Monday

Stand for Righteousness

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“And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.” 1 Kings 17:1 (KJV)

The Nation was under the rule of a godless king, who was ruled by a demonic, and godless woman. God would show Himself strong and reveal Himself; but who would be the man who would stand before this godlessness?

How would the man of God stand? Upon what would he stand? First of all he would confront the king. Secondly he would stand upon the word of God; and take the message of God to this ruthless, evil ruler.

Christian there is no other thing for us to stand upon with a sure and strong foundation than the commandments, the statutes, the law, the judgments, the precepts, the testimonies, and the way of God. When we begin to rob the power of the word of God, by putting it below technology, science, finance, homes or family; then we have a major problem. Society weakens, culture worsens, and evil flourishes.

Stand of the word of God; begin by trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ who bled and died for your sins; and was raised again bodily from the grave. He is returning to earth one day to put away sin forever.

Ruling in the Fear of God

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“Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and His word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain. Although my house be not so with God; yet He hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although He make it not to grow.” 2 Samuel 23:1-5 (KJV)

David realizes that the words he is receiving and giving to the reader are the inspired revelation from God. They are words for every nation, people and tongue.

David also knew that he had failed as a king to be just and righteous in the eyes of God; yet God had made an “everlasting covenant” with him, and he knew that the Messiah of Israel would be the ultimate fulfillment of that promise. The Messiah is Jesus the Christ, Son of David, Son of God, God the Son, and the Son of Man; the Rock of Israel.

In receiving the words of God David heard, as do we, that if a man is to be a ruler he must rule in the “fear of God”. “God” is “‘Elohim” the fullness of the Godhead; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This type of king is only the One who has come as a baby in a manger, died on the cross for our sins, was raised again bodily from the grave, and is returning as the King of kings, and Lord of lords.

All the kingdoms of men fail. None can stand before the Holy and Just King. Also see Daniel 4:17, 25, 32; 5:21.

The King Who Delivers Israel

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“And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you: now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of My servant David I will save My people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.” 2 Samuel 3:17-18 (KJV)

Abner was king Saul’s general; and he wanted Saul’s dynasty to continue despite what God had said of David. He set up Saul’s son Ishbosheth as king of Israel (2:8-11), and evidently Ishbosheth was a weakling in Abner’s eyes (3:6-11), and not a leader.

Abner’s motive is not revealed; though it was most likely from God for what ever the motive may have been.

He does remember the word of the LORD concerning David, and then calls Israel to follow David as their king.

We must remember as Christians today, that God’s word is true. It is verbally inspired, it is infallible, and it is inerrant; and there is nothing which can ever stop God from fulfilling every word of this book.

One day, Jesus; the Son of God, the Son of David, will sit on David’s throne, and reign as King of kings, and Lord of lords. That same Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and He rose from the grave that all who would believe in Him might live and reign eternally with Him. Will you believe?

GOD’S Justice

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“Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren: and all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads: and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.” Judges 9:56-57 (KJV)

Jerubbaal is Gideon (Judges 7:1). Who had at least seventy sons, and one by a concubine (Judges 8:30-31) whose name was Abimelech, and he was evidently very jealous of the other sons of Gideon.

Gideon would not accept the position of ruler of Israel; he said “The LORD shall rule over you (8:23). He never intended for any of his sons to be ruler, yet that was what Abimelech desired; and he killed all the sons of Gideon, except for Jotham (9:5).

Jotham warned the people of the plight of Abimelech (vv. 7-21). The above verses confirm that what he said came to pass. There is a Just Reward for all who will destroy those whom God has blessed; and that reward is death.

Lust for power in rule is a sad thing, yet our world is full of it. It is seen in homes, churches, local governments, State governments, Federal governments; and it comes from an evil heart. Even a redeemed heart who leads must keep guard against this lust to rule people.  Jesus warned His disciples against seeking to be “first”, and He said if one wanted to do so to be a servant (Mark 9:35).

As followers of Christ, Christians, let us have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:1-7) who did not seek to be served but to serve, and give His life a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45). The Just Reward for following Christ is eternal life; given by God’s grace.

