God Is My… (Psalms), 62

 ~ God Is My Shepherd, 2 ~

Introduction  ~  Previously from July 16, 2017 through January 6, 2019 ALN posted a series of 60 posts of “Jesus is…,” and now we look exclusively at who “God is…” from the Book of Psalms.  While not a complete list these posts occur in the same order they are in the Psalms. 

Passage  ~  “Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth!  Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, stir up Your strength, and come and save us” (Psalm 80:1-2).   

Prior Passage  ~  “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.  He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake” (Psalm 23:1-3).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

* * * * *

Myth, 100

 ~ No One Can Understand The Bible ~

Myth  ~  The Bible is so complex that no one can discern its meaning.

Reality  ~  The Bible is extremely complex – which supports its claim of divine origin.  It is true that no human, while on earth, will fully comprehend all aspects of the Bible’s content. 

But the reality is that even a small child can comprehend critically important aspects of the message of the Bible.  In seminaries, and elsewhere, scholars continue to find new depths they did not previously understand.  This is another indication of its divine inspiration.  What other book has this profound content? 

Comment  ~  This is closely related to the last myth we looked at – but has a significant difference in its nuance. 

Scripture  ~  Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.  But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.  Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’  If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I” (John 14:25-28).

“There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.  Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.  For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:9-12).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

* * * * *

Quiet, 1of4

 ~ A Time To Not Be Quiet ~ 

Principle  ~  “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven  …  A time to keep silence, and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7b). 

A Time To Preach (what God has done and can do)  ~  “Preach the word!  Be ready in season and out of season.  Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2).

A Time To Speak Up (call upon God)  ~  “Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’” (Luke 18:39).

A Time To Witness (what God has done for you)  ~  “So they again called the man who was blind, and said to him, ‘Give God the glory!  We know that this Man [Jesus Christ] is a sinner.’  He answered and said, ‘Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know.  One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see’” (John 9:24-25).

A Time To Defend (the truth of the Word of God)  ~  “And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?  But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed.  ‘And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.’  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.  For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil” (1 Peter 3:13-17). 

Summary  ~  Sometimes it is wrong to be silent.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

* * * * *