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 26
1 A Psalm of David.
Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.
2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
3 For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.
This song is a testimony to the saving power of God. David calls out asking God to "judge" him. The word "judge" can be used in several different ways. It may mean pronounce sentence; it might mean vindicate; or it might mean deliver.
The word "slide" means to waver, or slip. David realizes that the saved person is in the power of God and will NOT lose his salvation. He certainly might sin, for sin is prevalent among ALL humans - even saved ones. But he shall not be LOST, because God has a secure hold on him.
If God will "examine" Christians, He will also "teach" them the way to walk in integrity. God demonstrates daily his "lovingkindness", and causes us to live by His "truth" (or Word).
4 I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.
5 I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.
6 I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:
7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
The saved person, by the power of God's indwelling Spirit, will carefully choose his associates. He will not long stay with those who are "evil doers." And he will "publish" the gospel of Jesus (verse 7) with joy out of thanksgiving to God.
8 LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.
9 Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:
10 In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.
11 But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.
12 My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.
The saved person will delight in being in the "congregation," or people of God. He will desire being in God's house on worship days.
The place in the house of God is an "even" place (verse 12). It is there we realize we are on the same level with everyone else. None is better than another.
The way of "sinners" (verses 9-10) is a way of mischievousness and bribery, trying to make one person better than another. But the saved person will live in "integrity," not preferring one person above another.
CHAPTER 27
1 A Psalm of David.
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
Sinfulness is a DARK place, and Christ brings LIGHT into the sinner's life (verse 1). Sin is our REAL enemy. It is Christ Who SAVES us from the darkness of sin.
When a person is saved, he is given the strength to realize that sin cannot have power over him any more.
The lost sinner fears death, but the saved sinner doesn't.
4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.
5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
God promises salvation from sinfulness to those who "seek" Him. He promises that eternal life in glory which will never see sin or the results of sin!
Since God has TOLD us of it, and PROMISED it to us, we DESIRE it with all our hearts. Therefore we determine to live for God in this world, and know for certain that when we leave this world we will "dwell in the house of the LORD all the days" of eternity! (verse 4)
Verse 5 speaks of "the time of trouble." That means DEATH. It is THE time of trouble for all who are upon this earth. Unless Christ comes back first, we shall ALL experience this "time of trouble."
But notice that in death, the saved person is "lifted above" those who have been his "enemy" (verse 6). Being saved is a higher way of life; both on earth and in glory. It is higher because the saved person KNOWS that God will "hide" him in the pavilion of His marvelous grace and mercy when death comes (verse 6). God will set the saved person upon the "ROCK" of salvation (Jesus Christ) for eternity!
7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
During our lifetime on earth, we sometimes FEEL like difficulty is on every side. But when we call out to God in prayer, He ALWAYS hears us.
God has told us to SEEK Him so that we might KNOW Him and be FREED from the magnetism of sin and from the fear of death (John 8:30-32). Our response should be the same as David (verse 8). We should DETERMINE in our lives to SEEK God.
God never leaves us. Even though our closest friends on earth ("father and mother" - verse 10) may leave us, God will NEVER leave us.
11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
When we SEEK God, we will STUDY His Word. The Bible is the written revelation of God. It is by studying the Bible that we LEARN about God. It is by studying the Bible that we learn how he wants us to live.
12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
When we SEEK God, and STUDY His Word, He will guide us in life so that we won't be destroyed by sin. And God will guide us so that we won't be destroyed by sinners.
If one genuinely takes a realistic look at life in this sinful world, he realizes that it is only by God's leadership and guidance we can live correctly.
Life is brief. Life is uncertain. Death is certain. Surely we would have grim outlook on living if we thought that was all there was to life.
But one can SEE the "goodness of the LORD in the land of the living" (verse 13). God has REVEALED Himself to man. God SHOWS He IS and that He CARES.
Therefore, if we will "wait on the LORD," (verse 14) He will "strengthen" our hearts and give us a much better view of life.
Before I close for today, allow me reiterate what I said yesterday about the meaning for that word "wait." The word in the Hebrew is qavah and literally means to "twist together." It is a description of one winding strands of rope together in order to make it STRONGER.
If you will "wait" (twist your life in with God) every day, then you will be STRONGER! Please continue in Bible Study with us.
"Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (2Timothy 1:6-7)
Now, there are more LOST sinners in the world than there are SAVED sinners. The saved sinners want to live godly lives, and many lost sinners become enemies. But they cannot defeat the saved sinner, because he has power from God!