December 5, 2018
This is the second in our series of "Michtam" psalms. Remember that means steadfast, unmovable. In these psalms we will see how David's faith is "Michtam" in God ! This psalm can be broken into two parts. First, David pleas for protection from his enemy to God. Then, secondly, giving praise to God for what He is GOING to do. This is not arrogant praying or taking God for granite. This is a state of heart that you know God has got your back ! "Michtam" !
The setting for this psalm is when Saul was chasing David down to kill him. Saul knew that David was anointed to be king and Saul was not having any of that. This particular time Saul was after David and he hid in a cave. While in the cave Saul comes into it as David and his men are hiding in the dark ! It was in this setting that David writes this psalm. Verse four starts " My soul is among lions ; I lie among the sons of men who are set on fire." Satan is the lion and his minions are the men who are set on fire. The term "set on fire" means that their hearts are set on fire to kill David ! The first six verses of this psalm are like this where David is telling God about his fear and his position he finds himself in.
Starting in verse seven David begins to give God praise and glory for what God is about to do for David. " My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast ; I will sing and give praise. " Whenever the writers of the bible wanted to drive a point home ... one of the literary tools they would use is to repeat a key word or phrase. Remember when Jesus would say "Verily, verily I say to you ..." That meant listen to what I am about to say because this is important. Here, David is saying this is important to this whole psalm. "My heart is steadfast" is at the heart of this "Michtam" psalm. It shows that no matter the circumstance or danger David finds himself in he knows that God is with him. Now you know why God calls only one man in the bible "A man after my own heart." David ! This is a beautiful and encouraging psalm to paint us a picture of what true faith looks like in practice and gives us a goal to try to achieve in our own walk with Jesus !!
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Monday, November 26, 2018
Psalm 56
November 26, 2018
This psalm starts another set of psalms known as "Michtam" . This is a word that means steadfast, unmovable, steady. The intro to this psalm states it is "A Michtam of David when the Philistines captured him in Gath." This reference is given to give context to the psalm. The first four verses will talk of his fear and faith at the same time. The next four verses will tell of God as destroyer and deliverer. The last verses will tell of David's trust and thanksgiving in God !.
It is clear that when David was in the process of being captured he was frightened as he writes, "For there are many who fight against me, O Most High." He then goes on to say, " Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in you." We can see here that trust is not an emotion or feeling, but is a choice. David says I WILL trust in You ! Verse nine shows that David knows and trusts in God as he continues to describe the actions his enemies take against him. Yet, he says, "When I cry out to you, then my enemies will will turn back ;This I know because God is for me." This is not blind faith but a trust based in faith ! No matter the circumstances David trusts in God and his actions show it. This is one of many reasons God calls David a man after My own heart.
The ending of this psalm is best seen in verse 13 " I will render praises to You, For You have delivered my soul from death" Very interesting choice of words ! He does NOT say You saved my body from death but he says You delivered my SOUL from death ! Once again we see a spiritual message in a historical recount. Only God can save a mans soul and David acknowledges that once again. This is the whole key to this "Michtam" psalm.
This psalm starts another set of psalms known as "Michtam" . This is a word that means steadfast, unmovable, steady. The intro to this psalm states it is "A Michtam of David when the Philistines captured him in Gath." This reference is given to give context to the psalm. The first four verses will talk of his fear and faith at the same time. The next four verses will tell of God as destroyer and deliverer. The last verses will tell of David's trust and thanksgiving in God !.
It is clear that when David was in the process of being captured he was frightened as he writes, "For there are many who fight against me, O Most High." He then goes on to say, " Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in you." We can see here that trust is not an emotion or feeling, but is a choice. David says I WILL trust in You ! Verse nine shows that David knows and trusts in God as he continues to describe the actions his enemies take against him. Yet, he says, "When I cry out to you, then my enemies will will turn back ;This I know because God is for me." This is not blind faith but a trust based in faith ! No matter the circumstances David trusts in God and his actions show it. This is one of many reasons God calls David a man after My own heart.
