June 30, 2004
Read Psalms 31 - 35
In Today's Reading:
David's trust in God; the blessedness of forgiveness; the Lord hears the righteous; David's prayer for safety
What a privilege we have to join with David and the multitudes since his time, saying: O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His Name together. . . . This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The Angel of the LORD encamps round about them that fear Him, and delivers them (Psalm 34:3, 6-7). Praise in our worship services, at mealtime, and during daily devotions is good and right and fills our hearts with joy. But, the psalmist went beyond the expected times of worship and praise because he was continually expressing love and devotion to the Lord. He wrote: My tongue shall speak of Your righteousness and of Your praise all the day long (35:28).
Christians are expected to praise the Lord, even when everything seems to go wrong, because we know that many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivers him out of them all (34:19). We know that all things work together for good to them that love God (Romans 8:28). David suffered numerous injustices at the hands of enemies of God. He referred to himself as being like a broken vessel. . . . they devised to take away my life (Psalm 31:12-13). He could have become bitter or could have blamed others. Instead, he declared: I trusted in You, O LORD, and confidently said: My times are in Your hand (31:14-15). Only in yielding our lives to God will we find the assurance, peace, and security we long for. This is not "holding on" to Him but abiding in Him and trusting that He is holding on to us, for He has promised we are in the Heavenly Father's hand (John 10:28-29).
Though, at times, we may not feel like praising God because of some pressing concern or problem, we should remember that God is still on the throne. With David we can be glad in the LORD, and . . . shout for joy (Psalm 32:11). Without hesitation, and regardless of circumstances, David said: I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth (Psalm 34:1).
Christ Revealed:
In the prophecy that not one of His bones would be broken as recorded concerning His crucifixion (Psalm 34:20). When they came to Jesus, and saw that He was dead already, they broke not His legs. . . . that the Scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of Him shall not be broken (John 19:32-36).
Word Studies:
31:4 privily = secretly; 31:6 lying vanities = vain idols; 31:8 shut me up = given me over; 32:2 guile = deceit; 32:3 roaring = groaning; 35:12 spoiling = sorrow; 35:15 abjects = slanderers.
Pray For:
The International Shortwave Radio Broadcast sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. John A. Hash · Government Official: Rep. Joe Skeen (NM) · Country: Grenada (97,000) southernmost of the Windward Islands · Major language: English · Religious freedom · 61% Roman Catholic; 31% Protestant
Prayer Suggestion: Lift up prayers of praise and thanksgiving to God even in times of adversity (Acts 16:22-25).
The International Shortwave Radio Broadcast sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. John A. Hash · Government Official: Rep. Joe Skeen (NM) · Country: Grenada (97,000) southernmost of the Windward Islands · Major language: English · Religious freedom · 61% Roman Catholic; 31% Protestant
Prayer Suggestion: Lift up prayers of praise and thanksgiving to God even in times of adversity (Acts 16:22-25).
Optional Reading: Colossians 3
Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 2:11