PSALM 125
Obedience means trusting in the LORD verse 1
They that trust in the LORD shall be as Mount Zion
which cannot be moved – but abides for ever
Obedience provides presence of the LORD verse 2
As the mountains are round about Jerusalem
so the LORD is round about HIS people
from henceforth even for ever
Obedience must be a priority verse 3
The rod of the wicked shall not rest on the lot of the righteous
LEST the righteous put forth their hands to iniquity
Obedience is motivated internally verse 4
Do good – O LORD – to those that be good
and to them that are upright in their hearts
Obedience provides peace verse 5
As for such as turn aside to their CROOKED ways
the LORD shall lead them forth
with the workers of iniquity
BUT peace shall be upon Israel
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
:1 “Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, Which cannot be moved, but abides forever.” The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982). (Moved – 4131 מֹוט [mowt /mote/] v. A primitive root; TWOT 1158; GK 4572; 39 occurrences; AV translates as “moved” 20 times, “removed” five times, “slip” three times, “carried” once, “cast” once, “course” once, “decay” once, “falling down” once, “exceedingly” once, “ fall” once, “ready” once, “shaketh” once, “slide” once, and “variant” once. 1 to totter, shake, slip. 1A (Qal) to totter, shake, slip. 1B (Niphal) to be shaken, be moved, be overthrown. 1C (Hiphil) to dislodge, let fall, drop. 1D (Hithpael) to be greatly shaken. James Strong, Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2001).
DEVOTION: Righteous believers are secure in the Lord, who will not let them be tested to the point of being shaken from their integrity. He compared them to Mount Zion, which endures forever.
This is a great truth for individuals to get into their heart and head! It is possible only as the Holy Spirit indwells and empowers us. The rigors of this world tests our endurance and at times can make us question our security but God’s word continues to be true in spite of our circumstances or feelings. Jesus made the promise, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Heb.13:5); “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Co 4:8–9).
CHALLENGE: In the midst of facing difficulty remember the Lord’s promise and do not be moved. (Dr. Brian Miller – board member)
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about HIS people from henceforth even forever. (5439 “cabiyb] means on every side, circuits, neighborhood, neighboring , on all sides, surrounding, environs, or all around.)
DEVOTION: When we think of something or someone surrounding us on all sides it can be good or it can be bad. Here is a good thing.
The city of Jerusalem was surrounded on all sides by mountains. It was a good location for the capital of the nation of Israel. It was the place that the LORD picked for HIS people. HE wanted them to be safe from their enemies.
We need to realize that the LORD is also surrounding HIS people Israel with HIS love. Today we are HIS people and we are surrounded by HIS love as well. We have the Holy Spirit who is there to help us when we are making decisions regarding our actions each day.
We need to realize that HE is there because of love for those who are followers of Jesus Christ and we need to be thankful for HIS presence in our life. It is because of that presence we can make wise decisions each day if we are willing to listen to HIM and keep our daily reading of the word of God important in our thinking.
God wants us to know that HE is protecting us each day. HE wants to lead us in a path that will bless us each day. That takes our wanting HIM to do it. If willing, we should be thankful for HIS guidance.
CHALLENGE: Realizing that HE is always around us we should act accordingly.
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: 3 For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity. (6662 “righteous” [tsaddiyq] means just, lawful, right or correct.)
DEVOTION: This is a promise. The psalmist starts out with the thought that the followers of God have to trust HIM. When the followers of God trust the LORD then they will not be removed. They are going to endure the persecution.
There were times in the history of Israel, when the enemy because of their sin conquered them. However, this verse implies that the enemy will only stay long enough for the followers of God to repent. It will not last too long. It will not be too short. It will not be so long that those who are followers will start acting as if they were not followers.
The New Testament informs us that the LORD will not test us above that which we are able to take but give us a way to escape. Praise HIS name. We do receive the chasten rod of God when we sin. That rod will not REST on those who have accepted Christ as their Savior. It will only be on us until we repent.
However, remember that Paul tells us that if we don’t examine ourselves we could face: weakness, sickness and premature death. Those without Christ will have that rod for eternity. WHY?? There is a difference in the mind of the LORD between the righteous and the wicked. The righteous has not committed the unpardonable sin of rejecting Christ. Isn’t it great to know that when we are chastened of the LORD for our sin- it will be only for a short time period? Does that mean we should go out and practice living in sin? NO.
