For the Lord will not cast off His people, nor will He forsake His inheritance.
--Psalm 94:14 (NKJV)
From the daily Bible reading on May 19, 2013 of Psalm 94:12-23; Mark 16; 1 Samuel 23:7-24:13.
The 94th Psalm laments that wickedness exists in the world, accuses the wicked for their evil deeds and ways, and warns them that there will come a day when they will be judged and held accountable by God, for God knows what they are doing and even what they are thinking (please see verses 1-11). Then the psalmist turns more hopeful, expressing confidence in God's justice. The psalmist notes that the Lord often teaches us life lessons by chastening us and having us bear up under adversity. In this way we grow stronger and purer, and in doing so may be spared some future tribulations (verses 12 and 13). Of course, the wicked and others who refuse to learn what God would teach are fated to be cast into the pit, as we see happens to Satan in the book of Revelation (Revelation 19:20-20:3).
The psalmist follows this with words of comfort, by assuring us that God will not abandon His people, echoing the sentiments Samuel used to console the people after reminding them that they had done evil in God's eyes for wanting a king over them (1 Samuel 12:22). The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the church in Rome, also assures us that God will not cast us aside and provides scripture from the prophets to support his argument (Romans 11:1-5). For his part, Samuel backs up his assertion that God won't leave us alone simply because God is God, the very reputation of His name indicates He would never abandon us. Besides, Samuel says, it pleased the Lord to have created us, so why dump us?
And then the psalmist declares that God will not forsake His inheritance. That's us, God's inheritance. That's also Jesus. In yesterday's devotion (please see "The Greatest Pain"), we saw how Jesus cried out, "My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Mark 15:34.) But God hadn't really abandoned His Son, it just seemed like it at that moment to Jesus. And God doesn't really forsake us or cast us away, even those times when it seems like it to us. He simply won't do that. He can't do that, for His own sake! It is not in God's nature or His will to abandon us. The psalmist, Samuel, and Paul all took efforts to make sure we understand that we can rest assured of God's steadfast presence and faithfulness. If we feel He's turned from us, all we have to do is humbly pray and He will make His presence known.
One last measure of blessed assurance comes from Jesus Himself, when He promises, "And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20.) What greater comfort can we take than to know our Lord and Savior is with us always? He will never abandon us, nor forsake us. Amen.
Loving Father, You are ever faithful. So many times in Your Holy Word You tell us of Your love and that You could never forsake us nor leave us. Thank You so much for this assurance, dear Lord, and forgive us when we have those moments of nagging doubt. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for being with us always. In Your blessed name, sweet Jesus we pray. Amen.
The psalmist follows this with words of comfort, by assuring us that God will not abandon His people, echoing the sentiments Samuel used to console the people after reminding them that they had done evil in God's eyes for wanting a king over them (1 Samuel 12:22). The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the church in Rome, also assures us that God will not cast us aside and provides scripture from the prophets to support his argument (Romans 11:1-5). For his part, Samuel backs up his assertion that God won't leave us alone simply because God is God, the very reputation of His name indicates He would never abandon us. Besides, Samuel says, it pleased the Lord to have created us, so why dump us?
And then the psalmist declares that God will not forsake His inheritance. That's us, God's inheritance. That's also Jesus. In yesterday's devotion (please see "The Greatest Pain"), we saw how Jesus cried out, "My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Mark 15:34.) But God hadn't really abandoned His Son, it just seemed like it at that moment to Jesus. And God doesn't really forsake us or cast us away, even those times when it seems like it to us. He simply won't do that. He can't do that, for His own sake! It is not in God's nature or His will to abandon us. The psalmist, Samuel, and Paul all took efforts to make sure we understand that we can rest assured of God's steadfast presence and faithfulness. If we feel He's turned from us, all we have to do is humbly pray and He will make His presence known.
One last measure of blessed assurance comes from Jesus Himself, when He promises, "And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20.) What greater comfort can we take than to know our Lord and Savior is with us always? He will never abandon us, nor forsake us. Amen.
Loving Father, You are ever faithful. So many times in Your Holy Word You tell us of Your love and that You could never forsake us nor leave us. Thank You so much for this assurance, dear Lord, and forgive us when we have those moments of nagging doubt. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for being with us always. In Your blessed name, sweet Jesus we pray. Amen.
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