KNOWING GOD – THE GOD OF MIRACLES || Lesson 35 

KNOWING GOD – THE GOD OF MIRACLES – Lesson Thirty-five

TEXT:  Psalm 78 (Cont’d.) – V.52-53

[We continue to “consider the marvelous works” listed in this psalm, in keeping with I Samuel 12:24 – But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.

Be sure to fear the LORD – Proverbs 19:23 – The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.]

V.52-53 – ⁵²But he brought his people out like a flock; he led them like sheep through the desert. ⁵³He guided them safely, so they were unafraid; but the sea engulfed their enemies.

(V.52) His people – The GOD OF MIRACLES is reminding us of the high status of being “His people.”

Note the following excerpts from the previous lesson:

Exodus 4:22-23 – ²²Then say to Pharaoh, `This is what the LORD says: Israel is my firstborn son, ²³and I told you, “Let my son go, so he may worship me.” But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son.'”

Israel is my firstborn son – The significance of this was subsequently revealed in Deuteronomy 7:6 – For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.

Let us thank the GOD OF MIRACLES for the privilege of being “firstfruits,” which is equivalent to “firstborn” – James 1:18 – He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Note also some of the blessing and privileges of “His people:”

Matthew 18:18 – “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

(AMP) Truly I tell you, whatever you forbid and declare to be improper and unlawful on earth must be what is already forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit and declare proper and lawful on earth must be what is already permitted in heaven.

John 20:23 – If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”  Note:

(AMP) [Now having received the Holy Spirit, and being led and directed by Him] if you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of anyone, they are retained.

1 Corinthians 6:2-3 – ²Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? ³Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!

1 Thessalonians 5:23 – May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 5:7 – Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

(AMP) Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.

Let us therefore ask the GOD OF MIRACLES to help us to “live a life worthy of the calling we have received.” (Ephesians 4:1)

(V.52-53) He led them like sheep through the desert.  He guided them safely – Note the description of the desert:  Deuteronomy 8:15 – He led you through the vast and dreadful desert, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock.

He led you through the vast and dreadful desert, that thirsty and waterless land – Jeremiah 2:6 – They did not ask, `Where is the LORD, who brought us up out of Egypt and led us through the barren wilderness, through a land of deserts and rifts, a land of drought and darkness, a land where no one travels and no one lives?’

Hosea 13:5 – I cared for you in the desert, in the land of burning heat.

With its venomous snakes and scorpions – From which they had been protected, except when they rebelled: Numbers 21:6 – Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died.

He brought you water out of hard rock – Examples: Exodus 17:6 – I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Numbers 20:11 – Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.

Note: Deuteronomy 8:4 – Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years.

Deuteronomy 29:5 – During the forty years that I led you through the desert, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet.

It is inferred that this was attributable to:  Exodus 19:4 – `You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.

Isaiah 63:9 – In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

Note also Psalm 77:20 – You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

The means by which they were led:  Exodus 13:21-22 – ²¹By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. ²²Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

Let us thank the GOD OF MIRACLES that He is guiding us by His Spirit and His Word:  See John 14:15-18, 25-26; 15:26; 16:12-15.