Monthly Archives: February 2014

Psalm 104

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In Psalm 104, David lists some of the incredible things God has created. His creative power is great, and Paul writes in Romans that this amazing creation shows God’s “invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature” for all to see.

David describes God as clothed with “splendor and majesty”, as if the heavens were His tent, the clouds His chariot, riding on the wings of the wind.  God, in His wisdom, established the foundations of the earth, covering it with water and mountains like a garment. He initiated the springs and made the grass that water and feed the animals. He set the moon to establish seasons, balanced day and night, filled the earth and the water with creatures.

The writer of the Hebrews refers to this Psalm, giving us confidence in God’s power to enact His plan of salvation. Truly God is “very great”, and we should follow David’s example of singing praise to God, meditating and rejoicing in God.

Psalm 103

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Psalm 103 is a great summary of our hope and salvation. David writes that God “forgives all your iniquity, heals all your diseases, redeems your life from the pit, crowns you with steadfast love and mercy… is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love”.

David also contrasts the brevity of man’s life to the everlasting and steadfast love of God.  God is compassionate towards us, like a father is towards his children.  It is up to us to “keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments…obeying the voice of his word”.

 

1 Corinthians 10

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Paul uses the example of Israel in the wilderness as a warning for us. They ate and drank of the same spiritual food and drink as we do, so their experiences and failings are relevant to our lives today. Although we might feel that we’re not likely to sin in the same way as Israel, Paul warns “let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man“.

Paul balances this warning with the reminder that “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability“. God wants to save us, not destroy us, seeking to develop our character through our response to trial.  Our aim in life is to “do all to the glory of God“, whether it relates to idolatry, dissatisfaction, or the conscience of our brother.

Psalms 100-101

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“Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture… the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations”.

Not only did God make us, He has called us to be His people. He is faithful and loving, and David’s response is to sing “I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless… I will know nothing of evil”.  David understood how much sheep rely on their shepherd, and similarly we are completely reliant on God. Let’s actively follow our maker and shepherd, giving thanks for all He has done.

 

 

Psalms 96-99

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Psalms 96-99 focuses on the praise of God. “Sing to the Lord, all the earth! … tell of his salvation from day to day … For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens”. Nature is personified as praising God, “let the heavens be glad…. let the sea roar… let the field exult… all the trees of the forest sing for joy”.

If nature itself feels compelled to praise God, then how much more should those that benefit from God’s mercy feel the need to praise God, who “preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them form the hand of the wicked… rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!”

Let’s follow the example of Moses, Aaron and Samuel who kept God’s testimonies, recognising that God is a forgiving God, and “exalt the Lord our God, worship at his holy mountain; for the Lord our God is holy!”

 

Psalm 92

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The Psalmist reminds us how important it is to give thanks and praise God on a daily basis. “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night… For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work“.

God is our rock, our sure foundation that we can always rely on. Planted in the house of God we can flourish like huge trees, while the wicked merely sprout like grass.  Let us “declare that the Lord is upright” in the way that we live, bearing fruit, and singing for joy at all that our loving Father has done for us.

Exodus 31, 1 Corinthians 1-2

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God emphasised to Moses the importance of Israel keeping the Sabbath, “a sign between me and you throughout your generations… as a covenant forever“. It was a day “of solemn rest, holy to the Lord“, a day every week to remind the Israelites that they were God’s own treasured people.

Although we don’t keep the Sabbath today, we do observe a covenant made between us and God.  We’ve been called to be saints through “the grace of God… into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord“. We’ve made a covenant with God that we will endeavour to reflect His character in our lives, and in so doing be part of God’s nation.  This is a covenant that has promise of eternal life, just as the Sabbath represented the completeness of God’s creation.

“So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest“

Mark 10, Psalm 78

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The disciples of Jesus asked him about the seeming impossibility of being saved. Jesus replied “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God“.

Despite the “glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done“, Israel remained “a stubborn and rebellious generation…not faithful to God“.  God did the impossible for Israel: parted the red sea, provided water in the wilderness, rained manna and quails on Israel… and still Israel sinned.  Yet God “being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them“.

By ourselves, we can do nothing to earn salvation. Like the Israelites we rely on God’s compassion. The example of blind Bartimaeus helps us recognise our need for mercy, and that our faith can make us whole. Although not as dramatic as being healed of blindness, our sins can be forgiven through Christ.  Let us aim to be like Bartimaeus, who immediately followed Christ, putting his faith into action.

Psalm 77

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Psalm 77 commences with an expression of doubt and uncertainty, “I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted…I am so troubled that I cannot speak“. We all feel this way at some point in our lives.

The advice provided is to meditate on God, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord… I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples“. The God we worship “works wonders“; the waters are afraid of God, the earth trembles and shakes.

With His arm, God redeemed His people. Surely such a God as this would not “forget to be gracious” or “shut up His compassion“. We can take comfort and strength in these ideas.

Psalm 68

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Psalm 68 is a song written to encourage God’s people, reminding them of God’s daily care for them during their journey through the wilderness.  God marched before His people through the wilderness, scattering their enemies, providing for the fatherless and widow. “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation“.

This song also looks to a future time, when “kingdoms of the earth… sing praises to the Lord“,  those who delight in war are scattered, God’s majesty is seen over Israel, and God’s power is seen in the skies.  “Our God is a God of salvation, and to God, the Lord, belong deliverances from death“.   We can look forward to this time, knowing that it until it arrives, God will daily care for us.