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: Saturday, April 26, 2025
Chapters: Psalms 73, 77-78
Message: Psalms: Remember God’s Mercies
Hello My Friend,
As we return to the reading of Psalms, we learn that all faithful Christians question why the wicked prosper and live without consequence, but are reminded what will come of them in the end. We also learn how easy it is to forget God’s mercies, and are also reminded of what Christ has done for us, even without repentance, [Romans 11:29-32 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. 30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.]
That reminds me, I was reading something about a man who claims that he is the Messiah of the Christians, Jews, and Muslims, and has gotten all these people to believe in him. I did not read the article, but the person who shared it asked if it could be true. My response was that it is of course not true simply because there is no savior of any religion. God did not send His Son to save the religious, He sent Him to save sinners, [1 Timothy 1:14-16 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.]
I use to proclaim this verse, [1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.] as my life verse, but the older I get and the more I understand how wretched my flesh is, so made this is my life verse, [1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.]
I love this verse because it reminds me that although I fail God a lot, at least I am forever saved and His mercy endures as He continues His work in me. Now, the Psalms for today are written or transcribed by Asaph, but as you read them you can see that he spent a lot of time with David and may have been David’s scribe for some of them. He, like all faithful Christians have the tendency to backslide a little bit, and that is when challenges come that draw them to question why they face chastening from God when others do not.
[Psalms 73:1-9 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. 6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. 7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. 8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. 9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.]
Did you ever notice that the more the wicked have the more they want? They are never satisfied with the wealth or prosperity that they enjoy? I will tell you why, they are seeking from the world what they really need in their spirit, but since they deny God, He will deny them. At least, when we suffer we have heaven to look forward to, but the wicked will forever suffer in hell. When we come to our senses we are reminded of what our beginning and their end will be.
[Psalms 73:11-18 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. 18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.]
It really is hard for us to come to terms with even Christians who seem to get away with everything and prosper while we do one thing and suffer. That truly is something that only the Holy Spirit can show at least give is a basic understanding of. I am not going to lie, it is not always easy living the Christian life, not only because the Holy Spirit is constantly telling me that I ought to be doing this or not doing that, but it seems like the sorrow never ends sometime times. However, once the Holy Spirit reminds us of where we will be when all the suffering is over, we feel pretty bad for the way we carried on.
[Psalms 73:20-24 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. 21 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.]
The funny thing is that while we know that God never sleeps, it can feel as though He does when we cry out to Him, then it occurred to me one day, God needs a rest day also. Now, I know that God does not take days off, but perhaps He does get tired of hearing our constant complaints about Him not doing something for us when all He wants us to do is trust Him, which is why the psalm ends on that note.
[Psalms 73:25-28 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.]
This is what suffering does, it draws us nearer to God. Do you know how many people have returned to God, found Christ, and or saw Christ for the first time in years by crying out to Him in their distress? You would probably be astounded by such a large number. We cannot let what we are going through right now cause us to forget what God has done for us so many times before. God is always with His faithful, and we do ourselves a disservice when think otherwise.
[Psalms 77:1-6 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. 2 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. 3 I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. 4 Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak. 5 I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. 6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.]
When we take the time to reflect on everything that God has done for us in the past, not to mention the things we have no idea He has done, we do feel pretty ashamed of ourselves. Thankfully, God knows what is truly inside our heart and does not take it too personal when we forget what He has done, but that does not mean that He does not put us in a position to get us to remember that.
[Psalms 77:7-15 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. 15 Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.]
Did you ever tell yourself that you deserve the pain you are facing? While I do not pray this as often as I should, I do ask God to help my unbelief as we all should. It is not as though we do not believe God can do all things, sometimes we feel as though God will not do it for us because we have done things that we are not proud of. Well, God, does not work that way, if He did then none of us would not be here. Infirmities also remind us that we are nothing in this flesh, but we can do all things through Christ for He is our example.
[1 Peter 2:21-25 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.]
