Victory in Christ

The one hundredth Psalm calls itself a Psalm for giving thanks. If we count the many blessings and appreciate what God has done and continues to do for us, we will have the attitude that this psalm suggests.
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!
For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. (Psalms 100:1-5)
The Psalm ends by reminding us that His love for us has no end. One of my favorite verses tells us what happens if we love Him in return. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) 

Today’s reading: Psalms 89, 96, 100-101, 105, 132

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“Blessed is the man…”. The book of Psalms begins with these words. Don’t we all want to be blessed? What does it take to be that man? The first verse tells us to not walk, stand or sit with those who are living a life contrary to God’s word. A gradual progression is seen here. It begins with just walking along with a bad influence. Then slowing down and stopping to stand with them to finally sitting down and settling in with the scornful. Most change doesn’t happen drastically, but by gradual movements in one direction. You have probably heard the analogy about the frog in a pan of water. If you drop him in boiling water he will jump right out. But put him in warm water and then gradually turn up the temperature and he will stay until he is boiled to death. What keeps us going in the right direction as we live our life? Verse 2 has the answer. Delight in God’s Word and keep it in your mind day and night.

Today’s reading: Psalms 1-2, 15, 22-24, 47, 68

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David was not perfect, but he knew who was in control and who he could go to for guidance. “And David inquired of God, ‘Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?’ And the LORD said to him, ‘Go up, and I will give them into your hand.’” (1 Chronicles 14:10) Before he fought Goliath he also knew the Lord was with him. “And David said, ‘The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.’ And Saul said to David, ‘Go, and the LORD be with you!’” (1 Samuel 17:37) We are also promised that if we live a life following God’s word, we can be assured of that great helper. “So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:6)

Today’s reading: 1 Chronicles 13-16

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The 107th Psalm starts and ends talking about the Lord’s steadfast love. “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” (Psalms 107:1) “Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.” (Psalms 107:43) In between these verses the Psalmist talks about times when God took care of His people. As His people today, Christians are promised that same steadfast love and care if we are following His word. “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:26) “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

Today’s reading: Psalms 106-107

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The Psalmist knew how much better it is to be unified rather than divided. “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” (Psalm 133:1) Paul encouraged the Ephesians to keep unity by the way they acted. “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3) He continued on giving them the 7 ‘ones’ that would unify them and that will unify us today. “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6)

Today’s reading is a short one: Psalm 133

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When the Philistines found out that David was now king, they went looking to attack him. David heard of their plan and asked for advice from the most reliable source. “And David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” (2 Samuel 5:19) How great would it be to have a conversation with our Heavenly Father! Even though we are not able to hear His voice like David did, we still have the opportunity to speak to Him any time day or night and know that He will hear us and we can hear from Him by reading our Bibles. These are privileges that should not be taken for granted.

Today’s reading: 2 Samuel 5; 1 Chronicles 11-12

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We have all seen a child stretch out their arms as far as they can and say “I love you this much”. The Psalmist describes the range of God’s love. “But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children,” (Psalms 103:17) His love for us has no end or beginning, it has and will always be there for us. He shows His love for us in many ways, but one way stands above all others. “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 John 4:9-11) We are told here that since God loved us so much that we should show love to others as well. Jesus even said that would be how we can be recognized as His disciples. “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)

Today’s reading: Psalms 102-104

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Saul lacked true faith in God and that led to his demise. “So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the LORD, because he did not keep the word of the LORD, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance.” (1 Chronicles 10:13) Jeremiah tells us that if we do have true faith in God, we will be able to withstand any trial that comes our way. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

Today’s reading: 1 Chronicles 7-10

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It is hard to imagine how anyone could hate the Creator and Sustainer of this earth, but the Psalmist describes people that do. “The haters of the Lord would pretend submission to Him, But their fate would endure forever.” (Psalms 81:15) Jesus told us that someone who had that feeling towards His Father had the same feeling toward the Son. “Whoever hates me hates my Father also.” (John 15:23) He also told us why a person would hate something so good. “For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.” (John 3:20) He continued on and told us what we need to do so that we do not show hate toward our God and Savior. “But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” (John 3:21)

Today’s reading: Psalms 81, 88, 92-93

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As we read thru these genealogies we see many unique names, some that are almost impossible to pronounce. It is interesting to find out the origin of these names. In verse 15, we see the name Jehozadak. The meaning of this name is “Jehovah is righteous.” What a great truth to think of every time your name was spoken or written. Our Jehovah God is truly righteous. “For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright.” (Psalms 11:7) 

Today’s reading: 1 Chronicles 6

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