Tag: church

Your Kingdom Come (Mark 3:7-12 Devotion)

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[Mar 3:7-12 NKJV] 7 But Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea. And a great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from Judea 8 and Jerusalem and Idumea and beyond the Jordan; and those from Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they heard how many things He was doing, came to Him. 9 So He told His disciples that a small boat should be kept ready for Him because of the multitude, lest they should crush Him. 10 For He healed many, so that as many as had afflictions pressed about Him to touch Him. 11 And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw Him, fell down before Him and cried out, saying, “You are the Son of God.” 12 But He sternly warned them that they should not make Him known.

– Mark 3:7-12 (NKJV)

I love the picture that I chose for the graphic for this series. It’s a picture of the Grand Tetons that we snapped as we were driving through that part of Wyoming. It was an overcast day and the mountains were in the shadows of the clouds. Yet, the picture shows slivers of light piercing through and shinning on the mountains below. It was a hint of the glorious sunlight that was shinning above the clouds. It was a hit that the shadows wouldn’t stay on the mountain and there was a “brighter” day ahead.

What we see today in today’s passage is the kingdom of God breaking through the curse that has come on creation. Jesus is undoing the things that have gone wrong. He is healing the broken and casting out demons. People are gathering close to him because they sense and see in him something that has been missing from the world for a long time.

Today, when we see these rays of the kingdom shine down on us it should cause our hearts to long for a full manifestation of Jesus kingdom. We should long for when there will be no more sickness, death, or sorrow. We should long for the day when every evil entity will be completely banished. We should long for a day when God will again fully dwell with people and no one will ever be far from the presence of God again. What we saw in this moment was that the world was not made to live in the shadow of the curse forever, but would one day be banished.

This should provoke our hearts to praise and good deeds. As we pray for the “Kingdom to come,” we should be living as those who are suited to live there. We should ask the Lord to examine our lives and make us fit for the kingdom that is coming.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. We are grateful for the rule and the reign of Christ over our lives and we long for the day when this earth will no longer be under that curse of sin, but be fully set free. Please guide us in your will and direction for us. In Jesus Name, Amen.

The Sabbath is for Healing, Not Hurting (Mark 2:23-3:6 Devotion)

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Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain. 24 And the Pharisees said to Him, “Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” 25 But He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him: 26 “how he went into the house of God [in the days] of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?” 27 And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 28 “Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.” 1 And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. 2 So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. 3 And He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.” 4 Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. 5 And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched [it] out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.

– Mark 2:23-3:6 (NKJV)

The Pharisees were telling Jesus that his disciples weren’t keeping the Sabbath. They had taken a serious command that was given to Israel for the flourishing of the people. Indeed, when the Sabbath day command was obeyed in Israel’s history the people did flourish. But I don’t think the Pharisees had the disciples flourishing at heart here. I think they just wanted to exert control and at this moment, it meant using this law to dress down Jesus and his disciples. They were more concerned with power than they were with the people. They were more set on being right than truly righteous. They aren’t concerned for the disciples hearts but Jesus is truly grieved by their hearts.

What they must not have known is that Jesus was fulfilling the Sabbath. The Sabbath was a day set aside to worship God. Rest in this context is worship because it means we are trusting God to provide even when we aren’t working….It is a confession that all of our work rests on God’s work.

Jesus reminds the Pharisees that Man wasn’t created by God for the Sabbath day, but that God had created the Sabbath for man. Jesus sees a man who was limited in his ability to keep the rest of the sabbath command (work is endorsed for six days). He then asks the man to do something he can’t do on his own… he must depend on God to heal him.

In this passage the Pharisees were looking to condemn the disciples and by implication, shame Jesus. But Jesus was looking to restore a man on that Sabbath day. (After all that is what the sabbath day was ultimately about). This should cause us to reflect on our own hearts. Are we hard hearted pharisees who look to condemn others or do we seek God and his purpose of restoring the broken?

