Today’s Reading: Proverbs 14-16

The WAY of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.
But the way of the wicked is like total darkness.
They have no idea what they are stumbling over.
My child, pay attention to what I say.
Listen carefully to my words.
Don’t lose sight of them.
Let them penetrate deep into your heart for they bring life to those who find them,
and healing to their whole body.
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the COURSE of your life.
Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech.
Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
Mark out a STRAIGHT PATH for your feet; stay on the safe path.
Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. – Proverbs 4:18-27

CHOOSE THE PATH GOD HAS MARKED OUT FOR YOU.

In his quest to help us find wisdom and in order that we might gain insight, King Solomon warns us to choose the path of righteousness and to run from sinful ways. I connect with his analogy of life as a path that we are walking. It makes sense to me and it is easy for me to apply to this life’s journey. There is a straight path that is safe, but to wander off of the road marked out for us is dangerous. We should avoid evil and everything related to it, especially in our speech. To choose a life of sin is unwise.

For the Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes.
An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him. – Proverbs 5:21-22

There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. – Proverbs 14:12

Only simpletons believe everything they’re told!
The prudent carefully consider their steps.
The wise are cautious and avoid danger;
fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence. – Proverbs 14:15-16

We plunge ahead with our own plans, with our own ideas of what is the right life for us. We try to create a new road, one we think will bring us the most joy. But there is no greater joy than to commit everything to the Lord.

FIND JOY IN LETTING GOD DETERMINE YOUR DIRECTION.

We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer.
People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.
Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed…
We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. – Proverbs 16:1-3,9

Proverbs 16:3 was the verse I clung to as I made plans to attend Olivet Nazarene University. My family did not have a lot of money and it seemed impossible to be able to afford the college of my dreams. I stood at the fork in the road and begged God for the chance to walk down that path. I committed my future to Him, and I gave Him ALL the glory when the grants and scholarships came in, covering all my college expenses. Now I realize that the Lord’s path for our lives does not always match the direction we were hoping life would take us, but that is what makes the relationship of trust so beautiful.

Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful. – Proverbs 16:20

We throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall. – Proverbs 16:33

You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. – Proverbs 19:21

The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way? – Proverbs 20:24

PRAY THAT GOD WILL GUIDE YOUR HEART AND DIRECT YOUR STEPS.

That verse describes me well. Why do I attempt to understand all the details along the way? Lord, guide my heart; direct my steps. May I have a heart that genuinely seeks you before I take any step. Lord, help me to trust you more. Keep my heart on the right course. Amen.

The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; he guides it wherever he pleases.
People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart. – Proverbs 21:1-2

No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the Lord. – Proverbs 21:30

A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.
The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. – Proverbs 22:3

Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction.
For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips.
I am teaching you today – yes, you – so you will trust in the Lord. – Proverbs 22:17-19

Commit yourself to instruction; listen carefully to words of knowledge. — Proverbs 23:12

My child, listen and be wise:
Keep your heart on the right course. – Proverbs 23:19

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 10-13

In the next four chapters of Proverbs, we see a contrast between those who choose godliness and those who choose wickedness — those whose life reflects the heart of God versus those who live for their own selfish desires. When we allow God to come in and transform us into the person He created us to be, our life looks different from those who chase after all this world has to offer them.

The Lord will not let the godly go hungry,
but he refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked. – Proverbs 10:3

People with integrity walk safely,
but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed.
People who wink at wrong cause trouble,
but a bold reproof promotes peace.
The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain;
the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions. – Proverbs 10:9-11

The words of the godly are like sterling silver;
the heart of a fool is worthless.
The words of the godly encourage many,
but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense. – Proverbs 10:20-21

When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away,
but the godly have a lasting foundation. – Proverbs 10:25

The mouth of the godly person gives wise advice,
but the tongue that deceives will be cut off.
The lips of the godly speak helpful words,
but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words. – Proverbs 10:31-32

The godly are directed by honesty;
the wicked fall beneath their load of sin.
The godliness of good people rescues them;
the ambition of treacherous people traps them.
When the wicked die, their hopes die with them,
for they rely on their own feeble strength.
The godly are rescued from trouble,
and it falls on the wicked instead.
With their words, the godless destroy their friends,
but knowledge will rescue the righteous. – Proverbs 11:5-9

