Today’s Reading:  Psalm 146-148, 150

Praise the Lord! – Psalm 150:1

This is a familiar phrase to all of us.  We have heard it spoken among believers, written in correspondence and shouted in worship services.  The word “praise” can be found 380 times in the Bible (NLT), 187 times in the book of Psalms.  As we finish up our study of this book of poetry, let us slow down to consider this familiar phrase that rolls of the tongue.  Let us seek new understanding of this command in scripture – the command to praise the Lord.  I do not want the familiarity of the words to cause me to miss out on what God’s Word is calling me to do.

Google provides us with a few definitions:  

Praise – to express warm approval or admiration of; the expression of approval or admiration of someone or something.

The two main words found in this definition of praise are “approval” and “admiration”.

Approval – the action of officially agreeing to something or accepting something as satisfactory; the belief that someone or something is good or acceptable.  

Admiration – respect or warm approval.  

There is a video going around Facebook of a 15-month old baby girl experiencing rain for the first time.  She was adorable as she stretched out her hands and tilted her face toward the sky.  She giggled and smiled in approval of this new experience.   What if I worship like this little girl experienced the rain?  What if I turn my face towards God and lift up my hands in praise, showing how I agree with God that this life He has given me is good – that I admire and approve.

So when I say “Praise the Lord” what am I saying?  I am expressing approval and admiration of God.  I am agreeing that God is good and I can accept what He decides to do.  SUBMISSION.  I am showing respect for who God is and what He does.  God does not need my approval in the sense of seeking my permission or favor, but He demands my respect and acceptance of His Lordship.  SUBMISSION.  

Can I now say “Praise the Lord” and really mean it?  Can I accept Him for who He is and recognize that He is good, that all He does is acceptable and worthy of my admiration?  Even in the most difficult of situations, can I rest submissively in His hands and say, “Praise the Lord!!!”

Praise the Lord!

Let all that I am praise the Lord, I will praise the Lord as long as I live.

I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath. – Psalm 146:1-2

The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

The Lord is good to everyone.

He showers compassion on all His creation.

All of your works will thank you, Lord, and your faithful followers will praise you.

They will speak of the glory of your kingdom; they will give examples of your power.

They will tell about your mighty deeds and about the majesty and glory of your reign.

For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.

You rule throughout all generations.

The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does.  – Psalm 145:8-13

Praise the Lord!

He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.

He counts the stars and calls them by name.

How great is our Lord!

His power is absolute!

His understanding is beyond comprehension! – Psalm 147:3-5

Praise the Lord!

Let all created things give praise to the Lord, for he issued his command, and they came into being…

Praise the Lord from the earth, you creatures of the ocean depths, fire and hail, snow and clouds, wind and weather that obey him, mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all livestock, small scurrying animals and birds, kings of the earth and all people, rulers and judges of the earth, your men and young women, old men and children.

Let all praise the name of the Lord.

For his name is very great; his glory towers over the earth and heaven. – Psalm 148:5-13

Let the praise of God be in their mouths, and a sharp sword in their hands. – Psalm 149:6

Praise the Lord!

Praise him in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heaven!

Praise him for his mighty works; praise him for his unequaled greatness!…

Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!

Praise the Lord! – Psalm 150:1-2,6

Today’s Reading:  Psalm 140-145

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”

And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” – Psalm 27:8

Has your morning ever taken off without you?  The day starts at a fast pace and, before you know it, you are hours into your day and you have not spent any time in God’s word.  Those are my least favorite days.  

I know how spending time in God’s presence can change me and refresh me.  This is something I need every day, all year.  That is why I get up each morning and spend time in His presence before the house gets loud and the day picks up momentum.   Me, my God and a hot cup of my morning coffee.

…the godly will live in your presence. – Psalm 140:13b

Spending time in God’s presence changes us.  

Spending time with the Lord produces godliness in our lives.  Spending time daily getting a fresh filling of the Spirit produces good fruit in our life.  It changes what we do and what we say.

Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.

Don’t let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness.

Don’t let me share in the delicacies of those who do wrong. – Psalm 141:3-4

Lord, I long to dwell in your presence and give you control of what I say and what I do.  Lord, protect me from the urgings of my sinful nature and breathe into me the urgings of your Spirit.  Guide what I say and what I do.  Guide the direction of my life, O God.

Spending time in God’s presence changes our direction.

When I am overwhelmed, YOU ALONE KNOW THE WAY I SHOULD TURN.

