So, today's passage was suppose to be Psalms 95-99. However, I made a typo the other day and we accidentally read Psalm 97 instead of Psalm 87. So, today we'll read Psalm 87 instead of 97 and it will all work out. :)
Psalm 99:6-8
Moses and Aaron were among his priests; Samuel also called on his name. They cried to the Lord for help, and he answered them. He spoke to Israel from the pillar of cloud, and they followed the laws and decrees he gave them. O Lord our God, you answered them. You were a forgiving God to them, but you punished them when they went wrong.
When I read this passage, I was curious as to why Moses, Aaron, and Samuel were specifically mentioned. Why those three?
I found a commentary that explained it this way......
The three holy men here mentioned all stood in his courts, and saw his holiness, each one after his own order. Moses saw the Lord in flaming fire revealing each perfect law, Aaron full often watched the sacred fire devour the sin-offering, and Samuel witnessed the judgment of the Lord on Eli's house, because of the error of his way. These each one stood in the gap when the wrath of God broke forth, because his holiness had been insulted; and acting as intercessors, they screened the nation from the great and terrible God, who otherwise would in a dreadful manner have executed judgment in Jacob. Let these men, or such as these, lead us in our worship, and let us approach the Lord at the mercy-seat as they did, for he is as accessible to us as to them. They made it their life's business to call upon him in prayer, and by so doing brought down innumerable blessings upon themselves and others. Does not the Lord call us also to come up into the mount with Moses, and to enter the most holy place with Aaron? Do we not hear him call us by our name as he did Samuel? And do we not answer, "Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth"?
They called upon the Lord, and he answered them. Not in vain were their prayers; but being a holy God he was true to his promises, and hearkened to them from off the mercy- seat. Here is reason for praise, for answers to the petitions of some are proofs of God's readiness to hear others. These three men asked large things, they pleaded for a whole nation, and they stayed great plagues and turned away fiery wrath; who would not exercise himself in adoring so great and merciful a God? If he were unholy he would be false to his word and refuse his people's cries; this, then, is recorded for our joy and for his glory, that holy men of old were not suffered to pray in vain.
Do we make it our life's business to call upon Him in prayer?Do we even recognize how incredible it is that we have direct access to God through Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit?
Do we hear Him when He calls our name?
Are we willing to do whatever He asks of us?
Do we trust God to keep His promises?
Do we ask for large things? Miraculous things? Things only possible through supernatural power?
Do we plead for our nation?
We have been given unparalleled access to God Himself, the most powerful being in the entire universe. May we boldly approach the throne!
2 comments:
Psalm 96:7
O nations of the world, recognize the Lord;
recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong.
A verse that calls the world to recognize God, who provides all we need. A reminder to me to trust in Him only, and not in the world around me.
"Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his courts." Psalm 96:8
If this was a NHL or NFL superstar, they would want the opposite and have a very select time when they would greet their fans. In this verse, we are told to come into His courts. He wants us to be there with Him! Anytime, all the time.
Why wouldn't we want to give someone like this the glory they deserve.
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