June 17 - Psalms 112-115
Psalm 112 gives us a description of the kinds of things a righteous person does, because he or she is like the Lord. Most of what is said is easy to understand based on God's love and His provision for His own. The one thing I want to point out today is verse 5. It says "A good man deals graciously and lends." I would say that is in line with God's character. It is right for us to help others as we are able, and even to lend things to them to aid in time of need. However, there are some people that say that borrowing anything is wrong. If that is the case, would it not be wrong to lend, because we would be leading someone to sin? That is just a thought for us to ponder this morning.
Psalm 113 continues the theme of helping those who can't help themselves, but here it is speaking directly of God, Himself. God is worthy of our praise all day long, because He is the God who looks out for the underdog. He is ready to meet the needs of the poor. Why then do we have so many poor people? Could it be that they have not learned this truth, and they are not trusting the Lord to provide for them? Could it be that they are not being obedient to the Lord's direction for them? I think that is a part of the answer, and the other part has to do with this sinful world in which we live.
Psalm 114 reminds me of a worship chorus we sing. "Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary." God used to dwell in Judah. His home was in the Temple. Now, He lives in every believer. We are a sanctuary. We do not have to go to a sanctuary to worship God. We have the sanctuary with us all the time. This truth will change your life, if you will let it sink into your heart and mind.
Psalm 115 has another fantastic truth. Look at verse 3. God does whatever He pleases. Have your grasped that truth yet? Well, examine your prayers. Are you still trying to convince God to do what you want Him to do? If you are, you have not learned this yet. Instead of wanting God to do what we want, we should ask God to show us what He has decided to do, and then get in line with what He is doing. Many people don't get this concept. They live in a world where their desires reign. Then, they wonder why God does not bless them. Let me assure you. God is going to do whatever He pleases, not what you want Him to do. In the one case in the Bible where He did what Israel wanted and gave them a king, it was just to teach them the lesson that they should not do that. His decision is always better than ours.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 116-118.
Psalm 113 continues the theme of helping those who can't help themselves, but here it is speaking directly of God, Himself. God is worthy of our praise all day long, because He is the God who looks out for the underdog. He is ready to meet the needs of the poor. Why then do we have so many poor people? Could it be that they have not learned this truth, and they are not trusting the Lord to provide for them? Could it be that they are not being obedient to the Lord's direction for them? I think that is a part of the answer, and the other part has to do with this sinful world in which we live.
Psalm 114 reminds me of a worship chorus we sing. "Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary." God used to dwell in Judah. His home was in the Temple. Now, He lives in every believer. We are a sanctuary. We do not have to go to a sanctuary to worship God. We have the sanctuary with us all the time. This truth will change your life, if you will let it sink into your heart and mind.
Psalm 115 has another fantastic truth. Look at verse 3. God does whatever He pleases. Have your grasped that truth yet? Well, examine your prayers. Are you still trying to convince God to do what you want Him to do? If you are, you have not learned this yet. Instead of wanting God to do what we want, we should ask God to show us what He has decided to do, and then get in line with what He is doing. Many people don't get this concept. They live in a world where their desires reign. Then, they wonder why God does not bless them. Let me assure you. God is going to do whatever He pleases, not what you want Him to do. In the one case in the Bible where He did what Israel wanted and gave them a king, it was just to teach them the lesson that they should not do that. His decision is always better than ours.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 116-118.