AM Aug 1st 1 Cor 11

August 1^st         1 Corinthians 11

1: Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

(Woman’s dress)           Headship in the church

2: Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. 3: But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. 4: Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. 5: But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. 6: For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. 7: For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. 8: For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. 9: Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 10: For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. 11: Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. 12: For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of god. 13: Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? 14: Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? 15: But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. 16: But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

(The Lord’s Supper)       The Lord’s Supper

17: Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. 18: For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. 19: For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. 20: When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. 21: For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. 22: What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. 23: For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25: After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26: For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 27: Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28: But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29: For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30: For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31: For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32: But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. 33: Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. 34: And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

In this chapter Paul deals with the subjects of Headship and the Lords Supper. In all these things Paul calls on the believers to follow his example in everything. In fact he praises them because they keep these two ordinances – headship and the Lords supper. These are two of the things that are ordained in the churches that Paul established. First Paul states the principle that the head of every believing man is Christ and the head of every woman is the man and the head of Christ is God. Now Paul is not talking about an intrinsic greatness but the order of divinely appointed roles. Next Paul shows how this works out in practise. As far as the men are concerned the head is to be uncovered when he prays or prophesies. If he does not do this then he dishonours Christ. As far as the women are concerned when a woman prays or prophesies she is to cover her head because if she does not then she dishonours her husband. She is bringing shame on herself as she would if she were bald. However if it is a shame for her to be bald, and it is, then she is to be covered. Lastly Paul explains why these coverings must be so. He says that the man is made in the image and glory of God but the woman is made of the man. Therefore in the presence of God the Glory of the God (man) is to be uncovered but the glory of the man (woman) is to be covered. Paul explains that this is not a Christian ordinance but an ordinance based on creation. And it is done for an angelic purpose. We are not sure quite what this means but presumably they are looking on observing creatorial order. Next Paul links the subject with the length of hair by saying that it is a shame for men to have long hair but it is a glory for a woman to have long hair. Her hair is given her as a covering. Lastly Paul says if any man contends with me then l say that neither the churches nor l have this custom. Secondly Paul comes to the ordinance of the Lords supper and in this he cannot praise them. He says that your coming together is not for the better but for the worse. First Paul says l here that there are divisions among you and l partly believe it. He says there must also be heresies among you so that those who are approved of God may be manifest to you. Paul is saying that in the heat of discussion regarding false teaching those that are true teachers of the word become manifest to all. Then Paul says when you do gather as a whole church you do not come to eat of the Lord supper. Because when you eat you bring your own food and while some have little food and are hungry others have too much and are even drunk with wine. Paul says don’t you have houses to eat in? You can eat your ordinary food at home. He says do you despise the church of God and make those who are poor ashamed. This is a disgrace. Then Paul goes on to teach the truth of the revelation he has received and which he has already given to them. He says that on the night of his betrayal he took bread and after he had given thanks he broke it and then he said Take this bread and eat it. This is my body which is broken for you. Do this to remember me. in the same way he took the cup and after he had tasted it he said This cup of the new covenant in my blood you are to take this cup when ever you do this to remember me. In doing this you exhibit the Lords death until he comes again. Then Paul gives a stern warning. He says that whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy state will be guilty before the Lord of drinking the things which resemble the body and blood of Christ. Believers are to worship the Lord in this act of remembrance in a fit spiritual state in which all known sin is confessed and the believer is walking in the light in fellowship with the Lord. So Paul says – examine yourself. Not so that you might say away. But examine yourself so that you might confess you sin and participate in full fellowship. The person who eats and drinks in an unworthy state brings the discipline of God upon himself because he is not spiritually discerning enough to recognise the signs of the Lords body. Paul says this is why some of you are weak and sick and why some have died. Paul says if you would discipline yourselves then God would not need to bring you into discipline. But when you are disciplined you are chastened by God so that you will not be condemned before the world’s eyes. So when you come together to eat stay a while and talk with each other. And if a person is really hungry then let him eat his full at home so that you do not come together to face the discipline of God. Lastly Paul says there is other stuff to deal with but l will set them in order when l come to see you.

