Category: Psalms Devotionals 2

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Psalms Devotionals 2

Because the Lord delights in me

God's delight

By this I know that you delight in me:
my enemy does not shout in triumph over me. (Psalm 41:11)

I was reflecting on those words this morning.

“The Lord delights in me.”

He delights in me?

How do I know?

Though Satan accuses me, attacks me, tries to destroy me, he will not ultimately shout in triumph over me.

Through Jesus and his blood shed on the cross for me, I have the victory!

And so I sing with David,

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.

Amen and amen. (Psalm 41:13)

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Psalms Devotionals 2

Because He has turned his ear to me

Prayer

I don’t think I’ve ever seen the connection between Psalm 39 and 40 as clearly as I did today.

In Psalm 39, David pleaded,

Hear my prayer, Lord,
and listen to my cry for help;
do not be silent at my tears. (Psalm 39:12)

Now in Psalm 40, David sings,

I waited patiently for the Lord,
and he turned to me and heard my cry for help.

He brought me up from a desolate pit,
out of the muddy clay,
and set my feet on a rock,
making my steps secure.

He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God. (Psalm 40:1-3)

But the other thing that struck me was David’s response.

You do not delight in sacrifice and offering;
you open my ears to listen.
You do not ask for a whole burnt offering or a sin offering.

Then I said, “See, I have come;
in the scroll it is written about me.

I delight to do your will, my God,
and your instruction is deep within me.” (Psalm 40:6-8)

Because the Lord had graciously turned his ear to David, David turned his ear to the Lord.

Because of all the Lord had done for him (Psalm 40:1-5), he delighted to follow God and do his will. God’s words were his joy.

That was David’s heart.

That was Jesus’ heart. (Hebrews 10:5-7)

And that’s the kind of heart I want to have.

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Psalms Devotionals 2

Our heart in God’s discipline

Prayer

David’s heart hits me in this psalm.

It’s clear he was being disciplined for something. It’s very possible this happened after his sin in 1 Chronicles 21.

But he didn’t complain about God’s discipline or walk away from him.

Instead, he asked for a heart of wisdom that knows what’s truly important in our short lives. (Psalm 39:4-6)

He remembered that we’re just passing through this broken world. And he wanted to walk in it with his Lord, even if it meant going through his discipline at times. (12)

That’s the kind of heart I desire in this coming year: a heart of wisdom that keeps perspective, walking humbly with my God.

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Psalms Devotionals 2

Leading my heart

dawn

Happy New Year everyone!

It’s a time for resolutions for many. I generally don’t make them, but looking at today’s psalm, I see ways that by God’s grace I want to lead my heart this year.

I will choose not to be ruled by anger when I see things on the news and social media. (Psalm 37:1, 7-8)

I’m sure I will get angry at times, and that’s okay. But I will not let anger or fear dominate my thinking.

Instead, I will choose to trust God, be silent before him, and wait expectantly for him to act in his timing, not mine. (7)

In the meantime, I will do the good he has asked of me, serving my good King. (3)

May we all lead our hearts in that way this year, being God’s light to darkened world.

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Psalms Devotionals 2

Take me back Tuesday: At all times

Take me back Tuesday

I wrote this back in the first year of COVID in 2020.

God got us through then. He’ll get us through whatever we’re going through now.

At all times
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Psalms Devotionals 2

Choosing joy

joy

We wait for the LORD;
he is our help and shield.

For our hearts rejoice in him
because we trust in his holy name. (Psalm 33:20-21)

Yesterday, I was reading these words by Dietrich Bonhoeffer:

How are we supposed to be able to help those who are without joy and courage, if we ourselves are not borne by courage and joy?

That’s something God has been reminding me of this past month and reinforced to me again through Bonhoeffer’s words and today’s psalm.

I want to be God’s conduit of joy and courage to a joyless and fearful world.

And so despite all the “stuff” I see in this world and in my own life, this day—and every day—I choose with David to rejoice in the Lord and trust him.

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Psalms Devotionals 2

Immanuel

Forest

I will instruct you and show you the way to go;
with my eye on you, I will give counsel. (Psalm 32:8)

I was thinking on those words this morning.

It’s part of what Immanuel is all about.

God has his eye on me. Not an accusing eye. Not a suspicious eye, constantly doubtful of me. But a loving eye that desires to guide me on the right path.

The question, though, is not whether or not God is with me. The question is if I’m with God.

Or am I like that stubborn horse or mule that must be controlled by bit or bridle? (9)

This coming year, I want to be that trusting child, with an open heart and open ears to my loving Father.

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Psalms Devotionals 2

God’s favor

Bethlehem

For his anger endureth but a moment;
in his favour is life. (Psalm 30:5, KJV)

The word translated here “life” can also mean “lifetime,” but the King James really struck a chord with me this morning.

When God shows his favor to us, we find life.

And 2000 years ago in Bethlehem, God extended his favor to us.

As John put it,

God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him.

Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 5:9)

By God’s love and grace, we have become his favored ones.

That’s an awesome thought.

