Hearing the Voice of God. (Based on Psalm 29)

Psalm 29 – Day 2

The angels in heaven are to give God what He deserve.

They are to recognize and respond to His glory and power,

For His matchless reputation alone.

They are to worship the Lord due to the holiness that cloaks Him like a robe.

God's powerful voice is like the thunder that carries across the ocean in a storm.

His glory and majesty is palpable,

Like thunder over the a huge ocean expanse.

His voice is strong, powerful and unmistakable,

It is majestic and awe-inspiring. It is more powerful than lightning that split a tree in two,

Or shatter a full-grown tree into kindling.

His voice can rock the mountains, making them leap about,

Like a calf or a young wild ox. His voice isn't just heard, it makes an impact,

Like a bolt of lightning striking the earth.

It reaches even into the wilderness,

Leaving an impression wherever it goes.

It is powerful enough to leave an impression,

Like lightning that twists trees and leaves the forest leafless.

And the reaction in heaven? They shout, "Glory!"

The Lord is in control of the oceans and the seas,

He is the King who reigns over everything for all time.

And this same King gives His people the strength they need,

He will give them His peace, even in the storm,

Because He is in complete control. He is all-powerful.

Give God Glory.

Psalm 29 – Day 1

“Acknowledge the Lord, you heavenly beings,acknowledge the Lord’s majesty and power!" – Psalm 29:1 NET

How do you honor someone you can't see? How do you recognize and rejoice in the greatness of a God that is invisible? That has always been a problem for the people of God. Abraham had private conversations with God. So did Moses. He even caught glimpses of God's glory in the burning bush and was allowed to see God's back as he passed by him on the mountain. A handful of God's people have had supernatural glimpses of God's glory. For the rest of us, we are left with the task of trying to honor and adequately ascribe to God the glory He so richly deserves. For David, it was quite simple. He saw God all around him. When he looked into the night sky and saw all the stars and planets, he saw the hand of God. They were a reflection of God's glory. After his anointing as God's choice as the next king of Israel, he spent years running from King Saul and hiding in the wilderness. While sitting in the mouth of a cave in the middle of the rugged mountain landscape, he saw more than his fair share of storms. As he witnessed the lightning flash across the night sky and occasionally strike a tree, shattering it in two; and as he listened to the thunder echo off the canyon walls, shaking the ground beneath his feet, David couldn't help but think of God. To him, the thunder was the very voice of God. It was a reminder of God's incomparable power. The very voice of God was enough to cause David to stand in awe. Seven times in this passage David refers to God's voice. He knew that God had spoken the world into existence. He recognized that God's words carried weight and the sound of His voice was more powerful than the strongest lightning and capable of bringing great destruction or incredible blessing.

David was a king. He understood the concept of power. He knew that the king's word was law. But he also knew that his power was limited and his voice only carried so much weight. But God's voice was limitless in power. God deserved glory and a recognition on the part of both angels and men that He alone is worthy of worship. David begins this Psalm by encouraging us to give to God honor for His glory and strength. He reminds us to recognize God for who He is and worship Him accordingly. He alone is King. His voice is powerful and He is worthy of our worship and praise. But then David ends His Psalm with a comforting thought. This same great, glorious, powerful, majestic God gives His people strength and blesses them with security. David knew that it wasn't he and his mighty men who protected the people of Israel – it was God. God gave them strength to face their enemies. God gave them strength to withstand adversity. And it was God who blessed them with peace– shalom – not just an absence of conflict, but a sense of completeness, an awareness of well-being and security in the midst of adversity.

The next time a storm rolls into town and you find yourself woken up by the sound of thunder, think about God. When you look out the window and watch the lightning flash across the sky, think about God. You are getting a little glimpse of the incredible power of God. Let it remind you of just how great He is. Let it cause you to give Him the glory He so richly deserves. "Honor the Lord for the glory is his name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness" (Psalm 29:2 NLT).

Father, Your power is all around us, but we fail to recognize it. We just see nature, but we don't see the God behind it. Give me the eyes of David. Help me to see You all around me. Let me recognize Your presence in all of life. I want to worship You and honor You for who You are. I want to grow in my awareness of Your power and glory. Open my eyes so that I might see You more clearly each day. Amen

Waiting On God. (Based on Psalm 27)

Psalm 27-28 – Day 2

Waiting On God. (Based on Psalm 27)

God is the light of my life, Illuminating my path and making me successful in all I do.

