Tag: trust

Psalm 140 – Protect Me

Read Psalm 140

The psalmist, David, is in fear of the evil around him. He cries out to God for rescue and protection. He knows God is there for him. He recalls the protection on the “day of battle”. There were, in fact, many days of battle in which God protected David.

This psalm reminds us that evil and enemies are not new to our time. We may want to try and qualify that our evil is worse, but evil is evil. Nothing good can come from the “hands of the wicked.”

I wonder here if the psalmist is a bit paranoid. I think we have all had those moments when we think people are talking badly of us, or plotting something against us. Or am I the only one? One might think so with David here, but there were times chronicled in David’s life where he was on the run, hiding for safety, and fearful.

I think our take-away could be something like – God will protect us from those who slander and abuse us. We need to call upon him and trust for his deliverance, as did David. Our troubles and brushes with evil are not too much for God. He is on the ready to be our knight in shining armor.

Are you calling on God for help?

Let’s pray. Father, you are the great rescuer and redeemer. Why is it so hard to remember that when I forge out on my own? Thank you for your forgiveness and great love for me. You forgive my shortcomings, and they are forgotten. You know the cries of my heart. I long for the day I see them revealed. In your time, Lord, I know. Give me patience to wait. Today I ask for you to bless all the children in our village and particularly our church. They need a special word from you to let them know you are near. Bring our sweet dog home and keep her safe while we’re apart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 138 – Assurance

Read Psalm 138

When I read this psalm, I told myself that I wanted to see if I could sum it up in one word for the title. Assurance is what came to me in an instant. Read the psalm again and write in the comments what word came to your mind.

David is giving us a great example of how we praise and bless our God. With thanks, singing praise, bowing down, prayer. When is the last time you bowed down or got on your knees during your time with God?

There are some really great worship songs that talk of that total surrender. Here’s one of my favorites. Click here.

We can boldly come before our God knowing he is there and listening. He deserves our undivided attention.  How do you get yourself to a place of such reverence? Does it take a while to feel connected and as one with your Savior?

Let’s take a look at using David’s example here in this psalm as our prayer outline or guide. We start out by giving thanks. Coming with a grateful heart is always pleasing to God. Bow down, kneel, sing praise, pray, whatever it takes to close out distractions.

Then, the psalmist looks to others, perhaps this is where we pray for others, use good examples from the faithful to draw us deeper into our admiration.

Finally, once in total communion  with God, affirm God for all the good he has done and is doing in your life. Give him your troubles and concerns. Trust him to make all things right as he sees fit for you.

My favorite verse in this psalm is verse 8. “The Lord will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.” Take a moment to resonate with that promise and assurance. God will work things out for us. I am confident that even when we take the wrong turn, he is there to help us find a new way. 

Like GPS will redirect and recalculate when you miss a turn, so our God, in an even greater way, helps us get back on track. Have you gotten off track during your life? Do you ever wonder what would have happened if….? Trust that God has given you a beautiful “Plan B”. He has for me!

Let’s pray. Thank you Lord for being there to walk with me. When I take the wrong turn, thank you for finding me and getting me back on course (or helping me chart a new course). I love to sing your praises and lift your name on high. May my life be a shining example of your grace today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 137 – Despair

Read Psalm 137

What was your impression of this psalm?

After reading all of the psalms of ascents (psalms 120-134), this psalm was clearly written before the exile. The psalms are not necessarily ordered chronologically by date.

What is striking is the psalmist desire to never forget. He is even giving God “permission” to harm him should he “forget Jerusalem.” Jerusalem was more than a place or a home town to these people. It represents God, the place where God resides. So his plea to never forget includes not forgetting God.

You can almost share in the despair of the psalmist. He describes two memories that are really haunting him. Sometimes even bad memories can be used to help us, but most times not. Here, he is recalling how hard it was to obey and play his music amidst the pain.

His comment in verse 4, “But how can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a pagan land?” Think of what we know today about our call to make disciples of all  nations. Those in captivity had the opportunity to do just this. In a pagan land, who better to need to know of God’s love and deliverance?

