Tag: Psalm 1:5-6
Live by faith–not sight!
Scripture reading for May 24: Job 20-21
Job’s friend Zophar was offended by Job’s warning to be afraid of punishment by God as well! (Job 19:28-29) Zophar had a belief that the wicked only get by for a short time and then punishment will fall on them here in this life. He held a strong belief in what he could see, but looks can be deceiving! Job took exception with his theology and his way of comforting him!
Job stated that often the wicked seem to grow old and increase in power. (Job 21:7) He observed that they appear to be safe and have no fear or problems. They mock God and God seems to do nothing. (Job 21:14, 15) Some men die fat and happy, others die in bitterness and pain. The grave swallows them both and we don’t know why. (Job 21:23-26)
This controversy has been the subject of other writers of Scripture. Psalm 73 was written by Asaph, a gifted musician in King David’s Levitical choir. Asaph nearly lost faith when he observed the prosperity of the wicked. (Psalm 73:2) He saw that they had health and prosperity and were proud at heart. They scoffed at man and mocked heaven and nothing seemed to happen. This almost caused him to slip away from serving God. Then he entered the sanctuary of God and he understood their final end. In the end, God would judge them and send them away to everlasting destruction! (Psalm 73:16-19)
We can’t go by what we see! The righteous live by their faith! Job’s faith was tested by the taunts of Zophar. Asaph was being tested by Satan when he began to reason with what he observed in the world. We are often tempted to join the wicked in their sins and folly. But when we enter the sanctuary of God and see the truth of His holy Word, we understand that the wicked will not stand in the judgment or sinners before a holy God Who will bring every secret thing into judgment! (Psalm 1:5-6) Allow the Lord to bring you understanding today. If you are involved in sin or wickedness, repent quickly and begin a new path of faith and obedience! You’ ll never regret it!
Spreading the Aroma of Christ!
Scripture reading for July 30th: 2nd Corinthians 2, Psalm 1, Proverbs 27 (using Psalm 1 today to switch to using odd-numbered Psalms for balance of year.)
Key Scriptures: 2nd Corinthians 2:14-17 “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s Word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.”
Paul likened his life to that of a conquered prisoner being led by a conquering king. He was in a triumphal procession and where ever he was led, he and his fellow believers manifested the sweet fragrance of Christ Jesus. This fragrance brought salvation and life to those being saved, but it brought death to those rejecting the message. Paul and his companions did nothing for money or fame, but as those commissioned by God, they spoke in Christ by the Holy Spirit.
Faith Confession: I have been conquered by Christ Jesus and He leads me each day in triumphal procession, manifesting His sweet fragrance to those around me. I pray for salvation and life as people make decisions that will affect them for eternity.
Psalm 1:5-6 “Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.”