REQUESTED SOUL SEARCHING
Psalm 26:2, 3
There are times when frightening experiences, or the hearing of some very sad news, hits us in the pit of our stomachs. At least that is the way we today, and in our country, explain the emotions we experience when we are frightened or given sad news. The Israelites, however, in the days of David would say that they felt it in their kidneys. And that is why David wrote in Psalm 26:2, 3: "Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. For Thy lovingkindness is before my eyes: and I have walked in Thy truth." The "reins" here is in the Hebrew the word "kidneys."
What David is doing here is praying to God that He will vindicate him before false accusers by trying, that is, testing his kidneys and heart. He asks the sole Judge of The Supreme Court to examine him, knowing that from His eyes is absolutely nothing hidden. He is sure that God will find that, instead of enjoying these sins of which he is falsely accused, he is stricken by them with pain in his kidneys, and that his heart has by no means chosen to do these evil deeds.
Our versification puts it this way:
O search me, Lord, and prove me now;
Thy mercy I adore;
I choose Thy truth to be my guide,
And sinful ways abhor.
His heart chose to keep God's law, and sin strikes him in his kidneys. These sins of which he is accused he actually abhors. The evil of which he is accused was not chosen by his heart.
David is not here concerned about his name or honor, even though these are important, since he is king over God's people in Israel. But he prays because he wants to be pleasing in God's sight. He wants to be judged to be a faithful child of God by God Himself.
That should also be our concern. What men think of us is not that important. What they call us is not so serious. What God finds in the innermost recesses of our souls, what hurts us and what we choose, is extremely important. If God finds the life of Christ in us, we have reason to rejoice and can stand the false accusations of men.
Read:
Psalm 139
Psalter versification: 69:2
Daily Meditations
on
the
Heidelberg Catechism
Song
for Meditation: Psalter number 233
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Through
the Bible in One Year
Read
today:
Zechariah 1:1-21
Revelation 12:1-17
Psalm 140:1-13
Proverbs 30:17
****
Quote for Reflection:
"The point that ought to be understood is that this changed law is made necessary by the change of the priesthood. As the priesthood is, so is the law! For the law is based upon the priesthood! This is a matter of necessity. The term necessity means in the Latin: that which cannot cease. It is from ‘ne-cesso’: that which has in it a quality which cannot be stopped. The term in the Greek language is ‘anagkees’ which is derived from the verb ‘anaykizoo’ to force, to demonstrate, to prove. And thus is the case here. The law must be changed when the priesthood is changed, because upon this priesthood the people receive the law. The entire legality and sanction of the law rested upon this Levitical-Aaronitic priesthood. This is not a mere logical necessity, based upon logical demonstration of a man-made premise. On the contrary, this is a necessity which follows from the God-ordained connection between priesthood and law as revealed by God Himself concerning the Mystery of salvation. One has but to study carefully this matter in the Old Testament to see that this is implied in the very structure of the law-giving itself through Moses" George Lubbers (The Glory of the True Tabernacle, p. 190).
VOICE OF TRUE THANKSGIVING
Psalm 26:6,7
It now becomes plain as to what sins David was accused of committing. In Psalm 26:3 we read, "I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. I have hated the congregation of evildoers: and will not sit with the wicked." He is not a companion of evil doers. They are not his friends and companions. He does not walk with them in their deceit and godlessness.
However he does know that he has sinful flesh and has in many ways sinned against God. Therefore be continues: "I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass Thine altar; O Lord: that I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all Thy wondrous works" Psalm 26:6-7.
Today he would write: "I do not deny that I often sin; but I flee to the cross of Christ to wash my sins away. I walk about His cross typically presented by an altar in the temple. I encircle it with the confidence that Christ's blood washes away my sins. In all this I see God's wonderful work: and it moves me to tell and sing of my thankfulness to Him."
How about it? All around us are Christmas lights and decorations. On radio increasingly we hear Christmas carols sung. For weeks the stores have been displaying and advertising Christmas presents. You would think that Christmas is a wonderful day for mankind. It seems to be the greatest day in the year!
