Read Psalms 108

Highlights:

Picture David's mighty army as they go forth to battle singing Psalm 108! David prophetically speaks of Christ in His deity as King-Priest in Psalm 110. Let's rejoice with the psalmist in the Hallelujah Psalms (Ps. 111 — 113). The Lord preserveth the simple (sincere) (116:6). Come and exalt the Messiah with us, for His mercy endureth for ever (118:29).

When Jesus Christ ascended into Heaven, He fulfilled the prophecy which the Holy Spirit inspired David to write: The Lord (God the Father) said unto my Lord (God the Son), Sit Thou at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool. The Lord shall send the rod of Thy strength out of Zion: rule Thou in the midst of thine enemies (Ps. 110:1-2). Jesus quoted this Psalm as referring to Himself (Mark 12:36).

Christ will reign by divine appointment even though Israel, as a nation, rejected their Messiah-King. But, the Stone (Christ) which the builders refused is become the Head Stone (Christ) of the corner. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. . . . Blessed be He that cometh in the Name of the Lord. . . . which hath shewed us light (Ps. 118:22-23,26-27).

When we consider the Lord, how can we help but worship with the psalmist: Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in His Commandments (112:1). A reverential fear of God inspires a love for Him that will move us to delight in His Commandments. This reverence of God is an essential part of the life of a Christian.

The Father, who in His own time will reveal His Son from Heaven, is the God who, as we wait on Him, prepares us for the revelation of His Son. It is sometimes easier to be satisfied with our Christian experiences of the past or to study the prophetic events of the future than it is to be faithful in our responsibilities of today. There is also a danger of being more occupied with the "things" that are coming than with "Him" who is to come. Let us not allow the interest and pleasure of intellectual Bible study to replace our true love for Jesus Christ and His appearing. This would be like a poor bride thinking only of the position and the riches she is to receive from the millionaire she is about to marry.

It is not when we are most occupied with prophetic "subjects" that we are in the true bride's place but when our love and attention are upon our Lord (Bridegroom) and His Word.

Wherefore we receiving a Kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire (Heb. 12:28-29).

Thought for Today:

With my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy Commandments (Ps. 119:10).

Christ Revealed:

Christ quoted Psalm 118:22: The Stone which the builders refused (rejected) — to the chief priests and the Pharisees when they willfully rejected Him as the Messiah (Matt. 21:42-45).

Word Studies:

108:7 mete, measure; 109:23 declineth, fades away; 111:7 verity and judgment, truth and justice; 112:9 horn, strength, power; 114:8 standing, pool of; 116:3 compassed me, surrounded me, entangled me; 118:13 thrust sore at me that I might fall, pressed me to the point of collapse.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Thursday Morning Prayer • Staff: Rita Guerra • Government Official: Rep. Tom Latham (IA) • Country: Lebanon (4.3 million) in the Middle East • Major languages: Arabic and French • Limited religious freedom • 55% Muslim (Shi'a, Sunni); 41% Christian (Maronite, Orthodox, Melchite, Protestant, Chaldean, Assyrian, Syriac); 3% Druze; 1% Others (Jewish, Baha'i, Alawi, Jehovah's Witness) • Prayer Suggestion: The Lord is a shield for you in times of trouble (Ps. 3:1-3).

Optional Reading:

1 Timothy 5

Memory Verse for the Week:

Psalms 34:2