The ending of this psalm is best seen in verse 13 " I will render praises to You, For You have delivered my soul from death" Very interesting choice of words ! He does NOT say You saved my body from death but he says You delivered my SOUL from death ! Once again we see a spiritual message in a historical recount. Only God can save a mans soul and David acknowledges that once again. This is the whole key to this "Michtam" psalm.
Sunday, November 18, 2018
Psalm 55
November 18, 2018
This is the last in our cluster of psalms the give us a picture of Anti-Christ. The setting for this psalm is probably when Absalom (David's Son) led a revolt against David. Also at this time David's trusted adviser, Ahithophel, joined the revolt ! As with the other psalms in this little cluster, it is broken into three parts : 1) Prayer of distress, 2) of justice, and of assurance in deliverance by God.
The first three verses make you think of finger nails on a chalk board ! David is begging God to hear him and do not ignore him ! David explains that his enemies are after him and he fears for his life. The begining of verse four is a key to the historical placement of this psalm. It starts out, " My heart is severely pained within me," Why else would his heart be pained other than to know his son , along with his trusted adviser, is trying to kill him ! Verse seven shows that David was not longing for a fight. Which was odd because he was a warrior. "Indeed, I would wander off, and remain in the wilderness." This only makes sense in the context that he did not want to fight and kill his son !
Verse nine is the begining of the second part of the psalm as it starts the asking for justice from God on David's enemies. "Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues." Verse 13 shows the distress David was under , " But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my acquaintance." His heart was breaking because of their betrayal. During the tribulation all will appear to be good between anti-Christ and Israel. Israel will be betrayed and the rest of the world will begin to turn against Israel because of anti-Christ ! From verse nine through fifteen David is asking for justice in detail !! "Let death seize them; let them go down alive into hell." (verse 15) .
Begining with verse 16 and through verse 23 David is now praying and thanking God for His help. This shows great faith on David's part. God has not acted yet, yet David is praying as though God has already taken care of it. This is a great example of that quaint saying,"Pray , believe, expect to receive." Verse sixteen starts out, " As for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord shall save me." For those of us that are Christian this is a lesson few ever learn. If you do learn and practice it, it can be very scary ! So much so that you will find yourself giving the person over to God and praying for mercy on them at the same time !! God's justice is always much more than we can ever imagine. So, always turn all problems over to God ( The entire problem not just part of it) and pray for mercy for all those involved. Verse 22 confirms this when it says, " Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved."
This is the last in our cluster of psalms the give us a picture of Anti-Christ. The setting for this psalm is probably when Absalom (David's Son) led a revolt against David. Also at this time David's trusted adviser, Ahithophel, joined the revolt ! As with the other psalms in this little cluster, it is broken into three parts : 1) Prayer of distress, 2) of justice, and of assurance in deliverance by God.
The first three verses make you think of finger nails on a chalk board ! David is begging God to hear him and do not ignore him ! David explains that his enemies are after him and he fears for his life. The begining of verse four is a key to the historical placement of this psalm. It starts out, " My heart is severely pained within me," Why else would his heart be pained other than to know his son , along with his trusted adviser, is trying to kill him ! Verse seven shows that David was not longing for a fight. Which was odd because he was a warrior. "Indeed, I would wander off, and remain in the wilderness." This only makes sense in the context that he did not want to fight and kill his son !
Verse nine is the begining of the second part of the psalm as it starts the asking for justice from God on David's enemies. "Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues." Verse 13 shows the distress David was under , " But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my acquaintance." His heart was breaking because of their betrayal. During the tribulation all will appear to be good between anti-Christ and Israel. Israel will be betrayed and the rest of the world will begin to turn against Israel because of anti-Christ ! From verse nine through fifteen David is asking for justice in detail !! "Let death seize them; let them go down alive into hell." (verse 15) .
Begining with verse 16 and through verse 23 David is now praying and thanking God for His help. This shows great faith on David's part. God has not acted yet, yet David is praying as though God has already taken care of it. This is a great example of that quaint saying,"Pray , believe, expect to receive." Verse sixteen starts out, " As for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord shall save me." For those of us that are Christian this is a lesson few ever learn. If you do learn and practice it, it can be very scary ! So much so that you will find yourself giving the person over to God and praying for mercy on them at the same time !! God's justice is always much more than we can ever imagine. So, always turn all problems over to God ( The entire problem not just part of it) and pray for mercy for all those involved. Verse 22 confirms this when it says, " Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved."
