3-10-07 Psalms 17:4, 5

Psalms 17: 4, 5 (KJ21)
Concerning the works of men, by the word of Thy lips I have been kept from the paths of the destroyer. Uphold my goings in Thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

Psalms 17: 4, 5 (NAS)
As for the deeds of men, by the word of Thy lips I have kept from the paths of the violent. My steps have held fast to Thy paths. My feet have not slipped.

Psalms 17: 4, 5 (NIVUS)
As for the deeds of men— by the word of your lips I have kept myself from the ways of the violent. My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not slipped.

Psalms 17: 4, 5 (NLT)
I have followed your commands, which have kept me from going along with cruel and evil people. My steps have stayed on your path; I have not wavered from following you.

Before Adam and Eve sinned, their lives and work in the garden was happy and enjoyable. They looked after and tended the garden in peace and they walked with the Lord in the cool of the day. Life was good and easy, but then came that fateful bite into the forbidden fruit, which brought curses not only upon their lives, but upon the ground as well.

Now they had to earn their living through the sweat of their brows. Work and not the Lord's presence became their pre-eminent occupation. Their wages and not the Lord became their reward in life. Instead of the curse driving them back to Adonai, men began to take pride in their work and what they could accomplish with their own hands, which took them further and further away from Almighty God.

You, however, have chosen a different path. Your life revolves around the word of God. Every promise and speech that the Lord utters has become your occupation. You know that as you abide by the commandments and declarations of the Most High God, you are protected and kept safe. His word is your guard and it sets boundaries around you to preserve you from harm, for it leads you away from violence. Robbers, murderers, and those who would destroy you have no power over you, for you have chosen God's word as your standard.

As you hold onto God's will for your life, you are supported and held up. Your steps remain on a straight track. Your feet will not slip or totter. You will never be moved, overthrown or dislodged from you path, for Adonai the Lord's word is the most powerful force in the earth.

3-9-07 Psalms 17:3

Psalms 17:3 (KJ21)
Thou hast tested mine heart; Thou hast visited me in the night; Thou hast tried me and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

Psalms 17:3 (NAS)
Thou hast tried my heart; Thou hast visited me by night; Thou hast tested me and dost find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.

Psalms 17:3 (NIVUS)
Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will not sin.

Psalms 17:3 (NLT)
You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night. You have scrutinized me and found nothing amiss, for I am determined not to sin in what I say.

Tests! Does that bring back memories of high school or college? Did you do well on tests or did you freeze up if an exam was put in front of you? Are you glad that you do not have to take tests any longer? Actually, whether you realize it or not, you are still taking tests, though they may not be with pencil and paper. You are constantly being tested on your appearance, your attitudes, and your performance.

Not only are you scrutinized by your peers, but there is an invisible Being who examines, tries, and proves your heart. He knows what is in the midst of your soul, your thoughts, and your reflections. If you are living a righteous life of faith, you should not let that make you fearful, for Adonai the Lord looks upon you with favor and acceptance.

As you lie in bed at night, the presence of the Lord will visit you. He looks after and cares for you as you sleep. He wants to make sure that you are not missing or lacking in anything. When the Almighty God watches over, He reviews your life and takes account of what you need, so that He can make deposits for you.

Although you may feel like you are in a smelting pot, the Lord is refining you, so that the precious treasure that is inside will be revealed to the world. As long as you quickly repent of anything wrong or sinful, seeking God's forgiveness, you know that God will find nothing that will condemn you. You can be secure, knowing that Adonai will not discover anything amiss.

Now you must be determined and make it your purpose not to transgress or alienate anyone with your mouth. Do not let your words break or shatter another, for like you, that person is made in the image of the Creator God. Words of praise to the Almighty, but not critical speech, should overflow your lips. As you make this determination, you will pass your tests with flying colors.

3-8-08 Psalms 17:2

Psalms 17:2 (KJ21)
Let my sentence come forth from Thy presence; let Thine eyes behold things with equity.

Psalms 17:2 (NAS)
Let my judgment come forth from Thy presence; Let Thine eyes look with equity.

