"O give thanks unto the LORD" (Psa_105:1-45) PART I (Aim High) Psa 105:1-8 PART II (Get the big picture) Psa 105:9-15 PART III (Keep your eyes moving) Psa 105:16-22 PART IV (Always have an out) Psa 105:23-37 PART V (Make sure people see you) Psa 105:38-45 PART III (Keep your eyes moving) Psa_105:16 Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread. Psa 105:17 He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: Psa 105:18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: Psa 105:19 Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him. Psa 105:20 The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. Psa 105:21 He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance: Psa 105:22 To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom. In this study we will look at how the first two goals of aiming high and getting the big picture are to always be accompanied with a diligent heart that is seeking the Lord. When we wholeheartedly do that we will not be distracted by the world around us (Pro_4:23, Jer_29:13, Heb_11:6, 2Ti_2:4-5, Psa_101:3, Isa_33:15). Pro 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Jer 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 2Ti 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier [Mat_22:14]. 2Ti 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
Psa 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work [not them personally but the work in them Mat_5:43, Mat_24:12, Mat_10:21] of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. [to strive lawfully is to not be entangled with the affairs of this life which will manifest in the hearts of those who have turned aside] Isa 33:15 He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; [this is what is required of God's elect as we strive for the prize of the high calling in Him and learn of His faithfulness to finish what he has begun in us Php_1:6] Keeping our eyes moving is just another way of saying look well to the flock of which we all have our part in doing as we present our lives a living sacrifice for each other, for the overall good of the body of Christ (Act_20:28-30, Rom_12:1-2, Rom_8:28). Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Act 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Act 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. The verses that we will be addressing in our study tonight demonstrate that in order for us to keep our spiritual eyes moving, our heart's desire must be set on the things that are above where our treasure is being laid up in store in heavenly places where God has been preparing a place for us in our Lord (Col_3:2-3, Rom_6:11-14, Mat_6:21, Joh_14:3, Eph_2:6-7). Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. [We keep our eyes moving by having them set on our Father and Christ so we can die daily Act_7:55 'is was and will be'] Rom 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom 6:12 thereof. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts Rom 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. [if not for the grace of God sin would continue to have dominion over us!] Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.[this is an ongoing is was and will be workmanship of our Lord's hand that is taking place in the body of Christ right now, and that workmanship has been ordained from the foundation of the world Eph_2:10]. Eph 2:6 Jesus: And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. [God's kindness toward us is manifested in the workmanship of his hands that will be witnessed to all the world. His mercy is being demonstrated through his good pleasure of giving us the kingdom of God within today as He matures us as those first fruits of His creation who have love toward one another, witnessed in a discipleship being formed to the end "That in the ages to come [the rest of humanity, each man in his order] he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus"](Joh_13:35). Ultimately it is only God who can help us see the big picture, together, and He gives us the vision and hope that we need through Christ's body, the church, so that we don't spiritually perish in this life (Eph_3:10, 1Co_2:10-11, 1Co_12:17-8, Heb_10:25, Pro_29:18). Eph 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 1Co 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
1Co 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 1Co 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 1Co 12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Pro 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Joseph's time in prison is parable for us that really brings to light our need to receive our Lord's counsel to buy gold tried in the fire and to purchase the salve for our eyes so we can see and keep our eyes moving toward the prize of the mark of the high calling in Him even while we are sore pressed on every side (Rev_3:18-19, Php_3:14-15, 2Co_4:8-10). Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. [We are under grace and if not for the grace of God sin would continue to have dominion over us which is why we must buy gold tried in the fire, and have on Christ's white raiment, his righteousness, and have eyes that are anointed by the washing of the word so we can see (Joh_9:6-7)] Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Php 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. [It is through the pressing toward Christ as a body that admits that we cannot see (Joh_9:41) that our sins can continue to be washed away as God reveals to us where we are otherwise minded and in need of washing by the word]. 2Co 4:8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 2Co 4:9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 2Co 4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. Our first verse: Psa_105:16 Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread.
