Today we read Psalm 57. This Psalm was a "record of memorable thoughts of David when he fled from Saul in the cave". We see here how David looked at adversity and how very much he depended on God to deliver him always! Verses 1-3 show his confidence:
1BE MERCIFUL and gracious to me, O God, be merciful and gracious to me, for my soul takes refuge and finds shelter and confidence in You; yes, in the shadow of Your wings will I take refuge and be confident until calamities and destructive storms are passed.
2I will cry to God Most High, Who performs on my behalf and rewards me [Who brings to pass His purposes for me and surely completes them]!
3He will send from heaven and save me from the slanders and reproaches of him who would trample me down or swallow me up, and He will put him to shame. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! God will send forth His mercy and loving-kindness and His truth and faithfulness.
Verse 4 & 6 tell of the works of the enemy, but verses 7 & 8 tell what David plans to do to thwart the attacks of the enemy:
7My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is steadfast and confident! I will sing and make melody.
8Awake, my glory (my inner self); awake, harp and lyre! I will awake right early [I will awaken the dawn]!
He says here that his "heart", the Hebrew word, "leb", which means: the inner man, the combination of the spirit and the soul, which is the mind, emotions and will, is "fixed", the Hebrew word, "kuwn", which means: to be steadfast, to be directed aright, to be firmly established, to be securely determined. He says he will sing and make melody, which means to give praise. Then he says he will "awake", the Hebrew word, "`uwr", which means: to stir up, to incite, to arouse, to be excited, to be triumphant, early! The Bible Exposition Commentary (OT) says: "David praised the Lord all day long, but he opened the day with special praise and even anticipated the sunrise. Instead of the dawn awakening him, his voice awakened the dawn". That's what we should be doing! Starting the day early and in the right way, with praise and thanksgiving. Then put the enemy on notice that you're awake and aware and use your God-given authority over him from the start! Now go about your day as a warrior for Christ, an ambassador of Heaven, a living Epistle and a minister of Life! AMEN!
In Exodus we continue with the Law and Moses going up into the presence of God.
In the New Testament we begin the Gospel of Mark today. This Gospel emphasizes what Jesus did, rather than what He taught (it records 18 of the miracles of Jesus, but only 4 of His parables). This Gospel gives us a feeling of the action that was involved with Jesus' ministry. Allow the Holy Spirit to show you supernaturally how things would have looked and sounded. Meditate on being there and experiencing the things you read here. If you do that, you will get more out of your study of Mark than you ever have before! Look at verse 6:
6And John wore clothing woven of camel's hair and had a leather girdle around his loins and ate locusts and wild honey.
Can you picture John? Do you see the camel hair clothes with a leather belt? Can you imagine eating honey (sweet!) and locusts (yuck!). Notice the word "immediately" used many times. Can you picture this in verses 22 & 27:
22And they were completely astonished at His teaching, for He was teaching as One Who possessed authority, and not as the scribes.
27And they were all so amazed and almost terrified that they kept questioning and demanding one of another, saying, What is this? What new (fresh) teaching! With authority He gives orders even to the unclean spirits and they obey Him!
What would people look and sound like who were "astonished" and "amazed"? That kind of meditation will make the Word of God really come alive and be real to you! Try it! You'll LOVE it! Guaranteed!
Shalom in Him!
