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Daily Bible thoughts 701: Wednesday 10th September 2014:

Psalm 107:10-22

This psalm covers various situations believing people might find themselves in during the course of a lifetime. Whatever comes our way we can turn to God in prayer and find His help.

Here are two further examples. Both have to do with disobedience to God’s Word (11, 17). In both sets of circumstances there is a price to pay for rebellion against God. In the first example it is ‘captivity’ written on the bill (10-16); in the second it is ‘sickness’. We cannot sin as God’s people and think we will get away with it. Someone said that sin in a Christian is never less than serious. It seems that God has set things up so that when we set our faces against Him we experience consequences that drive us back to Him. Then, when we come to Him sincerely, with genuinely repentant hearts, He will be gracious and merciful to us, rescuing us from dire situations, and putting songs of praise to God in our hearts and mouths (15, 21, and 22). Haven’t you proved the essential truth of this psalm over and again?

In (10-16) the psalmist describes people whose circumstances have become confined and constricted because of rebellion against God’s Word (11). He may have in mind a literal imprisonment or enslavement, as happened to the Israelites at various points in their history. But there is also a spiritual darkness and bondage that can come upon people who fight against the truth. They resist the liberating knowledge that would otherwise set them free (John 8:31, 32). How miserable it is to be out of step with God and know that you are. Yet God will even deliver rebels if they genuinely call out to Him for mercy. ‘’In the garden (Gn.3) it was the purpose of the serpent to make the word of God seem unnaturally restrictive, an unwarranted denial of human liberty. Too late the man and his wife discovered that it was only by binding themselves to obey God’s word that they enjoyed liberty (cf. Ps. 119:45)…How often divine mercy protects us from the results of our own false choices we shall never know, but sometimes, with equal love, the barrier is allowed to fall and we experience the bitter bondage we have brought on ourselves. But even then we can pray (13) and find that…grace responds to prayer in deliverance (14-16).’’ J.A. Motyer: The ‘New Bible Commentary’, p.558.

As already noted, (17-22) deal with a similar situation, but here the outcome is one of suffering ‘’affliction’’ (17). This may refer to physical, mental or spiritual illness. As Motyer says, sin is our all-time ‘’own goal’’. Through it we bring great damage to ourselves. But when these people cry to God, He will send ‘’forth his word’’ and heal them (20). So God’s Word brings judgment on those who disobey it, but healing to those who accept and believe and obey it. ‘’Just as the source of our spiritual plight is rejection of the word (11), so the return to spiritual wholeness (20) is through the return of the word into our lives.’’ J.A. Motyer: The ‘New Bible Commentary’, p. 558.

‘’When the heart is quiet in God, the eye looks out on the scenes of nature and life around it, and detects everywhere, even where to ordinary men every appearance seems in the contrary direction, the loving-kindness of the Lord. As life advances, and one climbs the hill, one is able to review the path by which life has been directed and controlled. We observe with the wisdom which we have obtained by long experience, and we understand God’s reasons for many rebuffs, denials, and bitter disappointments. I believe that we shall one day turn to Him, and say, when we know all, ‘’Thou couldst not have done otherwise. We would not have wished otherwise.’’ ‘’ F.B. Meyer: Great verses through the Bible, p.233.

Prayer: Lord, I need your healing Word today.

 

 

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Daily Bible thoughts 651: Wednesday 2nd July 2014:

 Isaiah 17

”If the people you trust do not trust the Lord, their judgment may become your judgment.” Warren W.Wiersbe: With the Word, p.462. This chapter calls to us across the centuries to trust in the Lord and not in mere people.