For all men that is certainly not true. For most men all this is vain, that is, empty, utterly devoid of thanksgiving to God and of spiritual significance. Let us rather sincerely sing:
My hands I wash in innocence
And seek Thy altar, Lord,
That there I may with thankful voice
Thy wondrous works record.
Is that not our calling on Christmas Day'? God's gift to us must speak to us. Without Christ's birth that altar in the temple had no meaning: and our hands would never lose their awful guilt. Our gift on Christmas must be thankful praise to God for His gift to us.
Read:
Isaiah 55
Psalter versification: 69:3
Daily Meditations
on
the
Heidelberg Catechism
Song
for Meditation: Psalter number 376
Why not sing along??
****
Through
the Bible in One Year
Read
today:
Zechariah 2
;
Zechariah 3:1-10
Revelation 13:1-18
Psalm 141:1-10
Proverbs 30:18-20
****
Quote for Reflection:
"Any person who would function as a priest in the line of Melchizedek could not assume the priestly office according to the order of Levi, for the simple reason that he was not a Levite. So if Psalm 110 anticipates the appearance of a priest according to the order of Melchizedek, then a whole new legal structure would have to be put into effect. This new law of the new priestly order would presumably make ‘perfection’ possible for the people of God in a way in which it was not possible under the old law and the Levitical priesthood. This change of the priestly order has significant implications for the worship practices of the people of the new covenant. The laws of the Levitical priesthood involved the continual offering of sacrifices in association with specified festivals and holy days. The ritual of these cultic celebrations was not complete without the accompanying sacrifices. But if a new priestly order supersedes the Levitical order, then the framework for the offering of the required sacrifices has come to an end. As a consequence, the festivals and holy days cannot be carried out according to the law of the Levitical priesthood. The entire manner of worship must be changed when the priestly order changes" O. Palmer Robertson (The Israel of God, p. 68).
GOD'S HONOR IN GOD'S HOUSE
Psalm 26:8
What means more to you? God's house or the houses of worldly amusement? Where do you find more joy? Is it in God's house on the Sabbath and with those who sing God's praises? Or is it where you can watch, and have fellowship with those who watch Sabbath-breaking heroes of this world? And when Christmas arrives, will you be going up to God's house with zeal and enthusiasm? Or will your heart be set on gifts and a sumptuous meal?
David said that he did not sit with dissemblers, that is, with those who are only Christians in name, and that he hates evil doers. They then are not his heroes. He will not sit with wicked men. And then he states: "Lord, I have loved the habitation of Thy house, and the place where Thine honor dwelleth."
Plainly tinsel and decorations, feasting and exchanging of material gifts, did not set David's heart on fire. Instead he taught us to sing:
The habitation of Thy house
Is ever my delight;
The place where dwells Thy glory, Lord,
Is lovely in my sight.
It is true that Solomon built a beautiful temple and that David writes here of a tabernacle which was a large tent with vessels of gold and silver and with beautiful tapestry. But that is not what brought David his joy. He speaks here of God's glory in our versification; and in the Scriptures he writes of God's honor. He had just spoken of God's altar which he encircled and looked at with hope.
Christ and His cross were there in God's house. His blood was there sprinkled on the mercy seat of the ark in the Holy of Holies. And today in His house of prayer we encircle Christ and His cross in the preaching of God's word. There we hear — or surely ought to hear every Sabbath — of Christ and be moved to sing: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will."
We ought to honor God, not ignore Him or think of Him occasionally. And Christmas Day should be a day we set aside to honor Him. Honor Him on that day with songs of thanksgiving.
Read:
Isaiah 40
Psalter versification: 69:4
Daily Meditations
on
the
Heidelberg Catechism
Song
for Meditation: Psalter number 409
Why not sing along??
****
Through
the Bible in One Year
Read
today:
Zechariah 4
;
Zechariah 5:1-11
Revelation 14:1-20
Psalm 142:1-7
Proverbs 30:21-23
****
Quote for Reflection:
Belgic Confession, 25, "Of the abolishing of the Ceremonial Law:" "We believe, that the ceremonies and figures of the law ceased at the coming of Christ, and that all the shadows are accomplished; so that the use of them must be abolished amongst Christians; yet the truth and substance of them remain with us in Jesus Christ, in whom they have their completion. In the meantime, we still use the testimonies taken out of the law and the prophets, to confirm us in the doctrine of the gospel, and to regulate our life in all honesty, to the glory of God, according to his will."
