May 14th Chronological Bible Readings

Psalm 103; Psalm 108-110; Psalm 122; Psalm 124
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Psalm 103 is a great Psalm today! Each verse is a powerful reminder of God's character and our relationship to God. Verse 8 definitely stands out today - "The LORD is merciful and gracious. He is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love." Do you believe that God is merciful and gracious?  Have you experienced God's mercy? His grace?  Do you believe that God is slow to get angry?  When was the last time you experienced God's unfailing love?  (think now... God loves you so much he's given you beautiful life-giving oxygen to fill your lungs as you read this... praise God for the very air we breath!)

Today in Psalm 103 verses 11 & 12 we read these verses about God – “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” I think these verses are a wonderful look at what it means to be spiritually reborn and living in relationship with God. These verses are a glimpse of the true freedom that is found in relationship with God - freedom of living in God’s perfect love, and freedom from our slavery to sin. Do you believe that God’s love for you is as high as the heavens are above the earth? Do you believe that God has removed your sins (transgressions) from you as far as the east is from the west?  Do you thank God often for His love for you?  Do you thank Jesus often for saving you from the bondage of sin?

I love Psalm 108 verse 1 today: "My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises! Wake up, my soul!"   Is your heart confident in God?  Do you sing God's praises?  Is your soul awake?  Or does your soul need a wake up call?  Where do you suppose you can find that wake up call for your soul?  The Bible?  Jesus?  The Holy Spirit?  God?  Will you answer the call today?  Will your soul wake up?

Today in Psalm 109 verse 4 in the NIV we read these words of David – “I am a man of prayer.”  Wow. I like that. And I’m not sure I can honestly say that about myself right now. Sure, I will roll out of bed and offer up some prayers. Yeah, I’ll try to say a prayer before meals. And yes, I’ll pray briefly before going to sleep. Oh yeah, maybe in church once a week too I’ll offer up some prayers. But, for me to say “I am a person of prayer” would probably not be truthful. Ouch. Don’t worry – I’m not beating myself up too badly over it. But - if I really want to realize that God is holy and a Rock and if I really want to love God and other people, then I have a hunch that being a person of prayer is a critical part of the equation. I don’t think that prayer is so much talking to God as it is really slowing down and listening to God. Sure, it’s a conversation, but I think in our fast pace world today we would do well to really slow down in prayer and listen to God. Listen for that still small voice within our hearts leading us to God’s kingdom and glory and peace. It’s there. I think it takes prayer to really hear it oftentimes. How about you? Are you a person of prayer? Do you want to be a person of prayer? When you pray, do you talk more or listen more to God? Do you want to live your life as a person of prayer?

Bible.org's commentary on Psalm 109 titled "A Prayer for the Punishment of the Wicked" is at this link.

Psalm 110 is a powerful Psalm!  It is considered Messianic and some say the most prophetic of all the Psalms.  Verses 1 & 4 are the 2 verses that are believed to be most prophetic of Jesus and both verses are referenced in the New Testament, most often verse 1. 

Verse 1 -
"The LORD said to my Lord,
        "Sit in honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies,
        making them a footstool under your feet.""

Verse 4 stands today, with very similar teachings to what we've just been reading about this in Hebrews this past week or so!
"The LORD has taken an oath and will not break his vow:
       "You are a priest forever in the line of Melchizedek.""

Bible.org's commentary on Psalm 110 titled "David's Lord" is at this link.

Psalm 122 is the third in a series of Psalms of pilgrimage to Jerusalem.  This is a joyful Psalm!  Today in Psalm 122 verse 1 we read – “I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”” Have you ever had this experience? Have you ever rejoiced when someone invited you to attend church? Have you ever given this experience to others? Have you said to others in your life, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”? Do you make it a regular habit to invite people to church? Does church bring joy to you? Do you think it might then also bring joy to others? Others who are waiting for you to simply invite them? Will you? Will you rejoice with those around you through the simple & graceful act of an invitation?  Are you yourself part of a church community? Are you attending church on a regular basis? Do you believe that being in community with other Christians each week will help grow your relationship with God? If you are not part of a church community, will you seek one out this upcoming week?

And verse 6 is so true then - and still true now - "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem." Will you join me in praying for the peace of Jerusalem?

I read in a commentary that Psalm 124 was likely a call and response from a Levitical priest and worshipers.  Verses 1 through 5 were likely spoken by the priest and verses 6 through 8 were the response of the people.  Great way to read this Psalm!  Even though this Psalm title says it is a "Psalm of David", some commentaries believe this Psalm is post-exile from Babylon based on verse 8: "We escaped like a bird from a hunter's trap. The trap is broken, and we are free!"  Though, I could see that verse apply to Davidic times too. Verse 8 is a joyful response that hopefully each one of us can sing confidently: "Our help is from the LORD, who made the heavens and the earth."  Amen and Amen!

Worship God:  Psalm 103 today reminded me of Building 429's song "Always:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi39oAOgJn0

Do you know God's love always? Click here for Always!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "I rejoiced with those who said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the LORD.'" Psalm 122:1 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you rejoice every time you to go church. Pray that you invite others to join you at church regularly.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

Comments

[Lily]

Psalm 103
1 Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

I carried this Psalm in my heart when I went into surgery for cancer almost 4 years ago putting my trust in Him. He healed me and was, always with me not only in darkest hour but all the time. Though I fail Him, He never fails me. Praise God.

(correcting typo from my first post