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, fami...

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...