This prophecy is given against Damascus, the capital city of Aram (Syria), and also against Ephraim (Israel, the ten northern tribes of the divided kingdom.) It relates to a time when both Aram and Ephraim were in an alliance against Judah (see 7:1 – 9:21). The Israelites were going to be judged along with Aram, because they put their trust in their pagan neighbours instead of in God. (The reference to ”imported vines” in verse 10 also concerns this unholy alliance.) The judgment of God is a real thing. Imagine words such as those in (1) being spoken about a great city today: Leeds, for example: ”Watch this: Damascus undone as a city, a pile of dust and rubble! Her towns emptied of people, The sheep and goats will move in And take over the towns as if they owned them – which they will! (2) The Message. This prophecy proved true within a few short years. The Assyrians captured Damascus in 732 B.C. and ten years later conquered Israel. Israel and Syria had huddled together for warmth against the approaching storm of the Assyrians, but their alliance was unable to protect them from the severe weather. To trust in man is always futile.

Verses 4 to 11 relate primarily to Israel. In (5-8) Isaiah says that a small number of Israelites will remain faithful to God and survive His judgment: ”She’ll be like a few stalks of barley left standing in the lush Valley of Rephaim after harvest. Or like the couple of ripe olives overlooked in the top of the olive tree, Or the four or five apples that the pickers couldn’t reach in the orchard.” The Message. No doubt some of these people turned away from paganism to God because they feared the judgment that was coming. Indeed many of them would eventually leave Israel and settle in Judah. But what of those who would not turn to God? They would be driven from the ”strong cities” (9) they had taken from the Canaanites. As the people of Canaan had fled before them, the people of Israel would now show their heels to the Assyrians.

Isaiah pictures the nations of the Middle East ‘‘raging’’ like the ”raging sea” (12). They are raging against the Lord, His people, and ultimately against Jesus (Psalm 2:1-6; Acts 4:25, 26). However, God is so powerful He will drive them back like ”chaff” before the ”wind” (13). Assyria was one of those turbulent nations God the Lord was going to deal with decisively. There is no doubt about as to who is in ultimate control. These verses (12-14) can comfort and encourage us today as we hear terribly disturbing reports from that region of the world.

God’s holiness is dangerous to sinful man. Like Aslan, in C.S. Lewis’ ‘The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe’, He is good, but He isn’t safe! The key to security when faced with the reality of God’s judgment is to trust in Him alone (7 and 10). To place your confidence anywhere else is to court disaster. (See Deuteronomy 8:19, 20). Without trust in God you can have apparent success (10, 11), but it will only be for a limited time. ”We shall never garner the harvest without his help and blessing…The co-operation and blessing of God, sought in answer to prayer, cannot be left out of our calculations, if we are to win lasting success.” F.B. Meyer: Great verses through the Bible, p.275

Prayer: Forgetful I may be at times Lord, but cause me to always remember you, and know that you are trustworthy.

 

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Daily Bible thoughts 650: Tuesday 1st July 2014:

Psalm 106:1-15

This psalm is a prayer of confession. The psalmist describes Israel’s repeated unfaithfulness and rebellion from the time of the Exodus up to the fall of Jerusalem, and he asks God to once again save His people (47) It is thought possible that the writer was an exiled Levite, who asks God to include him in the salvation of the Israelites (4, 5) i.e. in their rescue from captivity. Almost the whole Psalm consists of a list of Israel’s sins. Yet over and over we see God forgiving and restoring His rebellious people whenever they cried to Him for help. The theme of the psalm could be described as ‘God’s faithfulness and man’s unfaithfulness.’ There is a stark contrast. It is also important to understand that in spite of our unfaithfulness, God sometimes does great things for us anyway, just to glorify His own Name (8). Here are some issues today’s passage surfaces:

