The Family Bible Journey Podcast

A dear friend, and listener to the podcast, Sarah, taught me the lasting value of this psalm. This life disappoints, and even those who we love the most can cast us off. Knowing that God never will leave us, nor forsake us, gives us eternal hope and great joy, even when life disappoints.

While Paul is under the protection of the Roman Tribune, forty Jewish men make an oath to neither eat nor drink until they kill Paul. Hearing of this plot, the Tribune sends Paul with a guard of hundreds of soldiers to the Governor. This Tribune, who almost abused Paul, a Roman citizen, now plays the hero as he delivers Paul to the custody of the Governor.

Even though there is nothing that we could do to improve our standing in God's sight, there is much value in us following the Lord. We are encouraged in our faith when we remember the good He's inspired us to do. Others are likewise blessed by our faithfulness.

For decades, it seemed like David's enemies were prevailing over him. This is why his psalms of affliction, or oppression, ring so true. When he felt defeated, he turned to the Lord, and found comfort and strength in God's promises.

When Paul speaks to his accusers, and says that he was preaching to Gentiles, a riot breaks out, and they are about to kill him. A Roman Tribune intervenes. Interesting that a gentile rescues Paul, after the Jewish crowd was about to kill him for preaching to gentiles.

We live in a time where lies are treated as truth, and the Truth of God as a lie. In this Psalm, we lament the harm caused by those who think they will prevail by the power of their words. For recourse, we turn to God, asking for his protection, and seeking to live according to His truth.

We live in a tumultuous time, where many of the institutions that long provided safety and security are passing away. How do God's people process such loss, especially when our beloved nation, church or denomination is being rent asunder? By relying on God, we find solace  in His grace and not the things of this world.

Paul is broken-hearted by the outpouring of love and concern of his children in the faith. They are dismayed at the thought he would be arrested and likely killed for the faith in Jerusalem. Pleading with them to encourage, instead of discourage him, they weep, and pray, and Paul continues on his way.

David warns those who act like they are God that they will answer to the true God in the end. It's convenient for some to act as if there is no God, but disastrous in the end.

David exalts the cause of the poor and oppresed over those who afflict them in this section of the psalms. David himself was oppressed and opposed for decades, so he relates to the oppressed as one of them. He also warns oppressors that God will judge all in the end, so we heed his warning when we find ourselves in positions of power or influence.

As Paul begins his journey to Jerusalem, we see his sacrificial spirit. He gave everything for Christ and continues to pour his love and faith into the faithful. This he does with tears, knowing that he is unlikely to see most of the people he loves on this side of eternity.

In this psalm of praise we reflect, on the unique place of humanity in God's design. The stars, in all of their majesty and power, even if they burn for billions of years, will one day pass away. But God has endowed human creatures with an immortal soul, so that by His grace, we may live forever.

The weak often suffer at the hands of the strong. The poor are victimized by the rich. How do we reconcile God's care for the innocent in a world where the innocent often suffer? We wrestle with this difficulty in these psalms.

A stable and fruitful season of ministry unfolds for Paul in Ephesus. He teaches and preaches for years, planting the Word deeply in the lives of God's people and cultivating their spiritual growth. But all good things must come to an end, and he sets his heart on Jerusalem and Rome, where he intends to preach the gospel in the halls of power.

There is great difficulty for a person of integrity and faith to live among the wicked. We are constantly harranged and opposed. But we can take heart in our earthly struggles, knowing that we have God's favor as a shield.

Psalms three and four give voice to our cries for mercy. There are times that try men's souls, and leave us questioning God, His love and goodness. Here we learn to share our burdens with the Lord, Who promises ultimately to save us.

Paul gets a repreive from mob violence, God granting him rest and assistants to help spread the gospel. Here we see how his assistants are traveling apart from him, to solidify Christians and establish new churches and pastors. What a blessing it is to have good and faithful co-workers in Christ.

This is the first of the Messianic psalms. In the Psalms, God gave such clear prophecies of Christ, Who He Is, and how He would accomplish salvation that we are left marveling. How could th psalmist know his Savior so intimately 1,000 years before Jesus was born? Only by inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

The Psalms begin with an encouragement to find "delight" in God's Word. We delight in God's Word because in it, we find wisdom and life.

Paul's sermon at the Aeropagus in Athens shows us how to engage with others. We must meet them where they are, sharing God's love with them when God gives us the opportunity. We need not worry about saying things exactly right. We share our faith humbly, trusting God with the results.

If Job gets twice the blessing he had before he was afflicted, why does he only get seven sons and three daughters, the same as before? Herein lies hidden a wonderful testimony of the resurrection! Redemption, a mighty theme of Job, is reinforced in these closing verses.

Is it a dragon, a Pleasaur or Mesosaur? Whatever it is, this terrible, firebreathing monster, that reduces all of man's strength to fear and ashes, is nothing more than a playful pet from God's perspective. Once again, God's imagination, wisdom and strength are beyond our understanding.

Now that Paul is traveling on his own, we see God bringing many new friends into his circle. Timothy and Luke emerge as his new travel companions, in the wake of Barnabas's departure. It's good that God grants him faithful friends, because his missionary work is getting harder, not easier, as he continues his preaching.

Job is humbled when his request to make his case before his Maker is granted. He repents of his sin of judging God and of speaking ill of God. We too must be quiet when confronted with God's greatness, or fall in danger of sinning presumptuously against God.

After using the depths to demonstrate his wisdom, God makes an appeal using the heights. Some of the most reclusive and elusive creatures, ibex, hawks, and eagles, demonstrate the surpassing intimacy God enjoys with His creation. Here again, we are limited, but God is unlimited in His knowledge of all things.