So let’s sing with the angels:

Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to people he favors! (Luke 2:14)

Merry Christmas, everyone!

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Psalms Devotionals 2

Heard

Prayer

Blessed be the Lord,
for he has heard the sound of my pleading. (Psalm 28:6)

This being Christmas season, I was reading about Zechariah in Luke 1 this weekend.

David’s words reminded me of what Gabriel told Zechariah.

Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. (Luke 1:13)

Honestly, it can be discouraging when God doesn’t seem to be answering my prayers.

But God was reminding me this weekend and today, “I’m not ignoring you. I have heard you. Even when I say no, I have heard you. And I care.”

So I sing with David,

The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.

Therefore my heart celebrates,
and I give thanks to him with my song. (Psalm 28:7)

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Psalms Devotionals 2

If I didn’t believe…

Hope

Where would I be if I did not believe I would experience the Lord’s favor in the land of the living? (Psalm 27:13, NET)

That’s essentially how the Hebrew reads.

If I didn’t believe God is truly good and that he deeply loves me, where would I be in this broken world where so much is outside of my control?

I’d despair.

I’d be bitter.

I’d be angry.

I’d be fearful.

I’d find it hard to trust Jesus.

I’d find it difficult to keep following him.

But I do believe.

So I choose to lead my heart and sing with David,

Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart be courageous.
Wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:14, CSB)

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Psalms Devotionals 2

What motivates us

God's love

For your faithful love guides me,
and I live by your truth. (Psalm 26:3, CSB)

Today, I was looking at different translations of this verse. The biggest difference is that the word “truth” can also be translated “faithfulness.”

So the ESV says,

For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
and I walk in your faithfulness. (Psalm 26:3, ESV)

The NIV is a bit freer in its translation.

for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love
and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness. (Psalm 26:3 NIV)

But I love the free translation of the NET.

For I am ever aware of your faithfulness,
and your loyalty continually motivates me. (Psalm 26:3, NET)

It can be scary to think about the searching eyes of God. To think about his refining process which can be painful at times. (Psalm 26:2)

But what motivates me is his faithful love and loyalty to me.

And so I choose open my heart to him today and every day.

How about you?

Do you know God’s faithful love and loyalty to you?

What motivates you?

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Psalms Devotionals 2

Because He is full of grace and truth

Ways of the Lord

Make your ways known to me, Lord;
teach me your paths.

Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
I wait for you all day long. (Psalm 25:4-5)

Every time I read this psalm, those words pull at my heart.

I want David’s heart.

A teachable heart.

A trusting heart.

But it struck me today why he could pray that way.

All the Lord’s ways show faithful love and truth… (Psalm 25:10)

David truly believed those words. And he wanted to be like his Lord, full of faithful love and truth.

So do I.

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace (i.e. faithful love) and truth…

Indeed, we have all received grace upon grace from his fullness, for the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:14, 16-17)

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Psalms Devotionals 2

Because you’re Immanuel

Valley of death

Even when I go through the darkest valley,
I fear no danger,
for you are with me… (Psalm 23:4)

Jesus, this is a crazy, messed up world.

But because you are Immanuel, I will not fear what this world fears. (Isaiah 8:12)

I will not worry about the things this world worries about. (Matthew 6:25-34)

I will not be consumed with anger the way this world is. (James 1:19-20)

Instead, I choose to trust and wait for you, my good Shepherd. (Isaiah 8:17)

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Psalms Devotionals 2

What we pursue

Trust

Some seek chariots, and some seek horses.
But we call upon the name of the LORD our God. (Psalm 20:7, 2017 New Japanese Bible)

I really like the Japanese translation here.

It made me think, “What do I seek? What do I pursue? Especially when it comes to what I feel will give me security?”

In those days, kings sought after chariots or horses for their armies. That’s what gave them their sense of security.

For a lot of us, it’s money that makes us feel secure.

But for David, God was his source of security. That’s why he so earnestly sought after God every day.

That’s the kind of heart I desire: a heart that daily pursues Him.

How about you?

What are you pursuing?

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Psalms Devotionals 2

Because of who He is

Mountain

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Yahweh, my rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14, LSB)

Those words are well familiar to me. I’ve read and sung them many times. But today, I was focusing on that last line.

Who is God to me?

God is “Yahweh.” The eternal one. The only God. The incomparably awesome One, God over all creation.

And yet, he is not a God far away. He is Immanuel, God with me. My rock. My foundation. My refuge in the storm.

More, he is my Redeemer. Jesus shed his blood for me on the cross, buying me out of slavery to Satan’s kingdom and graciously bringing me into his kingdom.

That’s who God is to me.

That’s why I love him.

And that’s why I seek to please him, singing with David,

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight…

Who is God to you?

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Psalms Devotionals 2

God’s humility

Cross

You have given me the shield of your salvation;
your right hand upholds me,
and your humility exalts me. (Psalm 18:35)

It’s probably because Christmas is fast approaching that those words resonate with me.

“Your humility exalts me.”

