Old Testament – Page 16 – The Maldonado Family

Psalm 74, The tribulations of HIS people!

Psa 74:1-2, …O God, WHY HAVE YOU CAST US OFF FOREVER? WHY DOES YOUR ANGER SMOKE AGAINST THE SHEEP OF YOUR PASTURE? Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old, The tribe of Your inheritance, which You have redeemed—This Mount Zion where You have dwelt.

Because of the sin of HIS people, God allowed suffering to come to Israel! The Psalmist felt abandoned by GOD! REMEMBER, THE LORD DIDN’T LEAVE, BUT IT WAS ISRAEL THAT LEFT HIM! The LORD Chastens those HE loves!

Heb 12:6, FOR WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE CHASTENS, AND SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.”

Psa 74:6-7, And now they break down its carved work, all at once, With axes and hammers. They have set fire to Your sanctuary; They have defiled the dwelling place of Your name to the ground.

This is what happened to Solomon’s temple. The Talmud says that they had a two-day feast in the temple, but burnt it on the third day! Recorded in 2Ki 25:9-10!

Isa 64:11-12, Our holy and beautiful temple, Where our fathers praised You, Is burned up with fire; And all our pleasant things are laid waste. Will You restrain Yourself because of these things, O LORD? Will You hold Your peace, and afflict us very severely?

The LORD will deal with the wicked in due time, BUT AS A LOVING FATHER HE CORRECTS THOSE HE LOVES THAT WE MAY NOT BE CONDEMNED WITH THE WICKED!

1Co 11:32, But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, THAT WE MAY NOT BE CONDEMNED WITH THE WORLD.

Psa 74:12, FOR GOD IS MY KING FROM OF OLD, WORKING SALVATION IN THE MIDST OF THE EARTH.

THE LORD IS ALWAYS WORKING IN OUR LIVES! HE NEVER GIVES UP ON HIS PEOPLE! WE MAY STUMBLE IN THIS LIFE, BUT WITH HIM WE WILL NEVER FALL!

Psa 37:24, Though they stumble, they will never fall, FOR THE LORD HOLDS THEM BY THE HAND.

Psalm 73, Why do the wicked prosper?

Psa 73:1-3, …Truly God is good to Israel, To such as are pure in heart. BUT AS FOR ME, MY FEET HAD ALMOST STUMBLED; MY STEPS HAD NEARLY SLIPPED. FOR I WAS ENVIOUS OF THE BOASTFUL, WHEN I SAW THE PROSPERITY OF THE WICKED.

GOD is good to the pure at heart, but when he saw the prosperity of the wicked, he almost stumbled! WHY? Why are they prospering in their wickedness; they have a better life than most people?

Job 21:7, Why do the wicked live and become old, Yes, become mighty in power?

Psa 73:4-5, For there are no pangs in their death, But their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like other men.

Other men are plagued by financial hardships in the death of a family member, but the wicked, in their prosperity, don’t suffer at all?

Psa 73:9,11, They set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue walks through the earth… And they say, “How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?”

GOD DOESN’T SEE WHAT WE DO, GOD DOESN’T KNOW; WHY WORRY IT’S ALL GOOD!

Hos 7:2, THEY DO NOT CONSIDER IN THEIR HEARTS THAT I REMEMBER ALL THEIR WICKEDNESS; NOW THEIR OWN DEEDS HAVE SURROUNDED THEM; THEY ARE BEFORE MY FACE.

Psa 73:13-14, SURELY I HAVE CLEANSED MY HEART IN VAIN, And washed my hands in innocence. For all day long I have been plagued, And chastened every morning.

THEY LIVE AWESOME LIVES IN THEIR WICKEDNESS, YET I SUFFER DAILY? SOMETHING IS JUST NOT RIGHT?

Psa 73:16-17, When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me— UNTIL I WENT INTO THE SANCTUARY OF GOD; THEN I UNDERSTOOD THEIR END.

Pro 23:17-18, Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day; FOR SURELY THERE IS A HEREAFTER, AND YOUR HOPE WILL NOT BE CUT OFF.

MANY BELIEVE THAT ONCE YOU DIE IT’S OVER. YET, DEATH IS THE START OF THEIR TRUE LIVES IN CHRIST FOR THOSE THAT BELIEVE AND TRUSTED IN THE LORD! FOR THE WICKED IT’S TIME TO PAY FOR THEIR WICKEDNESS FOREVER!

Psalm 72, the Coming KING!

