Savoring the Scripture

Psalm 35, part 3 Here is comfort, our Heavenly Father knows all our sorrows. C.H. Spurgeon Our God is a delivering God. The Scriptures recount many ways in which God rescued His people, coming to their aid as their strong deliverer. In 1 Samuel 19, David faces death several times in the chapter, and each time God helps him to escape.  First, Saul orders his men to kill David. Jonathan, Saul’s son, is a beloved friend of David’s, and so he warns David of the danger and then Jonathan persuades his father to not continue to pursue David, and “Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan” (19:6).  Later, after David has defeated the Philistines, an evil spirit comes upon Saul and he tries to kill David with his spear, but David “slipped away out of Saul’s presence…and David fled and escaped that night” (19:10). Then Saul sets an ambush to catch David at his home. But his wife, Saul’s daughter, covers for David and again David is able to flee and escape (19:18). When Saul finds out where...

Psalm 35 Prayer for the Persecuted Church, part 2 Indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many. 2 Corinthians 1:9-11 NASB Paul, near the end of his life, told Timothy, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). And Paul had experienced this first hand as he testified in 2 Corinthians. He had been shipwrecked, thrown in a pit, beaten, stoned, hungry, and more.  Throughout the ages God’s people have suffered for the sake of the gospel and the Lord has at times delivered His people from great peril, and other times He has allowed their suffering for the spread of...

Psalm 35 Prayers for the Persecuted Church, part 1 The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. Tertullian This week on the blog, we will be praying for the persecuted church. Most of us reading this blog are living comfortably and worshiping freely. But many of our brothers and sisters around the world are risking their lives to live for Christ. Let’s pray Psalm 35 this week for God’s protection of His people and the furtherance of His kingdom in the world. Charles Spurgeon said, “An inward persuasion of security in God is of all things the most precious in the furnace of persecution.” May the Lord use our prayers and the truth of His Word to supply His saints with the security and comfort that only He can provide. Access this  link  to go to the Voice of the Martyrs webpage for prayer requests and to see information on the countries around the world that are hostile or restricted as pertains to the Christian faith. I encourage you to pick a few countries for which you...

All Who are in Authority Psalm 12 The darkest hours of the Church's night are those which precede the break of day. Man's extremity is God's opportunity. C.H. Spurgeon We are living in turbulent times, and many question the intentions of our governing authorities and the increase of wickedness in our country. One thing is sure. We are commanded to pray for those in authority “so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy 2:2).  Today we will pray through Psalm 12, praying for those in authority and for those who live under that authority. Also, let’s intercede for the persecuted church around the world. Many believers worldwide are facing increasing censorship, surveillance, arrest, and death while claiming the name of Christ. Let’s remember our brothers and sisters in Christ and seek the Lord’s protection on their behalf. Longing for Safety 12:1-5 “Save, O Lord, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among th...