1st June: Exodus 1:1-2:10
Things
were difficult for Israel yet 'the more they were oppressed the more
they multiplied' (12). Difficult times can be the making of God's
people! Pharaoh (and Satan!) is murderously anxious about the growth of
God's people (15-16; John 10:10). God is about to move in saving power -
His 'midwives' are preparing for the 'birth' of His redeemed people
(17,20). Moses was preserved in 'a basket made of bulrushes' (2:3). Born
again, we are preserved through God's Word and Spirit - 'the living and
abiding Word of God' (1 Peter 1:23). Moses was drawn out of the water
(2:10). Israel was drawn out of the bondage in Egypt (6:6-8). Like
Israel, we have been redeemed by blood (12:13; 1 Peter 1:18-19).
Redeemed by the Lord, we are to be consecrated to Him. In 20:1-2, 'the
Ten Commandments' are introduced by a declaration of God's salvation.
Our obedience to God is to be grounded in this: He has redeemed us!
2nd June: Exodus 2:11-3:22
Salvation,
service, personal faith, life among God's people - God has much to
teach us. Moses sins (2:12). God graciously forgives (Micah 7:18-19) -
this is salvation. His sin forgiven, Moses is called to service. He is
called by the eternal God, the God who draws near to His people
(3:14-15). Saved by Christ, we are called to serve Him, the eternal
'God' who 'became flesh and dwelt among us' (John 1:1-14). Saved, we
belong to God's people (1 Peter 2:10). Serving, we play our part within
the 'one body' of Christ (Romans 12:4-5). Moses was to serve God's
people, the people whose prayer God answered - delivering them from
bondage and leading them on to great blessing (2:23-25; 3:8). Moses was a
key figure, but he did not stand alone. The work of God made progress
because the people of God went forward together. In God's work, we are
to be participators - not spectators!
3rd June: Exodus 4:1-31
Two
great obstacles had to be overcome - Moses' sense of inadequacy and
Pharaoh's stubborn resistance. Moses had to learn that 'our competence
comes from God' (2 Corinthians 3:5). Part of God's provision for Moses
was Aaron (14-16). We are not called to go it alone. What encouragement
there is in the support of our fellow-believers. Weak believers need
strengthening. Stubborn unbelief (Pharaoh) is ready to overwhelm us. We
need strength if we are to 'attempt great things for God' and 'expect
great things from God' (William Carey). Concerning Pharaoh, God says, 'I
will harden his heart' (21). This was also Pharaoh's own choice -
'Pharaoh hardened his heart' (8:15,32; 9:34). God sent circumstances
into Pharaoh's life which led him to harden his own heart by rejecting
God's Word. Pharaoh's resistance did not hinder God's salvation - he was
'compelled by a mighty hand' (3:19). God is at work - make sure you
don't miss out on His blessing!
4th June: Exodus 5:1-6:13
In
4:29-31, we see Moses, the elders and the people worshipping God.
Pharaoh opposes them - 'Who is the Lord, that I should heed His
voice...?' (2) - , and 'the foremen of the people of Israel' start
complaining (19-21). What does Moses do ? - He prays. Notice the honesty
of his prayer - he asks the 'Why ?' question, and he protests, 'You
have not rescued Your people at all' (22-23). God gives His answer -
redemption will be given (6:1,6-8). Redemption - this is God's answer to
our suffering. He gave His Son to suffer for our sins. Through Christ,
we receive salvation. Moses had to learn to wait for the fulfilment of
God's promise. God's own people were not listening to him. How could he
expect the unbelieving Pharaoh to listen to him (6:9,12)? It was not
easy. Nevertheless, this 'charge' had been given - 'bring the people
out'. It shall be done!
5th June: Mark 1:1-20
This
is a new 'beginning'. The prophets had spoken. Now, the Saviour has
come. This is good news. John has prepared the way. Now, he stands aside
to make way for Jesus Christ, the Son of God' (1,11). Following Jesus'
baptism, there was temptation. This was Kingdom against kingdom. Satan's
kingdom was under threat. The Kingdom of God had come. Christ triumphed
over Satan. In Him, we triumph when, hearing the Gospel declaration -
'the Kingdom of God is at hand' - , we obey the Gospel command - 'repent
and believe the gospel' (15). With the command, 'Follow Me', there is
the promise, 'I will make you...' (17). Christ's call is 'full of grace
and truth' (John 1:14). It is truth - a call to discipleship. It is
grace - a call from Jesus. In Christ, we become 'a new creation' (2
Corinthians 5:17). We become 'fishers of men' (17).