Wherever I go, my enemies have set traps for me.

I look for someone to come and help me, but no one gives me a passing thought!

No one will help me; no one cares a bit what happens to me.

Then I pray to you, O Lord.

I say, “You are my place of refuge.

YOU ARE ALL I REALLY WANT IN LIFE.” – Psalm 142:3-5

Spending time in God’s presence changes our desires.

Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you.

Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.

Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I run to you to hide me.

TEACH ME TO DO YOUR WILL, for you are my God.

May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. – Psalm 143:8-10

Spending time in God’s presence brings us joy!

Yes, joyful are those who live like this!

Joyful indeed are those whose God is the Lord. – Psalm 144:15

Spending time in God’s presence draws us closer to Him.

The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.

He grants the desires of those who fear him;

he hears their cries for help and rescues them. – Psalm 145:18-19

…the godly will live in your presence. – Psalm 140:13b

Father God, that is where I long to spend my day – in your presence.  Not just while I drink my morning coffee, but all day long.  May your presence in my life today change me – change my desires, change my direction.  May time in your presence bring me joy and draw me closer to you.  Lord, refresh me and renew me for what lies ahead.  I soak in your presence, Father God, and fix my eyes on you.  

Today’s Reading:  Psalms 8, 136, 138, 139

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!

His love endures forever. – Psalm 136:1

God, my Creator, will love me with a love that will endure forever.   Soak in the meaning of just how incredible God is.  He is a good God – a God who loves us with a love that will endure forever.  His love will endure.  It will suffer patiently; it will tolerate.  His love will bear…stand…suffer…tolerate…sustain…undergo.  

Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles.  His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully.  His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to him who placed the earth among the waters.  His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights – His faithful love endures forever. – Psalm 136:4-7

God, my Protector, will love with a love that will endure forever!

Give thanks to him who killed the firstborn of Egypt. His faithful love endures forever.

He brought Israel out of Egypt.  His faithful love endures forever.

He acted with a strong hand and powerful arm. His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to him who parted the Red Sea. His faithful love endures forever.

He led Israel safely through, His faithful love endures forever. – Psalm 136:10-14

God, my Provider, will love with a love that will endure forever!  Do you get that?  Are you letting that completely soak in and saturate your being this morning?  Don’t let a phrase you have heard over and over again in your life lose its meaning.  Take hold of this promise for today – HIS FAITHFUL LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!

He remembered us in our weakness. His faithful love endures forever.

He saved us from our enemies.  His faithful love endures forever.

He gives food to every living thing.  His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of heaven.  His faithful love endures forever. – Psalm 136:23-26

I give thanks, O Lord, with all my heart; I will sing your praises before the gods.

I bow before your Holy Temple as I worship.

I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness;

for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.

As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.

Every king in all the earth will thank you Lord, for all of them will hear your words.

Yes, they will sing about the Lord’s ways, for the glory of the Lord is very great.

Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud.

Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies.

You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me.

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. – Psalm 138

God, my Beloved, suffers patiently for me.  The God who created me will not abandon me because He loves me with a love that will endure forever.  His love is strong and can bear with me through my struggles because it is a love that will endure forever – a love that protects and provides.  The Lord will work out HIS plans for my life.  He will part the “Red Seas” and bring me out of my “Egypt”.  He will remember me in my weakness and provide for me according to His plan for my life.  His faithful love endures forever, but why?  I do not deserve this faithful God.

When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers –

the moon and the stars you set in place –

what are mere mortals that you should think about them,

human beings that you should care for them? – Ps. 8:3-4

God, my Designer, will love with a love that will endure forever!  Sometimes I am overwhelmed with the fact that the God of Creation loves me and cares about me – individually!  The book of Psalms does not just tell us about God, it describes man’s relationship with God.  As we read through it, we do not simply increase what WE KNOW ABOUT GOD.  We come face to face with the fact that WE ARE KNOWN BY GOD.

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. – Psalm 138:8

My favorite verse in scripture is Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you” says the Lord.  “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”  This verse in Psalm 138 is another great reminder that the God who created me knows everything there is to know about me and it is this God who holds my life in His hands.  

O Lord, you have examined my heart and know EVERYTHING about me.

You know when I sit down or stand up.

You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.

You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.

You know EVERYTHING I do.

You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.

You go before me and follow me.

You place your hand of blessing on my head.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!

I can never escape your Spirit!

