Psalm 85 Following In God's Footstpes

Daily Bible Study for Tuesday October 25, 2016

By: Hanny Lynn Stearns

Fish N Loaves Ministries, Inc.

“Multiplying God’s Word Around The Globe”

Chapter Reading for Today: Please read in your Bible before proceeding. Note that most translations are considered paraphrases. The Young’s Literal Translation provides a more accurate translation since he is the one who authored a concordance. Others are helpful for seeing a different perspective, but we cannot always depend on their wording. I hope this is helpful to you. If you are studying in another version, that is fine. I am studying from the KJV, but for the purpose of this study, I will keep it with the New King James Version.

One final note: I will put the scripture in italics to differentiate from my own writing. I am adding red to the letters when it is Jesus talking – just like the Bible. Thank you.

Bible Gateway Verse of the Day

Ephesians 5:19-20

speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,

giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Psalm 85

Following in God’s Footsteps

How many would like to be able to walk through life the way the Lord Jesus did while He was here on the earth? We can, you know. Yes, when we turn to the Lord and seek Him and His salvation, all His ways will lead us to walk in the right paths through this life – the paths of peace and abundance. Great fruit will come from our lives when we commit our plans to the Lord. Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father:

Anyone who fears (reverences and honors You) will be so blessed. Salvation has already been provided through Your Son - Jesus Christ. Many are still asking for You to save them, but You already have. Thank You Father that today is the day of salvation for anyone who turns to You. To follow in the steps of the Master is to walk in Your paths of peace and abundance. Father, I ask You today to anoint me to speak to Your people. Give me the utterance to bring exactly what You want us to receive in this study. Open our eyes as we slowly meditate on Your word. Help us to allow it to sink deep down into our spirit man so we can glean all that You have for us in it. Bring more and more people from around the world – those You created to hear Your truth and receive the mercy that You have already given. Father, as we read this powerful life changing word, we thank You that You always watch over Your word to perform it in our lives when we obey what You say. Make this message to go forth unhindered and unchecked by any outside force or my flesh. Remove the obstacles so that it can reach the people You intend to reach. We will make it our goal to be doers of Your word and not forgetful hearers only. Bring glory to Yourself as we study. Thank You in advance for the changes You will make in our hearts as we receive Your word which is living and powerful. We praise You Lord God Almighty in the powerful, life changing name of Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen.

Our opening verses make a powerful statement of what the Lord has already given His children. Of course, when these words were written, Jesus had not yet come to the earth. But the people whose hearts were right before the Lord were also heirs to salvation as the children of Abraham. If you are like me, you may wonder how anyone in the Old Testament days could be saved if Jesus had not come to make the only sacrifice for the sin of all mankind for all time. If that’s you, look at Romans chapter 4. You can read the entire chapter on your own and study related chapters and verses on your own as well, but at least this will get you started…

Romans 4:9-12

⁹ Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. ¹⁰ How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised. ¹¹ And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, ¹² and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised.

Everything that the Lord had written in His word (The Bible) was written in such a way as to correctly and accurately cross reference; tying each part of it together like the a finely knit garment. He is so brilliant the way He brought us these truths in written form to help us in this life. His word does light our paths by showing us things from the past, how to live in the present, and what is yet to come in the future. This way the man and woman of God can be fully equipped to live a powerful and effective life with and for God on this earth – hallelujah!

Let’s look at another verse in the New Testament to show us more about our salvation for eternity…

Matthew 26:26-28

²⁶ And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”

²⁷ Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. ²⁸ For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Abraham was of the old covenant. Jesus is the new covenant. This final meal with His disciples before He went to the cross shows us what the entire purpose of what Jesus’ life was about – our redemption. He gave us a way to enter into heaven (God’s presence) because there was no other way. Anyone who will not accept what Jesus has already done for them will have to live out a real and horrendous eternity in the fires of hell – not because God sent them there, but because they chose it all on their own. That is terribly SADD-U-CEE!!!

The people were asking for their salvation in the first verses of today’s Psalm, but as we can see, no matter when a person was alive on the earth, their redemption was already complete – initially by the promise, and finally by the finished work of Jesus Christ. He said it Himself...

John 28-30

²⁸ After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” ²⁹ Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth.³⁰ So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

In verses 8 & 9, the Psalmist is eager to listen to what the Lord has to say, certain that God will speak peace to His people. If we listen to Him, His words are always that of peace for those who are interested in what He has to say. Let’s take it a piece at a time… 

Proverbs 3:1-2

My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you.

