Bible Pathway - July 5
Read Psalms 60-66
Highlights:
Seven psalms of pure praise and glorification; right relationship; assurance of eternal protection (Ps. 61:2); calmly wait for salvation; joy in His fellowship (Ps. 63:4); rejoicing in Him (Ps. 64:10); praise and more praise!
O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see Thy power and Thy glory, so as I have seen Thee in the sanctuary (Ps. 63:1-2).
David has found himself in the wilderness. He is a long way from the throne room of Saul where he had served. He is even probably a good distance from his father's flocks which he had tended as a boy. Being in this place did not hinder David's ability to seek the Lord. On the contrary, we find David crying out in a heart-felt prayer to God. He calls out to the Lord to come and visit him in an intimate way.
There is much to be learned from these verses. The first thing is that any of us could find ourselves in a situation similar to David's. No, we may not be in a desert or a dark forest, but we may find ourselves in a place where we feel separated from God and His people. However, it is important to note the love of God is always with His children. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:39).
There is another important lesson to learn from these scriptures. David says “early will I seek thee.” This is an example to every believer that we should begin our day by spending time with God. Many will say, "I just don't have the time in the mornings to pray and read my Bible." That is understandable, especially since we have to have our coffee and breakfast. We then have to read the paper and catch up on the TV news. We must also not forget to set our recordings for our other television programs while we are working or running our errands. Yes, there is sarcasm in all that. The point is, there would be plenty of time for God if we gave Him priority over our own pleasure. And when He had called the people unto Him with His disciples also, He said unto them, Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me (Mark 8:34).
David said we should desire the Lord like we would desire water in a desert place. God should be our heart's desire. Spending time with Him should be the top priority of our life. There is nothing we should want in life more than Him. We need Jesus.
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost (Rom. 15:13).
Thought for Today:
Why should we praise the Lord? Because His loving kindness is better than life.
Christ Revealed:
As the Rock – the unmovable, eternal, unchanging Savior (Ps. 61:2; Ps. 62:2, Ps. 62:6-7). Jesus is the Rock of our salvation and that spiritual Rock (Petras) that followed (accompanied) them (Israelites) (1 Cor. 10:4).
Word Studies:
60:12 do valiantly, gain the victory, do great things; 61:4 covert, shelter, protecting power; 62:9 to be laid in the balance, they prove to be worthless; 63:5 marrow and fatness, the richest of foods; 64:6 search out iniquities, devise injustices; 64:8 their own tongue to fall upon themselves, their own words will bring them to ruin; 66:3 terrible, awesome.
Prayer Suggestion: Lift up your prayer of thanksgiving for the marvelous blessings of God (Ps. 18:1-3).
Optional Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4
Memory Verse for the Week: John 6:44
