Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Verse of the Day 3/31

Psalm 18:1-2 I will love You, O Lord, my strength.

2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. New King James Version (NKJV)

Today we will conclude our look at verses that I associate with the hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness" with a couple of verses from Psalm 18. These verses just happened to come up in my daily reading in the Psalms but they fit in well with what we've been considering. The third stanza of the hymn reads like this:

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside

The person who has received God's pardon, through His grace, will attest to the fact that the Lord is His strength, today and every day. Each day we get up and have not idea of what the world has in store for us. Many days may go just as we plan, but there are other days when will acknowledge that we didn't see it coming. It is then that we have to decide whom we will put our faith and trust in. For those of us who call ourselves Christians it is the Lord our strength, our rock, our fortress and deliverer,

I'm sure that as you read these verses other Bible verses, passages and hymns came to mind. Perhaps Psalm 46; Matthew 7:24-27 and the house on the rock; or perhaps one of my favorites Isaiah 40:28-31.

Isaiah 40:28-31. Have you not known?

Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
31 But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint. New King James Version (NKJV)

As you prepare to head out and face the day, spend some time in His Word and in prayer, acknowledge ahead of time that the Lord is your strength.

In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness  of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV


Psalm 18:1-6 New King James Version (NKJV)
God the Sovereign Savior
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord, who spoke to the Lord the words of this song on the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. And he said:
18 I will love You, O Lord, my strength.
2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my [a]strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the [b]horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies.
4 The pangs of death surrounded me,
And the floods of [c]ungodliness made me afraid.
5 The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me;
The snares of death confronted me.
6 In my distress I called upon the Lord,
And cried out to my God;
He heard my voice from His temple,
And my cry came before Him, even to His ears.

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Verse of the Day 3/30

Isaiah 26:3-4You will keep him in perfect peace,

Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
4 Trust in the Lord forever,
For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength. New King James Version (NKJV)

For today's look at verses related to "Great is Thy Faithfulness" we'll return to the book of Isaiah. Yesterday we considered "pardon for sin" which is followed by "and a peace that endureth".

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside

Today's verses speak of God's perfect peace. When we read of perfection in the Bible it is often related to completeness and fullness. So can our peace be if it is found in Him. It need not wane or fade because of circumstances, God's peace is the kind that can withstand the storms of life for those whose minds are focused, "stayed" on God.

Horatio Stafford's hymn it is well captures this emotion, having peace though the sea billows roll. Only the person who has this peace can say in troubled times "it is well with my soul."

When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul

It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul

The third line in this stanza from Great is Thy Faithfulness states "strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow." Today's verse addresses this as well when we read "in the Lord is everlasting strength". It is always there to be drawn upon.

We'll close with a couple of verses from the Apostle Paul in the New Testament where He refers to the Lord as "the God of peace" who is faithful to accomplish this in our lives.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. New King James Version (NKJV)

In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

Isaiah 26 New King James Version (NKJV)

A Song of Salvation

26 In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:

"We have a strong city;
God will appoint salvation for walls and bulwarks.
2 Open the gates,
That the righteous nation which [a]keeps the truth may enter in.
3 You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
4 Trust in the Lord forever,
For in Yah, the Lord, is [b]everlasting strength.
5 For He brings [c]down those who dwell on high,
The lofty city;
He lays it low,
He lays it low to the ground,
He brings it down to the dust.
6 The foot shall [d]tread it down—
The feet of the poor
And the steps of the needy."

Monday, March 29, 2021

Verse of the Day 3/29

Romans 6:23. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. New King James Version (NKJV)

The third stanza of "Great is Thy Faithfulness" begins with "pardon for sin and a peace that endureth". We cannot have true peace unless our sin is dealt with. As we head towards Easter this should be at the forefront of our minds. Without Jesus suffering, death on the cross and His resurrection, there would be no forgiveness of sin and there would be no true peace for us, now or for forever.

Just think of what it means for someone in prison to receive a pardon. They are set free, the penalty has been cancelled. For the Christian we have more than just freedom. John Piper describes pardon this way, " Grace is not simply leniency when we have sinned. Grace is the enabling gift and power of God not to sin. Grace is power, not just pardon."

That wonderful word "grace" is at the heart of pardon, but as Piper states, it is "pardon with power". Power not to sin, power to overcome temptation, power to overcome sin. As verse 22 (below) states, "we have been set free from sin".

Today, thank the Lord for this indescribable gift and remember this gift all week as we head towards Easter Sunday.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside

Great is Thy faithfulness, great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

Romans 6:20-23 New King James Version (NKJV)

20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things isdeath. 22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit [a]to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the [b]gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Sunday, March 28, 2021

Verse of the Day 3/28

Acts 14:17Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness." English Standard Version (ESV)

In our walk through the hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness", we'll move onto the second stanza where we sing "summer and winter and springtime and harvest; sun, moon and stars in their courses above, join with all nature in manifold witness, to Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love." Today's verse from Acts 14 speaks to these things. When we look at nature, look at the weather and look at the heavens they all point to a creator and away from the notion that all of these things just happened from nothing. They give witness, they testify to the greatness of our Creator towards us. The sun and the rains are basic examples of His love towards all and especially those of us who recognize it and can offer thanks and praise to Him who has provided all of these things.

We can step back in wonder as we consider the seasons, the sun and the rain and the effect that they have on all nature including us.

