Bible Pathway - July 9, 2010
Highlights:
How sad! God, the Creator of the world, speaks; then He waits for His indifferent servants: I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt. . . . but My people would not hearken to My voice. . . . they walked in their own counsels (Ps. 81:10-12). However, in times of trouble, the people quickly pray for protection. Then our merciful Father forgives and the exiles return. The love of God is clearly expressed: No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly (84:11).
The Holy Spirit guided David to unite the only two weapons of our spiritual warfare — prayer and the inspired Word of God. Psalm 86 expresses the power we have when these become our way of life. When David prayed: Bow down Thine ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy (Ps. 86:1), he was acknowledging his dependence on God (86:2). He continued to pray: Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto Thee daily (86:3). Although David was the king of Israel he recognized the lordship of God over his life (86:4). He often spoke of himself as the servant of the Lord in the psalms.
David continued in worship to confess the mercy of God and His readiness to forgive. He expressed with utmost confidence that God listens to His people's prayers and delivers them from all harm regardless of their circumstances (86:5,7,13,15). The godly person does not depend upon previous learning to continue a day-by-day walk in the way of truth, but upon the continual daily guidance of God through His Word. Instruction is much more than just information; it is also the means to understand His will and to be obedient, for it carries the thought of correction (86:11). The child of God never graduates from His school of instruction; that is why all of us need to read His Word each day.
A commitment to Christ to be the Lord of your life is essential. The Apostle Peter recognized this when he admonished us to diligently build upon our faith virtue (moral excellence), then knowledge, then temperance (self-control), then patience, then godliness, then brotherly kindness, which will produce in us genuine charity (love) to do the will of God (II Pet. 1:5-8). The God who created us has made everything which pertains to life and godliness available to us. His power is made possible as we read His Word, for the Word of God is quick (living and active), and powerful (Heb. 4:12). We have the potential to live in obedience to His Word. But, we must be faithful day-by-day and take the initiative. Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Rom. 10:17).
Thought for Today:
Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you (Luke 6:28).
Christ Revealed:
By Jerusalem, from where the psalmist declared all of the springs (sources) of joy and happiness emanate (Ps. 87:7). Jesus is the source of our joy as the angel announced at His birth (Luke 2:10). Jesus also declared: These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full (John 15:11).
Word Studies:
82:1 among the gods =b> earthly rulers and judges; 82:4 rid =b> rescue; 82:5 foundations . . . out of course =b> administration of justice is ignored; 82:6 Ye are gods =b> You are My representatives; 83:2 lifted up the head =b> exalted themselves.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Assistant to the Executive Director of the IBRA in our Washington DC Branch: Terry Hall • Government Officials: Rep. Dave Camp (MI), Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ), and Sen. Lindsey Graham (SC) • Country: Samoa (190,000) in the South Pacific • Major languages: Samoan and English • Religious freedom • 68% Protestant; 21% Roman Catholic; 2% Baha'i; 1.1% non-Religious/Other • Prayer Suggestion: Kneel in a humble spirit of reverence as you pray to the Lord (I Kings 8:54).
Optional Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3
Memory Verse for the Week: 2 Corinthians 4:7
