"For this God is our God forever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death." — Psalm 48:14
In our approach to the word of God it is important to "rightly divide" the word of Truth. Among other things, it is essential that we properly distinguish between interpretation and application, and especially so when we are dealing with the Old Testament. Much of what is given there is by interpretation related to Israel. But, by application much of it can be related to believers everywhere and in all generations. That is the case here. The declaration of the Psalmist applies to every believer born of the Spirit into the family of God.
"This God is our God… " God revealed Himself to Israel and entered into a personal relationship with them. Through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, that glorious relationship is extended to all men everywhere who affirm faith in the God of the Bible. "This God" is not a dumb idol with whom there can be no real fellowship, communion or interaction. "The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths. They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.[Ps. 135:15-18]." The God of Israel and of the New Testament believer is a living God, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, "… and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full," writes the beloved disciple (I John 1:3). What a glorious relationship is that of the Bible Christian!!
"For ever and ever." Not only does the Christian have a personal relationship with the living God, but it is an enduring relationship. Some of us are keenly aware that our earthly relationships, however precious, are temporary. How wonderful is this, which will never be broken. He is not only the Lining God, but He is an eternal God. "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms [Deut. 33:27a]." In and through "this God," we have eternal life: "I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one [John 10:28-30]." In Him we have an eternal redemption: "… [Christ] entered in once once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us [Heb. 9:12b]." And, there awaits us in glory an eternal inheritance: "And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance [Heb. 9:15]." We will enjoy that inheritance in an eternal body: "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is ["this"] God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit [II Cor. 5:1-5]." And in Him we anticipate eternal glory: "… the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen [I Pet. 5:10-11]." Hallelujah!
Yet there is more in our text; "He will be our guide even unto death." Ironically, death is the one inevitable in life, and the darkest valley we have to traverse. Thankfully, the believer does not have to make that journey alone. He has said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee (Cf Heb. 13:15)," confirming the Psalmist's confidence, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me… [Ps. 23:4]." When Stephen was about to be martyred, "… He being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God [Acts 7:55]." Whatever the manner of our passing, every believer can with confidence anticipate the same "welcome home" from this glorious, gracious God. It is great to be a Christian!
For our encouragement,
"Pastor" Frasier
In our approach to the word of God it is important to "rightly divide" the word of Truth. Among other things, it is essential that we properly distinguish between interpretation and application, and especially so when we are dealing with the Old Testament. Much of what is given there is by interpretation related to Israel. But, by application much of it can be related to believers everywhere and in all generations. That is the case here. The declaration of the Psalmist applies to every believer born of the Spirit into the family of God.
"This God is our God… " God revealed Himself to Israel and entered into a personal relationship with them. Through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, that glorious relationship is extended to all men everywhere who affirm faith in the God of the Bible. "This God" is not a dumb idol with whom there can be no real fellowship, communion or interaction. "The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths. They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.[Ps. 135:15-18]." The God of Israel and of the New Testament believer is a living God, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, "… and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full," writes the beloved disciple (I John 1:3). What a glorious relationship is that of the Bible Christian!!
"For ever and ever." Not only does the Christian have a personal relationship with the living God, but it is an enduring relationship. Some of us are keenly aware that our earthly relationships, however precious, are temporary. How wonderful is this, which will never be broken. He is not only the Lining God, but He is an eternal God. "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms [Deut. 33:27a]." In and through "this God," we have eternal life: "I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one [John 10:28-30]." In Him we have an eternal redemption: "… [Christ] entered in once once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us [Heb. 9:12b]." And, there awaits us in glory an eternal inheritance: "And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance [Heb. 9:15]." We will enjoy that inheritance in an eternal body: "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is ["this"] God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit [II Cor. 5:1-5]." And in Him we anticipate eternal glory: "… the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen [I Pet. 5:10-11]." Hallelujah!
Yet there is more in our text; "He will be our guide even unto death." Ironically, death is the one inevitable in life, and the darkest valley we have to traverse. Thankfully, the believer does not have to make that journey alone. He has said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee (Cf Heb. 13:15)," confirming the Psalmist's confidence, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me… [Ps. 23:4]." When Stephen was about to be martyred, "… He being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God [Acts 7:55]." Whatever the manner of our passing, every believer can with confidence anticipate the same "welcome home" from this glorious, gracious God. It is great to be a Christian!
For our encouragement,
"Pastor" Frasier
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