SUMMER IN THE PSALMS A 90-Day Morning & Evening … · literally our life or death spiritually in...

SUMMER IN THE PSALMS A 90-Day Morning & Evening Devotional

Written by Pastor Donald Kirschner

Blessed is the one “whose delight is in the law of the LORD and who meditates on God’s law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither…” (Psalm 1:2-3)

IntroductiontoSUMMERINTHEPSALMS:A90-DayDevotionalTheInspirationandPurposeBehindthisDevotional

TherearemanyotherbooksanddevotionalsoutthererelatedtothePsalms,andmany

arewrittenbybignameauthors.WithaquickAmazonsearch,youcanfindbooksonthePsalms,somedevotional,somenot,fromwriterslikeEugenePeterson,TimKeller,andWalterBrueggemann.So,whybothermakingthisdevotionalwhenthematerialoutthereissowideinscope?Well,forseveralreasons.

Tobehonest,Iwasdesiringtoreadandpraythroughthepsalmsonmyownasapersonalspiritualdisciplineforthesummerof2017.Whentheideatomakethisspiritualdisciplineachurch-wideinvitationforotherstoparticipatein,thethoughtofwritingmyowndevotional,tobedistributedtobothmycongregationmembersandothers,cametomind.Therearemanyideaswegetwhichweoftendon’tseethrough.Yet,forsomereason,Ihadquitethespiritofdeterminationinmetoseethisprojectthroughandtoholdmyselfaccountabletoit,notonlytodoingthediscipline,buttowritingthedevotional,evenifitwouldbereleasedsectionsatatimeratherthanallatonce.

Inaddition,andperhapsmorethananything,thisdisciplineanddevotionalwasinspiredinmethroughDietrichBonhoeffer’sbook“LifeTogether.”Inhisbook,Bonhoeffertalksof“risingearlyfortheloveofGod”(44).HenotesthisiswhatmanyofourforerunnersofthefaithdidanditistheexampleJesussets.Ourfirsthourisnottobeattendingtotheworkorconcernsofthedayahead.ItistoattendtoGod,whomadethedaywewakeupto(43).

ItwaswhenIwasonatwo-monthmissiontriptoAustraliainthesummerof2010thatIfirstpracticedthishabitofspendingdailyquiettimewiththeLORD.Everymorning,beforeourteamdidanysortofministry,wewouldhaveanhourof“quiettime.”ThistimemostoftenconsistedofScripturereading,butcouldalsobeusedforprayer,meditation,orjournaling.HavingadailyquiettimewouldprovetobeoneofthemosttransformationalhabitsIeverstartedtoengagewithinmylife.ItwasahabitthatIcontinuedintomyfirstyearofcollege,withprayerbeingprimary,andthenIhadvariouslevelsofconsistencyorinconsistencyfrommysophomoreyearofcollegeon,especiallyasIbecamemorecommittedand,unfortunately,oftenletmytimewiththeLORDfallbythewayside.

AsaChristian,therehavebeenmanytimesinmylifewhereIhavebeenappalledattheamountoftimeIsetapartfortheLORD.Asbusystudentsorworkersorparents,weoftensaywe’llstartthosegoodhabits,whetherit’sexerciseorhavingadailyquiettimewhen___________(wegraduate,becomelessbusy,thekidsareoutofthehouse,we’reretired,etc.).Buttherealityis,ifwedon’tstartthosehabitsnow,wearelikelynottostartthemlater.Thus,thereisanurgencytospendingtimewiththeLORDdailynow.

Bonhoeffersays,“WearesilentatthebeginningofthedaybecauseGodshouldhavethefirstword,andwearesilentbeforegoingtosleepbecausethelastwordalsobelongstoGod”(79).Itseemssocliché.Manypeoplemayrolltheireyesifyoutellthem.ButtheimportanceofadailyhabitualquiettimewiththeLORDcannotbestressedenough.Itisliterallyourlifeordeathspirituallyinsomecases.Itcanmakethedifferenceinouremotions.Itcanmakethedifferenceinourspiritual“fire”dwindlingormaintainingitsflame.Assomeonewhojustgraduatedseminary,itcanmakethedifferencebetweenseminaryfeelinglike“cemetery”ornot,astheold,buttruejoke,states,andwhichIwassometimesfeelingat

variousstagesofmyjourneythroughschool.Apricetagsimplycan’tbeputonthevaluedailyquiettimehasforourfaithandspiritualnourishment,aswellasourabilitytobebetterwitnessesforChrist.

However,let’sbemindfulthisdisciplinecanalsohavetheoppositeeffect,especiallyifourpursuingthisdisciplineisforlegalisticmotivations(i.e.ImustdothisasaChristian,Godrequiresitofme,ifIdon’tdoitIwillfeelguilty–allthesearenothealthymentalities).ThereweretimesinmylifewhereIwasengaginginthisdisciplineoutofobligation,evenifIdidn’trealizeit.Yetitisneveranobligation,butalwaysaninvitation.Andyet,therealitiesofthisinvitationarethatwhenweparticipateandaccepttheinvitationtoencounterGodthroughprayer,Scripture,song,ormediation,wearenourishingoursoulsinwayswecan’tevenbegintoimagine.

Ofcourse,I’mpreachingtothechoir,becauseI,ofallpeople,knowthedifficultyofbeingconsistentwiththisdisciplineandwouldbeahypocriteifItoldyouIhavealwaysdonethisconsistentlyandfaithfully.Atthesametime,Iwillsaythatthereweretimesinmylife,rarerthoughtheywere,wheremyspirituallifeandtimespentwiththeLORDwascharacterizedmorebyspontaneitythanstructure(e.g.insteadofhavingasetquiettimeeverymorning,whenIfoundmyselfinaprayerfulorworshipfulmoodandhadthecapacitytodoso,IwouldsimplystopwhatIwasdoingandprayorpulloutmyguitarandworship).

AsidefromspeakingpositivelyregardingsettingasidedailytimewiththeLORD,Bonhoefferalsohassomethingtosayaboutthepsalms.Hebelieveswebecomemorewellversedinprayerwhenwereadandpraythepsalms,for“themoredeeplywegrowintothepsalmsandthemoreoftenwepraythemasourown,themoresimpleandrichwillourprayersbecome”(50).Thisismyhopeforyouasyouengageinthis90-daySummerinthePsalmschallenge.BonhoeffercallsthePsalter“thegreatschoolofprayer”inwhichwe1)learnwhatprayermeans,2)learnwhatweshouldpray,and3)learntoprayasacommunity,asthebodyofChrist(47-49).RepresentedinthePsalmsisthewiderangeofhumanexperienceandemotion:frompraise,joy,andthanksgiving,toconfession,lament,andanger.ThePsaltercatchesitall,andwithinitspageswecanfindourselvesandeverysituationwewilleverencounter.AsyoutraversethedepthsofthePsalterandusethisdevotionalasaguidetohelpyoudothat,mayyourownfaithandlifebeenriched,allowingyoutoknowGodandyourselftoadeeperextentthanyoueverhavebefore.Somethingstokeepinmindwhenusingthisdevotional.

• AlthoughtheNewRevisedStandardVersion(NRSV)iswhatIhavebeenmostprivytousinginschoolandinministrywiththesermonsIwriteandBibleStudiesIlead,Iamusingthe2011NewInternationalVersion(NIV)inmakingeachmorningandeveningdevotional.

o TheNIViswhatIfirstgrewupwith.Itisthemostfamiliar,andistheversionIcanmosteasilyidentifywith.ConsideringI’mcreatingadevotionalbirthedfrommyownreflections,theNIVisnaturally,inmymind,goingtoproducethebestresults.Thisisnotputtingitaboveanyothertranslation.Itisjustsayingreflectionswillcomeeasiestformeinthisway.

§ Maybeforyou,it’stheKingJames,ortheEnglishStandardVersion.Whateverversionyou’recomfortablewithandwillbemostfruitfulfor

yourownreflections,usethat.Justbemindfulthatanyquoteinthisdevotionalwillbefromthe2011NIV.

• Don’tfeellikeyouhavetousethedevotionalinanystrictsense.Veeroffonyourown.FindreflectionsandfocusonaspectsofeachpsalmthatIdon’ttouchon.YourultimategoalistonotsomuchtogothrougheverydevotionalentryofmineasmuchasitisreadthrougheverypsalmandtoseehowGodmightbespeakingtoyouthroughGod’sWord.

o Thisdevotionalisnota“youmustgothroughthepsalmsinthisway.”EvenifImyself,wentthrougheachpsalmanddidsorepeatedly,Icouldgetnewanddifferentinsightseverytime,forGod’sWordislivingandactiveandcanspeaktousindifferentwaysatdifferentpointsinourlives.

• Irealizetimeisnotoneveryone’sside.Solongastimeallows,readthroughthepsalmthreetimes,butdon’tfeelbadifyoucanonlyreadthroughapsalmonce.Ifyouareinaspacethatallowsyoutovocalizeandarereadingeachpsalmmultipletimes,tryreadingthemaloudatleastonce.Sometimesinthatvocalreading,itishelpfultoactitouttoanextent.Ifthepsalmistissaying“Howlong,OLORD,”tryspeakingthisphraseasifyouwereinthepsalmist’sshoes,withwhateveramountoffrustration,anger,orstruggleyoucanmuster.Thiswillhelpyouenterintothepsalmsandthehumanexperiencetheyrepresentallthemore.

• Withtheexceptionofthefirstday,thereisbothamorningandeveningdevotional,soastoallowthischallengetobecompletedin90days.Thereare150psalms,butacertainamountofpsalmswillbesplitintwo,andPsalm119,thelargestofthemall,willbebrokeninto22differentdevotionals,allowingyoutofinishrightatthethreemonthmarker,fromthebeginningofJunetotheendofAugust.Theidealwouldbetoletthisdisciplinebethefirstthingyoudointhemorningandthelastthingyoudobeforegoingtobed,anidealinspiredbyBonhoefferwhenhesays,“WearesilentatthebeginningofthedaybecauseGodshouldhavethefirstword,andwearesilentbeforegoingtosleepbecausethelastwordalsobelongstoGod”(79).

o Forthosewhowishtoextendthedisciplinetomorethan90days,youcandothisdisciplinefromJunetoDecember,withonlyonedevotionaladay,6daysaweek,insteadoftwodevotionalsaday,7daysaweek.DoingitthiswaywillstillallowyoutofinishbeforetheendoftheyearifstartinginJune.

• Itmaybetemptingtostartwiththedevotionalandthenreadtheactualtext.Iencourageyoutofirstreadeachpsalmonyourown,seewhatbubblesupforyou,andthenuseeachofmydevotionalentriesforfurtherinsightandasaguideforreflection.

• Remember,thisspiritualdisciplineofreadingthroughthepsalmsina90-dayperiod—oneinthemorningandoneintheevening—isnotmeanttobeburdensome,butajoy.DallasWillardstatesinhisbook,“SpiritoftheDisciplines,”thatatthecenterofpracticingeverydiscipline(includingthisone)shouldbejoy!

• Ifyoufindyourselfstrugglingtokeepup,takeadeepbreath,giveyourselfsomegrace,andjustpickupatthedatewe’reon.ThisisnotlikereadingtheentireBiblein90days.Thisisreadingthroughthepsalms,whichcanfunctionveryindependentlyontheirown.Ifyoufallbehind,don’ttrytocatchup.Justjumptowhichevertwopsalmsarescheduledforthedaywe’reon.

• Enjoy,enjoy,enjoy!AndmayyourrelationshipwithGod,yourloveofScripture,andyourprayerlifebeenrichedtoagreaterdegreethanyoucouldeverimagineasyouenterintothisexcitingadventurethroughthePsalter.

Sincerely,

PastorDonaldKirschnerFirstUnitedMethodistChurchofMt.Holly

Psalm1-41(June1-June22)

EveningofJune1Psalm1

“BlessedistheonewhomeditatesonGod’slawdayandnight”(1:2b)WhenwespenddailyintentionalquiettimewiththeLORD,v.3happens:“thatpersonislikeatreeplantedbystreamsofwater,whichyieldsitsfruitinseasonandwhoseleafdoesnotwither—whatevertheydoprospers.”ConsiderthepsalmistmeditatingonGod’slawasbeingequivalenttousspendingdailytimewiththeLORD,asthisSummerinthePsalmschallengeiscallingusto.

• WhenwespendtimewiththeLORDdaily,wearelikeatreeplantedbystreamsofwater.Whatabeautifulimage!

• WhenwespendtimewiththeLORDdaily,whateverwedoprospers.o Thisisnotimplyingwewillalwaysbemetwithsuccessorthatwe

won’tfacedifficulties—justlikeanygoodtreewillfacesstormsandstrongwinds—butthatwe’llbeinthekindofstatethatlendsitselftowardthatstateofbeing.

• Whatifwetookv.4totheextremeandsaid“thewicked”areincontrasttothosewhoare“blessed,”whomeditateontheworddayandnight?Whatiftheprimarydemarcationbetween“thewicked”andthe“blessed”wasspendingtimewiththeLORDdaily?

• Wearetoldthewayofthewickedleadstodestruction(1:6).Itsoundssocliché,andyetitissotrue:IfwearenotspendingtimewithGoddaily,wemayfindourselvesfeelinglikechaffblownawayorlikeawitheredtreereadytocollapse.

Prayer:LORD,IknowifIdon’tspendtimewithyou,Iwillbeblownovereasily.MayInotbelikechaff,LORD,whichthewindblowsway.Helpmetostaystrongandgrounded,likeatallandhealthytree,committedtospendingtimewithyoueveryday.ButLORD,whenthewindsblowandIstruggletodoso,helpmenottofeelguiltywhenIfail,buttogivemyselfgraceandkeepongoing.Usethesenextthreemonthstotransformmyprayerlife,toincreasemyloveforyou,andtobringmetoadeeperknowledgeandappreciationofwhoyouareandwhoIaminyou.Encounterme,LORD,inthedaysahead.Transformmyheart,transformmymind,andshattermyexpectations.IpraythisinthenameoftheGodwhoistherootsystembeneathmybranchesandthesourceofthefruitwhichIbear.Amen.

MorningofJune2Psalm2

“TheOneenthronedinheavenlaughs”(2:4).

• WhenGodlooksdownandseesnationsconspiringandpeopleplottinginvain,itislaughable(2:1).

o IfwehadGod’sdivineperspectivefromonhigh,Iimaginemanyofthethingswetoiloverorconcernourselveswithwouldbelaughable.

§ Eventhekingsoftheearth,thepeopleinthehighestplacesofpowerarenothingwhentheycomeupagainsttheLORDandGod’sanointed.

ThispassageisspecificallyreferringtotheLORD’sanointedastheDavidicking.Regardlessofthisreality,weareverymuchconsideredGod’s“anointed.”WeknowthisbecausewearedeclaredGod’schild(2:7).AndbecauseweareachildofGod,v.8applies:WecanaskandourFatherwillgive.Verse10remindsustorememberwhoisonthethroneandnottothinkofourselvesmorehighlythanweought.Afterall,Godcouldeasily‘putusinourplace’ifGodwantedto.Thus,mindfulofGod’spowerandsovereignty,letusserveGodwithfearandcelebrateGod’srulewithtrembling(2:11).Afterall,thisis“theOneenthronedinheaven”we’retalkingabout(2:4).Prayer:God,IknowyouwillgiveifIask.SoLORD,promptmetoturntoyoufirstastheSourcefromwhichallmyobstaclescanbeovercome.God,sometimesIdothingsthatarelaughable,andIwouldknowthismorefullyshouldIbeabletoseemylifefromyourloftyperspective.Helpme,LORDtoseemylifesituationsfromyourdivineperspective,sothatIcanbetterusemylifetoserveandhonoryou.Amen.

