Benefits of Worshiping the True God

We are reminded that to worship the One True Lord is to our benefit. In contrast, it is pointless to worship idols made from our hands. It is futile to worship the idols and they only take our attention away from the True God. Besides idols, it is also pointless to worship animals and beast which are also creation of God.



Wisdom 15  (RSVCE)
Benefits of Worshiping the True God
15 But thou, our God, art kind and true,
patient, and ruling all things[a] in mercy.
2 For even if we sin we are thine, knowing thy power;
but we will not sin, because we know that we are accounted thine.
3 For to know thee is complete righteousness,
and to know thy power is the root of immortality.
4 For neither has the evil intent of human art misled us,
nor the fruitless toil of painters,
a figure stained with varied colors,
5 whose appearance arouses yearning in fools,
so that they desire[b] the lifeless form of a dead image.
6 Lovers of evil things and fit for such objects of hope[c]
are those who either make or desire or worship them.

The Foolishness of Worshiping Clay Idols
7 For when a potter kneads the soft earth
and laboriously molds each vessel for our service,
he fashions out of the same clay
both the vessels that serve clean uses
and those for contrary uses, making all in like manner;
but which shall be the use of each of these
the worker in clay decides.
8 With misspent toil, he forms a futile god from the same clay—
this man who was made of earth a short time before
and after a little while goes to the earth from which he was taken,
when he is required to return the soul that was lent him.
9 But he is not concerned that he is destined to die
or that his life is brief,
but he competes with workers in gold and silver,
and imitates workers in copper;
and he counts it his glory that he molds counterfeit gods.
10 His heart is ashes, his hope is cheaper than dirt,
and his life is of less worth than clay,
11 because he failed to know the one who formed him
and inspired him with an active soul
and breathed into him a living spirit.
12 But he[d] considered our existence an idle game,
and life a festival held for profit,
for he says one must get money however one can, even by base means.
13 For this man, more than all others, knows that he sins
when he makes from earthy matter fragile vessels and graven images.

14 But most foolish, and more miserable than an infant,
are all the enemies who oppressed thy people.
15 For they thought that all their heathen idols were gods,
though these have neither the use of their eyes to see with,
nor nostrils with which to draw breath,
nor ears with which to hear,
nor fingers to feel with,
and their feet are of no use for walking.
16 For a man made them,
and one whose spirit is borrowed formed them;
for no man can form a god which is like himself.
17 He is mortal, and what he makes with lawless hands is dead,
for he is better than the objects he worships,
since[e] he has life, but they never have.

Serpents in the Desert
18 The enemies of thy people[f] worship even the most hateful animals,
which are worse than all others, when judged by their lack of intelligence;
19 and even as animals they are not so beautiful in appearance that one would desire them,
but they have escaped both the praise of God and his blessing.

And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words

1 Corinthians 2:4
And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human[b] wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

Our preaching of the gospel to others need to come from our own knowing that the gospel is real. This is not just knowledge but a deep knowing of the reality. We can only do that when we sincerely believe of its truth and is living it out in our lives. Then human wisdom and presentation of the words itself is secondary because the power of God would take centre-stage when we preach from our own beliefs.

That I may know Him

Philippians 3:10
that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 

This is the ultimate goal - that is to know Christ. It does not mean to know about Him, His life, His glorification and so on. It means to really be connected to Yshua and we cannot really do so if our heart is somewhere else. We must fully focus on Christ or lose focus on Him easily. There is the knowledge of His Resurrection, sharing of His sufferings and understanding His death. Beyond this we have to encounter the real living Yshua that no doctrine or theology would be able to help us achieve.

Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you

 Luke 24:49
 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem[i] until you are endued with power from on high.”

This statement applies to the early disciples between the time of our Lord Yshua's Resurrection and His Ascension. As soon as He Ascended, He is Glorified and the Holy Spirit has been given to humankind ever since. The rest is up to us to receive the Holy Spirit when we make Yshua our Lord and Saviour. We have full access to our Lord through the person of the Holy Spirit who lives in each one of us who calls Yshua, LORD.

Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things

Isaiah 40:26
Lift up your eyes on high,
and behold who hath created these things,
that bringeth out their host by number:
he calleth them all by names
by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power;
not one faileth. 

In the same context as the last passage, these verses introduces the magnificence of God as the Creator of all. People going about their daily business may easily overlook God; this is true thousands of years ago as it is today.

The evidence of God is all around us. The cure for a society may be as simple as just stopping and looking up. Then we see the heavens, the trees, mountains and the world which is just so perfectly put together. Perhaps then we would realise our place in His Kingdom.

