Bible Study

The Incense of Prayer

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“LORD, I cry unto Thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto Thee. Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” Psalm 141:1-2 (KJV)

Within the tabernacle in the wilderness, and the temple of Solomon just outside the veil of the temple which separated the table of shewbread, the menorah, from the ark of the covenant there also stood the altar of incense; made of gold.  It offers us a picture of prayer and approaching the GOD of glory, coming into His presence.

I will let Matthew Henry comment on these verses today, and pray they are a blessing to you.

David loved prayer, and he begs of God that his prayers might be heard and answered, Psa_141:1, Psa_141:2. David cried unto God. His crying denotes fervency in prayer; he prayed as one in earnest. His crying to God denotes faith and fixedness in prayer. And what did he desire as the success of his prayer? 1. That God would take cognizance of it: “Give ear to my voice; let me have a gracious audience.” Those that cry in prayer may hope to be heard in prayer, not for their loudness, but their liveliness. 2. That he would visit him upon it: Make haste unto me. Those that know how to value God’s gracious presence will be importunate for it and humbly impatient of delays. He that believes does not make haste, but he that prays may be earnest with God to make haste. 3. That he would be well pleased with him in it, well pleased with his praying and the lifting up of his hands in prayer, which denotes both the elevation and enlargement of his desire and the out-goings of his hope and expectation, the lifting up of the hand signifying the lifting up of the heart, and being used instead of lifting up the sacrifices which were heaved and waved before the Lord. Prayer is a spiritual sacrifice; it is the offering up of the soul, and its best affections, to God. Now he prays that this may be set forth and directed before God as the incense which was daily burnt upon the golden altar, and as the evening sacrifice, which he mentions rather than the morning sacrifice, perhaps because this was an evening prayer, or with an eye to Christ, who, in the evening of the world and in the evening of the day, was to offer up himself a sacrifice of atonement, and establish the spiritual sacrifices of acknowledgement, having abolished all the carnal ordinances of the law. Those that pray in faith may expect it will please God better than an ox or bullock. David was now banished from God’s court, and could not attend the sacrifice and incense, and therefore begs that his prayer might be instead of them. Note, Prayer is of a sweet-smelling savour to God, as incense, which yet has no savour without fire; nor has prayer without the fire of holy love and fervour.

from Matthew Henry Commentary e-Sword edition

Now the veil has been taken away by the cross, burial and resurrection of Jesus.  You have access to the very throne of God through Christ Jesus.  Our prayers are still as sweet incense unto the Father in heaven (Revelation 8:4).

Deliver Us From Evil

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“Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man; which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war.” Psalm 140:1-2 (KJV)

There is evil all around us. It would not at all be difficult to name evil.  I think I have defined “evil” before here, and I will do it again.  Evil is what God says is evil; not what man calls evil.  Men and women today call evil what God says is good; and call good what God says is evil (Isaiah 5:20).

Deliver us from evil is what Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6:13.  There are evil people  who seek to destroy all that is good, godly, righteous, and holy.  They seek to destroy you and me who follow the Lord Jesus Christ.

There are many who care nothing for the life of another.  Whether it is the unborn in the womb of the mother; or the elderly individual in a nursing home; their lives, to the unloving, the uncaring, the hateful, evil men and women are worthless, and of no further benefit to society.

As Christians we can confront the evil by doing right, doing good anyway. “Overcome evil with good”, said the apostle Paul (Romans 12:21).

The greatest deliverance from evil was the day Jesus became my sins and yours.  He bore our sins, died for us on the cross, was buried, and bodily arose from that grave.  Victory over sin, death, and evil.  It is ours through faith in Him.

Whom We Praise

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“I will praise Thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto Thee.” Psalm 138:1 (KJV)

The Psalmist, David, does not even mention His name.  He feels no need to; anymore than a child standing before their father feels a need to call the man they adore by name.  “Thee”, or “You” is all that he needs to say.

Jehovah is the One of whom he speaks, because David addressed no other.  The nations around worshipped many gods; but David only one.  Many gods were put to shame by Jehovah as He delivered Israel from Egypt (Exodus 12:12).  All the Egyptian gods were shown to be powerless; because idols require the strength of their makers.

It is with stretched out hands and arms, and with music David praised the LORD.  There is no other worthy of praise.  Let us with heart, hands, tongue, mind, voice and music always praise the LORD.

