July 12
Read Psalms 101 -- 105
Once again, David was inspired to record prophecy that reached beyondthe life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus all the way to His coming Millennial Kingdom reign when He will uphold equal justice for all throughout His kingdom: I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. . . . I will set no wicked thing before my eyes (Psalms 101:2-3). This means that all his personal pleasures as well as business transactions will please the Lord. In order to maintain this right attitude, David chose his friends wisely saying: A froward heart . . . and a wicked person . . . I will not know (Psalms 101:4) meaning I will have nothing to do with anything or anyone that is evil.
The Apostle Paul describes "the wicked" in detail as those who commit adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21).
A few of the many reasons for praising the Lord are given in this psalm, but it is the Loving Lord Himself who is our highest reason for praise, because He has not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the Heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him (Psalms 103:10-11). First, we praise Him for who He is, the all-powerful, all-wise, Righteous Creator. We also praise Him for "all He has done for us." But the greatest reason we praise Him is His mercy and forgiving love in cleansing us from all guilt and the defilement of sin.
We can sing with the psalmist: Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name (103:1). The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him . . . to those that remember His commandments to do them (103:17-18). Think of how He richly rewards those that remember His commandments to do them.
Oh! How we should love our wonderful Savior who forgives our sins against Him as well as those we commit against others. This is a reminder that His unlimited forgiveness will characterize the true disciple of Christ. Let us remember: If you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Matthew 6:15; Mark 11:26).
Yes, once we have repented of our sins, asked forgiveness, and accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, our past sins are forgiven and forever removed from us. We become a new creation in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17). We are to believe Christ and His Word and refuse to live under the condemnation of Satan. Therefore, it is an act of unbelief on our part, a deception of Satan, and contrary to the nature of our loving Lord, to bring up former sins -- either ours or those of others. Forgiven also means no longer remembered, not only by God, but by us as well (I John 1:9; II Peter 1:9). He has assured us that as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us (Psalms 103:12).
Christ Revealed: As the One who forgives all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases (Psalms 103:3). Forgiveness of sin and the healing power of God describe the ministry of our Lord, who was sent to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord (Luke 4:18-19; Matt. 9:6).
Word Studies: 101:4 froward heart means an obstinate and evil mind; not know means have nothing to do with; 101:5 cut off means destroy; suffer means tolerate; 101:6 perfect means blameless way; one of integrity; 101:7 tarry means continue; 102:26 wax means grow; 104:9 bound means boundary; 104:13 chambers means dwelling place.
Government Officials: Rep. J.D. Hayworth (AZ) and Rep. Bill McCollum (FL) · Pray for Rick Hash and the Bible Pathway Radio Broadcasts on WNQM-AM, Nashville, TN · Pray for the Bible Pathway International Radio broadcast sponsored by Mrs. Robert Miller · Country: Paraguay (5 million) in southern South America · Major languages: Spanish and Guarani · Religious freedom · 96% Roman Catholic; 2% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Seek the Lord in times of trouble (Matthew 8:24-25).
Optional Reading: I Timothy 3
Memory Verse for the Week: Hebrews 9:14