Psalms Devotional by JourneyofFaith

Psalms

A Journey of Faith Devotional

Introduction Dear Journey Family, Our prayer for this devotional is that it will help us deepen our personal relationships with God in a refreshing way. We believe that as we grow in our own spiritual lives, we are better able to join in God’s mission to represent His loving heart to those around us in life-transforming ways. As we prayerfully considered what a resource like this would look like we felt the Holy Spirit leading us to reflect on the book of Psalms. Through praying and contemplating the Psalms we’re able to hear God’s voice in a beautiful way. In times of joy, sorrow, distress, praise, and longing the Psalms can be recited, contemplated, and used as prayer guides. Know that you are anchored by the powerful truth that our God remains the same throughout any season in which we find ourselves. Like a loving father, the God we worship yearns for us to draw near to Him as He draws near to us. Our prayer is that this devotional will enrich your personal relationship with Him and equip you to love others as much as He loves you.

Ways to Pray Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). We can remain in him throughout our day by talking to him, singing songs of praise, expressing thankfulness... and frustrations, seeking wisdom in all circumstances and by listening for his response to our voice. There are days when all of this seems effortless and others when our minds are distracted, unable to string together thoughts or questions to communicate to him. Thankfully over the centuries followers of Jesus have come up with ways to help us connect more deeply with God through prayer and contemplation. Here are a couple of those ways below. Consider incorporating these tools into your time of reading through these Psalms. It doesn’t have to be perfect, complicated or lengthy – keep going, even if it’s just 5 minutes at first. Just like with any new practice or skill we want to hone, it takes time, patience and connection with God.

Divine Reading (Lectio Devina)

The name sounds complicated, but this is actually an easy way to start conversing with God while reading the Bible. While this type of reading can be used for any portion of Scripture, please practice with the Psalms on the following pages. There are 4 steps to Divine Reading: 1. Reading (Lectio) – 5 Minutes: Slowly read over a passage of Scripture. Choose a single verse or two that you feel especially drawn to. Read this verse several times until you can repeat it without effort in your mind. Some say, repeat it until it’s in the “inner ear”. 2. Meditate/Ponder (Meditatio) – 5 Minutes: Ponder the verse(s) in your mind, be open to the meaning of the words and imagine these words drawing you closer to Jesus, helping you remain in Him. 3. Speak/Pray (Oratio) – 5 Minutes: Have a conversation with God. Speak freely to Him about whatever comes to your mind. And listen to what the Holy Spirit is speaking back to your mind and heart. Let the thoughts flow out of you to Jesus. You might feel deep peace, but you might also feel frustration with your circumstances, question God or even have feelings of anger. That’s ok... God can handle everything you are feeling.

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4. Contemplate (Contemplatio): Merely sit in God’s presence – in the Spirit’s presence. This could be peaceful, agitating, boring… be open to whatever it is you’re feeling. Be open to the Holy Spirit and what He’s showing you about Himself and yourself.

Review of the Day (Prayer of Examen)

This is another form of prayer you may find helpful that goes back to the 16th century. Though we’ve stuck to the general flow of how it works, we’ve adapted it a bit to work in partnership with the Psalms. There are 5 steps to this process: 1. Become aware of God’s presence – 5 Minutes: Take a few moments to realize you’re in the very presence of God. Acknowledge any competing thoughts and put them aside. Now is the time for you to sit quietly with the God who sees and loves you, and to be still. 2. Review the day with gratitude – 5 Minutes: Whatever time of day you’re in, look back from the moment you woke up until this point. Allow yourself to feel gratitude for even the smallest moments that God gave you to enjoy and give Him thanks. 3. Pay attention to your emotions – 5 minutes: Review the various emotions you remember feeling up to this point in your day, then try to acknowledge the feelings you’re having now. In this safe place with just you and God, allow yourself to be vulnerable with Him. 4. Choose one feature from a psalm and pray from it – 5 minutes: Ask the Holy Spirit to direct you to one theme, verse, or word in the psalm that’s in front of you. Bring it to God, and pray from it. Let the Holy Spirit speak to you about how and what you should pray for. 5. Look toward the rest of your day or tomorrow – 5 Minutes: Ask God to help direct you on how you can love Him and others better in light of what He’s revealed to you up to this point. Then, with gratitude, pray for the courage and strength to surrender to Him as you recommit to modelling His heart in the hours ahead.

