20121231

Abram fell on his face

Genesis 17

v3

And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying...

It says that Abram fell on his face when God talked with him. Now, it doesn't say that there was any such law as that, in this instance, Abram was supposed to fall on his face, or anything like that. Rather, it demonstrates that Abram has a genuine personal faith in, and relationship with God, from his heart. That is what makes the difference, not keeping the letter of the law.

20121227

Psalm 35 - The Lord's servant and his enemies

Outline

v1-3
Asking the Lord to be involved in the details of delivering us from trouble
v4-8
Asking the Lord to deal with our enemies
v9-10
The result of salvation is joy in the Lord, and praise
v11-16
Returning good for evil, to our enemies
v17-26
Pleading for the Lord's attention
v27-28
Then there will be joy and praise from the righteous

Key
v22

[This] thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.

It is OK to cry out to the Lord, like this, to help us from our trouble.

Application

When I am in major trouble, I will cry to the Lord, like this, to help me.

20121225

Psalm 34 - The difference that it makes to fear and trust in the Lord

Outline

v1-3
Blessing, boasting in, and praising the Lord
v4-8
The Lord pays attention to people who seek Him
v9-10
The Lord's promise to provide for His people
v11-14
How to receive good from the Lord
v15-22
Righteousness leads to definite benefits from the Lord

Key
v14

Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

It is not enough to idly agree that peace is better. We ought to continually expend significant effort to pursue it.

Application
v13

Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

When I feel like I have to say something, even when the Lord doesn't want me to, I'll pray about it and trust Him to take care of it without me saying anything, so that I can have peace.

20121205

Psalm 32 - Key

v10

Many sorrows [shall be] to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.

Because of this promise, we can know and believe the Lord, that this is true, even when it doesn't feel like it.

Application

v11
Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all [ye that are] upright in heart.

When I feel discouraged about my pursuit of the Lord, I'll sing songs of praise to Him, anyway. Remember the Lord's people in

2 Chronicles 20:21
, who went to battle, not fighting, but singing praises to Him, and He gave them the victory.

20121203

Psalm 32 - Outline

v1-2
We are blessed when free from guilt
v3-4
We are miserable when we don't confess
v5
We need to not hide our sins
v6-7
The Lord delivers the godly when they pray
v8-9
We shouldn't need restrained
v10-11
Sorrow is to the wicked and joy to the righteous
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