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
Our Creator inspired David to write: O LORD, You. . . . are acquainted with all my ways (from the time I was conceived to this very day). . . . Such knowledge is too wonderful for me (beyond my understanding). . . . For You have possessed my reins (formed my inward spirit and heart): You have covered me in my mother's womb. . . . when I was made in secret. . . . Your eyes did see my substance . . . and in Your book all my members were written . . . when as yet there was none (Psalm 139:1-16). 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.
The Holy Spirit inspired the beloved physician Luke to record 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 real person at conception.
God also led Isaiah to prophesy concerning Christ: The LORD has called Me from the womb; from the bowels (body, internal parts) of My mother has He made mention of My Name. . . . in the shadow of His hand has He hidden Me. . . . And now, says the LORD who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant. . . . I will also give You for a Light to the Gentiles (Isaiah 49:1-6).
God 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. This means that he was set apart from the world even before birth to serve the Lord. God also said to Him, I (have) ordained you a prophet to the nations (Jeremiah 1:5). If the mothers of David, Isaiah, or Jeremiah had aborted them, they would have murdered great men of God; but the world's records today would have just shown more unnamed fetuses. Life is sacred and is given by the Creator for His own purposes. Even if there are unplanned or regrettable circumstances surrounding a conception, God permitted it.
Jesus said, Permit little children, and forbid them not, to come to Me: for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 19:14).
Word Studies:
139:13 reins = inward parts; 139:15 curiously wrought = skillfully fashioned; 140:5 gins = lures, snares; 141:7 Our bones are scattered = Overwhelming destruction is contemplated; 143:3 smitten = crushed, struck.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Government Officials: Rep. William Delahunt (MA), Rep. Mark Souder (IN), and Rep. Mark Udall (CO) · Country: Jordan (5 million) in southwestern Asia · Major languages: Arabic and English · Religious tolerance · 93% Muslim; 5% Christian
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for your brothers and sisters that they might be filled with spiritual discernment and the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 3:14-18).
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for your brothers and sisters that they might be filled with spiritual discernment and the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 3:14-18).
Optional Reading: II Timothy 3
Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 3:20