Highlights In Today's Reading:
Oh how quickly we forget! This could be describing us today. The people find themselves in trouble. They cry out to God to be saved, are restored, and promise to stay faithful! How often have we heard or said that (78:34-42)?
By great signs and miracles, Jehovah 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 (78:17, 22). The sustenance which God bestowed upon them failed to deter their self-centered nature, neither did it satisfy their selfish appetite. 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 reminded the Church at Corinth 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? They failed to enter the promised land.
True, there are times when we are plagued by doubts and questions. This is the time 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. Let us realize that every Christian is the chosen of God (Eph. 1:4) and 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). What is more, 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 (greater) grace unto the humble (James 4:5-6).
Thought for Today:
The way of the Lord is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity (Prov. 10:29).
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 = walls of defence; 80:18 quicken us = give us life.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Radio Sri Lanka Broadcasts sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Casmir A. Zuranski • Staff: Tammy Davis • Government Official: Rep. John Dingell (MI) • Country: Swaziland (985,000) in southern Africa • Major languages: English and siSwati • Religious freedom • 67% Protestant; 19% animism, spirit-possession cults, and divination; 11% Roman Catholic; 3% Baha'i • Prayer Suggestion: Keep the Word of God and pray to Him who has given you an open door into His presence (Rev. 3:8).
Optional Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 7:21