Though by the world’s standards, I’m insignificant, God humbled himself, became a man, and took the form of a servant.

He then went to the cross paying the price for my sin. (Philippians 2:7)

And because of what Christ did there, insignificant little me has now become a child of God.

That’s awesome to ponder.

The Lord lives—blessed be my rock!
The God of my salvation is exalted. (Psalm 18:46)

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Psalms Devotionals 2

The joy of calling Jesus “Lord”

Jesus is Lord

I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have nothing good besides you.” (Psalm 16:2)

I was reflecting on David’s words this morning and thinking that there is a joy to calling Jesus “Lord.”

But we only know that joy if we believe he is good. That he cares about us. And that he deeply loves us.

Without that confidence, calling Jesus “Lord” can be frightening.

David had definitely tasted the joy of calling God “Lord.” You see it throughout this psalm.

I’ve tasted that joy too.

But I want to fill up on that joy more every day.

How about you?

Do you know the joy of calling Jesus “Lord”?

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Psalms Devotionals 2

Father, do I ever act like a fool?

Woman praying

The fool says in his heart, “There’s no God.” (Psalm 14:1)

Father, I do acknowledge you exist.

But are there times I act as if you don’t?

Times I kind of put you to the side?

Times, instead, when I let my fears reign? My worries reign? Or worse, my sinful desires reign?

Are there times when I get so fixated on my own agenda that I lose sight of yours?

Jesus, I don’t want to act like a fool.

Help me to remember that you are Immanuel, God with me.

Give me a heart that seeks you moment to moment, day to day.

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Psalms Devotionals 2

Keeping perspective

Sunset over lake

I will sing to the Lord
because he has treated me generously. (Psalm 13:6)

Those words caught my eye this morning.

It’s so easy for me to get caught up in my problems of the day and wonder where God is.

But I want to always remember how generously he has treated me.

While I was yet a sinner, Christ died for me.

When I was going my own way, not seeking him, he sought me out.

If he treated me so generously then, why would I ever think he’d abandon me now that I’m his child?

So that’s what I want to think on more today: just how generous my Father has been to me.

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Psalms Devotionals 2

When this world seems to be falling apart

Standing on a rock

When the foundations are destroyed,
what can the righteous do? (Psalm 11:3)

Whenever I look at the news or social media, I often have remind myself to lead my heart.

It’s so easy to see the evil in this world and fret.

But the King is still on his throne. He hasn’t abdicated.

Jesus is watching. And when he returns, he will judge all things. (4-6)

On that day, all will be made right. And I will see his face. (7)

So in the meantime, I choose to set aside my fears, anger, and worry.

And I choose to trust in my good King.

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Psalms Devotionals 2

When you seem far

God's throne

Lord, why do you stand so far away?
Why do you hide in times of trouble? (Psalm 10:1)

Father, sometimes it seems you stand far away. Sometimes it feels like you’re hiding yourself. Especially when I’m struggling.

But the truth is, you are my good King, and you reign forever and ever. (16)

The truth is, you don’t ignore me when I cry. You bend down and you listen carefully to me. (17)

And the day will come when you will make all things right. (18)

So even though you may feel far at times, help me to not trust my feelings, but you, my good King.

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Psalms Devotionals 2

Unfathomable grace

Man on cliff on night of full moon

what is a human being that you remember him,
a son of man that you look after him? (Psalm 8:4)

I was thinking on those words this morning.

We had all fallen into the cesspool of our sin, completely covered with its filth.

Yet Jesus thought so much of us that he made himself lower than the angels, entered the cesspool and rescued us out of that filth.

What’s really amazing, though, is that whenever he looks at us, he doesn’t see that “thing” he had to rescue from out of the cesspool. He doesn’t see in his mind’s eye all the filth that once covered us.

Instead, the only thing he sees is people clothed in his righteousness, crowned with glory and honor.

His grace and love towards us are truly unfathomable!

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Psalms Devotionals 2

Hoping in our righteous Judge

Sunrise

…you have ordained a judgment. (Psalm 7:6)

Those words resonated with me this morning.

There is so much evil and injustice in the world that it’s easy to get angry just reading the news.

But God reminded me again: he isn’t ignoring it all.

He has ordained a judgment.

And on that day, he will judge all righteously.

He knows not only people’s actions, but searches their hearts and minds. And if they refuse to repent, they will eventually face his justice.

So even as I read the news today, I choose to set aside my anger and sing with David.

I will thank the Lord for his righteousness;
I will sing about the name of the Lord Most High. (Psalm 17:7)

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Psalms Devotionals 2

Special favor

God's light

Realize that the Lord shows the godly special favor. (Psalm 4:3, NET)

Those words really hit me this morning.

God shows me special favor.

He vindicates me, declaring me righteous by his grace. (1)

He hears me when I cry out to him. (3)

And when I look up to him, he isn’t frowning at me in anger or disappointment. He shines the light of his face on me. (6)

So in a world which often cries out, “Who will show us any good?”, I say, “My God will!”

