Tag Archives: Psalms

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

Benefits of God’s Word

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Psalm 119:1-88 gives benefits of God’s Word.

There are many benefits to God’s Word. Here are a few listed in Psalm 119:1-88.

God’s Word gives us wise advice.

Psalm 119:24 says, “Your laws please me; they give me wise advice.” There’s advice on every topic.

God’s Word encourages us.

When we are in need of encouragement, it seems the Bible has just the right words for the moment.

Psalm 119:50 says, “Your promise revives me. It comforts me in all my troubles.”

God’s Word gives us hope.

Psalm 119:43 says, “Do not snatch your word of truth from me, for your regulations are my only hope.”

Psalm 119:49 says, “Remember your promise to me. It is my only hope.”

God’s Word is trustworthy.

Psalm 119:86 says, “All your commands are trustworthy.”

The promises we find in God’s Word can be trusted. The shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth can serve as an example for us. According to Luke 2, the shepherds trusted the angel’s word and went to find Jesus. They found the baby, his mother, and everything just as the angel had said it would be. God’s Word is trustworthy.

Hiding God’s Word in our hearts has many benefits. May we echo the desire of the Psalmist in always keeping God’s Word close to us using it as the compass to guide our lives.

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

Finding Our Way

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Psalm 119 suggests storing up God’s Word.

In 1914, Ernest Shackleton and a team of explorers set out from England to do something no one before had accomplished, cross Antarctica from one side to the other across the South Pole. Disaster struck when the team’s ship                           became entrapped in ice and the hull was eventually crushed. The ship sank, and the team was marooned on nearby Elephant Island. There seemed little hope for their survival.

In a desperate attempt to get help, Ernest and 5 others set out in a 20-foot lifeboat across some of the most dangerous and storm filled waters in the world. It was an 800-mile journey to South Georgia Island where help could be found. For 15 days, the men battled the treacherous seas and massive storms with waves up to 100-feet using only a compass and a sextant. Frank Worsley, who had captained the Endurance, navigated their course until they safely reached land and found help.

The group found another ship and returned to rescue all of the team. Shackleton became a national hero in England for his courage and persistence.

All of us will go through stormy times in life. The uncertainties of tomorrow are many. The level of misinformation we see on a daily basis is extremely high. In these moments, Psalm 119:11 suggests we store up God’s Word to guide us.

The Psalmist says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” In other words, the Psalmist says, “I have stored up God’s Word so I know the difference between right and wrong and true and false.”

The only way to ensure that we do not go astray is to have an objective source of truth that will guide us just as a compass can guide sailors through dark and uncharted waters. God’s Word can guide us through uncertain and difficult circumstances. We need to trust God’s Word over everything else. Our feelings and emotions can lead us astray, but Scripture can guide us.

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

Always Confident

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Confidence even when bad news and opposition surrounds us. Headlines may be bringing bad news to mind. It does not seem there is a shortage of bad news in our current culture. Opposition may stand at every corner. It is easy to lose trust, but we can have confidence. Our bad news may not make the headlines and our opposition may not be as well-known, but it is as devastating to us. The relationship that ends and the job that is lost probably will not make the news, but it still shakes us. Even though our trust is shaken, we can have confidence. Psalm 112:7-8, in speaking of those who follow the Lord, says, “They do not fear bad news. They confidently trust the Lord to care for them. They are confident and fearless, and can face their foes triumphantly.” Psalm 112 states this confidence in the Lord comes in true wisdom. It comes in following his guidance for our lives. Following the Lord will give us light in darkness. It will provide us with a path when it seems there is no path to be found. As you read today’s headlines and survey your current situation in life, ask this question. “Where is my confidence?” Confidence in the Lord will give us the boldness to tackle today and approach tomorrow.

