Bible Pathway - July 8, 2011
Read Psalms 78
Highlights:
The Israelites find themselves in trouble in today's Bible reading. They cry out to God to be saved, promise to remain faithful, and are restored. Oh how quickly we forget (Ps. 78:34-42)!
By great signs and miracles, the Lord delivered Israel from cruel slavery in Egypt. Furthermore, His gracious dealings with His people were manifested daily throughout their forty years in the wilderness. Nevertheless, again and again their spirit of discontent prevailed: They sinned yet more against Him by provoking the Most High in the wilderness. . . . they believed not in God, and trusted not in His salvation (Ps. 78:17, 22). Even though God blessed and provided their every need, they continued in their self-centeredness and selfishness. Words of praise and thankfulness or a recalling of His wondrous works were all sadly lacking. They remembered not His hand, nor the day when He delivered them from the enemy (78:37-42).
The Apostle Paul reminds us that: These things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. . . . Neither let us commit fornication (adultery and sexual sins). . . . Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer (I Cor. 10:6,8,10). The result? The Israelites failed to enter the promised land.
True, there are times when we are plagued by doubts and questions. These are the times to remember that after the Apostle Paul prayed three times for his thorn in the flesh (II Cor. 12:7) to be removed, the Lord revealed to him a very precious Truth: My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness (12:9).
Now here is the point that needs special emphasis. All Christians are the chosen of God (Eph. 1:4) and are called out from among (II Cor. 6:17) the world as lights (Phil. 2:15) amid the darkness. As such, let us live our lives in childlike faith, desiring above all else to please Him. God is longing for us to trust Him and look beyond our human resources to His all-sufficient supply. Our never-failing God (Jer. 32: 27) has promised to protect and keep us (Heb. 13:5), and we can rest in the promises of His Word (Num. 23:19). In addition, He always strengthens us for the work He has called us to do.
Do ye think that the Scripture saith in vain, The Spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But He giveth more grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble (James 4:5-6).
Thought for Today:
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end (Jer. 29:11).
Christ Revealed:
As the true Shepherd (Ps. 80:1). Christ is the Good Shepherd and the Door through which one must enter to be saved. He alone is The Way to heaven (John 10:9,11; 14:6).
Word Studies:
78:15 clave, split; 78:34 inquired early, sought diligently; 79:4 derision, ridicule; 80:3 Turn us again, Restore us; 80:8 a vine, Israel; 80:12 hedges, wall or fences; 80:18 quicken, revive.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in honor of Bridgett Radzik • Executive Director of the IBRA in our Washington DC Branch: Reverend Michael Hall • Staff: Beth Carlton • Government Official: Rep. John Dingell (MI) • Country: Kenya (29 million) in eastern Africa • Major languages: English and Swahili • Religious freedom • 46% Protestant; 27% Roman Catholic; 17% belief in mystical powers; 6% Muslim; 3% Eastern Orthodox • Prayer Suggestion: Confess and forsake any known sin (Neh. 1:6).
Optional Reading:
Memory Verse for the Week:
Psalms 34
