Into every life, including that of a “growing, maturing” Christian, must fall some hardship! In fact, it even seems that God “uses” such times of testing and trial to make us stronger!

And our little Psalm of praise, Psalm 66, is so realistic in this area. Listen to the worshipping Psalmist! “For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.” Psalm 66:10

Without a single “hint” as to why, here the provocations and trials of life are acknowledged … as being from Heaven!

God “proved” His children!

Still does.

The word used for “prove” here is a Hebrew verb, “bachan.” Used only 29 times in the whole Bible, it means “to examine, to try, to scrutinize.” The Lord is not trying to hurt us … rather to authenticate us! To see if we are “real, genuine” in our faith!

The parallel verb “to try” means “to refine, to smelt, to purge (from dross, impurity), to be a goldsmith!” A process, though not pleasant, which enhances the utility and value of any metallic possession!

“In the fire,” so to speak … placed there by the Will of God, under and within the hand of God!

“For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.”

But “why?”

Maybe to keep us humble!

Maybe to make our faith stronger!

Maybe to condition us not to quit so easily!

Maybe to teach us God’s Word, to a greater degree!

Maybe to prepare us to help others who later will be so tested!

Maybe to prove to the devil (as in Job’s case) that we are not serving God only for the blessings He gives!

Folks, there is ample Bible proof, plenty of it, behind every one of the suggested reasons I’ve listed above.

But today, just the fact … He “proves” His Own children.

Hebrews 12:5-8 gives us the New Testament perspective. “My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.”

Yes, that’s being “proved and tried” all right!

But it is also clear evidence that we belong to Jesus!

Not illegitimate!

In His Hand … safe, for sure.

But also … cleansed!

Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

Today we consider one line from our Psalm, Psalm 66. It speaks of the Power of God, Power He utilizes to keep us safe! To keep us stable, steadfast!

Here it is, King James Version, Psalm 66:9. “Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.” The Pronoun “Which” has as its antecedent, “our God,” back in verse 8.

And He “holds” our soul! This Hebrew verb is “sum” (pronounced “soom”), which means “to set in place.” Or “to appoint, ordain, mark.” God superintends our very souls!

The Hebrew concept of a “soul” (spelled “nephesh”) means “consciousness” itself. It is derived from a verb stem meaning “to take a fresh breath!” And the noun “life” means “the state of being quickened, of being constantly revived!”

God … “Who holdeth our soul in life.”

This sounds like absolute “security” to me!

But then our verse continues. God also “suffers not our feet to be moved.”

The verb “suffereth” translates “nathan,” the main Hebrew verb for “giving.” God grants our feet surety! No slipping or sliding! The infinitive “to be moved” means “to waver, to shake, to totter!”

Put the verse back together again, and say a prayer of thanks! “Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.”

Wow!

This sounds somewhat like Psalm 121:3-8. “He (the Lord) will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.”

Again I say, protection!

If we have remained faithful, for any number of years, it is not US so much! It is HIS KEEPING POWER that has maintained us, that has sustained us, that has upheld us!

No wonder Paul then could years later write: “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6

Same idea, Old Testament and New.

Praise the Lord!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

Today’s Verse is “pure praise!”

Directed from a godly Psalmist to a Holy God!

Psalm 66:8 succinctly says: “O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard.” Using two imperative verbs, “bless” and “be heard!”

This almost sounds like we have an “obligation,” albeit a delightful privilege as well, to praise the Lord! These are commands, folks!

The first verb (which is the very first word in the Hebrew sentence) is “barak,” meaning “to bless.” But in this sense, “to kneel down” in front of the one you are adoring! It also can mean “to salute, congratulate, or praise!”

The noun “God” is here spelled “elohiym,” the “Strong One!” Also the “Triune One,” if one studies the “number” of the word. It is plural!

And “people” translates “am” in Hebrew, suggesting a group of “kinsmen!” A “nation” of individuals.

“To make heard” is “shama.” It both means “to hear” but also “to obey!” The verb nearly suggests a sort of evangelism, an apologetic (which means a “defense” of our faith) … seeking to persuade men and women of God’s Greatness!