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Psalm 54
November 11, 2018
David, the psalmist, was betrayed by the Ziphites during the time when Saul was trying to kill him. This psalm again has 3 distinct parts. Prayer to be saved, anticipation of being saved, and thanks for being saved. Just as the Jews will be betrayed by the Anti-Christ they also will pray to be saved, anticipate being saved, and then give thanks for being saved. We do know from the historical record that God did in fact save David from his enemies ... the Ziphites.
The first verse starts " Save me, O God, by Your name ..." This is the start of Davids prayer to be saved from his enemies. When Anti-Christ turns on the Jews, they also will cry out to God to be saved!! Verse 4 starts with his anticipation of God saving him, " Behold, God is my helper ; The Lord is with those who uphold my life." As Anti-Christ starts to destroy the Jews, the Jews will know and anticipate that God will deliver them from death ! Verse 6 and 7, the final verses in this psalm, start the giving thanks to God for His salvation of David from his enemies. " I will freely sacrifice to You ; I will praise Your name, O Lord, for it is good." This is a promise to all that in the final conflict with the enemies of God, we will be saved by God and will praise Him for our salvation !
David, the psalmist, was betrayed by the Ziphites during the time when Saul was trying to kill him. This psalm again has 3 distinct parts. Prayer to be saved, anticipation of being saved, and thanks for being saved. Just as the Jews will be betrayed by the Anti-Christ they also will pray to be saved, anticipate being saved, and then give thanks for being saved. We do know from the historical record that God did in fact save David from his enemies ... the Ziphites.
The first verse starts " Save me, O God, by Your name ..." This is the start of Davids prayer to be saved from his enemies. When Anti-Christ turns on the Jews, they also will cry out to God to be saved!! Verse 4 starts with his anticipation of God saving him, " Behold, God is my helper ; The Lord is with those who uphold my life." As Anti-Christ starts to destroy the Jews, the Jews will know and anticipate that God will deliver them from death ! Verse 6 and 7, the final verses in this psalm, start the giving thanks to God for His salvation of David from his enemies. " I will freely sacrifice to You ; I will praise Your name, O Lord, for it is good." This is a promise to all that in the final conflict with the enemies of God, we will be saved by God and will praise Him for our salvation !
Saturday, November 3, 2018
Psalm 53
November 3, 2018
This is the second of four psalms in a row that will look at the Anti-Christ. This psalm is again divided into three sections. 1) a description of those (Anti-Christ) reject God and His people, 2) The danger to those (Anti-Christ) who reject God and His people, and 3) the deliverance of God's people from Anti-Christ.
The first part of verse on is a famous verse in scripture, " The fool has said in his heart "There is no God.""Right from the start we can see that the Anti-Christ says there is no God ! It goes on to say he is corrupt and has done abominable inequity ( unbelievable sin). Verse two starts by saying that God looks down from heaven to see "if there are any who understand or seek God." The answer is no ! This speaks to scripture teaching of a pre-tribulation time when Anti-Christ is in power ! "There is none who does good, No, not one."
Verse 5 talks about fear. God says that there was now fear where there was no fear before. This refers to a battle where God will deliver His people and fear will be visited upon the enemy because of what was done to His people ! This verse ends by saying, " Because God has despised them." For all the Anti-Christ will do to the people of Israel, God will take revenge upon the Anti-Christ and his followers will all experience fear for the first time !
The last verse refers to the deliverance of His people after the demise of Anti-Christ and the remnant is brought back to Israel by God ! The last line of verse 6 says, " Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad." This refers to the patriarchs of the 12 tribes of Israel rejoicing for God has saved them from destruction !
This is the second of four psalms in a row that will look at the Anti-Christ. This psalm is again divided into three sections. 1) a description of those (Anti-Christ) reject God and His people, 2) The danger to those (Anti-Christ) who reject God and His people, and 3) the deliverance of God's people from Anti-Christ.
