Category: Psalm

Hear my voice when I call, O Lord; be merciful to me and answer me (Psalm 27:7).

You know what I like about David?

He’s human.

I mean, look at him. He just finished declaring that Almighty God will–not may, but will–keep David safe and enable him to stand tall over his enemies.

Yesterday David was shouting and singing.

Today he whispers, “Oh, please, Father, be there.”

That is so utterly, wholly, completely human.

So…me.

God rejoices in our strength, Beloved.

He rejoices in our weakness.

He rejoices every time our hearts turn to him.

So turn your heart to Him today, this moment, right now. Whether it’s in triumph or tragedy or temptation or fear or frustration or failure turn to him and let him hold you up.

It’s the only way to bring glory to God

and peace to your heart.

Happy Friday, Beloved.

Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord (Psalm 27:6).

Sing

Sing a song

Sing out loud

Sing out–

sorry.

Are you feeling all ‘70s, now?

Sorry again.

You know, there’s wisdom in that little ditty from the land of bell-bottoms and grooviosity. That Sesame Street advice is spot-on.

Sing your song.

Don’t worry that it’s not good enough for anyone else to hear, just sing…

God has saved you from unimaginable yuck, my friend, and he’s just getting started. Sing his praises today, loud and long, in any combination of keys you can manage. He’s worth it, ya?

Happy Thursday, Beloved.

For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock (Psalm 27:5).

Trouble’s coming.

I don’t know when

or where

or how

but I know it’s coming.

Because, you know…life.

I also know this–

You are safe.

He–the Lord of the Universe, Maker of Time and Space and Stuff–he’s got you.

David tells us that God will keep us safe in his dwelling, his tabernacle. Basically his house. And that image makes sense. If I want to protect something or someone, I can bring them into my home where there are doors to lock and alarms to set.  In the New Testament, Paul goes one better. Paul told the Colossians that our lives are hidden in God himself.

Not in his home.

In Him.

Frankly, I don’t understand how any of this really works.

But I’ll take it.

Beloved, I hope that today is not your day of trouble. I wish you a day of sunshine and puppies and chocolate.

But if trouble comes…

You are safe.

Happy Wednesday, Beloved.

One thing I ask of the Lord; this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple (Psalm 27:4).

Just to be with God.  Do you ever want that?  Do you ever have those moments when you get past wanting from God and just want God?

I have to admit; for me, those moments are too few and too far between.

But then, the New Year is about fresh starts and making changes, isn’t it?

How many things are you asking God for in 2018, Beloved?

How about just one?

This one.

Happy Tuesday, Beloved.

May integrity and uprightness protect me, for my hope, Lord, is in you (Psalm 25:21).

Pssssssst–

He’s talking about God’s integrity and God’s uprightness. Because if we were relying on our own integrity and uprightness to protect us…well…

some thoughts are better left unexplored, eh Beloved?

Happy Friday.

Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you (Psalm 25:20).

Why?

Because I work so hard?

nope

Because I know so much?

huh uh

Because I give my 10%?

um…no

Because I offer wise advice?

not so much

Because I have the Jumbo Study Bible with built in concordance?

Ooooohhh…swingandamiss

Because, in the end, I’m such a groovy guy?

seriously?

Because I’m his.  Hear that, Beloved. Because I’m his, I have the right to claim refuge in him, the right to run to him when I am in distress. Because I’m his I have confidence that the yuck will never get too deep, the mountains never too high, the stress never too much. You have a whole Thursday full of stuff to deal with today. Don’t be afraid to run to your Father and claim the shelter that is rightfully yours.

Because you are the Beloved of Christ.

Happy Thursday

See how my enemies have increased and how fiercely they hate me! (Psalm 25:19).

OK, so I don’t literally have people out to kill me.

To the best of my knowledge

Still, there are days when finances and job stress and finances and traffic idiots and finances and holiday shoppers and finances and house repairs and finances and car issues and finances leave me feeling that I am surrounded on all sides by people with bad attitudes and pointy sticks. Beyond that, I live in a society that is moving further and further away from the values that I hold and into a nether region of silliness and sin. It may not attack my body, but it daily attacks my sense of right and wrong.

Not to mention my logic

So, yeah, I can identify in a very small way with David’s plight here. Far more importantly, I can identify with David’s rescue. The Psalmist knew he would be saved, because he knew his savior.

As do I

As do you

Take a deep breath, Beloved of Christ.

Happy Wednesday

Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins (Psalm 25:18).

I don’t think I’ve ever really read this verse before.

I mean, I’ve read over it, but…

David is alone and afraid and hurt and under attack and what does he ask God for?

A clean heart

Forgiveness

A right relationship with his Lord

David is a man who understands priorities.

Me? My prayers would probably be more along the lines of, “Heal my body and crush my enemies to powder.”

“Please”

Let’s see if we can keep first things first today, ya?

Happy Tuesday, Beloved.

Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish (Psalm 25:16-17).

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!  It’s a time of joy and peace and laughter and fellowship with the ones we love.

You know…for some.

For others, this can be a really lonely, empty time.

If you find yourself in Category A, let that fact be one more reason to celebrate this season.

If you’re stuck in Category B, I’m so sorry.  I’ve been there, and I know that few things are as painful as watching others rejoice when you are in the pit. But know this, Beloved of Christ–

You feel lonely, but you are never, ever alone.

You feel empty, but His spirit fills you.

You weep, but you will laugh with the angels.

Look, I know that those words can feel empty and useless and meaningless in the face of all you’re dealing with today.

But they’re true.

You are loved by the One who knows you better than anyone else.

Seriously,

He knows you

and

He loves you.

Pretty amazing, ya?

So, if nothing else, rejoice in that today.

Because that’s a lot.

In fact, when you get right down to it

that’s everything.

Happy Monday, Beloved

My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare (Psalm 25:15).

You are trapped

hurt

alone.

It doesn’t matter whether the Hunter has trapped you

or you have put yourself here–you’re doomed.

The he arrives.

He stretches out his hands

and you

are

free.

Look to your rescuer today, Beloved

and be free.

Happy Friday