For the love of Christ compels us

2 Corinthians 5:14
For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 

Paul summarises accurately the source of his motivation which is the "love of Christ". This has changed his whole life, as it should with ours. It did not matter what people thought of him, what hardships and persecution that he had to go through. This causes a single minded to pursue what God wants us to do.

Although it is not mentioned explicitly, the love of Christ in us can only be manifested if the Holy Spirit is working. All believers are given the Holy Spirit to dwell in us. However, we must be open to receive the Holy Spirit in His power, only then can the power of God be manifested in our lives. It is a matter of asking to have none of us, and all of Him in our lives.

In order to turn them from darkness to light

Acts 26:17-18
 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now[a] send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’

A few key concepts of our Lord's mission for us is presented in this few verses. Firstly we need to be delivered from many people who will be against us. But God did not save us from our enemies and take us away. Instead His plan is to bring us back to those who do not believe and to open their eyes to bring them out of darkness.

The other sentence has the two major gifts, that is the forgiveness of our sins and the sanctification by faith in Christ. The forgiveness of sins is somethings which is given and cannot be earned. The sanctification process itself, will involve the Lord and we also cannot achieve this by ourselves.

The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues

Revelation 17:7-18

There are things the Scripture describes using allegory / symbolic and there are things which are literal. For the most cases when it is not literal, as in this chapter, the Scripture itself will provide the explanation. Hence in other parts of Scripture which does not give specific explanations, they are generally meant to be taken as literal.

In this chapter, the Woman and the Beast are symbolic and are explained by the angel. The beast is said to be "Was, is not, and yet is". The angel does not explain more than that. People have usually taken this to mean that the Beast represents the Anti-Christ and that he will be mortally wounded and appeared to have died. And then the Beast would come back to life again, causing people to think that he was resurrected.

There's another phrase about they "whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world". This might mean the non-believers, those who choose not to follow Y'shua Jesus. The interesting part about this is that they may have been pre-determined not to be in the book of life from the beginning.

More details are revealed that the seven heads of the beast are actually seven mountains. They may correspond to seven kingdoms with seven kings. At that time, five kings have already been known and fallen, one king is there at that time, and there will be one more to come. The seventh kings will reign a short time and will give rise to the resurrected beast who will be the eighth king.

The ten horns are another set of ten kings with no kingdoms, but will be given to reign a short time with the beast at the End Times. The fact that the have no kingdoms, has led to some interpretation that they are spiritual beings, followers of the Enemy, rather than earthly kings. They will worship and support the beast and will be ultimately defeated by the Lamb.

Finally the woman is revealed as the great city which "reigns over the kings of the earth". This may be a capital of a united world of kingdoms. The water which the woman sits on is also revealed as peoples and  nations. So it seems to be an oppressive worldwide government. However, this worldwide regime will be opposed by the ten kings who worship the Beast. So although it seems like the evil forces are fighting with another evil force, the result is that the people of the nations who will endure great suffering in those battles.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches

This revelation give the detailed warnings to the seven different churches.

The church in Ephesus is acknowledged for its great service which include hardworking, patience and rejects evil. They have worked hard to promote the Gospel and according to the New Way. However, they are warned that their first love, which is supposed to be God, has waned. They are encouraged to overcome this and their reward is the fruits from tree of life.

The church in Smyrna is facing persecution and tribulations and is being acknowledged for that. The revelation is that these sufferings will continue, but they are encouraged to persevere. They are encouraged to overcome and their reward is the crown of life and they will not be hurt by the second death.

The church in Pergamos also worked for the gospel and have been faithful previously. However, currently, they have swayed to the doctrines of idol worshippers and also to a group called the Nicolaitians whom is totally against the Lord. The warnings against this church is for immediate repentance or face the Lord's judgment. They are encouraged to overcome and their rewards are hidden manna and a special stone with their names written on it.

The church in Thyatira are commended for their works, love, service, faith, and patience. However, they have been influenced by Jezebel, a prophetess. This may be a person but may also be prophetic symbol of idolatry in future which led the believers sexual immorality. The Jezebel will be judged with her followers but there is salvation for them if they repent.  They are encouraged to overcome and their reward is power over the nations.






Revelation 2
The Loveless Church

2 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,

‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’

The Persecuted Church

8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,

‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”’

The Compromising Church

12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write,

‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.[a] 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”’

The Corrupt Church

18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write,

‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 “I know your works, love, service, faith,[b] and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow[c] that woman[d] Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce[e] My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.[f] 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their[g] deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

24 “Now to you I say, and[h] to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will[i] put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—

27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron;
They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’[j]—
as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star.

