterness of heart! There’s always something that God has done for us – there’s always something that we can focus on. The Psalmist did. How?

As you read through this Psalm, make a note of each event for which the writer is praising God. We can see that he knew the Scriptures. He speaks of the everlasting covenant God made with Israel – the plagues – God’s provision of manna – the water gushing out of the rock in a place where there was no water – God’s presence throughout the long journey. God presented them with a seemingly impossible task. But notice that God was present day and night (by cloud or fire) throughout their ordeal.

Now meditate on this a bit.  The first thing that came to my mind was God’s faithfulness. I liken the water from the rock as God’s Word.

~John 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

~John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

Christian, you and I have the living water of life through God’s Holy Word! Christ did not leave us to ourselves. Just as God was with His people in the desert by cloud or fire, He is with us. His Holy Spirit wrote the Scriptures so we can turn to its blessed pages and be encouraged. His Holy Spirit resides within us and we are never alone! God’s provision, once again!  God regards His Word above His own name!

~Psalms 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

We are not any different to God than Israel. He is with us while we go through life’s trials. Ole slew foot can throw us a curve ball but God is there to help us “catch” it! When we feel as though He isn’t “there,” start acknowledging His deeds – both in Scriptures and in your own life! First off, He sent His Son to take your penalty for sin! That alone should lift one’s spirit! However, if you need more, keep going. Acknowledge and praise Him for what all He did throughout history to help His people! Noah and his family were spared destruction and kept safe through the flood! Job was blessed beyond belief for his faithfulness. Just read about those in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews and rejoice!

Now look in your own life and recall each event where God has been there for you – where He has worked out a seemingly impossible situation. Now may be the time to start that journal if you don’t already have one. Going back to review will provide you with countless deeds in which God has blessed.

Now, tell others as verse 1 encourages us to do. Share these with a new believer. That young Christian needs to see God in action in His children! This encourages them to continue on! Especially now that we are in the end times and the heart of man is so perfectly wicked. We need to hear each other’s praises and blessings so we can rejoice! Just as we are exhorted to bear each other’s burdens, all the more we should share in the blessings so we can be uplifted!  Glory in His Holy Name!!

~Proverbs 12:25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

~Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Who can I encourage, Lord? Who needs a kindness done?
Show me today a soul to love so I may help someone.

Celebrate the Messiah’s Birth!

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Nativity Scene Pictures, Images and Photos

Since this is the day set aside to honor the birth of the Saviour, I believe It is fitting, to read about the prophecies regarding Jesus Christ, the Messiah:
Born in Bethlehem - Micah 5:2
National Identity & Authority will not end until the Messiah comes – Genesis 49:10
Messiah will have a ministry in Galilee – Isaiah 9:1,2
Messiah will have a ministry of miracles  - Isaiah 35:5, 6; 42:7; and Isaiah 53:4
Messiah will preach good news to poor, encourage the brokenhearted – Isaiah 61:1
Rejection by Jews & Gentiles – Psalms 2:1-2; Psalms 118:22-23
Messiah would be persecuted – Isaiah 49:7; Isaiah 53:3
Triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey – Zechariah 9:9
Zeal for God’s house would consume Him – Psalms 69:9
Betrayal by close friend – Psalms 41:9; Psalms 55:12-13
Betrayal for 30 pieces of Silver – Zechariah 11:12
Purchase of the Potter’s Field with 30 pieces of Silver – Zechariah 11:13
Desertion of the disciples – Zechariah 13:7
Silent under accusation – Isaiah 53:7
Mocking – Psalms 22:7-8
Hands and Feet Pierced – Psalms 22:16
Patience under suffering – Isaiah 53:7
Crucified – Psalms 22:14
Offer of gall and vinegar – Psalms 69:21
Cries upon the Cross – Psalms 22:1
Death with the wicked and transgressors – Isaiah 53:9, Isaiah 53:12
Casting of lots for His garments – Psalms 22:18
Bones not broken – Psalms 34:20
Pierced – Psalms 22:16, Zechariah 12:10
Suffered for us, suffered in our place – Isaiah 53:4-6
Born of a virgin – Isaiah 7:14
Messiah will have a forerunner – Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1; Malachi 4:5
Buried with Rich – Isaiah 53:9
Specific time of arrival – Daniel 9:24

Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 outline in more detail about the Saviour:

~Isaiah 53

1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. 9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

~Psalm 22

To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David.
1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? 2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. 3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. 4 Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. 5 They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded. 6 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. 7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8 He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. 9 But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother’s breasts. 10 I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly. 11 Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help. 12 Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. 13 They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. 14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. 16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. 18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. 19 But be not thou far from me, O Lord: O my strength, haste thee to help me. 20 Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog. 21 Save me from the lion’s mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns. 22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee. 23 Ye that fear the Lord, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel. 24 For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard. 25 My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him. 26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live for ever. 27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. 28 For the kingdom is the Lord’S: and he is the governor among the nations. 29 All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul. 30 A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. 31 They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.

