June 10 - Evening
"Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?
- Selah -
Then I thought,
'To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High
stretched out his right hand.
I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds!' ”
- Psalms 77:7-12
Will he never show his favor again?
Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?
- Selah -
Then I thought,
'To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High
stretched out his right hand.
I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds!' ”
- Psalms 77:7-12
In Days of Despair, Remember the Days of Glory
Psalm 77 is a complaint to God by Asaph who is crying out in distress. At night the psalmist can’t sleep; because of the trouble he can’t even speak (77:4). It appears the distress is more than the crisis of an individual, but is instead the oppression of the whole community.
Asaph compares the present silence of the Lord with the Lords interaction with Israel in the past. Asaph contrasts the Lord’s apparent abandonment of his people with the better days of old “when the Most High stretched out his right hand” to help. Those were the days when the Lord worked miracles and did mighty deeds (77:10-12). But, now God’s promises have failed, God has forgotten to be merciful and, because the Lord is angry, he has withheld his compassion. (77:7-9)
In this state of darkness and confusion all the psalmists can turn to is the recorded memory of God’s past manifestations of goodness and mercy. There is no hope of understanding the current misery. Anticipation of a sure deliverance is not available.
Asaph’s only hope now is to focus on remembering Truth and recalling the Lord’s works of mercy and deliverance in the past. This psalmist will:
“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds!” - Psalm 77:11-12
Epieikeia (Gr) – Moderation or Generousity (Eng) – the meaning of the Greek word epieikeia emphasizes “moderation,” “just measure,” and “equilibrium.”
The man who is epieikeia is balanced in mentality and behavior as in 1 Timothy 3:3 and James 3:17.
Epieikeia is also seen in 1 Peter 2:18 to describe a man as mild and respecter of social norms.
Also, Philippians 4:5 captures the meaning as “well-balanced character.”
I will remember the deeds of the Lord! I will remember His miracles of long ago.
Bible Reading Descriptions Here
Personal
Open doors for financial growth
Church
Music
Nation
Urban growth
World
Guinea
Someone to Quote
"Don't tell God how big your problems are,
tell your problems how big your God is."
tell your problems how big your God is."
Something to Ponder
Preincarnate
State of Christ
Christ existed as the eternal Son of God in the Old Testament:
“Then I said, ‘Here I am, I have come – it is written about me in the scroll.’ ” Psalm 40:7
And, in the New Testament:
“Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: . . . ‘Here I am – it is written about me in the scroll – I have come to do your will, O God.’ ” Hebrews 10:5-7
The Old Testament records the eternal son being installed as the Messiah, or Christ, on earth in Psalm 2:6-12
The Son and the Incarnation are also mentioned in: Proverbs 30:4 Isaiah 7:14 Isaiah 9:6
“Then I said, ‘Here I am, I have come – it is written about me in the scroll.’ ” Psalm 40:7
And, in the New Testament:
“Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: . . . ‘Here I am – it is written about me in the scroll – I have come to do your will, O God.’ ” Hebrews 10:5-7
The Old Testament records the eternal son being installed as the Messiah, or Christ, on earth in Psalm 2:6-12
The Son and the Incarnation are also mentioned in: Proverbs 30:4 Isaiah 7:14 Isaiah 9:6
Here’s a Fact
The book of Revelation is quoted, sited or referred to in early Christian writings as early as 115-140 AD in these books or letters:
- Hermas, 115-140 AD
- Didache, 120-150 AD
- Papias, 130-140 AD
- Irenaeus, 130-202 AD
- Justin Martyr, 150-155
- Clement of Alexander, 150-215 AD
Proverb
"Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs."
- Proverbs 10:12
- Proverbs 10:12
Coach’s Corner
Your potential is linked with your passion. But, do not confuse money with passion. Money will not sustain the motivation it will take to reach your potential.
Isaiah 20
New International Version (NIV)
A Prophecy Against Egypt and Cush
20 In the year that the supreme commander, sent by Sargon king of Assyria, came to Ashdod and attacked and captured it— 2 at that time the Lord spoke through Isaiah son of Amoz. He said to him, “Take off the sackcloth from your body and the sandals from your feet.” And he did so, going around stripped and barefoot.
