Author: Dana Hagstrom

Read Psalm 99

Exalt the Lord our God. That sentence repeats itself twice in this psalm. It also serves as a great theme to remind us how to respond to God. Exalt! Do you know what that means? It’s not a word we use every day.  Synonymous with praise and esteem, to exalt the Lord is to “hold him in very high regard”.

Too often we set God aside or downplay his majesty and holiness. Why do we do this? Are we too focused on our own agenda that we neglect our relationship with our creator? Are we too blinded by the messages of the world to truly embrace and exalt our most holy God? Do we become complacent and take him for granted?

I love the words that follow this “theme” declaration– “bow down before his feet” and “worship”. Isn’t this exactly what God deserves? We must give him our worship and true devotion. Take a moment, possibly even get on your knees, and just bow down to God. Close your eyes and shut out the noise and distraction. Repeat “I exalt you, Lord”. Spend as much time as you need to truly worship. Now take a deep breath in and out. Much better. (Feel free to repeat this hourly, daily or as often as needed to keep heart focused.)

This psalm also draws focus to God’s fairness and justice. This is very comforting, yet at the same time a bit frightening (in a good way). While God will be fair in his treatment of sinners (us), he does seek and expect justice and truth. He is a forgiving God, but will punish us when we do wrong (verse 8). The comfort comes with forgiveness, yet punishment can cause us to tremble.

I’ve heard people suppose that this person or that person won’t be in heaven because of this or that. I’m saddened by judgmental comments such as this because God is just and fair. He holds eternity in his hands. He is the ultimate judge of who spends forever with him.

I look at this psalm as a reminder to keep God #1, to exalt him above all else, and to look to him for protection and forgiveness. I want to live a life that pleases him.

Let’s pray. Father God. Thank you for this reminder today. I do exalt you and praise you for your greatness. You have provided me with an opportunity I could never have imagined. Help me use my time wisely. May I stay more focused on you and how you want me to live. Make me your instrument to reach others with your love. Use me in this place. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Read Psalm 98

I don’t know about you, but this psalm sure got my adrenaline running. So uplifting! What an example of praise to God for all the wonderful deeds he has done. So many songs of praise have been born from the words of this psalm.

The last several psalms have been so praise focused. What a great way to start the day if your devotional time is in the morning. If mid-day, what a way to jump-start the second half of your day. If at night before bed, what a great reminder and positive way to set your heart at peace, praising God with your last waking breath.

If you are feeling a bit down today, read this psalm again and imagine being in the presence of God hearing the harps, the trumpets, and the songs of praise. Let the joy of the Lord, the truth that he is in control and loves you unconditionally, flow over you. Be like the hills, the ocean the river and cry, “Hallelujah!”

As a praise team participant and leader for the past twenty years, it is psalms like this one that really resonate. We can praise with our mouths, with our bodies, and with instruments. There is always a thrill when all the instruments play together to make beautiful music. There should be no limit to the praise we can give our God. He loves us like crazy, we need to praise him like crazy!

Was there a line in this psalm that really hit home for you today?

I was seeing a bit of Messianic prophecy at the beginning. Where it’s talking of his right hand having victory, I can’t help but think of Jesus. Jesus was the victor over sin and death. He is preparing a place for us so we can be in his presence forever. Sing praise? Yes, I think so. Most certainly, yes!

Let’s pray. God thank you for all you have done to bring us to this place. We are in awe of the victory you have won for us. May we be like the rivers and the hills and praise you with total freedom. Bring forth the day where all nations will bow down and all the world will sing their praise to you. Forgive me when I fall short and don’t give you the honor you are due. Bless this poor forsaken world and all those who are lost and looking for their way. Help me be a shining beacon, forever praising, to show them the way to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Read Psalm 97

Here again, we see a psalm that truly reveres the power and majesty of God. It is a good reminder to us of who exactly is in charge. If we have doubts in who to trust, it is clear from today’s psalm that our God is most high, every other god must bow down.

With all of the unrest in countries around the world, whether it be warfare, government issues or poverty, this psalm resonates with me. Righteousness and justice are the foundations of God’s throne. We are protected and rescued from evil by our powerful God. Me. You. By God! “Light shines on the godly” and “joy on those who do right” from verse 11. Or, our version (from link above), “joy  on those whose hearts are right.” That sounds so pleasant and reassuring, doesn’t it?

But what about those who are not godly, either by choice or by ignorance? What do I have to do to be godly?  And, a right heart –  what does that mean? The other version, “do right” — is that following rules? Even God’s rules can be hard to follow completely. What if we fall short? Suffice it to say, this promise of God does involve us and our loving, obedient response to his love and grace.

