Have Mercy on Me, O Lord

Scripture: Psalm 6: 1-3

O Lord, do not rebuke or punish me in Your anger, Nor discipline me in Your wrath. Have mercy on me and be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am weak (faint, frail); Heal me, O Lord, for my bones are dismayed and anguished. My soul [as well as my body] is greatly dismayed. But as for You, O Lord—how long [until You act on my behalf]?

Scripture Commentary: David asks God to have mercy on him

This is the first of seven “penitential” psalms, where David humbly realizes his predicament, expresses sorrow over it, and demonstrates a fresh commitment to remain close to God. He implores God to have mercy on him.

The secret to a close relationship with God is to pray to him earnestly all the time, day and night. We don’t know the cause of David’s pain. We do know that he sought God for the remedy. As in David’s case, we must be willing to accept God’s punishment, knowing God’s discipline will be out of love for us, not out of anger.

Humans would not exist if God corrected us out of anger alone. Mercy is the reason we are on this earth, and it is the reason we can have a close relationship with God. God knows your anger and despair already. Do not hide the truth from him. Put it in his hands. God knows us thoroughly and wants the very best for us.

David poured his heart out to God and was completely honest. He was open to the consequences, understanding that God loved him.

Our merciful God forgives us instead of giving us what we really deserve. He will never leave or desert you.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms 6

The Lord’s Glory Is Revealed

Scripture: Isaiah 53: 1, 5-6

Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? (1) But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.(5-6)

Scripture Commentary: To whom is the Lord revealed?

Isaiah wrote this scripture long before Our Lord Jesus Christ came to earth to save the Israelites. The Lord was revealed to them. Even with the knowledge of his coming, the Israelites still didn’t receive the Messiah.

The Lord is revealed to you

Today we stand in a different position. We have the hindsight of Christ’s prior coming as proof of his identity and his purpose. However, some of us continue not to recognize him. Our sin is much greater than that of the ancient Israelites. Our understanding is greater also, yet we still reject Jesus Christ.

Why do we live a godless lifestyle when we have the knowledge of Christ? Does your life follow the path Jesus asked you to walk? Do you love your neighbor as you love yourself? Do you talk to God, and have you given your life to Jesus Christ?

Read the Entire Chapter:
Isaiah Chapter 53

Other recent posts from the Book of Isaiah:
The Pit of Corruption is Dug for the Wicked
Here I Am, Lord; Send Me
Pray Unto the Lord – He Will Respond

The Symbolism of the Linen Girdle

Scripture: Jeremiah 13: 1,4,5,7

Thus saith the Lord unto me, Go and get thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water. Take the girdle that thou hast got, which is upon thy loins, and arise, go to Eu-phra’-tes, and hide it there in a hole of the rock. So I went, and hid it by Eu-phra’-tes, and digged, and took the girdle from the place where I had hid it: and, behold, the girdle was marred, it was profitable for nothing.

Scripture Commentary: What is the lesson of the linen girdle?

The linen girdle was the garment worn closest to the person and it represented how close the people were to be to God. When God told Jeremiah to remove and hide it, that represented how we distance ourselves from God. The marred linen girdle, which has no value, represented how a people guided by their own earthly interests are useless to God.

God gave us life so that we may worship him and create his kingdom on earth. He placed us here for a purpose. There are those among us who ignore that purpose. If we go about our lives living for ourselves then we are living in denial of God’s gift. What good are you without that gift? Without that purpose?

Pride clouds your eyes to the truth

What Jeremiah is conveying in the passage above still applies today. The people had once been close to God, but their pride made them useless. Pride will not let you see the truth; that God placed us on this earth for him and not for ourselves.

Proud people may look important on the outside, but their pride rots their hearts and decreases their value to God. In this chapter, the threat of captivity didn’t even move the people to repent. The lesson of the linen belt illustrates the destiny of Judea.

What is your destiny? Are you living for God or for yourself?

Read the entire chapter:
Jeremiah Chapter 13

Other Posts on the Book of Jeremiah
God’s Compassion Never Fails
We Must Acknowledge Our Wickedness and Change Our Ways
Woe To Leaders Who Scatter God’s Flock

The Pit of Corruption is Dug for the Wicked

Scripture: Isaiah 38: 17-19

Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back. For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth. The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.

Scripture Commentary: Only God can lift us from the pit of corruption and despair

Hezekiah realized that God answered his prayers. God delivered him from the pit of corruption, and forgave him. How do you respond when God answers your prayer? Do you thank him but continue with your life as if nothing happened, or do you live your life for our Lord?

Isaiah 38: 17-19 have three important messages:

God answers prayers
We should go into the world and spread his word
You can not talk from the grave

The time is now to live a life for God

Hezekiah expresses the significance of passing the joy of the Lord from father to children, from generation to generation. We have the Word of God because of faithful men and women who passed along the message through the centuries.

We exist for a moment in time, but the time that we have is the time that God gave us. When we enter the grave we cannot work for God, we can only do that for him while we are living.

Live today and the rest of your earthly life for God!

Read the Entire Chapter:
Isaiah Chapter 38

God Breaks Down Stubborn Pride

Scripture: Ezekiel 2: 4-5

The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious people—they will know that a prophet has been among them.

Scripture Commentary: A stubborn nature drives us backward, not forward

God gave Ezekiel the difficult responsibility of presenting His message to ungrateful and abusive people. God called the people “obstinate and stubborn” because they refused to admit their sin. Even when God pointed out their wrongdoing, the people ignored the truth. Are we turning a blind eye to our sins?