Occupy

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“Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.” Joshua 13:1 (KJV)

Joshua was probably near 100 years of age. Caleb was 85 years of age, yet said he was as strong as when they searched the land of Canaan forty years before (Joshua 14:7-12).

One of the things I see about this verse is that even though we age we ought never retire from the ministry of the LORD. The ministry to which Jehovah has called us through His Son; and that is possessing the possession He has given us. We all have enemies to conquer – in our personal lives. Be they run away emotions, fear, doubt, anger, family issues that tear us apart; and those we see in others. We need to help others too.

The other thing is to warn others who are on the wrong path of life of the life hereafter without Christ in their lives; and to tell them of the blessings of life with Christ now, and hereafter. We have been given a parable of illustration by Jesus to motivate us;

“A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.” Luke 19:13ff

That word “Occupy” means “Stay busy caring for My stuff until I come” and it does not matter how old you get.

“Joshua you are getting old; but your life is not over. You got years of ministry left. You have land to conquer. Get going. Get with it.” I can insert my name there. How about you?

Let’s begin with knowing Jesus, and being known by Him.

When Stones Cry Out

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“And Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandments which I command you this day. And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaister them with plaister: and thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over, that thou mayest go in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, a land that floweth with milk and honey; as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee.” Deuteronomy 27:1-3 (KJV)

These are stones which the children of Israel are being commanded to place on the other side of Jordan, after they have crossed over into the promised land. They may be the stones which John the Baptist addresses in Matthew 3:9.

They were to remind the people that they were a people of the word of God, and it was to have a firm place in their hearts and lives. It was not to be just in their mouth, but come from their hearts, and lived, shown in their lives. Ditto for the Christian today.

It could also be the stones of which Jesus referred when we read,

“And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. And as He went, they spread their clothes in the way. And when He was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke Thy disciples. And He answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” Luke 19:35-40

The word of God is the source of our spiritual food.  Even we do not eat it we grow weak, sickly, and poor.  Will you make the Word of God your most important meal today?  Will you hear God; or will the stones cry out?  Creation still declares the glory of God (Psalm 19:1).

Adding and Taking Away

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“Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” Deuteronomy 4:1-2 (KJV)

Learning mathematics is a good thing for helping one deal with life situations; such as financial matters, building equations, and such other things. However, addition to the word of God, or the taking away from it is a dangerous matter.

When Jeremiah the prophet was told to deliver the word of God he was told,

“Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD’S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD’S house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word…” Jeremiah 26:2

When people, preachers, prophets, add to the word of God, and His commandments it is cheapened giving undue authority to the one adding to it. The Christian has no authority above that which God has given us. To diminish from the word of God withholds from those who need to hear it, those things that are diminished.

We have assurance from Jesus, that no matter what man may do with the word of God;

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.” Matthew 24:35

And in the final analysis we find John the apostle inspired by Jesus and the Holy Spirit warning us:

“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Revelation 22:18-19

Though these verses are written for the Revelation, I do not think it would be in error to say it involves the whole of the Word of God.

As followers of Jesus Christ we must hear only what God says; and teach only what He says. The words of men do not have the same authority.

The Living Look

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“And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that He take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.” Numbers 21:6-9 (KJV)

The people were complaining, murmuring about the bread that came from heaven, which they had called “Manna” which means “what is it?”. It seems to me that people of today, even professing Christians have grown tired of the Bread from heaven. He is Jesus our Lord and Saviour.

Due to the murmuring of the people of Israel God sent fiery serpents into the camp; and these serpents bit them, and many of these murmurers died. Their deaths were due to their conspiracy with sin to overthrow God’s very means of their sustenance. Murmuring, ungratefulness, says to others and to God, “I know what is best for my life, and this is not it”.

When I first began studying the Bible I came to this verse, and I knew that it was a type, a picture of the sinner looking to Jesus on the cross, and being delivered from sin. My question was, “How does a serpent represent my Saviour?” The study continued until I discovered 2 Corinthians 5:21, then I had the answer. God made Jesus to be sin for us… that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

Jesus, God’s only begotten Son, became on the cross the very thing that His Father hated and despised; and took the holy judgment and wrath that only myself, and the whole human race was responsible for. If I would have died for my own sin; if you were to die for your own sin, then there would not be eternal life; but eternal death, and dying torment.

