Tag Archives: Psalms

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Sunshine and Thunderstorms

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There is an errand I typically complete by walking to the store. The weather is usually cooperative, but a few weeks ago as I was walking home, it started to rain. With each step, the rain intensified until I found myself caught in a down poor.

As I was splashing my way home, I realized this is a metaphor for life. Life’s sunshine may usually shine, but occasionally, we find ourselves in the rain. Perhaps even a torrential down poor, but the truth of God’s Word is always the same.

Whether we are gingerly walking through the sunshine of life or running through life’s thunderstorms, the Lord is helping us.

“The Lord watches over you – the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm- he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore” (Psalm 121:5-8).

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Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit

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A nice house, lots of money, and an awesome car. It seemed John had it all. He may have gained his possessions through a questionable lifestyle. Working as an illegal drug runner provided a great income for John, and no one was judging him. That is, except for John himself.

One morning, as John was pulling into his garage, reality hit him in the gut. He had everything, yet he had nothing. He could buy anything, but he was lonely. He didn’t have any friends, and he believed if he died, no one would even care. He had a sense of hopelessness wash over him. He pulled his phone out of his pocket, and searched the word “hope” on YouTube. A video popped up where John heard these words. “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs” (Matthew 5:3).

John dwelled on these words, and as the day continued, he realized there was hope in this promise.

Just as John found hope in this promise, you and I can as well.

  • “For this is how God loved the world: He gave  his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16-17).
  • “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (1 John 1:9).
  • “For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:11:12). 

Realizing our need for God is the first step in finding hope in the promises he makes us.

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Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

24/7 Watchman

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Countless hours of sleep have been lost to worry and anxiety. Our minds are preoccupied, so we have difficulty falling asleep. Worrisome thoughts continually force their way into our slumber causing us to suddenly awaken. Worry and anxiety try to rob you and I of the rest we deserve, but Scripture offers hope.

Psalm 121 reminds us of a 24/7 watchman, who is constantly looking after us. “He will not let you stumble. The one who watches over you will not slumber – indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps” (Psalm 121:3-4).

Allow those words to soak in for a moment. The Lord is watching over us, and he never takes a break. Psalm 121 reminds us the Lord is always watching; he is always protecting, so we can rest.

The next time worry refuses to let you sleep, or anxiety loudly bangs on the door in the middle of the night, Try remembering the promise of Psalm 121. You have a 24/7 watchman!

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Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Rock-Solid Promise 8: Lord Helps With Tough Decisions

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Hard decisions seem to always present themselves in life. You and I are put in between a rock and a hard spot. No matter what we decide we feel something is lost. The Lord offers this rock-solid promise for these moments.

8. The Lord will help with those tough decisions.

Scripture promises…

  • Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
  • Proverbs 16:9 remarks, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
  • James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

When tough decisions come, remember, the Lord will help you decide. This is a rock-solid promise we can carry through 2024 and beyond.

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Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Rock-Solid Promise 7: The Lord Will Help With Heart Break

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Heart break is unavoidable as we go through life, so you and I may experience a broken heart this year. I certainly hope our year doesn’t include heart break. I don’t have it on my list of wanted experiences, but if it occurs, Scripture promises the Lord will help.

7. The Lord will help us with heart break.

Psalm 34:18 promises, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

If you land in a season of broken heartedness this year, you can rely on the Lord to help. He will walk with you through that time and into a better season.

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Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Rock-Solid Promise 2: The Lord Always Helps Us

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Here is the 2nd of 10 rock-solid promises to which we can cling in 2024 and beyond.

2. The Lord will always be there to help us.

Since he is not leaving us, the Lord will always be there to help us.

  • “Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me” (Psalm 118:7).
  • “My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth” Psalm 121:2).
  • Hebrews 13:6 says, “So we can say with confidence, ‘My help comes from the Lord, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”

No matter where we find ourselves, the Lord is always willing to help us. So, as the trials and struggles of today and the year emerge, remember, we can rely on the Lord for help.

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Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Claiming Victory: A promise from Psalm 118

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“My enemies did their best to kill me, but the Lord rescued me. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory” (Psalm 118:13-14).

These words of the Psalmist can bring great encouragement to you and I. They were written at a time of high stress and tension.

During this time, the Jewish people were struggling to rebuild their community and their temple in Jerusalem, and they faced opposition and persecution from their neighboring nations. Despite these challenges, the psalmist expresses confidence and trust in God’s protection and salvation, and celebrates God’s steadfast love and faithfulness.

Perhaps today is a time of high stress and tension for you. Look again at these words of the Psalmist. The Lord is his strength. The Lord has given him victory. Though we are surrounded by stress and tension, we can be assured the Lord is bringing about a victory.

If you’re struggling today, cling to this promise. The Lord is your strength and your song; he will give you victory.

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Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Hope for the Hopeless: Psalm 118 Reveals Who to Trust

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Hope is easy when we do not really need it, but when circumstances around us seem hopeless, we truly discover where our hope can be found.

Friends who say call if you need anything may or may not mean it. Politicians may promise hope, but they are not able to deliver a true hope. Hope in money can eventually run out. The Lord, however, can provide a true, constant hope in the most hopeless of situations.

Psalm 118:8-9 reminds us “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.”

The Lord can give hope to the hopeless. In the darkest of hours, he can be a ray of light that changes everything. Where is your hope placed today?

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Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Finding Deliverance in Psalm 118: Overcoming Fear and Defeat in Difficult Times

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“When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord;

he brought me into a spacious place.

The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.

What can mere mortals do to me?

The Lord is with me; he is my helper.

I look in triumph on my enemies” (Psalm 118:5-7).

“Between a rock and a hard place” is how a lot of folks may describe their current circumstances. They may not see a way out, but Psalm 118 reminds us of the Lord’s power.

The Psalmist says he was hard pressed; he was having a difficult time, so he cried out to the Lord and the Lord brought deliverance.

  • The Psalmist felt hard pressed, but the Lord gave him breathing room (verse 5).
  • The Psalmist fear was taken away by knowing the Lord was near (verse 6).
  • The Psalmist knew the Lord would bring victory (verse 7).

As the day begins, you may share those same feelings. You may feel hard pressed, fearful, and defeated, but the Lord offers the same deliverance to us. Follow the Psalmist example of crying out to the Lord.

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Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Enduring Love: A Promise from Psalm 118

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“Give thanks to the Lord. He is good; his love endures forever” proclaims Psalm 118:1.

This is a promise of unshakable love for us.

When Psalm 118 says that God’s love endures forever, it is expressing the idea that God’s love is constant and unchanging. The Hebrew word for “love” used in this verse is “hesed,” which is often translated as “steadfast love” or “unfailing love.” This word conveys the idea of a loyal, faithful, and committed love that endures through all circumstances and challenges.

In the context of Psalm 118, the psalmist is giving thanks to God for delivering them from their enemies and for being their salvation. The psalmist recognizes that God’s love is the foundation of this deliverance and salvation, and that it is an enduring love that will never fail.

This idea of God’s enduring love is a theme that is echoed throughout the Bible. For example, the prophet Jeremiah wrote, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23). Similarly, the apostle Paul wrote, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

Overall, when Psalm 118 says that God’s love endures forever, it is expressing the idea that God’s love is unwavering, unchanging, and always available to those who seek it.

Remember, whatever life throws at you today, the Lord’s love endures forever.

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