THE GIFT OF GOD'S TENDER MERCY
Psalm 26:11, 12
Reversing the letters of a word can make it take on an entirely different meaning. Change top to pot, or saw to was, and you are mentioning things in entirely different fields. Change just one letter in a word, and again you radically change the meaning. Coat and cost, smell and small, bring entirely new ideas to mind.
Tomorrow we should change one letter and not imitate the world. Many tomorrow will say, "Merry Christmas." Believers understanding the real meaning of Christmas will not speak of being merry but of God's mercy which realized all that this day signifies.
If there is one thing that is usually far in the background, or completely ruled out on Christmas Day, it is God's mercy, even though in it He sent His only begotten Son to be our Savior. A song we ought to sing every day but surely on Christmas is:
Redeemed by Thee,
I stand secure
In peace and happiness;
And in the Church,
Among the saints,
Jehovah I will bless.
The word mercy is not literally to be found here; but in Psalm 26:11, 12, upon which our versification is based we read: "But as for me, I will walk in my integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me. My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregation will I bless the Lord." And surely he will bless the Lord because of His mercy.
Did not Zacharias say in Luke 1:72 that Christ was sent "to perform the mercy promised to our fathers"? And then in verse 78 he states, "Through the tender mercy of our God: whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us."
Today, and surely tomorrow, bless God for His mercy. Keep in your mind the salvation God realized for us through His Son. Keep your feet on even ground, not spiritual today and carnal tomorrow; not briefly considering things that make your salvation sure, and then brushing it all aside to have fleshly merriment. Let your greetings tomorrow speak of a blessed Christmas, not a merry Christmas. Let God's mercy shine forth, and praise Him for His merciful gift.
Read:
Luke 1:39-56
Psalter versification: 69:7
Daily Meditations
on
the
Heidelberg Catechism
Song
for Meditation: Psalter number 140
Why not sing along??
****
Through
the Bible in One Year
Read
today:
Zechariah 6
;
Zechariah 7:1-14
Revelation 15:1-8
Psalm 143:1-12
Proverbs 30:24-28
****
Quote for Reflection:
What a glorious and significant festival is the feast of Pentecost! It is the feast of the union of heaven and earth, the feast of God’s betrothal with redeemed man, the birthday feast of the New Testament Church, the harvest home of those who have been “brought nigh by the blood of Christ.” What would all the other festivals of our Church be without this one? They would be only messengers extolling acts of beneficence in which we ourselves might never hope to share; heralds, inviting us to a marriage supper, the entrance to which we could never find. Whitsuntide (Pentecost!) enables us to enjoy those splendors which the other feasts have disclosed to our view. Whitsuntide brings to us the cupbearer, as it were, who first crushes the divine grapes of Christ’s merits in the goblet, and presents it to us as a restorative draught. Let us therefore congratulate ourselves upon the joyous harvest-day of the new covenant, and may the Lord attune our souls to higher songs of gratitude and praise! F.W. Krummacher, “The Risen Redeemer”
GOD'S WONDERFUL GIFT TO US
Psalm 40:5
The angel said it, and by faith we accept it and are comforted by it. He said, "Fear not; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10, 11).
David, although he did not see this truth as clearly as we do, wrote: "Many, O Lord my God, are Thy wonderful works which Thou hast done, and Thy thoughts which are to usward; they cannot be reckoned up in order unto Thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered" Psalm 40:5.
Is there a more precious gift than God's Son? Can you think of a more wonderful work of God than this coming of His Son in our flesh, to represent us and take away our guilt, so that we can enter into heavenly glory? Did you receive any other gift today that can in any way and to any degree compare with this gift of God's grace?
In the measure that we see our sin and guilt, in the measure that we see our hopeless condition, the birth of the Savior is a most wonderful gift of God. And although there are a few Christmas carols that praise God, by all means sing these words:
O Lord my God, how manifold
The works which Thou hast wrought,
Oftimes Thou hast bestowed on us
Thy care and gracious thought.