And the noun “praise” is “tehillah,” ultimately derived from “halal” of “hallelujah” fame! “To shine” with gladness, praising the Lord! The verb may also involve some sort of musical instrument.

Wow!

“O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard.”

What an honor, to try to do exactly what this verse asks of us … and to be doing it all day long!

Anyone interested?

Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

The word many critics of Scripture often use is “triumphalism.” It’s the belief that a particular doctrine, religion, culture, or social system is superior to and will outlast all others.”

Yet the Bible presents a God, the only True God, Who is TRIUMPHANT indeed!

The day Jesus preached of Himself, “I AM THE TRUTH,” settled all the “Who is right” questions forever! And our Lord said exactly that in John 14:6.

Now let’s look at today’s Verse, Psalm 66:7. Talk about triumphalism!

“He (God) ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.” Again, Psalm 66:7, King James Version.

He rules forever!

He controls (lords over) all nations!

And He will tolerate no rebellion!

Yes, He is Triumphant!

The verb “ruleth” is spelled “mashal” in Hebrew. It means “to reign, to govern, to have dominion” over someone or something. It’s the same “stem” from which the Old Testament word “proverb” derives! Little wise sayings that are “to rule” our lives!

But something authenticates, solidifies God’s Reign, that being His “power.” That first clause again: “He ruleth by his POWER for ever ….” Here the noun “geburah” is employed, “strength, force, might,” being related to words like “champion, conqueror, chief, valiant.”

In our Verse God’s eyes “behold” all the nations, too! Using a “vision” word that is unusual, being found only 37 times in all the Bible. “Tzsaphah” literally means “to spy!” It’s the “watchman” verb of the Old Testament, “to carefully watch, to patrol!” God does His Own “police” work, it seems!

And the noun “nations” simply means “gentiles.” Almost always used of non-Jews. God is not only Lord over Israel, He is an international Sovereign too!

Then Psalm 66:7 closes with a “warning.” Word for word: “Let not the rebellious exalt themselves.”

The adjective “rebellious” translates “sarar,” expressed as “stubborn, backsliders, and revolters” in the Old Testament. This, the whole idea of “rebellion,” reminds me of 1st Samuel 15:23. “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.”

Wow!

To “exalt” means (“rum” in Hebrew) to “rise up, to make lofty, to extol.” God delights in humility. But He equally despises pride! Both James and Peter say this. “God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”

Then the Verse closes with a single word, “Selah.” Part of its meaning implies: “Stop and think about what’s just been said! Ponder it!”

What a verse!

Yes, we are on the winning side! Because our great God … “He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.”

Amen.

Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

Speaking of God’s great works (Psalm 66:5, yesterday’s focus: “Come and see the works of God”), Psalm 66:6 now continues: “He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.” God in history!

As far as God making an ocean bed dry … Exodus 14:29 tells us: “But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.” A miracle, as the Jews escaped Egypt, the clutches of Pharaoh.

And then going through the flood on foot, the crossing of the River Jordan may be in view. This time under Joshua’s leadership. Joshua 3:13 tells the story, God talking. “And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.” What a promise!

And it happened! “And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people; and as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) that the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho. And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.” Joshua 3:14-17

No wonder Psalm 66:6 recounts these great events. “He (our Lord) turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.”

The verb “rejoice” is “samach” in Hebrew. They were “glad.” Twice in Scripture this verb is rendered “to be merry!” The “time/tense” property of this word suggests on-going joy, as well. Habitual delight, when viewing God’s great works!

Today, can you think of a thing or two God has done on your behalf?

Maybe not an ocean parting or a river splitting … but astounding nonetheless?

Like saving your soul?

Or protecting a loved one?

Or answering a prayer?

Or just being faithful?

If so, maybe we all should be more grateful to Him!

More “joyful” in Him!

Remember. “He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in Him.”

Today invest some time pondering one of God’s great deeds!

And consequently … worship Him.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell