Today’s Scrip-Bit 6 May 2016 Psalm 79:9

06 May 2016 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Psalm 79:9.   Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away (provide atonement for) our sins, for thy name’s sake.

Well friends, it was just one of those days; one of those interesting, divinely blessed days when everything just seems to go right! Glory to God! Oh, there were a few hiccups, a few bumps along the way, but none too serious to overcome or simply absorb. (smile)  

Yes precious people, yesterday was indeed a good day in the ole fella’s life; busy, but not frustratingly so. And it’s strange that those sort of days simply morph into real late nights, or very early mornings. For as Willie Shakespeare was won’t to say; to go to bed late is to be up early. 

And I had to chuckle when I heard the birds chirping their early morning songs of praise as I was going to bed this morning. Now that’s my excuse, and I’m sticking to it! (smile) 

But I’m sure you all don’t really care because it’s Friday, and I can hear all the hoopla about ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday! The weekend has finally come and we going to live it up as much as possible! Thank God for Fridays and the weekend yes!’ 

Ah mih breddren, that is the wrong attitude to have towards the weekend. It’s not just for play, as so many of us seem to believe, but for a combination of things, including rest and renewal for the following week. 

And to help us better understand the purpose of the weekend, let’s chant our Friday Chant, which lays out a more positive, sensible and Christ-like path. All together now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. 

Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’ 

Now that sounds more like the right way to use the weekend, not simply for partying and satisfying the lusts of the flesh! 

That brings us to our Bit, which is certainly an interesting verse of scripture. ‘Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away (provide atonement for) our sins, for thy name’s sake.’ 

Here, the psalmist Asaph, in his prayer for the destruction of heathen enemies, pleads for God’s intercession on the basis of glorifying His holy name. And he continues in the same vein. ‘Wherefore should the heathen (nations, gentiles) say, Where is their God? Let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging (avenging) of the blood of thy servants which is shed.’ 

And before we go any further, let’s check out the scholar’s take on Psalm 79. ‘Psalm 79. A companion poem to Psalm 74, this psalm laments the destruction of Jerusalem at the time of the Babylonian captivity. The psalm has two distinct parts: expression of the lament to God (vv.1-5) and petition to God for deliverance of His people and retribution on their enemies. (vv.6-13) 

Three motives for God to act are cited: the misery God’s people are experiencing (vv.1-4) the tender mercies of God Himself (v.8), and the humiliation brought to his name (v.10) Unlike Psalm 137, which seems to have been written during the Captivity, this psalm was apparently written by eyewitnesses of the desolation of Jerusalem.’ 

How typical eh friends, that after the wanton sinfulness of Israel, in the time of their comeuppance, they cry out to God for mercy, redemption and revenge. And they boldface enough to use the non-glorification, the humiliation of God’s name as an excuse for His intervention. 

But at least the Israelites recognized the existence and power of the heavenly Father, even though somewhat late. However, today, although we are in the same basic plight as the Israelites, undergoing much ‘sufferation,’ we won’t even acknowledge His existence – or rather we acknowledge it, by trying to remove Him from our society. 

Foolishly, unlike the Israelites, we figure He is of no earthly use to us. Instead of repenting and crying out to Him for help, since He’s the Creator and Controller of the universe and everything therein, we shun, make fun of, abuse His holy name and relegate Him to the backwaters of our society. 

That’s a fool’s wisdom, my brethren! And there certainly are a lot of fools walking around in this evil and ungodly world! 

Hopefully, if you are reading this, you are not one of them. Or better yet, if you are one of those unwise people, you will see the error of your ways and repent and come back home to Jesus, where you rightfully belong. 

And there’s no need to fear returning to His fold, for He will not berate or castigate you, but welcome you with open arms, showering you with LOVE and tenderness, just like Jesus talked about in the parable of the Prodigal Son. 

Oh my people, it’s about time we see the lack of wisdom in our sinful, lustful, materialistic behaviour, the futility of trying to erase God from our lives, for He is the One who gives us the very breath of life. 

