For today, One Year Bible Online links here.
I will echo the sentiments of this passage and recommend that any single man think closely about it when choosing a wife. I am grateful to God that He gave me the former rather than the latter.
This psalm is definitely my prayer today. I pray that God come quickly to my rescue for I face great troubles. I know that those who search for God will be filled with joy. He is my helper and my savior. I pray that He relieves my trouble before I am overcome with despair.
I noticed something about the story of the demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes (or Gadarenes) that I never saw before. When Jesus got out of the boat the demon-possessed man came to meet Him. Jesus did not go seeking him out. Having initiated the interaction with Jesus, the demon-possessed man proceeded to ask Jesus why He was interfering with him. Isn’t this something we see a lot in this world? Non-believers confront us about our beliefs and then accuse us of wanting to interfere in their lives? However, notice that when this happened to Jesus, He did not back off of His beliefs. He confronted the demons head on. In the same way, when unbelievers confront us about our beliefs we should stand firm on what we believe and not back down.
The message of this passage is to those who have seen God’s mighty acts and experienced His discipline. If we love Him with all of our heart and obey His instructions, God will bless us throughout our lives. Let us not be deceived and turn away from God. There is a challenge for me in this passage. I will strive to commit myself to the words of God. I will talk about them when I am at home and when I am on the road, when I am going to bed and when I am getting up. I will strive to speak the words which God has given me at all times. We have been given the choice between a blessing and a curse. If we follow God’s instructions we will be blessed, but if we rebel against God we will be cursed.