Psa 72:1, …Give the king Your judgments, O God, And Your righteousness to the king’s Son.

The LORD had appeared to Solomon in a dream and said, “ASK! WHAT SHALL I GIVE YOU”, 1Kings 3:5-13

1Ki 3:9, THEREFORE GIVE TO YOUR SERVANT AN UNDERSTANDING HEART TO JUDGE YOUR PEOPLE, THAT I MAY DISCERN BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL. FOR WHO IS ABLE TO JUDGE THIS GREAT PEOPLE OF YOURS?”

Solomon asked for wisdom to be able to judge the people of GOD! And it pleased the LORD! WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE ASK FOR IF THE LORD TOLD YOU THE SAME THING?

Psa 72:2,4-5, HE WILL JUDGE YOUR PEOPLE WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS, And Your poor with JUSTICE…. He will bring justice to the poor of the people; He will save the children of the needy, And will break in pieces the oppressor. THEY SHALL FEAR YOU AS LONG AS THE SUN AND MOON ENDURE, THROUGHOUT ALL GENERATIONS.

Solomon is not thinking of himself here; he is thinking of the Greater SON of David which is the coming Messiah “JESUS”! HE will rule the whole earth with righteousness and justice!

Psa 72:10-11, The kings of Tarshish and of the isles WILL BRING PRESENTS; The kings of Sheba and Seba WILL OFFER GIFTS. YES, ALL KINGS SHALL FALL DOWN BEFORE HIM; ALL NATIONS SHALL SERVE HIM.

Kings brought gifts to HIM and kneeled before HIM at HIS first coming. BUT, in HIS second coming ALL KINGS SHALL FALL DOWN BEFORE HIM AND BRING HIM PRESENTS!

Mat 2:11, …they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, AND FELL DOWN AND WORSHIPED HIM. AND WHEN THEY HAD OPENED THEIR TREASURES, THEY PRESENTED GIFTS TO HIM: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Psa 72:13-14, HE will spare the poor and needy, And will save the souls of the needy. HE will redeem their life from oppression and violence; AND PRECIOUS SHALL BE THEIR BLOOD IN HIS SIGHT.

Today, when a homeless person dies on the street no one really cares! Or, when a baby is ripped apart in the womb of it’s mother, we call a right! BUT HE CARES FOR ALL LIVES, NOT JUST THE WELL TODO! IN HIS EYES THEIR BLOOD IS PRECIOUS TO HIM FOR HE CREATED THEM ALL!

Psa 116:15, Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints.

Psalm 71, Wisdom from the aged!

Psa 71:5, For You are my hope, O Lord GOD; You are my trust from my youth.

David in his youth always trusted in the LORD! It’s always a beautiful thing to see the youth praising GOD in faith!

Psa 71:9, DO NOT CAST ME OFF IN THE TIME OF OLD AGE; DO NOT FORSAKE ME WHEN MY STRENGTH FAILS.

David as a youth fought against Goliath, against strong armies, but now in his old age his strength fails. YET, DAVID KNOWS THAT GOD’S STRENGTH NEVER FAILS!

Ecc 12:1, Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, BEFORE THE DIFFICULT DAYS COME, AND THE YEARS DRAW NEAR WHEN YOU SAY, “I HAVE NO PLEASURE IN THEM”:

Psa 71:17-18, O GOD, YOU HAVE TAUGHT ME FROM MY YOUTH; And to this day I DECLARE YOUR WONDROUS WORKS. Now also when I am OLD AND GRAYHEADED, O God, do not forsake me, UNTIL I DECLARE YOUR STRENGTH TO THIS GENERATION, YOUR POWER TO EVERYONE WHO IS TO COME.

David, in his advanced age, desires to teach everyone about the strength of GOD! He wants to teach about His faithfulness, how the LORD saved him, how the LORD fought for him! OLD MEN/WOMEN HAVE A LOT TO TEACH BUT WE MUST BE WILLING TO LISTEN!

Job 12:12, Wisdom is with aged men, And with length of days, understanding.

One thing to remember about GOD’s faithfulness is that it never runs out! HE HAS UPHELD YOU IN YOUR YOUTH AND WILL CARRY YOU IN YOUR OLD AGE! HE IS FAITHFUL TO COMPLETE THE WORK HE STARTED IN YOU!

Isa 46:3-4, “Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, And all the remnant of the house of Israel, WHO HAVE BEEN UPHELD BY ME FROM BIRTH, WHO HAVE BEEN CARRIED FROM THE WOMB: EVEN TO YOUR OLD AGE, I AM HE, AND EVEN TO GRAY HAIRS I WILL CARRY YOU! I HAVE MADE, AND I WILL BEAR; EVEN I WILL CARRY, AND WILL DELIVER YOU.

