Time with Jesus - Monday, 01 April 2013
Hi all,
Attached herewith, please find a copy of my latest Daily Light Meditation in rhyme and metre.
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| Leaping Lamb Rejoice - He is Alive |
Attached herewith, please find a copy of my latest Daily Light Meditation in rhyme and metre.
Today we take a brief look at Psalm 112 and 128. These are two of the
Psalms I’ve rephrased into English style poetry. To rephrase them this way does
not “improve” them in any way. It merely phrases them into a style more
familiar to English speaking readers. In some ways, it does these Psalms a
dis-service. The reason is, Hebrew poetry is very different from English
poetry. To better understand this, read David Pawson’s Book; “Unlocking the
Bible”. At present it is readily available in CUM. The cost is currently R140.
David’s book is an overview of the entire Bible and is well worth reading. In
it, David has a chapter in which readers are introduced to Hebrew poetry.
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| Jim & Phyllida in Paris |
Comments and previous Devotionals can be found on my Blog – http://jimnphyllida.blogspot.com
Please forward my poetry to others you think would enjoy it. All I ask is
that it is not used for commercial purposes.
Shalom,
Jim
& Phyllida Strickland
Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
Time with Jesus – Monday, 01 April 2013
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Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
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©
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These
devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright
protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it
is for non-commercial Christian purposes
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©
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INTRODUCTION
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DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES
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Psalm 112 and 128
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The Psalms are a constant source of inspiration and guidance. Furthermore,
they are always appropriate for any day and at any time.
One of the keys to understanding the Psalms is to understand that they
were written in an agrarian culture. To some extent it would be very similar
to what we know as African and Arabic culture. Basically the women took care
of the home, its needs and the children. The men provided protection for the
homes and became soldiers in the army when needed. Travel was difficult.
Unless you had a donkey or a mule you would have to walk from place to place.
30 to 35 km per day would be typical for a family with children. Less, if old
people were travelling. To help “while away the time” while walking, a group
would sing.
Psalms 120 to 134 are called Songs of Ascent, or songs of degrees. This
is because pilgrims would sing them as they went to and from Jerusalem for
the Jewish festivals. Psalm 128, which is included today, contains references
to: walking, Jerusalem, provision from the Lord and blessings on the people.
These songs would be sung with great joy. I remember singing; I’ve got
the joy, joy, joy joy, down in my heart. One of the verses was, I’ve got the
peace which passes understanding down in my heart. Another was, I’ve got
peace like a river. For some reason, choruses or hymns along these lines,
reflect what happens when Jesus comes into your heart!
Peace is an extraordinary experience. Many people think it is the opposite
of war. There is a sense in which this is true. But the peace of God is so
much more than that. I’m told that during the first century, the Christian
martyrs went to their death, with a sense of calm so great, that even Roman
soldiers were envious of them. I’ve been told, that some of the soldiers were
so impressed with the way they went to their death, one or two took off their
armour and joined the Christians. The comment was that if the Christian God
was so powerful that Christians could die like that, they should join them!
To get a better grasp on peace and its meaning in the Christian context,
read Foxes book of Martyrs. It’s fairly readily available in Christian
Booksellers. Alternatively, it is available on e-Sword. http://www.e-sword.net/support.html
It’s a bit gruesome in places. But it is part of our Christian heritage.
Furthermore, if that’s what happened and is still happening to Christians, we
need the peace of God to go through such experiences. I’m not looking forward
to it. But in the world today, we aren’t immune to having to suffer and die
for our belief in Jesus Christ.
In today’s meditation, we look at two psalms which help to strengthen
our trust in Jesus and help us prepare for whatever might happen.
Jim & Phyllida
Strickland
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24 And Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and
named it Yahweh-Shalom (which means "the
LORD is peace"). The altar remains in Ophrah in the land of the
clan of Abiezer to this day.
Judges 6:24 NLT
9 But you will have a son who will be a
man of peace. I will give him peace with his enemies in all the surrounding
lands. His name will be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel during
his reign.
1 Chron. 22:9 NLT
42 The queen from the south will stand up at the time
of judgment with you. She will condemn you, because she came from the ends of
the earth to hear Solomon's wisdom. But look,
someone greater than Solomon is here!
Mat 12:42 GW
6 A child will be born to
us. A son will be given to us. He will rule over us. And he will be called
Wonderful Adviser and Mighty God. He will also be called Father Who Lives
Forever and Prince Who Brings Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 NIrV
18 My people will live in
safety, quietly at home. They will be at rest. 19 Even if the forest should be destroyed and the city
torn down.
Isaiah 32:18-19 NLT
14 So he is our peace.
In his body he has made Jewish and non-Jewish people one by breaking down the
wall of hostility that kept them apart.
Eph. 2:14GW
5 This man will be their
peace. When the Assyrians invade our land and trample our palaces, we
will attack them with seven shepherds and eight leaders.
Micah 5:5 GW
14 They will go to war
against the lamb. The lamb will conquer them because he is Lord of lords and
King of kings. Those who are called, chosen, and faithful are with
him."
Rev 17:14 GW
27 "I'm leaving you
peace. I'm giving you my peace. I don't give you the kind of peace
that the world gives. So don't be troubled or cowardly.
John 14:27 GW
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Psalm 112
i)
Blessed
is the person who fears the Sovereign Lord,
Who takes a great delight in His command.
ii)
His
children will be mighty in the land. And his reward?
A blessed generation who can stand;
iii) Wealth and riches in his house, with
righteousness forever,
Where the light obliterates the dark.
iv) Gracious deeds, compassion, will
forsake the righteous never
An upright, righteous man will have this mark.
v)
Good
will surely come to him who generously lends,
Conducting his affairs and being just.
vi) He will not be shaken; will not need
to make amends;
Remembered as a person one can trust.
vii) He will not be fearful of bad news for
he will be
Steadfast, ever trusting in the Lord.
viii) He will be secure and will not fear
what he might see;
Triumphing o'er his foes is his reward.
ix) He has scattered gifts unto the poor. His
righteousness
Endures until the very end of time. His horn will be exalted and with honour he'll be blessed. He will not be guilty of a crime.
x)
Wicked
men will see it and be vexed as they observe;
Gnash their teeth and slowly waste away. Their longings come to nothing, they’ll get what they deserve; Reaping what was sown yesterday.
---oooOOOooo---
PSALM 128
A Song of Ascents
i) Blessed are those who fear The Lord Who
walk in all His ways
ii) You'll eat the fruit of what you do
and prosper all your days.
iii) Your wife will be a fruitful vine
within your house and home;
Your sons, just like an olive grove, around your table, grown!
iv) This is how The Lord will bless the
man who, His name, fears.
v) From Zion may He bless your life, for
all your coming years;
May you see great prosperity; Jerusalem's as well;
vi) And live to see your grandchildren.
Peace be on Israel.
---oooOOOooo---
Jim Strickland
Written 1995
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