PSALMS
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Psalms 76 and 77
Psalms 77: 1 – 10
Days of trouble must be days of prayer; when GOD seems to have withdrawn from us, we must seek Him till we find Him. In the day of His trouble, the psalmist did not seek for the diversion of business or amusement, but he sought GOD, and His favour and grace. Those that are under trouble of mind, must pray it away. HE poured up the trouble; the methods that should have relieved Him did but increase His grief.
When He remembered GOD, it was only the Divine justice and wrath. His spirit was overwhelmed and sank under the load. But let not the remembrance of the comforts we have lost, make us unthankful for those that are left. Particularly he called to remembrance the comforts with which he supported himself in former sorrows. Here is the language of a sorrowful, deserted soul, walking in darkness; a common case even among those that fear the LORD, Isaiah 50:10. Nothing wounds and pierces like the thought of GOD’s being angry. GOD’s own people, on a cloudy and dark day, may be tempted to make wrong conclusions about their spiritual state, and that of GOD’s kingdom in the world. But we must not give way to such fears. Let faith answer them from the Scripture. The troubled fountain will work itself clear again; and the recollection of former times of joyful experience often raises a hope, tending to relief. Doubts and fears proceed from the want and ​ weakness of faith. Despondency and distrust under affliction, are too often the infirmities of believers, and, as such, are to be thought upon by us with sorrow and shame. When unbelief is working in us, we must thus suppress its risings.

OLD TESTAMENT
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Deuteronomy 20: 1 – 20
Deuteronomy 20: 10 – 12
The Israelites are here directed about the nations on whom they made war.
Let this show GOD’s grace in dealing with sinners. HE proclaims peace and beseeches them to be reconciled. Let it also show us our duty in dealing with our brethren. Whoever is for war, we must be for peace. Of the cities given to Israel, none of their inhabitants must be left. Since it could not be expected that they should be cured of their idolatry, they would hurt Israel. These regulations are not the rules of our conduct, but CHRIST’s law of love. The horrors of war must fill the feeling heart with anguish upon every recollection; and are proofs of the wickedness of man, the power of Satan, and the just vengeance of GOD, who thus scourges a guilty world. But how dreadful their case who are engaged in unequal conflict with their Maker, who will not submit to render him the easy tribute of worship and praise! Certain ruin awaits them. Let neither the number nor the power of the enemies of our souls dismay us, nor let even our own weakness cause us to tremble or to faint. The LORD will save us, but in this war let none engage whose hearts are fond of the world, or afraid of the cross and the conflict. Care is here taken that in besieging cities the fruit trees should not be destroyed. GOD is a better friend to man than HE is to HIMSELF, and GOD’s law consults our interests and comforts; while our own appetites and passions, which we indulge, are enemies to our welfare. Many of the Divine precepts restrain us from destroying that which is for our life and food. The Jews understand this as forbidding all wilful waste upon any account whatsoever. Every creature of GOD is good; as nothing is to be refused, so nothing is to be abused. We may live to want what we carelessly waste.

NEW TESTAMENT​
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Romans 11: 5 – 15
Romans 11: 5
The election of grace.
This phrase refers to the gracious design of GOD in sending HIS SON into the world to save all who believe in HIM. Election proceeds from the saving purpose of GOD before the foundation of the world since the coming of the SAVIOUR and HIS death and resurrection, this choosing includes all who believe and obey CHRIST and the gospel. Thus, both GOD and humans are active in elections. The goal of this choosing by grace is to be holy and without blame, in GOD’s sight.