Read the Bible in a Year (01JUL19)

PSALMS MOMENT – (01JUL19) “They say, ‘The Lord does not see; the God of Jacob takes no notice’ ” (Psalm 94:7). King David, who was the apple of God’s eye, did not think that God was taking notice of him when he took another man’s wife and had him killed. He thought that he had covered his tracks well and that no one would be the wiser as to his elaborate scheme. Yet, God was watching and knew every single detail of what David had done and tried to cover up. David’s actions angered the Lord so much that He sent the prophet Nathan to expose him to his face, and allowed he and Bathsheba’s firstborn son to die. Not only that, God punished David by rendering judgment on his own household. “ This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel” ((2 Samuel 12:11-12). David’s secret sin was noticed by the Lord, and even though God forgave him, he paid a dear price and reaped tremendous consequences for his actions. Likewise, God pays attention to everything that happens in our lives rather it is in secret, or in the open for all to see.

The psalmist posed these questions in the text, “Does he who fashioned the ear not hear? Does he who formed the eye not see? Does he who disciplines nations not punish? Does he who teaches mankind lack knowledge?” (Psalm 94:9-10). The psalmist went on to answer his questions by saying that the Lord knows all of man’s plans and they are pointless. The Lord knows what is in the hearts of man because He is the One who created us. There is nothing that we can do that He does not know or see. It is sometimes easier to commit sin when we think that no one is watching. At the same time, it lets us know the integrity of our own hearts when we can still do right when we think no one is observing. President Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Knowing what’s right doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.” We all know what is right, but unless we do it, even in secret, it does not mean much as far as our integrity goes. Yet, God is paying close attention. The Bible says, “For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14). Let’s be mindful that God has a watchful eye and is never too busy to take notice of even the smallest details of our lives, for which we will one day, give an account before Him. Something to ponder….

QUESTION OF THE DAY – (01JUL19) What does it mean to “enter His rest?” The Lord had chosen the Children of Israel to be His special people to bear His NAME, and with this selection came the promise of prosperity if they would be obedient and follow Him. They had seen Him do miracles during the time they were slaves in Egypt leading up to and during the time they were in the wilderness. God’s only desire was for them to listen to His voice and not partake in the idolatry of the other nations. Unfortunately, the Children of Israel were a rebellious people and did not heed to the Lord’s commands. They murmured, complained, and behaved as their heathen neighbors did, which caused God to punish them by letting a whole generation die off before they were able to enter the Promised Land. He said, “They shall never enter my rest” (Psalm 95:11).

Entering God’s rest meant that those who obeyed and trusted in Him would receive the promises that He wanted to give to them. The generation that was with Moses did not receive the rest because of their rebellion, but the next generation that was under the leadership of Joshua received the promises of the Lord. The Bible says, “After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: ‘Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses’ ” (Joshua 1:1-3). The only ones from the previous generation that entered the Promised Land was Joshua and Caleb. Even Moses was only allowed to look at the Promised Land from a mountain because he had disobeyed the Lord as well. Entering God’s rest, the promises that He has for one’s life, involves faith and obedience. We cannot expect the blessings of God if we act in defiance to His WORD. The Prophet Isaiah wrote, “ ‘If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.’ For the mouth of the Lord has spoken” (Isaiah 1:19-20). One day, all who have humbled themselves before God and kept His commands will enter His eternal rest. This rest will have no end, but includes a white robe, crown, various rewards, and a home for all eternity. The Bible says, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12). Something to ponder….

PSALMS MOMENT – (01JUL19) “Whoever dwells in the shelter (secret place) of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1). The word shelter that is used in some Bible translations to describe God’s secret place can either operate as a noun or a verb in the English language. One of the noun definitions of the word according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines shelter as something that covers or affords protection. In this sense, we can refer to our homes as a shelter. Yet, there is a verb usage for the word as well. The Merriam-Webster defines the verb usage of the word as placing something under protection. Therefore, when the psalmist says that whoever “dwells” in the shelter (secret place) of the Most High means that they will be provided a spiritual hiding place and protection from the enemy. He may indeed raise an attack, but the Lord provides protection so that the enemy’s attacks will not defeat those who are His.

Resting in His shadow is a place of shade. Those who find rest of the shadow of the Almighty, though the trials may get hot and the soul may become weary, there is a shade of comfort that provides rest in the Lord. There is never any need to fear what takes place outside of the Lord’s covering because He has promised that we will only view those things with our spiritual eyes. The Bible says, “A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.  You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked” (Psalm 91:7-8).  Although things may be happening all around us in the natural realm, those who can discern things spiritually will not be affected by them because the Lord is our refuge, and will send His angels to guard us.

Some people have taken the psalmist’s words that we will be able to tread on the lion and cobra literally, but this is not what the Word means. The lion, who is known as the king of the jungle, sets fear in other animals as does the serpent, which slithers its way through the dirt, to capture its prey. Similarly, we know that Satan paces the earth like a roaring lion to seek those he can destroy, and that he is a vicious serpent who is still deceiving the masses as he did with Eve. Therefore, when the psalmist wrote that we will tread on them, it means that the enemy will not get the victory over us because of the Lord’s love for us. The Bible says, “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name…. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation” (Psalm 91:14,16). The Lord does indeed love us and will be our protection in the face of the enemy. We never have to fight the enemy alone because the Lord is our salvation, and in Him, we can place our complete trust. The enemy is going to do what he does best – send pain, heartache, misery, obstacles, deception, and seeds of discouragement. Nevertheless, we know where to go when we need a place of shelter, and that is in the arms of the Lord, for He will never leave us nor forsake us. Something to ponder….