PSALM 41
David praises LORD for deliverance verse 1- 3
Blessed is he that considers the poor
the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble
The LORD will preserve him – and keep him alive
and he shall be blessed on the earth
and YOU will not deliver him
to the will of his enemies
The LORD will strengthen him on the bed of languishing
YOU will make all his bed in his sickness
David confesses his sin in prayer verse 4
I said – LORD – be merciful to me – heal my soul
for I have sinned against YOU
David realizes people were deceptive verse 5- 9
Mine enemies
speak evil of me
When shall he die
and his name perish?
And if he comes to see me – he speaks vanity
his heart gathers iniquity to itself
when he goes abroad – he tells it
All that hate me whisper together against me
against me do they devise my hurt
An evil disease – say they – cleaves fast to him
and now that he lies he shall rise up no more
Yea – mine own familiar friend in whom I trusted
which did eat of my bread
has lifted up his heel against me
David prays the LORD’S mercy verse 10- 12
BUT YOU – O LORD – be merciful unto me – and raise me up
that I may requite them – by this I know that YOU favor me
BECAUSE mine enemy does not triumph over me
And as for me – YOU uphold me in mine integrity
and set me before YOUR face forever
Doxology of first book of Psalms verse 13
Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting
and to everlasting
AMEN – AMEN
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 1 Blessed is he that considers the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. (7919 “considers” [sakal] means to observe with care or pay close attention to, to understand, to look at or upon, have insight, be prudent, to act circumspectly, give careful thought to this person’s situation or ponder.)
DEVOTION: The LORD is promising mercy to the ones who have regard for the weak and poor. If this is happening in your life than the LORD gives HIS approval and corresponding reward to you.
The LORD wants us to learn from our observations of others. This can only happen as we ask the ourselves to ask the LORD for wisdom regarding what HE wants us to learn from our observations.
HE wants us to be prudent in our actions with our wealth. HE wants us to be individuals who know that the LORD has given us wealth for a reason. This will help us when we observed those who are not wealthy.
If we don’t show mercy we shouldn’t expect mercy from the LORD. The LORD seems to want those who have to help those who have not. If they are willing to show mercy than the LORD can show them mercy in their lives.
Our world is in a mess today. There is a large divide between those who have and those who have not. This is true around the world. However, around the world those who don’t have are not treated as well as they are here in our country.
We have to make sure that we don’t lose heart in helping those who are in genuine need. There are people who are not willing to work to get themselves out of their condition and this should be corrected but our hearts need to be there to help those in genuine need.
Our attitude toward those who are poor shows in our ministries. If we love the poor we will be action in a local city mission that preaches the Word of God. We will be active in our local church to help those who have genuine needs that need to be met.
CHALLENGE: Do we understand what we need to do with our life as we observe those who don’t have as much as we have?
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
:8 “An evil disease, say they, cleave fast unto him: and now that he lies he shall rise up no more.” (“Evil disease,” 1100 בְּלִיַּעַל [bâliyaʿal], 1 worthlessness. 1a worthless, good for nothing, unprofitable, base fellow. 1b wicked. 1c ruin, destruction (construct) [Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software]).
DEVOTION: The idea of “disease” is inferred from the word “evil” in this verse, since it is about the evil that come upon those who are fighting with God’s people, including David. David makes the presumption that because his enemies are opposed to God, they will be punished with disease, in this last psalm in first book of the Psalms. This is a common conclusion in the Old Testament, based on God’s promises to keep his own people free from disease if they obey Him (Exodus 15:26, for example, based on the plagues of Egypt). However, God also gives very explicit instructions how to deal with leprosy, since this was viewed as an incurable disease (Leviticus 13).
So it was not surprising that the disciples asked Jesus in John 9 if the man born blind had been born this way because of either his own sin or the sin of his parents. Jesus clarifies that all disease is not a judgment of God on unbelievers, but can be for the glory of God. We need the wisdom of God to know the cause of disease in any given situation. We can certainly appreciate that many diseases are caused by living longer, and that God does not choose to cure us of many diseases.
