Apr 28 Psalms 76, 82, 84, 90, 92, 112, 115 Better is One Day in Your Courts - Is That True?

In Psalm 84, the Sons of Korah wrote, "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere: I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked." Do we all really hold that as a value? Do we live our lives like this is true?

If we all believed this, we would all probably schedule around Sunday Service. If we truly believed this, then absolutely ensuring that our service in ministry would be a paramount value - something highly sought. If we believed this, then we would have a lot more committed pastors and missionaries. If we believed this, then we would look forward to retirement as an opening of having a lot more time for ministry.

We sing these words in a popular song during church services. We all need to consider the implications of these words in our own life. Our church and WHO it represents would become the centering location in our lives.

Apr 27 Psalms 40, 49, 50, 73 Why We Must Testify in Public

I encounter so many people who are unwilling to give testimony in a public setting about the goodness of the LORD in their life. They are afraid to stand up in front of people and speak. I know others that say that they want to keep their life private.

Unfortunately, none of these objections are affirmed in Scripture. Psalm 40 say, "I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips." It goes on to say, "I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation." And it goes on with more consistent affirmation.

Saints, if we really love God and understand who He is and truly appreciate His goodness toward us, we will all want to sing His praises before the whole world.

Apr 26 Psalms 1, 14-15, 36-37, 39 Blind to Our Sin

In Psalm 36, there is a piece of interesting wisdom about the wicked - they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin. I don't think this applies only to those other people - I think this applies to you and me, too. I think there are many sins in our lives that we are blind to - I suspect that we are blind to at least some of them because we flatter ourselves too much. I think this is probably the case when we get into conflict with others.

In conflict with others, I think we often get logs in our eyes - thinking we have the high moral ground and the other person is down in the mud slinging false hoods. But many times, we are blind to the error in our thoughts, words, and behaviors. I think we flatter ourselves often so that we don't have to admit how broken, selfish, or prideful we are being. We can talk ourselves into believing that we are 100% correct and the other person is totally wrong.

It takes a mature person in Christ to put his thoughts, words, and actions up to close Biblical scrutiny for their true morality. When we do this, we see things that are not always pretty - but in the long run, are really best for us, the other person, and the Kingdom of God.

Pray for the vision to see - to not be counted among the wicked.

Apr 25 Psalms 120-121, 140, 143-144 My Help Comes From the LORD

Let's focus on Psalm 121 and the bold proclamation of the psalmist - "my help comes from the LORD." God's protection is vigilant. God is close by. God stays by us. This psalm reminds us where our protection ultimately comes from.

Yes, a big army helps. Yes, a large police force helps. But as the Boston Marathon Bombers prove - those things can not completely protect us physically.

But we need to remember that we also need emotional, relational, and spiritual protection, too! Armies and police forces offer no help in these realms of our lives. The attacks in these areas can and do derail us.

Psalm 121 reminds us - "my help comes from the LORD." Let's remember that and pursue God's "shade."

Apr 24 Psalms 88, 91, 95, 108-109 A Life of Steadfast Trust

No matter what is going on around us - to our right or to our left - we should always have steadfast trust in the LORD. The verses in Psalms 91, 95, and 108 that express the psalmist's confidence in God are the verses that have caught my attention - and most other days for that matter.

It is so interesting about the dichotomy in David's life - a man after God's own heart. No man has ever been more confident in God, yet how many times has he cried out in his soul with such great despair - sometimes FEELING like God has abandoned him. He is a great study in how we MUST be guided by God's truth - what we SHOULD know - and NOT by our feelings. Our feelings will lead us astray - as a pastor I see people following their feelings into deep destruction day after day. I also see people who don't really know God - so how could they possibly have confidence in him. Why would they do right - if it is hard - and they don't even know right - if they aren't confident in God?

Unfortunately, I am one of those who also fails to trust and obey God in every circumstance in life - moment by moment. The fix is for me to continue getting to know God's love better - not to try harder!

Apr 23 Pss. 70-71, 77, 83, 86 Great Occasional Psalms

Today we read a great mix of psalms for various contexts. Psalm 71 is a good psalm to meditate on when we are old or at least feeling old. It is also a great psalm to read to an elderly person that you are ministering to, especially if they are in pain, in the hospital, or feeling down.

Psalm 77 is a great psalm to meditate on when we need a miracle - when things seem hopeless - when we finally realize that we need go to show up. I think that I will use it to open up the next prayer meeting that I lead.

Psalm 83 is a great prayer for praying against religious persecution - praying for God to protect the people who love Him.

I remember praying Psalm 86 when i felt like I was being personally persecuted. In the midst of that, We pray for learning to walk in God's truth with an undivided heart. Persecution is a great time to be personally cleansed.

Apr 22 Psalms 61-62, 64, 69 Honor from God

In Psalm 62, David says that his honor (and salvation) depend on God. I doubt that few of us live like our honor comes from God. I would guess that we assume that any honor that we have has been earned by our own hard work. In fact, I would guess that we strive to achieve honor.

David posits a very different attitude. He encourages his own soul to rest in God ALONE! he acknowledges that his hope is in God. His fortress (strength, safety) is God - not Himself. David encourages us to trust in God at all times - to pour our hearts (thoughts, emotions, wills) out to Him. He bases his pleas to us on a reality of life - God is our refuge.

Lord, my honor (and salvation - earthly and spiritually) depends on You.