Sometimeswefindoppositionintheplacesweleastexpectit(forDavid,thepsalmwriter,thisunexpectedoppositionwasfromhisson,Absalom,whowaspursuingDavidinordertokillhim).Sometimeswefeelliketheworldisouttogetusorfallingdownaroundusandthateverythingjustseemstobegoingwrong.Wefeeleverythingandeveryonearestandinginoppositiontous.Lie:Godwon’tdeliverme.Truth:Godwilldeliverme.Why?BecausetheLORDisashieldaroundme;theLORDismyglory;theLORDistheOnewholiftsmyheadhigh(3:3).Whatinyourlifeismakingyourheadhangloworcausingittobedroopedbeyonditsnormallevel?Wedon’toftenliftourheadshigh,butGodistheultimateface-lifter-upper.WhenwepraytotheLORD,weoftenhangourheadlow,butwhatwoulditlookliketocallouttotheLORD,toliftyourhead,tiltitup,andCALL!!Takesuchastancethisevening.LookupandpraytotheGodinheavenwhoisyourshieldandglory.Andinresponsetoourcall,weknowGodwillanswerfromGod’sholymountain(3:4),fromtheplaceofperspectivethatseesallandknowsallbecauseGodisall,overall,andthroughall.WewillonlywakeupfromoursleepbecausetheLORDsustainsus(3:5).AndjustlikewearisebecausetheLORDsustainsus,wesay“Arise,LORD!”andact!(3:7).Relatingvv.6-8withvv.2-3:

• Iwillnotfearthough________________________(fillinyourownblank).• WhatdoIneedtobedeliveredfrom?Fear?Caringtoomuchaboutwhat

othersthink?Idols?Whateveritis,liftituptoGod.

Prayer:God,bemyDelivererthisdayandeveryday.Liftmyheadabovethethingswhicharebringingmedown.Amen.

TakeamomenttotremblebeforeGod.ThinkaboutwhoGodis:GodistheOneenthronedinheavenwhomtheheavenlyhostsneverstoppraising.

• GiveGodpraiseforhowpowerfulandunbelievableGodis.• BecauseofhowholyGodis,thisshouldpromptusnottosin.Ifwetruly

realizedwhoGodis,wouldwehaveanyinclinationordesiretosin?o Weknowwestilldo,buthowcanwetremblemoreandsinless?

Bothatthebeginningandendoftheday,wearecalledtosearchourheartsandbesilent(4:4).ThebeginningofthedaybelongstotheLORD’s,asdoestheend.Inv.4,thereissomewhatofapouringout.Inv.7thereisafilling.AfterwehaverecognizedwhoGodisandwhatsinswehavecommittedbeforeourholyGod,wethenofferoursacrificesandexpressourtrustintheLORD(4:5).Aswe’regivingthesesacrifices,peoplemaybeasking,“Whowillbringusprosperity”(4:6)?ItistheLORD.forthereisnobetterpersontooffersacrificestothantheLORDwhoisthesourceofourthriving.Inv.8,thepsalmistcomestoapointwherehecanliedowninsleep.

• WemaystartthismorningintremblingbeforeGod,infearandreverence,butmayweendthedayinrestandsafety.

• Godalonemakesusliedowninsafety.Perhapsyoumaywanttowritethistruthaboveyourbedframeorremindyourselfofitwhenyougettotheendofeveryday.

Prayer:God,whoisworthytobefearedandpraised,letthelightofyourfaceshineonme(4:6).Letthelightofyourfaceshineon___________,___________,and___________(insertthenamesofotherpeopleorsituationsyou’dliketoseeGodmovein).Fillmyheartwithjoy,foryoualonebringmeprosperity.Amen.

“Inthemorning,youhearmyvoice;inthemorning,Ilaymyrequestsbeforeyouandwaitexpectantly”(5:3)TaketimetoimagineyourselfonyourkneesbeforethethroneofyourKingandGod.Feelfreetoactuallykneel.Whatprayerrequestsdoyouhavethismorning?ImagineyourselflayingeachofyourrequestsatGod’sfeet. Andthen,mindfulofsurrenderingtheseovertoGod,waitexpectantly … … …

Imaginewhatitwouldbelikeforangelstopickupwhatyou’veplacedbeforeGod,placeitinGod’sstrongandmightyhands,andforGodtoblowlife-giving,transformingbreathuponeachone,bringinghealing,transformation,andwholenesslikeneverbefore.

Afterthepsalmistnamesallthepeoplehedoesn’tbelieveGodispleasedwith—thewicked,arrogant,liars—thepsalmistdoesnotsayhisentryintothehouseofGodisbecauseofanygoodtraitoraccomplishmentofhisown.Rather,hisentryintothehouseofGodisqualifiedbyGod’sgreatlove:“I,byyourgreatlove,cancomeintoyourhomeandinreverencebowdownbeforemyKing”(5:7).

Althoughthepsalmistdoesn’tgothere,Iwouldchallengeustothinkofthewicked,thearrogant,theliars,oranyoneelsewedespise,aspeoplewhohavearighttoenterthehouseofGod,notbecauseofwhotheyareorwhatthey’vedone,butbecauseofGod’sgreatlove.

Thoughthepsalmstartsinlamentandpetition,itendswithanacknowledgmentofGodasrefugeandshieldforthosewholoveGod’sname.Toconclude,reflectonthefollowingwordsofthehymn,“LeadmeLORD”:

LeadmeLORD,leadmeinThyrighteousnessMakeThywayplainbeforemyfaceForitisThouLORD,ThouLORDonlyWhomakestmedwellinsafety.

Beforereadingthedevotionalentrybelow,IinviteyounotmerelytoreadPsalm6quietly,butoutloud,tryingtoenterintothepsalmist’sshoes,findingaquietundisturbedplacewherethiscanbedone.Whatisitthatmakesyoucry(6:6)?Maybeit’sadifficultsituationyouareinorafrighteningdiagnosisyou’vebeengiven.Maybeit’saninjusticelikeracismorhumantrafficking.WhatarethethingsyouareaskingGod,“Howlong?”Taketimetoexpresswhatthosethingsare: LORD,Iweepover_______________. LORD,I’mwaitingforyourinterventionin_________________.TherearethreeactionsthepsalmistisaskingtheLORDtodo:1)Turn,2)Deliver,&3)Save(6:4).Why?Onwhatbasis?Notbecauseofanythingthepsalmisthasdoneorearned,butbecauseofGod’sunfailinglove.Iamwornoutfromallmygroaning,fromallthiscryingandweeping(6:6).Myeyesgrowweakwithsorrow(6:7).ButGodhasalreadyheardmyweeping,mycryformercy,andhasacceptedmyprayer(6:9).Imagineyourselfinastateofagony,andGodisstandingwithGod’sbacktoyou.YoucrytoGod,“Turn!Turnaround,LORD!!!Deliverme!!”Yourwordsarespokenintowhatseemslikeempty,unresponsivespace.Asyouwaitthere,yourlipsbegintoquiverandyoureyesbegintowater.Butthen,Godturnsaround.Perhapsyouexpectwrathordiscipline,butthereisaconfident,lovingsmileonGod’sfacewitheyesbeamingandarmswideopen,readytoreceiveatired,sorrowfulchildofGodintothearmsofalovingparent.Gothroughtheemotionsofvv.1-7andseewhereGodtakesyou.Youreyesmaygrowweak.Youmayhardlybeabletosee.Butthen…breakthroughcomes,forGodhasheardyourcryformercy.Prayer:Turn,deliver,andsavemeLORDandthoseIcryoutonbehalfof.Hearmycryanddonotleavemeforsakeninmysorrow.Amen.

WhatdoesitmeanforGodtobetheMostHigh(7:8,10,17)?

• ItmeansGodhasavantagepointnoneofushave.• ItmeansnoenemyorproblemistoobigforGod.

o Goddoesnotlookdownatourproblemsandgaspsaying,“Ohmy,whatwillIdo!”Goddoesn’tworry…ever.

MindfulofthisdivinevantagepointGodhas,weturntoGodandask;wepray.

• WhatareyouneedingfromtheMostHigh?• Whatproblemsarebiggerthanyoucanhandle?

o TheyarenottoobigforGod.OfferthosethingstoGod.Muchofthispsalmmaybehardtoswalloworgetbehindbecauseofthewrathful,vindictiveGoditseemstoappealto(orisitjustthepsalmistappealingtoGodinthatwayandcoulditbethat’snotanaspectofGod’scharacter?).

Butmaybewedon’thavetoworrytoomuchaboutthesehardtoswallowthings,but,instead,canturnourattentiontotheinitialfocusandpleaofthepsalminv.1,fromwhicheverythingelsestems,lettingthatbeourprayer,andmakingourownversionofthepsalminresponsetothiscry:

“LORDmyGod,Itakerefugeinyou;saveanddelivermefromallwhopursueme,ortheywilltearmeapartlikealion.”Amen.

Whatcomestomindwhenyoulookataworldmapandlocatethetinyinsignificantportionofthemapyoulivein?Whatcomestomindwhenyouflyinanairplaneandlookoutthewindowfromthousandsoffeetabovetheground?IthinkofPsalm8:Whatarehumansthatyouaremindfulofthem?Whydoyoucareaboutlittle,insignificantus(8:4)?Thepsalmbeginsandendsinadoration.TakesometimetothankGod,ourCreator,forallthewaysinwhichtheearthtestifiestohowincredibleGodis.Walkoutsideifyouneedto.PraiseGodforGod’sbeauty.Whatproblemsareyoufacingthisday?Thisweek?Gobacktolookingattheworldmap.Thinkaboutflyinginanairplaneandhowsmalltheworldlooksfromonhigh.Bringtomindthosethingsthatareweighingyoudown,thenreflectonhowbigGodisincomparisontothoseproblems.ThoseproblemsarereallysmallinGod’seyes.EntrustthisbigmajesticGodwithallofthem.ReflectonhowmuchGodlovesandcaresforyou.CanyoubelievetheCreatorofallthesethingsyouseeintheuniversecaresaboutYOU?!LovesYOU?!Smallandinsignificantthoughyoumaybe,YOUmattertoGod!Godlovesyouandcaresforyoumorethanyoucouldeverknoworimagine.Andthatisworthyofendlessrejoicingandpraise!Onceyouhavesatintherealitiesofthistruth,askGodtohelpyouloveandcareforthosewhofeelinsignificantordon’tfeelliketheymatter,wherevertheymaybelocatedonthemapofsignificance.

StartbygivingthankstotheLORD,tellingofallGod’swonderfuldeeds(9:1)Inverses3-6,“youhave”iscommonlyused.Justlikethepsalmistgivesreasonforbeingthankful,lookbackonyourownlifeasfarasyouneedto(evenifitisastruggletofindthingstobethankfulfor)andsay,“LORD,Ithankyoubecauseyouhave_____________.LORD,Ithankyoubecauseyouhave______________.”Reflectonanynumberofthefollowing

• BegladandrejoiceinGod,singingpraisestoGodMostHigh(9:2).• Asourrefugeintimesoftrouble,wecanseektheLORDwiththepromise

ofnotbeingforsaken(9:9-10)• Godwon’tforgettheneedyandthehopeoftheafflictedwillneverperish

(9:18).• AcalltohumilityhelpsusrecognizeourappropriatestancebeforeGodas

meremortals(9:20).

Prayer:FaithfulGod,youhavebeenwithmethrougheverymountainhighandvalleylow.LORDGod,Ithankyouforyourfaithfulnesstomealonglife’sjourney.Helpmetofindreasontopraiseyouandtestifytoyourgoodnessandfaithfulness,evenwhenitishardtoseeorrecognize.Andasyouhavebeenfaithfultome,helpmetobefaithfulwhereverIgoandinwhateverIdo.Amen.

Thepsalmistseemstohaveabonetopick,anditappearstobewith“thewicked”individual,whichthemajorityofthispsalmseemstobededicatedto.Verseafterverse,thepsalmistputsdownthispersonwhomwewouldeasilydeemtobeanawfulhumanbeing.He’sprideful,herejectsGod’slaws,he’sfullofliesandevil.Butregardlessofallthesestrikesagainsthim,thereasonthepsalmistissohardonthiswickedindividualmaynotbesomuchduetothepersoninandofthemselfasmuchasitisduetotheirtreatmentoftheinnocentandhelpless.Afterall,thiswickedperson“huntsdowntheweak”(v.2),“murderstheinnocent”(v.8),and“catchesthehelplessanddragsthemoff”(v.9).Thecryofthepsalmistisnot,“Youseethebadthingsthispersonisdoing,sopunishthem.”No,hisfocusiselsewhere:Yousee“thetroubleoftheafflicted”(v.14).Therefore,pleaserespondLORD.Whenthepsalmistsaysto“breakthearmofthewicked”personandtocallthemtoaccountfortheirwickedness(10:15),itisnotsomuchbecauseofhatredandenmitytowardthispersonasmuchasitisappalmentandrighteousangeratwhatthewickedindividualisdoingandhowothers,namely,theinnocentandhelpless,arebeingaffectedbyit.ThepsalmistisappealingtoGodforapromiseheknowsistrueofGod,thattheLORDwill“hearthedesireoftheafflicted”and“listentotheircry”(22:17).Likethepsalmist,mayourheartsbreakforwhatbreaksGod’sheart.Letusstandupinthefaceofinjusticeandspeakoutonbehalfofthosewhoareoppressed.Thepsalmistsaysofthewickedindividual,“inallhisthoughtsthereisnoroomforGod”(10:4).However,regardlessofwhatthis“wicked”individualhasdoneandnomatterhowmanypeopletheyhaveharmed,thereisstillroomatGod’stableforthem,shouldtheychoosetoturntoGodandawayfromtheirwickedways.Eventhiswickedindividualis,inoneveryrealsense,achildofGodmadeinGod’simage.Imagineinyourmindthepersonyouhavethemostdifficultyloving,whoyouhave“abonetopickwith.”ThenreflectontherealitythatGod’stableisnotclosedtothemeveniftheyhavepresentlyclosedthemselvesofffromGod.

Imaginesomeonecominguptoyouandtellingyouwheretoputyourtrustin:

• inmoney• insecurity• infamilyorfriends• inthegovernment• inthechurch

Butthen,you,somewhatoffendedsay,“Excuseme?!”It’sintheLORD(cuesnapandlungeback)thatItakerefuge,thankyouverymuch,notsomegood-lookingsubstitutetryingtotakeitsplace.Whydon’tyouflyoutofherelikeabirdandtakeyouradvicewithyou(cueseveralmoresnaps)!”Imagineenemiesjustwaitingtoattackwithbowsbent,readytoshootfromthedarknessatyoutobringyoudown(11:2).Maybe,aspeoplewhoareuprightinheart,wefeellikeweareunderattack. Butwhatcantherighteousdo(11:3)?Noanswerisgiven.WearejusttoldGodisinGod’sholytemple,onGod’sheavenlythrone,andseesallthings,examinesallthingsfromthatloftyvantagepoint.TaketimetoreflectontheimplicationsofwhatitmeansforGodtobeonthethrone.Howshouldknowingthisimpactus?Whatdowedowithvv.5&6though?Howdoweexplain?

• Perhapssomeofuswhowanttoseepaybackgiventothosewhowrongeduswouldliketheseversesinhere.Butthepsalmistissayingthisbecause,inhismind,thisiswhatarighteousandjustGoddoes.KnowingthatGodisrighteousandjust,whatisityouwouldexpectGodtobelikeordo?

o Taketimetoreflectonhowyouwouldanswer.Whateverouranswer,theupright,whompeoplearegettingreadytoattack,willseeGod’sface(11:7).

• ImagineseeingthefaceofGod.Whatdoesthatimagedoforyou?• Howdoesthatimageofferhopeinthemidstofwhatyou’redealingwith?

Prayer:LORD,helpmetoputmytrustinyouaboveallelseandnottoliftmysoultoanythingotherthanyou.Amen.

ThewordsofhumanityandGodareputincontrastwithoneanotherForhumanity,unfortunately…

• Wesometimesfeelasthoughnooneisfaithfulanymore(12:1),asthoughpeoplearehonoringwhatisvile(12:8).

• Itseemslikeeveryoneislyingtotheirneighbor(12:2).Wordsarenotusedforgood,butforill.

