Psalm 85- Rejection Correction

 “You forgave your people’s guilt; you covered all their sin.    Selah 

Will you not revive us again so that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your faithful love, Lord, and give us your salvation. I will listen to what God will say; surely the Lord will declare peace to his people, his faithful ones, and not let them go back to foolish ways.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭85‬:‭2‬, ‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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This Psalm is seeking God for a blessing…they are remembering all the ways that God has worked in the past which is encouraging because He has always been faithful, caring and loving.  They desire to be saved from the separation and silence of life which was caused by their own rejection of God.  Not rejection outright, but an ignoring Him and what He desired from them.

Lord, help me to see the ways I have ignored You.  Bring to memory the ways I have run ahead of You and done things my way.  Allow me to recognize when I reject You so that I can repent and run back to You.  In Your presence is the only place I want to be, because it is full of blessing, peace and contentment.

Psalm 84- Gods Presence

 “I long and yearn for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh cry out for the living God. Better a day in your courts than a thousand anywhere else. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God than live in the tents of wicked people. For the Lord God is a sun and shield. The Lord grants favor and honor; he does not withhold the good from those who live with integrity. Happy is the person who trusts in you, Lord of Armies!”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭84‬:‭2‬, ‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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I wish that I had spent my whole life understanding this truth, but so many times I was drawn away to other things to experience disappointment.  Real, lasting and incomparable happiness is found only in Gods presence…I am so thankful that He loves me and sent Jesus so that I can experience Him every day..

Psalm 83- Seek Him

 “Make them like tumbleweed, my God, like straw before the wind. As fire burns a forest, as a flame blazes through mountains, so pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your storm. Cover their faces with shame so that they will seek your name, Lord. May they know that you alone — whose name is the Lord  — are the Most High over the whole earth.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭83‬:‭13‬-‭16‬, ‭18‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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This Psalm was written specifically about the enemies of Gods people.  They were acting wickedly and this prayer was intended to make them stop.  That God would get control of them.  I would expect it to be filled with hatred and a desire for their destruction…and I guess there is a little of that…but then it surprises with their ultimate goal: that they would seek the Lord.  

I think that should always be the ultimate goal…everyone is better when you follow Jesus.  Even people who are mostly good, or those who know how to do kind things…they are still far from how amazing they could be if they were obeying God.

Lord, help me to follow You in every thought, action and motivation.  Show me the way to live around those who need You that causes them to seek You themselves.

Psalm 82- Weak Protected

 “Provide justice for the needy and the fatherless; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and needy; save them from the power of the wicked.” They do not know or understand; they wander in darkness. All the foundations of the earth are shaken.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭82‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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This Psalm is a defense of the needy against those who are treating them unfairly.  The evil rulers are taking advantage of people who cannot defend themselves…God is wanting to protect them.  God knows that everyone who is following their own way is to be pitied because they are blind and foolish.

Lord, show me how to protect, defend and love those who are unaware of their standing with You.  Give me compassion to patiently point them to You and have the right words that will not offend or demean.  I pray that my words and actions would be attractive so that they desire to know You more.

Psalm 81- Never Forced

 “I am the Lord  your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

“But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel did not obey me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own plans. If only my people would listen to me and Israel would follow my ways, [I] would feed Israel with the best wheat. “I would satisfy you with honey from the rock.””

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭81‬:‭10‬-‭13‬, ‭16‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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This Psalm is a demonstration of Gods heart.  He wants to bless His people, but so often we are not listening to what He tells us.  We want the blessing of being His children, but also want to live our own way, make our own rules.

And God is amazing because He could force us to follow Him…but He never does…He wants us to choose to follow Him.  I believe He does this because He is confident in where our own path will lead: destruction, misery, pain and sadness.  Our plans always lead there…it may take months, years or even decades, but the destination is sure when we follow our own plan.

Lord, help me to see your blessings, allow me to confidently follow You even when it takes self sacrifice and patience.  You continue to bless me and enjoy knowing You, even though I often fail to follow you perfectly.  You are gracious, patient, loving and kind…what a blessing to know You!