PM July 31st Psa 77

July 31^st           

 

Psalm 77

 

A Psalm of Asaph

Comforting thoughts

1: I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. 2: In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. 3: I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. 4: Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak. 5: I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. 6: I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. 7: Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? 8: Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? 9: Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. 10: And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. 11: I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. 12: I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. 13: Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? 14: Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people. 15: Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah. 16: The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled. 17: The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad. 18: The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook. 19: Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known. 20: Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

 

Psalm 78

 

Maschil of Asaph

The Lord loves his people

1: Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. 2: I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: 3: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. 4: We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. 5: For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: 6: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: 7: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: 8: And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God. 9: The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle. 10: They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law; 11: And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them. 12: Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan. 13: He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap. 14: In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire. 15: He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths. 16: He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers. 17: And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness. 18: And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust. 19: Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? 20: Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people? 21: Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel; 22: Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation: 23: Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven, 24: And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven. 25: Man did eat angels' food: he sent them meat to the full. 26: He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind. 27: He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea: 28: And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations. 29: So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire; 30: They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths, 31: The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel. 32: For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works. 33: Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble. 34: When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and inquired early after God. 35: And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer. 36: Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. 37: For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant. 38: But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath. 39: For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again. 40: How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert! 41: Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. 42: They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy. 43: How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan: 44: And had turned their rivers into blood; and their floods, that they could not drink. 45: He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them. 46: He gave also their increase unto the caterpiller, and their labour unto the locust. 47: He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycomore trees with frost. 48: He gave up their cattle also to the hail, and their flocks to hot thunderbolts. 49: He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them. 50: He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence; 51: And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham: 52: But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. 53: And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies. 54: And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, even to this mountain, which his right hand had purchased. 55: He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents. 56: Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies: 57: But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow. 58: For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images. 59: When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel: 60: So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men; 61: And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy's hand. 62: He gave his people over also unto the sword; and was wroth with his inheritance. 63: The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage. 64: Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation. 65: Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine. 66: And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach. 67: Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim: 68: But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved. 69: And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever. 70: He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: 71: From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance. 72: So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.

Today we are reading Psalm 77 & 78. In Psalm 77 Asaph brings before us two stark alternatives, in two verses. In verses 1-9 he speaks about what it is like when men are troubled by the things of this life and in the second verse v10-20 he speaks about what he remembers of former days when God blessed him. In the first verse the result is misery and in the second he remembers what blessing he had known. He begins saying I cried to the Lord and he heard me. In my time of trouble I sought the Lord. My open wound wept all night and my soul could not be comforted. When I thought of God my mind was troubled and when I complained my spirit was overcome within me. Think about what that was like. The Lord took sleep from me and I didn’t know what to say. I thought about long gone days and I remembered the times when my Heart was full of joy all night. I talked to myself and tried to find out the reason for my unhappiness. I said to myself, will the Lord desert me forever? Will he not show kindness to me again? Has his mercy disappeared? Will his promise to me fail? Has God forgotten how to show kindness to me? Has his anger closed the door of his merciful gentleness? Think about what that would be like? I said to myself, says Asaph, this is how my life is now! But I remember the times when the Lord stretched out his hand to bless me. I remember all the things that God did for me. He did wonderful things. And so he says, I will remember and mull over the great things God did for me and I will talk about them. The ways of God are only discovered in the holy place and who is so great a God as our God? You are the God of wonders. You have revealed your strength to your people. You redeemed your people the children of Israel and especially Joseph. Think about that. The waters saw you and were frightened even the depths of the ocean were disturbed. The clouds emptied themselves and the sky was ripped apart and the lightening flew across the sky. The crash of thunder filled the heavens and the lightening lit up the entire world. The earth trembled and shook. You made a path through the sea, through great waters and your people followed your footsteps. You led your people like a flock of sheep by the hand of Moses and Aaron.  In Psalm 78 Asaph brings a ‘teaching’ Psalm. This is a big Psalm by any standards - the biggest yet. This Psalm also has two main verses. The first verse speaks of Israel’s Exodus from Egypt and the stalemate in the desert and the second verse speaks of the entrance into the land and their judgment in the land. It begins with the giving of the law and ends with the establishment of the kingdom and in particular the temple. So one could say the first verse is about the Tabernacle and the second about the temple. But both verses focus on the disobedience of Israel. Asaph begins saying that he will outline things which have been little understood because they are difficult to write and difficult to accept. He says they might be hard to accept but we will not hide them from our children. They need to learn these lessons lest they repeat them. He tells of Gods calling of Israel and of the giving of the law. He is saying these things so that future generations might set their hope in the Lord and not forget the things that God has done and they will keep the righteousness of the law. What he says is that Israel turned away from the Lord and they ran in the face of the enemy. They didn’t keep the solemn covenant that they made and they refused to keep the law. He says they forgot about the amazing deliverance of Israel through The Gulf of Aqabar. They he recounts all the things God did, the pillar of cloud and fire. The cleft rock. The temptation of the Lord in asking for meat and the terrible unbelief in Gods provision. They said can God feed us? Can he give us bread? The Lord was so angry that fire consumed many of them. They did not put their trust in the Lord that he would save them. Yet he gave them bread from heaven. They ate the food of angels. And he gave then meat from the Arabian Desert. And when their mouths were full of meat he brought judgment on them for their greed. Yet they still sinned against the Lord by not trusting in him. In the end when the Lord killed so many of them then they sought the Lord and returned to him. Still they were not true in their minds and yet the Lord forgave them. They didn’t remember all the mighty things he had done in Egypt. Yet the Lord brought them out of Egypt and into the land he promised. And he threw out all the nations that were there and divided the land as an inheritance to them. Yet they all forsook the Lord and he brought judgment on them again. And the Lord raised up a king who had the very mind of God and from following the pregnant ewes. David fed them because of his integrity and he guided them through his skilfulness.