29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’

To convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him

Jude writes to the believers reminding them to contend with their faith. He warns of God's judgment on the unbelievers by using several examples including the Israelites after they came out of Egypt and the judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah. It is also interesting that Jude reveals a glimpse of the conflict in the heavenly realm by mentioning God will judge the angels who have left heaven to pursue evil. There is also mention of the conflict between the archangel Michael and the Enemy.

Jude mentions prophecies by Enoch, also emphasising that Enoch is the seventh generation from Adam. Enoch had prophecies about judgment of God on the ungodly unbelievers who carry on their business with no regard for God. They typically enjoy their life and success and are interested in their self-interests. They are also the grumblers, complainers and mockers of God. Jude encourages us to build ourselves up in faith, pray in the Holy Spirit, love God, look for the merch of Jesus, have compassion on others and trying to save others.


Jude 1
Greeting to the Called

1 Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,

To those who are called, sanctified[a] by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:

2 Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

Contend for the Faith

3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God[b] and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Old and New Apostates

5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; 7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

8 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.

Apostates Depraved and Doomed

12 These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about[c] by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; 13 raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.

14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”

Apostates Predicted

16 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. 17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.

Maintain Your Life with God

20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction;[d] 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire,[e] hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

Glory to God

24 Now to Him who is able to keep you[f] from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
25 To God our Savior,[g]
Who alone is wise,[h]
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,[i]
Both now and forever.
Amen.

You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes

This is another glimpse of Jesus ministry in which He sent out 70 others to preach the kingdom of God. His method is to send them out by two, and if the people do not receive them, they are not to enter their house, but their obligation to bring the gospel to them is over. Jesus also warns a few city which are Chorazin, Bethsaida, Tyre, Sidon and Capernaum.

The seventy whom Jesus sent out, came back victorious that they were able to cast out demons. But Jesus taught them to be humble and not rejoice in their power, rather rejoice that they are saved. It is written that after this incident Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit. He would have been so happy that His follower were exercising authority by faith rather than by knowledge or ceremony.

Jesus was teaching a lawyer who asked how to inherit eternal life. This lawyer seems to be an honest seeker and believed Jesus had the answer. Jesus prompted the lawyer and he correctly answered to love God and the neighbours. The man then asked who his neighbours were and Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan. The lawyer understood and was commended by Jesus. This had the opposite ending to the rich young ruler who went away sad.

After this, there is the short account of Jesus at the home of Mary and Martha. Martha was busy serving while Mary lay near Jesus feet. When Martha complained that Mary was not helping, Jesus gently rebuked Martha and taught her which is the more important priority.



Luke 10
The Seventy Sent Out

1 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also,[a] and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 2 Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. 5 But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house. 8 Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. 9 And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, 11 ‘The very dust of your city which clings to us[b] we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.’ 12 But[c] I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city.

Woe to the Impenitent Cities

13 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. 15 And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades.[d] 16 He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.”

The Seventy Return with Joy

17 Then the seventy[e] returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”

18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather[f] rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

Jesus Rejoices in the Spirit

21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 22 All[g] things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.”

23 Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; 24 for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it.”

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”

27 So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’[h] and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’”[i]

28 And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”

29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

30 Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 On the next day, when he departed,[j] he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ 36 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”

37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Mary and Martha Worship and Serve

38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’[k] feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”

41 And Jesus[l] answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

To whom then will you liken Me

This chapter marks a turning point in the message of the Book of Isaiah. Up until now, there was much proclamation about judgment and disasters both to Israel and her neighbours. Then there was a brief description of the contemporary events with Hezekiah, Isaiah and Assyria. Starting from this chapter, God's positive promises are revealed. This chapter starts with the declaration that God has thoroughly forgiven Israel and Israel is to be comforted. Furthermore, God revealed His plan of salvation through the coming of Messiah.

The description of the saviour here is that He is clearly the Lord God. His majesty is described in context of His creation and nature. He measures the heavens with His hand. He was not taught knowledge, He has always been all-knowing. "All nations before Him are as nothing". He cannot be compared to anyone. No idol or image can be made that can represent him. He is all powerful, no power or authority on Earth can match Him.



