Devotions

He Proclaimed Good News to the People

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Jesus is brought to the temple by Mary and Joseph to be presented to the Lord. He was her first born son and they were doing what was commanded. When they arrived, they found Simeon and then came Anna, two witnesses to the entrance of the light of the world. But before Jesus begins his Ministry, there is John, one who called people to repentance and proclaimed the good news, a savior coming for his people. Now, Jesus is baptized by Johnas in Matthew 3:15 “to fulfill all righteousness” and the Holy Spirit descends on Jesus with these words from heaven in Luke 3:22 “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

He Was Named Jesus

Luke 2:21-24

Looking Forward to the Consolation of Israel

Luke 2:25-35 

For the Redemption of Jerusalem

Luke 2:36–40
As Joseph and Mary present Jesus in the temple, the Lord brings two witnesses. Simeon in Luke 2:27 “came in the Spirit into the temple” and then Jesus parents came in with Jesus. Anna as it says in Luke 2:28 “at that same hour she approached and began to … speak about him”. When the Lord is moving, he presents his plan and then confirms it. No one had to schedule a meeting or confirm attendance, they all were moved by the Holy Spirit, a God designated appointment. These two witnesses were beyond reproach. They were well known and faithful servants of the Lord. And, neither of them had a connection to Jesus, Mary, or Joseph. The message was clear in Luke 2:34 “Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel” and Anna in Luke 2:38 “began to give thanks to God, and to speak about him to all those who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem”.

In the House of My Father

Luke 2:41-52

All Flesh Will See

Luke 3:1-11 

He Proclaimed Good News to the People

Luke 3:12-20
John began in Luke 3:3 “And he went into all the surrounding region of the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins”. And people of every walk of life responded. As they did, beginning in Luke 2:10 “the crowds were asking him, saying, “What then should we do?” then in Luke 2:12 “the tax collectors … said … what should we do” and also in Luke 2:14 “those who served in the army were also asking … what should we do”.

His answer should have been known to them as he responds in Luke 2:8 “produce fruit worthy of repentance”, and in Luke 2:11 “share with the one who does not have” because the Lord had always said for them to care for the widow and orphan and stranger in the land. The Lord had said to them, “Do not ill-treat foreigners because you were sojourners yourselves in Egypt (Exod. 22:21; Exod. 23:9; Lev. 19:33–4; Deut. 23:7); do not pervert justice due to an alien (Deut. 24:17; Deut. 27:19); do not wrong the alien, the orphan or the widow (Jer. 22:3)”1

Right behavior is summed up simply in Ezekiel 18:5 “if a man is righteous and does justice and righteousness”. Son in Luke 2:13 he says “collect no more than what you are ordered to” and in Luke 2:14 “Extort no one, and do not blackmail anyone”. But the whole system around them was corrupt and in every position there was bribery and graft and extortion and anything they could get a way with for personal gain.

John’s message of repentance was, in Luke 2:16 “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire”. and in Luke 2:17 “he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” and in Luke 2:18 “ he proclaimed good news to the people”. But it was only good news to those that were downtrodden, to those that were abused. To those in power that refused to acknowledge their wrong, John heralded the end. And some, like Herod, who were exposed in their “evil deeds” in Luke 2:19-20 “locked John up in prison”. 

Jesus Also Was Baptised

Luke 3:21–22
In these two short verses we understand that Jesus was not in a hurry, he was not pressing to get this baptism out of the way. In fact, he waited in Luke 2:21 “when all the people were baptised” then he stepped up to John. And we learn from Matthew 3:13-14 that John at first resisted. Certainly Jesus was without sin and John was correct when he said “I need to be baptised by you”, but Jesus answered him in Matthew 3:15 “in this way it is right for us to fulfill all righteousness”. John was calling people to the Kingdom of God, and certainly Jesus wanted to be identified there. But more than that, Jesus did walk the earth as a man and “what happened in the baptism was an experience personal to Jesus. The voice of God came to him and told him that he had taken the right decision. But more—far more—that very same voice mapped out all his course for him.