ForGod,incontrast…

• “ThewordsoftheLORDareflawless,likesilverpurifiedinacrucible,likegoldrefinedseventimes”(12:6).

o Humansmaylie,butGodtellsthetruth.o Humanwordsmayteardown,butGod’swordsbuildup.

Inthemidstofasocietywheresomanywordshurtratherthanencourage,mayweseektherefiningwordsofourGodwhichhavebeenthroughthefire.Inthemidstofhumansspeakingwordsthatwe’renotevensurehavegonethroughasinglefilterorrefiningprocessbeforebeingspatout,letustakeheartinknowingthatthewordsoftheLORDwearestrivingtoingestarewordslikegold,whichhavebeenrefinedseventimes.MuchcarehasbeentakenonGod’send,andtheprocesshasbeendoneinawaythatputsoutsomethingbeautifulandglorious,farbeyondwhatourhumanwordsoractionscanelicit.Prayer:God,weknowourwordswillnotalwaysbeflawlessandthatwewilloftensaythingsweshouldn’t.Helpus,LORD,torefineourwordsinawaythathelpstobuildupratherthandestroy,toencourage,ratherthantoharm,forthegloryofyournameandforthesakeofyourKingdom.Amen.

“Howlong…”(13:1-2)WhatareasofyourlifeareyouaskingGodtointervenein,butstillfindyourselfwaiting?

• Howlong,LORD,willyou_______________?(13:1-2)• Shineyourlighton____________andgivelifeto____________(13:3b).

Regardlessofhowlongwehavewaitedorhowlongwewillcontinuetointercede,wearecalledtotrust,totrustinGod’sunfailinglove.

• God’sloveNEVERfailsus(13:5).o Taketimetoreflectonthatunfailinglove.

Eventhoughwebegininquestioning,agony,andfrustration,maywe,likethepsalmist,endinpraiseandsong,beingabletosay,“Godhasbeengoodtome.”Maywefindourselvesgoingfrom"Willyou?”to“Iwill…”Thisisgoingon:this…this…this…andthis…BUT,Itrust(13:5).

• Namethose“this’s”andthencounteractthemwiththatbigBUT:GOD.• God,this,this,andthisisgoingon,BUT…Itrustyou.

WhateverareasofyourlifeyouarestrugglingtotrustGodin,placethoseissuesorstrugglesintoGod’sstrongandcapablehandsandimagineGodtakingalltheworry,allthestressors,andallthefearsaway,becauseofhowmuchGodlovesandcaresforyou.

OhhowfewofusunderstandandseekGod(14:2).

• Ohwait!…ALLofusdon’tunderstandorseekGod,o forALLofusarecorruptandhaveturnedaway.o Noneofusdogood,notevenone(14:3).

§ HowshouldthisrealitychangethewayweliveorthinkasChristians?

Oneofthedescriptionsofanevildoerisonewho“nevercallsontheLORD.”Prayerwouldbeanotherwaytocategorizethis.Andwhatisprayer?ItisushumblingourselvesbeforeGod,and,inthat“boweddown”state,acknowledgingourdependenceuponGod.Ifwe’renotpraying,wemaybeselfishorself-centeredinwayswedon’tevenrealize.Butisthis“all”reallyALLorjust“thefool(s)”inv.1?Arewetakingthisverseoutofcontextwhenwedon’tseev.3connectedtov.1?Buthowconnectedisit?God,areyoureallysaying,noone,notme,notanyone,candogood?“Thefoolsaysinhisheart.”ItmaybethatwequestionifthereisaGodinourmind,butoncewehavethatbeliefgettoourheart,thatiswhenwebecomefools.IpictureGodlookingdownfromheavenandscanningtheland(14:2).IwanttobethepersonjumpingupanddowntryingtogetGod’sattentionwhenGodturnsmyway.IwanttobeonewhounderstandsandseeksGod,evenifitisnotpossibleinthislife.Butdoallofuswhodon’tcallontheLORDknownothing(14:4)?Ifso,itisahardtruthtoswallowandonethatshouldpromptustopray.Prayer:God,wearehelplessfoolswithoutyou.Itisonlyinyouandthroughyouthatanythinggoodinushaspotentialtoexist.Helpustodogood,evenifwecan’tdosoonourownandhavetorelyonyouforeveryounceofgoodnesswecanclaim.Amen.

WhointheworldcandwellintheLORD’ssacredtent(15:1)?Thisisaquestionofworthiness.ThinkoftheholyofholiesintheOldTestamentandthecautionsuchaholyplacehadtobeapproachedwith.Verses2-5bshowalonglistofgodlythingswecando.Themostmeaningfulformeare1)speakingtruthfromtheheart,2)doingnowrongtoaneighbor,3)keepinganoathevenwhenithurts.Whichstandouttoyou,aremostmeaningful,oraremostchallenging/convicting?ThebeautyofourGodisthatGodcallsusworthytoenterGod’spresencethroughChrist,howeverwellorterriblywehavekeptthisoranyotherlistthatspeakstosomemeasureofgodliness.“Whoeverdoesthesethingswillneverbeshaken”(15:6).Whatshakesyouupinyourlifeandfaith?

• God,helpmetonotbeshakenwhen_______________.• God,helpmetonotbeshakenif_______________.

ImagineGodasanimmovablegiantrock.Theonewhocanneverbeshakengivesuswaystohelpusnotbeshaken,liketheonesexpressedinvv.2-5b,eventhoughGodistechnicallytheultimateOnewhokeepsusfrombeingshaken.What’sonyourlist?Howmanyofthesewouldyouagreewith?Whatwouldyouadd?Prayer:O,immovableandtranscendentOne,thankyouthatyoucallusworthyofapproachingyouthroughthebloodofChristthatwasshedforus.Regardlessofthethingsinourlifewhichshakeusup,helpustoleanonyouandtrustyou,forweknowyoucancalmeventhemostchaoticofstorms.Amen.

Morethanthelistofgodlythingsspokeninthechapterbefore,there’ssomethingbetterwecandothanthosethingstopreventusfrombeingshaken:Keepingour“eyesalwaysontheLORD.”Thisisbecause,withGodatourrighthand,wewillnotbeshaken.WhatresultswhenweknowGodiswithusand,therefore,thatwewon’tbeshaken?

• Ourheartisgladandourtonguerejoices• Ourbodyrestssecure

o becauseweknowGodwon’tabandonus• Thepathoflifeismadeknowntous• Wearefilledwithjoy• WehaveeternalpleasuresatGod’srighthand

Feelfreetoreflectonanyofthefollowingortoveeroffonyourownreflections:

• Letusnotliftourpraisetoanother(16:4)• Godisourportionandcup,makingourlotsecure(16:5)• Wehaveadelightfulinheritance(16:6)• Godcounselsus;evenatnight,ourheartinstructsus(16:7)

ApartfromGod,wehavenogoodthing(16:2).Dowereallybelievethat?ThatnogoodexistsapartfromGod?Prayer:LORD,helpustoseeyouasourgreatestsourceofgood.Helpustokeepoureyesalwaysonyou,nomatterwhatcomesourway,sothatwemaynotbeshaken.Amen.

Thepsalmistissaying,“Hearme,formypleaisjust.Idon’thavelyinglips,andwhenyousearchmyheart,evenatnight,youcanfindnoplanforevil”(17:1,3).Thoughcertaintemptationshavecomemyway,Ihavenotgivenintothem.“Mystepshaveheldtoyourpaths,myfeethavenotstumbled”(17:5).Andso,“Icallonyou…foryouwillanswerme”(17:6).It’spsalmslikethesethatcanmakeusfeelinadequate.Herethepsalmistuseshis‘godliness’asreasonsforwhyGodshouldhearhisprayerandrespondtohiscry.Ifwe’renotcareful,wemaysubconsciouslythinkthatitisonlywhenweareuprightand‘holy’thatGodhearsourprayers.Ifwe’renotcareful,ourinterpretationofthispassagecouldleadtoaworks-basedrighteousnessmentality,amentalitythatsays,“IfIdothis,Godwillthenbegracioustomeandanswer.”ButthatwouldbethesinmanagementapproachtolifethatsaysweneedtogetourselvesinorderbeforewecometoGod,ratherthantheoppositeapproachfoundinourgrace-centeredgospel.Andyes,weprayandstrivetoliveagodlylife,pleasingandacceptabletotheLORD.Wewanttobeabletosaywiththepsalmist,“Youwon’tfindevilwhenyouprobemyheart”(17:3).However,thebeautyofourGodisthatwhetherwethinkwe’redoingagoodjoboflivingtheChristianlifeornot,wecanstillliftourprayerstoGod.Andwhetherwe’vefailedtoliveasGodiscallingustoliveandneedrepentance,orifwe’reinagoodplaceandaredoinggood(butbecarefulifyouthinkyou’restanding,lestyoufall),thebeautyofourGodisthatwecanstillturntoGodinprayer.Verse7isnotjusttruthforthe‘good’Christians,butforboth:“Showmethewondersofyourgreatlove.”Whetherwefeellikewe’redoinggoodorbadinthiswalkwiththeLORD,Godcanshowus“thewondersof[God’s]greatlove.”IfGodweretoprobeyourheart,whatwouldGodfind?Whatarethethingsyouarenotproudof?Thethingsyou’reashamedof?Thethingsyouneedtoconfess?OfferthesethingsbeforeGod.BehonestandletGodknowthewaysinwhichyoufeellikeyou’vefailed.Now,reflectonthewondersofGod’sgreatlove.Onebyone,asyouplaceconfessionslistedaboveintoGod’shands,imagineGodsayingwitheachone:“Becauseofthewondersofmygreatlove,IdeclareinthenameofJesus,mySon,thatyouareforgiven,washedpureassnow.Don’tlingerintheguilt.Don’tgetcaughtupinapastyoucannolongerchange.Enterintotherealitiesofmylove,forIamtheOnewhoisabletosaveyou”(17:7).He’smakingdiamondsoutofus.HeisrefininginHistiming.-lyricsfromHawkNelson’ssong,“LiveLikeYou’reLoved”Prayer:Hearme,LORD.Myheartmaybefullofevil,butyourlovehasthepowertoovercomeeventhedarkesthearts.Amen.

MorningofJune10Psalm18:1-29

Beforewearegiventhebeginningwordsofthepsalm,wearetoldintheitalicizedprefacethatDavidsangthispsalmtotheLORDwhentheLORDdeliveredhim.Interestinglyenough,thisisthelongestpsalmwe’veencounteredthusfar.Itstartswithasimple,“IloveyouLORD”(18:1)andproceedstosaynumerousrolesGodplaysinDavid’slife—myrock,fortress,deliverer,shield,hornofsalvation,stronghold(18:2).Then,DavidgoesonandonaboutwhatGodhasdoneforhim.Itlooksasiftheseareallpasttensefromverses3-19toshowwhatGodhasdone.Thispartofthepsalm(18:1-29)endsonanoteofconfidence:WithmyGod,Icanscaleawall.Whatwallsarebeforeyourtodaythatneedtobescaled?SincewecanonlycometothisconfidenceoncewehavetakentimetoreflectonGod’slove,whoGodis,andwhatGodhasdone,Iinviteyoutoprayintoandliveoutthispsalminthefollowingway

• TellGodhowmuchyouloveGod(18:1)• ProclaimwhoGodistoyou:My_______,my_______,my_______(18:2)• ListallthethingsyoucanpossiblythinkofinwhichGodprovedfaithful

(18:3-19)• Proclaimyourabilitytoscalewhateverwallsarebeforeyoutoday(18:29)• GiveGodahandclapofpraiseandsay,“Amen!”

EveningofJune10Psalm18:30-50

Reflectonanyofthefollowing:

• WhoisliketheLORD?Nobody!(18:31)• WhatdoesitmeanforGodtobeyourRock(18:31,46)?• Whoarmsuswithstrength(18:32,39)?Whoarmsuswithstrengthtofight

ourbattles?Whoisit?o “ItisGod!”

Completethefollowingsentenceandproclaimasmanythingsthatcometomind:

ItisGodwho…ItisnotjustChristwholivesandisourSavior,itisGod

• Weusuallysay,“Christlives,”butverse46says,“theLORDlives.”o Godisactiveandatwork.o Godisalive,notdead.

§ PraisebetoourRock,ourlivingLORD!• WeusuallyrefertoChristasSavior,buthereagaininv.46,wehaveGod

referredtoasSavior.o TheGodwhosavesme.

§ ReflectonwhatitmeansforGodtobeyourSavior.Verse49says,“Therefore,Iwillpraiseyou,LORD.”

TaketimetopraiseGodandthankGodforwhateveryou’dlike,whetherit’sthankingGodforwhoGodisorthankingGodforsomethingdoneinyourlife.

AcknowledgingwhoGodis,followedlaterbypraise,servesaspartoftheACTSmodeltoprayeroftentaughttochildren:(Adoration,Confession,Thanksgiving,Supplication[ACTS]).Usethisasamodelatanypointforprayerifyou’dlike.

“ThecommandsoftheLORDareradiant,givinglighttotheeyes.”(19:8b)Thelaw,God’scommands,werenotintendedtoinduceguilt,butto“givelight.”Theyarenotmeanttobeheavyorburdensome,butradiant.Thereisashinetothem,ashinethatspeakstotheGodwhoisLight,nottoaGodwhoisapolicemanwatchingoveroureverymove,waitingforustoslipup.Prayer:God,helpmetoobeyyousothatlightmaycometomyeyes,sothatIcanbetterseeinthisdarkworldIlivein.There’ssomethingelsethatgiveslighttooureyesifwestoplongenoughtonoticeit:creation.

• Verse2saysEVERYdayandEVERYnight,God’screationsaysinaudiblewordswhichrevealknowledge.

• Thewholeearthexperiencesthisvoice,forthesewordsgototheendoftheearth(19:4).

• Thereisnolanguagewhereyoucan’tbeheard.Yoursonggoesouttoalltheearth.Hallelujah,hallelujah…-lyricsfromaworshipsong.

WhyisitgoodtokeepGod’scommands?

• Theyaremorepreciousthangold,sweeterthanhoney(19:10).• Bythemwearewarned;inkeepingthemthereisgreatreward(19:11).

Ifacommanddoesnotgivelighttooureyesanddoesmoredamagethangood,wehavesomereflectiontodo.Prayer:LORD,helpmetoseeyourlawsanddecreesasmorepreciousthangold,because,ifIfollowthem,thespiritualrevenueIwillgainwillbefarmorethananymaterialgain(19:10a).MayIseeyourlawsassweeterthanthesweetestoffoods(19:10b).ForgivemeforwhatIdon’tevenknowIneedforgivingfor(19:12),andletnotsinsruleoverme(19:13).MayIseethereisgreatrewardinyourlawsanddecrees(19:11).Andmaythesewordsofmymouthandthemeditationofmyheartthisdaybepleasinginyoursight(19:14).Amen.

Likethepsalm,therearemanyblessingspeopleinoursocietystatetopeople,startingwiththewords,“Mayyou…”Perhapsyou’veheardpeoplesaythefollowing:

• Mayyouhavegoodhealth• Mayyourwombbefruitful• Mayyouhavelongevityoflife

o Butsometimesthedoctor’snewsisnotgoodo Sometimesthereisamiscarriageorinfertilityo Sometimesalovedoneistakenfromusfartoosoon

Thepsalmisthashisownversionofthese“Mayyou…”statementsofblessings.

• MaytheLORD…o answeryou,sendyouhelp(20:1-2)o rememberyoursacrifices,grantallyourrequests(20:3,5)

Iwoulddisagreethatsomeofthese“Mayyou’s”arepromises.Manymaysimplybehopesexpressedwiththedesiretobemadereal.Butwhateverthelikelihoodofthese“Mayyou’s”beingorbecomingrealities,thereissomethingthepsalmiststatesthatisclear;thisthepsalmistknowsforsure:

• “TheLORDgivesvictoryto”andanswers“Hisanointed”(20:6);o Remember,we,aschildrenofGod,areabletoclaimasimilar

hopeofvictoryandbeinganswered(crossreferencePsalm2).o Mindfulofthistruthofabsolutecertainty,itbringsus/promptsus

toaskourselveswhoorwhatwe’reputtingourtrustin.Sometrustin_________(20:7),“butwetrustinthenameoftheLORDourGod.”

