Sunday, January 30, 2011
His Mighty Words and Deeds
God sets the example for David. David expresses what God is doing in his life. Most of the time we are not able to follow the example set by God Himself, but He shows us the way in which to live a God-honoring life. My God is able to do anything. We will be taking a look at Psalms 19.
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handywork."(1) There is beauty during the day and the night, and that is not even the half of His handywork. I am amazed everyday that I wake up of the beautiful sunrise that God paints across the morning sky.
"Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge."(2) We communicate with others on a daily basis, and we should do the same by praying everyday. The night time has been the most common time that people tend to do their studying. They are seeking to gain knowledge in whatever they are studying.
"There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard."(3) Once God has come to a place; He makes Himself known.
"Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,"(4) God has used His people to reach the uttermost parts of the world. There are still people out there that have never heard of Him, so let them know that He cares.
"Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race."(5) The bridegroom is looking forward to being joined to his wife, and he has prepared for that day as he would prepare for a race.
"His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof."(6) The sun falls upon everyone, and just like the sun, God is everywhere at all times. That is mind-boggling, the power that He has.
"The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple."(7) All things pertaining to God are perfect, and His testimony is made known among the people. True wisdom is found in God, not in any books that the earth's libraries can contain.
"The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes."(8) God has opened our eyes to the way that we ought to live.
"The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."(9) This fear is a fear of reverence, and the judgments that He makes are just.
"More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb."(10) We have all desired temporal treasures at one time, but when we accepted Christ our perspective was changed. We have come to desire the things God, and not those things that would leave us empty and give only temporary satisfaction.
"Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward."(11) David speaks of the rewards that comes to those that keep God's Law.
"Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults."(12) God is infallible, and He through Christ can cleanse us from our unrighteousness.
"Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression."(13) David prays that God would keep from sin.
"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer." (14) David wants to please God in his words and meditations.
Lord, Thank You for caring about the very small details of my life. Thank you also for how You work in the lives of others. Thank you for the bountiful blessings that You have bestowed upon me and my family.
Friday, January 28, 2011
The Continued Deliverance of God
We have been blessed as God's children to have His deliverance from our enemies. David experienced that throughout his life. Even after all that he had done in his life both bad and good; the Lord delivered him out of the hands of his enemies. We need to leave the vengeance to the Lord, because if we take it into our own hands we dishonor God. We are looking at the final part of chapter 18 of Psalms.
"They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the Lord, but He answered them not."(41) Our enemies seek salvation, but not in the way that we do. If they truly want salvation; then the Lord will hear them.
"Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets."(42) Later in the Old Testament, in Zechariah it says, "And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in battle: and they shall fight, because the Lord is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded."(10:5) The victory is not accomplished by man's strength, but through the Lord's almighty power.
"Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me."(43) In Isaiah, it talks of the Lord's deliverance, "Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee."(Is. 55:5) Later in Psalms, it says, "Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee."(Ps. 66:3) That verse is giving praise to God for His deliverance.
"As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me."(44) It is because of God that submission under the rule of David is possible over these strangers.
"The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places."(45) David says the same thing earlier in 2 Samuel 22:46. The enemies of the Lord have this to look forward to according to Micah the prophet, "They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the Lord our God, and shall fear because of Thee.(Micah 7:17)
"The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted."(46) We are saved by an everlasting God. We are not saved by some dead prophet or hidden holy man, but by a living God. With penitent heart, David speaks these words to Nathan, "Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness."(Ps. 51:14) Even after all that he did, he was called a man after God's own heart. David knew when he had done something wrong, and sometimes the Lord had to get his attention.
"It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me."(47) The Lord God reigns, and no one will overtake Him.
"He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: Thou hast delivered me from the violent man."(48) Even when the battle is raging; the Lord delivers us.
"Therefore will I give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto Thy name."(49) The small bit of gratitude that we have within us cannot begin to speak of the almighty power of God.
"Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore."(50) There is so much more to the attributes of God that we cannot begin to describe.
Lord, Thank You for your continued deliverance.
"They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the Lord, but He answered them not."(41) Our enemies seek salvation, but not in the way that we do. If they truly want salvation; then the Lord will hear them.
"Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets."(42) Later in the Old Testament, in Zechariah it says, "And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in battle: and they shall fight, because the Lord is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded."(10:5) The victory is not accomplished by man's strength, but through the Lord's almighty power.
"Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me."(43) In Isaiah, it talks of the Lord's deliverance, "Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee."(Is. 55:5) Later in Psalms, it says, "Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee."(Ps. 66:3) That verse is giving praise to God for His deliverance.
"As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me."(44) It is because of God that submission under the rule of David is possible over these strangers.
