Bible Pathways 07/19/04

July 19

Read Psalms 144 - 150

In Today's Reading:

David's praise for God's mercy and goodness; benefits of trusting in God; all creation to praise the Lord; triumph in the God of Israel

The psalmist begins and ends each of the last five psalms saying: Praise . . . the LORD, which is the literal translation of the Hebrew word Hallelujah. In Psalm 146 he further proclaims: While I live will I praise the LORD; I will sing praises to my God while I have any being. . . . We praise the LORD that we can look to Him for our needs. Happy is he that has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God; Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is. . . Praise . . . the LORD (Psalm 146:1-2,5-6,10).

The psalmist continues by saying: Praise . . . the LORD. . . . He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds. . . . He sends forth His Commandment upon earth: His Word runs very swiftly (147:1,3,15). Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth . . . Let them praise the Name of the LORD: for His Name alone is excellent (148:11,13).

The more we are determined to truly put Christ first in our lives, the more we will experience interruptions which demand our time and attention. Many times, we allow even "good things" to keep us from "the best" that God would give us. Replacing good things may also test our faithfulness to see if, like Job, we will say: He knows the way that I take: when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold (Job 23:10).

The Psalms make us aware that nothing comes into our lives by accident. Everything God permits is to develop His highest good in us.

These closing psalms assure us we have a loving, Heavenly Father who wants the best for His children. To make this possible, He has provided His Word as the One True Guide that reveals how we should live to please Him. Our Lord has provided His Church where we can sing praises to Him, share our testimonies with others who love Him, and receive instruction and inspiration from spiritual leaders. As Christians, we were never meant to be self-sufficient, independent loners but responsible members of His Body, the Church. Christ is the Head . . . From whom the whole Body fitly joined together and compacted (held together) by that which every joint supplies. . . . makes increase of the Body (Ephesians 4:15-16).

The Book of Psalms concludes by proclaiming: Let every thing that has breath praise the LORD. Praise you the LORD (Psalm 150:6).

Christ Revealed:

As the One who gives sight to the blind (Psalm 146:8). Jesus Christ opened blind eyes. Then touched He their eyes . . . . And their eyes were opened (Matthew 9:27-30; Mark 10:46-52; John 9:1-41).

Word Studies:

144:7 rid = rescue; 144:13 garners = grain storehouses; streets = fields; 145:3 unsearchable = beyond our understanding; 147:4 telleth = counts; 148:7 dragons = large sea animals.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for BP Staff: Clarence Rathbone · Government Official: Rep. John Hostettler (IN) · Country: Kazakhstan (17 million) central Asia · Major languages: Kazakh and Russian · Religious tolerance · 40% Muslim; 25% Russian Orthodox/Armenian Apostolic; 1% Protestant; .6% Catholic 

Prayer Suggestion: Praise and thank the Lord that He can do exceedingly more than we ask or even think (Ephesians 3:20).

Optional Reading: II Timothy 4

Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 3:20