PSALM 104
LORD – Creator of the heavensverses 1-4
Bless the LORD – O my soul – O LORD my God
YOU are very great
YOU are clothed with honor and majesty
WHO covers YOURSELF with light as with a garment
WHO stretches out the heavens like a curtain
WHO lays the beams of HIS chambers in the waters
WHO makes the clouds HIS chariot
WHO walks upon the wings of the wind
WHO makes HIS angels spirits
HIS ministers a flaming fire
LORD – Creator of the earthverses 5-9
WHO laid the foundation of the earth
that it should not be removed for ever
YOU covered it with the deep as with a garment
the waters stood above the mountains
At YOUR rebuke they fled
at the voice of YOUR thunder they hasted away
They go up by the mountains
they go down by the valleys unto the place
which YOU have founded for them
YOU have set a bound that they may not pass over
that they turn not again to cover the earth
LORD – Provider for all living creaturesverses 10-18
HE sends the springs into the valleys – which run among the hills
they give drink to every beast of the field
the wild donkeys quench their thirst
by them shall the fowls of the heaven have
their habitation
which sing among the branches
HE waters the hills from HIS chambers
the earth is satisfied with the fruit of YOUR works
HE causes the grass to grow for the cattle
and herb for the service of man
that he may bring forth food out of the earth
and wine that makes glad the heart of man
and oil to make his face to shine
and bread which strengthens man’s heart
The trees of the LORD are full of sap
the cedars of Lebanon – which HE planted
where the birds make their nests – as for the stork
the fir trees are her house
The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats
and the rocks for the conies
LORD- Provider of time and seasonsverses 19-23
HE appointed the moon for seasons – the sun knows his going down
YOU make darkness – and it is night
wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth
The young lions roar after their prey
and seek their meat from God
The sun arises – they gather themselves together
and lay them down in their dens
Man goes forth unto his work and to his labor until the evening
LORD- Creator of all sea animalsverses 24-26
O LORD – how manifold are YOUR works
in wisdom have YOU made them all
the earth is full of YOUR riches
So is this great and wide sea
wherein are things creeping innumerable
both small and great beasts
There go the ships – there is that leviathan
whom YOU have made to play therein
LORD- Sustainer of LIFEverses 27-30
These wait all upon YOU
that YOU may give them their meat in due season
That YOU give them they gather – YOU open YOUR hand
they are filled with good
YOU hide YOUR face – they are troubled
YOU take away their breath
they die and return to their dust
YOU send forth YOUR spirit – they are created
and YOU renew the face of the earth
LORD- Pleased with HIS workverses 31-32
The glory of the LORD shall endure forever
the LORD shall rejoice in HIS works
HE looked on the earth – and it trembled
HE touched the hills – and they smoke
Psalmist response to creator
PRAISE THE LORDverses 33-35
I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live
I will sing praise to my God while I have my being
My meditation of HIM shall be sweet – I will be glad in the LORD
let the sinners be consumed out of the earth
and let the wicked be no more
Bless you the LORD – O my soul
Praise you the LORD
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
:1 “Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, YOU are very great:YOU are clothed with honor and majesty,” The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982). (Soul – 5315 נֶפֶשׁ [nephesh /neh·fesh/] n f. From 5314; TWOT 1395a; GK 5883; 753 occurrences; AV translates as “soul” 475 times, “life” 117 times, “person” 29 times, “mind” 15 times, “heart” 15 times, “creature” nine times, “body” eight times, “himself” eight times, “yourselves” six times, “dead” five times, “will” four times, “desire” four times, “man” three times, “themselves” three times, “any” three times, “appetite” twice, and translated miscellaneously 47 times. 1 soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion. 1A that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man. 1B living being. 1C living being (with life in the blood). 1D the man himself, self, person or individual. 1E seat of the appetites. 1F seat of emotions and passions. 1G activity of mind. 1G1 dubious. 1H activity of the will. 1H1 dubious. 1I activity of the character. 1I1 dubious. (James Strong, Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2001).
DEVOTION: This psalm begins and ends with a similar statement. “Bless the Lord, O my soul!”
It is apparent that the psalmist needed to remind himself of his need to be renewed and strengthened in the Lord! He exclaims this phrase and then begins to recount the ways that the Lord has revealed Himself in nature and the heavenlies. God created it and then sustains both the animals and the habitat they live in. From the greatest to the least of the created beings God controls and maintains this world.
In the end the psalmist sings praises and reflects of the Lord’s good deeds and wonderful mercies to all creation. In the same way as we reflect on the work of God in creation we are amazed by His power and ability to control all aspects of His world.