God said to him, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.’ That saying is composed of two texts. You are my beloved Son—that is from Psalm 2:7 and was always accepted as a description of the Messianic King. In whom I am well pleased—that is part of Isaiah 42:1 and is from a description of the servant of the Lord whose portrait culminates in the sufferings of Isaiah 53”.2

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • Luke 2:21-52
  • Luke 3:1-22

References

  • 1. Day, A. C. (2009). Collins Thesaurus of the Bible. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
  • 2. Barclay, W. (2001). The Gospel of Luke (pp. 45–46). Louisville, KY; London: Westminster John Knox Press.
Devotions

The Lord Has Visited to Help

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The angel Gabriel had come to announce the work the Lord would do. It came first as an answer to the personal prayer of Zechariah and Elizabeth and then as a promise to Mary in Luke 1:35 “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you”. As this word from heaven came into their lives, there was also a tangible presence, the Holy Spirit. There was power to fulfill the word and as Zechariah burst forth with prophetic word, his message confirms what we as Christians know about God, in Luke 1:68 “the Lord … has visited to help”.

The Son of the Most High

Luke 1:26–38 

There Will be a Fulfillment

Luke 1:39–45
The angel Gabriel that had appeared to Zechariah had said in

Luke 1:15–16 “For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he must never drink wine or beer, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while he is still in his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God.

But it wasn’t until Mary entered and greeted Elizabeth that “the baby in her womb leaped” in Luke 1:41. When that happened, “Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit”. And it is here that we find one of the greatest principles of the kingdom of God. As the will of God is spoken among men, the Holy Spirit begins to move and as the fulfillment of God’s word is confirmed. There are those that would quench the spirit by their unbelief, but the Holy Spirit wants to move among us as we believe and act on Gods plan. You can catch the anointing by contact as Elizabeth did with her child, and by action as Zechariah did when he named his son John. Are you ready? There will be a fulfillment!

The Mighty One Has Done Great Things For Me

Luke 1:46–56 

He Began to Speak Praising God

Luke 1:57–66
It is nine months later, in Luke 1:57 “the time came for Elizabeth that she should give birth”. As her son is born, in Luke 1:58 “her neighbors and relatives … rejoiced with her”. Then “they came to circumcise the child” in Luke 1:59 and by their tradition, this was the time the child was named. Since Zechariah was not able to speak, Elizabeth said in Luke 1:60 “he will be named John” and everyone was shocked because this was not a family name. Zechariah wrote on a tablet, in Luke 1:63 “John is his name” and as soon as he had confirmed what the Lord had said, in Luke 1:64 “he began to speak praising God”. Everyone around knew these two and had seen Zechariah unable to speak so questioned in Luke 1:66 “What will this child be? For indeed the hand of the Lord was with him!” 

The Lord Has Visited to Help

Luke 1:67-80
As Zechariah begins to speak, in Luke 1:67 “Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied”. He had come from a place of routine obedience and a life that was unfulfilled to a moment of visitation by an angel. He stood by and watched as Gods word was fulfilled in front of him, and now, his faith renewed, prophetic words roll out in Luke 1:68 “the Lord … has visited to help and has redeemed his people”. He goes on to say that the Lord has, in Luke 1:69-75 “raised up a horn of salvation … spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets … salvation from our enemies … mercy to our fathers … that we … could serve him without fear”.

This is all so that in Luke 1:76 “And so you, child (John), will be called the prophet of the Most High” and in Luke 1:77 “to give knowledge of salvation”. And in

Luke 1:79 “to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct our feet into the way of peace.”

Everyone Went to be Registered

Luke 2:1–7

A Multitude of the Heavenly Army, Praising God

Luke 2:8

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • Luke 1:27-80
  • Luke 2:1-20
Devotions

Your Prayer Has Been Heard

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We begin the new year with the gospel of Luke which presents in Luke 1:1 “events that have been fulfilled among us”. As we begin to read, we find the first account is of God answering the personal prayer of Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth who in Luke 1:6 “were both righteous in the sight of God, living blamelessly”. Though they were fulfilling all that the Lord asked of them in their lives, their one hearts desire had gone unfulfilled. They didn’t have any children and it was past the time for them to have hope. But this is the amazing thing about God, he answers their personal prayer as he is setting the stage to introduce the savior of the world. This message of a son delivered by the angel Gabriel breaks the years of silence and renews the promise last heard by the prophet Malachi. As we go forward this year, search the scriptures and find the revelation of the Lord’s perfect will, his promise to you of a future and hope through Jesus Christ.