God is still the one who decides what kinds of disease we are able to withstand, as evidenced by the temptations of Job in Job 2: 4-7. That also means that He is the one who gives us the grace to withstand whatever He allows to come our way (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). Our response then, when we face any form of disease or difficulty, should first be to turn our eyes to our Heavenly Father and express our faith and trust in Him for allowing this to come into our lives.
CHALLENGE: Are you suffering? Then you should pray (James 5:13). If you are sick, then you should let the church elders know (James 5:14). God sometimes uses disease as a punishment to bring us back to God, but often uses it for His glory! (Dr. Marc Wooten – board member)
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: 9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. (7965 “familiar” means harmonious relations and freedom from disputes; especially during the absence of war, safeness, health, success, intactness, best, or close.
DEVOTION: We all need people that we are close to in this world. We need people that we can trust that will be helping us instead of hindering us while we are trying to live a life that is pleasing to the LORD.
Today it seems that it is hard to find individuals who want to be friends through the good and the bad and the ugly that happen in life.
Here we find David saying that he had such a person but found out when the going got tough that individual was not around to help and in fact was one of the ones that lifted up his heel against him.
This means that when the going was tough this “friend” was no were to be found in the life of David. This can happen to us as well. We might think that we know the people around us but it really comes out when we are going through tough times if they are still around us.
All of us have heard of “fair weather friends” who are there when things are going well for us but as soon as things are not going so well they are no where to be found. David had people like that and so do we.
If we are going to be friends with someone we should be friends through thick and thin. This takes work and prayer to help those who are going through a hard time but it is worth it in the end as we are pleasing the LORD with that type of friendship.
Remember that all those we call friends are human beings and sometimes they don’t react the way they should at first. If their first reaction is bad wait to see if it continues. If they are genuine friends they will return to your side and help and pray for you.
CHALLENGE: We all need friends. The friends we need are those who stay with us through the hard times as well as the good times. Some people are not these types of friends.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 11 By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me. (7321 “triumph” [ruwa’] means to shout, raise a sound, cry out, give a blast, or shout of alarm.)
DEVOTION: In ministry there are people who want to get close to the pastor and/or leader to see what his faults are and then spread them to others. Many pastors and church leaders think that they have close friends in their ministries only to find that they will desert them when they try to do something they don’t like. Some even enjoy seeing a pastor or church leader fall.
In this case, the king knows that he has friends or enemies who like to see him fall. They would like him to die of his sickness. They would come to his house and tell him that they cared, only to leave and bad mouth him. He prayed that the LORD would deal with them.
The LORD watches the actions of HIS people. IF HIS people treat the poor or weak right, they will be blessed. David had treated the poor or weak right. David was in the midst of a sickness, whither physical or spiritual, we don’t know. He called on the LORD for help. He believed that the LORD would answer his prayer and protect him.
David didn’t want his enemies to have the victory in his life. He relates that they will not because of the LORD’S help. They may win a few battles in our lives but the war is won. We are the ones who will raise a sound of victory at the end of our lives, if we are, truly a child of the KING of KINGS.
Our enemies think that they have the victory over our lives. The LORD is the one who guarantees the victory for HIS children. Praise HIS name. Or as David did – bless HIS name.
Our enemies and false friends will be judged by the LORD. Most will spend eternity in hell. Some will lose their rewards because of their falsehood toward fellow believers. We need to leave them in the hands of the LORD even though we would like to judge them ourselves. David left them to the LORD.
This ends the first of the five books of the psalms. This book dealt with relationship of the LORD with HIS people. HE favored HIS people. HE provided for HIS people. HE protected HIS people. HE dealt with sin with consequences even on HIS leaders. HE does the same today. Praise HIS name!!!
CHALLENGE: The LORD wants us to totally depend on HIM. We need to realize that humans will let us down. Not all of them but some of them. We are not to carry a grudge, turn them over to the LORD. Not easy but BIBLICAL!!
