Psalm 53 "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God'".  The "nabal" - the wicked, stupid, foolish, vile person - boasts in his declaration that God does not exist - does not see his wickedness; does not hear his lies; does not judge his sins...  

Remember Nabal - the husband of Abigail?  I Samuel 25:3 says, "... the man was harsh and evil in his dealings... "  When David sent his men to Nabal to ask for a share of his feast... Nabal sent them packing, even though they had sheltered and protected his shepherds and his sheep.  Abigail intervened and kept David from avenging himself by killing Nabal and then when she told Nabal what had happened.. "his heart died within him".    He had stored up for himself many riches, made himself merry with wine.. and died.  Nabal's evil dealings brought about his own destruction.  This man lived up to his name - fool. 

A fool is someone who acts like Nabal.. they are corrupt and do what is "abominable". They do not do what is "good".  David writes in this psalm as well as in Psalm14 this same statement, "There is no one who does good."  The person who refuses to acknowledge God does not have understanding.  He or she can not do what is "good". They have "no knowledge". 

There is only one hope and one solution to this foolishness - " O that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!" David prays. "When God restores His captive people." 

David's prayer was finally answered when an angel appeared to Mary and  then to Joseph.. "And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)  Salvation came out of Zion to save not only Israel but every person who will call upon His Name to be saved!

Our world still has its share of "nabals".  Those who refuse the Truth. Those who persist in their corruption and evil.  Those who cannot do "good".  Yes, there are many unbelievers who try to do good works... but they have no understanding of what true goodness really looks like - for it is found only in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.. the Salvation that came out of Zion. 

Father in heaven, lead us in Your paths of righteousness, deliver us from evil. May we proclaim that there IS A GOD- One True God and that You are the eternal Lord of heaven and earth and there is NO other.  Fill us Holy Spirit with the grace and knowledge of Jesus, our Savior and King.  Pour out truth and righteousness upon us that we might truly do "good".  That we might love fully.. that we might have joy and peace, patience and kindness, that we might always be faithful and gentle and good.  We surrender ourselves to You and seek Your face today and always, in the Name of Jesus the King. Amen. 

 Psalm 52  As I read these first 5 verses.. originally speaking about Doeg the Edomite who betrayed David.. my thoughts went to another man, bent of doing evil.. the Russian leader who ordered the missiles sent into the homes of innocent people just yesterday. "Why do you boast in evil, mighty man?" 

He speaks of destruction.

He deceives the people.

He loves evil more than good.

He devours with his words and his actions. 

 Yet.. David reminds us of this.. "the lovingkindness of God endures all day long."  God will break down and snatch away those who do evil.. and that includes Putin.  "Behold, the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and was strong in his evil desire.. "  will face the Mighty God who judges and rules the nations..and a righteous verdict will be rendered. 

"But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever. I will give Thee thanks forever because Thou hast done it, and I will wait on Thy name for it is good, in the presence of Thy godly ones." 

Father in heaven, You are our Mighty God and You see the needs of Your people.  You see the fear and devastation of Your children in the Ukraine.  Draw near to them and put Your hand over them.  Stop the evil of the wicked and establish the righteous, according to Your Word. Uproot the evil ones and be near to those who call on Your name.  Let Your name be praised among the nations today, Lord God, as You accomplish Your good and acceptable and perfect will. For we ask this in Jesus' name. amen. 

 Psalm 51  This is David's prayer of repentance.  Nathan confronted King David for his sin regarding Bathsheba and Uriah.  David could no longer ignore the weight of his sin and guilt.  This psalm is such an honest and humble declaration of David's biggest failure... Something that most people are not brave enough to do.. something that I am not brave enough to do... 

"Be gracious to me, O God, according to Thy lovingkindness; according to the greatness of Thy compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin." ( v1-2) 

David appeals to the God he knows.. the God who has unending grace and mercy. The God who has the power to do something about his past.. the God, who alone, can cleanse and wash away the stain of sin. 