I’ve had times where it’s hard to feel like worshiping amidst the pain or struggle. It is in those times I had to dig deeper than normal. When I am able get past the “going through the motions”, I have entered into truly intimate worship.

The psalm’s third section recalls the day they were taken. It would be like reliving a nightmare over and over. But in this case, the nightmare is real. I’m guilty of doing this, playing in my head over and over again something bad that happened. It can cripple you. Don’t do it!

Here the psalmist is using it to help him remember, to help him stay angry at his captors. I would suggest that this is not healthy. It can suffocate you when you are captive to your own memory.

What were your impressions of this psalm? Have you ever held on to a memory that maybe you shouldn’t have?

Let’s pray. Lord, thank you for the freedom we have to worship you. I pray for your followers around the globe who are being held captive to worshiping you. May we not forget that you are in control, and our time here on earth is limited when compared to the eternity we can spend with you. Help me to focus on the joy that my salvation brings. Help me to not dwell on the negative. Shield me from the evil that surrounds me that I can stand strong as a warrior of faith. You are my God, and I will not forget you! Thank you for the peace that you bring to my heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 135 – Above All

Read Psalm 135

This psalm reminds us of the greatness of God. It’s common in Scriptures to have a piece of history retold in another completely different book. Sometimes even a New Testament passage may take us back to the Old Testament. (After all, we can’t have the New without the Old.). I think it’s powerful when we read of those remembrances, and this psalm is full of them.

Powerful and affirming. This really did happen, and God shows us his power in these examples. His power is still alive and well and available to us. Maybe we need to remember how powerful he is?

We might be going through something really hard. It’s during those times that we struggle to even open our hearts to God’s message. Our minds can be so full of uncertainty, sadness, hurts, what ifs. It is so easy to beat ourselves up for something that is really out of our control.

Control. I have issues with it, do you? Do you like to have things work out just the way you want? What happens when there is adversity? What happens when your cozy little world turns upside down?

When those times come, it is important to rely on the one with the power. Our God. Verse 5 reads, “I know the greatness of the Lord—that our Lord is greater than any other god.” (A little different than in the graphic above, but worth repeated out loud several times.) Our God is great and worthy to be praised. We need to be ready to praise him no matter what’s happening in our lives.

If you’re having a hard time focusing due to a situation that is out of your control, ask God to help. Ask him to calm your heart. Ask him to help you set aside this struggle so that you can spend time with him. You’ll be amazed at how quickly he will respond. He wants to spend time with you.

Let’s pray. Father, help me to set aside what is distracting me today. Restore to me the joy of my salvation. You are a great God, and you deserve my whole heart. Calm my fears and help me trust in your provision. Walk with me and show me who needs a touch from you today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 130 – My Hope is in the Lord

Read Psalm 130

This psalmist has the right focus. He is “counting” on the Lord (verse 5). In other translations this is “waiting” on the Lord. I see a difference in meaning, ever so slight, between “counting on” and “waiting on”.

I can wait for things, and sometimes those things don’t happen. When I count on something, I am expecting it to happen, sure that it will when the time is right.

Neither interpretation of this passage is incorrect. The bottom line is that we put our hope in the Lord. We can wait on or we can count on him, no matter, he will act.

Have there been times in your life when it seems like all you do is wait for something? How does it feel? Maybe you could describe it as a nagging sensation that overshadows everything you do. When the anticipated event happens, how do you feel – relieved, ecstatic, both?

There will be times in our walk of faith that we have to wait on God. The important thing here is to stay steadfast and trust. We need to put our hope in God – it’s the best (and only) place to put our hope. He will never leave of forsake us. He may just not answer as quickly as we would like. We remember he is the holy one. He is the all knowing creator.

Let’s pray. Father you are holding me and my life in your hands. I thank you that I am safe and secure. I have no fear only trust in you that you will reveal yourself to me and use me in a way that fits perfectly for me. I thank you for all of the opportunities you place before me. May my life reflect you always. I want to be all in for you God. May the hope I have in you be the same hope that others grasp on to. Your precious word is there to guide and protect. May we listen and obey. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

 

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