• WhatisitthatyouareoftentemptedtoputyourtrustinotherthanGod?Money?Relationships?Thechurch?WhatwoulditmeantotrustinGod?

WhenwetrustinGod,notanythingelse,weriseupandstandfirm(20:8).Andasthepsalmendsinrequest,sodowe(20:9):God,grantusvictory!Answerwhenwecall!MayyoumakeourexpressedhopesintorealitiesbywayofthecrossofChristandyourclaimonusasbelovedchildrenofGod.Amen.

Verses1-2seemsomewhatlikeananswertoPsalm20:4-5.Thereislotsofvictorylanguagehere.Whatdoyourejoicein?OurpsalmsaysthekingrejoicesinGod’sstrength(21:1).WealsohavegreatjoyinthevictoriesGodgives.Thispsalm,uponfirstreading,seemstobereferringtoanindividual,andanindividualwhoisaking.Sowemayask,“Howapplicablecanthisbetome?”“ThevictoriesYOUgive”

• ThevictoriesweexperienceinthislifearenotbecauseofusbutbecauseofGod.

o God’sstrengthisathemethatcomesthroughandisafocusinboththebeginningandend.

§ “__________rejoicesinyourstrength”(21:1).• Here,thepsalmistfillstheblankwith“theking.”Fillit

withyourownnameandreflectonwhatitmeanstorejoiceinGod’sstrength.

§ “Beexaltedinyourstrength,LORD;wewillsingandpraiseyourmight”(21:13).

ThepsalmstartsacknowledgingthepotentialtorejoiceinGod’sstrength.ThenitendswithGod’sstrengthbeingathingwhichstimulatesandmotivatespraiseandexaltation.Taketimetoacknowledgeyoucan’twinanybattleyoufacetodaywithouttheLORD.Whateveryouovercometodaywillnotbeduetoyou,butGod.GodistheOnewhofightsforyouandgivesyouthevictory.Theearthlyking’sglorymaybegreat(21:5),butthesourceofhisglory,receivedthroughvictories,isduetoGodwhoisthecauseofthemall.Therefore,weshouldgiveGodtheglory,evenifweourselvesarefoundtobegivenalevelofearthlyglory.

“Benear,OGod,benear.OGodofus,yournearnessistousaregood.”-Lyricsfrom“BeNear”byShane&Shane“Donotbefarfromme,fortroubleisnearandthereisnoonetohelp”(22:11).God’spresenceisoneofthethingsweneedmost.ButsometimesitishardtorecognizeGod’spresenceinthemidstofmomentsofgreatagony.Imaginewhatitwouldbelikeifyouwere(22:12-15):

a) Surroundedbybullsreadytochargeoneverysideofyoub) Surroundedbyterrifyinglionsroaringatyouwithmouthswideopenandbigsharp

teethshowingc) Pouredoutlikewateruntilyouwereanemptycontainerwithnothinglefttopour

Imaginewhatitwouldbelikeifyouhad:d) Everyboneoutofjointe) Adry,parched,dehydratedmouththatseemedsobad,youfeltitwastimetodief) Ameltedheart,meltinglikewax

Thereitisagaininv.19:PleaseLORD,“don’tbefarfromme.”Thepsalmistissayinghefeelsallthesethingsabove,andbecauseofthem,heisfrightened,fearful,anduncertain.Comequicklytohelpme,LORD,forIfeelabandoned.Likeonefacingtheferociousroarofahungrylion,thereisnotimetodelay.God,youmustinterveneNOW.Inv.19,thepsalmistalsoacknowledgesGod’sstrength.WeneedGodtobenearbecauseGodisthesourceofourstrength.WithoutGod’snearness,Iam_________________.Closeyoureyesafterreadingthefollowingthought,andthenreflectonitsmeaning:“Godiscloserthanourskinandtheairwebreathe.”Regardlessofhowforsaken,abandoned,orfearfulwefeelatanypoint,evenifwefindourselveshangingfromaplaceofsuffering,letusremember:

a) GodisenthronedastheHolyOne(22:3)b) ThatpeopleplacedtheirtrustinGodinthepastandGoddeliveredthem(22:4)

o Godcandeliveryoufromthebulls,fromthelions,fromthefeelingofhavingnothinglefttogive,fromthefeelingofdehydration,andfrombeingonthevergeofdying.

THISismyexperience(22:1-2),butIknowtheexperienceofothersinthepast.Theycriedoutandweresaved;theytrustedandweren’tputtoshame(22:4-5).Whythen,doIfeelsoaloneandabandoned?Benear,LORD!Benear!

ImagineyouareasheepwithinGod’sfoldlookingupblissfullyatJesus,yourShepherd,whoholdsarodandstaffinHishand,onetoprotectandonetoguide.ImaginewalkingbesideJesus,theGreatShepherd,andhavingHimleadyoubybeautifulgreenpasturesandquietwatersreflectingthenoondaysun.StartinpraiseandthanksgivingtoyourGuideandShepherd: God,thankyouforguidingmewhen… God,thankyouforprotectingmewhen…WeneednotfearbecauseourkindandlovingShepherdiswithus.HisrodandstaffcomfortusbecauseweknowGodwillleadandprotectusalongtheway.ThisislikelyoneofthemostfamiliarpsalmsinScripturetoyou.Readitseveraltimesthrough.Whatdoyounoticethatyoudidn’tnoticebefore?Whatisstrikingabouttheimagery?Whatnewthingcanyoutakeawayfromthisfamiliarpsalm?

EverypersonwholivesontheearthistheLORD’s,everyperson(24:1).

Whoareyoustrugglingtolove?Whoareyouinconflictwith?Everypersoninalltimes,whethertheychoseGodornot,whethertheyweregoodorevil,were,inoneveryrealsense,“theLORD’s.”AskGodtohelpyoutoseethosewhoarehardesttoloveas“theLORD’s.”

Giveuscleanhands,giveuspurehearts.Letusnotliftoursoultoanother…OGodletusbeagenerationthatseeks,whoseeksyourface,OGodofJacob”–lyricsfrom“GiveusCleanHands”

• MaywebeagenerationthatseeksGod’sface(24:6).o SeekthefaceoftheLORDthismorning.Prayforthegenerationyou

representandforanyothers(BabyBoomers,GenX,Z,Millennials,etc.),prayingtheymightbeagenerationthatseeksGod’sface.

ArethegatesofyourheartopenedsothatGodmightcomein(24:9)?Openupyourgates,liftupyourhead,andpraytotheGodwhorespondstoyourseeking.

WhenIreadthispsalmabouttrustinginGod,itwasat2am,afterhavinganepisodeofalmostpassingoutfromfeelingveryfaintwhilelyingdown.Ihadbeentothedoctorandwasreferredtoacardiologistandeardoctor.AsIwrotethis,therootoftheproblemhadnotbeenidentified.IneededtotrustGodinwhatwasafrighteningrealityinthatmoment.Whataboutyou?WhatfrighteningrealitydoyouneedtotrustGodin?ItisinGod,ourGod,andnooneelse,thatweputourtrust(25:1)

• Likethepsalmist,weoftensay,Itrustyou;don’tletxhappentome(25:2)• WewillNEVERbeputtoshameifweputourhopeinGod(25:3)

o HaveyoueverfeltlikeyouwereshamedoreverregrettedputtingyourhopeinGod?

WhatwoulditlookliketohaveourhopeinGodALLDAYLONG?(25:5).

Taketimetothinkhowthismightbepossible,andhowyoumightcarryhopethroughoutyourday,nomatterwhatcomesyourway.

“MyeyesareeverontheLORD,foronlyHewillreleasemyfeetfromthesnare”(25:5).Whatisthe“snare”thatisluringourfeetawayfromGod?God,theOnethispsalmcallsustoputourtrustin,istheonlyoneabletoreleaseusfromthatsnare.Whatdoyouneedtotakeyoureyesoffof?WhatishinderingyoufromkeepingyourgazeontheLORD?IfourfocusisnotonGod,wewillbetemptedtogiveintoandletallkindsof“snares”effectus.Connectingv.3tovv.16-19,weseethepsalmistcallingforGodinthemidstoffeelingensnared.

• TakerefugeinGodandyouwon’tbeputtoshame(25:2,20).• Justlikethepsalmends,maywebeabletofindourselvesattheendofthis

daysaying,“Myhope,LORD,isinyou”(25:21).IntheoriginalHebrewlanguageofthepsalm,eachversebeginswithsuccessivelettersofthealphabet.ItmayalmostseemlikethepsalmisgivingusareasontocalltoGodandhopeandtrustinGodineveryseasonofthesoul,fromAtoZ(orfromalephtotavinHebrew).ThanksbetoGodforbeingourEverlastingHope!

IfweortheLORDweretoexamineourheart(26:2),Iimaginetherewouldbemanyinstancesinwhichwedidn’tleadablamelesslifeandfaltered(26:1).Butifwewere“mindfulofGod’sunfailinglove,”ifwe“livedinrelianceonGod’sfaithfulness,”wouldthis,inturn,helpustoliveamoreblamelesslifeandhelpustonotfalterasmuch(26:3)?What’sinterestingaboutthispsalmisthat,whilethepsalmistseemstobepointingtoallthewaysinwhichhehasbeenfaithful(26:1-2,4-7),inverse3,itsayshehas“livedinrelianceonYOUR(onGod’s)faithfulness.”Thus,atthecenterofourtestimonytofaithfulness—whichwedon’talwaysdowellwith—standsthetestimonyofGod’sfaithfulness.InspiteofthisacknowledgmentofGod’sfaithfulness,attheendofthepsalm,itgoesbacktoafocusonthepsalmist’sownfaithfulness:“Ileadablamelesslife;delivermeandbemercifultome”(26:11).Unlikethepsalmist,mayweendourownpsalmtoGodbygoingbacktothehubinthespokeofthewheel,theFaithfulOnewhomakesanyfaithfulnessonourpartmeansomething,theOnewhostandsatthecenterofourfaith.Ratherthantryingtoproveourworthbyourownfaithfulness,let’sproveourworthbyGod’sfaithfulness.Prayer:LORD,helpustobeevermindfulofyourunfailinglove—whenwewake,whenwesleep,andwhenwegoaboutthetasksofourday.Teachuswhatitmeanstoliveinrelianceonyourfaithfulness,notourown,forwecanonlybefaithfulbecauseyouwerefaithfultous.Amen.

Truth/Promise/WhoGodis:“TheLORDismylightandmysalvation”(27:1a).Questioninresponsetothisreality:Whyfear?Truth/Promise/WhoGodis:“TheLORDisthestrongholdofmylife”(27:1b)Questioninresponsetothisreality:Whyfear?WhenwerealizewhoGodis(ourlight,oursalvation,ourstronghold)andreallyletthatsinkin,itcastsoutfear.

• Evenifanarmy,tonsofpeopleinmilitaryuniform,comemarchingtowardmearmedwithweapons;evenifIamonepersonfacingwhatseemslikeinsurmountableodds,myheartshouldnotfear(27:3a).

• Evenifwarbreaksoutagainstme,Ishouldstillbeconfident(27:3b).o ForGod,mylight,salvation,andstrongholdwillkeepmesafein

God’sdwellingandputmeonahighrock(27:5).§ Thenmyheadwillbeexaltedabovemyenemies(27:6).

PerhapsyouhaveassuredyourselfofwhoGodis.Perhapsyouareconfidentyou“willseethegoodnessoftheLORD”(27:13),butperhapsyouarestillwaitingfortheLighttodissipatethedarkness,foryourSalvationtosaveyou,foryourStrongholdtoprotectyou.Perhapsyou’retellingyourself,“WhomshallIfear?”butaregettingmorenervousaswhatever“army”representingyourdifficultiesdrawscloserandloomslarger.You’retemptedtoworry,fear,orrunintheotherdirection.Andyet,theendofthepsalmpromptsyouto“waitfortheLORD,”to“bestrongandtakeheartandwaitfortheLORD”(27:14).Iinviteyoutopraythefollowing,fillingtheblankwithwhateverismostpertinenttoyoursituationandlife:

• God,though_________________________,myheartwillnotfear(27:3a).• Though________________________eventhenwillIbeconfident(27:3b).

Prayer:God,myLight,Salvation,andStronghold,Iwaituponyou.CastoutfearwhileIwait,andinmywaiting,wouldyoukeepmesafeinyourdwellingplace.God,nomatterwhatcomesmyway,helpmetosay,think,andbelievewithabsoluteconfidence,“WhomshallIfear?”ForIknowyouarewithme.Amen.

Thispsalmhasasubtleemphasisonwhathandshavedone.

• Inv.4,thepsalmistispointingoutthebadwhich“thewicked”havedonewiththeirhands.

• Inv.5,thepsalmistpointsoutthegoodGodhasdonewithGod’shandsandnotesthewickedpeoples’failuretohaveregardforwhatGod’shandshavedone.

Whathaveyourhandsdone?WhathaveGod’shandsdoneanddoyouhaveregardforthosethings?Openyourhandsandputthembeforeyouwithpalmsfacingupward.OfferthesehandstotheLORDandaskGodtohelpyourhandstobehealing,notdestructive;tobesensitive,notdesensitized;tosowlove,nothate;tobeopened,notclosed.Ifyou’recomfortabledoingso,rereadverse2andthenliftupyourhands:“HearmycryformercyasIcalltoyouforhelp,asIliftupmyhandstowardyourMostHolyPlace”(28:2).Whatisonethingourhandsshalldo?TobeliftedtowardGod’sholyhillinastanceofprayerandsurrender.WecryaloudforGodtointerveneinthesituationsofourlivesandtomakeGod’spresenceknownaswecryoutformercy.Whateverourhandshavedoneorfailedtodo,whateverourhandswilldoorfailtodo,mayonethingwealwaysdoislifttheminworshipandsurrendertotheGodwhosehandshavemadeus.DoyouhaveregardforthethingsGodhascreated?Oneofthosecreationswasyou.ThewickedfailedtorealizeGod’shandsarewhatgavethemlife,and,thus,thatGodshouldberegarded.Maywenotmakethesamemistake.Andmayourhandsbefoundliftedinpraiseandrejoicing(29:6-7)whentheresponsetothoseliftedhandscryingformercy(29:2)isgiven.

Taketimeto“ascribetotheLORDtheglorydueHisname,”worshipingGodinGod’sholiness(29:2).

• Whatdoesitmeantoascribetosomeone?Itmeanstocreditorattributesomethingtothemortoidentifythemasthecauseorsourceofwhatoneisexperiencing.

OnecharacteristicthepsalmistascribestoGodisavoicethatispowerfulandmajestic(29:4).Then,vv.5-9serveastheproofinthepudding.

• Whatimageintheseversesismostpowerfulforyou?• ThemostpowerfulimageformeistheimageofGod’svoice,God’smere

words,twistingtall,strong,solid,rootedoaktrees(29:9).o TheGodwhocando_______________istheGodweserve.Takea

momentimaginingthevoiceofGoddoinganyofthefollowing:§ Breakingcedars(29:6)§ Strikingwithflashesoflightning(29:7)§ Shakingthedesert/wilderness(29:8)§ Twistingtheoaks(29:7)§ Strippingforestsbare(29:7)

Whatistheresponsetoalltheseattestationsofpowerandmajesty?Glory!(29:9)Godisportrayedasanauthoritative,allpowerfulking(29:10).ButGodisalsoportrayedasabenevolentGodwhogivestoGod’schildren(29:11).

• God“givesstrengthtoHispeople”o IftheGodwhoisstrongenoughtotwisttreesistheOnegivingme

strength,whatapromiseitisforGodtostrengthenus!• God“blessesHispeoplewithpeace.”

Challengefortheday:Whenyouseesomethingpraiseworthy,cryout,“Glory!”Feelfreetomostlydothisinternally,butdoitoutloudatleastonceortwice.Onyourdrive,inaconversation,whenseeingbeautyincreation,whilereflectingaboutyourdaywhilelyingdown,“ascribetotheLORDtheglorydueHisname”(29:2).Givecreditwherecreditisdueandmakesurenottoputyourselftoomuchinthespotlight.Rememberwhoisworthyofthespotlightandyourpraise.