Isaiah 40
God’s People Are Comforted

1 “Comfort, yes, comfort My people!”
Says your God.
2 “Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her,
That her warfare is ended,
That her iniquity is pardoned;
For she has received from the Lord’s hand
Double for all her sins.”
3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make straight in the desert[a]
A highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be exalted
And every mountain and hill brought low;
The crooked places shall be made straight
And the rough places smooth;
5 The glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
And all flesh shall see it together;
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
6 The voice said, “Cry out!”
And he[b] said, “What shall I cry?”
“All flesh is grass,
And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.
7 The grass withers, the flower fades,
Because the breath of the Lord blows upon it;
Surely the people are grass.
8 The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever.”
9 O Zion,
You who bring good tidings,
Get up into the high mountain;
O Jerusalem,
You who bring good tidings,
Lift up your voice with strength,
Lift it up, be not afraid;
Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!”
10 Behold, the Lord God shall come with a strong hand,
And His arm shall rule for Him;
Behold, His reward is with Him,
And His work before Him.
11 He will feed His flock like a shepherd;
He will gather the lambs with His arm,
And carry them in His bosom,
And gently lead those who are with young.
12 Who has measured the waters[c] in the hollow of His hand,
Measured heaven with a span
And calculated the dust of the earth in a measure?
Weighed the mountains in scales
And the hills in a balance?
13 Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord,
Or as His counselor has taught Him?
14 With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him,
And taught Him in the path of justice?
Who taught Him knowledge,
And showed Him the way of understanding?
15 Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket,
And are counted as the small dust on the scales;
Look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing.
16 And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn,
Nor its beasts sufficient for a burnt offering.
17 All nations before Him are as nothing,
And they are counted by Him less than nothing and worthless.
18 To whom then will you liken God?
Or what likeness will you compare to Him?
19 The workman molds an image,
The goldsmith overspreads it with gold,
And the silversmith casts silver chains.
20 Whoever is too impoverished for such a contribution
Chooses a tree that will not rot;
He seeks for himself a skillful workman
To prepare a carved image that will not totter.
21 Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
22 It is He who sits above the circle of the earth,
And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers,
Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.
23 He brings the princes to nothing;
He makes the judges of the earth useless.
24 Scarcely shall they be planted,
Scarcely shall they be sown,
Scarcely shall their stock take root in the earth,
When He will also blow on them,
And they will wither,
And the whirlwind will take them away like stubble.
25 “To whom then will you liken Me,
Or to whom shall I be equal?” says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes on high,
And see who has created these things,
Who brings out their host by number;
He calls them all by name,
By the greatness of His might
And the strength of His power;
Not one is missing.
27 Why do you say, O Jacob,
And speak, O Israel:
“My way is hidden from the Lord,
And my just claim is passed over by my God”?
28 Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
31 But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.

Truly My Soul Silently Waits for God

David starts by acknowledging that only God is his salvation. His enemies are like any other, who are liars, blesses other in the front and curses them at their backs. Besides salvation, God is also his rock - a source of strength and refuge.
This psalm also encourages others to place their trust in God, instead of trusting in earthly stature and power or riches. Both power and mercy belongs to God who will judge according to their deeds.


Psalm 62
To the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

 1 Truly my soul silently waits for God;
         From Him comes my salvation.
 2 He only is my rock and my salvation;
         He is my defense;
         I shall not be greatly moved.
        
 3 How long will you attack a man?
         You shall be slain, all of you,
         Like a leaning wall and a tottering fence.
 4 They only consult to cast him down from his high position;
         They delight in lies;
         They bless with their mouth,
         But they curse inwardly.  Selah 
        
 5 My soul, wait silently for God alone,
         For my expectation is from Him.
 6 He only is my rock and my salvation;
         He is my defense;
         I shall not be moved.
 7 In God is my salvation and my glory;
         The rock of my strength,
         And my refuge, is in God.
        
 8 Trust in Him at all times, you people;
         Pour out your heart before Him;
         God is a refuge for us.  Selah 
        
 9 Surely men of low degree are a vapor,
         Men of high degree are a lie;
         If they are weighed on the scales,
         They are altogether lighter than vapor.
 10 Do not trust in oppression,
         Nor vainly hope in robbery;
         If riches increase,
         Do not set your heart on them.
        
 11 God has spoken once,
         Twice I have heard this:
         That power belongs to God.
 12 Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy;
         For You render to each one according to his work.

Deliver me from my Enemies, O my God

David calls upon God to save him from his enemies who were hunting him. He describes his enemies as bloodthirsty, workers of iniquity and mighty. They pursue David not because David did any wrong. So David called upon God to show them no mercy. David describes his enemies like dogs who keep on hunting him and return again in the evening not satisfied. He calls God to not destroy them but bring them down and scatter them.
David puts full confidence in God, singing of his power, calling him his strength and his defence.

