Bible Pathway - July 1
Highlights:
Man’s wickedness and God’s perfections contrasted. Loving kindness is equivalent to NT grace (36:7). Man contrasts the life-style of the wicked and deceitful with the righteous and forgiven.
Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed (Ps. 37:1-3).
The words of these verses are at times some of the hardest to live by. How many times have you seen unbelievers prospering while believers suffered? This draws many to question what God is doing or how He could allow something like this to take place. There are important things to remember whenever we are having thoughts or feelings such as these. The main thing is that no one promised us a life that would be trouble free. Some will debate this by citing Scripture that they believe foretells of an easy road. Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light (Matt. 11:28-30).
It is true the Lord does promise easier and better days to those who place their trust in Him. Jesus is preparing an eternal home for the believer in heaven. In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you (John 14:2).
This promise does not belong to the unbeliever. It only belongs to those who have placed their trust in Christ as their Lord and Savior. The words of today's verse seem to make a lot more sense when this is taken into account.
The wicked may seem to flourish at times, but this is only for a short season. After that season ends, it will become time for them to reap what was sown. Those who believe do not have to fear death. Those who have not trusted in Christ have sown selfish seeds. It is true there may have been good deeds done, but good deeds alone without Christ are not enough.
The believer who lives to follow and serve Christ will sow spiritual seeds of a godly nature. When those seeds are harvested, they will yield good fruit. Believers sow not to build up themselves, but to build the kingdom of God.
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal (Matt. 6:19-20).
Thought for Today:
Self-confidence and esteeming ourselves too highly prevent a close walk with the Lord.
Christ Revealed:
As the Fountain of Life (and the) Light (Ps. 36:9). In Him was Life; and the Life was the Light of men. . . . That was the True Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world (John 1:4-9; comp. 4:10,14; Rev. 22:1).
Word Studies:
36:7 put their trust under, take refuge in; 38:2 Thy hand presseth me sore, your punishment presses heavily upon me; 38:8 roared, groaned with anguish; 38:11 sore, afflictions.
Prayer Suggestion: Cry out to God in humility (Ps. 9:12).
Optional Reading: Colossians 4
NOTE: Bible Pathway covers the Old Testament with devotional and commentary insights over a nine-month period, January through September. Each day during these months, an optional reading of one chapter a day from the New Testament will also be listed. The October, November, and December issues will provide a daily commentary on the New Testament readings. Thus, the reader goes through the New Testament twice each year using the Bible Pathway plan.
Memory Verse for the Week: John 6:44