In addition, in the same chapter of Proverbs, the following verse speaks of what wisdom can bring – God is the Person of wisdom, and what wisdom brings is peace…

Proverbs 3:17

Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

The overriding theme today is walking in the footsteps of the Lord. We will see plenty of scripture that shows the benefits of walking with God. When I tried to walk in this life by my own steps (ways) I made a terrible mess of things. Once I discovered the love of Jesus and began to walk with Him, everything began to change for the better – praise His name forever. Nobody ever has to wonder what God’s plans for us are. He gave us the details in His word…

Jeremiah 29:11-14

¹¹ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. ¹² Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.

Friends, this is how good God really is! Anyone who does not believe Him makes Him out to be a liar and this is how a person can blaspheme the Holy Spirit – the unforgivable sin. God is not a man that He can lie. It is impossible for God to tell a lie. We can take great comfort in these words because we know that they – like Him are Faithful and True.

In the same verse today, verse 8, the psalmist writes that the people must not turn back to their folly. What he is saying here is that we should not go back to living the way we did before we tasted salvation. Some people have and their hope will be cut off. They could not crucify Christ again and put Him to shame as if it was not enough the first time…

Hebrews 6:4-8

⁴ For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, ⁵ and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, ⁶ if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

⁷ For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; ⁸ but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.

There is a popular saying going around the Christian circles these days that is absolutely false. It goes like this: “Once saved, always saved.” Friends, this is not true. The Bible makes it clear that we must work out our salvation with fear (reverence for God) and trembling. It also tells us that those who endure to the end will be saved. You can look those verses up on your own – don’t take my word for it. The word of God speaks for Himself. I am just a messenger. 

And just because the book of John tells us that no one can be snatched from Jesus’ hand, does not imply that we cannot lose our salvation. Anyone who desires to stay with Jesus, like the few disciples who did stick it out with Him when the multitudes turned away, will not be taken away from Him. Only those who choose to walk away because they think His paths are too hard – like the multitudes.

Next, we look at verse 9. Salvation is here! Hallelujah! Salvation is now! If you or someone you know is not saved, they can read this study and come to understand that there is no time like the present to ask the Lord Jesus to be Lord and Savior! Look at these verses that can help you understand better or show them to someone else who needs to hear them as the Lord directs you. 

A little note here. It important to be led by Holy Spirit on when and what to speak to a person who has not yet accepted their salvation because if we do it on our own without the Father drawing them, we can do more harm than good. It is good to pray about it before approaching people, and then step in carefully as the Lord leads us. He can give us a word in season to him who is weary, and there will be fruit born from our labors. Let’s look at the verses…

2 Corinthians 6:2

² For He says:

“In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you. ”Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Jesus came to let the world around Him know that salvation was here – staring them right in the eyes…

Matthew 4:17

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Friends, can you see how the word of God is such deep water? He can take in a thousand different directions in each chapter (or more) every time we study. That’s why it is critical that we pray before we study so that we can get exactly what He wants to give us for this particular time.

Isn’t verse 10 an exciting passage to read where mercy and truth come together? Amen! Jesus is Mercy, and His truth is attached to His mercy. In His mercy, we find truth – the truth that makes free. Breaking this verse up into two pieces because there is a lot in it. We do not always do this Bible study verse by verse. It all depends on what the Lord wants to do on a given day. Let’s look…

Proverbs 16:6

In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; and by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.

This verse goes so well following the previous verses we just discussed about salvation – glory to God! And look at this…

Psalm 57:3

He shall send from heaven and save me; He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. Selah God shall send forth His mercy and His truth.

Proverbs 3:3

Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart,

The virtues of mercy and truth should be worn around the heart of every Christian man, woman and child. They go together better than bread and butter! LOL! A little humor is good. And as we talk about walking in God’s footsteps today, look at this…

Psalm 25:10

All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.

Psalm 89:14

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; mercy and truth go before Your face.

Moving on to the second part of verse 10, look at how the Bible describes the closeness between righteousness (right ways) and peace. They are so intimately tied together that they are described as having “kissed.” Let’s look at some verses that can tie right into this. These scriptures by the way are so good for us to meditate on continually. I am so blessed that my life’s work is in the word of God. Not everyone has this privilege; I understand that. But there are many things a person can do to eliminate distractions in their lives so they can spend the maximum amount of time they can in His presence and His word. This, along with praying in the spirit will only do good in building oneself up in their most holy faith – and we all need that!

Psalm 29:11

The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.

Psalm 72:7

In His days the righteous shall flourish, and abundance of peace, until the moon is no more.

Psalm 119:165

Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.

