Psalms – Be Still…

Psalm 98 – The Victory!

Have you ever stopped to think about how much the Lord has done? We’ve just celebrated Christmas, when the Lord was miraculously born to human parents. We marvel at the humble birth yet realize there is nothing humble about the majesty of God breaking out of heaven and into humanity.

I ponder the lyrics of one of the songs we do at youth group. We do it in Spanish, but it was originally written in English by Elevation Worship called “Same God.” It’s a great song to remember all the victories our Lord has accomplished and stand amazed that he continues those victories all around us. It’s powerful to imagine the God we cry out to is the same God with David facing Goliath, with Moses parting the sea, and with Mary as she heard the news of her future. Continue reading “Psalm 98 – The Victory!”

Psalm 146:5-10 – Time to Praise

Read Psalm 146:5-10

Our theme of joy is fueled greatly by this wonderful psalm of praise. For each petition, I found myself exclaiming, “Yes!” God does all of those things. He actively interacts with his people, and some things never change. James 1:17 has a beautiful picture of our loving, giving God. “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.”

The gift of His Son, Jesus, is the perfect gift we celebrate this time of year. That’s why we wrap presents and give them to our loved ones. A delivery arrived just today, and I was anxious to pull out gifts and set them aside for next week. It’s sad to know many people don’t know about the gift of a Savior we celebrate. Christmas to them is just lights, candy canes, and more stuff, throwing in a little holiday cheer! Continue reading “Psalm 146:5-10 – Time to Praise”

Psalm 15:1-5 – Living a Blameless Life

Read Psalm 15:1-5

God knows we will all fall short, yet we strive to attain the goals we set out for ourselves. If we limit our goals, we might miss out on what God has in mind for us. The psalmist, David, wants to achieve his goal of being in the presence of God. He asks and answers the question “Who is good enough to worship and enter into God’s presence?”

What exactly is the blameless life God hopes we live? Is there any chance we can pull it off? What sorts of things do we need to change to reach these standards? I like Google’s AI definition of a blameless life. “A blameless life is a life characterized by integrity, innocence, and a lack of wrongdoing, where actions and words are consistent, free from guilt and deceit, and aligned with God’s will.” The psalmist gives us some specifics. Continue reading “Psalm 15:1-5 – Living a Blameless Life”

Psalm 119:9-16 – God’s Word Equips Us

Read Psalm 119:9-16

Fun Fact: Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible! In its entirety, it’s a great meditation on the importance and beauty of God’s word in nurturing our faith. I love how this section speaks to us as believers, whether we’ve been believers for ten minutes, ten years, or our whole lives.

The psalmist says, “I have hidden your word in my heart.” Is it safe in our hearts, far enough away from the clutches of sin? You might wonder how this happens exactly. Over the years, I have helped countless children in my Sunday School classes commit Bible verses to memory. Once in our heads, we can let them rest in our hearts. That way, God’s wisdom is always safe inside us, ready to nurture or empower us. Continue reading “Psalm 119:9-16 – God’s Word Equips Us”

Psalm 19:7-14 – More Than Just Words

Read Psalm 19:7-14

Why should we listen to God’s Word? The psalmist gives us eleven verses full of reasons and benefits. We can’t really deny any of these descriptions. Yet it’s almost as if they are shared in defense of God’s Word, as if God’s Word were under attack. I see evidence of such an attack all these years later, don’t you?

Some people view the Bible as a book of rules or just a collection of words. It’s much more than that. The psalmist uses words like “instructions,” “decrees,” “commandments,” “commands,” “laws,” and “a warning.” Those are some direct and descriptive words. What a good reason to pay attention! For those of us who have always wanted an “Instruction Guide for Life,” we need look no further. Continue reading “Psalm 19:7-14 – More Than Just Words”