PSALM 105
Worship the LORD verse 1- 3
O give thanks unto the LORD – call on HIS name
make known HIS deeds among the people
Sing unto HIM – sing psalms to HIM
talk you of all HIS wondrous works
glory you in HIS name
let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD
Seek the LORD verse 4- 7
Seek the LORD – and HIS strength – seek HIS face evermore
remember HIS marvelous works that HE has done
HIS wonders – and the judgments of HIS mouth
O you seed of Abraham HIS servant
you children of Jacob HIS chosen
HE is the LORD our God
HIS judgments are in all the earth
Covenant made by the LORD verse 8- 12
HE has remembered HIS covenant for ever
the word which HE commanded to a thousand generations
Which covenant HE made with Abraham
and HIS oath to Isaac
and confirmed the same to Jacob for a law
and to Israel for an everlasting covenant
saying
To you will I give the land of Canaan
the lot of your inheritance
when they were but a few men in number
yea very few – and strangers in it
Protection of the LORD throughout history verse 13- 16
When they went from one nation to another
from one kingdom to another people
HE suffered no man to do them wrong – yea
HE reproved kings for their sakes
saying
Touch not MINE anointed
and do MY prophets no harm
Moreover, HE called for a famine on the land
HE broke the whole staff of bread
Providence of God through Joseph verse 17- 22
HE sent a man before them – even Joseph – who was sold for a servant
whose feet they hurt with fetters – he was laid in iron
until the time that HIS word came
the word of the LORD tried him
The king sent and loosed him – even the ruler of the people
and let him go free
He made him lord of his house – and ruler of all his substance
to bind his princes at his pleasure
and teach his senators wisdom
Israel moved to Egypt verse 23- 25
Israel also came into Egypt
and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham
and HE increased his people greatly
and made them stronger than their enemies
HE turned their heart to hate HIS people
to deal subtly with HIS servants
Ten plagues of Egypt verse 26- 36
HE sent Moses HIS servant – and Aaron whom he had chosen
they showed HIS signs among them
and wonders in the land of Ham
HE sent darkness – and made it dark
and they rebelled against not HIS word
HE turned their waters into blood
and slew their fish
Their land brought forth frogs in abundance
in the chambers of their kings
HE spoke and there came divers sorts of flies
and lice in all their coasts
HE gave them hail for rain
and flaming fire in their land
HE smote their vines also and their fig trees
and brake the trees of their coasts
HE spoke – and the locusts came – and caterpillars
and that without number
and did eat up all the herbs in their land
and devoured the fruit of their ground
HE smote also all the firstborn in their land
the chief of all their strength
Israel in the wilderness verse 37- 45
HE brought them forth also with silver and gold
and there was not one feeble person among their tribes
Egypt was glad when they departed
for the fear of them fell on them
HE spread a cloud for a covering
and fire to give light in the night
the people asked – and HE brought quails
and satisfied them with the bread of heaven
HE opened the rock – and the waters gushed out
they ran in the dry places like a river
FOR HE remembered HIS holy promise – and Abraham HIS servant
and HE brought forth HIS people with JOY
and HIS CHOSEN with GLADNESS
and gave them the lands of the heathen
and they inherited the labor of the people
that they might OBSERVE HIS statutes
and KEEP HIS laws
PRAISE the LORD
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 2 “Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works!”
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982).
Talk – 7878 שִׂיחַ [siyach /see·akh/] v. A primitive root; TWOT 2255; GK 8488; 20 occurrences; AV translates as “talk” five times, “meditate” five times, “speak” four times, “complain” twice, “pray” once, “commune” once, “muse” once, and “declare” once. 1 to put forth, mediate, muse, commune, speak, complain, ponder, sing. 1A (Qal). 1A1 to complain. 1A2 to muse, meditate upon, study, ponder. 1A3 to talk, sing, speak. 1B (Polel) to meditate, consider, put forth thoughts. James Strong, Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2001).
DEVOTION: How well are you at giving a testimony of God’s work in your life? We are called to testify of God’s work and encouraged to share the ways God has protected and delivered us at different times through our lives. The psalmist tells of how God delivered and worked in the nation of Israel throughout its history. He is still at work in our history as well and we are to proclaim and tell others of His great works!
Can we talk of the works, words and ways that God has revealed Himself to us as we have followed Him? God is so good and the ways He helps us may be helpful for others as we share our story.
