Category Archives: Bible

Psalm 119

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In Psalm 119, the Psalmist continues his theme of focusing on God’s word as part of daily life in v41-80.  The Psalmist spoke to kings of God’s word, and wasn’t ashamed, instead finding delight, hope and love in God’s testimonies and commandments.

The Psalmist also writes “Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life“. His hope is based solely on God’s word.

When ensnared by the cords of his enemy, the Psalmist does not forget God’s law, instead rising at midnight to praise God.  “The insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts“. In the face of trial, the Psalmist is comforted by God’s love and promises. Rather than blaming God, he says “I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me“.

The Psalmist is a great example for us of a person who had a genuine, living faith, tested by trial yet remaining true to his God.

2 Corinthians 5-7

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Paul explains to the Corinthians that they are a new creation. “The old has passed away; behold, the new has come“.  Like the Corinthians, we have been reconciled to God through Christ, the trespasses of our old way of life no longer counted against us.  We are now ambassadors for Christ, so that in Christ “we might become the righteousness of God”.

We are God’s living temple, His holy people, His sons and daughters. As a result, Paul writes “since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” This is our aim in life, to be “the temple of the living God”.

2 Corinthians 1-2

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Paul commences his 2nd letter to the Corinthians describing the comfort during affliction that God provides. God comforts us so that “we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.“

We’re comforted in order that we might comfort others. Even while suffering to the point that he “despaired of life itself”, Paul’s focus was on the needs of those around him.  Paul recognised that his experience “was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead”.

Although Paul refers to his own affliction, these same ideas apply to affliction experienced today. It serves to mould our character and unite us in shared experiences, “for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort“. Let us work together, sharing in each other’s sufferings and comfort, and in Paul’s confidence that God “will deliver us.”

 

Psalm 107

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Psalm 107 focuses on the idea of God’s steadfast love enduring forever, with four  references to times when people “cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress“. In the desert, under hard labour in prison, foolish and starving, and in a boat on a stormy sea; on all occasions that the Israelites called to God for help, He delivered them from the difficulty they faced.  On each occasion, the Psalmist exhorts the people to “Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man”.

This Psalm reminds us that, no matter what circumstances we’re in, we can cry to God for help and He will hear us.  It also highlights the need to praise and thank God.  “The upright see it and are glad…Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord”

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.