Thought for February 17th. “IN WHOSE HEART ARE THE HIGHWAYS TO …”

02/17/25 • 4 min

The Bible Channel - Discover the Bible. (By Christadelphianvideo.org)

Today we travel on highways, freeways and motorways. Different countries call them different names. These allow us to travel at speed to our destinations.
Our thoughts “raced” along these lines as we read Psalm 84 and the words he addressed to God, “Blessed are those whose strength is in you and in whose heart are the highways to Zion” [v.5] Let us all create a “highway” in our heart for godly thoughts and then the distractions of this godless world can be more easily brushed aside. The Psalmist continues, “They go from strength to strength, each one appears before God in Zion.” [v.7].
This is an exhilarating picture of strength that grows in those who have developed the right kind of highway in their hearts! They will reach a wonderful eternal destination, one beyond our imagining.
Sadly we see around us, more and more examples of those who have developed the wrong kind of highways in their hearts. Almost as bad are those who try to maintain two kind of highways! One makes more noise than the other – and so ends up getting more and more use!
We notice the humble ambition of the Psalmist. “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness” [v.10] Some, in their youth, have great ambitions for their lives, but sadly we hear and read too many examples of those who sacrifice principles and integrity in their efforts to achieve them. They will realize, probably too late, that their highway has really been directed toward Mammon instead of toward Zion.
But the Psalmist would rather be a doorkeeper! And what a privilege that would be! Imagine being a doorkeeper in God’s house of prayer for all nations (Mark 11 v.17) What experiences! What a privilege!
Finally, let us absorb the meaning of the words that are used to end this Psalm. “... the LORD is a sun and a shield; the LORD bestows favour and honour. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you.”
Can you feel the warmth of the Sun and the protection of the Shield the Lord provides? Let us feed constantly on his word, it will provide the motive force for our hearts as we head towards Zion – and how much more will this be needed as that destination gets closer – but the distractions greater! .

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Thoughts on the readings for February 18th (Exodus 29, Psalms 85, 86, Mark 14)

Exodus 29 outlines the consecration of the priests. The early verses describe the offerings that were required when the priests were consecrated. Verses 5-9 point out that Aaron and his sons were to be dressed in their holy robes of office for their induction into their roles. Verses 10-14 indicate that the priests were to place their hands upon the bull to be slain, as a sin offering. This was in effect an acknowledgment on their part of unworthiness and an acceptance of their need for blood to atone for their sins. These verses show the application of the blood involved in their consecration. Next the ram of consecration was to be offered as a burnt offering. Verses 19-21 cover the second ram, which was for an offering of dedication. The blood of this ram was to be placed on the ear lobes, on the thumbs and the big toes of the priests’ right foot. This spoke of their ears being open to God’s Word; their hands being dedicated to their Sovereign’s work; and their walk as faithful followers of the LORD their God. Verses 22-24 tell of wave offerings, which spoke of their service as Yahweh’s representatives. The remainder of the chapter deals with other aspects of their ordination and that this process would apply perpetually to the priesthood. The process of their consecration lasted for seven days. The priests were to be holy men acting in the service of God. Slowly read the last three verses of this chapter and ponder its meaning for you.cont https://christadelphianvideo.org/thoughts-on-the-readings-for-february-18th-exodus-29-psalms-85-86-mark-14/

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Thought for February 18th. “TEACH ME THY WAYS”

Today we read a most moving and personal prayer of David. It begins, “Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Preserve my life for I am godly.” [Psa. 86] Can we pray as David did? But in what sense are we poor and needy? Many might say this today, but not mean it in the sense we think David did, In his prayer he said, “O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seek my life, they do not set you before them.” [v.14]
In this the experiences of “the son of David,” our Lord are parallel; we read today in Mark 14 of his arrest when Judas Iscariot, under the cloak of darkness, led “a crowd with swords and clubs” [v.43] in betraying him. The disciples fled, but the time was to come when their eyes were opened to the meaning of it all and their lack of faith was forgiven.
It would be then that Psalms such as this one would be most meaningful to them – as they are, or should be, to us. “For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace.” [v.5,6] Verse 11 has a special appeal, “Teach me your way O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.”
How often does our heart experience a sense of discord – the world’s values and desires pull one way – and divine thoughts pull another! Tragically some give up reading the Bible to avoid feeling this discord.
Does the Bible seem unreal in this modern world? Many have that feeling. Well, think, do the attitudes in the world seem real – in the sense of having a purpose and direction for the future? Paul wrote of the attitudes in his day, “ ... they did not honour him as God, but became futile in their thinking and their foolish hearts were darkened.” [Rom. 1 v.21] In contrast, may we say with David, “I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart ...” [v.12]