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 contact us and request that devotion. Please send your request, along with $.50 (p&handling) for each page to:
Bruce McGee,Pastor
205 Adams
Columbia, LA 71418
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 134
1 A Song of degrees.
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.
The songs (Psalm 120-134) are "Songs of degrees," which were sung by the Israelites as they were traveling to Jerusalem for Passover or Pentecost. This, being the last song in the group, is a sort of benediction.
This song calls upon the priests serving in the temple to "bless the Lord." The are to "lift up" their hands and thank God and adore Him.
Then the song calls for God to bless the priests who serve Him. God, Who created all things, stands always ready to show how He "adores" His people.
Have you asked God for a blessing today?
PSALM 135
1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD.
2 Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God,
3 Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.
4 For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.
This song is a call for God's people to PRAISE Him: to sing songs of praise, adoration and joy.
There are two reasons given here for us to praise God.
2) God has CHOSEN us. It is God's divine authority to choose those who will remain with Him in His glorious heaven forever. They become His "peculiar treasure," which He keeps close by Himself. We should indeed PRAISE God, for He has determined to CHOOSE all those who will come to Him in repentance and surrender.
5 For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.
6 Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.
7 He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.
God is CREATOR of all things. He is the ONLY Divine Creator and Saviour. He is revealed in person as Jehovah in the Old Testament and Jesus Christ in the New Testament. ((See Isaiah 43:11 -- and compare with John 8:58))
All other "gods" are only developments of man's imagination. No other theology is perfect and without error than that theology which is revealed by God in the Bible.
When God does what "pleases" Him, He always acts in lovingkindness toward His creation.
8 Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.
9 Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.
10 Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings;
11 Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:
12 And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people.
13 Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.
14 For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.
15 The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
16 They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;
17 They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.
18 They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.
Jehovah, in the Old Testament, delivered Israel from many oppressors. He miraculously saved them when they had no other hope.
Jesus, in the New Testament, delivers us from the oppression of sin and sin's result of eternal condemnation. He is our ONLY Hope!!
All "idols" (verse 15) are only "works of man's hands." But Jesus is REAL!
To trust in an "idol" is to be spiritually deaf, blind, and mute (verses 16-18)to the revelation of Jesus Christ in the Bible.
19 Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron:
20 Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.
21 Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.
Therefore, let us "bless" the Lord. He is our Creator and Saviour, and our eternal Judge.
Let us praise and adore Him. Please continue in Bible Study with us.
1) God is "good." In Himself, God is perfectly GOOD. He is righteous and holy. And God's character is displayed as He deals with His created beings. He treats us with mercy and grace.