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Thank you that you care about our hearts. We want to honor you in the way we live. Please guide us in your will and direction for us. In Jesus Name, Amen.

He’d Sit With You (Mark 2:13-17 Devotion)

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Then He went out again by the sea; and all the multitude came to Him, and He taught them. 14 As He passed by, He saw Levi the [son] of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him. 15 Now it happened, as He was dining in [Levi’s] house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. 16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How [is it] that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 When Jesus heard [it], He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call [the] righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

– Mark 2:13-17 (NKJV)

If you are unfamiliar with Jesus, Christianity, or church you might be interested to know the type of people that Jesus called to follow him. We already saw that he called some fishermen to follow after him, but today he calls a tax collector to join the ranks of his disciples.

You might be surprised by the type of people Jesus would hang out with. It wasn’t always the respected religious leaders. In fact the religious leaders quite often rejected Jesus! We find in the gospels that Jesus would hang out with people who were the outcasts or marginalized by society. In this passage he is sitting by tax collectors (who would have been wealthy, but rejected by mainstream society because they both represented an oppressive government and were often accused of leveling unfair or “extra” taxes in order to make a tidy profit).

What was His rational for receiving these sort of people to follow him? It was because they needed him. Like a sick patient needs a doctor, those who knew they were sinners needed Jesus to help them come to a place of repentance. The really sad thing it that the religious leaders really needed him too. Their hearts were sick and corrupt as anyone else’s, but their sins seemed more respectable in their society… but they weren’t in God’s eyes.

The comfort that we can draw from this passage is that if we can recognize ourselves as sinners, then there is hope for us to be found in Jesus. When we recognize we need him, we can call out to him and he will be there. What kind of people did Jesus sit with? He sat with people like me and you. You can call on him.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Thank you that you are a friend of sinners, because we are sinners. Sometimes we try and pretend that things aren’t that bad, but we know you see our hearts. So we boldly call out to you and ask you for your grace today. Please guide us in your will and direct our paths. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Who are you following? (Mark 1:39-45 Devotion)

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And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons. 40 Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” 41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out [His] hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” 42 As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. 43 And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 45 However, he went out and began to proclaim [it] freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.

– Mark 1:39-45 (NKJV)

Jesus heals a man and urges him not to tell others, but rather go fulfill the customs and obligations of the day. The man ends up telling people and Jesus becomes famous. Jesus wasn’t looking for fame, Jesus was looking to honor the father. I’m sure to this one who was so miraculously healed it seemed contrary not to tell the whole town, he went with his gut instead. Sometimes if we aren’t careful we will follow our gut rather than obeying the Lord. How about you? Are you trusting the Lord? Are you trusting what God says about relationships? Money? Work? Etc…

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Your way is better than our way. Help us to be obedient to you in moments where everything makes sense and in moments where we just don’t understand. Please guide us in your will and direct our steps today. May we listen and be obedient to you. In Jesus Name, Amen.

The Where, Why, How, And Who of Praise (Psalm 150 Devotion)

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PSALM 150

Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! 2 Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! 3 Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! 4 Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! 5 Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! 6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!

PSALM 150:1-6

THE WHERE, WHY, HOW, AND WHO OF PRAISE

Psalm 150 is such a fitting conclusion to the Psalms. Praise for God is the beginning, ending, and middle of this Psalm. The Psalmist shares where we should praise God (v. 1). Why we should praise God (v. 2). How we should praise God (v. 5). And Who should praise God (v. 6)… “Everything that has breath!”

God is worthy of our praise on the good days and bad, happy and sad, in our rejoicing and even through our tears, He is worthy! We can celebrate His attributes. He is a God of Justice. He is Love. He shows us grace and mercy. Our world if filled with metaphors on how he cares for us (like a shepherd, or a mother hen). Even when we are in the dark or feel alone, He is worthy!

