Psalms

GOD Knows the Secrets of Your Heart

/ Tim A. / 2 Comments

“If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god; shall not God search this out? For He knoweth the secrets of the heart.” Psalm 44:20-21 (KJV)

The first step to worshipping false gods is forgetting the one true God. We can forget Him by neglecting His word. Maybe we no longer read it. Maybe we feel we are independent of Him, no longer need Him. We stop taking heed to what we know to be God’s Word, refusing to listen to the Spirit of God within.

We might even think, “I am too sophisticated to worship idols or other gods.” O really? That thing, or person, or job, that is your treasure is what you worship. God knows the secrets of your heart, and my heart.

Remember this: there is nothing hidden from the All-Knowing mind of God. There are many who refuse to even admit what the prophet Jeremiah stated in Jeremiah 17,

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9

The answer to that question is that “God knows”; and it is best if we agree with God that the heart of man is in fact “…Deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked…” Is that not clear with what has been happening in the world and the U. S. of A. One young man killing 9 people in a Church in South Carolina. The band of murderers and thugs waging chaos in the Middle East, cutting off heads of Christians and Jews, and anyone else who might get in their way.

Do you think that you are above that? Do not deceive yourself. But for the grace and love and mercy of God… That could be you or me.

God desires to give a new heart. That new heart, inner being, comes through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ the holy Son of God who paid our sin debt to the Father. When we put our faith and trust in the work of the Son we receive a new heart and life.

O, believe Him today.

Participate in Righteousness – Inherit the Earth

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“Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.” Psalm 37:8-10 (KJV)

Many times when I see an evil deed done, my first thought is; “Death to the evil one”. If you have any righteous thought in you at all then when you see evil done you will have the thoughts too.

Defining evil in our day has gotten a bit complicated to many though. What used to be evil is now good; and what used to be good is now evil. The complication has come in due to evil itself.

Evil through the lies of Satan has been confused by what is deemed as love, which is actually tolerance mixed up with hatred. If someone is genuinely loved those who love them will correct them when they are in error; and endeavor to aid them, and direct them the right direction. The new idea of “love” is just let them be who they are; and they continue on in their self lies and affliction, misery and sin. What would you think of a doctor who discovers a cancer in your body, but does not tell you of the cancer because he “loves” you and is willing to let you continue as you are?

The Psalmist says to us. “Relax! Don’t React!” at least not with anger. We ought always be angry with evil, and the outcome of it; but let us also realize that in the end days evil will be judged, and those who practice it will be judged, and it shall be done away.

To “Wait upon the LORD” is not sitting idly by, but to keep on believing, trusting, doing those things we know we are to do. Be busy about the word of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ. We cannot change evil, but evil will be judged. They that wait upon the LORD shall inherit the earth, they shall also “renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31). Those who “Wait upon the LORD” are the meek who inherit the earth (v. 11; Matthew 5:5), as well.

Part of living a righteous life through Jesus Christ is living a life that confronts evil with the power of the word of God, and the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is the strength against evil in our world. The Psalmist believed evil would lose in the end. So do we.

Put an end to the evil in your life by trusting Jesus Christ and His work on the cross, His burial and resurrection. He removes the evil, and gives you His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The Goodness of the LORD

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“For the word of the LORD is right; and all His works are done in truth. He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.” Psalm 33:4-6 (KJV)

The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. Maybe you can see it. Maybe you cannot. It makes no difference; except for your salvation.

We have all heard statements similar to this: “If God is so good, then why do good people suffer?” or maybe this: “Where was God when that happened?” Usually those comments or questions are made by people who do not know God; and many who do not want to know Him. I could be wrong about that.

In the first question their is a large assumption that people are good; or that there are good people. My first thought on that is: according to whose judgment?

God is good, and there is no other who is good, but Him. Note: “The word of the LORD is right…” The One who speaks right words, does right, and His works are done in truth.

He also loves righteousness and judgment. He is the righteous Judge in the earth. He is the One who has made all things. It is His declarations that are true. If you doubt Him, and choose your own way; then, you will perish, and spend eternity in flames of liquid fire (Revelation 20:14-15).

This One who has made all things is the Lord Jesus Christ. “All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made.” (John 1:3). He also died for your sins was buried and He rose again. He is returning one day to rid the world of all sin and evil for eternity.

Believe Him. Trust Him.

Wicked Workers, and the Work of the LORD

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

“Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts. Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert. Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of His hands, He shall destroy them, and not build them up.” Psalm 28:3-5 (KJV)

To be drawn away with the wicked, with the workers of iniquity would be drawing the Psalmist into the pits of hell. That was not his heart, nor his destiny.