Psalms 17:2 (NIVUS)
May my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right.

Psalms 17:2 (NLT)
Declare me innocent, for you know those who do right.

America's judicial system should be one of the best in the world and it is probably better than what most countries have. However, it does have many flaws and there have been many innocent people sent to prison for crimes they did not commit. There have also been many who have committed horrendous crimes who have gotten off on a technicality. Trusting yourself to America's courts could be a risky situation.

There is one Judge, whose decision you can always trust. Adonai, the Most High God, always rules for what is just and right. When He governs your life, you know that He will do what is proper and fitting. The sentence that comes from His throne will vindicate the innocent, but it will punish those who deserve condemnation, for His eyes see all that happens. He knows which evidence is true and which is false.

Therefore, you can present your case and your cause in His presence without fear. You can be assured that His judgments will be done in equity and uprightness, for He always perceives what it right and just. He will make all things smooth, level, and even.

3-7-07 Job 42:16, 17

Job 42: 16, 17 (KJ21)
After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his sons and his sons’ sons, even four generations. So Job died, being old and full of days.

Job 42: 16, 17 (NAS)
And after this Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons, and his grandsons, four generations. And Job died an old man and full of days.

Job 42: 16, 17 (NIVUS)
After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. And so he died, old and full of years.

Job 42: 16, 17 NLT)
Job lived 140 years after that, living to see four generations of his children and grandchildren. Then he died an old man who had lived a long, good life.

You may believe that your life has been harder than anyone else. Perhaps you have suffered much loss and you keep asking yourself, “Why me?” You do not see how anything can get better. In fact, you may see yourself sinking lower and lower. However, if you are thinking this way, you are not factoring in what Adonai the Lord God can do for you. He can and will change even the worst situations and will cause everything to work together for your good.

Job probably had suffered the most loss that anyone could suffer in one day. He lost all of his flocks, his herds, his health and even all of his children. His life certainly looked hopeless and he thought there was not much more that he could do, except die. But his life was not over, in spite of the tremendous loss. As he kept his faith in the Lord God, his life miraculously turned around. The Lord Jehovah restored double to him and even gave him seven more children.

After all of this, Job continued to live a good, long life. He prospered again and was revived and refreshed. The health of his body was restored and he was preserved. The Lord turned his cry of woe to one of praise and rejoicing, as he lived 140 more years. He not only saw his second set of children grow up, but he continued to enjoy his family for four more generations. When Job finally died at a good old age, he was satisfied and fulfilled, for his life had been abundantly enriched with his family and goods.

You may not see all that Job did in his life, but as you trust in God, you will see blessing and abundance. He will restore everything that the enemy has stolen from you and will sustain and preserve your life. You will find that you will be satisfied and fulfilled as you grow older, for the Lord will give you the desires of your heart.

3-6-07 Job 49:9, 10

Job 42:9, 10 (KJ21)
So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did according as the LORD commanded them. The LORD also accepted Job. And the LORD released Job from captivity when he prayed for his friends. Also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

Job 42:9, 10 (NAS)
So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the LORD told them; and the LORD accepted Job. And the LORD restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the LORD increased all that Job had twofold.

Job 42:9, 10 (NIVUS)
So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the LORD told them; and the LORD accepted Job’s prayer. After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before.

Job 42:9, 10 (NLT)
So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite did as the LORD commanded them, and the LORD accepted Job’s prayer. When Job prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes. In fact, the LORD gave him twice as much as before!

Have your ever had friends who were well-meaning, but actually said things to you that were no comfort or help at all? Perhaps you have been this kind of friend to someone else. Whether a giver or a receiver of such ill-advised 'comfort', you should know that the Lord your God will bring the appropriate chastisement at the proper time, as He did with Job and his friends,

Eliphaz the Temanite, who came from the royal line of Esau, had a strong faith in God, looking upon Him as fine gold. However, like all of us, he needed refinement in some areas. Bildad the Shuhite, although he had a wealth of love for Job, was confused in how to express that love. Zophar the Naamathite, of Job's three friends, was the most non-descript. He came from a place of pleasantness and beauty, but he was like a sparrow that flits from one place to another. However, these three men were not too proud to receive correction from Jehovah the Lord. When He showed them that they needed to repent, they did what God told them to do, bringing their sacrifice for Job to oversee.

