Savoring the Scripture

Prayer for a Steadfast Heart Psalm 57 We may in times of great straits expect mercies of a remarkable kind. Charles Spurgeon In the book of Philippians, Paul is writing to the Philippians while he sits in jail. He loves them deeply and desires that they continue to pursue Christ. He knows they are suffering and yet he encourages them that this is a gracious gift given to them in order that they may know Christ more deeply (Philippians 1:29; 3:10). He himself is suffering but rejoicing even in his imprisonment. And he tells them he is pressing on and straining forward “toward the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (3:14). He is able to press on, to remain steadfast and diligent, “because Christ has made me his own” (3:12). Christ had made Paul his own.  If we are in Christ today it is because Christ has made us His own. He has purchased us with His precious blood. He has redeemed us from the power of sin and death. He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Himself. There i...

Prayer through Persistent Trouble Psalm 56 Thus in this short Psalm, we have climbed from the ravenous jaws of the enemy into the light of Jehovah's presence, a path which only faith can tread. Charles Spurgeon I am loving going through the Psalms this year. How kind of God to give us so many comforts in one book. The Psalms give vocabulary to the expression of our emotions. They face the reality of our humanness while then directing us to truth. Today’s psalm is no different. David is again the author and is again facing his enemies. The “chorus of this psalm” is the repeated truth, “in God I trust; I shall not be afraid” (56:4). We also see the trouble which led David to remind himself to trust the Lord, we see: men trample him, oppress him, attack him, injure his cause, their thoughts are against him for evil, they stir up strife, lurk, watch his steps, and wait for his life. And David repeats three times that these men and their evil deeds are against him “all day long” (56:1,2...

A Prayer for the Betrayed Psalm 55 We amid all our sorrow may find rest in Jesus. Charles Spurgeon Betrayal is painful. The very nature of the word intimates that there is a relationship established that has been broken. A citizen betraying his country, a spouse betraying spouse, friend betraying friend, or child betraying parent. Trust has been broken. A deliberate act of disloyalty has violated that trust. What should be a relationship of security is now threatened by the untrustworthiness of the betrayer.  David, in Psalm 55, cries to the Lord in anguish. He is restless, complaining, moaning. He wishes to fly away from the situation, to wander far into the wilderness to feel sheltered from the intensity of his sorrow. His prayers rise continuously to the Lord—“evening and morning and at noon” (55:17). And the cause of his anguish is his companion, his familiar friend, one who used to take sweet counsel together with him has dealt insolently with him and taunts him. But even in t...

Surely God is My Help Psalm 54 What matters the number or violence of our foes when HE uplifts the shield of his omnipotence to guard us, and the sword of his power to aid us? Little care we for the defiance of the foe while we have the defense of God. Charles Spurgeon Surely. This year I am coming to love this word found in the Scriptures on numerous occasions. The word surely  is “used to emphasize the speaker's firm belief that what they are saying is true and often their surprise that there is any doubt of this” and this word is used to express assurance and confidence. In today’s psalm, Psalm 54, we find this word at the beginning of verse 4, “Surely God is my help, the Lord is the one who sustains me” (NIV). In the ESV this word is translated “behold” which also expresses strong feelings, hopeful expectation, certainty and a call to our attention. And to what is David calling our attention? What is he certain is true? “Surely God is my help.” The backdrop of this psalm is fou...

Prayer for the Prodigal Psalm 53 But at the end of that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever. Daniel 4:34 Psalm 53 is very similar to Psalm 14 with slight variations. Charles Spurgeon says, “Holy Writ never repeats itself needlessly, there is good cause for the second copy of this Psalm; let us read it with more profound attention than before.” The subject of these two similar psalms is the total depravity of man. It is not that all men are as evil and wicked as they could possibly be, but it means that all of our being has been corrupted by the Fall so that, “there is none who does good, not even one” (Psalm 53:3).  Paul quotes these verses in Romans 3 demonstrating that there are none who seek after God, none who understand, none who do good. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. But God. These 2 wonderful words rescued us from our ignoran...

A Green Olive Tree Psalm 52 Eternal mercy is my present confidence. Charles Spurgeon In Scripture, the picture of a flourishing and fruitful plant is often used to express the one who belongs to the Lord and is walking in obedience to Him. In Psalm 1, the one who delights in the Lord and meditates on His law day and night is like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, yielding fruit whose leaf does not wither. Jeremiah says, "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD And whose trust is the LORD. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, That extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8). And Christ Himself uses the imagery when He says, “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). In our psalm today David declares, “I am like a gr...

A Broken and Contrite Heart Psalm 51 “And he went out and wept bitterly”(Luke 22:62).  These words follow Peter’s realization of the fulfillment of Jesus’ words concerning his denial. Words that Peter vehemently declared would never happen. Just hours earlier as they sat around the Passover table, Jesus told His disciples that one of them would betray Him.  And not only would one of them betray Him, but Jesus turned to Peter and told him that before the rooster crowed two times, Peter himself would deny Christ three times. Satan had asked to sift him as wheat, and the Lord had given permission.  That night Peter came face to face with the reality of his own frailty. Though he desired steadfast faithfulness to the Lord, and though he loved Jesus, his own flesh was weak. But this humbling which caused bitter weeping would be used by the Lord to strengthen the brethren. The Lord used it in order that Peter might warn those of the dispersion as well as us, “Be of sober spirit...