Let that praise begin through believing in the Lord Jesus Christ.  The only place it can truly begin.

Weeping in Babylon

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“By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.” Psalm 137:1 (KJV)

A Psalm of Israel’s captivity.  This Psalm could have been penned down by the prophet Daniel as he sat on the banks of Babylon’s rivers.

Everyone reading this has been homesick at one time or another.  Home is where you want to return.  Especially when you are forcibly taken away.

Taken to Babylon due to the evil that had invaded Israel and Judah; all the people were paying the price of the sins of the nation.  Thus it is, and thus it will be.

For the Jew Zion is home.  For the Christian “Zion” is the place where Christ dwells.  He dwells within us.  He lives.  He reigns.  He ultimately lives seated at the Father’s right hand; and we long for that day when we can see Him face to face.

Do we weep for that day as we remember the joys that await us?  Are we longing for that day when will be in His bodily presence; worshipping, bowing before Him, adoring Him?  There is a crown awaiting all who love His appearing (2 Timothy 4:8).

I do not know about you but I am homesick.

A Place for the LORD

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“LORD, remember David, and all his afflictions: How he sware unto the LORD, and vowed unto the Mighty God of Jacob; Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed; I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the Mighty God of Jacob. Psalm 132:1-5 (KJV)

David’s heart; even when he was facing affliction, and peril from the hands of king Saul; was to have a place for the LORD  to dwell.  A place in which to place the ark of the covenant which represented the presence of GOD.

The term “Mighty One of Jacob” is last used in Genesis 49:24, and is used twice in these verses.

A lessen of encouragement here: May we as Christians endeavor that the place of God’s abiding be within our hearts.  The Ark of God is no longer the ark of the covenant, but the person of the Christ, the Messiah of Israel; and Saviour of the world.

He has always desired to dwell in the  hearts of His people.  Your heart, my heart; our lives are the place He longs to dwell.

We make His presence, His power, and His glory known by letting Him shine forth from our lives as we go about living in this dark, desperate, dying, world; where its only light is the glory of Jesus Christ.

In the Depths

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“Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O LORD.” Psalm 130:1 (KJV)

The Psalmist is making it clean in whom he places his trust; and it is in the LORD [Jehovah; YHWH].

It is when we are in the dark despair of the dungeon that our faith shines.  “Out of the depths” he cried unto the LORD.  In our dark depths we cry unto Him, because He is always where we have turned before.

The apostle Paul taught us, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17); and that means even in “the depths” and despairs, discouragements, and darkness of our lives.

When you are trusting Him in the light; you will trust Him in the dark.  When you are praying, trusting Him when things are good; you will pray and trust Him when things are bad as well.

Begin this type of life by trusting God’s only way of salvation; and that is through God’s Son, Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and bodily arose from the grave and still lives today.  Call upon Him today.

Many Afflictions

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“Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say: Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.” Psalm 129:1-2 (KJV)

For millennium’s many have tried to eradicate the people of Israel.  Nations have tried and failed.  God has always had a remnant of them somewhere, and time, and they have mostly been persecuted, tortured, killed, and hated.  That appears to be so in 2015, and apparently growing in intensity.  God forbid that we hate the nation of Israel, and/or plot against them.

This is also true of the Church of Jesus Christ.  The above verses fit for us too.  Though the Body of Christ has been a world influence for nearly two thousand years, that is waning.  We are growing weak due to sinful influences.  Rather than the Church going into the world; the world is coming into the Church; by loss of love for Christ Jesus, His Word, the cross, the truth of Scripture.

Yet, we have the promise of Jesus,

“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18

When we are afflicted remember the promise of Jesus.  If you are being afflicted now; remember the promise of Jesus.  He is coming soon.

Building the House

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“Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” Psalm 127:1 (KJV)

You are a house.  You house a spirit; your spirit from which you get drive, ambition, dreams, and even successes and failures.  That spirit is dead to God though.

We can spend our lives doing “good” things.  We can feed the hungry, clothe the poor, provide them shelter from the cold and the heat; all “good” things, yet not have God the LORD building the house.  These are labors in vanity.  They will profit nothing for eternity.

The Psalmist says, “Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it”.  Jesus said,

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24-27

Kind of makes me wonder if Jesus did not have Psalm 127 in mind as He spoke these words.