CHALLENGE: Take the opportunity to talk of God’s work in your life to someone today. It may be just the story to encourage them to continue in their walk with the Lord! (Dr. Brian Miller – board member)
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 6 O you seed of Abraham his servant, you children of Jacob his chosen.
(972 “chosen” [bachiyr] means elect, select, preferred, or special relationship base on affection.
DEVOTION: Growing up there were many times that there would be pickup games of sports. There were the ones who were preferred because they were better athletes. The ones who didn’t play well were selected last if at all. Even as adults there are times when some are selected and others are not.
The LORD has a selection process. However, we were not there when HE selected those who would be HIS followers. HE is omniscient and is eternal. HE knew before the foundation of the world who would follow HIM and who would not. Does that mean that we have no choice in the matter? NO!! We dwell in time and HE does not.
HE selected Abraham to be a follower of HIM. This psalm then informs us that HE selected Moses and Aaron to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. Finally, HE calls the children of Israel HIS selected people.
HE made a promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob or Israel. HE kept HIS promise. Their responsibility was to observe HIS statutes and keep HIS laws. Israel was God’s special people. HE protected them from their enemies. HE allowed them to suffer but only so much. HE delivered them. HE gave them their land. HE gave them leaders. HE kept HIS promises to them. God does not change.
HE gives us the same protection. HE gives us deliverance. HE doesn’t give us more trials than we can take. HE gives us leaders. HE provides for our every need. HE has selected us and we are HIS servants today.
Are we going to follow the example of the children of Israel in the Old Testament? Are we going to go our own way? Are we going to force the LORD to discipline us? It seems that is the case. Israel was an example of those preferred by the LORD that needed revival on a regular basis.
We need a revival. It can come with our obedience to HIM. We need to end each day seeking HIS wisdom. We need to start each day with an obedient heart.
CHALLENGE: Remember that the LORD has selected you to be a part of HIS family if you have repented of your sins. As selected individuals HE has a plan for our life. Work out HIS plan!!! We could be a Joseph.
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: 10 And confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant. (5975 “confirmed” [‘amad] means to establish the validity of, to stand in position, take one’s stand, to stand firm, stop moving, or be in charge.)
DEVOTION: The LORD established the governing principles for the children of Israel. HE has established HIS laws before the foundation of the world. HE had made it plain to Moses that there were commandments to follow. HE had a standard that they must follow or HE would judge them.
HE told Jacob what HE expected of him. HE didn’t leave anything to chance. HE wanted those who followed HIM to understand HIS standard and keep it to the best of their ability.
HE gave sacrifices they could offer to HIM when they broke HIS commands. HE gave Moses the commands while they were traveling through the wilderness. Once the people arrived in the Promised Land HE restated them, so that, they knew what was expected but we find that they were disobedient.
However, HE never broke HIS covenant with the children of Israel. HE was true to them even though they were not true to HIM. HE sent judgment to correct their behavior and they would for a short time.
Today we have a NEW Covenant with the LORD established by Jesus Christ. We have a standard that we are to follow and confession is part of the standard because HE knew that even today we cannot keep HIS commandments without sinning.
HE wants HIS relationship to be real and HE wants us to know that HE is not braking HIS covenant.
There is a future return of the LORD Jesus Christ where HE will call HIS own to HIMSELF. It wants all those who are obedient to continue to confess our sins and HE will be faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness because of the sacrifice of HIS Son on the cross.
CHALLENGE: God is keeping HIS promises. Are we?
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 14 HE suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, HE reproved kings for their sake. (3198 “reproved” [yakach] means an act or expression of criticism and censure, to argue, to be found to be right, to rebuke, chasten, vindicated or chastened.)
DEVOTION: The children of Israel were a protected people from all those who were outside their nation. The nations around them were judged of the LORD for their treatment of the children of Israel.
God had an arm around Israel and would not let them god. HE would bless them but HE would also judge them for their sins. HE was the one who would make sure that they were obedient to HIS laws.
HE sent men to lead the nation. Once of the men was Moses. HE gave him the Ten Commandments, so that, they knew the standard and HE expected them to follow them. When they disobeyed, HE would send judgment to move them back on the right path.
However, HE wanted the other nations to realize that they were HIS people and they were to leave them alone. If they didn’t, they would face HIS judgment. HE was the one who wanted to judge Israel for their sins and to keep them walking in the right path.