CHALLENGE: As you gaze upon the stars or look at the animals that God has placed in the world consider the way God cares for each and then how he cares for you. Give Him thanks for all His creation. (Dr. Brian Miller – board member)
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 9 YOU have set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth. (3680 “cover” [kacah] means fill up hollows, clothe, conceal, place one object over another so the lower object cannot be seen or attacked or overwhelm.)
DEVOTION: Did the flood of all the earth really happen? There are many who say that it didn’t. However, the Bible said that it did happen. Here is a promise that it will never happen again. That is the promise that God gave to Noah when he left the ark.
The New Testament informs us that the next time the world is covered it will be with fire. The LORD is going to make a New Heaven and a New Earth after the defeat of Satan at the end of the Millennial reign of Christ. Between these two events is what we have in this psalm.
The Psalmist is praising the LORD for HIS creation of our world. He lists some of the great works of the LORD. He praises the LORD for HIS provision of water for all living beings. The LORD is in control of the waters of the earth. HE sets the limit as to how far they can go. In this verse HE wants the earth to not be concealed again by the waters of the earth.
Does this talk about a global flood happening? The Bible teaches YES. God gave the rainbow as a sign that there would never be another global flood. If HE had promised no local flood with the rainbow then it was a lie. We have many local floods. A global flood is very different from a local flood. The liberals would have us believe that the flood in Genesis is a local flood. If it was then God lied. Does God lie????? NO!!! HE tells the truth ALL THE TIME. Praise HIS name.
Next the psalm emphasizes the fact that the LORD provides food for the animals in our world. Not only does HE provide for the animals but also for the people of the world. Life would end without HIS constant provision of food and even our ability to breathe.
What is our responsibility? We are to sing praises to the LORD. We are to meditate on HIS works and word. We are not to live like those who are not followers of the LORD because they are blind to HIS work in our world.
CHALLENGE: Take a walk soon and look at our world from the perspective of God. HE looked at the world and said it is GOOD. When you look at creation do you say the same thing?
: 14 HE causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth. (5656 “service” [‘abodah] means what something is used for, enforced labor, business, bondage, servitude, tillage, or usage.)
DEVOTION: God has a purpose for every part of HIS creation. HE didn’t waste any effort on things that were not necessary for the good of the earth and man. HE made sure that everything that was needed was provided.
Everything that lives and grows has a purpose in creation. It is great to understand that God didn’t waste anything. We on the other hand are very wasteful. We seem to think that we can use anything for our own pleasure and not think of those who are going to follow behind.
Farmers are supposed to rotate their crops to make sure they don’t steal all the nutrients from the soil. There is to be a rotation of crops to make sure that everything grows the way that it should.
Even the animals know what to eat and what not to eat. Humans on the other hand seem to know how to waste God’s good land but farming it to death and then leaving it to rot. There have been many times in history when famine and drought have happened because of man being wasteful.
God has a plan and we need to work within HIS plan if there is going to be enough for future generations. If we misuse what HE has provided it can cause problems and it has in many countries where they only think of themselves and not the future generation.
God want us to know that HE is the one who will take care of us and we don’t have to outthink HIM.
We are in HIS service and this earth is in HIS service to provide for future generations if we trust HIM and obey HIM.
CHALLENGE: When we look out over the land in our nation do we see that the LORD is working to provide for our every need? If so, can we encourage others to trust HIM too!
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 19 HE appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knows his going down. (6213 “appointed” [‘asah] means to make, manufacture, to do, to make or cause to be or to become, in rare cases without pre-existing material, or create.)
DEVOTION: God created the sun and moon for a reason. Those who study science know that each is necessary for the growth of plants and even animals. Without the seasons we would not be able to understand that we need to gather in the summer and need to rest in the winter. Without the seasons of the moon we could not measure time as well.
Both are necessary for our personal health and for the health of the animals around us and for all the plants that need both times of day to grow and produce enough food for all the people and animals in the world.
Some scientists are trying to figure it all out and still can’t understand the wonders of creation. God knew what was necessary to provide the right environment for man and animals to grow and thrive. HE had all the seasons worked out to provide a time for the ground to rest, so that, it would be ready in the planting season.
HE provided the right weather for farmers to gather the crops and the right weather for rest. HE knows what we can handle and what we can’t and HE has done everything according to HIS good will and pleasure to make things right for us.
We need to be thanking the LORD for everyday that HE helps us live a life that can be pleasing to HIM. HIS provisions make it easier.
CHALLENGE: Do you and I appreciate all that the LORD has done for us each day to cause us to live a life that can put a smile on our face and HIM?
