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 85
Ps 85:1-4 1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Ko'rah. LORD, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob. 2 Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah. 3 Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger. 4 Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.
When I was a child, we had a counselor for our Royal Ambassadors at church who was always bringing in some block of wood, a piece of cypress log, or something like that. He would ask us, "What do you SEE in that block of wood?"
Some of the kids would say, "I see a lamp." Some would say, "I see a horse." Me? Oh, I couldn't see ANYTHING. My answer was always the same, "Uncle Charlie, all I see is a block of wood."
I have no vision for seeing what might come out of a block of wood. But when Uncle Charlie would read a passage of Scripture, then ask, "What do you SEE in this?" it was a different story!
What do YOU SEE in this Scripture? I see Israel in distress. For some reason the song-writer recalls the manner in which God has delivered Israel in the past.
He saved them from slavery in Egypt (verse 1),
He had forgiven their sins (verse 2),
He had removed His wrath and given them peace (verse 3).
Now the psalmist is asking God to do that AGAIN! (verse 4)
5 Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations? 6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? 7 Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.
Here is the PLEA. The psalmist requests REVIVAL!
We must remember that God is the ORCHESTRATOR of the events of history.
People, especially Christian people, grow insensitive to God at times. When that happens, God may allow distress in the lives of His people. The purpose of that distress is to inspire God's people to CALL UPON Him again -- to become sensitive to Him again. THAT'S REVIVAL!
When God's people stray, and God does something to draw them back, that's His MERCY. He deals with us according to His LOVE!
8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. 9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.
I see also a COMMITMENT from God's people. In order for us to RECEIVE God's powerful revival in our souls, we must come to Him with a COMMITMENT to "HEAR" what He tells us.
God tells us all through His Bible that salvation from sin is NEAR to all who call upon him in surrender (Romans 10:13) See also Deuteronomy 30:12-16.
God's GLORY will "dwell in our land" if we will "HEAR" Him!
10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. 11 Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. 12 Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. 13 Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.
When God's GLORY is in a land, then "mercy and truth are met together." When people allow God to control their lives, then "righteousness and peace have kissed each other." (verse 10)
When God's GLORY is in a land, then "Truth shall spring out of the earth," and God looks down with favor on His people. (verse 11)
Our Lord DOES give "that which is GOOD." And when His people pay attention to His leadership, then the "land shall yield her increase." (verse 12)
God LIVES in "Righteousness." His righteousness precedes Him and follows Him. He is SURROUNDED by His righteousness.
And if God's people will LISTEN to His Word, then He will "set us in the way of HIS steps!"
Now THAT'S what REVIVAL is all about!
It is when God's people SEE that there is distress,
and CALL upon God for His mercy,
and LISTEN to His Word!
What do YOU SEE?
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