The heart of the Psalmist is already established in the LORD. He calls the LORD “my Rock” his faith is in Him, and in no other.

The “wicked” are those who are deceived by their own lust, they are morally corrupt, they are ungodly, wicked, and condemned. These are they who speak well of their neighbors to their face, but will destroy them with an opportunity to prosper at their expense.

The “workers of iniquity” are the wicked. Their endeavors and their words condemn them. They have no regard for God. When the rain falls they are unthankful to the One who alone gives the rain. Of the “Operation of His hands” Spurgeon in the Treasury of David has written,

God works in creation – nature teems with proofs of his wisdom and goodness, yet purblind atheists refuse to see him: he works in providence, ruling and overruling and his hand is very manifest in human history, yet the infidel will not discern him: he works in grace – remarkable conversions are still met with on all hands, yet the ungodly refuse to see the operations of the Lord.

His hands, and His operations are great. He is Awesome and glorious in all His ways. He is in the operations of the universe. He holds the earth on her axis, and the planets and stars in their place. If He were to remove His hands everything would fly apart, and explode into pieces. Do you O sinner not see His mercy? Do you not see His grace given in the sending of Jesus Christ His holy and blessed Son; dying on the cross for our sin debt? O condemned one you need not be “drawn away” with the wicked. Through Jesus Christ He will give you a new heart, and a new life.

The Perfect Way of God

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“As for God, His way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him.” Psalm 18:30 (KJV)

The Person of God is the central character of this text. He is the central Character through the whole of Scripture; both Old and New Testaments.

We see that His way is perfect. He is blameless; and His way is blameless; and all who walk in Him will be blameless.

Next, we see that His Word is “tried” or proven. It forever stands the test of time and of our lives. It is never changing, just as God Himself never changes. He is Immutable; His Word is Immutable as well; therefore He and His word can be trusted. Unlike mankind always changing. The laws of man are ever changing; thus, what can we believe? What can we trust? Who can we trust among humankind who stand on nothing firm, solid, and sure? The Word of God is sure, and will forever stand (Psalm 119:89). It is just as relevant today as it was the day it was penned by the inspired men God used to speak it.

The LORD is our “buckler” our shield. The shield is used to guard the soldier from the blows of the enemy’s weapon, such as a battle axe, or take the blows of the fiery darts which are fired from a distance. The shield of God’s protection will not fail to protect; as long as we are in His way.

Jesus said,

I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. John 14:6

His way is perfect. Walk in Him.  Not one word He has spoke will fail.

When You Sing unto the LORD

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“But I have trusted in Thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation. I will sing unto the LORD, because He hath dealt bountifully with me.” Psalm 13:5-6 (KJV)

David is noted as being the author of this Psalm. In the beginning of it he has questioned “How long will You forget me, O LORD?”, and “How long will You hide Your face from me?” He has felt as though the LORD has neglected him, and is not listening to his pleas.

He has felt that his enemy is being exalted over him, and he is the one suffering for it. Does it ever seem that way for you? I must admit I have had my moments of despair, doubt, and fear.

Notice though how David ends this prayer song. “I have trusted in Thy mercy, my heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation.” How quickly things can change when you find yourself before the face of God; and all the questions seem to fade away.

When you get before the face of God the questions no longer matter. Have you ever heard someone say; or maybe you have said it yourself: “When I get to heaven I have a lot of questions I want to ask God?” I have thought that in years past, but I have learned also that when I get to see God face to face all the questions that I have thought I would ask will not even matter then. I believe that because when I have asked them here, and received the peace and comfort of God; the questions no longer mattered.  They certainly will not matter then.

Why does David place His trust in the LORD? “…Because He has dealt bountifully with me.” When we see God, His grace, His work in us where else is there to place our trust? Nowhere else; and No other One. He is our mercy and our salvation.

You will not begin to see His wondrous bounty, mercy, grace; until you come to Him through His Son Jesus who bled and died on the cross, was buried and bodily arose from the grave.  Trust Jesus Christ and His finished work; then witness the greatness and power and bounty of God as one of His own.

Trust in GOD: Rejoice

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“But let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because Thou defendest them: let them also that love Thy name be joyful in Thee. For Thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt Thou compass him as with a shield.” Psalm 5:11-12 (KJV)

One of the most glorious things about the Bible, and it is the Word of God; is that right in the middle of it is a Song Book. One hundred and fifty of the most wonderful songs that have ever been written. Most of them probably written by David.

