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Bible Pathways - July 19, 2005


July 19

 

Read Psalms 144:1

 

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 (vss 1-2). 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; Who made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is. . . Praise . . . the LORD (vss 5-6,10).

 

The psalmist continues: 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).

 

When we are determined to truly put Christ first in our lives, we may experience interruptions which expect our time and attention. The Lord will allow Satan to tempt us to compromise our commitment to keep Christ as Lord of our lives. Even good things are often a test when they keep us away from the best that God would give us. Choosing to remain faithful allows us to experience the meaning of: If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me (Luke 9:23). Jesus also reminds us: He that loves his life shall lose it; and he that hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal (John 12:25).

 

The Book of Psalms concludes by proclaiming: Let every thing that has breath praise the LORD (Psalm 150:6). These closing psalms assure us we have a loving Heavenly Father who wants to prepare His followers for eternity. 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 as a place 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 independent loners but responsible members of His 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 to the edifying of itself in love (Ephesians 4:15-16).

 

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 · The International Shortwave Radio Broadcast in memory of Deborah Fisk · Staff: Kenneth Roy Roberts III · Government Official: Rep. John Hostettler (IN) · Country: Germany (82 million) in north-central Europe · Major language: German · Religious freedom · 37% Protestant; 36% Roman Catholic; 3% Muslim; .7% Greek/Serbian/Russian Orthodox · Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to write His precepts in your heart (Colossians 3:16).

 

Optional Reading: 2 Timothy 4

 

Memory Verse for the Week: 1 Thessalonians 4:16





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