AM July 31st 1 Cor 10

July 31^st

14: Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. 15: I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. 16: The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17: For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. 18: Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? 19: What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 20: But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 21: Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. 22: Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he? 23: All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. 24: Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. 25: Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: 26: For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. 27: If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. 28: But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: 29: Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? 30: For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? 31: Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 32: Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 33: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

Now Paul appeals to the Corinthian believers to put aside their idolatry. Somebody might say hang on a minute, is Paul talking to Christians? Yes he is. Christians – though their sins are forgiven – still sin. Becoming a Christian does not mean that the Christian ceases from sin. In fact the Christian might become even more aware of sin - so it might appear that they sin more. Nobody became a Christian by ceasing to sin. And no Christian can say that he does not sin. The Christian has believed the Gospel and Christ has forgiven him of all his sin, past present and future. So the Christian lives in a constant state of fellowship with the Father. And when he sins and he will constantly sin - he is constantly restored to fellow by confession of his sin. The great besetting sin Paul deals with here is idolatry. Paul says the cup of communion is it not a visible expression of fellowship with Christ. And the bread we break is a visible expression of the body of Christ. The communion elements are not Christ actual blood and body, but they represent them. We are all one in the sense that we all partake of one loaf. Who are Israel in the flesh? But those partook of the sacrifices at the altar. The idol of a heathen temple in nothing, but those who offer sacrifices to idols, sacrifice to demons and not to God. We should not have fellowship with demons! How can you have fellowship with demons and Christ? You cannot partake of the Lords supper and also the demonic temples. Do not provoke the Lord to jealousy over his honour. Are you stronger than God? Everything is allowed for the Christian but not everything will be a benefit for him. Not everything will build him up. So let’s not only think about ourselves but also our brothers blessing. If you must eat food that has been offered to idols then eat it if you have a clear conscience. Don’t ask too many questions. All food in the earth belongs to the Lord. If you are invited to a feast then eat what is given you asking no questions for your consciences sake. However if a man says to you this is offered to an idol then don’t eat it so that you do not offend the conscience of the person telling you. Everything in the earth belongs to the Lord. Whatever you do whether you eat or drink or whatever else you do, do it to the glory of God. Try to not give offence to Jews or Gentiles or the Church of God. Be like me, I try to please all men in everything not looking to my own benefit but to the benefit of the many that they might all be saved.

PM July 30th Psa 75

July 30^th            Psalm 75

 

A Psalm or Song of Asaph

The Lord will be fair

1: Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare. 2: When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly. 3: The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the pillars of it. Selah. 4: I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn: 5: Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck. 6: For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. 7: But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another. 8: For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them. 9: But I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. 10: All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.

To the chief musician on Neginoth

 

Psalm 76

 

A psalm or song of Asaph

The Lord will give victory

1: In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel. 2: In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion. 3: There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah. 4: Thou art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey. 5: The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands. 6: At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep. 7: Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry? 8: Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still, 9: When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah. 10: Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain. 11: Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared. 12: He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.

To the chief musician to Jeduthun

Today we are reading Psalm 75 & 76. The First Psalm No 75 is a song composed by Asaph. This Psalm has two identical verses. Both begin with Praise and both end with God the judge of all men, who will put down the wicked and lift up the upright. He begins saying, O God, to you we will give thanks because your works show that your name is near us. He says when the Lord receives all the people of Israel he judges them in truth and righteousness and all the people of the earth who forsake God are destroyed. Think about that!  The Psalmist says, I said to the fools do not be so foolish and to the wicked do not raise up an army in arrogance against the Lord. It’s no good looking to the east or south or west for support because they will not help you. God is the judge of men and he raises up and puts men down in perfect justice. Because in the hand of the Lord is a cup of mulled wine and he causes all the wicked in the earth to drink from it to the bottom of the cup. I will declare forever and I will sing the praises to the God of Jacob and all the strength of the wicked will be destroyed and the strength of the righteous will be increased. This song was to be sung when the wicked were destroyed.  Psalm 76 is also a song of Asaph. This song has four identical themes separated with three declarations regarding the Lord. The four themes are the destruction of the Jebusites and the three declarations are that the Lord is, glorious, to be feared and to be praised. He begins saying, In Judah God is known and his name is great in Israel. We must never forget that Israel had the prophets of God who revealed the word of God to men and that the true religion of God was Judaism. He also declares that in Jerusalem the tabernacle of God is set up and In Zion God is pleased to dwell among his people. Asaph says, that it was there that the Lord broke the weapons of the enemy in battle. Think about that!  And the Lord is more glorious and he exceeds the mountains of prey. The valiant conquered and robbed in battle. They sleep the sleep of death. At the rebuke of the Lord the enemy vehicles are destroyed. Everyone fears the Lord when he rises to do battle. Who can stand before him when he is angry? You brought judgment from heaven and the earth was afraid and silenced. God arose to bring judgment and to deliver the meek of the earth. Think about that. Even the anger of men is turned into praise for the Lord. And you restrain your wrath to men. May the whole earth bring their vows and pay tribute to the Lord who is to be feared. He will kill the spirit of the princes and he will be terrifying to the Kings of the earth. This Psalm is prophetic in its tone and speaks of Christ’s kingdom reign when all kings will come and kneel at his feet.  

AM July 30th 1 Cor 10

July 30^th            1 Corinthians 10            Warnings from Christ

1: Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2: And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3: And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4: And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 5: But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6: Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7: Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8: Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9: Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 10: Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 11: Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 12: Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13: There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Paul gives a warning of judgment to the believers who live in unconfessed sin. He reminds them that while all Israel escaped from Egypt yet they perished in the wilderness. They all were under the cloud and they were all baptised in the sea and they all drank from the rock which is Christ yet they were over thrown in the wilderness. Why? Because God was not pleased with them. The story of the children of Israel is written so that we might learn from their example. Not to copy them but to fear the Lord and refrain from sin. Paul says flee lust, idolatry, revelling and fornication. When the children of Israel sinned against the Lord 23,000 died in a single day. We must not tempt Christ as the children of Israel did when God sent serpents into the camp. Nor must we murmur against the Lord as Israel did. We must learn from these things. Those who think that they are standing in relation to God must be careful to watch out in case they fall. Paul says that there is no temptation that comes to a man that is unique to him. We all face exactly the same pitfalls. But God is faithful to us and he will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to bear. And he will with the temptation give us a way of escape so that we will not fall in sin. Temptations are allowed by the Lord as a test of our moral character but God deliberately restricts temptation in such a way that it does not overwhelm but is just sufficient to test us. If temptation was too easy to resist then the temptation would be pointless and if it were too great then we would effectively have not option but to sin So God moderates temptation so that the believer is faced with a temptation that he can face in the enabling power of the Holy Spirit.

PM July 29th Psa 73

July 29^th           

C   The Leviticus Section   Darkness and Dawn (Sanctuary in view)

The Third book – Leviticus

[1]Psalm 73 – 83  The Sanctuary in relation to man

 

 

Psalm 73

 

A Psalm of Asaph

The Fate of the Wicked

1: Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. 2: But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. 3: For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4: For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. 5: They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. 6: Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. 7: Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. 8: They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. 9: They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. 10: Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. 11: And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? 12: Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. 13: Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. 14: For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. 15: If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. 16: When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; 17: Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. 18: Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. 19: How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. 20: As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. 21: Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. 22: So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. 23: Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. 24: Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. 25: Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. 26: My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. 27: For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. 28: But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

 

Psalm 74

 

Maschil of Asaph

An Appeal to the Lord

1: O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture? 2: Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old; the rod of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt. 3: Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations; even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary. 4: Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they set up their ensigns for signs. 5: A man was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees. 6: But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers. 7: They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled by casting down the dwelling place of thy name to the ground. 8: They said in their hearts, Let us destroy them together: they have burned up all the synagogues of God in the land. 9: We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long. 10: O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever? 11: Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck it out of thy bosom. 12: For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth. 13: Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters. 14: Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness. 15: Thou didst cleave the fountain and the flood: thou driedst up mighty rivers. 16: The day is thine, the night also is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun. 17: Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and winter. 18: Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O LORD, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name. 19: O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever. 20: Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty. 21: O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise thy name. 22: Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily. 23: Forget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually.