Confess your sins: In recent weeks I have been in three different churches where a prayer of confession has been offered early on in the service, and then there has then come the pronouncement of forgiveness in the light of Christ’s work on the cross. I am increasingly seeing how important this is. When we come to Christ we have a one-off’ bath’, and this does not have to be repeated. However as we walk through this world our feet get ‘muddy’ and we need the opportunity for regular ‘foot-washing.’ (See John 13). Personally and corporately it is important to ‘come clean’; to ‘keep short accounts’ with God. We can be ‘honest to God’ knowing that ”…he’s good…his love lasts.” (1) The Message. It is important to come out into the open and not try to cover up our sin. (Psalm 32:1-5). There is no hiding place from God anyway. ”We’ve sinned a lot, both we and our parents; We’ve fallen short, hurt a lot of people.” (6) The Message. The psalmist begins his confession with the sins of his own generation (6), then in (7) he looks over his shoulder as far back as the time in Egypt (See Exodus 14:10-12). In spite of how the people were, God was (and always will be) true to Himself and He brought glory to His Name.

Remember God’s goodness (1, 2; 8-12): Never forget His remarkable acts of deliverance in the past. He is still God and He is always able. How eloquently (9b) speaks of the amazing miracle the Lord performed at the exodus: ”… – no one so much as got wet feet!” The Message. Verse 12 is interesting and instructive. The toughest test of Christian faith does not come in ‘days of wonder’ when everything is going well. It’s easy to sing in the daylight, but what about when you face the dark night of the soul? How are your vocal chords then? When the sunshine is absent and it’s pouring with rain, then what will you do? If you pull the dipstick out of your soul in the midst of great trial, what will be the oil of faith level?

Learn the lessons of Biblical history: Here are two:

a.) Don’t forget God (13; see Deut.8:11-20). If we forget God’s works we will soon forget God Himself, because He makes Himself known through them.

b.) Seek to know and do God’s will (13-15; see Numbers 11 – especially verses 4 and 34/ also 1 Cor.10:6). It is important to know ”his counsel’’ (13b) in our lives and prayers. However much I may think I want it, I don’t want God to give me anything that is not according to His will. I don’t want the ”empty heart”/ the ”leanness” of soul/ even the ‘‘wasting disease’’ that can come in the wake of getting your own way. ”He gave them exactly what they asked for – but along with it they got an empty heart.” (15) The Message.

”…do not seek to impose your will on God; do not insist on anything with too great vehemence; let God choose. Whenever you make request for things which are not definitely promised, ask God not to grant them, except it be for the very best.” F.B. Meyer: Great verses through the Bible, p.233.

The ‘lusts of the flesh’ can exert a strong pull over our lives still. We can only resist them in the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Pet.2:11; Gal.5:16).

Prayer: Lord, let me always be clear about what I should say ‘No’ to and what I should say ‘Yes’ to. Thank you that I am empowered by your Spirit to do both.

 

 

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Daily Bible thoughts 649: Monday 30th June 2014:

2 Corinthians 9:6-15.

”He gives you something you can then give away’’ (From verse 11 in The Message.) Giving is a vital part of Christian discipleship.

We are to give generously (6; see also 8-11). This doesn’t just apply to money. It is a general spiritual principle that works out in many ways. But it certainly does apply to money. Think about the realm of agriculture. If you only sow a small part of a field, you will have a relatively small harvest. If you sow a large area of land you can reap a big harvest. I was talking to a farmer and his wife last autumn, and they told me that from a small seed sown you get back something much bigger, more plentiful than you might expect. Proportionately, what you harvest looks far more impressive than what you sow. But, of course, you will get nowhere if you keep the seed in your hand.

We are to give cheerfully (7). One famous preacher paraphrased the last part of this verse as ”Hallelujah! Here comes the plate!!” I heard another leader say that each month, when he and his wife write their tithe cheque, they rejoice that they have once again been able to put to death that greedy, grasping spirit; that poverty mentality that says, ‘I am fearful of shortage.’ Cheerful, and willing giving is one way to overcome the world. (Note that Paul did not stipulate how much people must give; only that they should do so, and generously. He wanted to see ‘free-will offerings’.) ”God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.” The Message.

We are to give abundantly (8-11).

