Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “The God of Salvation” – Monday, 23 June 2014 - Scripture: Psalm 37:25-40Psalm 37:25 I have been young, and now am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
nor his children begging for bread.
26 All day long he deals graciously, and lends.
His offspring[Psalm 37:26 or, seed
] is blessed.
27 Depart from evil, and do good.
Live securely forever.
28 For Yahweh loves justice,
and doesn’t forsake his saints.
They are preserved forever,
but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land,
and live in it forever.
30 The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom.
His tongue speaks justice.
31 The law of his God is in his heart.
None of his steps shall slide.
32 The wicked watches the righteous,
and seeks to kill him.
33 Yahweh will not leave him in his hand,
nor condemn him when he is judged.
34 Wait for Yahweh, and keep his way,
and he will exalt you to inherit the land.
When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.
35 I have seen the wicked in great power,
spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.
36 But he passed away, and behold, he was not.
Yes, I sought him, but he could not be found.
37 Mark the perfect man, and see the upright,
for there is a future for the man of peace.
38 As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together.
The future of the wicked shall be cut off.
39 But the salvation of the righteous is from Yahweh.
He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.
40 Yahweh helps them, and rescues them.
He rescues them from the wicked, and saves them,
Because they have taken refuge in him.
“The God of Salvation” by Mark A. Hendrickson
They say past behavior is the best way to predict future behavior. If someone has proven truthful and trustworthy in the past, it’s easier to assume they will remain truthful and trustworthy in the future. Someone who has a history of lying is less likely to be trusted in the future. It’s awfully hard for a leopard to change its spots. While this isn’t always fair, it has a tendency to be true.
Psalm 57 reminds us the same is true with God. One of the major themes in Scripture is trusting in the Lord for the future because He has proven faithful in the past. “I was young and now I am old,” says the psalmist, “yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken . . .” (Psalm 37:25).
A significant part of the salvation God offers to us is the hope of a future. If we remain in Him, we are given the promise of a hopeful future both in this life and next. Trusting God to keep that promise is easier when we remember His faithfulness in the past. God has been keeping His promises to faithful people for thousands of years. Why would we expect anything different from Him now?
Hymn for Today:
“Jesus Love of My Soul” by Charles Wesley1. Jesus, lover of my soul,
let me to thy bosom fly,
while the nearer waters roll,
while the tempest still is high;
hide me, O my Savior, hide,
till the storm of life is past;
safe into the haven guide,
O receive my soul at last!
2. Other refuge have I none;
hangs my helpless soul on thee;
leave, ah! leave me not alone,
still support and comfort me.
All my trust on thee is stayed,
all my help from thee I bring;
cover my defenseless head
with the shadow of thy wing.
3. Plenteous grace with thee is found,
grace to cover all my sin;
let the healing streams abound;
make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art;
freely let me take of thee;
spring thou up within my heart,
rise to all eternity.
Thought for Today:
“Yahweh, you are my God. I will exalt you! I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago, in complete faithfulness and truth.” (Isaiah 25:1)
Prayer Needs:
Developing Christian leaders in Ghana!
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