Psalm 5 shows David’s anger toward evil, and that God is angry toward evil. We can understand that their is none righteous except those whom God declares righteous. We cannot declare ourselves as righteous. That is an empty endeavor. A vain thing.

“Let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice” Yes! All trust must be placed in Jehovah [YHWH]. He is a Jealous God; and is worthy of all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Jehovah is our Defender; our Righteousness; and our Shield. Let us shout for joy. Let us rejoice every morning when we awake. When we roll from our beds, and our feet hit the floor let our first thoughts be of Him; and not the dread of the day ahead.

Do you have God’s favor today? When you come to Him through His Son Jesus who is Righteousness in person; through the cross – His death, burial and resurrection – you have His favor.

Let all those who put their trust in God rejoice.

Praising GOD

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“Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in His sanctuary: praise Him in the firmament of His power.” Psalm 150:1 (KJV)

One thing a Christian can learn from reading the Psalms, and especially those that express “Praise ye the LORD”; is that we are to “Praise the LORD”.

It does not matter the time, the place, life’s situation or circumstances; the child of God is to praise the LORD.  Why?  Because He is worthy.  That is reason enough.

Let me have Charles H. Spurgeon give you his words concerning Psalm 150:1;

“Praise ye the Lord.” Hallelujah! The exhortation is to all things in earth or in heaven. Should they not all declare the glory of him for whose glory they are, and were created? Jehovah, the one God, should be the one object of adoration. To give the least particle of his honour to another is shameful treason; to refuse to render it to him is heartless robbery. “Praise God in his sanctuary.” Praise El, or the strong one, in his holy place. See how power is mentioned with holiness in this change of names. Praise begins at home. “In God’s own house pronounce his praise.” The holy place should be filled with praise, even as of old the high-priest filled the sanctum sanctorum with the smoke of sweet-smelling incense. In his church below and in his courts above hallelujahs should be continually presented. In the person of Jesus God finds a holy dwelling or sanctuary, and there he is greatly to be praised. He may also be said to dwell in holiness, for all his ways are right and good; for this we ought to extol him with heart and with voice. Whenever we assemble for holy purposes our main work should be to present praises unto the Lord our God. “Praise him in the firmament of his power.” It is a blessed thing that in our God holiness and power are united. Power without righteousness would be oppression, and righteousness without power would be too weak for usefulness; but put the two together in an infinite degree and we have God. What an expanse we have in the boundless firmament of divine power! Let it all be filled with praise. Let the heavens, so great and strong, echo with the praise of the thrice holy Jehovah, while the sanctuaries of earth magnify the Almighty One.
from the TREASURY OF DAVID, e-Sword edition

We ought always Praise the LORD; for He is worthy of praise, worship, and adoration.

Sing a New Song

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“Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and His praise in the congregation of saints.” Psalm 149:1 (KJV)

Singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord is one of the evidences of the filling of the Holy Spirit in a Believer’s life (Ephesians 5:18-21 note v. 19).

There are a few references to a “New song” in Scripture.  They are Psalm 33:3;  40:3;  96:1;  98:1;  144:9;  149:1 (the above verse);  Isaiah 42:10;  Revelation 5:9; and 14:3.

Hallelujah.  Praise the LORD.  Those who trust Him and know Him have a new song to sing.  Let us sing it when we are alone with Him.  Let us sing it when we are meeting together a congregations of Believers.

Sing unto the LORD a new song.  Sing, sing, sing.

Where?

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“Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.” Psalm 148:1 (KJV)

Does a place make a difference?  Where is your heart?  Is it on the LORD?  We ought always be praising the LORD.

Maybe the best question would be, “Where is your treasure?”  Jesus said,

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”  Matthew 6:21

The place to begin praising Him is in your heart by making Him your treasure.  When He is your treasure you will look up to the stars, and see the handiwork of this marvelous Creator, and praise Him.

Then, when you are on the highest peaks, or looking toward the highest peaks you will praise the LORD; for He is the Creator of them all.

Hallelujah.

Good to Sing Praises

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“Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.” Psalm 147:1 (KJV)

The Psalms are filled with praises to the LORD.  He is worthy.  “Praise ye the LORD” is expressed in Hebrew by the word “Hallelujah”.  You know it.  Go ahead and use it.

The Psalms of Scripture.  The old hymns we sing in worship at our church services are great expressions of praise to Him.

Singing praises to the LORD [Jehovah] are delightful, and glorious to the heart, soul and mind.  They are also glorifying to the Lord.

