Bible Pathway - July 13, 2010
Highlights:
Want to take a 40-year trip? Travel with God's people as they relive their desert wanderings. They confess their sins, including when they lusted (Ps. 106:14), murmured (106:25), mingled among the heathen (106:35), and shed innocent blood (106:38). Finally, they praise God for their deliverance (note 107:19-20). There is a refrain in vss 8,15, 21,31.
Although God had faithfully blessed Israel, miraculously delivered them from Egyptian slavery, provided the promised land, and given them victory over the Canaanites and great prosperity, they soon forgat His works; they waited not for His counsel . . . and tempted God in the desert (Ps. 106:13-14). Israel's unfaithfulness and numerous sins are brought to our attention. They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image (vs 19); forgat God their Saviour (vs 21); despised the pleasant land, they believed not His Word (vs 24); murmured in their tents (vs 25); did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the Lord commanded them (vs 34); But (they) were mingled among the heathen, and. . . . served their idols (vss 35-36).
The psalmist then pointed out the inevitable consequences of sin: Therefore was the wrath of the Lord kindled against His people, insomuch that He abhorred His own inheritance. And He gave them into the hand of the heathen (nations); and they that hated them ruled over them (vss 40-41). But, the Lord's judgment on Israel was mingled with His mercy. When they cried unto the Lord in their trouble . . . He delivered them out of their distresses. . . . Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness. . . . He sent His Word, and healed them (107:6,8,20).
Note carefully that Israel's means of deliverance is the same for everyone today: He sent His Word, and healed them. The psalmist could have simply said: He delivered them out of their distresses. Instead, he chose to say: He sent His Word, and healed them. His Word is Jesus come in the flesh as well as His Written Word: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1). His Written Word, when believed and acted upon, is the means God has chosen to supply and satisfy man's every need.
Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! . . . The righteous shall see it, and rejoice. . . . Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord (Ps. 107:8,15,21,31,42-43).
Thought for Today:
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man (Luke 21:36).
Christ Revealed:
As the One who maketh the storm a calm (Ps. 107: 29). When Jesus calmed the storm, His awestruck disciples exclaimed: What manner of Man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him! (Matt. 8:27). Jesus offers to calm the storms of our lives and give us His peace (John 14:27).
Word Studies:
106:20 similitude =b> likeness; 106:29 inventions =b> deeds, acts; 106:30 stayed =b> stopped, checked; 107:11 contemned =b> despised, spurned.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in honor of Linda Kennon • Staff: Gina Lesnefsky • Government Official: Rep. Rob Bishop (UT) • Country: Senegal (10 million) in western Africa • Major language: French • Religious freedom • 92% Muslim; 4% animism and ancestor worship; 3% Roman Catholic; .1% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Pray, remembering that there is no one like God (II Kings 19:14-15,19).
Optional Reading:1 Timothy 4
Memory Verse for the Week: 2 Corinthians 4:8
