5 Minute Read + Scripture readings
Today’s Bible Reading:
1 Kings 10
Philippians 1
Ezekiel 40
Psalms 91
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Psalm 91:11 (CSB): “For he will give his angels orders concerning you, to protect you in all your ways.”
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
One of the horrific blights on American history is the institution of slavery. One of the blights on Christianity in America is that so many Christians used Scripture to validate abusive, demeaning, generational slavery.
This is not new. There have always been people who used Bible verses to back up their sinful behaviors and beliefs. Of course, they had to rip those verses out of context but they still claimed that the Bible was on their side and would use it to claim God’s approval on their beliefs and behaviors.
After all, Satan did this, too. As you were reading in Psalm 91, did you recognize the wording in verses 11?
Psalm 91:11 (CSB): “For he will give his angels orders concerning you, to protect you in all your ways.”
This is a verse meant that God’s angelic host were at the ready to do whatever He pleased. What did God desire? He determined that His people would have angelic oversight. Angels would watch over God’s people. So, not only would an infinitely Almighty and knowledgeable God watch over us, so would His angels.
Yet, Satan ripped this verse out of context. Instead of giving the true meaning of the text, Satan made it seem that God would race to the aid of His people every single time they did something stupid or presumptuous.
Matthew 4:5-7 (CSB): “Then the devil took him to the holy city, had him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: He will give his angels orders concerning you, and they will support you with their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ Jesus told him, ‘It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God.’”
Satan ripped God’s Word out of context and wrongfully used Psalm 91:11 to erroneously say that if Jesus did something so stupid as to jump off the highest point of the temple, God would send His angels to rescue Jesus before He hit the ground.
As we listen to Jesus’ response, we realize that He wasn’t disputing the Bible verse that Satan used. Jesus, instead, was disputing Satan’s misuse of that verse.
Friend, people continue to misuse Scripture today. Just because a preacher gets up and quotes a lot of Bible verses in his sermon doesn’t mean he is giving the true meaning of the text. Just because a Christian quotes Scripture doesn’t mean that they are properly applying that Scripture.
So, when someone recites verses from the Bible, how do you know if they are using it correctly? Study the Scriptures! Research what you hear to make sure it is properly understood and properly applied!
Acts 17:10-11 (CSB): “As soon as it was night, the brothers and sisters sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. Upon arrival, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. The people here were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, since they received the word with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”
* * * * * * * * * *
Lord Jesus, help me to be a serious student of Your Word. Help me to be able to have a growing knowledge of Your Word so that I can easily and quickly determine whether or not someone is using and applying Your Word correctly. I know that Satan uses Your Word but distorts its meaning for His own evil purposes. People still do the same thing. Help me not to be no naïve as to swallow everything I hear. I pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Matt’s Musings 