August 20

TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE

Blessed is the man whose strength is in Thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. Psalms 84:5
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​Memorize this Verse:
5. B I T M W S I I T I W H A T W O T

Notes on verse:

Or, “for thee”, as some choose to render the words. Who have bodily strength from the Lord, for his worship and service, to go up to his house, and serve him. This, with what follows in the two next verses, seem to refer to the males in Israel going up from different parts of the land to Jerusalem to worship, who had strength so to do. The Targum is, “whose strength is in thy Word.” The essential Word, the Messiah, who have spiritual strength in and from him (see Isa. 45:24). Without this there is no heart to go up to the house of God. And this will carry through a great deal of bodily weakness; and by it saints overcome the temptations of Satan to the contrary, and perform the several duties of religion.

“In whose heart are the ways of them”: Or “thy ways”; the ways of God, the ways of Zion, the ways to the house of God. Who have these ways at heart, who ask the way to Zion with their face thitherward; who have not only ability, but inclination and readiness of mind, to walk in them. Whose hearts are bent upon them, regarding no objection, difficulty, and discouragement. Who stir up themselves and others to go up to the house of God, and are heartily desirous of being taught his ways, and walking in them, and take great pleasure and delight therein. They are ways of pleasantness and paths of peace to them. The word properly signifies “highways”, ways cast up. Some render it “ascensions in his heart”; the affections of whose heart go up to God. Like pillars of smoke perfumed with frankincense, are after God, his ways and worship, and are set on things above.

He has already gone into detail about how wonderful it is to live continually in God’s house. He now says also, how wonderful it would be to be allowed to go on the special feast days and worship. It appears for some reason he has been denied this. Those who understand their own weaknesses are more apt to depend on the strength of God.

2 Corinthians 12:9 “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

In my weakness, I depend upon the strength of God to get me through. Our heart would be stayed upon Him, if He was our strength.

TODAY'S BIBLE READING

August 20
Today's Bible Reading Plan selections can be found below. If you don't have a Bible with you, just click the references to read each passage online:

Old Testament
Esther 1  —  7.5 minutes
Proverbs 15:1-17  —  3.0 minutes

New Testament
Luke 19:11-27  —  4.0 minutes
Titus 2:1-10  —  2.0 minutes

Total Average Read Time — 16.5 minutes