The Good Samaritan

Luke 10:25-37

When we hear or read about an accident with injuries, a victim of a mugging, or some natural disaster with many injuries, we often hear about some “good Samaritans” who step in and help where they can.  Sometimes these individuals are even given special commendations.  Where did that term come from?  Christians who are familiar with the Scriptures know the background of that term.  However today, with so many people having never read even part of the Bible, they may know that it refers to someone who comes to the aid of a stranger, but have no idea where the term originated.  Let’s look at our Scripture today about the Good Samaritan, learn the background, and also learn some other lessons from this parable.

The background to Jesus’ parable begins when a lawyer approached Jesus, asking him about eternal life, trying to trick Him.  Depending on His answer, perhaps the lawyer could get Jesus in an even more bad standing with the Jewish religious leaders.  Jesus asked him what the Law of Moses said.  The lawyer answered by saying to love God and your neighbor as yourself.  Jesus then responded back by saying that if this lawyer fully followed those commandments, he would have eternal life (vs. 25-28).  This was not saying, by any means, that works would get anyone into heaven.  He exposed the impossibility of perfectly fulfilling the Law.  There isn’t anyone who has never broken any of God’s laws.  Eternal life is not earned by works, but received by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).

The lawyer then, knowing that he had never fully kept either of these commands, tried to justify himself before Jesus, and asked exactly who his neighbor would be.  That set the stage for Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan.  Jesus told of a man who was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho.  Though not a long journey (about 18 miles), it was often a dangerous one.  In that short distance one goes from an elevation of 2,600 feet above sea level in Jerusalem to 800 feet below sea level in Jericho, a drop of 3,400 feet.  In that rugged terrain there were many spots where bandits and thugs could hide themselves, and frequently travelers would get attacked.  That’s what happened to this fellow, and he was left on the side of the road to die (vs. 30).

Shortly after this unfortunate attack on the man, first a priest, and a bit later a Levite, came by and saw the man.  The priest just glanced at him and continued on.  The Levite (one who was a caretaker of the Temple, performed music in the Temple, and assisted the priests), walked over to the seriously injured man to get a closer look, but then also left (vs. 31-32).  Despite their religious positions, they had no compassion on the man.  Their actions showed that religious status does not guarantee any righteousness.  Jesus was revealing here that the Old Testament Law cannot save or sanctify anyone.  It only reveals sin (Romans 3:20).

Some time later a Samaritan came by.  To get the full impact of this parable, we need to understand the relationship between Jewish people and Samaritans.  The Jewish people considered the Samaritans a mixture of breeding, part Jewish and part pagan, which occurred at the time of the Assyrian conquest of the northern Kingdom of Israel.  They believed that their religious traditions were also corrupted.  Thus, both Jews and Samaritans despised each other.  When this Samaritan came upon the gravely injured Jewish man, we would think that he, too, would just pass by.  Why help someone who despised oneself, and who one also despised?  Yet that’s not what happened.  This Samaritan had compassion on the man.  He cleaned and bandaged his wounds as best he could, then placed him upon his donkey and brought him to an inn.  There he paid for a room for him and instructed the innkeeper to care for him and put it on his bill (vs. 33-35).

Think of any two groups of people, either today or in the past, who have viciously hated each other, people of different races, tribes, or nationalities.  Would one from one group go to such an effort to help an injured man of the other group?  This wasn’t just one stranger helping another stranger.  These were two vowed enemies!  Yet the Samaritan had immense compassion.  He showed sacrificial love by tending to the man and paying for his care.

The Samaritan’s actions mirror Jesus Christ’s mercy towards sinners.  He is a type of Christ - despised, yet compassionate; rejected, yet redeeming.  Jesus, like the Samaritan, rescues us when we are spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1-5).

Jesus finished by asking the lawyer who was the one who was the true neighbor? (vs. 36-37).  Was it the priest or Levite (today we could say the pastor or priest, and the deacon or choir member).  They should have been the ones to help, but didn’t.  Instead it was the despised Samaritan.  (When the lawyer answered, he couldn’t even say the word “Samaritan”).  True believers, those justified by faith, are called to reflect Jesus Christ’s love in action (James 2:14-17).   Jesus told this lawyer and the rest of the people, including us, to go and do likewise.  

A Pattern To Pray For Others

Colossians 1:1-14

Sometimes as Christians we may feel led to pray for another believer, however we don’t know what to pray about for them.  Just praying “God bless Ed or Lillian” doesn’t seem enough.  You want a stronger prayer.  Our Scripture passage today from St. Paul’s letter to the Colossian church gives us some things that we can pray for when we pray for other believers.  In this passage we see some things Paul prayed for these Colossian believers.  Let’s see what these are.

The Book of Colossians is one of Paul’s “prison epistles”, one of several letters he wrote while imprisoned in Rome.  This epistle was written to affirm the Christians in Colossae, along with all Christians, in their faith.  It was written to encourage their spiritual growth and to combat false teachings by exalting the Lord Jesus.

Before Paul explained to the Colossian believers how he was praying for them, he briefly affirmed his apostleship (vs. 1-2).  There were some people who opposed Paul and his ministry, and they traveled around to many of the churches he had either founded or ministered to, claiming that he was not a genuine apostle or had an approved ministry.   However, Paul attested that he was not commissioned as an apostle by any human, but by Jesus Himself, by divine authority of the will of God.  This happened when the Lord appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus, calling him both to salvation and service in His Kingdom.

Paul then continued by telling the Colossian church that he kept each and every one of them in his prayers.  All prayers should begin by giving thanks to the Lord, and this Paul did.  He told the Colossians that he thanked the Lord for their faith, their love, and their hope (vs. 3-5).  These folks had accepted Jesus as their Savior.  Many had come from a Jewish background, while others from a pagan Gentile background, but now they had faith and trust in Jesus, for which Paul was thankful.  He also was thankful for the love that they had for each other, and for their hope in all God had promised, especially eternal life.  Faith, love, and hope should be a hallmark of genuine Christian life (I Corinthians 13:13).

Paul was also thankful that the Colossian believers were bearing fruit for the Lord, that the Gospel of Jesus was increasing in their area and then spreading further (vs. 6-8).  When at a loss to know how to pray for other believers, we can begin by giving thanks for their faith, their salvation, and pray that they have love for others and are bearing fruit for the Kingdom.

As we continue further, we see several other things that Paul prayed for with the Colossian church.  Paul did not cease to pray for them (vs 9).  They were in his daily prayers.  He first mentioned that they are filled with a knowledge of God’s will in their life, having wisdom and understanding.  We need to know God’s plan for our life.  This requires discernment to distinguish His Voice from our own notions.  He also prayed that their Christian walk, their behavior, would be such as would please God (vs. 10).  Our lives should be patterned after Jesus, with a goal of glorifying Him.

Again Paul prayed that they bear fruit in every good work (vs. 10).  We should not be so wrapped up in our own life, but be contributing to others lives, and bearing fruit for God’s Kingdom.  We were not saved to just keep a seat warm every Sunday morning.  Paul prayed that they would increase in the knowledge of God.  We do that by reading His Word, the Bible, and then applying what we read to our lives.  He prayed that they were strengthened in their faith through God’s power, that they remain steadfast in their faith (vs. 11).  This is only done through the power of the Holy Spirit.  They also needed patience and long suffering as they faced the trials ahead.  Believers need that today, as well.  Finally, Paul prayed that they would be thankful to the Lord, joyously giving thanks for all that He has done, with gratitude (vs. 12).

As this passage of Scripture ends, Paul reminds the Colossians that God had delivered them from the power of darkness, and transferred them into the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus (vs 13-14).  We’ve all seen in movies, and maybe have even heard of cases in real life, where someone who is being held captive by an enemy or criminal is rescued.  Salvation is a divine rescue.  Before we were saved we were held captive by Satan.  However when we put our faith in the Lord Jesus, and personally accepted His Blood shed on the cross for our behalf, we have his redemption and forgiveness of sins.  We are no longer under Satan’s dominion, but are citizens of God’s Kingdom, redeemed by His Blood.