The next verse tells us that the psalmist is requesting of God that HE be beneficial to those who are beneficial to HIM. Are we advancing the kingdom of God in our world?
CHALLENGE: Know the difference between actions that are just and correct and those that are not. Remember bad company produces bad actions. Keep good company!!!
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 4 Do good, O LORD, unto those that do good, and to them that are upright in their hearts. (2895 “good” [yatab] means be well, be pleasing, be glad, treat kindly, gracious, do well, or make successful.)
DEVOTION: This first word for the action of the LORD implies that the LORD treats those who are actively seeking to please HIM graciously. The Psalmist divides people into two categories. There are those who are wicked and those who do well. There doesn’t seem to be a middle ground with him.
His desire is that those who do well should be treated well by the LORD. His other desire is that those who are wicked and approved of those who are wicked should be judged by the LORD.
He also describes those who should be treated well as those who trust in the LORD. Those who trust in the LORD are supposed to be able not to be moved when trials come. They stay faithful to the LORD.
They are also described as those who will spend eternity with the LORD. Once they are able to trust, they are also able to stay faithful to the LORD until death. After death they will spend their time in the presence of the LORD. It is a great promise.
Remember that God is concerned with our inner actions more than our outer actions. Many people can fake others out by their external actions. God looks at the heart. The Psalmist wants the LORD to treat those who are upright in their heart with kindness.
There is second word “good” in this verse that is a different Hebrew word.
Our actions affect the way the LORD treats us. We are part of his family because of our relationship with Jesus Christ. However, if our actions are sinful HE will not bless them.
CHALLENGE: Evaluate your actions by what is happening in your heart. Realize that if our heart is faithful, the LORD will bless us. Stay faithful!!!
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: 5 As for such as turn aside to their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be on Israel. (5186 “turn aside” [natah] means to make receptive or willing towards an action or attitude or belief, to elongate, stretch out, spread out, out spread, or to reach out.)
DEVOTION: Too often the children of Israel reached out to those who were not followers of the LORD. They liked to find out what other people were doing. They ended up worshiping the false gods of the people that were around them. They thought they could do both but that is not something the LORD wanted or appreciated.
HE wanted them, as HE wants us, to be faithful to HIM alone. HE is not one to share the throne with anyone or anything in our lives. HE wants to be the only ONE we worship each day.
The children of Israel had to learn lessons the hard way and sometimes we will also have to learn lessons the hard way because of our actions. It is no fun being disciplined by the LORD but HE will do it to those who are genuine believers to help them realize that HE wants to be exclusive in our lives.
The children of Israel give us many examples of the discipline of the LORD because they were prone to wander just as those who claim Christ today.
Some who think they are followers of Christ think they can do anything they want and still get to heaven. That is not true. Many of the children of Israel didn’t think God would discipline them but HE did and if they didn’t respond they would spend eternity in hell.
We need to realize that just going to church or saying yes to HIS invitation of salvation is enough because HE watching our actions after we say we have accepted HIS invitation.
CHALLENGE: Our attitude needs to be one of submission to HIM on a daily basis. HE is watching our thoughts and actions to see if our relationship is genuine.
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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)
Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good verse 4
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, 2, 4, 5
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)
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Iniquity verse 3, 5
Rod of the wicked verse 3
Crooked ways verse 5
Workers of Iniquity verse 5
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Trust in the LORD verse 1
LORD around HIS people verse 2
Righteous verse 3
Good verse 4
Upright in their heart verse 4
Peace verse 5
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Mount Zion verse 1
Jerusalem verse 2
Israel verse 5
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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DONATIONS:
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QUOTES regarding passage
4, 5. Assurance blossoms into prayer; verse 5, as well as 4, should be taken in that sense: i.e. ‘… may the Lord lead away …’. The crooked ways bring back a reminder of Judges 5:6, when travellers had to take to devious routes; but these men are devious by choice. It is their way, no doubt, of pursuing peace, as they see it.
