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 136
1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
The subject of this song is obviously God's MERCY. The word from which it is translated is hesed. Hesed means a steady, long-lasting, and faithful love. It is used over 200 times in the Old Testament, and is translated by different words.
For instance, in Joel 2:13 and Jonah 4:2, it is translated "kindness."
This song is a call to praise God in thanksgiving for his faithful love toward us.
4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:
8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:
9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
This is the God Who is the Creator of all the earth. His merciful love extends to ALL, and is exhibited by the fact that He has allowed us to exist. For His created beings, God also created the universe, though He has no need of it Himself.
He gave the sun, the moon and the stars to ALL mankind. The vast expanse of the universe and the intricate manner in which it operates is enough to SHOW that there is GOD, and that HE created all things. Therefore, He not only created us, but shows us that He IS and that He desires communion with us.
10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:
11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:
12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.
13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:
14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:
15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.
16 To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.
17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
18 And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
19 Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:
20 And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:
21 And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:
22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.
The writer of this song calling people to praise God for His mercy, is obviously a Hebrew. He recalls the manner in which the Creator God PERSONALLY delivered the Hebrews from the bondage of the Egyptians. Then, this same God led and directed the Hebrews through victory until they were able to conquer Canaan Land, which God has promised to Abraham and His descendents.
God's MERCY extends down through generations to His people.
23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:
24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.
This phrase also applies especially to the Hebrew people. God REMEMBERED they were but a small nation, and He granted them power beyond their means. He REDEEMED them, or saved them, from the enemies that surrounded them. God did this not once or twice, but MANY times.
But these verses also apply to all who come to God through surrender to Jesus Christ. God has REMEMBERED that we are but flesh, and suffer temptations. He has paid the price to FREE us from the bondage of sin and self. That price was paid in Christ's body on the cross of Calvary.
25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.
God has provided FOOD for mankind in the earth. He created and planted food-bearing plants "yielding seed after its kind" (see Genesis 1). The food-bearing plants and animals on the earth provide sustenance for mankind.
But the GREATEST food that God has provided for all mankind is the food of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That is the food that gives us life for eternity!
Indeed, God is FAITHFUL in His great MERCY!! He has provided the food of salvation through the promised and delivered Messiah, Jesus Christ. And He has provided that food in spite of our sins.
God is FAITHFUL in MERCY! Praise His Name today!
CHAPTER 137
1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
God had promised many times through His prophets that if Israel didn't worship Him, and began to worship idols, He would take them out of their land and put them in captivity again.
Sin is captivity. When a person serves God, he may still be an intermittant sinner, but he does not SERVE sin - He serves GOD!
God is able to deliver OUT of sin and its bondage!
When the people of Judah were brought into captivity by the Babylonians, they were placed in a "camp" at first.
It was THEN that they remembered their sins of pride, idolatry and self-worship. It was there they remembered that God had called them to specifically serve Him. It was there they remembered the MERCY of God and His faithfulness to deliver them from the "enemies." It was there they remembered to be SERVANTS of God!
2 We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.
3 For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.
4 How shall we sing the LORD's song in a strange land?
One of the nation's chief musical instruments was the harp. They were known for their music and the spiritual soothing nature of it. When they were placed in captivity, everyone wanted them to sing the songs of freedom, joy, peace, and love.
But the people had LOST their freedom, their joy and peace. And they MOURNED because of their loss. They certainly didn't feel like singing the songs which reflected salvation by a loving God.
Sin will steal a Christian's freedom, joy, peace and exuberance for God. But it will not steal the LOVE for God from the Christian. And sins can be forgiven! Freedom, peace and joy can be RESTORED!
What we must do as Christians, when we sin, is go before God and admit our sin and beg His forgiveness. Then He will forgive and restore.
5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.
6 If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.
The HEART of Israel was Jerusalem. It was their they traveled 4 times a year to the great feasts and celebrations of God's mercy and grace. It was there God promised His presence as long as they served Him.
The HEART of Christianity is CHRIST! It is in CHRIST JESUS that we come to celebrate His forgiveness and salvation. It is in CHRIST JESUS that we are promised the presence and power of God as we serve Him.
7 Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.
8 O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.
9 Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.
Though His people are persecuted and even killed, God will one day "remember" all that was done against them. And on that day God will pronounce judgment upon those who have treated his people wrongly.
Again, might I say, God is FAITHFUL in His MERCY! Please continue in Bible Study with us.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1John 1:9)