It’s all too true that some people pursue darkness or are comfortable in the shadows. I’m not sure I can understand that. A life with Jesus may not be all roses and trouble-free, but there is certainly joy in the morning. Why? Amidst any trial, the knowledge that you are not alone, and that the power of God is available to you–that is the truth that brings true joy!

This is a good psalm to help ground us. We all need a time to focus on God more deeply.  Some of us more than others!! But to keep evil at bay, we must stand strong in the Lord! We need to be mindful that society’s bias may move us from the truth, and we need to know the difference.

Let’s pray. Lord, thank you for the faithfulness of my parents who had desire that I be raised with faith to know you. Thank you for my husband, such a pillar of strength, knowledge, integrity, and devotion to you. I yearn to know you more and be able to share with others my faith and the life story you have lived with me. Thank you for never leaving my side, guiding me to this moment. Help me empty myself of me so that you can more brightly shine through. May I rest in you today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Read Psalm 96

I love this psalm. I love to sing praise to the Lord as some of you may know.  I’ve been singing in praise bands on Sunday morning for nearly 20 years and can’t imagine not lifting my voice in song. Like the trees, we need to sing for joy – we are loved by a King!

There is no lament here, nor fear or dread. The psalmist is not calling out for destruction of his enemies either. This is an example of pure praise. Adoration of our God at its finest. From start to finish the focus is on our most holy God.

If there was ever a question of how to worship God or why, this psalm is your answer. We are given a blueprint here to follow. For now, we can sing, tell, publish, bring offering, all great ways to honor a God who is savior, creator, strong, beautiful, glorious, amazing, holy, king, fair judge, truth! My heart beats just a little faster (in a good way) with the tone of this psalm.

Some great word pictures are found in this psalm, too. Do you have a favorite? What about “crops bursting forth with  joy!” or “All the earth trembles.” Are you trembling with expectation and awe? No fear here! Maybe you have your own picture of what joy looks like. Feel free to share in the comments below.

God is righteous and wants us all to be close to him. He offered us salvation through Jesus. Even MORE reason to rejoice and be glad. The psalmist had the right idea, and we need to be like him in mind and heart. Our hearts shall rejoice!

I am also reminded in verse 7 that there are many who do not know God. They don’t recognize him or his mighty works. Still others have turned away from God for some reason. This God loves and protects. It’s the world and people in it that have put sin between many and God. There are hurts and deep wounds keeping many from the saving grace of God. Oh, that they would recognize God in his splendor!

Let’s pray. Lord thank you for such a beautiful world. Your creation is astounding. To consider the intricacy of our bodies alone is mind boggling. When I look around at the blooming plants, grass, flowers, change of season, free will, and even flooding and devastation, I stand in awe. You are in it all, and your creation responds. Your peace is free to all amidst the chaos of society. I give you my life and look forward to walking with you each day. Protect my family. Help me help others, and may the focus always be on you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Read Psalm 95

This is quite the invitation to worship! What a great God we have. He has given us such great gifts and how do we respond? It is good to give him thanks and praise. We need to continually remember God’s greatness and power.

I think verses 6-7 are my favorite. The act of bowing down, kneeling before our maker. That is an image, a pose we should take every day. We must humble ourselves before the Lord.

These words brought to mind a worship song from long ago. Listen to these children singing it here.

There are so many options in our day for allegiance. So many obstacles that are keeping us from having an obedient heart. What comes to mind is sports, video games, work, and money. Did you think of others? God should not be an afterthought. He should not be getting our leftovers.

I am as guilty as the next guy in this whole dilemma. While I’m thankful God gave us free will, I sometimes wish we had homing devices inside programming us for a required daily dose of time in God’s presence. Wouldn’t that be great? It’s too easy to let busyness or fatigue take over and fill up the time I should be, want to be spending with God.

Over the years I have been jealous of others who were more intentional in their quiet times. I always fell short of that ideal. Now in retirement, I have a new pattern. I am putting God first in my day. There is no replacing the quiet times communing with God, and those days I miss it I feel a bit emptier. I am certain I missed a message intended for me from my maker.

I don’t want to miss hearing my master’s voice. I want to live my life as a testimony to how God can take nothing and make it great. God will use me to further his kingdom if I just step out of the way.

Let’s pray. Forgive me for my inattentiveness and my wandering mind. I long to stay on the path you have for me. Thank you for always chasing after me on my bunny trails, rescuing me and resetting my course. Oh the plans you must have for me. Thank you for your love and faithfulness. Protect me from the evil one who is doing all possible to crowd my head. I want to listen to your voice alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.