Iwouldn’texpectthispsalmfromreadingtheprefacetoit:“forthededicationofthetemple.”But,thenagain,wedon’talwaysgetwhatweexpect.Wastodaywhatyouexpected?Wasitbetterorworsethanyouexpected?Maydelvingintothispsalmgiveyousomethingyoudidn’texpectfromaGodwhooftenshowsupinthemostunexpectedandunconventionalofways.WhatarethethingsyouwouldliketoexaltGodfortoday(30:1)?

• Forthepsalmist,itwasGodliftinghimoutofalowplaceandnotlettinghisenemiesgloatoverhim.

• WhathasGoddoneforyoutoday?TaketimetoexpressyourownpraisesandexaltationstoGod.

Whatdoyouneedhealingfor?InwhatareasofyourlifedoyouneedGod’shelp?Whatarethethingsyoucan’tdoonyourown(30:2,10)?

• TaketimetoexpressthoseneedstoGod.We’retoldsorrowmaylastforthenight,butjoycomesinthemorning(30:5).

• Whatseemsdarkrightnowthatyou’rewaitingfortheSuntoshineupon?o Evenifit’shardtosee,proclaimGod’slightoverthatsituation.o Then,reflectonthefollowingsonglyrics:

I'mtradingmysorrows|I'mtradingmyshameI'mlayingthemdownforthejoyoftheLordI'mtradingmysickness|I'mtradingmypainI'mlayingitdownforthejoyoftheLord

Fromwailingàdancing.Fromsackclothàjoy.• Whyarewebroughtfrom________to________?• Itisso“thatourheartsmaysingGod’spraisesandnotbesilent”(30:12).

So,backtothepreface.Thispsalmwasforthededicationofthetemple.Why?Howisallthisrelatedtothat?Perhapsit’srelatedbecauseitisintheplaceofworship,theplaceweseekGodoutmost(forthepsalmistthiswouldhavebeenthetemple,forusthiscouldbeachurchbuilding),thatwemostexperiencethevarietyofhumanemotioncontainedinthispsalmandthePsalteratlarge.Prayer:Godofmystery,Ioftenexpectonethingandgetanother.Helpmetotrustyou,eveninthemidstoftheunexpected,andevenifI’mnotyetrejoicing.Amen.

Therewillbetrapssetforyouthisday(31:4),placedeversostrategicallyintheplacesandwaysyouaremosteasilyenticed.

• FreedomfromthesetrapswillcomeaboutfromamindfulnessandbeliefthatGodisyourrefuge(31:1,4)

o WhenanythingotherthanGodisourrefugeandfortress,ourwallsareeasilypenetrated.

o Sometimesweletthebridgesdownandunlockthegatestogoelsewhere,onlytofindwewouldhavebeenmostsecureandsatisfiedinthestrongfortressthatisGod.

• ThisfreedommaycomefrombeingmindfulofGodasastrongfortress,butsuchanacknowledgmentisfollowedbyasurrendering:“intoyourhandsIcommitmyspirit”(31:5).

o Throughthiscommittal,itisfurtheracknowledgedwecan’tdoanythingonourown.ItisuptotheLORD,ourstrongtowerandfortress,todeliver,andsoweplaceourselvesinGod’shands.

• Iwillbegladandrejoiceinyourlovebecause…(31:7-8)

o Yousawmyafflictiono Youknewtheanguishofmysoulo Youdidn’tgivemeovertomyenemieso Youprovidedmyfeetwithagoodandspaciousplace

§ Godsees,knows,protects,andprovides.AndalltheseareactsofGod’slove!

§ Later,inv.23,weseeourresponsetoallthisisacalltolove.BecausewetrustintheLORD,itisinGod’shands(30:5),notourenemies’hands(30:8)ortoidols(30:6),thatweareplacedin.

• Noticethepsalmistdoesn’tjustsay,“IwilltakemyrefugeandtrustinGod.”Hehonestyexpresseshowhe’sfeeling—anguished,afflicted,andweak(31:9-13).AlltheseI’mexperiencing…BUT,“Itrustinyou”(31:15).

Prayer:God,regardlessofhowI’mfeelingrightnow,Iproclaimmytrustinyou.Mytimesareinyourhands.Wouldyoubemyrefugeandstrengththisday,keepingmefarfromthetrapssetforme.Icommitmyselfwhollytoyou.Amen.

Rereadverses1-2andthenPAUSE.Don’tgoanyfurtheruntilyou’vesatwiththistruth.ThisistherealityandtruthforthosewhotrustandbelieveinGod.

• Whattransgressionsorsinshaveyoucommittedthispastweek?• Whatarethosethings,whetherthingsdoneorfailedtodothatcauseyou

tolivewithregretorfeelingsofguilt?• Whatarethethingsofthepastwhichstillhauntyouandplagueyourmind?

“Blessedistheone”–allofuswhoturntoGodandbelieveinChristJesusarethat“one”whose“transgressionsareforgiven,”whose“sinsarecovered”(32:1).

• Afterthispowerfultruthisspoken,vv.3-4showusthenegativeresultsofkeepingsilentaboutoursin.Thereisadangertoholdingitinandthereisacertainreleasewhichhappenswhenweconfessit.Wedon’thavetoletourboneswasteawaybykeepingsilent(32:3),but,likethepsalmist,wecanbeopenandhonest,acknowledgingoursinratherthancoveringitup.

o Inv.5b,thepsalmistdoesthisandthetruthopenedwithinverses1-2becomeareality:“Andyouforgavetheguiltofmysin.”

Ifinditinterestingthatthepsalmistsaysthe“guilt”ofmysin.

• Oftentimes,guiltisthemostcripplingaspectofourstrugglewithsin.Thus,itisprettysignificantforGodtosay,“Iforgivethatpartofyoursin.”

o Idon’tknowaboutyou,butIcanknowandbelieveGod’slove,forgiveness,andgraceinmymind,but,oftentimes,thehardestthingstoshake,whetherrelatedtosomethingdoneorleftundone,arethefeelingsofguiltwhichaccompanythem.

Therefore,stopcountingyoursinagainstyourself,becausetheLORDdoesn’t.

• “TheLORD’sunfailinglovesurroundstheonewhotrustsinHim”(32:10).o ImagineGod’sunfailinglovesurroundingyou.Then,reflectonthe

followinglyricsfromDavidCrowder’ssong“Forgiven”:Forgiven!Forgiven!Childthereisfreedomfromallofit.Saygoodbyetoeverysin.Youareforgiven!

“Blessedistheone”(32:1)àthat“one”includesyou.AcceptandrestinGod’sunbelievablelove,foryouareforgiven,completelyandtotally.

“WewaitinhopefortheLORD…inHimourheartsrejoice”(33:20-21).

• “SingjoyfullytotheLORD!”(33:1)• PraiseGodwithinstruments!(33:2)• SinganewsongtoGodandshoutaloudforthejoyyoufeel!(33:3)

o Why?NotonlybecausepraisingGodisfitting(33:1),butbecause“thewordoftheLORDisrightandtrue”andbecauseGodisfaithfulinallGoddoes(33:4).

• Verses6-7thengoontoexplainwhy“thewordoftheLORD”wouldeducesuchaclamorofpraise.

o ItisbythewordoftheLORDthattheheavensweremade.o ItisbecauseofGodthatthewatersoftheseaweregathered.

WhatwouldittakeforyoutobeasexcitedaboutpraisingGodasthepsalmistis?Whatwouldittakeforyoutofindyourselfburstingwithsuchuntoldjoy?

• Forthepsalmist,itwasamindfulnessofGod’sfaithfulness(33:4).o TaketimetoreflectonGod’sfaithfulnessandseeifyoudon’tseejoy

startingtobubbleupwithinyou.BecausewearesoexcitedandthankfultothefaithfulGodweserve,weshouldwantALLtheearthtofearGod,foreveryoneintheentireworldtorevereGod(33:8).Thus,ourmindfulnessofGod’sfaithfulnesspromptsandfuelsourwitness.WhyelseshouldwefearandrevereGodasidefromGod’sfaithfulness?BecausewhenGodspoke,thingscameintobeing.WhenGodcommandedsomething,itstoodfirm(33:9).WhatdoyouneedGodtospeakintoexistenceforyoutoday?WhatdoyouneedGodtomakefirm?SpeakthosethingstoGodrightnow.Bytheway,howwereyouplanningonthiscomingabout?Well,whateverplansyouhad,givethemovertotheLORD,foritisGod’splansthatprevail(33:10-11).ConsideringGod,“whoformstheheartsofall,whoconsiderseverythingtheydo”(33:15)istheonemakingtheplans,I’dsayyouhavenoreasontoworryorfear.Prayer:FaithfulGod,putaspiritofpraisewithinmyheartbygivingmeamindfulnessofyourfaithfulness.Helpmetofearandrevereyoumore,andgivemethedesiretowitnessyourfaithfulnesstootherseverywhereIgo.Amen.

“TasteandseethattheLORDisgood”(34:8).

• Taketimetoreflectbackonyourday,orevenyourweek.• WheredidyouseeGodatwork?Suchreflectionissensational,isitnot?• TasteandseethewaysinwhichGodisgood!

Thepsalmistdescribeshimselfasa“poorman”(34:6).

• Whatathought!:Thatpoor,insignificantmeisheardbyGodanddeliveredfrommytroubles.MindfulofGod’sgraciousnessinthemidstofthepsalmist’sunworthystancebeforeGod,it’snowonderhelateraffirmsthat“theLORDisclosetothebrokenheartedandsavesthosewhoarecrushedinspirit”(34:18).

Davidwasinatroublesomespotwhenhewrotethispsalm(read1Samuel21:10-15tofindoutmore).Consideringhecameoutvictoriousontheothersideofthisbadcircumstance,andconsideringhisdeliveranceinvolvedhimactingcleverandstrategicallytogethimoutofadangeroussituation,itsaysalotthatDavidgivescredittoGodforhisdeliverance.PerhapssuchrecognitiontowardGodandfocusonGodgettingtheglorycomesaboutfromaproperfearofGod(vv.9,11-14).Also,thepsalmistacknowledgesthatevenrighteous,goodpeoplemayhavemanytroubles(34:19).That’sagiven.

• Whattroublesdoyouhaveand/orwhattroublesdoyouforesee?• Inwhatwayshaveyoutried/willyoutrytoovercomethosetroubles?

o Ifyouhavetriedtodigyourselfoutofapitoftroubleortriedtopreventyourselffromfallingin,you’vebeensettingyourselfupforfailure.Why?Becauseyoucan’tgetyourselfoutofyourtroubles.ItistheLORDwhodeliversyoufromALLyourtroubles(34:19).

§ JustasthepsalmistcreditedGodwithhisvictory,maywecreditGodwithourvictories.

Prayer:God,Iampoorandunworthytostandbeforeyou.Andyet,yousaythatthosewholooktoyouwillberadiant.God,myDeliverer,Ihavemanytroubles,butyoucansavemefromthemall.Attheendofeachday,wouldyouhelpmetotasteandseethatyouaregood,andtogiveyouthegloryforeveryvictory.Amen.

WhatbattlesdoyouneedGodtocontendforyoutoday(35:1,23)?Whateverbattlesyouarefacingorwillface,knowthatGoddelightsinyourwell-being(35:27).Reflectonthistruthandifyouwish,usethefollowinglyricstohelp:You’regoingbeforemeandoceansareparting|You’refightingmybattlesWhenmyfeetarefailingandmyheartisshaking|You’refightingmybattles-“FightingMyBattles”byTheAftersGodisoursalvation(35:3),buttherearemanywhooftencontendagainstus,and,inresponse,weoftenwishtheirillwill.

• Buttheillthepsalmistiswishingoverthesewickedindividualsisnotbecausehethinkstheyarehopelessheathenwhodeservetobeputintheirplace.No,that’snevergoodreasoningandshouldneverbethecase.

• It’sprimarilybecausetheyhavenocauseorreasontodotheeviltheyaredoing(whichmakesmewonderifhidinganetforsomeonewouldbeokayinthepsalmist’seyesattimes,solongasit’snotdonewithoutcause!).

Rereadvv.13-14.Don’ttheseversesjustmakeyouwanttogo,“Wow!”?

• Eventhoughthesepeoplewhodoevilwithoutcausearerepayingthepsalmistevilforgoodandleavinghimlikeonebereaved,whentheyareexperiencingtrouble,heintercedestoGodontheirbehalf.

• EvenwhenGod,hissalvation,didnotanswerordeliverinthewayhehoped,thepsalmistdidnotharborbitternessorangerinhisheart,butmournedoverandfastedforhisenemiesasthoughtheywerefriendsorfamily.

o Hetreatstheminsuchcontrasttotheeviltheydotohim,andyettheycontinuetosmilewhenhestumblesandgatheragainsthim,slanderinghimwithoutceasing,andexaltingthemselvesoverhim.

Prayer:God,mysalvation,yougobeforemetofightmybattles.Donotbefarfromme.Nomatterhowdifficultmyadversariesmaybeorhowharshlytheytreatme,helpmetorepayevilwithgood.MayeverythingIdobewithgoodcauseandreason.Andevenwhenpeopledoevilandcomeupagainstmefornogoodcauseorreason,helpmetoseethemasyouseethem,toprayforthem,todenymyselfwithfastingforthem,andtolovethem.Amen.

“Ihaveamessageinmyheart,”butit’snotconcerningthesinfulnessofthewicked(36:1).It’sconcerningthreethingsIwanttoencourageyoutoreflecton:1)Gooutside.Lookatthesky.

• God’sfaithfulnessstretchesthatfar,andevenfurther(36:5)!• God’slove“reachestotheheavens”(36:5).

o IfGod’slove“reachestotheheavens,”thensurelyGod’slovecanreachouttoyouoranyoneyoueverencounter.WhodoyouwanttoseeGodreachouttotoday?Taketimetoprayforthatpersonnow.

2)ImagineGodasagianteagle.

• WhatwoulditbeliketorestintheshadowofGod’swings(36:7)?• That’showbigourGodis;thatthemereshadowofGod’swingswould

provideenoughshadeandrefugeforus.3)Weliveinaworldfullofdelightsthatarestimulating,whethervisual,sensual,orother,pleasingtotheeye,ear,tasteandtouch.ButwithGodisthe“riverofdelights”(36:8)and“thefountainoflife”(36:9).

• a.Wetrytofindsatisfactionandfulfillmentinsomanythings,andyetGodissaying,“Hullo!Doyouseeme?!Overhere!Doyourealizewhatyouhaveinme?Yourgreatestdelightcanbefoundinme,andunderstandablyso,becauseI’mtheonewhocreatedallyoursenses.Iknowit’shardconsideringyoucan’tphysicallyseeortouchme,butIAMthesourceofyourgreatestdelight.Infact,it’sasifIhaveariverflowingwithdelights!”

• b.Now,afountainiscontinuouslysputteringoutwaterinanever-endingcycle.Itisbeautifulandfull.Withinitwefindnotonlybeauty,butrefreshmentandcalm.Itrepresentslifeandabundance.

Whenwe’redealingwithGod,we’renotgettingTopRamenorPB&J.Wehavetherichestandmostdelightfuloffoods!Andthereisquiteanabundance(36:8)!Attheendofallthisimageryistheline“inyourlightweseelight”(36:9).It’sunderstandablethatGod’slightwouldbethesourceofourlight,asshouldourpleasureandsatisfactionbe.AscreaturesmadeinGod’simage,maywelearnmoreofwhatitmeansthateverythingisderivedfromandbestexpressedinGod.

MorningofJune20Psalm37:1-7,23-25

“BestillbeforetheLORD”(37:7).

• Taketimetoquietyourheartandbestill,doingnothingandthinkingofnothing.Ifyoucan,trytofindaquietspacewithlimitednoisetodothis.

o Whendistractingthoughtstrytoinvadethesilence,justtrytore-centerandfocus.Afterafewminutesofthis,Iwantyoutopenetratethesilencebyreflectingonthefollowing:

§ WhatdoIdelightin?Whatarethedesiresofmyheart(37:4)? Thepsalmistopensbysaying,“Donotfretbecauseof_____________”(37:1).Instead,“trustintheLORDanddogood”(37:3)

• Whatareyouconcernedaboutthismorning?• Whatisoccupyingyourmindthatiskeepingyoufrombeingfullypresent?

Onceagain,turntov.7:“BestillbeforetheLORD.”• Bringtomindthosethingsyouareworriedabout.• Now,taketimetobestillagain,thistimewithseverallong,deepbreaths.

Don’tconcernyourselfabout___________.TrustinGodanddogood(37:3).• Weoftenjusttellpeople,“TrustGod!”asifitwasaseasytodoasitisto

say.Butwhythesecondpart?Whydogood?Howdoesthishelp?o Perhapsoneofthebiggesthelpstoourstateofmindissimplydoing

somethinggood.Ittakesthefocusofftheproblemandremindsusofwhat’strulyimportantinlife.

§ Ichallengeyoutodosomethinggoodtoday.Findawaytoblesssomeone,forinturn,youmayfindyourselflessconcernedthanwhenyoustartedyourday.

“CommityourwaytotheLORD”(37:5).• WhatwoulditlookliketocommityourwaytotheLORDtoday?

o KnowthatGodwillmakefirmthestepsoftheonewhosedelightisinGod(37:23).Takeheartwiththewordsofthepsalmist,who,inallhisyearsofliving,neversawGodabandontherighteous(37:25).

Prayer:God,maythedesiresofmyheartbeyourdesires(37:4).Helpmetotrustinyouanddogood(37:3);tobepatienttoyourresponding.Icommitmywaytoyou,LORD.Actinresponsetomytrustandletmeshineeverbrighter(37:5-6).Amen.

EveningofJune20Psalm37:8-22,26-40

Imagineabig,beautifultree,thebiggestandmostbeautifulofanyotherinyoursurroundingneighborhood.Thenimaginethetreecollapsinganddyingallofasudden.

• Youfindyourselfsurprisedandwonderingwhy.Thenyoufindoutthisbeautifultreeyou’vebeenlookingatandadmiring,whichyouthoughtwasluxuriantandfullofgoodness,isfullofliesanddeception,orrather,hollowairandhungrytermites(37:35).

o Itseemsthingsarenotalwaysastheyappeartobe.o Yourealizelooksaresometimesdeceiving.

§ Butthere’sonethingthatdoesn’tseemright,thatishardtobelieve,andyetisabsolutelytrue:

• theinheritancewehaveinGod(37:9,18,22).Howdoweenterintothisinheritance?Wedon’thavetofightoursiblingsoverit.Wedon’thavetoworryaboutwhogetswhatorhowwe’resplittingwhatwe’regetting.Allwehavetodois“hopeintheLORD”(37:9).ForboththispsalmandthegospelmessagedeclarethatnoonewhohopesintheLORDisdisqualifiedfromreceivingit,andeveryonewhoreceivesitwillcomeunderthesameinheritance:lifeinGod,forgivenessofsins,richesthatmoneycan’tbuy;aninheritancethatwillendureforever(37:18).Prayer:LORD,sometimesIactlikealuxuriantflourishingtree,wheninsideI’mwitheringfast.Peoplesay,“Howareyou?”andIrespondwith,“I’mdoinggreat.”Andyet,I’mnotdoingsogreatandIknoweventuallyallthiswillshow.God,mayInotbelikeatreethatwithers,butonethatistrulyluxurious,fruitful,andflourishingbecauseitisrootedinyou.Ialsoknowafutureawaitsthosewhoseekpeace(37:37).HelpmetoseekpeaceandpursueitwhereverIgo.LORD,youhavestoredupagreatinheritanceforyourchildren.OGod,myportion,Iwanttoinheritwhatyouhavelaidoutforthosewhohopeinyou(37:9).IknowthatallarewelcometothisinvitationandIthankyoufornotexcludinganyone,evenme.HelpmenottoexcludeanyoneelsewhodesirestoreceiveitasIlivethisfaithjourneyofmine,mindfulofyourpromisesandtheinheritanceIhaveinyou.Amen.

Thereseemstobeabitofhelplessnesstothepsalmist’spetition.Onethingafteranotherisnamed:

• Physicalhurtandpain(35:7)• Woundswhichfester(38:5)• Feelingweakandcrushed(38:8)• Enemieswhoareouttogethim(35:12)• FeelinglikeGodisangryathim(35:1-3)• Havingfriendsandneighborswhowantnothingtodowithhim(35:11).

o Indeed,“Iam…broughtverylow”(38:6)WemayfeelthepsalmistisbeingaDebbiedowneroranegativeNick,butifwegetpastthenegativityandwhatseemslikecomplainingattimes,wecanseewhyv.9issobeautifulinthemidstofeverythingabove:“Allmylongingslieopenbeforeyou,LORD;mysighingisnothiddenfromyou”(38:9).

• Thepsalmistisnotclosedandhidden,butopenandwillingtobehonest.o Isnotopennessandhonestythefirststeptowardhealing?

TakeamomenttobeopenandhonestbeforeGod:

• DoyoufeelgoodaboutyourrelationshipwithGodrightnoworaretheresomeissuesyouneedtoworkthrough?

• DoyoufeelnearorfarfromGod?• DoyoufeellikepraisingGodwithrejoicingorareyoufulloffrustration,

bitterness,andanger?• CanyounotgetenoughofGod?OrareyoujustaboutfedupwithGod?

o Whateveryou’refeeling,beopenandhonest.Prayer:God,IhavelotsoflongingsandmanythingsI’msighing/complainingabout(Taketimetonamethosethings:__________,__________,__________).LORD,benotfarfromme.I’mwaitingforyou,but,ifI’mhonest,I’mdesperateforyoutocomequickly.BemyLordandSavior.HelpmetobeawareofhowI’mfeeling,andtobeopenandhonestwithyouatalltimes,nomatterhowI’mdoing.Amen.

Lookatoneofthewallsintheroomyou’resittingin.Iwantyou,inyourmind,todrawanimaginarydot,andthen,inyourmind,todrawahorizontallinefromthatdotwhichgoesallthewayaroundtheroom.Youcanputthedotonthefarleftofthehorizontallineaboveifyouwishtohaveavisual.Nowlookatthatsmalldotincomparisontotherestoftheline.Thatdotrepresentsthespanofyourlifeincomparisontoeternity.ThinkofhowfoolishourworryinginthemidstofthislittledotmustseemtoGod.Inthegrandschemeofthings,ourlifeissosmallandinsignificantinlength,andyetwefretandconcernourselveswithcountlessthings.IfI’mhonest,theextentofmyworryandanxietyinlifeare,attimes,abitembarrassing,andI’mashamedthatthepeaceofGod,thisfruitoftheHolySpirit,isnotmanifestinmetotheextentitshouldbe.Inowwantyoutoimaginethesmalldotasrepresentingyourlife’sproblems,orthethingsyouworryaboutmost.Iwantyoutoputthisdotincomparisonwiththelongline,whichIsuggestallowingtorepresenteithereternityorhowbigandcapableGodistohandlealltheseanxiety-inducingthings.TakeamomenttorealizehowinsignificantyourproblemstrulyarewhenputnexttoGod.Thinkabouthowfleetingyourlifeisincomparisontoeternity.Prayer:God,showmehowfleetingmylifeis(39:4).Mindfulofhowsmallandinsignificantthespanofmylifeisincomparisontoeternity;mindfulofhowsmallandinsignificantmyproblemsareincomparisontohowbigandcapableyouare,fillmewiththatpeaceofGod,thatfruitofyourHolySpirit,asIstrivetomakethemostofthesmalldotoflifeyouhavegracedmewith.Helpmetobefaithfultolivemysmall,yetimportant,lifespanwell.Amen.

Thereareprobablytoomanywondersanddeedstocount,buttakeamomenttodeclareallGodhasdoneforyou(40:5).Wewaitpatiently...Inresponse,Godturns,lifts,sets,andgives(40:1-2).

• Perhapsyou’vebeenwaitingtoanextentyouconsiderpatiently,andfindyourselfinthemudandmire.It’smessy,it’sucky,andyoujustwanttogetoutofitandgetclean,todisentangleyourselfandbefreeofitall.

• Maybeyou’renotstandinginafirmplaceatthemomentandarelongingforGod’ssavinghelp.ThepsalmisthopesyouwhoseekGodwillultimatelyfindyourselfrejoicingandpraisingandthatyou’llbeabletocometoapointwhereyousay“TheLORDisgreat!”(40:16),nomatterhowlongorhowdeepyouwereinthemudandmire,orhowgrosstheslimewas.

WhatarethethingsyouareneedingGodtointervenein?

• Taketimetonamethem:o God,donotdelayin_______________(40:17).

• Feelfreetoreflectonthefollowinglyricsfrom“Always”byKristianStanfill:Oh,myGodyouwillnotdelay,myhopeandmystayalways.Oh,myGod,yourpromiseistrue,myGodwillcomethroughalways.Always.

Ihavegoodnewsforallthosewhowait:Godispleasedtosaveyou(40:13)!

• EvenasIammindfulofthisgoodnews,helpmetowaitpatiently(40:1)• God,evenifyou’renotgoingtopullmeoutofthemireandmudjustyet,at

leastdon’tletitgettothepointwhereit’sabovemyneck. WhatisfurtherassuranceofGod’spleasureinsavingus?

• ThattheLORDthinksofus(40:17)!• God’sthoughtsturntoyoufrequentlythroughouttheday.Doyourealize

that?Likealover’sthoughtsturntotheirbeloved,God’sthoughtsturntoyou,God’sbelovedchild,theobjectandaffectionofGod’sgreatlove.

Prayer:God,mydeliverer,turn,lift,set,andgiveasIwaitpatientlyforyou.Remindmeofyourgreatlove,evenasIwaitforyoutocomethrough.Amen.

Thepsalmistbelievesthefollowingpromise:Godwon’tletyourenemiesovertakeyouifyouhave“regardfortheweak”(41:1).

• Inv.11,thepsalmistsayshisenemydoesn’tovertakehimbecausetheLORDispleasedwithhim.

o Thisisnottosaywhenitfeelslikean“enemy”(person,disease,difficultsituation,etc.)doesovertakeusthatGodisnotpleasedwithus.Thatwouldbeadangerousassumptiontomakefromthispsalm.Butthetheologicalimplicationsandquestionofapplicationislessimportantthanthecontrastbetweenwhatthepsalmistconsiderstobetrueandwhathisactualrealityis.And,afterall,isthisnotthestoryofmanyofourlivesandwhythepsalmsaresoimportant?

Yes,wehavepromisessuchastheoneabove,butthisisoftenourreality(41:5-9):• Myenemiesareallaround,spreadingliesandgossiping(41:6),wishingmy

death(41:5),imaginingtheworstforme(41:7).o Forthepsalmist,evenhisclosestfriendbetrayedhistrustandturned

againsthim(41:9). ThebookofPsalmsinHebrewisTellihim,whichmeans“praises.”Andyet,thesefirst41psalms,thisoneincluded,havenotalwaysseemedlike“praises.”EachofthefivebooksofthePsalter,thispsalmbeingtheconclusionofthefirstbook,endwithadoxology(i.e.awordofpraise)[see41:13].We’vecometotheendofBookI.TakesometimetopraiseGod.ThankGodforhowGodhasencounteredyouoverthesepastthreeweeks.AskGodtocontinueencounteringyouandmakingmoreofGodknowntoyouintheweekstocome.Iinviteyoutowriteyourowndoxology,yourownwordofpraise,summingupwhatyouarethankfulforandwhatthisjourneythroughthePsalterhasbroughtaboutinyouthusfar:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.Amen.

BOOKII

Psalm42-72(June23-July9)

Here,wefindthepsalmistpouringouthissoul(42:4):“Why,mysoul,areyoudowncast?Whysodisturbedwithinme?”(42:5,11).

• TakesometimetopouroutyoursoulbeforetheLORDthismorning. Thisdisciplineofreadingandprayingthroughthepsalmshastakenmeonquitethejourney,asIhopeithasdoneforyouthusfar.Ihavebeensurprisedatwheremyemotionalstatehasbeenatvariouspointsalongtheway,andhowGodhasevenusedthosestatesofmindtohelpwriteeachdevotional.Also,there’vebeenmanyironiesalongtheway,andwritingthisparticularentrywasnoexception.

• Isn’titinterestingthatonmyfirstdayofvacation,Iwasfeelingdowncast?OnadayIamsupposedtoberevitalizedandrejuvenated,Ifeltdowninmyspirits.Beforeapproachingthispsalm,whichwasattheendofmyday,Ifoundthewordsdescribingmyfrustrationwell:Whyareyousodowncast?!Youshouldn’tbethisway!Whereismyjoy?!God,fillmewithyourjoy!

o Iknowthepsalmistmaynotbesaying“Why?”inafrustratedsenseasmuchas“Why?”inawaythatsays,“Youhavenoreasontobe______________.Whyareyoufeelingthisway?Insteadofbeingdowncast,youshouldputyourhopeinGod.”

§ Andyet,Iwasfindingmyselfinthepsalminadifferentway.AssomeonewholongsforGodandisthirstingafterGod,thepsalmistsays,“WhencanIgoandmeetwithGod”(42:2b)?

• Isnotthiswhywehaveendeavoreduponthisjourneythroughthepsalms,whetherwe’verealizeditornot?Firstly,isitnotbecauseoursoullongsforsomethingmore,forsomethingthatthisworldcannotofferus?Secondly,isitnotbecausewewanttomeetwithGod,toencounterGod?

o Andso,we,likethepsalmistask,“WhencanIgoandmeetwithGod(42:2b)?”IhopeandpraythatasyoucontinuealongthisjourneythroughthePsalter,thatyouwould,indeed,“meetwithGod,”thatyouwouldencounterGodthrougheverypsalm.

Prayer:LORD,maymysoulpantforyoulikeadeerpantsforwater.MaymysoulthirstforthelivingGod,andinthatthirsting,mayIbequenched.Encountermethisdayandeverydaythroughyourlife-changingWordandpresence.Amen.

Godis…

• “myjoyandmydelight”(43:4)• “mystronghold”(43:2)• “myGod”(43:4)

o Taketimetoreflectonanyoftheabove.WhatdoesitmeanforGodtobeyourjoyanddelight,yourstronghold,oryourGod?

Withinthispsalm,particularlyinverse3,thereisnotarequesttotakeawayasmuchasthereisarequesttobringtoward:“Letyourlightandyourfaithfulcare”leadme,“letthembringmetoyourholymountain.”Ifwe’restrugglingwithacertainsin,orfindourselvesinaroughspotthatwewantvindicationorrescuefrom,ourultimateresponseshouldnotbe,“Takeitaway!”but“Leadmetoyou!”

• “Takeawaymyreactiveanger”vs.“HelpmetoactmoreChrist-like”• “Curbtheselustfulthoughts”vs.“Bemyonetruedesire”• “Takeawaymyselfishness”vs.“Helpmecareforothersmorethanmyself”

o Insteadoffocusingonthenegative,trytoprayinawaythatliftsupthepositive,thatspeaksintorealitywhatyouwantforyourself.

o Whatareprayersyouneedtotransforminthisway?Taketimetothinkofandspeakintoexistencesomeofthose.

AlthoughthepsalmistknewwhoGodwas,hisexperiencesimplydidn’tlineup.

• Ifthisiswhoyouare(i.e.mystronghold),thenwhyhaven’tyoudonethis(i.e.rescuemefromthosewhoareevil)[43:2]?

Whenthingsdon’tmakesenseandwhatweknowofGoddoesn’tseemtomatchupwithwhatwe’reseeing,werequestGodtodothefollowing:

• “Sendmeyourlightandyourfaithfulcare,letthemleadme;letthembringmetoyourholymountain,totheplacewhereyoudwell”(43:3).

o WhatareasofyourlifedoyouneedGod’slightandfaithfulcare?o WhatdoesitmeanforGod’slightandfaithfulcaretoleadyou?

