I didn't post my morning Bible read yesterday. If you wish for me to post about it, ask and I will. Today's Psalm is right on target for current happenings, imho. Relevant again.
PSALM 64 For the director of music. A psalm of David.
Theme: A complaint about conspiracy. When others conspire against us, we can ask God for protection because he knows everything.
Author: David
1 Hear me, my God, as I voice my complaint; protect my life from the threat of the enemy. 2 Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from the plots of evildoers. 3 They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim cruel words like deadly arrows. 4 They shoot from ambush at the innocent; they shoot suddenly, without fear. 5 They encourage each other in evil plans, they talk about hiding their snares; they say, “Who will see it ?” 6 They plot injustice and say, “We have devised a perfect plan!” Surely the human mind and heart are cunning. 7 But God will shoot them with his arrows; they will suddenly be struck down. 8 He will turn their own tongues against them and bring them to ruin; all who see them will shake their heads in scorn. 9 All people will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done. 10 The righteous will rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him; all the upright in heart will glory in him!
Study Notes:
64:1ff Evil can come in the form of a secret conspiracy or an ambush because Satan wants to catch us unprepared. He tempts us in our weakest areas when we least expect it. But God himself will strike down our enemies (64:7), [I highlighted this next phrase.] whether they are physical or spiritual. Wickedness is widespread and affects us in many ways, but the final victory already belongs to God and those who trust and believe in him.
64:1, 2 We may believe that God wants to hear only certain requests from us. While it is true that we should offer praise, confession, and respectful petitions, it is true also that God is willing to listen to anything we want to tell him. David expressed himself honestly, knowing that God would hear his voice. God will always listen to us, and he will fully understand what we say.
64:3-10 The words spoken against us are among the most painful attacks we may have to face. If we trust in God, these attacks will not hurt us.
It occurred to me while reading this psalm how God prepares us daily for what we might encounter. He equips us with a brain to think and discern what is true. The Rolling Stone Ivermectin+echo chamber crossed my mind as I read this psalm. It amazes me that as God equips us with discernment, he shows us how to correlate motivations with actions and words. There seem to be many targets when the devil conspires to harm us--like OK, President Trump, Ivermectin, and all of us who seek other remedies than vaccines. But if we hold onto the equipment God gives us, especially the ability to seek and discern truth, God himself, through the Holy Spirit of Truth, strikes down our enemies' attacks. At the same time, God reveals their conspiracies.
Allknowing Father, thank you for protecting us in all the ways you provide. Thank you for our ability to see what is true. Thank you for urging us to seek the truth so that we can grow in our understanding of you. Thank you also for special ministers, that speak to us on Sundays. One gave extra meaning to commas, that stick with me as I typed this post today. I will praise you as I go through today. Let us glorify you in all our tasks. In my savior's name I pray, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
A Song: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy6AOGRsR80
Have a blessed day.
In addition to the true Word spoken above, sometimes God will withhold His Blessings from people and nations to try their true faith, and to strengthen them for the purpose of fulfilling His Will. All believers can accept these challenges, and even the slings and arrows of the evil one, with glad heart and peace of mind. For we know what lies ahead for us; His Glory.
Eternal and most gracious Father in Heaven, You are the first, You are the last, You shall ever be. We ask that You place the Holy Word in our mouths so that we, those who love You with all of our hearts and all of our minds, may speak into the darkness that shadows over this great nation, and bring the Light of your Love to shine on those in need, on the oppressed and on the mournful. Send unto us your Spirit, to heal, to guide, to teach. We forever seek of Your wisdom, fill us with this blessing. We ask of these things in the Most Worthy Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, Whose return to this world is like way overdue. Amen.
Awesome comment! Thank you.
Thank you so much for these posts. I have a prayer folder just for them. I especially appreciate the study notes.
Thank you for posting this! It is very fitting for today. Also, what was the teaching you had on commas? I sometimes struggle with knowing where to put them, so I am intrigued that they can be a lesson.
Here's the sermon from yesterday. The comma was mentioned at the very end and depended on the context before.
https://www.firstchurchok.com/media/dpqjkt4/don-t-miss-it
Thank you!
Thank you, you too.