PSALM 136

Mercy of the Sovereign of the Universe verse 1- 3

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good

for HIS mercy endures for ever

O give thanks unto the God of gods

for HIS mercy endures for ever

O give thanks to the Lord of lords

for HIS mercy endures forever

Mercy of the Creator of the Universe verse 4- 9

To HIM WHO alone does great wonders

for HIS mercy endures forever

To HIM that by wisdom made the heavens

for HIS mercy endures forever

To HIM that stretched out the earth above the waters

for HIS mercy endures forever

To HIM that made great lights – for HIS mercy endures forever

the sun to rule by day – for HIS mercy endures forever

the moon and stars to rule by night

for HIS mercy endures forever

Mercy given to the children of Israel

regarding Egypt verse 10- 15

To HIM that smote Egypt in their firstborn – for HIS mercy endures forever

and brought out Israel from among them – for HIS mercy endures forever

with a strong hand – and with a stretched out arm

for HIS mercy endures forever

To HIM which divided the Red sea into parts – for HIS mercy endures forever

and made Israel to pass through the midst of it

for HIS mercy endures forever

but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea

for HIS mercy endures forever

Mercy given the children of Israel in the wilderness verse 16- 20

To HIM which led HIS people through the wilderness – for HIS mercy endures forever

to HIM which smote great kings – for HIS mercy endures forever

and slew famous kings – for HIS mercy endures forever

Sihon king of the Amorites – for HIS mercy endures forever

and Og the king of Bashan

for HIS mercy endures forever

Mercy given the children of Israel

in the Promised Land verse 21- 26

And gave their land for an heritage – for HIS mercy endures forever

even an heritage unto Israel HIS servant – for HIS mercy endures forever

WHO remembered us in our low estate

for HIS mercy endures forever

and hat redeemed us from our enemies

for HIS mercy endures forever

WHO give food to all flesh – for HIS mercy endures forever

O give thanks unto the God of heaven

for HIS mercy endures forever

COMMENTARY:

DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers

: 1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endures forever.

(2616 “mercy” [chacad] means loving-kindness, goodness, kindness, zeal, loyalty, or faithfulness.)

DEVOTION: The children of Israel were to give thanks for all the LORD had done for them throughout their history according to this Psalmist. All through their life as a nation the LORD had been with them. HE had provided for them. HE had protected them. HE had watched over them. HE had dealt with their enemies. HE had given them victory.

The Psalmist wanted them to sing praises to the LORD. He wanted them to remember that the LORD had promised to never leave them or forsake them. HE had kept this promise. The theme throughout the song was that the loving-kindness of the LORD endures forever.

What lasts forever? Here we find that there is assurance that the LORD never gives up on HIS people. HE not only promises to provide and protect while they are alive but to provide for them for eternity.

This promise is given to us in the New Testament. We are promised a home in heaven forever. We are promised the LORD provision and protection while we live on this earth. There are days when we wonder about these things but it is recorded in HIS Word, the Bible.

Once we become a follower of the LORD Jesus Christ we are called good in the eyes of the LORD because HE looks at us through HIS Son who died on the cross for our sins. We are declared justified. We are adopted into HIS family. We are given a new nature.

Now our responsibility is to thank the LORD daily for HIS provision and protection. So often we are not a thankful people. Some of us want more. The Psalmist reminds Israel how much they have to be thankful for. We should remember how much we have to be thankful for. We need to get this right in our life.

CHALLENGE: Make a list of those things you remember the LORD did for you that you should be thankful for and then thank HIM for them. The list is longer than you think right now. Read II Corinthians 9:15.

DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers

:4 “To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever.”

(Forever – 5769 עֹולָם [ʿowlam, ʿolam /o·lawm/] n m. From 5956; TWOT 1631a; GK 6409; 439 occurrences; AV translates as “ever” 272 times, “everlasting” 63 times, “old” 22 times, “perpetual” 22 times, “evermore” 15 times, “never” 13 times, “time” six times, “ancient” five times, “world” four times, “always” three times, “alway” twice, “long” twice, “more” twice, “never + 408” twice, and translated miscellaneously six times. 1 long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world. 1A ancient time, long time (of past). 1B (of future). 1B1 for ever, always. 1B2 continuous existence, perpetual. 1B3 everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity. James Strong, Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2001).

