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Understanding the Second Commandment: Idol Worship and God's Jealousy

Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments…Exodus 20.5-6 “Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them…” This verse is part of the second…

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No More Soothsayers

And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand; and thou shalt have no more soothsayers…Micah 5.12 “And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand…” These are prophetic words spoken by the LORD, declaring a time that is to come when He will eradicate evil. He declares that He will cut off the cities, the strongholds, and the chariots that His enemies take pride in. All their military might,…

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Leaders

But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many…Mark 10.43-45 “But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:..” This…

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Praise the LORD: A Call for All Nations

O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise Him, all ye people. For His merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD…Psalm 117.1-2 “O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise Him, all ye people…” This is the shortest chapter in the Bible; however, despite its length, it highlights one of the most important passages. The first verse is a call…

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Lost Sheep

I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments…Psalm 119.176 “I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant…” This is the final verse to the longest Bible chapter, and it ends not with a plea. This speaks to the nature of men and our weakness towards sin. The passage in verse 175, “Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy…

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The Power of Peace Through God's Law

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them…Psalm 119.165 “Great peace have they which love thy law…” Perfect peace that surpasses all understanding. A sense of calm and tranquillity amidst the pouring torrential storm happening around you. This is the security for the one who loves God’s law. A lesson from the Psalmist’s experience that obedience to the Word,…

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Finding Deliverance in Affliction: Insights from Psalms

Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law…Psalm 119.153 “Consider mine affliction, and deliver me…” In this verse, the Psalmist is praying to God at a time he was surrounded by those who would harm him, and he asks the LORD to consider his affliction. Afflictions always trouble our hearts and leave us unsettled with life. Whether it is fear or doubt that plagues us,…

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Understanding Psalm 119: A Call for Divine Attention

Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O Lord, quicken me according to thy judgment…Psalm 119.149 “Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness…” This is a prayer by the Psalmist during a time of great mischief, when those who did not abide by God’s law and sought to harm David were drawing closer to him. David prays to be heard by the LORD, not because he spent the night meditating…

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Finding Life Through Understanding God's Word

The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live…Psalm 119.144 “The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting…” The Psalmist gives praise to the Word of God because it is upright and uncorruptible. The testimonies shared concerning the wonders Yahweh has done to mankind are all good. The Gospel of Jesus Christ gives hope and radiates light to the…

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Guided by Faith: Order My Steps in Your Word

Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me…Psalm 119.133 “Order my steps in thy word…” This is a call for direct action—a prayer of intervention in one’s life. The Psalmist asks the LORD to order his steps according to His Word because he did not trust that his personal judgments would be enough. He had faith that God would lead him down the right path, and just…

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Eyes on Righteousness: Trusting God's Timing

Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness…Psalm 119.123 “Mine eyes fail for thy salvation…” The Psalmist, as a servant of God, longed for salvation. He stared upward to heaven and waited eagerly. He did not allow his eyes to be swayed away by the troubles from his oppressors or the proud. Still, his eyes became tired and weary from the long wait, while his heart…

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Finding Refuge in Faith: God as Our Shield

Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word…Psalm 119.114 “Thou art my hiding place and my shield…” Great is the faithfulness of God, and His Word is a lamp unto my feet, which directs me away from harm. Jehovah protects His people under his wings from the wrath and envy of man, and every attempt from the devil to steal us. The LORD Jesus Christ covers us from the price of sin. He…

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Hating False Ways: Embracing Godly Understanding

Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way…Psalm 119.104 “Through thy precepts I get understanding…” The wisdom that comes from the LORD is worth more than any knowledge on earth. The precepts teach us how to love God, how to do unto others and how we ought to walk. It corrects us from our mistakes and guides us to a good ending. A wise man in the ways of the…

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Finding Perfection in God’s Commandments

I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad…Psalm 119.96 “I have seen an end of all perfection…” The Psalmist reigned over all of Israel, and he had amassed a great wealth, yet when he considered the perfection of humanity, their riches, beauty, stories and life, he understood that the perfection of men was faulty. Everything that belongs to man eventually meets…

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Faith Amid Trials: Lessons from Psalm 119

For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes…Psalm 119.83 “For I am become like a bottle in the smoke…” Bottles during the days of the psalmist were made of animal skin, and the people had a tradition of hanging the newly created bottles over firey chimneys to harden them. The effects of the heat would shrink the bottles, while the smoke would blacken them, and…

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A Sound Heart: Embracing Divine Teachings in Daily Life

Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed…Psalm 119.80 “Let my heart be sound in thy statutes…” This is a prayer by the psalmist, and he acknowledges God as his one and true Creator. David had a desire to be closer to God, to follow His Way and get an understanding of His Word. So he prays and asks God to let his heart be sound in God’s doctrines. That his inward self may be…

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Teach All Nations, Baptize Them

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost…Matthew 28.19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…” The meeting between the resurrected Jesus Christ and His eleven disciples in Galilee is the last time they were all together. After this day, Jesus ascended into heaven, and the disciples went out in different directions.…

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