Weekly Devotional 13th September, 2024
by Bruce Billington
Weekly Devotional 13th September, 2024
We are continuing to explore the knowledge of God as expressed in the Psalms. This week we will continue with Psalm 105.
The smallness of any group of believers and the situation of feeling downcast or overwhelmed and unable to do anything about the environment around us, are no barriers to the New Covenant blessing of who we are in Christ. In Matthew 11:11 Jesus makes an amazing statement about us.
Matthew 11:11 – “Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
Christ extols and places John the Baptist above all the other Old Testament leaders and people, calling him the greatest. Yet He follows this with an incredible statement about those who are in Christ, under the New Covenant. He says the least of them are greater than John. Wow – that is a great place for any of us to start from – but how can this be?
It is because Christ, by His amazing sacrifice and resurrection is the conqueror of death and the Lord of life. He has opened the veil which means we are called up into the heavenly sanctuary. Colossians 3:1 says,
Colossians 3:1 – “Therefore, if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”
It may feel that we are like sheep amid wolves, but the wolves cannot hurt us, for our shepherd is nearby watching over us and the message is clear – don’t mess with the shepherd! He says,
“Do not touch My anointed ones and do My prophets no harm” (Psalm 105:15).
When we stand in His authority it is game over for the enemy and he scatters. James 4:7 tells us to,
James 4:7 – “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
Verse 24 says – “He caused His people to be very fruitful And made them stronger than their adversaries.”
Of course, not all the difficulties we face are from the devil. As we are on this journey, we will face many trials and tribulations from all walks of life, but what we need to remind ourselves is that God’s goodness eclipses suffering, even when He doesn’t remove it. His grace is there to help us endure until the end and we live with His amazing promise to us which says,
“No temptation has overtaken you, but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”(1 Corinthians 10:13).
Although this Psalm is written for Israel and portrays in a wonderful manner, a succinct history of the Exodus, which alone makes it worthwhile reading, it must not be restrained to that time only. All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable and relevant to all of us in Christ. We need to grasp everything this rich Psalms offer us today. Considering all this Spurgeon puts forward some great advice. He references verse four but is alluding to the whole Psalm. Verse 4 says, “Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion…”
Spurgeon asks, “how can we seek the Lord’s strength?” His response to his own question is…
By desiring to be subject to it.
By being supported by it.
By being equipped with it for service.
By seeing its results upon others.
So, to summarise this wonderful Psalm, we can say that as Abraham’s spiritual seed, we can be assured that the Lord will keep His promises to us, just as He has been faithful to His covenant with Abraham’s physical seed, the Israelites. Like them, we can expect to suffer affliction as we walk through life. We will also face trials and temptations. And when we disobey God, He will discipline us as our loving Father. But He will not fail us, even when we fail Him (2 Timothy 2:13). We are the recipients of His favour, mercy, and grace. We are His peculiar people, a chosen generation, a holy nation.” (1 Peter 2:9; Titus 2:14). God will do all that He has promised. He will preserve us in life and ultimately transport us to His heavenly kingdom, where we will live with Him eternally.
2 Timothy 4:18 says, the Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
God bless you.
Bruce Billington.