Table of Contents Introduction

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Ways to Pray

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Psalm 19

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Psalm 51

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Psalm 33

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Psalm 23

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Psalm 62

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Psalm 86

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Psalm 46

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Psalm 93

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Psalm 91

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Table of Contents Title

Psalm 4 Psalm 66 Psalm 143

Psalm 131 Psalm 34 Psalm 3 Psalm 103

Conclusion

Psalms Devotional

WEEK 1

Psalm 19

For the choir director: A psalm of David. 1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. 2 Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. 3 They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. ⁴ Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. ⁵ It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race. ⁶ The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end. Nothing can hide from its heat. ⁷ The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. ⁸ The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight for living.

⁹ Reverence for the LORD is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the LORD are true; each one is fair. 10 They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. 11 They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them. 12 How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. 13 Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. 14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19 is all about the glory of God. David uses the first 6 verses of the psalm to declare God’s miraculous works in the created order of the universe. We can stand in awe of God’s unfathomable creation just as David did when we observe the stars and see the sun course through the sky each day. The middle portion of the psalm (vs. 7-11) directs us to Scripture. David reveals how altogether righteous the Word of God is: it is perfect, joy-giving and sweet. He finally ends the psalm in verses 12–14 with the knowledge that God alone is our salvation and redeemer. Everything that is good, holy and desirable is found in and through God. May your time meditating on these words bring you ever more close to this unending truth.

1. What stood out to you? 2. What questions do you have? 3. What is God teaching you in the reading?

Psalm 51

For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time Nathan the prophet came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. 1 Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. 2 Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. 3 For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. ⁴ Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just. ⁵ For I was born a sinner— yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. ⁶ But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there. ⁷ Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. ⁸ Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me— now let me rejoice. ⁹ Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt.

Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. 11 Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. 13 Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you. 14 Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves; then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness. 15 Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you. 16 You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. 18 Look with favor on Zion and help her; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit— with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings. Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar. 10

Psalm 51 is David’s response to his own rebellion. He has just been convicted of adultery and murder (see 2nd Samuel 12:1-14 for context). David cries out to God to forgive Him and create in him a pure heart. David is fully aware of how far he has fallen. This psalm displays that the basis for God’s forgiveness is found in His steadfast love alone. Not on David’s merit or “good” conduct. As you read this psalm reflect on areas of your life where you need God’s forgiveness and unyielding love. Posture your heart to be like David, who brought his failures to God, and asked him for restoration.

1. What stood out to you? 2. What questions do you have? 3. What is God teaching you in the reading?

WEEK 2

Psalm 33 1 Let the godly sing for joy to the LORD; it is fitting for the pure to praise him. 2 Praise the LORD with melodies on the lyre; make music for him on the ten-stringed harp. 3 Sing a new song of praise to him; play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy. ⁴ For the word of the LORD holds true, and we can trust everything he does. ⁵ He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the LORD fills the earth. ⁶ The LORD merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. ⁷ He assigned the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs. ⁸ Let the whole world fear the LORD, and let everyone stand in awe of him. ⁹ For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command. 10 The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes. 11 But the LORD’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken.

What joy for the nation whose God is the LORD, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance. 13 The LORD looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race. 14 From his throne he observes all who live on the earth. 15 He made their hearts, so he understands everything they do. 16 The best-equipped army cannot save a king, nor is great strength enough to save a warrior. 17 Don’t count on your warhorse to give you victory— for all its strength, it cannot save you. 18 But the LORD watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. 19 He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine. 20 We put our hope in the LORD. He is our help and our shield. 21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 22 Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in you alone. 12

This psalm prompts its reader to sing joyfully to God. It isn’t because the writer was experiencing good health, financial blessings, or a peaceful life. The psalmist gives praise to God because He is good despite our circumstances. Take a moment to sing this song joyfully to the Lord, for we can trust everything He does.

