Psalms 34-36

Psalms 34-36 - Click to read!

I remember as a junior high kid attending a great church that had somehow put Psalms 34:1-4 to a song. The church family had often sang this song. In fact, they had put many Scriptures to songs. It was my very first experience at singing Scripture, but I liked it a lot! In fact, I still sing these verses to this day. When we sang it years ago, it was sung to the words in the KJV version of the Bible. Here it is below. See if you can find it on the internet how the song is actually sung and make it a part of your day each day to sing it!

"I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. ² My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. ³ O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. ⁴ I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."

As we read the rest of Chapter 34, there are so many things that could be discussed. However, there are two things I want you to notice:
1) David wants everyone to know that God hears prayer...and then answers them!
2) Even Godly people will experience trials and tribulations in life!

Notice how often King David mentions how God is a prayer-hearing God:  

^"4 I sought the Lord, and he heard me,and delivered me from all my fears."
"⁶ This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles." 
^"15 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry."
^"17 The righteous cry, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles."

Now notice in verse    that David is real honest about the life of a believer:

"¹⁹ Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all." 

Even though the love of God is infinite for those of us who trust in Him and love Him, He still allows us to go through afflictions, trials, and tribulations. His reasons are many, but I've often noticed in Scripture and in life that God allows these things to happen for several reasons:

1) To show some aspect of His wonderful character that you've never really understood before. Remember, God is trying to reveal more of Himself to you. He loves you that much! So much so, that often times it is through tragedy and tough times that we see Him for who He really is.
2) To get our attention in some way, especially when everything's going good and we feel we don't need Him. God knows how we are. Sadly, it's not until something bad happens when we turn to God. Therefore, He'll use whatever method to bring our attention back into a focus on Him and His will.
3) At other times, God allows tragedy or tough times to happen to spank us. Just like our parents who sent us into "time out" or spanked us, God will spank his children to put them back on the path to righteous living.  
4) To bring us into our ministry! I can't tell you how many ministries have been born out of adversity! I remember watching "America's Most Wanted". That incredible show was responsible for putting thousands of criminal on the streets behind bars. Sadly, however, John Walsh, the host and founder of the show had to experience the most gut-wrenching experience of life - that of having his little boy, Adam, being abducted and killed at the hands of a brutal killer - a killer who could not be found. From that anguish that John experienced was born the hit TV show, "America's Most Wanted." When God does act in such a way, it for the greater good, a higher purpose that what you and I could ever imagine - and He allows it to happen out of pure love.


There are many more reasons, but you kind of get an idea as to why God would allow afflictions to happen.

In Chapter 35, we can see David pouring out his heart to the Lord about his enemies and the backstabbing that goes on behind his back. However, the beautiful lesson we can learn from David is how he reacts to his enemies. When his enemies are in trouble, he prays for them and mourns with them. But, when he's in trouble, he notices how his enemies rejoice in his troubles. That injustice doesn't set well with David. But, instead of creating a fight with his enemies or harboring bitterness in his heart against them, he takes his anguish to the Lord.  Notice how he argues his case before God:

¹² They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul. ¹³ But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom. ¹⁴ I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother. ¹⁵ But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:"

How did Jesus tell us to respond to our enemies? To those who persecute us? He said to pray for them and even bless them! This is the kind of heart God wants us to have towards difficult people.

In Chapter 36, David continues his petition before God about the wicked who continually attack him. But notice something here. David doesn't dwell on it. He shares his concerns, but then finishes this chapter with praise toward God. Here's the lesson you can learn from this chapter (among many), that while there are hurts in life - don't dwell on them! You can share it with God, but don't dwell on them. Spend more time giving God the praise than discussing the trouble your facing! He is more worthy of discussion and attention than the troubles you face!

What did you learn from today's reading?

Psalms 31-33

Psalms 31-33 - Click to read it!

Throughout many of the early chapters of the book of Psalms, King David spends a lot of his time sharing the pain he's experienced in life. But after articulating that pain, he always turns his attention to the Lord and shares how wonderful He is in delivering him out of all these troubles. Today's chapter reading is no different. Once again, we see David sharing the depths of his painful emotions in chapter 31:

"Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress. Tears blur my eyes. My body and soul are withering away. ¹⁰ I am dying from grief; my years are shortened by sadness. Sin has drained my strength; I am wasting away from within. ¹¹ I am scorned by all my enemies and despised by my neighbors even my friends are afraid to come near me."

