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Sunday School Commentary and Preview 12-12-21

Posted on Dec 9, 2021 in Christian Education |

Greetings members and friends and welcome to another commentary and preview to this Sunday’s study of the Word. This Sunday’s study text is entitled “David Administers Justice and Kindness” and it is based on 2 Samuel 9:1-7, 9-12.

Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth was only 5 years old when his father died. He was left crippled and lame when his nurse accidently caused him to fall as they fled. By the time David inquires about Jonathan’s descendants in this text, Mephibosheth has a young son.

Assuming Mephibosheth was at least 17 or 18 when his son was born, David’s inquiry takes place somewhere between 12 and 20 years after Jonathan’s death. Jonathan and David were very close friends and had sworn to each other to also treat each other and their family with kindness.

David had been king now for about 16 years. During that time, he had been engaged with securing the kingdom and establishing himself as king of all Israel. At last, he has finally at a point where he could bring Saul’s family out in the open and show Jonathan’s family the kindness he had promised him. Whatever the reason for the delay or the cause, at long last David is inquiring about Jonathan’s family for the sake of showing kindness to them.

It just so happened that a servant of Saul, Jonathan’s father, was alive and taking care of Saul’s estate and his name was Ziba. He was summoned and came before David. David asked him if there was anyone left of Saul’s family that he could should kindness to. Ziba told David that Jonathan had a son who did live and had that son brought to the king’s palace.

David told Jonathan’s son not to be afraid because he was not brought there for him to harm him, but to bless him for his father’s sake. He promised to restore to him all of his grandfather’s estate and that he would forever be welcomed and blessed in king’s house and table.

David informed Ziba that he had given Mephibosheth all that had once belonged to Saul and that he, his sons and his servants would now maintain and cultivate that land for Mephibosheth. Kings had that kind of power and authority over their subjects. Ziba complied with the king’s command and he and his household would be taken care of out of that which came from the estate which would be passed on to Mephibosheth’s son, Mica.

So Jonathan’s son, after many years of struggling to survive as a crippled man and forsaken outcast of his family, was received as one of David’s own sons and would sit with the king’s family at his table because of David’s love, devotion and promise to his friend Jonathan, Saul, the king who tried to kill him and he succeeded on the throne, son.

One thing we can take away from all this is that we should not base our relationship with all others on what or how someone else feels about us or has treated us. If this wasn’t the case, then David and Jonathan would have no dealings with each other.

If we treated and felt the same way some people feel about us or have treated us, we would have nothing to do with those who are related to them in some way though they have not mistreated us and have nothing be good intentions toward us.

Because we have had an unpleasant encounter with a certain person or group of individuals, it is not necessarily true all related to and associated with that person or group is the same way. If we are not careful, we tend to paint everyone similar to someone else in some way with the same brush when we don’t know them or their intentions or feelings toward us.

David and Jonathan didn’t let Jonathan’s father’s feelings toward David interfere with their feelings toward one another. And because of it, someone’s life and that of his family that was a struggle at best and nearly forgotten and forsaken was now blessed because two people didn’t let what others did and think define how and what they would do and think. And neither should we. Because who knows, something similar could happen to us or someone we too befriended.

Pastor Jordan

Sunday School Commentary and Preview 12-5-21

Posted on Dec 2, 2021 in Christian Education |

Greetings members and friends and welcome to another commentary and preview to this Sunday’s study of the Word. This Sunday’s study text is entitled “Justice and Obedience To The Law” and it is based on Deuteronomy 5:1-3; 10:12-13; 27:1-10.

After the children of Israel rebelled and murmured against Moses and God following the spies report, God determined they were not ready nor worthy to enter the promised land which He had intended to give them as He promised their fathers. As a result, He made them remain in the wilderness for forty years until that generation of those 20 and older were dead.

Today’s study takes place at the end of that forty years. If we are to take God’s words literally, then there would be no one in the congregation of Israel over the age of 59 except Moses, Joshua and Caleb. I am inclined to believe that God’s declaration was to relieve Israel of a generation of people, so that most, and not necessarily all, of those 20 and over were dead.

But literal or not, the children of Israel are set to enter the land promised to their fathers after wandering in the wilderness for forty years. It had been that long since God made the Covenant with those who perished in the wilderness at Sinai also called Horeb. Most of them were not born then, and most, if not all who were, were teenagers or younger.