Thy works and thoughts most wonderful,
If I of them would speak,
Cannot be numbered, and in vain
To set them forth I seek.
What a wonder that gift is! Not only was it a virgin birth — a miracle we could never begin to perform — but this wonderful work of God did so much for us sinners! For us who wanted to become like God (Gen. 3:1-6), He became like unto us, so that He could save us from our sins and make us spiritually like unto His Son! What a loving thought of God to us!
You cannot measure this wonderful gift. You cannot weigh it or set a price upon it. But because of it, we can with the angels cry out: "Glory to God in the highest." Fill the day with praise to Him.
Read:
Luke 2:1-20
Psalter versification: 108:6, 7
Daily Meditations
on
the
Heidelberg Catechism
Song
for Meditation: Psalter number 28
Why not sing along??
****
Through
the Bible in One Year
Read
today:
Zechariah 8:1-23
Revelation 16:1-21
Psalm 144:1-15
Proverbs 30:29-31
****
Quote for Reflection:
Room for Christ: “…there was no room for them in the inn.“ (Luke 2:7) Speech is very free in this land; but, oh, how little room there is for Christ in our conversations! Even on Sunday afternoon, how little room there is for Christ in some professing Christian homes. …I address many who are working-men. You are employed among a great many different companies day after day; do you not find, brethren--I know you do--that there is very little room for Christ "in the workplace?" There is room for talk of sports; there is room for lewd conversation, there is room for politics, slanders, or lying talk; but there is no room for Christ. Too many of our working men think Christianity would be an encumbrance, a chain, a prison to them. They can frequent the theater, or listen to some conference speaker, but the Church is too dreary for them. …The world is elbowing and pushing for more room, until there is scarce a corner left where the babe of Bethlehem can be laid.” -C. Spurgeon
REMEMBERING CHRIST'S BIRTH
Psalm 89:26, 27
As David wrote in Psalm 40:5, we cannot number all the blessings which God gives us in His Son Who came into our flesh. But this does not mean that we must be silent. Rather we should daily sing:
In vision to His saints God spake:
From out the people One I take,
A mighty leader, true and brave,
Ordained, exalted, strong to save.
Thou art My Father, He shall cry,
My God, My rock of refuge high;
My firstborn Son shall He be owned,
Above the kings of earth enthroned.
This is our versification of Psalm 89: 26-27. where we read: "He shall cry unto Me, Thou art My Father, My God, and the rock of My salvation. Also I will make Him My firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth."
That He would cry to God "Thou art My Father" the angel revealed to Mary when he said, "The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the highest shall overshadow thee. Therefore also that holy thing that shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God" Luke 2:35.
That He would be higher than the kings of the earth was also declared to Mary by the angel in verses 32-33 where he said, "He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest; And the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David. And He shall reign over the house of Jacob: and of His kingdom there shall be no end."
It will be an everlasting kingdom and in that sense have no end. He will conquer the whole world. There will be no end to the nations out of which He will gather His church. This day is called December 26, 2007 A.D. All nations today count time by His birth. For A.D. means "In the year of our Lord." The ungodly nations also recognize His birth!
What a gift to us then that we have such a universal King, Who is now at God's right hand with power over all things in heaven and on earth. Do not let the joy and significance of His birth fade away today. Consider and remember it, and thank God for it. It has endless and unspeakable blessedness for us.
Read:
Psalm 72
Psalter versification: 243:1, 5
Daily Meditations
on
the
Heidelberg Catechism
Song
for Meditation: Psalter number 125
Why not sing along??
****
Through
the Bible in One Year
Read
today:
Zechariah 9:1-17
Revelation 17:1-18
Psalm 145:1-21
Proverbs 30:32
****
Quote for Reflection:
“Young men and women, and especially those who have been brought up in religious families, I fear much for you. I fear lest you get a habit of giving way to every temptation. I fear lest you be afraid of saying "No!" to the world and the devil,—and when sinners entice you, think it least trouble to consent. Beware, I do beseech you, of giving way. Every concession will make you weaker. Go into the world resolved to fight Christ's battle,—and fight your way on.” - J. Ryle
A SURE COVENANT
Psalm 89:28
One of the wonderful truths of Christ's birth is the certainty of God's covenant with us. For Christ is our covenant Head; and that covenant is the relationship of friendship God establishes between Himself and His chosen people.
