His Love Endures Forever

Posted on December 10, 2018 by Tim Farley

Reading the Word

Psalm 136:1–9 (ESV)
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

4 to him who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
5 to him who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
7 to him who made the great lights,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
8 the sun to rule over the day,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

Understanding and Applying the Word

It does not take long to understand the central theme of this psalm. Every line ends with the refrain “for his steadfast love endures forever.” God’s steadfast love is the reason that we should give thanks to him.

In verses verses 4-9, the theme of God’s steadfast love continues and is shown in his creative acts. He made the heavens and the earth. He made the stars and the sun and the moon. It is God who created a world that could sustain life. And it is God who created us and gave us the gift of life. What a wonderful God who shows us his love in so many ways. His love truly does endure forever!

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Unity

Posted on December 6, 2018 by Tim Farley

Reading the Word

Psalm 133:1–3 (ESV)

1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brothers dwell in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down on the collar of his robes!
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the LORD has commanded the blessing,
life forevermore.

Understanding and Applying the Word

Unity is a wonderful thing. When the people of God are working together, it is pleasant and brings great pleasure. The psalmist uses two images to illustrate the goodness of unity. It is like the precious oil used to anoint a priest that runs down from his head to his beard and to his robe. The oil spreads over the entire person. It is also like the dew running off of Mount Herman, the highest peak in Israel, and onto Zion. Zion is a dusty and much smaller mountain, but it is where the temple sits. The dew from Mount Herman gives refreshing moisture to dry Zion.

If you have ever been in a church where unity is not present among God’s people, you may have a good understanding of this psalm. Without unity, the people of God cannot prosper and thrive. It takes unity to allow the body of Christ to function as it ought to and accomplish what it is designed to. This is why there is such a great emphasis throughout the New Testament on this vital issue. We are called to love one another, forgive one another, and live in unity as we serve and build one another up. May we dwell in unity and experience its great pleasures.

The Lord Is Better

Posted on October 28, 2018 by Tim Farley

Psalm 1188 [widescreen]

Thank you for reading Shaped by the Word. I do not publish devotional content on Sundays, but do include a suggested Scripture reading. Please take the time to subscribe to this page if you have not already. We are working our way through the Book of Psalms in 2018.

Reading the Word

Psalm 118:1–9 (ESV)

¹ Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! ² Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” ³ Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” ⁴ Let those who fear the Lord say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” ⁵ Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. ⁶ The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? ⁷ The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. ⁸ It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. ⁹ It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.

The Lord Has Established His Throne

Posted on September 13, 2018 by Tim Farley

Reading the Word

Psalm 103:19–22 (ESV)

¹⁹ The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. ²⁰ Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! ²¹ Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will! ²² Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Understanding and Applying the Word

As we come to the end of this psalm, all of heaven is called on to join in the worship of the Lord. His throne is in heaven and his dominion is over all places and things.

Can you imagine all of creation, both heaven and earth, joining in worship of God because of his steadfast love and sovereign rule? Can you imagine the whole world joined together in singing and adoration before the throne of God, the Creator? This is what Psalm 103 calls for. He is a great God and worthy of praise from all of his creation. Let our souls rejoice in him and join the heavens and the earth in blessing his name!

As a Father

Posted on September 12, 2018 by Tim Farley

Photo by Josh Willink on Pexels.com

Reading the Word

Psalm 103:13–18 (ESV)

¹³ As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. ¹⁴ For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. ¹⁵ As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; ¹⁶ for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. ¹⁷ But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, ¹⁸ to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.

Understanding and Applying the Word

These verses speak of the love of God in comparison to the love of a father for his children. God loves those who fear him. This is a way of saying those who understand who God is as Creator and Judge and, in response, walk in obedience to his word. God knows we are dust. He knows that we are human and have our weaknesses and flaws, but he loves us anyway, just as an earthly father understands the weaknesses of his children, but continues to love them.

God’s love is amazing. It is not something we earn or deserve. He simply loves us despite who we are. It is a wonderful thing that we often take for granted that we are not only loved by God, but are adopted into his family as children. We call him Father and he loves us as his very own. The words to a popular song reflect this truth:

You’re a good good Father
It’s who you are, it’s who you are, it’s who you are
And I’m loved by you
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am

– Good Good Father by Chris Tomlin

The God Who Is Gracious

Posted on August 6, 2018 by Tim Farley

Photo by Mikes Photos on Pexels.com

Reading the Word

Psalm 89:19–26 (ESV)

¹⁹ Of old you spoke in a vision to your godly one, and said: “I have granted help to one who is mighty; I have exalted one chosen from the people. ²⁰ I have found David, my servant; with my holy oil I have anointed him, ²¹ so that my hand shall be established with him; my arm also shall strengthen him. ²² The enemy shall not outwit him; the wicked shall not humble him. ²³ I will crush his foes before him and strike down those who hate him. ²⁴ My faithfulness and my steadfast love shall be with him, and in my name shall his horn be exalted. ²⁵ I will set his hand on the sea and his right hand on the rivers. ²⁶ He shall cry to me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation.’

