Psalm 67 is a prayer of praise. The Psalmist is praising God for his graciousness towards them as a nation. What graciousness has God shown towards you? Grace is God’s kindness to those who do not deserve it, which is all of us. He showed His grace to everyone when He sent Jesus to provide a way for our salvation. I love Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: Whilewewere stillsinners, Christ died for us.” He gives us life, families, sunshine, rain, music, talents, etc. He gives kindnesses even to those who do not know him yet. For those of us who know Him, Matthew 7:11 “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give goodgifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give goodgifts to those who ask him!” Think about God’s grace when you read Psalm 67.
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah 2 that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. 3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Selah 5 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!
6 The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us. 7 God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear him!
Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead,we can know the grace of God in Jesus and be recipients of His grace in our lives. Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.“
Psalm 62 gives us a glimpse into the character of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. As you read you will see the psalmist highlight what the character of God is like.
Truly my soul finds rest in God; Refuge my salvation comes from him. Savior 2 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; Steadfast he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Unshakeable
3 How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down— this leaning wall, this tottering fence? 4 Surely they intend to topple me from my lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse. The psalmist is plagued by those that would seek to defeat him.
5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; Refuge, place of rest my hope comes from him. Giver of hope 6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; Savior and rock he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. Unshakeable fortress 7 My salvation and my honor depend on God; Savior, dependable he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Rock and Refuge 8 Trust in him at all times, you people; Trustworthy pour out your hearts to him, Accessible, listens for God is our refuge. Refuge
9 Surely the lowborn are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie. If weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath. The psalmist find life fleeting. 10 Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them. The psalmist finds worldly things unreliable.
11 One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: “Power belongs to you, God, All Powerful 12 and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”; Unfailing in Love and, “You reward everyone Rewarder according to what they have done.” Looks at what we do, interested in me!
I pray that you find this list encouraging. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can know and trust the character of God and indwelling of His Holy Spirit. Jesus made that possible! Thank you Jesus. I love the words in Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Psalm 42 paints a beautiful picture of how we long for God. We may move away from Him but He is always there and can be depended upon. Whether I am joyful or weeping, God is the answer and you can put your trust in Him.
As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. 2 I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? 3 Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, “Where is this God of yours?” Do you thirst for God? Do you know where to find Him?
5 Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and 6 my God! Sadness can be turned to JOY, when you turn to God.
Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you— even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar. 7 I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me. 8 But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. Each day, in my discouragement, God is there uplifting me.
11 Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God! Turing to God is the answer to all discouragement.
I am reminded of the New Testament verses about Christ. Just like David we can cling to God’s promises in Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:20-21“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us,“
Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead,all God’s promises are Yes in Him! Enjoy this song of these verses as you reread and meditate on what you have in Christ.
Each Sunday during Lent I have been blogging on a portion of scripture where we are shown how to pray for each other. Lent is a time of prayer and some of that could or should be spent praying for one another. Philippians 1:9-11 is a simple but profoundly moving prayer by Paul for the Philippian Christians.
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Paul prayed for:*love to abound *more knowledge and insight (into God, scripture, the gospel message….) *power to discern what is best, right, truth…. *live in a godly manner pleasing to God *show fruit in their lives that comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit’s work within us *all this to be for His glory and our good.
Who can you think of today that needs one, two or all of these? What about yourself? As you spend time this week in prayer, focus on Paul’s requests and ask the Holy Spirit to bring to your mind who needs each of these. He will answer as you are faithful in prayer.
Psalm 37 ends in great comfort and incentive to keep on keeping on in Christ..
37Look at those who are honest and good, for a wonderful future awaits those who love peace.