  • The abundance of the giver (8, 9): In verse 9 Paul quotes from Psalm 112:9: He throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon. His right-living, right-giving ways never run out, never wear out.” The Message. This is part of the righteous life God calls His people to. It is a life of supplying the needs of others (12), serving (13) and sharing what we have (14). By the way, have you noticed how giving binds people more closely together? ”Meanwhile, moved by the extravagance of God in your lives, they’ll respond by praying for you in passionate intercession for whatever you need.” (14) The Message.

 

  • The abundance of the harvest (10, 11). We reap more than we sow. But this harvesting is not for the sake of scrooge-like hoarding. It is so that the virtuous cycle of giving can go on and on in ever-increasing circles. The more you give, the more you have to be able to give. What’s more, the glory goes to God (11b; see also 13). ”Carrying out this social relief work involves far more than helping meet the bare needs of poor Christians. It also produces abundant and bountiful thanksgivings to God.” (12) The Message. And, as someone observed, the moment we stop being generous is when God will stop making us rich!

 

We are to give obediently (13). Giving is a mark of Christian obedience, and one of the ways we live out the implications of the Lordship of Christ.

We are to give in recognition of the greatest gift (14). Someone spoke of ”the gift of Christ, so great as to be beyond description, the spring and pattern of our giving.” The thought of Jesus’ self-giving should continually challenge us.

”Let us always remember how great God’s power is (Ephesians 3:20-21). From a tiny seed, God can make a great tree. But we have to let go of that seed; we have to bury it in the ground. If we keep that seed in our pocket, no tree will come from it. In the same way, a small boy once gave away five loaves and two fish to Jesus, and Jesus turned them into a feast for five thousand men! (see Mark 6:35-44).” Tom Hale: The Applied New Testament Commentary, p.683

Prayer: Lord I ask you to direct my giving, that I may always please and glorify you by generosity.

 

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Daily Bible thoughts 647: Thursday 26th June 2014:

 Isaiah 14:28-32

Trust in God, not man. Get your eyes on the Lord, and fix them on Him. He is all you need. He won’t fail you.

The Philistines were ancient enemies of the Israelites. They lived along the Mediterranean coast west of Israel, and regularly gave God’s people the ‘run around’ through the years. Isaiah prophesies that they will revolt against Assyria: the ‘‘rod that struck” them (29). However, he says that new Assyrian rulers will spring up who are worse than the former ones (29). So they should not ”rejoice” over short-lived victories. In fact, the Philistines are doomed. ”The LORD will be a shepherd to the poor of his people and will let them live in safety.” (30a Good News Bible.) But the Philistines will be destroyed by the Assyrians (30). The Assyrian army will appear as a ‘’cloud of smoke’’ coming ‘’from the north’’ (31). (Some scholars believe (29) refers to the king of Judah and not that of Assyria; either to Ahaz, who had just died, or Uzziah, his father. But the ”cloud of smoke” coming from the ”north” (31) indicates that it was the Assyrians who would finally destroy the Philistines . Whichever way you interpret it, the basic sense of the prophecy remains the same.)

Isaiah foresaw that the Philistines would send ”envoys” to Jerusalem, seeking to make an alliance with the Jews against a common enemy (32). But God’s people would stand firm with their trust in Him.

”It was as sharp a test of obedience for Hezekiah as was that of ch.7 for Ahaz; and the Philistines were formidable people to offend (cf. 2 Ch.28: 18 – 19) at this time. God’s reply is threefold. First, there is worse yet to come from Assyria (29); secondly, Philistia is a doomed people (30b – 31); thirdly, true welfare is only in the Lord (30a, 32). It is the constant message of Isaiah: trust, not intrigue.” Derek Kidner: The New Bible Commentary, p.643.

”What does one say to outsiders who ask questions? Tell them, ”GOD has established Zion. Those in need and trouble find refuge in her.” ” The Message. What a portrait of what the church is meant to be in this world. Established by God she is a place of refuge for people in need. Those who heed the church’s message and put their trust in God find that He will never let them down.