Spurgeon has written of this:

“Where duty and delight, benefit and beauty unite, we ought not to be backward. Let each reader feel that he and his family ought to constitute a choir for the daily celebration of the praises of the Lord.”

It is a wonderful thing for the family to worship God together at home, and in the place of  joint worship with others.

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.

Lift High the Lord

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“I will extol Thee, my God, O King; and I will bless Thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless Thee; and I will praise Thy name for ever and ever.”  Psalm 145:1-2 (KJV)

To “extol” is to lift high.  The life of David was given to lift hing the name of the Lord his God. David is addressing Elohiym; the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; the fulness of the Godhead.  You could say the Court of heaven.

Like David we are to lift high the name of the Lord our God.  He is our God, our King, and so much more.  It is not limited in duration; or the time of our extolling His name has no time limit.  Like the Psalmist says, “I will bless Thy name for ever and ever”.  He says this twice in these two verses.

How long are we to bless the name of the Lord?  Everyday of our lives; and for ever – eternally; and it is to eternally never cease.

Begin blessing the Lord today by receiving God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ and His death on the cross, His burial and bodily resurrection.  It is God’s gift to all who will receive it.

The LORD My Strength, My Goodness, My Fortress….

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“Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and He in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.” Psalm 144:1-2 (KJV)

David truly trusted the LORD his God.  He believed Him.  He then relied on Him for his strength, His goodness.  He trusted the LORD for protection, and keeping.  The LORD gave David sight for what was coming; and He delivered David when he needed deliverance.

The LORD was a shield for David when on the battlefield.  David realized that even the people’s submission to him as their king was a work of GOD.

O LORD my God and Father give me the heart of David.  Even better LORD may my heart grow more into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ, the Son of David.

Righteous and Faithful

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“Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in Thy faithfulness answer me, and in Thy righteousness. And enter not into judgment with Thy servant: for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified.” Psalm 143:1-2 (KJV)

There is no question in David’s mind about the faithfulness of God, or His righteousness.  He also knows himself well enough without assuming that in the sight of God no man living can be justified.

What is justification? Someone once explained it “being made just-as-if-I’d never sinned”.  I have always remembered that.  How can a man or woman be justified in the eyes of God?  There is no  hope for us within ourselves.  It must come by a declaration of God Himself.

First our sin debt must be paid for.  That is the reason for the cross of Jesus. Jesus the spotless, Lamb of God who came to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29).  He had no sin; but became our sin.  By His death the sin was paid in full.

Second one must repent of sin, believe that the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ is sufficient to deliver us from sin and death.

Then, God Himself declares you “Righteous” “Just” in His sight.

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

When you believe in Jesus, and His finished work on the cross you are justified by God.  The Rich became poor; the the poor might become rich in Him.

O, will you believe Him today?

When… In The Cave

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“I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before Him; I shewed before Him my trouble.” Psalm 142:1-2 (KJV)

Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave.  That is the title most Bibles place over this Psalm.  This would be the cave David hid from king Saul in, and cut off his “skirt”, and his men sought to kill Saul, but David prevented them (1 Samuel 24:1-8).

Caves are dark.  If you have no light, and are back far enough in them  you cannot see your hand in front of your face; and that is not just a cliche’.  It is a cool, damp place as well.  It would be a comfortable place to go during a heat wave.  For David, however, it was a place of hiding.

Was David afraid of king Saul?  I do not think so.  He was afraid that if he was around him too much, that he might have to kill him; and that he did not desire to do.  Saul was God’s anointed king, and David would not lift a hand against him.

Like David we must trust the LORD to hear our voice in our darkest moments.  When we are in the caves of despair, or fear, that is the time to bring our complaint to Him.  One thing I have noticed as a Christian is that, when I take my complaints, my heart aches, my hardships to the Lord, then no one else will hear about them.  If they do it is more in how God worked to resolve them.  Giving God the glory.

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.

Searched and Known

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“O LORD, Thou hast searched me, and known me.” Psalm 139:1 (KJV)

Sometimes it is sad to realize that we are living in a world where we can be seen by people, particularly governments or government bureaus wherever we are and in whatever we do.  There are cameras at many traffic lights, that can see us as we go through intersections.  There are cameras at more and more corners on the streets.  There are satellites that can zoom in on us and see our license plates on our automobiles.

In some ways that troubles me.  In other ways it does not.  I have been watched all my life; and even before I was born, and yet in my mothers womb, I was seen and known.  So it is with each of us.

The LORD has had His eye on us from conception, and keeps them there to the grave.  He searches, He examines every motive, every action that we make, and He knows our hearts, and why we do what we do.  He is Omniscient or All-Knowing, and He knows you, even better than you know yourself.

