September 12, 2015
More than a motto to put on our money, this is a declaration of faith. Trust in God above all others. Written by the one who slew Goliath, it is not hyperbole, but a tested conclusion, i.e. “since God is greater than man (even giant ones), I will not fear man, because I trust in God.” Wherever there is fear, especially fear of man, there is lack of faith.
September 3, 2015
This psalm calls all peoples of the world to recognize God as King. It is a call to worship the Lord Most High. He is not just the king of Israel, but over all nations. There is no one higher nor mightier than He. There may be rebellion in the world today against the great King, but His triumph is assured and those who oppose Him are destined to fall. For whom do you offer your worship of clapping and shouting?
August 28, 2015
A psalm for the soul. When you are discouraged and “cast down,” learn to encourage yourself in the Lord (1 Sam. 30:6). Bring your soul to the Lord. Instruct your soul to “hope in God” and “praise Him.” Have you not yet learned that a fresh encounter with God in Word and prayer will change the disposition of your soul and therefore your “countenance,” putting a smile in place of a frown? Reset your soul’s hope from its idols and put its hope in God. Worship works.
August 16, 2015
David wrote this psalm during a low period in his life. While hiding from King Saul who sought to kill him, he stooped to playing the madman to escape the Philistine king, Abimelech. Yet, in spite of all of his afflictions, no bones were broken. Clearly, David must have borrowed this turn of phrase from the instructions given in the law concerning the Passover lamb, which was to be sacrificed without breaking any bones. Both the Passover lamb and David are Christological types, preparing us for the Righteous One, who was sacrificed for our sins, yet not one of His bones was broken.
August 11, 2015
Have you ever felt as David did when he wrote this psalm? You’re crying out to God in prayer, but you don’t feel His presence? Perhaps this dark night of the soul has come in order to increase your thirst for the Lord. It causes you to grow in awareness of your ultimate dependence on God. And this has become more acute as you desire to hear His voice and experience His touch. When we pray like this what may have begun as a litany of requests becomes a singular desire: “God, I only want You!”
August 9, 2015
This Psalm of David teaches us to choose gladness and worship, while giving our troubles to God. David wrote that God had “considered” his trouble. In other words David had stopped thinking about his troubles and had given them to God for His consideration. This is how the disciples prayed too, “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness” (Acts 4:29). When we continue to consider our own trouble it leads to discouragement and worry. But when we give them to God, it opens the way to gladness and rejoicing.
August 4, 2015
Among our phobias, fear of the unknown, or of something that overpowers or overcomes us, or of our own death are prominent. David said that God was his “light” (exposing the unknown), his “strength” (empowering and supplying his need) and his salvation (saving him from death). In this way God gave him faith in the place of fear. What do you fear today? Replace your fears with faith. Look to a specific character trait of the Lord and choose to focus on Him rather than living in fear.
August 1, 2015
Today’s constant prayer: Show me, teach me, lead me… I’m waiting. Not passively, but actively. Not without moving, but as I move today, being fully present looking for You, O Lord.
July 28, 2015
David wrote this Messianic psalm that predicted not only what Christ would say on the cross but the manner of His death as well. Centuries before the Romans devised the torture of crucifixion, David described it in this psalm. Jesus, the Son of David took our place. He took our sin, our separation, and our death. He offers us His righteousness, His relationship with the Father and eternal life. He that had never experienced a moment of separation from the Father was forsaken for our sakes. So, He cried out in anguish, fulfilling the Scripture and expressing His real agony. Yet, the Father raised Him up, and in the same way He shall raise up all those who believe in Him in the Last Day.
July 20, 2015
This Psalm of David was quoted by the apostle Peter (Acts 2:25-36) as a biblical proof that Jesus Christ, Son of David, was prophesied to rise from the dead without seeing “corruption.” Peter preached this sermon on the day of Pentecost and 3,000 Jews from all over the world came to faith in Christ. David’s prophesy had come to pass. Now everyone who trusts in Christ can be assured that the Holy One who defeated death and the grave will not abandon us, but will raise us to life to dwell forever with Him.