Godly people find life; evil people find death.
The Lord detests people with crooked hearts,
but he delights in those with integrity.
Evil people will surely be punished,
but the children of the godly will go free. – Proverbs 11:19-21

The godly can look forward to a reward,
while the wicked can expect only judgment.
Give freely and become more wealthy;
be stingy and lose everything.
The generous will prosper;
those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. – Proverbs 11:23-25

Thieves are jealous of each other’s loot,
but the godly are well rooted and bear their own fruit.
The wicked are trapped by their own words,
but the godly escape such trouble.
Wise words bring many benefits,
and hard work brings rewards.
Fools think their own way is right,
but the wise listen to others. – Proverbs 12:12-15

The way of the godly leads to life;
that path does not lead to death. – Proverbs 12:28

The godly hate lies;
the wicked cause shame and disgrace.
Godliness guards the path of the blameless,
but the evil are misled by sin. – Proverbs 12:5-6

The life of the godly is full of light and joy,
but the light of the wicked will be snuffed out. – Proverbs 13:9

Trouble chases sinners,
while blessings reward the righteous. – Proverbs 13:21

This is yet another reminder from the Lord that we have a choice to make between life and death, between godliness and wickedness. There is no in between — no middle ground. We are either living for God or we are not. What choice will we make? Jesus died on the cross and rose again so that we could live in freedom from our sinful nature and be filled with the Spirit, but this is a gift we must choose to receive.

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” – Deuteronomy 30:19-20

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 7-9

Follow my advice, my son; always treasure my commands.
Obey my commands and live! Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes.
Tie them on your fingers as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart…
Let them protect you from an affair with an immoral woman,
from listening to the flattery of a promiscuous woman. – Proverbs 7:1-5

Do you hear the intensity of Solomon’s plea? He is about to give strong advice, and he wants his readers to know how important it is to heed to this wisdom. Solomon speaks in Proverbs of several different kinds of women, but he starts with the most dangerous of all.

THE IMMORAL WOMAN

While I was at the window of my house, looking through the curtain,
I saw some naive young men, and one in particular who lacked common sense.
He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman,
strolling down the path by her house.
It was at twilight, in the evening, as deep darkness fell. – Proverbs 7:6-9

The young man was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was positioned to have easy access to temptation. When approached by the immoral woman, the young man allowed her to throw her arms around him and kiss him. She spoke of her desire for him and invited the young man to her bed. Although he had the ability to resist temptation, he chose to give into his physical urges instead of walking away. He was not a victim but a willful participant.

So she seduced him with her pretty speech
and enticed him with her flattery.
He followed her at once, like an ox going to the slaughter.
He was like a stag caught in a trap,
awaiting the arrow that would pierce its heart.
He was like a bird flying into a snare,
little knowing it would cost him his life. – Proverbs 7:21-23

Sexual temptation has a powerful pull and it is wise to avoid its trap. There may be a moment where an individual naively stumbles into its web, but it is a choice to stay there — it is not ignorance but stupidity that follows the path of immorality. It is wise to understand the powerful pull of sexual temptation and run the other way.

So listen to me, my sons, and pay attention to my words.
Don’t let your hearts stray away toward her.
Don’t wander down her wayward path.
For she has been the ruin of many; many men have been her victims.
Her house is the road to the grave.
Her bedroom is the den of death. – Proverbs 7:24-27

Rather than going down the straight path designed by God, the immoral woman staggers down a crooked trail. Her lips appear sweet as honey, her speech smoother than oil, but in the end she is as bitter as poison, as dangerous as a double-edged sword (5:3-6). Avoid the trap she lays, for sexually immorality will lead to destruction. It is like playing with a flame on your lap, hoping that your clothes will not catch on fire (6:27).

Drink water from your own well – share your love only with your wife…
Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you.
Rejoice in the wife of your youth.
She is a loving deer, a graceful doe.
Let her breasts satisfy you always.
May you always be captivated by her love. – Proverbs 5:15,18-19

O my son, give me your heart.
May your eyes take delight in following my ways.
A prostitute is a dangerous trap; a promiscuous woman is as dangerous as falling into a narrow well.
She hides and waits like a robber, eager to make more men unfaithful. – Proverbs 23:26-27

Let’s not get caught up in the gender Solomon uses to create his analogy. Solomon strayed from God’s instructions and he laid the blame at the feet of his wives and concubines, who brought into the palace their false gods and worldly ideas. But Solomon invited them into his bed against the clear guidance of his God. Solomon did not stumble into sin, he returned to it over and over again.