1. What stood out to you? 2. What questions do you have? 3. What is God teaching you in the reading?

Psalm 4

For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by stringed instruments. 1 Answer me when I call to you, O God who declares me innocent. Free me from my troubles. Have mercy on me and hear my prayer. 2 How long will you people ruin my reputation? How long will you make groundless accusations? How long will you continue your lies? Interlude 3 You can be sure of this: The LORD set apart the godly for himself. The LORD will answer when I call to him. ⁴ Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. Interlude ⁵ Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the LORD. ⁶ Many people say, “Who will show us better times?” Let your face smile on us, LORD. ⁷ You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. ⁸ In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.

This psalm was written by David and is a Psalm of Lament. David begins by crying out to God then continues by expressing God’s faithfulness. This is a psalm we can read as we struggle to fall asleep, as we wake in the night with anxious thoughts, or when we just need peace. David starts by saying “...you have given relief when I was in distress...” (v.1) and ends the Psalm as a reminder of our security and comfort in God, “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety” (v.8). Rest in His safety as you read these words.

1. What stood out to you? 2. What questions do you have? 3. What is God teaching you in the reading?

WEEK 3

Psalm 66

For the choir director: A song. A psalm. 1 Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth! 2 Sing about the glory of his name! Tell the world how glorious he is. 3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! Your enemies cringe before your mighty power. ⁴ Everything on earth will worship you; they will sing your praises, shouting your name in glorious songs.” Interlude ⁵ Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he performs for people! ⁶ He made a dry path through the Red Sea, and his people went across on foot. There we rejoiced in him. ⁷ For by his great power he rules forever. He watches every movement of the nations; let no rebel rise in defiance. Interlude ⁸ Let the whole world bless our God and loudly sing his praises. ⁹ Our lives are in his hands, and he keeps our feet from stumbling. 10 You have tested us, O God; you have purified us like silver.

You captured us in your net and laid the burden of slavery on our backs. 12 Then you put a leader over us. We went through fire and flood, but you brought us to a place of great abundance. 13 Now I come to your Temple with burnt offerings to fulfill the vows I made to you— 14 yes, the sacred vows that I made when I was in deep trouble. 15 That is why I am sacrificing burnt offerings to you— the best of my rams as a pleasing aroma, and a sacrifice of bulls and male goats. Interlude 16 Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me. 17 For I cried out to him for help, praising him as I spoke. 18 If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. 19 But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer. 20 Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me. 11

The psalmist uses this psalm as an opportunity to declare God’s faithfulness and goodness. This psalm is a beautiful reminder that God is one to be praised and serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness in our lives. Sometimes in life it is so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day, or begin to feel stuck in a hard time, but this psalm describes how God has been faithful and has gotten us through times of hardship. He has done it before and He will continue to be faithful. He is so worthy of our praise! Give Him praise in this moment and throughout your day.

1. What stood out to you? 2. What questions do you have? 3. What is God teaching you in the reading?

Psalm 143 A psalm of David.

1 Hear my prayer, O LORD; listen to my plea! Answer me because you are faithful and righteous. 2 Don’t put your servant on trial, for no one is innocent before you. 3 My enemy has chased me. He has knocked me to the ground and forces me to live in darkness like those in the grave. ⁴ I am losing all hope; I am paralyzed with fear. ⁵ I remember the days of old. I ponder all your great works and think about what you have done. ⁶ I lift my hands to you in prayer. I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain. Interlude ⁷ Come quickly, LORD, and answer me, for my depression deepens. Don’t turn away from me, or I will die. ⁸ Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. ⁹ Rescue me from my enemies, LORD; I run to you to hide me. 10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. 11 For the glory of your name, O LORD, preserve my life. Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress. 12 In your unfailing love, silence all my enemies and destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.

