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
Psalms 26-28
One of David’s attributes which made him so precious to God was his humble, contrite spirit. “Examine me, O Lord, and try me; test my mind and heart.”(26:2). He truly wants his God to take a good look at him and his dedication. Only a pure heart would invite such scrutiny.
As the psalmist goes on to discuss his own faithfulness, he turns once again to the extraordinary faithfulness of God.” The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?” (27:1) Jehovah God is David’s rock, his strength, and his refuge.
As we scan these verses, it’s important to take a moment and ponder just what is being said. At times in our own lives, there may be disappointing issues which arise. When they do, we always have our God to turn to.
There have been times when I have been counseling someone and I would remind them of some of these verses. Even when their mother and father have forsaken them, “The Lord will take them up.”(27:10)
Or what about this? “I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”(27:13)
Or “wait for the Lord. Be strong and let your heart take courage.”(27:14)
Do you feel strengthened just reading these verses again? I do. Our God is faithful, and we are to look to Him for our answers. For our strength. For our protection.
As we meditate on the verses we need for the moment and we speak them into the atmosphere, our hearts are empowered to accomplish His will for us. These are strong, powerful words.
Acts 22
After Paul’s arrest, the commander of the Roman Cohort allows him to speak publicly to the Jews. This Roman doesn’t know what the commotion is all about. Why are these Jews so angry at this man?
Standing on the stairs, above the crowd, Paul shares his testimony in the Hebrew dialect. He is appealing to his Jewish brothers to understand his call. As he gives detail upon detail, Paul explains how he had been called into the ministry, and how the Lord had led him from that time.
When Paul gets to the part about taking the message of salvation to the Gentiles, the Jews go into a rage. They begin “crying out, throwing off their robes, and tossing dust into the air.”(V. 23) These men are ready to stone Paul. They think that he is trying to overthrow the Jewish heritage.
As always, however, Paul has the right answer. The Romans are caught up in the scene and are about to flog him when Paul invokes his right as a Roman citizen. (During those times, Roman citizens had special rights. Certainly they were not to be flogged before a formal accusation had been made).
The Holy Spirit brings to Paul’s mind the idea to claim his citizenship. When we need to have wisdom from God, we can have it. In Luke 12:12, Jesus says, “When you are brought before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, , do not become anxious about how or what you should speak in your defense, or what you should say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
That’s what we see happening with Paul. He suddenly remembers to claim his Roman citizenship, a fact which brings great respect from the authorities.
We can count on the Holy Spirit’s leading also. When we are in tough situations, we need to calm down and listen to Him. He will guide us also, as we listen and obey what He is telling us to do.
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.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Psalm 21-22
Psalm 22 was quoted by Jesus on the cross. “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?”(22:1) Many of those standing around thought He was feeling deserted by God, but I don’t think that was true. When Jesus spoke those words on the cross, He spoke Hebrew, and the translation stays in Hebrew. (The rest of the chapter is written in Greek). To the Jews, He was telling them that this Psalm was being fulfilled in their time.
“I am a worm and not a man, a reproach of men and despised by men.”(22:6) When you see what was happening to Jesus on the cross, you see that this was happening. He was not only crucified, but He was mocked and jeered by those around Him.
“Dogs have surrounded Me; a band of evildoers has encompassed Me. They pierce My hands and My feet.”(22:16)
“They divide their garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.”(22:18)
You can easily see these verses being fulfilled during the crucifixion.
At the end of the Psalm, however, we get to the good part. “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will worship before the Lord.”(V.27).
“Posterity will serve Him; it will be told of the Lord to the coming generation. They will come and declare His righteousness to a people who will be born, that he has performed it.”(V.30-31)
This Psalm is clearly prophesying of a day when God’s covenant will be available to all. During the time of David, the Jewish mindset was on their own nation. They weren’t concerned with the “ends of the earth.” In fact, they were to stay away from those other nations.
Yet right in the middle of God’s first covenant, He was looking forward to the day when His people would come from nations all over the world. The New Covenant, to be cut through His Son Jesus, would make salvation available to all mankind.
So God would give a glimpse of the future to his prophets. (David operated in this gift from time to time). I wonder what he thought when some of these words would come forth. I’m sure that he would ponder them. He was speaking of a future time which no one from his era could totally understand.
God was just giving hints and clues so that we could recognize the day. There are lots more hints and clues concerning our time and God’s final wrap up of our era. For those who want to hear from Him, He gives understanding about things to come.
Acts 21: 1-26
We have watched Paul as he has encountered evil men, fleeing so that he would not be put in jail. Now, all of a sudden, he has a change of attitude. Many have warned Paul that he will be bound by the Jewish leaders when he gets to Jerusalem, but he’s determined to go. Even saying that he “is willing to die for the Name of the Lord.”(V.13)
Why this change? I think I know. Do you remember when Paul first had his encounter with Jesus and was blinded for three days? The Lord told Ananias to go to him and lay his hands upon him for his regaining of sight. The Lord said, “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.”(Acts 9:16).
I think that Paul had seen himself bound in Jerusalem and sent to Rome. The goal was to have the gospel preached even to the citizens of Rome, and the Lord was going to use this method to get him there.
So even though Paul had avoided being jailed in the other cities, he knew that this was to be God’s will for him. So he goes gladly, telling his friends to stop crying. He is ready for this newest aspect of his mission.
Paul has a purpose and he will fulfill it at any cost.
Are we willing to fulfill our purposes at any cost? I hope so.
