Sunday, June 7, 2009
Dear friends,
Three weeks ago we learned from 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that through the Scriptures we are corrected, taught, warned and trained in righteousness so we can grow into maturity for every good work. Without the wisdom of Scripture, guided by the Tradition of the Church – think Nicene and Apostle’s Creed we will be helpless against the assaults and malice of the devil, not saying anything about our own foolishness. God has revealed Himself primarily in Scripture as well as nature and our conscience. He uncovers truth to us we would not know in any other way. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Psalm 110, the most quoted Psalm in the New Testament.
The Psalm is attributed to David by the Lord in Matthew 22:41-46 during the push-pull question time between Jesus and the Jewish leaders. He turned the tables on them every time and ended the questions by asking them as well as us a question: “What do you think about the Christ?” As you think about Jesus what image comes to mind, a manger, a teacher, crucifix? Read over Philippians 2: 1-11 and use that as your guide to how we should see the Lord. If He is king then we are His ambassadors and servants and His will decides the issue.
Psalm 110 reveals that Jesus reigns in four ways: ultimate sovereignty over His enemies – vs. 1, spiritual Head of the church- vs. 2-3, the One Mediator between Man and God – vs. 4, and the judge of human history- vs. 5-7. We are assured that human history will finish right side up no matter the darkness that walks the earth at the present. This gives us hope and encouragement to remain faithful in our walk with the Lord and not lose heart or give way to sin and lies.
We will never begin to understand the Lord while ignorant of Old Testament truth, note the first verse in the New Testament. This Sunday we will first concentrate on verses 1-3 so you will need to know about Zion and what it is and represents. Hebrews, chapters 5 through 7 are full of insight into this Psalm especially the importance of Melchizedek. I hope you will memorize this Psalm over the next couple of weeks so it will act as a shield against the fiery darts of the Evil One.
See you Sunday,
Lee
