Month: June 2021

Psalm 115:1 Not to us, LORD, not to us but to Your name be the glory, because of Your love and faithfulness.

I do not consider myself a “glory hog,” but I know there is definitely a streak in me that seeks recognition for the things I have done. It is this streak that causes anger and bitterness if I feel my contributions aren’t acknowledged. But I have noticed that when I seek only to glorify God, I don’t struggle with anger and bitterness because I don’t care whether humans recognize my contributions.

Psalm 115:4-5 But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see.

Verse 8 (see below) strikes a cord with me. Fame and recognition are shallow, fleeting, insincere. I do not wish to be like that. Ever. I also don’t wish to seek the recognition of this world. That will never fulfill me. Ever. Being mindful of Psalm 115:1, always seeking to give God the glory, will help me avoid that trap.

Psalm 115:8 Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that recognition and acknowledgment from this world will never satisfy me. Help me, always, to seek to glorify You alone. Draw me closer. Amen. 

Psalm 115:12-13 The LORD remembers us and will bless us….He will bless those who fear the LORD—small and great alike.

Have a great day.

Psalm 113:1 Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, you His servants; praise the name of the LORD.

The book of Psalms, and especially the psalms of the last three days, are a vivid reminder that I was created to praise my Creator. I can say with absolute certainty that while I am better than I was, I do not praise Him as often as I should. 

Psalm 113:2 Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and forevermore.

I do not want my praise to feel stiff and forced, but I know unequivocally that I have so many reasons to praise Him, to thank Him, to tell others of all He has done in my life. I want to get better at expressing my thanks and praise as part of my daily routine.

Psalm 113:3 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that I was made to praise, that I have so many things for which to praise You, that I need to do a better job of infusing my life with Your praise. Draw me closer. Amen.

Psalm 113:4 The LORD is exalted over all the nations, His glory above the heavens.

Have a blessed day.

Psalm 112:6 Surely the righteous will never be shaken….

I am instantly leery of qualifiers like never and always. Experience has shown that rarely do people “never” or “always” but more often they “not usually” or “frequently.” And I’m not sure perfection can be achieved on this side of the veil, though striving to be ever closer to perfection can definitely be a goal.

Psalm 112:7 They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

Maybe I’m just trying to make myself feel better about the fact that, though I am still striving, I am often shaken, I often fear bad news (or worry about what might happen). My heart is trusting in the LORD, but even now, there is fear. However, I am now better able to say to my Creator, “I don’t want this. I don’t like this. I would never choose this path, but I trust You, Lord.” And that is definitely progress.

Psalm 112:8 Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear….

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the ability to see progress and positive growth instead of fixating on the fact that I am still so very far from “never being shaken.” Thank You that I know without question that when I am shaken, I can trust You and cling to You. Always. Draw me closer. Amen.

Psalm 112:10 The wicked will see and be vexed, they will gnash their teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

Have a blessed day.

Psalm 111:1 Praise the LORD. I will extol the LORD with all my heart….

The last month or so of the school year is always difficult, but after reading today’s psalm, I am reminded once again of the need to praise my Savior for all His blessings. I am thankful for a job that I enjoy, that I pour my heart and soul into. I am thankful for the need for a rest at the end of the semester because that means I have given 100%. 

Psalm 111:2 Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them.

I am thankful for the opportunity for food and fellowship with a dear friend. I am thankful for a week in the mountains with my sister and her family. I am thankful for glorious vistas that help me with perspective and remind me of God’s glory. I am thankful for unexpected new friendships made in unlikely places. 

Psalm 111:4 He has caused His wonders to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder to praise You always. Thank You for the many, many blessings of this day, this week, this life. Help me to seek, recognize, and extol Your praise always and with all my heart. Draw me closer. Amen.

Psalm 111:6 He has shown His people the power of His works….

Have a blessed day.

Psalm 109:1 My God, whom I praise, do not remain silent….

I don’t like mean people. I don’t understand them. (Though, I must confess that sometimes I am guilty of the exact same things as those I deem mean.) I don’t like unfairness or abuse of power. I don’t like it when someone takes advantage of another or of a situation. 

Psalm 109:2 …for people who are wicked and deceitful have opened their mouths against me; they have spoken against me with lying tongues.

Sometimes I feel like I futilely shake my finger at wrongdoers, admonishing them uselessly not to do that any more. But the truth of it is, I’m not qualified to exact justice or vengeance. I lack the eternal perspective, the fierce love, the undeserved mercy , the boundless compassion to do that job effectively.

Psalm 109:3 With words of hatred they surround me; they attack me without cause.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that vengeance is Yours and not mine. Help me to treat others as You treat me—with more love, grace, and compassion than I deserve or could ever earn. Draw me closer. Amen.

Psalm 109:4 In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.

Have a blessed day.

Psalm 108:12 Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless. (NIV)

David is attributed as author of this psalm, and he wrote about defeating enemies in battle because that was the reality of his time. When I read Psalm 108:12, I read it in light of my reality. I don’t pick up weapons and fight in physical battles as David did, but I still face daily battles with foes, and I still need God’s help to be successful in my battles.

Psalm 108:12 Give us help from trouble, For the help of man is useless. (NKJV)

When I am upset or discouraged, when I feel I don’t fit in or belong, the tendency is strong to turn to human help to ease those feelings, to help me feel accepted. But just as David points out, the help I really need is God. He is my fortress, my rock, my salvation, my hiding place. In Him I will find shelter, mercy, grace, unending love, unworldly peace. No where else.

Psalm 108:12 Give us help against the adversary, For deliverance by man is in vain. (NASB 1995)

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that seeking human acceptance and solace will not ever give me the peace and acceptance I seek. Help me, always, to seek You. Help me, always, to turn to You as I fight life’s battles. Draw me closer. Amen.

Psalm 108:12 Give us help against the enemy, for any help men might offer is futile. (NET Bible)

Have a blessed day.

Psalm 106:20 They exchanged their glorious God for an image of a bull, which eats grass.

It is so easy for me to look at this verse and think how utterly ridiculous the Israelites were that they would exchange the One true God for a worthless idol. I’ve mentioned before that it is incredibly easy for me to stand in judgement of their poor choices, completely overlooking the fact that we make choices that are just as bad.

Psalm 106:21 They forgot the God who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt….

But when I take a close look at my life, at real life, I am forced to admit that they aren’t the only ridiculous ones. We do it all the time—compromise ourselves, our values, our beliefs for something so utterly inferior to our precious Savior, something that only brings short-term, selfish gains and not eternal rewards. 

Psalm 106:22 …miracles in the land of Ham and awesome deeds by the Red Sea.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for reminding me that I need to be careful with my judgement and careful with my choices. Help me to choose You always Lord. Draw me closer. Amen.

Psalm 106:23 So He said He would destroy them—had not Moses, His chosen one, stood in the breach before Him to keep His wrath from destroying them.

Have a blessed day.