Without Him, His LOVE, forgiveness, mercy, blessings and grace, we are nothing. Let us please remember that and start behaving like the children of God that we are, and not the offspring of the fool Lucifer, as our society is currently reflecting. For turning to God, is indeed the wisdom of all the ages. Much LOVE!

…even in our most sinful state…crying out to God for mercy and forgiveness…is undoubtedly…the wisest thing to do…

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 13 April 2012 Luke 1:4

13 Apr 2012 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Luke 1:4.    That thou mighest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
 
Ah mih old Friends, it’s Friday… And there’s an instantaneous shout: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday yes!’ Ah have to laugh, because after all the church going and heavy partying of last weekend, the work week must have been a tad on the rough side, and therefore everybody’s just dying for Friday to come. But it’s also Friday the 13th, Black Friday, you say. So what? We’ve just finished celebrating Good Friday and Easter Sunday, no evil spirit can touch or even come close to us now, cause we’re basking in the glory of a resurrected Christ, our Lord and Saviour! Just the joy and passion in our hearts and souls will send any evil spirit running away in fear! Remember though Friends that the weekend is not all fun and games, it’s also a time for some serious reflection on our lives. And to get us rounded out, let’s chant our Friday Chant like we mean it. I know the physical enthusiasm level is a bit low, but the spiritual zest is high, and combined with the spiritual strength of Jesus, we can surely roust the angels in heaven (smile) All together now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’ Well that ought to raise the level of whatever was low and give us the right perspective for the weekend. So let’s turn to our Bit: ‘That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.’ Oh my people, that comes from the introduction of Luke’s gospel, where he sets out his reasons and otherwise for writing it. ‘Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration (narrative) of those things which are most surely believed among us. Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of (accurately followed) all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order (an orderly account), most excellent Theophilus.’ (Luke 1:1-3) Luke was a medical man; ‘the beloved physician,’ as Bruh Paul calls him in Col.4:14. He was not an eyewitness to Christ’s ministry, but associated with some who were, and also had access to written accounts of it and figured there was need to produce a comprehensive account of the whole thing. The scholars explain it best: ‘Luke states his purpose and method. He wants to supplement Theophilus’s knowledge of the grounds of Christian certainty. He also wants to give his own summation of the gospel events which, already in Luke’s time, are being committed to writing by various authors. As to method, Luke combines his knowledge of other writings with the eyewitness testimony of people he knows. He also lays claim to a comprehensive understanding, not only of historical data, but also of its theological significance. Theophilus means ‘Friend of God.’ By the way Luke addresses him he appears to have been a man of high standing.’ Yes Friends, though nobody knows who Theophilus was, luckily for us Luke had the desire to give him a sure foundation, strong groundings in the Word of Christ, which he must have heard of in his daily walk. Luke also mentions Theophilus in Acts 1:1, so he must have thought him worthy enough to pen two books; Luke and Acts, to show Theo that all the talk about Jesus was really real, and also to boost his faith, if he was a believer. Luke must certainly have been close to some of the old disciples and Bruh Paul, if the latter could call him ‘beloved.’ He must have also witnessed some of the stuff he writes in Acts. My purpose to day Friends, is the same as that of Luke to Theo; to tell us of the certainty of the things we’ve heard and been taught about Christ, and to encourage us to read, understand and use the gospels in our daily lives, so that we can back up and verify the teachings and our personal knowledge. That is the only way in which we can truly become knowledgeable about the life and times of Christ, the Saviour who we claim to follow. Thus when asked about our faith, why we believe, we can have a good and sure answer. And we’ll close with some meaningful words from one of the eyewitness to Jesus’ story, the beloved disciple, John. ‘And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through (in) his name.’ (John 20:30-31) And here’s an appropriate note from the scholars: ‘John tells us here he wrote the gospel for purposes of conversion, that ye might believe, and of sanctification, that ye might have life.’ Oh Friends, therefore let’s be wise nuh; let’s read the gospels and believe, so that we might be sanctified and enjoy all the other benefits of being a follower of Christ! Much LOVE!…to believe…to have faith…to hope for that we see not…to truly live for Jesus…is the most worthwhile earthly life we can ever live…