The temptation of sexual immorality is no respecter of persons — male or female. Our world has romanticized promiscuity and created a culture that worships sex. It can be found in our music, movies, stage productions, literature, art, pornography, prostitution, abortion, and now in our children’s books.

God help us! Give us wisdom to see the manipulations of sexual ideologies and agendas. Give us eyes to see the direction our world is going and ears to hear the lies of the world’s seduction. May we hear the invitation of Wisdom to walk in her ways, with eyes focused on God and God alone.

Wisdom has built her house;
she has carved its seven columns.
She has prepared a great banquet,
mixed the wines, and set the table.
She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come.
She calls out from the heights overlooking the city.
“Come in with me,” she urges the simple.
To those who lack good judgment, she says,
“Come, eat my food,
and drink the wine I have mixed.
Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live;
learn to use good judgment.” – Proverbs 9:1-6

Today’s Reading: Psalm 94 & 127

Unless the Lord builds a house,
the work of the builders is wasted.
Unless the Lord protects a city,
guarding it with sentries will do no good.
It is useless for you to work so hard
from early morning until late at night,
anxiously working for food to eat;
for God gives rest to his loved ones. – Psalm 127:1-2

When we became parents, we wanted to do everything right. We read the books and asked others for advice. Our love for our daughter and for God caused us to want to get this parenting thing right. We had prayed for so long for the opportunity to be parents, and it was the desire of our heart to please God in the way we raised our little girl. We wanted to be the perfect parents with the perfect family.

When our oldest daughter started to crawl, we began to babyproof the house. When she started walking, we quickly looked for every sharp corner that could be a danger to her and put gates up to keep her from falling down the stairs. As our family grew and our girls got older, our concerns for their safety multiplied. No matter how hard you try to push away the what-ifs of this world, they come crowding into the space of your heart that longs to protect your children.

ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS ABOUT BEING A PARENT IS TRUSTING GOD WITH THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN.

It is easy to let the possibilities overwhelm you. The news of car accidents and school shootings bring you to your knees; the statistics of suicide, substance abuse, and mental illness leave you crying out to God for protection over your family. You want your children to have everything they need, so you work long hours to have the financial means to provide for your family. But consider these first two verses of Psalm 127 again — Unless the Lord builds the house, unless the Lord protects the city, and unless God gives rest to his loved ones, our efforts are in vain.

Who will protect me from the wicked?
Who will stand up for me against evildoers?
Unless the Lord had helped me,
I would soon have settled in the silence of the grave.
I cried out, “I am slipping!”
but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me.
When doubts filled my mind,
your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. – Psalm 94:16-19

I am thankful today for a God who watches over us. I am grateful for a God who has me in His arms in both life and death. When fears press in, I can go to Him for comfort; when it seems evil is winning in this world, God reminds me that the victory is His! God is our Provider and our Protector, even in the most difficult of situations. The children we have been blessed with are a gift from Him, and we can trust the One who sees through the eyes of eternity. That’s worth repeating.

WE CAN TRUST THE ONE WHO SEES THROUGH THE EYES OF ETERNITY.

Children are a gift from the Lord;
they are a reward from him.
Children born to a young man
are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.
How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!
He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates. – Psalm 127:3-5

Father God, we place our kids in your capable hand once again. We pray for you to work out your perfect plan for their lives. God, please place your hand of protection on our children and watch over them. May they sense your presence and trust in you through life’s hardest moments. Lord, we pray for those parents who are even now walking through a terminal diagnosis with their child, for those who are sitting by the bedside of their son or daughter, for those whose most treasured gift is now in heaven waiting for them. We ask that you give them the strength to trust you with each day, knowing that you see through the eyes of eternity. Unless you build the house; unless you protect the city. Father God, we are trusting in you. We love you. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 4 – 6

Intelligent people are always ready to learn.
Their ears are open for knowledge. — Proverbs 18:15

Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life. — Proverbs 19:20

I remember like it was yesterday bringing our daughter home from the hospital. I prayed God would teach me how to be a good parent. And then being a parent of a toddler was a whole new experience of calling on God for patience and wisdom. I learned a new level of trust when I dropped my daughter off for her first day of school, or when I let her go on her first date. Then there was the day I handed her the keys to the car, or later watched her drive off to college. Being a parent is an incredible experience, but definitely one that leaves us feeling unequipped and unprepared at times. I am so thankful for godly advice and words of wisdom.