The theme in scripture of the honest or good man being rewarded with a future that is filled with peace is something that brings us comfort as believers. In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, he expresses these thoughts too. Matthew 5:8-9 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Romans 5:1 speaks of the peace we find in Jesus, a new way of life, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” James 3:18 “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”
38 But the rebellious will be destroyed; they have no future. 39 The Lord rescues the godly; he is their fortress in times of trouble. It is pretty plainly stated in scripture that the wicked or evil doers will meet a different end. Proverbs 24:19-20 “Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked, 20 for the evildoer has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.” Romans 1:18 “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,” Ephesians 5:5-6 “For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. “
George Mueller was a great 18th century evangelist with a powerful testimony!
40 The Lord helps them, rescuing them from the wicked. He saves them, and they find shelter in him. What a beautiful way to end this psalm. The Lord helps believers, rescues them from the clutches of the wicked, saves and shelters them.
Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, we can experience peace and redemption from wickedness in Him. What a blessed and generous God we serve! Thank you Jesus.
Psalm 37 verses 23-24 hold precious promises confirmed through Christ and His indwelling Holy Spirit.
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. 24 Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.
God promises to direct our steps, delight in our lives and uphold us as He holds our hand.
Jesus is seated in heaven at the right hand of God, a place of honor and preeminence. Romans 8:34 “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” Jesus is looking out for us. We may slip or be overwhelmed but we can rise as our hope is in the Lord and He is always victorious. Job 42:2 “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Satan may be temporarily victorious but Christ has overcome his power. John 10:28-29 “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” We belong to God eternally and He wins!
Besides being safe this promise tells us that God delights in a life lived in a godly way striving to glorify Him. Scripture tells us what delights God in many places, here are just a few. Psalm 1:2 “but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.” Studying, revering His Word pleases God. Psalm 147:11 “the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” Living in fear, reverence of the Lord and depending upon His unfailing love pleases Him. Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” When we live acting justly, showing love and mercy towards other leaning upon Him, it pleases God. Jesus also told us in Matthew 22:37-39 “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Loving God fully, obeying his commands and loving others pleases God.
Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead,we can live lives pleasing to God through the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit. Thank you Jesus!
Psalm 37: 5-6 contains powerful promises we can count upon in your lives. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. 6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.
God promises to act on my behalf, bring out righteousness and justice for me if I will commit myself to Him and trust Him.
How are you at commitment? Do you start things and then lose interest or quit when things get too hard? All of us do that at times but we do not want to make a habit of it. Learning to commit to the Lord is a lifetime process that increases as we study His Word, pray and seek to follow Him. Truly committing to Him, in both faith and action, allows us to walk in God’s light and see His Righteousness and Justice more clearly. The thing I love about this promise is that I am committing and trusting in Him but HE promises to do the acting. God will cause things to come about and work out. I do not need to worry about the outcome- God has it handled. I just need to be committed to Him and trust Him. As we go through life and see this come about over and over, we see our trust in Him grow. When the bigger things in life happen, we have experience with God to refer to and know He will do the acting. God keeps His promises, always! Trusting God with the outcome, we can know that He will not be stopped or thwarted and His way is victorious. He will lead us to light and right and all His ways are just.
Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can be assured that God desires good for me and is trustworthy. Jesus said on his Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7:11 “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” God has good things for us and sent His best in Jesus. Christ did this for us and can be trusted, 1 Peter 2:24-25 “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.“
Psalm 34 has some of the most encouraging verses David ever penned, my opinion. He was under stress and seeking God’s deliverance from Abimelech the Philistine king. He even pretended to be insane to escape his clutches. David is pouring out his heart and troubles to God and I find great encouragement in his words.
Verse 4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. How many of us have been so fearful at times that we needed God’s deliverance? David knew His God would answer if he cried out to him both physically and mentally. Do you have the same assurance?
Verses 7-10The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! 9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. I love the visual of God’s protection in verse 7. We know God has angels to watch over us. One of my favorite stories in the Old Testament of God’s power and protection is found in 2 Kings 6 where the king of Aram is pursuing Elisha. He tells his servant to not be afraid “as those who are with us are more than those who are with them” ” O LORD open his eyes so he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariot of of fire all around Elisha.” The servant saw they were surrounded by an army of angels. God watches over us just as He did his servant Elisha.
