2019 Jan 29 Psalm 89, Titus 1
2019 Jan 29 Psalm 89, Titus 1
Hello, with warm wishes for a pleasant day! Let's open with our continued consideration of Psalm 89 for the day, verses 46-48:
After being foretold to suffer a humiliating defeat, God's chosen one responds to Jehovah with several pointed questions, that no doubt many will be wondering:
"46 How long, O Jehovah, will you hide yourself? Will it be forever? Will your rage continue to burn like a fire? 47 Remember how short my life is! Was it to no purpose that you created all humans? 48 What man can live and never see death? Can he save himself from the power of the Grave? (Selah)
Psalm 89:46 There were times throughout the Bible record when God brought punishment even on his own people, in anger at their rebelliousness against Him. It would not happen, or the chastisement would be to a lesser degree, if His people would truly repent and turn around from their wrong ways. For instance, at Jeremiah 30:11, God says regarding His people: "“For I am with you,” declares Jehovah, “to save you. But I will make an extermination among all the nations to which I scattered you; However, you I will not exterminate. I will discipline you to the proper degree, And I will by no means leave you unpunished.”" The questions nevertheless continue as to this display of God's rage:
Psalm 89:47,48 Clearly this punishment by God comes at a time while the current system of things continues, when people's lives are still "short." Thus the pointed question, "Was it to no purpose that you created all humans?" God's word reveals His purpose regarding humans is to allow them to live endlessly. But when?Jehovah's anger will indeed be brought to an end toward His own people, as His word foretells an extended time of peace under the Millennial Reign of Christ. At that time only certain individuals could treacherously turn to evil practices refusing God's help and lose their lives, but the peace of humanity earth-wide will not be marred. Even trees have outlived humans, but not so in the coming days:
Isaiah 65:20-23 foretells this time: "“No more will there be an infant from that place who lives but a few days, Nor an old man who fails to live out his days. For anyone who dies at a hundred will be considered a mere boy, And the sinner will be cursed, even though he is a hundred years of age. 21 They will build houses and live in them, And they will plant vineyards and eat their fruitage. 22 They will not build for someone else to inhabit, Nor will they plant for others to eat. For the days of my people will be like the days of a tree, And the work of their hands my chosen ones will enjoy to the full. 23 They will not toil for nothing, Nor will they bear children for distress, Because they are the offspring made up of those blessed by Jehovah, And their descendants with them."
Titus 1:3,4 After acknowledging the "accurate knowledge of the truth that is according to godly devotion" Paul mentions that God refuses the lie. While we likely have come to love the truth of God, we should appreciate the role of godly devotion, as the truth should always be found in harmony with the God of love, Jehovah, and in support of His will that all humans come to love Him as our Father and Life-giver. (James 1:12). Verses 3,4 mention how God, in his own due time, made known His word to the nations largely through the preaching entrusted to Paul, under the oversight of the Word, Jesus Christ, by the labor of many of the early Christians. Thus the message of salvation became available to both Jews and Gentiles alike, at a time when communication was nothing like is possible in these last days. These verses read as follows: "but in his own due time, he made his word known through the preaching entrusted to me according to the command of our Savior, God; 4 to Titus, a genuine child according to the faith we share: May you have undeserved kindness and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior." May we continue loving the word of God as clarifying to us the truth about God and His loving purpose for mankind, enabling us to draw close to Him through His promised redeemer, Jesus. Hosea 13:14 says: "From the power of the Grave I will redeem them; From death I will recover them. Where are your stings, O Death? Where is your destructiveness, O Grave?..."
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Between Winchester, Virginia, and hopefully, Washington D.C., having confidence that our thankful trust in God will not fail to inspire us to the peace He has purposed via His Kingdom!