Solomon, son of David, had quite a few words of wisdom for both parents and children in his book of Proverbs. He gave us great advice on both how to be the child and how to be the parent – words that never grow useless.

LISTEN TO YOUR PARENTS

My child, listen when your father corrects you.
Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.
What you learn from them will crown you with grace
and be a chain of honor around your neck. — Proverbs 1:8-9

My children, listen when your father corrects you.
Pay attention and learn good judgment, for I am giving you good guidance.
Don’t turn away from my instructions.
For I, too, was once my father’s son, tenderly loved as my mother’s only child.

My father taught me,
“Take my words to heart.
Follow my commands, and you will live.
Get wisdom; develop good judgment.
Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.
Don’t turn back on wisdom, for she will protect you.
Love her, and she will guard you.
Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!
And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.
If you prize wisdom, she will make you great.
Embrace her, and she will honor you.
She will place a lovely wreath on your head;
she will present you with a beautiful crown.”

My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will live a long, good life.
I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths.
When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble.
Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go.
Guard them, for they are the key to life. — Proverbs 4:1-13

DISCIPLINE YOUR CHILDREN

You will say, “How I hated discipline!
If only I had not ignored all the warnings!
Oh, why didn’t I listen to my teachers?
Why didn’t I pay attention to my instructors? – Proverbs 5:12-13

My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.
Keep their words always in your heart.
Tie them around your neck.
When you walk, their counsel will lead you.
When you sleep, they will protect you.
When you wake up, they will advise you.
For their command is a lamp and their instruction a light;
their corrective discipline is the way to life. — Proverbs 6:20-23

Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children.
Those who love their children care enough to discipline them. — Proverbs 13:24

Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise. — Proverbs 15:5

A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding
than a hundred lashed on the back of a fool. — Proverbs 17:10

Discipline your children while there is hope.
Otherwise you will ruin their lives. — Proverbs 19:18

Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. — Prov. 22:6

ENJOY BEING A PARENT

Listen to your father, who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is old.
Get the truth and never sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment.
The father of godly children has cause for joy.
What a pleasure to have children who are wise.
So give your father and mother joy!
May she who gave you birth be happy. — Proverbs 23:22-25

Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad. — Proverbs 29:17

Sometimes we feel unprepared for the new parenting situation before us. They say parenthood doesn’t come with an instruction manual, and that is true, but God has given us some great instruction in His word and He is offering to give us wisdom. God wants to bless us through our children while also using us to be a blessing to them. He has a plan for each life and He is molding them into the person He intends for them to be.

Lord, we are listening. Lord, we are asking for wisdom. Lord, we are sincerely willing to be taught by you. Please give us the courage to parent as you lead us. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 1-3

These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.
Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline,
to help them understand the insights of the wise.
Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives,
to help them do what is right, just, and fair.
These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young.
Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.
Let those with understanding receive guidance by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles. – Proverbs 1:1-6

This is quite an introduction to the book of Proverbs. Solomon had big shoes to fill as he stepped into his father’s position as king. He called on the Lord, offering 1000 burnt offerings at Gibeon. The Lord responded to Solomon, but not immediately. He made him wait for an answer.

So Solomon called on God, offered 1000 burnt offerings, and then walked home having heard nothing from God. But waiting on God’s timing was worth it because GOD SHOWED UP with a very generous offer for Solomon. Later that night in a dream, God reached out to Him with these words, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!” – 1 Kings 3:5

Solomon’s request was humble. He felt like a little child in this new position as king — unprepared and unequipped. He went to the Giver of all good gifts, offered his own gifts to the Lord, and then Solomon asked for God to make him into everything God might want him to be.

“…Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?” – 1 Kings 3:9

WHO BY HIMSELF IS ABLE?

That’s a great question: “Who, by himself, is able?” I know I am not. I know that I could use a generous outpouring of wisdom and understanding from God. So yes, Solomon, I take you up on this offer to be taught wisdom and to be given insight. I will listen to these proverbs in a desire to become wiser. Give me guidance, teach me discipline, and help me know what is right, just and fair. I come humbly to the giver of all good gifts, offering my gifts to Him, and asking for God to make me into everything He might want me to be. For who, by himself, is able?