Reflections in Psalms – Day 38 – Wonders

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Psalm 104:1-30

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. 2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: 3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind: 4 Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: 5 Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever. 6 Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains. 7 At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away. 8 They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them. 9 Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth. 10 He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills. 11 They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst. 12 By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches. 13 He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works. 14 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; 15 And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart. 16 The trees of the Lord are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted; 17 Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. 18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies. 19 He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down. 20 Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. 21 The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. 22 The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens. 23 Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening. 24 O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. 25 So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. 26 There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein. 27 These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season. 28 That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good. 29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. 30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.

Our God is amazing! Not only did He create the universe in six days, He created all of it to bless us! Is it any wonder that the Psalmist opens this song, once again, with Bless the Lord? David’s praises are not simply generalities but he specifically praises God for each wonder that he beholds! God doesn’t need our praise because everything belongs to Him.

~Psalms 50:10 For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.

However, praising the Lord is for our benefit, don’t you understand?  We need to praise Him because in praise comes healing.  Are you down today? The Christmas season is suppose to be a joyous one – however, it has the highest suicide rates! Why? The same God who is praised for countless blessings came to earth to take on flesh so He could die for our sins! This same God arose from the dead and is in Heaven awaiting to take us to Him! Without His birth, but more importantly without His resurrection, we cannot claim the gift of salvation!  If you have His Spirit living within you, you have absolutely no reason for being discouraged or depressed.

Some people are more apt to see life through “negative” glasses.  Others have a positive attitude and nothing gets them down.  The pessimistic believer has to work harder at encouraging his spirit.  We are quick to take medicine for whatever ails us. Why are we not so quick to go to God’s Word when the Great Physician can heal our broken spirit? It’s sheer laziness, both of body and of mind, when we neglect so great a remedy!

~2 Corinthians 1:3-6 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

Haven’t you had a friend who knew exactly what to say at just the right time in your life? The words spoken were as though they were sent directly from God!  That friend knew what to say because that friend had been through a similar trial and shared what God had done!  In the blessed pages of our Bible, the Holy Spirit awaits to comfort us and heal us. Our problems may not go away but our heart is made right and encouraged!

David teaches us to speak back to God all the things we wish to glorify Him! Look around you, Christian! The smell of the crisp clean air ~ the warmth of the sun on your face despite the bitter cold temperatures ~ the coo of a precious baby ~ the beautiful night skies; there are so many things for which we can praise God! It is a self-centered heart that cannot find something to praise Him for.

Look to Jesus and rejoice for all He’s done for you.
Speak of His countless blessings and let joy come shining through!

Do you need help to get started? Take a walk through the woods, or on the beach, and experience nature. It won’t be long before the smell of pine trees or ocean, a glimpse of the sun’s rays through the trees, or the distant sound of a woodpecker, take over your senses and you begin to realize that the Creator did all this for us! Now you can join David and rejoice for each blessing the Lord has bestowed upon us!

Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me bless His Holy Name!

Reflections in Psalms – Day 37 – Bless the Lord

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Psalm 103

A Psalm of David. 1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 6 The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. 7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. 8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. 10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. 16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. 17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children; 18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. 19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. 20 Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. 21 Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. 22 Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.

Before I get into today’s Psalm, I wanted to share a verse with you. This verse applies only to born-again believers.

~1 Peter 1:4-5 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

I’m so thankful that my eternal salvation is not dependent on anything that I do or don’t do. My inheritance is secure because God’s power keeps it secure. My salvation is incorruptible – it is undefiled! There is nothing good in me except for what Christ has done for me. My righteousness is disgusting in God’s eyes.

~Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Even on my best day, I am compared to filthy rags. These rags were those left on a post outside a city which lepers would use to wipe the ooze from their leprous skin! That’s pretty disgusting, isn’t it? That’s how God views our putrid sin! When a Christian gets a hold of this concept, he realizes all the more how precious his salvation is! Thank You, Lord Jesus, for taking my place on the cross as I certainly deserve it! Thank You, Lord Jesus, for paying the price for my putrid sin so I can have salvation, an inheritance which is incorruptible and undefiled! I’m so grateful! The more I understand how our Father views sin, the more grateful I become.

