May 26 - Evening
"Hear me, Lord, my plea is just;
listen to my cry.
Hear my prayer—
it does not rise from deceitful lips.
Let my vindication come from you;
may your eyes see what is right.
Though you probe my heart,
though you examine me at night and test me,
you will find that I have planned no evil;
my mouth has not transgressed.
Though people tried to bribe me,
I have kept myself from the ways of the violent
through what your lips have commanded.
My steps have held to your paths;
my feet have not stumbled.
I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;
turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
Show me the wonders of your great love,
you who save by your right hand
those who take refuge in your from their foes.
Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings
from the wicked who assail me,
from my mortal enemies who surround me."
- Psalms 17:1-9
- Psalms 17:1-9
David's Prayer for Divine Deliverance from Public Slander
This psalm is titled as a prayer of David who claims he prays with integrity. David apparently has spent sleepless nights evaluating himself since he claims here he has been proven innocent by the Lord’s probing, examining and testing of his heart at night. David is under distress it appears for having stood faithful to God’s ways and true to God’s words, instead of having compromised his righteousness by accepting bribes and following the words of men.
Now that the situation has become difficult and men have complicated life, David turns confidently to the Lord for vindication. David asks that God show him “the wonders of your great love!” The word translated “love” here is the covenant love or the covenant faithfulness the Lord had promised to Israel. David has confidently obeyed the Lord, so he now confidently asks his covenant partner for divine deliverance.
David asks the Lord for vindication from those who have misrepresented or lied about David. He asks the Lord “may your eyes see what is right” instead seeing the twisted image David’s adversaries present of David. David knows that men can mislead other men by publicly slandering David, but the attacks of wicked men who assail David have no bearing on the Lord’s opinion. Thus, David asks the Lord to show his covenant faithfulness and “keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.”
Anazunnumi (Gr) – Prepare (Eng) – a Greek word which means “to bind up, to gather up, to gird up.” (ana- means “up” and zonnumi means “to gird up the long robes.”) This refers to the gathering up of the garments for physical activity such as running or working. Used in 1 Peter 1:13 of “girding up in the mind. Also in Luke 12:35. A different preface (dia- meaning “through” or “around”) is used in John 13:4-5 to make the word diazonnumi meaning “to gird around” when Jesus wrapped himself in a towel. Also, perizonnumi (peri- means “around”) is used in Luke 12:37; 17:8; Acts 12:8; Ep. 6:14; Rev. 1:13.
Can I say as David did in Psalm 17 that though people try to “bribe” me I have not left the Lord’s path of righteousness and Truth? I will maintain focus on the straightway of the Lord and not allow myself to be distracted to the right or the left.
Bible Reading Descriptions Here
Personal
Property and possessions
Church
An outpouring of the Holy Spirit
Nation
Families
World
French Polynesia
A view of the south wall of Jerusalem's Old City. Mount Zion can be seen on the horizon on the left side with the small crop of tall buildings/towers.
This is the largest stone in the Temple Mount retaining wall from the days of Herod and the New Testament. (The next largest master course stone is 40 feet long.) This large master course stone helped stabilize the stone blocks below while also serving as a reestablished foundation for courses of stones above. In 30 AD this stone sat 20 feet above the Herodian street and 33 feet above the bedrock.
This stone is 15 feet wide and weighs 570 ton.
(The largest stone in the Great Pyramid weighs 11 ton!) Locate this stone in this model of the wall in 30 AD here! (Details)
This stone is 15 feet wide and weighs 570 ton.
(The largest stone in the Great Pyramid weighs 11 ton!) Locate this stone in this model of the wall in 30 AD here! (Details)
Someone to Quote
"You can never change the past. But by the grace of God, you can win the future. So remember those things which will help you forward, but forget those things which will only hold you back." -Richard C. Woodsome
Something to Ponder
As the seeds of rebellion against the church began to spread in the 1400’s the Roman Catholic Church turned to physical force, intimidation and torture to crush the heretics by establishing the Spanish Inquisition in 1478. This system had begun back in 1184 when the Pope required all bishops to question their people concerning their faith and to excommunicate those in disagreement. By 1229 many of the “heretics” had accessed the Scriptures, so the Dominican friars where charged with using force to find and punish these “heretics.” If civil authorities stood in the way they were stripped of their power and excommunicated. In 1252 Pope Innocent IV authorized the use of torture to secure a confession of heresy or to get information.
In Spain King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella asked to become the inquisitors in Spain so that they could insure God’s blessing on their nation. Of course, many Jews and Muslims in Spain converted to Christianity at this time. The legendary Dominican friar named Tomas de Torquemada was named Inquisitor General in Spain. The intimidation was so successful that Protestantism never took hold in Spain. The effect is still visible in Spain and countries Spain influenced in the new word today.
