Bible Pathways 7/13/2001

July 13

Read Psalms 106 -- 107

Although God had faithfully blessed Israel with a miraculous delivery from Egyptian slavery and later, in the Promised Land, victory over the Caananites and great prosperity, they (the Israelites) did not wait for His counsel: But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. And He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul (Psalms 106:13-15). The psalmist continued to review Israel's faithlessness and past sins: They envied Moses (vs 16); made a (golden) calf in Horeb, and worshiped the molten image (vs 19); forgot God their Savior (vs 21); despised the pleasant land (Canaan) (vs 24); believed not His Word (vs 24); murmured (complained) in their tents (vs 25); joined themselves also to (the idol) Baal-peor (vs 28); angered the Lord also at the waters of strife (Meribah) (vs 32); did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the Lord commanded (vs 34); mingled among (associated with) the heathen (idolatrous nations) . . . and . . . served their idols (vss 35-36); and sacrificed their sons and their daughters to devils (vs 37).

The consequences are then listed: The wrath of the Lord was kindled against His people. . . . He gave them into the hand of the heathen. . . . Their enemies also oppressed them. . . . They . . . were brought low for their iniquity (vss 40-43). The inevitable result of sin continued: They wandered in the wilderness. . . . hungry and thirsty (107:4-5). But judgment is mingled with mercy: Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their distresses. And He led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation. Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness (107:6-9).

Note carefully that their one method of deliverance is still the same today: He sent His Word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions (107:20). The psalmist could have simply said: The Lord delivered them. Instead, he chose to say: He sent His Word, and healed them. Without a doubt, His Word is Jesus, the Messiah, for in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1). His Word, when believed and acted upon, is the method God has chosen to supply and satisfy man's every need.

Throughout the Bible we are taught the necessity of relying on the Word of God for every situation. Yes, the Word by which the heavens were made and are upheld (Hebrews 1:2-3) is the same Word that provides the spiritual and physical renewal we so desperately need. The spoken Word of God creates and sustains life, and that same Word, the Bible, offers eternal life to all (John 1:12,14; 3:16).

Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! . . . The righteous shall see it, and rejoice. . . . Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord (Psalms 107:8,15,21,31,42-43).

Christ Revealed: As the One who makes the storm a calm (Psalms 107:29). When Jesus calmed the storm, His disciples exclaimed: What manner of Man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him! (Matt. 8:27). In all our troubles, Jesus offers us peace (John 14:27).

Word Studies: 106:20 similitude means likeness; 106:29 inventions means deeds; 106:30 stayed means stopped; 107:11 contemned means despised.

Prayer:

Government Official: Del. Robert Underwood (Guam) · BPM Staff: Karen Hawkins · Pray for Strengthening Hands Ministry and Betty Graham · Pray for the Bible Pathway International Radio broadcast in honor of Bonnie Wilhite · Country: Peru (27 million) on the western coast of South America · Major languages: Spanish and Quechua · Open to evangelism and Bible distribution · 89% Roman Catholic; 4% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Pray the Lord of the harvest to send workers to harvest for Him (Matthew 9:38).

Optional Reading: I Timothy 4

Memory Verse for the Week: Hebrews 9:14