6th June: Mark 1:21-2:12
Great
things were happening. God was moving in power. In all this, we could
easily overlook something very important: Jesus prayed (35). He made
time for prayer. This was not wasted time. This was time well spent.
Jesus was mighty before men - the power of God was flowing freely. Jesus
knew where the power comes from - He was humble before God. We long for
this - 'they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw
anything like this!"' (12). We must pray in faith, bringing people
before the Lord, convinced that such prayer 'is powerful and effective'
(2:5; James 5:16). "If my people...pray..., I will...forgive their sin
and heal their land' (2 Chronicles 7:14). "O Holy Ghost, revival comes
from Thee. Send a revival. Start the work in me. Thy Word declares Thou
wilt supply our need. For blessing now, O Lord, I humbly plead' (Mission Praise, 587).
7th June: Exodus 6:14-7:24
This
list of names emphasizes that God is concerned with the 'little
people', and not only the 'the big names' like Moses. Gifted individuals
have their important place in carrying forward God's purpose. Such
individuals are used by God for the blessing of the whole people of God.
The forward movement of God's work is often preceded by great
difficulties. We must 'walk by faith, not by sight' (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Adverse circumstances must not defeat us. The Lord is calling us on to
greater faith. God's purpose of grace moves forward according to His
power and not our weakness. Moses spoke 'with faltering lips' (30). God
worked miracles (8-24). Turning to 'sorcerers' and 'magicians', Pharaoh,
the servant of Satan, 'would not listen' to God's servants
(11,13;7:22). 'Our God is marching on' - to glorious victory (Church Hymnary, 318)!
8th June: Exodus 7:25-8:32
God's
work is 'in the midst of the earth'. He claims His own people for
Himself (22-23). To 'all the ends of the earth', He says, 'Turn to Me
and be saved'. Concerning His own people, He says, 'In the Lord all the
offspring of Israel shall triumph and glory' (Isaiah 45:22,25). In the
plagues, we see God's power and Pharaoh's pride. There is a conflict
between the reality of God and Pharaoh's fantasy. Conflict is God's
training ground for spiritual growth. We take our stand on the reality
of God. Those who oppose God live in a fantasy world, imagining that
they can successfully oppose the mighty God of salvation - 'To pluck
from His hand the weakest, trembling soul, it never, never can be done' (Sacred Songs and Solos.
508). Pharaoh was neither the first nor the last to oppose God- and
fail! Put to death by men, Christ was raised by God (Acts 2:23-24) -
Hallelujah!
9th June: Exodus 9:1-35
Today,
we highlight three lessons: The importance of trusting Christ as your
Saviour, the folly of refusing Christ's salvation and the danger of
professing conversion without really meaning it. Each of us must choose:
Will you step into Christ or remain outside of Him? Will you flee to
Him and take refuge in Him or will you neglect Him and remain under
judgment? 'Flee from the wrath to come'. 'How shall we escape if we
neglect such a great salvation?' (20-21; Luke 3:7; Hebrews 2:3). You can
enter into salvation through faith in Christ or you can, in unbelief,
remain outside of Christ (Hebrews 4:2-3). Pharaoh 'confessed' his sin,
but didn't really mean it. He had had 'enough' of God's interference.
That was his 'reason' for admitting his sin. This was not real
repentance - only a dislike for suffering! Make your decision for
Christ, and make it real!
10th June: Exodus 10:1-29
The
conflict between God and Pharaoh is a conflict between light and
darkness. We are to shine as lights - for God, the 'Light' in whom there
is 'no darkness at all' (Matthew 5:16; 1 John 1:5). God's purpose is
moving forward. Pharaoh becomes more determined in his rebellion.
Pharaoh's stubborn unbelief becomes his own undoing. Pharaoh doesn't
want God. God confirms him in his unbelief (28-29). God says, 'You can
go your own way, but you will be spiritually dead' (Psalm 106:13-15).
God says, 'Do not harden your heart. You may be very close to the point
of no return' (Hebrews 3:8; Proverbs 29:1). Before you lose all
inclination to return to the Lord, let Christ's love touch your heart.
Only His love can 'create in you a clean heart'. Only His love can 'put a
new and right Spirit within you' (Psalm 51:10).