Neither, can a guard watch a city effectively without the LORD who keeps it.

Stop trying to build your own life, and turn it over to the LORD.  Start by trusting Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour.  Then, go and feed the hungry, cloth the poor, and call them to repentance in faith of Christ Jesus.

Unmovable

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“They that trust in the LORD shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.” Psalm 125:1 (KJV)

I will let Charles Spurgeon do the commentary on this verse:

“They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion.” The emphasis lies upon the object of their trust, namely, Jehovah the Lord. What a privilege to be allowed to repose in God! How condescending is Jehovah to become the confidence of his people! To trust elsewhere is vanity; and the more implicit such misplaced trust becomes the more bitter will be the ensuing disappointment; but to trust in the living God is sanctified common sense which needs no excuse, its result shall be its best vindication. There is no conceivable reason why we should not trust in Jehovah, and there is every possible argument for so doing; but, apart from all argument, the end will prove the wisdom of the confidence. The result of faith is not occasional and accidental; its blessing comes, not to some who trust, but to all who trust in the Lord. Trusters in Jehovah shall be as fixed, firm, and stable as the mount where David dwelt; and where the ark abode. To move mount Zion was impossible, the mere supposition was absurd. “Which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.” Zion was the image of eternal steadfastness, – this hill which, according to the Hebrew, “sits to eternity,” neither bowing down nor moving to and fro. Thus doth the trusting worshipper of Jehovah enjoy a restfulness which is the mirror of tranquillity; and this not without cause, for his hope is sure, and of his confidence he can never be ashamed. As the Lord sitteth King for ever, so do his people sit enthroned in perfect peace when their trust in him is firm. This is, and is to be our portion; we are, we have been, we shall be as steadfast as the hill of God. Zion cannot be removed, and does not remove; so the people of God can neither be moved passively nor actively, by force from without or fickleness from within. Faith in God is a settling and establishing virtue; he who by his strength setteth fast the mountains, by that same power stays the hearts of them that trust in him. This steadfastness will endure “for ever,” and we may be assured therefore that no believer shall perish either in life or in death, in time or in eternity. We trust in an eternal God, and our safety shall be eternal.
From the TREASURY OF DAVID e-Sword edition

Put your trust in the Immutable, unmoving, unchanging GOD through His Son Jesus Christ.

I Was Glad…

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“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” Psalm 122:1 (KJV)

To the Israelite the house of God was the Tabernacle in the wilderness during their journey to the Promised Land after deliverance out of Egypt;  it was Shiloh up intil David was king; and after David became king the ark of the covenant was moved to Jerusalem, so that was the house of God.

The “House of God” is the place where God dwells.  In all of God’s Word the plan of God is that He dwell in the hearts of His people.  That was impossible with a holy God.  Yet, God Himself made it possible.  When Jesus Christ walked on earth He was and is the fulness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9).  He was without sin in the midst of the sinful, the vile, the corrupt; He remained incorruptible.

Because of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ when we trust in Him He comes to live within us in the person of the Holy Spirit.  Those who know Jesus, and are known of Him have only to go to His Word, and hear the Holy Spirit within themselves to worship God.

The follower of Christ still desires to go and meet in places of worship with God’s people.  We call those places “Houses of worship”, even “House of God”; and that is not wrong.  Rest assured that where ever you are as a believer; a follower of Jesus Christ He is there with you.

Like the Psalmist says, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.”  Let us always be glad to go into the place of worship.  Like the writer of Hebrews has said,

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25

If you missed joining with brothers and sisters in Christ yesterday, or have for several weeks; be sure you commit yourself to renewing that bond next Sunday.

My Help

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“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2 (KJV)

The New King James Bible and newer versions place verse one as a question, and it could be meant that way.  “From whence cometh my help?”  Where does our help come from?

For the Hebrew when they were away from Jerusalem to look to the “Hills” where Jerusalem was was to look to the LORD because that is where the ark of the covenant was, after David began to reign as their king.

The hills were seen also by many in the era of time as a source of safety, and strength.  However, true safety and strength, and help comes from the LORD.

The LORD made the heaven and the earth, and everything within it.  All creation is made by Him.  Why should the people He has made seek anywhere else but unto Him?

Are you fear and afraid today?  Go to the LORD.  Our you feeling sickly and weak?  God to the One who has made all things, and holds all things together (Colossians 1:16-17).

