Category: Psalms

Read Psalm 20

What a great psalm for the last day of the year, as we are all looking forward to a new year full of promise, new beginnings, and adventures. It starts out almost like a prayer for a friend in need, a reminder to them that God is ready to protect and provide.  Time and again in the psalms we receive these gentle reminders that we are not alone in our struggles as we traverse through life.  God is ready.

Did you notice that the first half of this passage is “May he” and it then transitions to “Now I know” and “we will”.  It’s true.  We do know that God is Lord and Lord is God, and we must boast in him, not ourselves. Why is it more challenging to boast of God and his mercy and power? Things of this world will pass away and change, but God is everlasting!

Ask: In what ways can I change the way I live and think so that my confidence is in God’s power and provision is magnified?  Of all the new year’s resolutions out there, lose weight, exercise more, eat healthier, etc., what better plan than to strive for a closer relationship with God and a total reliance on him.

Let’s pray.  Lord, you have been in control forever.  Forgive me for getting in your way, for questioning you.  Set my heart’s desire to your will, not mine, and use me today.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Read Psalm 18

This was a long one, but the beauty, oh my!  The Lord liveth and blessed be the Rock!!  What great praise to God acknowledging all that he does for his people.  Each time I read this psalm, verse 30 strikes me “As for God, His way is perfect, all the Lord’s promises prove true.  He is a shield for all who look for protection.”  Indeed.  His way is perfect, yet we so often try to go our own way.  Why is that?  Is there a time recently that you can remember when you did just that?  If you’re like me, you can see how God’s way was better.

And his promise are true and plentiful.  Reading such truths in God’s word is so delightful, and we can discover new ones each day.  For the next week, keep a list of those promises of God that you find.

There were a couple verses in this psalm that troubled me a bit (verses 26-27) where it reads, “wicked you show yourself as hostile” and “you humiliate the proud.”  What strikes me is that on the surface the wicked don’t appear phased or afraid, and if they have indeed witnessed a hostile God, what does that look like?  Likewise, with the humiliation of the proud.  When does this happen? Have you seen it?  Perhaps it’s in a time yet to come, and that their here and now somehow allows for them to be ruthless, proud and wicked.  God doesn’t interfere now, but in the end, should they continue in this fashion, the consequence shall be realized.

So how does this psalm speak to you today?  Ask, “what do I do with this?” For me, I’m going to focus on God’s way for me, and be faithful, full of integrity and pure.  Sounds simple, right?  Those challenges should and do ignite in me a passion to be the best I can be.  I want to search out ways I can encourage others to walk this way as well.  The want to shine with the light that God has shined in my life.  How can you be a light to those around you today?  Who do you think of that needs this light?

Let’s pray.  Father God.  Thank you for all of your provisions, promises and protection.  I feel so safe and loved.  Thank you, too, for the strength and guidance you give me.  Help me to rely on that and not try to venture out on my own so much.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Read Psalm 17

Rescue me!  Have you ever felt like you were under attack and the only way out was by way of a miracle, God’s intervention.  David certainly did in this psalm.  He cries out with assurance for God’s hand to save him.  His assurance is what speaks to me today.  David was confident in his God, and he really needed him as he was being persecuted by Saul, so my Bible’s notes suggest.  In times of trouble, we, too, need to stand on our faith with an confidence like David.

Does your faith remind you that God is watching (verse 3), that we are to follow and not waver (verse 5), that we are to pray knowing God will answer (verse 6)?  Pause to reflect on those verses.  Our God will protect us from harm.  He stands as a great source of protection against our enemies.  The last line of the psalm gives me chills of joy, “for I will see you face to face.”

We need to live our lives in such a way that we are always thinking of our destiny…to see God face to face.   What will we say on that day?  Will we have been faithful?  How should we prepare ourselves for the day we meet God face to face?

Let’s pray.  Lord, you know my heart, and you know how many times I am focused on the wrong thing.  Thank you for these words of wisdom today as I ponder their truth.  May I please you today in all I say and do.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Read Psalm 16

What a great psalm of praise and gratitude.  Our hearts should be so devoted.  We need to remember that all good things do come from God, and we should be mindful of that and thank him for those mercies.  Take a moment now to think of one act of mercy for which you can shout out a praise to God.

I love the word images for God and how his relationship can sustain us through anything.  Check this out: MASTER, GUIDE, GIVER.  How can we do anything but praise?  I love the line, “I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.”  I think I’ll commit that one to memory.  You should do the same.  Pick a favorite line from this psalm, one that really speaks to you today, and memorize it.  Call it to mind several more times today!

Well my scripture tool box just acquired another beautiful promise to access when I need it, just like I’d take out a screwdriver when the need arises.  I know the Lord is always with me.  What a promise, and assurance.  Just imagining what I know and trust to be true is comforting and brings a smile to my face.  While I might not “see” him with my eyes, I feel him with my heart.  Oh how many people who are hurting need to hear and accept this truth!

Enjoy this powerful song by Shane and Shane.  Click here.

Let’s pray.  Father God, my comforter and protector, thank you for being at my side, never giving up  on me, even when I fail to acknowledge you. Help me be more mindful of your presence today and every day.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Read Psalm 15

Who may enter the dwelling place of God?  What a profound question.  According to this psalm we must be blameless in several areas, there’s quite a laundry list of requirements.  These guidelines represent good standards by which we should be living, and they are certainly attainable.  But do we need to be at this level of perfection just to be able to worship?  The ability to worship is given to all, I would think, but to truly yearn for the presence of God and to truly acknowledge Him in reverence during our time of worship may be worshiping on two different planes.  For the latter, our mindset would probably be more in line with the standards we see in this psalm, because we would want to, strive to be what God wants for us, and it would be a non-issue.

I took a step back and asked, “In what ways do I fall short of these standards?  Take a moment now to do the same.  Now, think about how you can improve what you’re doing.  For me, what struck a chord was the speaking ill of others.  While I don’t make this a practice, I do recall a few comments I have made that I wish I hadn’t.  Don’t you hate when that happens?  How about finding fault in others.  Guilty!  There are definitely some things here I can work on.

As I write this, Christmas is only a few days away.  I am reminded of the first worship of Jesus.  Together with the angels, it was the lowly shepherds who came first to bow down.  They probably hadn’t even washed their hands let alone become “blameless”.  We need to keep in mind that the majesty of God came down from his throne to be covered in human skin.  That precious baby, God, was born to die for us.  That makes my heart overflow with a desire to worship, how about you?

Let’s pray.  Lord, help me to be more loving and accepting of those who different from me, and help me to be more honoring to your name in all I say and do.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.