Is it any wonder that the Psalmist opened today’s Psalm blessing the Lord? We need to the bless the Lord with every breath – with every action. As forgiven children of the King, we need to show Him how grateful we are by representing Him and honoring Him! Verse 2 encourages us to remember His benefits! No matter how hard times get, we should look at our blessings and encourage ourselves in Him! He has not left us destitute! He pities us (verse 13) as an earthly father pities his child. He knows our frame and remembers we are but dust! He will never give us more than we can handle! How encouraging is that?

So sing with me, “Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me bless His Holy Name!!” Think on the benefits He has provided for you today! The trials of the day will take a back burner and won’t seem so overwhelming! What a blessed cure for discouragement!

Reflections in Psalms – Day 36 – The Sparrow

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Psalm 102

1 Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come unto thee. 2 Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily. 3 For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth. 4 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread. 5 By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin. 6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. 7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top. 8 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me. 9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping, 10 Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down. 11 My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass. 12 But thou, O Lord, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations. 13 Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come. 14 For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof. 15 So the heathen shall fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth thy glory. 16 When the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory. 17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer. 18 This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord. 19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord behold the earth; 20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; 21 To declare the name of the Lord in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem; 22 When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord. 23 He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days. 24 I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. 25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. 26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: 27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. 28 The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.

Although verses 13 through 28 refer to Zion’s captivity, the first 12 verses spoke to my heart this morning. As you go through a major trial, do you not find yourself praying similar words to God? I know I have! I was especially moved by verse 7.

7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.

I was reminded of Christ’s words in Luke:

~Luke 12:6-7 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Despite the Psalmist’s feelings of desperation, he knew that God would hear him. Christians today are so blessed because we can turn to God’s Word and our spirits are encouraged. The Psalmist felt all alone, like a sole sparrow sitting on top of a house. Birds normally flock together but this sparrow was all alone. No protection – no companionship – no support. But Christ took time to record in His Word how much our Heavenly Father cares for even the sparrow!

If the Father values the sparrow and provides for its every need, how much more does He care for His children? Can the Creator of the universe provide a job? Can the Great Physician heal your broken body? Can the One who suffered on the cross comfort you during your trial? Of course He can! And He will! We do not have just “a god” in heaven, dear Christian. We have a Father in Heaven who created us and, therefore, knows everything about us! He knows every part of us.  Who better can we turn to? After all, Luke tells us that our Father has the very hairs on our head numbered! Not just a few but all of our hairs! Do you realize how intimate that is? If you are a parent, you can relate to this! Do you have the hairs on your child’s head numbered? Wow!

So when you cry out: “Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come unto thee. Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.” you can be certain that your Heavenly Father loves you more than the sparrows and He cares for each detail in your life!

Praise the Lord! We are not left destitute – we are not abandoned. Our Father loves us and hears our every word!

Reflections in Psalms – Day 35 – Endings

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Psalm 101

A Psalm of David.
1 I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O Lord, will I sing. 2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. 3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. 4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person. 5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. 6 Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. 7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. 8 I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the Lord.

History says that this Psalm may have been written by David after he was appointed King. He starts his song by acknowledging two characteristics of God: His mercy and His judgment. David knows that God is merciful but He is also the judge! David commits his reign to the Lord and to be a separated King. We all know that during David’s reign, he was not always separated unto the Lord but yet he still accomplish great things for the Lord!

What I gleaned from today’s Psalm was that David started his position with the best of intentions. He committed his way to the Lord and outlined his plan to God. So where did David go wrong? He allowed the world into his life along the way. David ran well but once the world entered in, trouble followed.

~Galatians 5:7-10 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

Many believers start out well but do not end well.  They have good intentions.  Paul had the same problem with the Galatians.  It’s not a new problem at all!  They started their walk enthusiastically but the cares of this world set in, the lust of the eyes leads them down the wrong path and they become consumed with sin. The minute we take our eyes of the Lord and His will for us, our eyes rest on distractions and temptations.  This was not God’s intention at all and it still isn’t.  He wishes for us to be obey the truth – His Word.

Do you find yourself in this situation? It’s not too late to go back to “Start” and begin afresh. Remember, David’s opening verse! I will sing of mercy and judgment! God may have chastised you for your sin, but He is merciful and is ready to help you pick up the pieces and start new! Take that first step and remove the leaven from your life. Dig into the Word – dig your feet into its soil – and let the Word dwell richly in your heart!