I can never get away from your presence!

If I go up to the heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there.

If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans,

even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.

I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night –

but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.

To you the night shines as bright as day.

Darkness and light are the same to you. – Psalm 139:1-12

There is no pretending when it comes to our relationship with God.  He knows our heart – He knows what we are feeling and where we are struggling.  There is no need to pretend.  This God who created us understands us.  He created us to need His hand to guide us and His strength to support us.  He will not leave us alone.  When we look back, He is there.  When we look forward, He is there.  

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.

Thank you for making me so complex!  Your workmanship is marvelous – how well I know it.

You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,

as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.

You saw me before I was born.

Every day of my life was recorded in your book.

Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.

They cannot be numbered!

I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!

And when I wake up, you are still with me! – Psalm 139:13-18

Today’s Scripture reminds me that God knows – that He will work out His plans for my life and never abandon me.  I can rest in the knowledge that God loves me and thinks about me – that His faithful love will endure forever!

Lord, you know what this life holds for me.  I ask you to guide me and strengthen me according to your plan for my life.  Go before me and follow me.  Place your hand of blessing on my head.  Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  Point out everything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life (Psalm 139:23-24). I commit another day to you, Lord, trusting you with all the details.  I choose to spend my time in your ever faithful presence.  Fill me with your Spirit, O Lord, and make today exactly what you want it to be.  Amen.

Today’s Reading:  Psalms 32-34, 36-37, 121, 124, 126, 130

I am so thankful signs of spring are all around us!  The air is warmer, the snow is gone, and I breathe a sigh of relief that I have survived the long cold winter.  It is not that I hate winter, it is more like I fear winter.  There is a feeling of peace we experience when we wake up to a new blanket of sparkly snow covering everything.  The snow is beautiful – so peaceful, so quiet.  Yet with the beauty of snow comes fear, and the reality of dangerous road conditions and extreme cold temperatures.

Life is very much like a fresh snowfall.  It is absolutely beautiful and full of the potential for fun, but with it comes fear.  Just like driving on an icy surface, there is fear of that feeling of being out of control – when life is happening to you and, no matter which way you turn the steering wheel, your life seems to be spinning the wrong direction.  It is in these moments that we turn our eyes to the Lord.  We cry out for His help and we place our family and our life in His hands.  

I look up to the mountains – does my help come from there?

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.

Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.

The Lord himself watches over you!

The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.

The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.

The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.

The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. – Psalm 121

What a wonderful God we serve!  I love this picture of God watching over me, providing a protective shade.  What if He did sleep?  What if He did not watch over us protectively?  As a mother, I can drive myself crazy in a matter of a few minutes if I let my mind go to the “what if’s” in life.  I consciously let myself rest and stop my mind from considering the “what if’s”.  It is better for me to relax in the reality that I serve a God I can count on – a God I can trust.

What if the Lord had not been on our side?  Let all Israel repeat:

What if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us?

They would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger.

The waters would have engulfed us; a torrent would have overwhelmed us.

Yes, the raging waters of their fury would have overwhelmed our very lives.

Praise the Lord, who did not let their teeth tear us apart!

We escaped like a bird from a hunter’s trap.  The trap is broken, and we are free!

Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. – Psalm 124

Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us!  What joy! – Psalm 126:3

From the depths of despair, O Lord, I call for your help.

Hear my cry, O Lord.  Pay attention to my prayer.

Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive?

But you offer forgiveness that we might learn to fear you.

I am counting on him.  I have put my hope in his word.

I long for the Lord; yes, I am counting on him.  I have put my hope in the Lord.

I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn.

O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is unfailing love.

His redemption overflows.

He himself will redeem Israel from every kind of sin. – Psalm 130

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.  I will advise you and watch over you.” – Psalm 32:8

There are times in our lives when we wonder if God is watching, if He is going to respond to what is happening around us.  The psalmist felt that way at times – times when he was struggling and needed desperately to hear from God.  But this same psalmist, David, introduces us through his songs to the kind of wonderful God we serve.  It was nice this morning to simply sit back and relax in who He is.

The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created.

He breathed the word, and all the stars were born.

He assigned the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs.

Let the whole world fear the Lord, and let everyone stand in awe of him.

For when he spoke, the world began!  It appeared at his command. – Psalm 33:6-9

He is our Creator.  He made us and, therefore, He understands us (33:15).  He is our help and our shield, surrounding us with His unfailing love.  We can trust Him.  In Him alone we can put our trust (33:20-22).