Understanding and Applying the Word

These verses recount how God chose David as king of Israel. The passage recalls the events of 1 Samuel 16. The emphasis that we see in these verses is that it was by God’s choosing that David was made king. And it was also by God’s hand that he was given success as king as he triumphed over his foes. God promised to give David success and he fulfilled his promise.

God is a God of steadfast love and faithfulness. He is committed to his people and he makes promises that he keeps. Why? Not because we deserve such faithfulness, but simply because God is gracious. As we live our lives, we should be encouraged by God’s unfailing loyalty and when he fulfills his promises to us, we should give him the glory because it is only through him that we have anything at all.

Consider the Days of Old

Posted on June 29, 2018 by Tim Farley

Reading the Word

Psalm 77:5–9 (ESV)

⁵ I consider the days of old, the years long ago. ⁶ I said, “Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.” Then my spirit made a diligent search: ⁷ “Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? ⁸ Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? ⁹ Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah

Understanding and Applying the Word

In a time when it seems as if the Lord has forgotten him, the psalmist asks himself questions. In summation, he asks, “Has his [God’s] steadfast love forever ceased?” While he asks this in many ways, the sure answer is “no.”

The psalmist asks himself questions concerning God’s love, grace, and faithfulness to remind himself of the past where the Lord has proven his love and faithfulness. We too must remember the past when we are hard pressed in the present. Let us remind ourselves of all that God has done and let us be confident of the present and future. We see God’s love and grace at the cross and, if we look closely, in our daily lives. He will surely remain faithful in the future.

Have Regard for the Covenant

Posted on June 23, 2018 by Tim Farley

Reading the Word

Psalm 74:18–23 (ESV)

¹⁸ Remember this, O Lord, how the enemy scoffs, and a foolish people reviles your name. ¹⁹ Do not deliver the soul of your dove to the wild beasts; do not forget the life of your poor forever. ²⁰ Have regard for the covenant, for the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence. ²¹ Let not the downtrodden turn back in shame; let the poor and needy praise your name. ²² Arise, O God, defend your cause; remember how the foolish scoff at you all the day! ²³ Do not forget the clamor of your foes, the uproar of those who rise against you, which goes up continually!

Understanding and Applying the Word

In the closing verses of Psalm 74, the psalmist calls out to God to remember His covenant (verse 20). In making a covenant with His people, God promised to be with them as their God. This promise was not made with a people who had somehow earned God’s favor, but was an act of God’s grace. He made a covenant out of mercy and love. And it is the grace of God that this psalmist now calls out out for.

This is the theme of all of Scripture. We are told that all people are sinners and have offended the holy God. We do not deserve His favor, but He is gracious and forgives those who will call out to Him and trust in His word. In His word, God tells us that He gave His Son, Jesus Christ, as a sacrifice for sins and that all who trust in him will be saved. We call out to God and ask Him to remember His promise to forgive. We call out and ask for His grace.

God Holds Our Hand

Posted on June 19, 2018 by Tim Farley

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Reading the Word

Psalm 73:21–23 (ESV)

²¹ When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, ²² I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you. ²³ Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.

Understanding and Applying the Word

In these verses we read the consequences of envy. The previous verses have discussed how the psalmist was envious of the prosperity of others, but when he came to worship his perspective changed (verse 17). Now we read that before this change in perspective, envy had led to bitterness and anger. These feelings are how the psalmist felt about God.

In an amazing statement, verse 23 tells us that even in his time of bitterness and anger, God remained. God continued to hold the psalmist’s hand as a parent does for a child who may be in a bad mood, but still needs instruction, guidance, and protection. This is how God is towards His children. He does not desert us, but He exercises grace and uses the experiences of life to teach us so that we grow into maturity. He is always there holding our hand.

My Prayer Is to You

Posted on June 3, 2018 by Tim Farley

man standing on rocks near beach during golden hour

Photo by Samuel Silitonga on Pexels.com

Shaped by the Word is a daily Bible reading devotional. I do not publish devotional content on Sundays, but I do include a suggested reading for the day. Please subscribe to the page so you can follow along as we read through the Book of Psalms in 2018!

Reading the Word

Psalm 69:13–18 (ESV)

¹³ But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. ¹⁴ Deliver me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters. ¹⁵ Let not the flood sweep over me, or the deep swallow me up, or the pit close its mouth over me. ¹⁶ Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me. ¹⁷ Hide not your face from your servant, for I am in distress; make haste to answer me. ¹⁸ Draw near to my soul, redeem me; ransom me because of my enemies!

Shaped by the Word

A Bible Reading Devotional

Tag Archives: Love

His Love Endures Forever

Unity

The Lord Is Better

The Lord Has Established His Throne

As a Father

The God Who Is Gracious

Consider the Days of Old

Have Regard for the Covenant

God Holds Our Hand

My Prayer Is to You

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