Jesus in the Psalms

PRAISING OUR LORD AND SAVIOR: Psalms 69, John 15:21-27

7:00 PM

 

Today´s readings: Psalms 69, John 15:21-27

Long ago when I first began studying the Psalms I learned that Jesus said in these we would find prophetic words written about Him (Messianic Psalms):

“Then He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you, everything which has been written about Me in the [a]Law of Moses and the [writings of the] Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” (Luke 24:44 AMP)

 

Some of the Messianic  Psalms are: Psalm 2, 8, 16, 22, 40, 41, 45, 68, 69, 102, 110, & 118.

Psalm 69 is also called an imprecatory Psalm because it speaks of suffering, a cry for justice and judgment. 

In today’s reading we find David, crying out to God for help because his enemies caused great oppression over him. In the first three verses David expressed how the “waters had come up to his neck and how he had sunk into deep mire” (69:1-3)

As we take these overwhelming feelings back to our Lord’s suffering, He was: “sinking down into the deep mire of humanity’s sin and guilt, coming truly to the deep waters, where the floods overflow. No wonder it was said of Jesus before He went to the cross, He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed (Matthew 26:37 ).”  (M. Henry)

David´s enemies hated David without cause and we can see that our Lord Jesus was hated without a cause as well!

“Those who hate me without cause are more than the hairs of my head;
Those who would destroy me are powerful, being my enemies wrongfully;  (69:4a)

This prophecy was fulfilled in John 15:23-25.

It was foretold of how Jesus would cleanse the temple and how He would suffer from mockery and insults, in verse 69:9

“For zeal for Your house has consumed me, And the [mocking] insults of those who insult You have fallen on me.”

This prophecy was fulfilled in John 2:13-17 and in:

 Romans 15:3: “ For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written [in Scripture], “The reproaches of those who reproached You (the Father) fell on Me (the Son)”

In Psalm 69:21 we read: “They (self-righteous hypocrites) also gave me gall [poisonous and bitter] for my food, And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.”

 

This prophecy was fulfilled in Matthew 27:34 and in:

John 19:28-30: “ After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said in fulfillment of the Scripture, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar full of [a]sour wine was placed there; so they put a sponge soaked in the sour wine on [a branch of] hyssop and held it to His mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and [voluntarily] [b]gave up His spirit.”

 

In Psalm 69: 22-29 it was foretold what had to happen to our Lord’s enemies: the unbelieving Jews who not only rejected Him but wanted His destruction!

 “May their table [with all its abundance and luxury] become a snare [to them]; And when they are in peace [secure at their sacrificial feasts], may it become a trap. 23 May their eyes be dimmed so that they cannot see, And make their loins shake continually [in terror and weakness].” (69:22-23, 25)

These prophecies were fulfilled in Acts 1:15-20 and in Romans 11:5-10.

“The rejection of the Jews for rejecting Christ, as it was a signal instance of God's justice and an earnest of the vengeance which God will at last take on all that are obstinate in their infidelity” (M. Henry)

Finally, when David realized that although he was sorrowful and in pain, the unfailing love of God whom he trusted wholeheartedly, would deliver him and set him securely on high. (69:29) Then David would praise and magnify Him throughout the land! (69:30-36)

“When his sorrows are over, and He enters into the joy that was set before him, when He is heard and discharged from his imprisonment in the grave, the humble shall look upon it and be glad, and those that seek God through Christ shall live and be comforted, concluding that, if they suffer with him, they shall also reign with him.” (M Henry)  Halleluiah!!

Let’s pray:

Heavenly Father, there are no words to express our gratitude for the Saving Grace you lavished over us, through the sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ!  Thank you for scriptures which show us how Faithful and True You are and have been throughout the ages! Thank you that we can rest in these truths and may we boldly declare, that You are the Alpha and the Omega, and our future in eternity is secure in You, when we in faith surrender our lives to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Amen!

Blessings,

Mary



Becky Austin

Daily Dependence

4:00 PM




Our Reading:Psalm 68 & Isaiah 45:22


The Christian life is a life of dependence. It is a life to be lived one day at a time, surrendering that day to the glory of God. This includes every event and circumstance of that day, whether pleasant or difficult, happy or sad. Each morning that you awaken, your purpose is to be wholly dependent on God and His desires for your life. David lived his life humbly before God, seeking Him daily and relying on His provision.