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: 12 “As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, And set me before Your face forever.” The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982). Integrity – 8537 תֹּם [tom /tome/] n m. From 8552; TWOT 2522a; GK 9448; 23 occurrences; AV translates as “integrity” 11 times, “upright” twice, “uprightly” twice, “uprightness 2,venture” twice, “full” once, “perfect” once, “perfection” once, and “simplicity” once. 1 integrity, completeness. 1A completeness, fulness. 1B innocence, simplicity. 1C integrity. James Strong, Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2001).
DEVOTION: A question was asked of me the other day, “What do you do when no one is watching?” Integrity is an important feature in the life of a believer. The psalmist states that he knows that the Lord is well pleased with him because of his integrity. To have integrity means to have the quality of strong moral principles, to be in a state of being whole, or having internal consistency or lack of corruption. When we are being held accountable to someone or thing that outward integrity may be clear but in the silence of night or the secrecy of an office those principles may become less clear. God sees all that we do or think so the closed door or the darkness of night means nothing to Him. That computer is not being looked at secretly, the consideration of siphoning funds will be audited. The longing after the opposite sex cannot be kept secret. The secrets of the heart will become known! For the psalmist to admit them and to then cling to the mercy of God revealed his integrity. Do we need to cry out to God for forgiveness and cleansing?
CHALLENGE: Remember that the all-seeing God is watching even when we consider that no one knows or sees! Be a person of integrity today in your dealings and attitudes. (Dr. Brian Miller – board member)
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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)
David prays for deliverance from enemies verse 1- 12
Deliverance out of times of trouble
Preserve him
Keep him alive
Deliverance from enemies
Give strength
Show mercy
Heal soul
Raised up by LORD
Not let enemies triumph over him
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
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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- 4, 10, 13
Merciful verse 4
Heal verse 4
Merciful verse 10
God – Elohim (Creator, Sovereign) verse 13
LORD God of Israel verse 13
Everlasting
Amen
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)
Poor verse 1
Enemies verse 2, 5, 11
Familiar friend verse 9
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Sinned verse 4
Speak evil verse 5
Speak vanity verse 6
Iniquity verse 6
Tells wrong things verse 6
Hate verse 7
Whisper against verse 7
Devise hurt verse 7
Evil disease verse 8
Lifts up a heel against friend verse 9
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Deliverance verse 1
Preserve verse 2
Keeps alive verse 2
Blessed verse 2
Not deliver into will of enemies verse 2
Strengthen verse 3
Mercy verse 4, 10
Heal verse 4, 10
Favor verse 11
Integrity verse 12
Presence before LORD verse 12
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
David verse 1- 13
Deliverance in times of trouble
Bed of languishing
Admits sin against the LORD
Trusted in familiar friend
Lifted up his heel against me
Wants LORD to raise him up
Wants to requite “friends”
for what they have done
Knows God favors him
Enemies don’t triumph over him
LORD upholds him in his integrity
Set him before HIS face forever
Blesses the LORD God of Israel
Israel verse 13
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
Die verse 5
Rise up no more verse 8
David set before LORD’S face forever verse 12
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QUOTES regarding passage
10. This verse belongs to the account of David’s plea for help, which began in verse 4 and should be read throughout as the appeal he had addressed to God on that occasion. The quotation marks in verse 4 should not be closed until the end of verse 10; the words of his enemies (5, 8) were part of his report to God. The emphatic But … thou, in the present verse, corresponds to the emphatic ‘My enemies’ (5), and resumes the request of verse 4. The plea that I may requite them is unusual, in that the psalms mostly pray that God himself will do this. David, however, as king, had authority to act judicially, a power which he used in fact with great restraint. But the contrast between his personal reaction and our Lord’s to enmity and betrayal remains very striking: the contrast between punitive justice and atoning grace. (Kidner, D. (1973). Psalms 1–72: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 15, pp. 180–181). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)
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41:4–10. His prayer had been one for healing after confessing his sin (v. 4). However, he lamented the fact that his enemies took advantage of his condition. Wanting him to die (v. 5), they feigned friendship while slandering him (v. 6), saying that he would never survive (vv. 7–8). Even his trusted friend betrayed (lifted up his heel against) him (v. 9). These words, of course, were quoted by Jesus concerning Judas (John 13:18). But here David had in mind the treachery of his friend Ahithophel, who betrayed him, and then hanged himself (2 Sam. 16:20–17:3, 23).
