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 75
1 To the chief Musician, Al-tas'-chith, A Psalm or Song of A'-saph. Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.
This is a song of praise and thanksgiving. All our praise and thanksgiving is due to God Who is the Creator and Finisher of all "wondrous works."
God has created the universe and God will dissolve it (verse 3).
God has created TIME. And time will have an end.
2 When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly. 3 The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the pillars of it. Selah.
At the end of time (as we know it) God will "judge" all mankind.
But in the meantime.....
4 I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn: 5 Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck. 6 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. 7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
God tells mankind to not be "foolish." Pride and works of accomplishment are not what makes a man.
GOD is Who makes a man! (verses 6-7). The Creator of "wondrous works" also is the One Who orchestrates all that happens within His works!
All our accomplishments are only a part of God's creative ingenuity. Aside from Him, we are NOTHING! ((See John 15:5))
8 For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them. 9 But I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. 10 All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.
The totality of time, and all mankind, are comparatively said to be a "cup" of wine. Those who surrender to God receive the top portion of the cup which is the good wine.
Those who refuse God shall receive the "dregs," or the foul-tasting sediment in the bottom of the cup.
God will "cut off" all pride in the day of judgment. All men will realize the infinite wisdom of the Almighty Creator Judge and Eternal God!
Surrender to Him and praise Him today and you will receive the "good wine" of His Holy Spirit which will seal you for eternal life in glory.
Refuse Him today and you will receive the "dregs" of His anger at judgment day.
Psalm 76
1 To the chief Musician on Neg'-i-noth, A Psalm or Song of A'-saph. In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel. 2 In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.
This is another song of thanksgiving and praise.
Note that it is a song "on Neginoth," which means it is to be played on stringed instruments. Somehow, to me, that is a very significant statement.
Orchestras and the beautiful sounds they make add tremendous movement to a song. But sometimes, orchestras drown out the VOICE. This song was meant to be sung with accompaniment, but with such accompaniment that would not drown out the VOICE!
The psalmist says, "In Judah is God known..." The word Judah actually means PRAISE! God becomes known to people through PRAISE!
Note also that the psalmist says God's NAME is "great in Israel." God changed Jacob's name to Israel to signify that he had "power with God." ((See Genesis 32:28) Israel became the name associated with all of the Hebrew people. ALL of God's chosen people have POWER with Him. That power is PRAISE!
Both "Salem" and "Zion" refer to Jerusalem which was the center, or capitol of Israel. The temple and the ark were there. The "mercy seat" on the ark signified God's PRESENCE.
God is PRESENT in the heart or center of His people!
3 There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah. 4 Thou art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey.
It is in the heart of the saved that praise for God originates. The reason we praise God is because He has defeated our enemy - SIN!
Sin, the greatest enemy of mankind, is greater than all our ability to war against it. Only GOD HIMSELF can defeat our enemy which destroys us.
God HAS defeated the enemy of sin by His victory over sin's destruction (death). He came to the cross of Calvary, died; and yet was RISEN AGAIN! He has POWER over the enemy of destruction!
5 The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands. 6 At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep. 7 Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry? 8 Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still, 9 When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.
There is no questioning the fact that mankind is powerful. Mentally, emotionally, and physically mankind is the elite being in the created universe.
But all our power is worthless against our greatest enemy - sin. The "stouthearted" who declare their goodness and refuse humility before God shall all be "spoiled" one day by the results and consequences of sin. The results and consequences of sin is eternal death!
God can stop ARMIES! (verse 6)
And NOONE can stand in power against Him (verse 7).
It is this same God, Creator and Sustainer of the universe, Who shall judge mankind (verse 8)
His "judgment" shall SAVE the "meek"!! (verse 9)
The "meek" are those who surrender their lives to Christ and trust in His atonement for their sins.
10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain. 11 Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared. 12 He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.
Even if all mankind came together and used all their "wrath" (or forces) against God, it would only bring Him praise!! Because He is greater than all mankind put together! And He would gain VICTORY!!
The conclusion (verse 11) is that every person should "vow" (promise, take an oath) to bring appeasement to God. The only manner in which we can bring appeasement to God is to SURRRENDER!!!
The "spirit of princes" and "kings" (verse 10) is rulership, authority, and power. God will "cut off" that spirit from every person at judgment day. When mankind faces the Almighty Eternal Creator Judge, they will realize the need for humility.
Let us realize it TODAY! And let us SURRENDER!!
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