Month: July 2021

Psalm 136:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His love endures forever.

The last half of every verse in Psalm 136 is identical. The NIV translates it: His love endures forever, though other versions translate it as faithful love, steadfast love, loving devotion, mercy, faithfulness, and lovingkindness. The CEV translates the line as: God’s love never fails. For me, regardless of translation, this psalm is a reminder that no matter what is going on in my life or life in general, God is with me.

Psalm 136:2 Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.

I think God is like a car’s GPS, but instead of routing me to a specific address (or career), my destination, always, is God, to draw closer to Him. No matter what road I’m on, even if it is a horrible detour because of my poor navigation, God’s love never falls. He never abandons me or gives up on me. He always shows me how to draw closer to Him regardless of my circumstances.

Psalm 136:3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for Your steadfast love and mercy. Thank You for being my destination always. No matter what road we are on, continue to draw me closer to You and help me remember that You are always with me. Amen.

Psalm 136:4 …to Him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever.

Have a blessed day.

Psalm 135:15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by human hands.

Commentary pointed out that this section of verses is an extended quote from Psalm 115. And I hear echos of verse 17 in the gospels, where the refrain “he who has ears, let him hear” is repeatedly used in at least three of the gospels if not all four. 

Psalm 135:16 They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see.

But what spoke to me most, I think, is the fact that when we put anything in the place of God as our center, we are creating of it an idol. And when we turn something or someone into an idol, we become like that person or thing. In a world where it is so easy to lose sight of God as my center, these verses are alarming and cautionary.

Psalm 135:17 They have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder of the dangers of putting anything in a place of importance above You in my life. Help me, always, to keep You as my center. Draw me closer. Amen.

Psalm 135:18 Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.

Have a blessed day.

Psalm 134:1 Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD.

Commentary speaks of not serving God out of compulsion but blessing Him as we serve. Summer, for me, is a time of renewal and reflection, and I can say in all honesty and humility that I need to work on my attitude of praise during my day job. 

Psalm 134:2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD.

Sometimes, especially when we get to the dregs of the school year and everyone is exhausted, praise instead of compulsion is definitely not at the fore of my mind. The truth is, especially in the short rows leading to summer, it does often feel like a compulsory grind. However, I am definitely thankful that God calls me to serve Him as He does. Now I need to work on bringing that sense of praise for Him with me, even in the short rows of the semester and year.

Psalm 134:3a May the LORD bless you from Zion….

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that You call me and equip me to serve You daily. I am so incredibly grateful. Help me to be mindful of praising You for that gift ALWAYS. Draw me closer. Amen.

Psalm 134:3b …He who is the Maker of heaven and earth.

Have a blessed day.

Psalm 133:1 How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! (NLT)

This verse has often made me chuckle because it seems rare that my children “live together in harmony.” However, I’m coming to realize that conflict, and working through that conflict, is an important part of development in life in general. 

Psalm 133:1 How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! (NIV)

I don’t think the purpose of this verse was to inspire Christians everywhere to just smile and nod, agreeing, carte blanche, with everything. I think as Christians, part of our responsibility is to challenge each other’s thinking, encourage each other to think deeply and broadly about issues, taking the time to hear opposing views and try to understand them. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen.

Psalm 133:1 It is truly wonderful when the people of God live together in peace. (CEV)

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that living in harmony means having rich, full conversations, not getting so entrenched in our positions that we treat each other with contempt instead of with Your fierce, forgiving love. Help us, Lord, to be more like You. Draw us closer. Amen.

Psalm 133:1 How wonderful it is, how pleasant, for God’s people to live together in harmony! (GNT)

Have a blessed day.

Psalm 132:1 LORD, remember David and all his self-denial.

What does it mean to find a place for God in my life? How do I make space for Him? What’s His role, His importance in my life? What is He asking me to do for Him? With Him? In Him?

Psalm 132:2 He swore an oath to the LORD, he made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:

All of these questions come to mind as I ponder this psalm. They are good questions, questions which could and should be pondered daily. How do I become more mindful of these questions so that they can draw me closer to Him each day?

Psalm 132:3-4 “I will not enter my house or go to my bed, I will allow no sleep to my eyelids….”

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for laying these important questions on my heart. Help me to be mindful of them, more mindful of You, in everything that I do. Draw me closer. Amen.

Psalm 132:5 “…till I find a place for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

Have a blessed day.

Psalm 131:1a My heart is not proud, LORD, my eyes are not haughty….

I remember the first time I heard and understood the expression “God is outside of my feelings.” I came across the idea in two separate songs one summer and something just clicked. Whether I am angry, outraged, bitter, afraid, etc, God is bigger, He is greater, He is more sovereign, He is outside of my feelings and my situation.

Psalm 131:1b …I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.

