Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us,
But to Your name give glory,
Because of Your mercy,
Because of Your truth. v.1
Read chapter 115
Have you ever seen the Truman Show? It a movie with Jim Carrey where a whole world is made specifically for him and all the people in the world are just actors, but Jim's character, Truman, doesn't know it's all an act since he was born into this bubble world created. Everything in that bubble world was created for Truman, every actor is there for Truman and their character is all in response to Truman. Well in a very small similarity to that movie is this world. Not that the world revolves around one ignorant man, but the world was created by God and for God. Everything in it is for Him. It is not to us, but for Jesus' glory. Everything we do should be for God's glory, not just an act for that doesn't give Him glory, but a true hearth that reveres the Lord. Do you feel like you're Truman in the Truman Show? How can you go about your daily life not for your own glory but for God's glory?
The sad thing about the people singing this psalm was that nations no longer feared the Lord, like they did after all the miraculous wonders He did in Egypt to bring His people out. They're plea wasn't to talk about justification but talk about God's honor of His mercy and truth- an old style argument similar to Moses'. As Charles Spurgeon remarks, "In such manner also let us pray when no other plea is available because of our sense of sin; for the Lord is always jealous of his honour, and will work for his name's sake when no other motive will move him."
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Psalm 114
What ails you, O sea, that you fled?
O Jordan, that you turned back?
6 O mountains, that you skipped like rams?
O little hills, like lambs? vv.5-6
Read chapter 114
Questions to nature to explain it's behavior. The psalmist is asking in the present what happened in the past for their commotion. The psalm starts off speaking of the great Exodus. The sea was parted as it fled for the Israelites to cross it. Wind can't even cause the sea to do that, yet what is it about Lord that the sea caused it to. At the Lord's coming to Mount Siani the mountains moved. Possibly they moved being terrified or leaping for joy. Mountains and hills that seem immovable to man become the most active at the presence and command of the Lord. Nothing is immovable except God Himself. "For the mountains shall depart And the hills be removed, But My kindness shall not depart from you, Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed." (Isaiah 54:10).
What, metaphorically, mountains and hills do you want moved in your life, whether you take it as mountains of sin or addiction or hills of a people to leap for joy at the Lord, that only seem could happen by God's presence?
O Jordan, that you turned back?
6 O mountains, that you skipped like rams?
O little hills, like lambs? vv.5-6
Read chapter 114
Questions to nature to explain it's behavior. The psalmist is asking in the present what happened in the past for their commotion. The psalm starts off speaking of the great Exodus. The sea was parted as it fled for the Israelites to cross it. Wind can't even cause the sea to do that, yet what is it about Lord that the sea caused it to. At the Lord's coming to Mount Siani the mountains moved. Possibly they moved being terrified or leaping for joy. Mountains and hills that seem immovable to man become the most active at the presence and command of the Lord. Nothing is immovable except God Himself. "For the mountains shall depart And the hills be removed, But My kindness shall not depart from you, Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed." (Isaiah 54:10).
What, metaphorically, mountains and hills do you want moved in your life, whether you take it as mountains of sin or addiction or hills of a people to leap for joy at the Lord, that only seem could happen by God's presence?
Monday, October 3, 2016
Psalm 113
Who is like the Lord our God,
Who dwells on high,
6 Who humbles Himself to beholdThe things that are in the heavens and in the earth? vv.5-6
Read chapter 113
Who is like our God? The challenge still, and will always, stand! Nothing or no one can compare to Him. There are many people that display His characteristics or metaphors to grasp a hint of what God is like, but even they fall short of God in all His fullness. This psalm is one purely of praise and a common outburst of praise of the saints are these words. God is so high above where He resides that He humbles Himself to heavens and even lower to the earth. He's not this lofty god that doesn't know or care what's going on in the details of our lives, but which makes Him like no other god because He does come and care. He humbles Himself to the most humblest of servants to cause them to sing for joy of Him as we see in verse one of this psalm and of Mary in Luke 1 saying “Behold the maidservant of the Lord!”
How do you see people try to compare God to someone or something and it doesn't measure up? How do or can you take the place as a servant and praise the Lord for His humbleness?
Who dwells on high,
6 Who humbles Himself to beholdThe things that are in the heavens and in the earth? vv.5-6
Read chapter 113
Who is like our God? The challenge still, and will always, stand! Nothing or no one can compare to Him. There are many people that display His characteristics or metaphors to grasp a hint of what God is like, but even they fall short of God in all His fullness. This psalm is one purely of praise and a common outburst of praise of the saints are these words. God is so high above where He resides that He humbles Himself to heavens and even lower to the earth. He's not this lofty god that doesn't know or care what's going on in the details of our lives, but which makes Him like no other god because He does come and care. He humbles Himself to the most humblest of servants to cause them to sing for joy of Him as we see in verse one of this psalm and of Mary in Luke 1 saying “Behold the maidservant of the Lord!”