Can you relate to some of these emotions? I believe that's why God allowed David to be so transparent with his feelings. It's why they're in the Bible today. When we read how this great man of God experienced the same hurts and feelings we experience today - and how he turned to God for help and witnessed His deliverance - it gives us hope and insight in how to turn to the Lord for help.

If you could sit down and chat with King David about your trials, I believe he would offer the same advice he gave at the end of chapter 31:

"Love the Lord, all you godly ones! For the Lord protects those who are loyal to him, but he harshly punishes the arrogant. ²⁴ So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!" 

In Chapter 32 we see David offering some great advice. He admits that for a period of time he lived with unconfessed sin in his life. As he reflects on it, he notices some life changing principles. He noticed the following:

"When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. ⁴ Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat."

Who wants to go through life feeling that way? None of us do. That's why David spends the rest of this chapter praising God for forgiving him as well as how good it feels to be spiritually clean before a holy God!

If you've got unconfessed sin in your life, you'll never feel right. There will always be a nagging issue in your life. You may not quite understand it, but it's a weird feeling. David noticed that his life was taking a downhill turn. It's almost like going through life with a pebble in your shoe! If you've got unconfessed sin your life...take time to stop what you're doing right now, and go to God in prayer. Reflect on anything that you're doing that's not pleasing to him and ask for His help to stop. In many cases it can be as simple as shaking your shoe loose of a nagging pebble. If you don't do it, life will continue to be uncomfortable in various ways. You were made to be holy, even as holy as God. That's why unconfessed sin has no place in the life of a true believer in Christ. It's just not normal.

Wow...I really like Psalms 33. It is an outstanding word of encouragement! David provides us with some GREAT reasons to praise the Lord. Here are a few I see from this chapter:

1. Praise Him for His word is true and we can trust whatever He does! Even the things in life that go awry. He is in control and is always looking out for our best.

2. Praise Him for the power of His word! He spoke and the heaven and earth were created. Wow...that's power! That's why Jesus is called "The Word" in the John 1:1. The Jews knew God as one who simple spoke a word and the universe came into existence. God's word brings life!

3. Praise Him for His ability to watch over us, protect us, and notice everything we're doing and what we're going through! It is an amazing feeling to know He's keeping a sharp eye out for you. That's why David encourages to not trust in any other thing to protect us. In his day, it was his war horse. But David says, "You can trust in that!"  He knows acutely, after fighting so many battles, it's God who is the only one you can trust in tough times.

What did you learn from these chapters? Are there any scripture verses that mean something to you in particular?  

Psalms 28-30

Read Psalms 28-30

Throughout the past few chapters we've been able to see a deep concern of Kind David - that of total silence and unanswered prayer from the Lord when he prays. David is probably like a lot of us! We have this assumption about God that since He's the epitome of love surely He will answer us according to what we pray. Right?

Well, much like each of us, David loves answered prayer too! We all do, especially when it comes exactly as we had hoped for and in OUR perfect timing. The reality is, God answers prayer in His own way. Don't forget what God told Isaiah in Isaiah 55:9 - "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Sometimes, He answers just exactly as we prayed. But often times, God may say "No" to what we're asking of Him. At other times, God may answer prayer in a different way or at a different time, but He takes our prayers very seriously. Out of His amazing and infinite love for us, He wants the very best for us. But, what we often pray may, in fact, not be the best for us. We may think it is. We may be asking God to spare our child who is dying and think, "How could a God who loves me think this is in someway better for me if my child dies?" 

God is NOT insensitive to the trials we go through. For some higher reason, God may say "No." And, when God is silent don't feel threatened or discouraged. He's working out things according to HIS perfect plan - not YOUR perfect plan.

David feared the silent treatment from God - just like each of us, and he begins Psalms 28 with that very fact:

"To You I will cry, O Lord my Rock: Do not be silent to me, Lest, if You are silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit."

But, when God does answer his prayers, David bursts forth with praise to God! Notice what he says,

"Praise the Lord! For he has heard my cry for mercy. ⁷ The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving."

