July 10
Read Psalms 88 - 91
In Today's Reading:
A cry for deliverance from death; praise for God's Covenant and promises; frailty and brevity of life; the faithful protected
He that dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty (All Powerful, All Sufficient One) (Psalm 91:1). This is one whose heart is set on being obedient to the Lord. To abide under the shadow of the Almighty there is a need to draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded (James 4:8). If in doubt concerning any questionable decision, abstain from all appearance of evil (I Thessalonians 5:22).
The psalmist expressed the utmost confidence in the loving care of God when he said: You shall not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flies by day (Psalm 91:5). The psalmist then assured the faithful, saying: Because you have made the LORD . . . your habitation (dwelling place); There shall no evil befall you. . . . For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways (91:9-12).
Satan, a fallen angel, quoted these verses to Jesus after His 40-day fast in an attempt to persuade Jesus to leap off the pinnacle of the Temple. Satan said: If You be the Son of God (meaning: Since You are the Son of God), cast Yourself down: for it is written, He shall give His angels charge concerning You: and in their hands they shall bear You up, lest at any time You dash Your foot against a stone (Matthew 4:6; Luke 4:9-11; Psalm 91:11-12). In tempting our Lord, Satan was like some today who love the promises of God but who disregard the conditions of those promises. Our Lord set the example when He responded to Satan by quoting Scripture which warns not to tempt the Lord God: It is written again, You shall not tempt (test) the Lord your God (Matthew 4:7; also Deuteronomy 6:16). When we choose not to follow God in His ways (paths), we cannot expect His angels to protect us. It is an act of presumption to assume that the Lord's angels will keep us if we choose "ways" that violate His Word.
Satan has deceived many by saying: "Your situation is an exception" or "Just this one time" or "Be broad-minded, everyone is doing it." He also uses examples of hypocrites to deceive some by pointing out: "Religious people do these things, so why shouldn't you?" We must continually be casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (II Corinthians 10:5).
Christ Revealed:
As the Seed of David whom God will establish for ever (Psalm 89:3-4). Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the Seed of David according to the flesh (Romans 1:3; II Timothy 2:8). And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His Kingdom there shall be no end (Luke 1:33).
Word Studies:
88:13 prevent = come before; 89:10 Rahab in this context is a poetic name for Egypt (see 87:4; Isaiah 51:9); 89:24 horn be exalted = authority shall increase; 89:41 spoil = plunder; 90:13 let it repent thee concerning = change your judgment to compassion on; 91:13 dragon = serpent, a reference to Satan. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years (Revelation 20:2; see also 12:3-4,7,9,13,16-17;13:2,4,11).
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Government Official: Rep. Phil Gingrey (GA) · Country: Indonesia (216 million) five large and 13,662 lesser islands in Southeast Asia · Major languages: Bahasa Indonesian (modified form of Malay) and English · Growing pressure from Muslim leaders to limit advances of Christianity by not renewing many of the missionaries' permits to stay in the country · 44% Muslim; 35% Islamic mixtures; 10% Protestant; 4% animist; 4% Roman Catholic; 2% Hindu; 1% Buddhist
Prayer Suggestion: Pray and lift up your prayers to God with the spirit of understanding (I Corinthians 14:15).
Prayer Suggestion: Pray and lift up your prayers to God with the spirit of understanding (I Corinthians 14:15).
Optional Reading: I Timothy 1
Memory Verse for the Week: I John 4:18