How do you see people try to compare God to someone or something and it doesn't measure up? How do or can you take the place as a servant and praise the Lord for His humbleness?
Sunday, October 2, 2016
Psalm 112
A good man deals graciously and lends;
He will guide his affairs with discretion. v.5
Read chapter 112
When "poop hits the fan" or things go all cattywumpus what is your response? What comes out of you when you're the most frustrated or most stressed? Is it grace? Who we really are deep down inside is what usually comes out. To be able to respond in grace is not always an easy thing, a lot of the time how we respond has nothing to do with the present situation but to something bigger and unsettled in our hearts. The person that responds out of anger, frustration, cruelty hasn't learned the wisdom of discretion either.
We can also take this verse to another level in how people do business with others. How often do you see advertised of companies saying they're Christian? I know many people that will choose, for example, a plumber labeled as a Christian company over another even if the price is a little higher and it's usually because of the service that is behind it. Now yes, some use that label as a scam, but if they truly mean it the perception is that they deal graciously with their customers with Godly discretion of honesty and not trying to cheat the customer. The world may call him a fool for his religion but not a fool in his work. He drives his affairs instead of his affairs driving him.
So who are you when things hit the fan and how can deal with the icky stuff that comes out that you may be one that can respond in grace and wisdom? How can you manage your affairs of life then let them manage you?
He will guide his affairs with discretion. v.5
Read chapter 112
When "poop hits the fan" or things go all cattywumpus what is your response? What comes out of you when you're the most frustrated or most stressed? Is it grace? Who we really are deep down inside is what usually comes out. To be able to respond in grace is not always an easy thing, a lot of the time how we respond has nothing to do with the present situation but to something bigger and unsettled in our hearts. The person that responds out of anger, frustration, cruelty hasn't learned the wisdom of discretion either.
We can also take this verse to another level in how people do business with others. How often do you see advertised of companies saying they're Christian? I know many people that will choose, for example, a plumber labeled as a Christian company over another even if the price is a little higher and it's usually because of the service that is behind it. Now yes, some use that label as a scam, but if they truly mean it the perception is that they deal graciously with their customers with Godly discretion of honesty and not trying to cheat the customer. The world may call him a fool for his religion but not a fool in his work. He drives his affairs instead of his affairs driving him.
So who are you when things hit the fan and how can deal with the icky stuff that comes out that you may be one that can respond in grace and wisdom? How can you manage your affairs of life then let them manage you?
Saturday, October 1, 2016
Psalm 111
The works of the Lord are great,
Studied by all who have pleasure in them. v.2
Read chapter 111
In number, size and excellence of greatness are the works of the Lord. It's no hard task to see the works of the Lord, although many might not give Him the credit, but even more works and the excellence of each work one will see as he or she looks closer. One can see a tree grow, but when one understands how a tree grows the tree becomes a more amazing piece of creation. A little boy can love playing with cars and as he learns how to build a car as he gets older it becomes his favorite hobby where he finds peace and joy. One can eat the best chocolate chip cookie they've ever had and quick learn how to make it themselves so that they can enjoy the treat themselves and make it for others. So studying the scriptures of God, one may have a Bible and once the student of God reads and studies the scripture he or she will soon find pleasure and awe in them not looking to it as ancient myths or boring rules.
Studied by all who have pleasure in them. v.2
Read chapter 111
In number, size and excellence of greatness are the works of the Lord. It's no hard task to see the works of the Lord, although many might not give Him the credit, but even more works and the excellence of each work one will see as he or she looks closer. One can see a tree grow, but when one understands how a tree grows the tree becomes a more amazing piece of creation. A little boy can love playing with cars and as he learns how to build a car as he gets older it becomes his favorite hobby where he finds peace and joy. One can eat the best chocolate chip cookie they've ever had and quick learn how to make it themselves so that they can enjoy the treat themselves and make it for others. So studying the scriptures of God, one may have a Bible and once the student of God reads and studies the scripture he or she will soon find pleasure and awe in them not looking to it as ancient myths or boring rules.
Those who love their Maker delight in his handiwork, they perceive that there is more in them than appears upon the surface, and therefore they bend their minds to study and understand them. The devout naturalist ransacks nature, the earnest student of history pries into hidden facts and dark stories, and the man of God digs into the mines of Scripture, and hoards up each grain of its golden truth. God's works are worthy of our researches, they yield us instruction and pleasure wonderfully blended, and they grow upon, appearing to be far greater, after investigation than before...The hidden wisdom of God is the most marvellous part of his works, and hence those who do not look below the surface miss the best part of what he would teach us." Charles SpurgeonHow have you found pleasure in studying God's works? What step do you need to take to dig deeper below the surface of His scriptures?
