LifePoint Lubbock

Day 149
1 Kings 1-2, Psalm 37, 71, 94

The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; He is their stronghold in time of trouble. Psalm 37:39 (NIV)

David is in his final years as we begin the book of 1 Kings. The king’s weakened state gives opportunity for Adonijah, David’s oldest living son, to exalt himself as the next king, much like Absalom had done. Joab the general and Abiathar the priest joined Adonijah’s campaign. Everyone was invited to Adonijah’s celebration except Nathan the prophet, Zadok the priest, and Solomon the future king. Nathan and Bathsheba quickly inform David of the impending coup. David orders that Solomon ride the king’s mule and be anointed and proclaimed king by Nathan the prophet and Zadok the priest. Adonijah’s support quickly vanished when word reached the dinner party that Solomon had been crowned king. David’s final charge to Solomon was to “keep the charge of the LORD your God”. The strength and wisdom needed in life is always connected to obedience to God. With the death of David, the throne of Solomon was firmly established.

Psalm 37 is a psalm of David in his later years. His wisdom is directed to man, much like the teachings found in the book of Proverbs. Don’t worry about the wicked but trust and delight in the LORD.

Psalm 71 is the prayer of an older believer. No matter what storm we may face, God is our hope and trust. Troubles do not subside simply because we grow older. He is our hope continually and remains the constant object of our praise from youth to old age.

Psalm 94 recognizes that vengeance belongs to God and not to man. God sees more and knows more than we ever could. Trust in His superior knowledge, wisdom, and timing. The greatness of God is to be feared, respected, and obeyed. The foolish do not listen to God, but His people do, and they are blessed for it. God is the rock of our refuge.

Day 148
Psalms 111-118

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 118:29 (NIV)

Psalms 111 and 112 are acrostic psalms with each line beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. These two psalms are a matched pair, with the first being about God and the second being about a godly man. Spurgeon compared the two psalms to the sun and the moon. Just as the sun shines and the moon reflects its light, so the glory of God is first declared and then reflected in the godly man.

Psalms 113-118 were connected to Passover celebrations. Psalms 113 and 114 were sung before the meal and Psalms 115-118 were sung after. These psalms were likely sung by Jesus and His disciples at the Last Supper.

Psalm 114 details Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. The Exodus is the central act of redemption under the Old Covenant. For Christians the work of Jesus Christ on the cross and his empty tomb represent the central act of redemption under the New Covenant.

Psalm 115 takes on greater meaning when one considers these words on the lips of Christ. “Not to us, O LORD, but to Your name give glory” should be our daily motto and mantra.

Psalm 116 takes on deeper meaning as we think of Jesus singing it. “O LORD, I implore you, deliver my soul!” The crisis was deep, the deliverance was great, and the praise was powerful.

Psalm 117 is the shortest song yet packed with praise. Gentiles are called to praise the LORD. As Jesus sung this on the eve of His crucifixion, He knew that through His work on the cross and His victory over the grave, God would call to Himself a people from every tongue and tribe.

Psalm 118 finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the chief cornerstone. Jesus quoted this psalm of Himself. Peter quoted it. Paul alluded to it. This psalm begins and ends with praise, recognizing the goodness of God.

Day 147
1 Chronicles 26-29, Psalm 127

Now, our God, we give you thanks and praise your glorious name. But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 1 Chronicles 29:13-14 (NIV)

This section of 1 Chronicles begins with the organization of the gatekeepers. These men were the security detail. Other Levites served in the treasury of the temple. Other servants were appointed to administrative duties throughout the kingdom.

In chapter 28 David passes the torch to Solomon in a ceremony of all the gathered leaders of Israel. David urges Israel to be careful to follow all the commands of the LORD their God. Israel’s future depends on this charge, as does ours today. David encourages Solomon to serve the Lord with a loyal heart and a willing mind because God knows both.

In 1 Chronicles 29, David presents a beautiful psalm of praise to God following the generous giving that demonstrated that the hearts of the people were dedicated to God and to His house. David acknowledges that everything comes from God and that anything we offer to God came from His hand to begin with. Giving should cause gratitude and humility in the heart of the giver. The gift we give to God is a gift we have received from God.

Psalm 121 is a psalm of ascents sung by travelers on their journey to Jerusalem. This song speaks to the trust placed in the Lord for the journey. Our help comes from the Lord who never takes His eye off us. He watches our every step and because of Him, we can stand firm. We stand firm in grace, in courage, in strength, in faith, in freedom, in unity, and in the gospel message. We stand firm in the Lord and in His perfect and complete will. Six times in this short psalm the Hebrew word “shamar” is used which is translated “to keep” or “preserve”. We stand firm because the Lord keeps us standing!

Day 146
Psalm 131,138-139, 143-145

My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise His holy name for ever and ever. Psalm 145:21 (NIV)

In Psalm 131 David rejects pride and arrogance, knowing that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (Proverbs 3:34). He also rejects self-serving ambition which focuses on promotion or position. Spurgeon described this psalm as the shortest to read and longest to learn.

Psalm 138 begins with David praising God’s lovingkindness and truth. He praises God for His word and for His acts. David knows and loves God. Each quality deepens and enhances the other.

Psalm 139 is a prayer to the all-knowing, ever-present God. It is incredible to realize that God knows everything and that God is everywhere and that God created everything. But when you realize that God knows everything about you and that God is everywhere you are and that God created you, it is overwhelming. As David said, “such knowledge is too wonderful for me” (Psalm 139:6).

In Psalm 143 David acknowledges God’s faithfulness and righteousness. David also recalls God’s actions in the past which displayed His faithfulness and righteousness. Though David’s circumstance has changed, the character of God never will. David prays for God to revive and renew his life.

In Psalm 144 David calls God his Rock and refuge. Before David valued God for being a fortress, a rock, a high tower, a deliverer, a shield, and a refuge, he thanks God for His love, mercy, and faithfulness.

Psalm 145 is David’s last psalm. He honors God in the most personal way – You, My God, O King, forever and ever. The last verse of this psalm is the last word we have from David: “My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.”

Day 144
Psalm 108-110

With God’s help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes. Psalm 108:13 (NLT)

Psalm 108 is a compilation of two psalms. The first five verses are very similar to Psalm 57:7-11 and the last eight verses are almost identical to Psalm 60:5-12. David directs his praise to Yahweh publicly before His people, Israel. He desired for everyone to know of the greatness of God Almighty. Israel enemies were known for their pride and arrogance but God relegates them to lowly positions of servitude. David admits that human help is worthless against his enemies. He desires and requests God’s help. Through God victory is gained, and great accomplishments are achieved.

In Psalm 109 David calls down curses on his enemies. David is acting on behalf of the nation of Israel and he is calling upon God to act, not taking vengeance himself. David’s deep emotions are revealed as he prays for deliverance and prophesies doom and destruction. It is important to remember that our emotions cannot be trusted, even in our prayers. Sometimes our feelings cloud our judgment, and our prayers are not in line with the will of God. But the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf. The best place to turn is always to God. No one can turn us around and set us on the right path like He can.

Psalm 110 is a strong messianic psalm. It is one of the most quoted Old Testament passages in the New Testament. There are 27 references to Psalm 110, including Jesus Himself. The psalm begins with David’s prophetic statement, “The LORD said to my Lord” which interprets as “Yahweh said to the Messiah”. Jesus quoted this in Matthew and Mark revealing that David called the Messiah “Lord”, recognizing that the Messiah was greater than David. Peter quoted it on Pentecost. Paul referred to it in 1 Corinthians 15:25 as he explained the rule and reign of Jesus the Messiah. What a prize to have this private heavenly conversation revealed to us below here on earth! The Messiah is instructed to sit because his work is done, and it was done well and it will continue to produce lasting results, and the victory will be revealed.

Join us Sunday for "I AM the Vine" as we continue our series "I AM - Jesus in His Own Words".
Listening Guide https://bit.ly/3PY0SIv

Day 143
2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21-22, Psalm 30

Hear, O LORD, and have mercy on me; LORD, be my helper! Psalm 30:10 (NKJV)

David orders a census of Israel. This act might seem harmless. Why it would be cause for the LORD’s anger? In ancient culture a man only had the right to count things that belonged to him. Israel did not belong to David. Israel belonged to the LORD. When David realized his pride and arrogance in taking this census, he confessed his sin to the LORD.

The LORD offered David three options: seven years of famine, three months of enemies, or three days of plague. David chose three days of plague. David would have been protected and insulated had he chosen famine or war, but by choosing the third option he was equally exposed alongside his subjects.

David built an altar as the LORD commanded and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. This would become the site of the temple. What had begun as man’s misstep without God ended with man humbly following the hand of God. Although David would not be the one to build the temple, he could begin preparing and gathering supplies for his son, Solomon.

Commentators believe Psalm 30 was written prophetically in preparation for the dedication of the temple. The focus is not upon the house itself, but upon the greatness of God. It is God and God alone who is to be exalted. David had taken matters into his own hands, and everyone suffered for it. His pride and arrogance had led to a plague that cost 70,000 lives. He now realizes his utter dependence upon God and cries out, “Hear, O LORD, and have mercy on me; LORD, be my helper!” (Psalm 30:10). There is no saint or situation to which this prayer does not apply. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!

Day 142
Psalm 95, 97-99

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. Psalm 95:6 (NIV)

Psalm 95 calls us to worship God through singing. Our worship is directed towards the Lord Himself – “to the LORD, to the Rock of our salvation, before His presence, to Him”. We are called as a community (let us) to “worship and bow down” in submission and obedience, recognizing God is our Maker and Creator. We belong to God twice, in creation and redemption.

Psalm 97 begins suddenly with a declaration of God’s sovereignty – “The LORD reigns”. The earth can rejoice in Yahweh’s reign because “righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne”. Because Yahweh reigns in righteousness and justice, there is no place for idols. Those who love the LORD, must hate evil. We cannot love the LORD and embrace the things He hates.

Psalm 98 commands us to sing a new song. Who God is and what He has done must never grow old. His mercies are new every morning. Even songs sung for centuries take on a new life when we sing them as a fresh expression of what God has done. Salvation, righteousness, mercy, and faithfulness are fresh and new, calling our hearts to sing of God’s blessings we are presently enjoying.

Psalm 99 begins with the phrase “The LORD reigns” just as Psalm 93 and 97. He reigns over all of heaven and earth. He is holy and worthy of praise. Holy means to be set apart. Holiness is the essence of His entire being and is worthy of our praise and worship. The phrase is repeated three times for emphasis. God is holy in all He is and all He does. The Prophet Isaiah and the Apostle John, both in heavenly visions, would hear heavenly declarations of “holy, holy, holy”.

Day 141
2 Samuel 22-23, Psalm 57

The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Savior! 2 Samuel 22:47 (NIV)

2 Samuel 22 begins with a psalm of David very similar to Psalm 18. It seems David wrote this as a young man and sang it until the very end. What a beautiful act of worship to look over one’s life and see the hand of God throughout it.

David begins by praising God with one title after another. More than a list of titles describing God, this is David’s personal testimony. David possessed both the knowledge and experience of God in his life.

David knew danger and distress. Yet David also knew the delight of deliverance. When David thought of God’s great victory on his behalf, all he could do is worship. David ends the psalm by acknowledging God’s mercy. Our relationship with God is all based on His mercy. Every answer to prayer is an act of mercy. Every display of God’s power and protection is an act of mercy. Every victory is founded in His great mercy.

2 Samuel 23 contains David’s last psalm. From an earthly perspective, David’s reign would be considered disastrous: scandal, family crises, insurrection, civil war. In contrast, Solomon seemed to be the perfect king, reigning with peace, prosperity, and prominence. Yet Scripture praises David and barely mentions Solomon. The difference between the two kings is their relationship with God. David’s passion was pursuing God while Solomon’s passion was pursuing his own glory. At the end of David’s life, he’s still loving and pursuing God. Solomon had forsaken God in his later years.

David pays tribute to his mighty men. These “mighty men” date back to his time hiding in the cave of Adullam. Their loyalty preceded his victory. They joined a great cause at its lowest point. God transformed them and used them in mighty ways to bless David’s reign.

Psalm 57 begins with appeals for mercy but quickly moves to confident praise as the focus shifts from David’s enemies to David’s God. David’s circumstances did not change, but his perspective did. Don’t wait to praise God until your circumstances change. God often does a work within us before working on our circumstances.