As Christians, we are an example of God’s Word. We must live as He tells us to live. The Lord told Ezekiel not to be afraid, but to speak His words even if the people would not listen.

God will not judge us for how well others respond to our faith, but for how faithful we are

We do not have to fear rejection or ridicule when God’s spirit is within us. He does not give us a task too large to handle, and He is always watching over us when we go onto the battlefield for him. God’s strength is powerful enough to help us live for Him even under the heaviest criticism.

God always gives us the strength to accomplish what He asks us to do. When God talks, we must listen.

Are you ready to hear the Word of God?

Read the Entire Chapter:
Ezekiel 2

The Lord Is My Mighty Fortress, My Deliverer

Scripture: Psalms 62: 1-8

Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down— this leaning wall, this tottering fence? Surely they intend to topple me from my lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

Scripture Commentary: God is the fortress that shields us from harm

David expressed his feelings to God and then reaffirmed his faith. Prayer can release tension in times of emotional stress. Trusting God to be our rock, salvation and fortress will change our entire outlook on life.

God values our faithful work for Him

No longer must we be held captive by resentment towards others when they hurt us. It can be tempting to us to use honor, power, wealth, or prestige to measure people. We may even think that such people are really getting ahead in life. But on God’s scales, we are all a “breath,” a puff of air.

Wealth, honor power, or prestige add nothing to our value in God’s eyes, but the faithful work we do for Him has eternal value. When we are resting in God’s strength, nothing can shake us.

Have you placed your life in God’s hands?

When you do, the so called burdens you carry will leave you because He will carry you through.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms 62

Do You Listen to God or to Yourself?

Scripture: Ezekiel 2: 1, 4, 7

He said to me, “Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.” (1) The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ (4) You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. (7)

Scripture Commentary: Love the Lord your God and listen to his voice and hold fast to Him*

Do you listen to God or to yourself? Are you rebellious, impudent and hardhearted? God knows the true answer, so be honest. If you have an open and obedient attitude, God will fill you with His spirit and power so that you can accomplish the job He has for you.

We’re living in the same times as Ezekiel, with people living in sin and saying that it’s OK. Men with men, women with women, stealing, lying, and living only for oneself.

We are made from the dust of the ground yet God chooses to place within us His life and breath. And He asks us to serve Him. How can we serve God and live in sin? We are weak, but living for God will strengthen us for the purpose He has for us.

The Lord told Ezekiel not to be afraid. Ezekiel was to speak His words whether or not the people listened. God doesn’t expect us to understand everything about Him. We are to be willing and obedient servants, faithful to what we know is true, right and Godly.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Ezekiel 2

Additional Reading Also Referenced:
Deuteronomy 30

The Chaff Blows Away, the Grain Bears Fruit

Scripture: Psalms 1: 1-2, 4, 6

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.(1) But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.(2) The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.(4) For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.(6)

Scripture Commentary: Are you the chaff or the grain?

Which way is the wind blowing you? Are you like the chaff being carried in all directions or are you like the grain that’s planted and ready to bring forth fruit for Our Lord Jesus Christ?

The more you are in God’s presence, the more fruitful you are. On the other hand, the more you allow those who ridicule God to affect your thoughts and attitudes, the more you separate yourself from your source of nourishment.

You can have contact with unbelievers to witness to them, but you must not join in or imitate their ways. You are God’s child and by being so, you must do your best not only to live His way but also to show others how God lives in you.

There are only two paths. God’s path which is obedience, or the path of rebellion and destruction. The path you choose determines how you spend eternity.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 1

Blessed Is the Person Who Walks With God

Scripture: Psalms 1: 1-4

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law^[b] of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Scripture Commentary: Are you a person who walks in God’s path or in Satan’s?

There’s no middle ground. Are you taking counsel in God’s Word by studying and living what you read? The person who walks in God’s path is the person who takes the time to know and live His Word.

God’s wisdom guides you, giving your life meaning. After you study God’s Word, meditate and think about what you have read. Talk to God. He will answer you.

The more you delight yourself in God’s presence, the more fruitful you will be. In contrast, the more you allow those who ridicule God to affect your thoughts, attitudes, and actions, the more you separate yourself from your source of nourishment.

Your true friends will build up your faith in God, not tear it down. The more you study God’s Word, the more you will be closer to Him and He to you.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms 1

Praise God In His Sanctuary

Scripture: Lamentations 2: 7

The Lord hath cast off his altar, he hath abhorred his sanctuary, he hath given up into the hand of the enemy the walls of her palaces; they have made a noise in the house of the LORD, as in the day of a solemn feast.

Scripture Commentary: The sanctuary is only the building; we are God’s light in the world

Our place of worship is not as important to God as our pattern of worship. The church sanctuary may be beautiful to the eye but if its people don’t sincerely follow God, the church and the people in it will decay from within.

Are you merely reciting words you don’t really mean or understand when you worship? Do you pray for help that you don’t really believe will come?

What do you do when God answers your prayer? Do you thank Him but continue to live your life without change? Do you express love for God that you don’t really have? Or do you tell the people around you how God has answered your prayer?

You are the true temple of God

The building is the central place of worship, but we are the carriers of His Word.

Don’t substitute symbols, even so called good ones, for the reality of a living, personal relationship with God himself. Earnestly seek God and catch a fresh vision of His love and care.

Have you forsaken Him? God hasn’t forsaken you.

We are His and He is our Father, and He is waiting for you.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Lamentations Chapter 2