Friday, September 30, 2016
Psalm 110
The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” v.1
Read chapter 110
"Jehovah said to Adonai" is the Hebrew translation here for the two names of Lord in English. The translators attempted a little bit to show the difference by making all capital letters LORD every time it was a translation of the Hebrew Jehovah in the Old Testament. The two names for God here is representing two characteristics of His character. Jehovah is Jesus and the God of relationship, Adonai is like a master, king or head of a house and is implying that Adonai is the Messiah. David is noted as the psalmist is the prescript here and also confirmed by Jesus who quotes this verse in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke saying of David. It is also one of the most quoted O.T verses in the New Testament.
To sit at a right hand doesn't mean just a pretty picture of one big throne and a small chair next to it where the next person in charge sits, but is to be at the rights or authority, there is no "hand" in the text. Basically God's authority is Christ's authority.
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” v.1
Read chapter 110
"Jehovah said to Adonai" is the Hebrew translation here for the two names of Lord in English. The translators attempted a little bit to show the difference by making all capital letters LORD every time it was a translation of the Hebrew Jehovah in the Old Testament. The two names for God here is representing two characteristics of His character. Jehovah is Jesus and the God of relationship, Adonai is like a master, king or head of a house and is implying that Adonai is the Messiah. David is noted as the psalmist is the prescript here and also confirmed by Jesus who quotes this verse in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke saying of David. It is also one of the most quoted O.T verses in the New Testament.
To sit at a right hand doesn't mean just a pretty picture of one big throne and a small chair next to it where the next person in charge sits, but is to be at the rights or authority, there is no "hand" in the text. Basically God's authority is Christ's authority.
What this is telling us is that Christ will sit on the rights of God until all His enemies are subjected to Him. Something that is under your feet is something you have control over. You can tread lightly on it, or crush it in the dirt. Basically, you can do as you like with it. Therefore, to be under the feet is an idiom for being under the power or the control. So Christ reigns until all His enemies are His subjects.Why do you think this verse is quoted so much in the New Testament? What hope does this give you of this verse?
Now this does not mean that His reign stops at the point when all His enemies are subjected to Him. Rather, the word “till” indicates this is the great point or purpose of Him being given this position. It is to subject His enemies and make them obedient to Him. Once they are subject to Him, then He can reign indeed. This is not the end of His reign, but rather the beginning! (Bible Teacher, Nathan Johnson)
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Psalm 109
Set a wicked man over him, and let an accuser stand at his right hand...For He shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those who condemn him. vv.6,31
Read chapter 109
This psalm can be a bit confusing as it seems like David is praying cursings on others and blessings on himself. It is true that David does pray by divine inspiration for and end of his enemies in some of his psalms, but in this psalm it's a little different. Bible scholar E.W. Bullinger, author of the Companion Bible, noted the differences in who's speaking throughout psalm 109. In verse 1-5, 16-27,30-31 David is speaking, verses 6-15, 28-29 David's enemies are speaking. Seems a bit choppy but that's how conversations usually go, not just one person talking all the time. How too in my prayers do I start praying and then play back in my mind the words said that are causing me frustration. It's not that I'm praying those words but remembering them and their hurt.
In verse six the word for accuser is satan. The wicked's words are saying let satan stand at David's right hand that he may be condemned. Yet we see in contrast verse thirty-one that God will stand at the right hand of the poor to save him from the wicked who falsely accuse him. What unrighteous man can complain if he finds himself governed by one of like character? What can the wicked expect but that their rulers should be like themselves? (Spurgeon)
Who do you have standing at your right hand?
Read chapter 109
This psalm can be a bit confusing as it seems like David is praying cursings on others and blessings on himself. It is true that David does pray by divine inspiration for and end of his enemies in some of his psalms, but in this psalm it's a little different. Bible scholar E.W. Bullinger, author of the Companion Bible, noted the differences in who's speaking throughout psalm 109. In verse 1-5, 16-27,30-31 David is speaking, verses 6-15, 28-29 David's enemies are speaking. Seems a bit choppy but that's how conversations usually go, not just one person talking all the time. How too in my prayers do I start praying and then play back in my mind the words said that are causing me frustration. It's not that I'm praying those words but remembering them and their hurt.
In verse six the word for accuser is satan. The wicked's words are saying let satan stand at David's right hand that he may be condemned. Yet we see in contrast verse thirty-one that God will stand at the right hand of the poor to save him from the wicked who falsely accuse him. What unrighteous man can complain if he finds himself governed by one of like character? What can the wicked expect but that their rulers should be like themselves? (Spurgeon)
Who do you have standing at your right hand?
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