This is a psalm of confession where David recognizes his own humanity and the profound need he has for God’s mercy and unfailing love. We can relate to David in this! The enemy will pursue us in many forms, but we can take our heavy burdens to God when our spirit is weak and weary; when we have no other option but to seek His love and wisdom. As you seek God for help, reflect on all He has done in your life just as David does in verse 5. God’s love for us is unfailing. He is our rescuer and hope even on the bleakest of days.

1. What stood out to you? 2. What questions do you have? 3. What is God teaching you in the reading?

WEEK 4

Psalm 23 A psalm of David.

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. ⁴ Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. ⁵ You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. ⁶ Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD FOREVER.

In this most familiar Psalm by David, he compares God to a shepherd. We know that shepherds provide safety and security for their flock from predators. They make sure that the sheep have food and water, care for the sick and are available at all times of day or night when there is a need …. God is our ultimate shepherd. We aren’t promised that life will always be comfortable but God’s love and grace for us is always there, even in the darkest valley. He is there to bring us comfort, feed us, protect us, and prepare the road ahead. Rest in the knowledge that in joys and sorrows, God is pursuing you always. Spend time contemplating this profound truth.

1. What stood out to you? 2. What questions do you have? 3. What is God teaching you in the reading?

Psalm 62

For Jeduthun, the choir director: A psalm of David. 1 I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. 2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken. 3 So many enemies against one man— all of them trying to kill me. To them I’m just a broken-down wall or a tottering fence. ⁴ They plan to topple me from my high position. They delight in telling lies about me. They praise me to my face but curse me in their hearts. Interlude ⁵ Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. ⁶ He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. ⁷ My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.

⁸ O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Interlude ⁹ Common people are as worthless as a puff of wind, and the powerful are not what they appear to be. If you weigh them on the scales, together they are lighter than a breath of air. 10 Don’t make your living by extortion or put your hope in stealing. And if your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life. 11 God has spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times: Power, O God, belongs to you; 12 unfailing love, O Lord, is yours. Surely you repay all people according to what they have done.

Sometimes we are in trouble or despair, and even in the midst of those feelings, we are not afraid, instead re-affirming God's power and mercy is the posture we take. In Psalm 62, the writer David is in this exact place. He is in a time of trouble but asks God for nothing. Throughout this psalm, there is not one single word of fear, and he also doesn’t turn to prayer. This psalm is a declaration of faith in times of trouble. David is looking nowhere else but to God and God alone for his stability. It is such an amazing reminder to us when we struggle. Sometimes all we need to do is repeat to ourselves where our strength comes from, just as David repeats over and over that God alone is his rock and Salvation. David even gives us reminders of the things we should NOT put our trust in (vs. 9-10). And although David speaks again and again of God's power and strength, he ends this psalm reminding us that God's nature is not just in His power, but also in His mercy.

1. What stood out to you? 2. What questions do you have? 3. What is God teaching you in the reading?

WEEK 5

Psalm 86 A prayer of David.

1 Bend down, O LORD, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help. 2 Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God. 3 Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am calling on you constantly. ⁴ Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you. ⁵ O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. ⁶ Listen closely to my prayer, O LORD; hear my urgent cry. ⁷ I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble, and you will answer me. ⁸ No pagan god is like you, O Lord. None can do what you do! ⁹ All the nations you made will come and bow before you, Lord; they will praise your holy name. 10 For you are great and perform wonderful deeds. You alone are God.