My help comes from the Lord Jesus Christ who bled and died on the cross for my sins, and the sins of all the world; who was buried, and rose again bodily from the grave; and He is returning to set things right in this world ridding it of all that is evil, unjust and unrighteous.  That is the One from whom my help comes.

The Happy People

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“ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart.” Psalm 119:1-2 (KJV)

The happiness of the world is fleeting.  Many people go along searching for happiness, and find what they think is “Happiness”, then……. it is gone.  Like a puff of smoke, a gust of wind; and it is done.  The search begins all over again.

The Psalmist has given us 176 verses in Psalm 119.  They all show us the way of the “Blessed” or the truely “Happy” people.

Happy  people walk in the way that is God’s.  They are the undefiled, not by their own decree, but by God’s decree, and that is by the blood of the sacrificed Lamb of God who is Jesus Christ.  These happy people find themselves in possession of the law of the LORD within their hearts, desiring to live for the LORD in all His holiness.

Happy people keep His testimonies, and seek Him with a “whole heart”.  That is a heart that is right with God; a redeemed heart, a clean heart, free from guilt shame, condemnation.

The apostle Paul wrote,

“There is therefor now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”  Romans 8:1

and he writes also,

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Romans 5:1

Happy people have found true happiness through God’s own decree.  “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear Him.”  Matthew 17:5   You will not be happy until you do.

Truth of the LORD Forever

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“O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise Him, all ye people. For His merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.” Psalm 117:1-2 (KJV)

The nations of the world are to praise or “boast” in the LORD.  Israel, the U. S. of A., Germany, Japan, China, Korea, Australia, the nations of Africa, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Assyria, Afghanistan, etc.  No one nation is exempt from this direction to praise the LORD.

The mercy of the LORD is toward all people.  He hold us in His mighty, even His almighty hands.

Jesus said of “Truth”,

“I am the way, the Truth, and the life…”  John 14:6

“Sanctify them through  Thy truth:  Thy word is truth.”  John 17:17

Jesus also said that His word would not pass away (Matthew 24:35).  The people of the earth can rest, can trust in the truth of God’s word.  It endures forever.

Loving the LORD

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“I love the LORD, because He hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because He hath inclined His ear unto me, therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live.” Psalm 116:1-2 (KJV)

Why do you love the LORD?  Why do I love the LORD?  It has been said that if you can state why you love then, you will love more deeply, more passionately.  To me the ultimate reason is what John the apostle stated,

“We love Him, because He first loved us.”  1 John 4:19

We love Him, because He sent His Son Jesus to die for us.  We love Him because He hears us when we pray.  We love Him because we know that when we call on Him He will hear us.

He will not hear us because we are without sin, or because we are some special person; He hears us because of His Son.

Israeli scholar says 1st century Jews awaited Messiah who would die & rise again. Argues “third day resurrection” an idea that pre-dates Jesus.

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joelcrosenberg's avatarJoel C. Rosenberg's Blog

“The Messiah Before Jesus: The Suffering Servant of the Dead Sea Scrolls,” a fascinating book by Dr. Israel Knohl of Hebrew University. “The Messiah Before Jesus: The Suffering Servant of the Dead Sea Scrolls,” a fascinating book by Dr. Israel Knohl of Hebrew University.

This is the week of Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Feast of First Fruits. Millions of Jews in Israel and around the world are celebrating the story of how the Jewish people were saved from the “angel of death” in ancient times if they put the blood of a perfect slain lamb on the doorposts of their homes in Egypt.

This is also the week of Good Friday and Easter. Billions of Christians around the world are celebrating the death of Jesus of Nazareth, and His resurrection from the tomb three days later, and the belief that all mankind can be saved from the “angel of death” in our times if we, too, trust in the blood of a perfect slain Passover Lamb.

But did the Jews of the first century really believe the Messiah would one day come…

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Not Unto Us…

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“Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth’s sake.” Psalm 115:1 (KJV)

This Psalm is known to be a song read and sung during the Passover, remembering the deliverance of the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage.

For the Christian today this ought to be our prayer that God be glorified; not us.  We have a lot of glory seekers in the “Christian” realm; maybe we should say  the “Christian” kingdom; where Christianity is a religion, not a relationship with Christ.