Jesus was born in a stable, a place of abject poverty, fit only for cattle. But as Covenant Head He realized for us a house of many mansions where we may live with God in a glory which eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard, and has never entered into the heart of man (I Cor. 2:9). This is possible only because God's Son came into our flesh as our Covenant Head.
Of this God spoke in Psalm 89:28 where we read: "My mercy will I keep for evermore, and My covenant shall stand fast with Him." This follows the statement concerning Jesus: "I will make Him My firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth." That does refer to the birth of Christ which always but especially at this time of the year we celebrate. Let us sing:
For Him My mercy shall endure,
My covenant made with him is sure,
His throne and race I will maintain
Forever as the heavens remain.
The sad thing is that at this time of the year we are so cluttered up with worldly things and put Christ's birth out of mind; and this past Christmas, most likely, is not still of great importance to us.
For the world, Christmas is long gone; and now there is the grief of all those bills for the gifts that were purchased. But is there really a good reason why we still should not sing of His birth and talk about it?
If His birth did not take place, the cross could never have happened; and we would still be in our sins. Then as covenant breakers we could only expect the opposite of covenant blessedness. But now we can be absolutely sure that God's covenant and its promises stand. We have nothing to fear. And Christ's ascension to God's right hand is the assurance that we will enjoy covenant blessedness in God's house.
Read:
Psalm 89:20-37
Psalter versification: 243:6
Daily Meditations
on
the
Heidelberg Catechism
Song
for Meditation: Psalter number 428
Why not sing along??
****
Through
the Bible in One Year
Read
today:
Zechariah 10
;
Zechariah 11:1-17
Revelation 18:1-24
Psalm 146:1-10
Proverbs 30:33
****
Quote for Reflection:
“Worldliness is the lust of the flesh (a passion for sensual satisfaction), the lust of the eyes (an inordinate desire for the finer things of life), and the pride of life (self-satisfaction in who we are, what we have, and what we have done). Worldliness, then, is a preoccupation with ease and affluence. It elevates creature comfort to the point of idolatry; large salaries and comfortable life-styles become necessities of life. Worldliness is reading magazines about people who live hedonistic lives and spend too much money on themselves and wanting to be like them. But more importantly, worldliness is simply pride and selfishness in disguises. It’s being resentful when someone snubs us or patronizes us or shows off. It means smarting under every slight, challenging every word spoken against us, cringing when another is preferred before us. Worldliness is harboring grudges, nursing grievances, and wallowing in self-pity. These are the ways in which we are most like the world.” -D. Roper
PRAISE FOR GOD'S LOVINGKINDNESS AND TRUTH
Psalm 138:1, 2
It was two years or more after Jesus' birth that the wise men came with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They made a long journey to bring these gifts. We ought to bring evidences of our thankfulness to God for His gift of His only begotten Son. And we ought not wait until next Christmas to do that. Do so today and sing from the bottom of your heart:
With grateful heart my thanks I bring
Before the great Thy praise I sing;
I worship in Thy holy place
And praise Thee for Thy truth and grace;
For truth and grace together shine
In Thy most holy word divine.
If you turn to Psalm 138:1, 2 you will read it thus: "I will praise Thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto Thee. I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy name for Thy lovingkindness and for Thy truth: for Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name."
Were it not for the truth in these words, our future would be bleak. Without God's lovingkindness, and Christ's birth in it, there would be nothing that called for true thankfulness before God. And so quickly we set aside our thanks for that birth and for that Son and His cross.
But note that David praises God for His lovingkindness and truth. Where do we see these more richly than in Christ, Who was sent in God's lovingkindness, and Who declared to us that He is the way, the truth, and the life? John 14:6.
