Bible Pathways 07/11/2002
July 11
Read Psalms 92 -- 100
In Today's Reading:
Praise for the loving-kindness of the Lord; appeal for justice; a call to sing, worship, and praise the Lord.
Verse for Today:
Let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our Salvation. . . . let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God; and we are the people of His pasture. . . . Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing (95:1,6-7; 100:2).
Singing with a heartfelt attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving is a vital part of worship. The psalmist invites the faithful to make a joyful noise to the Rock of our Salvation (Psalms 95:1). The words joyful noise carry with them the thought of expressing great joy and praise to our Lord.
Praise will lift worship above the level of personal needs to the higher plane of love and adoration as we glorify the Heavenly Father, our precious Savior Jesus Christ, and the indwelling Holy Spirit. In contrast, a self-serving person assumes the "worship" service was meant for his personal satisfaction. Consequently, we hear such people say: "I didn't get much out of the service." The reason is clear -- they didn't put much into it. Worship should be an active, heartfelt expression of prayer, praise, and adoration.
Think of all our Lord has done for you, in you, and with you, and all He has promised to you for all eternity.
Some Christians lack spiritual fulfillment because they reflect the mood and attitude of unbelievers when faced with adverse circumstances. But the psalmist was led to remind us: Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness (95:8). Some, like the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness, continually express an attitude of dissatisfaction with their circumstances. In doing this, they deprive themselves of the joy of an abundant, peaceful life, and thus fail to declare His glory . . . among all people (96:3). It is our privilege to let others know what a wonderful God we serve. Ingratitude is an insult to the Lord, a refusal to give [to] the Lord the glory due His Name (96:8).
There is no mention of exceptions to the psalmist's call to praise our wonderful Savior, Shepherd, and Provider. Every day is the day to make a joyful noise unto the Lord (100:1). Joyful singing honors our Great King and leads the believer into wholehearted service and worship of the Lord. All who are in submission to the Lord consider it a privilege to lay aside their personal interests and meet with other believers in a church on the Lord's day. This should be the Christian's way of life. For some, regular church attendance can be difficult or impossible (elderly, ill, hospital workers, police officers, etc.); but, most of us -- whatever the circumstances -- will choose to worship the Lord with gladness with other believers every Lord's day. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the Truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment (Hebrews 10:25-27).
Christ Revealed:
As the Creator: It is He that [has] made us (Psalms 100:3; compare John 1:3; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:11).
Word Studies:
92:6 brutish = without regard to reason or propriety; 93:5 becometh = distinguishes; 94:20 throne of iniquity = workers of evil; frameth = devises; 95:7 of His hand = under His care; 99:3 terrible = Holy, awesome.
Prayer Needs:
Government Officials: Gov. Mike Foster (LA) and Rep. Edward Markey (MA) · Pray for one another · Country: Malta (381,000) about 60 miles south of Sicily · Major languages: Maltese and English · Religious freedom · 97% Roman Catholic; 2% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Watch and pray that you may be worthy to stand before the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 21:36).
Optional Reading: 1 Timothy 2
Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 1:18