So in this study, of which the whole book of Deuteronomy is about, Moses leads this relatively young congregation of Israelites, purged of those who had died in the wilderness because of unbelief, into covenant with God before crossing Jordan into the promised land. After calling them all together, he speaks to them about statues and ordinances.

These are the words by which they shall live their lives. He tells them that the Lord did not make this covenant with their fathers, but with them, all those who were there as he spoke and did not die in the wilderness. God initiated the covenant with their fathers, but will complete it with them.

Therefore, Moses urges them in the strongest possible terms to fear the Lord their God, to walk in all His ways and to love and to serve the Lord with all their heart and soul and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which he was commanding them for their good.

Throughout Deuteronomy, Moses goes into some detail what all these ordinances and statues and commandments are. At one point in the study text, it states that “Moses with the elders of Israel, commanded the people”. It is curious to know who these “elders” were if no one was over the age of 59. But they along with Moses charged the people to write all the words of this law upon stones that have been painted over with a type of lime or plaster upon which they were to write.

Another group of stones were to be erected to form an altar to offer both burnt and peace offerings. All of this was to establish or mark their presence in the new land and serve as a reminder to themselves and their posterity the words they were to live by.

The final part of the study text establishes them as God’s covenant people. It is like the end of a marriage ceremony when the minister pronounces the two are man and wife. Moses pronounces to them that they are God’s people and as such they shall obey the voice of the Lord their God, observe His commandments and His statutes which he commanded them that day.

The problem with Christians today is that we fail to see ourselves in a similar covenant relationship. We don’t seem to think that obedience is important or necessary and that Jesus somehow absolves us from all accountability for disobedience and sin. We have loss and some have never received the fear of the Lord.

It is this fear, this reverence for God, that Moses insisted was paramount to entering and maintaining a covenant relationship with God. It is the absence of this same fear that accounts for the sinful inconsistent witness and behavior of those of us who confess to be Christians or believers in God today.

Well, again be sure to look over the study again and come prepared to offer your comments, questions and perspective on the meaning of the study. If you can’t attend your own Sunday School class this Sunday, you can join us live and online at 9:00 am at www.fbmbc.org and clicking the online services link.

Pastor Jordan

Sunday School Commentary and Preview 11-28-21

Posted on Nov 25, 2021 in Christian Education |

Greetings members and friends and welcome to another commentary and preview to this Sunday’s study of the Word. This Sunday’s study text is entitled “Good News For All” and it is based on Acts 10:34-47.

The Acts of the Apostles is an account given by Luke of some of the things that happened in the immediate days, months and years after the death and resurrection of Jesus in the church. While most of it records the missionary journeys of Apostle Paul and His interaction with the church at Jerusalem, it also records some significant events in the early life of the church that didn’t involve Paul.

One such event was the sign God gave that the good news of the gospel was to be for all people and not the Jews only. While Jesus was with the disciples, now apostles, He directed them not to go to the Gentiles, but to focus on the Jews in the house of Israel. He once told a gentile woman seeking help for her daughter that it was not fit to get the children’s meat to the dogs.

But His mission was to focus on those who already had God’s law and a context in which to receive His message. Those outside the Jewish nation would have no idea what He was talking about and couldn’t place Him or His message in any context that would make any sense. But after His mission was complete, He directed the Apostles to preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations everywhere.

This was a transition and departure from what He had demonstrated and told them before. So there was still reluctance and hesitancy to preach the gospel outside the Jewish nation for the same reasons while Jesus was with them and because there is no clear bridge between the Jews and Gentiles on which to bring the gospel.

The first big breakthrough occurred when some gentiles who sought God were preached to by some Jews who knew God and had the gospel. God arranged for Peter, the Jew with the gospel, to meet Cornelius, a gentile who feared and wanted to serve God. God had Cornelius to find Peter and invite him to come to him and prepared Peter for Cornelius arrival and invitation to come.

When Peter arrived at the home of Cornelius, a small crowd of people were waiting for him to hear what He had to say. Peter perceived that his task was to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who were gathered. While he was in still preaching, the Holy Spirit filled those who were listening with the outward sign of speaking in tongues so that there could be not mistake as to what was happening.

This was a clear sign and left no doubt that God has granted salvation to believing gentiles just as He had to the Jews. Peter did not come alone but others Jews had accompanied him. When they saw what happened, he asked those who came with him how could they now not baptize those who have received the Holy Spirit just as they had because God has accepted them. So, Peter commanded that they be baptized.