The first part of verse on is a famous verse in scripture, " The fool has said in his heart "There is no God.""Right from the start we can see that the Anti-Christ says there is no God ! It goes on to say he is corrupt and has done abominable inequity ( unbelievable sin). Verse two starts by saying that God looks down from heaven to see "if there are any who understand or seek God." The answer is no ! This speaks to scripture teaching of a pre-tribulation time when Anti-Christ is in power ! "There is none who does good, No, not one."
Verse 5 talks about fear. God says that there was now fear where there was no fear before. This refers to a battle where God will deliver His people and fear will be visited upon the enemy because of what was done to His people ! This verse ends by saying, " Because God has despised them." For all the Anti-Christ will do to the people of Israel, God will take revenge upon the Anti-Christ and his followers will all experience fear for the first time !
The last verse refers to the deliverance of His people after the demise of Anti-Christ and the remnant is brought back to Israel by God ! The last line of verse 6 says, " Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad." This refers to the patriarchs of the 12 tribes of Israel rejoicing for God has saved them from destruction !
Saturday, October 27, 2018
Psalm 52
October 27,2018
Psalms 52 - 55 take a look at the Anti-Christ ! Psalm 52 is in three distinct sections : 1) We meet the Anti-Christ 2) We see how God will deal with him and 3) We see the reaction of the psalmist to a Holy God !
"Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man ?" verse 1. This is how we know that we have met the anti-Christ, he is referred to by the psalmist as a mighty man who boasts in evil. through the next 3 verses we see a lot of his qualities being described by David. "Your tongue devises destruction" "You love evil more than good""Lying rather than speaking righteousness" "You deceitful tongue""You love all devouring words". So, right from Gods word we start to get a picture of the Anti-Christ. He will be a lying, destructive, devouring, evil individual !
Verse 5 starts out telling us exactly how God will deal with him, " God shall likewise destroy you forever;" it goes on to say," And uproot you from the land of the living." If God takes him from the land of the living, where will He put him ? In the land of the dead ? Where is that at ? The lake of fire ! Every time I read verse 6 and 7 I always think of the ending of the Wizard of Oz. " The righteous also shall see and fear , and shall laugh at him, saying, "Here is the man who did not make God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness."" We can see this in people we know right here and now ! I like to call those people the fruit of Satan.
The last 2 verses shows the response of the psalmist once Anti-Christ is dealt with ! No, I did not forget to put in the word "the". Why ? because the spirit of Anti-Christ is alive and well in this world today ! As I said this psalm is referring to "The" Anti-Christ, but the qualities of Anti-Christ is here now and we must be careful to not be deceived ! The psalmist says " I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. I will praise You forever, because You have done it ;" Done what ? Gotten rid of evil. Praise God !
Psalms 52 - 55 take a look at the Anti-Christ ! Psalm 52 is in three distinct sections : 1) We meet the Anti-Christ 2) We see how God will deal with him and 3) We see the reaction of the psalmist to a Holy God !
"Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man ?" verse 1. This is how we know that we have met the anti-Christ, he is referred to by the psalmist as a mighty man who boasts in evil. through the next 3 verses we see a lot of his qualities being described by David. "Your tongue devises destruction" "You love evil more than good""Lying rather than speaking righteousness" "You deceitful tongue""You love all devouring words". So, right from Gods word we start to get a picture of the Anti-Christ. He will be a lying, destructive, devouring, evil individual !
Verse 5 starts out telling us exactly how God will deal with him, " God shall likewise destroy you forever;" it goes on to say," And uproot you from the land of the living." If God takes him from the land of the living, where will He put him ? In the land of the dead ? Where is that at ? The lake of fire ! Every time I read verse 6 and 7 I always think of the ending of the Wizard of Oz. " The righteous also shall see and fear , and shall laugh at him, saying, "Here is the man who did not make God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness."" We can see this in people we know right here and now ! I like to call those people the fruit of Satan.