Psalm 80- Save Me

 “Restore us, God; make your face shine on us, so that we may be saved. Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name. Restore us, Lord, God of Armies; make your face shine on us, so that we may be saved.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭80‬:‭3‬, ‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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It is interesting to note that their salvation is fully dependent on God working in them.  It is not just a simple choice on their part.  The Israelites want to be changed, this psalm is begging God to change them and save them…but they recognize that God is the one who will do the work.

Lord, I need you to continue doing that work in me. It is easy to see, by the work of Your Spirit while I read Your Word, where I still fall short of Your standards.  And I need You to save me from myself... I need You Lord God to continue to chip away at all those areas where I tend toward selfishness and don’t consider other people as more important than myself.  

I want every part of my life to point to You, Jesus!  I need You to save me…

Psalm 79- Storyteller

 “God of our salvation, help us, for the glory of your name. Rescue us and atone for our sins, for your name’s sake. Then we, your people, the sheep of your pasture, will thank you forever; we will declare your praise to generation after generation.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭79‬:‭9‬, ‭13‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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This prayer was written well before Christ came, but Jesus was the actual answer to it.  Those who know the salvation of God will talk about it and continue to tell the next generation.

God help me to know how best to share Your marvelous works with the people around me.  I pray that my life and my words would highlight who You are!

Psalm 78- Rebellion Repaid

 “Therefore, the Lord heard and became furious; then fire broke out against Jacob, and anger flared up against Israel because they did not believe God or rely on his salvation. Despite all this, they kept sinning and did not believe his wondrous works. But they rebelliously tested the Most High God, for they did not keep his decrees.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭78‬:‭21‬-‭22‬, ‭32‬, ‭56‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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This is a really long Psalm telling of the whole history of Gods people.  It tells the good, the bad and the ugly.  These verses jumped off the page at me because each time something good happened it was followed by turning from God.  The blessing in their life were the trigger for them to stop following God because they felt like things were good without Him.  They forgot that God was the author of the blessing, and believed instead that they were themselves the reason life was good.

This cycle repeats over and over through the story of Israel, the Bible and now even in our lives.

Lord, don’t let me be foolish enough to believe that anything good is because of me.  You are the giver of good gifts, and desire to bless me as I follow You!  Following my own plan has always brought destruction and suffering after going down that path for awhile.  Keep me sober minded to recognize your truth, and make me more like You!

Psalm 77- Hand in Hand

 “I will remember the Lord’s works; yes, I will remember your ancient wonders. I will reflect on all you have done and meditate on your actions. God, your way is holy. What god is great like God? You are the God who works wonders; you revealed your strength among the peoples. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭77‬:‭11‬-‭14‬, ‭20‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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This Psalm tells about the familiar feeling of wondering if God is listening or even if He cares while going through something tough.  The portion I copied above is when the author shares the antidote for that feeling: remembering all the things God has done in the past…the last phrase is incredible, “You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.”

I can’t help but remember holding my little kids hands as we walk through a busy parking lot or some other dangerous place.  My intention was to keep them close, safe and guide them through the danger.  Sometimes they held my hand, just because they wanted to be close and felt loved!  That is the same picture that God is wanting us to see Him as…

God, when I feel far from you, help me remember the times you walked with me, hand in hand.  The times where you picked me up and carried me.  Comfort me with vivid memories of how you have always cared for me in the past and have been right there beside me.  I am blessed and loved byYou!

Psalm 76- Seeing Truely

 “Even human wrath will praise you; you will clothe yourself with the wrath that remains. Make and keep your vows to the Lord your God; let all who are around him bring tribute to the awe-inspiring one. He humbles the spirit of leaders; he is feared by the kings of the earth.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭76‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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In Gods presence, even the most powerful and uncontrolled emotions are transformed to rightful praise.  Seeing God correctly, from the right perspective and in truth humbles even the greatest leader. Awe is the only proper response…if we do not feel awe when considering God, we have most severely missed seeing God.  But instead we have made up a being that pales in comparison to the true God.

Lord, help me to view You in awe, captured by Your greatness.  Strike me with truth that I may not fit You into my box of weak imagination.  You are to be feared, honored and worshiped!

