[April 19th 2009 The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips. (Psalm 16:4)]

April 19th 2009

The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips. (Psalm 16:4)

The psalmist takes 2 very important decisions here in this verse. He affirms his faithfulness to God by not doing what he saw others doing. He would not be sacrificing to other gods nor would he be taking their names on his lips.

The facts were there for everyone to see. The Israelites, whom God had redeemed out of Egyptian bondage involved themselves in idol worship and offered sacrifices to other gods who were not gods at all. They rejected the fountain of life and ran after broken cisterns and cisterns without water.

Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low; their idols are borne by beasts of burden. The images that are carried about are burdensome, a burden for the weary. They stoop and bow down together; unable to rescue the burden, they themselves go off into captivity. "Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all you who remain of the house of Israel, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth.
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. (Isaiah 46:1-4)

The differences between the living God and idols are very distinct in the verses above. The God of the Universe had carried Israel from the time the nation was born while the idols of false gods had to be carried. The idols never could sustain the Israelites whereas God Almighty affirms that he would sustain them till their old age. He affirmed that he had made them and he would carry, sustain and rescue them.

Some pour out gold from their bags and weigh out silver on the scales; they hire a goldsmith to make it into a god, and they bow down and worship it. They lift it to their shoulders and carry it; they set it up in its place, and there it stands. From that spot it cannot move. Though one cries out to it, it does not answer; it cannot save him from his troubles.
"Remember this, fix it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels.
Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. (Isaiah 46:6-9)

The truth regarding idols, their creation and their state of helplessness is clearly depicted here. They cannot answer or save. God again reminds the Israelites that there is no God besides him.

In the title verse, the psalmist points out that "The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods." This is true because many believers also fall into satan's traps by still worshipping idols. The suffer in body and mind because of rebelling against the word of God by following traditions and unbiblical practices.

There are more than 100 verses that speak of how God detests idols and idolatry.

Other useful verses
"Do not make cast idols. (Exodus 34:17)

They must no longer offer any of their sacrifices to the goat idols to whom they prostitute themselves. This is to be a lasting ordinance for them and for the generations to come.' (Leviticus 17:7)

"'Do not turn to idols or make gods of cast metal for yourselves. I am the LORD your God. (Leviticus 19:4)

"'Do not make idols or set up an image or a sacred stone for yourselves, and do not place a carved stone in your land to bow down before it. I am the LORD your God. (Leviticus 26:1)

I will destroy your high places, cut down your incense altars and pile your dead bodies on the lifeless forms of your idols, and I will abhor you. (Leviticus 26:30)

They made him jealous with their foreign gods and angered him with their detestable idols. (Deuteronomy 32:16)

They made me jealous by what is no god and angered me with their worthless idols. I will make them envious by those who are not a people; I will make them angry by a nation that has no understanding. (Deuteronomy 32:21)

Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. (1 Samuel 12:21)

[Simple Thoughts On Promises- 31 Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace (Psalm 37:37)]

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 31

Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace (Psalm 37:37)

Are you a man/woman of peace? The fragrance of Jesus in this dying world? You have a future in heaven for sure. Not only that; the presence of the Lord will accompany you all the days of your life. He will make you lie down in green pastures, he will lead you beside quiet waters, he will restore your soul and guide you in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

[Praise Devotionals- 19And Hiram added: "Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who made heaven and earth! He has given King David a wise son, endowed with intelligence and discernment, who will build a temple for the LORD and a palace for himself. (2 Chronicles 2:12)]

Praise Devotionals- 19

And Hiram added: "Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who made heaven and earth! He has given King David a wise son, endowed with intelligence and discernment, who will build a temple for the LORD and a palace for himself. (2 Chronicles 2:12)

Hiram, king of Tyre had earlier built a palace for King David. When he heard that Solomon had been anointed king to succeed his father David, he sent his envoys to Solomon, because he had always been on friendly terms with David. When Solomon set out to build a temple for the Lord, he asked for help from Hiram.

When Hiram heard Solomon's message, he was greatly pleased and said, "Praise be to the LORD today, for he has given David a wise son to rule over this great nation." So Hiram sent word to Solomon: "I have received the message you sent me and will do all you want in providing the cedar and pine logs. My men will haul them down from Lebanon to the sea, and I will float them in rafts by sea to the place you specify. There I will separate them and you can take them away. And you are to grant my wish by providing food for my royal household." (1 Kings 5:7-9)

In this way Hiram kept Solomon supplied with all the cedar and pine logs he wanted, and Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand cors of wheat as food for his household, in addition to twenty thousand baths of pressed olive oil. Solomon continued to do this for Hiram year after year.

Hiram took great interest in this project that Solomon had undertaken and on Solomon’s request sent him Huram-Abi, a man who was highly skilled and experienced in all kinds of gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone and wood work. He worked with the craftsmen of Solomon and was a great help in building the temple.