Then, in forgiveness, Job lifted their names before God's face. He offered them his support and aid, instead of treating them as his enemies. When Job showed God's love, the Lord restored and repaired everything that Satan had stolen from him. Job was no longer held in captivity, as he prayed for his friends. He interceded for his companions and Adonai added to and increased Job's life. The Lord gave him back double what he had before.

Therefore, if you feel that you have been afflicted like Job and that you have friends that seem less than what friends should be, remember how Job treated his friends. As you pray for these who do not always treat you as they should, you may see more blessings than you have ever imagined.

3-5-07 2 Samuel 22:36, 37

2 Samuel 22:36, 37 (BBE)
You have given me the breastplate of your salvation, and your mercy has made me great. You have made my steps wide under me, so that my feet make no slip.

2 Samuel 22:36, 37 (JPS)
Thou hast also given me Thy shield of salvation; and Thy condescension hath made me great. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, and my feet have not slipped.

2 Samuel 22:36, 37 (NAS)
Thou hast also given me the shield of Thy salvation, And Thy help makes me great. Thou dost enlarge my steps under me, And my feet have not slipped.

2 Samuel 22:36, 37 (NIVUS)
You give me your shield of victory; you stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.

When you are under attack, you need a shield to protect you from the enemy's weapons. That is why the Lord God has given you His shield of salvation, that surrounds you and gives you cover. By it you are rescued and delivered. It provides you safety and prosperity. When you are under His covering, you are victorious!

When Yeshua humbled Himself, giving up His heavenly realm to become a man, He gave us greatness. He weakened Himself to give us His strength. He became poor so that we could receive prosperity and abundance. He was mishandled and abused so that we could be exalted.

By His sacrifice, He has enlarged and increased us. Wherever we set our feet becomes our land, our territory. He continually brings us into a broader place. It is a place of strength, where our feet do not slip or totter. It is a place where we stand firm in Him, unshakeable and unmoveable, for we are built on the Rock!

3-4-07 Job 42:5, 6

Job 42:5, 6 (KJ21)
I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth Thee. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

Job 42:5, 6 (NAS)
I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees Thee; Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes

Job 42:5, 6 (NIVUS)
My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes

Job 42:5, 6 (NLT)
I had heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.

Very few people can say that they have seen God with their physical eyes. Those who were alive when the Lord Jesus Christ walked the earth are long gone. Sometimes, however, the Lord will make a special appearance to an individual in a vision or dream, but even these instances are rare and far between. Perhaps in His mercy, the Lord refrains from revealing Himself, for most of us could not stand in His presence in our fleshly, human bodies.

Although some disagree with this, Job was a righteous man, who did have faith in God. You might think that his faith came because he walked with Adonai, the Almighty, the way that Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden. However, Job himself states how he obtained his faith. His faith was generated from the reports he heard of the Lord. The Lord uncovered Job's ears, so that he could receive divine revelation. As Job listened and understood more of God, he chose to obey Him. He consented and agreed to the laws of the Most High. He yielded to God's will for his life and he proclaimed his faith to others.

Perhaps through a vision or through a divine appearance a time came when Job did see God. He perceived the Lord's presence and what he was shown changed him forever. No longer was he smug and self-righteous, but he saw himself as he truly was. Without God's mercy, Job knew he was despised and rejected. Compared to the Lord, he knew he was refuse and he wanted to run from the presence of the Lord. However, instead of fleeing in terror, Job repented in sorrow, covering himself with dust and ashes, for he saw his worthlessness. Then he received comfort and compassion from the Most High. God turned his grief into consolation.

Like Job, you may have seen a true vision of yourself. You know that without the Lord's love and compassion, you are ruined and will perish. The Lord, however, is still merciful and compassionate. As you, like Job, turn to away from your sin and turn to God in repentance, you will receive the comfort and consolation of the Lord.