Text: Psalm 109:1-31 ESV

1 Be not silent, O God of my praise!

2 For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues.

3 They encircle me with words of hate, and attack me without cause.

4 In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer.

5 So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love.

-Psa 109:1-31 ESV

I GIVE MYSELF TO PRAYER

David expresses to God about the unjust attacks of his opponents. They slander against him (v.1-3).

Be not silent, O God of my praise!

2 For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues.

3 They encircle me with words of hate, and attack me without cause.

However, he has no desire for personal revenge. Rather, he has prayed and shown love for his enemies. (v.4-5).

4 In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer.

5 So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love.

Nevertheless, we read that he prayed for God to judge them in the prayer that follows.[v.6-20] David uses strong language as he pleads for justice to be done. With the cruelty of his enemies increasing, he hands the case over to God, the righteous judge, who will repay the wicked for their wickedness. In particular David has in mind the leader of his accusers (6-7). However, the reason the psalmists called for divine punishment was not necessarily that they wanted personal revenge.

This is seen in Psalms 7:3-6, where the psalmist, before praying down divine judgment, emphasizes that he has no desire to return evil for evil personally. The psalmists’ overwhelming desire was to see God’s standards of righteousness established. In fact, it often seems that, in regard to righteousness, they knew God better than we do. For this reason sin appeared worse to them than it does to us. They saw sin as God sees it and hated evil as God hates it (Psalms 139:21-22). They knew that wicked people had to be punished according to their wickedness (Psalms 109:16-19).

The evildoer will receive fitting justice if he suffers the sorrows he intended to bring upon David. The curses listed here display the character of the aggressor and the evil he intended to do to David and his family (v.8-15). The man ruthlessly persecuted those who could not defend themselves, and deserves a punishment that is similarly ruthless (v.16-20).

As for David, he is weak, sick and despised, as helpless as an insect about to be blown away. Only God can save him now (v.21-25).

21 But you, O GOD my Lord, deal on my behalf for your name's sake; because your steadfast love is good, deliver me!

22 For I am poor and needy, and my heart is stricken within me.

23 I am gone like a shadow at evening; I am shaken off like a locust.

24 My knees are weak through fasting; my body has become gaunt, with no fat.

25 I am an object of scorn to my accusers; when they see me, they wag their heads.

He wants God to save him and punish his persecutors in such a way that people will see the events as the direct work of God (26-29).

26 Help me, O LORD my God! Save me according to your steadfast love!

27 Let them know that this is your hand; you, O LORD, have done it!

28 Let them curse, but you will bless! They arise and are put to shame, but your servant will be glad!

29 May my accusers be clothed with dishonor; True justice is found with God alone. David is therefore confident that God will rescue him (30-31).

30 With my mouth I will give great thanks to the LORD; I will praise him in the midst of the throng.

31 For he stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save him from those who condemn his soul to death.

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God’s Word for Today

7 Mar 2024

-Psa 108:1-13 ESV

MY HEART IS STEADFAST, O GOD!

This Psalm is a repeat of two previous Psalms. Verses 1-5, are the same with the Psalms 57:7-11 while verses 6-13  are the same with the Psalms 60:5-12.  There are only few variations 

Either these two Psalms referred unto were made by David, and were applicable to the then state of his affairs. Or,  the captives in Babylon composed this and applied it to their state. Seeing their captivity nearing to an end, they look and pray for their restoration to their own land. They’re attributing to the prosperous  days of David. The Syriac considers it as a prophecy of the vocation of the Gentiles. But, the Hebrew and others attribute it to David.

The word ‘stedfast’ is, in the sense of “standing erect” [Psalms 9:7],  to “establish” or “strengthen” [Psalms 89:4; Psalms 10:17] And hence, it’s to be erect; to be firm, steady, constant, fixed. His heart was firm and decided. He did not waver in his purpose, or lean now to one side and then to the other; he was not “swayed” or “moved” by the events happening around him. He felt conscious of standing firm in the midst of all his troubles. He confided in God. He did not doubt his justice, his goodness, his mercy; and, even in his trials, he was ready to praise him, and was “resolved” to praise him. The repetition of the word ‘fixed’ in Psa 57, gives emphasis and intensity to the expression. It is designed to show in the strongest manner that his heart, his purpose, his confidence in God, did not waver in the slightest degree.

My heart is steadfast, O God!

    I will sing and make melody with all my being!

2 Awake, O harp and lyre!

    I will awake the dawn!

3 I will give thanks to you, O LORD, among the peoples;

    I will sing praises to you among the nations.