Introduction to Luke

As we take the opening words of the gospel of Luke we hear in Luke 1: 1 “many have attempted to compile an account” and in Luke 1:3 “it seemed best to me also … to write them down”. History is seldom written as it occurs, but often in retrospect, remembering the events as they unfolded. And here, I believe, William Barclay has captured the essence of this work in his introductory comments on “The Gospel of Luke”.

This is not only an account of Luke’s experience that simply offers his opinions, but a gathering of facts and accounts as was common in the Greek style of the day, to bring together the whole picture of God’s plan. To do this, “Luke, as he began his story in the most sonorous Greek, followed the highest models he could find. It is as if Luke said to himself, ‘I am writing the greatest story in the world and nothing but the best is good enough for it.’”1

This is not simply a letter to offer encouragement or to communicate the happenings of recent days as one would write to a friend, but it is a treatise intended to bring the reader into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. And for tis purpose, “It is most significant that Luke was not satisfied with anyone else’s story of Christ. He must have his own. Real religion is never a second-hand thing. It is a personal discovery. Professor Arthur Gossip of Trinity College, Glasgow, used to say that the four gospels were important, but beyond them all came the gospel of personal experience.”1

Then comes the final truth, that the Lord wants to be found by us and “True inspiration comes when the searching mind joins with the revealing Spirit of God. The word of God is given, but it is given to those who search for it. ‘Search and you will find’ (Matthew 7:7).”1

 

The Events That Have Been Fulfilled Among Us

Luke 1:1–4
These event, written about in the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts were widely written about and have been widely discussed since. As the writer states, he was a participant as it says in Luke 1:1 “events that have been fulfilled among us”. There also though, are things “passed onto us” from in Luke 1:2 “those who were eyewitnesses”. And finally, it is the body of revelation of Jesus Christ, including references to Old Testament prophecies and writings that fulfill the writers intention in

Luke 1:4 “so that you may know the certainty concerning the things about which you were taught”.

An Angel of the Lord Appeared

Luke 1:5–12
This opening account comes after nearly four hundred years of silence that has followed the words of the prophet Malachi. And while this is written to the Gentiles, it begins with the account of a faithful Jewish man, a priest in Luke 1:5 “Zechariah by name”. And, as was required, he had married his wife from the priestly line, “from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth”. They are described in

Luke 1:6 “And they were both righteous in the sight of God, living blamelessly in all the commandments and regulations of the Lord.”

Now we learn more about them that tells us they had one unfulfilled desire in their lives even though they have faithfully performed their duties and are many years into the routine of the priesthood: In Luke 1:7 “Elizabeth was barren”, “they were both advanced in years” and in Luke 1:8-9 “he (Zechariah) was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood” For a woman, and particularly for the wife of a priest “In that day it was a great reproach to be childless, for children were a sign of God’s blessing (cf. Gen 1:28; Lev 20:20–21; Pss 127 and 128; Jer 22:30)”2. But here, in the middle of his routine priestly service, in Luke 1:11 “An angel of the Lord appeared” and Zechariah responded as people do in the presence of angels, in Luke 1:12 “fear fell on him”. 

Your Prayer Has Been Heard

Luke 1:13-20
The angel recognizes Zachariah’s fear and responds in Luke 1:13 “But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will call his name John. 14 And you will experience joy and exultation, and many will rejoice at his birth.”

This is the greatest desire of their lives, to have a child, and even more to have a son that can carry on the family name. And this is the amazing thing about the Lord, he answers our personal prayer as he is setting the stage for the savior of the world. This child being born to Zechariah and Elizabeth will be “joy and exultation” to them and in

Luke 1:16 “And he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God.”