There's the wonder of sunset at evening,
The wonder as sunrise I see;
But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul
Is the wonder that God loves me.

O, the wonder of it all! The wonder of it all!
Just to think that God loves me.
O, the wonder of it all! The wonder of it all!
Just to think that God loves me.

There's the wonder of springtime and harvest,
The sky, the stars, and the sun;
But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul
Is a wonder that's just begun. (George Beverly Shea)

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

Acts 14:16-18 New International Version (NIV)

16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy." 18 Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.

Saturday, March 27, 2021

Verse of the Day 3/27

2 Corinthians 9:8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. New King James Version (NKJV)

We will continue our journey through the hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and the verses that come to mind that relate to it. Today we will be approaching the end of the first stanza and the words "all I have needed, Thy hand has provided". It is a looking back, it is a realization that should bring thankfulness to our hearts and minds towards God. Some of the modern translations, such as the CEV put it something like this, "God can bless you with everything you need", which is true. But in reading the NKJV above the statement about "all sufficiency" in "all things" brings my mind to Romans 8 where in verses 28 through 39 "all things" are mentioned for times including verse 28 which states "all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose."

Another key factor in this is the final statement of the verse, that we will have an abundance, more than enough, to accomplish "every good work" that He has for us to do. It is not about our personal desires, our "wish list" for "stuff", it is about our desires to be the same His desires, that's why we pray "Thy will be done".

Now let's go back to the beginning of the verse about all grace abounding to us.

John MacDuff writes:

My soul, do you not love to dwell on that all-abounding grace! Your own insufficiency in everything, met with a divine "all-sufficiency in all things!"

Grace in all circumstances and situations.

Grace in all vicissitudes and changes.

Grace in all the varied phases of the Christian's being.

Grace in sunshine--and in storm.

Grace in health--and in sickness.

Grace in life--and in death.

Grace for the old believer--and the young believer.

Grace for the tried believer, and the weak believer, and the tempted believer.

Grace for duty--and grace in duty.

Grace to carry the joyous cup with a steady hand--and grace to drink the bitter cup with an unmurmuring spirit!

Grace to have prosperity sanctified--and grace to say through tears, "May Your will be done!"

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

2 Corinthians 9:7-9 New King James Version (NKJV)

7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of [a]necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written:

"He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever."

Thursday, March 25, 2021

Verse of the Day 3/25

Psalm 86:15 But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious,

Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth. New King James Version (NKJV)

We are continuing to look at verses that can be applied to the hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and we're still in the first stanza, today considering "thy compassions they fail not".

As I was having my devotions this morning, my reading in the Psalms took me to Psalm 8, which is one of my favorite Psalms where we read,

Psalm 8:3-4 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,

The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
⁴What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him? New King James Version (NKJV)

These thoughts that the Creator of the universe is not only mindful of us, but loves us so much that Jesus came and dwelt among men, died for us, and rose from the dead that we too may have eternal life and live with Him forever. He shows this love for us throughout our lives in the grace, compassion, and mercy He shows to us. It is nothing we deserve, but God is "longsuffering" willing to put up with a lot from us day after day yet remains abundant in mercy.

Read the passage below or perhaps all of Psalm 86. May we have heats that ask the Lord to teach us His ways, guide us to walk in His truth, realizing that His love and mercy is great "towards us". May we also respond in praise to Him for His great faithfulness in "summer, winter, springtime and harvest".

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

Psalm 86:11-15 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹¹Teach me Your way, O Lord;
I will walk in Your truth;
^[a]Unite my heart to fear Your name.
¹²I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart,
And I will glorify Your name forevermore.
¹³For great is Your mercy toward me,
And You have delivered my soul from the depths of ^[b]Sheol.

¹⁴O God, the proud have risen against me,
And a mob of violent men have sought my life,
And have not set You before them.
¹⁵But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious,
Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Verse of the Day 3/24

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. New King James Version (NKJV)

We are still considering Bible verses that come to mind from the hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and we're still in the first stanza. What we will consider today is the statement in the hymn, "Thou changest not".

Change is part of our lives every day. Seasons change, we just moved from winter to spring and enjoy the sunshine, the birds, the flowers and everything associated with spring. We change. It is not too difficult to realize that we are not the same person that we used to be. From toddler to teenager, college student, getting married, raising children, and enjoying our grandchildren. We are the same person but very different at each one of those stages in life.

Aren't you thankful that God, that Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever? He won't fall out of love for us. He won't change His mind about us. He is always for us. Think about those things and spend some time adding to it.

I'm reminded of the praise chorus that we sang in our youth group back in the high school days when I was thin and had blonde wavy hair. I am not the same person, thankfully, Jesus is.

Yesterday He died for me, yesterday, yesterday;

yesterday, He died for me, yesterday.

Yesterday He died for me, died for me…

this is history.

Today He lives for me, today, today;

today, He lives for me, today.

Today He lives for me, lives for me…

this is victory.

Tomorrow He comes for me, He comes, He comes;

Tomorrow, He comes for me, He comes.

Tomorrow He comes for me, comes for me…

this is mystery.

Be thankful that He doesn't change and that Jesus died for us, lives for us and in us; and one day, He will come back for us.

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

Hebrews 13:7-9 New King James Version (NKJV)

Concluding Religious Directions

⁷Remember those who ^[a]rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. ⁸Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. ⁹Do not be carried ^[b]about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.