By looking to Jesus, His death, burial and resurrection we can look unto Him and live eternally in the presence of God, and in His glory.

Hear the words of Jesus Himself,

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:14-15

The Law…

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“This is the law for all manner of plague of leprosy, and scall, and for the leprosy of a garment, and of a house, and for a rising, and for a scab, and for a bright spot: to teach when it is unclean, and when it is clean: this is the law of leprosy.” Leviticus 14:54-57 (KJV)

There are all kinds of medical issues. Some relating to heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, and one of the big ones is cancer. None of us are immune to disease, or its consequences.

Leprosy is a plague which may hit the victim, and cause great alarm, and fear. It is a dreaded disease, and no one wants to get it.

In the Bible leprosy is a likeness of sin. Unlike sin though, people are not born with leprosy. Sin is a human problem. No one misses out on the sin problem. With leprosy we can envision how horrid sin is to God.

The oozing sores have a great stench that makes one want to cover their nose, and mouth, and run away. It changes the appearance of the victim. It changes the way the person lives. Sin is also like that with God.

He is appalled by sin. He is grossly offended by sin. With God, for His crown of creation to fellowship with Him, sin must be dealt with. In chapters 13-14 we find how God gives Israel the pattern of dealing with leprosy. It involves blood.

Only the sacrifice of a perfect spotless Lamb can cleanse us of our sin. That Lamb, that ultimate Lamb is God’s own precious, and only begotten Son Jesus Christ.

God hates sin. It is a stench in the nostrils of God. Without coming to Him His way, you will not come at all; because your sin has not been dealt with any other way. Jesus is the only way.

While I Live

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“Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul. While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.” Psalm 146:1-2 (KJV)

What are we to do while we live?  We are to accumulate cars, homes, family, friends, fame, fortune, knowledge, wisdom, and whatever else may come to mind.  No!

What are we to do while we live?  None of those things mentioned in that first paragraph are bad; yet by themselves they do no meet our basic need.  What are we to do while we live?  Praise the LORD.

We praise the LORD by hearing His word, and doing it.  We praise the LORD by believing the Son of God, God the Son.  We praise the LORD by speaking His name when it may not be popular to do so.

What will I do while I live?  I will praise the LORD.

One day everything that has breath will praise the LORD.

“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:10-11

In that He will be  praised.

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).

Blessing the LORD

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“Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD. The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.” Psalm 134:1-3 (KJV)

Look, see that the people of GOD are to bless the LORD.  The servants of GOD, the people of GOD are to be blessing the LORD.

This decree is to those who keep watch for the house of GOD in the night watches.  It is also true of the day watchers to bless the LORD.

We bless the LORD with our lips, our tongues, our mouth; but we also bless Him with our lives.  A life that is not lived holy wholly unto the LORD will not bless the LORD.

When we bless the LORD we will be blessed by the LORD.

There is no blessing the LORD – ie. praising, building up, bragging about; except through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus God’s Son.  Bless the LORD today by believing Jesus and trusting Him for salvation from sin’s condemnation.

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.

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.

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…

View original post 1,014 more words

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.”

Giving God Praise

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“O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.” Psalm 108:1 (KJV)

Giving the fulness of God glory was a matter of an established heart for David.  Even when he had received the adulation of his people he directed praise to God with his own tongue.

No wonder God refers to David as “a man after Mine own heart”.

When those who believe God, the fulness of the Godhead, then we direct all praise to Him.  When we are lauded, then we give it to Him; for He alone is worthy.  With our hearts we praise Him.  With our lives we praise Him.  With our property we praise Him.  With our tongue we praise Him.

When we start to speak derogatorily of another; speak a word of praise to God instead.  A tongue that is praising God cannot speak ill of another.  This is not speaking of confrontation of sin with an individual.

Praise God through the Lord Jesus Christ who is God’s payment for our sins.

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.

