Psalm 96 is a great Psalm of praise to the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! It is thought that this Psalm was used in the dedication of the second temple after the Babylonian captivity. It also points ahead to Messiah's reign on the Earth! God's people are given 4 commands here. They are to:
- SING (Verses 1-3)
- PRAISE (Verses 4-6)
- WORSHIP (Verses 7-9)
- REJOICE (Verses 10-13)
13 Before the LORD, for He comes to judge the earth! He shall judge the world with righteousness and justice and the peoples with His faithfulness.
That is speaking of Jesus - the Messiah of Israel and Saviour of the world! HE shall reign and WE shall reign WITH HIM! Soon and very soon! Keep looking up, WHILE you stay busy with your Father's business! AMEN!
Luke 17:3-6:
3 Pay attention and always be on your guard [looking out for one another]. If your brother sins (misses the mark), solemnly tell him so and reprove him, and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and turns to you seven times and says, I repent [I am sorry], you must forgive him (give up resentment and consider the offense as recalled and annulled). 5 The apostles said to the Lord, Increase our faith (that trust and confidence that spring from our belief in God). 6 And Jesus answered, If you had faith (trust and confidence in God) even [so small] like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, Be pulled up by the roots, and be planted in the sea, and it would obey you.
The disciples thought that it would be a really difficult thing that would take some supernatural help to be able to forgive someone who had wronged them. What Jesus explained to them here and in the next few verses was that forgiveness didn't really require great faith! What it did require is obedience! What did He mean by that? GOD SAID DO IT, SO DO IT! It was as simple as that! Don't make a big production out of it! God, in Christ, forgave ME! How dare I even consider withholding forgiveness from someone else, especially someone who has asked for forgiveness? It has nothing whatsoever to do with me or with what had been done to me! We, as believers, are required to forgive others. It's not a suggestion, it's a command from on High! Obedience brings blessings!
We begin Jeremiah today. The most important thing to remember is found in verse 1:
1 AND THE word of the Lord came to [me] Jeremiah, saying,.....
God is STILL speaking today! When He gives you something to say, just say it! When He gives you something to do, just do it! Make it your determined purpose to be a DOER for God's Word! Now listen to the "still small voice" inside of you and obey! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
