# 46 2021 Dev. Psalm 125:4. Do Good! Read all of Psalm 125 first. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 125:4 “Lord, do good to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart.”

Intro. Ps. 120-137 is a series of Psalms that include 15 “songs of ascent.” Songs of ascent were sung at the temple by the Priests walking up the 15 steps entering the sanctuary, also sung by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem for the three feasts required, Pentecost, Passover and Tabernacles, as well as during the return from Babylon back to Jerusalem.

Psalm 125 is a liturgical praise song of ascent praising God for His care in the past, in the day, and into eternity. Mount Zion is a physical mountain.  The name may have been used for the Jebusite stronghold in the city of Salam (Melchizedek Gen. 14) that became Jerusalem when David made it it his city. The name Zion depicted three different locations in Jerusalem in the past, but today, Mount Zion means the Western mount, the site of Solomon’s temple.   

Vs.1-2 “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion…” While only the retaining wall is preserved from Solomon’s Temple, Mount Zion is a spiritual reference to God Most High. According to Melchizedek: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.” Hence, “which cannot be shaken but endures forever”. We are surrounded by the Mountain’s of Zion so to speak.We are safe, fully protected today and forever

V.3 “The scepter (rule) of the wicked will not remain…” Who are the wicked? Well, liars, thieves, murderers, adulterers, some of which are leaders, but wickedness is subtler today; miss information, ignoring the negative effect of poor decisions, breaking promises, denying justice, bringing false witness, secret agendas, and collusion with the enemy.  That kind of rule must not remain, “for the righteous might use their hands to do evil.” That is what we are seeing right now, murders are out of control, thieves are immediately released only to do it again and again, people, normally law abiding are breaking the law. Evil rulers and evil rules brings evil upon the land. 

 Vs.4-5 is an appeal to God Almighty; “Lord, do good to those who are good”.Many people want to do good, are they good? Not necessarily, it depends on the motivation; seeking praise, recognition, or tax breaks may not be good. The Psalmist qualifies it, “to those who are upright in heart”, whose hearts are with God, with Jesus.

Verse 5 is revealing; the psalmist is talking about those formerly righteous. But that only happens with willful disregard for God’s law, some of which are the righteous laws of the land (Rm. 13) and of course, if there is no repentance. We end with a prayer, Lord may your peace be upon us and upon our land, amen!

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# 45 2021 Dev. Revelation 7:10. Uncountable! Read all of chapter seven first. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Revelation 7:10 “And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’”

Intro. This vision that John sees is put into the words of men so that those who believe will understand by the power of the Holy Spirit. What is being described here is from eternity to eternity. God, who is outside of time, operates in the eternal present, represents to us what is about to happen in time, as long as time lasts.

At the end of Ch. 6 we have the impression that the Great Judgment is emminent, but no, not yet. Rev. 7 gives us a different vision, a vision of comfort, a vision of victory, a vision of God’s calling and love for His people.

We see four angels holding back the four winds, “at the four corners” as the world was understood in the day. The four horsemen (God’s judgments) were held back as well, there was to be a seal placed on the forehead of the servants of God. Today we see baptism as a sign and seal of forgiveness and God’s grace by His Holy Spirit. 144,000 sealed, that is not a literal number, v. 9 tells us that 144,000 are the “great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne…”

But why the tribes of Israel? God’s intention in calling Abraham was to impact all people, that is clear from God’s Covenant with him, “I will make you a great nation” offspring like the “sand of the sea, like the stars in the sky and through     you and your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed,” (Gen. 26:14). All believers are children of Abraham. Some tribes are not mentioned, Ephraim, one of Joseph sons, but Manasseh is included as well as Joseph not normally considered a tribe. Also, Dan is not included. There is a lot of speculation, like Ephraim was instrumental in the two and ten tribal split which may be a reason and like Jacob’s blessing and prophecy on Dan as on Jacob’s other sons (Gen.49). But there is no consensus.

The question arises what is the timeline of this vision? Since this is before the judgment the indication is before the beginning of time. That is in line with Eph 1:3-4 ; Rm 8: 28-30 God operates outside of time but He created time moving linearly to a predetermined conclusion that is highlighted in Ch.7. Living in our world today, it sometimes seems to be coming to the end of time, more than likely not yet, no one knows. But vs.15 gives us great comfort, God is in control and those who follow Jesus are heading for His presence, spiritually and eventually physically. V.16 those who suffered hunger and thirst, lack of shelter and suffered scorching heat will no longer suffer under persecution. V.17 Our Shepherd, Jesus, ‘will lead them (us) to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear (out of) from their (our) eyes,’ spiritually now but physically in eternity. Amen and Amen

 © cgvanwyk, all rights reserved.

