Reading through Psalm 84 this evening I noticed that there was a phrase repeated three times. Repetition gets my attention. In the Scripture it can be an indication of emphasis. Three times the Psalmist says, “How blessed…” What follows is instructive:
The question that I cannot answer yet is, “Does the receipt of strength from the Lord result in our trusting of Him?” I am not comfortable with that yet. But it raises some interesting questions.
What do you think?
- Verse 4, “…are those who dwell in Thy house!”
- Verse 5, “…is the man whose strength is in Thee;”
- Verse 12, “…is the man who trusts in Thee!”
I find the order interesting. He who dwells ends up with strength resulting in trust. Not all of that may be causal but I sense that there may be some elements of cause there, it begs for more digging. I do know that Isaiah 40:31 suggests that those who wait gain strength. It would be instructive to looks at how the language in that verse aligns with this.
The question that I cannot answer yet is, “Does the receipt of strength from the Lord result in our trusting of Him?” I am not comfortable with that yet. But it raises some interesting questions.
What do you think?
In the writer's discussion of Melchizedek's blessing of Abraham (Hebrews 7:7) he says as if it is a given principle that "...without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater." This is used as authority for the identity of Christ as the the greater eternal High Priest (v.17) "...it is witnessed of Him, 'You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.'"
ReplyDeleteThe very idea of the "greater" and "lesser" at the least implies an authority relationship. The "lesser" would somehow be in a submissive position, owing obedience and/or allegiance to the "greater."
Does this possibility add anything to the discussion?