Author: Dana Hagstrom

Psalm 139 – God Knows

Read Psalm 139

This is one of my favorite psalms, I had forgotten how much I love it.  I hope you enjoy it, too.

So many profound truths that we often take for granted. Let’s unpack a few of these:

God knows everything about us. From our actions to our thoughts, there is no limit, we cannot hide from God. When you think about that, are there things you’ve done or thought that you wish God didn’t know about?

God goes before us. He has sent Jesus for us to feel what humans feel. Jesus has given us the example to follow.  And we cannot escape God’s Spirit. His presence is always with us. Now that can be a huge comfort when we’re afraid, nervous, unsure, sad, or lonely. What beautiful pictures this psalm paints.

God made us complex. We often take the beauty of our bodies for granted. These verses just remind me of how great our God is. Those that study medicine must have a deeper understanding of the complexities of our inner parts. I know as I get older, I’m watching a sag here and there. Our bodies aren’t meant to last, we are destined for eternity with God.

And to think God knew us from the beginning. While we were still in our mothers’ womb. He is keeping track of us. His book must be immense. And to think of all the poor souls who don’t know him or his love.  God saw us all.  The psalmist wants God to destroy the wicked. While evil, God created them, too.

Take a moment to just reflect on the truths of this psalm and how much we mean to God. I’ve often heard it said, that our picture would be on God’s refrigerator – he is that proud and in love with us.

Let’s pray. Lord you are so good to me. Bring me to a place of comfort today and wipe away my tears. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in  me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 138 – Assurance

Read Psalm 138

When I read this psalm, I told myself that I wanted to see if I could sum it up in one word for the title. Assurance is what came to me in an instant. Read the psalm again and write in the comments what word came to your mind.

David is giving us a great example of how we praise and bless our God. With thanks, singing praise, bowing down, prayer. When is the last time you bowed down or got on your knees during your time with God?

There are some really great worship songs that talk of that total surrender. Here’s one of my favorites. Click here.

We can boldly come before our God knowing he is there and listening. He deserves our undivided attention.  How do you get yourself to a place of such reverence? Does it take a while to feel connected and as one with your Savior?

Let’s take a look at using David’s example here in this psalm as our prayer outline or guide. We start out by giving thanks. Coming with a grateful heart is always pleasing to God. Bow down, kneel, sing praise, pray, whatever it takes to close out distractions.

Then, the psalmist looks to others, perhaps this is where we pray for others, use good examples from the faithful to draw us deeper into our admiration.

Finally, once in total communion  with God, affirm God for all the good he has done and is doing in your life. Give him your troubles and concerns. Trust him to make all things right as he sees fit for you.

My favorite verse in this psalm is verse 8. “The Lord will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.” Take a moment to resonate with that promise and assurance. God will work things out for us. I am confident that even when we take the wrong turn, he is there to help us find a new way. 

Like GPS will redirect and recalculate when you miss a turn, so our God, in an even greater way, helps us get back on track. Have you gotten off track during your life? Do you ever wonder what would have happened if….? Trust that God has given you a beautiful “Plan B”. He has for me!

Let’s pray. Thank you Lord for being there to walk with me. When I take the wrong turn, thank you for finding me and getting me back on course (or helping me chart a new course). I love to sing your praises and lift your name on high. May my life be a shining example of your grace today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 137 – Despair

Read Psalm 137

What was your impression of this psalm?

After reading all of the psalms of ascents (psalms 120-134), this psalm was clearly written before the exile. The psalms are not necessarily ordered chronologically by date.

What is striking is the psalmist desire to never forget. He is even giving God “permission” to harm him should he “forget Jerusalem.” Jerusalem was more than a place or a home town to these people. It represents God, the place where God resides. So his plea to never forget includes not forgetting God.

You can almost share in the despair of the psalmist. He describes two memories that are really haunting him. Sometimes even bad memories can be used to help us, but most times not. Here, he is recalling how hard it was to obey and play his music amidst the pain.

His comment in verse 4, “But how can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a pagan land?” Think of what we know today about our call to make disciples of all  nations. Those in captivity had the opportunity to do just this. In a pagan land, who better to need to know of God’s love and deliverance?