# 45 2021 Dev. Revelation 7:10. Uncountable! Read all of chapter seven first. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Revelation 7:10 “And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’”

Intro. This vision that John sees is put into the words of men so that those who believe will understand by the power of the Holy Spirit. What is being described here is from eternity to eternity. God, who is outside of time, operates in the eternal present, represents to us what is about to happen in time, as long as time lasts.

At the end of Ch. 6 we have the impression that the Great Judgment is emminent, but no, not yet. Rev. 7 gives us a different vision, a vision of comfort, a vision of victory, a vision of God’s calling and love for His people.

We see four angels holding back the four winds, “at the four corners” as the world was understood in the day. The four horsemen (God’s judgments) were held back as well, there was to be a seal placed on the forehead of the servants of God. Today we see baptism as a sign and seal of forgiveness and God’s grace by His Holy Spirit. 144,000 sealed, that is not a literal number, v. 9 tells us that 144,000 are the “great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne…”

But why the tribes of Israel? God’s intention in calling Abraham was to impact all people, that is clear from God’s Covenant with him, “I will make you a great nation” offspring like the “sand of the sea, like the stars in the sky and through     you and your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed,” (Gen. 26:14). All believers are children of Abraham. Some tribes are not mentioned, Ephraim, one of Joseph sons, but Manasseh is included as well as Joseph not normally considered a tribe. Also, Dan is not included. There is a lot of speculation, like Ephraim was instrumental in the two and ten tribal split which may be a reason and like Jacob’s blessing and prophecy on Dan as on Jacob’s other sons (Gen.49). But there is no consensus.

The question arises what is the timeline of this vision? Since this is before the judgment the indication is before the beginning of time. That is in line with Rm. 8:28-30 and Eph.1:3-4. God operates outside of time but He created time moving linearly to a predetermined conclusion that is highlighted in Ch.7. Living in our world today, it sometimes seems to be coming to the end of time, more than likely not yet, no one knows. But vs.15 gives us great comfort, God is in control and those who follow Jesus are heading for His presence, spiritually and eventually physically. V.16 those who suffered hunger and thirst, lack of shelter and suffered scorching heat will no longer suffer under persecution. V.17 Our Shepherd, Jesus, ‘will lead them (us) to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear (out of) from their (our) eyes,’ spiritually now but physically in eternity. Amen and Amen

 © cgvanwyk, all rights reserved.

# 42 2021 Dev. Psalm 123:2. Our Eyes! Read all of Psalm 123 first. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 123:2b “Our eyes look to the Lord God”

Intro. Ps. 120-137 is a series of Psalms that include 15 “songs of ascent.” Songs of ascent were sung at the temple by the Priests walking up the 15 steps entering the sanctuary, also sung by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem for the three feasts required, Pentecost, Passover and Tabernacles, as well as during the return from Babylon back to Jerusalem.

Psalm 123 is a song of ascent of two stanzas that is a prayer as well. This Psalm appears to be a prayer song about the journey through life as opposed to a journey to Jerusalem.

V.1. “I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven.” We are blessed to know what “enthroned in heaven” means and what that looks like (Rev. 4). The Psalmist is entreating for the community to the God of Heaven and Earth, the only legitimate God among the myriads of gods at the time. He is speaking from a place of weakness as we all are today as followers of Jesus.

V.2. “As the eyes of slaves,” both male and female, slaves in that day and still today have no aspirations, no freedom, no recourse, no way out, death being the only way the bondage is broken. It is used here as a simile highlighting complete bondage and hopelessness. Unfortunately, this is looking and feeling more and more real today. Mandates: no exemptions, careers lost, firings from every kind of job no-matter its importance, no freedom of movement, arrests on college campuses for non compliance. Is that what we are facing, arrest and incarceration while the real criminals run free? Ask yourself? See for yourself!

V.2 b. “so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till He shows us His mercy.” Our fist defense is prayer and the second is responsible action.

V.3. The Psalmist continues with his petition: “Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us,” there is “no end of contempt” on Christianity, on followers of Jesus and on conservative values.

V.4. “We have endured no end of ridicule from the arrogant, the proud.” The humility of the followers of Jesus, the wisdom of the Word of God, the restraint of the Holy Spirit on the world, is ridiculed and held in contempt. “So our eyes look to the Lord our God, my help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Ps. 121). But it does not end there because, today in America, there is a debilitating hopelessness among all races who are true Christians and true conservatives.  Since our help comes from the Lord, what will be your thinking and action? I pray that we will live our faith, promote our values at every opportunity, stand our ground, and vote for wise and sensible people no matter what party or creed. Our help comes from God, amen!   