Reflections in Psalms – Day 34 – Entering His Courts

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Psalm 100

A Psalm of praise.
1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. 2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Although I have heard this Psalm used mostly for encouraging the believer to go to church, I was impressed this morning with the Psalm having “more to it.” Yes, we need to be in church, there is no questioning that. Church is where we are given meat from the Word of God by God’s man! Church is where we worship together as a family. Church is where we can praise the Lord collectively! However, as we read God’s Word, we see repeated situations where these gatherings were done to open up God’s Word to learn. Yes, we should be digging into our own Bibles at home and getting our meat from the Word but not every believer is studious. Sometimes a Christian’s only “meat time” is at church. This isn’t anything new as it was going on in the early church as well.

~Hebrews 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

As well, when you get right down to it, we should be conducting “church” in our personal lives all the time. After all, now that we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, we are God’s walking-breathing-in the flesh tabernacle. Just as God resided in the tabernacle in the Old Testament, He resides within us, an earthly tabernacle. We have the awesome privilege of meeting with Him at any given time! We have the wondrous blessing of communing with Him any time we want! How wonderful is that?

~2 Peter 1:14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.

Daily we should be sing Psalm 100 aloud!!! Daily we should be making a joyful noise unto our Lord and King! Our time with Him should be a mini church service. Singing Psalms – glorifying His name – worshipping Him – digging into His Word and receiving meat for our spirit!!! Each morning, we can enter into His gates with thanksgiving! We should be thankful that we do not have to travel to His courts but can enter His courts at any given time! Oh praise His Holy Name!!! Yes! The Lord IS good and His mercy IS everlasting and His truth DOES endure!

Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me bless His Holy Name!!!

Reflections in Psalms – Day 33 – Affliction

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Psalm 94

1 O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself. 2 Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud. 3 Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? 4 How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves? 5 They break in pieces thy people, O Lord, and afflict thine heritage. 6 They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless. 7 Yet they say, The Lord shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it. 8 Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise? 9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see? 10 He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know? 11 The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. 12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, and teachest him out of thy law; 13 That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked. 14 For the Lord will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance. 15 But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it. 16 Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity? 17 Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence. 18 When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O Lord, held me up. 19 In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul. 20 Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law? 21 They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood. 22 But the Lord is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge. 23 And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the Lord our God shall cut them off.

Are you suffering affliction today? Are you overwhelmed? As there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9), you are not alone! The Psalmist’s words indicate that he was experiencing those same feelings! He was surrounded by conflict and searched desperately to know why. I see a progression in the his writing, don’t you? He complains of his lot (verses 1-8), he finds God because of this affliction (verses 9-23), and then David has an epiphany (verse 12).

As David complains to God and searches for answers, he realizes that his God knows him better than anyone. This same God is his Creator and knows all about him – every detail – every thought. David comes to a realization in verse 12 that his sin has resulted in chastening from God and, therefore, he is experiencing hard times. But in my opinion, David’s epiphany is not so much that he is suffering because of his sin but that the Lord loves him – He is teaching David how to deal with this circumstances through the Word – and God will give him rest through this affliction.

Not all hard times and trials in our lives are a direct result of a chastening from God. Once you’ve discovered whether or not your affliction is chastisement from God, take action and move forward. How do you know? If you have sinned, confess your sin before God and forsake it. If you have not sin, then move forward. Allow the Lord to guide you, encourage you, and teach you through His Word! Healing and encouragement come within the pages of the Word of God. One cannot wallow in self pity when he is being fed by the Creator through the Word. A “self-consumed” person won’t glean from the Word. A self-consumed person won’t be able to hear the Holy Spirit as He tries to encourage and uplift you. The thought of the day for the self consumed is “Woe is me! Why does everything have to happen to me!” When we make our hearts and minds still – when we make our hearts and minds open – we are able to hear and be comforted by the Master Comforter!

As we are fed by the Word of God, the hope that may have been lost prior to our trial begins to gain strength. I liken it to lighting a candle. At first, the flame is tiny as it settles into the wick. As the wick becomes consumed by the fire and becomes a full flame, it flickers and moves with each draft that comes it way. The flame doesn’t move when everything is still, only when it is fanned by something in its environment. But notice what happens when a breeze comes along. The flame shines brighter – the flame grows a bit bigger! The bigger the “wind,” the bigger the flame. Our faith is similar to this candle. Our faith (the flame) grows when the winds of adversity blow into our lives. The Light of the World, Jesus Christ, grows and grows in our lives as we drown our sorrows and griefs in His Word. Our faith grows and shines brighter for all the world to see. As our faith grows, our hope and strength in the Lord also grows.

Christian, take your trial and use it for the glory of God! God will bless you with peace and strength! Then your flame will burn bright for the Lord as you go through your trial! You will be able to be a testimony, a witness and an encouragement to someone else who is going through the same thing!

~Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.