The last 2 verses shows the response of the psalmist once Anti-Christ is dealt with ! No, I did not forget to put in the word "the". Why ? because the spirit of Anti-Christ is alive and well in this world today ! As I said this psalm is referring to "The" Anti-Christ, but the qualities of Anti-Christ is here now and we must be careful to not be deceived ! The psalmist says " I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. I will praise You forever, because You have done it ;" Done what ? Gotten rid of evil. Praise God !
Sunday, October 21, 2018
Psalm 51
October 18, 2018
The background of this psalm is that King David had gone into Bathsheba and had her husband killed. When the prophet Nathan came to David and told him of his sin, David instantly knew what he had done and this psalm is how he handled it.
The overall theme of this psalm is not only David admitting his sin and how he dealt with it, but is a surprising insight into the salvation method we learn about in the New Testament ! Remember several things here. First this was thousand years before Jesus, sins were NOT forgiven but were atoned for, salvation was not possible yet, the Holy Spirit did not come to all that were saved (because none could be saved), God did call for sacrifice of animals to atone for sin, atonement was achieved through works not by a broken and contrite heart !!!
In the 2nd verse David says, " cleanse me from my sin." How did he know to ask for that under the law ? Verse 6, " Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts". How did he know to ask that if atonement was gained through sacrifice of animals ? Verse 10, " Create in me a clean heart". Again, how did he know to ask for this ? Verse 11, " And do not take your Holy Spirit from me". If Jesus has not come yet the Holy Spirit only was used as needed, how did David know that the Holy Spirit was with him or even who the Holy Spirit was ? Verse 12, " Restore to me the joy of your salvation". Since Jesus had not come yet salvation was not a possibility... yet here we see David asking for salvation ! Verse 16, " For You do not desire burnt offerings ...". Yet that is exactly what the law says God wants and David knows it is not !
This psalm is a outward and visible sign of a spiritual truth that is not known until Jesus comes in the New Testament ! Throughout this psalm God is showing us, through David and this psalm, what He truly desires of His people when it comes to forgiveness and salvation. This beautiful psalm has two levels. The first is the reaction David has to his sin and his desire for forgiveness and salvation. The second is a spiritual guide for how to obtain forgiveness and salvation from the One who can give these things. Although not yet available because Jesus has not come yet, God is still telling His people His desire for them.
The background of this psalm is that King David had gone into Bathsheba and had her husband killed. When the prophet Nathan came to David and told him of his sin, David instantly knew what he had done and this psalm is how he handled it.
The overall theme of this psalm is not only David admitting his sin and how he dealt with it, but is a surprising insight into the salvation method we learn about in the New Testament ! Remember several things here. First this was thousand years before Jesus, sins were NOT forgiven but were atoned for, salvation was not possible yet, the Holy Spirit did not come to all that were saved (because none could be saved), God did call for sacrifice of animals to atone for sin, atonement was achieved through works not by a broken and contrite heart !!!
In the 2nd verse David says, " cleanse me from my sin." How did he know to ask for that under the law ? Verse 6, " Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts". How did he know to ask that if atonement was gained through sacrifice of animals ? Verse 10, " Create in me a clean heart". Again, how did he know to ask for this ? Verse 11, " And do not take your Holy Spirit from me". If Jesus has not come yet the Holy Spirit only was used as needed, how did David know that the Holy Spirit was with him or even who the Holy Spirit was ? Verse 12, " Restore to me the joy of your salvation". Since Jesus had not come yet salvation was not a possibility... yet here we see David asking for salvation ! Verse 16, " For You do not desire burnt offerings ...". Yet that is exactly what the law says God wants and David knows it is not !
This psalm is a outward and visible sign of a spiritual truth that is not known until Jesus comes in the New Testament ! Throughout this psalm God is showing us, through David and this psalm, what He truly desires of His people when it comes to forgiveness and salvation. This beautiful psalm has two levels. The first is the reaction David has to his sin and his desire for forgiveness and salvation. The second is a spiritual guide for how to obtain forgiveness and salvation from the One who can give these things. Although not yet available because Jesus has not come yet, God is still telling His people His desire for them.
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