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Selah”.  Psalm‬ ‭68‬:‭19‬ ‭


Every day we are on this earth is a gift from God and He has work for us to do. Do you want to be used by God? Never underestimate your value as a tool to be used by Him. Every person you encounter, every situation you are put into is a potential opportunity to impact another person’s life. 

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”  Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭


God is always at work and we can be part of that work if we are yielded to Him.

This includes friends, family, strangers. You may not even realize that impact but if you are humbly yielding to Him, then you are reflecting dependence on Him and that dependence on Him is what yields fruit.  We can’t run ahead of His plans or lag behind, but must keep in step, making sure we are joining in His work and not doing our own work that is outside of His plan.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”  John‬ ‭15‬:‭5


That daily dependence is meant to be a place of rest and refuge where we find comfort and provision. He wants us to be teachable and every day holds opportunities for us to learn from Him and be increasingly more transformed to be like Him. 

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."” Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬-‭30‬ ‭


Paul, like David looked to God for daily dependence, through varying seasons and conditions. He learned to be content in all circumstances because He found His strength in God. 

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭


In this Psalm we see David expecting God to deliver His people, overcoming the enemy and providing for their needs. This is also a key to daily dependence. We trust in the mighty power of God, that He cares about us and hears our prayers and we wait for Him to act. 

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.” Psalm‬ ‭37‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭


Reflection:

  1. Are you daily depending on God? Would others see that dependence?
  2. Can you find purpose and contentment even when circumstances are not easy?
  3. Are you able to trust and wait upon the Lord? 


Prayer:

Father, we know that we can do nothing of eternal value without You. Each and every day we are in need of You to teach us, to guide us, to strengthen us and provide for our needs. May every day that You give us breath, be a day that we glorify You and rest in You. We thank You for Your love and Your blessings! 

blessings

Blessed to Be a Blessing ~ Psalm 67

8:30 AM


 Today's Scriptures : Psalm 67  & Numbers 6:24-26



This Psalm of praise to the Lord speaks about the blessings of the Lord. It is amended from The High Priest’s prayer of blessing given to Aaron by the Lord to bless Israel. (Numbers 6:22-27). It is both a prayer and a song of praise which was given by the Lord in order to bless His people and I think it couldn't be more perfect for the last week of this semester's study!!

Psalm 67 recalls Aaron's blessing to Israel with its opening words: “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us” (v. 1). But here in Psalm 67 is where we learn the reason that God is gracious to us, blesses us, and turns His face toward us. 

Have you ever wondered about that? ... Why has God chosen to bless you?

The reason is "so that Your ways may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations” (v. 2 emphasis mine). God blesses us so that we might be a blessing to the world and the world will take notice and begin to praise Him!

May the peoples praise you, God;
    may all the peoples praise you.

May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
    for you rule the peoples with equity
    and guide the nations of the earth.

May the peoples praise you, God;
    may all the peoples praise you. (Psalm 67:3-5)


Have you ever thought of that? He blesses us to be a blessing to others! He also blesses us so that the world around us will see God, recognize Him, and begin to praise Him! But, here is the most amazing thing we find here in Psalm 67 that I don't want you to miss. 

 It is here in Psalm 67 that these two avenues (for lack of a better word) meet: God’s blessing to us (Numbers 6) and His promise to bless all nations through Abraham in Genesis 12. AND it is even more amazing that these two great avenues meet in an act of worship here in Psalm 67. 

Did you know it is through worship that we can fully recognize who we truly are, and what it means for us to be blessed? We are blessed to be a blessing. 

Beloved, our Father blesses us so that those who have not yet experienced the blessings of God might come to know Him and join in our growing circle of praise to Him. I've mentioned before that praise becomes contagious, like a fire that can spread! No wonder our enemy seeks to discourage us and rob us of our joy!

Which is why I think it would be awesome if we can turn verse 7 into our prayer today!

May God bless us still,
    so that all the ends of the earth will fear him. (v.7)

O sisters, would you join me in praising and thanking our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ and pray He will "bless us still, so that all the ends of the earth will fear him."? 

~ On a personal note, it's been a blessing to study with you this fall and I look forward to being back with you in January! Have an amazing Christmas season and a truly blessed 2023! 

Til then,
Sue