Author: Dana Hagstrom

Read Psalm 70

Did you feel like you were on a bit of an obstacle course with this psalm? For a very short psalm, it sure takes some unexpected turns. We start with an urgent plea for rescue and a sense of fear of doom. We then shift to an acknowledgement that all who seek will be filled with gladness where focus shifts, presumably to others. Just as quickly the focus returns on the psalmist alone as he returns to his own plea and adds now that he is poor. I suppose this is really a common psalm pattern. I think we can all find ourselves in one of these examples.  The common denominator here is God. He is in the mix and in the lives of his people.

How are you getting along? Do you feel fear? Are you alone needing rescue? Are you seeking God? Are you being used by God in his rescue of someone dear?

Take a moment now to assess what obstacles might be in your life that will keep you from drawing closer to our Lord and Savior. What do you need to do to remove them?

Let’s pray. Lord, thank you for the direction this devotion took in my heart today. I think you for the many blessings in my life. Work in me to be a better witness to your love and promise of salvation. Use me to comfort those who may be struggling and give me wisdom how to help. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Read Psalm 69

The psalmist is truly in a low, scary place as he laments here. I can’t say that I’ve ever been so low, so stuck in the mud, but do know of others who have been or are now. What strikes a chord with me here is that no matter how down trodden, abused, forlorn or lost the psalmist feels, he has not lost sight of God; he continues to cry out and beg for rescue. This shows the acknowledgement and trust that God is the answer, that God will rescue no matter the dire straights. We must, like the psalmist, rely on God to save us in times of need.

On this Holy Saturday, when Jesus was in the tomb, experiencing the trials between his death and resurrection, many across the world will also be spending the day reflecting, mourning, lamenting, being real with God, much like our psalmist is in today’s reading. What are the cries of your heart today? What areas of your life are empty? What do you need help with? Take a moment to reflect on this.  Perhaps you even want to write them down as you pour out your heart to God, and then put them in an envelope and set it aside. Tomorrow, you will burn that envelope or shred it to smithereens.

Cry out using verse 16, “Answer my prayers, O Lord, for your unfailing love is wonderful. Take care of me, for your mercy is so plentiful,” and verse 13, “[i]n your unfailing love, O God, answer my prayer with your sure salvation.” 

I love how the psalm ends with praise. Proof and assurance that our dark hours are only temporary, and the light will shine again. We know the whole story now, but in the hours following Jesus’ death, his closest followers must have been so lost, confused at what had just happened, yet terrified for their own lives for having the association. Yet their love and devotion for their God helped cover and protect them. They had no hope, as they had likely forgotten Jesus telling them he would return. Those would have been words too hard to fathom and thus put out of mind.

We need to praise amidst our storm. It is the greatest tribute we can give God as we trust him and praise him even when it hurts. It’s not easy to do, but once you are doing it, truly worshipping, your pain will subside in that moment. You are one with God, focusing only on his great power and love for you.

Let’s pray. Lord, while I might not be experiencing the mire pit, I pray for those that are in that dark place. Help them Lord to see your light and not give up. Watch over me today as I focus on you and cleanse myself of all my guilt, shame, sadness and fear. Help me cling to your saving grace that you so freely give. May I not forget the life you lived and died, the great sacrifice you made for me. Use me Lord to reflect your light for those in the darkness. I praise you for your faithfulness and great provision. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Read Psalm 68

There are so many nuggets in this psalm. The first time I read through it I couldn’t really grasp what the psalmist was trying to relate to us, it seemed like a lot of unconnected ideas, remembrances, praise reports and cries for help.  After I read it through again, it was obvious then that the theme is God’s power. God is powerful and his victories past, present and future are intertwined here, together with a cry of expectation at the mighty works of God and grateful praise in response.

Verse 19-20 really points to Jesus, didn’t you think so? “Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms.
Our God is a God who saves! The Sovereign Lord rescues us from death.” As I write this, it’s Good Friday.  I wrestled with deviating from the psalm study for this Holy Weekend, but decided against it because these posts can be read at any time, and I didn’t want to narrow the focus that much.  However, smack dab in the middle of this psalm are two beautiful verses that really shine out as the truth we encounter because of the cross, because of the empty tomb.

Another beautiful promise is verse 28, “[s]ummon your might, O God. Display your power, O God, as you have in the past.” This same power of God that rose Jesus from the grave, that rescued his people from the hands of their enemies, who created the heavens and the earth, that power, is ours. We can claim it, rely on it, and trust God in all things.

Why do we have such selfish ambitions then?  Why are we so inwardly focused much of the time? It’s not “all about us”. That’s how toddlers think and act. The world revolves around them, or so they think. We need to be better than that. We need to be more focused on the gifts God has given us and using them. We need to be more thankful for the provision given to us. Finally, we need to rely on God’s power to protect and lead us.

Take a moment to reflect on the sacrifice God has made for you.

Let’s pray. Heavenly Father you are mighty and great. This world is so full of chaos and evil. It’s frightening. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with the tasks at hand. Help me remember I am not alone. You are holding me, waiting patiently for me to understand. Forgive me for foraging ahead on my own power when your power is perfect. Help me in telling others of this great power. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Read Psalm 67

What a delightful short psalm. This is one we can read over several times.  The psalmist was obviously very upbeat and on his game, so to speak. It is during those times, when things are going well, that it is easy to praise God. The psalmist even steps out of his own circle and encourages the nations to praise God.

As it should be, all nations should know God, and every knee should bow before the throne. That doesn’t happen automatically, and we have been commissioned as God’s ambassadors to tell all the world of his saving love, his grace and mercy, that Jesus died for all. So this psalm is a bit of prophecy to the great commission, and Jesus has put the challenge before us. We, as his followers, must proclaim to the ends of the earth what God has done.

It can be hard, even frightening, in this day and age, as in Biblical times, to proclaim the saving grace of Jesus. We often keep this good news to ourselves. It’s the tragic reality, but why is it so? We are doing the exact opposite of what Jesus commanded us to do. Do we even feel guilty? Ponder this a moment, and think of the last time you shared the good news with someone.  I’d love to hear some testimonies  in the COMMENTS below.

I stand in awe of people who can boldly share their faith. There is a gentlemen in our church who is on fire for Jesus. He is inspiring. I want to be like him. I know in my heart that God is always with us, and it is our duty to be bold witnesses, I need to remember it’s just sharing my story. All I need to do is tell others how God has changed my life, period. I don’t need to be a Bible scholar, I certainly don’t need to know all the answers (who does anyway?). I just need to share about my transformation, my relationship. Easy peasy.

I find it easier to live my life in a way that reflects God’s goodness and the joy of having Jesus as my friend and redeemer. But that’s not enough. My husband’s sermon a couple weeks back spoke to this very think. Share. Simple. Tell my story. God can use even little old me to make a difference for the kingdom. He will use you, too. We’ve got to get busy – there are many nations who have yet to hear. Even our neighbors need to hear our story, God’s story.

Read the psalm again. How is it speaking to you?

Let’s pray. Lord, thank you for this new day. Your message today is to focus on you and what a great God you are. We have been called to share, and I pray for a greater boldness to be a better witness. I pray for the openings with others to tell my story. I pray for the words and confidence. Show me who is ready to hear a word from you.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.