Teach me your ways, O LORD, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. 12 With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever, 13 for your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from the depths of death. 14 O God, insolent people rise up against me; a violent gang is trying to kill me. You mean nothing to them. 15 But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. 16 Look down and have mercy on me. Give your strength to your servant; save me, the son of your servant. 17 Send me a sign of your favor. Then those who hate me will be put to shame, for you, O LORD, help and comfort me. 11

Have you ever wanted to pour yourself out in prayer, but struggled to put the words together? We know that God hears our hearts, but sometimes we need to speak it, thoughtfully and thoroughly. When the need for prayer is there, but the situation is too unbearable, this prayer of David is an amazing prayer to turn to. We don’t know what need or specific situation brought David to this prayer; but, this is helpful to us for a couple reasons. First, for us to see ourselves in David, and to remind us that we can come to God for whatever our need may be. This prayer is full of beautiful examples of humility, petition and hope. Verse 5 can bring us comfort as the reader, reminding us that our God is ready to forgive always, but sometimes it is us who must be ready to ask for forgiveness.

1. What stood out to you? 2. What questions do you have? 3. What is God teaching you in the reading?

Psalm 131

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of David.

1 LORD, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp. 2 Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me. 3 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD— now and always.

Though this psalm is brief, David focuses on our ability to trust God. He uses the imagery of a baby weaning from their mother. When a baby weans from their mother, they do not fear that they will no longer be fed. Based on the relationship and trust that the baby has in their mother and father, they trust that they will still be fed. Just like our trust in God, we know that we will be loved, cared for, and protected. He is for us and He isn’t going to leave us.

1. What stood out to you? 2. What questions do you have? 3. What is God teaching you in the reading?

WEEK 6

Psalm 34

A psalm of David, regarding the time he pretended to be insane in front of Abimelech, who sent him away. 1 I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. 2 I will boast only in the LORD; let all who are helpless take heart. 3 Come, let us tell of the LORD’s greatness; let us exalt his name together. ⁴ I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. ⁵ Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. ⁶ In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD listened; he saved me from all my troubles. ⁷ For the angel of the LORD is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him. ⁸ Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! ⁹ Fear the LORD, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need. 10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will lack no good thing. 11 Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the LORD.

Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? 13 Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! 14 Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. 15 The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. 16 But the LORD turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth. 17 The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. 19 The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time. 20 For the LORD protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken! 21 Calamity will surely destroy the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished. 22 But the LORD will redeem those who serve him. No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned. 12

Throughout this psalm David continually reflects on the Lord’s faithfulness. Time and time again we are reminded that God is there with us to fight our battles. David says that when we call out to the Lord, He is there. There is such comfort in knowing at any moment— literally any moment— we call out to the Lord, He is there. The God of the universe loves you so much that He is there to pick you up, comfort you, protect you, and support you any time you call upon Him. Take joy in knowing that He is with you.

1. What stood out to you? 2. What questions do you have? 3. What is God teaching you in the reading?

Psalm 3

A psalm of David, regarding the time David fled from his son Absalom. 1 O LORD, I have so many enemies; so many are against me. 2 So many are saying, “God will never rescue him!” Interlude 3 But you, O LORD, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. ⁴ I cried out to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy mountain. Interlude ⁵ I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the LORD was watching over me. ⁶ I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side. ⁷ Arise, O LORD! Rescue me, my God! Slap all my enemies in the face! Shatter the teeth of the wicked! ⁸ Victory comes from you, O LORD. May you bless your people. Interlude

Sometimes if feels like you just can’t catch a break in life. Every day we are faced with opposition and difficulty. It may feel overwhelming. But the very nature of God is to protect us from our enemies. In this psalm, David is reflecting on how God protected him. Pay attention to what God does. He protects us like a shield, He holds us up and He provides us with safe rest. Thank you, Lord, for your care and protection!

1. What stood out to you? 2. What questions do you have? 3. What is God teaching you in the reading?

WEEK 7

Psalm 103 A psalm of David.

1 Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. 2 Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me. 3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. ⁴ He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. ⁵ He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! ⁶ The LORD gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly. ⁷ He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel. ⁸ The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. ⁹ He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. 10 He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. 11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. 12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.

