Bible Reading for June 18 – Psalm 92

There’s more than enough time from Monday through Saturday to focus on all the evils in this world – the stupid senselessness and the wickedness that fills our TV and computer screens. So it’s no wonder that this “song for the Sabbath Day” would have us shift our focus away from the political wrangling and fear-mongering – and focus on God Himself.

And we need to remember: however menacing all these enemies of the Lord might seem, they will all perish (verse 9). Their threats are simply no match for the Lord’s power, and their arguments can never come close to challenging His wisdom (verse 5).

In contrast, all those who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb and clothed with His righteousness will flourish. Because they have drawn near to the source of living water, they will grow and thrive regardless of the difficult circumstances in which they find themselves, much as palm and cedar trees manage to remain green even in the semi-arid climate of the Middle East.

So, on the Sabbath Day, why not refresh ourselves in the house of the Lord, in the courts of our God (verse 13)? Why not give Him thanks for all the ways in which He has blessed us? Why not sing His praise for His self-sacrificial, unconditional, covenant-keeping love, and for the faithful way He keeps all His promises (verse 2)? Why not be glad and sing for joy for all the things He has done for us (verse 4)? For no matter how menacing the wickedness around us may seem, God is our rock, our place of safety and shelter. So, let’s run to Him on the day He has set aside for us to spend with Him.

Psalm 92 (NASB)

A Psalm, a Song for the Sabbath day.
It is good to give thanks to the LORD, And to sing praises to Thy name, O Most High;
2 To declare Thy lovingkindness in the morning, And Thy faithfulness by night,
3 With the ten-stringed lute, and with the harp; With resounding music upon the lyre.
4 For Thou, O LORD, hast made me glad by what Thou hast done, I will sing for joy at the works of Thy hands.
5 How great are Thy works, O LORD! Thy thoughts are very deep.
6 A senseless man has no knowledge; Nor does a stupid man understand this:
7 That when the wicked sprouted up like grass, And all who did iniquity flourished, It was only that they might be destroyed forevermore.
8 But Thou, O LORD, art on high forever.
9 For, behold, Thine enemies, O LORD, For, behold, Thine enemies will perish; All who do iniquity will be scattered.
10 But Thou hast exalted my horn like that of the wild ox; I have been anointed with fresh oil.
11 And my eye has looked exultantly upon my foes, My ears hear of the evildoers who rise up against me.
12 The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 Planted in the house of the LORD, They will flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They will still yield fruit in old age; They shall be full of sap and very green,
15 To declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.