Romans 8:1-17
Chapter 7 was written from the viewpoint of a man living under the Law, before salvation. Chapter 8 starts off with the declaration that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, born again.
In verse 2, Paul talks about the law of the Spirit of life in Christ. This is not the Old Testament Law. This is a legal system of a covenant Christ made, when He purchased us out of slavery to sin and death. He set us free! When we give ourselves to living after the spirit, we know God’s life and salvation.
To live after the flesh is to live by one’s own strength without a new heart or the help of the Holy Spirit. God’s plan is Jesus. God’s plan is faith. God’s plan is the new birth! Anything contrary to that is after human flesh/strength – it’s carnal, and in opposition to the ways of God.
Furthermore, once we are born of the Spirit through the surrender and obedience to Christ, we are to continue to live our lives yielded to Him and the new life He has provided. In verse 14, it says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.” In context, this verse is saying that reborn sons and daughters of God are those who have died to our own fleshly desires and have yielded ourselves to His loving authority. The Holy Spirit will also confirm in our hearts that we are saved, adopted as sons and daughters, children of God!
Psalms 79-81
Psalm 79 was a prayer for Israel written after Jerusalem was taken by the Babylonians in 597-587 B.C. Verse 13 says, “So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture, will give You thanks forever; we will show forth Your praise to all generations.” One thing that Psalm 79 has in common with its neighbors, chapters 77-80, is the mention of a shepherd (Psalm 77:20; 78:71-71; Psalm 79:13; Psalm 80:1). They are called the shepherd psalms.
Psalm 80 is a prayer for Israel’s restoration. Part of the prayer is that God’s face would shine, that God would show His acceptance and approval, helping Israel (verses 3, 7, 19).
Psalm 81 is a song for the Jewish New Year and the Feast of Tabernacles, speaking of blowing the trumpet at the time of the New Moon, the beginning of the feast, and the full moon, the end of the festival.