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: Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Chapters: Psalms Chapters 102-104
Message: Mercy And Grace For Today
Hello My Friend,
As I was reading the chapters for today, this passage came to mind, [James 4:13-15 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.]
Life truly is as a vapor, one moment you are doing cartwheels the next you are in a wheelchair. Some people live to be a hundred while others only live a day. Some people are born with silver spoons in their mouths while others are born to serve the silver spoons. Some people are legacies while others are infamous. Some people are introduced to Christ and will receive Him gladly while others will reject Him. What and who determines our fate? God. Actually we do by the choices we make, but it is God who predetermines it.
[Romans 8:28-30 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.]
You see, God, already had the plan, but since we are given freewill we tend to change up the plan even though God already knows that we will and where we are headed. There are two things appointed to us in this life that none of us will escape and, that is life itself and death, but everything else comes into play by the choices we make. Naturally, someone who is born in a loving home despite the circumstances of how they came into the world is more likely to find their way to Christ, but that is not so easy for someone who was born into an unloving one. Jesus, said it this way, [Luke 18:25-27 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? 27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.]
Yesterday as I am walking to my car from visiting my mom at the hospital two things came to mind, “Why is it that the best things are offered to us only when we are dying?” and “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” Not that my mom is dying yet, she is actually improving some as they keep moving her to different rooms in the hospital. When she first got there and her life was in critical condition she had a beautiful room with a lakefront view, but now she is in some room that looks like a cheap motel. With that said, the longer she is in the hospital she is going to deteriorate because she is being isolated except for when we visit her. It breaks my heart to see this once feisty and strong woman wearing diapers and being fed like a toddler, but the thing that gives me hope is that she is saved and one day she will be free from all her infirmities.
[Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.]
Do you see that? According to the will of God. Sometimes we do not like God’s will because it includes these infirmities that make us dependent on others more than just God. It is times like these when you start asking God, “Why is all this happening?”, “What have we done so bad that this happened?”, and “Why did so and so recover?” And that is when God answers back and says, [Matthew 5:44-45 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.] and He also says, [2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.]
I can understand that these things are easier done when things are going well, but it gets a little harder when it is you that is suffering or especially someone dear to you. As we return to the Psalms, we are reminded that we can go to God day or night even with our complaints.
[Psalms 102:1-7 A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee. 2 Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily. 3 For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth. 4 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread. 5 By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin. 6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. 7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.]
[My heart is smitten, and withered] When our hearts are tried time and time again it does wither when the hope of recovery that is inside gets smaller and smaller and I can understand how people develop hard hearts. However, more often than we realize when the heart is tried that is when we will turn to Jesus, in fact, Jesus wants our heart broken so that we might give it fully to Him, [Psalms 51:15-17 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. 16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.]
A contrite heart is one that has been bruised, it has literally been tried and worn out due to unrepentant sin. Hence, brokenhearted for sin; deeply affected with grief and sorrow for having offended God; humble; penitent; as a contrite sinner. Until we admit that we are sinners God will not give us a second glance, but once we do, then He is all ears awaiting those three words from our heart, “Jesus, save me!” You see, regardless of whether or not we know Jesus as the Christ today or the LORD of yesterday we all must come to Him for our salvation.
[Psalms 102:10-17 Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down. 11 My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass. 12 But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations. 13 Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come. 14 For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof. 15 So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory. 16 When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory. 17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.]
[When the LORD shall build up Zion,] Christ, establishing His Church, shall appear in all His glory, and in the glory of the Gospel as proclaimed throughout the world from generation to generation until Jesus returns.
[Psalms 102:18-22,25-27 This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD. 19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth; 20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; 21 To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem; 22 When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD. 25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. 26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: 27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.]
[the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.] There will come a day when every knee will bow to Christ, but think about just how many lives Christ created when they became born again. Once one receives Christ as their Saviour they become new creatures, and what brings Christ more joy than when He saved their soul is loving Him and serving Him just as He did for us, [2 Corinthians 5:16-17 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.]
[But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.] Jesus, is the same yesterday, today, and forever! Make no mistake we make know Him as Christ as He came here in the flesh, but those who knew Him before then know Him as the LORD and are trusting Him as their Saviour just the same. David, of whom Christ would descend in the flesh spoke of this often.
[Psalms 103:1-6 A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.]
[and forget not all his benefits:…who healeth all thy diseases;] God’s benefits are far better than the best benefit package that you can get from the best company you could ever work for. While we may not understand why God heals people in different ways as some are cured while here on earth to live another day while others when they get to heaven, but one thing is for sure, we have the best benefit of all, God’s mercy.
[Psalms 103:8-17 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. 10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. 16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. 17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;]
[He hath not dealt with us after our sins;] Oh, if He dealt with our sins as He ought to we would all be in big trouble. Nevertheless, one day, all of our pain will be over, and when things get much worse than they are now, we will not be here. Our own bodies, should they turn to dust, will raise from the dead, unite with our souls and we will be caught up in the air. I do not know about you, but if God is willing to make sure that our dead bodies are not on the earth during the tribulation I would say that it is going to be pretty bad, [1 Corinthians 15:51-53 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.]
How many times do we ask God for something only to show us the hard way that it was not the way we should have gone? You would be surprised to find out that that number is quite high. I swear, these past few years, I have seen the way that God has, I would say, intercepted the ball, and showed me why He said no in the first place. He literally does weigh out every request that we make and sees what the outcome would be if we really did receive the things we wanted so badly. So, why does God go through such great lengths when we fail Him so much? He is God Almighty, the maker of the heavens and earth.
[Psalms 104:1-9 Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. 2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: 3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind: 4 Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: 5 Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever. 6 Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains. 7 At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away. 8 They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them. 9 Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.]
[the waters stood above the mountains. At thy rebuke they fled;] This reminds me of the way the disciples reacted when they say Jesus stop the waters, [Mark 4:38-41 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?]
Oh, but yes Jesus does care that we perish, otherwise, He would not have given His life for us! Remember, God is in control of all this, He will not let you suffer more than you are able, even the trees, birds, and animals trust that God will take care of them.
[Psalms 104:13-15,19-24 He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works. 14 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; 15 And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart. 19 He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down. 20 Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. 21 The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. 22 The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens. 23 Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening. 24 O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.]
[And wine that maketh glad the heart of man,] This is not alcohol, this is referring to the provisions that God provides us with. [and seek their meat from God.] This reminds me of what Jesus said, [Luke 12:23-26 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. 24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? 25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? 26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?]
We focus so much on the things that we do not have, but the sad truth is that we often forget all those benefits that we were and are given. It is not for us to understand why God does what He does all the time, but it is for us to trust that He will work everything out for good to those who love God.
[Psalms 104:30-35 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth. 31 The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works. 32 He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke. 33 I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. 34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD. 35 Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.]
[and thou renewest the face of the earth.] We are renewed day by day, so as Jesus said, let today’s mercy and grace suffice for today and if it is in the will of God to give us another day here, then He will give us what we need for that day, [Matthew 6:33-34 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [Psalms 103:19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Everything You created has a purpose and is often used to show us that You love and care for us. The grass, flowers, animals, and even the planets know their place and let You guide them in they way they should go because they trust You. We too have a purpose, and since we are more valuable than the sparrows, we must face affliction so that we need Jesus, not only to save us, but to get us through each and every day that we are here. You show us that only by trusting You we might receive the promise, and much more than we ever dreamed, even eternal life with You. Lord, Give me Your mercy and grace to suffice the day. Let not one thought of doubt cross my mind, only trust that You will not only show me how to face every affliction, but to endure it. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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