David’s prayer had been motivated partly by his desire to repay his foes for their treachery (Ps. 41:10). (Ross, A. P. (1985). Psalms. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 825). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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God in His mercy doesn’t give us what we do deserve, and God in His grace gives us what we don’t deserve, and He does this because of Jesus Christ His Son who died for us on the cross. David prayed for mercy, because he knew he had sinned (v. 4). He also affirmed his integrity (v. 12), for he had walked before the Lord in humility and submission (7:8; 18:19–25; 25:21; 78:72). When confronted with his sins, he confessed them and sought the face of the Lord (2 Sam. 12:13ff). David wanted mercy for himself but not for his enemies, except for his son Absalom (2 Sam. 18:5). Why? Because his enemies (especially Absalom) had committed treason against the Lord’s chosen and anointed king. This was not a personal vendetta on David’s part, but a concern for the future of the nation of Israel and the dynasty of David. As ruler of the land, David wielded the sword of justice (Rom. 13:1–4), and nations today punish treason with death.
More than anything else, David wanted to please God (v. 11; 18:19; 22:8; 35:27; 2 Sam. 15:26). He had confidence that the Lord would heal him, restore him to the throne, and deal with those who opposed him. Even more, he was certain that one day he would be in the presence of the Lord and serve in His holy courts in heaven forever (v. 12; 16:11; 17:15; 21:6; 101:7; 2 Sam. 7:16). (Wiersbe, W. W. (2004). Be worshipful (1st ed., p. 158). Colorado Springs, CO: Cook Communications Ministries.)
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Psalm 41. Six forms of blessedness are assured (in a quotation?) to the man who is concerned for the “poor-weak-helpless” (the Hebrew term is comprehensive).
As one who (apparently) has shown such concern, the poet seizes on the fourth blessing (v. 2c), for when he was seriously ill, praying for mercy and confessing his sins, his enemies took opportunity to anticipate his death gladly, to visit him only to speak falsely, and to gather news to gossip about. Even a friend kicked back at him, like a treacherous ox. So the psalmist prays for mercy, and the opportunity to repay them (to reestablish his position?). He assures himself that the frustration of his enemies shows that God is pleased with him, will uphold him, and will grant him his presence. (White, R. E. O. (1995). Psalms. In Evangelical Commentary on the Bible (Vol. 3, p. 380). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.)
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41:1–13 The words of this psalm are general and apply to anyone who might be considered “down.” The most painful and specific factor addressed here is the insult which is being added to the psalmist’s injury (cf. Pss 6, 38; and portions of Job and Jeremiah). While the form and structure of Ps 41 are quite complex, “blessed” serves as bookends in vv. 1, 13. Within these, other elements include 1) confidence (vv. 1 b-3, 11, 12), 2) prayers (vv. 4, 10), and 3) lament (vv. 5–9), with moments of wisdom and praise. David’s message in Ps 41 speaks of God’s tender, loving care in the critical care unit of life. (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Ps 41:1–13). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
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10. He prays that he may be raised up from his bed of sickness, so that he may requite his enemies. This need not be looked upon as only a natural desire for redress: David was king by Divine appointment, and therefore it was his duty, as God’s vicegerent, to punish evil-doers. (Jennings, A. C., & Lowe, W. H. (1884). The Psalms, with Introductions and Critical Notes (Second Edition, Vol. 1, pp. 184–185). London: Macmillan and Co.
