Shalom,


Psalm 60 was written by David at a time when it looked like God had turned His back on the nation because THEY had sinned against Him! Verses 1-3:


1 O GOD, You have rejected us and cast us off, broken down [our defenses], and scattered us; You have been angry -- O restore us and turn Yourself to us again! 2 You have made the land to quake and tremble, You have rent it [open]; repair its breaches, for it shakes and totters. 3 You have made Your people suffer hard things; You have given us to drink wine that makes us reel and be dazed. 


Remember as you read through the Bible, with the Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan, that it was never God Who turned away from the people, it was the people who turned away from Him. They turned away to do things their own way and took themselves right out from under God's protection! When they repented (changed their thinking to agree with God) and got themselves back into fellowship with Him, then they returned to that place of protection, provision and safety! The same can be said of the USA today! But I KNOW that God's people in this nation have returned to prayer and to His Word! We can expect good things to happen in SOME places! Verses 4-5:


4 [But now] You have set up a banner for those who fear and worshipfully revere You [to which they may flee from the bow], a standard displayed because of the Truth. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! 5 That Your beloved ones may be delivered, save with Your right hand and answer us.


Let's continue to do the right thing so that we can look forward with expectant hope and eager anticipation for the deliverance of our God! Verse 12:


12 Through our God we shall do valiantly, for He it is Who shall tread down our adversaries.


AMEN! Now I have a real surprise for members and friends of The Spoken Word Church! Here is Pastor Sam Chelladurai singing: Through Our God! 

Mark 10 has the Pharisees still trying to trip up Jesus. Then we have the account of the rich, young ruler who came to Jesus to ask what he must do to inherit eternal life. When Jesus reminded him of the commandments in the Word of God, he said that he had always kept those. Then Jesus said this in verse 21:


21 And Jesus, looking upon him, loved him, and he said to him, You lack one thing; go and sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come [and] accompany Me [walking the same road that I walk].


The man's response in verse 22:


22 At that saying the man's countenance fell and was gloomy, and he went away grieved and sorrowing, for he was holding great possessions.


First of all, it wasn't the possessions that this man was holding that was the problem. It was the possessions that were holding him! They had too much importance in his life! Second, notice that Jesus did NOT say "sell what you have and give it ALL to the poor". He was to sell the possessions that were holding him back, give SOME of the profit from selling the possessions to the poor, and follow Jesus. He could have supported the ministry of Jesus with some of the profits! Others did! He couldn't see himself without the possessions! How about YOU? Is there anything that YOU are holding on to that would keep YOU from serving the Lord Jesus with everything within you? Make the adjustments and FOLLOW HIM! AMEN!


Isaiah 33:2:


2 O LORD, be gracious to us; we have waited [expectantly] for You. be the arm [of Your servants -- their strength and defense] every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble.


Here is a portion of the commentary from the Bible Exposition Comentary concerning this chapter of Isaiah:

Isa 33:2 is the prayer of the godly remnant when Jerusalem was surrounded by the Assyrian army. Isaiah had promised that God would be gracious to them if they would only trust Him (30:18-19), so a few devout people turned His promise into prayer. God spared Jerusalem for David's sake (37:35) and because a believing remnant trusted God and prayed. Never underestimate the power of a praying minority. Assyria was proud of her power and the spoils she had gathered in battle. The Assyrian army swept through the land like devouring locusts, but that would change. The day would come when Judah would strip the dead Assyrian army and Sennacherib would be assassinated in the temple of the god he claimed was stronger than Jehovah (vv. 36-38).


The Lord was exalted in the defeat of Assyria (33:5), for no human wisdom or power could have done what He did. We must remember that nations and individuals can have stability in uncertain times only when they trust God and seek His wisdom and glory. King Hezekiah did a foolish thing when he took the temple treasures and tried to bribe Sennacherib (2 Kings 18:13-16), but God forgave him and reminded him that "the fear of the Lord is [your] treasure" (Isa 33:6). Unbelief looks to human resources for help, but faith looks to God.

Continue to look to the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible for YOUR deliverance! Isaiah 33:22:

22 For the LORD is our Judge, the LORD is our Lawgiver, the LORD is our King; He will save us.

Isaiah 34 contains more prophecy, some of which refers to the time of the End. Verse 16:

16 Seek out the Book of the LORD and read: not one of these [details of prophecy] shall fail, none shall want and lack her mate [in fulfillment]. For the mouth [of the LORD] has commanded, and His Spirit has gathered them.

Be ready! Soon and VERY soon! Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Shalom in Him!