July 31, 2006 - Psalms 54-56 and Romans 3
Most of life does not consist of unusual events that require special miraculous power from God. Most days are "normal" days. There are problems and trials, but they are the average garden variety, instead of the large economy size. What we need most days is God's sustaining power. Notice how much David says about his need for God's sustaining power in these psalms. Psalms 54:4 tells us that David was depending on God as his helper and that God was with those people who were acting to sustain David's soul. God was using other people to help sustain David through the trials of life, and God's sustaining power worked well. (v.7) Then, in Psalm 55:6,7 David confessed that sometimes he just wanted to fly away from his problems. The wounds of his enemies and his friends were difficult, but he kept calling out to God in prayer. (v.17) He kept casting his cares on the Lord, and God sustained him. (v.22) Finally in Psalm 56 David says twice that he has many fighting against him, but what can man or flesh do to him? (v.4,11) The answer is that they can't do anything to him really, because God is walking with him, and He is keeping him from falling. (v.13) That is God's sustaining power that we all need for each new day. I hope we will all pray daily for God's power to see us through all of those average normal days, so we can do God's will with consistency.
Romans 3 speaks of a problem that everyone has, too. It tells us without a doubt that all of us are sinners. We have no hope without the power of Jesus to redeem us. It is a common problem with only one solution. The Jews should have realized this first since they had God's Word to guide them, but God was ready to extend His salvation to the Gentiles, too. He made it possible for everyone to be saved, because salvation does not come by works of the Law, but by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. He died and rose again to pay for our sins, and when we turn to Him in faith, He applies that payment to our account freely as a gift. This chapter is such a wonderful explanation of God's grace. We all fall short, but Jesus went the entire way for us. He paid it all, and He is willing to forgive us, if we turn to Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 57-59 and Romans 4.
Romans 3 speaks of a problem that everyone has, too. It tells us without a doubt that all of us are sinners. We have no hope without the power of Jesus to redeem us. It is a common problem with only one solution. The Jews should have realized this first since they had God's Word to guide them, but God was ready to extend His salvation to the Gentiles, too. He made it possible for everyone to be saved, because salvation does not come by works of the Law, but by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. He died and rose again to pay for our sins, and when we turn to Him in faith, He applies that payment to our account freely as a gift. This chapter is such a wonderful explanation of God's grace. We all fall short, but Jesus went the entire way for us. He paid it all, and He is willing to forgive us, if we turn to Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 57-59 and Romans 4.