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.  He freed me from my fears.

Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy…

In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles…

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help…

The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. – Psalm 34:4-6,15-19

This reminds me of the words of Jesus in John 16:33, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

There are so many scriptures that show us that we will experience troubles and difficult times.  There is no promise that our heart will never hurt or that we will never face disappointments or persecution.  But we serve a God of unfailing love who never leaves us – who is bigger than any difficulty we are facing.

Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.

Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths.

You care for people and animals alike, O Lord.

How precious is your unfailing love, O God!

All humanity find shelter in the shadow of your wings.

You feed them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from your river of delights.

For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see. – Psalm 36:5-9

Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.

So rejoice and be glad, all you who obey him!

Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure! – Psalm 32:10-11

The Lord rescues the godly; he is their fortress in times of trouble.

The Lord helps them, rescuing them from the wicked.

He saves them, and they find shelter in him. – Psalm 37:39-40

Today’s Reading:  Psalms 97, 101, 103, 105, 106, 119

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. – Psalm 119:11

I have heard this verse a thousand times.  I memorized it as a child and have sung the words, recited the verse, and used the words to encourage others.  I read it again this morning and it is fresh and new.  Isn’t God incredible?!!  His word is living and active.  Even the scriptures we have known for years come alive to us at different times.  We go from “Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard that before” to “Wow, I never thought of it that way!”

So what is this revelation to my heart?  Holiness – I hide God’s word in my heart so that I can live out the holiness He is calling me to.  To settle comfortably into a life of sin would be to sin against a God who loves me – who created me with a plan to live in relationship with Him.  But sin separates me from God because God is holy.  It is the desire of my heart to experience God, to remain close to Him.  How can I do this?  His word is a lamp unto my feet on this journey of holiness; a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105).

Help me understand the meaning of your commandments,

and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds.

I weep with sorrow; encourage me by your word.

Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your instructions…

Teach me your decrees, O Lord; I will keep them to the end.

Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions;

I will put them into practice with all my heart.

Make me walk along the path of your commands, for this is where my happiness is found.

Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money!

Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.

Reassure me of your promise, made to those who fear you.

Help me abandon my shameful ways; for your regulations are good.

I long to obey your commandments!

Renew my life with your goodness. – Psalm 119: 33-40

God’s word encourages me when I am sad.

God’s word reveals truth to me when I am trying to convince myself of what I want to be true.

God’s word reminds me of the value in God’s plan.

God’s word reassures me of His promises and I am renewed!

God has done more than just hand us His word.  He continues to use His word to teach us and to give us understanding.  Obedience comes from these teaching moments and these teaching moments create more obedience.  We walk along the path of holiness and we find happiness in following God’s ways.  

How I delight in your commands!  I love them! – Psalm 119:47

Let’s join the psalmist in his love song of commitment to the God of holiness.

Lord, you are mine!

I promise to obey your words!

With all my heart I want your blessings.

Be merciful as you promised.

I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws.

I will hurry, without delay, to obey your commands.

Evil people try to drag me into sin, but I am firmly anchored to your instructions.

I rise at midnight to thank you for your just regulations.

I am a friend to anyone who fears you – anyone who obeys your commandments.

O Lord, your unfailing love fills the earth; teach me your decrees. – Psalm 119:57-64

You made me; you created me.

Now give me the sense to follow your commands…

For I have put my hope in your word…

Now let your unfailing love comfort me, just as you promised me, your servant.

Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live, for your instructions are my delight…

My eyes are straining to see your promises come true. – Psalm 119:73-77,82

Oh, how I love your instructions!

I think about them all day long.

Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide.

Yes, I have more insight…I am even wiser…

Your commandments give me understanding… – Psalm 119:97-104

Your laws are my treasure; they are my heart’s delight…

Your word is my source of hope – Psalm 119:111,114b

The Lord gives righteousness… – Psalm 103:6a

I could just stop right there.  I love the powerful message contained in these four words.  I cannot in a million years be holy or righteous on my own, but I serve a generous God who GIVES righteousness.  I can never be good enough but He is enough – His righteousness can look at this ungodly heart and call me godly.  

Light shines on the godly, and joy on those whose hearts are right.

