Bible Pathways Daily Bible Reading Devotional

Get guidance on Bible study from C.S. Lewis - Free Course!
<< Bible Pathway

Bible Pathways 07/19/2003


July 19

Read Psalms 144 -- 150

In Today's Reading:

David's praise for God's mercy and goodness; benefits of trusting in God; all creation to praise the Lord; triumph in the God of Israel

The psalmist begins and ends each of the last five psalms saying: Praise ye the LORD — literally an expression of how great our God is. While I live will I praise the LORD; I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being. . . . We praise the LORD that we can look to Him for our needs. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God; Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever. . . . Praise ye the LORD (Psalm 146:1-2,5-6,10).

The psalmist continues by saying: Praise ye the LORD. . . . He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. . . . He sendeth forth His Commandment upon earth: His Word runneth very swiftly (147:1,3,15). Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth . . Let them praise the name of the LORD: for His Name alone is excellent (148:11,13).

The fact is, the more we are determined to truly put Christ first in our lives, the more we will experience interruptions which demand our time and attention. When this happens, we are tempted to seek what is best for "our" kingdom rather than to seek . . . first the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). Many times, even "good things" keep us from "the best" that God would give us. However, the loss of good things may also be a test of our faithfulness, to see if, like Job, we can say: He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold (Job 23:10).

Throughout the Book of Psalms, we are made aware that nothing comes into our lives by accident. In His wisdom and love, everything God permits, or causes, is to develop His highest good in and for us.

These closing psalms assure us we have a loving, Heavenly Father Who wants the best for His children. To make this possible, He has provided His Word as the One True Guide that reveals how we should live to please Him. God has also provided His church where we can sing praises to Him, share our testimonies with others who love Him, and receive instruction and inspiration from our spiritual leaders. As Christians, we were never meant to be self-sufficient, independent loners but responsible members of His Church. Christ is the head from Whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth (Ephesians 4:15-16).

The Book of Psalms concludes by proclaiming: Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD (Psalm 150:6).

Christ Revealed:

As the One Who gives sight to the blind (see Psalm 146:8). Jesus Christ opened blind eyes. Then touched He their eyes . . . . And their eyes were opened (Matthew 9:27-30; Mark 10:46-52; John 9:1-41).

Word Studies:

144:7 rid = rescue; 144:13 garners = grain storehouses; streets = fields; 145:3 unsearchable = beyond our understanding; 147:4 telleth = counts; 148:7 dragons = large sea animals.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for John and Sharon Harvey and Open Door Ministry International · the International Shortwave Radio Broadcast in honor of Linda Kennon · Government Official: Rep. John Hostettler (IN) · Country: Latvia (3 million) eastern coast of Baltic Sea in northeastern Europe · Major languages: Latvian and Russian · Religious freedom · 20% Protestant; 20% Roman Catholic; 15% Russian Orthodox; 1% Jewish · Prayer Suggestion: Give thanks for trials because from them we can learn patience (Romans 5:3).

Optional Reading: II Timothy 4

Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 3:10



More Bible Pathway Articles