From this point on, the question of whether the gospel should be preached and given to the gentiles was settled. The only thing that remained is how to reach and teach and preach to a heathenistic people and culture about a holy God who offers salvation to those who believe and obey His voice.

That same task remains today and, in many ways, remain just as challenging as it was for Peter and the first Jewish disciples to reach the gentiles of their day as it is for the people of our day. There were significant barriers those first disciples had to overcome. Yet somehow, they found a way to get through to all those in their generation God had ordained for eternal life.

We today face significant barriers and challenges to reaching those who are ordained for eternal life in our generation. We must look for ways and methods for God to bring us together with God fearing people in our generation in every place in the world.

There are those today who would choose salvation if they are able to overcome their doubt and fear that salvation is real and available to them. Our task is and remains to help them overcome their doubt and fear.

Pastor Jordan

Sunday School Commentary and Preview 11-21-21

Posted on Nov 18, 2021 in Christian Education |

Greetings members and friends and welcome to another commentary and preview to this Sunday’s study of the Word. This Sunday’s study text is entitled “Rejoicing In Heaven” and it is based on Revelation 19:1-9.

Today’s study lesson makes reference to “the great harlot” also known as Babylon. The previous two chapters describe “Babylon” is some detail. Babylon is described in these two chapters as the personification of a combination of religious and political and economic practices that are opposed to and in opposition to God.

Babylon is particularly at odds against the true people of God and is directly responsible for the death and suffering encountered by many of them. Babylon embodies all things that are enlisted to entice people away from God, amplify unbelief and is at the center of idolatrous devotion.

So when she is revealed for who she is and is judged by God and brought down to nothing, most of humanity lamented and looked on with shock and horror while the people of God rejoiced that her day of judgement had finally come.

The first few verses of Chapter 19, focus on the commentary of the aftermath of what is described as the “great whore or harlot”. Again we hear the voices in heaven of persons who are witnessing the things God is doing with mankind and commenting as it is unfolding.

They praise God for His salvation of mankind and His power which He used to do it resulting in His honor and glory. They say He has rightly and justly judged the harlot and avenged the blood of His people shed by her.

Some of this blood includes those who would have believed if not for the strong lure of the harlot to cause them to fornicate or commit idolatry with her. Another voice urges God people to praise Him because He is Omnipotent meaning all powerful and He reigns. He just didn’t start reigning with the fall of Babylon, but He has and always will reign.

Yet one very powerful refrain I see and hear throughout the bible that is the principal unifier of all of God’s people from Abel to those mention in today’s text. And that refrain is “the fear of God”. I’m not going to expound on it here, but those who are called upon to praise God are those who fear Him.

The multitude of voices in heaven say let us, meaning themselves and others, to be glad for the wedding day of the Lamb of God has finally come. The bride of Christ or the Lamb is the Church, the redeemed He has bought with the price of His own blood.

They are described as being arrayed to pure and bright linen with is the righteous acts performed by them. Here again we can see that salvation isn’t as much about what we say as it is about what we do.

The study text concludes with the blessing of being able to attend the marriage supper of the Lamb. Of all the invitations one could receive, none is higher, more glorious or more honorable than one to the marriage supper of the Lamb of God. John said that his guide told him to be sure to write this down because these words are from God and they are true.

What a finish! Just when the world thinks it has it all figured out, after it has built and placed all of its confidence in its ability to function without God, it shall all come clashing down in a matter of minutes that took centuries to build and people will be left with nothing who trusted in it. There will be sorrow on earth but rejoicing in heaven.

Pastor Jordan

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Sunday School Commentary and Preview 11-14-21

Posted on Nov 11, 2021 in Christian Education |

Greetings members and friends and welcome to another commentary and preview to this Sunday’s study of the Word. This Sunday’s study text is entitled “Praise God for His Eternal Reign” and it is based on Revelation 11:15-19.

Revelation is a book of eschatology or “final things”. It is given in part so that the people of God will know of the things that will come to pass just before and as this world as we currently know it ends.

Today’s study text occurs just over midway through the book and consist of only a few verses. But the verses describe the coming reign of God over humanity and His judgement of our actions. There were loud voices in heaven.

There are already persons in heaven and they are witnessing God’s work in the earth. And some of them declare with loud voices that man’s reign over his kingdoms is over. God has taking over and all kingdoms of humanity have been overtaken by God. He now reveals and establishes His eternal kingdom which is the culmination of His plan for mankind.