11th June: Exodus 11:1-12:28
Here,
we focus attention on two verses which emphasize the importance of
being saved by the Lord and going on to live for Him: 'when I see the
blood, I will pass over you...you must eat unleavened bread' (13,20). In
verse 13, we are directed beyond the Passover to Jesus Christ, whose
blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins (John1:29; 1 John1:7). In
verse 20, we have the call to holy living. In 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 and
Galatians 5:7-9, Paul uses 'leaven' as a symbol of 'sin', which holds us
back from 'running a good race'. We are to live as a new creation, who
feast on 'the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth'. Forgiveness of
sins and holy living belong together. We are not to rejoice in God's
forgiveness and then gloss over His call to holy living: 'justified by
faith', we are to 'walk in newness of life' (Romans 5:1; 6:4)
12th June: Exodus 12:29-13:16
God
delivered His people from their bondage (3,14,16). There is, in the
Exodus, a great picture of the Gospel, which sets us free. Christ sets
us free. He does this by His Word of 'truth' (John 8:32,36). The Gospel
says, 'Sin will have no dominion over you...You have been set free from
sin' (Romans 6:14,18,22). Through 'the Spirit of God', we have received
'not...the spirit of slavery...but...the spirit of sonship' (Romans
8:14-15). Israel's deliverance from the land of bondage was also
deliverance for a new life in 'a land flowing with milk and honey' (5).
We look back in grateful remembrance. We look forward in eager
anticipation. We have received 'the first fruits of the Spirit'. There
is more to come - 'the glorious liberty of the children of God...the
redemption of our bodies' (Romans 8:21-23).
13th June: Exodus 13:17-14:31
Sin
may be 'near', but God never leads His people into it (13:17, James
1:13). Following Christ means walking a narrow road (Matthew 7:13-14).
We are surrounded by many temptations. Pray that your feet will not slip
(Psalm 37:31; 17:5; 44:18). Sometimes, the Lord leads us 'by way of the
wilderness' - a way of apparent fruitlessness. Why? - So that 'equipped
for battle', we might learn to serve Him better (13:18). The Lord does
not leave His people in the wilderness. Pursued by their enemies (the
Egyptians), they were guided by the 'cloud' and 'fire' (13:21-22). God
was with them, and He was about to reveal His saving power in a mighty
way (13-14). There is judgment as well as salvation (30). Looking to
neither the 'right' nor the 'left', we must look to the Lord (14:21-22).
Rejoicing in 'the great work' He has done, our faith 'in the Lord'
grows strong (31).
14th June: Exodus 15:1-21
This is a song of redemption - God has redeemed His people; a song of thanksgiving - we give thanks for God's redemption; and a song of hope
- we look forward to the complete fulfilment of God's redemption. This
is not only a 'song of God's people'. It is also the song of Moses, a
personal song. This is worship - not a mere formality, but worship which
arises from the depths of Moses' heart. Deeply moved by the grace and
glory of God, Moses pours his heart out to God in worship: (i) He
praises the God of grace - 'my strength...my song...my salvation' (2).
(ii) He praises the God of glory - God triumphs 'gloriously' (1). His
'glorious' power is demonstrated in His 'glorious' deeds (6,11). (iii)
Worshipping this God of grace - the redeeming God (13) - and glory - the
reigning God (18) - , we say, 'You are my God, and I will praise You'
(Psalm 118:28). Let us worship God - personally as well as publicly.
15th June: Mark 2:13-3:12
Jesus
changes people. Levi became Matthew (14). He became 'a new creation' (2
Corinthians 5:17). The change of name marked his new birth (John 3:6).
To be changed by Jesus you must recognize yourself as a sinner (17).
There is a world of difference between legal obedience - 'old wine' -
and Gospel obedience - 'new wine' (21-22). There is an eternity of
difference between belonging to God's Kingdom and remaining outside of
His Kingdom (John 3:3,5,7). The religion of the Pharisees was
legalistic. The obedience of Jesus was spiritual. Will we follow Jesus,
or will we be like these 'religious' men who planned 'to destroy Him'
(6)? It is sadly possible to participate in 'religion', professing faith
in 'the Son of God', in an 'unclean spirit' (11). Prompted by the Holy
Spirit, let us truly confess that 'Jesus is Lord' (1 Corinthians 12:3).