When we pray for others, in addition to praying for some specific needs they may have, such as their health, job, or family, we can incorporate some of the things that Paul prayed here for the Colossians.  Rather than just praying “God bless John or Maxine”, let’s follow Paul’s pattern of prayer for our friends.

God Will Not Leave Us Ashamed

Psalm 25:1-11

Have you ever had someone that you were counting on, depending on to help or come to your aid, and then they never showed up, never helped you as promised?  Perhaps you had boasted or bragged to some others about how great this friend of yours was, who was going to help.  But now there is nothing, and you feel ashamed or embarrassed.  “Where’s this wonderful friend of yours?  I thought you said that he would come to help you.  Well, where is he?  He doesn’t seem so great now, does he?” are comments these people tell you.  Our psalm today speaks of a similar type of situation.  Let’s see what we can learn from this portion of God’s Word.

Psalm 25 is a psalm that was written by King David.  It was possibly written later in his life, perhaps during the time of his son’s rebellion, as David mentioned the “sins of his youth”.  Regardless of when he wrote it, he knew he needed God’s help to get through some troubles he was going through, so he cried out to Him (vs. 1).  David also knew that his enemies were watching.  They were watching him closely, and knew that David always prayed to the Lord.  David did not want to feel ashamed or embarrassed that he had depended and counted on God for help, and then God did not come through.  He felt that would make God look bad in the eyes of his enemies.  Thus he prayed that God would come through for him, not just for his own sake, but also for the sake of His own reputation (vs. 2-3).

When troubles and trials come our way, who do we look to for help?  Who can we trust?   Our success or failure often depends on who we place our trust in.  David knew this well, as he had spent many years of his life in one sort of trouble or another, and here we read that he put his trust in Yahweh.  He put his full confidence in God’s character and promises.  This was spiritual warfare, as so many of our trials are as well, and we can trust the Lord to vindicate us and not allow the enemy, whether Satan or worldly opposition, to triumph.

David was waiting on the Lord for a response from Him for some type of help in his moment of need (vs. 3).  How often have we prayed for God’s help, and nothing seems to happen, we receive no word or sign of help, and we give up?  David might have gotten a little anxious now and then, but he never gave up hope.  We need to wait patiently, with faith and obedience.  Those who are faithful will be honored, while the rebellious will be ashamed.

When we go through difficult times or serious trials, it is important who we turn to for advice or help.  David knew to turn to the Lord and not from any worldly wisdom (vs. 4-5).  On his own he didn’t know where to go or what to do.  He needed God to show him the way ahead, so he prayed for God’s direction.  When we pray for direction like David did, God will always show us the path ahead.  David sought for instruction and guidance from God, and not the world because he knew that God’s guidance is truth.  We need God’s guidance all through the day as we face the challenges of life.  We can find that truth in God’s Word, which is truth (John 17:17), and not in the varying cultural trends of the day.  David looked to God for direction.  His heart’s desire was to wait for God with dependent faith throughout the entire day.  It is impossible to exercise trust in God if we fail to wait upon Him for guidance and direction.

David knew that he could depend on Yahweh for any help he needed.  He knew that God’s character, His mercy and loving- kindness, is eternal (vs. 6).  In our own struggles, it is futile to depend on our own merits or those of anyone else.  Instead we need to appeal to God’s unchanging nature.  He also knew that he needed to keep a clean record before the Lord, free from all known sin (vs. 7).  He acknowledged his past and sought forgiveness from all sins.  True repentance includes confession and forsaking sin (Proverbs 28:13),  When we do, God has promised He will forgive (I John 1:9).

God promises to teach and guide the penitent and the meek (vs. 8-9).  Meekness is strength under control.  It is someone who is willing to submit to the authority of God.  If we are all puffed up with our own self-importance, God will not guide us.  Proud people don’t care for His guidance anyway, and usually don’t ask for His forgiveness.  Humility is essential to receive the Lord’s help and guidance.