Then the angel quotes Malachi 4:5-6 as a confirmation of the promise of the Lord to his people in

Luke 1:17 “And he will go on before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to prepare for the Lord a people made ready.”

He Was Not Able to Speak

Luke 1:21–25

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • Luke 1:1-25

References

  • 1. Barclay, W. (2001). The Gospel of Luke (p. 10). Louisville, KY; London: Westminster John Knox Press.
  • 2. Biblical Studies Press. (2006). The NET Bible First Edition Notes (Lk 1:7). Biblical Studies Press.
Devotions

Thus Shall a Man be Blessed

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There is a description here in Psalm 128:2-3 of the idyllic life, the perfect life, the life that comes by the blessing of the Lord. We wouldn’t think these are miraculous things to “eat of the labor of your hands”, to “be happy”, to have a “wife”, “home”, “children”. But we are in this world where people oppress others, where there is sickness and disease, where there is fighting and striving between people to get what they want and sadly it is often us after our own gain. But here is the miracle, in Psalm 130:4 “with you (O Yah, the Lord) is forgiveness”. And from this place of forgiveness we can love and live and overcome the offenses and the injustice we have faced. But the Lord doesn’t stop with forgiveness, in Psalm 135:14 “for Yahweh will plead the cause of his people and will have compassion on his servants”. The Lord is for us, the Lord is with us and “thus shall a man be blessed”. 

Thus Shall a Man be Blessed

Psalm 128:1–6
What does the blessing of the Lord look like? It is described in

Psalm 128:2-3 “You will indeed eat of the labor of your hands; you will be happy and it will be well with you. 3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house. Your children will be like olive shoots about your table”.

This is prosperous in your work, happy, content, satisfied with a home to live in and a wife to share your life with. And then your children, growing, with you, all together. And then there is the blessing of peace in your nation in Psalm 128:5 and the legacy of your life through your children’s children in Psalm 128:6.

And who does the Lord bestow this blessing on? In Psalm 128:1 “everyone who fears Yahweh and walks in his ways”. The Lord is not holding anything back from those that will seek and heed and follow after his righteousness. 

With You is Forgiveness

Psalm 130:1–8
Is there a person alive that hasn’t felt the hurt of an offense from someone? And if we are honest with ourselves, haven’t we been the cause of hurt to someone? How do you repay that wrong? There are some times when we can make restitution and restore, but many times when someone must bear the consequences of our actions. Shouldn’t a righteous judge require restitution where possible and exact a punishment equal to the offense (see Leviticus 24:13-22, Deuteronomy 19:15-21)? And if this punishment were meted out, who could stand as it says in

Psalm 130:3–4 If you, O Yah, should keep track of iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? 4 But with you is forgiveness, so that you may be feared.”

Jesus gave the message this way in Matthew 5:38-42 “I say to you, do not resist the evildoer”, he didn’t say this because they should not receive retribution, but because we can be consumed seeking vengeance. Our life is for living and seeking the good. Yes, bad things happen, but somehow, by the grace and mercy of God, we must find a way to overcome and that begins with forgiveness.

Lift Up Your Hands in the Sanctuary

Psalm 134:1–3 

Yahweh Will Plead the Cause of His People

Psalm 135:1–21
We praise the Lord as in Psalm 135:1-4 because “Yahweh is good”. And this is not just theory or supposition, but a record of his goodness through experience with him. There is his great power in nature in Psalm 135:6-7. There is his great deliverance of his people from the oppression of Egypt and from other kings that were against them in Psalm 135:8-12. But all of that is history. The Lord is also for his people right now in

Psalm 135:13–14 O Yahweh, your name endures forever, O Yahweh, your renown throughout all generations, 14 for Yahweh will plead the cause of his people and will have compassion on his servants.

The things the nations worship, their idols are in Psalm 135:15 “the work of the hands of humankind”. But these things in Psalm 135:16-18 “cannot speak … cannot see … cannot hear” and have no breath in them. There is though an awful end for those that “trust in them (these idols), they also become deaf, dumb, blind, and dead as it says in

Psalm 135:18 “Those who make them become like them, as does everyone who trusts in them”.