HE SHALL NEVER LEAVE US NOR FORSAKE US, AND HIS STRENGTH NEVER FAILS! TURN TO GOD, SEEK HIS FACE FOR HE IS NEAR!

Psalm 70, waiting on the LORD!

Psa 70:1, …To Bring to Remembrance. MAKE HASTE, O God, to deliver me! MAKE HASTE to help me, O LORD!

G. Campbell Morgan believed that these types of prayers were flawed in the understanding of GOD! To think that GOD is not paying attention is just wrong! YET, he goes on to say that these imperfect prayers are exactly what GOD expects to hear from imperfect men!

Isa 40:28, HAVE YOU NOT KNOWN? HAVE YOU NOT HEARD? THE EVERLASTING GOD, THE LORD, THE CREATOR OF THE ENDS OF THE EARTH, NEITHER FAINTS NOR IS WEARY. HIS UNDERSTANDING IS UNSEARCHABLE.

GOD doesn’t sleep HE is always working!

Psa 121:3-4, He will not allow your foot to be moved; HE WHO KEEPS YOU WILL NOT SLUMBER. BEHOLD, HE WHO KEEPS ISRAEL SHALL NEITHER SLUMBER NOR SLEEP.

Psa 70:4, LET ALL THOSE WHO SEEK YOU REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN YOU; AND LET THOSE WHO LOVE YOUR SALVATION SAY CONTINUALLY, “LET GOD BE MAGNIFIED!”

Those who seek HIM shall rejoice in HIM; for there’s a great reward waiting for all who put their trust in HIM! WE HAVEN’T SEEN ANYTHING YET!

1Co 2:9, But as it is written: “EYE HAS NOT SEEN, NOR EAR HEARD, NOR HAVE ENTERED INTO THE HEART OF MAN THE THINGS WHICH GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.”

Psa 70:5, But I am poor and needy; MAKE HASTE to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, DO NOT DELAY.

David describes himself as a poor afflicted beggar saying “PLEASE HELP ME LORD”!

Psa 13:1, …How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?

GOD IS NOT IN A HURRY, YET NEVER LATE! HE UNDERSTANDS THE SITUATION BETTER THAN WE DO! TRUST IN THE LORD!

Psa 147:5, Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; HIS UNDERSTANDING IS INFINITE.

Psa 62:5, MY SOUL, WAIT SILENTLY FOR GOD ALONE, FOR MY EXPECTATION IS FROM HIM.

Psalm 69, Hated without a cause!

Psa 69:1-2, …SAVE ME, O GOD! FOR THE WATERS HAVE COME UP TO MY NECK. I sink in deep mire, WHERE THERE IS NO STANDING; I have come into deep waters, Where the floods overflow me.

A desperate plea for GOD’s help! David feels that he is sinking, nothing to stand on! Remember Peter when he walked on water!

Mat 14:30, But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “LORD, SAVE ME!”

When Peter took his eyes off JESUS and focused on the storm he began to sink! NEVER FOCUS ON THE STORM, KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE LORD WHO IS IN COMPLETE CONTROL OF ANY STORM THAT MAY COME BEFORE US!

Mat 14:31, And immediately JESUS STRETCHED OUT HIS HAND AND CAUGHT HIM, and said to him, “O YOU OF LITTLE FAITH, WHY DID YOU DOUBT?”

Mat 8:27, So the men marveled, saying, “WHO CAN THIS BE, THAT EVEN THE WINDS AND THE SEA OBEY HIM?”

Psa 69:4, THOSE WHO HATE ME WITHOUT A CAUSE ARE MORE THAN THE HAIRS OF MY HEAD; They are mighty who would destroy me, BEING MY ENEMIES WRONGFULLY; Though I have stolen nothing, I still must restore it.

David felt the hate for him even though he did nothing wrong! JESUS felt the same hatred!

Joh 15:25, But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE.’

They hated JESUS for the crowds that gathered before HIM to hear HIM speak! They hated HIM because HE sought and eat with sinners that they might repent! They hated HIM because HE revealed their true nature!

Mat 23:27, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, BUT INSIDE are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.

If they hated JESUS, they will hate us as well for we are HIS ambassadors to the world!

Mat 10:22a, AND YOU WILL BE HATED BY ALL FOR MY NAME’S SAKE….

