Psalms – Page 116 – I'm Following Jesus

King James Bible Study – “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” – Mark 8:34

Date: Sunday, April 26, 2020
Chapters: Psalms 73-77-78
Message: One Christian Nation

Hello My Friend,

Every morning before I begin to read the Bible I say a prayer asking God to open my eyes, ears, mind, heart, and mouth to His ways and understanding. Then I ask Him to speak through me so that those who read it do not see me, but Him. So, as I read the chapters for today, I could not help, but think about the state of our Christian nation. This pandemic did not just effect one nation, it effected the entire world, and while countries, a divided Congress, and unlearned people keep pointing fingers at who is responsible for this getting so far out of hand, they are all oblivious to the fact that God is in control. Do you think that God, one, does not judge His people, and two, does not protect His people? We need to look at all this as the Israelites (God’s people) as being in captivity to Egypt (the world), and God using this time to prove both His people and the world.

[Deuteronomy 8:1-3 All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers. 2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. 3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.]

[but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.] Do your remember who said this? Jesus did when He was tempted of the devil after He had been fasting for forty days and nights, [Matthew 4:3-4]. You see, while God has all the power to take care of our every need and keep us from suffering it is the suffering that draws us to Him. If we do not experience suffering then we all become ungrateful, selfish fools who never learn the value of life, let alone why we need God in our lives. Life is not about getting every desire of the flesh, it is about God, and the blessings He gives as we trust Him with every thing. What would we have if we do not have God. Think about it, as our leaders tell us what we are allowed to do while they sit in their homes doing whatever they like, and get paid for it, who are we going to trust? God takes care of His people, more than we realize. I understand that things seem so bleak right now, we are left to wonder how we are going to survive while the world seems to be surviving. This Psalm is perfect for how we are feeling right now.

[Psalms 73:1-5,11-17 A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. 2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. 3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. 5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. 11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? 12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. 13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. 14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. 15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. 16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; 17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.]

[even to such as are of a clean heart.] You see, God is not just gracious to His people, He gracious to all people who are trying to survive. Why? So, they too can see and find Christ. God want all people to come to know His Son. [then understood I their end.] All these leaders who are just like Egypt, enslaving the people, forcing them to comply to their demands or suffer the consequence, their end will not be pretty. Psalm 73 goes on to remind us that, even though we suffer right now, God has always taken care of us, and will forever.

[Psalms 73:21-28 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. 22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. 23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. 24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. 26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. 27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. 28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.]

[But it is good for me to draw near to God:] This is what suffering does, it draws us nearer to God. Do you know how many people have returned to God, found Christ, and saw God for the first time in years through all this? You would probably be astounded by a large number. Even if only one person got saved through it all, it will be still worth it. I am not going to lie to you, for the past four weeks since we have been on lockdown, I was struggling, greatly grieving my failures to God, and wondered if He even heard my prayers because I felt so far from Him. Then I learned something this past week, we cannot let current situations cause us to forget what God has done for us. God is always with His faithful, and we do ourselves a disservice when think otherwise.

[Psalms 77:6-14 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. 7 Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? 8 Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? 9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. 10 And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. 11 I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. 12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. 13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? 14 Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.]

[This is my infirmity:] It is our disbelief that is our infirmity. I told you what happened this past week about my tires, it was then that God showed me that He heard my prayers, it was the devil that was feeding me lies. You see, times like these are what actually tender our heart, God already knows our heart, but this is what gets us to see it for ourselves. Remember, God will prove us by our faith in Him. And if there is anything we ought to be learning about faith coming from suffering, it is how God judged Egypt before they let Israel go free.

[Psalms 78:43-54 How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan: 44 And had turned their rivers into blood; and their floods, that they could not drink. 45 He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them. 46 He gave also their increase unto the caterpiller, and their labour unto the locust. 47 He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycomore trees with frost. 48 He gave up their cattle also to the hail, and their flocks to hot thunderbolts. 49 He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them. 50 He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence; 51 And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham: 52 But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. 53 And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies. 54 And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, even to this mountain, which his right hand had purchased.]

[which his right hand had purchased.] You do know that Jesus Christ purchased your soul? Yes, you were bought with a price, and that price was His life. It is time we stop feeling sorry for ourselves, stop living in fear, and stop blaming others for our problems. We are saved, born again Christians, and if you are not, the time is right now to accept Him as Saviour, [I Corinthians 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.]

If you have not noticed, God is proving His people right now. Yes, we are saved by grace and not of works, but this is what is being used to bring Christ out in us. We learn this time and time again through God’s dealings with Israel. He will remove blessings if His people refuse to repent. [Psalms 78:65-71 Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine. 66 And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach. 67 Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim: 68 But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved. 69 And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever. 70 He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: 71 From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance. ]

[Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph,] God’s mercies only go so far, there does come a time when He will tire of the constant rewriting and manipulation of His Word, the ones who proclaim His name, but are lying. And sooner or later, God will disgrace his enemies. [He chose David also his servant,] He set a good government over His people with David, who was a type of Christ, our good Shepherd. Now, He watches over us, keeps us out of danger, and chastens us when we do walk into danger, [Hebrews 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.]

Today’s Prayer: God, You are very clear to us that salvation only comes from our believing in and receiving Your Son, and that nothing we do can renounce it. You are also very clear that as a nation of Your people, You want Your people to be living in a way that reflects Your Son so that others can come to know Him too. You also want us to trust You and be reminded that You are always with us, and what will come to the end of those who refuse to accept Your Son. Lord, Lead us, guide us, give us Your power, mercy, grace, wisdom, strength, and courage to step up and be one nation under Christ. Help us be bold and declare Your Son in a dark world, overshadowed by Satan. Put Your hedge of protection around us and keep us safe from those who will attempt to stop us, and let us not become weary in well doing. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,

Christina

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