Wow! The Shepherd and Bishop of our souls! Jesus, suffered the most pain that anyone on this earth should or has ever suffered and yet lives to not only to show us that not only through His stripes does our soul heal, but our minds, bodies, and spirits as well. You see, pain, and suffering is what actually tenders our heart, God already knows our heart, but this is what gets us to see it for ourselves. If there is anything we ought to be learning about faith and hope it is how God judged Egypt before they let Israel go free.
[Psalms 78:1-5 Maschil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: 3 Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. 4 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. 5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:]
Think about it, there is a generation of children who were taught that it does not matter if you win or lose, you still get a prize. The problem with what I call the, “My trophy” generation is that they were never taught the value of one; working hard to reach your goals, and two; we must be accountable for all of our actions. No one wants to hear that they are a sinner and that their sin will lead them to hell, but it is something that must be taught as we cannot sugarcoat eternity. The truth is this, our nations are a complete mess because they do not want to hear the truth, [2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.]
The suffering we face does one of two things to our faith, they will either increase or decrease it, but keep in mind that God will prove our faith, whether it is the mustard seed faith or no faith at all. This Psalm goes on to point out all the miraculous things that God had done to prove to Israel that He was among them and yet they constantly tempted Him, and not in a good way.
[Psalms 78:6-8,12-14 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: 7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: 8 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. 12 Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan. 13 He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap. 14 In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire.]
Keep in mind that God does want us to prove Him in the sense that He wants to show us what our faith can do. You see, these little miracles though our sin are reminder of God’s mercy in that He does not give us the punishment that we deserve, they are also a stepping point to true repentance. In other words, we are to learn from our wrong decisions and not go back, and while those who are true in their faith will fall back from time to time and eventually repent, those who are not will turn away from God.
[Psalms 78:19-24 Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? 20 Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people? 21 Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel; 22 Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation: 23 Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven, 24 And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.]
This reminds me of what Jesus said, [John 6:49-51 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.] Jesus, while He was cordial, calm, and collected for the most part, never sugar coated anything. The dead are those who, even from the beginning, never trusted the LORD, let alone even had faith in Him no matter how many miracles they saw. The Psalm continues to recall the account of Israel as God showed them countless miracles, but still questions Him in particular when He sent quails for an entire month because they complained about the manna.
[Psalms 78:30-37 They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths, 31 The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel. 32 For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works. 33 Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble. 34 When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God. 35 And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer. 36 Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. 37 For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.]
The Psalm is in reference to this event, [Numbers 11:31-33 And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day’s journey on this side, and as it were a day’s journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth. 32 And the people stood up all that day, and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp. 33 And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague.]
This is why you need to one; need to be careful what you ask God for, and two; Be grateful for what He has given you. I do not care if all we have is a bowl of soup, we need to be grateful and thankful for what we are given. These are the ones who never really had much faith in God, and when they do fall, they never get back up and continue to fall until they have turned on Him all together. Those who constantly complain, and are only happy with God as long as their bellies are full, which actually limits God to what He can do. I mean, would you want to do something for someone who is always complaining about everything you do for them?
[Psalms 78:41-43,49-51 How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert! 41 Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. 42 They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy. 43 How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan: 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:]
Our flesh gets us into more trouble than we care to admit, I cannot tell you just how many times I am reminded that I fail God all day long. While God can do anything, there are many things we forfeit because of lack of faith. Nonetheless, God’s mercy does endure on our soul because He knows that we are but flesh. We must also remember that Jesus has purchased every soul, but He will only save those who come to Him. If there is any sect of people who ought to know this it is the Israelites as God had struck Egypt with the ten plagues.
[Psalms 78:54-61 And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, even to this mountain, which his right hand had purchased. 55 He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents. 56 Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies: 57 But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow. 58 For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images. 59 When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel: 60 So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men; 61 And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy’s hand.]
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, stop blaming others for our problems, and start living again. We are saved, born again Christians, and if you are not, the time is right now to accept Him as Saviour, [1 Corinthians 7:22-24 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant. 23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. 24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.]
Today’s Prayer: God, You are very clear to us that salvation only comes from our believing in and receiving Your Son as our Saviour, 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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