Surely we can see that the coming of Christ is the magnification of God's word, for He is the Word become flesh. If only we could keep these truths before our minds and in our hearts. If only with grateful hearts we would bring thanksgiving to God every day and be wise men who are interested in spiritual things and in our salvation. Praising God with our whole heart means that we praise Him more than once a year for His gifts to us. But it also means that we do so more than once a day.
Read:
Psalm 138
Psalter versification: 381:1
Daily Meditations
on
the
Heidelberg Catechism
Song
for Meditation: Psalter number 375
Why not sing along??
****
Through
the Bible in One Year
Read
today:
Zechariah 12
;
Zechariah 13:1-9
Revelation 19:1-21
Psalm 147:1-20
Proverbs 31:1-7
****
Quote for Reflection:
… Curiosity doth rise almost always either of idleness or else of distrust; distrust is cured by meditating upon the promises of God. And his commandments do tell us how we ought to occupy ourselves and employ our studies. Therefore, he commandeth his disciples to wait for the promise of God, and to be diligent in executing their office whereunto God had called them. And in the mean season he noteth their great hastiness, in that they did preposterously catch at those gifts which were proper unto the Holy Spirit, when as they were not as yet endued with the same. Neither did they take the right way herein, in that being called to go on warfare, they desire (omitting their labor) to take their ease in their inn. - John Calvin
MERCY BASED ON JUSTICE
Psalm 101:1
There are things that must be separated, and there are things that belong together and should not be kept apart. The wheat must be separated from the chaff. But that kernel of wheat must not be cut off from rain and sunshine, if it is to produce more grain for man.
Similarly God's mercy and His justice go hand in hand. If we take that justice away, we make mercy impossible. God's mercy is only upon those whose sins have been blotted out by the blood of Christ. David declares this in Psalm 101:1 with these words: "I will sing of mercy and of judgment: unto Thee, O Lord, will I sing."
David had been stopped in his improper attempt to bring the ark back to the tabernacle. God slew Uzzah for touching that ark, II Samuel 6:7. Here was God's judgment or justice. But there also was mercy. David made an arrogant, improper attempt to move the ark with an army rather than by the priests. God did not slay him, but in mercy saved his life. For David's sins were blotted out by the blood of Christ. God's justice was satisfied and David could be dealt with in mercy. He could with thankfulness sing:
Of mercy and of justice
My thankful song shall be;
O Lord, in joyful praises
My song shall rise to Thee.
Within Thy house I purpose
To walk in wisdom's way:
O Lord, I need Thy presence;
How long wilt Thou delay?
Yes, the ark belonged in that tabernacle and David was right in wanting to have God's presence typically there in the tabernacle. But justice always calls for punishment upon sin. And mercy can be shown only when sin is removed, its guilt being taken from someone.
Thank God then for the gift of His Son Whose birthday we celebrated a few days ago. Thank Him for the cross that blotted out our guilt, so that we could taste and enjoy God's mercy. Sing of God's mercy; but by all means sing also of His strict justice that makes His mercy possible for us poor sinners. Without the cross Christ's birth has no value for us.
Read:
II Samuel 6:1-19
Psalter versification: 271:1
Daily Meditations
on
the
Heidelberg Catechism
Song
for Meditation: Psalter number 278
Why not sing along??
****
Through
the Bible in One Year
Read
today:
Zechariah 14:1-21
Revelation 20:1-15
Psalm 148:1-14
Proverbs 31:8-9
****
Quote for Reflection:
… Man loves sin, but he dreads hell. And so he makes an attempt to escape the one while continuing in the other. - Herman Hoeksema
KNOWING OUR FRAILTY
Psalm 39:4
There are times when we are glad to have what we are experiencing come to an end. There are also times when we look up against an end to what we have been doing. What hurts and embarrasses we want ended. But what we enjoy and what gives us delight we want continued without end.
Tomorrow we come to the end of another year which reminds us that we are one step closer to the end of our lives. Surely when the clock ticks again, we are closer to the end of the hour, the day, the year, and of our earthly lives. We can then understand these words of Psalm 39:4: "Lord, make me to know my end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am."
That should be our prayer. To God we should pray:
My end, Lord make me know,
My days, how soon they fail;
And to my thoughtful spirit show
How weak I am and frail.
