Tag: Psalm

Daily Word

Psalm 8

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Read Psalm 8 – Who is God? Do I matter to him? Beloved, sit with Psalm 8 for a while.

Look around at the skies, look into the eyes of a baby, look around and see the fingerprint of God. Look at the veins within a leaf that has fallen to the ground, then look at the mighty tree from which it fell, and consider our amazing God who designed it all as you read David’s observations in :1-4.

Now, look at your own fingerprint; it is the only one God made just like that. Inhale and feel your body respond… processing the air, bringing it to your lungs, blood, cells… David asks, “what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.” :4-5 Not only are you fearfully and wonderfully made, but God created you to rule over His creations! (:7-8) Do you matter to God? Why just look at how carefully he designed you and all the good work he ordained just for you!

Psalm 8 speaks of God’s holiness. It speaks of our unique design and our calling to rule over the works of God’s hands. And it lands with the only response possible – PRAISE.

“O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” :9

Beloved, be more, do more, love more, laugh more because God created you for greatness – live differently today because of who God is.

Daily Word

Psalm 7

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Read Psalm 7 – What kind of bible do you read? There are many different translations available. I first fell in love with Jesus with a New International Study Bible(NIV). It contained lots of explanations to help me along. I now use the English Standard Version (ESV) most of the time, but sometimes I will try a passage in several different versions to really get to the heart of things. The internet has made this very easy, so if you ever get stuck or simply want a richer understanding, try a few different versions.

David is surrounded by those who wish to harm him. In his anguish, he considers if this is perhaps the result of something he did. (:3-5) It is always wise in times of calamity to search one’s heart to ensure it is clean.

With that assurance, he moves to petition, “Arise, O LORD, in your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice.” :6 David relies on who God is, “My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart.” :10 He goes on from there to state a few wonderful attributes of the LORD.

Remember yesterday, when I said I wanted a hero? The LORD is the hero. If we look to humans we will discover that Romans 3:23 is right every time, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” There is one who never fails and never forsakes and that is Jesus Christ our LORD. May verse :17 be a light for you, whether in a storm or not – “I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.”

Daily Word

Psalm 6

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Read Psalm 6 – Early in my bible studies I realized that nearly every character is flawed with sin. I really wanted a hero I could look up to, yet most were a mess like, well, me. The LORD calls David a man after His own heart, but his sin is clearly recorded and on display in the bible. The LORD has an extraordinary relationship with him anyway.

We don’t know why David is being chastised in our Psalm, just that he is. As earthly fathers discipline their children, so does our Heavenly Father, and David is crying out to him.

Like yesterday, David’s plea is centered on the LORD’S unfailing, steadfast love. He doesn’t claim to deserve it or justify himself.

He displays his suffering eloquently (:6-7). We do this a bit too…. Wallow for a moment, but don’t stay there. As David shifts gears in :8, from wallow to rescue he finds mercy.

Beloved, God’s Word says we will encounter trials of various kinds and that we are to consider them pure joy because they are developing our perseverance! (See James 1 for more on this) May Psalm 6 draw your heart close to Jesus, our Rescuer.

Daily Word

Psalm 5

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Read Psalm 5 – “You and me against the world… sometimes it feels like you and me against the world….” Excuse me while I entertain myself with this Helen Reddy song. David seemed to be in a “You and me against the world” state of mind when he penned Psalm 5, and for us, it serves as a breathtaking model for prayer.

David approaches the LORD with great reverence as O LORD, my King and my God. (:1-3). He focuses of the LORD’S character; the LORD abhors wickedness, and those who are evil, liars, bloodthirsty and deceitful…. David aligns his heart with the LORD as he speaks. Beloved, pray by this example, consider who you are speaking to. Examine your heart, and if you see anything displeasing, confess it before any petitions.

“But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you.” :7

David draws near to God by God’s very own steadfast love, and not his own merits. His petition is simply, lead me in your righteousness, my enemies are terrible.

And he closes the Psalm with a reminder of how good the LORD is to those who take refuge in Him.

Beloved, the LORD went to the greatest of lengths for your heart to be near him. He is the one who will never leave you or forsake you. The world may be against you, yet in Christ you will never walk alone.

Daily Word

Psalm 4

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Read Psalm 4 – Selah is a beautiful word. It sort of means ‘think about it’, but in a peaceful and reverent manner. Say it out loud… it even feels tranquil on the tongue.

Our David was in some kind of a jam when he called out to the LORD asking for mercy, relief and to be heard. My bible notes speculate it was either when his son, Absolom, was rising against him, or a time of natural calamity like drought…. It is interesting to speculate on the specifics, but when I read my heart is drawn to David’s heart. I find that I also cry out like he did, and am comforted to know that God hears these prayers.

David asks his men how long will they love delusions and seek false gods? Selah…. What do you discover when you ‘selah’ over this? Are there delusions or false gods in your life? Do you esteem career, money, or maybe a relationship over Jesus?

“Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD will hear when I call to him.” (:3) Does your heart agree with this? Do you lean into Jesus or doubt he hears you?

“In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your heart and be silent. Selah” (:4) Whoa – yes, anger will happen, handle it with care.

Our Psalm ends with a reset. It started out with the laying down of burdens and ends with a reminder of the joy, peace and security one has when they trust in the LORD. Selah, Beloved, selah.

Daily Word

Psalm 3

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Read Psalm 3 – Get God’s Word in!  For your good and God’s glory, read your bible.  Life is so chaotic.  Many things and many thoughts happen beyond our control. Setting your mind on the glory, love, power and compassion of the LORD will strengthen you for the trials of life.  The more you know and love the LORD, the easier it is to lead your life with peace, joy and wisdom.

