25 January 2014
Genesis 41
Psalms 45
Matthew 27
"GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH"
In tomorrow's Psalm [Psalm 46] there is a remarkable saying, “there is a river whose streams make glad the city of God” [Psalm 46:4].There is only one other passage of Scripture anything like this. The final chapter of the last message of Jesus starts with the words, “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life” It then goes on to say that on either bank of the river is “the tree of life” Now this is the tree in the Garden of Eden! Adam was put out of the Garden, “lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and live forever.” [Genesis 3:22]. So the Psalmist is blessed with a wonderful distant visit, and he adds [Psalm 46:5] those who are inhabitants of this city “will not be moved”.
The Psalmist also has a vision of the future for those who are not inhabitants of the city of God”, this is not joyous at all, in fact it is terrible. We read, “The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.” [Psalm 46:6]. There is then the invitation, “Come” it seems to be said to the inhabitants of the city of God. What do they see? “Behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth.”
The Psalmist has a vision of God’s judgements on the earth “when he makes wars cease to the end of the earth…” Psalm 46:9 Now note how the Psalm ends, “Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations …” [Psalm 46:10]
Finally, go back to the beginning and realize that this Psalm is a marvellous message to us here and now as to the spirit we should have in our hearts when these things are about to happen and start to happen, it is a Psalm for us.
“And God is our refuge and strength, a proven help in time of trouble, therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains tremble … “ [Psalm 46:1-3]
Surely we are among the ones God had in mind when he caused the Psalmist to pen these words. Let us believe them and be strong in faith.
-------
- DC
Thought for the Day
25 January 2014
"The peace which Christ knew was undoubtedly derived from the Father, but he made it his own. Accordingly Paul could write to the Philippians: "Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:2). This, with some variations, was the apostle’s customary salutation. It was a reminder to the believers that the Gospel has its roots in the grace of God. The experience of that grace should bring peace to the believer. Peace is a term with more than one implication. It can, for example, describe the new relationship to God unto which a man is brought as the result of the sacrifice of Christ (see Ephesians 2:13-17); it can, too, represent tranquillity of mind and serenity of outlook which are the products of true fellowship with God."
- T.J. Barling
Letter to the Philippians
Genesis 41
Psalms 45
Matthew 27
"GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH"
In tomorrow's Psalm [Psalm 46] there is a remarkable saying, “there is a river whose streams make glad the city of God” [Psalm 46:4].There is only one other passage of Scripture anything like this. The final chapter of the last message of Jesus starts with the words, “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life” It then goes on to say that on either bank of the river is “the tree of life” Now this is the tree in the Garden of Eden! Adam was put out of the Garden, “lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and live forever.” [Genesis 3:22]. So the Psalmist is blessed with a wonderful distant visit, and he adds [Psalm 46:5] those who are inhabitants of this city “will not be moved”.
The Psalmist also has a vision of the future for those who are not inhabitants of the city of God”, this is not joyous at all, in fact it is terrible. We read, “The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.” [Psalm 46:6]. There is then the invitation, “Come” it seems to be said to the inhabitants of the city of God. What do they see? “Behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth.”
The Psalmist has a vision of God’s judgements on the earth “when he makes wars cease to the end of the earth…” Psalm 46:9 Now note how the Psalm ends, “Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations …” [Psalm 46:10]
Finally, go back to the beginning and realize that this Psalm is a marvellous message to us here and now as to the spirit we should have in our hearts when these things are about to happen and start to happen, it is a Psalm for us.
“And God is our refuge and strength, a proven help in time of trouble, therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains tremble … “ [Psalm 46:1-3]
Surely we are among the ones God had in mind when he caused the Psalmist to pen these words. Let us believe them and be strong in faith.
-------
- DC
Thought for the Day
25 January 2014
"The peace which Christ knew was undoubtedly derived from the Father, but he made it his own. Accordingly Paul could write to the Philippians: "Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:2). This, with some variations, was the apostle’s customary salutation. It was a reminder to the believers that the Gospel has its roots in the grace of God. The experience of that grace should bring peace to the believer. Peace is a term with more than one implication. It can, for example, describe the new relationship to God unto which a man is brought as the result of the sacrifice of Christ (see Ephesians 2:13-17); it can, too, represent tranquillity of mind and serenity of outlook which are the products of true fellowship with God."
- T.J. Barling
Letter to the Philippians
No comments:
Post a Comment