"For I know my transgressions.. Against Thee, Thee only, I have sinned." ( v3-4)  Yes, David sinned against Bathsheba and Uriah.. but he recognized and acknowledged that his greatest sin was really against God. We don't get that.. adultery and murder are pretty big sins after all!  But, sin.. the offense against the Holy One.. sin that removed God from the place He belonged..  in His child's heart.  Sin.. with a capital S.. the sin nature that David.. (and us all )...  inherited from Adam..  which we all are conceived and brought forth into this world with.. took over David's life and brought forth adultery and murder.. 

"Behold, Thou dost desire truth in the innermost being.. "  David prays.  It is this truth that breaks our spirits and collapses our hearts.. this is what it means to truly repent.  This honesty before God will bring a person to know deep sorrow for his sin.  It will prompt him to confess openly what he has done and turn away from it willingly.  It will lead to finding forgiveness from the only One who can offer it. It will bring him to a restored relationship and true joy in Him. 

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. "(v10) David prayed.  God alone can change our hearts and restore our souls.  And for this reason we can say with David, "O Lord, open my lips that my mouth may declare Thy praise." (v15)

Father in heaven, You see our hearts and know every secret and every fear.. You know when there are evil things that need to be confessed before You and cleansed by Your power and grace. Thank You for washing my heart that I can be "whiter than snow".  I praise You, Lord, for You are my Redeemer and You have restored my soul.  You have made me clean and pure and new. Thank You for such grace and lovingkindness.. Thank You for the joy of Your salvation.  Thank You for Christ Jesus, who has forever brought me into Your Presence and made me Your own.  Keep me in Your ways, Lord.  Let the Spirit of God fill me and complete in me Your perfect will.  Help me to walk according to Your Spirit this day, I ask in Jesus' name.  Amen. 

 Psalm 50  "The Mighty One, God the Lord has spoken, and summoned the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.. " 

Picture the heavenly throne.. Isaiah's vision gives us a glimpse.. " I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted and the train of His robe filling the temple.  Seraphim stood above Him..."  Calling out, "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts. The whole earth is filled with His glory."  Ezekiel saw it too. "In the midst of the living beings there was something that looked like burning coals, like torches darting back and forth among the living beings. The fire was bright, and lightning was flashing from the fire." (v13) "And there came a voice from above the expanse... Now above the expanse that was over their heads there was something resembling a throne, like lapis lazuli in appearance; and on that which resembled a throne, high up, was a figure with the appearance of a man... and there was a radiance around Him." 

The Mighty God "has spoken"... God "has shone forth".  He summons all of heaven earth "to judge His people." 

It is this Holy God who judges all... and we bow before Him.

To the righteous.. those who have "made a covenant with [Him] by sacrifice." He reminds them that He has no need of anything from them.. " If I were hungry I would not tell you; for the world is Mine, and all it contains."  What He requires of them is this: "Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High; And call on Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you and you will honor Me." (12-15) 

To the wicked He pronounces their sins that He will judge:

They speak of His statutes and His covenant, but "hate discipline" and ignore His words.(v16-17)

They approve of thieves and adulterers. (v18)

They speak evil and lies. (v19)

They slander their own brothers. (v20)

And for these things He will "reprove them". 

Yet, there is still hope... 

" Now consider this, you who forget God. Lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; and to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of God."

Father  God,  Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!  I bring a sacrifice of thanksgiving before You, to honor You.  You hear my cry for help in times of trouble. Thank You!  You forgive my sins when I confess them and lay them before You. Thank You.   You have rescued me from evil and darkness. Thank You!  You have set me free from the curse of sin. Thank You!  You are God alone.. the owner of "every beast in the forest.. the cattle on a thousand hills."  You are my Lord and Master.. You own me.  Keep me in the palm of Your Hand. Lead me in the paths of righteousness for  Your name's sake. Live in me and fill me, Holy Spirit.  Make me to be more and more and more.. like Jesus.  He is the only sacrifice that fulfills all of Your commands.. O thank You Lord!   It is in His name that I pray. Amen. 

 Psalm 49 This psalm is addressed to "all peoples".  The writer is ready to share a bit of wisdom and it is meant for everyone.. low, high, rich, or poor..  It boils down to this.. not one of us is immune to death.  Some may gain wealth.. some may gain power.. but none can keep  themselves or anyone else from the certainty of death.. or the judgement that follows. 