Psalm 59
To the Chief Musician. Set to “Do Not Destroy.”[a] A Michtam of David when Saul sent men, and they watched the house in order to kill him.

 1 Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;
         Defend me from those who rise up against me.
 2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity,
         And save me from bloodthirsty men.
        
 3 For look, they lie in wait for my life;
         The mighty gather against me,
         Not for my transgression nor for my sin, O LORD.
 4 They run and prepare themselves through no fault of mine.
        
         Awake to help me, and behold!
 5 You therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel,
         Awake to punish all the nations;
         Do not be merciful to any wicked transgressors.  Selah 
        
 6 At evening they return,
         They growl like a dog,
         And go all around the city.
 7 Indeed, they belch with their mouth;
         Swords are in their lips;
         For they say, “Who hears?”
        
 8 But You, O LORD, shall laugh at them;
         You shall have all the nations in derision.
 9 I will wait for You, O You his Strength;[b]
         For God is my defense.
 10 My God of mercy[c] shall come to meet me;
         God shall let me see my desire on my enemies.
        
 11 Do not slay them, lest my people forget;
         Scatter them by Your power,
         And bring them down,
         O Lord our shield.
 12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips,
         Let them even be taken in their pride,
         And for the cursing and lying which they speak.
 13 Consume them in wrath, consume them,
         That they may not be;
         And let them know that God rules in Jacob
         To the ends of the earth.  Selah 
        
 14 And at evening they return,
         They growl like a dog,
         And go all around the city.
 15 They wander up and down for food,
         And howl[d] if they are not satisfied.
        
 16 But I will sing of Your power;
         Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning;
         For You have been my defense
         And refuge in the day of my trouble.
 17 To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises;
         For God is my defense,
         My God of mercy.

If a man dare speaks, he would be swallowed up by God

Elihu continues to describe the magnificence of the Almighty God. He is described to control the skies from thunder, lightning to clouds, rain and whirlwind. In v23, Elihu correctly describes God's power, justice and that he does not oppress. God is so awesome in his majesty that Elihu believes that if a man dare speaks, he would be swallowed up by God. Many people today still have this idea of a God so magnificent that we cannot get through to him. However, through our Lord Jesus, we know that we have direct access to the Father because if we have seen Jesus, then we have seen His Father. The relationship now between God and the man who believes is like that of father and son.

Job 37

 1 “At this also my heart trembles,      And leaps from its place.
 2 Hear attentively the thunder of His voice,      And the rumbling that comes from His mouth.
 3 He sends it forth under the whole heaven,      His lightning to the ends of the earth.
 4 After it a voice roars;      He thunders with His majestic voice,
      And He does not restrain them when His voice is heard.
 5 God thunders marvelously with His voice;      He does great things which we cannot comprehend.
 6 For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth’;      Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength.
 7 He seals the hand of every man,      That all men may know His work.
 8 The beasts go into dens,      And remain in their lairs.
 9 From the chamber of the south comes the whirlwind,      And cold from the scattering winds of the north.
 10 By the breath of God ice is given,      And the broad waters are frozen.
 11 Also with moisture He saturates the thick clouds;      He scatters His bright clouds.
 12 And they swirl about, being turned by His guidance,      That they may do whatever He commands them
      On the face of the whole earth.[a]
 13 He causes it to come,      Whether for correction,       Or for His land,       Or for mercy.
 14 “Listen to this, O Job;      Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.
 15 Do you know when God dispatches them,      And causes the light of His cloud to shine?
 16 Do you know how the clouds are balanced,      Those wondrous works of Him who is perfect in knowledge?
 17 Why are your garments hot,      When He quiets the earth by the south wind?
 18 With Him, have you spread out the skies,      Strong as a cast metal mirror?
 19 “Teach us what we should say to Him,      For we can prepare nothing because of the darkness.
 20 Should He be told that I wish to speak?      If a man were to speak, surely he would be swallowed up.
 21 Even now men cannot look at the light when it is bright in the skies,      When the wind has passed and cleared them.
 22 He comes from the north as golden splendor;      With God is awesome majesty.
 23 As for the Almighty, we cannot find Him;      He is excellent in power,       In judgment and abundant justice;
      He does not oppress.
 24 Therefore men fear Him;      He shows no partiality to any who are wise of heart.”