16th June: Mark 3:13-35
The
conflict intensifies. The 'twelve' are 'sent...to cast out demons'
(14-15). Jesus is accused of being demon-possessed (22). Jesus warns
against 'an eternal sin' - blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (28-30).
With the offer of forgiveness - 'the blood of Jesus...cleanses us from
all sin' - , there is the call to 'confess our sins' (1 John 1:7,9). 'If
we say we have no sin' (1 John 1:8,10) and no need of Jesus Christ as
our Saviour, we resist the Holy Spirit who seeks to convict us of our
sin and lead us to the Saviour (John 16:8-9,14). Are you anxious about
'an unpardonable sin' ? Let the Holy Spirit lead you to the Saviour.
Take your sin to Jesus, and let His 'perfect love cast out your fear' (1
John 4:17). Do you think you cannot be forgiven ? God's thoughts are
'higher': 'Return to the Lord...He will abundantly pardon' (Isaiah
55:6-9).
17th June: Proverbs 4:1-9
This
is 'a father's instructions' to his 'sons' (1). The father has been a
'son' (3). He has wrestled with temptation. He has needed the
exhortation - 'Let your heart hold fast...' (4) - and the warning - 'Do
not turn away...' (5). Now, we turn to the divine Father and Son. The
Father does not keep His distance from us. Through the Son, He has come
near to us. Through the Son, we come to the Father (John 14:9,6). When
Scripture says, 'Get wisdom' (7), it means this: 'Come to the Father
through Jesus the Son'. Wisdom brings 'a beautiful crown', 'the crown of
righteousness', 'the unfading crown of glory' (9; 2 Timothy 4:8; 1
Peter 5:4). Be wise. Be ready for the Lord's Return (Matthew 25:1-13).
'Purer...higher...greater - Our wonder, our worship, when Jesus we see!'
(Church Hymnary, 374).
18th June: Exodus 15:22-16:36
God
allows His people to suffer difficulties. Why? - To strengthen our
faith (15:25; 16:4; Deuteronomy 8:2,16; 1 Peter 1:6-7). He chastens us,
to teach us repentance (Revelation 3:19). Don't forget God's love. He is
faithful: 'He didn't bring us this far to leave us'. He shows us His
glory (7). He assures us that He is God (12). He provides us with 'daily
bread' (4). Yesterday's 'bread' is insufficient for today's challenges
(19-20). 'Morning by morning', the 'bread' is to be gathered (21;
Lamentations 3:22-23). Jesus is the Living Bread (John 6:32-35,48-51).
Feed on Him each day. Don't invite spiritual starvation by missing days.
If you miss some days, don't let it continue. Remember: 'Seven days
without prayer makes one weak'! 'How long has it been since you talked
with the Lord?' Too long? It is time to pray and feed on Jesus!
19th June: Exodus 17:1-18:27
Worldly
people create problems (17:3). Moses asks, 'What shall I do...?'
(17:4). Indecision asks, 'Is the Lord among us or not?' (17:7). He gives
victory (17:8-9,13). Joshua is being equipped for special service - 'in
the ears of Joshua' (17:14). God's great concern is that His people
move forward together. The work is not to be left to the few (18). God
is looking to faithful servants who will 'bear the burden' together
(21-22). There is much to be done, but we must never forget this:
'prayer and the ministry of the Word' (Acts 6:1-4). You may not be a
Moses or a Joshua, but you can play your part. We rejoice in who God is
and what He has done for us. Assured of His presence with us, let us
worship Him: 'Blessed be the Lord...' (18:10-11).
20th June: Exodus 19:1-25
Before
law, there is Gospel - what God has done for us (4). We are to obey in
the Spirit of grace, as those who have been redeemed by His mercy (5-6; 1
Peter 2:9-10). God's Word is not only for the leader. It is for the
whole people of God (3,7,9,11). God speaks to us concerning possession,
consecration and reverence. Possession - We are His 'own possession' (5). In love, He has claimed us for Himself. We belong to Him. Consecration - God is holy. We are to be holy (10,14; 1 Peter 1:15-16). Reverence
- Don't rush into God's presence, presuming on His blessing. We must
not take God's blessing for granted. That would be arrogance (21-22). We
must come to Him with this humble confidence: God will bless those who
truly call upon Him (2 Chronicles 7:14-16). May God help us to say, 'All
that the Lord has spoken we will do' (8).
