Today’s reading: Psalm 149, 2 Corinthians 5:21

I am so grateful for the opportunity we’ve had to study the Psalms together! I have to agree with my sisters: it’s been a great journey and we’ve learned so much and our faith has grown too! So let us join David praising our God for blessing us through His word!

And in today’s psalm David invites us to:

“Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, and praise Him in the congregation of His godly ones (believers).” (V.1)

Yes, there is so much we should praise our God for, but in this first verse we are encouraged to sing to Him a new song! This takes me back to Psalm 40.

I remember in my first days as a Christian, we would sing these first verses at Church. There was a sister who was gifted in music, ant the Lord would literally give her the music to different psalms, and she would share them with the congregation and we would cheerfully praise our Abba along with her! These first verses of Psalm 40 made a great impact in my heart, for it clearly reflected who I was and where I was before surrendering my life to Jesus, and the amazing transformation His Holy Spirit made in me… I became a new person that wanted more of Him, and less of me through the power of His Loving and Saving Grace! This is so humbling, for I did not deserve anything!! I believe this is what the next verses in psalm 149 declare:

Today’s reading: Psalm 144, 2 Corinthians 5:21

It is believed that this psalm was written by David after he was recognized as King of Israel.  He praises God with thankfulness, bringing to memory all the years of persecution and battles he had to endure to fulfill God’s purpose to govern His people!  (2 Samuel 5:1-5)  

“ Blessed be the Lord, my Rock and my great strength,Who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle; ² My [steadfast] lovingkindness and my fortress, My high tower and my rescuer, My shield and He in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me.” (144:1-2)

David was amazed that God would have set His eyes on him for such a great responsibility, and humbly recognizes it was God who protected and saved his life from his enemies throughout all those years, for a time like this:

“Lord, what is man that You take notice of him? Or the son of man that You think of him? ⁴ Man is like a mere breath; His days are like a shadow that passes away.”  (144:3-4)

As Christians we also have to encounter many challenges and fight spiritual battles (Eph. 6.12) in order to fulfill God’s purpose in our lives, but just as David, we must also acknowledge Who is for us, and that through our Lord’s Jesus Sacrifice we are overcomers! We too can praise our God for His continual care and protection over our lives!

“The Lord thinks much of man, and in connection with redeeming love makes a great figure of him: this can be believed, but it cannot be explained.” (Spurgeon)

Yes, He loves us so much and it is so difficult for us to understand this, and even to explain it! Although our lives may continue to drift from battles to victories, we like David can be assured He will never leave us nor forsake us! We are so privileged to have His Word and His Holy Spirit which help us and empower us when we faint or want to give up!

^“26 In the same way the Spirit [comes to us and] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words. ²⁷ And He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because the Spirit intercedes [before God] on behalf of ^[c]God’s people in accordance with God’s will. ²⁸ And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. “(Romans 8:26-28)

In the next verses (v. 5-8) David realized the great challenge it was to preserve his kingdom in the midst of all his enemies, so he cries out to the Lord for protection….Then as he remembers God’s faithfulness in the past, he praises God with thankfulness:

⁹ I will sing a new song to You, O God; Upon a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You,¹⁰ Who gives salvation to kings, Who sets David His servant free from the evil sword.” (v.9-10)

It never ceases to amaze me David’s boldness, faith and trust as he directs his prayer and praise to the Lord! No wonder he was considered a man after God’s own heart!

Finally David prays for blessings for God’s people, now under his government. (v.12-15).

That they would be blessed:

· With children in their homes.

· Blessed in the work of their hands.

· Blessed with safety and peace in their city.

“Happy are the people that are in such a case; those are blessed that prosper in the world. But he immediately corrects himself: Yea, rather, happy are the people whose God is the Lord, who have his favour, and love, and grace, according to the tenour of the covenant, though they have not abundance of this world's goods. As all this, and much more, cannot make us happy, unless the Lord be our God, so, if he be, the want of this, the loss of this, nay, the reverse of this, cannot make us miserable.” (Matthew Henry)

Yes, what is the case of having prosperity and other material goods if we do not have God reigning in our lives? (Matt. 6:25, 33)

There are still so many people around us longing and holding on to material things, making these a purpose for their lives, but they don’t’ want to realize how much they lose out!

