Tag: Psalm 126:5-6
Clear and gracious speech!
Scripture reading for June 26th: Colossians 4, Psalm 126, Proverbs 2
Colossians 4:2-6 “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the Word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison–that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Paul, writing from prison in Rome, to believers, gives them words of encouragement concerning their need to stay connected in fellowship to Jesus through prayer while living in a hostile world among great darkness. He also asked them to pray for his own situation, though in a way we might not think of. He asked for open doors to preach the mystery of Christ. He asked that his speech and words would be made clear to those who would hear. He did not ask to get out of jail! He further instructed them to walk in wisdom towards the lost and to seize every opportunity to share the grace of God in Christ through gracious speech and the salt of the Gospel and the power and direction of the Holy Spirit. Joy would be a fruit of obedience and God would bring forth fruit and protect them from evil men!
Psalm 126:5-6 “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Paul’s instructions to us who follow Jesus Christ. The sowing of Your Word is done often through tears of compassion for the lost and suffering as a result of the darkness and evil of this world. Open doors for me today and give me wisdom and boldness to sow the Seed of Your Word with clarity. Thank You for the promise of a great harvest and great joy!
Proverbs 2:9-12 “Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, delivering you from the way of evil, and from men of perverted speech.”
Honoring Christ’s holiness to harvest!
Scripture reading for October 14th: 2nd Kings 24-25, 2nd Chronicles 36, Psalm 126, 1st Peter 3
1st Peter 3: 13-17 “Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you: Yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.”
Peter again returns to the theme of suffering for righteousness and the blessing that it can bring. When we suffer in honor of Christ, not reviling those causing the suffering or cursing and complaining, God is glorified and looks graciously upon us. He opens hearts and often gives those suffering an opportunity to share the reason for their hope and good attitudes. They are to be ready to do that and when that opportunity comes, use gentleness and reverence and respect. God may bring a harvest of souls from your honoring Christ, who also suffered unjustly to bring souls to glory.
Psalm 126:5-6 “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You again for encouraging Your people to honor Christ even by suffering unjustly at the hands of those who don’t know You or despise Your Word. Use us to show compassion to those despising and mocking Your Word and messengers. Help me to always be ready with an answer and to show gentleness and respect to all. May Your remedy, Jesus Christ be applied to each heart.
2nd Chronicles 36:15-16 “The Lord, the God of their fathers, sent persistently to them by His messengers, because He had compassion on His people and His dwelling place. But they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising His Words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord rose against His people, until there was no remedy.”
A workman approved!
Scripture reading for January 13th: 2nd Timothy 2
Key Scriptures: 2nd Timothy 2:8-10;14-15 “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my Gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the Word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” . . .”Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the Word of truth.”
Paul’s reminder to Timothy continues as he wrote to him from prison in Rome and would soon suffer martyrdom. He calls to his remembrance Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, son of David, Son of God. Paul had unashamedly preached Jesus Christ and was now suffering and bound by chains. But Paul reminded Timothy not to be ashamed of his imprisonment or to fear his own. The Word of God was not chained and was producing the fruit of salvation and eternal glory in those who would receive. Paul encouraged Timothy to preach clearly the Word of God to his hearers and to continually present himself to God as His workman. God’s grace would enable him to rightly preach the whole truth and not be ashamed at Christ’s appearing. He wanted Timothy to hear “Well done, faithful servant!”
Psalm 126:5-6 “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy. He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, I will endure suffering for the sake of sharing the Seed of Your Word bringing salvation and eternal glory to those lost and in darkness. Keep my mind and heart focused on You alone! May the “unchained” Word go forth from me turning many to You!
Daniel 12:3 “And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”
Honoring Christ the Lord!
Scripture reading for October 14th: 2nd Kings 24-25, 2nd Chronicles 36, Psalm 126, 1st Peter 3
Key Scriptures: 1st Peter 3:13-16 “Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your heart honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.”
Peter encouraged the church to do good works, even if it brought suffering. Suffering for righteousness was part of the package. There should be no fear of those who trouble us, because we honor Christ as Lord of all. He is holy and will protect and defend us. Our job is to be ready to make a defense when asked the reason for our hope and peace, and to make the defense with gentleness and respect. Honoring Christ as holy exalts Him and gives us a clear conscience.
Psalm 126:5-6 “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping; bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, I honor You alone as holy and will be prepared to give a defense to all who ask the reason of my hope. Help me to humbly reflect Your holiness and character as I share the gospel. I look forward to the shouts of joy in heaven because of those who are saved!
2nd Chronicles 36:15 “The Lord, the God of their fathers, sent (His Word) persistently to them by His messengers, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place.”
By Faith Alone
Scripture reading for June 25th: Romans 9, Psalm 126, Proverbs 2
Key Scriptures: Romans 9:30-33 “What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith: but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.””
Paul earnestly desired that the Jews, his own people, would be saved. But by God’s design, the only path to salvation and righteousness was by faith and not human effort and works. The Gentiles trusted in Christ and received salvation and righteousness as a gift. The Jews sought to keep the law and missed out, stumbling over the ‘stumbling stone’, Jesus Christ, Son of God. Faith is resting from our effort and works and trusting in Jesus alone.
Faith Confession: I believe in Jesus Christ, my Rock of salvation and righteousness. Lord, give me boldness to share Jesus’ message of grace to all I meet.
Psalm 126:5-6 “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”
Pass it on!
Scripture reading for October 4th: 2nd Timothy 2
Key Scriptures for over-comers: 2nd Timothy 2:1-3 “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”
Paul urged Timothy, in this last letter before his being martyred, to stand strong in the grace that is in Jesus. It is not our works, serving, or gifts that will take us through to the ultimate victory. Grace is found in resting in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. As for Timothy’s pastoral ministry, Paul encouraged Timothy to find other reliable men (and women) who would be qualified and entrusted with the gospel message of grace to in turn teach others. Successful ministry is all about multiplication of disciples who will in turn take the gospel to others and find others to take it to their circle of influence! The Church of Christ Jesus is propelled forward by multiplication!
Observations for over-comers: Mature disciples of Jesus Christ are working to raise up others who will reliably and with determination multiply and make other disciples. “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.” (Psalm 126:5-6)