Psalm 75- Always Here

 “As for me, I will tell about him forever; I will sing praise to the God of Jacob.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭75‬:‭9‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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This psalm talks about Gods goodness and how He is the one in control of all the things in life.  He blesses, but also allows trials…He walks with us no matter which situation we are experiencing.  And that is what stands out to me, He is always near and actively working in my life…and the lives of everyone around me.

Lord remind me to tell of your works in my life, help me to share about the ways you bless and how you have transformed through trials.  Without You I am sure to get more and more selfish, focused on how to make myself feel good…only to slowly feel worse because You are never what I would seek on my own.  And You truly are the only thing that has ever made me know contentment. Help me never to forget about the ways You bless me with Your presence and stand with me through trial.

Psalm 74- Helping Hand

 “Do not let the oppressed turn away in shame; let the poor and needy praise your name. Rise up, God, champion your cause! Remember the insults that fools bring against you all day long.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭74‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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God cares for the weakest and has always protected them.  This comes up over and over again in scripture which means it is something we must understand and practice ourselves.  This brings glory to God and honor to Him when we follow his ways and emulate Him.

Lord, help me to see the needs of the helpless, and give me a vision for how to assist.  You have blessed us in so many ways I want to share those blessings with people in need.

Psalm 73- Worthwhile Sacrifice

 “Yet I am always with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me up in glory. Who do I have in heaven but you? And I desire nothing on earth but you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever. Those far from you will certainly perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, God’s presence is my good. I have made the Lord God my refuge, so I can tell about all you do.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭73‬:‭23‬-‭28‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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This deeply personal psalm talks about the frustration of a believer who is looking at people who are not following God. He is frustrated because he is deciding to give up some things in his life that seem attractive in order to follow Gods rules…yet others who are not following God do everything they want.  This is infuriating rating because he feels like as a believer he still goes through trials, and these others have an easy life.  He is wondering if the sacrifice is worth it…Then God pulls back the veil and exposes the comparison of the selfish man and what his own future will be.

The one who is enjoying life now and following his own heart, is in mental turmoil, even though he gets all he wants…and spends eternity in hell.  And this portion is the reminder of the relationship that we get to have as faithful followers of Jesus: we get to know God and He is our protector!

Psalm 72- Infectious Transformation

“May the righteous flourish in his days and well-being abound until the moon is no more. For he will rescue the poor who cry out and the afflicted who have no helper. He will have pity on the poor and helpless and save the lives of the poor. He will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their lives are precious in his sight. Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does wonders. Blessed be his glorious name forever; the whole earth is filled with his glory. Amen and amen.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭72‬:‭7, 12‬-‭14‬, ‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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This Psalm is a blessing toward the king of Israel. It goes on to describe the king as one who reflects Gods character.  This is appropriate for us today as well because we are called to reflect Gods character as believers.  The results of our Christlikeness should bring about obvious transformation everywhere we go.

Lord, be reflected in my life!  May every action demonstrate your love, especially for the weak and suffering.  May my words bring encouragement and joy to the faint hearted and helpless.  May my mind be fixed on You alone and my encouragement be filled with scripture so that You might do the transforming work in them!

Psalm 71- Blessings

 “God, you have taught me from my youth, and I still proclaim your wondrous works. Your righteousness reaches the heights, God, you who have done great things; God, who is like you? You caused me to experience many troubles and misfortunes, but you will revive me again. You will bring me up again, even from the depths of the earth. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again. Therefore, I will praise you with a harp for your faithfulness, my God; I will sing to you with a lyre, Holy One of Israel. My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you because you have redeemed me. Therefore, my tongue will proclaim your righteousness all day long…”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭71‬:‭17‬, ‭19‬-‭24‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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Every step of my life God, You have been teaching me, showing me the reality of Your faithful love.  Even times of trouble and challenge, Your hand was guiding me, protecting me and maturing me…every situation You used to shape my heart and mind!

Lord, do the same with my kids, help them to see who You are and the blessing of following You!

Psalm 70- Faith Filled Patience

 “God, hurry to rescue me. Lord, hurry to help me! Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; let those who love your salvation continually say, “God is great!” I am oppressed and needy; hurry to me, God. You are my help and my deliverer; Lord, do not delay.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭70‬:‭1‬, ‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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Lord, I always want you to help me instantly.  So many times I am going through a difficult moment and I want You to act right this second to make things easier!  I know that is not a problem because even David had this same prayer…You however don’t always fix things immediately, sometimes you are calling me to wait, to rest in confidence knowing that You are there with me.