Redemption can not be bought.  "No man can by any means redeem his brother, or give to God a ransom from him - for the redemption of his soul is costly, and he should cease trying forever.." ( v7-8) 

We don't really like to think about death.. for we have no control over it. That is in the Lord's hands.  

What we CAN do is know the One who redeems us and who will receive us.  It is only in Him that we can put away all fear - especially the fear of death, but also the fear that others have more than us; fear that others have a greater legacy; fear that we don't measure up to those who have gone before us.. or those who will come after us.  We must not congratulate ourselves for what we have done or what we have accumulated, but recognize that all things in life and in death belong to the Lord. 

 We need to remember this...  "For when he dies he will carry nothing away." 

These are somber thoughts, but we need to think them.  We need to recognize that our days are numbered and that we must take responsibility for our lives and our eternal future.  We need to hear this bit of wisdom from the psalmist and not hide our heads in the sand. "....it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes the judgment." Hebrews 9:27 says.. but it does not leave us there without hope.. for we have a Redeemer who is coming again!

There were two deaths from our church family yesterday.. two who no longer inhabit their earthly shells, but are now clothed in the glory of heaven.  It makes me wonder what that will be like when it is my turn...  We can't know until that day.. but this one thing I know.. I will carry nothing away from this world when it happens.. and only what treasures that I have laid up in heaven will await me there. (Matthew 6:20)  

How do we lay up treasures in heaven?   Jesus told the rich young ruler, "If you wish to  be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." ( 19:21)  Paul wrote to Timothy " Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future,  so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed." ( I Tim. 6: 18-19)  

Father in heaven,  I want to be one who lays up treasures in heaven.. living in accordance with Your Word and being generous to give to those in need.  Keep my eyes fixed on those things above, Lord.. that I might follow Jesus always.  There is day of joy coming for me.. I will trust You to handle all the details!   Praise and thanksgiving I offer up to You, my Redeemer and King. Amen. 

 Psalm 48  The focus of this psalm is the City of God..Zion.  Zion is God's "holy mountain".  It is a beautiful mountain  .. bringing joy "to the whole earth".  It is the dwelling place of the King.  It is the stronghold of God where He makes Himself known. 

Zion brings amazement to those who pass by and terror to those who do not belong.  Yet, it is a welcome refuge to those who come in righteousness and truth. 

The psalmist says, "We have thought on Thy lovingkindness, O God... " Lovingkindness - merciful kindness - As Psalm 36 says.. " Thy lovingkindness, O Lord extends to the heavens.. " It is "precious" because, in it He gives refuge to His children.. hiding them in the shadow of His wings.  He gives them water to drink and light to make the darkness flee.  

"Be gracious to me, O God, according to Thy lovingkindness; according to the greatness of Thy compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.." David prayed. ( Psalm 50:1-2)  Later he proclaimed.. "Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips will praise Thee." ( Psalm 63:3)  And "Answer me, O Lord, for Thy lovingkindness is good; according to the greatness of Thy compassion, turn to me." (Psalm 69:16)

Psalm 107  give us a series of of circumstances where men found themselves in trouble and cried out to the Lord.. and in each situation the Lord  answered out of His lovingkindness.. 

Verses 2-7 tells of the people wandering in the wilderness, hungry and thirsty.. fainting and lost.. until they cried out to the Lord  and He led them to an "inhabited city."   The psalmist writes, "Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness..." 

Verses 10-12 tell of those who were in darkness, imprisoned and in misery.. from their own rebellion against the Lord.. Yet, when they cried out to Him, He saved them, freeing them from their bands.. "Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness.. " (v15)

Verses 17-18 tell of those who acted as fools in their rebellion. They ended up near death.. until they cried out to the Lord and He saved them. "He sent His word and healed them and delivered them from their destructions. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness.. "

Verses 23-24 tell of men going to sea, doing business, seeing the Lord's handiwork in the greatness of the ocean waters.. but then a storm comes and it is terrifying.. "their soul melted away.. they reeled and staggered like a drunken man and were at their wits end." But, when they cried out to the Lord, He stilled the waters and guided them to shore. "Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness and for His wonders to the sons of man." 

