Psalm 41 - Same but Different

As we jump back into Psalms today, I wanted to share this quick thought that my good friend Mike Kilbane emailed me this morning on chapter 41. I thought it both simple and profound:

"The consistency of the themes in the bible continues to amaze me; especially after growing up thinking there was an Old Testament and a New Testament God. The more I read and understand, the more I see that age to age He is the same. What a great comfort it is to not have to reconcile or explain that God suddenly became “nice” after He sent Jesus to die for our sins."

"Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble." - Psalm 41:1

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." -Matthew 5:7

"God has always been concerned about the weak, the poor, and the needy. He has always opposed the proud and oppressive. His character didn’t change, just our contract with Him. He renegotiated the terms of our eternity and we got the benefit."

God, thank you for your consistency and your faithfulness. Thank you for revealing your never changing love and compassion repeatedly in scripture. Thank you for opening my eyes, through your Spirit, to your truth. Amen

Nehemiah 10 - Sacred Rites

So once again, the Israelites made a promise. In light and in line with their neglect, here's what they said: "In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it." Promises are a big deal to God. Scripture tells us it's better not to make a promise than to make one and break it. So it would make sense to think them through, especially before we make them to God.

Here are some thoughts from Matthew Henry on Nehemiah 10:

Having covenanted against the sins of which they had been guilty, they obliged themselves to observe the duties they had neglected. We must not only cease to do evil, but learn to do well. Let not any people expect the blessing of God, unless they keep up public worship. It is likely to go well with our houses, when care is taken that the work of God's house goes on well. When every one helps, and every one gives, though but little, toward a good work, the whole will come to be a large sum. We must do what we can in works of piety and charity; and whatever state we are placed in, cheerfully perform our duty to God, which will be the surest way to ease and liberty. As the ordinances of God are the appointed means of support to our souls, the believer will not grudge the expense; yet most people leave their souls to starve.