THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS

This program of daily devotions is designed to take you through the Bible in three years. It is our desire to help you gain a better general understanding of God's Word.

Please understand that in a study this brief, we will be concerned with only the major emphases and context of the Scriptures.

Each day a devotion for one or two chapters is posted, beginning with chapter one of Genesis and going through chapter twenty-two of Revelation. You are free to print each page as it appears. If you miss a day, you may go to the archive below and find it.

Bruce McGee, Pastor
205 Adams
Columbia, LA 71418

We have a great friend in Gary Godard. He has set up an archive page. To view ALL the prior devotions by Scripture, just clik

HERE

Bro. Bruce's commentaries for the books of Genesis through 2Kings are
now available in hard copy for $7.50. Just mail your request for COMMENTARY ON (BOOK NAME) to the address above.

Psalm

CHAPTER 74

1 Mas'-chil of A'-saph. 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.

During the Babylonian captivity, the temple was destroyed. The WHOLE CITY was destroyed! Men of true faith obviously felt that God had deserted them. There is no doubt that a "remnant" of true believers existed in that time, and they were astonished by the drastic turn of events.

For every true believer, there comes a time (or times) when his faith is tested by conditions which surround him.

As Squire Parsons wrote in one of his songs:
"I've been walking through this valley,
"Through this vale of tears.
"Sometimes I've even questioned,
"If my Lord is near."

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.

It's as if the psalmist cries out: "Lord, just LOOK at what's happening!! (verse 3)
Enemies have taken over! (verse 4)
They have destroyed the beautiful work of our faith (verse 7), they have defiled the churches in our land (verse 8), and we no longer hear from YOU (verse 9). How long will You allow this to go on, Lord? (verse 10) Why have you withdrawn your presence and protection (verse 11)?"

I remember when I was 12 years of age. That was the year my mother died. My sweet Aunt Elsie held me close when she told me that Mother had died. I asked through my tears, "Why did God let Mom die?" Aunt Elsie spoke words of faith which have been a source of strenth to me since that day.

She said, "God has not left you honey. He loves you, and is still with you. God has a reason for everything He does. Maybe we don't understand it today, but we'll understand it later. TRUST Him!"

Simple words of faith! But I cannot tell you how many times, as a pastor, I have held someone who just lost a loved one, and found myself repeating those very same words!

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.

God IS! He is the "King of old," the Creator and Sustainer of all that we are. He is even today "working salvation in the midst of the earth."

He provided a way for the Israelites through the Red Sea, and he'll provide a way for every true believer in times of sorrow and trial (verse 13). God has brought water from a rock (verse 14) and dried up the Jordan (verse 14).

It is God Who created day and night (verse 16), and everything in them belongs to Him. He determined the "boundaries" of the oceans and the land; and He determined the seasons (verse 17).

This same Creator, Sustainer God still reigns as "King of old" today! No matter what trial I am facing, no matter how little I sense His presence, He is STILL THERE!! And I can TRUST Him!

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.

God will remember those who trust Him. When they face the wilderness, He will make a path. When they face difficulty, He will be their Conqueror.

Even though "the dark places of the earth are full of habitations of cruelty" (verse 20), God is still in control. He will bring victory from defeat for those who truly trust Him.

Trust shows its value when put to the test. Patience is the virtue gained from testing (James 1:2-5).

When you face a difficult time in life, remember "God has not left you! TRUST Him!"

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