Make that your prayer today; but make it your prayer every day. The year ends tomorrow, but another year comes the next day. Our days on earth are going to end; and then here below there will be no tomorrow for us.
Now our frailty is not simply physical weakness of our bodies. We are so spiritually weak, even though we are born again with a new life in Christ. In ourselves we have absolutely no strength to keep ourselves from falling into sin, or to keep our bodies alive. It is true that our souls go on; but we have no power in ourselves to keep them from plunging into the lake of fire.
It is so very important therefore that we know that Christ is so powerful. Having blotted out our sins on His cross, and because of it conquering death and the grave for us, we can, knowing our frailty, look to Him at God's right hand with confidence.
Knowing our frailty we can appreciate Christ's work and power. And we are ready to praise God and look for better things in the life to come. Learn your frailty: but look away from self and unto Christ for comfort and assurance. This life must end, if we are going to have the blessedness of the life Christ purchased for us.
Read:
Psalm 90
Psalter versification: 107:1
Daily Meditations
on
the
Heidelberg Catechism
Song
for Meditation: Psalter number 400
Why not sing along??
****
Through
the Bible in One Year
Read
today:
Malachi 1
;
Malachi 2:1-17
Revelation 21:1-27
Psalm 149:1-9
Proverbs 31:10-24
****
Quote for Reflection:
… Man wants to rid himself of the obligation to serve his Creator. He registers a complaint against his divine Employer in order to justify himself in his sin. He tries to justify a strike. His Employer is unjust. The requirements imposed upon him by the Almighty are too severe. The demands of God are far too exacting; they far exceed his capacity; he can never fulfill them. And so he refuses to shoulder his obligation. No one, not even God, has the right to demand of him what he cannot perform! - Herman Hoeksema
LOOKING WITH THE EYE OF FAITH
Psalm 90:1-2
Today we come to the end of another year; and every time Old Year's Day comes we can and usually do look backward and forward. However it is important that we look with the eye of faith, when we look back at what happened, and when we look forward to what we would like to have take place in the year ahead.
We do have a versification of Moses' words in Psalm 90 that we do well to keep in mind. The words are these:
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come
Our shelter in the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.
Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.
Moses states it thus in Psalm 90:1, 2: "Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations," and then later in verse 2: "Even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God."
When then by faith we look back at what happened, not only in the days of this year, nor in all our life, but from the day that God made man and placed him in the garden of Eden, we can and should say that God has been our dwelling place. When with the eye of faith we look forward, we can and should say that God will take care of us. For He is from everlasting to everlasting the almighty, faithful God of our salvation. He will not for a moment lose control of all creation. No one shall be able to do anything that will not work together for our good.
Our versification is not wrong when it states that God is our eternal home. Moses did say that He is our dwelling place. And the idea is that we have constant covenant fellowship with Him. He has not left us but watched carefully over us. And since He is from everlasting to everlasting the Almighty One, we can look forward with confidence.
Not only looking back can we see how marvelously He defended and protected His church in Christ, and will do so in the future. But we can and should look up to Christ at God's right hand as our Savior.
Read:
Psalm 90
Psalter versification: 247:1, 2
Daily Meditations
on
the
Heidelberg Catechism
Song
for Meditation: Psalter number 217
Why not sing along??
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Through
the Bible in One Year
Read
today:
Malachi 3
;
Malachi 4:1-6
Revelation 22:1-21
Psalm 150:1-6
Proverbs 31:25-31
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Quote for Reflection:
“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.“ (John 15:14) Think, above all, of the mercy which has been shown you, and learn to rejoice daily in your Friend! What if your body is bent over with disease? What if the poverty and trials of your life are overwhelming? What if your earthly friends all forsake you, and you are alone in this world? All this may be true: but if you are in Christ, then you have a friend, a mighty Friend, a loving Friend, a wise Friend, a Friend that never fails. Oh, think, think habitually about your Friend! Yet in a little while and your Friend will come to take you home, and you will live with Him forever. Yet a little while and you will see Him as you have been seen by Him, and know Him as you have been known by Him. And then you will hear the glorified saints in heaven proclaim, that he is the rich and happy man who has had Christ for his friend.” -J. Ryle