In closing this segment of the psalm, David acknowledged that following the paths of God and not his own will bring him mercy and truth.  This is only the case for those who walk in obedience to Him.  Blessings come through faithfulness to the Lord.  Some of God’s paths for us are rough and rugged.  Others are tedious and boring.  However, all are filled with His love and faithfulness.  The path He chooses for us may have obstacles, but He will lead us.  God’s path is best for us, and when we trust Him, we can depend on Him to come through for us.

God's Word Is Very Near

Deuteronomy 30:9-14

As we all know, communication is very important in any relationship, whether it is between a husband and wife, a boss and his employees, a teacher and her students, or two friends.  Both parties need to know what each other wants or needs.  If they don’t, then problems can arise.  Mankind has a relationship with God, and it is important in that relationship to know what He wants and expects of us.  Sometimes people don’t make it clear what they want or expect from others.  How about with God?  Does He make it clear to us?  Can we easily find out what He wants?  Our Scripture today from the Book of Deuteronomy will give us an answer.  Let’s take a look.

The Book of Deuteronomy was written by Moses shortly before the people of Israel were going to go in and take possession of the land that the Lord had promised them and their fathers, going back to the time of Abraham.  The book was mainly a recap of a lot of the laws given by the Lord during their forty years of wandering through the wilderness.  Our passage is one from towards the end of the book.  Moses had called upon the people to repent of their sins and return to the Lord.  Now he emphasizes that God desires to bless the people, but His blessings are contingent on their obedience to His commandments.  They will only receive these blessings if they follow and obey what He says (vs. 9-10).

Now that they were going to enter the Promised Land, some of the people might have been a bit concerned about their daily provisions.  They knew that the daily supply of manna was not going to continue there, nor the pillar of cloud and of fire to lead them.  They also knew that Moses would not be with them, as he was well over a hundred years old.  Would God really bless them there?  The Lord promised the people here that He would bless them, both materially and spiritually, but only if they returned to a close and obedient relationship with Him.  God delights in blessing His people, but they must be obedient to His commands.  Obedience brings blessings.  This is not in any way a preaching of the prosperity gospel, which is a false gospel.  This is showing covenantal faithfulness.

As we read verse 10, the first word in that verse is the word “if”.   That word “if” here is very important.  These blessings that the Lord promises to give are conditional.  He will give them if we listen to what He says, and then obey Him.  We obey, and then God blesses us.  The Lord also desires that we turn to Him with all of our heart and soul.  God wants our obedience to Him, our love for Him, to be wholehearted, not just ritualistic and going through the motions.  The Lord wants our hearts and lives to be transformed because of our relationship with Him.  He doesn’t want just outward compliance and a robotic following of His commands.

As Moses continued, he told the people that these commandments, that God’s Word, was not something so mysterious or difficult to find and read (vs. 11-14).  The Lord has revealed to us very plainly in His Word, the Bible, exactly what He wants from us, along with all of His blessings, especially salvation.  It is not some mystical enigma that only a few people might understand if they go into some sort of a trance, like a lot of the pagan religions.  Everything that God wants and needs for us to know for salvation and His blessings are revealed and written down in the Bible, and is accessible for anyone to read.  It is available to all who seek it.

When we have accepted the Lord Jesus as our Savior, and are in a saving relationship with Him, God has promised that He will write His Word in our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33).  The Apostle Paul quotes verse 14 in his Epistle to the Romans (Romans 10:8).  God’s Word is right there for anyone, anywhere to access.  It has been translated into hundreds of languages.  It is easily accessed on computers online.  It is recorded for those who cannot see, to listen to its words.  One does not need some magical formula to read God’s own Words in the Bible, nor do they need to climb on top of some sacred mountain, or perform some special feats like in pagan religions.

If we repent, the Lord will accept us, and make us His children.  He will show us what He wants through His Word, which is near to us and knowable.  We need to study God’s Word, the Bible every day, and then obey, not just outwardly, but with our whole heart.  We can trust God’s promises in the Bible, as He delights to bless us when we obey.  Finally, verse 14 says that God’s Word is in our mouth and in our heart.  It is in our mouth for a reason, and that is that we should share it with others.  God’s Word is something we should be sharing with others, as it is the Good News of salvation!