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Psalms Devotionals 2

When God seems slow to answer

Prayer

I cry aloud to the Lord,
and he answers me from his holy mountain. (Psalm 3:4)

This past Sunday, I heard a message on Luke 18 and the parable of the unjust judge.

I wonder how much confidence the widow had that the judge would respond to her cries. She had to know that he really didn’t care about her. Yet she had no alternative but to keep crying out to him.

But David had confidence that God cared. That when he cried out, God would answer.

And so though God may have seemed slow at times to answer, he kept praying and didn’t give up.

I was just thinking: When God is “slow” to answer my prayers, how confident am I that he will answer?

I want to have David’s faith.

I cry aloud to the Lord,
and he answers me from his holy mountain. (Psalm 3:4)

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Psalms Devotionals 2

Jesus rules

Jesus rules

I have installed my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.”

I will declare the Lord’s decree.
He said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have become your Father. (Psalm 2:6-7)

Those are comforting words to me when I think about this crazy world.

Jesus rules.

The Jewish and Roman rulers who crucified him couldn’t change that fact. (Acts 4:25-28)

Satan most certainly couldn’t. (Revelation 12)

No one and nothing can ever take Jesus off of his throne.

And the day will come when God puts everything under his feet. (Psalm 2:8-9, Hebrews 1:5-13)

So whenever I’m feeling unsettled by all the evil I see on the news, or whenever I’m feeling anxious about things in my own life, I choose to hold on to this one truth:

Jesus rules. And he is good.

Blessed are all who take refuge in him. (Psalm 2:12, ESV)

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Psalms Devotionals 2

Memory Monday: For whom the fruitful tree prospers

Memory Monday

An article I wrote a while back but still resonates with me today.

May we all be fruitful trees, channels of God’s grace to everyone we touch.

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Judges Devotionals Psalms Devotionals 2

Living with integrity

Prayer

Every morning, I read the psalms along with my daily Bible readings.

By chance, Psalm 26 was my psalm for the day. And I couldn’t help but notice the difference between King David’s attitude and Samson’s in Judges 14.

Imagine how different Samson’s life would have been had he prayed and lived David’s words.

Vindicate me, LORD,
because I have lived with integrity
and have trusted in the LORD without wavering.

Test me, LORD, and try me;
examine my heart and mind.

For your faithful love guides me,
and I live by your truth.

I do not sit with the worthless
or associate with hypocrites.
I hate a crowd of evildoers,
and I do not sit with the wicked.

I wash my hands in innocence
and go around your altar, LORD,
raising my voice in thanksgiving
and telling about your wondrous works. (Psalm 26:1-7)

I want to pray and live David’s words.

How about you?

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Psalms Devotionals 2

Acnowledging God as God

Acknowledging God as God

Acknowledge that the Lord is God.
He made us, and we are his,—
his people, the sheep of his pasture. (Psalm 100:3)

Last week, I was preparing a message on the book of Job. And perhaps because of that, when I came across Psalm 100 in my quiet time, it really struck me that this was a song Job could have sung after all his experiences.

Because verse 3 was the main thing that he learned.

God is God. We are not.

He made us. We are his people, his sheep.

And that’s a good thing.

Why?

Because ultimately, he is good, his faithful love is forever, and his faithfulness through all generations. (5)

There’s a lot in this world that we can’t understand. And because of that, it’s easy to start questioning God. To start questioning his goodness. To start questioning his love toward us.

But the key to finding joy in the midst of our trials is acknowledging the Lord as God. That he is wise. That he is powerful. And most importantly, that he is loving to us.

So with those truths firmly in mind, let us shout triumphantly to the Lord. (1)

Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before him with joyful songs. (2)

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. (4)

For the Lord is good, and his faithful love endures forever;
his faithfulness, through all generations. (5)

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Psalms Devotionals 2

Leading our hearts to worship

My soul, bless the Lord,
and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

My soul, bless the Lord,
and do not forget all his benefits. (Psalm 103:1-2)

I was just thinking today, “How often do I lead my heart to bless the Lord?”

How often do I say, “Hey self! Bless the Lord today. Don’t forget all he’s done for you. Don’t forget all his goodness to you.”

That’s important to do when things are going badly, of course. When David got really down, he reminded himself, “Hey self! Why are you so down? Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 42-43)

But it’s also important to do when things are going well. To remember where all your blessings came from (Deuteronomy 6:10-12).

That’s what David does in this psalm. At a guess, he wrote this psalm some time after God had forgiven his sin with Bathsheba and restored his kingdom after his son Absalom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 11-19).

How about you? Do you lead your heart to bless the Lord every day?

Bless the Lord…
his servants who do his will.

Bless the Lord, all his works
in all the places where he rules.

My soul, bless the Lord! (21-22)

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Psalms Devotionals 2

Praise him!

A few days ago, my old church in Hawaii had a throwback worship night. They were singing a bunch of songs from back when I was there nearly 25-30 years ago.

Not only that, many of the old worship leaders were there, and so were many of the people I once knew. Many of them have long since been led by God in other directions and to other churches. But for this one night, they were back.