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Ver. 10. But thou, O Lord, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, &c.] Not from a bed of illness, nor from a state of poverty and want; but from the dead: it was by the will of his divine Father that he suffered death, and it was to him he made satisfaction and reconciliation for the sins of his people, by his sufferings and death; and therefore it was but a reasonable request, that, having done this, he should be raised from the dead: besides, his father had promised it, and he had believed it; so that this prayer was a prayer of faith, founded upon a divine promise; and the resurrection of Christ is for the most part ascribed to God the Father as his act; though not to the exclusion of the Son, who had power, as to lay down his life, so to take it up again; and though the resurrection of Christ from the dead is not only an act of power, but also of justice, he having paid his people’s debts, atoned for their sins, and satisfied law and justice, it was but right and equitable that he should be discharged from the prison of the grave, and set free; yet here it is requested as an act of mercy, grace, and kindness; for, by doing it, it would appear that his father’s wrath was taken away from him, and that he had turned himself from the fierceness of his anger to him, and that he was well-pleased with his righteousness and sacrifice; besides, it was giving him glory, as well as rolling away the reproach he lay under; and, however, it was in mercy to his body the church, whom he represented, since it was for their justification; nay, their regeneration is influenced by it; and so is the resurrection of their bodies, of which Christ’s resurrection is the pledge and pattern. The end Christ had in view in making the request follows. That I may requite them: not him, Judas, last mentioned; for justice pursued and overtook him; he destroyed himself, and was gone to his own place, before Christ’s resurrection from the dead; but them, the Jews, as a body; his enemies that spoke ill of him, wished ill to him, conspired against him, to take away his life, and did bring him to the dust of death: and this his requital of them, after his resurrection, was either of good for evil, by ordering his disciples to preach his Gospel, first at Jerusalem, to those very persons who were concerned in his death, many of whom were converted, baptized, and added to the church; or of evil, for their evil to him, which had its accomplishment in part, at the destruction of Jerusalem, and will more fully at the day of judgment, when they that have pierced him shall see him come in the clouds of heaven. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 3, p. 701). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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10. “But thou, O Lord, be merciful unto me.” How the hunted and affrighted soul turns to her God! How she seems to take breath with a “but, thou!” How she clings to the hope of mercy from God when every chance of pity from man is gone! “And raise me up.” Recover me from my sickness, give me to regain my position. Jesus was raised up from the grave; his descent was ended by an ascent. “That I may requite them.” This as it reads is a truly Old Testament sentence, and quite aside from the spirit of Christianity, yet we must remember that David was a person in magisterial office, and might without any personal revenge, desire to punish those who had insulted his authority and libelled his public character. Our great Apostle and High Priest had no personal animosities, but even he by his resurrection has requited the powers of evil, and avenged on death and hell all their base attacks upon his cause and person. Still the strained application of every sentence of this Psalm to Christ is not to our liking, and we prefer to call attention to the better spirit of the gospel beyond that of the old dispensation. (Spurgeon, C. H. (n.d.). The treasury of David: Psalms 27-57 (Vol. 2, p. 259). London; Edinburgh; New York: Marshall Brothers.)
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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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The book of Titus encourages people of all ages to live proper lives as Christians.
INSIGHT The knowledge of Christ must effect a transformation in our lives so that our attitudes and actions will “adorn the doctrine of God” (v. 10). The words we speak will influence others only if our actions support our words. God has redeemed us from the slavery of sin, assuring us of “the blessed hope” of the coming of Christ (v. 13). Because we will one day be delivered from this world, we are to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, fixing our faith on the coming of “the blessed hope.” This means we must be good stewards of the things of this world and live for the things Jesus would live for if He were in our place.Naaman is healed of leprosy when he obeys Elisha’s directives.