In Spain King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella asked to become the inquisitors in Spain so that they could insure God’s blessing on their nation. Of course, many Jews and Muslims in Spain converted to Christianity at this time. The legendary Dominican friar named Tomas de Torquemada was named Inquisitor General in Spain. The intimidation was so successful that Protestantism never took hold in Spain. The effect is still visible in Spain and countries Spain influenced in the new word today.
Here’s a Fact
If we did not have the New Testament we would still know this information concerning Jesus from other sources from the first century:
1. Jesus lived during the reign of Tiberius Caesar.
2. Jesus lived a virtuous life.
3. Jesus was a wonder-worker.
4. Jesus had a brother named James.
5. It was claimed that Jesus was the Messiah.
6. Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate.
7. Jesus was crucified on the eve of Passover.
8. There was an earthquake when Jesus died and the land was covered with darkness.
9. Jesus’ disciples believed and taught they had seen Jesus risen from the dead.
10. Jesus disciples were willing to die for what they believed.
11. Christianity spread as far as Rome.
12. Christians rejected the Roman gods and worshipped Jesus as God.
This information comes to us not from Christian writing but from Roman historians, Jewish authors and documents official documents from the first century including these sources: Flavius Josephus, Babylonian Talmud, Pliny the Younger, Tacitus, Mara Bar-Serapion, Suetonius, Thallus, Lucian, Phlegon, Celsus. (Source: “The Popular Handbook of Archaeology and the Bible” by Joseph M. Holden and Norman Geisler.)
1. Jesus lived during the reign of Tiberius Caesar.
2. Jesus lived a virtuous life.
3. Jesus was a wonder-worker.
4. Jesus had a brother named James.
5. It was claimed that Jesus was the Messiah.
6. Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate.
7. Jesus was crucified on the eve of Passover.
8. There was an earthquake when Jesus died and the land was covered with darkness.
9. Jesus’ disciples believed and taught they had seen Jesus risen from the dead.
10. Jesus disciples were willing to die for what they believed.
11. Christianity spread as far as Rome.
12. Christians rejected the Roman gods and worshipped Jesus as God.
This information comes to us not from Christian writing but from Roman historians, Jewish authors and documents official documents from the first century including these sources: Flavius Josephus, Babylonian Talmud, Pliny the Younger, Tacitus, Mara Bar-Serapion, Suetonius, Thallus, Lucian, Phlegon, Celsus. (Source: “The Popular Handbook of Archaeology and the Bible” by Joseph M. Holden and Norman Geisler.)
Proverb
"Like an archer who wounds at random
is one who hires a fool or any passer-by."
- Proverbs 26:10
is one who hires a fool or any passer-by."
- Proverbs 26:10
Coach’s Corner
Don’t waste time. If you need to relax and unwind then use time to relax and unwind, but do not simply waste time.
Hosea 4
New International Version (NIV)
The Charge Against Israel
4
Hear the word of the Lord, you Israelites, because the Lord has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: “There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land.
2
There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.
3
Because of this the land dries up, and all who live in it waste away; the beasts of the field, the birds in the sky and the fish in the sea are swept away.
4
“But let no one bring a charge, let no one accuse another, for your people are like those who bring charges against a priest.
5
You stumble day and night, and the prophets stumble with you. So I will destroy your mother—
6
my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.
“Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.
7
The more priests there were, the more they sinned against me; they exchanged their glorious God for something disgraceful.
8
They feed on the sins of my people and relish their wickedness.
9
And it will be: Like people, like priests. I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.
10
“They will eat but not have enough; they will engage in prostitution but not flourish, because they have deserted the Lord to give themselves 11 to prostitution; old wine and new wine take away their understanding.
12
My people consult a wooden idol, and a diviner’s rod speaks to them. A spirit of prostitution leads them astray; they are unfaithful to their God.
13
They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar and terebinth, where the shade is pleasant. Therefore your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery.
14
“I will not punish your daughters when they turn to prostitution, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery, because the men themselves consort with harlots and sacrifice with shrine prostitutes— a people without understanding will come to ruin!
15
“Though you, Israel, commit adultery, do not let Judah become guilty.
“Do not go to Gilgal; do not go up to Beth Aven. And do not swear, ‘As surely as the Lord lives!’
16
The Israelites are stubborn, like a stubborn heifer. How then can the Lord pasture them like lambs in a meadow?
17
Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone!
18
Even when their drinks are gone, they continue their prostitution; their rulers dearly love shameful ways.
19
A whirlwind will sweep them away, and their sacrifices will bring them shame.
New International Version (NIV)
The Charge Against Israel
4
Hear the word of the Lord, you Israelites, because the Lord has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: “There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land.
2
There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.
3
Because of this the land dries up, and all who live in it waste away; the beasts of the field, the birds in the sky and the fish in the sea are swept away.
