365 Reflections

God is a guiding Lord. Psalm 25:8 (ESV) Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. Psalm 25:12 (ESV) Who is the man who fears the Lord ? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. The Lord doesn't just lead you to Christ from sinner to saint. He leads you on to the things of life you should choose. How does that happen? Most of us, (almost all) will not hear an audible voice. But His Word will always be our guide. I was having a conversation today with a Pastor friend who shared how often we fret over the small decisions with the Lord...  What house should we buy? What city should we live in? Who should we marry? He said the Lord isn't concerned with the details of what as long as the result is the Glory of God. God is for His glory. Living in and for the glory of God is what our main objective in life is about. Everything else, whatever we choose, where we live, what house we buy or rent - these all should simply bri

Psalm 24:1–2 (ESV) The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, 2 for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. Psalm 24 is all about the Lord. First, He established and owns the Earth where we dwell. We are not our own. Even those who do what is godless are his servants. He told Pharaoh he would get glory from his resistance. The Lord Jesus owns it all. Second, the Lord is the one who ascends to the holy place. Psalm 24:3–6 (ESV) Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. 5 He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah The answer to these questions is NO ONE. We cannot ascend to the hill of the Lord because none of us is

Psalm 23:1 (ESV) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. That says it all. Because the Lord is leading me and guiding me, I do not want for a thing, says David. This sentiment seems to ring true with many Americans. The number 5 searched scripture in 2013 for America was Psalm 23 according to Christianity Today . We are a nation in need of direction. The growing tend of sexual promiscuity, the legalization of marijuana, the growth of unbelief in recent religious polls, the downward trend of American Christianity and church closings. From rude and obnoxious award shows to a sagging economy, this country is in desperate need of direction. Could that be the reason it searched for a Shepherd? Yes, but so much more. We are built to be guided. Though we try to find our own way on so many occasions, it is installed in our Spiritual DNA to be led by the Lord. And when He's not our leader, we'll choose something or someone far less qualified. David knew better. David wa

Life can seem like God has left. But He never really has. The Psalmist cries out the words many of us have said at some point: Psalm 22:1 (ESV) My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? When we feel distant from God, we need to remember the deception of our feelings. Truth is greater. The interesting thing about Psalm 22 is that the despair lasts for 2 verses! The third verse has him turning to the greatness of His God. Psalm 22:3 (ESV) Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. He recounts how those who trusted Him were delivered. And so it shall be with you and I. Following the Lord is not a cakewalk, but it is not a plank walk either! We do not lose hope, "though outwardly we waste away yet inwardly we are renewed day by day." Some commentators suppose Psalm 22 to be two Psalms combined into one because of the cry of dereliction in the beginning and the hope and confidence in t

Is Psalm 20 was sung before the war, Psalm 21 is the song after the war. And the first section reminds us of the importance of thanking God for victory in the past! Psalm 21:1–2 (ESV) O LORD, in your strength the king rejoices, and in your salvation how greatly he exults! 2 You have given him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah How quick and often we pray for things we need in the future or present. But we easily forget to reflect on the goodness of God in the past. If we stop and think, we can surely find plenty of blessings to thank the Lord for. His goodness and mercy are forever showered upon us.  The first 7 verses rejoice in the Lord. The Lord blesses the king, empowers the king, and rejoices the king. The presence of the Lord is the source of the king's joy.  Can you take a moment now to think and recount the wonderful things God has done for you? I know personally there are many for me. My Lord has given me health, family, p

The 20th Psalm is a Royal Psalm sung for the king who goes out to battle. The first 5 verses pronounce blessing on the king as he prepares to leave for war. The people petition the Lord for victory with confidence. Psalm 20:1–5 (ESV) May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you! 2 May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion! 3 May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah 4 May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans! 5 May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the LORD fulfill all your petitions! The King confidently affirms that success is in their future: Psalm 20:6 (ESV) Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. Why is the nation and the king so confident? Because they are living according to God's promi

The Psalmist prays in Psalm 19: Psalm 19:13 (NKJV) 13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression. Two interesting words here... First is the idea of "presumptuous" sins. The Word can be translated arrogant or insolent. It is the sin where one thinks they can control it, get away with it, indulge it without too much damage being done.  Yet the next phrase shows the flaw in such a concept. "Let them not have dominion over me." When you sin in arrogance, thinking you have it under control, it quickly proves the opposite is true. Arrogance and insolence with God's ways are the surefire way to be caught in bondage. Sin never wants a little of you, it wants all of you. It's a fools game with sin. A little leaven affects the whole lump.  You think you control that sin, but it eventually dominates you.  The only hope we h

