Friday, April 21, 2017

JESUS our Refuge (Ps.14-16)

In Psalm 14, David mentions the future again, when the LORD (Jesus) will take the throne in "Zion" (the city of David) and fulfill the Abrahamic covenant, which will be in the Millennium.
(Psalm 14:1-7)  The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”  They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds;  there is no one who does good.
The Lord has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.
They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt;  there is no one who does good, not even one.
Do all the workers of wickedness not know, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon the Lord?
There they are in great dread, for God is with the righteous generation.
You would put to shame the counsel of the afflicted, but the Lord is his refuge.
Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!  When the Lord restores His captive people, Jacob will rejoice, Israel will be glad.
David wants this salvation for his people, because he knows the benefits of having the LORD in his life.  This is who David relies on Him for his refuge and salvation, and has a personal relationship with.  Then in Psalm chapter 16, David goes on to describe Jesus' work on the cross and His resurrection...

(Psalm 16:9-11)  Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices;  my flesh also will dwell securely.  10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol;  nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.  11 You will make known to me the path of life;  iYour presence is fullness of joy;  in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

"Your Holy One" is Jesus.  This is most predictive of Messiah (Jesus), as Paul preached in the book of Acts...

(Acts 13:32-39)  "And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, 33 that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘You are My Son; today i have begotten You.’ 34 As for the fact that He raised Him up from the dead, no longer to return to decay, He has spoken in this way: ‘will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ 35 Therefore He also says in another Psalm, ‘You will not allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.’ 36 For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid among his fathers and underwent decay; 37 but He whom God raised did not undergo decay. 38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you,39 and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses..."

Because Jesus had victory over death, we can choose eternal life through Him - our refuge.

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