The 24 elders join in the praise and worship of what God has done according to His mighty power. They go on to point out that the nations were angry or enraged. Why were they this way? Because they opposed the reign of God and mounted opposition against God and His people. But they declare that the time has come for God to settle all accounts.

It is important to note that the dead will be judged. God power is beyond our comprehension. God has a way of preserving the essence of all people even through mental and physical deterioration of our natural bodies.

God is able to recall all that matters in each person and able to make a fair and just judgement on our fitness for life in His kingdom. They speak of a reward for God’s servants including His prophets, saints and those who fear His name. Those who fear His name are those who sought to live their lives according to what they knew about the will of God.

Even without His written law, the teaching and words of the prophets and the teaching of Jesus and the Apostles, there exist a natural divine law that can be known from general revelation of the world.

For those who had none of the advantages of those with God’s Word but feared and sought God anyway, they too will be rewarded and saved. The other group who are not mentioned among those who will be rewarded are described as those who destroy the earth. They destroy the earth through their unbelief.

They allow themselves to seek fleshly pleasure at the expense of seeking and fulfilling the will of God. This pursuit of the flesh leads to evil. Therefore, evil and all people and things associated with it will be destroyed.

The final verse of the study tells us that the glory of the real temple of God and the ark of covenant was seen in heaven. God gave the children of Israel the instructions to build an earthly copy of the divine things of heaven. They in no way come close to the glory and magnificence of the real thing.

Finally, accompanying this takeover of the kingdoms and the judgement of men was an intense display of natural phenomena of lighting, thunder, earthquakes, hail and noise to announce to the world that the day of the Lord has finally come.

For those who believe, this passage and study should provide some hope and assurance that God’s people day will come. It reassures us that the dead are not forgotten and that physical death is not the final say.

This hope and belief in God should motivate us to live our lives in reverent fear of God knowing that He knows how we are living our live, whom we believe, where we want to go and spend eternity with.

Pastor Jordan

Sunday School Preview Nov 7 2021

Posted on Nov 4, 2021 in Christian Education |

Greetings members and friends and welcome to another commentary and preview to this Sunday’s study of the Word. This Sunday’s study text is entitled “All People Praise God” and it is based on Revelation 7:9-17.

Revelation gives us some idea of what is to come near and at the end of this phase of humanity’s history. The words in the book serve to inform, inspire, encourage and caution believers in their quest for salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ.

The lesson text begins by informing the readers that there will be a board cross section of humanity that will receive the blessing of salvation. This is another reason why Christians should see the divine imprint on every human being regardless of manmade labels and categories that serve to divide us and prevent us from uniting around our common place and divine purpose in God’s creation.

The number of people in the crowd was so large that no man could look at them and determine how many there were. But whatever the number is a fear it was only a very small fraction or portion of the number of human beings that have been and will be born on the earth.

The imagery that John gives us is of two. One of the two is sitting upon the throne while the other is described as “The Lamb”. I believe the One on the throne is the Father and the Lamb is the Son of God or Jesus Christ. Much worship and praise are given to these two by those already there including angels, elders and other living creatures.

John said that one of the elders asked him if he know who the large crowd was and that he replied that he didn’t but believed that the elder did. The elder answered that the crowd was the people who had achieved salvation by availing themselves of the blood sacrifice of the Lamb or Jesus Christ.

It is my belief that whether a person know about Jesus or not, His blood covers them as much as it covers those who know Christ as Lord and Savior. Why? Because Christ’s blood is the atonement for all of humanity’s sin both before, during and after His death. There is one thing I believe that unites all the people in that crowd.

Those things include a belief in and a longing to know the True and Living God our Creator. A sincere desire and effort to live and do the things that He has revealed to them to do. And a belief and longing for eternal life alongside God our Creator. So this crowd that no man could number could stretch back to as far as Abel and to those yet unborn.

Those who didn’t know or have God’s law as given by Moses and those who haven’t hear the gospel of Jesus Christ have a significant challenge to believe and have faith without the benefit of the Law and the gospel. Yet there have been and still are those who believe without knowing these things.

This is why it shall be so much worst on us who have these witnesses and still turn away from God. We shall be beat with many stripes.

Jesus said those who mourn are blessed because they will be comforted. In this world all of us will face some trials, tribulations, disappointments, pain and heartaches over what we must endure. Some of us will face much more intense times than others.

God has His reasons that are not fully known or understood by His children for these things. Yet the lesson text assures us that His children will receive that which they longed for and desired and that God Himself will comfort them and cause them to forget all of their trouble. They will be in a place like no other and all of their hurt will be healed.

