Today the Psalmist gives thanks to the Lord for creation, the exodus of His people from Egypt, and His protection of the Israelites in the wilderness. Each time the Psalmist thanks the Lord he then says, “For His mercy endures forever.”

The definition of mercy is forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm. Thanks to Adam and Eve back in the garden, we are all sinners deserving of death. Paul will explain later saying, “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.” (Romans 5:12) “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) “For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous… as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:19-21) THIS is MERCY that endures FOREVER! 🙌

We deserve death but instead we get eternal life through the sacrifice of the Lord’s own Son. Eternal life is available for anyone who puts their faith, hope, and trust in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Oh how the Lord is worthy of our praise! “Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.”

That’s a wrap on the Psalms. 🎉 Tomorrow Isaiah is back to warning the nations. Keep reading.

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Zion is first mentioned in the Bible in 2 Samuel 5:7 when David captured the Jebusite fortress in Jerusalem. “Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David.” Then Zion was mentioned again when the temple was built in Jerusalem. Zion was used to refer to the temple location.

The term Zion grew throughout Scripture to have broader meanings such as all of Jerusalem, Judah, and God’s people. Later, Paul will use the name Zion to refer to God’s spiritual kingdom. “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering.” (Hebrews 12:22) And at the end of the Story, Zion will describe God’s holy hill in heaven. “Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the lamb…and they were singing a new song before the throne…” (Revelation 14:1-3)

Today in the Songs of Ascent we see that as the Israelites are climbing up to Jerusalem to worship they sing blessings over Zion:

“The Lord bless you out of Zion, and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life.”

“Let those who hate Zion be put to shame and turn back.”

“For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for his dwelling place.”

“The Lord who made heaven and earth bless you from Zion!”

Tomorrow we finish the Psalms 🎉 so keep reading!

(Psalms 128-130, 132, Psalms 134-135)

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Psalms 120-134 are called the Songs of Ascent or the Pilgrim Songs. Jews traveling to Jerusalem for the 3 annual Jewish Festivals- Feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover), Feasts of Weeks (Pentecost), and Feast of Booths (Sukkoth), would sing the Songs of Ascent as they climbed up to the city of Jerusalem which sat on top a high hill. King David wrote 4 of these songs, Solomon wrote 1, and writers of the other 10 songs are anonymous.

So just picture the Israelites walking to Jerusalem and looking around at God’s creation and singing “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever.” And the closer they got…”I will lift up my eyes to the hills – From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” 🙌🎶

More Songs of Ascent tomorrow so keep reading.

(Psalms 120-121, 123, Psalms 125-126)

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Psalm 119 is not only the longest psalm but also the longest chapter in the Bible. Throughout the psalm the Psalmist elevates the Word of God.

The Psalmist obviously loves the Word, “For Your law is my delight.” And he desires obedience to the Word, “Oh, that my ways were directed to keep Your statutes!”

The Psalmist describes his life which is lead by the Word:

-“I will run the course of Your commandments”

-“Make me walk in the path of Your commandments”

-“I have restrained my feet from every evil way that I may keep Your word”

-“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”

-“Direct my steps by Your word”

The life of a Christian is an active life. Later Paul will speak of living as if you are a runner in a race. ”Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” (1 Cor 9:24-27)

For the Christian, the final reward for this race is an eternity with Jesus Christ. The Psalmist says the key to running this race well is having all of your steps guided by the Word of God so that at the end of the race, when we come face to face with Jesus, we will hear “…well done, good and faithful servant…” (Matthew 25:21)

Let’s keeping reading 📖 and running 🏃🏽‍♀️!

(Psalm 119)

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“The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” The cornerstone is the primary stone placed at the corner of a building’s foundation.

In our June 28th reading, Isaiah prophesied of the coming Messiah by referring to Him as the Cornerstone. ”Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone,

a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily.’” (Isaiah 28:16)

Later in the Story after Jesus is crucified and raised from the dead He will reunite with Peter. Peter will declare “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” (Matthew 16:16) Then Jesus will call Himself the Cornerstone; the foundation for those who put their faith and trust in Him. And the church will be built on the proclamation of Jesus Christ as Savior. “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)

Then after Jesus’s ascension to heaven, when John and Peter are standing before the Jewish Council, Peter will rebuke the Jewish leaders by saying, “This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:11-12)

Paul will explain to new believers that Jesus is the cornerstone of the church, ”So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22)

The only way to salvation is through Jesus Christ the Cornerstone…”because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” (Romans 10:9-10)

Keep reading.

(Psalms 115-118)

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“Who is like the Lord our God, who dwells on high, who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth?” The Son of God is going to humble Himself by leaving His high position in heaven to come to earth as a baby born in a stable. He will live a life of rejection and persecution and die a brutal death for our salvation but God will later elevate Him. “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-8)

That is why Paul will later tell us, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8)

The Psalmist goes on to say “He raises the poor out of the dust and lifts the needy out of the ash heap, that He may seat him with princes – with the princes of His people. He grants the barren woman a home, like a joyful mother of children.” God loves to take the lowly and foolish things of the world and elevate them to accomplish His purposes so that everyone will know it was an act of God. We have seen this played out time and time again throughout the Story. A few examples are:

– When He took a former idol worshipper and his barren wife, Abraham and Sarah, and made a great nation from their descendants

– When He promoted Joseph from slave to ruler over Egypt to save the nations from a famine

– When Rehab, a harlot, became King David’s great grandma and is listed in Jesus Christ’s lineage along with Ruth, a former Moabite widow

– When David, a shepherd boy, was made a mighty king through whom the Lord promised that the Savior would come.

As we keep reading, we will continue to see the Lord elevate those in the Story whom the world calls foolish and He does the same today! “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29)

And that my friends is some good news! 😁 Keep reading!