His Loyal Love Endures Forever

Psalm 136:1–26

Blessed is the One Whose Help is the God of Jacob

Psalm 146:1–10

Great is Our Lord

Psalm 147:1–20

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • Psalm 128:1-6
  • Psalm 130:1-8
  • Psalm 135:1-21
  • Psalm 136:1-26
  • Psalm 146:1-10
  • Psalm 147:1-20
Devotions

Your Testimonies Are Miracles

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There is a great and rich history, accounts of how God has worked in the lives of people. We find this in the ten commandments given to Moses and Gods leading them as a nation. We find it in the healing power Jesus demonstrated as he walked the earth. And today we find it in the new birth and baptism in the Holy Ghost as it was with the first apostles. And I say it is the same word and the same power to save because it is the same fallen world with the same principalities and powers, yet Jesus Christ has taken his rightful place in heaven and has the book in his hand, the judgement of the world. Our cause is in his hands and our eyes are on him, the author and finisher Hebrews 12:2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the originator and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Your Testimonies Are Miracles

Psalm 119:129–136
In the past, we have seen the miracles that the Lord has performed for his people and so he says in Psalm 119:129 “therefore my soul keeps them” or we might say, I remember your miracles and I tell others what wonders you, the Lord, have performed. But it is not just miracles in the past. The Lord is working in the present, well, for the writer in Psalm 119:130 “The unfolding of your word gives light” which is to say, that the Lord is even now showing the way and we don’t yet know the miracles he is about to perform.
Of Jesus, there are many places like in

Acts 2:22 “Israelite men, listen to these words! Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, just as you yourselves know—”

and in the Church at Corinth, in

2 Corinthians 12:12 “Indeed, the signs of an apostle have been done among you with all patient endurance, both signs and wonders and deeds of power”.

and more to come following the heroes of faith in

Hebrews 11:40 “because God had provided something better for us, so that they would not be made perfect without us”.

Your Word Is Very Pure

Psalm 119:137–144

I Call to You Save Me

Psalm 119:145–152 

Plead My Cause and Redeem Me

Psalm 119:153–160
Does the Lord see our situation? Of course he does. Does the Lord understand in Psalm 119:153 “my misery” and in Psalm 119:155 “the wicked” and in Psalm 119:157 “my persecutors” and in Psalm 119:158 “the treacherous”? Yes, he knows that “sin entered the world” in

Romans 5:12 “… just as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death spread to all people because all sinned”.

But we can trust that in

Psalm 119:160 “The whole of your word is truth, and your every righteous judgment endures forever”.

and that he will in Psalm 119:159 “according to your loyal love” as it says three times here, in Psalm 119:154, 156, and 159 “preserve my life”.

I Hope for Your Salvation

Psalm 119:161–168

Let My Soul Live That It May Praise You

Psalm 119:169–176

My Help is From Yahweh

Psalm 121:1–8
Lift up my eyes 

Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem

Psalm 122:1–9
What is it that makes you happy? Are you a sports fan that screams with excitement when your team scores? Why would someone find joy, why would someone (David) “rejoice” as it says in

Psalm 122:1  I rejoiced in those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of Yahweh.”

He goes on in Psalm 122:2 ” Our feet are standing within your gates” and in Psalm 122:3 “Jerusalem that is built as a city” and in Psalm 122:4 “the tribes go up” and in Psalm 122:5 “the thrones sit for judgement”. This is the description of a flourishing city living in the fullness of the promise of the Lord. David is rejoicing because the nation, the city, the people are thriving. But even more than that, in this time of peace and prosperity when they can do anything they want and go anywhere they want, their heart is on the Lord as they say “Let us go to the house of Yahweh.”

Now he adds in

Psalm 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be at ease.

and in Psalm 122:7-9 “security in your palaces … Peace within you … I will seek your good”.