While Israel has been fighting to the north and east, Edom and its allies have attacked from the rear (i.e. the south). Israel’s forces have suffered such heavy losses it appears God has deserted them. They have been thrown into confusion, as if hit by an earthquake. They stagger like a person who is drunk (1-3). 

Since they are God’s people, will he not reverse this disaster and lead them to victory (4-5)? 

4 For your steadfast love is great above the heavens;

    your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!

    Let your glory be over all the earth!

6 That your beloved ones may be delivered,

    give salvation by your right hand and answer me!

Surely he will, for he has given them his promise. All the enemy-occupied areas, whether west of Jordan or east, will be liberated, for they belong to Israel by God’s appointment. The southern attackers - Moab, Edom and Philistia - will be overthrown and made to serve Israel (6-8).

6 That your beloved ones may be delivered,

    give salvation by your right hand and answer me!

7 God has promised in his holiness:

    “With exultation I will divide up Shechem

    and portion out the Valley of Succoth.

8 Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine;

    Ephraim is my helmet,

    Judah my scepter.

Why then should God’s people doubt him? He has not forgotten them. He will indeed lead them against the enemy strongholds and give them victory (9-12).

9 Moab is my washbasin;

    upon Edom I cast my shoe;

    over Philistia I shout in triumph.”

10 Who will bring me to the fortified city?

    Who will lead me to Edom?

11 Have you not rejected us, O God?

    You do not go out, O God, with our armies.

12 Oh grant us help against the foe,

    for vain is the salvation of man!

13 With God we shall do valiantly;

    it is he who will tread down our foes.

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God’s Word for Today

6 Mar 2024

-Psa 107:1-43 ESV

LET THEM THANK THE LORD FOR HIS STEADFAST LOVE

Apparently, this psalm seems to refer to the time of the Jews’ return to their homeland after their exile in Babylon. It is a song of thanksgiving to be sung by those who have been saved from some great affliction or danger (v.1-3). 

Four separate experiences are mentioned which describes the dangers. We see notes of  prayer, outlines of the answer and concludes with a word of lessons and warning.

The first thanksgiving is their account as homeless wanderers. They were lonely, hungry and thirsty when they cried to God.  And God led them to a place of safety and security. Hence, they should now bear in mind that complete satisfaction is found only in God (v.4-9). 

The second thanksgiving is when as a people who were in prison or bondage because of their sins. But when they cried to God,  he set them free. Thus, they should remember that no bondage is too strong for God (v.10-16).

The third thanksgiving is their account of being sick who once suffered for their wrongdoings. But have now been healed. They should respond to God’s grace by telling others of what he has done for them (17-22). 

The fourth thanksgiving is that of people who have been saved from terrible storms at sea. They should bear in mind that God is the one who brings all peace and calm (v.23-32).

When people are wicked, God may turn nature against them, punishing them with thirst and hunger. But when thirsty and hungry people are in need, God sends his generous blessings of nature upon them (v.33-38). 

When rulers are wicked, God may turn them into homeless wanderers. But when the poor are oppressed, God lifts their families into places of honour (v.39-43).

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Please read the text: Psalm 106:1-48 (ESV)

HE SAVED THEM FOR HIS NAME'S SAKE

Like the previous psalm, this psalm recounts the history of Israel. But whereas Psalms 105 emphasized God’s faithfulness, Psalms 106 emphasizes Israel’s unfaithfulness and the punishments it suffered as a result.

Since God is good, people should praise and obey him. Then they will enjoy, as individuals and as a nation, the full blessings God desires for them (v.1-5). The psalmist admits, however, that he and those of his generation have sinned as did their ancestors (v.6).

The psalmist gives many examples of Israel’s sin. God saved his people from Egypt by his mighty power, but they had gone only as far as the Red Sea when they rebelled against him (v.7, see Ex 14:1-13). God again saved them and destroyed their enemies (v.8-12), but in their selfishness and greed they rebelled again (v.13-15; see Ex 16:1-7; Num 11:1-35). On another occasion they rejected their divinely-given leaders (v.16-18; see Num 16:1-50). At Sinai they rejected God himself (19-23; see Ex 32:1-35). They gave a further demonstration of their lack of faith when they refused to believe that God could lead them victoriously into Canaan (24-27; see Num 13:1-35).

After forty years in the wilderness, the people again showed their stubborn disobedience when they fell into idolatry and immorality (v.28-31; see Num 25:1-13). Throughout those forty years their bitter complaining spirit was a constant cause for God’s displeasure (32-33; see Num 20:2-13).

