Bible Pathway - July 13
Read Psalms 106-107
Highlights:
Want to take a 40 year trip? Travel with God’s people as they relive their desert wanderings. They confess their sins, including: lusted (106:14), murmured (106:25), mingled (106:35), shed innocent blood (106:38). Finally, they praise God for their deliverance (Note 107:19-20). There is a refrain in 1,8,15,21,31.
Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions. 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; and they that hated them ruled over them (Ps. 106:39-41).
The nation of Israel had gone terribly astray. They had chosen their own way instead of going God's way. Therefore, they were now reaping the consequences of their sinful seed sowing.
The writer uses very strong language in these Scriptures. It is obvious that he desires to convey the seriousness of what is happening here. This is another tragic instance of those who once followed God allowing themselves to be led away from the Lord. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils (1 Tim. 4:1).
Let us examine the verses to understand why this has happened and the punishment for the actions. The writer says they were “defiled with their own works”. What manner of works can a person commit that can defile themselves? It is clear this did not happen as a result of the fruits of the spirit being manifested. It can then be concluded that it must have been the works of the flesh that brought about this defilement. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:19-21).
The psalmist goes on to say that they have committed spiritual adultery with the evil acts they have indulged in. They turned away from their relationship with God and chose to follow after their own lust. This happens all too often in society today. The Lord has said that sin will not go unpunished. The Word of God records here that the wrath of God was brought against Israel as a consequence of their sin. Sin will always be offensive to the Lord. He will ever hate sin. However, God will always love the sinner.
As punishment, they are turned over to their enemies. They will be ruled by those who despise them. As harsh as this sounds, always keep in mind, any punishment given by God is meant to bring us to correction in our lives.
For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness (Heb. 12:10).
Thought for Today:
Do difficulties in life cause you to complain or to seek the Lord?
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, likeness; 106:29 inventions, deeds, acts; 106:30 stayed, stopped, checked; 107:11 contemned, despised, spurned.
Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to be merciful and to forgive your sins (Ps. 25:6-7).
Optional Reading: 1 Timothy 4
Memory Verse for the Week: Galatians 6:7