Surrounded by danger, enemies and seemingly insurmountable problems, choose to trust in the Lord. He is fully worthy of your confidence.

Prayer: Lord God, you know what is on my mind today. You know how it weighs upon me. I place it into your Hands. I acknowledge it was in your Hands already, but I need to consciously release it to you. It is too big for me to handle. Thank you for daily carrying my burdens. You are good all the time.

 

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Daily Bible thoughts 646: Wednesday 25th June 2014:

 Isaiah 14: 24-27

Look to God for victory! He still crushes ”the Assyrian” in His ”land”.

This short oracle is directed against the nation of Assyria. (See 10:5-34). They were the world superpower before the Babylonians replaced them: the nation that took the Israelites captive. See three great truths about God:
He is sovereign (24, 26, and 27): He is ”The LORD Almighty…” (24a).Whatever He plans and purposes will come to pass. Not even the mightiest king can stand against Him and ”thwart” His agenda. You might as well stand in the middle of a heaving motorway with your hand raised, as try to stand against the rolling purposes of God. ”Exactly as I planned, it will happen. Following my blueprints, it will take shape.” The Message. It’s not just about what He has said, but what He has ”sworn” (24a; see Hebs.13:ff.). There is a ”Surely” (24b) about what God decrees. We know that His Word is true, and we can rely on it. What it foretells will happen. ”God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? Numbers 23:19.

He is Judge (25-27): He will deal with sin and sinners; He will deal with all sin and all sinners (26). There will be no exceptions. ”This is my plan for the world, and my arm is stretched out to punish the nations.” (26: Good News Bible). What God did to mighty Assyria should serve as a warning to all nations. The only shelter from the judgment of God is found in Christ, and people from all countries can take refuge in Him. But if they will not, a real and fearful judgment awaits them.

He is the Victor/Deliverer (25): What God says He will do, He literally did. You can read the story later on in chapters 36 and 37. It’s quite remarkable. But although this happened historically, I believe there is a spiritual principle I can apply to my life. I am God’s ”land”. (See ”my” three times in verse 25) I belong to God. My life, in all its regions, is His territory. But ”the Assyrian” is within the borders of His land. I have within me a sinful nature that has an appetite for sin. It likes to sin; it wants to sin; it will be with me until I die. It is the devil’s ‘Trojan Horse’ or ‘fifth column’. Sin is an ‘inside job’, you might say. But God can ”crush” this enemy within. Indeed, He already has, at the cross, and I can experience victory because of Him. I can know freedom from slavery to sin. According to Paul, in Romans 6, I already do. But I have to work out the implications in my everyday life. I must fully play my part, and co-operate with the Holy Spirit all along the way. I must do all I need to do to fight and resist indwelling sin. But I need to be clear that the victory is the Lord’s (Rom.7:24, 25; 2 Cor.2:14), and He will give me all I need for holiness as I seek to act in His power, and follow Him in His triumphant procession. The mightiest enemies of all have been slain at Calvary, and I can experience the fruits of that in my life. This thought encourages me today, that there is victory for me in Jesus. There is victory for you too! (There is the picture of something heavy being lifted in 25b. Maybe that is exactly what you need.)

One final thought: It is characteristic of God’s strategy, someone said, that the enemy should be broken in God’s land, in his moment of apparent victory. (Read Acts 4:27, 28 and pause to reflect and rejoice over the greatest triumph.)

Prayer: Thank you Lord that when man (and Satan) were doing their worst, you were doing your very best. You took Goliath’s sword and used it to chop off his head. Hallelujah!

 

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Daily Bible thoughts 645: Tuesday 24th June 2014:

Isaiah 14:12-23

Choose to walk the path of humility; It beats being humbled! God’s law of gravity says that ‘what goes down must come up!’

