Bible Pathways 07/07/04

July 7

Read Psalms 72 - 77

In Today's Reading:

David's prayer for Solomon; mystery of the prosperity of the wicked; the wicked and the proud rebuked; Majesty of God praised

The psalmist praised the Lord for the assurance that no effort against the faithful people of God, regardless of how powerful, can hinder His ability to protect and bless those who are obedient to His Word. For promotion comes neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: He puts down one, and sets up another (Psalm 75:6-7). God controls both the present and the future of His people. His judgment is impartial and always righteous.

When confronted by problems, we need to praise our Almighty God, who has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). However, the psalmist was also led to proclaim that the proud and self-willed who love to boast will be judged (Psalm 75:4-7).

To illustrate this fact, in this Psalm God is referred to as the God of Jacob (75:9); God had wonderfully blessed Jacob. Esau had threatened to murder his brother, Jacob, over the birthright God had foretold would rightfully be Jacob's although Esau was the firstborn. God knew that Esau would despise the birthright and that Jacob would cherish the covenant blessing to Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 25:21-23).

When Esau threatened to kill Jacob, he left home to live with his uncle Laban more than 500 miles north. Twenty years later, when Esau received word that Jacob was returning home, Esau went out to meet him with 400 of his servants (32:6). It appeared that Esau would now fulfill his vow to kill Jacob in order to regain his birthright. This threat led Jacob to pray all night, after which God marvelously blessed him and gave him a new name, Israel. He is referred to far more times than all other men in Old Testament history (32:24-29).

Now that we have seen how God blessed Jacob because he wrestled all night in prayer, we should take this lesson to heart. We too need to be persistent and spend more time in prayer. God assures us that the wicked . . . I will cut off; but the horns (strength) of the righteous shall be exalted (Psalm 75:10).

Christ Revealed:

As the Righteous Judge who will crush the oppressors (Psalm 72:4). Psalm 75:8 describes the judgment of God upon those who refuse to accept the salvation so freely offered by Jesus, the Lamb of God (John 1:29,34-36; compare II Thessalonians 1:8-9).

Word Studies:

73:4 bands = pain; 73:21 pricked in my reins = emotionally disturbed; 74:2 the rod = the tribe; 74:4 set up their ensigns for signs = replaced the symbols of God for their own symbols; 75:5 speak not with a stiff neck = defy not God with an insolent pride.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for The International Shortwave Radio Broadcast in memory of William H. Malone · Government Officials: Rep. Richard Armey (TX) and Rep. Gerald (Jerry) Weller (IL) · Country: Hungary (11 million) in east-central Europe · Major language: Hungarian · New freedom has opened the door to evangelism and Bible distribution · 61% Roman Catholic; 24% Protestant

Prayer Suggestion: Pray fervently with others (Romans 15:30).

Optional Reading: II Thessalonians 1

Memory Verse for the Week: I John 4:18