Even though that is hard, help me to wait… strengthen my faith and confidence that You are at work, even when I can’t see what you are doing!  You are a mighty God, unmatched in power and knowledge.  You weave my life so intricately that every moment, every challenge and every trial are intentionally used to grow me and my faith in You!  Help me to continually remember that!!!

Psalm 69- My Heart, not Sacrifice

 “But as for me — poor and in pain — let your salvation protect me, God. I will praise God’s name with song and exalt him with thanksgiving. That will please the Lord more than an ox, more than a bull with horns and hooves. The humble will see it and rejoice. You who seek God, take heart!”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭69‬:‭29‬-‭32‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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This Psalm goes through much discussion on how they are being treated unfairly and how people are trying to destroy them.  Then, it lands here with some wisdom and truth.  It is Gods salvation that will protect them.  And their praise and thanksgiving is more valuable to God than sacrificing animals.  That is an important distinction because God has previously instructed them to make those animal sacrifices.  But God actually wants something more valuable than their wealth (their animals) He wants their hearts and minds.

The same is true today, He desires my heart and mind more than my offerings and tithes.  He wants my thanksgiving, the recognition of His work in and around my life.  He yearns for me to give Him honor by praising His works and who He is.  It turns out these are simple things to do, not complicated or complex rituals.  He wants to be a conscious part of my life, everyday.

God, you are so good to bless me in millions of ways, let me see each of them and give You credit for that work!  Help me to be thankful for what You have given me!  Thank You for loving me and saving me from my own selfish desires.  Help me to live life in a way that is attractive to others so that they may come to know You and the incredible life You give!

Psalm 68- Gods Heart

 “God in his holy dwelling is a father of the fatherless and a champion of widows. God provides homes for those who are deserted. He leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious live in a scorched land.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭68‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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I love this picture of God because He is defending and protecting the less fortunate.  God is clearly showing what is important to Him and by extension what should be important to us.

Lord help me to have Your heart and live this out.  Help me to reflect who You are in every thought, word and action!

Psalm 67- Blessings as Billboard

 “May God be gracious to us and bless us; may he make his face shine upon us, 

Selah 

so that your way may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, God; let all the peoples praise you. Let the nations rejoice and shout for joy, for you judge the peoples with fairness and lead the nations on earth.

Selah 

Let the peoples praise you, God, let all the peoples praise you. The earth has produced its harvest; God, our God, blesses us. God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭67‬:‭1‬-‭7‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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What an amazing plan that God has…He wants to demonstrate who He is by blessing the people that follow Him.

This is The God I want to follow.  Not just so that I can be blessed, but because this is His plan.  He blesses us when we follow Him, in this life and after we die.  Other religions require sacrifices to hopefully make their gods less angry, or with a possibility of getting something good, but the true God is just the opposite.

We are truly blessed to know You Father, I pray that my life is a billboard for knowing You!

Psalm 66- Refined

 “Let the whole earth shout joyfully to God! Sing about the glory of his name; make his praise glorious. The whole earth will worship you and sing praise to you. They will sing praise to your name.”   Selah 

For you, God, tested us; you refined us as silver is refined. You lured us into a trap; you placed burdens on our backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us out to abundance.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭66‬:‭1‬-‭2‬, ‭4‬, ‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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I love how David is reminding Gods people that they should worship God, not only for being amazing but also for the discipline they have received.  The testing was painful and was surely challenging to endure, but it produced an abundance of blessing.  

That is my experience as well.  God brings us into hard times intentionally so that we would see the foolishness of our ways and turn to Him.  The end result is that we get rid of the garbage that is holding us back from true joy and contentment.  And that is a sweet place to live and worship God!! 

Psalm 65- Gods Calling

 “Iniquities overwhelm me; only you can atone for our rebellions. How happy is the one you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We will be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple. You crown the year with your goodness; your carts overflow with plenty.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭65‬:‭3‬-‭4‬, ‭11‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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God, this is such a great reminder that You are the one who chooses us.  Without Your Spirit awakening our hearts, giving us the ability to recognize You we are hopelessly and miserably roaming around earth.  The drawing of Your Spirit is such a sweet reminder that it is not all up to me.