HIS KINGDOM IS NEAR, HE IS AT THE DOOR!

Psalm 68, Self Existing ONE!

Psa 68:4, Sing to God, sing praises to His name; EXTOL HIM WHO RIDES ON THE CLOUDS, BY HIS NAME YAH, And rejoice before Him.

JESUS was taken by a cloud, Act 1:9, And it is HE who rode a cloud in Dan 7:13!

Dan 7:13, “I was watching in the night visions, And behold, ONE LIKE THE SON OF MAN, COMING WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him.

JESUS is GOD the SON who rode a cloud to GOD the FATHER! BOTH ARE ONE

Joh 10:30, I AND MY FATHER ARE ONE.”

HIS name YAH abbreviation of יהוה, JEHOVAH, means “SELF -EXISTENCE”; JESUS said “I AM”. HE JUST IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE THE ETERNAL ONE WHO INHABITS ETERNITY!

Joh 8:58, Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”

Psa 68:5-6, A FATHER OF THE FATHERLESS, A DEFENDER OF WIDOWS, Is God in His holy habitation. GOD SETS THE SOLITARY IN FAMILIES; HE BRINGS OUT THOSE WHO ARE BOUND INTO PROSPERITY; ….

The LORD GOD is our loving FATHER, who defends the widows, a father to the fatherless! HE gives the lonely a family and HE breaks the chains of those bound in sin!

Psa 68:32-33, Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth; Oh, sing praises to the Lord, Selah TO HIM WHO RIDES ON THE HEAVEN OF HEAVENS, which were of old! Indeed, He sends out His voice, a mighty voice.

Once you know who HE is you will praise HIM, because HE is worthy to be praised! HE is the KING of kings, the LORD of lords who makes a cloud into HIS Chariot!

Psa 104:3b, .. WHO MAKES THE CLOUDS HIS CHARIOT, WHO WALKS ON THE WINGS OF THE WIND,

TRUST IN HIM, THE SELF-EXITING ONE, FOR HE IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE LORD!

Psalm 67, Righteous JUDGE!

Psa 67:1, …God be merciful to us and bless us, And cause His face to shine upon us, Selah

The LORD gave this blessing to Moses in order to teach Aaron and his sons, The High Priests, how to bless the children of Israel!

Num 6:24-26, “The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” ‘

Psa 67:2, THAT YOUR WAY MAY BE KNOWN ON EARTH, YOUR SALVATION AMONG ALL NATIONS.

By readings, and learning from the scriptures we may know HIS way; but, applying what you have learned in scripture to your life is when the true blessing come! NOT JUST KNOWING BUT DOING!

Mat 7:21, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, BUT HE WHO DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER IN HEAVEN.

It’s not about us, but it’s all about HIM!

Eph 6:6-7, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, BUT AS BONDSERVANTS OF CHRIST, DOING THE WILL OF GOD FROM THE HEART, WITH GOODWILL DOING SERVICE, AS TO THE LORD, AND NOT TO MEN,

Psa 67:4, Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy! FOR YOU SHALL JUDGE THE PEOPLE RIGHTEOUSLY, AND GOVERN THE NATIONS ON EARTH. SELAH

Today, our Godless leaders want to pack the court in order to get the results they want! It’s not justice they seek, but corruption!

Lev 19:15, ‘YOU SHALL DO NO INJUSTICE IN JUDGMENT. YOU SHALL NOT BE PARTIAL TO THE POOR, NOR HONOR THE PERSON OF THE MIGHTY. IN RIGHTEOUSNESS YOU SHALL JUDGE YOUR NEIGHBOR.

BUT soon the LORD shall judge the world in righteousness!

Isa 11:3-4a, … And HE SHALL NOT JUDGE BY THE SIGHT OF HIS EYES, NOR DECIDE BY THE HEARING OF HIS EARS; BUT WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS HE SHALL JUDGE THE POOR, AND DECIDE WITH EQUITY FOR THE MEEK OF THE EARTH;

Righteous judgement is coming where even the thoughts in your mind shall be judged! SEEK HIM AND DO GOOD!

Psalm 66, Every knee shall bow!

Psa 66:1-2, …MAKE A JOYFUL SHOUT TO GOD, ALL THE EARTH! SING OUT THE HONOR OF HIS NAME; MAKE HIS PRAISE GLORIOUS.

The time is coming Where the whole world will one day be united in HIM and sing praises to HIS name! HE IS WORTHY TO BE PRAISED!

