October 1, 2015
Do you “draw near to God” every morning? Do you take a moment to lift your eyes above your circumstances to contemplate His holiness, to read His Word, to seek His direction, and to receive a fresh filling of His Spirit? Drawing near to God, we put our “trust” in Him and we fill our mouths with His praise, so that we “declare” His works all day long. Or do you attempt to live life on your own, depending on your own strength and wisdom? Why not join the psalmist and every believer throughout the ages who has discovered this secret of living: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8).
September 24, 2015
Are you raising children without a husband to help? You don’t have to go it alone. I often heard my mother quote this psalm in prayer after my father died. She was only 31 years old when she found herself a widow. She raised four children alone. Yet, not alone. She called on God to keep His promise to be a Father to her fatherless children and a Defender, a Husband, to her. I think He heard her prayers. My life and calling are a testament to her prayers and God’s promise.
September 17, 2015
Written by David, this psalm cried out to God to lead him to a place that was safe and secure. When his heart was “overwhelmed,” perhaps by the attacks of enemies or by the disappointments of life, David cried out for a place where his heart could find rest and his clouded vision could be restored. We can pray like David. And when we ask for the “rock that is higher,” we have access to that Rock, which is Christ (1 Cor. 10:4). He invites all those who are “weary and heavy-laden” to come unto Him and to find rest for their souls.
September 16, 2015
In this psalm of David, he spoke of a “banner” given to Israel by the Lord, that was to be “displayed.” In the armies of old the one who carried the banner or flag was among the most courageous of the soldiers. He was commissioned to carry and protect the banner, to keep it raised high in the sky and blowing in the breeze, so that all could see it. In Spurgeon’s meditation on this verse, he identifies the gospel as the church’s standard. I agree. We are to hold the gospel, the message of the cross, high over our lives. We have been given this banner by Christ and instructed to display it before the nations. Let us keep it lifted up, not allowing it to fall, or to be trampled in the mud. It may be bullet-ridden from the battle, but it is still the standard of truth given to us by the Lord Himself. Let us wave high the gospel banner over our lives until all the nations have heard.
September 12, 2015
More than a motto to put on our money, this is a declaration of faith. Trust in God above all others. Written by the one who slew Goliath, it is not hyperbole, but a tested conclusion, i.e. “since God is greater than man (even giant ones), I will not fear man, because I trust in God.” Wherever there is fear, especially fear of man, there is lack of faith.
September 3, 2015
This psalm calls all peoples of the world to recognize God as King. It is a call to worship the Lord Most High. He is not just the king of Israel, but over all nations. There is no one higher nor mightier than He. There may be rebellion in the world today against the great King, but His triumph is assured and those who oppose Him are destined to fall. For whom do you offer your worship of clapping and shouting?
August 28, 2015
A psalm for the soul. When you are discouraged and “cast down,” learn to encourage yourself in the Lord (1 Sam. 30:6). Bring your soul to the Lord. Instruct your soul to “hope in God” and “praise Him.” Have you not yet learned that a fresh encounter with God in Word and prayer will change the disposition of your soul and therefore your “countenance,” putting a smile in place of a frown? Reset your soul’s hope from its idols and put its hope in God. Worship works.
August 16, 2015
David wrote this psalm during a low period in his life. While hiding from King Saul who sought to kill him, he stooped to playing the madman to escape the Philistine king, Abimelech. Yet, in spite of all of his afflictions, no bones were broken. Clearly, David must have borrowed this turn of phrase from the instructions given in the law concerning the Passover lamb, which was to be sacrificed without breaking any bones. Both the Passover lamb and David are Christological types, preparing us for the Righteous One, who was sacrificed for our sins, yet not one of His bones was broken.
August 11, 2015
Have you ever felt as David did when he wrote this psalm? You’re crying out to God in prayer, but you don’t feel His presence? Perhaps this dark night of the soul has come in order to increase your thirst for the Lord. It causes you to grow in awareness of your ultimate dependence on God. And this has become more acute as you desire to hear His voice and experience His touch. When we pray like this what may have begun as a litany of requests becomes a singular desire: “God, I only want You!”
August 9, 2015
This Psalm of David teaches us to choose gladness and worship, while giving our troubles to God. David wrote that God had “considered” his trouble. In other words David had stopped thinking about his troubles and had given them to God for His consideration. This is how the disciples prayed too, “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness” (Acts 4:29). When we continue to consider our own trouble it leads to discouragement and worry. But when we give them to God, it opens the way to gladness and rejoicing.