DEVOTION: The structure of Psalm 136 suggests that it was used antiphonally in worship, with one part of the congregation making a statement or phrase and the other part responding with the refrain. (The Bible Knowledge Commentary, 889). This refrain is repeated so that the worshipper might build in their understanding and devotion of the Lord! His love (mercy) endures forever and this is something that we need to be continually mindful of in our lives. Although we live differently than the people of Israel we still face situations and difficulties that cause us to call unto the Lord! We may not travel through dangerous paths in the wilderness but the city streets and busy interchanges can be equally dangerous. Dependence upon the Lord is in order regardless of our surroundings! His awesome wonder, power, protection is presented to the reader so that they might remember that God’s love is present even in oppressive circumstances.

CHALLENGE: Ponder some of the ways God has demonstrated His love towards you in either protecting, directing you or simply shielding you in difficult times. It will prepare you for future difficulties. (Dr. Brian Miller – board member)

: 16 To HIM which led HIS people through the wilderness for HIS mercy endures forever. (1980 “led” [halak] means walk, proceed, move, to traverse, to take or guide somewhere, cause to walk, to go along, flow with, or movement in general.)

DEVOTION: The LORD appointed Moses to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt but the LORD was the one giving directions to him. He followed the LORD’S leading to the Red Sea. He allowed the LORD to lead them there first to show them HIS power.

Once the crossed the Red Sea they were led toward the Promised Land the long way. There was a shorter way to get their but the LORD knew that they needed to go through trials before they entered the Promised Land.

They had to go through many battles. They had to learn to genuinely trust HIM to provide for their every need. HE had to show them that if they disobeyed HE was going to discipline them. HE was giving them a chance to obey right away or learn what happens when they didn’t trust HIM and follow HIM.

HE does the same thing to us today. HE has promised us Heaven for eternity. HE has promised us blessings if we are obedient.

The problem is that we keep having to be disciplined to learn to be obedient just like the children of Israel. It would seem that we could learn from their sins of disobedience as it is recorded in the Old Testament but we are slow learners just like THEM!

HE is a merciful God but HE is always a just God who wants HIS people to follow HIS lead. HE will lead us as we are obedient to HIM. If we sin HE will discipline, so that, we will learn that obedience is better.

CHALLENGE: How are your lessons going on the road to heaven? Are you more obedient than the children of Israel or less? If we trust HIM daily HE will lead us the right way to blessing.

DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers

: 26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth forever. (8064 “heaven” [shameh] means to be lofty, sky, air, abode above the stars, or abode of God.)

DEVOTION: The Bible teaches us that there are three heavens. The first heaven is the atmosphere that is above us. The second heaven is thought to be the domain of angels. The third heaven is where the LORD has HIS throne. Paul gives us an account of his appearing before the LORD in the third heaven, II Corinthians 12: 3. One day we will all appear before the LORD. Those who are outside of Christ will be meet HIM at the Great White Throne. Those who are followers of Christ will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ.

This psalm concentrates on the fact that all of creation is dependent on the mercy of the LORD. This mercy endures through all generations. This mercy endures for all eternity. The God of the Bible is a God of mercy.

HE offers HIS gifts to all creation but only a few accept HIS gifts. HE is the Creator of the universe that lives above the stars in a place HE chooses to show HIS presence.

We know that HE is omnipresent, which means, that HE is present everywhere. There is nowhere that we can hide from HIS presence. However, when we are giving thanks we need to realize that we can look up and praise the God of heaven.

HE is our creator. HE is the one who saved Israel from Egypt. HE is the one who gave the Promised Land to Israel. HE is the one who redeems HIS people from their enemies. HE is the one who give all flesh their food.

These examples show us that HE is a God who keeps HIS promises. There are many promises in the New Testament that are given to us. Remember HE keeps HIS promises. HE protects and provides for HIS people. Those who have chosen to follow HIM will receive the benefit of HIS promises.