"Who is wise? Let him give heed to these things; and consider the loving kindnesses of the Lord." Verse 43 ends this psalm. 

Think on.. consider His lovingkindness.. the compassion and mercy that God is willing to pour out on us.. even when we fail.  Even when we are sinners.  Even when we are rebellious.  Even when we are foolish. Even when we are trapped by our own choices. Even when trouble comes, not of our own doing, but over which we have no control.. 

There is a place, the psalmist tells us, where we can find joy and gladness.. it is the place of God's presence.. "Walk about Zion, and go around her; count her towers; consider her ramparts; go through her palaces; that you may tell it to the next generations. For such is God, Our God forever and ever. He will guide us until death." (48:12-14) 

Father, Your city is a place of refuge and security. It is where I want to be.. face to face with the One who loves me and died for my sins.  Your lovingkindness is better than life! You give and forgive. Your heal and restore our souls. You rescue us from darkness and fill us with light.  You give us life!  I praise You and thank You for reminding me again of the greatness of Your love and mercy. Amen. 

 Psalm 47 - The psalmist calls for the people.. for us.. to clap our hands and shout to God "with the voice of joy".   Joy.. is sometimes elusive.. at least I have found it so.  But, this psalm tells us why we can shout with joy.. "For the Lord Most High is to be feared. A great King over all the earth... " 

Joy is not in our circumstances.. nor in our selves.. at all.  It is in the sovereignty of God.  He is sovereign over people and over nations.  He is "King of all the earth".  He "reigns over the nations".  He "sits on His holy throne." 

Verse 9 says, ".. for the shields of the earth belong to God;"  He is the defender of His people. The protector and the ruler.  We do not and cannot protect ourselves from the enemy of our soul.. but when we are His, we can rest in the fact that He places a hedge.. a shield around us.. and no one can break through. 

Father in heaven,  I need You to cover me with Your Hand.. to fill me with the power of Your Spirit.. so that I might know Your joy.  You know the needs of my heart.  You know the depths of my soul.  I surrender to Your will and give You praise.  I long to see Your glory and feel Your love... to experience Your joy..   Draw near to me today as I draw near to You.  In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. 

 Psalm 46  God, You are my refuge and strength.  I want to hide in You. I want to stand firm in You. Waiting.. resting.. and trusting, for You are "a very present help in trouble".  You are "abundantly available"  to help me.   Your nature is love.  "God is the eternal, immutable God, who from eternity to eternity has not changed... As certainly as He created everything, so certainly does He bless everything. He can give nothing but blessing, goodness, and happiness from Himself because he has in Himself nothing else to give." ( Murray).  When I take refuge in You.. You surround me with Your goodness. 

There are many things in this world that make us fearful.. as the psalmist states.. "... the earth may change";  "the mountains [may] slip into the heart of the sea"; or "its waters [may] roar and foam." But, even if the mountains quake.. the City of God will never change. "God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved." 

Nations roar. But God reigns. 

"Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth."

We often quote the first part of that verse, but miss the wonderful truth of the second part.  He will be exalted! The whole earth... and every nation will see Him in His glory and He WILL be exalted! Hallelujah!  Lord, haste the day! It is because of this truth that we can cease our striving!

Father in heaven, we wait for You. We rest in the hope that is ours in Christ Jesus our Lord and King.  Be our help today. Whatever happens. May we know Your blessing, Your goodness, and be happy even when things don't look good for our world.  For we know that our Redeemer lives!  We know that He is coming soon and that You will be exalted in all the earth.  Until then, Lord, make us Your ambassadors to share the good news of the gospel of Christ which is able to save! In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 

 Psalm 43 is the second verse of psalm 42, ending with the same refrain.. "Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, the help of my countenance, and my God." 

This verse is a plea for vindication and deliverance.  The psalmist is feeling rejected by God.. and his request is for His presence.. "O send out Thy light and Thy truth, let them lead me; Let them bring me to the holy hill, and to Thy dwelling places."  

The Light and Truth of God lead us to the "dwelling place" of His sanctuary.. the place of strength and of joy.  The place of praise and worship.  The place where hope is remembered and help is provided. 

