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 142
1 Mas'-chil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave.
I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.
2 I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.
3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.
4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.
When no one else can help, and when no one seems to care, Jesus DOES!
David realized that his ONLY hope was the Lord. He was hiding in caves from Saul and his army (see vs 1). He felt totally "overwhelmed" by the situation.
But David knew that God knew his problems (verse 3).
There is an old song that says "He Loves Me."
He loves me, He loves me,
5 I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
6 Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.
7 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.
When life becomes very difficult; and like Job, we don't understand WHY, we can KNOW that God KNOWS and will listen!
God is our REFUGE in this troubled world. He will listen and help.
David felt as though having to run from Saul was like being in "prison." But two things he knew would happen. One, he knew that God would DELIVER him. Two, he knew that God was gracious and would treat him kindly.
The enemy of sin is very strong in this world, and we MUST have God's HELP!
Are you calling upon Him daily?
PSALM 143
1 A Psalm of David.
Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.
2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
It is wonderful to know that when we call upon God for help, He LISTENS. He will listen FAITHFULLY, and he will answer in RIGHTEOUSNESS.
No man, in his own works, can meet God on level ground. God is perfect and holy, but man is imperfect and unholy.
Therefore, we must KNOW that God will treat us with the righteousness that demands His grace and mercy.
3 For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.
4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.
5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.
The "enemy" of sin has truly knocked every person DOWN. Sinners live in "darkness" compared to God's holy LIGHT. We need God to shine a light in the darkness in order to see our way clearly. Jesus is that light!
When life is difficult, we should "THIRST" for God's presence and kindness.
7 Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
8 Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.
9 Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.
Our desire is for God to "speedily" deliver us from sin and difficulty.
There's an old story about a preacher who was having a difficult time. One of his deacons went to visit with him. He found the preacher pacing in the living room and pulling at his hair. The deacon asked, "Sir, why are you so distraught?" The preacher said, "The problem, my dear man, is that I'm in a HURRY and God is NOT!"
We should always be in a HURRY for God to deliver us out of trouble and put our feet on a solid path (verse 8).
We can KNOW that God will do that very thing if we seek after Him fully (verse 9). Even so, He may not do it on OUR timetable.
10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
11 Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.
12 And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.
If our desire is to do God's will, we also know that God is GOOD, and will lead us correctly. God "teaches" us by His Bible. And God "quickens" us by His Spirit within us. He gives us the desire and ability to cope with difficulty in this world.
It is by God's "mercy" that we are taught and quickened to live according to His will. And soon, God will "cut off" all the enemies of His servants, and we'll live with Him in glory forever!
PRAISE GOD! Please continue in Bible Study with us.
That's what Calvary said,
He loves me, He loves me, He loves me,
Written in red.