Today’s Reading: Psalms
Half of the Psalms were written by King David. The Lord gifted him with a poetic heart and he expressed his many emotions through his writings. He wrote psalms of praise, lament, thanksgiving, and confession, but my favorite words of David are those that spoke of his intimate relationship with God.
The book of Psalms is the place many of us go when we are struggling, when difficult times are upon us and we are wondering why God is allowing us to walk such a hard path. The Psalms remind us that God allows us to go through pain and experience problems so that we will long for His PRESENCE, recognize His PROVISION, and cry out for His PROTECTION. Over and over again you see this pattern in the poetry of the Psalms — this dance between man and God.
LONGING FOR HIS PRESENCE
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” – Psalm 27:8
Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.
Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. – Psalm 5:3
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 am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God.
Bend down and listen as I pray.
Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways.
By your mighty power you rescue those who seek refuge from their enemies. – Psalm 17:6-7
RECOGNIZING HIS PROVISION
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.
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. – Psalm 40:4-5
Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you.
He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. – Psalm 55:22
CRYING OUT FOR HIS PROTECTION
O Lord, I have so many enemies; so many are against me.
So many are saying, “God will never rescue him!”
But you, O Lord, are a shield around me;
You are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain. – Psalm 3:1-4
Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge. – Psalm 16:1
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.
I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
And he saved me from my enemies. – Psalm 18:2-3
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. – Psalm 23:4
But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.
I praise God for what he has promised.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me? – Psalm 56:3-4
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
Lord, we praise you for you are the essence of love and the purest example of grace. We thank you for the many ways in which you bless us each day. Thank you for your provision and for your protection, even when we are unaware of your presence. We choose to trust you — the One who knows everything about us yet loves us and cares deeply for us. Forgive us for our many transgressions and give us a new song today. Amen.
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