To the chief musician Al-taschith

Today we begin the third section of the book of Psalms which relate to the third book of the Pentateuch, Leviticus. We are reading Psalm 73 & 74. This is a Psalm of Asaph. In this Psalm Asaph describes a long and difficult lesson that he had to learn. He says, The Lord is good to Israel, to those who have a clean mind, but he says, I nearly slipped. It happened like this – as I looked around at the ungodly I noticed that they were wealthy and I was jealous of them. I had envy at those who foolishly lived as if God did not exist. They were healthy and strong and I was weak and poor. They didn’t seem to have any troubles like other men and they seemed to be immune from the plagues which come to all men. They seemed to be entangled in the chains of pride and they were covered with violence. They seemed to have everything that the eye and heart could desire. Yet they are corrupt and say wicked things and they rip off the poor and speak of them as dross. They speak against the Lord and they seem to have something to say about the whole earth. They say what does God know? And does the Lord know anything? They are ungodly and they increase in riches. I thought to myself, have I cleansed my mind for no profit? Have I washed my hands in ignorance, because I am plagued all day long and the Lord disciplines me every morning. When I thought about these things they were painful for me to think about. Then I went into the Tabernacle of God and I understood what future the ungodly have. You Lord, put them in places were they can slip and you throw them down into destruction. How can they be destroyed in a moment of time? And their destruction is with terrifying effect. You woke up like a man from sleep and saw what they were like. And I was pricked in my conscience. How foolish I had been. How ignorant! I was like an animal that knows nothing. Yet you were with me and held me up. You will guide me with your advice and later take me up to glory. Who have I got but You O Lord? There is none that I want like you in all the earth. My body and mind fails but you will be the strength of my mind forever. Those that are far from you will perish and you have destroyed all those who forsake you. But It will be good for me says Asaph, to draw near to God. I have put my trust in the Lord GOD so that I will be able to tell everyone about Gods wonderful works. Psalm 74 is a Psalm that teaches important lessons. He begins saying, why have you cast us off forever? And why are you angry at your people? – we are like dumb sheep! Remember us - who you redeemed in olden times. Lord, your enemies shout against us when we are gathered together and they lift up their battle flags against us. Once upon a time men were famous for cutting down huge trees but now they cut down the tabernacle of the Lord. They destroy all the houses of prayer in the land and there is no prophet in the land nor anyone that knows how long these days have been. O Lord, how long will you allow our enemy to speak to us like this? Will you allow them to blaspheme forever? Why do you withdraw your hand in judgment? You are the King of Old you bring deliverance to your people. You divide the sea by your almighty power and you destroy the sea monsters. You cut the dinosaurs into pieces and give them as meat to those who live in the desert. You divide the mountain and the flood and you dry up the rivers. Both the day and night are yours. You have put the lights and the sun in the sky. You have put borders around the earth. You make summer and winter. So, remember that these enemies have spoken against you and blasphemed your name. Do not allow your dove (Israel) to be overcome by the hordes of the wicked. Do not forget your people forever. Keep the covenant that you have made with your people, because the uncivilised nations are full of darkness and cruelty. Rise up O God stand on the side of the righteous and remember how foolish men spoke against you. Do not forget the curses of those who are against you because they rise up against you continually. This Psalm is addressed to the chief choir master Al-taschith, ‘Destroy-not’.

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[1] Bullingers Companion Bible

AM July 29th 1 Cor 9

July 29^th            1 Corinthians 9              Support for the Lord’s servants

1: Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? 2: If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. 3: Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, 4: Have we not power to eat and to drink? 5: Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? 6: Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? 7: Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? 8: Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? 9: For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 10: Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11: If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 12: If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 13: Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the alter are partakers with the alter? 14: Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. 15: But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. 16: For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 17: For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. 18: What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. 19: For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20: And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21: To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22: To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23: And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. 24: Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25: And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26: I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

In this passage Paul speaks about his own ministry. He asks four rhetorical questions to which the answers are all yes. Am l an apostle? Yes of course you are Paul the Corinthians believers might answer. Am l not free? (Paul means here that he is not financially obliged to his hearers v19) Yes of course you are Paul. Have l not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Yes you did on the road to Damascus. Are you not my work in the Lord? Yes, we are your converts say the Corinthian believers. There were some that doubted or even denied his Apostolic credentials. Paul says if l am not an apostle to anyone I’m an without any doubt an apostle to you. You are the proof of my apostolic authority. What l would say to those who would examine me is. Do we apostles not have the authority to be feed and watered because of our ministry? Don’t we have authority to have a sister or a wife supported in our ministry as the other apostles have? Is it only me and Barnabas that can refrain from profitable employment? What soldier goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of the fruit for himself? Who looks after the sheep that does not drink the milk of the flock? Paul is saying that those who preach the word are able to be financially renumerated for their work. Paul says is this just me speaking? Or is it not the law which says that the ox that treads out the corn is allowed to eat of the corn. If God looks after the oxen then should he not look after me? The man who plows the field looks forward to having the benefit of the harvest. If we have sown spiritual things for you then should we not have the benefit of the things of the body? There are other people who benefit from you, why not us? However we have not used this privilege but we suffer all things so that the Gospel of Christ is not hindered. Paul says Don’t you know that priests who serve in the Temple have some of the meat served at the altar? God in the same way has ordained that those who preach the Gospel should be supported in their work. Paul reminds them that he has not used this privilege nor has he requested it. He says l would rather die than make my boasting empty. Paul says even though l preach the gospel l have nothing to glory in. Daily needs come to me constantly, but what a terrible thing it would be if l did not preach the Gospel. Paul says l have this arrangement of my own choice and if l am supported it is against my will. I have a stewardship of the Gospel committed unto me. So says Paul. What is my reward for preaching the gospel? My reward is simply that l make my gospel free to listen to the hearers. This makes me completely free from all obligations to men. Paul says even though l am not paid by anyone yet l have made myself a servant of every one so that l may gain more. To the Jews l remain a Jew, so that l might convert the Jews. To those who are under the Mosaic Law l remain a law abiding Jew so that l can win them for Christ. To those who are Gentiles l am as one who is without the Mosaic law. (This does not mean that l am lawless but that l am under the authority of Christ) So that l might win those who are outside the Mosaic law.  To the weak l am weak so that l may gain the weak. Now this is the motto of Paul in evangelistic ministry - I am all things to all men. So that by all these means l might save some. Now Paul is not saying that he puts on a cloak to suit his hearers. Paul does not chop and change being a Jew to Jews and being a Gentile to Gentiles. What Paul is saying is that he has taken up a permanent position in which he is acceptable and accessible to both Jews and Gentiles. Lastly Paul speaks about him own personal race. He says we all run in a race but only one receives the prize. So as christians we are all to run so to obtain the prize. Every athlete strives to master himself and is moderate in everything so that he might obtain a laurel wreath but we do this to obtain a golden crown. And so l run with a clear objective. And l fight to win the fight. And to do this l keep my body in check in case after l have preached to others l myself might find that l am disqualified in my ministry. Paul says l live so that God will not find me useless in his service and cast me aside. (There are some people who think that Paul is saying that he might be cast away in the sense that his salvation can be lost. Paul in this chapter is talking about his ministry not his salvation. Paul is saying it is possible to do something that disqualifies him from public ministry and then he was will cast side as an unfit vessel for Gods service)

PM July 28th Psa 71

July 28^th            Psalm 71

The Prayer of an old man

1: In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion. 2: Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me. 3: Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress. 4: Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. 5: For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth. 6: By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee. 7: I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge. 8: Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day. 9: Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth. 10: For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together, 11: Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him. 12: O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help. 13: Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt. 14: But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more. 15: My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof. 16: I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only. 17: O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. 18: Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. 19: Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee! 20: Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth. 21: Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side. 22: I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel. 23: My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed. 24: My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.

 

Psalm 72

 

A Psalm for Solomon

A Prayer for a King

1: Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son. 2: He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment. 3: The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness. 4: He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor. 5: They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations. 6: He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth. 7: In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. 8: He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. 9: They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust. 10: The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. 11: Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him. 12: For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. 13: He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy. 14: He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight. 15: And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised. 16: There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth. 17: His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed. 18: Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. 19: And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.

