Saturday, October 10, 2015

THE CUP

Today’s Reading: Psalms 74-76

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

Jacob’s Well lies in the crypt of a modern Greek Orthodox church at Nablus in the West Bank. It is located at the entrance to a mountain pass between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal (referred to in Joshua 8). It is often considered the most authentic site in the Holy Land, since no one can move a well that was originally dug more than 40 metres deep into solid rock. Jacob’s well is where Jesus asked a Samaritan woman for a drink and offered her “living water” (John 4:5-42)…from a much different “cup” than what the psalmist refers to in today’s reading.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: Psalm 75:8

For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup,

And the wine is red;

It is fully mixed, and He pours it out;

Surely its dregs shall all the wicked of the earth

Drain and drink down.

 

We should always remember to let the Bible interpret the Bible, comparing Scripture with Scripture. Concerning the CUP in the hand of the Lord, we may consider the words of Jesus in His prayer of agony just before His arrest. “O My Father, if it is possible, let this CUP pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39b). The contents of the CUP are spoken of in Revelation 16:19, “The CUP of the wine of the fierceness of His [God’s] wrath.” God’s anger against sin, dammed up since the sin of our first parents, is in the CUP which our Saviour drank. “We implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:20b & 21). For a New Testament reading check out 2 Corinthians 5:9-21. The Apostle Paul urges us to have an aim to live our lives well pleasing to God (2 Corinthians 5:9).

In Psalm 74:10-11a there are three questions asked by David’s worship leader, Asaph. Asaph has found the answer and records in Psalm 75:2, “When I [God] choose the proper time, I will judge uprightly.” God will put the final period to the last history book of our time on earth. We can trust God to fulfill His complete purpose for us. We are His creation and the object of His love. Amen!!!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, the first verse of Psalm 75 speaks to me and for me…”We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your Name is near.” May I show my thankfulness by living a life which is pleasing to You. Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’ve asked Dr. John Hull, Global CEO of Crossroads, to comment on today’s reading. Here’s John-

Many in our media culture are growing increasingly accustomed to defaming and mocking the One we love. And while we must love them and pray for their hearts to soften to the things of God, the writer of the 76th Psalm makes very clear just who God is — and the fear and respect He deserves and demands. In this Psalm, God is described as a mighty Warrior who breaks down the weapons of human warfare (verses1-3). God is depicted as “resplendent with light” and “more majestic than mountains rich with wild game” (verse 4). As the most valiant of men and warriors may try to position themselves as superior, by comparison, not one of them can even begin to lift their strong hands to an even stronger God (verse 5). A healthy view of the very character of God includes not only His love and mercy, but His justice and majesty. When attacks on God persist all around you, never forget that God, in His wisdom and grace, is in control, and in all of eternity He will have the final say…and humankind will listen and tremble. – John

Yours for getting to know John Hull. God willing there will be more from John tomorrow,

David

 

17 thoughts on “Saturday, October 10, 2015

    • OVERHEARD IN AN ORCHARD

      Said the Robin to the Sparrow:
      “I should really like to know
      Why these anxious human beings
      Rush about and worry so?”

      Said the Sparrow to the Robin:
      “Friend, I think that it must be
      That they have no Heavenly Father
      Such as cares for you and me.”
      —Elizabeth Cheney

  1. Your commentary resonates with truth and sound insight. Thank you for sharing, John, and I am looking forward to reading more.

  2. Amen! We need to know that God is a God of mercy and judgement. Thank you John Hull for sharing! Like all the postings this morning and will put some on Facebook.

  3. It will be interesting to see if Dr. John Hull will be able to keep his comments within the imposed 100 word limit!
    Shalom,
    Graham.
    2012 Holy Land Yellow Bus.
    PS Looking forward to the 10,000th programme on the 14th.

  4. Thanks be to God who knows the beginning from the end, in Whom we can trust!!!
    Thank you David for your words of wisdom and faithfulness each morning as you and all who contribute in bring us this manna!!

  5. Thank you John Hull for your 100 WORDS.
    Much needed in these days.
    I pray consistently for more people to get to know Our AWESOME and WONDERFUL, GREAT GOD,
    Without HIM we are NOTHING, and just KNOWING HE IS IN ” CONTROL ”
    brings to me the knowledge I need to be at PEACE in this troubled world we face today and the COURAGE to spread all I have learned. (thanks to crossroads) to all my friends and family who yet don’t know Our LORD.
    As the great I AM.

  6. If Jesus was a bank and sin was money,He would be broke.He took on all our debts/sin and agreed to pay them even while we withdraw more from His account.It is His boundless love that He pays our debt with so that we get the grace of God saying “paid in full”.If you think you have too much sin to ‘qualify’ then you are wrong.Everyone who truly repents is offered this free gift and you will not be free of sin on earth but your heart will guide you down the right path when you accept Him into your life.It has to be experienced to be believed.You can not ‘pretend’ to believe because He knows your heart.You have freedom to choose;He doesn’t want slaves only servants who are kings.
    https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%205:9-21&version=ERV

    It took me a while but I found the poem with the only line I could remember:
    This is the line I was searching for:
    ” A slave is not His goal,”…..it’s all about free choice.

    Control (I believe this to be true.)

    Satan blends his thoughts with yours,
    You think they came from you,
    For his goal is to close all doors,
    To control everything you do.

    He starts this at an early age,
    His lies make you the liar
    And when you are in a rage,
    Is when you fuel his hellfire.

    But just like Satan who sneaks in,
    There is Another who is true,
    For He knows well about sin
    And what Satan wants with you.

    He will only enter if invited,
    A slave is not His goal,
    He seeks a fire be ignited
    From within to make you whole.
    G W(Bill) Marshall / 13 June, 2013

  7. I attended a play of local theatre actors; half way through the Lord’s Name was used in Vain! I jumped up and shouted “No! your acting is excellent, why are you using God’s Name like that?” Of course it threw the actors off, and I walked out! THen I remembered I came with my neighbour so I had to wait until the play was over!
    I checked the list of sponsors and I was able to contact all 7; I told them why I was concerened about this play and 6 sponsors cancelled their sponsorship! 3 sponsors mentioned that they don’t used God’s Name in Vain and wouldn’t support someone who did!
    The following year I won 2 tickets to a play, same theatre and the same thing happened again! And again I walked out; and contacted the sponsors, 5 of them, and 4 cancelled their sponsorship!
    Now when the ads appear in the appear advertising a play the words “THIS PLAY MANY CONTAIN ADULT LANGUAGE”! Imagine! The Lord’s Name is adult language! May God have mercy on these people!
    There are some Christian actors in my area! I’ve talked to them about this issue, they understand, and they would not do a play where God’s Name has to be used in Vain UNLESS it was to bless someone!
    Please pray for a sister in Christ, Marg who fell and injured her eye!
    Pray that her vision will be completely restored and she will be able to continue directing music and organ playing at church.

    HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE!

Leave a Reply to Jennifer Smith Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.