21st June: Exodus 20:1-20
God
does not want to see sin in us (20). He wants to see Himself in us. Sin
robs us of His great blessing. He wants to fill us with love (Mark
12:28-31; Galatians 5:14; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13). Before our love for
Him, there is His love for us. He is the God of redemption. He has
redeemed us. We are His people. This is His doing. All the glory belongs
to Him (1-2). We are to live as His people. He is to have first place
in our lives (3). The 'law' is 'holy' and 'good', but it cannot make us
holy and good - without 'the new life of the Spirit' (Romans 7:12,6:
8:2; 2 Corinthians 3:3). 'Moses' cannot save! There is only one Saviour -
Jesus! Not under law, we yield ourselves to the God of salvation
(Romans 6:13-14). Our obedience comes from faith in Christ - not
legalism (Romans 1:5-6)! Our holiness comes from the Spirit (Galatians
5:22-23).
22nd June : Mark 4:1-34
God's Word carries this message: 'He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says...' (9; Revelation 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22). We must listen for the voice of the Spirit. Grace has been 'given' to us (11). It is God's gift. To God be the glory! Sadly, some refuse to listen. Think about your
response to God's Word (15-20). Let your light shine (21-23; Matthew
5:16). Use your gifts, or lose them (24-25). We preach the Word. God
gives the growth (26-29; 1 Corinthians 3:6-7). A small child can count
the seeds in an apple. Only God knows how many apples there are in a
single seed! God's Word is a 'seed' which bears much fruit (30-32; 1
Peter 1:23-25). Parables whet the appetite - for more! They were given
to people 'as they were able to hear it' - 'a starter' (33-34)! May we be 'visual aids' to whet people's appetite - for God!
23rd June: Mark 4:35-5:20
Jesus was sleeping because He was tired - not because He didn't care (38)! He does
care. Everything was under control. Faith was being tested. Fear and
faith are opposites (40). 'Awe' (41) is very different from unbelieving
fear. Awe leads to worship. Fear destroys faith. The man was filled with
'unclean spirits' (13). He was a 'demoniac' (15-16). No one could do
anything for him (3) - except Jesus! They tried to 'subdue' him (4).
Jesus saved him! He is able to lift from the guttermost...and 'save to
the uttermost' (Hebrews 7:25). The human situation is hopeless
(Ephesians 4:18-19; 2 Corinthians 4:4) - without Christ! With Him,
everything changes (2 Corinthians 4:6; Ephesians 4:22-24). ''The gates
of hell prevail against' us. They do not prevail against Christ (Matthew
16:18). Tell others what the 'Lord has done for you' - God will use
your words to bring blessing (19-20).
24th June: Mark 5:21-6:13
The
story begins with Jairus (21-24). Then, there is an 'interruption' -
which brought healing to a woman (25-34). The woman had nowhere else to
go (25-26). She came to Jesus (27). She was healed - not because she
touched His garment (many others were brushing against Him), but because
she had 'faith' (28,31,34). Jesus brought her out into the open - so
that she might confess Him (30,32-33). The new birth can take
place in very quiet circumstances - by faith in Christ. Jesus wants us
to 'come out' - to confess Him. Back to Jairus' daughter - People
thought there was no hope. Jesus said, 'Do not fear, only believe'
(35-36). Not everyone believes. We can limit the power of Christ among
us - by our unbelief (5-6)! We can, however, be called, sent and given
authority...(7) - Never forget: The power and glory belongs to God (1
Corinthians 1:27-29).
25th June: Mark 6:14-44
They
were great men of God - 'John the baptiser...Elijah...the prophets of
old' (14-15). None of them can compare with the Lord Jesus Christ. These
men directed attention to the Lord (1 Kings 18:36-39; Isaiah 52:
13-53:12; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:25-27). Of Christ alone, we say,
'There is salvation in no one else...' (Acts 4:12). Christ saves - and
satisfies: We feed on Him and we are 'satisfied' (42). Apart from Him,
the human search ends in this: 'I can't get no satisfaction'. In Him,
there is satisfaction - He is the Saviour. Saved, satisfied and sharing -
this is what we are to be. To His disciples, He still says, 'You give them something...' (37). We say, 'We don't have enough'. He says, 'I
am more than enough' (2 Corinthians 3:5). Many are 'like sheep without a
shepherd'. We must not fail them. We must 'teach them many things'
(34).