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

True Wisdom is Life’s Foundation

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Justice, goodness, and trustworthiness are found in true wisdom. David was nearing the end of his life, and he placed Solomon on the throne to be Israel’s next king. His final charge to Solomon was to observe all of the Lord’s commands. It is in this observance, according to David, success is found. This observance gives us the opportunity to find true wisdom. Psalm 111:10 says, “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.” In saying this, Psalm 111 reflects on all the Lord has done. • Verse 4 says the Lord is gracious and merciful. • Verse 5 reminds us the Lord provides for our needs. • Verse 6 recalls the Lord’s power in meeting our needs. • Verse 9 reminds us of the ransom the Lord has paid for us. “For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many,” Jesus says in Mark 10. • Verse 9 also tells us the Lord has guaranteed his covenant with us. Verses 7-8 say, “All he has done is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy. They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity.” True wisdom is the foundation on which our lives should be built. As we build on this foundation, we can be secure of its justice, goodness, and trustworthiness. Take a moment today to reflect on how the Lord has proven himself. Not only historically, but also in your life. How has the Lord’s justice, goodness, and trustworthiness showed up in your life?

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

Peace and Strength

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Out of his power, God grants peace and strength.

Peace and strength are always in demand, especially right now. We need peace as we navigate everchanging surroundings. We need strength to walk toward the unknowns of the future. The Bible tells us the Lord will give us both.

Psalm 29:11 says, “The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.”

This is the same Lord described in Psalm 29 as powerful and majestic. He spoke creation into existence; everything came from nothing simply by his voice. He calms storms; nature acts as his symphony. His power and majesty are greater than any other, and he grants you and me peace and strength.

Take a moment today to reflect on the Lord’s power and majesty. Allow the Lord to give you strength and bless you with peace today.

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Worthy of Praise

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They praised him.

Jesus had a seat on a hill, “A vast crowd brought to him people who were lame, blind, crippled, those who could not speak, and many others. They laid them before Jesus, and he healed them all.” Matthew goes on in 15:31, “The crowd was amazed. Those who had not been able to speak were talking, the crippled were made well, the lame were walking, and the blind could see again, and they praised the God of Israel.”

Why did they praise the Lord?

The people praised the Lord because of his acts of grace and compassion. They praised the Lord because of his character.

The people praised the Lord for the same reasons David praised the Lord in the Psalms.

Many times, in the Psalms David offers praise to the Lord. David praises the Lord because of his grace, mercy, and compassion.

David writes of many occasions in his own life when the Lord came through in a big way. As a young man, David was kept safe from Saul’s envy. As an older man, David was kept safe from a rebellion. David was offered grace amid many mistakes and wrong choices. David could not help but praise the Lord.

The people praised the Lord for the same reasons we can praise the Lord.

We can praise the Lord because of his grace and compassion. We can praise the Lord because of his character.

Psalm 145:8 says, “The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry, and filled with unfailing love.” Verse 9 goes on, “The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all of his creation.”

How has the Lord’s grace and compassion been visible in your life? Remember to praise him.

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Remembering Creates Trust

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The past helps us trust in the future.

The Psalmist encourages, “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name. Make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him. Tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name. Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength. Seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he has pronounced.”

Psalm 105 encourages us to remember the past. The Psalm does not want you and me to forget how the Lord has worked in the lives of those who came before us.

“By recounting God’s work in history, Christians can be encouraged to praise God, because he is trustworthy.”

Max Lucado

According to The Bible Panorama, the Lord’s work throughout history is to be remembered. “It is here that we see God in his faithfulness, power, and grace. These characteristics have been manifested abundantly in the past. The sweep of Israel’s history including the exodus from Egypt and entering the promised land is rehearsed in the rest of this Psalm. What God promised to Abraham, he confirmed to Isaac and Jacob, made possible through Joseph, and progressed towards through Moses and Aaron.”

The Lord later brings these characteristics to fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the embodiment of God’s faithfulness, power, and grace. Galatians 5:1 states, “For it was for freedom, Christ set you free.”

Today, Memorial Day, as we remember the sacrifices made for us, remember what the Lord has done. Take a moment and make a list of how God has been faithful. Include your personal experience and Biblical examples. Remember and praise him for what he has done.

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Telling Ourselves the Truth

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It is freeing.

George Washington Carver became one of his generation’s most honored and beloved scientists by focusing on a simple peanut. Carver eventually found some 300 uses for this common food item. Carver attributed all of his scientific discoveries to God.

