Daily Bible Reading - October 25, 2017

Today's Reading:

1 Thessalonians 5

Isaiah 23-24

Psalm 116

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Thoughts and Commentary on Today's Reading   

In Psalm 116, we find a powerful reminder of why we can wait upon Yahweh - resting in Him, even amidst the storms which come our way.

Psalm 116:1-6 - "I love Yahweh, because He hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because He hath inclined His Ear unto me, therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the Name of Yahweh; O Yahweh, I beseech Thee, deliver my soul. Gracious is YAHWEH, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful. Yahweh preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and He helped me."

Being able to wait on Yahweh, calling upon Him and resting assured in Him - even before He visibly answers - requires us to have a vision of Him. We need to know Who He is and keep our eyes upon Him in order to wait.

Proverbs 29:18 "Where there is no vision, the people perish."

Frederick William Faber (28 June 1814 – 26 September 1863) was a noted English hymn writer and theologian. He is best known for the powerful hymn Faith of Our Fathers. The following was written by Faber:

Our hearts are like a photographers' film-the longer exposed (to God), the deeper the impression. For God's vision to be impressed upon our hearts, we must sit in stillness at His feet for quite a long time. Remember, the troubled surface of a lake will not reflect an image...

Seeing God always transforms human life. Jacob "crossed the ford of the Jabbok" (Genesis 32:22), saw God, and became Israel. Seeing a vision of God transformed Gideon from a coward into a courageous soldier. And Thomas, after seeing Christ, was changed from a doubting follower into a loyal devoted disciple.

It is very unusual for there to be complete quiet in the soul... (But) whenever the sounds of the world subside in our soul(s), we hear the whisperings of God. Yes, He continues to whisper to us, but we often do not hear Him because of the noise and distractions caused by the hurried pace of our (lives)."

Today, as you come to worship before Him, quiet your soul. Come to the stillness and listen. Let your life become - by His Grace - the still lake which perfectly reflects the loveliness of His Image.

Speak, Yah, in the stillness,
While I wait on Thee;
Hushing my heart to listen
in expectancy.

Speak, O blessed Master,
In this quiet hour.
Let me see Your Face, Yah,
Feel Your Touch of power.

For the Words that You speak,
"They are life," indeed;
Living Bread from Heaven,
Now my spirit feed.

Speak, Your servant hears You!
Be no silent, Yah;
My soul on You does wait,
For Your life-giving Word.

(Streams in the Desert, L.B. Cowman
Sacred Names are added by me)