He is my source of salvation, delivering me in times of need.

He is the one I turn to for refuge and protection.

So why in the world would I be afraid of anyone or anything?

Anytime anyone has tried to hurt or harm me, even my enemies,

They have always failed in their mission.

Even if I should ever find myself facing insurmountable odds,

I will have no reason to be fearful.

Even if they decide to attack me, I will keep trusting in God.

I have one simple request from God, one desire:

That He would allow me to enjoy the peace of His presence my whole life.

So that I could be with Him and experience His marvelous grace.

When the bad times come, God will provide me with a place to hide.

I will find refuge and shelter with Him.

As long as I'm with Him, I'm out of reach of my enemies.

I can look down on them with confidence and peace.

So when I am with Him I want to thank Him,

I want to sing His praises and offer my gratitude in appropriate ways.

Please hear me when I call out to You, Lord.

Show me Your mercy by answering my requests.

You've invited me to come into Your presence,

So that's exactly what I am doing.

It would kill me if You ever hid from me,

Or turned away from me in anger.

You've always been there for me.

I am counting on You to never leave me or forsake me,

Because You are my only source of salvation.

Should my own father and mother abandon me,

You would be there to take me in. Dangers are out there,

So I depend on You to point my life in the right direction, Lord,

To lead me down the right path.

Don't allow those who wish me harm to succeed.

If I didn't believe You would help me,

I would have given up a long time ago.

The best advice I can give anyone is to wait on God.

Eagerly expect Him to act.

It will strengthen your faith and encourage your heart,

As You learn to excitedly anticipate great things from God.

Without God's Help, All Is Hopeless. (Based on Psalm 28)

I cry out to You, Lord, because You're my rock,

And I depend on You to answer me.

If you don't, I am no better off than the worst sinner,

I am helpless and doomed to failure.

So I ask You to hear me when I call for help,

Respond when I cry out to You and lift up my hands in need.

I know that without You my fate is the same as everyone else.

I'll be no different than those who are Your enemies,

Or who live to do bad things.

Give them exactly what they deserve, Lord.

They don't honor You or acknowledge Your activity in the world.

But I will kneel before You, Lord,

Because You have heard my prayers.

You are who I turn to for strength and protection.

When I put my confidence in You, I am never disappointed.

That's why I have joy in my heart And a song of praise on my lips.

You alone have the power to save and rescue Your people.

So I ask You to do just that.

Save us, bless us, feed us, and carry us in Your arms forever.

Waiting On God.

Psalm 27-28 – Day 1

“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD." – Psalm 27:14 NLT

Prayer and patience. Two things that don't come easily to most of us. We may pray regularly, but we probably wait for God's answers impatiently. We don't like to wait. We have a hard time understanding God's delays, especially when we've already told Him what we want Him to do. What could He be waiting for? Why doesn't He just go ahead and give us our request – just like we shared it? But David had a confidence in God that was based on his understanding of the character of God. In the midst of difficulty, David could experience rest and a lack of fear, because he knew that God would save and protect him. If he found himself surrounded by the enemy and even under attach, he would not fear, but remain confident – because he could trust God. Waiting on God's answer had become second nature to David. The circumstances that surrounded David were only important to David in that they provided him with an opportunity to trust God and spend time in communion with Him. They gave him the chance to talk to God personally and intimately. While he waited for his answer, he just continued to spend time with God. "Hear me as I pray, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me! My heart has heard you say, 'Come and talk with me.' And my heart responds, 'Lord, I am coming.'" (Psalm 27:7-8 NLT).

David wanted more from God than just rescue. He wanted a relationship. He desired to have God teach him, not just bail him out of trouble. He wanted God to lead him, not just provide him with a trouble-free life. David seemed to understand that the trials of life were there to help him turn to and trust in God. They were opportunities for him to see God work. So he prayed to God. He put his confidence in God. He looked to God as his source of strength and protection. He knew God would provide him with salvation as well as direction. So he was willing to wait patiently on Him. And he could encourage others to do the same. "Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord" (Psalm 27:14 NLT). God is faithful. Like a shepherd who lovingly holds his sheep in his protective arms, God carries and cares for us. He is our source of strength, safety, security, and salvation from anything and anyone that comes against us. So why should we be afraid? Why should we become impatient?