There is nothing about you or myself that is a secret to Him.  Nothing about our lives surprises GOD.

He knows your need for Him; for salvation from your sin and its condemnation.  He has provided that through sending His Son Jesus to die on the cross for your sins, He was buried, and He rose bodily from the grave.  One day He is returning.  Be ready for that by trusting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour today.

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.

The Mercy of the LORD Endures Forever

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“O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever.” Psalm 136:1 (KJV)

This Psalm has 26 verses, all of which end with the phrase “His mercy endureth for ever”.  How long does the mercy of the LORD endure?  For ever.

The Psalmist writes “O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good”, and if that was all there was and is of GOD, He would still be worthy of our thanks.

However, we are told that He is merciful.  It is one of the most wonderful things to know that the GOD who created all things; the GOD whom we have offended with our sins; the GOD who is holy, just and righteous is also merciful.

When is He merciful?  Every moment, every day, every week, every month, and every year.  There is not one second which passes that He is not merciful; and that mercy endures for ever.

He has provided a way for you into His grace, and that is by way of the cross of Jesus Christ; upon Whom He showed no mercy in judging my sins and yours.  The Way is Christ Jesus.

Hallelujah

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“Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise Him, O ye servants of the LORD.” Psalm 135:1 (KJV)

The servant of GOD.  The child of GOD.  The people of GOD.  These are the ones who are to “Praise the LORD”.

Those who are of the Lord Jesus Christ are to Praise Him.  Brag of Him.  Lift up His name.  Glorify Him in His power, His honor, His glory.  There is nothing which we know of God which we should remain silent about.

He loves you.  He loves me.  Let us not be ashamed of that grace, that mercy, that love that comes solely from the GOD who created all things.

Hallelujah simply means “Praise the LORD.”  So, let us Praise the LORD.

Praise Him in Song. Praise Him in prayer.  Praise Him in word; with tongue, lips and mouth.  Praise Him with your life.

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.

Brethren in Unity

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“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Psalm 133:1 (KJV)

Let me let a master of teaching and preaching speak today:

“Behold.” It is a wonder seldom seen, therefore behold it! It may be seen, for it is the characteristic of real saints, – therefore fail not to inspect it! It is well worthy of admiration; pause and gaze upon it! It will charm you into imitation, therefore note it well! God looks on with approval, therefore consider it with attention. “How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” No one can tell the exceeding excellence of such a condition; and so the Psalmist uses the word “how” twice; – Behold how good! and how pleasant! He does not attempt to measure either the good or the pleasure, but invites us to behold for ourselves. The combination of the two adjectives “good” and “pleasant,” is more remarkable than the conjunction of two stars of the first magnitude: for a thing to be “good” is good, but for it also to be pleasant is better. All men love pleasant things, and yet it frequently happens that the pleasure is evil; but here the condition is as good as it is pleasant, as pleasant as it is good, for the same “how” is set before each qualifying word.
For brethren according to the flesh to dwell together is not always wise; for experience teaches that they are better a little apart, and it is shameful for them to dwell together in disunion. They had much better part in peace like Abraham and Lot, than dwell together in envy like Joseph’s brothers. When brethren can and do dwell together in unity, then is their communion worthy to be gazed upon and sung of in holy psalmody. Such sights ought often to be seen among those who are near of kin, for they are brethren, and therefore should be united in heart and aim; they dwell together, and it is for their mutual comfort that there should be no strife; and yet how many families are rent by fierce feuds, and exhibit a spectacle which is neither good nor pleasant!
As to brethren inspirit, they ought to dwell together in church fellowship, and in that fellowship one essential matter is unity. We can dispense with uniformity if we possess unity: oneness of life, truth, and way; oneness in Christ Jesus; oneness of object and spirit – these we must have, or our assemblies will be synagogues of contention rather than churches of Christ. The closer the unity the better; for the more of the good and the pleasant there will be. Since we are imperfect beings, somewhat of the evil and the unpleasant is sure to intrude; but this will readily be neutralized and easily ejected by the true love of the saints, if it really exists. Christian unity is good in itself, good for ourselves, good for the brethren, good for our converts, good for the outside world; and for certain it is pleasant: for a loving heart must have pleasure and give pleasure in associating with others of like nature. A church united for years in earnest service of the Lord is a well of goodness and joy to all those who dwell round about it.
From THE TREASURY OF DAVID e-Sword edition

True unity of the brethren is found through the Lord Jesus Christ.  The brethren of Christ Jesus love Him, and love one another.