Friends, can you see how much more we can get from reading a chapter in the Bible when we dig in? It is a rich meal and we need to chew on it. If we open our Bibles and just read a passage or a chapter and then close it and go on our way – we are really missing out on something very special that the Lord has for us. The next verse tells us that His truth shall spring out of the earth. In what way, you ask? Let’s look…

John 1:14

 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 14:6

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Zechariah 8:3

³ “Thus says the Lord:

‘I will return to Zion, and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem.
Jerusalem shall be called the City of Truth, the Mountain of the Lord of hosts, the Holy Mountain.’

The Truth – Jesus came to this earth and sprang forth through the virgin Mary. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Through Jesus, the truth comes to the earth and springs out from Zion – thank You Jesus. Finally, this last verse looks at walking as He walked. And isn’t that what we want to do more and more in our lives? As we walk in the truth, it can spring forth from our lives and be a shining example to others. Remember, we must be as a sign and a wonder to this world. We should look different, act different, and be something that will cause them to wonder…at the awesomeness of the Lord.

1 John 2:3-6

³ Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. ⁴ He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. ⁵ But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. ⁶ He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

Moving on, the Lord is looking down from heaven through His righteous eyes…

Psalm 14:2

The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God.

Everything about God is good. And everything about God is right. He looks at everything going on through the eyes of love and righteousness. People need never think He is up there slamming down a gavel on a Judges bench at them every time they make a mistake and sin. What He is doing through Jesus who intercedes for us constantly is praying that we may know Him and the power of His resurrection. His desires for us are always good. And along that same line, He is the giver of every good and perfect gift…

James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

Matthew 7:11

 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

So, whenever you think of God, think of Him as good and think of Him as a giver. After all, He is the greatest giver in existence. He gave us Jesus in order to buy back what was originally His. The devil stole us through Adam and Eve giving place to him, and then the Lord in His great love secured a plan to buy His creation back. All anyone has to do is accept the free gift of salvation that He provided through Jesus Christ, and their eternity is secure as long as they stay with it until the end. That’s worth shouting about saints! Our God is good – all the time.

Before we get to the final verse, we will discuss how He gives what is good from verse 12, and He also gives us a land that will yield its increase. This means abundance friends. The Lord wants us to prosper and have an abundance in everything – from our lands to the work He has called us to do. Let’s look at some verses…

Psalm 67:6

Then the earth shall yield her increase; God, our own God, shall bless us.

Proverbs 3:9-10

Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

Isaiah 30:23

Then He will give the rain for your seed with which you sow the ground, and bread of the increase of the earth; It will be fat and plentiful. In that day your cattle will feed in large pastures.

Ezekiel 36:30

And I will multiply the fruit of your trees and the increase of your fields, so that you need never again bear the reproach of famine among the nations.

Friends, our God is an abundant giver! When we honor Him with the tithe, we are blessed! When we sow into the kingdom of heaven, we reap great harvests. God does not want His people in poverty. You have heard me say it before and I will keep on saying it in the sincere desire that people will start to realize that God does not want us to be poor! He blesses us and expects us to bless others. It is all a good thing when the increase comes from the Lord. He wants our bank accounts to increase and be fruitful. There’s another kind of fruit however, that the Lord is interested in – perhaps most of all. That’s our lives. He wants us to be fruitful in everything we do. Let’s look at this…

Colossians 1:9-12

⁹ For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; ¹⁰ that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; ¹¹ strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; ¹² giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

Financial abundance comes with spiritual abundance. One brings the other. He wants our lives to take on a heavenly meaning and purpose while we are here on the earth. He wants us to personally bear fruit – not just drag ourselves along while we are on this earth. Look at this…

Matthew 7:17-20

¹⁷ Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

Does this describe your life right now? Are you living a fruitful, productive life in Christ? If not, there is no time like the present to begin to do just that. Remember that today is the day of salvation. Today can be a brand-new day for you. If your life has not been bringing the kind of results that you clearly see our God wants you to have, you can make the choice to change things right now, and start walking in His paths. His steps are always the right steps. Following in His footsteps will always bring us into a broad, prosperous and wonderful place.

Sure, we will go through trials in this life. Jesus made that clear. He did not mince His words when He said we would face difficulties. But He also told us that He gave us the keys to the kingdom and all the authority that we need to walk in victory over sin, death and the devil. With all that “armory” who could say no? Yes, there are many who foolishly do – but our salvation is here. Today is the day.

