May 31 - Evening
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"I have become like one who does not hear,
whose mouth can offer no reply.
Lord, I wait for you;
you will answer, Lord my God.
For I said,
'Do not let them gloat
or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip.'
For I am about to fall,
and my pain is ever with me.
I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.
Many have become my enemies without cause; those who hate me without reason are numerous. Those who repay my good with evil lodge accusations against me, though I seek only to do what is good.
Lord, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God. Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior."
- Psalms 38:14-22
I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.
Many have become my enemies without cause; those who hate me without reason are numerous. Those who repay my good with evil lodge accusations against me, though I seek only to do what is good.
Lord, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God. Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior."
- Psalms 38:14-22
The Lord is David's Punisher and Protector
Psalm 38 is identified as a “petition” of David in the superscript. This is then a prayer to the Lord for protection and deliverance that also includes the confession of sin.
Because of his own personal sin David has undergone discipline from the Lord. The discipline has effected both David’s physical health (“body,” “bones,” in 38:3; “wounds festers,” in 38:5; back pain in 38:6-7) and emotional health (“guilt” in 38:4).
This results in social rejection and the rise of David’s enemies. These enemies hope to turn this time affliction from the Lord’s divine discipline into a personal advantage since David seems very vulnerable in this situation both politically and militarily.
“My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds;
my neighbors stay far away.
Those who want to kill me set their traps,
those who would harm me talk of my ruin;
all day long they scheme and lie.” – 38:11-12
During his time of affliction David cannot respond to his critics nor can he rise to defend himself. Because of David’s lack of response to his critics it appears that David does not even hear their arrogant and aggressive accusations:
“I have become like one who does not hear,
Whose mouth can offer no reply.” – 38:14
Thus, David seeks the Lord’s help for protection from his enemies during this phase of divine discipline. David’s only hope is in the Lord who is the very one disciplining him for his sin. David knows the Lord as both his punisher and his protector. The Lord will punish David for his sins, but the Lord will also protect David from his enemies. So, David’s only option is to “wait for” the Lord:
“Lord, I wait for you; You will answer, Lord my God.” – 38:15
In 38:18 David willingly confesses his “iniquity” and is “troubled” by the wrongfulness of his “sin.”
“I confess my iniquity;
I am troubled by my sin.”
And, with that confession of his sin David fully expects the protection of the Lord to be manifest and the soon arrival of the Lord with his deliverance/salvation. (38:21-22)
Thrix (Gr) – Hair (Eng) – thrix is a Greek word for “hair.” Thrix refers to camel’s hair in Matthew 3:4; Men’s hair in Matthew 10:30 and Luke 21:18; the Son of God’s hair in Revelation 1:14 and the hair on demon like beings in Revelation 9:8.
Do I realize the reason I feel distant from the Lord and abandoned by him is possibly because of my sin against the Lord and my rebellion towards his ways and his Word? I will identify my rebellion, confess my sin and draw near to the Lord again.
Bible Reading Descriptions Here
Personal
Safety on roads
Church
Workers
Nation
City governments
World
Germany
Someone to Quote
“If every Bible in any considerable city were destroyed, the Book could be restored in all its essential parts from the quotations on the shelves of the city public library. There are works, covering almost all the great literary writers, devoted especially to showing how much the Bible has influenced them.”
- Cleland B. McAfee
- Cleland B. McAfee
Something to Ponder
John the Baptist was Jesus’ second cousins since Jesus’ mother, Mary, and John’s mother, Elizabeth, were cousins according to Luke 1:36. John was born about six months before Jesus, and it is probable that they interacted many times as children, teenagers and young men since it is likely their families got together occasionally or visited during the feast days in Jerusalem.
Here’s a Fact
The Amarna Letters support the Old Testament account of events concerning the conquest of the Land in
1400-1300 BC. The same people groups mentioned in the text of scripture are identified in the Amarna Letters: Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Egyptians, Babylonians, Assyrians, etc.
Proverb
"A servant cannot be corrected by mere words; though he understands, he will not respond."
- Proverbs 29:19
- Proverbs 29:19
Coach’s Corner
You were created to produce and given talents and gifts with unique insight and vision. So, just like a fruit tree naturally produces the fruit it was designed to grow, your fruitful life will be the natural result of who you are.
Hosea 14
New International Version (NIV)
Repentance to Bring Blessing
14
Return, Israel, to the Lord your God. Your sins have been your downfall!
2
Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: “Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.
3
Assyria cannot save us; we will not mount warhorses. We will never again say ‘Our gods’ to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion.”
4
“I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them.
5
I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots;
6
his young shoots will grow. His splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.
