THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
This program of daily devotions is designed to take you through the Bible in three years. It is our desire to help you gain a better general understanding of God's Word.
Please understand that in a study this brief, we will be concerned with only the major emphases and context of the Scriptures.
Each day a devotion for one or two chapters is posted, beginning with chapter one of Genesis and going through chapter twenty-two of Revelation. You are free to print each page as it appears. If you miss a day, you may go to the archive below and find it.
Bruce McGee, Pastor
205 Adams
Columbia, LA 71418
We have a great friend in Gary Godard. He has set up an archive page. To view ALL the prior devotions by Scripture, just clik
Bro. Bruce's commentaries for
the books of Genesis through 2Kings are
now available in hard copy for $7.50. Just mail your request for
COMMENTARY ON (BOOK NAME) to the address above.
Psalm
CHAPTER 72
1 A Psalm for Solomon. Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son. 2 He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment. 3 The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.
This is obviously a prayer of David for his son Solomon when Solomon was about to succeed David as king.
Quite possibly this song was applied to future kings as well. The song certainly has Messianic importance because there are some sections of it that can only apply to ONE King -- Jesus.
The first request is that God Himself will give "judgment" and "righteousness" to the king. The most important aspect of leadership is to have the will and presence of God in the heart of the leader!
When the king leads the people in judgment and righteousness, then all the other leaders will follow his action (verse 3).
4 He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor. 5 They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations. 6 He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth. 7 In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. 8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. 9 They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust. 10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. 11 Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
Here is a request for the actions of the king. It is requested that the king do three important things:
If the king will do these three things by the leadership of God, then the people will "fear" God continually (verse 5). God Himself will be present in the administration (verse 6), and the king will "flourish" in his work of leading the people (verse 7). His kingdom will increase and grow stronger (verse 8), and other nations who do not know God will "bow" before this righteous king (verse 9).
These verses obviously apply to Solomon.
But these verses more appropriately apply to the Perfect King, our Lord Jesus Christ. When He comes to rule over the earth in the millenium, He will reign in perfect judgment and righteousness. And He will rule over ALL the nations of the earth.
These verses are also applicable to Christians, particularly Christian leaders. If we desire the presence and will of God in our lives, we will have HIS judgments and righteousness in our hearts.
12 For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. 13 He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy. 14 He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.
A good king will care for the poor! He will see to it that the poor have help, and that others are not allowed to take advantage of their impropriety.
A good Christian will care for the poor! He will try and help as much as God gives him ability.
15 And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised. 16 There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.
The phrase "And he shall live" refers to having life that is healthy. It is the prayer of David that his son be healthy. It should be the prayer of every Christian that his children be healthy. It is God's will that determines the health and well-being of every person. But it is certainly the parent's duty to ask of God health for their children.
(verse 16)The request here is that even the top of the mountains bring abundant crops. God, Who controls all atmospheric conditions, can make a nation flourish or fail. We, as Christians, should certainly be praying that God bless our nation with the right atmospheric conditions for production of crops.
17 His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.
This request for Solomon has actually been fulfilled in a magnificent way. Virtually every king and leader has heard of the leadership of Solomon. He is considered the wisest and most efficient king who ever lived.
We can also see at this as a prophetic outlook upon the reign of Jesus Christ in the millenium. When He rules over the earth, His Name will be "blessed" by all in the world because of His perfect "judgment" and "righteousness."
18 Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. 19 And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen. 20 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.
Perhaps David knew his life was about to end (verse 20). Perhaps he felt this would be the last opportunity he would have to write a song-prayer. This thought gives the two main points of the song more emphasis.
David prays for his son, and for his leadership.
But David also praises God because he knows that only God can accomplish right leadership.
God can and will give right leadership; but a leader must LOOK to God for it!
God can and will give right leadership to the lives of Christians; but Christians must LOOK to God for it!
CHAPTER 73
1 A Psalm of A'-saph. 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. 10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. 11 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.
This song begins with an avowal. The truth is: God is GOOD to all those who love Him and follow Him.
However, there is a complexity in the world which causes thought. The world is full of wicked people who seemingly prosper in their evil deeds.
The psalmist acknowledges that seeing the wicked "get away" with things gave him a "sinking feeling" (verse 2).
However, he realizes that his thought was FOOLISH (verse 3)!
The ways of the wicked in the world even corrupt "his people" (verse 10)---God's people. Even good followers of God will sometimes be led astray by the predominance of evil.
The thoughts of the wicked seemingly prospering were a chastening to the psalmist every day (verse 14). He considered speaking publicly about his doubt (verse 15), but feared that he would bring worse confusion to God's people.
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.
Here is a great lesson!!
When we contemplate, meditate, think about all the wicked and how they seemingly prosper in this world, it is PAIN!
The mystery of it boggles our brain and brings sorrow to our souls. It is truly amazing that God, Who desires all men to be saved, also allows men to do "their own thing." God has GIVEN men free will, and will not extract it from them. If they so desire to do evil, God will not prevent it (except for preservation of His people).
But when we come into the "sanctuary", then we UNDERSTAND!
The END of those who refuse to trust God is eternal hell! Man's heart and mind without Christ is "desperately wicked" (Jeremiah 17:9). Without Christ in a person's life, man's desire is to do EVIL continually. And if that is what they want, God will allow it. He's even prepared a place for them to do that eternally!
It is only when we come into the "sanctuary" of God that we understand this. It is the presence of God through His teaching (Bible) and His people that cause man to understand the "END" of wickedness!
18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. 19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. 20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
God created man, and turned him loose with "free will." But God CALLS to man to be saved from his own free will by surrendering to Christ.
If man determines to refuse Christ, and continue doing "his own thing," then he is headed for "destruction."
Though man be created "in the image of God," he will be "desipised" by God if he rufuses salvation through surrender to Christ.
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. 25 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.
PRAISE GOD!! He UPHOLDS those who surrender to Him. Though our feet nearly "slip," He continues to bring us through life to eternal salvation by surrender to Christ.
We can only PRAISE GOD for His great salvation!! We have no "DELIVERER" except God (verse 25).
However, Christians should be "grieved" at the realization that those who refuse God will be consigned to an eternal hell.
Indeed, we should "draw near to God" and "declare" all His works to others! (verse 28). The thought of the wicked seemingly prospering in contrast to the Christian suffering isn't nearly as mind-boggling as the realization that those without Christ are headed for an eternal hell!!
OH!! Let us come into the "sanctuary" of God's presence, teaching and people!! There we shall learn the NECESSITY of evangelism!!
PLEASE CONTINUE IN BIBLE STUDY WITH US TOMORROW. BACK TO HOME PAGE