January 18, 2017
David called the Lord his “portion, inheritance and cup.” This seems a clear allusion to the portion appointed to the Levitical priests who served in the Temple. David declared that he was satisfied not with lands, titles, or riches, but in the Lord Himself. The Lord was his delight and joy. The Lord was the source of any goodness and blessing that he had, therefore he would rather have the Lord than any blessing that the Lord bestowed. David sought the Lord’s face rather than His hand. Might we pray today: “Lord, I am Yours and You are mine. You are the One I long for, You are my inheritance and my great reward.”
January 15, 2017
Did God really “forget” David? Was He really hiding his face from him? This was the language of David’s heart. This was how David felt and so he expressed his feelings to God through questions. Psalm 13 is a short prayer. It begins with David’s questions and ends with David’s firm resolve to keep trusting, rejoicing, and singing in and to the Lord. David was going through a season of spiritual dryness. He didn’t sense the Lord’s presence. Yet, he still believed in God’s mercy and salvation, and he knew that God had always “dealt bountifully” with him in the past. David prayed out his doubts by asking questions, but he also prayed out his firm faith. Have you ever gone through a spiritual dry spell? Have you ever prayed like David?
January 1, 2017
“Blessed” (Happy, fulfilled, completely satisfied) is the one who doesn’t follow the counsel and way of the world, but instead finds direction from God’s Word. The person who follows the “law of the Lord,” which is the Word of God, follows a narrow path that few find, yet is available to all who would delight in it. This blessed life is marked by meditating on the Word, moving it from the head to the heart through reading, studying and internalizing it day and night. This life is like a “tree planted by streams of water,” drawing on the life from the Incarnate Word, Jesus Christ, who is revealed by the written Word.
How will you begin this new year 2017? Whose counsel will you follow?
December 19, 2016
The psalmist David expressed his confidence that the Lord would “fulfill His purpose” for him. He did not ask God to bring to pass his own plans, but that God would “fulfill” what He planned for David’s life. He prayed, “God use me for the express purpose for which You made me!” This can be our prayer too. We can join David in praying, “Lord, fulfill Your purpose for me.”
November 30, 2016
Our communication with God is to be two-way: We talk to Him in prayer and He speaks to us through His Word. Daily prayer and Bible reading is a believer’s lifeline to the Father. Are you facing a difficult decision? Are you in need of encouragement or advice? Go to the Father. Make known your requests. Read His Word. Pray “Lord, give me understanding according to Your Word.” Let the Spirit speak into your situation. Listen. He has spoken. He still speaks.
October 15, 2016
Do you need to be revitalized? Has life lost its joy? When no amount of rest and relaxation seems to revive you. When recreation does not distract you from a dull discouragement. Where will you turn? The Psalmist tells us to turn to the Lord, to ask Him for life and joy!
October 6, 2016
The Psalmist called his generation not to neglect telling the next generation of the “glorious deeds of the Lord.” Certainly, this call is in obedience to God’s Word, which commanded parents to teach their children of Him (Deut. 6:7). Yet, I am convinced that we must also tell them not only what God has done in the past, but also what He has done in our own lives in the present. Tell your children the whole of God’s Word and especially do not “hide” the part of how Jesus Christ saved a sinner like you.
September 25, 2016
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Psalm 96:1-10
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evangelism
In the 96th Psalm, the Psalmist wrote that the nation of Israel should worship and bear witness to the glory of God so that all the earth would join in. The mission of that nation was to let their worship of God be a witness among the nations. We too can be missional through our worship and witness.
September 19, 2016
David wrote that God’s love for us is “better than life.” Not his love for God, but God’s love for him. Knowledge of God’s love brought praise to his lips. God’s love has been most clearly revealed in Jesus. For as the apostle John wrote, “This is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10). God’s love as expressed in Jesus should be the motive for our worship.
September 15, 2016
David loved to write and sing praises to the Lord. Can you think of a better reason to sing? Get your praise on today and watch your worries slip away. Let God be your fortress and strength. For He loves you with a “steadfast love.”