Bible Pathway - July 7, 2012
Read Psalms 72
Highlights:
David's prayer for Solomon; his love for the Sanctuary; the wicked and proud rebuked; God's majesty praised.
But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked (Ps. 73:2-3).
In self-pity the psalmist had complained: For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning (73:14). During one point in his life, the psalmist became critical as he saw those who blasphemed God enjoying life while those who worshiped God were having great difficulties. When Christians let their minds become centered on earthly things, it can become a huge stumbling block to their faith. That is why it is of great importance to all of God's children to concentrate on things from above. Remember that things of earth are temporal. But the Lord tells us that His thoughts and ways are much higher than ours and are eternal.
Keep in mind that the psalmist was not describing the facts, but rather what seemed to him to be the facts. He could not understand why the wicked, because of their sinful ways, were not plagued with sufferings. Sometimes believers do suffer the same or more than the unjust. It is not necessary for us to understand what God is doing at all times. We are not living just for this life, but a future one as well. That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust (Matt. 5:45).
The psalmist may have heard a scribe reading the Book of Job and discovered that God has a marvelous purpose for the servant whom He can trust to suffer for Him. His faith could also have been strengthened as he heard how the great lawgiver chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season (Heb. 11:25). But his words testify that he gained a true perspective of life's problems when he went to the House of God to hear His Word: I went into the Sanctuary of God; then understood I their end (Ps. 73:17).
No Christian should ever feel slighted when others prosper because God will not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly (84:11).
But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matt. 6:33).
Thought for Today:
Trust God, even when all outward circumstances seem against you — that is faith.
Christ Revealed:
As the Righteous Judge who will crush the oppressor (Ps. 72:2-4). Psalm 75:8 describes the judgment of God upon those who refuse to accept the salvation so freely offered by Jesus, the Lamb of God (John 1:29,34-36; comp. II Thess. 1:8-9).
Word Studies:
73:4 bands, pain; 73:21 pricked in my reins, emotionally disturbed; 74:2 the rod, the tribe; 74:4 set up their ensigns for signs, replace the symbols of God with their own symbols; 75:5 speak not with a stiff neck, defy not God with an insolent attitude.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Government Official: Rep. Judy Chu (CA) • Country: Liechtenstein (32,000) in western Europe • Major languages: German and Alemannic dialect • Religious freedom • 87% Roman Catholic; 12% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Let your faith in the Word of God overrule all fears (Ps. 18:30).
Optional Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1
Memory Verse for the Week: Revelation 22:12
