Bible Pathways - July 19, 2007
In Today's Scripture 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 ye the Lord. . . . While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being. . . . (We) praise the Lord that we can look to Him for our needs. Happy is he that hath 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 ye the Lord (Psalm 146:1-2,5-6,10).
The psalmist continues by saying: Praise ye the Lord. . . . He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. . . . He sendeth forth His Commandment upon earth: His Word runneth 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. The loss of good things may also be a test of our faithfulness, to see if, like Job, we can say: He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath 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 psalms assure us we have a loving, Heavenly Father who desires 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 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 self-sufficient, 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 supplieth (Ephesians 4:15-16).
The Book of Psalms concludes by proclaiming: Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye 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 The English International Shortwave Radio Broadcast sponsored by Thursday Morning Prayer Staff: Mike Moore Government Official: Rep. John Campbell (CA) Country: Benin (6 million) in western Africa Major languages: French and tribal languages Some hostility toward Christians 59% animism and voodoo; 17% Muslim; 16% Roman Catholic; 3% Protestant Prayer Suggestion: Pray that you will obey the Word of God and not be just a deceived hearer (James 1:22).
Optional Reading: II Timothy 4
Memory Verse for the Week: Galatians 1:5