7
People will dwell again in his shade; they will flourish like the grain, they will blossom like the vine— Israel’s fame will be like the wine of Lebanon.
8
Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols? I will answer him and care for him. I am like a flourishing juniper; your fruitfulness comes from me.”
9
Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.
New International Version (NIV)
Repentance to Bring Blessing
14
Return, Israel, to the Lord your God. Your sins have been your downfall!
2
Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: “Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.
3
Assyria cannot save us; we will not mount warhorses. We will never again say ‘Our gods’ to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion.”
4
“I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them.
5
I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots;
6
his young shoots will grow. His splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.
7
People will dwell again in his shade; they will flourish like the grain, they will blossom like the vine— Israel’s fame will be like the wine of Lebanon.
8
Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols? I will answer him and care for him. I am like a flourishing juniper; your fruitfulness comes from me.”
9
Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.
2 Chronicles 1
New International Version (NIV)
Solomon Asks for Wisdom
1 Solomon son of David established himself firmly over his kingdom, for the Lord his God was with him and made him exceedingly great.
2 Then Solomon spoke to all Israel—to the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, to the judges and to all the leaders in Israel, the heads of families— 3 and Solomon and the whole assembly went to the high place at Gibeon, for God’s tent of meeting was there, which Moses the Lord’s servant had made in the wilderness. 4 Now David had brought up the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim to the place he had prepared for it, because he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem. 5 But the bronze altar that Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made was in Gibeon in front of the tabernacle of the Lord; so Solomon and the assembly inquired of him there. 6 Solomon went up to the bronze altar before the Lord in the tent of meeting and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it.
7 That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”
8 Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. 9 Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
11 God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”
13 Then Solomon went to Jerusalem from the high place at Gibeon, from before the tent of meeting. And he reigned over Israel.
14 Solomon accumulated chariots and horses; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses, which he kept in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem. 15 The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills. 16 Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and from Kue—the royal merchants purchased them from Kue at the current price. 17 They imported a chariot from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty. They also exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and of the Arameans.
____
Psalm 72
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 72
Of Solomon.
1
Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness.
2
May he judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice.
3
May the mountains bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness.
4
May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; may he crush the oppressor.
5
May he endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations.
6
May he be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth.
7
In his days may the righteous flourish and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.
8
May he rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.
9
May the desert tribes bow before him and his enemies lick the dust.
10
May the kings of Tarshish and of distant shores bring tribute to him. May the kings of Sheba and Seba present him gifts.
11
May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him.
12
For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help.
13
He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death.
14
He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight.
15
Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him. May people ever pray for him and bless him all day long.
16
May grain abound throughout the land; on the tops of the hills may it sway. May the crops flourish like Lebanon and thrive like the grass of the field.
17
May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun.
Then all nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed.
18
Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.
19
Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.
20
This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse.
New International Version (NIV)
Solomon Asks for Wisdom
1 Solomon son of David established himself firmly over his kingdom, for the Lord his God was with him and made him exceedingly great.
2 Then Solomon spoke to all Israel—to the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, to the judges and to all the leaders in Israel, the heads of families— 3 and Solomon and the whole assembly went to the high place at Gibeon, for God’s tent of meeting was there, which Moses the Lord’s servant had made in the wilderness. 4 Now David had brought up the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim to the place he had prepared for it, because he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem. 5 But the bronze altar that Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made was in Gibeon in front of the tabernacle of the Lord; so Solomon and the assembly inquired of him there. 6 Solomon went up to the bronze altar before the Lord in the tent of meeting and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it.
7 That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”
8 Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. 9 Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
11 God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”
13 Then Solomon went to Jerusalem from the high place at Gibeon, from before the tent of meeting. And he reigned over Israel.
14 Solomon accumulated chariots and horses; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses, which he kept in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem. 15 The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills. 16 Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and from Kue—the royal merchants purchased them from Kue at the current price. 17 They imported a chariot from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty. They also exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and of the Arameans.
____
Psalm 72
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 72
Of Solomon.
1
Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness.
2
May he judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice.
3
May the mountains bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness.
4
May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; may he crush the oppressor.
5
May he endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations.
6
May he be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth.
7
In his days may the righteous flourish and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.
8
May he rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.
9
May the desert tribes bow before him and his enemies lick the dust.
10
May the kings of Tarshish and of distant shores bring tribute to him. May the kings of Sheba and Seba present him gifts.
11
May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him.
12
For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help.
13
He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death.
14
He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight.
15
Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him. May people ever pray for him and bless him all day long.
16
May grain abound throughout the land; on the tops of the hills may it sway. May the crops flourish like Lebanon and thrive like the grass of the field.
17
May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun.
Then all nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed.
18
Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.
19
Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.
20
This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse.