Have you ever stopped to consider how we would have nothing without God? Without God, we would not have life, and we would not be able to keep His Word. We need God so much more than we typically realize. We tend to think that we take every breath and every step. Without God, nothing would exist, including us.
Word Study
Deal Bountifully – to deal fully with, to provide adequately for, and to fully complete any and all promises.
Slave – servant, bond-servant, a worker, to be in service to another.
Keep – to observe, to watch over, to guard
The recent Americanized understanding of slavery should not be contextually imported to the time in which this Psalm was written. Was there slavery in existence that was similar to American slavery? Sure, that kind of slavery has always existed. It did not just show up in American history. However, the primary use of the word was to describe something very similar to an employee/employer relationship.
In biblical times, a person would often agree to work for someone for a period of time for an agreed-upon compensation. This person would be the slave/servant of the one they served and the master/employer would provide for their servants. The Bible nowhere endorses or approves of the type of slavery we saw in American history. The true servant of God understands that their life and ability to keep His Word comes from Him alone.
Applying This Daily Bite
- Have you praised and thanked God for His provision in your life recently?
- Do you understand your role as a servant of God correctly?
- In what ways has God dealt bountifully with you in your life?
Praying This Daily Bite
Lord, deal bountifully with me your servant. Lord, fulfill your promises to me. Lord, help me be an honorable servant who glorifies your name in all I do. I want to be a doer of Your Word who watches over and guards it carefully.
