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 contact us and request that devotion. Please send your request, along with $.50 (p&handling) for each page to:
Bruce McGee,Pastor
205 Adams
Columbia, LA 71418
HERE
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 123
1 A Song of degrees.
Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.
2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.
3 Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.
4 Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.
This ole world is filled with "pride" (verse 4), and there is plenty of "contempt" (verse 3) for moral integrity.
This fact presents quite a problem for the born-again believer in Christ Jesus. Believers have determined to follow God's Word, and to try and live a moral life. It is our desire to "wait upon," or serve the Lord our God. His WORD is our guide for morality.
Believers also "fall short" of keeping God's Word, and this brings accusations of "hypocrite" from unbelievers.
Needless to say, the believer is faced with anxiety and pressure trying to live morally in this world.
Therefore, we must continually "lift up" our eyes toward God and seek His "mercy" (verses 1-2). And God has promised to help us if we'll pray and talk to Him about our problems.
PSALM 124
1 A Song of degrees of David.
If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say;
2 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us:
3 Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:
4 Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:
5 Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.
6 Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.
7 Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
Peter tells us that the righteous are "scarcely" saved (1Peter 4:18). We are "escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers" (verse 7). Christ has broken the snare of sin for us, and grants freedom to all who will surrender to Him.
Pride is the chief sin (verse 5). As flooding waters fill a stream so pride fills man's heart. Unless God seeks us out and calls us to His merciful salvation, we would never attempt to be saved.
If God did not HELP the believer, he would not be able to find nor live salvation in this world!
Indeed, HE alone is our "help" (verse 8).
PSALM 125
1 A Song of degrees.
They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.
3 For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.
4 Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.
5 As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.
When we acknowledge our sin nature, and beg God's forgiveness, yielding our lives to His guidance, then HE will KEEP us in His salvation (verse 1).
The Lord constantly surrounds His people with love and mercy and help (verse 2).
Even when we think things are going badly, God is at work on our behalf.
Praise God for His MERCY and HELP today! Please continue in Bible Study with us.
"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)
God is merciful toward His children and gives the power of His Holy Spirit to live righteously in an immoral world. He also grants "peace" to them as they fight that battle.
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)
When the unrighteous are in authority, and believers are persecuted, God has PROMISED that HE will complete salvation for us.
"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:" (Philippians 1:6)
Others are turned "aside" by unrighteous motives, but the believer is HELPED by our Lord to walk in righteousness.