Joel Nagel
6.20.2020
Psalm 90-97
Summary
Psalm 90 – A Psalm of Moses about the transient nature of this life and the eternal nature of God. He asks God to teach him to humber his days aright – an amazing prayer that we should employ.
Psalm 91 – This is the Psalm that Satan himself quoted to Jesus in the desert (Matthew 4). Jesus countered with verses from Deuteronomy. A grave reminder that we must use the scriptures with care and integrity because Satan can use them too.
Psalm 92 – This is a Psalm for Sabbath. What a great way to start and end a day of rest in God!
Psalm 93 – This simple Psalm speaks to the unmovable nature of God. The things that threaten us are no threat to him.
Psalm 94 – A powerful Psalm of lament that calls upon the “Lord of vengeance” to make things right while also remembering that ultimately God is in control.
Psalm 95 – A simple song of praise that features a warning quoted in Hebrews 3-4 – Today if you hear his voice do not harden your hearts!
Psalm 96 – I love this Psalm of praise because it says that the trees of the forest will sing – I’ve heard it!
Psalm 97 – This Psalm reminds us that God is big and evil is small – O you who love the Lord, hate evil!
Key Verse:
Psalm 95:7-8 “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.'”
I chose this verse because it basically gets a sermon written around it in the book of Hebrews. We often cite Hebrews 4:12-13 which is an amazing verse, but this Psalm actually gives us the context based on the days of wandering and disobedience in the desert.
Vision of God
This verse is a reminder of the justice of God. He parted the seas, sent the plagues, raised up Moses and still let a whole generation of his people fall and not enter his rest because they did not trust and obey.
Vision of Myself and Others
As much as I love the mercy of God and certainly need his grace everyday. I also must respect his justice. As the Hebrew writer points out, this passage begins with the word, “Today”. That’s back in Moses’ day, Jesus’ day, the early church period and TODAY. This is a promise of God that we can’t ignore – Today, if you harden your heart, you will not enter his rest.
Go With God
I want to keep my heart soft by reading, praying and having people who love God play an active role in my life. I have to keep being open about my feelings, temptations and sins so sin won’t begin to harden my heart.
Jesus
I see Jesus in all of this because without him we’d all miss out on his rest. Jesus’ sacrifice gives us the chance to make every today a day full of God and goodness and tomorrow a day of rest in God for eternity.
2020 Bible Vision 