Bible Pathways 07/18/2002
July 18
Read Psalms 139 -- 143
In Today's Reading:
The all-seeing providence of God; David's prayer for deliverance from Saul; comfort in prayer; prayer for mercy in judgment.
Verses for Today:
For Thou hast possessed my reins: Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from Thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth (139:13-15).
Our Creator gave David the wisdom to write: O Lord, Thou hast searched me, and known me. . . . and art acquainted with all my ways (from the time I was conceived unto this very day). . . . Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain [to] it (it is beyond my understanding). . . . [You have] possessed my reins (formed my inward spirit, heart): [You have] covered (fashioned) me in my mother's womb. I will praise [You]; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made (delicately formed and marvelously complex). . . . My substance (life) was not hid from [You], when I was made (conceived) in secret (Psalms 139:1). God reveals that, at conception, David became a person, a living soul. Although, as an unborn infant, he was hidden from human view, as if buried in the earth, his body was no mystery to his Creator, who was skillfully preparing him for his God-ordained destiny on earth. [Your] eyes did see my substance, yet being [imperfect] (139:16). God observed David's developing body in his mother's womb and David was recorded as a living person: In [Your] Book (of Life) all my members (as a full-grown person) were written at the very day of conception. Notice that God saw David as a person, a fully-created being, on the day he was conceived. The entire process of life, from conception onwards, occurs through the creative power of God.
God led Isaiah the prophet to write: The Lord [has] called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother [has] He made mention of my name. . . . And now, [says] the Lord that formed me from the womb to be His servant. . . . I will also give [you] for a light to the Gentiles (Isaiah 49:1-6). Note that Isaiah knew that the Lord had prepared him to be His prophet while he was being formed before his birth.
God also revealed to Jeremiah: Before I formed [you] in the belly I knew [you]; and before [you came] forth out of the womb I sanctified [you], and I ordained [you] a prophet unto the nations (Jeremiah 1:5).
The Holy Spirit inspired the beloved physician Luke to write what the Angel Gabriel announced to the virgin Mary: Behold, [you shall] conceive in [your] womb, and bring forth a Son, and [shall] call His Name JESUS (Luke 1:31). Note that the Lord Jesus Christ was announced as a Person at conception. Jesus said, Suffer (permit) little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me: for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 19:14).
Christ Revealed:
As the One Who delivers souls from prison (Psalms 142:7). Jesus said He had been sent to preach deliverance to the captives (Luke 4:18).
Word Studies:
139:13 reins = heart and mind as the inner self; 139:15 curiously wrought = skillfully fashioned; 140:5 gins = snares; 141:7 Our bones are scattered = overwhelming destruction is contemplated; 143:3 smitten = crushed.
Prayer Needs:
Government Officials: Rep. William Delahunt (MA), Rep. Mark Souder (IN), and Rep. Mark Udall (CO) · Pray for your pastor · Country: Morocco (30 million) on the northwestern coast of Africa · Major languages: Arabic and French · Government very hostile to Christians and missions · 99+% Muslim; .5% Christian · Prayer Suggestion: When discouraged over material or financial loss, praise the Lord for preparing and providing an eternal home (John 14:1-3).
Optional Reading: 2 Timothy 3
Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 3:10