The Psalms have served as a guide for all of life to help us see God in every moment of our existence and to move us towards a sincere faith that overflows into worship. As I look back over the last five months I can’t help but feel that my life has been enriched by studying the Psalms. I’ve found myself quoting the Psalms, especially to those who are going through challenging times. and I’ve come to believe that one of the best things anyone can do to get a good understanding of how to trust God in the hard times, and to improve their overall mental health, is to read the Psalms. It has a maturing effect, or at least I feel it has for me in this season.

Speaking of seasons, Summer on the calendar has come and gone. We started early and went late to cover what we have called. “Summer in the Psalms.” We’ve glanced at every Psalm but Psalm 119. We’ll have to save that for another day. Part of me wanted to keep going and break up that Psalm as we went into October, but as the weather started changing this week and our “Alabama Summer” hinted at giving way to Fall I decided it is best to take a break and focus on other things for a while.

Life is like that, it comes and goes in seasons. September through November is a busier season than I had anticipated and so I felt it would be good to step away from writing daily in October in order to focus on a few other things. I plan to be back posting on a regular basis in November, perhaps something different than my devotional reading from scripture or maybe more of the same. I’m not sure yet.

I’ll still be reading and studying by bible daily in addition to reading several different devotional materials. I’ll probably be reading and praying through 1st and 2nd Samuel, just not blogging about it.

I am grateful for this exercise in writing through the Psalms. I hit my goal. I wrote around 500 words a day for 150 days (my original goal was 90). When you add all those words up it’s a good word count for a book. I don’t plan on writing a book any time soon, but now I know that should I be so inclined, I do have the capacity.

I am grateful for the many of you have have followed along and read my posts, put up with a few misspelled words here or there, and some poor, but hopefully improving grammar (I didn’t go back and proof anything). I’ve enjoyed your comments both on this blog and in person. I’ve been encouraged and blessed to see God’s word shape you as it has and is shaping me. May we all be more and more conformed into the image of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for following along. Lord willing, I’ll be back in some form in November!

PRAYER

Father, Thank you for the wonderful gift of the Psalms. Thank you for what you have taught me about you this summer. Thank you for the gift of studying your word that we might know you better. Thank you for a sense of community and conversation that this has built in my life as I have pondered your word together with others. Thank you for how your word sticks in the recesses of my mind and is able to be called up when it is needed. Thank you that as I’ve read and understood the Psalms better this year that you have allowed me to share what I’ve learned with others. I pray that you would bless us today with more of you. We love you Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

The LORD Takes Pleasure In His People (Psalm 149 Devotion)

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PSALM 149

Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, [And] His praise in the assembly of saints. 2 Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. 3 Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp. 4 For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. 5 Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds. 6 [Let] the high praises of God [be] in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand, 7 To execute vengeance on the nations, And punishments on the peoples; 8 To bind their kings with chains, And their nobles with fetters of iron; 9 To execute on them the written judgment–This honor have all His saints. Praise the LORD!

PSALM 149:1-9

THE LORD TAKES PLEASURE IN HIS PEOPLE

It is right and good to praise the LORD. Isn’t that what we have been saying all these days! In moments when things are right and fair, He is worthy of praise. In the thick of being taunted by those who hate God and we suffer wicked injustices, even then He is still worthy of praise. When I feel alone, He is worthy of Praise. When I have been betrayed. He is worthy of praise. When it seems like the wicked prosper, He is worthy of praise.

And now we get a glorious look forward to a people saved by grace, riding forward with their savior into battle. For ancient Israel, this was the slaying of the wicked nations that had set their heart against God and his people. For the church, Timothy Keller has commented that the sword we carry is the gospel. As we look forward to the return of Christ I couldn’t help but see the picture of Revelation 19 (it’s a good exercise to read the Psalms and Revelation together).

