Bible Pathway - July 3, 2012

Highlights:

The psalmist's confidence and praise; deception of worldly wealth; prayer for mercy and forgiveness.

Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God (Ps. 50:23).

God is glorified when we praise him. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's Name is to be praised (113:3). The name of the Lord should be lifted above all names. He deserves to have the praises of His people. He deserves to have the worship of all creation: For great is the Lord (I Chr. 16:25).

God bestows all of life's blessings — He loadeth us with benefits (Ps. 68:19). How often we take for granted our good health, sound mind, physical well-being, and all our possessions! Not only do we tend to take these things for granted, but even worse, we sometimes complain, as if we think we deserve more. God gives us so much more than we deserve. We should learn contentment with the abundance God grants. Many, O Lord my God, are Thy wonderful works . . . to us-ward . . . they are more than can be numbered (40:5).

The psalmist greatly encourages us to praise the Lord: Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary: praise Him in the firmament of His power. Praise Him for His mighty acts: praise Him according to His excellent greatness. Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet: praise Him with the psaltery and harp. . . . Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord (150:1-3,6).

We praise God because of who He is (Rev. 21:6-7). He is worthy of praise (I Chr. 16:25; Rev. 5:11-14). When we openly praise Him and let others know that all we have comes from God rather than “good luck,” we glorify Him. God calls us to lift up His Name. This is how the world will know of His good works. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me (John 12:32).

When we sincerely praise Him and are truly thankful, we express satisfaction with His arrangement of the affairs of our life. When we trust Him in the face of disappointments, it is not necessary that we know why or that we understand what God is working in our life. The secret of “rejoicing forevermore” is confidently trusting in Him who knows what is best. Therefore, our praise must go beyond being thankful for what is pleasing to us.

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (I Thess. 5:16-18).

Thought for Today:

As Christians our greatest fulfillment comes when we praise and exalt our wonderful Lord.

Christ Revealed:

As the One who will judge His people (Ps. 50:4). The Lord Jesus Christ . . . shall judge the quick (living) and the dead at His appearing (II Tim. 4:1).

Word Studies:

46:6 heathen raged, nations were in turmoil; 48:11 daughters of Judah, its cities and villages as opposed to Jerusalem, the major city; 49:9 see corruption, experience death; 50:23 conversation, daily conduct; 51:4 clear, pure, blameless.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for Staff: Dan Murton • Government Official: Sen. Lamar Alexander (TN) • Country: Lebanon (4.3 million) in the Middle East • Major languages: Arabic and French • Limited religious freedom • 55% Muslim (Shi'a, Sunni); 41% Christian (Maronite, Orthodox, Melchite, Protestant, Chaldean, Assyrian, Syriac); 3% Druze; 1% Others (Jewish, Baha'i, Alawi, Jehovah's Witness) • Prayer Suggestion: Trust in the Lord: where He guides, He provides (Ps. 16:1-8).

Optional Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2

Memory Verse for the Week: Revelation 22:12