In these United States of America God is no longer feared; but mocked, even by many professing themselves “Christian”.  It is no wonder God is mocked when men and women who proclaim themselves “Pastors”, “Christian” find themselves approving of what God disapproves; approving what God calls an abomination.

Let God be true, but every man a liar (Romans 3:4).

O my prayer is that God will show Himself strong in me (2 Chronicles 16:9); and that the name of Jesus Christ Son of God, and God the Son would be glorified over and above the chaotic mess this world is in; that our nation is in.  That our nations leaders either get right with God, repent of their sins or that God remove them in His way and time.  Not by any hand of man, woman or men; but by the hand, and power of God.

That the Body of Christ rise up in faith; and begin to speak the Word of God as it is Truth without any mixture of error.  We may live in dark times, but the light of Jesus Christ shines brightly in the dark.  Sin will be revealed.  Christians will be revealed by their stand on the truth of God’s Word.

Christian; stand today, and glorify Jesus Christ.  “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth’s sake.”

True Happiness

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“Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in His commandments.” Psalm 112:1 (KJV)

Happiness from the world in which we live is fleeting.  We can laugh and be “happy” one minute, then, sadly defeated, depressed, and discouraged the next.  Where we were “happy” for an hour or two; we are the other for days and weeks on end.

Let me give you three things that lead to true happiness;

  1.  Fear the LORD; and that means you want to do nothing to anger Him, but you live in love for Him;
  2.   Praise the LORD;  you make much of Him, and little of yourself.  He is your reason for being, for living.  Lift high the glorious name of Jehovah, through His only begotten Son Jesus;
  3.   Delight in His commandments; rejoice in His Word.  Hide it in your heart, that you might not sin against Him (Psalm 119:11).

Let your life be a life filled with the Spirit of the LORD, and you will be Blessed – happy; truly joyous.  The only way to be able to live this is through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ the Son of God, and God the Son.

Boasting

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“Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.” Psalm 111:1 (KJV)

Boasting seems to be a trait of all humanity.  Men and women do it quite frequently.  I do it.  My friends and family does it.  Boasting about our achievements, our children, our work, our recreation, our homes, our cars; well, you get the picture.

What does this verse have to do with “Boasting”?  The first “Praise” is for the part of the word we use “Halleujah” which means “Praise the LORD” or to boast of Him.  What more can we boast of than the greatness of our God, our Saviour, our King, and our LORD.

The  second “Praise” has to do with our reverence and worship to the One who is worthy.  When you feel like boasting of your greatness; think again of the Greatness of the only One who is worthy of our boasting.

Our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength should be given to boasting of the greatness of the Lord.  Let it be seen in your life.

Lord, let it be seen in my life.

See 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 for further study.

At My Right Hand

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“The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool.” Psalm 110:1 (KJV)

What a scene the Psalmist is seeing in heaven between the Father and the Son.  David has a great interest in this Second Person; he calls, “my Lord”.  As should all who have an interest in spiritual matters.

Of this verse C. H. Spurgeon can say it much better than myself.  Here are his words on this verse;

