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!!!