When God answers your prayer, are you like David - you burst out in songs of thanksgiving? Maybe the reason why God answers so many of David's prayers is found in his response to answered prayer. David goes overboard in giving praise and thanksgiving to God! What about you? Do you see answered prayer as a precious gift from God? Are you truly thanking Him enough?

While we often see prayer as petitioning God for things. Prayer also involves worshiping God! Do you ever take the time to worship God during your prayer time?  If you're like most people, God is nothing more than a waiter at a restaurant - taking your order and making sure you are satisfied. Often, prayer is all about us! But, have you ever taken the time to worship God during your prayer time? 

If you ever need some things to worship God about, take a look at the verse below from Psalms 29 and let it give you a head start!

"Honor the Lord, you heavenly beings; honor the Lord for his glory and strength. ² Honor the Lord for the glory of his name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness."

In Psalms 30, I find it amazing that King David is so honest. He talks about how his pride got in the way of the Lord's blessing.  Notice what he says below:

"When I was prosperous, I said, “Nothing can stop me now!” ⁷ Your favor, O Lord, made me as secure as a mountain. Then you turned away from me, and I was shattered." 

If you ever want to stop the flow of blessing from God, just begin to believe in your own press release! Or, as in David's case, he allowed his prosperity, fame, and success fill his heart with pride. Remember, that's what caused Satan to sin! The sinful desires of the flesh, the lust for money, and the pride of a successful life is a recipe for disaster - especially if you're wanting God to bless your life. God will be silent and the blessings will dry up.

Begin to today to learn how to wait on God in prayer. He hears you. Now, wait on him. And, begin to worship Him for who He really is!

 

Psalms 25-27

Read Psalms 25-27

The first two chapters of today's reading are urgent cries of prayer to the Lord! Can you relate to either of them? The third chapter is one of victorious praise to God for ALL He's done to help him.

David, much like us, has been in tough situations! In fact, these verses in Chapter 25 really capture the essence of his concerns:

"Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me, For I am desolate and afflicted. ¹⁷ The troubles of my heart have enlarged; Bring me out of my distresses! ¹⁸ Look on my affliction and my pain, And forgive all my sins. ¹⁹ Consider my enemies, for they are many;"

Notice the emotional and urgent pleas he makes before God:
1) Turn and listen to me!  Have you ever felt like God wasn't listening?
2) Begs for mercy due to his feelings of loneliness and affliction  Ever felt this way?
3) Begs the Lord to pull him out of the trouble that just keeps getting bigger!  Can you relate?
4) Asks God to look on his troubles and deep pain and forgive his sins.  Ever done that?
5) Asks God to consider his many enemies.  Have you ever had enemies that wanted to kill you?

 In Chapter 26, King David begs for God to examine his life and as a result vindicate him from all his troubles. When he invites the Lord to examine his life, it's offering the Lord an open opportunity to reveal to you things about yourself you may need to repent of. However, in this case, David says in essence, "Lord, look at my life and notice the integrity I've maintained before You!" This is David "bargaining chip" with God. He goes through a list of things in his life that God should be pleased with where His response would be to lift him out of his trouble and pain.

Here's are the "bargaining chips" David used before the Lord:
1) I hate evildoers!
2) I give you thanks!
3) I tell others about you!
4) I love your church and hanging around learning more about you!
5) I lived my life according to the Scriptures!
6) I live a life of integrity!

Have you ever bargained with God?  Better yet, have you ever been bold enough to ask the Lord to "examine your heart and mind." ?

In Chapter 27, David offers ecstatic praise to the Lord! He declares that he literally has no reason in the world to fear. Why? Because God is his light and salvation.

I love how David opens his heart in this chapter and describes the GREATEST love of his heart:

"One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple."

Today, David is standing in the majesty of God's beauty and glory! During his reign as the King of Israel, his greatest love was to behold God's beautiful glory and to learn His truth. Many years later, when he died, the angels carried him into God's wonderful presence. It's wonderful to know that there's a hope in our future (if you've given your life to Jesus Christ) - the hope of beholding God's glory, being in His wonderful presence, fellowshipping forever with the saints, and living in absolute joy and peace throughout all eternity! Wow...it's unimaginable!

What about you? What is your GREATEST hope and love?  Is it the Lord?