I’ve had times where it’s hard to feel like worshiping amidst the pain or struggle. It is in those times I had to dig deeper than normal. When I am able get past the “going through the motions”, I have entered into truly intimate worship.

The psalm’s third section recalls the day they were taken. It would be like reliving a nightmare over and over. But in this case, the nightmare is real. I’m guilty of doing this, playing in my head over and over again something bad that happened. It can cripple you. Don’t do it!

Here the psalmist is using it to help him remember, to help him stay angry at his captors. I would suggest that this is not healthy. It can suffocate you when you are captive to your own memory.

What were your impressions of this psalm? Have you ever held on to a memory that maybe you shouldn’t have?

Let’s pray. Lord, thank you for the freedom we have to worship you. I pray for your followers around the globe who are being held captive to worshiping you. May we not forget that you are in control, and our time here on earth is limited when compared to the eternity we can spend with you. Help me to focus on the joy that my salvation brings. Help me to not dwell on the negative. Shield me from the evil that surrounds me that I can stand strong as a warrior of faith. You are my God, and I will not forget you! Thank you for the peace that you bring to my heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 136 – Give Thanks

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This is one of my favorite psalms to read responsively. His faithful love endures forever. What a promise! Forever is a long time, and knowing we are loved by God forever is an incredible honor and blessing. If you are struggling today, use it as a comfort! You are loved.

This psalm elicits joy for the reader. Anytime we are reminded of the mighty God we serve. He is a God active among his people.

Verse 23 stands out to me today. “He remembered us in our weakness.” When we are weak, our God is still strong. He is still in control. We can call on him and rely on his strength.

But what else stands out to me is we need to GIVE THANKS! We need to have a grateful heart that overflows with gratitude to God. Many times we look at our own accomplishments and fail to give thanks to the creator who blessed us for that task.

The psalmist remembers what God has done for his people to help him feel the gratitude. We can do that, too. Think of all the times you have felt rescue from God. Maybe it was an escape out of a dangerous situation, or the ability to overcome a temptation, or clarity when you were making a decision. God is active and working in our lives, behind the scenes, and we need to call him out and give him thanks!

Let’s pray. Father it’s sometimes hard to feel like giving thanks even though I know you more than deserve my gratitude. For loving me without end is in and of itself means for celebration and thanksgiving. Cleanse my heart today of this heaviness and release me from these chains. Restore my joy so that I can be my best for you. May your glory radiate from me again. I trust you. I give you thanks!  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 135 – Above All

Read Psalm 135

This psalm reminds us of the greatness of God. It’s common in Scriptures to have a piece of history retold in another completely different book. Sometimes even a New Testament passage may take us back to the Old Testament. (After all, we can’t have the New without the Old.). I think it’s powerful when we read of those remembrances, and this psalm is full of them.

Powerful and affirming. This really did happen, and God shows us his power in these examples. His power is still alive and well and available to us. Maybe we need to remember how powerful he is?

We might be going through something really hard. It’s during those times that we struggle to even open our hearts to God’s message. Our minds can be so full of uncertainty, sadness, hurts, what ifs. It is so easy to beat ourselves up for something that is really out of our control.

Control. I have issues with it, do you? Do you like to have things work out just the way you want? What happens when there is adversity? What happens when your cozy little world turns upside down?

When those times come, it is important to rely on the one with the power. Our God. Verse 5 reads, “I know the greatness of the Lord—that our Lord is greater than any other god.” (A little different than in the graphic above, but worth repeated out loud several times.) Our God is great and worthy to be praised. We need to be ready to praise him no matter what’s happening in our lives.

If you’re having a hard time focusing due to a situation that is out of your control, ask God to help. Ask him to calm your heart. Ask him to help you set aside this struggle so that you can spend time with him. You’ll be amazed at how quickly he will respond. He wants to spend time with you.

Let’s pray. Father, help me to set aside what is distracting me today. Restore to me the joy of my salvation. You are a great God, and you deserve my whole heart. Calm my fears and help me trust in your provision. Walk with me and show me who needs a touch from you today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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