By contrast, the final words of the psalm have arrived at peace, not by compromise but by the only road that leads to it: the way of righteousness. (Kidner, D. (1975). Psalms 73–150: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 16, p. 474). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)
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125:4. The pilgrim-psalmist prayed that the Lord would bless those who are good and upright in heart. (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. 884). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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Jesus taught us to keep on praying and not become discouraged if the answer is long in coming (Luke 18:1–8). The times may be bad, but there are always good people in bad times, people who trust God and obey His will. No matter how depressing the times may be, people of faith pray and receive good things from the hand of their Father (Luke 11:9–13). To live by faith is to keep our eyes on the Lord (123:1; Heb. 12:1–2), rest on the promises of His Word, and do what is right no matter what others may say or do. Faith means living without scheming. (Wiersbe, W. W. (2004). Be exultant (1st ed., p. 159). Colorado Springs, CO: Cook Communications Ministries.)
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125:4, 5 The outcome of the upright (v. 4) is contrasted with the crooked (v. 5). The true Israel is distinguished from the false (cf. Ro 2:28, 29; 9:6, 7). (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Ps 125:4). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
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Ver. 4. Do good, O Lord, unto those that be good, &c.] That are made so by the spirit and grace of God; for none are naturally good, but evil; only such who are regenerated and made new creatures, who have a good work of grace begun in them; who have the good spirit of God, and his good graces, and the good word of God in them, and are filled with all goodness; and which is known by the good fruits which they bear, or the good works done by them. For these the psalmist prays the Lord would do good to them, not only in a providential way, as he does to all; but in a way of special grace, bestowing the blessings of his goodness on them, and causing all things to work for their good: and as saints should pray for one another, or supplication should be made for all saints, such a prayer as this may be the prayer of faith; for it is not to be doubted but God will do good to those he makes good. Aben Ezra says this may be considered either as a prayer or a prophecy; it may have respect unto the church in the latter day, and to the good things spoken of concerning it; which God will accomplish in due time, and should be prayed for; see Psal. 51:18. And to them that are upright in their hearts; which is a further description of good men, from the integrity and sincerity of their hearts; who do all they do before God and men, in the uprightness of their souls, cordially and sincerely, from right principles, and with right views. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 4, p. 252). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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4. “Do good, O Lord, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.” Men to be good at all must be good at heart. Those who trust in the Lord are good; for faith is the root of righteousness, and the evidence of uprightness. Faith in God is a good and upright thing, and its influence makes the rest of the man good and upright. To such God will do good: the prayer of the text is but another form of promise, for that which the Lord prompts us to ask he virtually promises to give. Jehovah will take off evil from his people, and in the place thereof will enrich them with all manner of good. When the rod of the wicked is gone his own rod and staff shall comfort us. Meanwhile it is for us to pray that it may be well with all the upright who are now among men. God bless them, and do them good in every possible form. We wish well to those who do well. We are so plagued by the crooked that we would pour benedictions upon the upright. (Spurgeon, C. H. (n.d.). The treasury of David: Psalms 120-150 (Vol. 6, pp. 59–60). 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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Prayer for Indonesia: A deadly 7.5 magnitude earthquake and a tsunami with waves as high as twenty feet, struck Indonesia on Friday, leaving at least 840 people dead and thousands homeless.
On Monday, the government made the decision to conduct a mass burial of those lost in the tragedy saying that “This must be done as soon as possible for health and religious reasons.” Local Army Commander Tiopan Aritonang said, Indonesia is a majority Muslim, and religious tradition calls for the burial of a loved one typically one day after death.
According to Fox News, Aritonang said, 545 bodies would be brought from one hospital to the grave.
All of the victims coming from hospitals have been photographed so that families can identify their loved ones and locate where they are buried, Fox News reports.
Willem Rampangilei, the chief of Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency, said the grave was dug in Palu, where the majority of the casualties have been recorded and is 33 feet by 330 feet.
At this time, the death toll is expected to continue to grow as rescuers reach areas that were previously cut off by rubble.
Military and commercial aircraft are delivering some aid and supplies, but rescue teams are in desperate need of heavy equipment to reach possible survivors buried under rubble.
