May 18th Chronological Bible Readings

Psalm 75-78
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Psalm 75 verse 7 is so powerful and so true... I need to hear this over and over again - "It is God alone who judges; he decides who will rise and who will fall."  You and I do not judge.  Well, we might try to judge, but it's all in vain if we do.  And we risk turning judgment onto ourselves when we do.  God alone judges.  God alones decides who will rise and who will fall.  We do not.  God is God.  We are not.  This is a very good thing to always remember! :)  We should also always remember we are so not this man below when it comes to other people's hearts or eternal destinies... 

I love Psalm 76 verse 4's reflection on God! "You are glorious and more majestic than the everlasting mountains."  I wonder how often we look at nature and forget that God created nature?  I think so often we can look at a beautiful sunset or a mountain or a forest or an ocean and temporarily forget that God created these beautiful things.  If God created these beautiful things, then doesn't it stand to reason that God is more glorious and more majestic than all of his created things?  I've said this one before on this blog:  before I believed in Jesus or really even God, I honestly think I was evangelized by creation.  Meaning - I would look at a starry night with my friends and say things like, "How could there be so many stars up there like that and there not be a God?  Things like that can't just happen by chance!"   Praise God for his creation that was evangelizing me toward Him!  Has creation ever evangelized you?  Do you think creation might be able to evangelize your friends who do not yet know God?  Let us pray that we don't ever end up worshiping creation instead of the Creator.  Let us be impressed and thankful and admire creation - but let us give the glory and the worship to the Creator, God, who is more glorious and more majestic than the everlasting mountains...

Today in Psalm 77 verses 11 and 12 we read – “I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.” I think these verses get at one of the amazing things about each of us reading the Bible this year – both the Old & New Testaments. We are reading perhaps for the first time – or maybe the 17th time – about God’s miracles of long ago. We are "remembering" God’s miracles for our spiritual ancestors, for ourselves, and for those around us in our lives today whom we will teach about God’s saving love. As you are reading through the One Year Bible this year, are you truly "remembering" God’s miracles of long ago? Are you meditating on all of His mighty works and considering His mighty deeds? Are you being transformed by this process? And will you now go forth and help others in your life "remember" and meditate on God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit’s miracles of long ago?  Let us pray for "remembrance" today for ourselves and for others in our lives. If very modern day post-it notes will help you remember God's miracles and will help you meditate on all of God's works, then by all means please use as many post-it notes as you deem necessary! :) 

Verse 11 of this Psalm brings up miracles.  Has anyone read C.S. Lewis's book Miracles?  I have not yet, but hope to soon.  Please post up a quick review in the Comments section below if you've read it?  Thanks.

Psalm 78 verse 4 is a wonderful reminder that we have an important opportunity to disciple and teach others in the generation coming up behind us - "We will not hide these truths from our children but will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD. We will tell of his power and the mighty miracles he did."  Are you discipling or teaching someone about God's truth, deeds, and love?  How are you helping the next generation learn about God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit? 

Psalm 78 verses 41 & 42 stood out to me today - "Again and again they tested God's patience and frustrated the Holy One of Israel. They forgot about his power and how he rescued them from their enemies."  I am continually amazed at how similar we are today to the Israelites when they were wandering in the desert.  I am sure that we can on occasion test God's patience and frustrate him.  I would also venture a pretty good guess that many of us forget about God's power.  And forget how God rescued us from our enemies - and continues to rescue us daily.  How about you - do you ever forget about God's power?  Do you ever forget about how he has rescued you?   What can we do to help ourselves remember?  How do we stop testing God's patience and forgetting about Him? 

Psalm 78 verse 57 is a metaphor that I pray is never used upon any of us! :)  "They were as useless as a crooked bow."  Can you imagine a worse insult?  Well, yeah, I suppose there are worse.  But coming from a Psalmist, this is no good.  What does it mean to be a crooked bow?  What does it mean to be a straight bow?  How is your bow these days?  Crooked, and perhaps focused on things of this world?  (and thus basically useless)  Or straight, and focused on advancing the Kingdom of God in your life and the lives of others around you?  (and thus very useful)

Psalm 78 verse 71 is awesome - "He took David from tending the ewes and lambs and made him the shepherd of Jacob's descendants--God's own people, Israel."  This verse reminds me that we'll be reading about David later this year in the One Year Bible!  It is interesting that the Psalmist refers to David as a shepherd and not king of Israel in this verse.  The shepherd analogy seems like it might be foreshadowing Jesus, the Good Shepherd.  Here's an image below of a young David as a shepherd - perhaps singing some Psalms??  :)

Worship God: Today's readings in Psalm 77 reminded me of the Switchfoot song "Always." Here's a nice live acoustic version of this song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Im584gZ_CWU

Is God always yours? Click here for Always!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done." Psalm 78:4 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray for opportunities to teach the next generation about the deeds of the Lord.

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

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I often use various occasions to email my children about my gratitude to them and God for His blessings to all of us. The following is an example I wrote to my children after our recent Mother's Day family gathering. Each time when I communicated to my children like this, I felt so close to God and Holy Spirit in me.

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Hi Everyone,

Just want to thank you all (including Ella (Edit note: my daughter's dog) and Lucia (Edit note: my 7 months granddaughter) for the Mother's Day lunch, cards, flowers, and treats. Our gathering was special as it was the first time that we had a 3-generation Mother's day gathering & celebration. It was also special for Naomi (Edit note: my daughter-in-law) as this was her first Mother's Day. You all are wonderful children that God has brought to our lives. May you continue acknowledge God, serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind. May God continue to bless you and your family individually, and all of our families collectively. I give thanks to the Lord for all the blessings to all of us.

Mom