INSIGHTIt is God who has power to move in the realm of the spiritual and miraculous–not man. So whether God asks us to do something difficult or simple, it doesn’t matter. He will do the work behind our faith. Naaman learns this the hard way. His heart is open to God, for he goes to Elisha hoping that God will heal his leprosy. But when Elisha tells him to wash in the Jordan seven times, Naaman roars: “Are not . . . the rivers of Damascus better than all the waters of Israel?” (v. 12). He misses the point. The point is not clean water or unclean. The point is: Does he believe God? The Jordan is merely a test of his faith in God. When Naaman realizes that, he washes and is healed. (Quiet Walk)
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THE FULLNESS OF BLESSING
Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. 1 John 4:13
How does this blessing come? Well, I do not see any evidence in the New Testament to support what used to be called a “tarrying meeting.” Some people had that idea. God had certain blessings to give, and they thought they had to wait until they received them. But the gift is given by God in His own way and time; this gift does not come of necessity at once. It is God’s gift, and He knows when to give it and when to withhold it.
Do you remember the case of Moody? This was his story. He became conscious of his lack and need, and he began to pray to God about it. He gave obedience to the Word of God as well as he could, and he went on praying for months. Nothing happened to him, but still he went on praying. Yes, he waited for it, but it did not come, and the story is that one day, walking down a street in New York, not in a tarrying meeting, not even in a prayer meeting, suddenly God overwhelmed him with this mighty blessing. It was so mighty that Moody felt he would be killed by it, and he held up his hand and said, “Stop, God!”
God has His own time. God knows when to give the gift, and we must never imagine that by going to a meeting or following a certain procedure it is bound to come. No; the Holy Spirit is sovereign, and He gives in His own way. It may be dramatically or suddenly or quietly; that is irrelevant, because what really matters is that we receive the gift. The essence of it all, I think, can be put very simply: “Trust and obey.”
A Thought to Ponder
God has His own time. God knows when to give the gift.
(From The Love of God, pp. 114-115, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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Let God Be True
“For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written. That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.” (Romans 3:3-4)
Many Christians are so intimidated by the arrogant unbelief of the supposed intellectuals of the world that they either reject or compromise or ignore the difficult teachings of Scripture. This is a grievous mistake, for all of God’s “sayings” are “justified” and He will surely “overcome” all those who presume to “judge” Him and His Word.
The only reason to believe in evolution, for example, is the fact that most such intellectuals believe it. There is no real evidence, either in the Bible or in science, for evolution or any other form of unbelief, yet many professed believers in Christ seem to have “loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:43). Therefore they assume that God does not really mean what He says in His Word, thereby making faith in His Word “without effect.”
God’s truth is not determined, however, by taking a vote, or by the opinions of skeptics, or by metaphysical speculation. It is determined by God Himself and none other, “for the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth” (Psalm 33:4).
Therefore, as our text commands: “Let God be true, but every man a liar.” The very criterion of truth is the Word of God. It is good to explain God’s Word to those open to its truth, but never to explain it away by some compromising accommodation to current scientism. “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth forever” (Psalm 119:160). The Lord Jesus confessed, unreservedly, “Thy word is truth” (John 17:17), and so should we.
(HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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He Fills the Empty
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10
Psychologist Madeline Levine noticed the fifteen-year-old girl’s “cutter disguise”—a long sleeve T-shirt pulled halfway over her hand commonly used by people who engage in self-harm. When the young girl pulled back her sleeve, Levine was startled to find that the girl had used a razor to carve “empty” on her forearm. She was saddened, but also grateful the teen was open to receiving the serious help she desperately needed.
The teen in some way represents many people who’ve carved “empty” on their hearts. John wrote that Jesus came to fill the empty and to offer life “to the full” (John 10:10). God placed the desire for a full life in every human being, and He longs for people to experience a loving relationship with Him. But He also warned them that the “thief” would use people, things, and circumstances to attempt to ravage their lives (vv. 1, 10). The claims each made to give life would be counterfeit and an imitation. In contrast, Jesus offers what’s true—“eternal life” and the promise that “no one will snatch [us] out of [His] hand” (v. 28).