Be Gracious to Us O Yahweh

Psalm 123:1–4

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • Psalm 119:129–176
  • Psalm 121:1-8
  • Psalm 122:1-9
  • Psalm 123:1-4
Devotions

Your Word is a Lamp to My Feet

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There are some things in the Bible that we have likely heard before because they are widely quoted like Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”. However, this follows another section that is a request to the Lord in Psalm 119:33 “Teach me”, and in Psalm 119:34 “Give me understanding”. It is for us to set ourselves to follow the Lord as in Psalm 119:112 “I have inclined my heart to do your statutes”. We must also, though, understand that there is danger in life as in Psalm 119:109 “my life is in danger continually”. But Jesus said to us in John 16:33 “In the world you have affliction, but have courage! I have conquered the world.” 

Teach Me O Yahweh the Way

Psalm 119:33–40
There is first a request for the Lord to, in Psalm 119:33 “Teach me”, and this is followed by another request of the Lord to, in Psalm 119:34 “Give me understanding” and “This request occurs six times in the psalm (vv. 27, 34, 73, 125, 144, 169)”1. Then there is a recognition of our inability to fulfill the Lords commands and a request that the Lord, in Psalm 119:35 “cause me to walk in the path”. And finally, there is a request for the strength of life needed to, in Psalm 119:37 “turn away my eyes” as he asks the Lord to “revive me in your ways”. In the end, we are dependent on the Holy Spirit, the teacher (see John 16:13, Hebrews 10:15-18), the anointing that heals and sets free (see Acts 10:38) and brings us into the fullness of God’s plan and purpose for our lives.

I Will Speak of Your Testimonies

Psalm 119:41–48

Your Word Preserves My Life

Psalm 119:49–56
Psalm 119:49 Remember your word to your servant, upon which you have caused me to hope.

I Seek Your Favor

Psalm 119:57–64
Psalm 119:57 Yahweh is my portion; I intend to heed your words.
Psalm 119:59 I think about my ways, and turn my feet to your testimonies.

Teach Me Good Discernment and Knowledge

Psalm 119:65–72 

Your Hands Have Made Me

Psalm 119:73–80
We are created by the Lord, and in his image as it says in Psalm 119:73 “Your hands have made me” and it is also true that the Lord has “established me”. Just as the Lord placed Adam in the garden with everything he needed for life, he has now, as we are free from “the law of sin and death in Romans 8:2, he “has bestowed on us” in

2 Peter 1:3 “because his divine power has bestowed on us all things that are necessary for life and godliness, through the knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence of character”.

As one commentary says, “It is impossible that God should forsake man, who is His creature, and deny to him that which makes him truly happy”2.

It is for us to seek and ask the Lord in Psalm 119:73 “give me understanding that I may learn” and as it goes on to say in

2 Peter 1:4 “he has bestowed on us his precious and very great promises, so that through these you may become sharers of the divine nature after escaping from the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire”.

I Hope in Your Word

Psalm 119:81–88

Forever O Yahweh Your Word is Settled

Psalm 119:89–96

From Your Precepts I Get Understanding

Psalm 119:97–104 

Your Word is a Lamp to My Feet

Psalm 119:105-112
How many times have you heard Psalm 119:105 quoted, likely many.

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”.

Have you also heard the other two parts?

  • The oath to follow the Lord: in Psalm 119:106 he says “I have sworn an oath … to heed your righteous ordinances” then in Psalm 119:111 “I have taken as my own your testimonies” and in Psalm 119:112 “I have inclined my heart to do your statutes”.
  • There is affliction, danger in life: in Psalm 119:107 “I am very much afflicted” and in Psalm 119:109 “my life is in danger continually” and in Psalm 119:110 “the wicked have laid a snare”.

We are born again into the kingdom of God, but as Jesus said in

John 16:33 “I have said these things to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have affliction, but have courage! I have conquered the world.”

And we are admonished to “keep ourselves in the love of god”, and not ourselves only in

Jude 20–23 “But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith, by praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on those who doubt, 23 and save others by snatching them from the fire, and have mercy on others with fear, hating even the tunic stained by the flesh”.

Sustain Me According to Your Word

Psalm 119:113–120

It is Time for Yahweh to Act

Psalm 119:121–128

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • Psalm 119:33-128

References

  • 1. Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ps 119:34). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
  • 2. Keil, C. F., & Delitzsch, F. (1996). Commentary on the Old Testament (Vol. 5, p. 742). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson.