by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Psalm 40-42
Well, yesterday we left David in distress but turning his gaze on the Lord. Now today, we see the reward he gets for waiting on his God. Deliverance.
Psalm 40 is what I often declare as my testimony of salvation. The Lord inclined unto my prayer, brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, set my feet upon a rock,and put a new song in my heart. Whether or not we realized it at the time, we were in pits of destruction before we became born again.
But “How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust, and has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.”(40:4)
There are several themes which continually come up in the psalms. Of course, we have hit upon many of these. The importance of praising and trusting in God. The importance of knowing that God will bless the righteous. Now we come to another.
Blessings come upon the ones who “consider the helpless.”(41:1) David is a man of rare compassion. A man in his position as king of Israel could easily slip into a routine which would not notice the afflictions of others. Not this king.
Repeatedly we see him reaching out to the poor and seeking justice for the lowly as well as the high. He also encourages others to do the same, since he never forgets where he came from.
We have mentioned the next before, but Psalm 42 is the perfect example of this one. He talks to himself and encourages himself. This is what David did at Ziklag when all seemed lost to him. He returned to his camp from war only to find all of the women and children captured and his city burned. As the other warriors wanted to turn on David, he “encouraged himself in the Lord,” and led a victorious pursuit of all that was lost. Quite a turnaround.
Now back to Psalm 42, he is talking to himself. “Why are you in despair, O my soul? Hope in God.”(42:5 and 11)
If we can just get this one idea – and really get it, we will be transformed. When the going is tough, we should talk to ourselves and remind ourselves that we are to trust in our faithful God. Our trust will be rewarded.
As we praise the Lord, our depression will flee and we will see more clearly. Then hopelessness will turn to faith in Him.
Acts 27: 1-27
We were just speaking of trust in the psalms. Now we see trust playing out in Paul’s life.
The apostle is being transported with some other prisoners to Rome so that he might appeal to Caesar. Almost from the start, the wind is contrary to their sailing. As the entourage is leaving Fair Haven, Paul warns the sailors not to set out just yet. The winds are very contrary, and it is apparent that their very lives are in danger. However, the centurion listens to the sailors and not to Paul. They proceed as planned.
This definitely is the wrong move. Sometimes they are at a standstill, and at other times they are being uncontrollably driven by the wind.
And it gets even worse. As the travelers are violently being tossed, they begin throwing items overboard to lighten the load.
It’s at this moment that Paul stands up and speaks to the sailors. An angel has appeared to him telling him that they will run aground before it is over, but that all lives will be spared. Paul must go to Rome, and God will see to it that they get there.
The events unfold exactly as Paul has said, of course. The ship hits the rocks, and is broken to pieces, but the occupants are able to escape and are brought safely to land.
Do you have assurance that God has your back, as He did Paul’s? His plans will be carried out in our lives also when we listen to Him and obey His voice. We too have angels around us, helping us with our mission. He is watching over all of us, too.
It’s a great feeling isn’t it? When we know that the Lord is on our side, we can rest in Him. He will see us through!
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Psalm 37-39
As you read Psalm 37, you can almost feel God’s peace pour over you like liquid gold. There may be times when our souls are burdened and we start looking around to see if we are being treated justly. In those times, we are not to fret. If we “trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness,” (37: 3), He will show Himself strong on our behalf.
So who inherits the land? The faithful, those who “wait for the Lord,” and the humble. (9, 11). The arrogant and the self-reliant are out of God’s will. Sometimes people want to “make it happen,” at any cost. They may even run rough-shod over others to “make it happen.”
God’s way is different. When we are in His will, we wait patiently for Him, knowing that He will accomplish what concerns us. We must trust.
Some of the most famous verses are in this psalm. “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (37:4) Some interpret this as saying that He will do whatever you want Him to. I have a different take on it.
When our lives are totally committed to the Lord, He drops His desires into our hearts – and then He completes them. One way that His will is made known to us is through our desires – if we are walking closely with Him. Praying and meditating on the Word.
Another famous verse is related. “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in His way.”(37:23).
Or what about this one, “I have been young and now I am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread.”(37:25).
Or “Wait for the Lord, and keep His way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land.”(37:34).
Immediately after this beautiful psalm, David has a down-turn. It’s almost shocking to see his attitude change so quickly, but we are getting used to David by now. He doesn’t try to hide his emotions from the Lord. He very quickly and easily pours out his heart – whether it is a good day or a bad one.
He’s having a few bad days, just as we do sometimes. But David is still counting on the Lord to hear his prayers and to deliver him out of the burden of sin.
And he won’t be disappointed. Neither will we.
Acts 26
Paul has his chance to preach the gospel to King Agrippa. He eloquently shares once again his testimony. Paul had been a Pharisee, putting to death the Christians, when a bright light from Heaven arrested him and Jesus called him into the ministry.
Paul’s words are so anointed that King Agrippa says, “In a short time, you will persuade me to be a Christian.”(V. 28)
Then later Agrippa says, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”(V. 32)
If you recall, the Lord had already spoken to Paul, saying that He was sending him to Rome. The gospel was to be preached in the very epicenter of the Roman empire – Rome itself. God chose to have Paul arrested and to appeal to Rome so that he could be transported there and have an audience with Caesar himself.
So to Rome he will go. God’s will is being accomplished.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Psalm 33-36
The Lord looks from heaven and sees all of the sons of men. That’s the theme of the 33rd psalm. We are reminded that our God is the One who fashioned all of the earth and all that is in it. He sees all that is happening. And His eye is upon the righteous to deliver our souls from the evil which tries to come upon us.
“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him and rescues them.”(34:7) It’s always been amazing to me that David has such a mature understanding of God’s ways. In a time when angels and demons were not discussed that much, David seems to be very aware of their involvement in our lives. In fact, his psalms teach the rest of us about the angels.
Obviously, much of what David wrote was prophetic. Through this king, God was showing us things to come, and allowing us to peep into His kingdom. So it is with David’s mentioning of angels.As we continue in the psalms we are made aware of the working of angels. They encamp around us – and rescue us.
Are you aware of angels around you? We usually don’t see them, but they are there – just as David says. I have been aware of their presence in my life on several occasions. I’m quite sure that angels have aided me in avoiding wrecks which seemed imminent. They have also brought supernatural provision from time to time.
When we realize that God is watching over us and that angels are around us, we have to be more confident in the state of our well-being. His lovingkindness extends to the heavens and His faithfulness reaches to the skies.
How could we be afraid of anything which could come our way?
Acts 24-25
Paul goes before the Roman governor, Felix, and his Jewish wife, Drusilla. The Jewish leaders, with their spokesperson Tertullus, start accusing Paul of being a “real pest” and “stirring up dissension among the Jews.” They just don’t realize the source of their anguish.
As Paul speaks for himself, Felix can find nothing wrong. However, he becomes afraid when Paul is talking about righteousness and judgment. This is just too much to bear, so the governor sends God’s man to the prison, where he is kept for two years. (At least he’s still alive).
Festus succeeds Felix as governor and the Jews try to run their death plan by him also. Once again these men ask for Paul to be brought before the court and they plan an ambush. But once again, their plan is foiled.
After all of his testimony, Paul is asked by festus if he would go to Jerusalem to be tried. Of course, Paul appeals to Caesar, and Festus has to agree. Appealing to Caesar was a right of any Roman citizen who felt that his rights were not being properly applied. So to Caesar he will go.
Interestingly, when King Agrippa visits, Festus shares the problem. The Jews are accusing this man Paul, but Festus doesn’t really understand what the charges are. He discusses it with Agrippa. This is indeed a strange case for them.
Of course, in the meantime, Felix, Festus, and soon Agrippa have the gospel preached to them. In the near future, the people of Rome will hear also. God has a plan and it is working. The gospel will be preached in Rome.
If you want God’s plans to work in your own life, trust Him. There will be times when it will look like the plans are not working, but they are. When you are trusting God and being obedient to Him, His plans will always be working in your life, just like we see in Paul’s.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Psalm 29-32
This can be an up-and – down life we lead, can’t it? Do you ever feel that way? David obviously does. One moment he is praising God, full of joy and enthusiasm, and the next moment he is bemoaning the fact that evil men are out to get him.
David has an attribute, however, which we need to notice. In fact, we need to cultivate it in our own lives. That attribute is the ability to stir ourselves up, or “talk to ourselves.” After David would pour out his heart to God, he would start reminding himself of God’s faithfulness.
Almost always does David end his psalm on a high note. “Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord.”(31:24)
This should be an example for all of us. There are times when we seem overwhelmed with obstacles all around us. We cry out to God. We moan about all of the hard times at hand. But at the end of it all, if we will let our hearts be reminded of our God and His faithfulness, our faith in Him will actually rise. We will end up on a higher plane.
“Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones. And shout for joy all you who are upright in heart.”(32:11) This is where we wind up as we live our lives with the Lord. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves like David does, but our lives will be full of joy as we live for Him.
Acts 23
Paul is really in hot water now. The Roman commander has to forcibly take Paul and hide him in the barracks, as the Jews are so hostile. But 40 of the most zealous Jews make a vow that they will band together, ambush Paul, and kill him. The plot, however, is revealed to the commander and he gathers 200 Roman troops, 70 horsemen, and 200 spearmen to take Paul safely to felix the governor.
Interestingly, once again the devil plays into God’s hands. He is stirring up the Jews so vehemently that Paul has to appeal to Rome. This is the means God uses to take Paul to Rome to preach the gospel. “Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.”(V. 11)
So the evil plot is foiled by God’s hand, and Paul is delivered to the hands of the governor. The devil has a plan, but so does God. And God’s plan always prevails.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Psalm 23-25
Today we come to the most famous Psalm of all times – and for good reason. It’s a beautiful illustration of God’s love, mercy, and grace toward us.
So what does our God do for those who love Him? He brings a peace which cannot be explained. When we rely on Him to be our shepherd, he cares for us as a merciful shepherd cares for his sheep.
He provides all of our needs. He causes us to lie down in pastures of green grass, and beside still waters. Protected and well-cared for.
He leads us in the right paths, always providing direction and guidance.
Even when we go through hard times – the valley of the shadow of death – we don’t fear, because we know that His guidance and provision are still there. When we are in the presence of enemies, He prepares a table for us.
He anoints our head with oil, to heal any hurt, and to pour His grace upon our heads. Our cups overflow with our Father’s mercy and grace.
Surely goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives.
If there is ever a time when you feel downcast and afraid, I suggest you go to this psalm and meditate. This is the truth – God’s plan and purpose. It doesn’t say that evil times will never come, but it says that God will take care of us through those times.
Just as our Father provided for David throughout the years of being hunted by Saul and persecuted by Absalom, He will treat us the same way. Our job is to believe Him and follow Him no matter what, always trusting in His mercy.
Acts 21:17-40
Paul will later say in one of his letters, “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”(I Cor. 9:22). We see this in today’s reading.
The Jews are in consternation because they think Paul is forsaking their heritage. These Jews, who have spent their whole lives protecting the law, can’t understand what God is doing in this day. They are ready to stone Paul.
So Paul and his companions shave their heads and go through the Jewish process of purification – just to prove that they are not subversives.
However, that is not enough for some of the Jews. Some of the Asian Jews accuse Paul of allowing Gentiles into the temple, and they want to kill him. So they start beating him until they are stopped by the Roman commander.
In many parts of the world today, Christians are being persecuted by other religions. The devil hates God’s Son and His Word. He wants none to be saved by the blood of Jesus, so he tries to stop the gospel any way he can.
In the western world, Christians are not persecuted in the same way. However, many times Christians are mocked and misunderstood. Sometimes good and evil are confused so that Christians are accused of evil for believing what God has said.
Are we willing to be like Paul? Are we willing to be persecuted for the sake of the Word? Are we willing not to back down just because others misunderstand? The devil is trying to shut us all up. Will we let him?
The very ones who misunderstand are the ones who need to hear God’s Word. Not in a mean and abusive way, but with God’s love. They need to know of the One who died for them also.
Let’s take them that liberating Word. They will be forever grateful.