When at last they entered Canaan, the people forgot God and copied the idolatrous practices of their heathen neighbours (v.34-39; see Jud 3:6; 10:6). God used the surrounding nations to punish his people, but when they cried to him he turned in mercy and freed them from their oppressors (v.40-46; see Jud 2:11-23). On the basis of his unfailing mercy, the distressed people call on God to save them again (v.47-48).

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Text: Psalm 105:1-45 (ESV)

1 Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;

make known his deeds among the peoples!

2 Sing to him, sing praises to him;

tell of all his wondrous works!

3 Glory in his holy name;

let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!

4 Seek the LORD and his strength;

seek his presence continually!

5 Remember the wondrous works that he has done,

his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,

6 O offspring of Abraham, his servant,

children of Jacob, his chosen ones!

7 He is the LORD our God;

his judgments are in all the earth.

8 He remembers his covenant forever,

the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,

9 the covenant that he made with Abraham,

his sworn promise to Isaac,

10 which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute,

to Israel as an everlasting covenant,

11 saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan

as your portion for an inheritance.”

MAKE KNOWN HIS DEEDS AMONG THE PEOPLES!

God’s covenant people Israel, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, are reminded to worship their God continually and to tell others of the great things he has done (v.1-6).

In particular they are to recall God’s faithfulness to the covenant He made with Abraham. This covenant is unilateral, meaning it was His work alone. Among all the people of the world, He chose Abraham and promised to make a nation through him. He will give the land of Canaan to be their homeland (v.7-11).

In their early days, when they were very few, enemies could easily have wiped them out. But, God did miraculously preserved them (v.12-15).

And during the great famine of the land, God has preserved his people through Joseph. Although Joseph’s brothers sold him as a slave, God exalted him to high office so that He could provide for his needy family (v.16-22).

Through Joseph, all of Jacob’s family moved to Egypt, where they grew into a strong and unified people (v.23-24).

Unfortunately, this brought envy and oppression from the Egyptians (v.25),

but God worked terrible miracles through Moses in order to punish the Egyptians and free his people (26-36).

Having freed them, God guided and preserved them according to the covenant promises given to Abraham (37-42).

Eventually, God led them into the land He had promised to settle there. Was this because of anything good thay have had done? No, it’s solely because of God’s grace. For God’s covenant faithfulness, they should be faithful in keeping and obeying his laws (v.43-45).

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Text: Psalm 104:24-35 ESV

24 O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

25 Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great.

26 There go the ships, and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it.

27 These all look to you, to give them their food in due season.

28 When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.

29 When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.

30 When you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.

31 May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works,

32 who looks on the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke!

33 I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.

34 May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD.

35 Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more! Bless the LORD, O my soul! Praise the LORD!

-Psa 104:24-35 ESV

O LORD MY GOD, YOU ARE VERY GREAT!

This psalm of praise is about the wisdom and power of God as seen in creation. It talks about the splendour of the heavens. The light of the sun, the expanse of sky reaching down to meet the earth on the horizon, the movement of clouds blown by the wind, the flashes of lightning - all these things speak of the magnificence of God who dwells in and rules over the universe (1-4).

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty,

2 covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent.

3 He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters; he makes the clouds his chariot; he rides on the wings of the wind;

4 he makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire.

The expanse of land and sea also displays the greatness of God. He determined where they should be and how far they should extend (v.5-7).

5 He set the earth on its foundations, so that it should never be moved.

6 You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.

7 At your rebuke they fled; at the sound of your thunder they took to flight.

Mountains and rivers are showcases of God’s complete control over the powers of nature, so that the land is well watered and able to support life (v.8-13).

8 The mountains rose, the valleys sank down to the place that you appointed for them.

9 You set a boundary that they may not pass, so that they might not again cover the earth.

10 You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills;

Because of God’s control, the earth supplies people and animals with food, and with all the other materials necessary for them to live in safety and security (v.14-18).

He arranges seasons and weather, night and day, so that the natural world can meet the needs of the various forms of life (19-23).

Before going on, the psalmist pauses to praise God for the vastness of his creation and for the wisdom that designed and maintains it (24).

He then returns to his consideration of the natural world by showing how the immeasurable sea speaks further of God’s greatness. It is full of the most wonderful creatures. Ships sail on it for distances farther than the eye can see or the mind imagine (25-26).

God is the one who provides all creatures with life and food, and who determines how long each should live. He also controls the earthquake and the volcano (27-32).

