I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.
The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because he was angry. Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it.
He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet. He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind. He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him—the dark rain clouds of the sky, Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning. The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded. He shot his arrows and scattered the enemies, great bolts of lightning and routed them. The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of breath from your nostrils.
He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LROD was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.
I have a hard time comprehending what it was like to be David, having to run for your life from King Saul numerous times. However, I also need to realize that here in this life I am surrounded by spiritual danger that God protects me from on a daily basis, and I should be thankful every day that He is my refuge and my shield, as it says at the beginning of this psalm. He is always there listening to me.
It is easy to forget all that we have been saved from when Jesus took our place on the cross, especially for those of us who have been in church since we were children. But the imagery in this psalm: cords of death entangled me. . . torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. . . cords of the grave coiled around me. . . the snares of death confronted me remind me of how trapped in sin and completely helpless we are without the grace of God.
Thankfully, From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. And what follows is an amazing picture of God coming to our rescue, shaking the foundations of earth, causing storms, smoke, hail, and just about every other force of nature we can think of. It’s also pretty prophetic of Jesus coming to earth, the first time, and when He comes again to finally rescue us from this world.
When Jesus shows up, things are never the same.
What an amazing God I have who hears me when I call and moves the heavens and earth to save me. He loves me that much.
He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LROD was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; God reaches down and pulls us out of the sin we are in.
No sin is so small that we can overcome it alone.
No sin is so great that God cannot handle it.
And why does He do this? he rescued me because he delighted in me. God delighted in me! Even when I am full of sin and am drowning in a sea of helplessness, God looks and sees the child He formed, the child He knows is His, and the child He wants in His arms.
Thank you, God, for loving me. For saving me. For delighting in me.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Psalm 17
Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer—It does not rise from deceitful lips. May my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right. Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will not sin. As for the deeds of men—by the word of your lips I have kept myself from the ways of the violent. My steps have held to your paths; my feel have not slipped.
I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me. They close up their callous hearts, and their mouths speak with arrogance. They have tracked me down, they now surround me, with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground. They are like a lion hungry for pretty, like a great lion crouching in cover.
Rise up, O LORD, confront them, bring them down; rescue me from the wicked by your sword. O LORD, by your hand save me from such men, from men of this world whose reward is in this life. You still the hunger of those cherish; their sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children. And I – in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.
This psalm is full of different insights about our relationship with God and what we should value. Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will not sin. Was David sinless? Of course not, but his heart was pure. He wasn’t telling God he was perfect; he was telling God that he doesn’t keep anything from Him.
Later, in verse 8 he compares his relationship with God to a mother bird with her babies. Sometimes it is easier for me to see God as a judge, waiting to catch me doing something wrong. And although we will definitely be judged, that’s not how God wants my relationship with Him to be perceived. He is my Father, the One I run to when I am in need (I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.) The One who protects me (you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes) and saves me, not only from the world (rescue me from the wicked by your sword) but from the lifestyle this world thinks we should have, which is
More
More
More.
This world tries to convince us that we need just a little more of everything and then we will be happy. . . .such men, from men of this world whose reward is in this life. People who live with this worldly mindset have already been rewarded in this life. How sad.
But You still the hunger of those cherish; if we seek God and a relationship with Him, we will be satisfied. If I am looking for fulfillment anywhere else besides in God, it’s not going to work. Only when I am content with God.
May I chase after Him and leave the things of this world behind.
I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me. They close up their callous hearts, and their mouths speak with arrogance. They have tracked me down, they now surround me, with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground. They are like a lion hungry for pretty, like a great lion crouching in cover.
Rise up, O LORD, confront them, bring them down; rescue me from the wicked by your sword. O LORD, by your hand save me from such men, from men of this world whose reward is in this life. You still the hunger of those cherish; their sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children. And I – in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.
This psalm is full of different insights about our relationship with God and what we should value. Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will not sin. Was David sinless? Of course not, but his heart was pure. He wasn’t telling God he was perfect; he was telling God that he doesn’t keep anything from Him.
Later, in verse 8 he compares his relationship with God to a mother bird with her babies. Sometimes it is easier for me to see God as a judge, waiting to catch me doing something wrong. And although we will definitely be judged, that’s not how God wants my relationship with Him to be perceived. He is my Father, the One I run to when I am in need (I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.) The One who protects me (you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes) and saves me, not only from the world (rescue me from the wicked by your sword) but from the lifestyle this world thinks we should have, which is
More
More
More.