This knowledge should comfort, inspired and encourage all of God’s children to endure all things because the reward and outcome will more than make up for whatever it takes and took to get there.

Pastor Jordan

Sunday School Commentary and Preview 10-31-21

Posted on Oct 28, 2021 in Christian Education |

Greetings members and friends and welcome to another commentary and preview to this Sunday’s study of the Word. This Sunday’s study text is entitled “Praise God With Music” and it is based on Psalm 149:1-5, Psalm 150.

Music is a wonderful expression of communication that is a universal phenomenon recognized in most, if not all, human beings. Music is often used to communicate stories, emotions and feelings and to express praise, honor and admiration. It is often used to soothe, calm, excite and alter the mood of its hearers.

Because music is such an intrinsic and prevalent part of human culture, it is not surprising that the use of music is an important part of Divine worship. The 149^th and 150^th Psalms are the last Psalms in the book. If it fitting that they both are a call to worship God through music.

Both Psalms call for singing accompanied by instruments to enhance the intensity of the music. Music often compels people to move so dancing is also encouraged as part of the musical celebration.

The subject of the music is God and His relationship to His people. It is something to be voiced and be set to music. The words of these songs tell the Lord’s people to sing a new song. New songs continue to reveal and relay the new and wonderful things the Lord continues to do day in and day out.

These songs reflect the fact that the Lord is our Creator and that we should rejoice in the knowledge of that fact. As such, God is our King, our Ruler and Sovereign Lord. We are called upon to find and make music with things other than our voices but using whatever instruments may be appropriate to make sacred and reverent music.

The Psalmist suggest that the Lord takes pleasure in the music being played in His honor and that He will reward His people with deliverance from death or salvation. We are to sing and praise God when we gather or in the sanctuary and praise Him in the expanse outside the sanctuary.

We are to praise Him for the revelation of His great power and for how He has intervened in the lives of mankind. We are called upon to use our creative gifts to craft instruments we can use to take our musical expressions of praise and thanksgiving to the highest level possible. No one is to be left out.

The book of Psalms closes with the extol to let everything and everyone that breathes join in with this musical outpouring of praise unto the Lord. This is why there has been and should always be a musical element when the people of God gather. This is why we sing hymns, spirituals, psalms and other forms of musical expression when we gather for worship.

We should do it as an expression of our devotion, praise and thanksgiving for our Creator, Deliverer and Savior of our souls. When our songs and music is expressed in this way, others can see and hear and be moved by our songs to wanting to know the God that made them as well.

No matter what our part in the songs may be, whether leading, directing, playing, backing up or supporting and going along, let us resolve to make it the best it can be by bringing pleasure to God.

Pastor Jordan

Sunday School Commentary and Preview 10-24-21

Posted on Oct 21, 2021 in Christian Education |

Greetings members and friends and welcome to another commentary and preview to this Sunday’s study of the Word. This Sunday’s study text is entitled “The Joy of Worship” and it is based on Psalms 84:1-12.

The Psalmist begins by declaring the loveliness of the tabernacle or dwelling place of the Lord. The question may be asked as to what dwelling place is being referred. An obvious place is the temple in Jerusalem. A boarder application can be any synagogue or meeting place of the people of Israel.

For us today, it is where the people of God meet, usually on Sunday morning. But an even greater and general idea is any place where the Lord is in the midst of His gathered people. The whole emphasis of this Psalm is that there is no better place to be than in the midst of God and His people.

Verse 10 sums up the entire Psalm. First, a day in God’s tabernacle among Him and His people is better than 1000 days anywhere else one could possibly be. And secondly, being a doorkeeper, a guard, sentry or keeper of the threshold is to be preferred over having free reign in the places occupied by the wicked.

Oh, how far are these sentiments for what we see and experience in the church today! Instead of being among the gathered called out ones, which the church means and is, being the number one place we so called Christians want to be, the church at the very least appears somewhere we have little desire to be and at worst would rather be just about anywhere else. It is no wonder that the church has lost so much of its witness and drawing power in our current society.

If we, who are believers, display little enthusiasm for being with the gathered saints and believers, no one else will want to go where those who are already members and partakers have little interest in going. This attitude is also reflective of the state of our relationship with God and of our salvation.

We see that the Psalmist soul longs, even faints, for the courts of the LORD and his heart and flesh cry out for the living God. People who believe God, who trust God, who love God want to be where He is and among others who feel the same. But we, by our actions, demonstrate we are not among those people.

