Bible Pathways 07/14/2002
July 14
Read Psalms 108 -- 118
In Today's Reading:
David's praise to God for His sovereignty over nations; prayer for judgment upon the wicked; exhortation to trust in God -- not idols; praise for deliverance from death.
Verse for Today:
The Stone which the builders refused is become the Head Stone of the Corner. This is the Lord's doing. . . . Blessed be He that cometh in theName of the Lord. . . . Which hath shewed us light. . . . Thou art my God, and I will praise Thee. . . . O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever (118:22-23,26-29).
When Jesus Christ ascended into Heaven, He fulfilled the prophecy which the Holy Spirit inspired David to write: The Lord (God the Father) said unto my Lord (God the Son), Sit at My right hand, until I make [Your] enemies [Your] footstool (Psalms 110:1). Jesus quoted this psalm as referring to Himself (Mark 12:35-36).
David was also inspired to write concerning Christ as a Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek (Psalms 110:4), for, when Christ returns, He will reign as both King and Priest, as did Melchizedek, who foreshadowed Him. The Holy Spirit also led the Apostle Paul to write: He became the Author of eternal salvation [to] all them that obey Him; Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchizedec (Hebrews 5:9-10), but not a priest after the order of Aaron. Melchisedec is referred to as King of righteousness, and . . . King of peace . . . having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like [to] the Son of God; [abides] a priest continually (7:2-3). Since Christ is the High Priest, it is fitting that all who believe in Him also have been called an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:5).
Israel, as a nation, rejected their Messiah King. Psalms 118 reveals the rejected stone to be the Messiah. Jesus applied these words to Himself, relating His present rejection to His ultimate triumph (Matthew 21:42). Though rejected by the Jewish religious authorities and crucified by the Romans, nevertheless, Jesus was resurrected from the dead and revealed Himself as the Chief Corner Stone (Ephesians 2:20), uniting both believing Jew and Gentile into one spiritual Temple. He quoted this psalm, saying: The Stone which the builders rejected, the Same [has] become the Head of the Corner. Whosoever shall fall upon that Stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever It shall fall, It will grind him to powder (Luke 20:17-18; Mark 12:10-11).
Paul quoted this psalm when he wrote to the Ephesians: [You] . . . are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Corner Stone; In [Him] all the building [is] fitly framed together . . . [into a] Holy Temple in the Lord (Ephesians 2:19-21).
After a miracle of healing, Peter, filled with the Holy [Spirit], said. . . . Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the Name (authority) of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Whom ye crucified, Whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this Man stand here before you whole. This (Jesus) is the Stone Which was set at nought of you builders, Which is become the Head of the Corner (the Chief Cornerstone). Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:8).
Christ Revealed:
Christ quoted Psalms 118:22: The Stone which the builders [rejected] -- to the chief priests and the Pharisees when they rejected Him (Matthew 21:42-45).
Word Studies:
108:7 mete = measure out; 109:23 declineth = fades away; 111:7 verity and judgment = truth and justice; 112:9 horn symbolizes esteem; 114:8 standing = pools of; 116:3 compassed me = surrounded me; 118:13 thrust sore at me that I might fall = pressed me to the point of collapse.
Prayer Needs:
Government Officials: Rep. Patrick Kennedy (RI) and Rep. Tom Latham (IA) · Pray for the President · Country: Mexico (100 million) in North America · Major language: Spanish · Religious freedom · 88% Roman Catholic; 4% Protestant; .1% Eastern Orthodox · Prayer Suggestion: Pray for a spirit of humility and submission before the Lord (John 3:30-31).
Optional Reading: 1 Timothy 5
Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 3:10