Psa 66:4, ALL THE EARTH SHALL WORSHIP YOU AND SING PRAISES TO YOU; THEY SHALL SING PRAISES TO YOUR NAME.” Selah

One day everyone shall confess that JESUS is LORD and shall worship HIM!

Php 2:9-11, THEREFORE GOD ALSO HAS HIGHLY EXALTED HIM AND GIVEN HIM THE NAME WHICH IS ABOVE EVERY NAME, THAT AT THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, OF THOSE IN HEAVEN, AND OF THOSE ON EARTH, AND OF THOSE UNDER THE EARTH, AND THAT EVERY TONGUE SHOULD CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER.

BUT we as Christians do it now; for we know JESUS as LORD and savior!

Mal 1:11, For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, MY NAME SHALL BE GREAT AMONG THE GENTILES; In every place incense shall be offered to My name, And a pure offering; FOR MY NAME SHALL BE GREAT AMONG THE NATIONS,” SAYS THE LORD OF HOSTS.

Psa 66:6, He turned the sea into dry land; They went through the river on foot. There we will rejoice in Him.

HE parted the red sea and Israel walked on dry land (Exodus 14:21). HE also parted the Jordan (Joshua 3:14-16)! HE IS NOT A PASSIVE OBSERVER, BUT AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN THE LIFE OF MEN!

Isa 43:2-3, When you pass through the waters, I WILL BE WITH YOU; And through the rivers, THEY SHALL NOT OVERFLOW YOU. WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH THE FIRE, YOU SHALL NOT BE BURNED, NOR SHALL THE FLAME SCORCH YOU. FOR I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD, THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL, …

THE LORD KNOWS WHAT YOUR GOING THROUGH HE WILL BE THERE TO PROTECT YOU AND GUIDE YOU IF YOU ALLOW HIM! HE IS WORTHY TO BE PRAISED FOR HE IS OUR GOD THE CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH!

Psalm 65, white as wool!

Psa 65:1-2, …A Song. Praise is awaiting You, O God, in Zion; And to You the vow shall be performed. O YOU WHO HEAR PRAYER, TO YOU ALL FLESH WILL COME.

GOD hears the prayers of all flesh, not only the Jewish nation! THE DAY IS COMING WHEN ALL PEOPLE SHALL COME TO HIS PRESENCE DURING THE MILLENNIAL REIGN OF CHRIST! SOME WILL COME IN FEAR GRASPING THE SLEEVE OF A JEWISH MAN TO BRING HIM IN!

Zec 8:22-23, YES, MANY PEOPLES AND STRONG NATIONS SHALL COME TO SEEK THE LORD OF HOSTS IN JERUSALEM, AND TO PRAY BEFORE THE LORD.’ “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘IN THOSE DAYS TEN MEN FROM EVERY LANGUAGE OF THE NATIONS SHALL GRASP THE SLEEVE OF A JEWISH MAN, SAYING, “LET US GO WITH YOU, FOR WE HAVE HEARD THAT GOD IS WITH YOU.” ‘ “

Psa 65:3, INIQUITIES PREVAIL AGAINST ME; AS FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS, YOU WILL PROVIDE ATONEMENT FOR THEM.

Sin and temptation are always present in our lives for we all fall short of the glory of GOD! YET, HE WITH HIS BLOOD HAS WASHED US AND CLEANSED US BEING MADE WHITE AS SNOW!

Isa 1:18, “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, THEY SHALL BE AS WHITE AS SNOW; Though they are red like crimson, THEY SHALL BE AS WOOL.

Sin for us maybe easily hidden from men, but in the presence of the LORD WE WEAR OF FILTHINESS AS GARMENTS FOR ALL TO SEE!

Zec 3:4-5, Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “TAKE AWAY THE FILTHY GARMENTS FROM HIM.” And to him He said, “SEE, I HAVE REMOVED YOUR INIQUITY FROM YOU, AND I WILL CLOTHE YOU WITH RICH ROBES.” AND I SAID, “LET THEM PUT A CLEAN TURBAN ON HIS HEAD.” SO THEY PUT A CLEAN TURBAN ON HIS HEAD, AND THEY PUT THE CLOTHES ON HIM. AND THE ANGEL OF THE LORD STOOD BY.

Psa 65:4, Blessed is the man You choose, And cause to approach You, That he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Of Your holy temple.

Eph 1:4, JUST AS HE CHOSE US IN HIM BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

SEEK HIS GOODNESS, SEEK HIM FOR HE PAID A GREAT PRICE FOR YOU!