²⁴ Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. ²⁵ For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake will find it [that is, life with Me for all eternity]. ²⁶ For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world [wealth, fame, success], but forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matt. 16:24-26)

Heavenly Father: I humbly come to You offering my love and praise, for You have been my Rock and my Strength throughout all the days of my life! May I continue to grow in faith and trusting You more and more each day! May one day I too can become a woman  after your own Heart, my dear Lord! Thank you for rescuing me and setting me free from my sins and giving me a new life in Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior! I pray for my family and friends: ________; who are still lost…. Wandering like sheep without a pastor! They might have many material possessions and be blinded by them, but they do not have You in their lives!  May the eyes of their hearts be opened, that they may repent and receive Your Salvation, through Jesus’ Saving Grace. In Jesus’ name  we pray. Amen!

Mari

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Today’s reading: Psalm 139, John 10:14-16

This beautiful Psalm was penned  by David, who expressed his gratitude and awe of God by realizing that the Almighty, Omnipresent, Omniscient God would care for him the way He always did: from his young years as a sheep pastor to the days as King  of Israel and until David’s last breath! Throughout all the days of his life His God remained Faithful!

“Omnipresence is God’s characteristic of being present to all ranges of both time and space. Although God is present in all time and space, God is not locally limited to any time or space. God is everywhere and in every now. No molecule or atomic particle is so small that God is not fully present to it, and no galaxy so vast that God does not circumscribe it. But if we were to remove creation, God would still know of it, for He knows all possibilities, whether they are actual or not….Omniscience is defined as “the state of having total knowledge, the quality of knowing everything.” For God to be sovereign over His creation of all things, whether visible or invisible, He has to be all-knowing. His omniscience is not restricted to any one person in the Godhead—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all by nature omniscient.” (Gotquestions.org)

David expressed his heartfelt words of praise in this psalm, as he meditated on these magnificent Attributes of our God:

O Lord, you have searched me [thoroughly] and have known me.
² You know when I sit down and when I rise up [my entire life, everything I do];
You understand my thought from afar.
³ You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And You are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
⁴ Even before there is a word on my tongue [still unspoken],
Behold, O Lord, You know it all.
⁵ You have enclosed me behind and before,
And [You have] placed Your hand upon me.
⁶ Such [infinite] knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is too high [above me], I cannot reach it.

⁷ Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence? (139:1-7)

Just like David acknowledged this because of his heart to heart relationship with His God, He also wants us to know Him more intimately, because:

– He knows us.

– He is everywhere with us. (Immanuel)

– He created you (and me)!

God wants us to know Him, experience Him and glorify Him for who He is and what He does for us. We were made to glorify Him. When we know Him intimately we will have the privilege to experience Him just like David did! Even our Lord Jesus Christ longed for this intimate fellowship as He prayed to His Father in Gethsemane:  (John 17:1b-3, 17:17-19 AMP)

 “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, so that Your Son may glorify You. ² Just as You have given Him power and authority over all mankind, [now glorify Him] so that He may give eternal life ^[b]to all whom You have given Him [to be His—permanently and forever]. ³ Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true [supreme and sovereign] God, and [in the same manner know] Jesus [as the] Christ whom You have sent. … ¹⁷ Sanctify them in the truth [set them apart for Your purposes, make them holy]; Your word is truth. ¹⁸ Just as You commissioned and sent Me into the world, I also have commissioned and sent them (believers) into the world. ¹⁹ For their sake ^[e]I sanctify Myself [to do Your will], so that they also may be sanctified [set apart, dedicated, made holy] in [Your] truth.”