The things that are up to me, turn out to be the sin that You have to deal with.  Yet You made a way there too…

Being Yours is such a blessing, help me to live like it!

Psalm 64- Brain Shield

 “But God will shoot them with arrows; suddenly, they will be wounded. They will be made to stumble; their own tongues work against them. All who see them will shake their heads. Then everyone will fear and will tell about God’s work, for they will understand what he has done. The righteous one rejoices in the Lord and takes refuge in him; all those who are upright in heart will offer praise.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭64‬:‭7‬-‭10‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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David was often attacked by people around him that wanted him to fail.  This is less common for me in my experience…but it does happen spiritually where attacks come aimed at my heart and mind.  The enemy will shoot darts of lies or plant thoughts of frustrations with Gods ways.  These are the attacks that are real to me.  That is where I can relate these Psalms of David.

Lord, protect my mind and heart from the schemes of the enemy.  Help me to recognize the lies as soon as they come and remind me of the Truth of Your Word.  Turn his plans against him and cause the intended pain to build me up and bring You glory. Protect my family from attacks and strengthen their ability to see the darts for the lies they are!

Psalm 63- Adoration

 “My lips will glorify you because your faithful love is better than life. So I will bless you as long as I live; at your name, I will lift up my hands. You satisfy me as with rich food; my mouth will praise you with joyful lips.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭63‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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Lord, this is not always the way I respond to You.  Help me to see when I am distracted or too self focused.  You deserve this type of adoration and awe but sometimes I fail to see it…

Psalm 62- God Alone

 “I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will never be shaken. Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken. My salvation and glory depend on God, my strong rock. My refuge is in God. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before him. God is our refuge.

Selah”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭62‬:‭1‬-‭2‬, ‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

What a great reminder that most of the things I put my hope in are worthless.  My job isn’t guaranteed, money could dry up, friends could die.  Everything that seems valuable or even helpful in giving me confidence is like a vapor…but God is faithful, He is always there, steady, unmovable and loving…those things never change.  Even when times are hard, trials come or we are being attacked, He remains.

Lord, thank you for this reminder, help me to see when I am finding comfort in anything other than You!  Remind me to repent and run back to the Rock!

Psalm 61- My Fortress

 “God, hear my cry; pay attention to my prayer. I call to you from the ends of the earth when my heart is without strength. Lead me to a rock that is high above me, for you have been a refuge for me, a strong tower in the face of the enemy. I will dwell in your tent forever and take refuge under the shelter of your wings.       Selah 

Then I will continually sing of your name, fulfilling my vows day by day.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭61‬:‭1‬-‭4‬, ‭8‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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This Psalm starts out with a question that is easy to have…Is God listening?  Does He hear me? Does He even know I exist?  David describes himself as being strengthless and on the boarder of nowhere…too far from the important things happening for God to care.  He is clearly not confident in his own position or abilities and is going to God because He is the only help.

The imagery about how God will protect him is powerful and yet personal.  A castle built for defense, on a high rock…yet as cozy as a tent, or a bird gathering her chicks right in close to her own body.  What a combination, strong and loving, powerful and tender, unmovable and caring.  Isn’t that the picture of God that we all need?

Lord, help me to trust in Your strength to protect me!  Allow me to lean only on You because You are able to defend against anything intending to harm me.  Abide with me so that I might know Your love and tender care.  Give me peace in every circumstance so that others see You in me!

Psalm 60- Battle for Us

 “Save with your right hand, and answer me, so that those you love may be rescued. Give us aid against the foe, for human help is worthless. With God we will perform valiantly; he will trample our foes.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭60‬:‭5‬, ‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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David was at war and felt that God was holding back.  David recognizes that it truly is God which is needed to help.  Anything less would just drag out the suffering…

Today I don’t have physical enemies but I do face this battle spiritually.  Daily I am faced with temptation that I am at war with…it may just be laziness or even fighting against performance to define my value.  Those seem silly because they are the opposite ends of the same spectrum, but the battle is real, and I must depend on God to bring me through with the healthy mindset.  We all face similar challenges that can only be overcome by God!