HE does the same today with those who are the members of HIS Church. HE chastens them to help them understand that HE loves them and wants them to be obedient. If they are disobedient, HE will deal with it until they have conquered it and can move on in their growth in HIM.
HE still protects HIS people who make up the church today. HE protected the children of Israel in the Old Testament. HE did send judgment but HE also sent blessing.
CHALLENGE; God is going to judge this world one day for its disobedience to HIM and HIS laws. That judgment day is coming to the world. Praise HIM that we are not part of it if we are a genuine believer.
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: 25 HE turned their heart to hate HIS people, to deal subtly with HIS servants (5230 “deal subtly” [nakal] means deceiver, conspired, be crafty, to deal knavishly, to act fraudulently, or behave cunningly.)
DEVOTION: The LORD wanted the children of Israel to live in Egypt until the iniquity or sin of the Amorites was full. They lived in Egypt over four hundred years. There was a Pharaoh in Egypt that didn’t know or remember all the good that Joseph had done for Egypt. He turned the children of Israel into slaves because the LORD allowed him to at the end of their time that they were to stay in Egypt.
This animosity was something that God used to cause the children of Israel to want to end their slavery in Egypt and made them willing to follow Moses into the wilderness heading for the Promised Land.
God has always had a plan for HIS people. In the Old Testament we have a record of all that the children of Israel went through on their way to the Promised Land. HE was trying to teach them to trust HIM. HE had to do this through many hard lessons that were for their own good. Some learned and some didn’t. That is true even today.
We have many believers today that have to learn through hard lessons the LORD allows in their lives. They don’t seem to let themselves learn the easy way. We are presently seeming to have a majority of people in our world who seem to hate those who are genuine followers of Jesus Christ. These are the ones who hold to Biblical standards regarding what is pleasing to the LORD and what is not. This is especially true in regard to unborn babies and marriage. Too many church leaders are leading their followers away from God’s standards to the world standards. This will cause many to hate those who are genuine believers.
CHALLENGE: God allows the world to hate those who are genuine followers
because they hold to a standard that needs to be practiced in the lives of those who
are genuine followers of the LORD! Our practices should always be done in a
loving manner that is true to the Word of God.
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Call upon HIS name verse 1
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Give thanks verse 1
Sing psalms verse 2
Talk of all HIS wonderful works verse 2
Glory in HIS name verse 3
Seek verse 3, 4
Rejoice verse 3
Remember verse 5
Praise the LORD verse 45
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Judgments verse 5, 7
Covenant verse 8, 9
Word of the LORD verse 19
Statutes verse 45
Laws verse 45
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal) verse 1, 3, 4, 7, 19, 45
Holy name verse 3
Strength verse 4
Wonders verse 5
Judgments of HIS mouth verse 5, 7
God – Elohim (Creator, Sovereign) verse 7
LORD our God verse 7
HIS covenant verse 8
Gave Israel the land of Canaan verse 11
Reproved kings for Israel’s sake verse 14
Called for famine verse 16
Word of the LORD verse 19
Turned hearts of people to hate
Holy promise verse 42
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Abraham verse 6, 9, 42
God’s judgment are in all the earth verse 7
Thousand generations verse 8
Isaac verse 9
Land of Canaan verse 11
Strangers (Israel) verse 12
Kings verse 14
Prophets of God verse 15
Joseph (sold for a servant) verse 17- 22
Hurt with fetters
Laid in iron
LORD tried him
Ruler in Egypt
Taught senators wisdom
Pharaoh of Egypt verse 20- 22
Egypt verse 23, 38
Israel came to Egypt verse 23
Jacob verse 23
Land of Ham verse 23, 27
Enemies verse 24
Hated God’s people verse 25
Ten plagues of Egypt verse 28- 36
Lands of the heathen verse 44
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Do Israel wrong verse 14
Hate Israel verse 25
Deal subtilly verse 25
Rebelled verse 28
Heathen verse 44
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Thanks verse 1
Call verse 1
Make known God’s deed verse 1
Sing psalms verse 2
Witness verse 2
Seek the LORD verse 3, 4
Remember HIS marvellous works verse 5, 42
Servant verse 6, 25, 26, 42
Chosen verse 6, 26, 43
Covenant verse 8-10
Law verse 10
Everlasting covenant verse 10
Inheritance verse 11, 44
Anointed verse 15
Prophets verse 15
Teach verse 22
Stronger than enemies verse 24
Signs verse 27
Guidance of the LORD verse 39
Prayer verse 40
Provision of the LORD verse 40, 41
Satisfied verse 40
Promise verse 42
Joy verse 43
Gladness verse 43
Praise verse 45
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Seed of Abraham verse 6
Children of Jacob verse 6
Abraham verse 6, 9, 42
Isaac verse 9
Jacob verse 6, 10, 23
Israel verse 10
Wandered in wilderness verse 11- 13
Very few
Strangers in land
Went from one nation to another
One nation verse 13
God’s anointed nation verse 15
Joseph verse 17
Israel verse 23
Moses verse 26
Aaron verse 26
Showed signs and wonders verse 27- 36, 38
Brought Israel out of land of Egypt with silver
and gold verse 37
Had cloud of covering to lead them verse 39
Gave them food and water verse 40- 41
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
Covenant forever verse 8- 10
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QUOTES regarding passage
The amazing mechanism of the universe declares there is a master mind behind it. It is designed to lead men to recognize the personality and omnipotence of God. It has been written, “An undevout astronomer is mad.” The heavens are ever telling of their Creator’s wisdom, and calling men to bow reverently before Him and to seek His face.
(H.A. Ironside, The Continual Burnt Offering)
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24–25 The first two verses summarize Exodus 1: Israel’s multiplication (Exod 1:7) and Pharaoh’s jealousy, resulting in hatred. The Lord blessed (v. 24), providentially created Israel’s adversity (v. 25), and was all too ready to protect his “people.” The psalmist nearly passes over the adversity because he is filled with the theme of God’s protection, as evidenced by his mighty acts. Israel, after all, was his people, whom he considered to be “his servants” (cf. vv. 6, 15). (VanGemeren, W. A. (1991). Psalms. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs (Vol. 5, p. 669). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
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23–38 The Lord redeeming. Note how this long section is bracketed by Israel entering (23) and leaving (38) Egypt. It was not for any sin of theirs that they entered Egypt, but by divine command and under divine promise (Gn. 46:3–4); nor was it for any sin of theirs that they came under Egyptian hostility. Indeed (25) it was by the act of God! Once again we face the mystery of divine providence. His thoughts are not ours, nor our ways his (Is. 55:8). But how marvellous are his ways (Rom. 11:33–36)! He brought them into threat and duress (25) and then revealed the splendour of his redeeming power. He prepared a man (26), a sufficient power against all the power of the enemy (27–36) and a glorious deliverance (37–38). (Carson, D. A., France, R. T., Motyer, J. A., & Wenham, G. J. (Eds.). (1994). New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed., p. 555). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press.)
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25. He turned their heart to hate his people. God turned their heart. That is, He so ordered things that they became the enemies of his people, and made it necessary that they should be removed into another land. It is not said that God did this by his direct power; or that he compelled them to hate his people; or that he in any way interfered with their will; or that he regarded this as a good in itself; or that he approved of it:—but this is said in accordance with the usual representations in the Bible, where God is spoken of as having all things under his control, and where it is constantly affirmed that nothing takes place without his own proper agency and government in the matter. Nothing—not even the human will—free as it is—is independent of God; and not even the worst passions of men are outside of his plan, or independent in such a sense that he does not afford the opportunity for their development and display. Comp. Notes on Isa. 6:10; 10:5–7, 15.
To deal subtilly. In a fraudulent, or deceitful manner. See Ex. 1:10. (Barnes, A. (1870–1872). Notes on the Old Testament: Psalms (Vol. 3, p. 99). London: Blackie & Son.)
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Vv. 23–27 carry on the story to the next step in the evolution of God’s purposes. The long years of the sojourn in Egypt are summarily dealt with, as they are in the narrative in Genesis and Exodus, and the salient points of its close alone are touched—the numerical growth of the people, the consequent hostility of the Egyptians, and the mission of Moses and Aaron. The direct ascription to God of all the incidents mentioned is to be noted. The psalmist sees only one hand moving, and has no hesitation in tracing to God the turning of the Egyptians’ hearts to hatred. Many commentators, both old and new, try to weaken the expression, by the explanation that the hatred was “indirectly the work of God, inasmuch as He lent increasing might to the people” (Delitzsch). But the psalmist means much more than this, just as Exodus does in attributing the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart to God. (Maclaren, A. (1903). The Psalms. In W. Robertson Nicoll (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible: Psalms to Isaiah (Vol. 3, p. 265). Hartford, CT: S.S. Scranton Co.)