We are traversing what has been called the ”jungle of prophecy’’ (Chapters 13-25). These are oracles against foreign nations. Today’s verses for reflection form the last part of the oracle against Babylon. (If you are able, it would be good to read Gen.11:1-9 and Rev.18:2, 3 in conjunction with Isaiah 13:1-14:23).

Like the king of Babylon (12-14) Lucifer (Satan) exalted himself and was humbled, but Jesus, God’s Son, humbled Himself and was exalted (Phil.2:5-11). In so doing He has left us a pattern. This template is counter-intuitive; it moves against the world (we might say ‘Babylonian’) system, but herein lies real life (Jas. 4:10; 1 Peter 5:6). ”If the Lord’s going to raise you up, let him raise you up; but whatever you do don’t try to raise yourself up!”

You will see the repetition of the words ”I will” in (13, 14; see James 4:13-17). How different was the plan, the aim, the stated ambition, to the actual outcome (15-23). See what was intended, and compare it with what happened. Then learn! ”Stop! Look! Listen!” Ancient kings often fancied themselves as gods, but the more they lifted themselves up, the less like God they became. When the true God appeared on earth, it was in the form of a humble servant. When human rulers exalt themselves they follow the devil’s example and are energised by him (13; compare with Gen.11:4. The name ”Babel” is the Hebrew word for Babylon. From Babel to Babylon human nature hadn’t changed.)

Satan said ”I will” but Jesus said, ”Thy will”. The essence of sin is self-love; it is the enthronement of self, and effectively the replacement of God with me. ”I did it my way”. But there can only be one Lord in a human life (Mt.6:24). Who’s it going to be? ”If self is on the throne, Christ is on the cross; but if Christ is on the throne, self is on the cross.” Don’t you think today’s passage says that it’s not good to get your own way. I don’t want God to allow me to have my own way (however much I want it, if you see what I mean!) It’s an exceedingly risky enterprise when you seek to get your will done in heaven.

Powerful people in this world, those who oppose God and His people, will get their come-uppance in God’s good time (and that goes for the one who empowers them: Phil. 2: 10, 11; see also 2 Thess.2:4. When the antichrist comes:”the man of lawlessness”, he will be the embodiment, the incarnation of Satan himself. But he will be no match for the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Thess.2:8). You can see in Isaiah 14: 12 -23 how the king of Babylon is going to be utterly humiliated. His ruin will be total. He will have no ”tomb” (19), no ”burial” (20). He will be ”Like a corpse trampled underfoot’’ (19). A man’s memorials include his grave stone and children, but the king of Babylon will have neither.

So, humble yourself under God. If Jesus is your Lord you will follow Him in taking up the basin and towel. (See John 13, and especially verses 12-17. It really is important to read these words.)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, suffering servant, help me to reject the way of self-importance, and take every opportunity to humbly serve.

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Daily Bible thoughts 644: Monday 23rd June 2014:

Isaiah 14:1-11

Here are two complementary truths about life: a.) suffering is only for a time; b.) success is only for a time. So if you are currently navigating choppy waters, remember that this storm has come to pass. And if your graphs are all ‘up and to the right’, keep it in perspective. The prophecy against Babylon that we began to look at in 13:1 continues down to 14:23. See in today’s reading that:

