Bible League: Living His Word The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. the counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.— Psalm 33:10-11 NKJV The nations of the earth make their plans. Most do so with no regard whatsoever for the Lord and His plans. That's why the psalmist asks, "Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed" (Psalm 2:1-2). Why, indeed? Why do the nations rage against one another and even against the Lord of all nations? They do so out of pride. For example, in defiance of the Lord's plan for people to fill the earth (Genesis 1:28), the pride of Shinar led them to say, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth" (Genesis 11:4). The pride of Babylon was so great that Isaiah used the pride of Lucifer to describe it: "For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High'" (Isaiah 14:13-14). It's because of the pride of nations like these that the Lord does what the psalmist says He does in our verses for today. He "brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples to no effect." The Lord God resists the proud (James 4:6). He resists them because they try to take His place. Instead of submitting to His plans and purposes, they come up with their own. They rage against the Lord, and they rage against one another because their pride will not countenance a competitor. The Lord allowed their plans a measure of success, and they drew the prideful and foolish conclusion that they were in control of history itself. Neither of those nations exists anymore; they existed only to fulfill the plans of God. In contrast to the counsel of nations, our verses say "The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations." In the final analysis, then, only the Lord's plans will succeed. Only the Lord's plans will stand the test of time. Wise nations, nations that want to survive, will acknowledge this reality and submit to the Lord. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingIsaiah 56, 57, 58 Isaiah 56 -- Keep justice, and do righteousness; for my salvation is near to come NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Isaiah 57 -- The blessed death of the righteous; Leaders Rebuked; Comfort for the Contrite NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Isaiah 58 -- True Fasting; Keeping the Sabbath NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading 1 Thessalonians 3 1 Thessalonians 3 -- Encouragement from Timothy's Report NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I'm going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives.Insight Paul led many people to Christ and helped them mature spiritually. Perhaps one reason for his success as a spiritual father was the deep concern he felt for his spiritual children; he compared his pain over their faithlessness to the pain of childbirth. Challenge We should have the same intense care for those to whom we are spiritual parents. When you lead people to Christ, remember to stand by them to help them grow. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Malachi 3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming?His first coming was without external pomp or show of power, and yet in truth there were few who could abide its testing might. Herod and all Jerusalem with him were stirred at the news of the wondrous birth. Those who supposed themselves to be waiting for him, showed the fallacy of their professions by rejecting him when he came. His life on earth was a winnowing fan, which tried the great heap of religious profession, and few enough could abide the process. But what will his second advent be? What sinner can endure to think of it? "He shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked." When in his humiliation he did but say to the soldiers, "I am he," they fell backward; what will be the terror of his enemies when he shall more fully reveal himself as the "I am?" His death shook earth and darkened heaven, what shall be the dreadful splendour of that day in which as the living Saviour, he shall summon the quick and dead before him? O that the terrors of the Lord would persuade men to forsake their sins and kiss the Son lest he be angry! Though a lamb, he is yet the lion of the tribe of Judah, rending the prey in pieces; and though he breaks not the bruised reed, yet will he break his enemies with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. None of his foes shall bear up before the tempest of his wrath, or hide themselves from the sweeping hail of his indignation; but his beloved blood washed people look for his appearing with joy, and hope to abide it without fear: to them he sits as a refiner even now, and when he has tried them they shall come forth as gold. Let us search ourselves this morning and make our calling and election sure, so that the coming of the Lord may cause no dark forebodings in our mind. O for grace to cast away all hypocrisy, and to be found of him sincere and without rebuke in the day of his appearing. Daily Light on the Daily Path Psalm 59:9 Because of his strength I will watch for You, For God is my stronghold.2 Samuel 22:2,3 He said, "The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; • My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; My savior, You save me from violence. Psalm 2:7 "I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Isaiah 59:19 So they will fear the name of the LORD from the west And His glory from the rising of the sun, For He will come like a rushing stream Which the wind of the LORD drives. Hebrews 13:6 so that we confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?" Psalm 27:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? Psalm 125:2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the LORD surrounds His people From this time forth and forever. Psalm 63:7 For You have been my help, And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy. Psalm 31:3 For You are my rock and my fortress; For Your name's sake You will lead me and guide me. 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. |
    |