In the title verse, we read of how Hiram praised the Lord of Israel, though he was a gentile king. The awesome power with which the God of Israel had delivered his children time and again was well known among the nations and Hiram did not hide his admiration for the God of Israel. He acknowledges that the God of Israel is the maker of heaven and earth. He praised God for giving David a wise son and for having endowed him with intelligence and discernment.

The praises of our God, the great “I am” flows out from all corners of the earth from the mouths of people of all nations, literate and illiterate and it will continue forever and ever. Let’s continue to praise him all the more as we see our redemption drawing near.

[April 17th 2009 Now the men of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, "You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly. So on that day Moses swore to me, 'The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.' Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! (Joshua 14:6-10)]

April 17th 2009

Now the men of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, "You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly. So on that day Moses swore to me, 'The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.' Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! (Joshua 14:6-10)

Caleb testifies to the faithfulness of God in keeping him alive for 45 years after giving him a promise that he would enter Canaan. He with Joshua and 10 others had gone out to spy the promised land at the command of Moses 45 years back. 10 of them excluding Joshua and Caleb gave a report that made the hearts of the Israelites melt with fear.

"And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, "The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them." (Numbers 13:32, 33)

Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them." (Numbers 14:5-9)

But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the LORD appeared at the Tent of Meeting to all the Israelites. (Numbers 14:10)

God then took a decision and said,

"Not one of the men who saw my glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times - not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it. But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it. (Numbers 14:22-24)

God does not forget the promises that he makes and now it was time for Caleb to receive his portion in the promised land. He came to Joshua and asked for the same.
"Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said." (Joshua 14:12)

At the age of 85, Caleb is bold as ever.
He tells Joshua:
I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. (Joshua 14:11)

The Bible says,
"Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly." (Joshua 14:13,14)

He still had to defeat the inhabitants of Hebron to take possession of his inheritance. And that's exactly what he did at age 85.

"From Hebron Caleb drove out the three Anakites - Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai - descendants of Anak." (Joshua 15:14)

Other useful verses

But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it. (Numbers 14:24)

Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to make your home, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. (Numbers 14:30)

Of the men who went to explore the land, only Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh survived. (Numbers 14:38)

For the LORD had told those Israelites they would surely die in the desert, and not one of them was left except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. (Numbers 26:65)

[Simple Thoughts On Promises- 29 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. (Psalm 32:]

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 29

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. (Psalm 32:

One of the greatest blessings of having Jesus as Savior in our life is that we don't have to live an aimless and unproductive life. He is there to instruct, to teach, to counsel and to watch over us at all times. Take the help of the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit. He is the Spirit of Truth and will guide you in all the right paths.

[April 15th 2009... Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1)]

April 15th 2009...

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1)

Those who have accepted Christ as Savior have started running the race towards living in eternity with God.

1)They should have the aim to finish the race.
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. (Acts 20:24)

2)They have to run with perseverance throwing off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.
You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? (Galatians 5:7)

3)They have to run with their eyes fixed on Jesus.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

Other useful verses
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7)

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:24)

[Simple Thoughts On Promises- 28 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)]

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 28

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)

Brokenhearted and crushed in spirit? Call out to the Lord even if it be without words. He will bind the wounds of your mind and spirit and bring comfort to you. He is the Prince of Peace; he will give you the peace that passes all understanding.

[Simple Thoughts On Promises- 27 In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues. (Psalm 31:20)]

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 27

In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues. (Psalm 31:20)

God is a shelter for those who choose to take refuge in him. He hides them from the intrigues of men. If accusing tongues are what you are troubled with these days, this is the promise that you should hold on to for it says that God is able to keep you safe from them.

[Simple Thoughts On Promises- 24You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. (Psalm 18:28)]

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 24

You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. (Psalm 18:28)

Afraid that the enemy may extinguish your lamp i.e. your witness for Christ or anything good realted to your life. Fear not! Jesus will keep your lamp burning and turn your present darkness into light.

[Praise Devotionals- 18David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, "Praise be to you, O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. (1 Chronicles 29:10-13)]

Praise Devotionals- 18

David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, "Praise be to you, O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. (1 Chronicles 29:10-13)

One of the great assets in the life of David was his zeal to praise the Lord and glorify him whenever the opportunity arose. Not that one needs an opportunity to praise God. He is worthy to be praised at all times and in all seasons. Not climatic seasons, but seasons of joy, seasons of grief, some good seasons when praise comes spontaneously while some bad seasons when we may not even feel like praising him because of adverse circumstances in our life.

One of the phrases we read here is “everlasting to everlasting” i.e. David acknowledges the eternal nature of God. In the few verses of praise above David acknowledges his God to be omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. Yes, our Lord is all in all, yet he loves his creation and has mercy and compassion on them. David also acknowledges God as the great giver here..the giver of wealth, honor, strength and exaltation.

