A Spiritual Guide

07.01.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Tuesday July 1, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Psalms. Please read Chapters 31-39 in your Bible or Click Here to read. Cut & Paste to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2031-39&version=9

Today we will read and learn about David’s trust in God; the blessedness of forgiveness; the Lord hears the righteous; David’s prayer for safety; David’s confidence in God; the destruction of the wicked; the prayer of a penitent heart; and the briefness of life. Today’s message focuses on the importance of realizing that our failures do not need to be our future. Confession of our sin as an offence against God will bring restoration of His purpose for us and blessings beyond measure..

In constant danger, trouble, grief, or humiliation, David trusted God and went straight to Him in prayer. ”In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.” (Psalms 31:1-3). Praise in our worship services, at mealtime, and during daily devotions is good and right and fills our hearts with joy. But, the psalmist went beyond the expected times of worship and praise because he was continually expressing love and devotion to the Lord. 

When Nathan the prophet confronted David with his iniquity, he confessed his sin and his need for mercy and forgiveness. And the Lord forgave David, not only for his sins, but also for the iniquity of his sin. “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.” (32:1-5). Iniquity means more than rejecting God’s Word. It means perverting His Word to say something more or less than has been written in the only God-inspired Book. The inevitable result of iniquity is always misery and unhappiness. There can be no lasting peace and joy until sin is sincerely confessed and forsaken.

A sincere believer is often tempted by Satan to fear that his faith is too weak, that his desire is not upright or as earnest as it should be, or that his surrender is not complete. When we desire spiritual maturity two things are good to remember, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.” (37:23-24).

We should also consider that when we received Christ as our Savior and Lord, we were born again. It is the loving desire of God to gain first place in the hearts of all His children. He imparts His love and power to all who are willing to yield themselves to Him. As we yield to God, we become conformed to the image of His Son. We then discover great joy in loving the things that He loves.

Time given in reading, praying, planning, and doing for Christ is indispensible for spiritual growth and prepares us in humility to depend entirely upon the Lord Himself. Suspension of progress, obstacles, and setbacks remind us of our need every day to be dependent upon His great wisdom provided in His Word.

In today’s reading Jesus Christ is revealed through the prophecy that not one of His bones would be broken as recorded concerning His crucifixion (Psalm 34:20). When they came to Jesus, and saw that He was dead already, they did not break His legs. (John 19:32-36).

Both Chapters 31 and 34 are considered Messianic Psalms. Can you find Christ and the Crucifixion in them?

Today’s Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Nothing brings abiding peace more than knowing that we are saved from the penalty of sin and that we are firmly grounded in Your holy precepts. It makes us feel safe in a struggling world that continues to search for knowledge from all the wrong sources. We are sound in our outlook when we align our understanding and convictions with the teachings of Christ, His disciples and the prophets of old. We speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor from the authority of this world that changes from year to year.  Our wisdom is based upon our knowledge and understanding of You, our eternal Father, the One who changes not. In You we are saved and we are sound. Praise Your matchless, holy name. In Jesus’ name…..Amen.

Have a great and wonderful day!
God Bless,
Christina

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