I wish I could have been there. Unfortunately, being in Japan, all I could do was watch the video and see all the pictures people posted. But it brought me back to the days when I first fell in love with Jesus.

Interestingly enough, one of the songs they sang came straight from this psalm, particularly verses 1-2. And this psalm encapsulates what that night was about: praise.

Thirteen times the word, “praise” is used in Psalm 150 (including the ‘Hallelujahs’ depending on your translation).

This world is full of division and trouble right now. And it’s so easy for Christians to get caught up in all that.

But maybe it’s time to get our eyes off of these things and back on to Jesus. And one of the best ways to do that is through praise.

Praise him for his powerful acts and his abundant greatness. Especially in this season, praise him for his death on the cross and his resurrection that bought our redemption.

Praise him with song. Praise him with the flute. Praise him with the guitar.

And when we do, everything around us becomes but insignificant shadows in the light of him.

So whatever you’re going through right now, get your eyes off these things and onto Jesus…and praise him.

Praise him!

Praise him!

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Psalms Devotionals 2

A reason to rejoice

Psalms

Do not trust in nobles,
in a son of man, who cannot save. (Psalm 146:3)

Reading that as Christians, that second line is really striking, isn’t it?

Do not trust in a son of man, who cannot save.

Yet as Christians, we do trust in a Son of Man to save. We trust in Jesus.

Why?

Because he is not just a Son of Man.

Rather, Jesus was “appointed to be the powerful Son of God according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection of the dead.” (Romans 1:4)

So unlike mere men whose plans die when they do (4), Jesus rose and lives forever.

While he was on earth, he gave food to the hungry, gave sight to the blind, and raised those who were oppressed.

Now because of the cross and his resurrection, all we spiritual prisoners have been set free.

And the day will come when he will bring justice to this earth, reigning forever in righteousness.  

That’s a reason to worship, don’t you think?

Hallelujah!
My soul, praise the Lord.

I will praise the Lord all my life;
I will sing to my God as long as I live. (1-2)

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Psalms Devotionals 2

Blessing God.

Psalms

I exalt you, my God the King,
and bless your name forever and ever.

I will bless you every day;
I will praise your name forever and ever. (Psalm 145:1-2)

Those words struck a chord with me this morning, particularly verse 2,

I will bless you every day.

The word translated “bless” is very interesting. Usually, it’s used in the sense of God blessing us. And in this psalm we see many examples of this (8-9, 14-16, 18-20).

But there is a sense in which we bless God. The way we bless God, though, is different from how he blesses us.

When God blesses us, he fills a need that we ourselves can’t fill.

But with God, he has no needs. He doesn’t need our worship. He doesn’t need our love.

And yet because he created us and loves us so much, he takes great pleasure in our worship and our love. In that sense he is blessed by us.

So may our prayers not always be, “Lord, bless me.”

Rather from a heart of love and gratitude, may we say each day, “Lord, as you see me today, as you hear my words, see my thoughts, and see my actions, be blessed.”

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Psalms Devotionals 2

Starting off the day right

As I write this, it’s cherry blossom season in Japan. And I couldn’t help but think of this verse as I saw all the cherry blossom trees around my neighborhood.

I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all you have done;
I reflect on the work of your hands. (Psalm 143:5)

How often do we start the day thinking on these things?

When David wrote this psalm, he was facing many troubles. He apparently was on the run, perhaps from Saul or Absalom.

But in a time of despair, he says, “I remember. I meditate. I reflect.”

What does he remember? He remembers the days of old. He remembers all the old stories of God being with his people and delivering them: Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Deborah, Gideon,  and Samson.

What does he meditate on? He meditates on what God has done. Not just in the lives of those that came before him. But in his own life.

What does he reflect on? The work of his God’s hands. The heavens. The animals. The trees and plants. All of creation.

And in all this, he remembers God’s power and his goodness toward his people.

What is his response? A heart of God-dependence.

Let me experience
your faithful love in the morning,
for I trust in you.

Reveal to me the way I should go
because I appeal to you…

Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God.

May your gracious Spirit
lead me on level ground. (8, 10)

May we all start each day with that kind of heart.

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Psalms Devotionals 2

Never alone

Psalms

There are times when we feel totally alone. David did. (Psalm 142:4)

His words in the first two verses really strike me.

I cry aloud…

I plead aloud…

I pour out my complaint…

I reveal my trouble…

To whom did he do all these things?

To the Lord.

Alone as he felt, he was never truly alone.

And so David could say,

Although my spirit is weak within me,
you know my way. (Psalm 142:3)

And again,

I say, “You are my shelter,
my portion in the land of the living.” (Psalm 142:5)

Are you feeling alone right now? Abandoned?

Jesus knew what that was like. (Matthew 27:46)

Yet God didn’t abandon him to the prison of his grave. (Acts 2:25-32)

He won’t abandon you either.

So cry to him.

Plead with him.

Pour out your heart and reveal your troubles to him.

He will hear.

And he will raise you up.

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Psalms Devotionals 2

Guarding our words

Psalms

James said that no one could tame the tongue (James 3:8).