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes [were] like a flame of fire, and on His head [were] many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He [was] clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on [His] robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Revelation 19:11-16

PRAYER

Father, Thank you for your incredible mercy and grace! You are worthy of all praise, honor, and glory! We look forward to the day when you return to dwell with your people. We long for the moment when you usher in the New Heaven and the New Earth! We look forward with anticipation of your grace, greatness, and glory. Even now come quickly! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

The Horn Of His People (Psalm 148 Devotion)

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PSALM 148

Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights! 2 Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! 3 Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all you stars of light! 4 Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, And you waters above the heavens! 5 Let them praise the name of the LORD, For He commanded and they were created. 6 He also established them forever and ever; He made a decree which shall not pass away. 7 Praise the LORD from the earth, You great sea creatures and all the depths; 8 Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, fulfilling His word; 9 Mountains and all hills; Fruitful trees and all cedars; 10 Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and flying fowl; 11 Kings of the earth and all peoples; Princes and all judges of the earth; 12 Both young men and maidens; Old men and children. 13 Let them praise the name of the LORD, For His name alone is exalted; His glory [is] above the earth and heaven. 14 And He has exalted the horn of His people, The praise of all His saints–Of the children of Israel, A people near to Him. Praise the LORD!

PSALM 148:1-14

THE HORN OF HIS PEOPLE

God is worthy of praise from all of His creation. Indeed the Psalmist calls for different aspects of creation to worship the LORD. And we know that all of creation does in some sense worship the creator, but there is a part of creation that does not worship the LORD as it should. There is a part of creation that has been in rebellion!

Indeed, the main singers of creation have been absent, off key and off beat. They haven’t noticed the rhythm of the creation and instead have chosen to march to the beat of their own drum. Their insistence of having things their way has ruined the symphonic masterpiece of praise. Man’s sin has ruined all of creation and the symphony of praise due the LORD has been canceled because of sin… or has it?

What could or would be done to bring back the broken worshippers who worship creation instead of the creator? Is there forgiveness and redemption to be found? Will there be a NEW SONG (like mentioned in Psalm 149?) not just filled with praise for God’s creation, but for his redemption. A Song not just of creation and worthiness, but also of redemption.

All sorts of people will come back to the King of kings and Lord of lords to worship and offer Him Praise. Kings and princes as well as peasants. Women and children. Many will come through the blood of the Lamb and be saved.

The “horn” of his people. You can think antler or like a rams horn that is used to settle conflict. The stronger the antler the more success in settling conflict. The strongest horn of God’s people was the messiah who we recognize as Jesus.

PRAYER

Father, Thank you for your grace and mercy that has been multiplied into my life. I see all of creation praising you. You are worthy of all praise from everything you have made, especially mankind who was made in your image. I rejoice to know that we can praise you in an even fuller way of the rest of creation. I pray that you are glorified in my life today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

Praise Is Beautiful (Psalm 147 Devotion)

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PSALM 147

Praise the LORD! For [it is] good to sing praises to our God; For [it is] pleasant, [and] praise is beautiful. 2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem; He gathers together the outcasts of Israel. 3 He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. 4 He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. 5 Great [is] our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding [is] infinite. 6 The LORD lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground. 7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; Sing praises on the harp to our God, 8 Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who prepares rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains. 9 He gives to the beast its food, [And] to the young ravens that cry. 10 He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man. 11 The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy. 12 Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion! 13 For He has strengthened the bars of your gates; He has blessed your children within you. 14 He makes peace [in] your borders, [And] fills you with the finest wheat. 15 He sends out His command [to the] earth; His word runs very swiftly. 16 He gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes; 17 He casts out His hail like morsels; Who can stand before His cold? 18 He sends out His word and melts them; He causes His wind to blow, [and] the waters flow. 19 He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes and His judgments to Israel. 20 He has not dealt thus with any nation; And [as for His] judgments, they have not known them. Praise the LORD!

PSALM 147:1-20

PRAISE IS BEAUTIFUL

I don’t like coconut… at all. However my cruel wife sometimes will grab a dessert with coconut in it and bring it to the table and tell me, “I got a dessert just for you!” My mouth waters, my pulse quickens. I am reminded of how good she is and then when it is revealed that coconut is a prime ingredient and I know she is mocking me (in a playful way). She loves coconut and doesn’t mind enjoying it in front of me, but to say she got the dessert for me is just rubbing salt in the wound.

