September 3, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in selections from Psalms? Here’s today’s reading:
Psalms 129-131 (NIV)
A song of ascents.
1“They have greatly oppressed me from my youth,”
let Israel say;
2“they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,
but they have not gained the victory over me.
3bPlowmen have plowed my back
and made their furrows long.…..Continue Reading
Psalms 129-131 done
Those who hate God will not be blessed..
Malachi 1
Psalm 129-131
Psalm 130;3 is often used as a memory verse. [ If thou, Lord shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand.] This is a reminder of who we really are before the Lord for He is a Holy God and no sin can come before Him. Thank the Lord that He came to the cross in our place to die for our sins. His Holiness is so bright that it would kill us the moment we looked upon Him. Far brighter than looking on the sun in the sky. This Psalm is about crying and waiting on the Lord. In verse 6 the Psalmist is emphasizing how much he is waiting on the Lord by saying it twice. In Psalm he is coming before the Lord with a humble attitude and is quieted before Him as a baby is weaned of his mother taking in all the nutrients. Like wise we are to be taking in the word of God and quietly in His presence. May we continually get into His word and have that daily presence with Him.
Psalms 126-133
Psalms 129-131
It is hard when life brings suffering, especially when it comes at the hands of people. And yet what a comfort to be able to turn to God in those contexts and find One who cares and is able to help..and is greater than any person. May we not be ones who just speak platitudes into the lives of those with problems, but come along side them with real support. And there is no better support than our great God in heaven who does not keep a record of sin and stands ready to forgive. In Him there is unfailing love and full redemption. He gives us every reason and opportunity to believe and trust in Him. May be be ones who wait on Him and still and quiet our souls before Him. He is by far the best One in whom to place our hope!
I thought that Psalm 130 was a sharp contrast to Malachi, where the people question God,
‘In what way have we robbed You?’
‘What have we spoken against You?’
They deny their sinfulness, whereas David here says,
“If You, Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
4 But there is forgiveness with You,
That You may be feared.”
He knows that no one can stand before the Lord in their sin, but by His mercy and forgiveness.
When we go through difficult times and cry out to God in our distress, we can be comforted with the fact that God will forgive our sins, his Word is true, and in him is unfailing love and full redemption. It is best to focus on these truths while we wait for him to rescue us.
Let us not be distracted by matters that are out of our control, because they are in God’s hands.
Let us be content and have hope in the Lord, with all his goodness, mercy, grace, and love.