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# 41 2021 Dev. Revelation 5:1. The Scroll! Read all of chapter five first. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Revelation 5:1 “Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.”

Chapter 5 is a continuation of the vision of ch.4 and describes the scroll held in the right hand of the one who sits on the throne.  This vision that John sees is put into the words of men so that those who believe will understand by the power of the Holy Spirit. What is being described here is from eternity to eternity. God who is outside of time, operates in the eternal present, represents to us what is about to happen in time, as long as time lasts.

The scroll was sealed with seven seals in other words completely sealed with no possibility of access. “A mighty angel proclaimed in a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?’” No one was found worthy, not in heaven or an earth or under the earth. John weeps, in response it is not the mighty angel but an elder speaks, one who has experienced redemption: “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, The Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals. Then I saw a Lamb”

A Lamb? Not a lion? From a mighty angel to an elder, a man and from a Lion to a Lamb. From the strong to the weak. The impression is that from the highest to the lowest are included into God’s Kingdom but the weakness of God (Jesus’ self sacrifice) is the strongest and highest in God’s creation and in the whole universe.

“The Lamb looked as if it has been slain” The Lamb of God, Jesus. He Is surrounded by the four living creatures and the elders. “The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes,” complete power and complete knowledge, see Eph.1; 21,23. The seven eyes “is the sevenfold” Spirit of God. He upholds God’s creation, the whole universe. When Christ takes the scroll the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped.  

The elders are holding harps; they were the instruments used to accompany singing of the Psalms.  And “holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.” It is amazing and comforting that not only do the elders represent us, we are involved in the worship in heaven by our prayers.

“And they sang a new song:” A song of praise to the Lamb, “with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation, see: Rev.7:9,10. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,” as a Holy Nation.

That was God’s intention Ex.19: 5,6 from the beginning. He chose Israel to             influence the world, she is the Old Testament Church that ushered in the New Testament Church in Christ Jesus, “the New is in the Old contained and the Old is in the New explained.” The scroll is of the highest importance; It contains the complete plan of God’s Salvation in Christ and His plan of predestination for all people and the universe. His plan is from everlasting to everlasting.

After Jesus takes the scroll John saw and heard “thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand” of angels gathered around the scene: singing ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise.”  And John heard “every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them,” joining in praising God. They are us, joining them, in our services and our daily service for God, Amen!

 © cgvanwyk, all rights reserved.

# 40 2021 Dev. Psalm 122:1. Rejoice in the Lord! Read all of Psalm 122 first. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 122:1 “I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

Intro. Ps. 120-137 is a series of Psalms that include 15 “songs of ascent.” Songs of ascent were sung at the temple by the Priests walking up the 15 steps entering the sanctuary, also sung by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem for the three feasts required, Pentecost, Passover and Tabernacles, as well as during the return from Babylon back to Jerusalem.

Psalm 122 is a psalm of ascent with a two verse introduction and two stanzas framed with “the house of the Lord.”

Vs.1-2 A fellow pilgrim or a group of pilgrims said at the beginning of their journey, “let us go up the the house of the Lord.” They rejoiced at the prospect to worship at the temple at a time of one of the required feasts.  They have arrived after a long uphill journey and “our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem.”

This Introduction reflect our present lives, we are on a pilgrimage, heading for our heavenly home, along the way do we rejoice at every worship opportunity? Do we worship daily? All of life is worship! What is important, the trip or the destination? Some have only just started, some are half way, some are standing at the gate. What is important to you? As for me it is the pilgrimage itself: the opportunity to influence the world around me, the people around us, the execution of and the fulfillment of God’s calling on our lives no matter our occupation. The goal is assured; like the early travelers we only have to cross the threshold.

Vs. 3-5 “Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together”, a place where there is contact with everyone, no escaping those unlike you, those who have a different orientation or those you want to avoid. Grace is required, forgiveness is required, compassion and tolerance. This is the place of ultimate worship, a place to praise, a place of Judgment by our God the King.

The above is the goal of our pilgrimage, our heavenly home, where we arrive by God’s leading and by His timing, and we will all arrive. What are the works that follow us? Only works done in the name of Jesus follow us because we are saved by the works of Jesus, not anything done on our own.

Vs. 6-9 “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May those who love you be secure”. May there be be peace, security, prosperity, “For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, ‘peace be within you”

Like those pilgrims before us the goal begins to be reached at the beginning of the journey. New Life in Christ begins the day one is converted and puts their trust in Jesus. It is therefore that the pilgrimage, our life’s journey, is important.