Carver remarked he once asked God to explain the universe to him, but felt God saying that was too large of a task. When he asked for something he could handle, he believed God directed his focus to the peanut. Carver said he would be helpless if God did not pull back the curtain of truth.

Telling ourselves the truth and recognizing our place in God’s plans can be a freeing experience. The truth reminds us of our reliance on the Lord. The truth is fear and anxiety may be a part of our current circumstances, and God will be there with us.

The truth was freeing for David.

David may have understood the freeing experience of telling himself the truth. Some have suggested David wrote the Psalms as therapy for himself. In Psalm 57, we find David hiding in a cave as Saul is pursuing him. Everything seems grim for David, but he understands the Lord will take care of him.

David writes in Psalm 57, “I am surrounded by fierce lions, who greedily devour human prey, whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows, and whose tongues cut like swords.” There is no doubt he felt the fear and anxiety of the current moment.

We too may feel the fear and anxiety of the current moment. The fear of things getting worse. The anxiety of our bank account balance dropping. What happens when the emergency fund is depleted? The confusion of conflicting data and mixed messages. The truth is life has fearful and anxious moments.

Like David, we can look at the bigger picture in these moments.

A bigger picture gives a more confident viewpoint.

David writes, “My heart is confident in you. My heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises. Wake up my heart…I will wake the dawn with my song. I will thank you, Lord, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations. For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth.”

David was in the cave, but he knew God was beside him. David was being chased, but he knew God was shielding him. Amid his fear and anxiety, David told himself the truth concerning God’s presence.

Amid our fears and anxieties, we can echo the truth of God’s presence. The truth is freeing.

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

Remaining Confident

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A shaken life of a confident person.

David spent much of his life running and hiding. As a young man, David had to hide from Saul. Saul was jealous of David’s popularity, so he wanted to kill David. As an older gentleman, David had to run from a rebellion started by his own son. David’s Scriptural biography is filled with turmoil and heartbreak.

On one occasion, David writes in the Psalms, everything is shaken. Nothing is stable. He writes in Psalm 11:3, “The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?”

Perhaps you can relate to this feeling.

Everything is up in the air. Life is shaken. Your life has endured an earthquake leaving everything trembling in its path.

The career you worked hard to establish has vanished. The good health you once enjoyed is fading. Your journey is not what it once was.

David’s wasn’t either, and his Scriptural biography is filled with confidence in the Lord.

Amid everything, David had great confidence in the Lord.

It may have seemed like everything was falling apart, but David remained confident in the Lord.

He continues in Psalm 11, “But the Lord is in his holy temple. The Lord still rules from Heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth.”

In Psalm 12, David writes, “The Lord replies, ‘I have seen violence done to the helpless and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them as they have longed for me to do.’ The Lord’s promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over. Therefore, Lord, we know you will protect the oppressed….”

Can we remain confident in the Lord?

As it seems everything is falling apart around us, we too can remain confident in the Lord’s promises. The promises are as pure for us as they were for David.

 

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

A Promise to Us

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The 3-fold promise of God.

Walking through uncertainty is a part of life. We can try to avoid it, but eventually we will have no choice. We will have to walk through uncertain territory.

The uncertainty we experience may be caused by events outside our control or decisions we have made. Either way, the Lord will stick with us.

Psalm 32:8 states, “The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Here we find a 3-fold promise from the Lord.

Instruct his children.

The Lord promises to guide us on the best pathway for our lives. This means…

  • God will direct us in the way we should go.
  • He is willing to help us stay on the straight path that leads to fellowship with him.
  • Through his word, God gives us accurate counsel.
  • He leads us with gentleness and trustworthiness. This makes us feel safe.

Give us wisdom.

Through his word, the Lord will guide us. He will help us make the best possible decision. James encourages us to request wisdom and says the Lord will generously give wisdom to us.

Watch over us.

The Bible says the Lord will watch over our coming and going, both now and forever more. Psalm 121 says the Lord will not allow our foot to slip. He will watch over us as we take life’s journey.

Life is filled with uncertainty. Recent days have magnified this truth; however, the Lord’s promise is still the same. He guides us, though it may not always make sense.

Life may not always make sense, but we can rest assured God knows the plan. Psalm 32 goes on to say unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.

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