Are we thanking HIM for HIS DAILY benefits? The one emphasized in this psalm is HIS benefit of mercy. Mercy is not giving us what we do deserve!!! Thank you LORD!!!

CHALLENGE: This Psalm begins and ends with thanksgiving. Our days need to begin and end with a time of meditation on what the LORD has done for us today. We need to start writing down our daily benefits to remind us and to share with others. Start writing!!

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)

Give thanks verse 1- 3, 26

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)

Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)

Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)

DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:

Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)

God the Father (First person of the Godhead)

LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal) verse 1

LORD is good verse 1

Mercy endures forever verse 1- 26

God – Elohim (Creator, Sovereign) verse 2

God of gods verse 2

Lord – Adonai (Owner, Master) verse 3

Lord of lords verse 3

Does great wonders verse 4

Wisdom verse 5

Made the heavens verse 5

Creator verse 5- 9

Made the heavens

Earth above waters

Great lights – sun to rule by day

moon and stars by night

Protector of Israel verse 10- 26

Smote Egypt

Divided the Red Sea

Made Israel pass through Sea

Overthrew Pharaoh

Led HIS people through wilderness

Smote great kings

Slew famous kings

Gave heritage to Israel

Remembered Israel’s low estate

Redeemed Israel from enemies

Gives food to all flesh

God of heaven verse 26

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)

Egypt verse 10

Red Sea verse 13, 15

Pharaoh verse 15

Great Kings verse 17

Famous Kings verse 18

Sihon – king of Amorites verse 19

Og – king of Bashan verse 20

Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)

Enemy of God’s people verse 24

Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)

Give thanks verse 1- 3, 26

Protector verse 10-

Heritage verse 21, 22

Servant verse 22

Remembered verse 23

Redeemed verse 24

Provision of food verse 25

Israel (Old Testament people of God)

Israel verse 11, 14, 22

God’s servant verse 22

Church (New Testament people of God)

Last Things (Future Events)

Mercy endures for ever verse 1- 26

DONATIONS:

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QUOTES regarding passage

23–24 Whenever Israel suffered, the history of redemption continued. The mighty acts of God in Egypt, in the wilderness, and in the conquest of the land are a sampling of his power and his purpose. Israel hereby confesses that the Lord is their Great King, who alone is able to deliver them from their enemies. He remembers (z-k-r) his covenant people in their distress, whether in the Exodus, in the period of exile (Kirkpatrick, p. 779), or in any other low point in the history of redemption. The Lord’s remembrance is based on the covenant and has as its purpose the full redemption of his people (cf. Exod 6:5). (VanGemeren, W. A. (1991). Psalms. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs (Vol. 5, p. 825). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)

These verses summarize Israel’s failure to serve God and how the Lord brought seven nations into the land to punish them. The record is in the book of Judges. The people would turn to idols and the Lord would chasten them, as He promised He would. Then the situation would become so unbearable that the people would repent and cry out for mercy, and the Lord would “remember them” (see 132:1) and rescue them (Judg. 2:11–23). This was no way to live in the wonderful land God had given them, but it describes many professed believers today. When things are going well, they forget the Lord, but when things grow worse, they turn to Him for help. The mention of food in verse 24 reminds us that the nations that invaded Israel either destroyed the crops or took them, leaving the land impoverished (Judg. 6:1–6). If we are truly thankful for our food, and acknowledge that God provides it, then we are not likely to turn away from Him and worship other gods. The creatures of the earth look to God for what they need and thank the Lord by obeying His will and bringing Him glory (104:10–18).

There is only one way to end a psalm like this: “O give thanks to the God of heaven! For His mercy endures forever” (v. 26, nkjv). (Wiersbe, W. W. (2004). Be exultant (1st ed., pp. 189–190). Colorado Springs, CO: Cook Communications Ministries.)

Ver. 24. And hath redeemed us from our enemies, &c.] Temporal enemies, tyrants, and oppressors: and spiritual ones, sin, Satan, the world, the law, death, and hell. For his mercy endureth for ever; as is clearly seen in redemption by Jesus Christ, where mercy and truth have met together; and which is a distinguishing mercy to the sons of men, not granted to angels. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 4, p. 279). London: Mathews and Leigh.)