To Know Him and Experience HIM is crucial, for this will give us the deep knowledge that we are His: to understand who and Whose we are. And when times of hardship, injustice, and pain come to our lives, we will be assured Who is for us!! (Romans 8:28-39)

Knowing Him intimately, will keep us firm in our earthly journey until we are called to be Home with Him! This journey is unique, for we are all intimately known and cared for Him (139:1-7); purposed (139:13-16) in Him. We are loved by Him, and our story was written in His book:

“Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written
The days that were appointed for me, When as yet there was not one of them [even taking shape]. ¹⁷ How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! (139:16-17)

So by knowing HIM, we can rest assured He is fully in Control of our lives no matter the situation!

Thank you Heavenly Father for such an amazing love you have for us! You gave us the greatest proof of Your Love for us through the Sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ! But also as we meditate on each one of your blessings on our behalf,  we can praise You like David: “How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!¹⁸ If I could count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You. (139:17-19). May our hearts always be humbled to recognize we fail you so much, and we cry out as David: “²³ Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart; Test me and know my anxious thoughts; ²⁴ And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me ,And lead me in the everlasting way.” (139:23-24) In Jesus’ Name we pray! Amen.

Blessings,

Mari

Today’s Reading: Psalm 134, Ephesians 4:1-6

This Psalm is the last of the fifteen Song of Ascents we’ve studied (Psalm 120-134). In the first two verses God’s people are calling the priests and Levites of the temple to continue praising the Lord as an act of service.

“They were the servants of the Lord by office, appointed to minister in holy things; they attended the sanctuary, and kept the charge of the house of the Lord, Numbers 3:6, etc. Some of them did by night stand in the house of the Lord, to guard the holy things of the temple, that they might not be profaned, and the rich things of the temple, that they might not be plundered. While the ark was in curtains there was the more need of guards upon it. They attended likewise to see that neither the fire on the altar nor the lamps in the candlestick went out. Probably it was usual for some devout and pious Israelites to sit up with them; we read of one that departed not from the temple night or day, Luke 2:37” (Matthew Henry)

“Charles Spurgeon suggested that the scene was of pilgrims departing Jerusalem in the darkness of early morning, calling out to the priests and Levites who stood watch at the temple. The pilgrims then receive the blessing spoken back to them.”(David Guzik)

Isn’t it wonderful how God’s people encourage each other to continue praising the Lord no matter what their position (in the body of Christ) is? Exhorting, encouraging and blessing one another. That is exactly how our Abba wants us all to be: in unity! (Ephesians 4:1-6)

This psalm shows us that praise should be added to all our work!

“Not one of you should serve him as of compulsion, but all should bless him while you serve him; yea, bless him for permitting you to serve him, fitting you to serve him, and accepting your service.” (Spurgeon)

When we surrendered our life to Jesus, we all received a special calling:

  ^“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. ¹⁰ Once you were not a people [at all], but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”  (1 Peter 2:9-10 AMP)

We are His special people at His service, and as His servants we have special reason to bless and praise Him, because:

· We partner with God in His work, which is a special privilege.  (1 Cor. 1:9, 1 Peter 4:11)

· We enjoy the nearness that comes with working together with Him and his people.

   (Ro.  15:5-6)

· We receive the special strength and anointing as we serve Him. (Acts 1:8, Phil 4:11-13)

· We experience new and exciting challenges of faith. (Phil. 2:12-13)

Paul also exhorts us:

 “First of all, then, I urge that petitions (specific requests), prayers, intercessions (prayers for others) and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all people, ² for ^[a]kings and all who are in [positions of] high authority, so that we may live a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. ³ This [kind of praying] is good and acceptable and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior… ⁸ Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger and disputing or quarreling or doubt [in their mind].” (1Timothy 2:1-3,8 AMP Emphasis mine)

-Did you ever wake up in the wee hours of the night, and by His Holy Spirit  were led to pray for someone or felt the urge to praise Him? Has this been frequent?

-How did this make you feel?

Heavenly Father: Thank you for the privilege and right to stand before You to minister with our prayers, intercessions and our praise to You. Even in the night we are under your sight, and You bend down to listen: we have direct have access to You! This is so amazing and I want to ask You to forgive me for the times when I grumble at the fact that I must let go of my sleep and be on guard for whatever is Your desire or need at that moment during the night! May I be diligent and cheerful as I minister to You! May I always acknowledge the privilege and honor of Your Holy Presence and the direction of Your Holy Spirit! Thank you for blessing me and loving me in the special Way that You do! May I extend this love and blessings to others too! In Jesus’s Precious Name I pray. Amen!