Lord help me to turn to you as soon as I recognize the fight is starting.  Allow me to recognize it early and not waste time fighting in my strength…it is just wasted energy because nothing can stand before You! We are so blessed to have your strength, power and support at every moment of every day!  Thank You for loving me!

Psalm 59- Refuge

 ”But I will sing of your strength and will joyfully proclaim your faithful love in the morning. For you have been a stronghold for me, a refuge in my day of trouble. To you, my strength, I sing praises, because God is my stronghold — my faithful God.“

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭59‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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God has always been my refuge, the One I turn to when things go wrong.  He is always faithful, ready to listen, remind me of truth and point out my wrong thinking.  I am blessed to know Him as Savior and Stronghold…what a blessing!

Psalm 58- Abused Power

 ”Do you really speak righteously, you mighty ones? Do you judge people fairly? No, you practice injustice in your hearts; with your hands you weigh out violence in the land. 

Then people will say, “Yes, there is a reward for the righteous! There is a God who judges on earth!”“

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭58‬:‭1‬-‭2‬, ‭11‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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This chapter starts out by calling out the crooked rulers of the land.  These are supposed to be people who are in authority and who bring peace and justice to the people of God.  But that is not what is happening…they have hearts that ignore God and turn to selfish desires.  That selfishness quickly turns into doing what they want to the harm of others around them.

The last half of the passage God comes and judges these wicked people.  Gods people are thankful for His justice and are encouraged to see that there is reward in serving Him rather than thinking only of themselves.

Lord, thank you for your justice.  Thank you for calling me to live sacrificially and considering others as more important.  Help me to serve my family and those around me joyfully and may it be a blessing to them!

Psalm 57- Praises Motivate

 ”Wake up, my soul! Wake up, harp and lyre! I will wake up the dawn. I will praise you, Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your faithful love is as high as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches the clouds. God, be exalted above the heavens; let your glory be over the whole earth.“

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭57‬:‭8‬-‭11‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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David talks all about how terrified he is and how strong his opponents are…the way he tells the story it seems hopeless and like utter destruction is imminent.  Then in a flash David remembers who God is and hope fills his heart and mind.

God allow my mind to be as eager to praise you as David is here.  You are worth it and if my mind was properly focused, this is all that I could do!  You are amazing and faithful and beautiful, let me spend my days in awe of you!

Psalm 56- Fighting For Me

 ”You yourself have recorded my wanderings. Put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? Then my enemies will retreat on the day when I call. This I know: God is for me.“

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭56‬:‭9‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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David’s psalm here was written when he was taken by his enemy.  They already had him in their hands, so he is facing actual fear of death.  In the middle of all his trouble he is reminded of the most important thing: God is for him!  

God is fighting for David…God is on his side. God knows everything about him including what he is crying about, where he has ever been and what is best for David!  We can actually have this same confidence, knowing that God is for us!!!

Lord, you have blessed us beyond understanding.  You know the depth of our sadness, the highs of our delight and the desires of our heart.  You know us perfectly, far better than we know ourselves.  Give me the faith to trust You with every situation, because You care for me and You are fighting for me!

Psalm 55- His Presence

 ”God, listen to my prayer and do not hide from my plea for help. Pay attention to me and answer me. I am restless and in turmoil with my complaint, But I call to God, and the Lord will save me. Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never allow the righteous to be shaken.“

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭55‬:‭1‬-‭2‬, ‭16‬, ‭22‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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David was facing a friend turning against him when he wrote this psalm.  So painful to have anyone who is fighting against you, so much more devastating if they are your friend.  Thankfully God is unchanging, He is steady and always ready to help.

Sometime this doesn’t feel true to me, sometimes I am suffering and it feels as if God has abandoned me.  He does not seem to be answering prayer, or reshaping my thinking.  Those times feel desperate, but I see that God allows those moments when he really wants me to seek Him… He is helping to highlight the need I truly have: His presence.

Lord, thank you for answering me when I seek You,  and always being ready to reframe my thinking.  Help me to seek You even when I am experiencing joy and delight, not simply when things are going badly.  Lord, I need You, every hour I need You!!!