Bible Pathways - July 14, 2009

Psalms 108

Highlights In Today's Reading:

Picture David's mighty army as they go forth to battle singing Psalm 108! David prophetically speaks of Christ in His deity as King-Priest in Psalm 110. Let's rejoice with the psalmist in the hallelujah psalms (111-113). Israel's God, the God of Jacob, is contrasted with idols (115). I like: The Lord preserveth the simple (sincere) (116:6). Come and exalt the Messiah with us as revealed in Psalm 118 — for His mercy endureth for ever. Then we see universal praise followed by the reason for it (119)

In a very dramatic manner, the coming King of kings was prophesied: The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool. The Lord shall send the rod of Thy strength out of Zion: rule Thou in the midst of thine enemies (110:1-2).

Christ will reign by divine appointment even though Israel, as a nation, rejected their Messiah King. But, the Stone (Christ) which the builders refused is become the Head Stone (Christ) of the corner. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. . . . Blessed be He that cometh in the Name of the Lord. . . . which hath shewed us light (118:22-23,26-27).

When we consider Him, how can we help but worship with the psalmist: Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in His Commandments (112:1). A reverential fear of God inspires a love for Him that will move us to delight in His Commandments. This reverence of God is an essential part of the life of a Christian

The Father, who in His own time will reveal His Son from Heaven, is the God who, as we wait on Him, prepares us for the revelation of His Son. It is sometimes easier to be satisfied with our Christian experiences of the past or to study the prophetic events of the future than it is to be faithful in our responsibilities of today. There is also a danger of being more occupied with the "things" that are coming than with "Him" who is to come. Let us not allow the interest and pleasure of intellectual Bible study to replace our true love of Jesus Christ and His appearing. For instance, a poor bride who is about to be married to a millionaire might only be thinking of the position and the riches that she is about to receive.

It is not when we are most occupied with prophetic "subjects" that we are in the true bride's place but when our love and attention is upon our Lord (Bridegroom) and His Word.

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire (Heb. 12:28-29).

Thought for Today:

I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me (Song 7:10).

Christ Revealed:

As the Stone which the builders refused (rejected) (Ps. 118:22). Christ quoted this psalm as referring to Himself when He confronted the chief priests and Pharisees and they willfully rejected Him as the Messiah (Matt. 21:42-45).

Word Studies:

108:7 mete out = measure out; 109:23 declineth = fades away; 111:7 verity and judgment = the essence of truth and justice; 112:9 horn = strength, power; 114:8 standing = pool of; 116:3 compassed me = surrounded me with terror and suffering; 118:13 thrust sore at me that I might fall = my enemy virorously sought to overthrow me.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for English International Shortwave Broadcasts & Radio Sri Lanka Broadcasts sponsored by Joseph Cusseaux • Assistant to the Executive Director of the IBRA in our Washington DC Branch: Terry Hall • Government Officials: Rep. Patrick Kennedy (RI) and Rep. Tom Latham (IA) • Country: St. Vincent and The Grenadines (120,000) in the Lesser Antilles of the eastern Caribbean • Major languages: English and French patois • Religious freedom • 50% Protestant; 17% Roman Catholic; 2% spiritist • Prayer Suggestion: Remember that nothing is too hard for the Lord (Gen. 18:14).

Optional Reading: 1 Timothy 5

Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 7:24