Blessings,

Mary

Today’s reading: Psalm 129, Revelation 21:1-4

 

We continue with the series of Psalms called “A Song of Ascents”, which were sung as the pilgrims came to Jerusalem to remember God’s many past deliverances (such as in the Feasts of Passover or Tabernacles), as they prayed confidently for God’s continued protection and the defeat of their many enemies. And as for us, a reminder that even our Lord Jesus Christ joined His voice with His disciples in the celebration of these festivities!

 

“Whereas most nations tend to look back on what they have achieved, Israel reflects here on what she has survived. It could be a disheartening exercise, for Zion still has its ill-wishers. But the singers take courage from the past, facing God with gratitude and their enemies with defiance.” (Derek Kidner)

 

As we read the first verses, the psalmist penned:

“Many times they have persecuted me (Israel) from my youth,” Let Israel now say, 2 “Many times they have persecuted me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me” (129:1-2)

 

“‘Many a time,’ Israel says, because she could not say how many times. She speaks of her assailants as ‘they,’ because it would be impossible to write or even to know all their names.” (Spurgeon)

Yes, from the time Israel was a people (from its youth in Egypt) countless times they had been under persecution and even unto this day! (Jeremiah 2:2, Ezekiel 23:3)

Our Lord Jesus Christ warned His disciples (His Church) they too would be persecuted:

“And you will be hated by everyone because of (your association with) My name, but it is the one who has patiently persevered and endured to the end who will be saved.” (Matt. 10:22, 2 Tim. 3:12), and this warning extends to us too!

As we continue reading the following verses the psalmist describes how terrible their afflictions have been, and as C.H Spurgeon explains:

 

“The afflicted nation was, as it were, lashed by her adversaries so cruelly that each blow left a long red mark, or perhaps a bleeding wound, upon her back and shoulders, comparable to a furrow which tears up the ground from one end of the field to the other.” (Spurgeon)

"The (enemies, like) plowers plowed upon my back; they made their furrows of suffering) long (in Israel)." (Psalm 129:3 AMP)

This brings to my mind our Lord Jesus’ suffering (before His crucifixion), who was also beaten unmercifully and flogged on his back until his skin was torn and bleeding profusely!! And this was a prolonged suffering until He gave His life on the cross!

"But he was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our wickedness (our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing); the punishment (required) for our well-being fell on Him, and by His stripes (wounds) we are healed. “(Isaiah 53:5 AMP)

Yes, we too as His people have been persecuted and afflicted by the enemy of our souls but let us remember that we must hold fast and persevere for:

"[He] who for the joy (of accomplishing the goal) set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work). 3 Just consider and meditate on Him who endured from sinners such bitter hostility against Himself (consider it all in comparison with your trials), so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" (Hebrews 12:2b-3 AMP)

Amen ladies! Let us not lose heart in the midst of our tribulations for just as He promised to preserve His covenant with His people of Israel, and His faithfulness in delivering them from the bondage of their enemies, and through Jesus Christ He has done the same for us! And this is a demonstration of His righteousness! The fact that the LORD is righteous means He has and will always keep His promises to Israel.

"The LORD is righteous; He has cut in two the (thick) cords of the wicked (which enslaved the people of Israel)." (Psalm 129:4 AMP)

We need not to curse our enemies (129:6-8), for Jesus has taught us to pray for them and our God and Deliverer will deal with them according to His justice! (Matt. 5: 43-48, Romans 12:14,19-21)

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, thank you for delivering us from our afflictions in the past and in the future, until you take us Home. O Father, thank you for cutting the cords of our enemy, delivering us from the bondage of sin through the precious Sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you Jesus for taking our curse upon yourself (Galatians 3:13), so that we need not curse our enemies, but rather love them through You, with the love that You poured at the cross. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen!

Blessings,

Mari