I hear wisdom calling, do you?

“Come and listen to my counsel.
I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise.” – Proverbs 1:23

Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.
Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.
Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.
For the Lord grants wisdom!
From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.
He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.
He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.
Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go.
For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy.
Wise choices will watch over you.
Understanding will keep you safe. – Proverbs 2:3-11

My child, never forget the things I have taught you.
Store my commands in your heart.
If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying.
Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!
Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
Write them deep within your heart.
Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. – Proverbs 3:1-6

Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding.
For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold.
Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. – Proverbs 3:13-15

Sounds great! I’ll take as much as you would like to give me, Lord. And how can I obtain this wisdom? By asking and by seeking, by trusting and by submitting. It is in my relationship with You, God, that I will be blessed with all you have to teach me. I choose to come and listen. I cry out for insight and I ask for understanding. I will search for them as I would for silver, I will seek them like hidden treasure. I will store your commands in my heart, tie them around my neck as a reminder and write them deep within my heart. Lord, I seek your will. Show me which path to take. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Psalm 146, 148, 150

Praise the Lord! – Psalm 150:1

This is a familiar phrase to most of us. We have heard it spoken among believers, written in correspondence and shouted in worship services. But I do not want the familiarity of these words to cause me to miss out on what God’s Word is calling me to do. If the psalmist is calling me to praise the Lord, what do I need to understand about this form of worship?

The word “praise” can be found 380 times in the Bible (NLT) and 187 times in the book of Psalms alone. As we finish up our study of this book of poetry, let us slow down to consider this familiar phrase that rolls off the tongue. Let us seek a new understanding of this command in scripture – the command to praise the Lord.

Google provides us with a few definitions: Praise is the expression of approval or admiration. Approval is the agreement that something is good, acceptable or satisfactory. The meaning of admiration adds respect to my approval. [google.com]

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!” Let’s worship with abandon, expressing unconditional passion for our God!

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

There is a video online of a 15-month old baby girl experiencing rain for the first time. She adorably stretches out her hands and tilts her face toward the sky. She giggles and smiles in approval of each raindrop that splashes on her face. Let’s worship God in the same way this little girl experienced the rain? Let’s turn our face towards God and lift up our hands in praise, showing how we agree with God that this life He has given us is good — that we admire His goodness and approve of His faithfulness. Praise the Lord!

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. These are my least favorite days. I know from experience how spending time in God’s presence can change me and refresh me. That is why I get up each morning and spend time in His presence before our home 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. Steer 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: Psalm 139 & 117

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

I love this verse because it speaks to the Lord’s active participation in our lives while also expressing our deep need for Him. There is a confidence that God is in control paired with a desperation for the Creator’s presence. It reminds me of one of my favorite verses in scripture, which is found in 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.”

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. He is aware of what I am thinking and how I am feeling. He is omnipresent and omniscient; He is everywhere and He knows everything. I am so thankful this morning for the active presence of the Lord in my life!

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 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; God knows what we are feeling and where we are struggling. 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

God knows all — 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!

Praise the Lord, all you nations;
extol him, all you peoples.
For great is his love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord. – Psalm 117

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. 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 as you make me exactly who you want me to be. Amen.

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

Today’s Reading: Psalms 8, 136, 138

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. 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!

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 136:12-14

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

Do you catch 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 lose its meaning. Take hold of this promise – 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

As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength…
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 138:3-8

God, my Beloved, suffers patiently for me.

The God who created me will not abandon me because He loves me. His love is strong and can bear with me through my struggles because it is 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. His faithful love endures forever. 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? – Psalm 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! The Psalms do not just tell us about God, they describe man’s relationship with God. As we read through this book, we do not simply increase what WE KNOW ABOUT GOD, we come face to face with the fact that WE ARE KNOWN BY GOD. We walk away with evidence that God loves us with a love that will endure forever!

Father God, we thank you for the blessings you bestow on us each day. We are grateful for the opportunity to live in a relationship with you. God of Miracles, we praise you for how you have acted on our behalf over and over again. Thank you for your protection and your provision; thank you for being a God who created us, designed us, and knows everything about us. You are a good God, and we make the decision once more to put our trust in you. Amen.