I suppose the one area I really question myself the most about is my words. Are my words, not only in speech, but in social media always pleasing to God?

In Psalm 140, David talks about how evil people’s words are like a snake’s bite or viper’s venom. (Psalm 140:3)

In Psalm 141, though, he prays,

Lord, set up a guard for my mouth;
keep watch at the door of my lips. (Psalm 141:3)

And so that was my prayer today.

Lord, guard my tongue. Watch the door of my lips.

And search me and know my heart. If any of my words are offensive to you, make it clear to me.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart always be acceptable to you (Psalm 19:14).

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Psalms Devotionals 2

Opening our hearts up to God

Psalms

Depending on how you look at it, Psalm 139 can either be very comforting or very frightening.

After all, in this psalm, we see a God who knows every little detail about us. Who knows everything we think, say, and do.

If we have the image of a God who loves and cares deeply for us, that can be very comforting.

But if we have the image of a God who is stalking us for reasons unknown (but probably not for anything good), that’s very scary.

Throughout this psalm, though, it’s very clear how David saw God. He was fully confident in the love God had for him.

And because of that, he fully opened up his heart to the searching eyes of God. Not because he was confident in his own goodness. But because he was confident in God’s.

With that confidence, he could pray,

Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my concerns.

See if there is any offensive way in me;
lead me in the everlasting way. (Psalm 139:23-24)

How about you? How do you see God?

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Psalms Devotionals 2

Because the Lord is faithful and merciful

Psalms

The Lord will perfect that which concerns me;
Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever. (Psalm 138:8, NKJV)

I really like how the NKJV translates verse 8. It brought me right back to the verse I mentioned yesterday.

I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)

Why could David and Paul be so certain of this? Because of their own goodness and faithfulness?

No. It was because the Lord’s mercy, his steadfast love endures forever.

So let us sing with David,

I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise;

I bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness. (1-2, ESV)

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Psalms Devotionals 2

Reflecting on God’s faithful love

Psalms

This will probably be my final blog entry for 2021. And it seems appropriate to end this year with this psalm.

In it, the psalmist reflects on God’s goodness and faithful love to Israel. In fact, those are his very first words.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His faithful love endures forever. (Psalm 136:1)

How often do we reflect on God’s goodness and faithful love in our lives?

I probably don’t do it enough.

But today, I took the time to write my own version of Psalm 136.

Here’s a condensed version:

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His faithful love endures forever. (1)

Before I was born, he drew my parents to himself.
His faithful love endures forever.

When I was 7 years old, he drew me to himself.
His faithful love endures forever.

At a time when I had lost interest in church, he made himself real to me.
His faithful love endures forever.

He led me into children’s ministry.
His faithful love endures forever.

When I burned out from children’s ministry,
His faithful love endures forever.

when I was going through a spiritual desert,
His faithful love endures forever.

he brought me through and refreshed my spirit.
His faithful love endures forever.

He led me to Japan,
His faithful love endures forever.

bringing my wife into my life,
His faithful love endures forever.

and my daughter.
His faithful love endures forever.

When I lost my job,
His faithful love endures forever.

and went through years of financial struggle,
His faithful love endures forever.

he provided every need.
His faithful love endures forever.

He has led me through 25 years of ministry here in Japan,
His faithful love endures forever.

despite my weaknesses, my stubbornness, and my failures.
His faithful love endures forever.

I give thanks to the God of heaven.
His faithful love endures forever.

That’s my story. (Part of it, anyway).

What’s your story? Write it out.

Remember God’s goodness.

Remember God’s faithful love toward you.

And share what you’ve written with others, with your husband, your wife, your kids, your friends.

Share it so that they may see God’s goodness and faithfulness too. 

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His faithful love endures forever. (1)

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Psalms Devotionals 2

Encouraging our spiritual leaders

Psalms

Now bless the Lord,
all you servants of the Lord
who stand in the Lord’s house at night!

Lift up your hands in the holy place
and bless the Lord! (Psalm 134:1-2)

As the people completed their pilgrimage into Jerusalem, they would sing the above words to those serving in the temple.

In turn, the people working in the temple would call back a blessing on those coming into Jerusalem. (3)

It might seem strange to encourage people who worked in the temple to lift up their hands and bless the Lord. After all, wasn’t that their job?

And yet the danger for anyone serving the Lord is that they get so involved in the work of the ministry that they forget to have hearts turned to the Lord in worship.

So if you’re a leader in the church, remember to not just spend time working for the Lord. Remember to spend time worshiping him.

And if you are someone who continually receives blessing from those working for the Lord (3), remember to pass on words of encouragement to them. Thank them for the ways they have blessed you.

But more importantly, remind them to spend time worshiping the Lord themselves, keeping their eyes on him.

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Psalms Devotionals 2

The significance of Christmas

Bethlehem

We heard of the ark in Ephrathah; 
we found it in the fields of Jaar.