May all who are godly rejoice in the Lord and praise His holy name. – Psalm 97:11-12

When I consider that it is HIS righteousness that makes a godly life possible, I can join in with the psalmist in this prayer of commitment to living a godly life.  If I think for one minute I can do it on my own, this prayer is said with uncertainty.  I HOPE I can live a blameless life, I HOPE I can lead a life of integrity.  If the foundation of my prayer starts with “The Lord give righteousness…”, then I can join in this prayer with confidence that it is all about my WILLING heart and God’s CAPABLE heart.  It’s not about what I HOPE I can do but what I KNOW God can do! If I am willing to commit to living a holy life, He will give me His righteousness.

I will sing of your love and justice, Lord.

I will praise you with songs.

I will be careful to live a blameless life – when will you come to help me?

I will lead a life of integrity in my own home.

I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar.

I hate all who deal crookedly;

I will have nothing to do with them.

I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil.

I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors.

I will not endure conceit and pride. – Psalm 101:1-5

Give thanks to the Lord, for HE IS GOOD!

His faithful love endures forever.

Who can list the glorious miracles of the Lord?

Who can ever praise him enough?

There is joy for those who deal justly with others

and always do what is right. – Psalm 106:1-3

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim HIS greatness.

Let the whole world know what HE has done.

Sing to Him; yes, sing His praises.

Tell everyone about HIS wonderful deeds.

Exult in His holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord.

Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.

Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given…

He is the Lord our God.

His justice is seen throughout the land.

He ALWAYS stands by His covenant –

the commitment He has made to a thousand generations. – Psalm 105:1-8
Lord, I search this morning for you and for your strength.  I am seeking you and asking you for a fresh outpouring of YOUR righteousness into my life.  Fill me with your Spirit so I cannot submit to your plan for my life.  Every word I say, every action I take today, may it be evidence of your righteousness at work in my life.  Thank you for your faithfulness – that you ALWAYS stand by your covenant.  I desire to sing your praises all day long!  Amen.

Today’s Reading:  Psalms 112, 113, 116

I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy.

Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! – Psalm 116:1-2

He loves you and He hears you.  There is nothing going on in your life that He is unaware of – no detail missed by Him.  He is bending down and listening.  Enter into His presence and share your heart with Him.  You will find kindness and mercy.  THE LORD IS FOR YOU!

Then I called on the name of the Lord:  “Please save me!”

How kind the Lord is!  How good he is!

So merciful, this God of ours.

The Lord protects those of childlike faith;

I was facing death, and he saved me.

Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me.

He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.

And so I walk in the Lord’s presence as I live here on earth!

I believe in you, so I said, “I am deeply troubled, Lord.” – Psalm 116:4-10

In my distress I prayed to the Lord, and the Lord answered me and set me free.

THE LORD IS FOR ME, so I will have no fear.

What can mere people do to me?

Yes, THE LORD IS FOR ME; he will help me.

I will look in triumph at those who hate me.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. – Psalm 118:5-9

God is for you!  He is aware of everything going on and loves you deeply.  It is better to go to Him and take refuge than to look to other people for answers.  It is better to go to Him and take refuge than to trust in earthly authority and leadership.  When we enter into His presence and pray to Him, bending down to listen He answers us.  He saves us from death.  He wipes the tears from our eyes and keeps our feet from stumbling.

Light shines in the darkness for the godly… – Psalm 112:4a

He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump.

He sets them among princes, even the princes of his own people!

He gives the childless woman a family, making her a happy mother. – Psalm 113:7-9

We serve a God who sees the hurts and needs of His people.  He reaches down and cares for them through the generous love of the godly.  He creates in them a natural desire to be generous with others.  It is through us that God meets the needs of others.  It is through others that God meets our needs.

Light shines in the darkness for the godly.

They are generous, compassionate and righteous.

Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly.

Such people will not be overcome by evil.

Those who are righteous will be long remembered.

They do not fear bad news:

They confidently trust the Lord to care for them.

They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.

They share freely and give generously to those in need.

Their good deeds will be remembered forever.

They will have influence and honor. – Psalm 112:4-9

Let us draw into God’s presence and take refuge in Him so that He can strengthen us and prepare us to be His hands and feet in the lives of others.  THE LORD IS FOR YOU!  Until we have entered into His presence and allowed Him to heal us and fill us with His Spirit, we are not ready to help others.  We need to first go to Him and then allow Him to send us.

Open for me the gates where the righteous enter, and I will go in and thank the Lord.

These gates lead to the presence of the Lord, and the godly enter there.