A large portion of those who hold membership in the Church or considered themselves Christians don’t even bother or make an effort to gather with believers. And many who do, do so as if someone forced or made them do so. This is so far from the those we see here in this Psalm.

Not only this, but the Psalmist says they are happy who live or abide in the Lord’s house. People who are happy being somewhere have a way of showing it. He also said they gain strength from their trust in God and from being in His presence.

We, in many instances, have lost and do not have “The Joy of Worship” in many congregations. The 100^th Psalm tells us “to enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise.” We are doing neither and the world, those on the outside of the Church, those we are sent to preach to and bring the good news of the gospel to can see it.

If Jesus is lifted up, He will draw mankind to Himself. The Romans lifted Him up on the Cross. We need to lift Him up by joyfully celebrating the fact that because of what He did, we can be with God and God with us.

People who meet us and certainly those who come to where we are gathered should see and feel our genuine desire to be in the House of the Lord. It is no wonder why our children don’t want to go, our spouses don’t want to go, our siblings and parents and other relatives don’t want to go, our neighbors don’t want to go, our friends and coworkers don’t want to go and many others in our sphere of influence. Why? Because we behave like we don’t want to go and many of us don’t go.

Many of us are approaching worship as a chore forced upon us against our will instead of the joy that comes from being in the presence of God. Where is the joy of worship in your own life? How is it being conveyed to those in your sphere of influence? Can people really see a genuine longing and desire to be in the tabernacle God or do they see an attitude of indifference or even dislike of gathering on Sunday morning or anytime with the people of God?

Are we forcing ourselves to gather like some food we don’t like but must eat to survive? Or are we glad as the Psalms said to go into the House of the Lord? If we don’t like gathering here, we don’t have to worry about gathering there. Why? Because we won’t. God will not take us to a place we don’t want to go.

Pastor Jordan

Sunday School Commentary and Preview 10-17-21

Posted on Oct 14, 2021 in Christian Education |

Greetings members and friends and welcome to another commentary and preview to this Sunday’s study of the Word. This Sunday’s study text is entitled “Give Thanks For Deliverance” and it is based on Psalms 107:1-9, 39-43.

To repeat what was said last week, the Book of Psalms is filled with passages that encourage and tell the readers to praise God. One of the reasons for all this praise is the natural result from the descriptions, attributes and character of God the Psalms give of God. This Sunday’s study text emphasizes the saving and deliverance power attribute of God’s character.

God knows we are vulnerable and fragile creatures frequently in need of help. From the day we arrive into the world, there are and will be times we will need help. Some of that help comes from other human beings. But there are times when other human beings can’t provide the help and assistance we need in certain situations and circumstances. This is where and when God can step in if we let Him.

There are those who prefer to not to seek God’s assistance and work through their problems and troubles on their own. But this Psalm is written for those who seek God’s assistance, help and guidance with their problems and troubles.

The Psalm begins with the declaration that God is both good, loving kindly and merciful. These are some of the most desirable attributes one could have in a Creator. It shows that He cares what happens to us. For those who know this and that God has delivered them from problems and troubles should let others know by saying so.

It has been said that the greatest advertisement in the world is word of mouth or the testimony of others. If others who are reluctant to acknowledge or to call on God hear the testimonies of those who God has helped, they will be more inclined to call on Him themselves. God’s mercy and lovingkindness is universal because He has helped people from every corner of the world.

The world is designed to bring and cause challenges and struggles in life many of which are brought on by other people. Some of them can crush us and leave us near death or worst. The Psalmist said that God steps in when people call on Him out of their distress and will rescue them by leading them in a straight way out of harms ways into a safe harbor or place.

It places in mind the image of a lost sheep or lamb in the woods or thick forest lost and surrounded by danger crying for help. Then the shepherd, who knows the way out and can provide protection from the enemies, hears the cry of the sheep and leads it to safety.

This is the imagery the Psalm is describing of God and those who have received this blessing and kindness should let others know.

Those who choose to wander without God will be met with contempt. This is a total disregard for whatever they think they have and can do on their own to deal with their troubles and problems. Because in the end they will not prevail. Death will place them in a wilderness where there is no path that will lead the out.

But God will come to the rescue of those who seek Him and call upon Him like the Shepherd and the sheep. They will rejoice and all those who decided to go it alone will have nothing to say except the other ones were right. Those who are wise will recognize the goodness and mercy of the Lord and be a benefactor of His deliverance.

Pastor Jordan