§ Whateveryouranswers,whenGoddoesthisweshallrespondwithpraise:“ThenIwillgotothealtarofGod”(43:4).

Prayer:God,myjoyandmydelight,leadmetowardyouandawayfromsin.Transformmymindsetandletmebeguidedbyyourlightandfaithfulcare.Amen.

“Wehavehearditwithourears,OGod”(44:1).Verses1-8speakofGod’sfaithfulnesstoGod’speoplebeforeandtheexpectancywhichthoselivinghaveofputtingtheirtrustinthatkindofGod.Faithfulness

• YOURgalore:“ItwasYOURrighthand,YOURarm…”bywhichvictorycame.o Why?Because“YOUlovedthem”(44:3).

Expectancy&ClingingtoPromisesofGod/WhoGodis• YouareMYKingandMYGod(44:4).• ThroughYOU,wecando___________(44:5).• Wedon’tachievevictory.Godisthereasonwearevictorious(44:6-7).

Verses9-16,incontrasttovv.1-8,speaktotherealitythey’reexperiencing:

• LookwhatYOU’VEdonetousGod!Whyareweexperiencingthis?!Whydon’tyoupullthroughlikeyoudidbackthen?!Theirlivedexperienceissodifficult,thepsalmistexpresses,“Iliveindisgracealldaylong”(44:15).

Then,verses17-23showwhyverses9-16aresobaffling:

• WewerebeingfaithfulandobedienttoyouandyetYOUweren’tfaithfultouslikeyouweretoourancestors,who,bytheway,weren’tveryfaithfulandwhooftenforgotyouandbrokeyourcovenant(44:17-18).

o Inspiteofourfaithfulnessandobediencetoyou,youstilldidthistous:“youcoveredusoverwithdeepdarkness”(44:19).

o Forcryingoutloud,we’reputtingourlivesonthelineforyouandyetyou’renotresponding(44:22)!

§ WakeupLORD!Whyareyousleeping?!!(44:23)Thispsalmisacryforacknowledgmentanddeliverance.But,evenmoreso,itisacryforlove.Andisnotthattheultimatecryofthehumanheart,aboveallothers?

• Actonourbehalf,LORD!!Why?Notbecauseof___________,butbecauseofyourunfailinglove.Youlovedourancestors(44:3).Doyouloveus(44:26)?Thenproveit,becauseI’mnotconvinced.

Ifyourexperienceisliketheabove,IprayGodwouldproveyouwrong,andthatourLordwould,indeed,riseupandhelpyoubecauseofGod’sunfailinglove(44:26).Forthisweknowistrueregardlessofyourexperience:Godlovesyou.

Inthesamewaythepsalmist’sheartwasstirredbyanoblethemetoofferpraisetohisearthlyking,sowearecalledtodothesamewithGodourKing(45:1).

• Whatisitthatstirsyourheart?Feelfreetothinkmoregenerallyhere.Isitwitnessingbeautyincreation?Isitachildorsignificantother?Isitseeingsomeonefulfilltheirpotentialoraccomplishtheirdreams?Whatstirsyou?

• WhatisitaboutGodthatstirsyourheart?Well,whateveryouranswersmayhavebeentothefirstquestion,thosestirringsofyourheartareactuallyrootedandgroundedinGod.Thus,caneverythingwhichstirsourheartcauseustoexperienceadeeperawakeningtoGod?

There’ssomethingmorestirringinthispsalm,buttounderstandwhat’sgoingon,it’shelpfultoprovidesomecontext.Thispsalmisaweddingsong.Morespecifically,itisacelebrationofaking’sweddingtoaforeignprincess.Overthecenturies,manyhaveunderstoodandinterpretedthekinginthepsalmtorepresentthemessianicking,JesusChrist.

• ForChristianswhodecidetofollowChrist,Christhas,inmanyways,becometheirpraiseworthyKing,thebeautiful,wise,andprotectiveKing.Butperhapsmoststrikinginthisunionistherealitythatthekingismarryingaforeigner.Tonotmarryoutsideone’snationwasademandoftenputupontheIsraelites.Andyet,hereweseeanexampleofakingwhowasdoingjustthat.Butperhapsthiswasnotbeingdoneinordertobearebelandlawbreaker,buttoshowushowfartheking’slovewent.

o Andthisforeignbrideistoldtobegloriousandbeautiful(45:13-14),ledintothepalaceofthekingwithjoyandgladness(45:15).

• IfyouareaChristian,youarenotsomeonewhowasoriginallyincludedinthesalvificstoryofGod.AsGentiles,wewerepeopleonthemargins,peoplewhohadnorighttobecalledchildrenofGod.Andyet,God,outofGod’sgreatlove,said,“Mycovenantofloveandgraceextendseventothem.MyheartisstirredtothecoreandIdesiretohavethemasmyown.”

Prayer:God,youareagoodandgraciousKing,onewhoisglorious,wise,andpraiseworthy.Iprayyouwouldstirupmyheartasonlyyoucanandhelpmetobestirredtowardyou.God,we,thechurch,areyourbride.Thankyouforcallingusworthytoenterintoyourholyandmagnificent,yetlovingpresence.Amen.

“BestillandknowthatIamGod”(46:10).

• Taketimetoquietyourself.Ifyoucan,findaplacefreefromdistractionswithlimitednoise.Recitetheaboveversemultipletimes,puttingemphasisonadifferentwordeachtimeuntilyouhavedonesoforeachwordfrombeginningtoend:

o BestillandknowthatIamGod.o BestillandknowthatIamGod.

• Nowtakeafewdeepbreathssayingthefollowingtoyourselfinyourmindasyoubreath:

o Witheveryinhale:Bestillo Whileholdingbreath:andknowo Witheveryexhale:thatIamGod

ThepsalmistopensthepsalmbytellingusimportantaspectsofwhoGodis:

• “ourrefugeandstrength”(46:1)• “anever-presenthelpintrouble”(46:1)

o KnowingtheseaspectsofGodshouldhelptocastoutourfear.§ “Therefore,wewillnotfear…”(46:2)

• Anddoingwhatv.10says(beingstillandknowingGod)helpsustodov.2(notfear)better.

Whatisitthatiscausingyoutofeartoday?

• Taketimetofillinyourownblanks:o Though______________________________,Iwillnotfear(46:2).

• Thephrase“Donotfear”or“Donotbeafraid”iscommonlyusedthroughoutScripture.AndwhenitisspokenofbyGod,thereisusuallyaphrasewhichaccompaniesit:“forIamwithyou.”

PerhapsmorethanknowingGodasourrefugeandstrength,ormorethananyothertruthwecanattributetoGod,isthetruththat“TheLORDAlmightyiswithus”(46:7,11).Idon’tthinkit’samistakethatv.7repeatsinv.11.Thisisanimportanttruth,andifwetrulyunderstoodtheimplicationsofwhatitmeans,Iimaginefearwouldhavenoplaceinus.TaketimetoreflectonwhatitmeansthattheLORDAlmightyiswithyouandtakethistruthwithyouthroughoutyourday.

Assomeonewhoisofteninasing-songmood,Iappreciatepsalmslikethese.Verse6isonelongstreamofpraise:“SingpraisestoGod,singpraises;singpraisestoourKing,singpraises”!!!!!

§ Youdon’tgetexclamationpointsinHebrewlikeyoudoinEnglish(orlikeIaddedhere),butthepsalmistisabsolutelybustingwithjoyfromtheinsideout.Theycan’tcontainthemselves!TheyarejustsooverwhelmedwithGod’sgoodnessandmustclap,shout,praise,anything(!),toproclaimthattheLORDMostHighisawesome(47:2)!

ThetitleofKingisthemostfrequentlyusedonewithinthispsalmtoshowthereisaworthinessaboutGodthatistobepraised.AfterthepsalmistproclaimsGodas“awesome”inv.2,thepsalmistgivesreasoninvv.3-4astowhyGodisawesome:

• “Hesubduednationsunderus,peoplesunderourfeet”• “hechoseourinheritanceforus”

o AndthisshowedusthatGodlovesus. Reflectonthefollowinglyricsoftheworshipsong“Awesome”byCharlesJenkins:MyGodisawesome,hecanmovethemountains,keepmeinthevalley,hidemefromtherain.MyGodisawesome,healsmewhenI’mbroken,givesstrengthwhereI’vebeenweakened.Foreverhewillreign.MyGodisawesome…He’smighty,He’smighty.He’smighty.He’smighty.Awesome!Awesome!He’sgreat.He’sgreat.He’sgreat.He’sgreat.Awesome!Awesome!Deliverer.Deliverer.Deliverer.Deliverer.Awesome!Awesome!Protector.Protector…Awesome!Fillinyourownlyrics:______________________________Awesome!Awesome!WhenwereadScripture,weoftendosointernally.Rarelywillpeopleenterintoapsalmlikethiswithasmuchgustoasintended.ButwhyisGodawesome?ThinkaboutwhyyourKing,theLORDMostHigh,issoawesome.AndthenpraiseGod!!Ichallengeyoutoenterintothisstateofjoywiththepsalmistandtoletyourselfgo,emotionally,gesture-wise,etc.Don’tbeafraidtolookfoolishbeforeyourLORDGodandKing.ForGodascendstoGod’sthrone“amidshoutsofjoy”(47:5).Godreigns!GodisseatedonGod’sholythrone!The“Kingofalltheearth”issoveryworthytobepraised(47:7-8)!MayGodbegreatlyexaltedamongus(47:9).

“GreatistheLORD,andmostworthyofpraiseinthecityofourGod,Hisholymountain”(48:1).

• TaketimetopictureGodinGod’sholymountain.• TaketimetoreflectonhowgreatGodis.

o WhyisGodsoworthyofpraise?Taketimetofillinyourownblank:§ GreatGod,youareworthybecause__________________.

“Aswehaveheard,sowehaveseeninthecityoftheLORDAlmighty,inthecityofourGod:Godmakeshersecureforever”(48:8).

• WhathaveyouseenofGod?Whatcanyouattestto?o Thesewordsremindmeofanotherpassagein1Corinthians2:9

whichspeakstoanevengreatertruth:“Noeyehassee,noearhasheard,norhumanmindconceived,thethingsGodhaspreparedforthosewholovehim.”

IinviteyoutotaketimetomeditateonGod’sunfailinglove(48:10).Butfirst…

• Whatinyourlifehasfailedyou?Whohasfailedyou?• Whenhaveyoufailed?

o Reflectbrieflyonthesefailures.Howdidyoufeel?o Now,reflectonGod’sunfailinglove.

§ WhatdoesitmeanthatGod’slovedoesnotfailuslikethesituationsreflectedonabove?

• WhatdoesitmeanthatGod’sloveNEVERfails.Iinviteyoutogoonawalkinyourlocalcommunityatsomepointtoday.Walkabout(inserttown),goaroundher,count______________,andconsider_____________,view____________(48:13).

• Why?Sothatyoumaytellthenextgeneration,notonlyaboutthecity,butabouthowgreatGodis.

o “ThisGodisourGodforeverandever.”“Ourguideeventotheend”(48:14).

§ ThankGodforpromisingtobeyourGodforever.§ Then,askGodtobeyourguidethisdayandeveryday,

remindingyouofGod’sunfailingloveeverystepoftheway.

EveningofJune26Psalm49:PartI

“Theransomforalifeiscostly,nopaymentiseverenough—sothattheyshouldliveonforeverandnotseedecay”(49:8-9).Althoughthepsalmistissayingallthis,thisisnottherealitywehaveinChrist.

• Goddidnotthinkittoocostlytoransom(toredeembypayingaprice)alife,ourlife,everyperson’slife.GodgaveChrist,God’sonlySon,andChristgaveupHisownlife,themostcostlythingHecouldhavegiven.HispaymentWASenough.

• Andguesswhat?Althoughwestillseedeathanddecayandtheendtothisearthlylifeasweknowit,wedonotseeanendintheeternalspiritualrealm.Forthere,becauseofwhatChristhasdone,solongasweacceptwhatChristhasdone,wewillnotseedecay.Indeed,wewillliveforeverinheavenwithourCreatorinoneblissful,eternal,never-endingsongofpraise.

Thepsalmistopensbysaying,“Hearthis,allyoupeoples;listen,allwholiveintheworld”(49:1).Lookingatverse5,inadditiontoincorporatingwhat’smentionedabovefromvv.8-9,showsuswhatthepsalmistprimarilywantsustohear.

• Hearthis!:WhyshouldIfearwhenevildayscome(49:5)?• Ifthisreasonforthepsalmistnottofearwasgroundedinthethoughtthatno

paymentiseverenough(49:8),thatweallseedeathanddecay(49:11-12),howmuchmorereasondowehavenottofearnowthatChristhasenteredthescene!

Takingthewordsofthepsalmist,Iwanttoconcludewithmyown,“Hearthis,allofyou”:Christpaidyourransom.ChristthoughtyouwereworthyenoughtoofferHisownlife.ThereisnothingYOUcouldhavedonethatwouldhaveEVERmadeyouenoughorworthy.ButGODdeclared,“Youareenoughandyouareworthy,”whenHediedonthecrosstopayyourransom,onceandforall,andtoallowyoutoriseintoanimperishableinheritance.Unlikethewealthoftheearthwhichspoilsanddecays,thisisaninheritancethatremainssteadfastforever,throughoutalleternity.Themessagethepsalmistwasgivingwasforthosebothhighandlow,bothrichandpoor(49:2).Mymessageabovetoyou,whichisthegospelmessageinsummary,islikewiseonethatisforallpeople,forrichandpoor,educatedanduneducated.Maythesewordsoftruth/wisdomIspeakthroughGod’sSpiritgiveyouunderstanding.Butmorethanreceivingthesewords,Ichallengeyou,asrecipientsofthisunbelievablelove,toshowthatsameloveGodhasforyoutoEVERYpersonyouevermeet,nomatterwhotheyareorwheretheycomefrom,becauseGodlovesthemjustthesame.

MorningofJune27Psalm49:PartII

Inv.4,thepsalmistsaysthatwhathewasspeakingwasariddle—somethingthatwashardtodiscernorperceive,somethingthatmaycatchyouoffguardandmakeyouconfused.Perhapstheriddlenowadays,mindfulofeverythingspokenabovethusfar,issimplythis:Godlovesyou.

• Isaythisisariddlebecauseitdoesn’tmakesenseandcancatchusoffguard.What?Godlovesme?Godlovesme?Yes,andthatisthebeautyofit.PerhapsGod’sloveisariddleyouwillneverfullyunderstand.Andyet,itistrue,truerthananythinginthisworld.Godlovesyou,morethanyoucouldeverknow.AndIchallengeyoutogointotodaywiththattruthattheforefrontofyourmind.

Thefateofthosewhotrustinthemselves(49:13)isdying,“theirtombs”remaining“theirhousesforever”(49:11).ButwhatisthefateofthosewhotrustinGod?:DwellingwithGodeternallyinGod’sheavenlyhomeforever.“Godwillredeemmefromtherealmofthedead,HewillsurelytakemetoHimself”(49:15).Youcan’ttakeanythingwithyouwhenyoudie(49:17),butonethingyoucandowhichwillallowyoutohaveanothertypeofwealthandrichesnotmeasuredbyearthlyscales,istotrustinGodandacceptChristasyourLordandSavior,whopaidyourransomwithacostlygift,Hisownlife,whichwasenoughofapaymentforyoursin,howeverbad,shameful,orunforgiveableyoumaythinkittobe.Prayer:God,thankyouthatyourlovedoesn’tmakesense.Yourgracejustseemslikebadmath,andyetIknowit’strueandthatthecalculationsarecorrect.Iknowyouloveme.Helpmetoseemyselfmoreasyouseeme,andtoenterintothatwhichisimperishable,notgettingcaughtupbywhatisperishable.Amen.

“Thosewhosacrificethankofferingshonorme”(50:23).

