Highlights:
Let your spirit soar as you join King David in humility and glory, singing and worshiping God the Righteous King. The reading closes with a historical retrospect and celebration of the Exodus from Egypt.
David was inspired by the Holy Spirit to prophesy of Jesus' glorious coming kingdom reign when He will administer equal justice for all the world. Because of this, David declared: I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes (Ps. 101:2-3). To maintain this attitude, David chose his friends wisely, saying: A froward (deceitful, perverted) heart shall depart from me: I will not know (have anything to do with) a wicked person (101:4). The influence of a wicked person, like a rotten apple in a barrel of apples, will infect all those who associate with him.
A few of the many reasons for praising the Lord are given in Psalm 103, but it is our loving Lord Himself who is our highest reason for praise. First, we praise Him for who He is, the all-powerful, all-wise, righteous Creator, and then for His mercy and forgiving love in cleansing us from all our sins. We also thank and praise Him because He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him (103:10-11).
Just think, His forgiving love toward those who fear Him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. Therefore, it is an act of unbelief on our part, a deception of Satan, and contrary to the nature of our loving Lord, for us to bring up former sins — either ours or those of others. Forgiven means no longer remembered, not only by God, but by us as well (I John 1:9; II Pet. 1:9). Forgiveness must not depend on our emotions, rather it is a decision that the Lord requires of us. As you begin praying, always remember to forgive anyone you feel has wronged you. When you do that, your Father will forgive your evil deeds; but, if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive you nor answer your prayers (Ps. 66:18).
We are reminded that unlimited forgiveness should characterize every true disciple of Christ, for He said: When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father . . . forgive your trespasses (Mark 11:25-26).
Thought for Today:
He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint (Luke 18:1).
Christ Revealed:
As the One who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases (Ps. 103:3). Forgiveness of sin and the healing power of God describe the ministry of our Lord Jesus, who was sent to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord (Luke 4:18-19; Matt. 9:6).
Word Studies:
101:2 perfect heart =b> blameless; one of integrity; 101:4 froward heart =b> an obstinate and evil mind; 101:5 cut off =b> destroy; suffer =b> tolerate; 101:7 tarry =b> continue to dwell; 102:26 wax old =b> deteriorate; 104:9 bound =b> boundary; 104:13 chambers =b> dwelling place, heavens.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in honor of Rick Hash • Staff: Al Joslyn • Government Official: Rep. Betty McCollum (MN) • Country: Saudi Arabia (20.9 million) on the Arabian Peninsula in southwestern Asia • Major language: Arabic • Christian worship services for foreign personnel are tolerated, but those who seek to convert Muslims to Christianity face persecution • 86% Sunni (Wahabi) Muslim; 10% Shi'ite Muslim; 1% Ismaili Muslim; 3% Others (including 600,000 Christians and some Hindus and Buddhists) • Prayer Suggestion: Pray, in faith, for God to work a miracle (II Kings 4:33-34).
Optional Reading: 1 Timothy 3
Memory Verse for the Week: 2 Corinthians 4:8