This world tries to convince us that we need just a little more of everything and then we will be happy. . . .such men, from men of this world whose reward is in this life. People who live with this worldly mindset have already been rewarded in this life. How sad.
But You still the hunger of those cherish; if we seek God and a relationship with Him, we will be satisfied. If I am looking for fulfillment anywhere else besides in God, it’s not going to work. Only when I am content with God.
May I chase after Him and leave the things of this world behind.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Psalm 16
Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. I said to the LORD, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips. LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
If this psalm doesn’t make me joyful, I don’t know what would. What an amazing reminder of how great God is!
Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. It’s comforting and a little frightening to know that God is my refuge. This means that at times in my life I will need a refuge from something. Life is not all “health & wealth” if we choose to follow God. In fact, it might be harder on some levels to choose His path. But the promise of His refuge is more than enough to make up for that.
. . .apart from you I have no good thing. Do I truly believe and live out these words? Of course they are true. If I have God and nothing else, it’s all good. If I have everything else except God, life means nothing. The things of this world mean NOTHING! I know that in my head, but I need to live it out in my life.
As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight. One of the greatest ways to lose my desire for earthly things is to watch those around me. The people around me who are making a difference for Jesus aren’t spending time clinging to their material goods. They are out serving and taking care of needs. On the other side: The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. Why do I spend so much time wishing I could look like someone else or have more things. Have I EVER seen a person who has true joy from their stuff? It’s not worth it!
. . . surely I have a delightful inheritance. God’s blessings are overflowing and we can trust in His protection. I may not always understand His ways, but I can always trust them.
I will praise the LORD . . . I will not be shaken. . . my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices . . . you will fill me with joy . . . I definitely need to spend more time praising God! Not only does He supply blessing after blessing, but He gives me guidance along the way through the Holy Spirit, circumstances, the Bible, and other believers. If my eyes are on God, my heart will be filled with joy.
If this psalm doesn’t make me joyful, I don’t know what would. What an amazing reminder of how great God is!
Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. It’s comforting and a little frightening to know that God is my refuge. This means that at times in my life I will need a refuge from something. Life is not all “health & wealth” if we choose to follow God. In fact, it might be harder on some levels to choose His path. But the promise of His refuge is more than enough to make up for that.
. . .apart from you I have no good thing. Do I truly believe and live out these words? Of course they are true. If I have God and nothing else, it’s all good. If I have everything else except God, life means nothing. The things of this world mean NOTHING! I know that in my head, but I need to live it out in my life.
As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight. One of the greatest ways to lose my desire for earthly things is to watch those around me. The people around me who are making a difference for Jesus aren’t spending time clinging to their material goods. They are out serving and taking care of needs. On the other side: The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. Why do I spend so much time wishing I could look like someone else or have more things. Have I EVER seen a person who has true joy from their stuff? It’s not worth it!
. . . surely I have a delightful inheritance. God’s blessings are overflowing and we can trust in His protection. I may not always understand His ways, but I can always trust them.
I will praise the LORD . . . I will not be shaken. . . my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices . . . you will fill me with joy . . . I definitely need to spend more time praising God! Not only does He supply blessing after blessing, but He gives me guidance along the way through the Holy Spirit, circumstances, the Bible, and other believers. If my eyes are on God, my heart will be filled with joy.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Psalm 15
LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.
Wow. Talk about a wake-up call. David gives me a list of what my life should look like if I am truly living for God. And if I am honest, I don’t measure up most of the time.
Do I live a blameless life day after day?
When given a choice, do I choose God’s path?
Is my speech truthful, from the heart, uplifting to all, and honoring God?
Ouch!
Do I keep my promises, even when if hurts?
Am I giving to others in need?
It is so easy to be persuaded by the world around us to believe that our lives should be comfortable. But the characteristics David describes don’t sound comfortable to me. They sound challenging. They sound like I have to choose God over my selfish desires on a daily basis. Am I doing that? If so, David says in verse 5: He who does these things will never be shaken.
Why? Because our foundation is on a God who is eternal, all-powerful, and never changing instead of having a material, worldly foundation that will fail us.
People will let you down.
Things will let you down.
You will let yourself down.
HE will NEVER let you down.
Thank you, God, for always being on our side and for never letting us down.
Wow. Talk about a wake-up call. David gives me a list of what my life should look like if I am truly living for God. And if I am honest, I don’t measure up most of the time.
Do I live a blameless life day after day?
When given a choice, do I choose God’s path?
Is my speech truthful, from the heart, uplifting to all, and honoring God?
Ouch!
Do I keep my promises, even when if hurts?
Am I giving to others in need?
It is so easy to be persuaded by the world around us to believe that our lives should be comfortable. But the characteristics David describes don’t sound comfortable to me. They sound challenging. They sound like I have to choose God over my selfish desires on a daily basis. Am I doing that? If so, David says in verse 5: He who does these things will never be shaken.
Why? Because our foundation is on a God who is eternal, all-powerful, and never changing instead of having a material, worldly foundation that will fail us.
People will let you down.
Things will let you down.
You will let yourself down.
HE will NEVER let you down.
Thank you, God, for always being on our side and for never letting us down.
Friday, September 04, 2009
Psalm 14
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. Will evildoers never learn—those who devour my people as men eat bread and who do not call on the LORD? There they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous. You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge. Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!
We are foolish not to follow God. Plain and simple.
In Romans 3:10-12, Paul uses the first three verses of this psalm to explain that none of us is perfect. No matter how great you think you are, you aren’t perfect. Nobody can earn salvation by their works, because nobody is truly good—we are all flawed, sinful people. Which means we all need a savior, and that we have no right to judge anyone.
We are foolish not to rely on God.
Why do I every try to think I can do it all by myself? It’s like watching Noel try to do something that is much too advanced. If he just realized I could help him, the problem would be solved in no time. But we let our selfish pride get in the way.
We are foolish not to do things God’s way.
Will that mean life is easy? Not at all, but we will have the best life possible with God’s protection and guidance.
To me, this psalm seems to be a longing for Jesus. Here David is writing that we all have sinned, that nobody is perfect, and that there will be a day when God’s people will be saved, “when the LORD restores the fortunes of his people.”
We are foolish if we think we don’t need a Savior.
We are foolish not to follow God. Plain and simple.
In Romans 3:10-12, Paul uses the first three verses of this psalm to explain that none of us is perfect. No matter how great you think you are, you aren’t perfect. Nobody can earn salvation by their works, because nobody is truly good—we are all flawed, sinful people. Which means we all need a savior, and that we have no right to judge anyone.
We are foolish not to rely on God.
Why do I every try to think I can do it all by myself? It’s like watching Noel try to do something that is much too advanced. If he just realized I could help him, the problem would be solved in no time. But we let our selfish pride get in the way.
We are foolish not to do things God’s way.
Will that mean life is easy? Not at all, but we will have the best life possible with God’s protection and guidance.
To me, this psalm seems to be a longing for Jesus. Here David is writing that we all have sinned, that nobody is perfect, and that there will be a day when God’s people will be saved, “when the LORD restores the fortunes of his people.”
We are foolish if we think we don’t need a Savior.
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Psalm 13
How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hid your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death; my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall. But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.
The footnotes in my Bible say that this prayer for help was written during a time of physical illness that David had. I’m sure many people who are struggling with physical pain, injuries, diseases, and illnesses ask the same question David asks:
How long? How long?
How long will I have to endure this?
How long will God hold out on me?
Are you out there, God?
What a helpless feeling—to see no end in sight to a sickness. I think about those who have fought cancer for years and years, and my heart breaks for them and their families.
Sometimes life doesn’t make sense to us. But it makes sense to God.
David asks, “Will you forget me forever?” ‘Forget’ in this psalm actually means ignore. David knows that God could never forget one of his own, but doesn’t it sometimes feel like God is just ignoring us sometimes? Some of our prayers have been prayed for months and even years without an answer.
How long, God?
Again, this psalm reminds us that it is okay to pour our hearts out to God, the good and the bad, but we need to finish our prayers the same way David did, with a declaration of our faith, even when we don’t understand.
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.
God’s love is unfailing. He never forgets or ignores us. He has saved us from our sins and has given us eternity with Him. If he did nothing else but that, He still deserves our praise forever. The amazing thing is that He has done so much more than just saving our souls. He gives us peace, blessings beyond compare, joy, friendships, family, opportunities to serve, life, and laughter to name a few.
