Psalm 134

1 Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.
3 The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.

Key Verse:
3 The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.

Key Observation:
A psalm of worship in Jerusalem. Note that the Lord is to bless “out of Zion”.

Devotion:
McGee: “This is the final psalm in the pilgrim’s progress. We have arrived. And in this psalm the pilgrim stands in the temple and lifts his voice in praise with the multitude. This is the grand amen, a threefold amen.”

How we should stand in church and bless His holy name! I sometimes wonder if I am going to have to wait until I get to heaven to learn how to really praise the Lord. As a person, I find myself unwilling to voice the praise in my heart that is there, and that is not counting the times when I find myself slothful in church. Maybe when we all are changed, for the first time I will give voice to praise Him. If so, you might not want to be next to me as I have a very loud voice. Come to think of it, there may be quite a crescendo in those days and I won’t be the only one!

Imagine the pilgrims coming to Jerusalem, standing next to one another and exalting their God. One day this psalm will again ring true, as peoples from all over the world gather to worship Him. What a day that will be!

McGee, J. Vernon (1990-01-30). Thru the Bible 1-5 (5 Volume Set) (Kindle Locations 51439-51440). Grupo Nelson. Kindle Edition.

When We All Get to Heaven
Eliza E. Hewitt, pub.1898

1.Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
Sing His mercy and His grace;
In the mansions bright and blessed
He’ll prepare for us a place.

Refrain:
When we all get to heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!

2.While we walk the pilgrim pathway,
Clouds will overspread the sky;
But when trav’ling days are over,
Not a shadow, not a sigh.

3.Let us then be true and faithful,
Trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory
Will the toils of life repay.

4.Onward to the prize before us!
Soon His beauty we’ll behold;
Soon the pearly gates will open;
We shall tread the streets of gold.

Psalm 133

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

Key Verse:
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

Key Observation:
Jesus commanded: “Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15) I note that we stand as shining stars in the heavens when we manage to dwell together in unity.”

Memory Verse:
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

Devotion:
I lament our breaking apart the church; I see no other way that it might have been done. I deeply admire Luther and Calvin for they corrected the church and brought us back to admire and follow the Bible. What I do lament is the schisms that developed among the many different groups, and the way that they treated each other. I realize those were different times, but weren’t they also times where there was little regard for the love of God? The customs of the times were to burn all dissenters at the stake. Any student of church history knows that many devout Christians were burned, or at least threatened to be burned. For hundreds of years nonbelievers judged Christians as people who would burn each other over disagreements that sometimes were major, but often were minor, at least in the whole scheme of things. As I understand history both Luther and Calvin had to flee spots where their doctrine was not accepted. Luther was afraid of the Catholic church and what might happen to him while Calvin was afraid of the King of France, and the Catholic faith he represented. Calvin assented to burning many on the stake that he did not agree with, in one case evidently foreplanning the execution of someone he disagreed with.

But as the schisms developed, they were soon burning each other at the stake; it seems that every sect sought the Anabaptists to burn, the first sect to return us to believer’s baptism. How even Luther hated what he referred to as “the second baptism”. What a tumultuous time it was! By the time Locke came around things were somewhat better, and by the time Wesley followed more dissension was allowed. We see the dissension even today between the Episcopalians and the Methodists and Calvinists and Armenians and the Baptists and the Presbyterians. Indeed today the churches have so strayed from the Bible that often a new church seems to define a new sect, some of which seem to have little to do with the true Christian church.

What shall I say then? I can only refer you to one of the churches Paul first started in Thessalonica. Paul was only able to stay with them about a month, but what a month it was! Virtually all of the deep doctrines of God were taught, and it is a lesson today for pastors, some of who think their flocks are too immature to understand the deep things of the Bible. When Paul first visited Thessalonica they received the gospel with deep wonder and joy. Says Paul: “You became imitators of us and of the Lord, in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.”

But after Paul left false teachers crept in and people began to believe that Christ had already come. They stopped working, and some even were said to be on the housetops waiting for Jesus. Paul corrected their beliefs, letting them know of the rapture, and also teaching them of the mighty coming of Christ. He taught that the “man of lawlessness” must first be revealed, and that then, and only then, would the Lord return with His saints.

Interestingly to me is the fact that after Paul corrected their error, he urged them to “stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you”. I think the lack of the church being willing to follow this command has lead us into much error. A month ago someone said to me that 2/3 of the church believed in infant baptism and therefore it must be true. What an error that assumption is! I believe that the more traditions are added to the church the further we are away from the Word. If the Reformation should teach us anything, it should teach us that men’s habits are not to be put on a level with the Holy Scripture.

Has not the church invented such unholy things throughout the ages? The Reformation should have taught us to go back to the Bible, and challenge anything that is not scriptural. Have many words and traditions been added to the Bible? Yes, and always to the detriment of Christianity. Rather than bringing us closer to our Lord, they inevitably pull us away. Look at the people who belong to sects that are the furthest from the truth. Have they not added books to the scriptures? Do they not put more credence in the books than the Bible? I believe that men’s additions to the Scriptures is a fundamental reason we stray.

I still recall my naïveté when I first became involved with the Baptist movement. I was fortunate for a short while to be discipled by an outstanding pastor in the Conservative Baptists. I remember talking with him one afternoon just outside his office. I reflected before him that I did not know much about the creed of the Baptists, and asked if he would recommend a good book for me. He smiled and said, “Just a minute, I have the perfect book.” Going into his office He quickly pulled a small tome from his shelves, and handed it to me. The outside cover read, “The Baptist Creed”. I was excited! Opening it I found a copy of the New Testament—a lesson that profoundly taught me that my faith should rest on nothing less than the Word of God. But more importantly, it put everything else I have read since that day to be put on a threshold lots lower than where the Word of God is. Believe me when I say I have read lots of exciting stuff written by admirable saints throughout the ages. But everything I read must be measured by the only yardstick God has given us: His Holy Word. Remember the words of Paul: “Stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you.”

The Bible Stands

1. The Bible stands like a rock undaunted
'Mid the raging storms of time;
Its pages burn with the truth eternal,
And they glow with a light sublime.

2. The Bible stands like a mountain towering
Far above the works of men;
Its truth by none ever was refuted,
And destroy it they never can.

3. The Bible stands and it will forever,
When the world has passed away;
By inspiration it has been given,
All its precepts I will obey.

4. The Bible stands every test we give it,
For its Author is divine;
By grace alone I expect to live it,
And to prove and to make it mine.

Chorus:
The Bible stands though the hills may tumble,
It will firmly stand when the earth shall crumble;
I will plant my feet on its firm foundation,
For the Bible stands.

by Haldor Lillenas

I listened to Charlie Daniels tonight and thought this appropriate to add:

The Business of Love
Way back when the church was young
In the day of Pentecost
There were a few good men
Who ride the land
Preachin' Jesus to the lost
They came from different places
From different walks of life
They didn't have no demonination
They just called themselves the 'Body of Christ'

There's a lot of good people who love the Lord
Even in the world today
They want to bring the oneness in
But somehow we've lost our way
We need to reach out to our brothers
And take our Bibles off the shelf
And put our differences aside
And stop fighting amongst ourselves

We're still sittin' around here
Fussin' with each other
While the lost and dyin' world
Is going to hell
Just put your hand in my hand
We've been fighting long enough
And let's get down to God's business
The business of love

Some like their music quiet
Some like their music loud
Some people sit and listen
Some people dance around
Just look up at the rainbow
That God put in the sky
He uses all of the colors
To make the light of His love shine

We're still sittin' around here
Fussin' with each other
While the lost and dyin' world
Is going to hell
Just put your hand in my hand
We've been fighting long enough
And let's get down to God's business
The business of love

Put your hand in my hand
We've been fighting long enough
And let's get down to God's business
The business of love

Psalm 132

1 Lord, remember David, and all his afflictions:
2 How he sware unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob;
3 Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed;
4 I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids,
5 Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.
6 Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.
7 We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.
8 Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.
9 Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.
10 For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.
11 The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.
12 If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.
13 For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.
14 This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.
15 I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
17 There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.
18 His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.

Key Verse:
14 This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.

Key Observation:
Jerusalem is to be His rest for ever and therein He will dwell.

Memory Verse:
13 For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.

Devotion:
This is a millennial psalm. Notice that it says “I will make the horn of David to bud.” This is a clear reference to the Anointed One. Many scholars feel that this psalm was penned by Solomon, as part of honoring his father. David planned the temple and gathered many of the materials for its building. It would be fitting for Solomon to comment on the immense planning that his father put into the temple.

“His enemies will I clothe with shame.” Jesus spoke of the end of those who oppose the plan of God frequently. I know it is not fashionable to speak of hell and judgment to those who refuse the grace of God, but Jesus did. “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” (John 5) And again: “The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil.” (John 7) And again: “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” And again: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” (John 3)

There are many Christians who mistakenly try to “soften” the gospel, but it works against them every time. John 10 makes it known that there is only one way of salvation: “I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.” And again: “The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.”

Do not make the mistake of thinking that God is negligent concerning the judgment of evil, for the day of judgment will come, and in that day even the stones will cry out against those who would oppose God. A reading of what happens to the wicked is available in Psalm 2, and one day that judgment, long foretold will happen.

So the followers of Jesus, interested in one who works miracles, came to Jesus and said, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” “Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.’” (John 6) There is no other way of salvation; you cannot possibly, even on your best days, produce works that will grant you salvation. We are all under condemnation, sold out to sin, and utterly unable to do anything to redeem ourselves. Except one thing: “Believe in the one he has sent.”

Nothing But the Blood

1. What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

2. For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

3. Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

4. This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Chorus:
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Lyrics: Robert Wadsworth Lowry

Psalm 131

1 Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.
2 Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.
3 Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever.

Key Verse:
3 Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever.

Key Observation:
Matthew Henry: “It is probable enough that (as most interpreters suggest) David made this protestation in answer to the calumnies of Saul and his courtiers, who represented David as an ambitious aspiring man, who, under pretence of a divine appointment, sought the kingdom, in the pride of his heart.”

Memory Verse:
1Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.

Devotion:
“Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.” McGee suggests quite rightly that I should go to my knees in prayer and humility before God. I have been trying to do that at least once a day for the last year, but there are many days where I let schedules crowd out the really important things.

I admire David for his attitude. I was reading in Kings this morning for my devotion, and read of one king who killed all of his brethren. David was the opposite. I watched a video this week asking people if they would kill Hitler if they had a chance. Most of the answers (from people who even knew who Hitler was) were in the affirmative. They would have killed him without hesitation. How opposite to David that was! His attitude was that God sovereignly put the king in power, and that it ought to be God who sovereignly removes him. Twice he refused to harm Saul, even when God delivered Saul to David. He was a humble man of God.

Philippians is the key scripture for humility. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. . . . Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: who, being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking on the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness, and being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on the cross!”

What a model my Lord gives me! I do find it is easier to leave my own desires at the foot of the cross when I consider what He did for me. In Ephesians He tells me that “husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies—and again—just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her, so that ought to be my love for my wife. What a challenge! As Christ loved the church, so I must love my wife. As I love and care for my own body, so I must love my wife. What a lifetime calling!

I cannot help but comment on the last verse: “3Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever.” Is not the theme of the Psalms consistent? Over and over they remind us that the Lord has not forsaken Israel, but that His plans for Israel are but delayed. “From henceforth and for ever” is a very long time. I do not understand how men can read the Bible and not believe it—I mean here those who attest to having Christ as their savior. God says it plainly—why can we not receive it plainly? He purposes, and we are but clay in His hands. Oh that I might find voice to proclaim His majesty to a lost world!

Make Me a Channel of Blessing

1. Is your life a channel of blessing?
Is the love of God flowing through you?
Are you telling the lost of the Savior?
Are you ready His service to do?

2. Is your life a channel of blessing?
Are you burdened for those that are lost?
Have you urged upon those who are straying,
The Savior Who died on the cross?

3. Is your life a channel of blessing?
Is it a daily telling for Him?
Have you spoken the Word of salvation
To those who are dying in sin?

4. We cannot be channels of blessing
If our lives are not free from known sin;
We will barriers be and a hindrance
To those we are trying to win.

Chorus:
Make me a channel of blessing today,
Make me a channel of blessing, I pray;
My life possessing, my service blessing,
Make me a channel of blessing today.

Lyrics: Harper Garcia Smyth

Psalm 130

1 Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD.
2 Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
3 If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
5 I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
6 My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.
7 Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.
8 And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

Key Verse:
3 If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

Key Observation:
A psalm that is key to understanding how God deals with us because of Christ: He forgives.

Memory Verse:
5 I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

Devotion:
At the risk of being tedious, may I point out again that this psalm is going to fit Israel remarkably during the tribulation. “Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD.” Israel will be shocked to find that the one they had rejected not only accepts them, but is willing to extend full grace and pardon to them. “My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning.” Will there be any other time in history when they have looked to God for an impossible deliverance? “Let Israel hope in the LORD, for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.” He will redeem Israel—not withstanding all the “wise men” that act as if God is never returning. Some still insist, even after the bloodiest century on record, that man is going to create heaven on earth, and that somehow our “goodness” will grant us fellowship with God.

But the only thing that fallen man does well is create chaos. That is what we see around us. Even in a well-meaning society we make rules that have unintended consequences, some of which may be worse than before we made the rules. Tozer laments: “and our hard hearts say, "I want my money, I want that girl, I want that fame, I want that job, I want that pleasure. I want, I want." Always "I want." That the Son of God stands outside of this is the tragedy of humanity.” That is a great picture of us. What we want might change from person to person, but the problem is that we think it is all about us.

In the grand scheme of things we are relatively small. The creatures that we know God has created such as angels and the four living creatures of Revelation. If I understand my Bible correctly, we confound the angels, not because of our wonder, but that God invests in us so much. Who is man that God is mindful of him? Yet, God in all his Glory was pleased to make of us such importance that He was willing to incarnate and die for us. All of heaven marvels at the mercy He has shown us.

Who am I that God should be mindful of me? I do not pretend to understand it, and it does make me marvel. I can see myself at times through the eyes of God, and I am so dismayed by my own carnality. On my best days my righteousness is as filthy rags in His sight. Yet I accept, and know that He loves me. For the price He paid for my redemption could have no greater value—He paid for me with Himself. My wants matter little, and as I grow older I find myself longing more than anything, just to see His face. “We shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is.” What a wonder awaits me!

A.W. Tozer. And He Dwelt Among Us: Teachings from the Gospel of John (p. 75). Kindle Edition.

Jesus Paid It All

1. I hear the Savior say,
'Thy strength indeed is small,
Child of weakness watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.'

2. Lord, now indeed I find
Thy pow'r and Thine alone,
Can change the leper's spots
And melt the heart of stone.

3. For nothing good have I
Whereby Thy grace to claim;
I'll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calv'ry's Lamb.

4. And when, before the throne,
I stand in Him complete,
'Jesus died my soul to save,'
My lips shall still repeat.

Chorus:
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

Lyrics: Elvina Mable Hall

Psalm 129

1 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:
2 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.
3 The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows.
4 The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.
5 Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion.
6 Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up:
7 Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.
8 Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the LORD be upon you: we bless you in the name of the LORD.

Key Verse:
2 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.

Key Observation:
McGee: “On a certain occasion Martin Luther was asked what were the best psalms. He answered by saying “Psalmi Paulini,” the Pauline psalms. When they wanted to know what the Pauline psalms were, he replied, “The thirty-second, the fifty-first, the one hundred and thirtieth, and the one hundred and forty-third.” He explained that these psalms teach us that the forgiveness of sins is vouchsafed to all who believe without having any works of the law to offer. Therefore, they are Pauline psalms.”

McGee, J. Vernon (1990-01-30). Thru the Bible 1-5 (5 Volume Set) (Kindle Locations 51333-51336). Grupo Nelson. Kindle Edition.

Memory Verse:
5 Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion.

Devotion:
“The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows.” Has not the world long had its way with Israel? I know that Israel was responsible for much waywardness, and did not follow the Lord wholeheartedly. I know that Christ offered himself to the nation before He became our sacrifice, before we were invited to the feast which they had spurned. But before getting self-righteous about the Jews rejection of Christ, can we honestly say the Gentiles have done any better?

Tozer says: “The Old Testament Jews wanted to do what they wanted to do, and they rejected Jesus because they knew they could not do what they wanted to do if they received Him.” Are we any better? Most of the Gentile world is as without Christ and without hope as they were when our Lord died.

We serve a great God, a God who foreknows and predestines. Did He know of the Jews’ rejection? Did He know of the Gentiles’ rejection? Of course He did. Does not the scripture ask: “When the Son of Man returns, will he find faith on the earth?” Any Christian student of history will readily confess that Christians have not fulfilled their part—that we are called upon to proclaim, and yet we have not even whispered, that we are called upon to testify before kings, and yet we have not even told our own families, that we are called upon to live holy lives, and yet we are often found “rooting around in the world’s pigpen”, as dirty as any others and indistinguishable from the worst examples.

He has known all of this from before time began. He knew and planned my eternal destiny before creation, before the clock started ticking. He knew my wayward heart. And still He chose me! That is wonderful grace, and if you ever get a handle of just how much God loves you, it will propel you to walk in the Spirit.

So, He always knew Israel would be sinful. He always knew they would reject the Son. He always knew—but still He elects. He who elected Israel is the same as He was yesterday. He does not need to tinker or adjust His plan, for everything is exactly as foreseen. So when He says: “4 The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.”, He means exactly what He says. The day of judgment is nearly at hand, but the time of mercy is yet a moment longer. What of the great Israelites of old? They believed God and it was reckoned unto them for righteousness. By faith, and only by faith is it possible to please God. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him. (Heb. 11) A favorite hymn of mine is Faith of Our Fathers. Wouldn’t it be grand if we started living the kind of faith in that song?

A.W. Tozer. And He Dwelt Among Us: Teachings from the Gospel of John (p. 71). Kindle Edition.

Faith of Our Fathers

1. Faith of our fathers! living still
In spite of dungeon, fire and sword,
O how our hearts beat high with joy
Whene'er we hear that glorious word!
Faith of our fathers, holy faith!
We will be true to Thee till death!

2. Faith of our fathers! we will strive
To win all nations unto Thee,
And thro' the truth that comes from God,
Mankind shall then be truly free:
Faith of our fathers, holy faith!
We will be true to Thee till death!

3. Faith of our fathers! we will love
Both friend and foe in all our strife,
And preach Thee, too, as love knows how,
By kindly words and virtuous life:
Faith of our fathers, holy faith!
We will be true to Thee till death.

Lyrics: Frederick William Faber

Psalm 128

1 Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.
2 For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
4 Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.
5 The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
6 Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel.

Key Verse:
2 For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.

Key Observation:
Matthew Henry: “This, as the former, is a psalm for families.”

Memory Verse:
1 Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.

Devotion:
McGee: “An interesting statement has been made in reference to this psalm, and I would like to pass it on to you. It says, “Before the fall, paradise was man’s home. After the fall, the home was man’s paradise.” Home can be either paradise or the exact opposite of it.”

Luther referred to this psalm as a marriage song. It is meant to be a blessing for what I see as the very basic unit of society: the family. I find it very interesting that when men drive society to change through radical philosophies such as Communism or Nazism, they frequently will attack and try to divide the basic family unit. In our own society, I find it appalling that there are so many of the basic definitions of the family under attack. Today marriage is under attack for even its basic definition. Are we paying a price for not honoring marriage and the family more highly? Say what you will about “The Leave it to Beaver” generation, but at least the family unit was honored. A few decades of television later and we were all watching “The Partridge Family”, where families were blended from his, hers, and ours. We pretended that it made no difference, but I cannot help but wonder.

We soon began growing a society where more and more children were growing up declaring that marriage made no difference. That was the generation of "Beavis and Butthead". Was that another consequence for our behavior? Young people were merely acting on their own observations, and those observations included poor examples of marriage and faithfulness and parenting in their own lives. How could we expect them to conclude otherwise? Marriage is dishonored by young men and women more than it ever has before, and frequently Christians are afraid to speak to the topic for fear of appearing intolerant and bigoted.

I watch the falling apart of our society and I do wonder if our current economic crisis is not a warning to us. There are basics of society that we should never compromise or forsake, and the family unit is one of them. Our society is being pulled apart rapidly, and I see sides forming that are radically different in philosophies. Contrast the Tea Party with the Occupiers. Is it not a contrast between old values and new? The new horrifies me!

But perhaps that is because I am looking forward to celebrating my 39th anniversary. Interestingly, I raised my daughters to have some of those “old” values and they each found men who shared those values. Our morals are still there, but they are being sublimated to a more dominant culture—one that declares those morals to be dead. Yet students of history will tell you that tearing out the basic moral structures leads to the decadence and destruction of society itself. Until we can be in heaven (paradise, as McGee told us in the top of the page), at least we should go back to the model of making our home paradise.

How shall we then live? My prayer is for revival, a great awakening to come yet again across America, beginning right in my city, with me telling others about my Lord. I do think that the solid basis of family values lie inherently in our faith. It is the way that God has made us. Will you not join me in prayer?

Here is a quote I found tonight from A.W. Tozer: “I have suggested that if things keep on going from bad to worse in evangelical circles, the time will come pretty soon when we'll print John 3:16 at the bottom of a beer mug so that when a fellow drains it and looks at the bottom he will see salvation shining out at him. And halfway houses will have text that the girls give out with their favors. Some things you cannot do and be a Christian, and you might as well settle that now.”

I would just end by noting we are never adjured to compromise with sin; we are adjured to love the sinner. So let us behave righteously, but love divinely.

A.W. Tozer. And He Dwelt Among Us: Teachings from the Gospel of John (Kindle Locations 594-597). Kindle Edition.

McGee, J. Vernon (1990-01-30). Thru the Bible 1-5 (5 Volume Set) (Kindle Locations 51316-51317). Grupo Nelson. Kindle Edition.

Revive Us Again

1. We praise Thee, O God, for the Son of Thy love,
For Jesus Who died and is now gone above.

2. We praise Thee, O God, for Thy Spirit of light,
Who hath shown us our Savior and scattered our night.

3. All glory and praise to the Lamb that was slain,
Who hath borne all our sins and hath cleansed ev'ry stain.

4. Revive us again fill each heart with Thy love;
May each soul be rekindled with fire from above.

Chorus:
Hallelujah, Thine the glory!
Hallelujah! Amen!
Hallelujah, Thine the glory!
Revive us again.

Lyrics: William Paton Mackay

Psalm 127

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
2 In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to[a] those he loves.
3 Children are a heritage from the LORD,
offspring a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are children born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their opponents in court.

Key Verse:
1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.

Key Observation:
McGee: “This psalm has been used on several important occasions. It was used at the inauguration of President Eisenhower. Two Bibles were used. One of them was George Washington’s Bible, and it was opened at Psalm 127.”

McGee, J. Vernon (1990-01-30). Thru the Bible 1-5 (5 Volume Set) (Kindle Locations 51271-51272). Grupo Nelson. Kindle Edition.

Memory Verse:
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are children born in one’s youth.

Devotion:
How we Christians strive to see the Lord in everything we want to build; how utterly we fail, sometimes when we least expect to. My church is looking to purchase an expensive building—one that might challenge our resources to the limit. The whole purpose of our prayer and looking to God is to find out whether He is blessing the endeavor or not. We want to reach for more—but the challenge is to stay centered in the will of God as we do so. Here the promise, quite applicable to we Christians today, is that unless the Lord builds the house, we will labor in vain.

Lift up your eyes upon the fields for they are white already to harvest. So says the Lord to his disciples. We need to pray Elisha’s prayer,(2 Kings 6, "And Elisha prayed, "Oh Lord, open his eyes that he may see.") that the Lord might let us view the scene as He views it—not as we would have it—but as He wants us to see it. That takes vision from the Lord, and not our vision of what could be. It is not an easy task to find the will of God, and yet it is the easiest thing in the world. I believe that this saying is true, as contradictory as it might seem.

I think the quandary comes when we come to God with our expectations. Sometimes I have labored long in prayer, articulating my vision in detail to God, only to find disappointment as my vision does not come to fruition. Sometimes, as I have watched and prayed, it becomes evident to me that God had a better plan than I ever envisioned, and that, indeed, I should have trusted and waited more upon Him. That is the hard part, telling whether the vision is of God, or merely an expression of my plan for what God should do—a dangerous place to find myself in.

But the easy part, that this is the easiest thing in the world, lies in the third person of the Trinity. Christ tells us of the job of the Holy Spirit: “He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.” Paul tells us further, “But we have the mind of Christ.” It is merely our duty to submit to the Spirit and He will give us the very mind of Christ. There is an old adage (old even to me, and that is old indeed) that says: May I be willing to be made willing to do whatever is your will O God. Our will, I think, is hard for us to subdue. Do we not spend all of our lives trying to beat it back? But the submission to the will of God is everything, for in the instant that I do that, I find peace flooding my soul, and a patience to give God the glory for whatever He should work out.

The field is white already to harvest, and my prayer is that we should reap bountifully of the harvest. I need to submit to God, and let Him work out the means—perhaps a hot revival will fall upon us from a source yet unseen. Perhaps it will come from acquiring the very building that we are praying for. But the prayer, that God should send us revival, to reap a harvest, is the prayer I should stay centered in. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee.

Peace, Perfect Peace

1. Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin?
The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.

2. Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed?
To do the will of Jesus, this is rest.

3. Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round?
On Jesus' bosom naught but calm is found.

4. Peace, perfect peace, with loved ones far away?
In Jesus' keeping we are safe, and they.

5. Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown?
Jesus we know, and He is on the throne.

6. Peace, perfect peace, death shadowing us and ours?
Jesus has vanquished death and all its powers.

7. It is enough: earth's struggles soon shall cease,
And Jesus, call us to heav'n's perfect peace.

Lyrics: Edward Henry Bickersteth

Psalm 126

A song of ascents.
1 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
3 The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
4 Restore our fortunes,LORD,
like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow with tears
will reap with songs of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them.

Key Verse:
3 The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.

Key Observation:
McGee: “The remnant of Israel that returned to their land after the Babylonian captivity does not exhaust the meaning of this psalm. It also looks forward to their national restoration when their Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, returns.”

McGee, J. Vernon (1990-01-30). Thru the Bible 1-5 (5 Volume Set) (Kindle Locations 51257-51258). Grupo Nelson. Kindle Edition.

Memory Verse:
6 Those who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them.

Devotion:
This psalm also speaks of the millennium; of course it is a lament for the captivity, and looked forward to the restoration. How much more it looks to the faithfulness of God. Notice the last verse, sometimes sung and spoken about by Christians but a promise to the Jews. “Those who go out weeping carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.”

Now the Jews of today are a peculiar people. Counting for less than 3 percent of the people of the world, they earn more than a third of the Nobel prizes. Intelligent they are, and that is one blessing they have seemed to retain from God. But when they rejected their king, they subjected themselves to blindness, a blindness that Paul tells us in Romans “will remain until the time of the Gentiles is complete”. I am told that as a group, today’s Jewish people have more atheists than any other group in the world. They remain blind until the time of the Gentiles is complete. Their hearts seem intractable, and as we look at their terribly hard history, understanding on our part becomes easy.

Nonetheless, their hearts shall be turned: “In the whole land,” declares the Lord; “two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it. This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, “They are my people,” an they will say, “The Lord is our God.” (Zechariah 13) “On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem.” (Zechariah 12) There are, of course, many scriptures which allude to this regathering of Israel.

I have a friend who, growing up in New York, has many Jewish friends. He looks at his friends, sees their hard hearts, and comments to me that he does not see them changing their beliefs. Whether my friend believes God or not, God will accomplish every bit that he has said, down to the smallest of prophecies. In that day, their hearts shall be like putty in the hands of God. He will change their hearts: “Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written; The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” (Romans 11) So we see even Paul teaches that one day soon, the Israelites will be turned yet again, and they will worship their Redeemer and their Savior.

Bringing in the Sheaves

1. Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness,
Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve;
Waiting for the harvest and the time of reaping,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

2. Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows,
Fearing neither clouds nor winter's chilling breeze;
By and by the harvest and the labor ended,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

3. Go then, ever weeping, sowing for the Master,
Tho' the loss sustained our spirit often grieves.
When our weeping's over, He will bid us welcome;
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Chorus:
Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Lyrics: Knowles Shaw

Psalm 125

A song of ascents.

1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the LORD surrounds his people
both now and forevermore.
3 The scepter of the wicked will not remain
over the land allotted to the righteous,
for then the righteous might use
their hands to do evil.
4 LORD, do good to those who are good,
to those who are upright in heart.
5 But those who turn to crooked ways
the LORD will banish with the evildoers.
Peace be on Israel.

Key Verse:
3 The scepter of the wicked will not remain
over the land allotted to the righteous,
for then the righteous might use
their hands to do evil.

Key Observation:
His people shall endure forever, with Jerusalem.

Memory Verse:
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the LORD surrounds his people
both now and forevermore.

Devotion:
In reading the psalm, which I always do before checking commentaries, I thought it was self evident that this psalm referred to the millennium. How good it was to see McGee speak on this: “This has been called a “Song of Security” and is a prediction of Israel’s national restoration.”

Notice the promise: “Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.” And again: “2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.” Forevermore is a long time. The time of the Lord’s evident abandonment are clear to the student of history, as is the miraculous regathering of Israel in time to get ready for the final act. I know of no other act in all of history that is so full of portent as the regathering of Israel. Consider well, my friend, if you are skeptical about the things of God. The Bible predicts a “time of Jacob’s trouble” and goes into many chapters of different authors, separated by thousands of years, to describe in detail what will happen during this “seventieth week of Daniel”. Israel will be surrounded on all sides by those who want to destroy her. At that time a man will be raised up, and speak words that will bring an uneasy peace to the situation, and at the same time he himself will receive undue regard. After three and a half years, Israel will be betrayed, yet shall endure great trials. At the end of those years it will be the intercession of the Lord Christ himself who will save Israel. These things are easily read, and can be interpreted most easily with help either from a basic Bible scholar, or a good conservative commentary.

Consider well the claims that God has made:
1) Christ is sent into the world to die for the world’s sins.
2) Whoever shall believe this shall be redeemed for all eternity.
3) He that believeth not shall be condemned already, because he rejects God’s only plan of redemption.
All of the above words are taken from John 3, where God has many more things to say.

Once, not so many years ago, two friends presented Christ to a young college student, telling him of these future things that must come to pass. Being a scoffer, but intrigued, the college student went home, read Revelation and Daniel and Ezekiel, and simply prayed, “God, if you are really there, caring about me, please reveal yourself to me.” He did. Gloriously! And here I am, by the grace of God, some forty years later. Why not consider believing him today? God indeed loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life, just as he has for mine.

McGee, J. Vernon (1990-01-30). Thru the Bible 1-5 (5 Volume Set) (Kindle Locations 51241-51242). Grupo Nelson. Kindle Edition.

Since Jesus Came Into My Heart

1. What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought
Since Jesus came into my heart!
I have light in my soul for which long I had sought,
Since Jesus came into my heart!

2. I have ceased from my wandering and going astray,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And my sins, which were many, are all washed away,
Since Jesus came into my heart!

3. I'm possessed of a hope that is steadfast and sure,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And no dark clouds of doubt now my pathway obscure,
Since Jesus came into my heart!

4. There's a light in the valley of death now for me,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And the gates of the City beyond I can see,
Since Jesus came into my heart!

5. I shall go there to dwell in that City, I know,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And I'm happy, so happy, as onward I go,
Since Jesus came into my heart!

Chorus:
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Floods of joy o'er my soul
Like the sea billows roll,
Since Jesus came into my heart.

Lyrics: Rufus Henry McDaniel

Psalm 124

A song of ascents. Of David.
1 If the LORD had not been on our side—
let Israel say—
2 if the LORD had not been on our side
when people attacked us,
3 they would have swallowed us alive
when their anger flared against us;
4 the flood would have engulfed us,
the torrent would have swept over us,
5 the raging waters
would have swept us away.
6 Praise be to the LORD,
who has not let us be torn by their teeth.
7 We have escaped like a bird
from the fowler’s snare;
the snare has been broken,
and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
Key Verse:
6 Praise be to the LORD,
who has not let us be torn by their teeth.

Key Observation:
McGee: “As Psalm 123 is the “eye of hope” looking to the future, so Psalm 124 is the eye of the past, reviewing the history of God’s mercy to them in the past.”

McGee, J. Vernon (1990-01-30). Thru the Bible 1-5 (5 Volume Set) (Kindle Locations 51227-51228). Grupo Nelson. Kindle Edition.

Memory Verse:
8 Our help is in the name of the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

Devotion:
I believe this psalm looks to the past, but if it makes sense, also has a future application to Israel. It is true that the Lord has supernaturally provided and secured the nation of Israel. It is also a certain fact that the Lord has scattered his people throughout the world on multiple occasions. Israel has great reason for confidence for the Lord because he is their Jehovah Jirah (provider).

But does this psalm not picture the enemies of Israel tearing Israel by the teeth? There is yet one more time that will happen—then the Lord will be the Shepherd of his people, and they will all heed the cry of their Good Shepherd. Behold, that day is almost upon us! Second Thessalonians tells us specifically: “Concerning the coming of out Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him. . . saying that the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, . . .” (chapter 2). Our Lord is coming back to Israel, but these verses make it clear that the coming is not already. The man of sin must be revealed, but not before the Lord gathers his own, as a mother hen would gather her chicks under her wings. “Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.” (1 Thess. 1)

We will be with the Lord in heaven at the time of Jacob’s trouble, at the time which this psalm may be speaking of. Remember the Lord’s words: “I go now to prepare a place for you, that where I am, there you may be also.” It is to heaven that He will take us, and so we will be saved from the wrath to come. At the end of Jacob’s trouble, a seven year period, the Lord himself will be revealed from heaven, returning with his holy ones. The holy ones are you and I, made holy by the blood sacrifice of our Lord forever. We will return with the Lord, watch while he gathers his saints together from the tribulation, and so shall we ever be with the Lord. What a day of rejoicing that will be!

1. Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
Sing His mercy and His grace;
In the mansions bright and blessed
He’ll prepare for us a place.
o Refrain:
When we all get to heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!
2. While we walk the pilgrim pathway,
Clouds will overspread the sky;
But when trav’ling days are over,
Not a shadow, not a sigh.
3. Let us then be true and faithful,
Trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory
Will the toils of life repay.
4. Onward to the prize before us!
Soon His beauty we’ll behold;
Soon the pearly gates will open;
We shall tread the streets of gold

Eliza E. Hewitt, pub.1898

Psalm 123

A song of ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to you,
to you who sit enthroned in heaven.
2 As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the LORD our God,
till he shows us his mercy.
3 Have mercy on us, LORD, have mercy on us,
for we have endured no end of contempt.
4 We have endured no end
of ridicule from the arrogant,
of contempt from the proud.

Key Verse:
3 Have mercy on us, LORD, have mercy on us,
for we have endured no end of contempt.

Key Observation:
Israel, then, as now, is being held in contempt by many peoples.

Memory Verse:
1 I lift up my eyes to you,
to you who sit enthroned in heaven.

Devotion:
I think of how little has changed over time for Israel. Israel, thousands of years ago, when the psalmest penned these words, was hated and despised in the world. Today much of the world does indeed hate Israel. I sometimes wonder if our current president is not looking at Israel with “contempt from the proud”. I am certain of one thing: Israel fears and rejects the authority of our current president more than any previously. If I read my Bible correctly, Israel is yet to go through the “time of Jacob’s trouble”, and deep disappointment with the U.S. is probably one thing which will continue.

But not for long! Each time the Lord spoke of Israel’s trouble, he told us of limits. There are limits of time. The days are numbered. The scripture even tells us that the Lord himself will shorten those days. There are limits of the judgment. God will play favorites. He will pick 144,000 out of the nation of Israel, and will protect them, every one. Thus far and no farther will be the command of the Lord, until at last Christ returns to Israel, and is recognized as the Messiah by the whole nation of Israel. Such exciting times we live in! Surely these things will shortly come to pass.

All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name

1. All hail the pow'r of Jesus name!
Let angels prostate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all.

2. Ye chosen seed of Israel's race,
Ye ransomed from the fall;
Hail Him who saves you by His grace,
And crown Him Lord of all.
Hail Him who saves you by His grace,
And crown Him Lord of all.

3. Let ev'ry kindred, ev'ry tribe,
On this terrestrial ball,
To Him all majesty ascribe,
And crown Him Lord of all.
To Him all majesty ascribe,
And crown Him Lord of all.

4. O that with yonder sacred throng
we at His feet may fall!
We'll join the everlasting song,
And crown Him Lord of all.
We'll join the everlasting song,
And crown Him Lord of all.

Lyrics: Edward Perronet

Psalm 122

A song of ascents. Of David.

1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the LORD.”
2 Our feet are standing
in your gates, Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built like a city
that is closely compacted together.
4 That is where the tribes go up—
the tribes of the LORD—
to praise the name of the LORD
according to the statute given to Israel.
5 There stand the thrones for judgment,
the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May those who love you be secure.
7 May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels.”
8 For the sake of my family and friends,
I will say, “Peace be within you.”
9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,
I will seek your prosperity.

Key Verse:
2 Our feet are standing
in your gates, Jerusalem.

Key Observation:
A psalm of degrees where this time the pilgrims are right at Jerusalem.

Memory Verse:
1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the LORD.”

Devotion:
This psalm, another psalm of degrees, pictures the Jews right at the gates of Jerusalem. McGee rightly points out that this psalm is speaking prophetically of the millennium: “This beautiful psalm is also a prophecy. It is a millennial psalm looking forward to the time when all the tribes will go up to Jerusalem and assemble themselves for worship.”

Israel, a nation, yet fighting for acceptance; beleaguered on every side, yet winning all wars; hated by the Arabs, yet loved by God. Israel, O Israel, do you not know the cry of your own God? Israel has long forgotten her God, but soon will remember. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven, and will dwell in Jerusalem, restoring his people to himself. We Christians will be right behind Christ when he returns, and “so shall we ever be with the Lord.” What a wonderful time that will be! Are your eyes watching and waiting?

We'll Understand It Better By and By

1. Trials dark on every hand, and we cannot understand
All the ways that God could lead us to that blessed promised land;
But He guides us with His eye, and we'll follow till we die,
We will understand it better by and by.

2. We are tossed and driv'n on the restless sea of time;
Somber skies and howling tempests oft succeed a bright sunshine;
In that land of perfect day, when the mists have rolled away,
We will understand it better by and by.

3. We are often destitute of the things that life demands,
Want of food and want of shelter, thirsty hills and barren lands;
We are trusting in the Lord, and according to God's Word,
We will understand it better by and by.

4. Oft our cherished plans have failed, disappointments have prevailed,
And we've wandered in the darkness, heavy-hearted and alone.
But we're trusting in the Lord, and according to His Word,
We will understand it better by and by.

5. Temptations, hidden snares often take us unawares,
And our hearts are made to bleed for a thoughtless word or deed;
And we wonder why the test when we try to do our best,
But we'll understand it better by and by.

Chorus:
By and by, when the morning comes,
When the saints of God are gathered home,
We will tell the story how we've overcome,
We will understand it better by and by.

Lyrics: Charles Albert Tindley

McGee, J. Vernon (1990-01-30). Thru the Bible 1-5 (5 Volume Set) (Kindle Locations 51197-51198). Grupo Nelson. Kindle Edition.

Psalm 121

A song of ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

Key Verse:
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;

Key Observation:
Under the watch care of God is a marvelous place to be!

Memory Verse:
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

Devotion:
McGee: “This psalm is the next “song of degrees” or song of ascents as the pilgrim travels to Jerusalem to worship. We had a glimpse into his home situation which he had left as he started on his way. Now in this psalm he can see in the distance the hills of Jerusalem.” What a poetical description of those pilgrims travelling to Jerusalem!

McGee also points out the simple elegance of the psalm for pilgrims. Notice that:
1) they were looking to all the hills surrounding Jerusalem, so they see God as their help.
2) they had to find a winding path through the mountains, so the promise: “he will not let your foot slip”.
3) they camped in the hills away from city protection, so the promise: “he will watch over your life”.
4) they walked through the hot sun, so the promise: “the Lord is your shade at your right hand.”
5) as travelers, they needed the watch care of the Lord all the time, so the promise: “he will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore”.

I notice that “watch” is a keyword for the psalm. Isn’t it comforting to know that the Lord is watching over our coming and going all the time?



McGee, J. Vernon (1990). Thru the Bible 1-5 (5 Volume Set) (Kindle Locations 51138-51140). Grupo Nelson. Kindle Edition.

God Leads Us Along

1. In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet,
God leads His dear children along;
Where the water's cool flow bathes the weary one's feet,
God leads His dear children along.

2. Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright,
God leads His dear children along;
Sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night,
God leads His dear children along.

3. Though sorrows befall us and Satan oppose,
God leads His dear children along;
Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes,
God leads His dear children along.

4. Away from the mire, and away from the clay,
God leads His dear children along;
Away up in glory, eternity's day,
God leads His dear children along.

Chorus:
Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long.

Lyrics: George A. Young

Psalm 120

1 In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.
2 Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.
3 What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?
4 Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
5 Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!
6 My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.
7 I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.

Key Verse:
2 Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.

Key Observation:
The tongue is again upheld as the devious member of the body.

Memory Verse:
1 In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.

Devotion:
McGee tells me that these psalms of degrees (Psalm 120 – Psalm 134) were chanted on the way to Jerusalem on one of the main feast days, or religious holidays. “One day it would be one of the psalms, the next day another psalm: and as they came closer and higher, as they approached Jerusalem, they continued to sing them until they came to the final psalm, 134, when they would be standing in the sanctuary of the Lord singing His praises.” They are called psalms of degrees evidently because with each one recited they were one day or one degree closer to Jerusalem.

I notice the tongue is spoken sharply against here. I remember a little ditty I learned as a child: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” Actually I think we all learn that the names are what cause the greatest pain, and historically, discrimination frequently begins with slander and then grows to more obscene things. Certainly the Jewish people have experienced both the greatest slander and discrimination throughout the ages.

Compare to James’ talking about the tongue: “The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body.” I know that for there are times in my life when I have said something awful, something that destroys rather than builds up. I would often be a Barnabus, called the son of encouragement, but instead I find my own mouth tearing down another, sometimes unintentionally as I speak before thinking, but other times deliberately, because of anger or hurt. I have found much time after these incidents to repent, both privately and personally, as I grieve over the hurt I cause. But no matter how much I desire it, once my tongue has let painful words fly out, there is no getting them back. Sometimes they do “forever” damage. Proverbs does wisely observe: “Even the fool is counted wise when he is silent.” Or my personal favorite saying: If people think me a fool, why open my mouth and remove all doubt?

But the psalm here is going further. It goes to a deliberately deceitful tongue. I think it is something that political leaders, or anyone in a position of power have to watch carefully for. There are people that tend to gather around a leader who tell them what they want to hear. I think that is normal, and happens far too often. But worse, is the person who carefully cultivates your friendship with deceitful words, and waits all the time to turn the table on you. Would it not be wonderful to be able to see to the core of such people beforehand? When God looks at me, He sees all my excuses for what they are. Which I suppose brings me back to that Charlie Daniel’s question: How could you love me?

Two Out Of Three Lyrics

I've been thinking back over my life
And some of the questions I've had
I've thought about living, I've thought about dying
And what makes me happy or sad

Well most of my questions I've kept to myself
Like, "Why in the world was I born?"
But the number one question, I'd like to ask
I'd like to ask of the Lord

Jesus how could You love me?
Oh sweet Jesus, how could You love me?
'Cause when I had a choice between good and bad
I picked bad two out of three

What makes a man start looking around
When he's already got a good wife
What makes a man pour drink from a bottle
When he knows it can cut like a knife

Tho' some are called good, some are called bad
We have all been tempted and charmed
But all of us sinners
The man in the sandals will welcome right back in his arms

Jesus how could You love me?
Oh sweet Jesus, how could You love me?
'Cause when I had a choice between good and bad
I picked bad two out of three

Jesus how could You love me?
Oh sweet Jesus, how could You love me?
'Cause when I had a choice between good and bad
I picked bad two out of three

Jesus how could You love me?
Oh sweet Jesus, how could You love me?
'Cause when I had a choice between good and bad
I picked bad two out of three

Psalm 119

Aleph
1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the LORD.
2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart—
3 they do no wrong
but follow his ways.
4 You have laid down precepts
that are to be fully obeyed.
5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast
in obeying your decrees!
6 Then I would not be put to shame
when I consider all your commands.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.
8 I will obey your decrees;
do not utterly forsake me.
ב Beth
9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, LORD;
teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
ג Gimel
17 Be good to your servant while I live,
that I may obey your word.
18 Open my eyes that I may see
wonderful things in your law.
19 I am a stranger on earth;
do not hide your commands from me.
20 My soul is consumed with longing
for your laws at all times.
21 You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed,
those who stray from your commands.
22 Remove from me their scorn and contempt,
for I keep your statutes.
23 Though rulers sit together and slander me,
your servant will meditate on your decrees.
24 Your statutes are my delight;
they are my counselors.
ד Daleth
25 I am laid low in the dust;
preserve my life according to your word.
26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
teach me your decrees.
27 Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.
28 My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
29 Keep me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me and teach me your law.
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I have set my heart on your laws.
31 I hold fast to your statutes, LORD;
do not let me be put to shame.
32 I run in the path of your commands,
for you have broadened my understanding.
ה He
33 Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees,
that I may follow it to the end.[b]
34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.[c]
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared.
39 Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good.
40 How I long for your precepts!
In your righteousness preserve my life.
ו Waw
41 May your unfailing love come to me, LORD,
your salvation, according to your promise;
42 then I can answer anyone who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
43 Never take your word of truth from my mouth,
for I have put my hope in your laws.
44 I will always obey your law,
for ever and ever.
45 I will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts.
46 I will speak of your statutes before kings
and will not be put to shame,
47 for I delight in your commands
because I love them.
48 I reach out for your commands, which I love,
that I may meditate on your decrees.
ז Zayin
49 Remember your word to your servant,
for you have given me hope.
50 My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise preserves my life.
51 The arrogant mock me unmercifully,
but I do not turn from your law.
52 I remember, LORD, your ancient laws,
and I find comfort in them.
53 Indignation grips me because of the wicked,
who have forsaken your law.
54 Your decrees are the theme of my song
wherever I lodge.
55 In the night, LORD, I remember your name,
that I may keep your law.
56 This has been my practice:
I obey your precepts.
ח Heth
57 You are my portion, LORD;
I have promised to obey your words.
58 I have sought your face with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
59 I have considered my ways
and have turned my steps to your statutes.
60 I will hasten and not delay
to obey your commands.
61 Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
I will not forget your law.
62 At midnight I rise to give you thanks
for your righteous laws.
63 I am a friend to all who fear you,
to all who follow your precepts.
64 The earth is filled with your love, LORD;
teach me your decrees.
ט Teth
65 Do good to your servant
according to your word, LORD.
66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
for I trust your commands.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I obey your word.
68 You are good, and what you do is good;
teach me your decrees.
69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,
I keep your precepts with all my heart.
70 Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,
but I delight in your law.
71 It was good for me to be afflicted
so that I might learn your decrees.
72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me
than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
י Yodh
73 Your hands made me and formed me;
give me understanding to learn your commands.
74 May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
for I have put my hope in your word.
75 I know, LORD, that your laws are righteous,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 May your unfailing love be my comfort,
according to your promise to your servant.
77 Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight.
78 May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;
but I will meditate on your precepts.
79 May those who fear you turn to me,
those who understand your statutes.
80 May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees,
that I may not be put to shame.
כ Kaph
81 My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
but I have put my hope in your word.
82 My eyes fail, looking for your promise;
I say, “When will you comfort me?”
83 Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
I do not forget your decrees.
84 How long must your servant wait?
When will you punish my persecutors?
85 The arrogant dig pits to trap me,
contrary to your law.
86 All your commands are trustworthy;
help me, for I am being persecuted without cause.
87 They almost wiped me from the earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts.
88 In your unfailing love preserve my life,
that I may obey the statutes of your mouth.
ל Lamedh
89 Your word, LORD, is eternal;
it stands firm in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
you established the earth, and it endures.
91 Your laws endure to this day,
for all things serve you.
92 If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have preserved my life.
94 Save me, for I am yours;
I have sought out your precepts.
95 The wicked are waiting to destroy me,
but I will ponder your statutes.
96 To all perfection I see a limit,
but your commands are boundless.
מ Mem
97 Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
98 Your commands are always with me
and make me wiser than my enemies.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
100 I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts.
101 I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word.
102 I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.
נ Nun
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous laws.
107 I have suffered much;
preserve my life, LORD, according to your word.
108 Accept, LORD, the willing praise of my mouth,
and teach me your laws.
109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
I will not forget your law.
110 The wicked have set a snare for me,
but I have not strayed from your precepts.
111 Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees
to the very end.[d]
ס Samekh
113 I hate double-minded people,
but I love your law.
114 You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word.
115 Away from me, you evildoers,
that I may keep the commands of my God!
116 Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live;
do not let my hopes be dashed.
117 Uphold me, and I will be delivered;
I will always have regard for your decrees.
118 You reject all who stray from your decrees,
for their delusions come to nothing.
119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;
therefore I love your statutes.
120 My flesh trembles in fear of you;
I stand in awe of your laws.
ע Ayin
121 I have done what is righteous and just;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Ensure your servant’s well-being;
do not let the arrogant oppress me.
123 My eyes fail, looking for your salvation,
looking for your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant according to your love
and teach me your decrees.
125 I am your servant; give me discernment
that I may understand your statutes.
126 It is time for you to act, LORD;
your law is being broken.
127 Because I love your commands
more than gold, more than pure gold,
128 and because I consider all your precepts right,
I hate every wrong path.
פ Pe
129 Your statutes are wonderful;
therefore I obey them.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
it gives understanding to the simple.
131 I open my mouth and pant,
longing for your commands.
132 Turn to me and have mercy on me,
as you always do to those who love your name.
133 Direct my footsteps according to your word;
let no sin rule over me.
134 Redeem me from human oppression,
that I may obey your precepts.
135 Make your face shine on your servant
and teach me your decrees.
136 Streams of tears flow from my eyes,
for your law is not obeyed.
צ Tsadhe
137 You are righteous, LORD,
and your laws are right.
138 The statutes you have laid down are righteous;
they are fully trustworthy.
139 My zeal wears me out,
for my enemies ignore your words.
140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested,
and your servant loves them.
141 Though I am lowly and despised,
I do not forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is everlasting
and your law is true.
143 Trouble and distress have come upon me,
but your commands give me delight.
144 Your statutes are always righteous;
give me understanding that I may live.
ק Qoph
145 I call with all my heart; answer me, LORD,
and I will obey your decrees.
146 I call out to you; save me
and I will keep your statutes.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I have put my hope in your word.
148 My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,
that I may meditate on your promises.
149 Hear my voice in accordance with your love;
preserve my life, LORD, according to your laws.
150 Those who devise wicked schemes are near,
but they are far from your law.
151 Yet you are near, LORD,
and all your commands are true.
152 Long ago I learned from your statutes
that you established them to last forever.
ר Resh
153 Look on my suffering and deliver me,
for I have not forgotten your law.
154 Defend my cause and redeem me;
preserve my life according to your promise.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not seek out your decrees.
156 Your compassion, LORD, is great;
preserve my life according to your laws.
157 Many are the foes who persecute me,
but I have not turned from your statutes.
158 I look on the faithless with loathing,
for they do not obey your word.
159 See how I love your precepts;
preserve my life, LORD, in accordance with your love.
160 All your words are true;
all your righteous laws are eternal.
ש Sin and Shin
161 Rulers persecute me without cause,
but my heart trembles at your word.
162 I rejoice in your promise
like one who finds great spoil.
163 I hate and detest falsehood
but I love your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you
for your righteous laws.
165 Great peace have those who love your law,
and nothing can make them stumble.
166 I wait for your salvation, LORD,
and I follow your commands.
167 I obey your statutes,
for I love them greatly.
168 I obey your precepts and your statutes,
for all my ways are known to you.
ת Taw
169 May my cry come before you, LORD;
give me understanding according to your word.
170 May my supplication come before you;
deliver me according to your promise.
171 May my lips overflow with praise,
for you teach me your decrees.
172 May my tongue sing of your word,
for all your commands are righteous.
173 May your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation, LORD,
and your law gives me delight.
175 Let me live that I may praise you,
and may your laws sustain me.
176 I have strayed like a lost sheep.
Seek your servant,
for I have not forgotten your commands.

Key Verse:
77 Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight.

Key Observation:
McGee: “It is an acrostic, but an acrostic that is a little different from any that we have seen before. Instead of having one verse that begins with each letter of the Hebrew alphabet (there are twenty-two letters in the Hebrew alphabet), there are eight verses for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet, beginning with Aleph, Beth, Gimel, and so forth, which gives us 176 verses in this psalm.”

Memory Verse:
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.

Devotion:
The shortest psalm (117) is quickly followed by the longest psalm (119). This psalm is written as an acrostic, giving praise to the Lord for his word and his law. It is a magnificent tribute to the Word. Matthew Henry says: “This is a psalm by itself, like none of the rest; it excels them all, and shines brightest in this constellation.” Again Henry comments: “It seems to me to be a collection of David’s pious and devout ejaculations, the short and sudden breathings and elevations of his soul to God, which he wrote down as they occurred, and, towards the latter end of his time, gathered out of his day-book where they lay scattered, added to them many like words, and digested them into this psalm, in which there is seldom any coherence between the verses, but, like Solomon’s proverbs, it is a chest of gold rings, not a chain of gold links.”

McGee tells of a couple of our leaders, William Wilberforce and John Ruskin, who both thought this to be the most precious part of scripture. Both men endeavored to do what we all should do: v.11, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

Thy Word Have I Hid in My Heart

1. Thy Word is a lamp to my feet,
A light to my path alway,
To guide and to save me from sin,
And show me the heav'nly way.

2. Forever, O Lord, is Thy Word
Established and fixed on high;
Thy faithfulness unto all men
Abideth forever nigh.

3. At morning, at noon, and at night
I ever will give Thee praise;
For Thou art my portion, O Lord,
And shall be through all my days!

4. Thro' Him Whom Thy Word hath foretold,
The Savior and Morning Star,
Salvation and peace have been brought
To those who have strayed afar.

Chorus:
Thy Word have I hid in my heart,
That I might not sin against Thee;
That I might not sin, that I might not sin,
Thy Word have I hid in my heart.

Lyrics: Ernest Orlando Sellers

Psalm 118

KJV
1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
3 Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
4 Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
5 I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
7 The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
10 All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.
11They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
12 They compassed me about like bees: they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
13 Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.
14 The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
16 The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.
18 The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:
20 This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.
21 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
23 This is the LORD's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.
27 God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
28 Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
29 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Key Verse:
22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

Key Observation:
McGee: “Psalm 118 is the psalm they sang together on that fatal night. The Gospels tell us, “When they had sung an hymn, they went out. . .” (Matt. 26:30).”

Memory Verse:
24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Devotion:
Is it not full of irony that the very psalm sung on Passover Night was the psalm with this line: “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”? Our Christ was facing the cross, and still able to sing this verse. What an inspiration that should be to me as I think. As the hardness of the day before me increases, the more clear and real should be the Lord’s purpose in my life. The more difficult the task, the more certain the doom, the greater I should be convinced of His purpose in my life.

And thinking of this makes me wonder about the wonderful saints who have bravely and resolutely faced martyrdom for their beliefs. I think that God was their succor in their deepest need; He was all sufficient in their deepest need. That convicts me that my easy time by comparison with theirs ought to include a lot more in resoluteness of purpose. How I ought to be determined to proclaim Him until that day! “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?”

This was the very night that the first Passover was celebrated with the Lamb of God. McGee points out that though they ate lamb customarily at the Passover, lamb is not mentioned in the Last Supper. Bread and wine are the elements that are mentioned and the Lord himself did not partake of the cup, saying that He would not take the cup with them, but that He would drink it new with us in His Father’s kingdom. McGee suggests the reason lamb was not mentioned was because the Lamb of God was with them, ready for His sacrifice.

May I point out that as well as being symbolic for the coming cross, this psalm is warning the very world about what will likely be taking place in the near future. Three times the Lord says the nations (peoples) have compassed me about. I think the me being talked about here is the nation of Israel. Three times He solemnly swears: “But in the name of the Lord, I will destroy them.” When we see something repeated three times in scripture, it is a way of the Lord emphasizing solemnly its utter sureness of happening. Watch, for it will surely unfold as He has foretold.

“The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.” Our Lord quotes this verse and it appears in all three synoptic gospels: Matt. 21:42; Mk. 12:10; and Lk. 20:17. Refusing Christ has had devastating results for Israel, but I cannot but also reflect that most of the world has rejected Christ. And, I believe, devastating results will happen for those who reject Christ. “He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the only begotten of God.” The one work which God holds all in the world responsible for is believing the gospel. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” That is your starting point, if you are wondering where to start. Take the book of John, where Jesus is so plainly exhibited to us as the Son of God, read each chapter, and ask God to help you believe. You just may find your life forever changed. I did, and He has surely changed my life, both now and forever more.

Wonderful Words of Life

1. Sing them over again to me,
Wonderful words of Life;
Let me more of their beauty see,
Wonderful words of Life;
Words of life and beauty
Teach me faith and duty;

2. Christ, the blessed One, gives to all
Wonderful words of Life;
Sinner, list to the loving call,
Wonderful words of Life;
All so freely given,
Wooing us to heaven;

3. Sweetly echo the gospel call,
Wonderful words of Life;
Offer pardon and peace to all,
Wonderful words of Life;
Jesus, only Savior,
Sanctify forever;

Chorus:
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of Life.
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of Life.

Lyrics: Philip Paul Bliss

Psalm 117

1 O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.

Devotion:
This is a millennial psalm. I would point out that all nations have never praised the Lord. At the beginning of the last century, there were many people who felt that Christianity was at last arriving, that the new century (the 1900’s) would see peace on earth, a thousand years peace. What happened? We had the most violent war-filled century man has ever seen, and for the first time, the specter of self annihilation loomed large. At the beginning of the 1900s we had many post-millennial people—people who crowed that we would have made peace on earth, and that we would prepare the world for the return of Christ. Says McGee: “That was the heyday of postmillennialism, and a premillennialist had to run for cover. They would have run anyone out of town on a rail who would have been pessimistic enough to say that a time of Great Tribulation was going to come upon the world!”

Contrast that attitude to today. Today we have groups from all over predicting destruction and some sort of cataclysmic end to the world. If you do not know that already, try googling 2012 and seeing all the “prophetic” signs that come up. There is a Saint Malachy who predicted a sudden change after the last pope, and prophesied about 82 popes before that cataclysm. We are on the 81st Pope today, a fact which has many Catholics watching to see what is going to happen. Islam predicts the return of the 13th Iman, and Ahmadinejad is one who has infamously posited this. The Mayan Calendar runs out this next year which is a fact that many zealots of a variety of persuasions are interested in. The world seems to be preparing for the idea of severe judgment.

The world is indeed, according to premillennialism—the most literal interpretation of the Bible—going to come to an awful judgment. It’s days are numbered exactly in Scripture, and we know the end. Our sovereign God will come back to earth and spend a long while ruling here on earth, ushering in a period of peace and prosperity that the world has never known. And this psalm depicts that atmosphere: “For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.”

Christ Returneth!

1. It may be at morn, when the day is awaking,
When sunlight through darkness and shadow is breaking
That Jesus will come in the fullness of glory
To receive from the world "His own."

2. It may be at midday, it may be at twilight,
It may be, perchance, that the blackness of midnight
Will burst into light in the blaze of His glory,
When Jesus receives "His own."

3. While its hosts cry Hosanna, from heaven descending,
With glorified saints and the angels attending,
With grace on His brow, like a halo of glory,
Will Jesus receive "His own."

4. Oh, joy! oh, delight! should we go without dying,
No sickness, no sadness, no dread and no crying.
Caught up through the clouds with our Lord into glory,
When Jesus receives "His own."

Chorus:
O Lord Jesus, how long, how long
Ere we shout the glad song,
Christ returneth! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Amen. Hallelujah! Amen.

Lyrics: H. L. Turner