Psalms [Part 3] (BIND – Day 41)

Bible In 90 Days – Day 41

Reading: Psalm 46:1 – Psalm 69:21

Take Away(s):

• A price I Cannot Pay. 49:7-9. This is a hard set of verses.  No mater our desire, no mater our efforts, no matter our words or pleas – we cannot redeem (save) people.  Our hearts may break and tears may flow, but ONLY Christ can redeem.  “For God so loved the world that he gave [sacrificed on a cross] his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
• God Doesn’t NEED Our Offering. 50:8-15. How often we have a wrong view of sacrifice for God or giving our time and money.  Sometimes, we think that He is in need and we’ll dole out some cash or a few hours for Him…just to make Him feel better. [forgive us…me…Lord] He desires our obedience – which is the motivation for giving an offering…really worshiping…Him.
• GULP! 50:17. Can you imagine hearing this verse from God? The phraseology in the second part of this verse was also in Nehemiah 9:26. I wrote a blog about it, so I won’t retype it here!  Check it out (scroll to the “Scary”one.)
• …Then… 51:10-13. How often we seek God, we ask for His blessing, we read His word for guidance and peace, we do and ask so many thing of Him…and keep it to ourselves.  He loves us.  He will NEVER forsake us.  But how often we are selfish with His faithfulness and blessings (v. 10-12).  Reading the “then” in verse 13 reminded me that God’s awesome blessing, faithfulness, grace, and mercy (which are really undeserved if we applied the criteria we often use for showing grace and mercy other people) MUST result in an outward response in our lives.
• Specifics. No specific verse here, just an overall observation on how specific the Psalmist is in the language used in conversation with God.  How often we generalize and gloss over our requests and general prayers with God (I know I’m guilty.) Our Heavenly Father is just that and so interested in our lives, heart, everything.  Let’s get specific – God is interested!
• Enemies. No specific verse here, just an overall observation on the Psalmist’s language about “enemies.”  I always have a hard time reconciling and applying the prayers and pleas of the Psalmist against his enemies.  Reconciling it with Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:43-45, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” I know in context, they are about David’s conflict with the various people who pursued him, but it just seems weird – especially when they are mixed with the great passages that describe God or our response to Him.