EPILOGUE
 

20: The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.

Today we are reading Psalms 71 & 72. These two Psalms close the third section of the Psalms which are primarily David’s Psalms. Psalm 71 is a declaration of trust in the Lord who will save his people. David says I am putting my trust in You O Lord; don’t let me ever be disappointed before my enemies. Save me, he says, and enable me to escape, listen to me and save me. He asks the Lord to be his strong house where he can always seek rest, because you are my rock and fortress. David asks that the Lord would deliver him out of the hand of wicked, unrighteous and cruel men. David lived constantly in the fear of the Lord and aware that, though his enemies could not defeat him in battle, that they did nevertheless try to secretly assassinate him. But David puts all his trust in the Lord and he has done so since his youth. Even in the womb he was protected by the Lord and the Lord took him from his mothers belly and therefore he will forever praise the Lord. Even In David’s day men were amazed at how he was able to survive and this was due directly to the Lord who kept him safe. David was always grateful and full of praise to the Lord. He pleads that even in his last years when his natural strength fails that the Lord would look after him. His enemies gathered to plot against him thinking that the Lord had forsaken him and that he had no bodyguards. David calls on the Lord to protect him and to take positive action to destroy them. David had learnt that trusting completely in the Lord was his only hope. He had learnt to trust himself to the enabling strength of the Lord to testify to the faithfulness of the Lord. David was now old and his hair was grey and he asks that he might teach the successive generations the righteousness of following the Lord. Then David breaks forth into praise saying Your righteousness is very high and who has done great things like you? Who is like you O God? He says I am laid low but you will raise me up from the earth. And so I will praise you on the psaltery and the harp, I will sing your praises O Holy One of Israel. My heart will be filled with joy when I sing to you. And I will talk of all your righteousness all day long. David was a very spiritual man whose heart and mind was absorbed with the Lord. The last Psalm of David is composed concerning his son – the Messiah. The Title says that this was written ‘for Solomon’ but its subject is the Messiah – Christ. David calls on the Lord to give the King – Solomon the judgments of the Lord. Perhaps it was this Psalm or this sentiment that Solomon learnt to seek wisdom. The tone of the Psalm is prophetic and looks far into the future to think of Messiahs reign in the Kingdom. The feature of Christ’s reign will be righteousness to the people and justice for the poor. Never has there been a king like Christ who will be He will bring justice to the poor and he will deliver the little children of those in greatest need. And he will shatter the oppressors. What this world needs is a king like that. The men of this earth will fear the Lord Jesus Christ and he will bring rain on the pastures making the earth fruitful. While Christ reigns the righteous will blossom and peace will descend on the whole earth for as long as the moon shines. He will rule over every nation from the Pacific to the Indian Oceans. And from the Nile to China. (The biggest concept of those days) All his enemies will bow down to the dust of the earth and the kings of Spain and of the Islands and from deepest Africa and all nations beyond will bring gifts to Christ. Christ will save the hungry when they cry to him and he will deliver those who have no-one to help them. He will dwell in his temple and he will be given all the gold of Ethiopia. Prayer will be offered to him continually and men will praise him every day. He will begin with a handful of corn and with it he will cause wheat to grow everywhere. And those of Jerusalem will flourish like the grass of the pastures. The Name of Christ will endure forever as long as the sun shines and all nations will bless him. Then David finishes saying, May the Lord God of Israel be blessed, who alone does wonderful things and may his glorious name be blessed forever and may the whole earth be filled with his glory, Amen, and Amen. This is the end of the Psalms of David.

AM July 28th 1 Cor 8

July 28^th  

7: Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8: But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. 9: But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 10: For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 11: And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12: But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 13: Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

Paul is giving teaching regarding the subject of food offered to idols. Previously he has said that there is only one God and that the idol is not a god at all. And so therefore the meat has not changed at all. Its still plain meat. However not everyone has this freedom of thinking. There are some who have a conscience about food that has been offered to idols and if they eat it they have a bad conscience and loose fellowship with God. What we eat does not actually make us any better before God or worse. The problem is that christians who feel at liberty to eat food offered to idols must not allow their liberty to become an obstacle to those whose consciences are weak. If a christian with a weak conscience sees a christian with a strong conscience sit down for a meal in a temple to idolatry will not the conscience of the weak christian be strengthened to eat and in doing so his relationship with God will be spoiled. If we sin against our brothers and hurt their weak conscience then we are sinning against Christ. So if my eating of meat offered to idols offends my brother then l would rather not eat this meat till the end of the world in case l make my brother to sin against God.