Jesus said, "I am the light of the world, he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness but shall have the light of life." ( John 8:12)  He also said, "If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." (8:31)  Psalm 119:105 tells us "Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path." 

In the light of God's Word we find Truth.. we find abiding fellowship with our Savior. We find hope and help in His Presence.  May we hunger and thirst for this... with the desperation of a deer who  "pants for water.. " 

Father in heaven, You are our hope, our strength,  and our "exceeding joy".  Thank You for loving us and for making it Your will to save and bless us by the precious gift of Jesus Christ.  Thank You for making it Your plan and purpose to do good to us.. to bring us into Your presence and fill us with Your glory and grace.  You are our amazing God! Be glorified and exalted in all the earth we pray, Amen. 

 Psalm 42  This song is for those who are in despair.. sunk down.. disturbed.. panting for God.. thirsting for the Living Water and wondering where He has gone. 

"These things I remember, and I pour out my soul within me.. " the psalmist writes.  He remembers leading the "procession to the house of God".  He remembers singing with joy and thanksgiving.  He remembers.. but wonders where those days have gone. 

It has been that kind of week for me.  The last year has been that kind of year.  The loss of my brother almost a year ago. The loss of my great-niece this past week.  The fear of covid being spread through media and the violence caused by political disruptions..  All this makes me wonder.. when is enough going to be enough with our Father in heaven.. when will the Lord Jesus come and take us to be with Him?  When will the sorrows and tears be wiped away?  When will there be true healing and abundant joy?

I'm ready..  and so was the psalmist.  "Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence."   Wait.. rest.. trust.  Remember the greatness of God, he reminds himself. "The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; And His song will be with me in the night." 

Where is God? He is here.  He is faithful. Hope... wait.. He is coming alongside, even now.  He is bringing us to Himself.. out of our despair and sorrows.  He will not fail.  Even the despair in itself has a purpose.. to cause us to pant for Him.. "as the deer pants for the water.. " 

Father, I need You.. every hour... fill me.. fill us with the comfort of Your holy Presence.  Help us to remember and to hope in You alone.  We wait for You and put our trust in You, for You are worthy!  Your goodness and faithfulness are unfailing. Thank You for drawing us closer today. We are looking ahead to that great day when we will see You face to face and forever know the all surpassing joy of Your great salvation.  Come quickly Lord Jesus. Amen!

 Psalm 41 David's life was full of struggles. He wasn't perfect and he wasn't always full of joy.  This psalm lets us see into his heart at a time when he was sick and feeling betrayed and hated. 

In the first 4 verses it seems as if David is reminding himself.. and us.. of the blessings that come with trusting the Lord and living in obedience to His Word... 

v1 "The Lord will deliver him.. "

v2 "the Lord will protect him and keep him alive.."

v3 "The Lord will sustain him upon his sickbed; in his illness, Thou dost restore him to health."

Like in  Psalm 40 from yesterday.. wait.. rest.. trust... in the Lord. Let Him handle the problems and the enemies and the afflictions.. This is what David is trying to do...  Reminding himself that he is in the Lord's hands.. 

But.. David also feels free to pour out his complaints to the Lord...  His enemies are speaking evil about him. They lie to him and about him. They plan wickedness against him. They hate him. They want him to die. And the worst part of all was the betrayal from one he considered a friend. "Even my close friend, in whom I trusted.. has lifted up his heel against me." ( v9)

David prays for God's grace to heal him and to help him overcome the wickedness of his enemies.  In conclusion he again makes a statement of faith... "As for me, Thou dost uphold me in my integrity, and Thou dost set me in Thy presence forever."  The thing that he desires most is to be with God. To be doing what is right. To know that God is pleased with him. To be all that the Lord has called him to be. In spite of everything David will wait.. rest.. and trust the Lord. In spite of everything we may be facing we can do this too.. stand in faith!

Father, we see so much evil in this world.. so many that hate and lie and kill. It has touched my loved ones this week, Lord.. and I am thankful for Your Word to remind me once again that even in the midst of darkness, You are with us. We can trust You fully. We can rest in Your peace and love. We can put our hope in Your perfect plans that will bring good from even the worst of circumstances.  May we seek to stand firmly on Your Word, trusting in You to uphold us in integrity... and to be surrounded by Your Presence.  We ask for Your strength by the power of Your Spirit in us.. in Jesus' name. amen. 