Wouldn’t you like to be saved from the unnecessary troubles that living a life apart from God surely brings?  We must remember that we have choices in this life. God never forces us to do one single thing. He only invites. How we respond is totally up to us. I have heard it said and I know it is true from my own experiences, “Our lives will be the direct result of our response to the word of God.” What is your choice today my friend? 

Our final verse in today’s chapter is a great way to review what it means to walk in God’s footsteps. Because righteousness is what He is all about, it causes us to walk in the same ways – if we will follow earnestly after Him. Here is a couple of verses to close and then I will post the entire 37^th Psalm as the closing verse. I hope you will meditate on its precious truth for your life…

Proverbs 4:12, 26-27

When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble.

Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil.

Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father:

Thank You for salvation through Your Son Jesus. You truly are the greatest giver of all! Thank You for Your righteous ways that bring peace as we place our trust in the Prince of Peace – who is full of grace and truth. Lord, I desire to walk in Your ways more than ever. I am asking You to show me the things I need to change in my life so I can enjoy increase in my life on every level. Father, most of all, I want to live a life that honors You by bearing much fruit while I am here on the earth.  Show me what I need to do to make that happen. I am placing my trust in You as my Savior, my Lord, my Provider and Teacher. You are my everything and I am going to trust You and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name with the help of Holy Spirit. Thank You for hearing and answering me Lord. I ask and I believe I receive when I ask according to Your will in the wonderful name of Jesus. Amen.

There are three main points to consider from today’s study…

Salvation has already come to us through God’s one and only Son – Jesus Christ

Christians must work out their salvation with fear and trembling

Walking in God’s footsteps will bring a life of righteousness, peace and abundance to all who will follow Him

Questions:

Have you received Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior? If not, what is stopping you?

What does it mean to work out your salvation with fear and trembling?

What does God expect from His people while they are on this earth?

Are you living the abundant fruitful life now? If not, what is the Lord asking you to change?

What has impacted you the most about this study?

What will you do differently after reading this lesson?

Who can you share this study with?

Would you like to walk in God’s footsteps?

And God Said… You fill in the blanks.

Psalm 37

37 Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
² For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.

³ Trust in the Lord, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
⁴ Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

⁵ Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
⁶ He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.

⁷ Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
⁸ Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret—it only causes harm.

⁹ For evildoers shall be cut off;
But those who wait on the Lord,
They shall inherit the earth.
¹⁰ For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more;
Indeed, you will look carefully for his place,
But it shall be no more.
¹¹ But the meek shall inherit the earth,
And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

¹² The wicked plots against the just,
And gnashes at him with his teeth.
¹³ The Lord laughs at him,
For He sees that his day is coming.
¹⁴ The wicked have drawn the sword
And have bent their bow,
To cast down the poor and needy,
To slay those who are of upright conduct.
¹⁵ Their sword shall enter their own heart,
And their bows shall be broken.

¹⁶ A little that a righteous man has
Is better than the riches of many wicked.
¹⁷ For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
But the Lord upholds the righteous.

¹⁸ The Lord knows the days of the upright,
And their inheritance shall be forever.
¹⁹ They shall not be ashamed in the evil time,
And in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
²⁰ But the wicked shall perish;
And the enemies of the Lord,
Like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish.
Into smoke they shall vanish away.

²¹ The wicked borrows and does not repay,
But the righteous shows mercy and gives.
²² For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth,
But those cursed by Him shall be cut off.

²³ The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,
And He delights in his way.
²⁴ Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the Lord upholds him with His hand.

²⁵ I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.
²⁶ He is ever merciful, and lends;
And his descendants are blessed.

²⁷ Depart from evil, and do good;
And dwell forevermore.
²⁸ For the Lord loves justice,
And does not forsake His saints;
They are preserved forever,
But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off.
²⁹ The righteous shall inherit the land,
And dwell in it forever.

³⁰ The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom,
And his tongue talks of justice.
³¹ The law of his God is in his heart;
None of his steps shall slide.

³² The wicked watches the righteous,
And seeks to slay him.
³³ The Lord will not leave him in his hand,
Nor condemn him when he is judged.

³⁴ Wait on the Lord,
And keep His way,
And He shall exalt you to inherit the land;
When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.
³⁵ I have seen the wicked in great power,
And spreading himself like a native green tree.
³⁶ Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more;
Indeed I sought him, but he could not be found.

³⁷ Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright;
For the future of that man is peace.
³⁸ But the transgressors shall be destroyed together;
The future of the wicked shall be cut off.

³⁹ But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
He is their strength in the time of trouble.
⁴⁰ And the Lord shall help them and deliver them;
He shall deliver them from the wicked,
And save them,
Because they trust in Him.