Laborers In The Harvest

Luke 10:1-12, 16-20

Are you ready for your big assignment?  Our boss or teacher may ask this, and some of our classmates or co-workers may answer with a hearty “Yes!”.  They can’t wait to get started.  Others may be a bit more hesitant.  However, if our leader has properly trained us, and we’ve been willing, attentive learners, and if they give us all the equipment and instructions necessary, we should not have to fear.  Our Scripture today from the Gospel of Luke tells of a big assignment that Jesus gave a group of His disciples.  Let’s take a look at what that assignment was, His instructions, and what the results were.

Many people think that Jesus just had His twelve disciples, and that was it, that the rest of the people were just an occasional audience for His parables, or witnesses to His miracles.  That is not the case.  Jesus did have His close inner circle of twelve disciples, who are named in the Gospels.  However, He also had a large number of other disciples, many of whom followed Him almost daily throughout the duration of His ministry.  It was from this larger group that Jesus picked out seventy who He gave a big assignment to do for Him.  This assignment was to go out through Galilee and Judah into the various villages that Jesus intended to eventually visit, and bring His message ahead of His visit (vs. 1).

Jesus had some very specific instructions for these disciples which He gave them before they set out.  One was that they were to go out in pairs.  There are several practical reasons for this.  One would naturally be for safety.  Another would be for companionship and moral support for each other.  Not every place would be so welcoming, and a companion would help keep discouragement at bay, and also keep them accountable to following the true message of Jesus.  They were also to travel light, not carrying a lot of extra baggage (vs. 4).  No extra clothing, or a lot of money.  They were to be totally dependent on God for His provisions, along with the hospitality of those they visited.

The instruction to not greet anyone on the road (vs. 4) might seem a bit rude, but one must understand the culture of the day and location.  A “greeting” in Biblical times could take a long time.  It wasn’t just a quick “hello”, but would often include offers of hospitality and refreshment, which could take hours.  If a disciple stopped with every greeting it could easily take days to get to their destination.  Jesus’ message of salvation is urgent, and there is no time to waste.

When they arrived at the village they were going to minister in, the disciples were to stay in the house that offered them hospitality and offer a blessing upon it (vs. 5-6).  They were not seek out a better place, better accommodations that might have a comfier bed or better food (vs. 7-8).  They were to be content and grateful for what they received.. While there the disciples were to bring Jesus’ message of salvation to the people, along with healing the sick and casting out demons (vs. 9).

Jesus warned that not everyone would be receptive.  There would be some places that would not receive them, but would instead cast them out (vs. 11-12).  To such people, Jesus instructed His disciples to shake the dust off their feet as a symbolic gesture against them.  This was a symbolic act of judgment, declaring that even the dust of a rejecting city is defiled.  Sodom’s sin was grievous, yet rejecting Jesus’ messengers is worse.  This underscores the gravity of rejecting the Gospel truth.  As we read in verse 16, Jesus equates the disciples' message with His own.  To insult believers is to insult God.  To reject the disciples is to reject Jesus, and rejecting Jesus is rejecting God!

When the disciples returned, they excitedly told Jesus that even the demons obeyed when they used the Name of Jesus (vs. 17).  When the Lord rebuked demonic forces, they were forced to obey.  Jesus gave His disciples  authority over these spirits, and to us as well.  Jesus repeated that believers do, indeed, have authority over the enemy in His Name (vs. 19), but what is more important is that they have eternal security, their names are written in heaven (vs. 20).

Christians today are also given this assignment, to go forth and bring the Gospel to the lost, to those who have never heard, or never paid attention to the message of Jesus.  We, too, have the power to invoke the Name of Jesus to overcome evil that may come against us. When we pray, we draw upon the strength of the Lord to claim victory over the evil one.

This was a large and tough assignment that the disciples, and us, too, have been given.  Jesus told us to pray for more help (vs. 2).  There is more work than workers who are willing to go.  We need to pray for more Christians to be willing to go out with us to bring His message.  This is a very urgent message, and we need to remember that we are like lambs being sent among wolves.  The world does not like believers who are serious about their faith, and they certainly do not like our message.  But remember, Jesus is with us, and we can rejoice because our reward will be great!