Psalm 18:1–3 (ESV) 1 I love you, O LORD, my strength. 2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. Psalm 18 was written after the death of Saul who had been chasing David for years seeking to kill him. David knew God to be his strength, his rock, and his shield. But it took being put in the weakest of situations for very long periods of time to see it first hand. He was anointed king at 17. He wasn't King in reality until 33. He testifies that he knows God as his rock from the experiences of being at the gates of death. But it was through the running and troubles, war and struggles of David's life where God's great preparation happened.  He writes: Psalm 18:32–34 (ESV) the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. 33 He made my feet like the feet o

Psalm 17 provides a pattern for prayer whenever you are facing an hostile enemy. The Psalmist calls out to God and puts his hope purely in God's just ways, saying in verse 2 "let your eyes behold the right!" How confident are we when praying about a difficult relational issue that God will vindicate us? This Psalmist makes certain to check himself first and opens himself to God's own examination. Verses 3-5 are the Psalmist self-examining statements. He truly feels he is in the right and even seeks God's agreement. How we need to make sure we do the same! Sometimes a relationship is difficult because we are the ones in the wrong. Before you pray for God to change your enemies, make sure God doesn't have to first change you. The Psalmist then praise the faithful love of His God. Psalm 17:6–7 (ESV)  I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words. 7 Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek re

Psalm 16 has been called a song of confidence . And I love this Psalm. When you read it, the Psalmist is confident that God is His first and foremost priority. Subsequently, He brims with confidence for a number of things in life. He is confident that his life is where God wants it to be, no more and no less. Psalm 16:6 (ESV) The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. He is confident the Lord will give him counsel that stays with him through the night. Psalm 16:7 (ESV) I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. He is confident that nothing will shake him. Psalm 16:8 (ESV) I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. He is also confident that other gods yield only sorrow while the presence of the Lord is full of joy, pleasures and true life. Psalm 16:11 (ESV)   You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullnes

Psalm 15 (ESV) A PSALM OF DAVID.  O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?  2 He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart;  3 who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend;  4 in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; who swears to his own hurt and does not change;  5 who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved. This Psalm was most likely sung by David after Uzzah was slain by the Lord for stretching his hand out to steady the Ark. David was upset and the Ark went to dwell in the house of a man named Obed Edom. David is awestruck by the holiness of God and so he determines the holiness required for someone to go up to the holy place of God. It is the proper approach toward God. We must be awestruck by His holine

The 14th Psalm opens with very familiar words, "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" It then describes the ungodly: They are corrupt, do evil. They don't seek or understand God. They turn away from Him, they do no good. They hurt the people of God. Not all atheists do all those things. But they at least do one of them. How do you answer an atheist? Sometimes we want to argue our point. That makes us feel smarter. Sometimes we want to pray for a miracle to happen. But they will dismiss that as easily as the miracle of a new born baby. Sometimes we want to prove we are more patient and better behaved. But that never works, we are saved by grace. The Psalmist provides a great answer to the atheist in this Psalm: Here it is: Live with God. Don't answer Atheism with believism. Answer it with living in the presence of God, without fear, without worry, without falling apart or getting overly worked up about the state of the world. Notice Ver

Psalm 13. The Psalm contains three stanzas, each one getting shorter.  In the first stanza, the Psalmist cries out in bitter distress. He wants to know where God is and when God will act. And he doesn't seem to hold back very much: Psalm 13:1–2 (ESV) How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? In the second stanza, lament has turned to intercession. He is imploring the Lord to act on his behalf, making his requests known and seeking to be raised up from the place of defeat. Psalm 13:3–4 (ESV) Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, 4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. Finally, after lament and intercession, the Psalmist has sweet and steady resolve before the Lord... Psalm 13:5–6 (ESV) Bu

God's Word is pure. Man's word is not. You only understand the perverse innate character of the promises of man when you truly comprehend the sure Word of God. Psalm 12 is all about the contrast between the two. First, the Psalmist has a description of the words of man: Psalm 12:2–4 (ESV) Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak. 3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts, 4 those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is master over us?” What is the answer when people around you seem to do nothing but feed you lies? Do you respond? Do you retaliate? Do you join in? There is no shortage of voices in our world. And we do well to heed the wisdom of David in this Psalmist when he was faced people the proud and arrogant words of the wicked. First, David refuses to get into it with them. No, his approach is not retaliation but rather to listed to what God has