In light of the immense power that God has under his control, the writer extols God. He wishes and pleads before God to cleanse the earth of wickedness. Then, He will have complete pleasure in his creation and in the worship that his creatures offer him (v.33-35).

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Text: Psalm 103:1-22 ESV

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,

3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

5 who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.

8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

9 He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.

10 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.

14 For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field;

16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.

17 But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children,

18 to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.

19 The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!

21 Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!

22 Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!

-Psa 103:1-22 ESV

BLESS THE LORD O MY SOUL

The psalmist begins and ends by extolling God.[v1,2 and v.20-22]

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,

20 Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!

21 Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!

22 Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!

The phrase ‘Bless the Lord’ is repeated 6x to make it obvious as the theme of this psalm. The extolling of the Lord is perpetual in nature and universal in scope.

The ‘benefits that the Lord’ has done and given us are compelling, such as mentioned from verse 3 to 14.

The compassion and lovingkindness of God are highlighted at the backdrop of man’s finiteness. [see v.15-16]

15 As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field;

16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.

Why man’s life is brief and fragile? It’s because of the fall decay and death happens [Rom 5:12, Jas 4:14, Psa 90:3-4]

Man only exists because of God’s mercies.[v.17-18]

17 But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children,

18 to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.

His sovereignty is our assurance[.v19] Everything and everyone, even the angels ;v.20-22] are subject to His power. A sovereign God prompts fear if not for His mercies. We should have been consumed by a sovereign God if not for His steadfast love.[Lam 3:22,23] His hand that could crush us has cared and caressed us. Think of a muscular construction man that can pulverize rocks by his massive hands. He comes home and carries his little child with it.

19 The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.

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God’s Word for Today

29 Feb 2024

-Psa 102:1-28 ESV

YOU WILL REMAIN

Jerusalem is in ruins, God’s people are in captivity, and a weary sufferer pours out his complaint to God (see heading to the psalm; also v. 13-17). The opening part of the prayer describes the psalmist’s afflictions similar to that of many psalms. The writer is ill and dying, partly because he is unable to eat (1-5). 

Hear my prayer, O LORD;

let my cry come to you!

2 Do not hide your face from me

    in the day of my distress!

Incline your ear to me;

    answer me speedily in the day when I call!

3 For my days pass away like smoke,

    and my bones burn like a furnace.

4 My heart is struck down like grass and has withered;

    I forget to eat my bread.

5 Because of my loud groaning

    my bones cling to my flesh.

He is lonely and cannot sleep (6-7). 

6 I am like a desert owl of the wilderness,

    like an owl of the waste places;

7 I lie awake;

    I am like a lonely sparrow on the housetop.

He is persecuted by his enemies and feels he has been deserted by God (8-11). 

8 All the day my enemies taunt me;

    those who deride me use my name for a curse.

9 For I eat ashes like bread

    and mingle tears with my drink,

10 because of your indignation and anger;

    for you have taken me up and thrown me down.

11 My days are like an evening shadow;

    I wither away like grass.

But, God is still Lord. He does not change. David declares, “But you, O LORD, are enthroned forever;

    you are remembered throughout all generations.”[v.12]

He is always faithful to his people, is He not?  For example, he sees their love for their broken-down city, he hears their prayers, and he will rebuild their city for them. Israel will triumph over its enemies as of old (13-17). 

13 You will arise and have pity on Zion;

    it is the time to favor her;

    the appointed time has come.

14 For your servants hold her stones dear

    and have pity on her dust.

15 Nations will fear the name of the LORD,

    and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory.

16 For the LORD builds up Zion;

    he appears in his glory;

17 he regards the prayer of the destitute

    and does not despise their prayer.

All who are oppressed and discouraged should take note of this and praise God. He will hear the cries of his captive people, release them from bondage and bring them back to their beloved Jerusalem (18-22). 

18 Let this be recorded for a generation to come,

    so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD:

19 that he looked down from his holy height;

    from heaven the LORD looked at the earth,

20 to hear the groans of the prisoners,

    to set free those who were doomed to die,

21 that they may declare in Zion the name of the LORD,

    and in Jerusalem his praise,

22 when peoples gather together,

    and kingdoms, to worship the LORD.

There is no need to doubt God. Though, life is full of troubles and uncertainties (23-24), and even the natural world suffers from wear and tear (25-26), but God is changeless. 

23 He has broken my strength in midcourse;

    he has shortened my days.

24 “O my God,” I say, “take me not away

    in the midst of my days—

you whose years endure

    throughout all generations!”

25 Of old you laid the foundation of the earth,

    and the heavens are the work of your hands.

26 They will perish, but you will remain;

    they will all wear out like a garment.

You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away,

His troubled people, from one generation to the next, can depend on Him to rescue them and bless them (27-28).

27     but you are the same, and your years have no end.

28 The children of your servants shall dwell secure;

    their offspring shall be established before you.

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God’s Word for Today

28 Feb 2024

I will sing of steadfast love and justice;

    to you, O LORD, I will make music.

2 I will ponder the way that is blameless.

    Oh when will you come to me?

I will walk with integrity of heart

    within my house;

3 I will not set before my eyes

    anything that is worthless.

I hate the work of those who fall away;

    it shall not cling to me.

4 A perverse heart shall be far from me;

    I will know nothing of evil.

5 Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly

    I will destroy.

Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart

    I will not endure.

6 I will look with favor on the faithful in the land,

    that they may dwell with me;

he who walks in the way that is blameless

    shall minister to me.

7 No one who practices deceit

    shall dwell in my house;

no one who utters lies

    shall continue before my eyes.

8 Morning by morning I will destroy

    all the wicked in the land,

cutting off all the evildoers

    from the city of the LORD.

-Psa 101:1-8 ESV

I WILL WALK WITH INTEGRITY OF HEART

David is called the man after God’s heart. But, he wasn’t perfect. He failed God many times, especially his family.  But we can’t doubt his desire to make amends and live rightly before God. His heart was broken and tender before God.

His desire is to make music or to sing before God, to extol God’s steadfast love and justice. He wants to meditate only on that which is blameless or pure. And, he recognizes his inability, so that he appeals to God, “Oh, when will you come to me?”[v.2] It’s impossible to apprehend God so we can just plead for God to apprehend us. A pure life is impossible without Him ‘coming to us” or ‘visiting us’ The gospel should be real to us everyday.

David desires to live a life of integrity in heart, not sinlessness for it is impossible but a blameless life for he may sin but should settle it with God. The issue of the heart is what matters.[Prov 4:23] How? This is when ‘God will come to him’. We can’t do much without His grace.

When God is real, there is a significant change in our desires and actions. Firstly, there is a commitment to live pure in heart and mind. He won’t allow his eyes to be glued on the worthless works of those who ‘fall away’. As far as possible, he will distance himself from what makes his heart ‘perverse’, towards ‘evil things.’[see v.3 &4]

Another key to live pure is to dissociate ourselves from evil men. These men are slanderous and stab others in their backs secretly. Therefore, it needs discernment. They had haughty looks and were arrogant. Such self-centered people must be shunned away for they are not after for the glory of God.

Lastly, walking with integrity isn’t a lone ranger endeavor. David recognizes his need for a godly community. David wants to be surrounded by faithful and blameless men. Perhaps, the agony of a rebellious son, Absalom, and some of his former trusted men has strengthened his resolve to not tolerate such men within his camp.

Thus he concluded;

“7 No one who practices deceit

    shall dwell in my house;

no one who utters lies

    shall continue before my eyes.

8 Morning by morning I will destroy

    all the wicked in the land,

cutting off all the evildoers

    from the city of the LORD.”

Seeing to it that evil won’t thrive in his house, morning by morning he uprooted them as a meticulous farmer visiting his farm, uprooting the evil and not giving second chances. 

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Text: Romans 16:25-27 (ESV)

25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

PAUL’S DOXOLOGY

Paul ends this longest biblical letter he writes with a doxology. It’s like a hymn or song of praise to God. First, Paul refreshes the brethren in Rome that God can strengthen them by or through "my" gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ. Paul insists that "his gospel” he has consistently preached and presented is the final word on what is true about Jesus. In fact, nobody should accept any other version of the gospel of Jesus, which surely is a false gospel (Gal 1:8–9). Paul has declared this great truth is a mystery, meaning it was not something discovered or uncovered by himself or anyone else. Instead, it was revealed by God when the time was right. It was hidden for the "long ages" as generations of humanity came and went until the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God in human form.

The truth of the gospel message has been made known to all the nations of the world through the ‘prophetic writings.’ However, many people in the world still remain to be reached with the gospel message. He seems to mean that all the barriers have been removed. Hence, the truth about salvation through faith in Jesus is available to be understood and believed by everyone everywhere.

Why has God commanded this revelation of the gospel, the good news about Jesus? He wants people to obey Him by believing in Jesus. Salvation is more than an opportunity to be saved from hell and spend eternity with God. Belief in Jesus, in the gospel as Paul has presented it in Romans, is God's command to all peoples.

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