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: Friday, April 26, 2019
Chapters: Psalms 73, 77-78
Message: You Are A Testimony
Hello My Friend,
As I was reading the Psalms for today I felt grieved for those who do not know God, in fact, I have been feeling that a lot lately. I suppose that it is the Jesus in me to grieve for lost souls, there are so many of them, and yet they are so blind and ignorant to Him. Then I was reminded that I belong to Jesus, and He belongs to me. Amen! Our love of Jesus and what He has done in our lives personally does open our hearts to have compassion on the lost, and compel them to find Him, but we must not forget that we are found, and He lives in us. “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” – I John 3:1-3.
“that we should be called the sons of God:” It is still mind boggling to the saved, born again Christian to know that we are the sons and daughters of God through our faith alone in Christ. It is not like we literally forget that we are saved, or that Jesus lives in us, but between the cares of life and the devil throwing his darts at us, we can lose sight of that, especially when we are being afflicted. And let me tell you, the longer you face affliction the harder it is to see God. There is not one faithful Christian that does not question why they struggle so much when the world and, that includes worldly Christians, seems to get everything they want. This Psalm is written just for those who are struggling in their faith.
“A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?” – Psalm 73:1-7,1.
“my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish,” There are times in life when I felt the same way, tired of living day by day my daily bread, and seeing those of the world prospering. I had everything I wanted before I dedicated my life to Christ, and now I seem to struggle every day of my life. Whenever I feel like giving up, I am reminded of just how far Jesus has taken me, and I am not nor ever was of the world. And as we read further into the Psalm we are reminded that every single day we have a choice to walk with Christ, but by the grace of God, and in His strength we choose Him over the world, and they will have their reward.
“When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.” – Psalm 73:16-118,21-26.
“thou hast holden me by my right hand.” How amazing is it that when we belong to Jesus He holds us tightly in His hand and never lets go of us? We may fuss and whine, and even make some bad decisions because we feel so bad, and just want relief, but He never leaves nor forsakes us, and He is always our strength to keep going. And I for one am not ashamed to say that God is my strength because I certainly know how weak my flesh is, and without Him I would be mush worse. “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” – I Peter 4:16-19.
“but let him glorify God on this behalf.” It is the devil who tries to convince us that God is not with us and will never give us any relief. It is the devil who tries to convince us that the affliction we face is due to some fault of ours are we are not forgiven. Let me tell you, our faith truly is like a roller coaster, and it can take a toll on us. Instead of living life as though we are lost, and Jesus is no where to be found, turn things around and live knowing that we are found, and that our suffering will end one day. The world may not know Christ, but you do, and He knows you, He hears you, and is right there with you.
“To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph. I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak. Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?” – Psalm 77:1-4,7-13.
“even unto God with my voice;” The Psalmist had to repeat himself with the word even added, the word even means balanced, he did not go to anyone else, he cried to God alone, never wavering, even though he was weary. Do you realize just how often you cry out to God and He hears what you have to say? Whether it is when we are troubled, complaining, fussing, or whining, the second we cry out to Him, He is all ears. If all we do is whine and complain about things with no faith or no mention of Him at all, of course, He will not hear us, but I can tell you of countless times I have cried out to God with my voice, and even to God with my voice, and He gave ear to me. Oh, and by the way, God so kindly had me write this comment so that He can say that maybe we are to listen to Him more often, then perhaps we would not add to the suffering.
“Maschil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.” – Psalm 78:1-4,6-8.
“and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.” Not that we may have any hidden sin, perhaps God is telling us that we are not being open enough about our faith as we need to be a mocking bird when it comes to telling everyone from family to strangers on the streets what Jesus has done for us. Let me tell you, being a faithful witness keeps us accountable as it reminds us of what Jesus has done. There was a time when I watched everyone I knew being blessed and swore I was cursed for my past, I lost my health, and everything I owned, except for the clothes I wore. Then I remembered what Christ did for me, and how much He has done for me since giving my life to Him, and no matter how much I struggle today, I never again want to be where I was. So, in the words of Paul, I say, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” – Philippians 4:11-13.
Jesus Christ Magnified: “And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.” – Psalm 78:35.
Today’s Prayer: God, You are very clear to us that salvation only comes from our believing in and receiving Your Son with all of our heart, and that nothing we do can renounce it. You are also very clear that You want Your children living in a way that reflects Your Son so that others can come to know Him too. You are very clear that when we trust You that we can and will endure every affliction we face, for You are our strength, our patience, our hope of getting through. Lord, lead us and guide us, give us Your power, wisdom, strength, and grace to be faithful Christians, walking daily with You. 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 try to stop us, and let us not become weak in our flesh in well doing. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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