3 Then the Lord said, “Just as my servant Isaiah has gone stripped and barefoot for three years, as a sign and portent against Egypt and Cush, 4 so the king of Assyria will lead away stripped and barefoot the Egyptian captives and Cushite exiles, young and old, with buttocks bared—to Egypt’s shame. 5 Those who trusted in Cush and boasted in Egypt will be dismayed and put to shame. 6 In that day the people who live on this coast will say, ‘See what has happened to those we relied on, those we fled to for help and deliverance from the king of Assyria! How then can we escape?’”
New International Version (NIV)
A Prophecy Against Egypt and Cush
20 In the year that the supreme commander, sent by Sargon king of Assyria, came to Ashdod and attacked and captured it— 2 at that time the Lord spoke through Isaiah son of Amoz. He said to him, “Take off the sackcloth from your body and the sandals from your feet.” And he did so, going around stripped and barefoot.
3 Then the Lord said, “Just as my servant Isaiah has gone stripped and barefoot for three years, as a sign and portent against Egypt and Cush, 4 so the king of Assyria will lead away stripped and barefoot the Egyptian captives and Cushite exiles, young and old, with buttocks bared—to Egypt’s shame. 5 Those who trusted in Cush and boasted in Egypt will be dismayed and put to shame. 6 In that day the people who live on this coast will say, ‘See what has happened to those we relied on, those we fled to for help and deliverance from the king of Assyria! How then can we escape?’”
Proverbs 24
New International Version (NIV)
Saying 20
24
Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company;
2
for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble.
Saying 21
3
By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established;
4
through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.
Saying 22
5
The wise prevail through great power, and those who have knowledge muster their strength.
6
Surely you need guidance to wage war, and victory is won through many advisers.
Saying 23
7
Wisdom is too high for fools; in the assembly at the gate they must not open their mouths.
Saying 24
8
Whoever plots evil will be known as a schemer.
9
The schemes of folly are sin, and people detest a mocker.
Saying 25
10
If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!
11
Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.
12
If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?
Saying 26
13
Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste.
14
Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
Saying 27
15
Do not lurk like a thief near the house of the righteous, do not plunder their dwelling place;
16
for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.
Saying 28
17
Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice,
18
or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them.
Saying 29
19
Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked,
20
for the evildoer has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.
Saying 30
21
Fear the Lord and the king, my son, and do not join with rebellious officials,
22
for those two will send sudden destruction on them, and who knows what calamities they can bring?
Further Sayings of the Wise
23 These also are sayings of the wise:
To show partiality in judging is not good:
24
Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent,” will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations.
25
But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come on them.
26
An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
27
Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.
28
Do not testify against your neighbor without cause— would you use your lips to mislead?
29
Do not say, “I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did.”
30
I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense;
31
thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins.
32
I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw:
33
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—
34
and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.
New International Version (NIV)
Saying 20
24
Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company;
2
for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble.
Saying 21
3
By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established;
4
through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.
Saying 22
5
The wise prevail through great power, and those who have knowledge muster their strength.
6
Surely you need guidance to wage war, and victory is won through many advisers.
Saying 23
7
Wisdom is too high for fools; in the assembly at the gate they must not open their mouths.
Saying 24
8
Whoever plots evil will be known as a schemer.
9
The schemes of folly are sin, and people detest a mocker.
Saying 25
10
If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!
11
Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.
12
If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?
Saying 26
13
Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste.
14
Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
Saying 27
15
Do not lurk like a thief near the house of the righteous, do not plunder their dwelling place;
16
for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.
Saying 28
17
Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice,
18
or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them.
Saying 29
19
Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked,
20
for the evildoer has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.
Saying 30
21
Fear the Lord and the king, my son, and do not join with rebellious officials,
22
for those two will send sudden destruction on them, and who knows what calamities they can bring?
Further Sayings of the Wise
23 These also are sayings of the wise:
To show partiality in judging is not good:
24
Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent,” will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations.
25
But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come on them.
26
An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
27
Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.
28
Do not testify against your neighbor without cause— would you use your lips to mislead?
29
Do not say, “I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did.”
30
I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense;
31
thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins.
32
I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw:
33
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—
34
and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.