Tag: command
Day 4–Angel Guards!
Scripture reading for May 28: Psalm 91:11-13 “For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.”
God was revealed to the psalmist as the “Almighty”. Another description in Scripture is the “Lord of Hosts”, referring to His supreme authority over the angel armies faithful to our Lord. They willingly serve Him and minister to those who are heirs of salvation at His direction. The psalmist wrote confidently of God’s command of His angels, giving them specific instructions to guard individual believers in ‘all their ways’ as they journey through the wilderness of this world to their eternal home in the City of God.
These verses remind us of the greater invisible realm of God’s kingdom where there is a spiritual conflict taking place. Before we were saved, we were dead in trespasses and sins and walked under the control of the prince of the powers of the air, Satan. (Ephesians 2:1-2) We were under God’s wrath and judgment because our rebellious association with the fallen angels. But God’s mercy flowed when we put our trust in Jesus Christ. When we allow God to rule our lives, He commands His angels to guard His people. They are unseen, but there protecting us from harm and evil. They enable us to confront the ‘lion’ and the ‘adder’, powerful foes seeking to kill or destroy us. Instead, we trample them underfoot because God’s angel army stands guard.
As first responders, we are involved in the daily warfare with the forces of darkness that are often invisible. It is encouraging and comforting to know that God is commanding His angel army concerning our protection and empowerment. We are working for the Commander Himself and we are safe in Him. In Christ Jesus, all our enemies are under our feet! (Psalm 110:1) (Matthew 22:44)
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing power and the unseen armies of angels that watch over those who trust You. Protect all responders who are attacked by the prince of the power of the air and empower them to walk confidently. Amen.
God’s everlasting Word!
Scripture reading for June 27th: Psalm 119
My favorite person to study is God! In order to know Him, we must study His matchless Word! Jesus was the Word made flesh who lived among us. (John 1:14) His Word is Truth! (John 17:17) His Word is eternal just as He is eternal! (Psalm 119:89) (Matthew 24:35) His Word contains all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge! (Colossians 2:2-3) His Word is Spirit and life, bringing God’s life into our inner man and light to our eyes instead of darkness! (Psalm 119:105) (John 6:63) His Word keeps us from sin and purifies us! (Psalm 119:11) (John 17:17)
In all but two verses, this psalm uses one of six different terms that refer to the Word of God. The first term is the “law” of the Lord (Psalm 119:1) Laws are unchanging truths written down to know God’s will. Laws are used to judge and to decree acceptable and unacceptable behavior. The next word is “statute” (Psalm 119:2) A statute gives us instruction. “Precepts” is another term used by the psalmist. A precept is a statement of truth that is binding and permanent. (Psalm 119:4) The next word is “decree”. A decree is a statement of revealed truth about any given subject. (Psalm 119:5) Another word used is “command”. Commands are forceful statements used to declare a direction or act that is imperative. Commands possess authority to command action! God is a God with absolute authority whose “Word” is to be respected, heeded, taken into our hearts, and obeyed! (Psalm 119:9, 11) “Promise” is used in Psalm 119:38. A promise is something that is decreed to happen or be fulfilled by the giver of the promise! God’s promises are true and trustworthy!
These terms help us to understand the beautiful holiness of God and His matchless Word. In the final chapter of Scripture, an angel tells the Apostle John that his Words are trustworthy and true! (Revelation 22:6) He is further warned against adding to or taking away from the Word given to him! Anyone who tries to change God’s Word is in danger of losing their share in the tree of Life and the Holy City! (Revelation 22:18-19) Let us honor God’s Word every day by reading it, meditating on it, memorizing it, and putting it into daily practice! Honor God and claim His promises by faith!
God’s Eternal Word!
Scripture reading for June 27th: Psalm 119
My favorite person to study is God! In order to know Him, I must study His matchless Word! Jesus was the Word made flesh who lived among us. (John 1:14) His Word is truth just as He is the Truth! (John 17:17) His Word is eternal just as He is eternal, without beginning or ending! (Psalm 119:89) (Matthew 24:35) His Word contains all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge just as in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge! (Colossians 2:2-3) His Word is Spirit and Life, bringing God’s Spirit and Life into my inner man and bringing Light to my eyes instead of darkness! (Psalm 119:105) (John 6:63) His Word keeps me from sin and purifies my life, because the Word is righteous and true for all peoples of all time and into eternity! (Psalm 119:11) (John 17:17)
In all but two verses, this psalm uses one of six different terms that refer to the Word of God. These words help us to understand the nature of God’s Word and to honor and respect it and God Himself! The first term is the “law” of the Lord (Psalm 119:1) Laws are unchanging truths written down to know God’s will. Laws are used to judge and to decree acceptable and unacceptable behavior. They are written down to be learned and obeyed! The next word is “statutes” (Psalm 119:2) A statute gives us instruction. They are like laws, but with more wisdom and instruction. “Precepts” is another term used by the psalmist. A precept is a statement of truth that is binding and permanent. God’s precepts are made for obedience! (Psalm 119:4) The next word is “decree”. A decree is a statement of revealed truth about any given subject. God’s decrees are truth to be obeyed! (Psalm 119:5) The next term used is “commands”. Commands are forceful statements used to declare a direction or act that is imperative. Commands possess authority to command action! God is a God with absolute authority whose “Word” is to be respected, heeded, taken into our hearts, and obeyed! (Psalm 119:9, 11) “Promise” is another term used in Psalm 119:38. A promise is something that is decreed to happen or be fulfilled by the giver of the promise! God’s promises are true and trustworthy!
These terms help us to understand the beautiful holiness of God and His matchless Word. In the final chapter of Scripture, an angel tells the Apostle John that his Words are trustworthy and true! (Revelation 22:6) He is further warned against adding to or taking away from the Word given to him! Anyone who tries to change God’s Word is in danger of losing their share in the tree of Life and the Holy City! (Revelation 22:18-19) Let us honor God’s Word every day by reading it, meditating on it, memorizing it, and putting it into daily practice!