Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.  He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.      Amen

Have a blessed day as you seek to follow Him and worship in His house!

Linda

 

 

Psalm 23:1-3  The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.  He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.    (NIV)

This week we have been by still waters several times and received God’s love and assurance.  The 23rd Psalm is one of the most beloved passages in scripture.  The psalmist, King David, proclaims God’s character as a shepherd to His people.  With our shepherd’s care, we will not be in want, know quiet calm places, be guided in righteousness, be without fear in hard and trying times and receive His comfort and support.  What more could we want?   We have God’s assurance of eternal hope and security in Him.   Have you placed your hope and future in God’s hands?   Do you know the love and salvation He sent in Jesus?   Know Him today and be assured of eternity with Him.    Check these verses for assurance:  John 3:16, Acts 4:12,  Romans 10:9-11, 1 John 1:9.  Call on Jesus today and be saved.

Know quiet waters in Jesus today,

Linda

 

Psalm 1: 4-6  Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.  Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.  For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.  (NIV)

Today’s verses describe the fate of those who do not believe and trust in God.  Since sin is sin and God does not differentiate between ‘big and little’ sins, anyone who does not follow God, seek his deliverance and salvation through Jesus is in a state of sinfulness.  The psalmist would classify them as wicked.  He describes their fate as one being blown away, not rooted or grounded, temporal, fleeting and in a position to be judged by God for their sin.  Whereas, the righteous, those believing in God who accepted the cleansing and forgiveness ofJesus, are watched over by God.  Believers are loved and cared for by God!  What a wonderful position to be in!

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for sending Jesus to bring salvation to this hurting world.  I am thankful that I love you and am forgiven.  Thank you for the assurance that you watch over me each day.  Guide me in your ways that I may accomplish much in your name that will have eternal value.  Amen.

Living for Jesus,

Linda

 

 

Psalm 1: 1-3  Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.  But his delight is in the law of the LORD and on his law he meditates day and night.  He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.  Whatever he does prospers.  (NIV)

One of the blessings I’ve experienced this year during Lent is that I’ve been able to spend time in the Psalms.  I hope you are feeling that way too.  This psalm contrasts the way of those that walk with God and those that don’t.   Let’s look at what it means to walk with God.  We are to avoid the counsel or advice of those that do not know God, avoid putting ourselves in ‘harms way’ by being totally associated with those that do not know God or associate with those that mock or denigrate God.  That does not sound like a place I would want to be anyway, right?  However, we often find ourselves in the midst of those who do not know and love God in our everyday lives.  Our place is in the world, witnessing and speaking for God and modeling godly behavior. We can do that in the midst of unbelievers without being sucked into their motives, goals and purposes.  This is a often a difficult walk but God does not leave us there unattended.  He promises to be with us 24/7 and guide us though His Holy Spirit.  The psalmist brings us back to how we can keep ourselves apart when we live in a sinful world.  We are to delight in God’s word and mediate on it day and night.  Then we will see fruit in our lives, live in His peace and be well rooted.  Lives that are grounded in Him show godly prosperity in both our actions and character.

May you grow strong, deeply rooted and fruitful as you meditate on God’s word,

Linda

 

 

 

 

Psalm 19: 12-13  Who can discern his errors?  Forgive my hidden faults.  Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.  Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. 

14  May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Where is your heart and mind today?  As we saw yesterday in Psalm 19:7-11 God’s word through His Holy Spirit can reveal to us our great sin.  As we look at our lives in the light of God’s word, we see our many hidden faults and our own willfulness.  God desires a repentant heart and will open us to His cleansing forgiveness though Jesus.   With an attitude of gratefulness and humility, we too can proclaim verse 14.  May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

May this verse live in your heart and be on your lips as you seek to repent and live for Him today.   He is indeed our Rock and our Redeemer!

