SUMMER IN THE PSALMS A 90-Day Morning & Evening … · literally our life or death spiritually in...
Transcript of 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)
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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
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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
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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.
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• Enjoy,enjoy,enjoy!AndmayyourrelationshipwithGod,yourloveofScripture,andyourprayerlifebeenrichedtoagreaterdegreethanyoucouldeverimagineasyouenterintothisexcitingadventurethroughthePsalter.
Sincerely,
PastorDonaldKirschnerFirstUnitedMethodistChurchofMt.Holly
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BOOKI
Psalm1-41(June1-June22)
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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.
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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.
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EveningofJune2Psalm3
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.
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MorningofJune3Psalm4
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.
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EveningofJune3Psalm5
“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.
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MorningofJune4Psalm6
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.
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EveningofJune4Psalm7
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.
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MorningofJune5Psalm8
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.
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EveningofJune5Psalm9
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.
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MorningofJune6Psalm10
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.
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EveningofJune6Psalm11
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.
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MorningofJune7Psalm12
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.
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EveningofJune7Psalm13
“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.
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MorningofJune8Psalm14
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.
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EveningofJune8Psalm15
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.
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MorningofJune9Psalm16
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.
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EveningofJune9Psalm17
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.
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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!”
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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.
25
MorningofJune11Psalm19
“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.
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EveningofJune11Psalm20
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.
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MorningofJune12Psalm21
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.
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EveningofJune12Psalm22
“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!
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MorningofJune13Psalm23
ImagineyouareasheepwithinGod’sfoldlookingupblissfullyatJesus,yourShepherd,whoholdsarodandstaffinHishand,onetoprotectandonetoguide.ImaginewalkingbesideJesus,theGreatShepherd,andhavingHimleadyoubybeautifulgreenpasturesandquietwatersreflectingthenoondaysun.StartinpraiseandthanksgivingtoyourGuideandShepherd: God,thankyouforguidingmewhen… God,thankyouforprotectingmewhen…WeneednotfearbecauseourkindandlovingShepherdiswithus.HisrodandstaffcomfortusbecauseweknowGodwillleadandprotectusalongtheway.ThisislikelyoneofthemostfamiliarpsalmsinScripturetoyou.Readitseveraltimesthrough.Whatdoyounoticethatyoudidn’tnoticebefore?Whatisstrikingabouttheimagery?Whatnewthingcanyoutakeawayfromthisfamiliarpsalm?
EveningofJune13Psalm24
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.
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MorningofJune14Psalm25
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!
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EveningofJune14Psalm26
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.
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MorningofJune15Psalm27
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.
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EveningofJune15Psalm28
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.
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MorningofJune16Psalm29
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.
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EveningofJune16Psalm30
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.
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MorningofJune17Psalm31
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.
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EveningofJune17Psalm32
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.
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MorningofJune18Psalm33
“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.
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EveningofJune18Psalm34
“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.
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MorningofJune19Psalm35
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.
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EveningofJune19Psalm36
“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.
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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.
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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.
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MorningofJune21Psalm38
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.
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EveningofJune21Psalm39
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.
46
MorningofJune22Psalm40
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.
47
EveningofJune22Psalm41
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.
48
BOOKII
Psalm42-72(June23-July9)
49
MorningofJune23Psalm42
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.
50
EveningofJune23Psalm43
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.
51
MorningofJune24Psalm44
“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.
52
EveningofJune24Psalm45
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.
53
MorningofJune25Psalm46
“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.
54
EveningofJune25Psalm47
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).
55
MorningofJune26Psalm48
“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.
56
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.
57
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.
58
EveningofJune27Psalm50
“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.
59
MorningofJune28Psalm51
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).
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EveningofJune28Psalm52
“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.
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MorningofJune29Psalm53
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)!
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EveningofJune29Psalm54
• 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.
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MorningofJune30Psalm55
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.
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EveningofJune30Psalm56
Iencourageyoutoreadthispsalmonyourownonetothreetimesandreflectmoredeeplyonverses3-4and9b-12a.WhatmessagemightGodhaveforyoutoday?HowmightGodwishtospeaktoyouthroughthispsalm?Whatdotheseancientwordsofferourmoderncontext?Whatdotheyofferyouspecifically?Howcanwelearnandgrowfromthem?Seeifyoucanusethewordsofthispsalmtopraythroughitinawaythatismeaningfulandlife-givingforwhatyouwillbefacinginthemonthofJuly.Proclaimtruthsspokeninthepsalmthatyouneedtospeakintoexistenceincertainsituationsyoufindyourselfin.
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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.
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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