I hope that every day I will choose to praise Him.
When I don’t understand His ways—I will praise Him.
When I feel like He has forgotten me—I will praise Him.
No matter what—I will praise Him.
The footnotes in my Bible say that this prayer for help was written during a time of physical illness that David had. I’m sure many people who are struggling with physical pain, injuries, diseases, and illnesses ask the same question David asks:
How long? How long?
How long will I have to endure this?
How long will God hold out on me?
Are you out there, God?
What a helpless feeling—to see no end in sight to a sickness. I think about those who have fought cancer for years and years, and my heart breaks for them and their families.
Sometimes life doesn’t make sense to us. But it makes sense to God.
David asks, “Will you forget me forever?” ‘Forget’ in this psalm actually means ignore. David knows that God could never forget one of his own, but doesn’t it sometimes feel like God is just ignoring us sometimes? Some of our prayers have been prayed for months and even years without an answer.
How long, God?
Again, this psalm reminds us that it is okay to pour our hearts out to God, the good and the bad, but we need to finish our prayers the same way David did, with a declaration of our faith, even when we don’t understand.
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.
God’s love is unfailing. He never forgets or ignores us. He has saved us from our sins and has given us eternity with Him. If he did nothing else but that, He still deserves our praise forever. The amazing thing is that He has done so much more than just saving our souls. He gives us peace, blessings beyond compare, joy, friendships, family, opportunities to serve, life, and laughter to name a few.
I hope that every day I will choose to praise Him.
When I don’t understand His ways—I will praise Him.
When I feel like He has forgotten me—I will praise Him.
No matter what—I will praise Him.
Psalm 12
Help, LORD, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men. Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception. May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue that says, “We will triumph with our tongues; we own our lips—who is our master?”
“Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says the LORD. “I will protect them from those who malign them.” And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.
O LORD, you will keep us safe and protect us from such people forever. The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.
I think the longer I study the psalms the more I am amazed how relevant they are to our current culture. This entire psalm could have been written in 2009 without changing a word and still make sense. Thank you, God, that your words are relevant to every generation!
In this psalm, David is asking for protection again from those who are out to hurt believers. He starts the psalm by stating he feels like he is the only believer left who does what God asks! I’m sure we can all recall a time when we have felt like that. When we look around at the world we live in, it is easy to agree with him when he says, Everyone lies to his neighbor; lying is one of the most acceptable sins in our society that some people do it and don’t even realize they are doing it. James hit the nail on the head when he writes in chapter 3 about how impossible it is to tame the tongue without God’s help. I cringe when I think about how much hurt I could have saved others and myself if I could just keep my big mouth closed more often. But I have to surrender that to God and let Him control my words.
And after David’s prayer for help, God answers.
“Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says the LORD. “I will protect them from those who malign them.” And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.
He promises that those who follow Him will be protected. Then He backs that up by reminding us that His words are perfect. Anything He says, we can count on it 100. But His #1 priority is our spiritual protection, not just our physical protection. So we must trust that He is doing what is best for us, even when it doesn’t make sense.
“Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says the LORD. “I will protect them from those who malign them.” And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.
O LORD, you will keep us safe and protect us from such people forever. The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.
I think the longer I study the psalms the more I am amazed how relevant they are to our current culture. This entire psalm could have been written in 2009 without changing a word and still make sense. Thank you, God, that your words are relevant to every generation!
In this psalm, David is asking for protection again from those who are out to hurt believers. He starts the psalm by stating he feels like he is the only believer left who does what God asks! I’m sure we can all recall a time when we have felt like that. When we look around at the world we live in, it is easy to agree with him when he says, Everyone lies to his neighbor; lying is one of the most acceptable sins in our society that some people do it and don’t even realize they are doing it. James hit the nail on the head when he writes in chapter 3 about how impossible it is to tame the tongue without God’s help. I cringe when I think about how much hurt I could have saved others and myself if I could just keep my big mouth closed more often. But I have to surrender that to God and let Him control my words.
And after David’s prayer for help, God answers.
“Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says the LORD. “I will protect them from those who malign them.” And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.
He promises that those who follow Him will be protected. Then He backs that up by reminding us that His words are perfect. Anything He says, we can count on it 100. But His #1 priority is our spiritual protection, not just our physical protection. So we must trust that He is doing what is best for us, even when it doesn’t make sense.
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