Linda

 

 

Psalm 19: 7-11   The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.  The statues of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.  The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.  The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.  The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.  The ordinances of the LORD are sure and all together righteous.  They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.  By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

I love this psalm as David describes God’s word and its value.  Look at the names he gives for God’s word:  law, statues, precepts, commands and ordinances.  He describes the word itself as: perfect, trustworthy, right, radiant, eternal, sure and righteous, more precious than gold and sweeter than honey.   God also describes the work of His word in our lives as it: revives the soul, makes wise things simple, give joy to the heart, gives light to our eyes, righteousness in our life and keeping them brings great reward.  How  do you feel about God’s word?  Is it more precious to you than gold (money), your career, your entertainment or your possessions? God designed His word to be active and living in our lives.  Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates eve to dividing soul and spirit, joint and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.   Will you allow God’s precious word to work in you heart and mind today?

Looking to God’s word,

Linda

 

 

Psalm 19: 1-4a  The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.  Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.  There is no speech or language where their voice is not hear.  Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words too the ends of the world. 

These verses speak of the glory of God that is evident in all creation.  We see God’s work in the day and night as we look around.  Haven’t you been someplace gloriously beautiful and wondered how anyone could deny the existence of Almighty Creator God?  As David, our psalmist, wrote he saw God all around him.  What about you?  Do you put on blinders as you go through your day oblivious to the glories of God all around?  When you go for your walk, as you sit in your garden, as you drive though a park or walk on the seashore,  you can see a world that is masterfully put together.  Take a look today and try to see your world and the creator who designed it.  Don’t miss the smiles of others as they are created being too.

Looking for God all around me today,

Linda

 

 

 

 Psalm 37

1-4      Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither like green plants they will soon die away.     3-4  Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.  Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.      5-6  Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:  He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.     7  Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.      8-11  Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret–it leads only to evil.  For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.      23-24  The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand.    27-28  Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever.  For the LORD loves justice; he will not forsake his saints.  They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.     34-38  Wait for the LORD and keep his way.  He will exalt you to  inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.  I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a green tree in its native soil, but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found.  Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace.   But all sinners will be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off.    

39-40      The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.  The LORD helps them and delivers them;  he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

Take refuge in Him today as you go to worship.  Proclaim His glory and rejoice in His righteousness and mercy towards us.

Blessings this Lord’s day,

Linda

Psalm 37: 34-38  Wait for the LORD and keep his way.  He will exalt you to  inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.  I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a green tree in its native soil, but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found.  Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace.   But all sinners will be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off.  (NIV)

The psalmist reminds us today that our job is to wait for the LORD’s timing in all things.  No matter what it looks like around us and whoever we see prospering or succeeding we are not to lose heart and keep our trust in the LORD.  The wicked and ruthless are as fleeting as grass which withers and dies.  Our focus is to be on doing what is right and seeking peace.   God is omnipotent and sovereign and will be victorious.   Here are a few reminders from scripture that God is indeed in charge:

Job 42:2   I know that you can do all things, no plan of yours can be thwarted.

1Chronicles 29:12    Wealth and honor come from you;   you are the ruler of all things.  In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.

Lastly, we are assured by Jesus that we are eternally safe with Him. John 10:28  “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish;  no one can snatch them out of my hand.”

Waiting upon the Lord with you,

Linda

 

Psalm 37:23-24  The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand.

27-28  Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever.  For the LORD loves justice; he will not forsake his saints.  They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.  (ESV)

Today’s words bring hope and direction into the troubled times in which we live.  Delighting in God’s way, living by His Word, knowing Jesus are all ways God has for establishing us in Him.  Being rooted and grounded in and by faith in Jesus establishes us and brings assurance of His care.  We know that troubles will come into our lives, but with our firm foundation in the Lord we can rely on His mercy and compassion.  He promises to uphold us with His own hand.  What a blessed assurance of His love and care.  Being in Christ and committed to Him, leads us to do good and we know that God will be with us and not leave us or forsake us!   Deuteronomy 31:6 reminds us “Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD you God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (NIV)    Our establishment in the LORD is forever and we will be with Him for eternity!

Take heart and have HOPE in Him today!

Linda