Proclaim Hope Daily | Week 20

Below is a short summary or synopsis of the Bible reading for the day. Use it as a helpful tool to think through the Scripture. There are also some cross references to study other passages of Scripture to highlight or better understand that passage.

The Fatherhood of God shines through this triumphal psalm of praise. Glorified as the ultimate Father, God is always present, intimately knowing each need and providing with his majesty beyond measure. Here David emphasizes God the Father with the use of widows and orphans, as these two categories of individuals would be in desperate need concerning the sustenance provided for by a committed father. While there are here tones of a gentle and loving God, there too is a powerful display of the Mighty Father, whom scatters the enemies and persecutors of his children as the wind effortlessly dissipates smoke. There is amazing power in the providence of God, but all earthly deliverances fail in comparison to the gift and power of salvation; the greatest act of the Father which communicates his limitless sacrificial love which is fulfilled in his Son. The psalmist rightly invokes the praise of the nations, for the entire world, most particularly his children, have experienced in some way the presence and victory of the Lord.

(Numbers 10:35; Matthew 7:11; Ephesians 4:7-13; Philippians 4:19; James 1:27; 1 John 3:1)

Once again here in the wisdom literature, we see groupings of comparative statements drawing out the vast difference between the attributes of the righteous who reflect the character of God verses the unrighteous, those who do not embody or have outright rejected the ways of God. Not only are the outward appearances of these opposing hearts visibly different, but the outcomes of such positioning are as well. There is no mincing of words here, as the use of strong language concerning blessings and curses are utilized to draw the reader into seeing the obvious and simple truth; what God deems good brings blessing, evil perpetuates judgement and curses. These points of reflection verbally layout and illuminate two opposing paths, one leading to an abundance of life and the other leading to destruction. Another comforting aspect to these passages is the promise that even if the righteous find themselves in tribulation, not only will the Lord bring them through such time, but use it as a refiners fire, purifying them in the process (v.3).

(Deuteronomy 28:15,20; Romans 6:23, 8:13, 28; James 1:2-4, 14-15)