People are also suffering from a lack of resources including food and clothing. A local television station reported that around 3,000 Palu residents had flocked to the local airport trying to get out but were not able.
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When Paul ministers to the Corinthians, he relies on the work of the Holy Spirit.
INSIGHT
When we speak, teach, or preach to the unsaved, we are not speaking to those who are merely blindfolded; we are speaking to those who are blind. It is not as though we can appeal to them to remove their blindfolds. Rather, we must appeal to the Lord to remove their blindness through the power of His Holy Spirit. “The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). Therefore, it is foolishness on our part to attempt to minister to others without first praying fervently for that ministry, asking the Lord to draw those hearts to Christ. (Quiet Walk)
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THE ADVOCATE, PART 1
We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
1 John 2:1
How does Christ accomplish our restoration to fellowship with God? John puts it here in these verses in a very beautiful way. Christ does it, says John, by being our advocate. “If any man sin” if any of you should happen to fall into sin; then you, we, all of us together; “have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” John uses the same [Greek] word in his Gospel, in chapter 16 verse 7, where our Lord said that He would send us another comforter. So what is an advocate? An advocate is one who represents another. He stands before a court, and he presents the case of someone else; he represents this person and puts forward the pleas. And John tells us that the Lord Jesus Christ is, for all who believe on Him and trust Him, “an advocate with the Father.”
However, this word merits our closer attention. We must never think of it as if the Lord Jesus Christ were there pleading for us before an unwilling God. You will find that certain hymns suggest that, and statements have often been made that sound as if God were opposed to us and as if God, who is utter righteousness and absolute perfection, is insisting on His pound of flesh and insisting upon His right to punish us for our sins. They picture the Lord Jesus Christ as pleading desperately and urgently, trying to persuade the Father and at last succeeding in getting Him to change His opinion.
But that is an impossible suggestion, and we must be very careful not to view this idea of advocacy in that way. It is impossible because we are told so plainly and clearly in the Word of God that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son” (John 3:16). So as we consider the advocacy, let us get rid of the idea that God is unwilling and that He is one who is not prepared to forgive.
A Thought to Ponder: We must never think of it as if the Lord Jesus Christ were there pleading for us before an unwilling God. (From Walking with God, pp. 36-37, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
Lean Not
“For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water.” (Isaiah 3:1)
Isaiah lived and wrote during a time of spiritual poverty in the nations of Judah and Israel, as well as national decline. He foresaw and foretold in graphic detail the coming captivities of both nations, but was particularly concerned with the state and future of his homeland, Judah, and his hometown, Jerusalem.
The first several chapters of his book consist of a strong denunciation of the practices of the people of Judah. The nation was literally disintegrating due to rampant sin. In preparation for the coming national and ultimate judgments, Isaiah warned against personal pride and reliance on human resources. “The loftiness of man shall be…made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day” (2:17).
In our text, the words “stay” and “staff” are the masculine and feminine forms of the same word, both derived from the word meaning “support,” translated “stay of bread.” Thus, Isaiah uses this idiom and the next several verses to teach that God will remove any semblance of support for this sinful people, whether mighty man, soldier, judge, prophet, seer, elder, captain, artist, orator, or mature ruler (3:2-4), for the purpose of humbling them, “the people shall be oppressed, .every one by his neighbour” (v. 5), and demonstrating that the Lord, Jehovah Himself, could be their only real stay or staff. “In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious” (4:2).
The word “stay” is elsewhere translated “lean,” “rely,” or “rest.” “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
(JDM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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Franklin Graham writes:
Thank you for your bold stand Governor Ron DeSantis! Disney isn’t happy that the Florida Senate passed the PARENTAL RIGHTS IN EDUCATION BILL which bans the discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in schools for children from kindergarten to 3rd grade. Disney’s CEO contacted Gov. DeSantis to let him know of their opposition, but the governor affirmed that his administration’s policies are based on the “best interest of Florida citizens, not on the musings of woke corporations.” He said, “When you have companies that have made a fortune off being family-friendly and catering to families and young kids, they should understand that parents of young kids do not want this injected into their kids’ kindergarten classroom…” I’m so grateful for Gov. DeSantis’s strong defense of faith, family, and freedom in his state of Florida. God bless him as he leads.
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