City on a Hill

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“His foundation is in the holy mountains. The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.” Psalm 87:1-3 (KJV)

Our thoughts of the mountains are often of their strength and power; their height as they reach into the clouds.  The “Holy mountains” are those where Jerusalem is setting.  Jerusalem is the place where our Lord Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose again.

That is the place where God chose for His  name to dwell.  It is the place that He loves more than all the dwellings of Jacob, ie., more than Shiloh, and the other places the ark of the covenant has been.

If you will note the final word of the above verses.  “Selah”  It means “Pause”, or I see it as pausing to think about what has just been said.  God is holy.  The gates of Zion are holy.  This can really be speaking of the person of Jesus Christ.  He is the One, the only One by whom God’s people can enter into the holiest of all places; the throne of God, and worship Him.

Glorious is His name.

Cause of Prayer – Recognizing Our Offenses Against God, and His Righteousness

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“O Lord, according to all Thy righteousness, I beseech Thee, let Thine anger and Thy fury be turned away from Thy city Jerusalem, Thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us. Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of Thy servant, and his supplications, and cause Thy face to shine upon Thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake. O my God, incline Thine ear, and hear; open Thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by Thy name: for we do not present our supplications before Thee for our righteousnesses, but for Thy great mercies. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for Thine own sake, O my God: for Thy city and Thy people are called by Thy name.” Daniel 9:16-19 (KJV)

In the fourth point we see DANIEL RECOGNIZES THE OFFENSES AGAINST GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS (vv. 16-19). When the people of God are disobedient to Him we become a reproach to Him and to the nations or people around us. The Israelites lost their witness to surrounding nations, because they were rebellious to God, His prophets, and His Word. They began living like the world around them, they built and worshipped idols, they practiced temple prostitution, and by doing these things they committed spiritual adultery against God. Notice what Daniel prays. First, that God’s face might shine upon His desolate sanctuary; second, to purpose His ear to hear this prayer; third, open His eyes to behold the people’s desolation; and fourth, that God answer them according to His own righteousness and mercy.

Prayer is for the purpose of the glory of God. It is not a wishing well, a genie in a bottle where you get three wishes. It is not akin to tea leaves, tarot cards, or palm reading. Knowing God’s will, then praying for it to come to pass is the prayer that glorifies God. Daniel knew God’s will. He prayed God’s will, then, what he prayed came to pass. This gets us in on God’s will; rather than expecting God to get in our will. David Jeremiah said,

“Our prayers really ought to be prompted out of our deep understanding of what the will of God is”. From ‘THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL’ pg. 175.

He also went on to say,

“The biggest waste of time in Christendom is praying about things that God already said we shouldn’t do.” IBID.

God will answer the prayers that are prayed to glorify Him. That is how Daniel prayed. NOTE; Daniel prayed, “For we do not present our supplications before Thee for our righteousnesses, but for Thy great mercies…” We do not deserve it, O God, but remember Your promise. It was God’s integrity Daniel was concerned with. He knew Israel did not deserve to go back to Jerusalem; but God must keep His Word. Daniel simply knew God never broke a promise. He was demanding nothing. He was merely standing on God’s own integrity and power.

HAVING RECOGNIZED, FROM READING JEREMIAH THE PROPHET, OF THE SEVENTY YEAR CAPTIVITY; DANIEL PRAYS FOR GOD’S WILL TO BE DONE ACCORDING TO GOD’S MERCY (v. 18).

Shepherd

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“Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, Thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; Thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.” Psalm 80:1 (KJV)

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus sweetest name I know.  He fills my every longing.  He keeps me singing as I go.

The Shepherd of Israel is none other than Jesus the Christ, Son of the Living God.  Jesus can be seen as the Shepherd as He feeds the five thousand men (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:44; Luke 9:14; John 6:10), and as He fed the four thousand men (Matthew 15:38; Mark 8:9).  Notice in those verses where He commanded that they sit down on the grass.

His glory is seen as the one who dwells betwee the cherubims.  They were the ones who are formed bowing on the mercy seat facing one another with their faces toward the ark of the covenant, which represents the presence of GOD.  The ark itself is the representation of the fulness of the Godhead.

“The LORD is my shepherd;  I shall not want.”  Psalm 23:1

Is the Lord Jesus your Shepherd today?  He will give ear to you when you call on Him.