"The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places."(45) David says the same thing earlier in 2 Samuel 22:46. The enemies of the Lord have this to look forward to according to Micah the prophet, "They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the Lord our God, and shall fear because of Thee.(Micah 7:17)
"The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted."(46) We are saved by an everlasting God. We are not saved by some dead prophet or hidden holy man, but by a living God. With penitent heart, David speaks these words to Nathan, "Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness."(Ps. 51:14) Even after all that he did, he was called a man after God's own heart. David knew when he had done something wrong, and sometimes the Lord had to get his attention.
"It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me."(47) The Lord God reigns, and no one will overtake Him.
"He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: Thou hast delivered me from the violent man."(48) Even when the battle is raging; the Lord delivers us.
"Therefore will I give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto Thy name."(49) The small bit of gratitude that we have within us cannot begin to speak of the almighty power of God.
"Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore."(50) There is so much more to the attributes of God that we cannot begin to describe.
Lord, Thank You for your continued deliverance.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Praise the Lord For What He Does
I am continuing the study of Psalms 18. We need to make preparations on a daily basis for the battles that we face. If we go into situations that we are unprepared for; we will come away from them with loss. We have a God that is concerned about every part of our lives. There is nothing that He is not capable of doing.
"For who is God save the Lord? or who is a rock save God?"(31) God is the only One. He is our firm foundation.
"It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect."(32) God gives us strength, and the path that He has put us on is perfect.
"He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places."(33) He helps us to reach the high places. Our lives are not always dwelling in the high places, but when we are there it is beautiful.
"He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms."(34) Our lives are a battle on a daily basis, and if we are not prepared we will only hurt ourselves. He makes us strong so that when the enemy attacks we are ready for the battle.
"Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great."(35) The Lord equips us for the battle, and He has given the wisdom to fight the battle.
"Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip."(36) Sometimes our steps are unsure, but the Lord makes the path clear.
"I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed."(37) We are to press forward and fight the good fight. There are battles that leave an impression upon us, and those are the ones that help us to fight the future battles.
"I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet."(38) It is through the strength of our God that we are able to fight against our enemies, because without God's power, our victories are few.
"For Thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me."(39) Through the preparation of the Word we are able to gain strength for the battle.
"Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me."(40) It is the Lord that can destroy our enemies. When interpreting this verse; we should not take it out of context. If we destroy our enemies; we are only destroying ourselves. It is in the prayers of a righteous man that he prevails.
"For who is God save the Lord? or who is a rock save God?"(31) God is the only One. He is our firm foundation.
"It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect."(32) God gives us strength, and the path that He has put us on is perfect.
"He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places."(33) He helps us to reach the high places. Our lives are not always dwelling in the high places, but when we are there it is beautiful.
"He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms."(34) Our lives are a battle on a daily basis, and if we are not prepared we will only hurt ourselves. He makes us strong so that when the enemy attacks we are ready for the battle.
"Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great."(35) The Lord equips us for the battle, and He has given the wisdom to fight the battle.
"Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip."(36) Sometimes our steps are unsure, but the Lord makes the path clear.
"I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed."(37) We are to press forward and fight the good fight. There are battles that leave an impression upon us, and those are the ones that help us to fight the future battles.
"I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet."(38) It is through the strength of our God that we are able to fight against our enemies, because without God's power, our victories are few.
"For Thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me."(39) Through the preparation of the Word we are able to gain strength for the battle.
"Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me."(40) It is the Lord that can destroy our enemies. When interpreting this verse; we should not take it out of context. If we destroy our enemies; we are only destroying ourselves. It is in the prayers of a righteous man that he prevails.
Friday, January 7, 2011
All of Creation Rejoice
If God's people do not rejoice about what He has done for them; then it says in God's Word that creation will rejoice about what He has done. How can we let the rejoicing be left to the rocks? We have so much to be thankful for because of what Christ has saved us from.
Separated until the veil was torn
The moment that hope was born
And guilt was pardoned once and for all
Captivated but no longer bound by chains
Left at an empty grave
The sinner and the sacred resolved
And all of creation sing with me now
Lift up your voice and lay your burden down
And all of creation sing with me now
Fill up the heavens let His glory resound
Time has faded and we see Him face to face
Every doubt erased forever we will worship the king
The reason we breathe is to sing of His glory
And for all he has done praise the Father praise the Son and the Spirit in one
And every knee will bow oh and every tongue praise the Father praise the Son and the Spirit in one
(All of Creation-Mercy Me)
Rejoice for the Lord, He is our God.
Separated until the veil was torn
The moment that hope was born
And guilt was pardoned once and for all
Captivated but no longer bound by chains
Left at an empty grave
The sinner and the sacred resolved
And all of creation sing with me now
Lift up your voice and lay your burden down
And all of creation sing with me now
Fill up the heavens let His glory resound
Time has faded and we see Him face to face
Every doubt erased forever we will worship the king
The reason we breathe is to sing of His glory
And for all he has done praise the Father praise the Son and the Spirit in one
And every knee will bow oh and every tongue praise the Father praise the Son and the Spirit in one
(All of Creation-Mercy Me)
Rejoice for the Lord, He is our God.
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