Sacrifice of Thanksgiving Psalm 50 Our whole lives should be ones of continually giving thanks. Giving thanks to God for both His temporal and spiritual blessings in our lives is not just a nice thing to do—it is the moral will of God. Failure to give thanks due Him is sin. Jerry Bridges, Respectable Sins   Thankfulness is the grateful acknowledgment of past mercies. As believers we are commanded to give thanks in all things (1 Thessalonians 5:18), and truly the believer has an abundance of spiritual and temporal blessings for which he ought to give thanks to the Lord. In fact, our thankfulness should be abounding and overflowing (2 Corinthians 4:15; Colossians 2:7).  What hinders our thankfulness? Discontent hinders thankfulness, since discontent stems from a heart that thinks it deserves better than what it has received. Discontent is not satisfied with the Lord’s provision. Discontent leads to grumbling and complaining rather than giving thanks.  Martha Peace in Attitu...

  Hope in God and Not Uncertain Riches Psalm 49 Put…hope in the Giver not the gifts. George Knight  Psalm 49 reminds the godly and upright not to fear when the wicked prosper and gain riches. The psalmist reminds the reader that it is wise to recognize that no one can take his wealth with him. The wise as well as “the fool and stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others”(49:10). He also states those who trust in their wealth and boast in the abundance of their riches have a “foolish confidence” (49:13).  The believer should heed the warning not to rely on riches. It can be easy in a world where money is needed to buy food and pay bills to put confidence in the obtaining of financial security or to be anxious when there is not financial security. Matthew 6 is a well-known passage encouraging believers not to be anxious about what they will wear or what they will eat, as their Heavenly Father knows they need these things (6:25,32) and He cares even for the bir...

Praise Before the Battle Psalm 48 At the same time, let us remember that a nod alone on the part of God is sufficient to deliver us; and that, although our enemies may be ready to fall upon us on every side to overwhelm us, it is in his power, whenever he pleases, to strike them with amazement of spirit, and thus to make their hearts fail in a moment in the very midst of their efforts against us. John Calvin 2 Chronicles 20 records the return of King Jehoshaphat and all of Judah to Jerusalem after a great battle. They come to their beloved Jerusalem “with joy, for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies” (2 Chronicles 20:27). It is an incredible story of God’s deliverance from an overwhelming foe.  The chapter starts as Jehoshaphat hears that a great multitude is coming against him (20:2). He is afraid, yet he seeks the Lord. In fact, he gathers the people of Judah to fast and seek help from the Lord. Jehoshaphat prays and reminds God that God is the ruler over all the...

That Rare Mothe r A.W.Tozer said, “There are rare Christians whose very presence invites others to be better Christians. I want to be that rare Christian.” On this Mother’s Day, let’s consider what it might be like to be that rare mother whose very presence invites others to be better mothers. How do we become these kind of women? What are qualities that build a woman like this?  Christ is her life. It is the aroma of Christ in her that others see. She makes knowing God through His Word a priority and thus she is coming to Him for everything pertaining to her life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). She is abiding in Him and He is producing His fruit in her life (John 15:4). She is by no means perfect, but she is confident that she is in Christ. Her sins are forgiven by His precious blood, and His perfect righteousness is credited to her. This means she knows her Advocate is interceding on her behalf. So she can rest in His strength to be what He has called her to be, living out a sincer...

The Victorious King Psalm 47  Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne. And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance. Revelation 4:2-3 Psalm 47 is filled with words of praise and rejoicing to our King. These praises aren’t only appropriate when things are going well, but even in our seasons of difficulty, His praise should be on our lips. Psalm 34:1 says, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”  Paul and Silas are beautiful examples of praising the Lord during hardship. After being beaten and thrown in jail for righteousness’ sake, they are praying and singing hymns of praise to the Lord in the night (Acts 16:25). Sometimes this requires a deliberate act of the will to choose to praise the Lord even when we would rather remain silent, or even worse, complain. Recentl...

Holy Confidence Psalm 46 Happen what may, the Lord's people are happy and secure, this is the doctrine of the Psalm, and it might, to help our memories, be called THE SONG OF HOLY CONFIDENCE. C.H. Spurgeon  Confidence is a feeling of security and strength one feels when they can rely on someone or something dependable. It is a firm trust. Holy confidence then is firmly relying on God, feeling secure through His strength and His dependability. It is the ability to say, “Though _________ should happen, I will not fear.” It is not a complete absence of fear at all times, but it is the ability to meet our fear with the truth and have His peace settle our minds and quiet our distress. However, it is not flippant or glib. There is a solemnity and gravity to our confidence in God. It can handle the deepest afflictions and hardest woes. It can say, as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out ...