I thank you for answering my prayer and giving me victory!…

This is the day the Lord has made.

We will rejoice and be glad in it. – Psalm 118:19-21, 24

Soak in the message of Hawk Nelson’s song “Drops in the Ocean” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZH13wFGffg

Today’s Reading:  Psalm 85, 62, 95; Proverbs 8, 23

Like his father, Solomon was a writer – a poet.  God gave both father and son the gift of eloquently expressing their emotions and telling the story of where they were at in their intimate walk with God.  He put a new song in their heart and powerful words to express their amazement of how wonderful God is.  

Solomon, the wisest of all men in the land, spoke beautifully of how each one of us can be wise if we listen closely to what God has to say:

Listen as Wisdom calls out!

Hear as understanding raises her voice!…

“Listen to me!  For I have important things to tell you.

Everything I say is right, for I speak the truth…

My advice is wholesome…

My words are plain to anyone with understanding,

clear to those with knowledge”. – Proverbs 8:1, 6-9

And in the words of his father, David:

I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying,

for he speaks peace to his faithful people. – Psalm 85:8a

“I wonder if God is speaking to me.  I wonder if that is His voice.”  Have you ever had a similar experience or time when you wondered if you were hearing from God?  Do we miss out on opportunities to hear God because we do not step out of our busy schedules to sit still and listen?   Is He speaking to us but we do not recognize His voice?

Get into the habit of saying, “Speak, Lord,” and life will become a romance.  Every time circumstances press in on you, say “Speak, Lord,” and make time to listen.  Chastening is more than means of discipline – it is meant to bring me to the point of saying, “Speak, Lord.”  Think back to a time when God spoke to you.  Do you remember what He said? … As we listen, our ears become more sensitive, and like Jesus, we will hear God all the time (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, January 30th).

Those words resonate with my heart’s desire to be close to God.  Many times in my life I have been challenged to think of my relationship with God as any other relationship in my life.  In order to draw closer to someone, we must spend time with them and communicate with them, both listening and speaking.  This makes sense but the intimacy we have with God is so much deeper than any other relationship.  I love how Oswald Chambers describes the life of listening to God as a romance.  The more we listen, the more we will hear from God; the more we hear from God, the more sensitive we become to His voice and the more easily we recognize Him.

This brings my mind to one of my favorite worship songs – The More I Seek You, written by Zach Neese and sang by Kari Jobe.  This song has a melody that stays in your head – a song that gets stuck in your heart, causing you to desire to recline on the Savior and hear His heartbeat.

The more I seek you, the more I find you.

The more I find you, the more I love you.

I wanna sit at your feet, drink from the cup in your hand.

Lay back against you and breath, hear your heartbeat.

This love is so deep, it’s more than I can stand.

I melt in your peace, it’s overwhelming.

The more I seek you, the more I find you.

The more I find you, the more I love you.

Thank you, Lord, for loving me enough to draw me closer to you.  I thank you for the experience of resting in your presence and simply drinking from the cup of your hand.  Teach me to recline and trust you at all times, finding my hope in only you.

I wait quietly before God,
    for my victory comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress where I will never be shaken…

 Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
    for my hope is in him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress where I will not be shaken.
My victory and honor come from God alone.
    He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.

 O my people, trust in him at all times.
    Pour out your heart to him,
    for God is our refuge. – Psalm 62:1-2,5-8

And the Lord came and called as before, “Samuel!  Samuel!”

And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.” – 1 Samuel 3:10

My child, listen and be wise:

Keep your heart on the right course. – Proverbs 23:19

Come, let us worship and bow down.

Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for he is our God.

We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care.

If only you would listen to his voice today! – Psalm 95:6-7

Today’s Reading:  Psalm 40, 52, 70

Oh Holy God!  I stay amazed.

You are so much more than words could ever say.

Oh Holy God!  I pour out my praise

On the One who never ceases to amaze

These are lyrics to the song I Stay Amazed by Gateway Worship.  Our God is so amazing, but consider how easy it is for us to get so used to that idea that we stop celebrating it.  We can easily get so used to the concept that our God is awesome that we don’t stop to really consider just how incredible He is.  What if we were to recognize how amazing God is and then stay there!  What if we were to stay amazed?!!  

He is more than words can say, yet the Psalmist did a great job of putting the wonderful attributes of God into words.  Let’s read the words of Psalm 40 this morning as if we were hearing these things for the first time.  Let’s celebrate our wonderful God and stay amazed all day long!