Sow What You Want To Reap

Galatians 6:1-10

I think that most of us know the laws of sowing and reaping, that whatever type of seed you plant, that is what is going to grow.  If you plant a watermelon seed, you are going to get a watermelon, not corn.  If you plant an acorn, you are going to get an oak, not a rose bush.  This isn’t just true with gardening, as it also holds true for our life, as well.  What we sow in our life is what we will reap later on.  Our Scripture today has two lessons that it teaches.  One is about sowing and reaping, and there is another lesson, as well.  Let’s look at what God teaches in His Word.

As our Scripture begins, the Apostle Paul was coming to the end of his letter to the Galatian believers.  He had two final thoughts, final teachings he wished to impart.  The first was the need for spiritual restoration of believers who had fallen into any type of sin (vs. 1).  Now we know that everyone sins now and then, some people more than others, and this includes Christians.  Ideally a Christian who has committed a sin is to confess and repent from that sin right away.  When we do, our fellowship with God and other believers remains intact.  Sometimes, though, it takes another person to come along and point out to the brother or sister where they are in fault.  Sometimes they either don’t see that fault, or they willfully don’t want to acknowledge it.  A godly fellow believer needs to take them aside and gently, with prayer and a great deal of love and compassion, speak to them about the sin they are in.

Unfortunately, this is rarely done in churches today, not because there are few who continue in ongoing sin, but because others are too afraid to be labeled as “judging”.  Perhaps a believer has fallen into adultery and in an ongoing affair.  Speaking to the sinner about that is not judging, as everyone knows adultery is a sin, but no one wants to say anything.  Paul here instructs the church that a godly believer is to seek to restore the fallen one.  The key phrase here is to “restore”, not to condemn them if they are repentant.  This is to be done with gentleness, with meekness and humility, being careful that they not fall into sin themselves.  Confrontation in love and humility is constructive, not destructive.

Lest anyone continue to say that we are not to judge, there are other Scriptures that back this up - Matthew 18:15 and James 5:19-20.  Jesus loved and accepted people, but He also confronted people when they were wrong.  We see this when He boldly and openly confronted Simon, a Pharisee who had invited Jesus to dinner (Luke 7:36-50).  He never glossed over people’s sins.  Jesus loved them enough to confront them.  Genuine love dares to confront and correct.

The second teaching of St. Paul in this Scripture passage is that of sowing and reaping (vs. 7-8).  Some people think that their behavior and lifestyle will never generate judgment from God.  They’ve been living their sinful ways for years, and nothing has happened.  However, they are wrong.  God promises that they will eventually reap what they sow.  In the same manner, godly believers who have toiled and toiled for the Lord year after year, sometimes feel that God has not taken any notice of them.  Likewise, they will eventually reap what they sow, too.  There are some seeds that sprout very quickly after planting, and others that take a long, long time.  Paul encourages us to not grow weary, because we will eventually reap God’s blessings, even if we see nothing right away (vs. 9).

God’s justice is immutable.  What we sow in our life, whether spiritually or carnally, will yield eternal consequences.  Whatever we sow will produce its own kind (Genesis 1:11).  We need to turn away from earthly pursuits, and instead sow into the Kingdom of God.  Don’t sow seeds of corruption.  Instead, sow seeds that will reap eternal life.

We cannot rebel against God and not reap the fruit of that choice later.  We also cannot obey God without eventually receiving blessings.  We plant seeds and they determine the kind of crop we will harvest in the future.  Plant carnality and sin, and that is what we eventually reap.  Plant for God and His Kingdom, and we reap His blessings, if not in this life, definitely in the next.  Don’t become weary or give up hope.  Our choices in life are important, and our blessings will come.

In closing, ask yourself what you want to reap.  A gardener will be selective of the seeds he plants.  We need to be, as well.  Do you want to reap the results of a life of sin?  If that is what you plant in your life, that is what you will get.  We cannot fool God and plant sin, and get blessings.  It is only when we plant with God and eternity in mind that we will reap those blessings.  Remember, sow what you want to reap.

