Blessings Through Discouragement 07.09.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Wednesday July 9, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Psalms. Please read Chapters 78-80 in your Bible or Click Here to read. Cut & Paste to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2078-80&version=9

Today we will read and learn about the Lord's judgment against disobedience; a prayer against enemies; and prayer for mercy and restoration. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that when times of discouragement come it is then when it is the best time to count our blessings and remember where the Lord brought us from.

God had chosen Israel to be His witness to the world. As His people, they were to be an example of how He would bless all who honor Him and His Word; but, they had failed miserably and the glorious City of God was destroyed. By great signs and miracles, He delivered Israel from cruel slavery in Egypt. Furthermore, His gracious dealings with His people were manifested daily throughout their forty years in the wilderness. Nevertheless, again and again their spirit of discontent prevailed, "Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan. He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap. In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire. He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths. He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers. And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness." (Psalms 78:12-17).

We are reminded of the pitiful heartbreak and awesome horror felt by the Israelites following the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem. They had assumed that, since they were the chosen Covenant people of God, they were secure. But they had chosen to disobey God's Covenant and His Commandments. The awful consequences of sin are inevitable. The psalmist cried out, "O god, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps. The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth. Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them." (79:1-3).

Since the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, there has been no Temple, no Brazen Altar, no Laver, no Golden Candlestick, no Table of Showbread, no Ark of the Covenant, no Altar of Incense, and no scripturally observed Day of Atonement as commanded by God through Moses. All that was essential to cover their sins was destroyed at that time.   Israel's sacrifices and feasts were symbols created by God to foreshadow all that was to be accomplished by Jesus the Messiah. With Jesus' sacrificial death, all of the Old Testament sacrifices for sins were made obsolete and the old sacrificial system under the Law was destroyed. The sacrifice of Christ on the cross made it possible for both Jews and Gentiles, who recognize themselves as lost sinners, truly repent, and receive Jesus as their Savior, to be forgiven of their sins.

True, there are times when we are plagued by doubts and questions. This is the time to remember that after the Apostle Paul prayed three times for his thorn in his flesh to be removed, the Lord revealed to him a very precious truth, "And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (II Corinthians 12:7-9).

Now there is the point that needs special emphasis. We need to realize that every Christian is the chosen of God and called out from among the world as lights through the darkness. As such, let us live our lives in childlike faith desiring above all else to please Him. God is longing for us to trust Him and look beyond our human resources to His all-sufficient supply. Our never failing God has promised to protect and keep us and we can rest in the promises of His Word. What is more, He always strengthens us for the work He has called us to do.

In today's reading Jesus Christ is revealed through the true Shepherd (Psalm 80:1). Christ is the Good Shepherd and the Door through which one must enter to be saved. He alone is the Way to heaven (John 10:9,11).

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Spiritual blessings come from You in the midst of Satan's attacks and because of this essential truth we know that if You are for us, who can be against us! There is no formidable foe that cannot be conquered as the power of Your Holy Spirit enables us to remain faithful and ever growing in our devotion to You. Remind us that as we share in Your sufferings we also share in Your glory. In all areas of trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, and danger we are more than conquerors through You who loves us abundantly. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, nor anything else in all of Your creation will be able to separate us from Your love that has been revealed to us through Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ. We rejoice with our family of believers and we thank You for the paths of abundance You lay out before us as we walk hand in hand with You who helps us in all things. In Jesus' name.....Amen.

Have a great and wonderful day!
God bless,
Christina

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