Psalms

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“Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom” (Psalms 90:12)

October 22, 2012

Understanding that life is short, we live with a sense of urgency and purpose, not wasting the day because night is coming soon. We also strip away the things that don’t matter and focus on the eternal things that last. Such is the life of wisdom, of one who lives knowing that tomorrow is not promised.

“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts” (Colossians 3:16)

October 7, 2012

Paul encouraged the Colossians to fill their lives with preaching, teaching and singing about Christ. A couple thousand years later and faithful Christians are still following this pattern. Let’s go to church today and join Paul and the Colossians in worshiping the Christ!

“I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is! Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked” (Psalm 73:16-17)

October 1, 2012

We sometimes struggle with questions of fairness. We ask,”Why do good people suffer, while bad people prosper?” Our question implies that God isn’t fair. That He has somehow taken His eye off the ball and allowed injustice to happen. We suffer from a limited perspective. We don’t see how things will end. But God does. Trust Him with judgment. He hasn’t missed a thing. Ultimately, no one will doubt His justice.

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

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?

“I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me” (Psalm 57:2)

September 13, 2012

David wrote this psalm while hiding in a cave from King Saul. He was anointed to be king by the prophet Samuel, but Saul had other plans for him. There’s always a tension between our calling and our circumstances. We know that God has a purpose for us, yet it’s hard to see the next step while hiding in a dark cave. At times like these we “cry out” to God asking Him to “fulfill his purpose” in us. May He who called us bring to completion that which He desires in/for us!

“God looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God” (Psalm 53:2)

September 9, 2012

A fool says there is no God, but the wise seek Him. Ironic that the modern atheist claims superior intellect, yet God calls him a fool. The wise search for God, but cannot find Him without revelation. Jesus is the supreme revelation of God. Looking to Christ as Lord and Savior, God finds us. God is looking for seekers.

“I do not need the bulls from your barns or the goats from your pens. For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills” (Psalm 50:9-10)

September 6, 2012

We really can’t give God anything that He doesn’t already own. Like children giving their father a necktie on Father’s Day, we have to ask daddy for our allowance in order to make the purchase. Giving God our tithes and offerings isn’t because He needs them. It’s because we need to give. Giving is our recognition that God is owner and we are His stewards.

“Go, inspect the city of Jerusalem. Walk around and count the many towers. Take note of the fortified walls, and tour all the citadels, that you may describe them to future generations” (Psalm 48:12-13)

September 4, 2012

The Psalmist saw God Himself as being present in his city, both as inhabitant and defender. I wonder, should we tour our own city and look for Him? Where is God at work here in this city? Where is He present? And how can we join Him in His work, here in our city?

“The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17)

August 16, 2012

How much trouble must you be in before calling on the Lord? Some call only when all else has failed. Others have learned to call at the first sign of difficulty. Like a child, they have learned to depend on the Lord for everything. Have you considered that troubles may come to teach us dependence on God? Sin and spiritual independence are related. Trusting and depending on Jesus is the antidote.

“Let the whole world fear the Lord, and let everyone stand in awe of him. For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command. (Psalm 33:8-9)

August 13, 2012

A generation that believes the universe is self-existent has no need to be in awe of a Creator. They worship human intellect and pour out their passion on natural lusts. Believing they are mere mammals, they prove it to themselves by acting on baser instincts. But what if there is a Creator who spoke us into existence? And what if He speaks again?