So where does my control come into the equation, and isn’t it really God who is in control? The answer is that I get to choose to give in to my feelings or to cling to and trust my God, who is sovereign and merciful. While this revelation is wonderful, it is one I still struggle with—putting aside MY feelings of worry, fear, bitterness, letting go of MY need to control. That last one is huge for me, and it still frustrates me to no end. I DO trust God. I DO love God. But I choose to try to retain control, which is utterly ridiculous.

Psalm 131:2 But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.

Precious Savior, I love You. I trust You. I do. Help me to let go of my insane need to feel in control. Thank You that You are outside of my feelings, that You see the bigger picture. Help me to walk my faith more closely, to hand over the reigns to You more quickly and to leave them in Your hands. I love You. I trust You. Thank You. Amen.

Psalm 131:3 Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore.

Have a blessed day.

Psalm 130:5 I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope. (NIV)

Lord, I love the trust and expectation in this verse. It is not a question of IF You are coming but WHEN. There is a hope and a certainty in this verse that resonates with me. When I am struggling, Lord, help me to reach out to You and to wait expectantly for You.

Psalm 130:5 I am counting on the LORD; yes, I am counting on Him. I have put my hope in His word. (ESV)

Lord, I still struggle with this desire to be self-sufficient, and while self-sufficiency can be a beautiful gift, if You are not my ultimate foundation, that self-sufficiency becomes an obstacle to You. I don’t want anything to keep me from You, Lord. Help me to be aware of the tendency and to submit myself to You.

Psalm 130:5 With all my heart, I am waiting, LORD, for You! I trust Your promises. (CEV)

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for this time with You each day. Help me, every morning, to lay my plans, my doubts and fears, my hopes before You and to wait patiently on You. Draw me closer. Amen.

Psalm 130:5 I wait eagerly for the LORD’s help, and in His word I trust. (GNT)

Have a blessed day.

Psalm 129:1 “They have greatly oppressed me from my youth,” let Israel say….

Commentary illuminated an important point to me about Psalm 129: Israel is looking back at all that she has survived and is using the LORD’s presence during those difficult times as a source of hope and encouragement for the future. 

Psalm 129:2 “they have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me.”

There is much we can learn form this idea. A quick look at anyone’s past will reveal sorrows and heartaches, difficulties endured. But in each instance, God is there with us, holding us, encouraging us, strengthening us, giving us the courage to put one foot in front of the other, even when we can’t clearly see the next step. All those times He’s been with us. And He’s still with us, right by our side. He will not abandon us. He will not forsake us. Thank You, Jesus.

Psalm 129:4 “But the LORD is righteous; He has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.”

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the hope that comes from You, for the encouragement that can be found in remembering all You have helped us endure and overcome. Help us, when the going gets tough, to cling to Your hope and Your presence. Draw us closer. Amen.

Psalm 129:5 “May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame.”

Have a blessed day.

Psalm 128:1 Blessed are all those who fear the LORD, who walk in obedience to Him.

Psalm 128 brought to mind the parable of the prodigal son. Psalm 128 seems to be the Old Testament understanding of God: fear Him and be blessed. Don’t and be cursed. The prodigal son seems to be the New Testament, new covenant understanding of God. 

Psalm 128:2 You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.

One side of that understanding is that of the prodigal son: even when we mess up royally, once we have come to our senses, God is there waiting for us to come home. The other side is that of the brother who never left home, the one who lost sight of the fact that he never lost access to God, never turned his back and shut himself off, and that uninterrupted access is a true blessing.

Psalm 128:3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the understanding that we can return to You when we lose our way but also for the understanding that staying in Your will is an even richer blessing because that connection with You is always present. Help us to draw closer to You always. Amen.

Psalm 128:4 Yes, this will be the blessing for the man who fears the LORD.

Have a blessed day.

Psalm 127:1a Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain….

Today’s scripture touches on a theme I discussed on Wednesday with Psalm 125: self reliance leads to anxiety and worry. If I am at the center of everything I do, I will never lose that nagging sense of worry that plagues me. Only by letting go of control and letting God take the lead can I ever find peace. 

Psalm 127:1b …Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.

The question for me then becomes how? How do I let go of this insidious need to be in control? How do I get out of God’s way so that I can escape this incessant anxiety and live in His peace? Perhaps I am getting closer to an answer with my daily reading, prayer, and devotionals. Perhaps this strong need to be in control is so that I can continually humble myself before my Maker, submitting myself to Him, thus drawing me closer daily, keeping me hyper aware of my need for Him.

Psalm 127:2a In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat….

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for these things that You have laid on my heart. I do not want to rely on myself, LORD. Help me to humble myself before You daily, to lay my burdens at Your feet, and to leave them in Your capable hands. Draw me closer. Amen.

Psalm 127:2b …for He grants sleep to those He loves.

Have a blessed day.