: 27 These wait all upon YOU; that YOU may give them their meat in due season. (7663 “wait” [sabar] means hope, to expect and wish for something, look to, or have a confidence that a beneficial even will occur.)
DEVOTION: One of my biggest problems is that I don’t like to wait for anything. I want everything to happen yesterday. It is sad to say that it seems I have to fight this almost every day of my life.
We find in the Word of God this word “wait” so many times that it should get our attention and we should understand that part of living is waiting on the LORD to act. It is no fun.
We like instant gratification! In fact we like things to happen yesterday because we don’t want to wait another day. We expect the LORD to bless us and it should all happen today. We expect the LORD to deal with our problems today and not tomorrow. We expect God to deal with those who are giving us a hard time today not tomorrow. We want the money we need to come in the mail today not tomorrow.
Do these things seem familiar to you as they are stated? They should because most of the people I know want the LORD to answer their request before we even ask HIM for something. HE knows everything! Right!
HE wants us to know that HE can provide but HE also wants us to know that HE is going to teach us to “wait” on HIM most of the time because HE wants us to keep our prayer life going.
Everything we need is promised in “due season” that is HIS season and not ours. HE never stops teaching us this truth.
CHALLENGE: If we wait on HIM HE will renew our strength to live another day pleasing HIM.
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Meditationverse 34
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Bless the LORDverses 1, 35
Singverse 33
Praise the LORDverse 35
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal)verses 1, 16, 24, 31, 33-35
God – Elohim (Creator, Sovereign)verses 1, 21, 33
LORD my Godverse 1
Clothed with honor and majestyverse 1
Covered with lightverse 2
Created the heavensverse 2
Creatorverses 2-22, 24, 30-32
Laid the foundation of the earthverse 5
Rebuke of the LORD verse 7
Set the boundaries verse 9
Provider for all creationverses 9-28
Trees of the LORDverse 16
Appoints the moon for seasonsverse 19
Provides darkness for the animalsverses 20-22
Wisdomverse 24
Hand filled with goodverse 28
Glory of the LORDverse 31
Rejoice in HIS worksverse 31
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead – God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Spiritverse 30
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Angels are created by Godverse 4
Angels are spiritsverse 4
Angels are ministers of flaming fire for Godverse 4
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Lebanonverse 16
Man goes to work each dayverse 23
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Sinnersverse 35
Wickedverse 35
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Bless the LORDverses 1, 35
Sing Praiseverses 33, 35
Meditationverse 34
Gladverse 34
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
Dieverse 29
Glory of the LORD shall endure foreververse 31
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FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
Ungodly Lifestyles
“For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” (2 Timothy 3:2-4)
The warning in the previous verse to our text for today insists that “perilous times” will characterize the last days. This list describes the types of people who will dominate the last days, and it is frightful.
The “self love” of these people is demonstrated by internal motivations driven by the sin nature. Such people will be “covetous”; the Greek term means “fond of silver.” They will also be “boasters” (braggarts) who revel in their sinful behavior. That boasting is driven by a “proud” spirit that is arrogant, willing to show off gaudy ostentations of their conquests. Such behavior, of course, leads them to be “blasphemers,” speaking evil with low, vulgar taunts designed to be injurious.
Part of this list includes Greek words with an “un” prefix. There are those who are un-persuadable by parents, obstinate, stubborn, and inflexible. Many are un-thankful, without grace, without thanks, and without any pleasantry. All are un-holy, without the nature to be just or moral. Some are un-affectionate, without a natural love for family or friends. There are also those who are un-reconcilable, not able to make or keep a promise.
Finally, there will be those who are diabolos (like the devil). They are slanderous liars, “incontinent” (without self control), savage “despisers” who are opposed to “those who are good.” They will be treacherous, rash, and “high minded” people who are “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.”
But, “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). (HMM III, The Institute for Creation Research)
Joel 2
Judgment is coming for the sins of the people, but after repentance, they will be restored.
INSIGHTJoel predicts a locust plague to come upon the land of Judah, which is both primary and secondary as a prophetic warning. The primary meaning is a literal locust plague. But the things Joel says about the locusts gradually transcend what could be true of mere bugs and could only be true of an invading army. In this way, the locust plague becomes symbolic of an invading army swarming over the land of Judah, stripping it of everything that has life. The warning of the plague comes because Judah is failing to serve the Lord. Joel holds out an escape: “Turn to Me with all your heart . . . rend your heart and not your garments” (vv. 12-13). Judah ignores the warning and the judgment eventually falls. Sin always has its consequences. (Quiet Walk)
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