Bible Pathway - July 8, 2012

Highlights:

God's long-suffering to Israel; His judgment against disobedience; prayer for mercy and restoration.

Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, cause Thy face to shine; and we shall be saved (Ps. 80:19).

The psalmist was not content to pray this prayer only once. He prayed it three times, emphasizing the urgency he felt for God's presence (80:3,7,19). Israel was in desperate need, and they were being ridiculed by enemies who scoffed because it appeared that God had forsaken them. They could not see with their spiritual eyes. Even though God was ready to meet their need, He was waiting for them to call on Him for help. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him My salvation (91:15-16).

God is longing for us to trust Him and look beyond our meager resources to His all-sufficiency. Our never-failing God has promised to keep us, and we can rest in the assurance of His Word. Always remember, it is in His Word we will find strength and comfort. That is why it is important to first turn to the Word of God for our counsel and help.

The Psalmist's thrice-offered prayer reveals that God expects us to continue in prayer and simply trust in Him. The Lord wants us to put our total reliance on Him. That is why sometimes we must pray for something more than once. God needs to know that we are serious about giving it all to Him. When we truly come to that place, we can completely trust in Him. But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the Gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts (I Thess. 2:4).

Certainly, there are times when we are plagued by doubts and frustrated by misgivings. We might say to ourselves, quite despondently, “I wonder if I've prayed in vain.” That, surely, is the golden moment when man's weakness opens up God's opportunity. For it is in times of man's weakness, God is the most powerful. Often times, we are trying much too hard to solve the problems on our own. We must come to the place where we realize our inabilities. We then reach an understanding that alone we will not be able to accomplish the task at hand. Jesus said . . . all things are possible to him that believeth. . . . the father . . . cried out . . . I believe; help Thou mine unbelief. . . . And Jesus . . . saith, With men it is impossible, but . . . with God all things are possible (Mark 9:23-24; 10:27).

My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness (II Cor. 12:9).

Thought for Today:

When we trust the Lord for strength, His sufficiency enables us to bear anything.

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 Government Official: Rep. John D. Dingell (MI) • Country: Lithuania (4 million) eastern coast of Baltic Sea in northeastern Europe • Major languages: Lithuanian and Russian • Limited religious freedom • 80% Roman Catholic; 5% Russian Orthodox; 1% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to show you any sins that you are not aware of and to cleanse you of them (Ps. 19:12).

Optional Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2

Memory Verse for the Week: Galatians 6:7