David was never ashamed to glorify God publicly. In fact his zeal for worshipping and glorifying God brought some adverse comments from his own wife. All to her loss, because she remained childless all her life. We read in the 2nd book of Samuel;
“David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might, while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets. As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him in her heart. (2 Samuel 6:14-16)

When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, "How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, disrobing in the sight of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!" David said to Michal, "It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD's people Israel - I will celebrate before the LORD. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor." And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death. (2 Samuel 6:20-23)

Notable here is David’s decision despite the insult: “I will celebrate before the LORD.”

Some people may make a hue and cry when you set out to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth. Most of the objections come from close family and friends. Let your decision be firm and always be bold enough to say like David said, “I will celebrate before the LORD.”

[Simple Thoughts On Promises- 22 The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. (Psalm 9:9)]

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 22

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. (Psalm 9:9)

As believer's we all go through times when we feel distressed, lonely, leftout, despised, oppressed, troubled or depressed. Many such negative experiences make life difficult for us to live. During those times we can rely on this wonderful promise from the Psalms. Truly, the Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

[1 John 5:10 NASB 10 The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son.]

Hello Jeremiah7,

Brother, I just wanted to tell you that I'm really enjoying Simple Thoughts On Promises. Each one gives great ideas for additional Bible Study.

I also want to tell you that I just came from one of your graphics sites, and it is incredibly beautiful. I'll be praying for your ministry.

Love In Christ,
Tom

1 John 5:10 NASB  10  The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son.

Thanks Tom. May Jesus bless you abundantly.

[Simple Thoughts On Promises- 21 You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. (Psalm 4:7)]

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 21

You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. (Psalm 4:7)

Material possessions can only give temporary joy and satisfaction. The joy that David here speaks of is one that he received because of his intimate relationship with God and God has promised that to each one of us. A Father- Child relationship with God can bring us that great joy.

[Miracles Of Jesus In The Gospels- Bible Study- 8 Narrated In 1 Gospel Gospel Of Luke Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out - the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry." Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!" The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. They were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people." This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country. (Luke 7:11-17)]

Miracles Of Jesus In The Gospels- Bible Study- 8

Narrated In 1 Gospel

Gospel Of Luke

Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out - the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry." Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!" The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. They were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people." This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country. (Luke 7:11-17)

Nain was a small village about 6 miles southeast of Nazareth. Just before coming to Nain, Jesus was in Capernaum where he had healed a centurion’s servant on seeing the great faith of the centurion. Jesus had exclaimed, “"I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." (Luke 7:9)

Great crowds followed him to experience and witness miracles. He did not have to go far into town to be moved by a sight that aroused compassion in his heart. Luke writes, “a dead person was being carried out - the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.” In the laws given through Moses, widows were a category that God had set certain specific laws for because he knew how lonely and destitute they often felt. A few verses that showed God’s care for them were:
He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. (Deuteronomy 10:18)
Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. (Deuteronomy 24:17)
When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. (Deuteronomy 24:19)
When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. (Deuteronomy 24:20)
When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. (Deuteronomy 24:21)
When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied. (Deuteronomy 26:12)

Luke continues, “When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry." Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still.”

How hard it must have been for the woman who had lost her only support and confidant in life. We know nothing more about the widow or her son, yet the scenario was one that would have moved the hearts of many that day. The “why’s” of life are not often promptly answered but this was an occasion where the “why” did not matter because Jesus was here, “the resurrection” himself was here. If he was in Nain, he was on official duty and not there to while away his time. We all are here on earth to complete the missions that God has called us to and not to just go through the motions of life.
What can saying “Don’t cry” help someone who has lost her only son? Some of us have wondered this when we have said the same to someone who has lost a loved one. Hollow words when we have said it, but powerful when spoken by the one who said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” His saying, “Don’t cry” meant that he still could help her whether she believed it or not.

“Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still.” There may have been quite a few expectant eyes peering over shoulders to see what they were going to witness. And all he said was, "Young man, I say to you, get up!" That simple! No questions asked, no one to argue with the command too. And the effect: it was immediate… The dead man sat up and began to talk….Well, well, well...what must have he been talking? Would it be his near death experience? Perhaps he was asking the coffin bearers why they were carrying him. Put me down, he must have said.

“Jesus gave him back to his mother.” Jesus had done this miracle specifically for her because she had lost someone who was irreplaceable. No words would have comforted her, but this miracle she would remember forever. She would be a living witness and so would her son be. And so would be the people who saw it all.

Luke concludes this wonderful miracle by writing, “They were all filled with awe and praised God.”A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people." This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.

God has come to help his people, the witnesses said. How very true. He has come and is with us as “Immanuel” and will come again soon to receive his faithful unto him. Till then it’s our official duty to proclaim his saving grace and power.

[Simple Thoughts On Promises- 20 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3-5)]

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 20

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3-5)

If you have experienced the new birth in Jesus Christ, you have entered into a living hope and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade, kept in heaven for you. Nothing greater than this for anyone living on earth.