24. “And hath redeemed us from our enemies.” Israel’s enemies brought the people low; but the Lord intervened, and turned the tables by a great redemption. The expression implies that they had become like slaves, and were not set free without price and power; for they needed to be “redeemed.” In our case the redemption which is in Christ Jesus is an eminent reason for giving thanks unto the Lord. Sin is our enemy, and we are redeemed from it by the atoning blood; Satan is our enemy, and we are redeemed from him by the Redeemer’s power; the world is our enemy, and we are redeemed from it by the Holy Spirit. We are ransomed, let us enjoy our liberty; Christ has wrought our redemption, let us praise his name.

“For his mercy endureth for ever.” Even to redemption by the death of his Son did divine mercy stretch itself. What more can be desired? What more can be imagined? Many waters could not quench love, neither could the floods drown it.

E’en to death upon the tree

Mercy dureth faithfully. (Spurgeon, C. H. (n.d.). The treasury of David: Psalms 120-150 (Vol. 6, pp. 211–212). London; Edinburgh; New York: Marshall Brothers.)

24. And hath redeemed us from our enemies. Has rescued or delivered us from all our foes; has given to us freedom and peace.

For his mercy, etc. By all that he has done in order to redeem us; and by all the prosperity, happiness, and peace which have followed as the result of that, he has showed his mercy. So it is in the greater work of the redemption of the soul. By all the love manifested in the gift of a Saviour,—by all the sufferings and toils of his life,—by his “agony and bloody sweat” in the garden of Gethsemane,—by his “cross and passion,”—by all the blessings of salvation here, all our peace, all our purity, all our consolations, all our hopes, and by all the glories of heaven hereafter,—the mercy of God in our redemption is to be estimated and measured. Who can take the full account of it? (Barnes, A. (1870–1872). Notes on the Old Testament: Psalms (Vol. 3, p. 281). London: Blackie & Son.)

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!!)

Daily Hope

Today’s Scripture
Numbers 11-13

I have noticed that when good things are happening, it appears that many more positive things occur collectively. Good news seems to bring smiles and praise leads to a better quality of work. The opposite is often true as well. When discouragement and complaining begins in a group, suddenly the attitudes and perspectives of people change accordingly.

The people of Israel had been blessed and had undeniably seen the power and majesty of God revealed in their midst. Repeatedly, God had manifested Himself and the people were clearly cognizant of His presence as the cloud led them away from Mount Sinai. So much optimism was present that the promises of God transpired quickly for the people of God.

Then the murmuring and complaining began and the attitude and viewpoints of the people suddenly changed. A craving for unattainable delicacies arose that created a negative attitude toward the leadership and God. The food that the people had once enjoyed in Egypt became a stumbling block and caused the people to question both Moses and God’s good intentions.

This, in turn, changed Moses’ attitude and suddenly all the enthusiasm and expectations of the people changed. Grumbling began with the people, extended to the leadership and families. Unlike the bright cloud that had begun to lead them, a dark cloud of complaining and discontentment had spread through the people of Israel. Consequently, God punished and reprimanded the people severely.

What had been a joyous anticipatory nation of people, quickly evaporated into a discouraged mob of individuals who had forgotten the bigger picture they had first envisioned when unified. This is evident as the nation of Israel approached Kadesh and sent out spies in chapter 13.

Complaining and negative attitudes have a chilling effect on us today as well. Proverbs informs us, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses’ knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:1 – 3, Emphasis Mine). May this be a reminder that we are to be careful of our attitudes and words as they affect all those around us, more than we realize.

I encourage you to memorize Psalm 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.”

With an Expectant Hope, (Pastor Miller -Board Member)

Luke 16

Through parables, Jesus gives instruction on the proper perspective of wealth.

INSIGHT

It’s hard to let go of the temporal and lay hold of the eternal. And the temporal world can hold on to rich and poor alike through money. Both the greedy and the envious live as if there were no eternal realm.