David is in one of those trials where things are rising up against him. (:1) It would be normal human nature to let his thoughts run rampant with what his enemies are doing, but he calls on the name of the LORD,  “But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.”

Verse :5 is a powerhouse.  Sleep is one of the most challenging things when your heart is riled up, yet David says, “I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.”  Try that as your mantra the next time you find yourself sleepless with worries.  David did not lie down and analyze his problems; he spoke victory over them with the pure truth that the LORD sustains him.

Beloved, thank you for showing up today and setting your heart on things above.

Daily Word

Psalm 2

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Read Psalm 2 – God’s Word is living and active.  This Psalm was written by King David to celebrate the coronation of an Israelite king, and at the same time, to celebrate Jesus when he steps in to rule the nations.  It is the first Messianic Psalm, meaning it refers to the coming Messiah who we know to be Jesus.  

As you read :1-3, could you feel the rattling of our times?  And :4-6 reassures us as the One enthroned in heaven laughs… He laughs like a dad might laugh when his toddler challenges him to an arm wrestle.  His plans will not be rattled by their best efforts.

Jesus is so clearly spoken of in :7-12.  Verse :7 can also be found in Acts 13 as the Good News was fulfilled in Jesus.  

Marvel at the LORD today, Beloved, His plans are yes and amen!  Blessed are all who take refuge in him. (:12)

Daily Word

Psalm 1

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Find Psalm – The book of Psalm is a look at the relationship between the human heart and the LORD. You will be stirred. You will see emotions displayed in beautiful words. I read up on how to read this book and there are many ways. It can be divided into 5 sections and the more I tried to figure it out the more confused I got. My calling is to keep things simple and simply read God’s Word. So that’s what we will do, just read and trust the Holy Spirit to meet us as he sees fit.

First, you need to find Psalm. Close your bible and divide it into thirds, Psalm is right about at the ⅓ rd mark. It is after Job and before Proverbs. You may have some commentary from whoever put your bible together and reading that may benefit you. Many people contributed to the book, David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Herman, Ethan, Moses and 51 of them are anonymous.

Okay, ready for a taste? Read Psalm 1. Notice the progression of sin, blessed is the man who does not walk, stand, sit in the counsel of the wicked. Each step is a bit more comfortable, and that is usually the way sin works, casually becoming more familiar. (:1) Moving on, blessed is the man who delights and meditates on the Law of the LORD… as we are doing! (:2)

Beloved, that is enough for today. May your heart sit with the idea of being a well watered tree.

Daily Word

Psalm 148-150

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Read Psalm 148-150 – Let’s finish BIG!  2020….2021…2022 Life is so uncertain, but God does not change.  Let’s close out this year with eyes on our Wonderful Lord.  Let’s celebrate, sing, make a joyful noise as we celebrate with praise and worship our Awesome Lord God Almighty!  Adonai, Yahweh, Jesus, our Banner, our Great High Priest, our Healer, our Great Physician…. Keep going with His names… celebrate the different facets of God through His many names… Beer Lahai Roi, the God Who Sees Me.  Emmanuel, God With Us.  Hosanna…. Notice how David draws in every created thing in 148 to praise the LORD: all angels, all the armies of heaven, sun, moon, twinkling stars, skies, vapors, ocean creatures, elements of fire, hail, snow, clouds, wild animals, kings, judges, all people… look around and give glory and praise to God for everything you see – it is all from Him.  In Psalm 149, David urges us to sing a new song.  Beloved, may your adoration and praise for God be your new song.  FOR THE LORD DELIGHTS IN HIS PEOPLE; HE CROWNS THE HUMBLE WITH VICTORY.  LET THE FAITHFUL REJOICE THAT HE HONORS THEM.  LET THEM SING FOR JOY AS THEY LIE ON THEIR BEDS. 149:4-5  When I was a child, we would bang pots and pans together at midnight on New Years Eve – making a joyful noise to ring in the new year… I didn’t understand it as a song of worship to God, the one who makes all things possible!  But I do now, and you can be sure, there will be celebration with purpose tonight.  PRAISE HIM WITH A CLASH OF CYMBALS; PRAISE HIM WITH LOUD CLANGING CYMBALS.  LET EVERYTHING THAT HAS BREATH SING PRAISES TO THE LORD! 150:6  Happy New Year, Beloved.  Thank you for walking with me through God’s Word.  It is such a privilege for us all that He lets us know Him by it.  Tomorrow, we will start at the beginning with Genesis.  Praise the LORD! 🙌🙌🙌💖🙌🙌🙌

Daily Word

Psalm 147

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Read Psalm 147 – Beloved!  Beloved!  It is another great day – starting with praise on my lips.

“Praise the LORD!  How good to sing praises to our God!  How delightful and fitting!” 147:1

Look at the wonderful order in Verses :2-4 of Jewish exiles, Gentiles everywhere and the entire universe – He counts the stars and calls them by name, :4.  Our God cherishes His creation.  “How great is our LORD!  His power is absolute!  His understanding is beyond comprehension!” :5  This is so precious to me.  I can drift to feelings of insignificance – I can convince myself of some downright stupid things – But God comprehends.  He gives me a moment to wallow and He rescues me ~ joy shines all the more after sorrow.

“He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse or in human might.  No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love.”  :11  Our Abba keeps things so simple for us.  

Verse :17 made me laugh.  It does feel good to throw a rock across a lake – and moving that image to God hurling hail like breadcrumbs draws me to his sweetness in connecting my heart to his.  Next time you throw a rock, I hope you feel that much closer to God.🌨⚾️💪❤💪⚾️🌦