PM July 27th Psa 69

July 27^th            Psalm 69

 

A Psalm of David

A Distress call

1: Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. 2: I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. 3: I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God. 4: They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away. 5: O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee. 6: Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel. 7: Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face. 8: I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children. 9: For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me. 10: When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach. 11: I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them. 12: They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards. 13: But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation. 14: Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters. 15: Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me. 16: Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies. 17: And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily. 18: Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies. 19: Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee. 20: Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. 21: They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. 22: Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap. 23: Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake. 24: Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them. 25: Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents. 26: For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded. 27: Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness. 28: Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous. 29: But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high. 30: I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. 31: This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs. 32: The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God. 33: For the LORD heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners. 34: Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and everything that moveth therein. 35: For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession. 36: The seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell therein.

To the chief musician

 

Psalm 70

 

A Psalm of David to bring to rememerance

A Prayer for deliverance

1: Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O LORD. 2: Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt. 3: Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha. 4: Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified. 5: But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.

Today we are reading two more Psalms of David No. 69 & 70. In Psalm 69 we have a song of David that was sung in tears. It was wrung from his heart. David says, save me O God because I am drowning. I am sinking in the quick sand where there is no solid place for the sole of my feet. I am like a man overwhelmed by a Tsunami. And Lord I am tired of weeping, my throat is dry and my eyes have no more tears while I wait on you to hear me. All those who hate me are more in number than the hairs of my head. And they all want to destroy me even though I have never done anything against them. They are strong and I have even restored things that I never stole from them. Then David says, you know O Lord the times when I have been foolish and the sin I have committed are not hidden from your sight. So Lord I wait for you to help me. Do not deliver me just for my sake but do it for your glory. I have borne reproach for your sake and I have been shamed because I have stood up for you. I have become a stranger to my brothers. My zeal for your house has consumed me and reproach has come upon me for it. I have wept and fasted and worn sackcloth and I have become a proverb to them. I have become the object of derision to the magistrates and the drunkards sing about me. But I will carry on praying to you, so in the breadth of your mercy hear my prayer and deliver me out of the mire. Do not let me sink out of sight. Deliver me from those that hate me and lift me up out of the deep waters. Do not let the floods drown me, Do not let the grave swallow me whole. Hear me Lord because your loving kindness is always good and have mercy on me because of your tender love for me. Do not hide your face from me – your servant, because I am in trouble – come quickly. Come near to me and pay my price and save me from my enemies. David says, you know all that I have suffered for your sake. It has all broken my heart and I am depressed. I looked for someone to have pity on me but I could find none. I looked for someone to give me encouragement but found no one. David describes his experience of persecution in such graphic terms that even today our heart goes out to him. This Psalm describes not only David’s struggle but it also describes David’s greater son who was forsaken of all men, even his disciples fled in the time of his greatest need. David says they gave me gall for meat and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. When we read these words, immediately we are standing at the foot of the cross. David says may their food become a snare to them and the things that give them health may they become a trap. May they be blinded and may they have great fear come upon them. Pour out your wrath on them O Lord. He says, May their houses stand empty and may their tents never hear the sound of children, because they persecute the one that you have disciplined and they grieve the one that you have wounded. Bring sin upon them even more and may they never become the righteous. May their names be blotted out of the register of those who are alive. And may they never be numbered among the righteous.  Lord I am poor and full of sorrow – deliver me and set me on high. Then I will praise your name in song and will increase the focus of men with my thanksgivings. This will please you more that a sacrifice of an Ox. The humble will see my thanksgiving and rejoice with me. You hear the poor so that heaven and earth praise your name and the fish of the oceans. Because you will deliver Zion and you will build the cities of Judah again so your people may live there and have them as a permanent possession. The children of your servants will inherit them and those that love your name will live there. In Psalm 70 we have just a short psalm of remembrance. David brings a similar theme to the previous psalm. He says, come quickly O God and save me - come quickly O LORD. He calls on the Lord to confound and bring shame on those who seek to murder him. Let them be defeated and scattered that want to hurt me. And may those who mock me be turned away in their shame. But let all those who seek your face rejoice and be glad in you and may they always say may the Lord be increased in the eyes of men. But Lord, says David, I am poor and in great need, come quickly to help me. O God you are my only help and my only Saviour don’t delay in coming to save me.