David wrote this psalm while hiding from King Saul. He called God his helper and upholder. David encouraged himself with this. Saul had the support and help of all Israel, but David had the Lord. Some may have wealth or worldly power to help, but we have the help of God. He not only helps us, He sustains, supports, upholds and keeps us alive. Who do you call upon when you need help?
This was Jesus’ response to the high priest who asked whether he was the Christ. His answer? “I am.” Jesus used both the Hebrew name for God and the prophetic title of “Son of Man” in his answer. Jesus was crucified for claiming to be the Messiah. Then, three days later he defeated death and the grave and proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that His claim was true!
How Moses responded to Joshua’s concern that two of the 70 elders were prophesying in the camp. This revealed Moses’ humble heart and also its alignment with God’s. For Moses’ desire was fulfilled when the Spirit came to abide in those who believed in Christ after His ascension. This event in the wilderness is a foreshadow of Pentecost.
This was David’s prayer after committing adultery with Bathsheba. He wanted God’s forgiveness to extend to his experience, so that he felt clean again. It’s one thing to believe that God has forgiven, but another to experience that forgiveness. “Wash me” is an intimate and humble invitation. It admits one’s filthy condition and also one’s inability to get clean without help. Perhaps we fail to completely experience forgiveness because we’ve yet to admit both the depth of our sin and our total inadequacy at getting clean. Let us pray as David, “Wash me, Lord!”
From the time the tabernacle was set up, the presence of God came to rest upon it, appearing as a cloud by day and fire by night. Whenever the cloud lifted, the Israelites broke camp and followed. When it rested, they rested. When it moved, they did likewise. In this way, God taught them to depend on Him for daily direction. God was raising up a people for Himself. Today, we have the Spirit to guide us. When we are sensitive to Him, we know when to move and when to rest, when to go and when to stay.
This is one of the eschatological signs that Jesus gave the disciples in response to their question about the end times. It is both sign and instruction. Are you involved in helping proclaim the gospel to all nations? Those who are obedient are either involved in sending or going.
This was Jesus’ response to the question concerning what is the greatest commandment. His answer to love God and love others summarizes the 10 Commandments. For if we love God, we will keep the first 4 commandments. And if we love our neighbor, we will keep the last 6. The problem is that we cannot love God and our neighbor with all our being. We are conflicted and selfish at heart. We are sinners. Yet, to those who receive Jesus, the love of God is poured out. Jesus gives us His love for God and others. When we abide in Christ, we have the kind of whole love that follows God’s commands, not as rule-keepers, but from the heart.
This was a devastating critique of the Sadducees’ theology by Jesus. They affirmed only the Torah and denied the resurrection of the dead. Jesus declared them wrong on both. There are many today who claim to be teachers and theologians that Jesus would stand against because they dismiss the Bible and deny the resurrection. Do you believe the Bible? Do you believe in the resurrection? What does Jesus think of your theology?
The Lord instructed the Israelites to set up camp with the Tabernacle at the center. Their tents were to face inward toward the place of worship, not outward toward the world. Worship was to be the center of individual and community life. All of daily life was to revolve around worship of God. What’s at the center of your family’s life?
Stop talking and worrying. Turn off, turn down, pull away and listen. Then know. Know that He is God. Acknowledge, understand and experience His presence and power. Then pray and worship. Worship because it is the only appropriate response. Pray because the nations are far from God and it is His will to bring them back. Pray for the Day when God’s Name will be lifted up in all the earth.