The Clean Heart

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“Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.” Psalm 73:1 (KJV)

The Psalm is a song of Asaph.  A collector.  A Song writer.  A musician of the temple.  There are a few of the Psalms attributed to Asaph.  A man who loved God.

To have a clean heart, a pure heart ought to be the desire of every child of God, every Christian.  Yes we are saved by grace, but that grace is powerful enough not to leave us in our sin and rebellion.

God is good to Israel, and to all who know Israel’s God, and are known by Him.  Here is what has been written concerning “perfect hearts” that is a pure, clean heart;

“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9a

Do you have a clean, pure heart?  Do you desire a clean, pure heart; a perfect heart?  Hear what Jesus says,

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8

Believe what God says.  Trust His gift of salvation to mankind.  Trust His Son Jesus Christ, and His finished work on the cross.  See Romans 10:9-13.

The Duty of Man, and All Creation

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“Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: sing forth the honour of His name: make His praise glorious.” Psalm 66:1-2 (KJV)

God created man to voice praise to Him.  To bring honor and glory to His name.  There is no higher or nobler purpose for man than to praise the LORD; glory in His name.

When Adam and Eve chose to do their own thing, they fell out of that purpose; they fell short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).  When they fell short they tried to hide from God as He came to walk among them in the day.

We are not told who this Psalmist was.  It could have been David.  It could have been another.  At any rate it is a song for all to sing.  We are to “Make a joyful noise unto God…”  Not to any other thing called god, but to our Creator alone who spoke all things, including you and me, into existence.

It is not only for the people of the United States of America; not just the nation of Israel; not just Egypt, Iran, Iraq, India, Korea, Japan or China.  It is the duty of all men, women, boys and girls; yea, even all creation to praise the Lord, and sing forth honor of His name.

The best and only way to do that is through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Jesus said, “This is the work of God that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent.” John 6:29  Jesus was speaking of Himself as being the one who God sent.

To GOD for Deliverance

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“Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.” Psalm 59:1 (KJV)

Oh that I had a heart like that of David.  David often; as we read in the Psalms; would go to God when he found himself in peril.  I try too often to deliver myself, and that is usually to my own peril until I plead for God’s help, God’s deliverance.

Here are Spurgeon’s words on this verse,

“Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God.” They were all round the house with the warrant of authority, and a force equal to the carrying of it out. He was to be taken dead or alive, well or ill, and carried to the slaughter. No prowess could avail him to break the cordon of armed men, neither could any eloquence stay the hand of his bloody persecutor. He was taken like a bird in a net, and no friend was near to set him free. Unlike the famous starling, he did not cry, “I can’t get out,” but his faith uttered quite another note. Unbelief would have suggested that prayer was a waste of breath, but not so thought the good man, for he makes it his sole resort. He cries for deliverance and leaves ways and means with his God. “Defend me from them that rise up against me.” Saul was a king, and therefore sat in high places, and used all his authority to crush David; the persecuted one therefore beseeches the Lord to set him on high also, only in another sense. He asks to be lifted up, as into a lofty tower, beyond the reach of his adversary. Note how he sets the title “My God,” over against the word “mine enemies.” This is the right method of effectually catching and quenching the fiery darts of the enemy upon the shield of faith. God is our God, and therefore deliverance and defence are ours.

from THE TREASURY OF DAVID

Do you find yourself in a world of hurt, pain, despair, doubt, fear, anguish?  Your only help that will give you peace, and comfort is found in the One who made you from the dust of the earth.  He may not end the trouble or trial; but He will give you peace through it.

The Mighty, and the Goodness of GOD

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“Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? The goodness of God endureth continually.” Psalm 52:1

This Psalm’s title says,

“To the chief Musician, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech.”

The events of the evil of Doeg are recorded in 1 Samuel 22.  He was a very brave man to slay priests who were not soldiers, and could not defend themselves.  Of course I am being sarcastic here.

Why would evil boast of its “great” prowess and power against those who are weak?  There is no goodness, power or prowess in evil.  However, the goodness, the kindness, and the faithfulness of God is forever.  On Him we can trust and depend.