In this Psalm today we are reminded to praise for the LORD is beautiful because it is good, natural, and right. We were made to praise the LORD and it is a beautiful thing when we do. He is worthy! He counts and numbers the stars and calls them by name (4). Our minds cannot fathom the infinite splendor, wonder and grace that is the LORD’s!

However, if we really want to praise God, we don’t get to offer it “freestyle.” We don’t get to randomly do things we like and call it praise. We can’t go to the hunting woods and claim its worship any more than our wives can go to the mall and call it worship. If we really want to worship the LORD we will seek what He wants. What does God seek in worship?… a humble heart (11) and a responsiveness/ obedience to his word (19-20).

That also means that if I sing notes of wonderous melody and feel close to the Lord, but don’t seek to honor the LORD and His word, then I really didn’t offer Him praise. I used him, his house, and his worship to make me feel better, but I didn’t really worship. I’ll never really be fulfilled in worship if my worship is about my feelings more than it is about seeking to honor the Lord.

I am reminded today that God gives us many gifts, but that the greatest gift He gives is Himself. We miss out on the biggest blessings when we come to worship with an attitude of self fulfilment rather than seeking to honor the Lord…. Here is what is incredible, when we seek to honor the Lord in all we do, we are fulfilled because God made us that way.

PRAYER

Father, you are worthy of all praise, honor, and glory! I am grateful that you have revealed yourself to us and even though we can’t fathom all of who you are, we get to know a little bit about you. I want to live a life set apart to your praise. Let me walk in humbleness and obedience to you today. I want to seek your will in my life, not try and ask you to bless my will. conform me more and more into the image of Christ. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

Hallelujah! (Psalm 146 Devotion)

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PSALM 146

Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! 2 While I live I will praise the LORD; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. 3 Do not put your trust in princes, [Nor] in a son of man, in whom [there is] no help. 4 His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; In that very day his plans perish. 5 Happy [is he] who [has] the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope [is] in the LORD his God, 6 Who made heaven and earth, The sea, and all that [is] in them; Who keeps truth forever, 7 Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives food to the hungry. The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners. 8 The LORD opens [the eyes of] the blind; The LORD raises those who are bowed down; The LORD loves the righteous. 9 The LORD watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; But the way of the wicked He turns upside down. 10 The LORD shall reign forever–Your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD!

PSALM 146:1-10

HALLELUJAH!

I’m a big guy. I weigh more than the average man. I remember when “camp chairs” first came out. My friend had several set out and I was invited to sit in one. I wasn’t sure it would hold me, but then he insisted, and so I sat down. The chair did it’s best to hold my weight, but it lasted all of about 15 seconds. That’s how long it was between when I sat down and I laughed at something my friend said or did. Between the stress of my weight and the extra pressure/ movement of a hearty laugh the chair just gave up and broke into a few pieces. I felt foolish and embarrassed and it would be years before I trusted in a camp chair again.

But I remember the day that my brother shared about some more robust camp chairs. I was elated to find out they made some for people my size. After we bought one, I was careful the first several times I sat in it, because I wasn’t sure I could trust it, but it held every time. So now I hardly ever think about it when I sit in my chair. I even got to where I allowed my daughter to jump in my lap because I know the chair can hold the weight.

This whole ordeal with chairs taught me something about trust. When you trust something that can’t hold your weight your going to be let down (in a hard way), but when you trust something that can hold your weight you go a lot further with it.

This psalm begins with Hallelujah! Which is Hebrew for “Praise the LORD” (Notice that LORD is in all capitals representing the divine name of God). This is not only the psalmists insistence that he will praise the LORD, but a call to all who are singing and listening to also praise the LORD! The reason? Simply because you can trust Him. He can hold your weight. He is your creator and sustainer, if anyone knows your needs it’s Him!

To be honest we’ve been let down by things before. Maybe you bought a self-help book that sounded promising, but the more you got into it, the less it had to deliver. Maybe you voted for a particular candidate hoping they would turn this country around, but we still find ourselves in the same old mess.

