Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for September 19

“I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer” (Psalms 63:4 NLT).

From: September 19, 2019

DAVID’S SWEET PSALM OF PRAYER AND PRAISE

David made a commitment to praise and pray to the Lord all the days of his life. The superscription of this psalm states that David was in the wilderness of Judah when he wrote it. Many scholars believe it was written during the time he was hiding from his son, Absalom, who sought to overthrow him as king. Matthew Henry wrote that, “Just as the sweetest of Paul’s epistles were those sent out from a Roman prison, so some of the sweetest of David’s Psalms are those that were penned, as this one was, in the wild desolation of the Dead Sea desert.”

Have you made a determined commitment to prayer and praise as along as you live? Whether you are in the wilderness or the garden, such a life glorifies God and thrives under His divine grace.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we praise You. As we see the sun rise again this day and feel the cool breeze blow, we praise You for both the seen and the unseen blessings You bestow. You are all lovely to us. We praise You openly before all. Now, strengthen us for this day to serve You and glorify Your great Name. In the name of Jesus, amen.

“For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith” (Galatians 5:5 NKJV).

From: September 19, 2017

It is faith, not the flesh, that takes hold of true righteousness. And it is the Spirit that makes faith effective and righteousness real. For the flesh strives to earn righteousness through law-keeping, which is a rejection of the grace of Christ. Those who live by the works of the flesh cannot produce righteousness. But those who live by the Spirit are enabled to bear the fruit of the Spirit by faith in the finished work and righteousness of Christ. As Edward Mote wrote in the first stanza of his famous hymn, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness!”

“Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you” (Psalm 63:3 ESV)

From: September 19, 2016

David wrote that God’s love for us is “better than life.” Not his love for God, but God’s love for him. Knowledge of God’s love brought praise to his lips. God’s love has been most clearly revealed in Jesus. For as the apostle John wrote, “This is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10). God’s love as expressed in Jesus should be the motive for our worship.

“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, And rely on horses, Who trust in chariots because they are many, And in horsemen because they are very strong, But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, Nor seek the Lord!” (Isaiah 31:1 NKJV)

From: September 19, 2015

From Abraham’s time until that of Isaiah’s, the people of Israel had often looked to Egypt when they should have been looking to God. Trusting Egypt for help is a metaphor for trusting the world and human strength. Who are you trusting? Egypt or the Lord? Isaiah counsels us to look to the Lord!

“What sorrow awaits those who look to Egypt for help, trusting their horses, chariots, and charioteers and depending on the strength of human armies instead of looking to the Lord, the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 31:1 NLT)

From: September 19, 2014

From Abraham’s time until that of Isaiah’s, the people of Israel had often looked to Egypt when they should have been looking to God. Trusting Egypt for help is a metaphor for trusting the world and human strength. Who are you trusting? Egypt or the Lord? Isaiah counsels us to look to the Lord!

“For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel,’In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.'” (Isaiah 30:15)

From: September 19, 2013

After the Assyrians had conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel, they sought to overthrow Judah as well. In response, Judah asked for help from Egypt. God spoke through Isaiah rebuking Judah for trusting Egypt rather than God for their deliverance. In His mercy, He offered salvation to those who would return and find rest in Him. He offered strength to those who would trust Him with quiet faith. Who or what are you trusting for your deliverance?

“O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you” (Psalm 63:1)

From: September 19, 2012

No wonder God described David as a man after His own heart. Perhaps Augustine was meditating on this verse when he said, “Thou hast made us for Thyself, O God, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee.” Does your heart cry out for God like David’s did? Does your soul thirst for the living Lord?

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1)

From: September 19, 2011

When He releases us from our slavery to sin, He does not put on us a yoke of being under the law. Christ’s yoke is easy. He calls us to a life of grace. Are you carrying guilt or shame or failure to live up to even your own expectations? Allow Christ’s truth to speak to these. He will set you free indeed.

“In that day ungodly fools will not be heroes” (Isa. 32:5)

From: September 19, 2009

A welcome prophecy for an upside down culture. Instead of Hollywood stars and famous athletes, what if we celebrated faithful fathers and mothers? What if we made pastors and teachers our heroes? What if we lifted up those who really act wisely?