June 25, 2024

Rēad to Read …Again

Daily Reading: Psalm 66-69

Psalm 68:18

Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.

Fourteen Great Prophecies in the Psalms

Number Nine thru Eleven

Today you will read of three great prophecies from Psalms that are fulfilled in the New Testament.

Number Nine: the Lord’s ascension into heaven which was fulfilled in Acts 1:9. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. Attached to this fulfillment there was another prophecy given, for the two men who stood by him in white apparel said: …Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. (Acts 1:11) Those who saw Jesus ascend the first time were astonished, probably not believing what they saw, but they saw it. So too, we are astonished, astounded, and even amazed that He will return in like manner. But He will!

Number Ten: They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty… (Psalm 69:4). This prophecy was fulfilled during Christ’s ministry; consider His words in John 15:23-25. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. What did Jesus do that caused such hatred? He challenged the status quo of man-made religion. He changed their religion into a relationship based upon His Word and sacrifice. They (His enemies) were so willing to safeguard their religion they put Him to death. This ironically fulfilled His basis of relationship with sinners. Amazing.

Number Eleven: They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. (Psalm 69:21) This prophecy finds its fulfillment, in John 19:29. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. The Messiah that gave so much to so many (healings, sight, money from a fish’s mouth, the everlasting water of the Gospel to the woman at the well, even bringing some back to life) asked for one thing. He asked for something to drink. Just one verse prior to John 19:29, while hanging on that cross after an excruciating day filled with pain and sorrow, He said, I thirst. Instead of giving Him refreshing water they gave him gall to drink. Immediately after this in the next verse it is recorded: …he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. His last experience on earth before His resurrection was one final insult. How sad.

Dr. William T. Howe