Let’s go to his dwelling place; 
let’s worship at his footstool.” (Psalm 132:6-7)

In the Old Testament, the ark of the covenant was a symbol of God’s presence with the Israelites.

But at a time when the Israelites had turned their backs on God, it got captured by the Philistines. And even when the Philistines returned the ark, it was ignored by the Israelites for years.  (I Samuel 4-7, I Chronicles 13:3)

But in this psalm, the poet recounts how David took the ark of the covenant from Kiriath-jearam and brought it to Jerusalem. (1 Chronicles 15) 

The poet also recounts the promises God made to David to keep his dynasty alive forever. 

There are two Ephrathahs in the Old Testament. This psalm probably is referring to the one in Kiriath-jearam.

But I do find it interesting that hundreds of years later, God kept his promise to David through the birth of Jesus in another Ephrathah: Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:5)

And after he was born, wise men from the East said, 

Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him. (Matthew 2:2)

And because of the cross, now we are clothed with salvation as God’s priests and we shout for joy because of it. (16)

More, the day will come when God will put all Jesus’ enemies under his feet. (I Corinthians 15:24-27).

And on that day, his crown will indeed be glorious. (18)

So let us remember that Christmas is not just about Jesus coming 2000 years ago. He will come again. 

On that day, we will all sing,

The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever. (Revelation 11:15)

Categories
Psalms Devotionals 2

A rich redemption

Psalms

Israel, put your hope in the Lord.

For there is faithful love with the Lord,
and with him is redemption in abundance.

And he will redeem Israel
from all its iniquities. (Psalm 130:7-8)

When I read those  words, I couldn’t help but think of the angel’s words to Joseph:

[Mary] will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21)

We live in a world broken by sin.

Your own life may be broken because of your sin and failures.

If God kept track of all of them, there is no way we could stand before him. (Psalm 130:3)

But put your hope in the Lord.

With him, there is grace, a love that is faithful to us even when we are faithless. (2 Timothy 2:13)

And by Jesus’ blood, we have received redemption.

But not just redemption.

Redemption in abundance.

Indeed, we have all received grace upon grace from his fullness, for the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:16-17)

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Psalms Devotionals 2

Because Jesus was afflicted.

Psalms

Since my youth they have often attacked me
let Israel say—
since my youth they have often attacked me,
but they have not prevailed against me.

Plowmen plowed over my back;
they made their furrows long.

The Lord is righteous;
he has cut the ropes of the wicked.” (Psalm 129:1-4)

Here in this psalm, the poet laments his afflictions, yet finds hope in that the Lord will ultimately deliver him and curse his enemies.

Years later, Jesus would also be afflicted. He knew what it meant to be despised. He knew what it was like to be afflicted, his back plowed by whips, furrows cut into his back. More, he knew the pain and humiliation of crucifixion.

But God raised him from the dead, delivering him from the grave.

More importantly, it was because of Jesus’ afflictions that we now have peace with God. (Isaiah 53:4-5)

That’s the reason why on the day of Jesus’ birth, the angels didn’t call down a curse on us. Rather, they raised their voice in worship to God, pronouncing his blessings on us.

Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to people he favors! (Luke 2:14)

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Psalms Devotionals 2

A reason to give thanks

Psalms

Happy Thanksgiving all!

Psalm 100 is titled, “A psalm of thanksgiving” so I thought it was very appropriate for the day.

As I was reflecting on this psalm, however, it occurred to me how unusual it was. It seems much more a New Testament psalm than an Old Testament one.

Why?

It is a call not just for the Jews, but for all people to worship God.

Prior to the cross, it was the Jews who had reason to worship. They were the ones who could truly claim to be God’s people, God’s sheep. They were the ones who had special access to God.

But this side of the cross, everyone who believes in Jesus, both Jew and non-Jew, can now enter into God’s presence. All have the right to say, “I am God’s sheep. I belong to him.”

So let us serve him with gladness, coming before him with joyful songs.

Let us boldly enter his presence with thanksgiving and bless his name.

For the Lord is good, and his faithful love endures forever;
his faithfulness, through all generations. (Psalm 100:5)

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Psalms Devotionals 2

When we finally come home.

Psalms

Psalm 126 is another song of ascent, a song the Jews sang when on pilgrimage to Jerusalem. In it, they sing about their joy upon their return from exile in Babylon.

But now they pray again for restoration. And they look forward to the day when their tears will once again be turned to joy.

As Christians, we too are on a pilgrimage…to a new Jerusalem. And in Revelation, John gives us a similar picture to this psalm.

In his vision, the Christians who had suffered much on this earth for Christ, are crying out in joy,

Salvation belongs to our God,
who is seated on the throne,
and to the Lamb! (Revelation 7:10)

And John is told,

…they are before the throne of God,
and they serve him day and night in his temple.

The one seated on the throne will shelter them:
They will no longer hunger;
they will no longer thirst;
the sun will no longer strike them,
nor will any scorching heat.

