Bible League: Living His Word The name of the LORD is like a strong tower. Those who do what is right can run to him for protection.The rich think their wealth will protect them. They think it is a strong fortress. In a world full of trials, troubles, and tribulations there are at least two ways of acquiring protection from their destructive effects. One can turn to the Lord for protection, or one can turn to riches. Those who turn to their riches, our verses for today imply, are making a big mistake. The "name of the LORD" refers to the various ways that the Lord reveals Himself to us. The Lord reveals Himself as a God who is longsuffering, merciful, loving, good, true, etc. Given the nature of these revealed attributes, the Lord is a God who can be relied upon in troubled times. He is a God to whom we can turn for help. He is like a strong tower to whom we can run for protection from everything that comes against us. The rich of our verses for today do not look to the Lord for protection. They rely instead on something more tangible and concrete. They rely upon their riches. They think that they can buy their way out of the troubles of life and, as a result, have no need for the Lord above. Riches are deceptive in this regard, because they often can solve problems of various kinds. The trouble with relying on them, however, is that ultimately they can't be relied upon. As the story of Job in the Bible tells us, riches can be lost overnight. Indeed, even great riches can be lost overnight. Anyone who relies on them, therefore, has been deceived by them. Those who rely on their riches are essentially relying on themselves. They think that the riches they have acquired have placed them in a strong fortress above the reach of the troubles of life. They forget that the Lord opposes the proud. They forget that He can bring down to the dust anyone who thinks the strong fortress of wealth is invulnerable. Those who rely on the Lord, in contrast, are humble. They know that riches, power, and any other earthly thing do not offer ultimate protection. They know that the Lord lifts up the humble. They know they can run to Him and be lifted up above the troubles of life. Run to the Lord, therefore, for He alone is the ultimate protection. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingPsalm 56, 57, 58 Psalm 56 -- David's Psalm at Gath (1Sa 21) NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 57 -- David's Psalms in the Cave (1Sa 22) NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 58 -- Do you indeed speak righteousness, silent ones? NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Acts 28:1-15 Acts 28 -- Paul Ashore at Malta; Preaches at Rome NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him.Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.” Insight It was customary for a mother to bring her children to a rabbi for a blessing, and that is why these mothers gathered around Jesus. The disciples, however, thought the children were unworthy of the Master's time—less important than whatever else he was doing. But Jesus welcomed them because little children have the kind of faith and trust needed to enter God's kingdom. Challenge It is important that we introduce our children to Jesus. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me.This declaration involves the doctrine of election: there are some whom the Father gave to Christ. It involves the doctrine of effectual calling: these who are given must and shall come; however stoutly they may set themselves against it, yet they shall be brought out of darkness into God's marvellous light. It teaches us the indispensable necessity of faith; for even those who are given to Christ are not saved except they come to Jesus. Even they must come, for there is no other way to heaven but by the door, Christ Jesus. All that the Father gives to our Redeemer must come to him, therefore none can come to heaven except they come to Christ. Oh! the power and majesty which rest in the words "shall come." He does not say they have power to come, nor they may come if they will, but they "shall come." The Lord Jesus doth by his messengers, his word, and his Spirit, sweetly and graciously compel men to come in that they may eat of his marriage supper; and this he does, not by any violation of the free agency of man, but by the power of his grace. I may exercise power over another man's will, and yet that other man's will may be perfectly free, because the constraint is exercised in a manner accordant with the laws of the human mind. Jehovah Jesus knows how, by irresistible arguments addressed to the understanding, by mighty reasons appealing to the affections, and by the mysterious influence of his Holy Spirit operating upon all the powers and passions of the soul, so to subdue the whole man, that whereas he was once rebellious, he yields cheerfully to his government, subdued by sovereign love. But how shall those be known whom God hath chosen? By this result: that they do willingly and joyfully accept Christ, and come to him with simple and unfeigned faith, resting upon him as all their salvation and all their desire. Reader, have you thus come to Jesus? Daily Light on the Daily Path Psalm 61:5 For You have heard my vows, O God; You have given me the inheritance of those who fear Your name.Isaiah 54:17 "No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their vindication is from Me," declares the LORD. Psalm 34:7-10 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them. • O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! • O fear the LORD, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want. • The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing. Psalm 16:6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me. Malachi 4:2 "But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall. Romans 8:32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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