Tag: Psalm 79:13
Offended? or Blessed?
Scripture reading for April 20th: Matthew 11, Psalm 79, Proverbs 17
Matthew 11: 2-6 “Now when John (the Baptist) heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the One Who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by Me.”
John the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod for speaking truth to him concerning his immoral behavior. After baptizing Jesus and hearing God speak, his faith is now wavering. He sends his disciples to Jesus and asks for confirmation that Jesus is Messiah. Jesus sends back a report of miraculous deeds: “blind are healed and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and deaf hear, and even dead are resurrected and good news is preached to the poor.” Jesus last statement to John concerned offense against Jesus. Jealousy often brings offense. All glory must go to God and thankfulness for whatever part God allows us to play.
Psalm 79:13 “But we Your people, the sheep of Your pasture, will give thanks to You forever; from generation to generation we will recount Your praise.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for men of integrity like John the Baptist who fearlessly preach Your Word and live uncompromising lives of faith and holiness. Thank You for Your compassion for our weaknesses in the flesh and sometimes wavering faith. I praise You for Your amazing care and guidance in the paths of righteousness You lay out for me. May I never be offended by You but confess You daily before men.
Proverbs 17:24 “The discerning sets his face towards wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.”
Patience required!
Scripture reading for October 9th: Jeremiah 37, 21, 34, Psalm 79, James 5
Key Scriptures: James 5:7-9 “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.”
The Church of Jesus Christ needs patience! Jesus has promised His return for His Church and judgment for the wicked. The Church can be confident that He will come again but the time of this great event is left unknown to believers. No one knows the day or the hour! James uses farmers as an example of patience. They plant the crop and must wait through a whole growing season for the precious fruit to come forth. This requires early rains to get it started and late rains to fill the harvest and mature the fruit. Grumbling about the lack of rain is not faith! We must establish our hearts on God’s faithfulness and truth!
Psalm 79:13 “But we Your people, the sheep of Your pasture, will give thanks to You forever; from generation to generation will will recount Your praise.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your great patience with me and with the rebellious of this world. Help me to show Your patience to others and not grumble. I know the Judge is coming soon!
Jeremiah 21:14 “I will punish you according to the fruit of your deeds, declares the Lord; I will kindle a fire in her forest, and it shall devour all that is around her.”
Abundance through giving!
Scripture reading for August 8th: Psalm 79-82, 2nd Corinthians 9
Key Scriptures: 2nd Corinthians 9:6-8 “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
As Paul was encouraging the Corinthians to give an offering to help the needy in Jerusalem, he shared the spiritual law of sowing and reaping. When you give, it is like sowing seed. Seed that is sown has the potential of producing a harvest. If God blesses the seed, it will increase and you will reap. The more seed you sow, the greater the potential of great increase. God loves to give increase and bless those who sow in faith into His kingdom. They abound in grace and have sufficiency!
Psalm 79:13 “But we Your people, the sheep of Your pasture, will give thanks to You forever; from generation to generation we will recount Your praise.”
Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your great generosity in blessing Your people’s giving. Help me to keep a generous spirit and be a cheerful giver. Thank You for the abundant harvest. Amen.