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
    and he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
    out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
    and steadied me as I walked along.
He has given me a new song to sing,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
    They will put their trust in the Lord

Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord,
    who have no confidence in the proud
    or in those who worship idols.
 O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us.
    Your plans for us are too numerous to list.
    You have no equal.
If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds,
    I would never come to the end of them.

You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings.

Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand –

You don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings.

Then I said, “Look, I have come.

As is written about me in the Scriptures:

I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.”…

Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me.

Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me…

But may all who search for you
    be filled with joy and gladness in you.
May those who love your salvation
    repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!”  (Psalm 40:1-9, 11, 16).

But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God.

I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.

I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done.

I will trust in your good name in the presence of your faithful people. – Ps. 52:8-9

But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you.

May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “God is great!” – Ps. 70:4

“God is so great – higher than the heavens, higher than the farthest stars.” – Job 22:12

Great is the Lord!  He is most worthy of praise!…

Give to the Lord the glory he deserves!

Bring your offering and come into his courts.

Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor.

Let all the earth tremble before him. – Ps. 96:4a,8-9

Lord, we stand before you AMAZED!  You are great and you are holy!  Your wonderful deeds are too numerous to recite, your love beyond unfailing.  Lord, we praise you for what you have done and we join our voices together to say we trust in your good name.

If you have time, soak in the words of the song “I Stay Amazed” by Gateway Worship.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7Cfo8atJPo

Today’s Reading:  Psalm 33, 96, 98, 144 and 149

Sing a new song of praise to him…and sing with joy. – Psalm 33:3

Today is a new day.  This is a new week.  It’s not just any other morning.  It’s a new day with new opportunities and a fresh chance to experience God in a new way!  It is not just a day to be relieved the work week is half over.  It is a special day with a unique purpose woven into God’s greater plan. Today is God’s day and THE SHOW IS ABOUT TO BEGIN.

Sing a new song to the Lord!  Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!  Sing to the Lord; praise his name.  Each day proclaim the good news that he saves…Great is the Lord!  He is most worthy of praise!   – Psalm 96:1-2,4a

Winter Jam is coming to our community at the end of this month – an annual tradition for our family!  I enjoy the opportunity to hear some of my favorite Christian artists, as well as hear new songs and be introduced to new artists.  It is wonderful to be surrounded by thousands of people lifting up their voices in praise to God, raising up their hands in surrender to their King.  

One year, Newsboys played one of their new songs and I love the lyrics!  “I wanna live with abandon.  Give you all that I am.  Every part of my heart Jesus I place in your hands.  I wanna live with abandon.”  There were songs of struggle like this one from Plumb:  “How many times have you heard me cry out ‘God please take this’?  How many times have you given me strength to just keep breathing?  Oh I need you.  God I need you now.”  And there were songs of praise like this one from Colton Dixon:  “You are the song, you are the song I’m singing.  You are the air, you are the air I’m breathing.  You are the hope, you are the hope I’m needing.  Whoa.  You are.”

I love the songs of salvation where we share about that point of change in our life.  What song do you sing because of the place God has saved you from and the wondrous place to which He has brought you?  God wants us to continue to sing his praise about the salvation we have experienced.  He wants us to share our salvation experience so that others can see that our God saves!

Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds.  His right hand has won a mighty victory; his holy arm has shown his saving power! …Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy! – Psalm 98:1,4

Sing a song of praise today for all of the wonderful things God has done in your life since you gave your heart to Him.  From what has He delivered you?  In what ways has He made a difference in your life?  How has He shown Himself to you and in what ways has He been faithful?

I will sing a new song to you, O God!…Yes, joyful are those who live like this!  Joyful indeed are those whose God is the Lord. – Psalm 144:9a,15

Let’s sing a song of joy to the Lord today.  My prayer is that all those around us today will sense that we have been in the presence of God by the joy that we show.  If God has saved us, if God has delivered us, if God has healed us, if God has done wonderful things in our life, let our joy be evident!

Praise the Lord!  Sing to the Lord a new song.  Sing his praise in the assembly of the faithful…Let the faithful rejoice that he honors them.  Let them sing for joy as they lie on their beds.  Let the praises of God be in their mouths, and a sharp sword in their hands… Psalm 149:1,5-6

If you were going to write a song today, what would the lyrics be?  Perhaps that is what God is calling you to do today – to write a song or a poem or a love note to Him.    What does your new song say?  