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25. “He turned their heart to hate his people.” It was his goodness to Israel which called forth the ill-will of the Egyptian court, and so far the Lord caused it, and moreover he made use of this feeling to lead on to the discomfort of his people, and so to their readiness to leave the land to which they had evidently become greatly attached. Thus far but no further did the Lord turn the hearts of the Egyptians. God cannot in any sense be the author of sin so far as to be morally responsible for its existence, but it often happens through the evil which is inherent in human nature that the acts of the Lord arouse the ill-feelings of ungodly men. Is the sun to be blamed because while it softens wax it hardens clay? Is the orb of day to be accused of creating the foul exhalations which are drawn by its warmth from the pestilential marsh? The sun causes the reek of the dunghill only in a certain sense, had it been a bed of flowers his beams would have called forth fragrance. The evil is in men, and the honour of turning it to good and useful purposes is with the Lord. Hatred is often allied with cunning, and so in the case of the Egyptians, they began “to deal subtilly with his servants.” They treated them in a fraudulent manner, they reduced them to bondage by their exactions, they secretly concerted the destruction of their male children, and at length openly ordained that cruel measure, and all with the view of checking their increase, lest in time of war they should side with invaders in order to obtain their liberty. Surely the depths of Satanic policy were here reached, but vain was the cunning of man against the chosen seed. (Spurgeon, C. H. (2009). The treasury of David: Psalms 88-110 (Vol. 4, p. 343). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)
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FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
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Daily Hope
Today’s Scripture
Genesis 22-24
The walk of faith can be a difficult road to negotiate. There are times when the Lord may ask us to accomplish something that is beyond our ability to believe. One of those times was when He asked me to go to school to become a Pastor. I had previously not been a good student and had not learned to apply myself to the discipline of academics. Then to move to the city of Chicago was almost more than I could comprehend.
Abraham was a man that had seen God work in miraculous ways in his lifetime. He had survived and prospered in a land that was foreign and hostile to him. Throughout his life he had followed the Lord’s directions as best as possible, and God had repeatedly proven Himself! Now a new challenge was presented, and the test was beyond anything he had been confronted with previously! When God requested Abraham’s son, he had to make the choice to trust God or protect his son.
As we grow in our relationship with the Lord He will seek to deepen and expand our reliance upon His word and promises. A careful review of the previous chapters will remind us that God had given promises to Abraham that included his family and particularly this son. Unlike Abraham when the challenges arise, we are tempted to forget those distinct and clear promises that are given and instead, succumb to fears and anxious thoughts. Abraham’s comments to his servants convey his confidence in God’s provisions. “… the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you” (22:5).
May we imitate Abraham’s faith and be unwavering in the face of what seems an impossible request! “… God will provide for Himself…” (22:8) and demonstrate His ability to deliver in His perfect time. With an Expectant Hope, Pastor Miller
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BECOMING HOLY
Be not conformed to this world. Romans 12:2
The Scriptures place great emphasis on our part in sanctification, on what you and I have to do. What is the point of the mighty arguments of Paul and the apostles in their letters if sanctification is something that I am to receive? Why the exhortations?
Here is one exhortation from the apostle Peter: “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:11). Do you notice what he says? We do not receive our sanctification and are then delivered from these things. No; he tells us to abstain from them and to keep ourselves from them. And the tragedy is that so many people are spending their lives waiting to receive something, and in the mean time they are not abstaining from these fleshly lusts.
Take a statement from Paul: “Let him that stole steal no more” (Ephesians 4:28). That is what he is to do. He is not to wait to receive something; he is commanded to give up stealing. What can be more specific than that? And people who are guilty of foolish talking and jesting and other unseemly things are not to do them (Ephesians 5:4). “Be not conformed to this world” (Romans 12:2). You do not wait to receive something; if up to this moment you have been conforming to the world, you must stop.
People have often come to me about this and said, “You know, I’ve been trying so hard, but I can’t get this experience.” To which the reply is that the Scripture commands you to abstain: “Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded” (James 4:8). And I repeat that these injunctions are quite pointless and a sheer waste of ink if sanctification is something that I can receive. If it is, we would surely be told, “You need not worry about this question of sin—you can receive your sanctification in one act, and all you do then is to maintain it and abide in it.” But this is most certainly not the New Testament teaching. (BY Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
A Thought to Ponder
The Scriptures place great emphasis on our part in sanctification.
