The Summer Update--August 8

Good morning,

It has been said, ‘If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.’ How true that is today for Christians living “in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation”. (Philippians 2:15(b))

This is the 12th and final summer update. I plan to start the fall update in September. My goal for these emails has been to help you develop a stronger Biblical worldview by reading the Bible daily.

So let me ask, ‘How did you do this summer with your commitment to reading the Bible … and praying each day? How would it compare to college athletes’ dedication to fall sports? How about pre-med or pre-law students? 

Would you say with the Psalmist “My zeal consumes me …” (Psalm 119:139) … or would Jesus’ words be more appropriate, “you are (were) lukewarm”?  

Here are accounts of both of them in God’s Word.   

“Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple He found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers there. And making a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple … His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house will consume Me.’” (John 2:13-17)

The other group would be that of ‘lukewarmness’ in the church of Laodicea. 

“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth … Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” (Revelation 3:15-19)

So how would you evaluate your summer reading? We must be more zealous for Christ than unbelievers are for their sin. 

May Christ bless your Bible reading this week. The reading is Psalm 119:121-160.

Steve   

Good morning,

I was recently thinking of the great sin of unbelief. The more thought that you give to it, the more you will realize why it is punishable in Hell forever and ever. 

In Joshua 24 “the Holy One of Israel” recounts all that He did for His people in past years. “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel … I took your father Abraham from beyond the river … I gave him Isaac … I plagued Egypt … I brought you out of Egypt … your eyes saw what I did”.

Unbelief says in response to God, ‘You did not do those things! You are a liar!’ In short unbelief rejects adamantly that God did any of that. 

The Bible tells all that God is, and did, in this world. Most of all we learn how much He did sending His One and Only Son to deliver us from our sin. Unbelief rejects all of this and says man is the master of his own fate … not God.

The author of the letter to the Hebrews says this, “… how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?” (Hebrews 2:3(a))

Only by reading God’s Word will you learn ALL that He has done in this world ... and establish it as fact in your heart! 

This week we will be reading Psalm 119:81-120.

Day 1

[81] My soul longs for your salvation;

I hope in your word.

[82] My eyes long for your promise;

I ask, “When will you comfort me?”

[83] For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,

yet I have not forgotten your statutes.

[84] How long must your servant endure?

When will you judge those who persecute me?

[85] The insolent have dug pitfalls for me;

they do not live according to your law.

[86] All your commandments are sure;

they persecute me with falsehood; help me!

[87] They have almost made an end of me on earth,

but I have not forsaken your precepts.

[88] In your steadfast love give me life,

that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

MEDITATION

In verse 81 the Psalmist writes, “I hope in Your word”. So what do you hope in? Is it money … or success … getting married? God tells us to hope in Him? Is the Lord Jesus Christ the Great Hope of your life?

Day 2 

[89] Forever, O LORD, your word

is firmly fixed in the heavens.

[90] Your faithfulness endures to all generations;

you have established the earth, and it stands fast.

[91] By your appointment they stand this day,

for all things are your servants.

[92] If your law had not been my delight,

I would have perished in my affliction.

[93] I will never forget your precepts,

for by them you have given me life.

[94] I am yours; save me,

for I have sought your precepts.

[95] The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,

but I consider your testimonies.

[96] I have seen a limit to all perfection,

but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

MEDITATION:

When you think of the Lord Jesus Christ, what do you think of? Do you think of what He looks like from pictures of Him on TV? Do you think of all the commands He has given to us? Maybe it is His great love that He has put on display for all to see. In verse 90 we are told, “Your faithfulness endures to all generations …” When you think of God do you ever think of His faithfulness as the Psalmist did? 

Day 3 

[97] Oh how I love your law!

It is my meditation all the day.

[98] Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,

for it is ever with me.

[99] I have more understanding than all my teachers,

for your testimonies are my meditation.

[100] I understand more than the aged,

for I keep your precepts.

[101] I hold back my feet from every evil way,

in order to keep your word.

[102] I do not turn aside from your rules,

for you have taught me.

[103] How sweet are your words to my taste,

sweeter than honey to my mouth!

[104] Through your precepts I get understanding;

therefore I hate every false way.

MEDITATION:

In verse 103 the Word of God says this, “How sweet are Your Words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.” In other words, the Psalmist loved to read (eat) God’s Word. He desired it like the best food he had ever eaten. Is God’s Word ‘sweet to eat’ or is it ‘sour to your taste’? If it is not sweet, pray that God would make it so.

Day 4

[105] Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light to my path.

[106] I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,

to keep your righteous rules.

[107] I am severely afflicted;

give me life, O LORD, according to your word!

[108] Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O LORD,

and teach me your rules.

[109] I hold my life in my hand continually,

but I do not forget your law.

[110] The wicked have laid a snare for me,

but I do not stray from your precepts.

[111] Your testimonies are my heritage forever,

for they are the joy of my heart.

[112] I incline my heart to perform your statutes

forever, to the end.

MEDITATION:

Verse 105 is an often quoted verse, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” So let me ask, ‘Is God’s Word a lamp to your feet to guide your walk in this world?’ If it is not you are walking in darkness. 

Day 5

[113] I hate the double-minded,

but I love your law.

[114] You are my hiding place and my shield;

I hope in your word.

[115] Depart from me, you evildoers,

that I may keep the commandments of my God.

[116] Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,

and let me not be put to shame in my hope!

[117] Hold me up, that I may be safe

and have regard for your statutes continually!

[118] You spurn all who go astray from your statutes,

for their cunning is in vain.

[119] All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross,

therefore I love your testimonies.

[120] My flesh trembles for fear of you,

and I am afraid of your judgments. 

MEDITATION:

Verse 116(a) says, “Uphold me according to Your promise …” Do you ever pray God’s promises back to Him? In other words our Lord Jesus Christ has given His People, “His precious and very great promises …”  The Psalmist counted on these to uphold him when life got hard. What promises of God do you cling to when life gets hard?

May Christ bless your reading of His Word this week.

Steve