Sing a new song to the Lord!  Sing his praises from the ends of the earth!…Let the people of Sela sing for joy; shout praises from the mountaintops!  Let the whole world glorify the Lord; let it sing his praise  – Isaiah 42:10,11b-12

Sing a NEW song!  What is God doing in your life now – today?  What is your most recent story of God’s faithfulness?  It is great when we can tell the stories of the wonderful things God has done in our life but how wonderful to share a new and fresh song of what God is DOING.   

What will God do today?  I eagerly anticipate to hear from God today or to see Him in action – to feel His presence and be filled with His Spirit.  What NEW song will God give me today?  Will it be a song of praise or a song of salvation, a song of struggle or a song of commitment?  I sit in expectation as I wait for the show to begin.

Today’s Reading:  1 Kings 9-11; 2 Chronicles 7:11-9:28

I love my job!  I thank God all the time for this incredible opportunity, yet there are times when the job is so big and the responsibility so heavy!  I find my heart heavy over big decisions that have to be made.   I pray for the gift of God’s wisdom – the same gift He so generously gave to Solomon, and the same gift He promises to each of us, if only we will ask.  

King Solomon asked for wisdom and was blessed by God with wisdom and so many more blessings.  God was generous with Solomon, equipping him to lead well and blessing His people through Solomon’s leadership.  Yet, as with many previous leaders, Solomon lost his focus on the source of everything good in his life.  1 Kings 11:6 says that Solomon “refused to follow the Lord COMPLETELY as his father, David, had done.”

God had given Solomon so much – wisdom and riches and honor among everyone who heard of his wisdom – yet Solomon desired what God had not given him.  The Lord had specifically instructed Solomon not to marry foreign women because they would turn his heart to their gods and away from the one true God.  “Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway.  He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines.  And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the Lord” (1 Kings 11:2b-3).

Immediately my heart feels conviction at these words.  How often have I desired what God has NOT given me instead of resting content in what He has given?  I could easily change this verse to say, “Yet Sherry insisted on _____________ anyway.”  Maybe it is because I am the youngest child in my family.  Maybe it is because I am a stubborn and determined person.  IT’S HARD NOT TO GET WHAT I WANT.  Anyone with me?  My nature is to want to manipulate and beg and stubbornly hold onto desires when God has already told me “No”.  

God reduced Solomon’s reign to only one tribe in response to Solomon’s unfaithfulness.  He then placed Jeroboam on the throne of the other ten tribes and God’s generosity was poured out on someone else besides Solomon.  Solomon’s selfish decision divided God’s people.  Some were still under the reign of King Solomon and some were now under the reign of King Jeroboam.

God laid out the expectations right away for Jeroboam, giving him instructions that can also help us avoid a fall such as Solomon’s.

“And I will place you on the throne of Israel, and you will rule over all that your heart desires.  If you…

• Listen to what I tell you and

• Follow my ways and

• Do whatever I consider to be right, and

• If you obey my decrees and commands as my servant David did,

THEN I will always be with you.” – 1 Kings 11:37-38a

And this is where God brought me again today – to a familiar passage in 2 Chronicles.  These verses popped off the page, giving me a good way to end my morning coffee time and begin my day:

“I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices.  At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you.  Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.  My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place.  For I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be holy – a place where my name will be honored forever.  I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart” (2 Chronicles 7:12-16).

Here is that dance of life between God and man once again.  God is sovereign and He is good.  We are meant to let Him take the lead in our relationship with Him.  But, just like the Israelites and like King Solomon, we often pull out of His arms in a desire to do our own thing or in a gesture of pouting over God’s response to our requests.  These verses we just read in 2 Chronicles are so powerful.  He is God!  At times He may bless us and at times He may take away His blessings in order to get us to once more call out His name, humbling ourselves and submitting to His lead.  

Oh, may I not lose focus on the source of everything good in my life!  Lord, you have my attention!   Today I choose to follow you COMPLETELY.  May I not insist on anything in my life that is not what You desire for me.  Please change the desires of my heart to match what you desire for me.

Please give me wisdom as I listen to what you tell me, follow your ways, do whatever YOU consider to be right.  Give me a spirit of obedience.  Lord, this morning I humble myself before you and seek your face.  Please forgive me, open your eyes to me and be attentive to my prayer.  May your name be forever honored through my life.  Today may I hear you say, “YOU ARE DEAR TO MY HEART!”