God is always educating the world and the body of Christ through contrast whether we recognize that or not. Right after He says "touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm" (of verse 15), our Lord contrasts that thought with "Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread". Not being "touched" means that God's work will not be hindered even though there will be hindering moments that God allows to remind us that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities in the heavens (1Th_2:18, Job_2:4-7, Eph_6:12). 1Th 2:18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. Job 2:6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. For Babylon, the true spiritual work of becoming mature sons has not begun because God has broken "the whole staff of bread" and caused the process to be hindered, and we know that is His power and goodness to do that (Isa_3:1, Rom_9:21, Rom_2:4). Isa 3:1 For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water, Rom 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? Rom 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? There is an inward application to this calling for a "famine upon the land" and God will cause that to happen in the lives of His children by bringing us to our wits' end so we cry out for deliverance, asking for the living waters that our souls are blessed to thirst after in these last days of our old man's existence (Joh_7:37, Joh_6:44, Mat_5:6). Joh 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
Joh 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. Joh 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Our baptisms are by fire today (1Pe_4:12), and that fire represents the grace of God that is needed in order to mature us to be able to properly administer His judgements in the earth of others as the Lord leads (Joh_7:24, Joh_5:30). We must first be refined by that fire first within our own heavens to be able to comfortably and obediently do the work we are called unto (Heb_5:8-9, 1Co_6:3). Elijah also typifies this work of withholding and giving of rain that represents God's manifold wisdom that is made manifest through the church as He gives the increase (Isa_26:9, Jas_5:16-20, 1Co_3:6-7). 1Pe 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: Joh 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. Joh 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. Heb 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 1Co 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? Isa 26:9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. Jas 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Jas 5:17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. Jas 5:18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
Jas 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Jas 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. 1Co 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 1Co 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Psa_105:17 He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: Psa 105:18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: Verse 16 talks about how God "called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread" and verses 17 and 18 are a parable that describe how Joseph who is a type of Christ was imprisoned in his sinful flesh (Psa_51:5, Job_14:1, Joh_14:1-3) as a servant who made himself of no reputation (Php_2:5-7). Psa 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Job 14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. [this is man's house] Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. [this is God's house] Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you [while you are in this house], which was also in Christ Jesus: Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: This whole event of Joseph being rejected of his brothers, being imprisoned, then having his feet "hurt with fetters" and being "laid in iron" is the parable that God has given us to demonstrate how Christ is going to be formed within the body of Christ after we have filled up what is behind of His afflictions (Col_1:24). Col 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
We must keep our first estate of being living sacrifices who are willing to give up everything so we can be found worthy to be in that blessed and holy first resurrection (Jud_1:6, Luk_14:26-27, Rev_20:6). If not for the fetters or the thorn in our flesh (2Co_12:7-10), or the law being used lawfully as we are "laid in iron" (1Ti_1:8), we would soon languish in these earthen cells. It is our hope of glory within us who visits us and encourages us to continue on through this light affliction so we can say with Paul I "now rejoice in my suffering for you" (Col_1:27, Rev_2:10, 2Co_4:17, Rom_5:5-6, Rom_8:24-25). Jud 1:6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Luk 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. Luk 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. 2Co 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 2Co 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 2Co 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. 2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. Rom 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Rom 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Rom 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? Rom 8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Joseph's imprisonment represents our entire "ten days of our flesh" enduring unto the end through Christ our Saviour (Php_4:13-14, Mat_24:13) who gives us the ability to not focus on what we don't
have or what we have lost or are losing, but rather gives us the ability to focus on that which is set before us as we look to that joy [keep your eyes moving] and come to learn and be confidently convinced of His faithfulness in this life to finish what he has started in each of them (Php_1:6, Gal_6:2, Mat_25:36, Jas_1:27). Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Php 4:14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.[we know that we are all imprisoned in that sense and so with our common affliction in the Lord we are commanded to bear each other's burden and so fulfill the law of Christ by visiting each other in that affliction]. Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: [that "good work" is what we are doing for each other as we comfort each other and help each other bear the cross that God has given us in this life, whatever those burdens may be]. Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Jas 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. Psa_105:19 Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him. Psa 105:20 The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. The ruler of the people in this instance represents Christ who is the power of the resurrection (Joh_11:25) and the one who sets us free from our weak earthen vessel through his word that initially tries us ("the word of the LORD tried him") (Mat_21:44) but then heals us (Psa_107:20) or loosens us from the bondage of sin through the destruction of the carnal mind that is eventually crushed (Joh_8:36, Mat_21:44). He is "the ruler of the people" who can "let him go free" as He gives us the ability to continue in that word the truth that frees us (Joh_8:32). Joh 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Mat 21:44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. [ "Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him"] Psa 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Joh 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free (Col_1:27), ye shall be free indeed. Mat 21:44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. ["The king sent and loosed him" is what happens when the word of God is within us and crushes us, and that alone is what will "let him go free"] Psa_105:21 He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance: Psa 105:22 To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom. What happens when the Son makes you free as typified by Joseph's release from prison is that we will gain dominion over sin within us (Rom_6:22-23), stated as "He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance". Now Joseph has been given power in type and shadow to rule over the powers and principalities that he wrestled with all those days he was in prison. Now he can "bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom"; another way of saying he can now take heed unto himself, and unto the doctrine as he continues in them (1Ti_4:16), knowing that in doing this he will both save himself, and them that hear him, as he teaches "his senators wisdom". That time of being tried in prison represents the time when we are not yet heirs and yet we can see that Joseph was steadily growing toward that time of being taken out of prison and was shown "favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison" (Gal_4:1-7, Gen_39:21). 1Ti 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. Gal 4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; Gal 4:2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. Gal 4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, Gal 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Gal 4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Prior to being put in prison we learn that in regard to Potiphar "Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand"(gen_39:4). It was showing Joseph that favour as he "found grace in his sight" that allow him to be put in the situation where he would be in proximity with Potiphar's wife, which brings us back to the point of our needing to always "keep our eyes moving" so that we don't get fixated on Potiphar's wife who represents the false doctrines or churches of this world. Satan wants us to be snared by straining at a gnat or by swallowing a camel (Gal_5:9, Mat_16:6, Mat_23:24) and Potiphar's wife is a type of Babylon who wants to ensnare us and falsely accuse us by taking our words represented by Joseph's garment so that we can be imprisoned and destroyed by her false accusations that bring us there (Gen_39:5-8, Mat_27:12, Luk_3:14). Gen 39:4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. Gen 39:5 And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. Gen 39:6 And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured. Gen 39:7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. Gen 39:8 But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; Our high calling in the Lord requires that we be wise as serpents and gentle as doves and beware of men, as we flee spiritual fornication, idolatry, youthful lusts, and the riches of this world, which is what Joseph was doing in type and shadow when he fled from the advances of Potiphar's wife (Gen_39:9-20). Gen 39:9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? Gen 39:10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. Gen 39:11 And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. Gen 39:12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.
Gen 39:13 And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth, Gen 39:14 That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice: Gen 39:15 And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out. Gen 39:16 And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home. Gen 39:17 And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me: Gen 39:18 And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out. Gen 39:19 And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. Gen 39:20 And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. Thanks be to God that we can, through Christ, heed the admonitions given to us in this age as He shows us mercy, just as he did with Joseph, taking us through our prison experience, causing all that we do to prosper to His glory and honour (Gen_39:21-23, Col_3:17, 2Co_4:7). Gen 39:21 But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. [within he makes our enemies to be at peace with us Pro_16:7] Gen 39:22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. Gen 39:23 The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper. Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. 2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. Lord willing, next week we look at these following verses (Psa 105:23-37) in part IV of our study subtitled "Always have an out", where we will consider the promises of God to His people that tell us we will always have a way out through Christ who enables us to bear our cross in this age (1Co_10:13).
1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Psa 105:23 Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham. Psa 105:24 And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies. Psa 105:25 He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants. Psa 105:26 He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen. Psa 105:27 They shewed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham. Psa 105:28 He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word. Psa 105:29 He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish. Psa 105:30 Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings. Psa 105:31 He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts. Psa 105:32 He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land. Psa 105:33 He smote their vines also and their fig trees; and brake the trees of their coasts. Psa 105:34 He spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without number, Psa 105:35 And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground. Psa 105:36 He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength. Psa 105:37 He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.