“The Lord said unto my Lord” – Jehovah said unto my Adonai: David in spirit heard the solemn voice of Jehovah speaking to the Messiah from of old. What wonderful intercourse there has been between the Father and the Son! From this secret and intimate communion spring the covenant of grace and all its marvellous arrangements. All the great acts of grace are brought into actual being by the word of God; had he not spoken, there had been no manifestation of Deity to us; but in the beginning was the Word, and from of old there was mysterious fellowship between the Father and his Son Jesus Christ concerning his people and the great contest on their behalf between himself and the powers of evil. How condescending on Jehovah’s part to permit a mortal ear to hear, and a human pen to record his secret converse with his co-equal Son! How greatly should we prize the revelation of his private and solemn discourse with the Son, herein made public for the refreshing of his people! “Lord, what is man that thou shouldst thus impart thy secrets unto him.”
Though David was a firm believer in the Unity of the Godhead, he yet spiritually discerns the two persons, distinguishes between them, and perceives that in the second he has a peculiar interest, for he calls him “my Lord.” This was an anticipation of the exclamation of Thomas, “My Lord and my God,” and it expresses the Psalmist’s reverence, his obedience, his believing appropriation, and his joy in Christ. It is well to have clear views of the mutual relations of the persons of the blessed Trinity; indeed, the knowledge of these truths is essential for our comfort and growth in grace. There is a manifest distinction in the divine persons, since one speaks to another; yet the Godhead is one.
“Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies they footstool.” Away from the shame and suffering of his earthly life, Jehovah calls the Adonai, our Lord, to the repose and honours of his celestial seat. His work is done, and he may sit; it is well done, and he may sit at his right hand; it will have grand results, and he may therefore quietly wait to see the complete victory which is certain to follow. The glorious Jehovah thus addresses the Christ as our Saviour; for, says David, he said “unto my Lord.” Jesus is placed in the seat of power, dominion, and dignity, and is to sit there by divine appointment while Jehovah fights for him, and lays every rebel beneath his feet. He sits there by the Father’s ordinance and call, and will sit there despite all the raging of his adversaries, till they are all brought to utter shame by his putting his foot upon their necks. In this sitting he is our representative. The mediatorial kingdom will last until the last enemy shall be destroyed, and then, according to the inspired word, “cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God even the Father.” The work of subduing the nations is now in the hand of the great God, who by his Providence will accomplish it to the glory of his Son; his word is pledged to it, and the session of his Son at his right hand is the guarantee thereof; therefore let us never fear as to the future. While we see our Lord and representative sitting in quiet expectancy, we, too, may sit in the attitude of peaceful assurance, and with confidence await the grand outcome of all events. As surely as Jehovah liveth Jesus must reign, yea, even now he is reigning, though all his enemies are not yet subdued. During the present interval, through which we wait for his glorious appearing and visible millennial kingdom, he is in the place of power, and his dominion is in no jeopardy, or otherwise he would not remain quiescent. He sits because all is safe, and he sits at Jehovah’s right hand because omnipotence waits to accomplish his will. Therefore there is no cause for alarm whatever may happen in this lower world; the sight of Jesus enthroned in divine glory is the sure guarantee that all things are moving onward towards ultimate victory. Those rebels who now stand high in power shall soon be in the place of contempt, they shall be his footstool. He shall with ease rule them, he shall sit and put his foot on them; not rising to tread them down as when a man puts forth force to subdue powerful foes, but retaining the attitude of rest, and still ruling them as abject vassals who have no longer spirit to rebel, but have become thoroughly tamed and subdued.

For further study consider Matthew 22:42-44;  Acts 2:33;  Hebrews 7:4;  2 Peter 1:17.

When Others Speak Against You

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“Hold not Thy peace, O God of my praise; For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.” Psalm 109:1-2 (KJV)

How do we respond when we hear others speaking against us? When we  hear that others have said something against us?  It happens, it will happen, or it is happening now.  None of us are immune to this.

David’s response was by going to the One who holds us in His hands.  Lies often fall empty on a life that is lived for the glory of God.  The truth will win out.  If not in the courts  of men, it does in the courts of the guiltless heart of the individual; and in the Court of heaven.

I will go to God of my praise, and rely on Him for my defense.  He will not be silent.  He will defend; He will oppose; He will destroy the lying tongues that oppose Him.

When others speak against you; PRAY to God through His Son Jesus Christ.  He will hear you.

God is Good

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“Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever. Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? Who can shew forth all His praise?” Psalm 106:1-2 (KJV)

There are not enough words to describe the goodness, and worth of God.  I will let you hear the words of Matthew Henry on these verses…

We are here taught,
I. To bless God (Psa_106:1, Psa_106:2): Praise you the Lord, that is, 1. Give him thanks for his goodness, the manifestation of it to us, and the many instances of it. He is good and his mercy endures for ever; let us therefore own our obligations to him and make him a return of our best affections and services. 2. Give him the glory of his greatness, his mighty acts, proofs of his almighty power, wherein he has done great things, and such as would be opposed. Who can utter these? Who is worthy to do it? Who is able to do it? They are so many that they cannot be numbered, so mysterious that they cannot be described; when we have said the most we can of the mighty acts of the Lord, the one half is not told; still there is more to be said; it is a subject that cannot be exhausted. We must show forth his praise; we may show forth some of it, but who can show forth all? Not the angels themselves. This will not excuse us in not doing what we can, but should quicken us to do all we can.
From the MATTHEW HENRY Commentary

Clothing Makes a Difference

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“Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, Thou art very great; Thou art clothed with honour and majesty.” Psalm 104:1 (KJV)

We live in a sloppy dressing culture.  Young “men” wear jeans or pants halfway down their buttocks, showing their underwear.  Women; young and old wear dresses and blouses with tops which tell us “Look here”, then complain when a man looks.  I do not mean to be brash, rude, or ugly, but let us face it “Clothing makes a difference”.