 We may legitimately say: “for the sake of my family and friends, I will say, ‘Peace be within you.” And for the sake of the church, and followers of Jesus (the house of the Lord’) “I will seek your prosperity.” We pray for a blessing on all churches, on all followers of Jesus, on all works of promoting the Gospel, on all works of mercy done in the name of Jesus and on all those who are in search of the truth. Amen!

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# 39 2021 Dev. Revelation 4.2. God’s Throne! Read all of chapter four first. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Revelation 4:2 “At once I was in the Spirit, and before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.”

Revelation chapter 4 describes the throne room in heaven; what is being described here is the whole universe from the perspective of heaven (Hendriksen). “And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” John is caught up in the Spirit and describes what he sees.  Chapters 1-3 are not in code but speak straight forward of what John heard and saw.  But the vision of Ch. 4, the Throne room, will need some interpretation.

Him who sits on the throne is described in human terms and language: he had the “appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne.” Terms to describe God, who is a Spirit, in human terms are called anthropomorphisms. 

God’s Throne is encircled by “twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders.” These represent the whole of the church both in the Old Testament and in the New, corresponding in the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles (Rev.21:12-14). They are dressed in the righteousness of Christ with white robes and wear golden crowns of victory, i.e. the redeemed reign with Christ. Seven lamp stands are in front of the throne, “the sevenfold Spirit of God” and “what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal”, symbolizing the sanctifying power of God (Hendriksen).

The four living beings are angels of the highest order; they are like the cherubim symbolized by the cherubim on the ark in the Holy of Holies of the earthly temple. In Ezekiel Ch. 1 and 10, the same beings are described. The first being has a face like a lion indicating strength, the second creature has a face like an ox indicating the ability to serve, the third creature has a face like a man indicating intelligence, the fourth creature has a face like an eagle indicating speed, and the many eyes indicate deep perception. “They never stop saying: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, is, and is to come.”

Whenever the creatures give glory and honor, the 24 elders fall down in worship and lay down their crowns.

This wonderful vision of heavenly worship is overwhelming and brings to our attention our worship in the church. It also brings attention to our lives because all of our life is worship to God. The complete harmony and selflessness of the worshipers in heaven should open our hearts every Sunday and every day to God’s grace and to His compassion. His desire to reconcile all people back to Himself is one tenets of the Kingdom of God which the church is to reflect. The 24 elders are us, forgiven, sanctified, victorious in life and death.  

And along with them we say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” Amen, praise the Lord!

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# 38 2021 Dev. Psalm 121:1,2. We Are On a Pilgrimage! Read all of Psalm 121 first. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 121:1,2 “I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Intro. Ps. 120-137 is a series of Psalms that include 15 “songs of ascent.” Songs of ascent were sung at the temple by the Priests walking up the 15 steps entering the sanctuary, also sung by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem for the three feasts required, Pentecost, Passover and Tabernacles, as well as during the return from Babylon.

Psalm 121 is a four stanza praise song introduced by two verses, 1 and 2, that capture for us the universal question of all time and the eternal answer to all our earthly and heavenly needs. Each stanza has an introductory statement

Vs.1,2 Comes from a pilgrim, a traverller, looking up to the mountains in the distance that he may have to cross. Also, and perhaps more so, this comes from people traveling through life, facing mountain after mountain, opposition after opposition in our culture. People today ask; “where does my help come from?” Who or what, will or can help me through this life? It is a question that faces every human being and there are as many answers as cultures in the world

The Psalmist gives us the right answer and the only true answer; “My help comes from the Lord.” That should be enough for us but the Psalmist does not leave it there, he adds “the Maker of heaven and earth.” He has created us, provided a temporary home for us here, cares for us, and calls us to our eternal home at the appointed time but only if we have faith and believe in the Lord Jesus.

Vs. 3,4 “He will not let your foot slip_” God is in control 24/7 always He watches over those He Loves, Sometimes, like the time we are in, we wonder, we question, God where are you? In our human limitations we do not always understand but God is here with us!

Vs. 5,6 “The Lord watches over you-” the Lord is at our right hand shading us from every trouble, not that we will not have illness or opposition but that we will be victorious in His Name. There is protection day and night!

Vs. 7,8 “The Lord will keep you from all harm-” the Lord protects our lives, we will not have a minute more or a minute less in this life than what God has ordained for us, and that goes for everyone. But for the followers of Jesus, “the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Praise Him!

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