Give A Testimony For God

Psalm 66

Have you ever given a personal testimony to a group of people about what the Lord has done for you?  Perhaps at a church prayer meeting there is the opportunity to speak up.  Maybe after announcements are made during Sunday worship the pastor or priest might ask if anyone has something to say or share, you are able to stand up and share a testimony for the Lord, something that He has done for you or your family.  Today’s psalm is one of giving praise and public testimony for what God has done, both for the psalmist personally, and what He has done for the nation, as well.

Psalm 66 was written by an unknown psalmist, but one who wanted to give public testimony, praise, and worship, both for what the Lord had done for the nation of Israel, and also for what He had done for himself, as well.  As the psalm opens, the psalmist gives a call for people to worship the Lord, and bring Him praise (vs 1-4).  This call to worship went out, not just to his own people, the nation of Israel, but also to the whole world, the Gentile nations as well.  This aligns with many verses throughout the Old Testament where Scripture states that the Gentile nations will come to worship Yahweh.  It also anticipates the millennial reign of Jesus Christ when all nations will worship Him (Zechariah 14:16).  As believers, we should be the ones leading in joyful praise of our Savior.

Next the psalmist focuses on giving public praise and testimony of what the Lord has done for the nation as a whole (vs. 5-7).  The Lord God had done so many things for them, that there was no way he could list them all, so he spoke of the greatest one.  If one asked the people of Israel what was the greatest thing that God had done for them, most would probably speak of His deliverance of them from slavery in Egypt, and His parting of the Red Sea for them to cross and escape the armies of the Egyptians.  This is the miracle that the psalmist highlighted in his testimony.

Over the years many have said that the miracle of the parting of the waters of the Red Sea for the Hebrew people to cross on dry ground did not happen, and that it was just some allegorical message of encouragement in difficult times, but never literally happened.  That is not so.  God’s works are not allegorical.  They are real, historical events that demonstrate His intervention in human affairs.  This miraculous event that the psalmist spoke of was a literal miracle that the Lord gave His people, affirming His power and faithfulness to them.  We can take hope and comfort from that, that as the Lord delivered His people then, He will also deliver all those who trust in His Son in their time of need.

The psalmist continued to give testimony of how the Lord is faithful during the times that we go through trials and periods of refinement (vs. 8-12).  We learn as we read through the Bible, that trials are part of God’s refining process.  We learn to trust in God and His love and care for us as we go through various trials and tribulations.  God also uses these as a means to refine us, clear out the bad habits and sins out of our life, just as silver and gold is refined by going through the fire.  It may be a difficult process and hurt, but if we allow God to do His work, and trust in Him, we will come out the better for it, just like that bar of gold or silver.

The psalmist next turns to his own personal life.  First he gives personal worship to the Lord (vs. 13-15).  He also recounts how he will keep the vows that he made to God.  Perhaps during a very difficult and trying time, maybe one of those periods of refinement mentioned earlier, the psalmist made a promise, a vow to the Lord.  Now he wants to keep that vow, and brings his sacrifices to the Temple, showing his gratitude and obedience.  Today we don’t make animal sacrifices to God, but we can offer spiritual sacrifices to Him, sacrifices of praise, service, and holy living (Romans 12:1; Hebrews 13:15).

The psalmist continues to give his personal testimony (vs. 16-20).  One verse here that many should be familiar with is verse 18 where we are warned that keeping unconfessed sin in our heart and life will hinder our prayers to the Lord.  When a believer has unconfessed sins, God will not respond to their prayers.  Before coming to God in prayer, we need to take a good, thorough look in our heart, and sincerely confess and repent of any known sin.  When we have done that, we can then pray with full confidence that God hears our prayers.

In closing we see that there are many opportunities and occasions for giving a public testimony for the Lord.  The Scriptures are full of accounts of the Lord intervening and working in the lives of His people.  And these are not just made up tales to make us think He’s a great God.  These are genuine, real accounts showing that He is a great God!  We should look in our own past and reflect on past deliverances to help strengthen our faith in our present trials.  Make sure we have examined our heart for any unconfessed sins in order to maintain full fellowship with the Lord.  Finally, be sure to share your testimony to encourage others and to bring glory to Jesus!