4
“But let no one bring a charge, let no one accuse another, for your people are like those who bring charges against a priest.
5
You stumble day and night, and the prophets stumble with you. So I will destroy your mother—
6
my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.
“Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.
7
The more priests there were, the more they sinned against me; they exchanged their glorious God for something disgraceful.
8
They feed on the sins of my people and relish their wickedness.
9
And it will be: Like people, like priests. I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.
10
“They will eat but not have enough; they will engage in prostitution but not flourish, because they have deserted the Lord to give themselves 11 to prostitution; old wine and new wine take away their understanding.
12
My people consult a wooden idol, and a diviner’s rod speaks to them. A spirit of prostitution leads them astray; they are unfaithful to their God.
13
They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar and terebinth, where the shade is pleasant. Therefore your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery.
14
“I will not punish your daughters when they turn to prostitution, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery, because the men themselves consort with harlots and sacrifice with shrine prostitutes— a people without understanding will come to ruin!
15
“Though you, Israel, commit adultery, do not let Judah become guilty.
“Do not go to Gilgal; do not go up to Beth Aven. And do not swear, ‘As surely as the Lord lives!’
16
The Israelites are stubborn, like a stubborn heifer. How then can the Lord pasture them like lambs in a meadow?
17
Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone!
18
Even when their drinks are gone, they continue their prostitution; their rulers dearly love shameful ways.
19
A whirlwind will sweep them away, and their sacrifices will bring them shame.
Psalm 143-145
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 143
A psalm of David.
1
Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.
2
Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you.
3
The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead.
4
So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed.
5
I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.
6
I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land.
7
Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
8
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.
9
Rescue me from my enemies, Lord, for I hide myself in you.
10
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
11
For your name’s sake, Lord, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
12
In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.
Psalm 144
Of David.
1
Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.
2
He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.
3
Lord, what are human beings that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of them?
4
They are like a breath; their days are like a fleeting shadow.
5
Part your heavens, Lord, and come down; touch the mountains, so that they smoke.
6
Send forth lightning and scatter the enemy; shoot your arrows and rout them.
7
Reach down your hand from on high; deliver me and rescue me from the mighty waters, from the hands of foreigners
8
whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful.
9
I will sing a new song to you, my God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you,
10
to the One who gives victory to kings, who delivers his servant David.
From the deadly sword 11 deliver me; rescue me from the hands of foreigners whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful.
12
Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace.
13
Our barns will be filled with every kind of provision. Our sheep will increase by thousands, by tens of thousands in our fields;
14
our oxen will draw heavy loads. There will be no breaching of walls, no going into captivity, no cry of distress in our streets.
15
Blessed is the people of whom this is true; blessed is the people whose God is the Lord.
Psalm 145
A psalm of praise. Of David.
1
I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.
2
Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.
3
Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.
4
One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.
5
They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
6
They tell of the power of your awesome works— and I will proclaim your great deeds.
7
They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
8
The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
9
The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.
10
All your works praise you, Lord; your faithful people extol you.
11
They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might,
12
so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations.
The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.
14
The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.
15
The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.
16
You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
17
The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.
18
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
19
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.
20
The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
21
My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 143
A psalm of David.
1
Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.
2
Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you.
3
The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead.
4
So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed.
5
I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.
6
I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land.
7
Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
8
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.
9
Rescue me from my enemies, Lord, for I hide myself in you.
10
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
11
For your name’s sake, Lord, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
12
In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.
Psalm 144
Of David.
1
Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.
2
He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.
3
Lord, what are human beings that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of them?
4
They are like a breath; their days are like a fleeting shadow.
5
Part your heavens, Lord, and come down; touch the mountains, so that they smoke.
6
Send forth lightning and scatter the enemy; shoot your arrows and rout them.
7
Reach down your hand from on high; deliver me and rescue me from the mighty waters, from the hands of foreigners
8
whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful.
9
I will sing a new song to you, my God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you,
10
to the One who gives victory to kings, who delivers his servant David.
From the deadly sword 11 deliver me; rescue me from the hands of foreigners whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful.
12
Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace.
13
Our barns will be filled with every kind of provision. Our sheep will increase by thousands, by tens of thousands in our fields;
14
our oxen will draw heavy loads. There will be no breaching of walls, no going into captivity, no cry of distress in our streets.
15
Blessed is the people of whom this is true; blessed is the people whose God is the Lord.
Psalm 145
A psalm of praise. Of David.
1
I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.
2
Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.
3
Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.
4
One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.
5
They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
6
They tell of the power of your awesome works— and I will proclaim your great deeds.
7
They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
8
The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
9
The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.
10
All your works praise you, Lord; your faithful people extol you.
11
They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might,
12
so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations.
The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.
14
The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.
15
The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.
16
You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
17
The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.
18
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
19
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.
20
The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
21
My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.