Author: Dana Hagstrom

Read Psalm 104

This is a magnificent psalm reminding, yet again, or who is Lord of all. Just as in Psalm 103, the psalm immediately preceding this one it begins and ends with “Let all that I am praise the Lord.”

Here, we walk through creation. Such a beautiful story depicted. As you read this psalm, or read it again, stop after each verse and picture yourself there, in that moment. Imagine a front row seat to witness creation as it unfolds?

Our creator God was and is master of the universe. At His hand all exists. The mastermind of this world and all that’s in it is our God! From a blade of grass to a mighty mountain, from a worker bee to human beings. How magnificent! How can we not worship our creator for all he has done? For our lives, our possessions, and the provisions around us.

Yet we often don’t rejoice.  Do we? When is the last time you let out a whoop or a holler of “Hallelujah” to God for his love? Same here.

We need to be a people who give honor and praise to our God, the lover of our souls. We need to stop the madness and stop using without abandon the great resources God has gifted us with. We need to be accountable to the world and how it was created. We have species going extinct, land and water patterns are in constant fluctuation, and greed, yes greed, abounds. Society wants, or should I say, “expects” and wants more, seeking happiness and fulfillment in all the wrong places. Why do we do this? What is our motivation?

Praise the Lord!  The Lord should be motivation. Motivation instead to live clean and devoted lives, striving for more healthy and connected relationships to God and each other.

We must praise the Lord for he is good! His mercies endure forever. I want to be more mindful of God’s creation! How can we make it the place it was made to be? How can we love it as God intended?

Let’s pray. Lord, I thank you and praise you for the beauty of your world. I am seeing it with new eyes today and, like you, am saddened by the disarray. I am also encouraged by your efforts to keep it pure. Lord, please show me ways to do that, to bless you through the care of your planet. Thank you for how you provide, may I be worthy. I want to praise you until my last breath. Bless my steps today and shine in me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Read Psalm 102

We have all been overwhelmed at times in our lives and can identify with how this psalm begins. I am not personally in a place like that right now, but I do know people who are. They often feel abandoned. Lately, I’ve heard moms voice frustration that they are forgetting important stuff in their kid’s lives (like to register them for summer camp)!  Others lament that there are just not enough hours in a day to get it all done!

For deeper, personal lament, perhaps these words from our psalm today will resonate: “time of distress”, “my heart is sick” “lost my appetite”, “lonely”, “I am withering”.

In times like this, it is easy to question God or even his existence. In times like this, we must not lose heart of faith. The Lord hears our groans and saves our tears. God never changes. He is there to love and protect us. Satan would want us to believe something different, and he has the power to do so. God’s power is mightier and will save us.

If you look at this psalm, the cry of despair blends nicely into a reverence to God’s majesty. We all need to look at our lives and find those areas that cause distress or loneliness, and turn them over to our mighty, unchanging God. A good starting point in any self-reflection is to first picture God and his role in our life. As the psalmist, we must acknowledge God, that he is eternal, and he holds our future in his hands.

Do you know anyone who may be lonely or experiencing some distress in their life?  Maybe it’s you? Think creatively how you can use the truths from this psalm to help in their time in lament.

Here are some helpful parts of today’s psalm: “but you (GOD) remain forever”; “you will change them like a garment”; “He will listen to the prayers of the destitute. He will not reject their pleas.” God is for us. God is with us.

Let’s pray. Lord, forgive me when I dwell on things that bring discouragement in my life. While I acknowledge those times will come. Help me rely on your strength to face all struggles head on and move past them. Help me focus more on you and your great plan for my life. Watch over those I love. Bring about an awakening, a desire to seek and follow you for those who are not yet following. Guide m e this day to be your light. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Read Psalm 101

Today’s psalm focuses on an ideal for living a life pleasing to God. I got the impression, almost, that it might have been written during a period of guilt. What do you think? The psalmist, this one is again attributed to David, certainly did have periods in his life where guilt could easily have been in play.

All of the “I will” statements appear to be renewed promises to God to act a certain way. David’s list of behaviors here are all positive and project him toward a “pure” life. This is not the image I imagine for King David. Being obedient, yes, but pure?

What did you think of David’s promises? Did any of them surprise you? Inspire you? Did you notice this is another example of synonymous parallelism. (Remember that from a previous psalm?)

It would do us all good to take time like this for a cleansing moment. A time where we honestly look at our life, our choices, our plans. What would your “I will” list look like? Mine would probably be something like this – feel free to add your comments at the end.

— I will think only positive thoughts.

— I will spend time with God daily, and I will acknowledge his presence in my life every moment.

— I will take time to pray for my family and friends everyday.

— I will be on the look out for a place to serve and spread God’s love.

— I will refresh and recharge my spirit so I can shine with joy.

This list could go on and on. I started with the easier ones, or ones I am already doing.  It’s a list we all should have, and a list we should refer to frequently. Feel free to take a moment now to jot down the first
“I Will” statements that come to you.  Each of the aobve “I will” statements could be a devotion in themselves finding scripture references that support each one. You could do the same for the statements on your list!

When we are “all in” for our God, life is better.  The recent series of praise and worship psalms have truly set out for us a picture of this way of life. The “I will” statements should not seem like a burden when our hearts are right. We should want to please God no matter what. When our own ego or desire gets in the way, we know we are on a path of destruction and the evil one has us in his grip.

Let’s pray. Father God, I praise you and look forward to singing in your courts one day. Help me in all of my “I will” statements, both written and in my heart.” I apologize that I get distracted and lose my focus at times. Forgive me. I want to listen for your voice. I feel your comfort and peace, but I want to move when you say move. Show me! In Jesus name. Amen.

 

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.