June 8 - Evening
"You, God, know my folly;
my guilt is not hidden from you.
Lord, the Lord Almighty,
may those who hope in you
not be disgraced because of me;
God of Israel,
may those who seek you
not be put to shame because of me."
- Psalms 69:5-6
my guilt is not hidden from you.
Lord, the Lord Almighty,
may those who hope in you
not be disgraced because of me;
God of Israel,
may those who seek you
not be put to shame because of me."
- Psalms 69:5-6
David Seeks to Protect Others from the Disgrace of his Personal Sins
The speaker in Psalm 69 is a servant of God. Even though this psalm contains several prophetic references to the ministry of Jesus according to the Apostle John (69:4 in John 15:25; 69:9 in John 2:17; 69:21 in John 19:29), it is still the voice of David who prays in 69:5-6.
In the midst of his struggles and trials David confesses his “folly” to God and admits that his sins remain in full view of God, even though they may be hidden from the general public. David’s prayer is that the people who trust God and those who seek God not be discouraged or disillusioned as a result of David’s foolishness and failures. David is asking God for assistance and deliverance in the midst of his failure so that the people who look to David and his faith as an example may be encouraged and continue in hope. David fears that if God turns his back on him the faithful followers of God may not understand and may become disillusioned. David admits his own behavior has not helped his situation, but he still asks God to demonstrate his faithfulness so that others who may not know the whole story will continue to walk with God.
Also, one of David’s considerations is the fact that the critics who come against God and against those who have faith in God will gladly use David’s personal failures and political disasters to mock the believing community who trust in God along with David. So, for the sake of the faithful, David asks God to prevent his sins and failures as a man not bring public disgrace on those who claim to trust the name of the God of Israel.
Eukaireo (Gr) – to find time (Eng) – the Greek word eukaireo is a word found many times in the ancient papyri from the first century which means this was a very common word used by very common people. In Mark 6:31 the people listening to Jesus did not eukaireo, or they did not find or make time to eat. According to Luke in Acts 17:21 the people of Athens did eukaireo (“find time”) to talk about the latest ideas and the newest philosophy.
I will speak and behave in a way that encourages people in their relationship with God.
I will avoid discouraging people’s faith in God and instead seek to draw them closer to God.
Bible Reading Descriptions Here
Personal
Greater desire to know God
Church
Prayer
Nation
National revival
World
Guatemala
Someone to Quote
"The reign of Constantine the Great marks the transition of the Christian religion from under persecution by the secular government to union with the same; the beginning of the state-church system...with the confession: Galilean, thou hast conquered! The ruler of the civilized world lays his crown at the feet of the crucified Jesus of Nazareth."
- Philip Schaff
- Philip Schaff
Something to Ponder
“Fundamentally, Christianity had less in common with the other major religions of the day than it did with Judaism. Because most pagan systems were less dogmatic and did not necessarily conflict with the claims of Jesus in principle, the nature of the clash between Christianity and pagan religion was different. Judaism was perfectly willing to admit, in principle, that the Messiah, who was to come in history, could come ‘under Pontius Pilate.’ It simply could not admit that that particular man, Jesus, in fact was the Messiah. Paganism readily accepted the idea of a Mediator, and could see human beings fulfilling such a role, but it had difficulty attributing so cosmic a task to a single man, or conceiving that it could have been carried out, once for all, in a particular historical setting, ‘under Pontius Pilate.’ ”
("Heresies: Heresy and Orthodoxy in the History of the Church"
by Harold O.J. Brown)
Here’s a Fact
The Talmud was compiled between 70-200 AD. This Talmud mentions Jesus in the early section (Sanhedrin 43a) when it says these things:
- “Jesus was hanged on Passover Eve.”
- “he practiced sorcery and led Israel astray and enticed them into apostasy.”
- “As nothing was brought forward in his defense, he was hanged.”
- “Jesus…was near to the kingship.” (a reference to his being of the linage of David.)
- “Jesus had five disciples.”
Proverb
"With me (Wisdom) are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity."
- Proverbs 8:18
- Proverbs 8:18
Coach’s Corner
At the end of the day you want to be able to recognize yourself in the mirror of your soul. So, during the day do not compromise your values, your dreams or your integrity. Be true to yourself during the day so you can be at peace with yourself at night.
Isaiah 12
New International Version (NIV)
Songs of Praise
12 In that day you will say:
“I will praise you, Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me.
2
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”
3
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
4 In that day you will say:
“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.
5
Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.
6
Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”
New International Version (NIV)
Songs of Praise
12 In that day you will say:
“I will praise you, Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me.
2
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”
3
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
4 In that day you will say:
“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.
5
Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.
6
Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”
Proverbs 18
New International Version (NIV)
18
An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
2
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
3
When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach.
4
The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
5
It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice.
6
The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.
7
The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.
8
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
9
One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.
10
The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11
The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.
12
Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
13
To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.
14
The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
15
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.
16
A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
17
In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.
18
Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.
19
A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
20
From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.
21
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22
He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.
23
The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
New International Version (NIV)
18
An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
2
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
3
When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach.
4
The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
5
It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice.
6
The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.
7
The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.
8
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
9
One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.
10
The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11
The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.
12
Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
13
To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.
14
The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
15
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.
16
A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
17
In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.
18
Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.
19
A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
20
From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.
21
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22
He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.
23
The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.