26th June: Mark 6:45-7:23
The
storm is raging: 'they were making headway painfully, for the wind was
against them' (48). Jesus draws near, and there is peace: 'the wind
ceased' (51). Another 'storm' continues to rage: 'Why do your disciples
not live according to the tradition of the elders...?' (5). How did
Jesus respond to this 'storm' of criticism? - He exposed the hypocrisy
of those who made the tradition of men more important than the Word of
God (7-9,13). He invited 'the people' to come 'to Him', to 'hear', to
'understand'. His Word was addressed to 'all' of them (14). Jesus
emphasizes this point: 'man looks on the outward appearance, but the
Lord looks on the heart' (1 Samuel 16:7). The heart of the matter is the
matter of the heart. Which will it be? - 'Their hearts were hardened'
(52) or 'Loving the Lord your God with all your heart' (12:30).
27th June: Mark 7:24- 8:26
Verse 27:
The Gospel is for all - Jews and Gentiles (John 3:16). It seems like a
'refusal'. It is not. In love, Jesus says, 'Show me that your faith is real'. First things 'first': Do you really want
to be blessed by the Lord ? Or, are you content with 'going through the
motions' of religious ritual. Is God's Word going in one ear and out
the other (deaf)? Are you ashamed of the Lord (dumb)? Jesus 'makes the
deaf hear and the dumb speak' (37). Jesus feeds those who are hungry -
for Him. To those who say, "'Yes, Lord, even the crumbs', so long as it
comes from You", Jesus gives much - and we are 'satisfied'
(28;8). Don't settle for 'the leaven of the Pharisees' (15) - second
best (by a long way!) - when you can have Jesus, the very best! 'Open
our eyes, Lord. We want to see Jesus' (22-26; Mission Praise, 545).
28th June: Mark 8:27-9:13
'Who do you say that I am ?': Jesus puts this question to all of us. Some believe He is the Christ. Others do not. Some try
to 'sit on the fence'. Everyone makes their response to Him. God is not
deceived by outward observance of religion, when it masks an inward
refusal to receive Christ as Saviour, to submit to Him as Lord. On the
day of judgment, God will not be looking for respectability. He will be
looking for faith (Luke 18:8). Peter confessed Christ (29). Then,
he was overcome by Satan (33). He became 'puffed up' with pride (1
Corinthians 8:1). He forgot that faith comes from divine revelation
(Matthew 16:17). We are not 'to rebuke' the Lord (32). Looking to 'Jesus
only' (8; Romans 4:5), we are to live as His disciples (34) - not of
this world, as He is not of this world (John 17:14,16; 1 Corinthians
2:12; 2 Peter 1:3-4).
29th June: Mark 9:14-50
'Our
God is able' (Daniel 3:17). Do we believe this? There is no doubt about
God's power. What about our faith? We come to Jesus, saying, 'If you
can'. Jesus turns things around: 'If you can! All things are
possible to him who believes' (22-23). This is not so much an appeal for
positive thinking. It is a call to prayer (29). Less self-confidence
and more confidence in God - This is what we need. God's greatness is
more important than our 'greatness' (33-35). Are there things that you
don't understand? Don't be afraid to ask (32). You may even learn from
those who 'don''t belong to our group' (38-40). They don't belong to our
group? So what? Do they belong to Christ? That's what matters. 'It is
better' (43,45,47) to be Christ's - than anything else! May our faith,
though 'tested by fire', grow strong - to God's glory (49-50; 1 Peter 1:
6-7).
30th June: Psalm 9:1-20
'I
will give thanks to the Lord...'(1-2). The enemy is defeated (3-6).
'The Lord sits enthroned for ever' (7). 'The Lord is a stronghold for
the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble' (9). What an
encouraging Psalm this is: We have the victory in Christ. Nevertheless,
it is not easy when we face determined opposition from the enemies of
Christ and His Gospel: 'Behold what I suffer from those that hate me'
(13). In this situation, we must call upon the Lord: 'Arise, O Lord! Let
not man prevail' (19). Though the conflict is raging all around, we
must - taking our stand in Christ - declare God's praises and rejoice in
His salvation (14). 'The Lord dwells in Zion' (11): 'Blest inhabitants
of Zion, Washed in the Redeemer's blood', may we always say, 'Let the
world deride or pity, I will glory in Thy Name' (Church Hymnary, 421).
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