Bible Pathway - June 30, 2010
Highlights:
David's life is filled with daily conversations with the Lord, just as ours should be. His psalms describe: his dependence on the Lord for protection and deliverance from enemies (chap. 31,35); his admission of sin and of his desperate desire for forgiveness and restoration (chap. 32); his rejoicing in the mercy and love of the Lord (chap. 33 — 34).
What a privilege we have to join with David and the multitudes since his time, singing:
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His Name together. . . . This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The Angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them (Ps. 34:3,6-7).
Praise in our worship services, at mealtime, and during daily devotions is good and right and fills our hearts with joy. But, the psalmist went beyond the expected times of worship and praise because he was continually expressing love and devotion to the Lord. He wrote: My tongue shall speak of Thy righteousness and of Thy praise all the day long (35:28).
We are expected to praise the Lord even when everything seems to go wrong, since we know that many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all (34:19). We know that all things (always) work together for good to them that love God (Rom. 8:28).
Even the most unjust and cruel things which we experience, whether deserved or not, become part of the process by which the Lord is transforming our lives. David had many similar experiences which worked together to make him a man after Mine (God's) own heart (Acts 13:22; I Sam. 13:14). David suffered numerous injustices at the hands of enemies of God. He could have become bitter. Instead, he declared: I trusted in Thee, O LORD, and confidently he also said: My times are in Thy hand (Ps. 31:14-15).
All opposition, sufferings, and disappointments become opportunities for us to react in such a way that, little by little, our Lord and Savior is able to produce in us His own character. Only in yielding our lives to God will we find the assurance, peace, and security we long for.
Often, we may not feel like praising God because of some satanic attack. With David we can be glad in the LORD, and . . . shout for joy (Ps. 32:11). Yes! Without hesitation, and regardless of circumstances.
Thought for Today:
I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth (Ps. 34:1).
Christ Revealed:
In the prophecy that not one of His bones would be broken as recorded concerning His crucifixion (Ps. 34:20). These things were done, that the Scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of Him shall not be broken (John 19:36).
Word Studies:
31:4 privily =secretly; 31:6 lying vanities =all other gods; 31:8 shut me up =given me over; 32:2 guile =deceit; 32:3 roaring = complaining; 35:12 spoiling =determined to take my life; 35:15 abjects =slanderers.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Dr. John A. Hash • Staff: Ilene Wallace • Country: Paraguay (5 million) in southern South America • Major languages: Spanish and Guarani • Religious freedom • 96% Roman Catholic; 2% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Ask God to show you His ways (Ex. 33:13).
Optional Reading: Colossians 3
Memory Verse for the Week: 2 Corinthians 4:7
