Psalm 38 – Remember Me

Read Psalm 38

True despair.  The psalmist is in a horrible place.  Such woe in this psalm. It is a bit of a contrast to some of the others thus far, yet the cry out to God for rescue is not new.  The psalmist is clearly struggling and suffering, yet through it all is waiting on God, knowing God is listening.  If my body were failing or physically challenged like is described, I think this psalm would really strike a chord with me.

We probably have experienced, at one time or another, severe debilitating pain, and if not us, someone close to us.  When we are “racked with  pain” it is hard to do the things you need to do.  As our bodies are screaming out in pain, it is all we can do to push through the pain to get through the day. Our psalmist is ascribing his pain and misery to his sin,  and adds grief to his list of calamities.  Our psalmist is repenting of his sins here, convinced that his sin has made him sick, diseased and separated from his loved ones and even God.  He repents and seeks God asking that he not be abandoned.  We, too, in times of struggle look around and ask God to rescue us.  I’m just not sure I’ve ever thought it was my sin that caused my struggle.  But as I look back at those times in my life when I was really struggling, I can see clearly now that I was in that situation because of sinful behaviors.  Very interesting.

In what ways do you struggle?  Are you struggling now with something that needs God’s intervention.  Consider these situations and take them to God.

Let’s pray.  Lord God, you know that my struggle is trying to do it all in my own strength.  I know better, God, so forgive me.  I may not be crushed with pain or have an anguished heart, but I need you Lord.  I need your help in getting my daily tasks done, in cleansing my heart from impure thoughts, for restoring my love and passion for life.  Refresh mem, use, me and forgive me for  my selfish heart.  I love you Lord.  Amen.

Psalm 37 – Be Godly

Read Psalm 37

This is a little bit longer psalm, but there are so many nuggets here.  I don’t know about you, but I underline favorite passages in my Bible, write notes, make asterisks, and even use highlighter.  Then as I read the passage over and over, I can see what spoke to me on a previous occasion.  I always love when I find pen notes surrounding a certain verse.  This psalm has lots of notations!

My take away from today’s psalm is don’t worry about the wicked, for they will soon be destroyed.  Instead concentrate on being godly, for the godly are taken care of by God and have a secure future.  And what does being godly mean exactly?  We could try to define it in our own terms and understanding, but perhaps a better way would be to go back to the psalm and see what attributes we find there.

Verses 3, 4, 5, 7  and 8 are truly the beautiful picture of what we should do to be godly.  How we should think, who we should trust, what we should do.  How are you doing on the “godly scale”?   It’s not a contest, but I think it is something we should focus on.  Our reward for godly living is a future greater than we can imagine, and verse 23 and 24 are a beautiful promise of what God is doing for us now.

While we are to encouraged to be godly and not evil, we can’t help but look around our world today and see evil running rampant.  It’s hard for me to imagine God “laughing” (v. 13) at this, but then their judgment is coming, and that is a matter between them and God.  We do sometimes feel separated from the atrocities of war and religious battles as we hear of Christians around the globe being persecuted.  This psalm is a good reminder that God is in control and the evil will not prevail forever.

So what can we do in our own personal life to be more godly?  Are there ways we can be of help to those suffering persecution?

Let’s pray.  Lord, I pray protect for all your followers today, especially those in harm’s way.  It’s a scary world, and I pray for your peace to flow to those cowering in fear.  Help them feel safe in your fortress and may they call upon you for the shelter only you can provide.  May we all find rest in your arms as we strive to trust you fully and stir in us the yearning to be your godly followers.  In  Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Psalm 36

Read Psalm 36

This psalm starts out with a very descriptive glimpse at the wicked, who they are, what makes them tick, etc.  Do we sometimes fall into that category?  I’d like to think if I do, it’s by accident more than by intention.

The focus of the psalm does an about face then in verse 5, and the focus is on God and his unfailing love, faithfulness and abundance of character and provision.  What contrast to the wicked and how tragic for the wicked they not know or experience such majesty.

For me, verses 5-6 are so familiar form a praise song.  I love seeing familiar words in Scripture.  But today the verse that speaks to me is verse 9, For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see.”  Everything comes from God and his light is the best path to follow.  When we are surrounded by darkness, we need to look for the light, it will show us the way and keep us strong.

Do you fear the wicked?  Do you worry that you will get sucked in to the darkness?  I’m not sure I can say I “fear” the wicked, my struggle is that I want to help them see the truth and find the majesty they are missing. Have you watched someone you know gravitate from the light and dabble in darkness?  Maybe they’ve kept a foothold in the light, yet they are dancing around in the dark.  How can we help them find their wings to fly back to God?

Let’s pray.  Lord you are so good and your light is so sweet.  There is such comfort in the shelter of your wings.  I thank you and praise you today. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Psalm 35

Read Psalm  35

Here we go again!  The psalmist is really focused on needing God to rescue him, wanting revenge on the opposition, and feeling a bit overwhelmed or perhaps forgotten.  How often, when we are bullied, do we wish for retaliation on our bully?  If not us being bullied directly, when we see unfairness around us, how do we feel toward those causing the injustice.  We don’t often feel the strength to do it ourselves, just as the psalmist, he is calling on God to oppose, block, humiliate, disgrace, turn them back, make their path dark and slippery, etc.

And then, we have the “then”.  What the psalmist promises he will do in response to God’s action, as if the action has to  happen, and “then”…  It will be “then” that the psalmist will rejoice and praise.  I wonder, is the writer saying he cannot or will not praise unless and until provision or revenge comes?  This psalm is focused on self and what happens to “me”.  Isn’t it true of humanity as well?  We are so easily focused on what’s in it for “me”, or how does this affect “me”?

God will act as God sees fit, not always how we want him to act.I think we need to be looking out for others, too.  We need to be looking for a need to fill, and then, by the grace of God, fill it.

Let’s pray.  Lord help me overcome my feelings of anger and frustration with those around me who are acting in ways that frustrate me or hurt me or others.  Bless them and give them a clean heart with focus on you, the only truth and way.  Help me to reach out to those in need, sharing my faith and trust in  You.  Lord I want to be a world changer in your name.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Psalm 34

Read Psalm 34

I was really taken today by the form of this psalm and how each verse seemed to have an echo of meaning in it between thoughts.  Some were almost like “here’s another way to say it” and others were like “or this is what I mean”.  In any event, I thought it was clever and put together. The theme, too, was clear – praise–>fear–>trust in the Lord, he will take care of you.

What verses resonated with you today?  Three jumped out at me, verses 1, 8 ans 22.  We should praise the Lord at all times, in good and in bad, the Lord remains the same.  We just need to taste and see that the Lord is good.  For as the psalm promises, we will have joy when we take refuge in him.  And finally, the Lord will redeem those who serve him.  There is such joy in that truth.  We will be redeemed.  

Find a verse that speaks to you, and then as you read through it, the first time put the emphasis on the first word.  The second time, emphasis on the second word, and so forth.  This is something I like to do with shorter verses because each time I emphasize a different word, the meaning of the same verse tends to change a bit and deeper meaning can be realized.  So much wisdom in today’s reading.

Let’s pray.  Lord, I love how your word is so perfect in its lessons for us. You used just the right people to bring your message to life for us.  Help me find opportunity to share your greatness with someone this week so that they, too, can rest in your promises with the assurance and trust only you can provide.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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