The psalmist here says, “Praise the Lord! He is good! You can trust Him!” And he goes on to describe the greatness of God. He tells of His character, what He does, and what he looks for in us! You can praise the Lord because He is worthy of all praise! you can trust him and know that you won’t ever be let down or put to shame, but that He delivers on what He promises.

PRAYER

Father, Thank you for your incredible grace and mercy! Thank you that your are a God we can trust. You are not the figment of our imaginations. You are not a god created by human hands that will let us down, but that you are the LORD God almighty and you are worthy of worship, trust, and praise. We give you glory and honor today by trusting in you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

Praise the LORD! (Psalm 145 Devotion)

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PSALM 145

1 A Praise of David. I will extol You, my God, O King; And I will bless Your name forever and ever. 2 Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever. 3 Great [is] the LORD, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness [is] unsearchable. 4 One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts. 5 I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, And on Your wondrous works. 6 [Men] shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, And I will declare Your greatness. 7 They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness, And shall sing of Your righteousness. 8 The LORD [is] gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy. 9 The LORD [is] good to all, And His tender mercies [are] over all His works. 10 All Your works shall praise You, O LORD, And Your saints shall bless You. 11 They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom, And talk of Your power, 12 To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, And the glorious majesty of His kingdom. 13 Your kingdom [is] an everlasting kingdom, And Your dominion [endures] throughout all generations. 14 The LORD upholds all who fall, And raises up all [who are] bowed down. 15 The eyes of all look expectantly to You, And You give them their food in due season. 16 You open Your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing. 17 The LORD [is] righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works. 18 The LORD [is] near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. 19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them. 20 The LORD preserves all who love Him, But all the wicked He will destroy. 21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD, And all flesh shall bless His holy name Forever and ever.

PSALM 145:1-21

PRAISE THE LORD!

When is the last time you took time to just be in awe of the Lord! When Is the last time you just poured out praise? If there was anyone that you couldn’t praise enough, wouldn’t it be the LORD? Don’t we say that He is worthy of all praise and honor? Then why are we so slow to give him praise?

When it comes to prayer requests/ praises, do we have way more requests than praises? Often what comes out of our mouths are our needs, but if we count our blessings I am convinced that we would have more praises to offer than problems to present.

The most awkward moment in a prayer service is when we ask for praises. We all look at one another and think surely we have a lot to praise God for, but then our pride creeps in. We don’t want to be cliche and say our salvation, of course we should praise God for that! But we scratch our heads and try and think of something more recent as if the newer the praise, the more legitimate it is.

but think about it… The LORD saved ME from my sins! He thought of me! He cared for me! I was headed to Hell! He stepped in! I don’t care how long ago I initially placed my faith in Christ, I hope like David that I never get over it! He is still worthy of praise today!

As far as something more recent, I’m afraid that like a fish in water, I’m swimming in the blessings of God! God is worthy of praise for everything and yet how slow we are to give him praise in anything. I think part of it is a fear that we will miss something or perhaps that there is so much to praise Him for that we just don’t know where to start.

So let’s just praise Him like David did! Let’s cultivate hearts of gratitude and worship. Let’s offer the Lord for things big and small. Let’s take time to recognize His hand in everything from the my next breath to eternal life!

I was delighted the other day to come across one of my old journals. Once a week I simply wrote a “praise page,” a page dedicated to praising God. I started by writing the simple things to praise God for and moved to the more specific things I saw that week. It never failed, the “praise page” might start out as mundane or Tommy through the motions but would always end up in sincere praise for who God is and how He had moved in my life.

PRAYER

Father, I praise you for all your works! You are righteous to every generation! You have loved me beyond what I deserve! You hold this universe together! You spoke it into existence! You are my salvation!! I am grateful for the opportunity to tell others about you! You guide my steps and show me the way! I want to walk with integrity and worship in all my life! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.