• Inv.14,wearecommandedtosacrificethankofferingstofulfillourvowstoGod.Inv.23,wearetoldwhysuchsacrificinghonorsGod.

o Butthebottomlineis:Goddelightsinofferingsgroundedinthanksgiving.

§ Toooftenwejumptopetitionaryprayers,askingGodtodothisorthat.

§ Perhapsyouhavealonglistofthingsyou’dliketoseeGodactuponthisweek.Butfirst,taketimetoofferGodprayersofthanksgiving.WhatdoyouthankGodfor?

• God,Ithankyoufor______________________.• ButwhatcanyoureallyofferGod?HowcanyougiveasacrificethatGod

needs?Youcan’t.Inv.9,wearetoldGodhasnoneedforabullorgoats.Afterall,thisistheGodofthecattleonathousandhills(50:10).

o Perhapswe’renotsacrificinganimalstoGodinourdayandage,butwhatdoweoftensacrificetodaythatGoddesiresustogive,butthatGoddoesn’treallyneed,becauseGod’salreadyincontrolofit?

§ Moneyisagoodexampleofthis.Whatelsecanbe?• Inv.10weseethat“everyanimaloftheforestis”God’sandevenall“the

cattleonathousandhills”(49:10).o IfGodknows,controls,andownseveryflythatannoysus,everybee

thatwon’tleaveusalone,andeverymosquitowedon’tcatchintime;ifGodisthecattlerancherwhohaseverycowmarkedwithhissearingbrand,whyintheworldareweafraidofanimalsandinsects?

“Theworldismineandeverythinginit”(49:12).• ButyouknowwhoelseisintheworldthatisGod’s?Youare!Godlooksat

youandsays,“Youaremine!”Notinacreepyorquestionableway,butinawaythatcommunicatesdeepandextravagantlove.

o YouareGod’s.Doyourealizethat?Doyourealizetheimplicationsofwhatthattruthmeans?Whenyoudo,itwillchangeyourlifeforever.

Prayer:LORD,Iamyours.Helpmetolearnwhatthismeansandtohonoryouwithmysacrifices,eventhoughIcanneverrepayyouforthegoodnessyou’veshownme.Amen.

Ofanypsalm,thisistheonemostpeoplethinkofwhentheythinkofaconfession.WearetoldthispsalmwasexpressedbyDavidafterNathan,theprophet,cametohim,afterDavidhadcommittedagreatsin:adulterywithBathsheba.ItisagainstGodaloneDavidfeelshehassinned(51:4).

• Thinkofawrongdoneorapersonyou’veharmed,whetherpastormorerecent,whetherintentionallyorunintentionally.

o Realizethatwhenyousinnedagainstthem,yousinnedagainstGod.§ Andthisespeciallyshouldpromptourneedforconfession.§ Whateveryourtransgressions,bringthembeforeGod(51:3).

Whateverwrongwehavecommitted,realizethatGodisjustifiedtojudgeus,eventocondemnus(51:4).Ifwewerestandingontrial,Godcouldgivethejudgereasontodeemusguilty,andGodwouldnotbeseenasunjustifiedindoingso.

• Mindfulofthis,David,inhissincereregretandhonestconfession,prayssomethingimportant:

o “Havemercyonme,OGod.”Butitdoesn’tstopthere.o “Havemercyonme,OGod,accordingtoyourunfailinglove.”

• ThepsalmistknowsthattheonlyreasonGodshowsmercy,eveninthemidstofdeservedpunishment,isbecauseofGod’sUNFAILINGLOVE.

o CleansemeandIwillbeclean.WashmeandIwillbepurerthansnow(51:7).YouknowwhatthegreatestexpressionofGod’sunfailingloveis?Orrather,doyouknowwho?ItisJesusChrist.BecauseofChrist,youare,indeed,COMPLETELYforgivenbyGod.

• “Hideyourfacefrommysinsandblotoutmyiniquity”(51:9).ThisiswhatthepsalmistiscryinganditispreciselywhatGoddid.Goddoesn’tevenseeyoursin,becauseyouarehiddeninChrist(Colossians3:3).WhenGodlooksatyou,Goddoesn’tseeyoursin,butseesChristwhocoversyoursin.

TherehavebeenadecentamountofpsalmsspeakingtoofferingorsacrificingtoGod.GodoffersHimselftousthroughChrist.Whatcanweoffer?PerhapstherawestandmostsincereofofferingswecangiveiswhatDavidoffersinhishonestconfessionandsincererepentance:“abrokenspiritandcontriteheart”(51:17).

“Forwhatyouhavedone,Iwillalwayspraiseyou”(52:9).

• TakeamomenttopraiseGodforwhatGod’sdone.o Thepsalmistthenaddssomethingmore:Iwillnotmerelydothis,but

Iwilldoit“inthepresenceofyourfaithfulpeople.”§ Ichallengeyoutonotletthisreflectionandpraisebeself-

contained,buttotellatleastoneotherChristianbrotherorsisterwhatGodhasdonethatispraiseworthyinyourlife.

WhenDavidwrotethispsalm,hewasontherunfromSaul,whowastryingtokillhim.Andso,whenDoegrevealstoSaulwhereDavidis(astheprefacetothepsalmtellsus),itwouldgiveDavidareasonnottobehopeful.Well,shucks!WhatamIgoingtodonow!HowamIgoingtogetoutofthisone!“Iwillhopeinyourname,foryournameisgood”(52:9).

• WhenwestoptorealizethesituationDavidwasin,thewordsheclosesthepsalmwithbecomeallthemorestriking.

o Ifyoufoundyourverylifeatstakeandsomethingorsomeone,whetherliterallyorfiguratively,pursuingyou,desiringtoseeyourdownfall,wouldyoubeabletohavethismentalitylikeDavid?

• Hope,bydefinition,iswhatwecannotyetsee.AlthoughDavid,likemanyofus,maystillfeellikewe’re“ontherun”inmanyareasofourlife,waitingfordeliveranceandforGodtointerveneinafinalway,Iinviteyoutodeclarethefollowingtruthsforyourself:

o God,evenwhen____________________,“Iwillhopeinyourname.”o God,evenif________________________isnotgood,Iwillproclaim,

“yournameisgood”(52:9).Prayer:God,maymytonguenotpracticedeceitorplotdestruction,butmayitspeaktruthandofferedification(52:2).God,mayInotboastofevil,butboastinyoualone(52:1).God,helpmetolovegoodratherthanevil,tolovetruthmorethanfalsehood(52:3).Helpmetoseeandfearyou(52:6).IprayIwouldbeapersonwhodoesmakeGodmystronghold(52:7).Letmeflourishlikeanolivetreeandhelpmetotrustinyourunfailingloveforeverandever(52:8).Butaboveall,God,helpmetohavehopenomatterwhatisgoingonaroundme.Amen.

Doesthispsalmseemfamiliar?Itshould,foritsharesverysimilarwordswithPsalm14.

• WhenlookingatPsalm53:1-5a&6,wecanseeitisalmostidenticaltoPsalm14:1-5a&7.Verse5bistheonlyverseinPsalm53notinPsalm14,but,evenso,therearesomedifferencesworthnotingbetweenthem.ThefirstandmainoneIwanttopointoutisasubtleone:

o InPsalm53,Godiscalled“God”(whichisElohiminHebrew)o InPsalm14,Godiscalled“LORD”(whichisYahwehinHebrew).

• Ifyounoticed,throughoutBookIofthePsalter,thename“LORD”wasusedforGodmorethananyother.Here,inBookII(42-72),“God”istheprimarynameused.

But…

• HoweverweaddressGod,therewillstillbecorruptandvilefoolsintheworld(53:1,3).NomatterhowweaddressGod,weareamongthe“noonewhodoesgood”(53:1,3).

BothofthesepsalmshaveaprefacethattellsustheywerepsalmswrittenbyDavid.Ifthat’strue,itwouldmeanthesamepersonis:

1) AddressingGoddifferently2) Voicingasimilarprayertowhatwasprayedbefore.

Canthispsalmbereassuringinthatitgivesusanexampleofarepeatprayer?Howso?Haveyoueverfoundyourselfprayingaprayeryouprayedlongbefore,butthatwaseither:

1) Stillrelevanttobeprayedforbecausewhateveranswertoprayeryouwereseeking,itwasnotyetyourreality?

2) Stillrelevanttobeprayedbecauseresolutionhadnotyetcome?3) Becauseofsomethingelse?

Didyourealizeyouwererepeatingaformerprayerofyourswhen/ifyoudidso?Butevenifthewordsgetmixedupalittle,thelastlinecomesinjustasstrongasaresponsetowhatisbefore:“OthatsalvationforIsraelwouldcomeoutofZion”(54:6&14:7)!

• What“foes”areattackingyouthisweek(54:3)?• WhatareyoucryingoutforGodtosaveyoufrom(54:1)?• WhatprayerareyouwaitingforGodtoanswer?

o Takeamomenttothinkofwhatsomeofthosethingsmightbe.• Mindfulofthese“foes,”thesecries,theseunansweredprayers,whatdoes

itmeanforGodtobeyourHelpandtheOnewhosustainsyou(54:4)?o Areyoutiredoffightingorbeingonthedefense?o Isyourthroatgettingparchedfromcryingoutsomuch?o Areyougrowingwearyofprayingbecauseyouwonderwho’sreally

listeningandwhatthepointis? There’sanimportantwordinv.4,andit’sthesameimportantwordwefindinoneofthemostfamiliarpsalms,Psalm23.

• Psalm23:6says,“Surelyyourgoodnessandlove(ormercy)willfollowmeallthedaysofmylife”

• Here,inPsalm54,itsays“SurelyGodismyhelp.”Surely!o Itisbecauseofthe“surely”thatGodisseenbyDavidassomeone

worthsacrificingto,someoneworthpraising.o Itisbecauseofthe“surely”thatwecanseeGodasworthpraising,

thatwecanliveourlives,andhaveanyhopeatall.Whateveryour“foe,”cry,orunansweredprayer,mayGodyourSustainerandHelpremindyouofthe“surely”thatgivesweightandconfidencetothepromisesspokenoverandaboutus.“Youhavedeliveredmefromallmytroubles…”(54:7)

• Isverse7forebodingaboutafuturepotentialorspeakingtorealityinthepresent?Well,doestheanswermatter?I’dsaynotnecessarily.Why?BecauseGoddelivers“mefromallmytroubles”(inonewayoranother)[54:7].That’sthepromise.So,evenDavid,whoisinatroublingspot,astheprefacetothepsalmletsusknow,heknowsGodcandeliver.AndbecauseGodhas,hebelievesGodwill!

Prayer:Godofthe“surely”promises,deliverusfromourtroublesthisday.Amen.

Takealittletimetodreamwiththepsalmist,usingv.6asyourprimaryinspirationforsuchimagination.

• Imaginewhatitwouldbeliketobefreeasabird,freefromallthetroublesandfearsoftheworld.

o Feelthewindinyourfeathers,seethesmallmarkyouleavewhenyoupoofthroughabigwhitecloud.

o Takeacouplespins,dosomebackflips.Chirpforjoyatthetopofyourlungs.

• Butthen…realityhits.Thethincloudyoupoofthroughbecomesabrickwallyousmashyourbeakinto.Youreyesandwingsfailyou,yourheadisthrobbing,andyoubeginyourfataldescent,whichseemslikeanincalculablelengthofdistancebetweenyouandtheground.

• You’restillspinning,sometimesdoingbackflips,butnowitisnotineaseandjoyyouflipback,butinstrainandfear,asyoumovehelplesslyandblindlyabout.

o Abouthalfwaythroughyourfall,youwonderwhyyouhaven’talreadydiedandyoufigurativelyslumpintoahopelessstate,givingonelasthalf-passionatecrytoaGodyou’renotsureexists.

• Butthen,something,someone,somehow,theimpactofthegroundisneverfelt…becauseGodsavesyou(55:16).Godrescuesyouunharmed(55:18).Throughruffledfeathers,weakeyes,andpoundingheart,youturntotheonewhoholdsyou…anditisGod.

o Andthenyourealizeyouwerenevermeanttoflyawayfromyourproblems.Youweremeanttofacethem(notheadon,notonyourown,butbycallingonthenameoftheLORD),byplacingtheminthehandsofyourGod.

QuestionsforreflectionTaketimetocallontheLORDwhosavesyou,whoiswithyou.Whatwoulditmeanforyou,likethepsalmist,toendwiththewords,“Itrustyou”(55:23)?Prayer:God,inwhomItrust,Iknowthat“somebrightmorningwhenthislifeiso’er,I’llflyaway.”But,untilthattime,letmenotflyawayfrommyproblems,butcastallmyproblemsintoyourloving,strong,hands.Amen.

Iencourageyoutoreadthispsalmonyourownonetothreetimesandreflectmoredeeplyonverses3-4and9b-12a.WhatmessagemightGodhaveforyoutoday?HowmightGodwishtospeaktoyouthroughthispsalm?Whatdotheseancientwordsofferourmoderncontext?Whatdotheyofferyouspecifically?Howcanwelearnandgrowfromthem?Seeifyoucanusethewordsofthispsalmtopraythroughitinawaythatismeaningfulandlife-givingforwhatyouwillbefacinginthemonthofJuly.Proclaimtruthsspokeninthepsalmthatyouneedtospeakintoexistenceincertainsituationsyoufindyourselfin.

MorningofJuly1Psalm57

TheprefacetothispsalmtellsusitwasbaseduponDavid’sexperienceoffleeingfromSaulintothecave.IinviteyoutoputyourselfinDavid’sshoes:

• Imaginebeingchasedbyanenemy,whetherliteralorfigurative.Asyou’redashingaway,youseeacaveandenterit,whichputsyououtofsightandawayfromyourtroubles…atleast,fornow.Withyourbackupagainstthemainwallofthecaveandyourheadtiltedback,younoticehowheavyyourbreathingisandhowfastyourheartisbeating.Tiredandwornoutfromrunning,youcryout,notonce,buttwice,“Havemercyonme,OGod!”

• Youstopspeakingafterthosecriesformercyandexperiencealongpauseofhearingnothingbutyourheavybreathingandpoundingheart.

• Asyoucatchyourbreath,youstarttoreallytakeintherealityoftherefugesurroundingyouinthecave.Butthen,yourealizesomethingabouttheOneyouarecryingouttoformercy:

o Godisyourrefuge,overandabovethiscaveoranythingelse.o Andso,yourattentiontakesamarkedshiftandyoustartpraying

withanewconfidenceandmindfulness.Davidwasinacaveprovidinghimtemporaryrefuge,butheacknowledgesshortlythereafterthatGodishisrefuge(57:1).

• Whatinyourlifeisprovidingyoutemporaryrefugethatyouknowwillnotlastforever?Perhapsitisathingorpersonofferingjoy,protectionandsecurity,andyet,youknowthatyourliteralorfigurativeenemywillnotbefooledbyyourhidingplaceforever.

DoyouseeandrecognizeGodasbeingagreaterrefugethananythingelseyoucouldeverseekasylumunder?

• TaketimetothankGodforbeingthegreatestrefugeyoucouldaskfor.• TaketimetoconfesstoGodthethingsyouhaveturnedtoandtrustedin

morethanGod.• TaketimetoaskGodtobeyourrefugeandstrengthtoday.

Godtakesbadsituationsandmakessomethinggoodfromthem.Outofthishardplace,aplaceofrunningawayandfearingforone’slife,camethisbeautifulpsalm.Goforthintotoday,knowingthatGodcantakethebadanddifficultandbringgoodfromit.

The following schedule will take you to the end of Book II of the Psalter: Morning, July 1: 57 Evening, July 1: 58 Morning, July 2: 59 Evening, July 2: 60 Morning, July 3: 61 Evening, July 3: 62 Morning, July 4: 63 Evening, July 4: 64 Morning, July 5: 65 Evening, July 5: 66 Morning, July 6: 67 Evening, July 6: 68:1-18 Morning, July 7: 68:19-35 Evening, July 7: 69 Morning, July 8: 70 Evening, July 8: 71 Morning, July 9: 72

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