Bible Pathway - July 10, 2010
Highlights:
Have you ever despaired in the long hours of night, calling out to God in your darkest hours like the psalmist in today's reading? Or, have you experienced the answer of God breaking forth in the dawn bringing light through His wonderful mercy as in this magnificent Psalm 89? Don't miss the 91st, one of the best-loved psalms, which pledges amazing promises of blessings.
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty (Ps. 91:1). This is one whose heart is set on being obedient to the Lord. To abide under the shadow of the Almighty there is a need to draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded (James 4:8). When in doubt, abstain from all appearance of evil (I Thess. 5:22).
The psalmist expressed the utmost confidence in the loving care of God when he said: Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day (Ps. 91:5). The psalmist then assured the faithful, saying: Because thou hast made the Lord . . . thy habitation (dwelling place); There shall no evil befall thee. . . . For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways (91:9-11).
Satan, a fallen angel, quoted these verses to Jesus after His 40-day fast in an attempt to persuade Jesus to leap off the pinnacle of the Temple. Satan said: If Thou be the Son of God (meaning: Since [or to prove] You are the Son of God), cast Thyself down: for it is written, He shall give His angels charge concerning Thee: and in their hands they shall bear Thee up, lest at any time Thou dash Thy foot against a stone (Matt. 4:6; Ps. 91:11-12). There are some who love the promises of God but who disregard the conditions of those promises. Our Lord set the example when He responded to Satan by quoting Scripture which warns not to tempt the Lord God: It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt (test) the Lord thy God (Matt. 4:7; also Deut. 6:16). We have no assurance that the Lord's angels will keep us if we choose "ways" that serve self and misapply His Word.
Satan has deceived many by saying: "Your situation is an exception" or "Just this one time" or "Be broadminded; everyone is doing it." He also uses examples of hypocrites to deceive some by pointing out: "Religious people do these things, so why shouldn't you?" We must continually be casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (II Cor. 10:5).
Thought for Today:
The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth labourers into His harvest (Luke 10:2).
Christ Revealed:
By the seed (descendants) of David (Ps. 89:3-4). Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed (descendants) of David according to the flesh (Rom. 1:3; also Matt. 1:1; Luke 3:31-32).
Word Studies:
88:13 prevent =b> come before; 89:10 Rahab in this context is a poetic name for Egypt (see 87:4; Isaiah 51:9); 89:24 horn be exalted =b> authority shall increase; 89:41 spoil =b> plunder; 90:13 let it repent thee concerning =b> change your judgment to compassion on; 91:13 dragon =b> serpent, a reference to Satan. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years (Revelation 20:2; see also 12:3-4,7,9,13,16-17;13:2,4,11).
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Government Officials: Rep. Russ Carnahan (MO), Rep. Phil Gingrey (GA), Rep. Ron Klein (FL), and Rep. Tom McClintock (CA) • Country: San Marino (25,000) inside north-central Italy • Major language: Italian • Religious freedom • 95% Roman Catholic; 5% atheist • Prayer Suggestion: Bless the Lord that His Word is absolutely trustworthy (I Kings 8:56).
Optional Reading: 1 Timothy 1
Memory Verse for the Week: 2 Corinthians 4:7
