Tag: Psalm 140:12-13
Those saved: Few? or many?
Scripture reading for July 14th: Luke 13, Psalm 140, Proverbs 16
Luke 13: 22-27 “He went on His way through the towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. And someone said to Him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then He will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ But He will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from, Depart from Me, all you workers of evil!'”
Because of a fear of punishment, man sometimes seeks to know the boundaries and plans of God. In this passage, a person asks Jesus about how many or few will be saved. Jesus had just told them that unless they repented that they would perish and used several illustrations of sudden deaths. These deaths had come from an accident and political persecution. Jesus answered them with careful instructions to enter God’s kingdom through the narrow door. Another time Jesus had taught that He was the ‘Door’ and still another ‘the Way’ to the Father’s house. Mere association and knowledge of Jesus would not be sufficient. They must have a personal relationship with Him and because of that, repented of evil.
Psalm 140:12-13 “I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy. Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your Name; the upright shall dwell in Your presence.”
Prayer: Father God, You Alone are just and righteous. You give the gift of righteousness to those who by faith in Jesus Christ have repented of sin and asked You for mercy. The narrow “Door” of faith in Jesus Christ is my only hope of salvation. Although narrow, You have promised it is wide enough for all who will by faith and repentance call upon Jesus for mercy. Amen! Lord have mercy on me the needy one.
Proverbs 16:11 “A just balance and scales are the Lord’s; all the weights in the bag are His work.”
Multitudes clothed in white!
Scripture reading for December 9th: Nehemiah 7-9, Psalm 140, Revelation 7
Revelation 7: 13-17 “Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple; and He Who sits on the throne will shelter them with His presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their Shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.””
In the heavenly vision given to John, he beheld a great multitude of people from every tribe of the earth standing before God’s throne. One of the elders around the throne asked John who they were. John wisely answered, “Sir, you know.” It was revealed that these were those who came out of the great tribulation of the last days. They had white robes because they had repented of sins and come to Jesus Christ for cleansing and His righteousness. They had been martyred and now stood in God’s presence cleansed and satisfied by the Good Shepherd who wiped away every tear and gave them living water! Praise His Name forever and ever!
Psalm 140:12-13 “I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy. Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your Name; the upright shall dwell in Your presence.”
Prayer: Father God, I thank You for Your mercy and for Your justice. Thank You for showing mercy in the great tribulation to those from all nations who will repent. I have given my body to you to use for Your purposes of reaching the nations and all lost with the Good News of salvation and righteousness in the kingdom of Heaven through Jesus Christ and His blood. May I worship You through obedience today.
Nehemiah 9:3 “And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day; for another quarter of it they made confession and worshiped the Lord their God.”
The multitude in White!
Scripture reading for December 9th: Nehemiah 7-9, Psalm 140, Revelation 7
Key Scriptures: Revelation 7:9-12 “After this I looked and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God Who sits on the throne and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.””
John’s attention was taken up next by a great multitude of white-clothed people from every nation and people group of earth. Their garments had been made white by the blood of the Lamb through faith. These were standing around the throne surrounding the multitudes of angels, the elders and the four living creatures. They were declaring the infinite worth of the One seated on the throne and the Lamb from Whom came salvation. The angels, elders, and living creatures prostrated themselves in agreement and worshiped the eternal God of Heaven, declaring His worth in eternal praise!
Psalm 140:12-13 “I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy. Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your Name; the upright shall dwell in Your presence.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, I declare You alone are the source of salvation and are eternally worthy of praise and honor. I look forward to dwelling in Your presence and worshiping You for all eternity with the white-robed throngs of heaven brought in from every nation!
Nehemiah 8:6 “And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads ad worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.”
Standing firm with confidence!
Scripture reading for August 31st: Psalm 140-142 and Philippians 1
Key Scriptures: Philippians 1:27-30 “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the Gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the Gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.”
Paul was in prison and not sure whether he would live or die for the Gospel. He wrote to the church at Philippi to encourage them to stand firm in their faith and not be afraid. Faith in Christ often involves suffering for His sake. There is a spiritual conflict that comes with belonging to Him, but we can have great confidence in our final outcome.
Psalm 140:12-13 “I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy. Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your Name; the upright shall dwell in Your Presence.”
Prayer: Lord, empower me today to stand firm in the conflict and suffering that comes to those who believe. Thank You for the encouragement of Your Word and past apostles and saints. Amen.