Psalm 11:1 (ESV) In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, “Flee like a bird to your mountain, The Psalmist is shocked that someone would tell him not to trust in His God! How we all need to live like that! Fear is the source of every horrible decision you have ever made. Fear that God is not going to be good to you. Fear that someone or something is holding you back. Fear that you don't have enough. Fear that you need to take matters into your own hands. So many bad decisions have been based on fear: The mid-30s man afraid he's "losing his touch" so he cheats on his wife... The teenager who fears rejection from the crowd so he makes less than desirable even disastrous decisions. The woman who is afraid of being alone so he jumps from one bad relationship to another. Jesus passed the test of our fears. He did what Adam and Eve could not do. He trusted God with His provision against the lust of the flesh (stones to bread),

Psalm 9 and 10 are actually one long acrostic hymn. The letters of the Hebrew Alphabet in order (minus four) form this beautiful piece of literature. The first 12 verses proclaim confident faith in God. He is good and He reigns and He defends the Psalmist. The next 4 verses are a cry for help from God in the presence of his enemies. Verses 17-20 are confident expectation that God's action will be soon and swift. Psalm 10:1-11 decry the evil and violence of the wicked. Psalm 10:12-15 he prays earnestly for God's intervention. Psalm 10 ends with three verses of confident hope and enduring faith: Psalm 10:16–18 (ESV) The LORD is king forever and ever; the nations perish from his land. 17 O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear 18 to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more. This 2 part hymn can sum up a great deal of our Christian experienc

Psalm 8 is a well known Psalm for it's first verse which is echoed in the final verse: Psalm 8:1 (ESV) O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Then again: Psalm 8:9 (ESV) O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! At first sight, the Psalmist then proceeds to make a big deal out of man. His place in the world, the abilities granted to him and the glory he has placed upon him. But the more you read the Psalm it becomes clear, this is not an exaltation of man, it's an exaltation of God. Caught in the wonder of the universe God has created, mankind is simply a sheep-herding gardener (see verses 6-7). Compared to the universe, mankind is silly and small. Yet, by God's design we are right where He placed us and wants us. Psalm 8 is a reality check. The Universe is much more majestic than we realize. In fact it is so majestic, it shrinks us properly down to size. To think these words co

No matter who you are... there's no escaping the trap of sin. If there's one common theme throughout scripture other than the GOSPEL which saves us from sin... it is that sin, though starting small, eventually gives birth to death. Psalm 7:14–16 (NLT) The wicked conceive evil; they are pregnant with trouble and give birth to lies. 15 They dig a deep pit to trap others, then fall into it themselves. 16 The trouble they make for others backfires on them. The violence they plan falls on their own heads. We are warned repeatedly in scripture of the almost human-like hunter nature of sin and it's ultimate catch-up effect on our lives. James 1:13–15 (ESV) Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings fort

Psalm 6 is a prayer from David to God that the Lord not be harsh in chastisement. David knew he deserved worse but asked God for mercy... Psalm 6:1–3 (ESV) O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath. 2 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled. 3 My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O LORD—how long? One of the worst attitudes of prayer we could have is to believe we are entitled to something from God. The name-it-claim-it-mentality we may have heard about just isn't the manner in which the Scriptures implore us to come to God. David comes humbly. He fully knows God would be right to punish him harshly for his actions. But he seeks the mercy of a loving Father. Whatever it is that David has done, it has robbed him of sleep and rest: Psalm 6:6–7 (ESV) I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping. 7 My eye wastes away because of grief

Psalm 5 is another Psalm with "chaistic" structure. That's a fancy way of saying the first verse matches up to the last verse, the second verse matches up to the second to last verse, and so on. When right in the middle is Verses 7-8. Before we look at verse 7 and 8 we need to see what's around them. David's Psalm contains alternating segments about the wicked and the righteous. The Lord hears the prayers of the righteous (1-3), but the Lord detests the wicked (4-6). The wicked lie, flatter and are filled with violence at their core (9-10). But those who hope in God will sing, will worship, and will be covered by the Lord (11-12). David is surrounded by good and bad options. Be someone who does good or be one of those who does evil. How do you live in the midst of a world like that? What crowd will you regard as your people? David actually choses neither. His plan is simple, draw near to the Lord... Psalm 5:7–8 (ESV)  But I, through the abundance of your s