The command in verse 8 is to taste and see that the Lord is good! Knowing Him is something we can feel within our souls like we were tasting a good food. Verses 9 and 10 talk about fearing the Lord. The promise is if we fear the Lord we will have no lack. Fear here is not trepidation but awe, admiration, trust, faith and commitment too. Putting our trust in God removes all else from consideration and we do not need to be afraid of worldly things.
Verse 17-18 are very reassuring. ” When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” These verse bring hope and comfort to our souls. When we are disheartened or brokenhearted God knows our pain and brings us comfort.
Lastly, verse 22 is David’s crowning conclusion. “The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.” What a wonderful promise to those who love the Lord.
Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, we are assured of redemption and a declaration by Jesus that we are NOT GUILTY when we stand before Him. Thank you Jesus that the promise of redemption and refuge can always be found in Jesus for those who love Him.
Linda
Entire Psalm 34 below
I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! 9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 12 What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. 16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. 20 He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. 21 Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. 22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
In Psalms 23-28 there is a theme of the Shepherd King. Psalm 23 is one that has been memorized for ages and brings great comfort in times of trouble. A friend of mine was a bomber pilot in WWII and he used Psalm 23 in a personal way each time he had to go into battle. From verse 4, “Even though I fly through the skies of death, I will fear no evil.” Today I want to apply Jesus to this psalm so we can see how He does all these things for us and more.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Isaiah 58:11 “And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”
3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Mark 8:5“Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.” Romans 3:22 “the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.”
4 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. Luke 8:50 “But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16 “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace.” John 14:16 “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,”
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 1 John 5:18 “We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.” John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may havelife and have it abundantly.“
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Hebrews 8:12 “For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” John 14:12 “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?”
Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead,I can claim His power in my life through faith in Him. He is my shepherd, guide, restorer, protector, provider of abundant life, merciful, eternal and has prepared a place for me to dwell with Him in the future. Thank you Jesus.
Linda
I pray this different look at Psalm 23 encourages you in your walk with Jesus.
I love Psalm 19 and it’s message about God’s glory and the majesty of His Creation. Both creation and His Word testify to who God is and His sovereignty. Today we’ll concentrate on Psalm 19:1-4.
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,
Verses 1 and 2 speak of the unrelenting witness of creation to God’s power, might and majesty. Majesty is defined as grandeur, greatness, authority , sovereignty and is associated with a royal personage. When one looks a beautiful sunset, the Grand Canyon, a raging river or the oceans waves, you are witnessing the greatness of God and His power to create such things. They bear witness to Him and His awesome power. They continue to witness of Him night and day year after year reminding us of the eternality of God. No language is needed to see these truths as they do not speak in words but in sights, sounds, smells and touch. All people of the earth can see and experience the power of God and the wonder of His creation. They can also see God’s faithfulness to His creation as each day leads to the next and the seasons unfold annually.
The Apostle Paul used verse 4 when preaching in Rome. He was making a case for preaching the gospel to those who have never heard of Jesus or God and his conclusion is in Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Then Paul uses verse 4. “But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” What I think he was saying is that man is without excuse. They many not have heard the gospel preached and yet they know there is God because all creation testifies to His power, might and being. If they missed it, they were not looking. Such was the case with the Israelites as God was there holding out His hand, speaking to them, wooing them through creation, His Word and His prophets.
What about you? Are you looking for God? Are you listening for His voice each day? He is there just as the sun rises and sets, God is there. Will you open yourself to look and listen?
Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, we can clearly see God in Jesus the Son. We don’t have to just look at creation as we have the indwelling Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus to point us to God. Thankfully we have Jesus, the Holy Spirit, His Word and all creation to witness to us about God! Thanks you God for making yourself known to me.
Fearless Living 