Clothes shows one’s character.  In the above verse it is glorifying God, our LORD.  Jehovah the one and only God worthy of our worship and praise.

What is the clothing of God to show His character?  He is dressed in honor and majesty.  He is great in grandeur, in His presence; He is of royal appearance.

Have you noticed that many are interested in the royal family of Britain?  Have you also noticed that they dress as royalty probably ought?  Well, God is the greatest of all royalty, and He has called us to Himself, and made us royal; a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9).  Be clothed with the honor and majesty of the One who gives us life.  His name is Jesus.

The apostle Paul said,

“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” Romans 13:14

Singing Mercy and Judgment

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“I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto Thee, O LORD, will I sing.” Psalm 101:1 (KJV)

This a Psalm of David.  A man who knew of God’s mercy and judgment.  We ought to be thankful for His lovingkindness, and His chastisement of His own.  Our hearts filled with song, and singing to the One who alone is worthy of song and praise.

Of this verse and song, Spurgeon has written,

“I will sing of mercy and judgment.” He would extol both the love and the severity, the sweets and the bitters, which the Lord had mingled in his experience; he would admire the justice and the goodness of the Lord. Such a song would fitly lead up to godly resolutions as to his own conduct, for that which we admire in our superiors we naturally endeavour to imitate. Mercy and judgment would temper the administration of David, because he had adoringly perceived them in the dispensations of his God. Everything in God’s dealings with us may fittingly become the theme of song, and we have not viewed it aright until we feel we can sing about it. We ought as much to bless the Lord for the judgment with which he chastens our sin, as for the mercy with which he forgives it; there is as much love in the blows of his hand as in the kisses of his mouth. Upon a retrospect of their lives instructed saints scarcely know which to be most grateful for – the comforts which have cheered them, or the afflictions which have purged them. “Unto thee, O Lord, will I sing.” Jehovah shall have all our praise. The secondary agents of either the mercy or the judgment must hold a very subordinate place in our memory, and the Lord alone must be hymned by our heart. Our soul’s sole worship must be the lauding of the Lord. The Psalmist forsakes the minor key, which was soon to rule him in the one hundred and second Psalm, and resolves that, come what may, he will sing, and sing to the Lord too, whatever others might do.
from THE TREASURY OF DAVID

O, let us sing of the LORD’S mercy and judgment.  Let us sing.

Joyful Noise

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“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.” Psalm 100:1 (KJV)

It is a proper and powerful thing if all the earth, the lands of the earth were to make a joyful noise unto the LORD.  He is worthy of it.

Shout unto the world, unto all creation that He is the Lord.  Make a joyful noise on the instruments of strings, on the horns and the trumpets.

True worship is directed toward Jehovah [YHWH] and to no other.  The way to Jehovah is only through the death, burial and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.  In Him you truly worship that wonderful name.

“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.”

Let the People Tremble

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“The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: He sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.” Psalm 99:1 (KJV)

There is one thing for which I am certain, and that is that God is GOD, and that He rules in the hearts and minds of mankind.  He rules in the hearts and minds of kings, queens, presidents, prime ministers, senators, and congressmen.

To the feeble, finite mind of mankind, and even the mind of the Christian man or woman it is often hard to see; but God still reigns on the earth.  The evil, finite mind of humankind cannot begin to fathom the mind of God.  Yet, the LORD reigns.

The sovereign hand, and mind of God works in the feeble minds of men to do His own will and purposes.  For that reason the people ought to tremble.  One day, and I believe it to be soon the whole earth will tremble, will be shaken, and evil will be destroyed; and Christ Jesus the King of all kings, and Lord of all lords will reign supremely from His throne; and there will be peace.

Read Isaiah 2; 10; 66; Ezekiel 38-39; Revelation 20-22.   Yet, it is not only a future thing: He is reigning now to accomplish His purposes in my life, in your life, in the world, for His name’s sake.

God has made a way for us to come to Him in worship,  praise, honor and glory; and that is through the death, burial and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ His only begotten son (John 3:16-17, 36).