Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalms 54-56; Acts 21:1-17
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Psalms 57-59; Acts 21:18-40
The psalmist prays for deliverance amidst persecution by
family and even strangers. He is confident that God will help as He always has.
In times of sudden testing and unexpected trouble, we easily become
disillusioned and wonder if God has abandoned us. However, in every trouble,
God is our sure helper. The deliverance He provides in Christ, who Himself knew
persecution unto death, makes us triumphant despite every appearance to the
contrary.
The author finds himself in a town full of wickedness and
violence, betrayed by a trusted friend and colleague, with no one to help
except God. He turns to the Lord in prayer, entrusting his life to God’s hand
with confidence. When troubles press
hard, we may find it easy to give in to our feelings and give up on God. The
psalmist’s steadfastness challenges us to trust in God’s mercy.
Even in the midst of danger, David rejoices in God’s love and
His certain deliverance from death. When we face trials, we may be tempted to
worry about our own welfare or feel like giving up in hopelessness. Instead, we
can remember that our problems are nothing new and that God is able to help in
every situation. Through these experiences, He strengthens our faith and draws
us closer to Jesus Christ, our Savior.
In our NT reading Paul completes his journey to Jerusalem
despite warnings about the dangers he will encounter there. Many times, due to
fear or lack of understanding, we fail to do the Lord’s will. Contrary to all
human logic, God’s plan of salvation was carried out through Christ for the
forgiveness of all our failures. This shows us that God can make all
things - however fearful or illogical they may seem to us - work out for our good.
We are always on His heart.
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Psalms 57-59; Acts 21:18-40
4 comments:
It's interesting to see how both David and Paul are either facing adversity or are about to. Both respond in a willingness to lean on God. Both know that they can trust in The Lord and that they will find victory in the end. Both are great examples for us.
Psalm 56:11
I trust God, so I am not afraid
of what people can do to me!
10 In God, whose word I praise,
in the Lord, whose word I praise—
11 in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can man do to me?
I'm sure these words of David were exactly Paul's thoughts as he preached against the recommendation from his friends concerned for his safety.
Psalm 56 has 13 verses and 3 times David says that he will trust in God.
We have no control over our enemies. They will think, say, or do what they want about us. But we do have control over how we choose to react in those circumstances.
We need to be as David, and put our trust in God who is our one true constant.
What stood out to me in our Psalms passage is that God is the only One who can save us, the only One in whom we can put our trust.
I find it interesting that at some points during his ministry, Paul avoided persecution, and yet here he goes, knowing what is to come. Clearly he is being led by and obedient to the Spirit.
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