 Psalm 40  Waiting.. waiting patiently.. for the Lord is sometimes the hardest thing we must do.  But David tells us over and over that this is also the most important thing we must do.  To wait on Him is to trust.. to acknowledge His sovereignty and His power and to yield to His authority over everything. It is resting in Who He is.. David tells us that when he learned to wait on the Lord.. patiently.. it was worth it.

The Lord heard David. 

He rescued David. 

He secured David. 

And He gave David a "new song"!

Because David waited on the Lord others found Him too..  "Many will see and fear, and will trust in the Lord."

David knew the blessing of trusting the Lord. He did not keep his blessings to himself. "Behold I will not restrain my lips, O Lord, Thou knowest. I have not hidden Thy righteousness within my heart; I have spoken of Thy faithfulness and Thy salvation; I have not concealed Thy lovingkindness and Thy truth from the great congregation." ( v9-10)

David was totally dependent on the Lord and he was not afraid to say so.  He trusted the Lord to deliver him from evil. He trusted Him to deal with the wicked.  He trusted Him to help the needy.  His hope was in the Lord, who he knew was compassionate, merciful, and true. 

Whatever circumstances that we face today... we can wait on the Lord.. placing our trust fully in Him.. to hear us.. to rescue us, to deliver us, and to set us securely on the Rock that never fails.  May we not keep these truths to ourselves, but allow God to give us a new song that leads others to Him. 

Father in heaven, may Your Name be lifted up and glorified as we bring our praise and worship before You.  Confirm Your truth in our hearts today as we seek to trust You fully and to walk in obedience to Your will.  May we see Your glory in the midst of our struggles as we learn to wait on You.. resting in the peace of Your Presence.  Amen. 

 Psalm 39  This psalm is almost depressing.. we hear David's plea for God's nearness.. "Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry; do not be silent at my tears; for I am a stranger with Thee, a sojourner like all my fathers." 

I imagine that most of us have had  experiences like that.. times in our lives where we wonder where God has gone...  We may even have the kind of thoughts that David expresses here.. "Lord, make me to know my end, and what is the extent of my days, Let me know how transient I am. Behold, Thou hast made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing in Thy sight, surely every man at his best is a mere breath." 

Life is short. The older we get the more we realize it. But, David is asking more than that he could live longer.... he wants to be aware of the shortness of life so that he can make the most of the days that the Lord gives him.  He doesn't want to walk "about like a phantom" or "make an uproar for nothing." He doesn't want just to gain wealth.. he wants to live a life that matters.. "And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in Thee."

David has determined to keep his mouth muzzled.. to not speak foolishly.. but to wait for the Lord to speak.  He prays for deliverance from his transgressions. He prays for healing and peace. He humbles himself before the Lord to wait on Him to accomplish what He desires.  And this is the posture that we each must take.. whether we are young or old.. whether we are feeling up or down.. whether we know His nearness to us or feel like a stranger before Him. 

Father in heaven, we need You every hour. Thank You for making us aware that our lives are short.. mere breaths.. and that we only have "today" to live for You.  May we not waste it on the things that do not last.. but as Your Word tells us, may we keep our eyes on the things that are "unseen".. on that which is eternal. ( II Cor. 4:18) Father, have Your own way.. in my life today. I ask this in the name of Jesus, my Lord. Amen. 

 Psalm 38 David's description of himself when he was convicted of his sins... reveals the depth of sickness that comes from a guilt-ridden  heart:

 It feels like an arrow that pierces; a Hand pressing down; a weakening of one's flesh and bones; "..a heavy burden.." that weighs too much to bear;  festering wounds and inward burning. " And my sighing is not hidden from Thee. My heart throbs, my strength fails me; and the light of my eyes, even that has gone from me." (v1-10)

He felt it in every part of his body and soul.  That is what sin does.  That is what people don't want to feel- so they drink or take drugs, or work without stopping or shop.. or eat.. or whatever they do to try and not feel anything.. 

Yet, even in the suffering from his own sinfulness.. David retained hope.. "For I hope in Thee, O Lord; Thou wilt answer, O Lord my God" (v15)  He is ready to confess his sins and return to the One who does not forsake His own. 

This is our hope too! When we feel the Hand of God pressing down and the burden becomes heavier than we can bear.. we only have to turn back to the One who saves.  Whether it is from the outside.. external difficulties.. or from internal struggles.. our God knows.. and is still our salvation!  Hallelujah!

The world around us needs this hope.. they need to know that nothing can cover the guilt of sin.. except the blood of Christ.  This is why He came.. "And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins." ( Matthew 1:21)  Jesus.. Immanuel.. God with us.. our Living Hope!

Thank You Father for sending us Your Son, that He might save us from our sins.  We put our hope in You, believing in Jesus Christ who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, crucified on a cross and risen from the grave! Hallelujah, what a Savior!  May the Spirit of God fall upon this land O Lord, to bring that conviction of sin.. and may men and women and children.. open their hearts to receive Jesus and find Hope!  We ask this in the Wonderful Name of  Jesus. Amen. 

 Psalm 37  This psalm of David sounds so much like the book of Proverbs.. the contrast between those who trust and obey the Lord and those who do not.. Solomon's words of wisdom reflect the truth of David's songs...

David gives us sound teaching.. to "not fret because of the evildoer".  David knew a lot of those kind of men. In his experience, he tells us, these kinds of people don't last. "For they will wither quickly like the grass, and fade like the green herb."

The wicked may prosper.. but they do not last.  They may plot and scheme, but they do not hide from the Lord.  The wickedness they do is turned back upon them.  The Lord sees and He will judge.  "The posterity of the wicked will be cut off." David writes.  No one to remember them or miss them.  No one left to care.  It is really a pitiful life when you think about it.  Jesus told a parable about a rich man who had so much that he tore down his barns to build bigger ones, but God called him a fool. "This very night your soul is required of you and now who will own what you have prepared?"  The problem was one of greed and selfish living. When the life of the wicked is over.. then what?  They will finally know how foolish they were.. 

David has much more to say about those who want to live.. "Trust in the Lord and do good;" he writes... 

"cultivate faithfulness.." (v3)

"delight yourself in the Lord." (v4)

"Commit you way to the Lord." (v5)

"Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him." (v7)

To truly live.. we must walk in His Spirit.. stop fretting, stop anger, stop being envious of the prosperity of the wicked, stop being obsessed with "abundance"(v16)... look instead to the Lord. "Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart." (v4)

He will "bring forth your righteousness as the light and your judgement as the noonday."(v6)

He will give you an inheritance worth far more than any wicked man could receive.  (9, 22, 29)

He will protect you from the wicked. (v12-15)

He will provide what is needed to sustain you. (v17)

He will bless you. (v22)

He will establish you. (v23)

He will hold your hand when things get shaky. (v24)

He will never forsake you. (v25, 28)

He will be your strength.. your help.. your deliverer. (v39, 40)

Oh how much better is the "narrow gate!  "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it.  For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who fine it." ( Matthew 7:14)

Father in heaven, You are our refuge and fortress.  You are good to us.  You have shown us such mercy and grace!  How can we ever thank You enough?  Keep our feet on Your paths, Lord. Keep our hearts full of Your Spirit as we turn to  You and trust You will all our hearts.  Thank You for Your Word and Your Spirit to teach us and lead us in paths of righteousness for Your Name's sake.  We rest in You and You alone, Lord Jesus.. our Shepherd and King. Make us bold to tell others this Good News.. there is a way to Life and it is found in Jesus!  Amen . 

 Psalm 36  The first 4 verses of this psalm describe the "ungodly".  As we are reminded in the New Testament.. we have all been in this category.  David says "Transgression speaks to the ungodly within his heart."    Rebellion whispers to our inner selves.. and with no "fear of God".. we allow it to rule our hearts.  Jesus talked about this.. "But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders.. "(Matthew 15:18-19)   Jeremiah wrote, "The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?" ( 17:9)  Thankfully he has the answer!  "I, the Lord search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds." ( v10)  His response to this truth is a prayer that I have turned to many times.. "Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; Save me and I will be saved, for Thou art my praise." ( v14) 

David also turns from his thoughts of the wicked.. to the source of his hope.. "Thy lovingkindness, O Lord extends to the heavens, Thy faithfulness reaches to the skies."  I love this verse! I am reminded that there is no limit to God's greatness!  There is a limit to wickedness.. but not to the abundance of God's love and faithfulness.  It is not just a dusting.. it is not even knee-deep!  His goodness goes beyond our atmosphere and fills the universe! This is our source of hope.  May we never doubt it or forget it!

David goes on to describe God's righteousness.. "like the mountains of God".  We love to go up into the Smoky Mountains.  When we start to get closer and begin to see the peaks.. each bigger than the one before..it takes my breath away.  I imagine the mountains in Israel are like that too.  David knew those mountains so well.   Mount Sinai is described as  massive, rocky cliffs.. and there is where the Lord's presence was made known to Moses and all of Israel. His righteousness is beautiful and majestic and enduring.. 

"Thy judgements are like a great deep.."  David goes on.  An ocean that cannot be fathomed. Paul wrote, "Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgements and unfathomable His ways!" ( Romans 11:33)  Our great and gracious Savior is perfectly just in His judgements.. and by the blood of Jesus who has paid the price for us we know this Truth.. "Who is a God like Thee, who pardons iniquity and passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in unchanging love. He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities under foot. Yes, Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. ( Micah 7:18-19)

"How precious is Thy lovingkindness, O God!" With David we sing praises to our gracious God in whom we can take refuge.. who gives us "abundance" from His hands.. who allows us to drink "of the river of [His] delights.. Who is the "fountain of life" and the Light of the world. 

Father, we thank You for revealing the heights of Your love and the depths of Your mercy.  Cleanse our hearts of all rebellion and wickedness.. throw our sins into the sea.  Remove all iniquity and fill us with Your righteousness.. for we worship You alone.  Fill us now with Your Spirit that we might live in the light of these truths..  we pray in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Psalm 35  David prays for the Lord to "contend" with his enemies.  The enemies that chose to contend with David, "without cause"...

They pursued him. ( v3)

They sought his life. (v4)

They devised evil. (v4)

They set up a snare for him. (v7)

They dug a pit for him. (v7).

They robbed him. (v10)

They were "malicious witnesses" against him.(v11)

They repaid  him "evil for good." ( v12)

They rejoiced when he stumbled. (v15)

They slandered him. (v15)

They "gnashed at [him] with their teeth." (v16)

They devised lies, taunted.. and wanted to "swallow" him up.. (v20-25)

David had every reason to want to "contend" with these people himself. But, instead, he asks the Lord to do it.  He asks that these enemies would be ashamed of themselves.  That they would find no honor in what they were doing.  He asks that the Lord would pursue them and that they would fall into their own traps.  He asks for God's just judgement and places himself squarely into the Lord's care. 

"And my soul shall rejoice in the Lord; It shall exult in His salvation. All my bones will say, 'Lord, who is like Thee, Who delivers the afflicted from him who is too strong for him. " (v9-10)

David prayed for his enemies.  He prayed for them when they were sick.  He mourned for them and fasted on their behalf.  He didn't want them as enemies.. even considering them like a friend or brother.. but he could not change their hatred for him.  All he could do was put them in the Lord's hands. 

In spite of everything that David suffered, he chose to keep praising the Lord. 

What kind of enemy are we facing today? One who has slandered us, hated us, done evil to us? Maybe someone has chosen to become your enemy.. for no good reason.  It happens to us sometimes...  Let us learn from David's example... as Jesus taught this too.. "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." ( Matt. 5:43-45) 

Father in heaven, thank You for leading us in Your ways.  Thank You for doing what we cannot do on our own.  Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. We rejoice that You enable us to do what You require of us.. Have Your way in our hearts today.. that Your love would fill us and overflow.. not just for our neighbors.. but for those who have chosen to be our enemies also.  Come Holy Spirit and fill us today. We praise You Father, Son, and Spirit.. Who is like You? Be exalted and honored in our lives today we pray, in Jesus' name. Amen.