  1. Suffering will end (1-4a): God gives ”relief from suffering and turmoil and cruel bondage.” (3) The people of God would be taken as captives to Babylon, but years before this happened, Isaiah saw that those exiles would return (10:20, 21). There is a part of Isaiah’s prophecy that is yet to happen (2). One day God will fulfil His ultimate purpose for Israel, to be a blessing to all the peoples on earth. The return of the remnant was an important marker on the road to the ultimate establishment of the Messianic Kingdom. When we go through our days of ‘Babylonian captivity’, as we do in this world, we can be sure that God will bring the pain and heartache to an end in His good time.
  1. Success will end (4b – 11). Three sharp pointed thoughts cut into me as I read these words:
  • Success is only for a time: The Babylonians were at the ‘top of the tree’ politically. They had barnstorming success, rampaging across the world of their day. But it was only for a limited period.
  •   Leadership is only for a time: In (9) you read about ”all those who were leaders in the world…all those who were kings over the nations.” (Underlining mine). Their leadership and authority is in the past tense. (It is good for those who lead in church life to recognise this truth also. We only have a short time to make a difference. Our status should not come from our leadership position but our relationship with God as His children. Too many leaders get defined by their role, and apart from it they don’t really know who they are.)
  • Greatness (in human terms) is only for a time. For a few short years people will clamour for your autograph, then life will go on without you, just as it has done in the case of every other rich and famous personality. Time may briefly doff its cap to you, but then it marches on, taking out more victims left, right and centre. So, success, leadership and greatness all come to an end. THEN WHAT?

Verses 9 – 11 read like this in The Message: ”And the underworld dead are all excited, preparing to welcome you when you come. Getting ready to greet you are the ghostly dead, all the famous names of the earth. All the buried kings of the nations will stand up on their thrones With well-prepared speeches, royal invitations to death: ”Now you are as nothing as we are! Make yourselves at home with us dead folks!” This is where your pomp and fine music led you, Babylon, to your underworld private chambers, a king-size mattress of maggots for repose and a quilt of crawling worms for warmth.”

”Now you are as nothing as we are!” It makes you think!! As someone said to me recently, ‘You’re dead a long time.’ That is certainly true. But Biblically speaking, death is not the cessation of existence. So you need to be clear about where your eternal home will be. That will be determined by your response to Jesus.

Prayer: ‘’Teach me to live that I may dread the grave, as little as my bed.’’ (Bishop Thomas Ken).

 

 

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Daily Bible thoughts 643: Friday 20th June 2014:

Psalm 105:37-45

As we conclude our look at this psalm, the overwhelming thought we are left with concerns God’s lavish provision for His covenant people. It will encourage us today to think that this God is our God.                                               See:

  • His material provision (37a; see Ex.12:35, 36). It wasn’t just the gift of wealth, but an abundance of it: ”laden”, and that means a lot!! This material enlargement also included territorial conquest (44). The land of Canaan was inhabited by many godless peoples (Gn.15:19-21) ”He made them a gift of the country they entered, helped them seize the wealth of the nations.” The Message.
  • His provision of strength for the journey: ”…and from among their tribes no-one faltered.” (37b).
  • His provision of protection (38): He caused the mighty Egyptians to fear them and want them to leave their country. This was the Lord’s doing and it remains ‘marvellous’ in our eyes. ”Egypt was glad to have them go-they were scared to death of them.” The Message. Their leaving meant an end to the devastating plagues (38).
  • His provision of guidance (along with protection). This is covered in (39).
  • His provision of life’s necessities (40, 41). He gave them each day their daily bread, and water. They looked to Him in prayer, and He did not fail them.
  • His provision of great joy (43). ”He led his people out singing for joy; his chosen people marched, singing their hearts out!” The Message.

In all that the Lord did for them He was ‘remembering’ His promise to Abraham made centuries earlier (42).

It was also to the end that they might live as God’s Holy people (45): He did all this ”So they could do everything he told them – could follow his instructions to the letter.” The Message. The Lord did not give them all this blessing so they could live any old way they chose. They were expected to live to the praise of God’s glory, so that through them God’s light would shine on all nations to their blessing. They were not blessed to hoard the blessing, but to share it. The Psalm begins with the people looking to the Lord in trust (4), and concludes with them obeying. ‘Trust and obey’ is the essence of our walk with God too. Without the obedience, praise is just religious noise (Amos 5:23, 24).

Prayer: Lord, you have loaded us with blessings. Help us to not abuse them but use them for your glory.

 

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