(Psalm 107, Psalms 111-114)

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Since we are just over half way through the Story, today would be a good day for review. And we’re in luck bc the Psalmist values the importance of knowing, remembering, and retelling the history of our mighty God! Most of the eras we have already covered are mentioned in today’s Psalms.

Creation Era – Adam to Noah (creation to flood), Tower of Babel, and the story of Job.

Patriarch Era – “He remembers His covenant forever…which He made with Abraham, and His oath with Issac, and confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant, saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan as the allotment of your inheritance.” “He called for a famine in the land…He sent a man before them – Joseph – who was sold as a slave.” “The ruler of the people let him go free. He made him lord of his house.”

Exodus Era – “Israel also came to Egypt…He increased His people greatly…He turned their hearts to hate His people…He sent Moses…and Aaron…They performed His signs among them…He brought them out with silver and gold…He spread a cloud for covering, and fire to give light in the night.”

“He brought quail, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven. He opened the rock, and water gushed out.”

“They soon forgot His works…But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness.” “They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molded image…They forgot God their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt.”

Conquest Era – “He gave them lands of the Gentiles.” “They did not destroy the peoples, concerning whom the Lord had commanded them, but they mingled with the Gentiles and learned their works; They served their idols…”

Judges Era – “Therefore the wrath of the Lord was kindled against His people…And He gave them into the hand of the Gentiles…Their enemies also oppressed them…” “When He heard their cry; And for their sake He remembered His covenant, and relented according to the multitude of His mercies.”

Kingdom Era – Saul, David, and Solomon

Divided Kingdom Era – We are in it so keep reading!

(Psalms 105-106)

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#chronologicalbibleteaching

Today we get several reminders about the Lord:

1) God is the God of creation. “You who laid the foundations of the earth, so that it should not be moved forever.”

2) God is the One who sustains His creation. He provides food and drink for man and animal and “He appointed the moon for seasons; The sun knows it’s going down.”

3) Everything on the earth belongs to the Lord. “In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of your possessions.”

4) God hears, responds, and forgives His people. “You answered them, O Lord our God; You were to them God-Who-Forgives.”

5) God is holy and worthy of our praise. “He is high above all the people. Let them praise Your great and awesome name. He is holy.”

6) God defeats death through the resurrection of His Son, Jesus. “His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory. The Lord has made known His salvation.”

7) Jesus is coming back to judge the world. “For He is coming to judge the earth. With righteousness He shall judge the world.”

a) No one knows when Jesus will return, not even Jesus. “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” (Matthew 24:36)

b) The Father has appointed Jesus as the judge. ”For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.” (John 5:22-23)

c) Those who believe in Christ will not be condemned but those who don’t will. “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.“ (John 3:18-19) “The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.” (John 12:48)

d) Salvation is not based on works. It is based on faith! “Then they said to Him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”” (John 6:28-29) “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8)

Keep reading.

(Psalms 98-100, Psalms 102, 104)

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“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation!” “Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name…For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised.”

We see worship of the Lord through songs all throughout the Bible. The first song recorded in Scripture is in the Exodus Era after the Lord parted the Red Sea and brought the children of Israel out of their bondage in Egypt. They sang the Song of Moses, a praise song, while Miriam led the women in dance. (Exodus 15)

In the wilderness, the Israelites sang a song of joy when the Lord provided water. (Numbers 21) And when Moses passes his leadership off to Joshua right before the Conquest Era, Moses and Joshua taught the Israelites a song of remembrance. (Deuteronomy 32)

In the Judges Era, Deborah and Barak sang a victory song after Jael drove a tent peg through Sisera’s head. (Judges 5)

In the Kingdom Era, the women sang a victory song for Saul’s and David’s battle success. (1 Samuel 18) After the death of Saul and Jonathan, David sang a song of lament. (2 Samuel 1) David also sang a song of lament after the murder of Abner. (2 Samuel 3) Plus, there are 3 song books in the Bible: Psalms, Song of Solomon, and Lamentations.

The prophets also use songs during the Divided Kingdom Era to warn the people and to mourn the Israelites rebellion and destruction.

Singing is a powerful tool of expression. Songs are used to worship, praise, remember, celebrate victories, mourn, and to give thanks. At the end of this Story we will see that singing doesn’t stop when we die bc guess what we will do in heaven?! Yep. 🎶 Sing wonderful, joyful songs to our Lord and Savior! “And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-10) ”And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!” (Revelation 15:3). 🙌🙌 It’s going to be awesome!!!

But we aren’t dead yet and later in the Story Jesus is going to give us an important job while we are here, so keep reading! 😁

(Psalms 92-97)

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“For the Lord knows the way of the righteous but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” The Psalmist describes the wicked:

1) His pride persecutes the poor

2) He boasts of his heart’s desires

3) He blesses the greedy and renounces the poor

4) He is too proud to seek God

5) His mouth is full of cursing, deceit and oppression

6) He secretly murders the innocent

7) He preys on the helpless and the poor

Then the wicked say about the Lord, “He will never see.” 🤨 Well, they are wrong about that. “For His eyes are on the ways of man, and He sees his every step.” (Job 34:21). “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3)

The Lord sees all and not only does He see all, He will also judge all. Later in the Story, Luke will say, “For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.” (Acts 17:31) That man is Jesus Christ, our Savior! Paul will explain further: “Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.” (1 Corinthians 4:5) “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)

However, there is great news for those who put their trust and faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) 🙌

We end the reading with a Word of hope from the Lord for those who love Him. “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.” Amen!! 💜

Tomorrow…more Psalms. Keep reading.

(Psalms 1-2, Psalm 10, Psalm 33, Psalm 71, Psalm 91)

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