Jesus often speaks about a true and good perspective on money. Perhaps His financial teaching can be summed up by this: Our faith should be in God, not money. We must careful always to trust God who supplies the money rather than to trust the money itself. (Quiet Walk)

GOD’S WORK THROUGH THE TRUTH

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. John 17:17
Some teach that all we have to do, having told God that we want to be delivered, is to believe He has done it, and then we shall eventually find that it has happened. Now that teaching is also put like this: You must say to a man who is constantly defeated by a particular sin, “I think your only hope is to take it to Christ, and Christ will take it from you.”
But what does Scripture say in Ephesians 4:28 to the man who finds himself constantly guilty of stealing, to a man who sees something he likes and takes it? What am I to tell such a man? Am I to say, “Take that sin to Christ and ask Him to deliver you”? No. What the apostle Paul tells him is this: “Let him that stole, steal no more.” Just that. Stop doing it! And if it is fornication or adultery or lustful thoughts, again, stop doing it, says Paul. He does not say, “Go and pray to Christ to deliver you.” No. You must stop doing that, he says, as becomes the children of God.
My friends, we have become unscriptural. If you want further evidence, lest somebody thinks it is only the teaching of Paul, let me come to the teaching of the apostle Peter, which is exactly the same—it is the whole teaching of Scripture, which we seem to have forgotten. We read in 1 Peter 1:14-15, “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.” It is something that you have to do. You must turn your back on these things because you are a child of God. Peter does not say, “Surrender it to Christ and ask Him to deliver you from it.” What he says is, “Realize who you are and stop doing it!”
A Thought to Ponder: You must turn your back on these things because you are a child of God.
(From Sanctified Through the Truth, pp. 54-55, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd -Jones)

And Seven Others

Believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. James 2:1

Tragedy struck near Los Angeles in January 2020 when nine people died in a helicopter crash. Most news stories began something like this, “NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna (“Gigi”), and seven others lost their lives in the accident.”

It’s natural and understandable to focus on the well-known people involved in a horrible situation like this—and the deaths of Kobe and his precious teenager Gigi are heartbreaking beyond description. But we must keep in mind that in life’s big picture there’s no dividing line that makes the “seven others” (Payton, Sarah, Christina, Alyssa, John, Keri, and Ara) any less significant.

Sometimes we need to be reminded that each human is important in God’s eyes. Society shines bright lights on the rich and famous. Yet fame doesn’t make a person any more important than your next-door neighbor, the noisy kids who play in your street, the down-on-his-luck guy at the city mission, or you.

Every person on earth is created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), whether rich or poor (Proverbs 22:2). No one is favored more than another in His eyes (Romans 2:11), and each is in need of a Savior (3:23).

We glorify our great God when we refuse to show favoritism—whether in the church (James 2:1–4) or in society at large.

(By Dave Branon – Our Daily Bread)

I was not given a magical answer as to why God allowed my cancer to hit me. I still don’t know what the future holds. But the Psalms have paved a path for me to rest in the hands of the Almighty, delighting in his work, even when it is a strange work, a hard work on the road of suffering.

In the moments of darkest anguish, the psalmist shows us that God accepts our rawest laments: “But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people” (Psalm 22:6). Do we feel alienated, angry and confused? The psalmist has been there, too. And the depth of our anguish has been exhausted in the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who joined with the psalmist in lament: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1).

In the moments of darkest anguish, the psalmist shows us that God accepts our rawest laments. Tweet

But even in the darkness the Psalms are shot through with hope because God’s covenant promises are ever at the center. While some Psalms are songs of exuberant praise, jumping up and down in exultation that God is truly the God he promises to be, many other Psalms, like the one Jesus prays on the cross, are Psalms of lament.

Yet, even the darkness of this anguished cry of lament points to God’s promise: “My God, my God.” Even when he feels abandoned, the psalmist brings his burden before the Almighty. “Why have you forsaken me?” Only those who know they belong to God can press this question to God. God promises that he will not abandon or forsake his people (Psalm 94:14). Thus, it is an act of trust and hope to lament—to remind God of this promise when things seem desolate, when God’s promise seems to ring hollow.

In this way, lament is not just “venting” toward God, dumping our emotions upon him. It is bringing our confusion, anger and even protest before the Almighty, allowing the Spirit to reshape our lives and affections into Christ’s image, and all in the security of God-centered hope.

At the center of God’s revelation is not a secret about how to live a lengthy, self-sufficient and secure life. We’ve been united to Christ by the Spirit to follow the way of the crucified Lord. On this path, we do not seek out suffering for its own sake, but we do expect for the God of Jesus Christ to be active in the most unlikely places: on the path of suffering, on a path hidden from the light of worldly glory. We are a people who take up our crosses to follow Christ.

And this is not a joyless path.

Instead, when we follow the path of prayer with the psalmist, we shed tears of joy and celebration as well as tears of lament. Lamenting and hoping in God with the psalmist is a practice that runs counter to our consumer culture. Rather than soaking in self-satisfaction or self-pity, in these seasons of sorrow we find our affections reshaped by God—we delight in what delights God, we grieve over what grieves him. It is a joy that is bigger than cancer.

The Psalms are doing this for me, fixing my eyes upon God’s promises and God’s mighty acts—in the past, and in the incredible blessings of life and breath in each moment I have now. Indeed, even though we join the Spirit in grieving at the corruption of God’s creation through tragedies like cancer, we can hope that since our Lord is the crucified and risen one who broke the power of death, he can work even in the midst of what seems to be senseless suffering in our lives.

For now, joy and lament go together in our lives. For as we cry to God “out of the depths,” we also trust that “with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption” (Psalm 130:7).

And as we walk Christ’s cross-shaped path, we will continue to groan with the Spirit until Christ returns (Romans 8:23). We groan and we also rejoice with the psalmists in God’s faithful love. For God is bigger than cancer.

J. Todd Billings (@jtoddbillings) is the Gordon H. Girod Research Professor of Reformed Theology at Western Theological Seminary. He is the author of several books, including, most recently, a theological reflection on providence and lament in light of his 2012 cancer diagnosis, titled, Rejoicing in Lament: Wrestling with Incurable Cancer and Life in Christ (Brazos Press). He lives in Holland, Michigan with his wife and their two young children.

THE URGENT NEED FOR REVIVAL TODAY

And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. Mark 9:28-29
The church is so constituted that every member matters, and matters in a very vital sense. So I call attention to this whole subject [of revival] partly because I sense there is a curious tendency today for members of the Christian Church to feel and to think that they themselves can do very little, and so they tend to look to others to do all that is needed for them. This, of course, is something that is characteristic of the whole of life today. For instance, men and women no longer take exercise in sport as they used to. Instead, people tend to sit in crowds and just watch other people play. There was a time when people provided their own pleasure, but now the radio and television provide their entertainment and pleasure for them. And I fear that the tendency is even manifesting itself in the Christian church. More and more we see evidence that people are just sitting back in crowds while one or two people are expected to do everything.
Now that, of course, is a complete denial of the New Testament doctrine of the Church as the Body of Christ, where every single member has responsibility and has a function and matters, and matters in a most vital sense. You can read the apostle’s great expositions of that doctrine, for example in 1 Corinthians 12, where you find that he says that our less comely parts are as important as the more comely parts, that every part of the body is to function and is to be ready for the Master’s use, and always to be usable.
Unless we as individual Christians are feeling a grave concern about the state of the church and the world today, we are very poor Christians indeed
A Thought to Ponder: The church is so constituted that every member matters, and matters in a very vital sense. (From Revival, p. 8. By Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

We should follow Christ’s example and be generous toward others.
INSIGHT

One of the marks of maturity is the ability to put off immediate reward for the sake of a future goal. Likewise, the willingness to put off temporal reward for the sake of eternal reward is a good mark of Christian maturity. The Scriptures teach that someday we must all appear before the bema seat of Christ. In ancient Greece, the bema was the grandstand where judges gave out honors to the winners of athletic competitions. Thus, it is before the divine “bema” that we will all appear. If we compete according to the eternal rules, we will gain the honor of reward from the eternal Judge. As Paul wrote, we must set our minds “on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). (QuietWalk)

WORSHIP GOD, NOT COMFORT

Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. JOB 13:15

When I go to church, I love to worship God in song. I’ve found that closing my eyes and singing to Him without being distracted by people is a very satisfying experience. I love what happens when the Holy Spirit speaks through the Scriptures, realigns my attitude and calls my heart to worship and reflect on His goodness and mercy. I love all the things that make worship services so full—the choir, the baptisms, the Lord’s Supper.