For the Lamb who is at the center of the throne
will shepherd them;
he will guide them to springs of the waters of life,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. (Revelation 7:15-17)

As the psalmist says, we do indeed sow in tears, but when we come home, we will reap with shouts of joy. And no one will ever take away our joy. (Psalm 126:5, John 16:22)

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Psalms Devotionals 2

If the Lord had not been on our side

Psalms

If the Lord had not been on our side—
let Israel say—
if the Lord had not been on our side… (Psalm 124:1-2a)

Those words made me think of something my pastor said in a recent message: “If God had not been on my side, if God had not saved me, where would I be now? How would my life be different?”

I think my life would be very different.

I’ve seen how God dealt with my father’s anger issues and how that change not only affected my relationship with him, but with my wife and daughter as well.

I see my own sins and weaknesses and how they could have made a total mess of my life if God had not worked in my own heart.

But most importantly, I see how without the Lord, I would still be lost in my sin and on the path to hell.

God saved me from all that.

So all I can say is,

“Blessed be the Lord…

I have escaped like a bird from the hunter’s net;
the net is torn, and I have escaped.

My help is in the name of the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.” (6-8)

Categories
Psalms Devotionals 2

Not mere servants

Psalms

Behold, as the eyes of servants
look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maidservant
to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the Lord our God… (Psalm 123:2-3a, ESV)

It’s easy to look at those words and think, “We as God’s servants are to constantly be looking at God, seeing what he want us to do.”

And that’s true. We should do that.

But that’s what makes the second part of verse 2 so jarring.

till he has mercy upon us. (2b)

The psalmist then cries out,

Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us,
for we have had more than enough of contempt. (3)

The wondrous thing about our relationship with God is that he doesn’t look at us as mere servants. He sees us as his precious ones. He truly cares for us.

And when we cry out to him, we can know he’ll hear, he’ll answer, and he will show us mercy.

Categories
Psalms Devotionals 2

Choosing to give thanks…together

Psalms

Jerusalem, built as a city should be,
solidly united,
where the tribes, the Lord’s tribes, go up
to give thanks to the name of the Lord.

(This is an ordinance for Israel.) (Psalm 122:3-4)

That last phrase really struck me.

The people of Israel were commanded to go up to Jerusalem three times a year for special festivals and give thanks to the Lord.

Obviously, as Christians, we don’t celebrate those festivals. But we are commanded to give thanks. And to rejoice. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

We are particularly commanded to do this together with God’s people. (Ephesians 5:18-20)

Why is it important to have a heart of thanksgiving?

I think we see the results of not doing so in Romans 1.

For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. (Romans 1:21)

It is so easy to focus on the problems that we face in life.

When we do that, we often become discouraged or cynical, we start doubting God, and we start thinking the way this world thinks.

And when that happens, our thinking starts to become worthless, and our hearts become darkened.

Let us not fall into that trap.

Rather, let us remember all we have to be thankful for and choose to rejoice.

And let us not avoid the fellowship of other believers, no matter what problems we may be having.

Instead, let us say with David,

I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let’s go to the house of the Lord.” (1)

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Psalms Devotionals 2

As we are on this pilgrimage

Psalms

The title of Psalm 121 (and all the psalms from 120-134) is “A song of ascents.”

These were songs the Jews sang on their pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

But it strikes me, we also are on a pilgrimage…a pilgrimage to a new Jerusalem. (Revelation 21:2)

And it is a journey. God does not simply sweep us to heaven once we become Christians.

The journey can be difficult. The journey can at times be painful.

But this psalm reminds us of where our help comes from.

It reminds us that the Creator of heaven and earth is with us. (2)

It reminds us that he never slumbers nor sleeps. (4)

And each and every day, no matter what we go through, his hand is on us.

This psalm reminds me of Jesus’ words to his disciples.

I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. (John 14:18)

More, Jesus’ prayer for his disciples (and for us) reflects a lot of this psalm.

Holy Father, protect them by your name that you have given me, so that they may be one as we are one…

I am not praying that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. (John 17:11, 15)

Again, this does not mean we will never go through struggle or pain. Many of Jesus’ disciples died for their faith.

But God is walking with us every step of the way. He will never abandon us. And he will lead us home.

Categories
Psalms Devotionals 2

Our need for God’s grace.

Psalms

One thing that always strikes me in this psalm is David’s passion for God and his Word. He loved God and desired to live a life pleasing to him.

And yet, today, I was thinking about just how much David recognized he needed God’s grace as well.

He cried out,

If only my ways were committed
to keeping your statutes! (Psalm 119:5)

And he admitted,

I wander like a lost sheep. (176)

So time and again, he asked for God’s grace.

He asked that God would teach him. (12, 29,33, 66, 68, 108, 124)

He prayed God would open his spiritual eyes. (18)

He asked for understanding. (27, 34, 73, 125, 144, 169)

He asked for help to obey. (35)

He prayed for a heart that was inclined to God and his Word. (36)

He prayed for eyes that would turn away from sinful things. (37)

And he prayed that God would deal with him based on His own grace and steadfast love. (58, 124)

None of us are perfect. All of us need God’s grace in our lives. So each day, let us pray as David did in this psalm.