Only Jesus can fill the empty spaces in our hearts with life. If you’re feeling empty, call out to Him today. And if you’re experiencing serious struggles, seek out godly counsel. Christ alone provides life that’s abundant and full—life full of meaning found in Him.
By Marvin Williams (Our Daily Bread)
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LOOKING ON
And it came to pass, when Moses went out unto the tabernacle, that all the people rose up, and stood every man at his tent door, and looked after Moses, until he was gone into the tabernacle. Exodus 33:8
I am rather interested in what we are told about the remainder of the people. They say that Moses and one or two individuals used to go out of the camp to the Tabernacle to pray. In Exodus 33:8 we read, “And it came to pass, when Moses went out unto the tabernacle, that all the people rose up, and stood every man at his tent door, and looked after Moses, until he was gone into the tabernacle.”
There is something very wonderful about this. All they did was to look on with interest. They were aware that something was happening, but they did not know what it was, and they did not understand it. They did not go out of the camp with Moses into the tent of meeting with God and pray and intercede. All they knew was that Moses had taken the tent outside the camp and that he and certain others periodically visited it. So they just stood at their tent doors, watching Moses as he went and talking about him, wondering what he was doing and what exactly was happening. Now the appalling thing is that the right place for the tent was in the midst of the camp. But it was not there.
As you read the history of the church, you will find this repeated. At first just a few people feel the call and separate themselves, and then the others begin to say, “What is happening to so and so? Have you heard about this man or that woman?” They stand at their tent doors, and they look on. They have a feeling that something is happening. But they do nothing at all. Oh, if we wait until the whole church moves, revival will never happen.
A Thought to Ponder: If we wait until the whole church moves, revival will never happen. (From Revival, p. 170, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. DEUTERONOMY 31:6
It takes courage to raise children today according to biblical standards, especially when the culture doesn’t exactly support us in our striving to courageously protect our sons and daughters.
So what’s a parent to do?
First, resolve that you will not be a parent who does the easiest thing: nothing. Loving children today will mean that you will make some mistakes. Perhaps you will go too far in setting some standards; but if your child has a secure, loving relationship with you, then I would rather you challenge your children to a high standard rather than one that is too low.
Second, pray. Someone has said, “Courage is fear that has said its prayers.”
Parents need to pray that they will be courageous. Barbara and I did—continually. We needed God’s wisdom and strength.
Third, meet as a couple and establish courageous boundaries for your family. Set some clear rules about the following:
•Movies
•Use of the Internet and the phone
•Dating (i.e., if so, when, how and whom to date?)
•Relating to the opposite sex (i.e., how far do you want your child to go with the opposite sex prior to marriage?)
•Curfews
• Dress
Remember the question I mentioned yesterday? Whatever courageous acts you have accomplished in your lifetime, it could be that the most courageous is determining that you will remain involved in the lives of your children.
Being a parent calls for repeated, heroic action. Doing your duty.
In the struggle against evil, our generation needs men and women who can stare at critical choices and not blink. It’s this private brand of courage that should set a Christian family apart—the fortitude that turns a mom and dad into spiritual warriors on behalf of their family. (Moments with You Couples Devotional by Dennis and Barbara Rainey)
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Things We Ought to Do
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” (Matthew 23:23)
This sharp rebuke by Jesus to the legalists of His day should also be taken seriously by us today. Although we are saved by grace alone, there are many things we ought to do, not as a matter of credit towardsalvation, but as gratitude for our salvation. Surely judgment, mercy, and faithfulness are high on such a list.
Other “oughts” of the born-again Christian life would include the following incomplete listing:
1. Prayer: “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1).
2. Obedience to God as Priority: “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
3. Working and Sharing: “So labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
4. Gracious in Speech: “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” (Colossians 4:6).
5. Walking with God: “As ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more” (1 Thessalonians 4:1).
6. Heeding God’s Word: “We ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip” (Hebrews 2:1).
7. Sanctified Behavior: “What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness” (2 Peter 3:11). (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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