But if we really want to learn how to worship, we must do it when the microphones are turned off and the singers have gone home, when the room is quiet and our hearts aren’t fueled by feelings that swell with the music. We must learn to worship in the midst of life . . . and even in the midst of suffering.

Non-negotiable Number Seven: Worship God, Not Comfort

You may be in the midst of a true season of pain. Perhaps this season has lingered and has now become two seasons. Perhaps you’ve looked for comfort but haven’t found much. Maybe your heart aches and feels empty. Has your lack of comfort dried up your words of worship? Has the loss of ease emptied your heart of gratitude?

It may be that the most important thing you could do is also one of the most unnatural things you could ever imagine doing: Giving thanks to God, praising and worshiping Him. Regardless of your circumstances.

Worship in its truest form ascribes and acknowledges that the truth is about God. Worship reminds us of who He is and who we aren’t. He alone is God. He is in control. He is the just God, the compassionate and loving God. He knows everything. He knows our condition.

God-centered worship ultimately comforts us because it reminds us of the truth about life. It brings hope.

When life seems most uncomfortable, worship God.

DISCUSS

Talk about how you best worship God. Discuss how you could encourage one another to engage in real worship each day. (Moments with You by Dennis and Barbara Rainey)

LIARS

Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 1 John 2:22
The language used in this verse is very strong; John does not hesitate to refer to these antichrists as liars. Some say, “Here is the man who appears as the great apostle of love and who talks so much about love in this particular epistle. So how is it that he should thus describe these people who had gone out, and those who had seduced them, as liars?”
What we have here is in many ways very characteristic of the New Testament. John is not the exception; John did not use language like this because he was Boanerges, one of “the sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17); you find others doing the same thing. Listen to the apostle Paul using language like that to the Galatians: “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8). You cannot imagine anything stronger than that. Or listen to him as he writes to the Corinthians: “If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema” (1 Corinthians 16:22).
Remember, too, the preaching of John the Baptist when he looked at his congregation, which consisted of Pharisees and others, and said, “O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (Luke 3:7). Think also of the words of our blessed Lord Himself as He addressed the Pharisees toward the end of His life; He referred to them as “whited sepulchers” (Matthew 23:27).
Now I emphasize all this merely because we must be careful lest we put ourselves into a position in which we claim that we are more Christian than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself and His blessed apostles. The New Testament uses strong language. Here it is in its essence: liars.
A Thought to Ponder: We must be careful lest we put ourselves into a position in which we claim that we are more Christian than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. (From Walking with God, pp. 131-133, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

Overcoming Victory
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” (1 John 5:4)
The power behind our overcoming victory is none other than the presence of the Holy Spirit of God who indwells the twice-born (1 John 4:4) because of “our faith.”
Much has been recorded by the apostle John about the basis of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God who came in the flesh to lay down His life as the propitiation for our sins. The completion of His work in us will be realized at His coming: “When he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).
These great truths are the foundational anchor that keeps our faith strong and our hope secure in Christ. Yet there is much more to come.

• We will “eat of the tree of life” (Revelation 2:7).
• We will “not be hurt of the second death” (Revelation 2:11).
• We will be given “a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it” (Revelation 2:17).
• We will have “power over the nations” (Revelation 2:26).
• We will “be clothed in white raiment” and confessed before the heavenly Father and His angels (Revelation 3:5).
• We will be made “a pillar in the temple” of God, and “shall go no more out” (Revelation 3:12).
• We will be granted “to sit” with the Lord Jesus on His throne (Revelation 3:21).
• We will “inherit all things” (Revelation 21:7).
Is it any wonder that John spoke of our “victory” that awaits us when we have “overcome” the world? May God grant us the steadfast faith to “occupy” until He comes (Luke 19:13). (HMM III, The Institute for Creation Research)

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