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Rest Only in Christ
“But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark.” (Genesis 8:9)
Unlike the raven, which Noah had sent out first, the dove could not live on the carrion floating on the floodwaters. After nine months cooped up in the Ark, she had reveled in her freedom when Noah first released her from the window of the Ark. Unaware of the outside perils while safe with Noah, she flew gaily off into the open spaces beyond, just like many a professing Christian, eager to cast off the constraints of his or her parental religion. “And I said, Oh, that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness” (Psalm 55:6-7).
But the dove could find no rest away from Noah, whose very name means “rest”! His father, Lamech, by prophetic inspiration, had called his name Noah, saying, “This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed” (Genesis 5:29). So, she finally returned, finding rest once again in Noah’s outstretched hands.
Just so, the Lord Jesus, in His greater ark of secure salvation, is waiting at its open window with arms outstretched, inviting all those weary of the doomed world outside to return to Him. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). Christ’s message to the weary wanderer is: “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions,…return unto me; for I have redeemed thee” (Isaiah 44:22).
(HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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Amos 9
Israel’s sin must be judged, but God offers hope of restoration.
INSIGHT
God reveals a warning of judgment on Israel through visions to Amos. One vision is a plumb line which God says He will hold up against the “wall” of Jerusalem, and it will be demonstrated that the wall is leaning and will fall (Amos 7:7-9). Another vision is of summer fruit in a basket which, left unattended, will rot and be good only for throwing out (chapter 8). Famine, military conquest, and pestilence are among the consequences of judgment. Israel does not repent and judgment comes, but Amos holds out the promise of eventual restoration. (Quiet Walk)
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THE NAMES OF THE DEVIL
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.
Ephesians 2:2
What does the Bible tell us about the devil? First of all, let us consider some of the names that are applied to him in the Scriptures. He is referred to as “Satan,” and the word Satan means “adversary.” He is also referred to as “the devil,” and devil means “slanderer.” He is also described as “Beelzebub,” which means that he is the prince of the devils. He is described as “Apollyon” and as “the angel of the bottomless pit.” He is called “the prince of this world” and “the god of this world.” He is described as “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2). He is referred to as “the dragon,” as a lion, as “Lucifer, that old serpent,” and, perhaps one of the most significant names of all, as “the evil one.”
Now you will often find in the New Testament that whereas in the King James Version the word “evil” is sometimes used, it is probably true to say that it should be “the evil one.” Sometimes you will find “wicked” when it should be “the wicked one.” There are those who say that when we pray, “deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13), it should be, “deliver us from the evil one.” And when John, in the last chapter of his first epistle, says that the “whole world lieth in wickedness,” he is undoubtedly saying that the whole world lies in “the wicked one” (1 John 5:19).
In the same way in John 17 when our Lord prays in His high priestly prayer, “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil,” it should be translated “from the evil one” (verse 15). It is a most important term–the evil one.
A Thought to Ponder: The devil is referred to as “Satan,” and the word Satan means “adversary.” (From God the Father, God the Son, pp. 116-117, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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Not Holding Grudges
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:18
During a promotional event in 2011, two seventy-three-year-old former Canadian Football League players got into a fistfight on stage. They had a “beef” (a grudge or feud) dating back to a controversial championship football game in 1963. After one man knocked the other off the stage, the crowd called out to him to “let it go!” They were telling him to “squash the beef.”
The Bible contains many examples of people “beefing.” Cain held a grudge against his brother Abel because God accepted Abel’s offering over his (Genesis 4:4–5). This grudge was so severe that it eventually led to murder as “Cain attacked his brother . . . and killed him” (v. 8). “Esau held a grudge against Jacob” because Jacob stole the birthright that was rightfully his (27:41). This grudge was so intense that it caused Jacob to run for his life in fear.
Not only does the Bible give us several examples of people who held grudges, but it also instructs us on how to “squash the beef”—how to seek forgiveness and reconciliation. God calls us to love others (Leviticus 19:18), pray for and forgive those who insult and injure us (Matthew 5:43–47), live peaceably with all people, leave revenge to God, and overcome evil with good (Romans 12:18–21). By His power, may we “squash the beef” today. By Marvin Williams (Our Daily Bread Ministries)
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