The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. 14 For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. 15 Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. 16 The wind blows, and we are gone— as though we had never been here. 17 But the love of the LORD remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children 18 of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments! 19 The LORD has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything. 20 Praise the LORD, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands. 21 Yes, praise the LORD, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will! 22 Praise the LORD, everything he has created, everything in all his kingdom. Let all that I am praise the LORD. 13

It is often said that the Bible is a written account of the great love story between Himself and His creation. That beautiful love is summed up perfectly in this one chapter. In moments when life is confusing or when it is hard to see your way through, this passage provides a great reminder of how much God loves us. Reflect for a moment on all the words that describe His love for us.

1. What stood out to you? 2. What questions do you have? 3. What is God teaching you in the reading?

Psalm 46

For the choir director: A song of the descendants of Korah, to be sung by soprano voices. 1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. 2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. 3 Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Interlude ⁴ A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. ⁵ God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it. ⁶ The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts! ⁷ The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude ⁸ Come, see the glorious works of the LORD: See how he brings destruction upon the world. ⁹ He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” 11 The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude

In the ancient Jewish understanding of the world it was believed that land was held up by massive pillars that went deep into the ocean floor. In Psalm 46, the sons of Korah imagined that even if those pillars collapse and land sinks into the sea, the faithful will not fear but will instead have a spirit of stillness and know that God is God. As Charles Spurgeon mused, this is a “song of holy confidence.” Because God is our refuge, even if we go through hard times, the God of everything will be with us.

1. What stood out to you? 2. What questions do you have? 3. What is God teaching you in the reading?

WEEK 8

Psalm 93 1 The LORD is king! He is robed in majesty. Indeed, the LORD is robed in majesty and armed with strength. The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. 2 Your throne, O LORD, has stood from time immemorial. You yourself are from the everlasting past. 3 The floods have risen up, O LORD. The floods have roared like thunder; the floods have lifted their pounding waves. ⁴ But mightier than the violent raging of the seas, mightier than the breakers on the shore— the LORD above is mightier than these! ⁵ Your royal laws cannot be changed. Your reign, O LORD, is holy forever and ever.

In ancient times the ocean was revered for its power, ability to help nations trade goods and become rich, and looked to as one of God’s greatest awe-inspiring creations. In Psalm 93 the unknown writer notes this marvel of power and strength— and raises God higher! What do we place our confidence in? What are we awestruck by? What worries us? This psalm invites us to recalibrate those questions with God’s awesome holiness and sovereignty over it all, and to cultivate a spirit of worship.

1. What stood out to you? 2. What questions do you have? 3. What is God teaching you in the reading?

Psalm 91 1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. 3 For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. ⁴ He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. ⁵ Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. ⁶ Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. ⁷ Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. ⁸ Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished.

⁹ If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, 10 no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. 11 For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. 12 They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. 13 You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! 14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. 15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. 16 I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”

The psalmist declares in verse 2 that God alone is our place of refuge and safety. He is there with us in the darkest places. Make a mental image of God covering you in the darkness with his feathers, see yourself secure in the shelter of His wings (v. 4). Just as those who sought Jesus for the healing and covering of their afflictions and diseases in the Gospel accounts, we too can press into this safety and security of His presence when we are faced with the unknown. He is trustworthy and faithful. Call on Him in your need.

1. What stood out to you? 2. What questions do you have? 3. What is God teaching you in the reading?

It's our prayer that this devotional was able to deepen your personal spiritual life in a fresh way.

Though you’ve come to the end of this devotional, we encourage you to keep going! How can you use what you’ve learned and adapt it into your daily Bible reading and prayer life going forward? What can you do differently in your personal times with God that enables you to truly come to Him in all honesty and vulnerability? However you answer questions like these, remember that we worship a God who runs after us. You are loved and accepted more than you can imagine. Let’s keep going forward as we take God up on His offer to sit with Him daily, become increasingly refined through our surrender to Him, and then become equipped to represent His heart well in our neighborhoods and community. Love God. Love others. Keep making God smile.