Father, what a great reminder of who You are. My fear and impatience are nothing more than a reflection of my own doubt and ignorance of who You really are. I see my troubles as greater than You are. I see my circumstances as too much for You to handle. When I fear and doubt, I am casting aspersions on Your love and faithfulness. I am saying You either won't or can't save me in my time of need. But You are always faithful and loving. Help me to wait patiently and confidently in You. Help me to be brave and courageous because of the reality of who You are. Amen

A Life of Integrity. (Based on Psalm 26)

Psalm 26 – Day 2

You be the judge of my life, Lord,

For I have tried to live it right out in front of You – honestly and openly.

I put my confidence in You, so I am not worried.

Take a good, close look at me, Lord,

Test me, prove me, refine me like gold,

To see if there is anything impure in my heart.

I have a constant awareness of Your faithful love,

And I have tried to live my life according to Your Word.

I don't make a habit of hanging out with people of worthless character,

I don't associate with those who attempt to hide their lives from You.

I hate being in the company of those who love evil.

I've got clean hands and a pure heart,

So I can come into Your presence with confidence,

Expressing my thanks to You and telling others of all You've done in my life.

I love being with You, surrounded by Your glory.

Don't include me in the ranks of unrepentant sinners,

Don't punish me like those who live to do evil.

Everything they do, their whole purpose in life is evil,

Even the things that appear good are done for the wrong reasons.

But that's not me. I try to live my life with integrity,

Uncompartmentalized and wholly dedicated to You.

But ultimately, You must ransom and set me free,

You have to be willing to show me mercy,

So that I can find myself standing confidently in Your presence,

Offering praise to You for what You have done.

A Life of Integrity.

Psalm 26 – Day 1

“Declare me innocent, O Lord, for I have acted with integrity; I have trusted in the Lord without wavering." – Psalm 26:1 NLT

The life of integrity. What exactly is it? David was able to say, "I live with integrity" (Psalm 26:11 NLT). He said that he had acted or literally "walked" (lived his life) with integrity. In the Hebrew language the word is tom and it refers to completeness or wholeness. To live with integrity is to live a life that is non-compartmentalized. In other words, there is no such thing as the secular-sacred split. A person who lives in integrity allows the things of God to impact and influence every area of their life, including their home, work, leisure time, recreation, relationships, finances, etc. There is no area in his life for which someone might be able to point their finger and level an accusation of impropriety or un-Christlike behavior. It is the same idea found in the qualifications for an elder or deacon in 1 Timothy: "If someone aspires to be an elder,he desires an honorable position. So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife.He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. He must not be a heavy drinkeror be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? An elder must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall.Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap. In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money. They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience. Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons" (1 Timothy 3:1-10 NLT).

A life of integrity is not a life of perfection, but simply a life where our motives and attitudes are marked by a desire to do what God would have us do. It carries an evidence of a love for the things of God rather than the things of this world. A person of integrity is willing to trust God with their WHOLE life and dedicate every area of their life to His service, not holding back anything for their own selfish pleasures or desires. As David indicates, it is motivated by the unfailing love of God and is a reaction to all that He has done for us in Christ. A person of integrity knows their life does not belong to them, but to God. It is not for them to use as they see fit. That is why David said, "I do not spend time with liars or go along with hypocrites. I hate the gatherings of those who do evil, and I refuse to join in with the wicked" (Psalms 26:4-5 NLT). A person of integrity would rather spend time with God and His people than with anyone else. It is a life of separateness and set-apartness, not compromise and convenience. Which is why David could say, "Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me" (Psalm 26:2 NLT). He was willing to allow God to test the purity of his faithfulness and the validity of his integrity.

What about us? Could our integrity stand up to the heat of God's scrutiny? Is our life characterized more by compartmentalization or wholeness? Are there any areas of our life for which we refuse to turn control over to God? Because of the integrity of his life, David found himself standing on firm footing. He was trusting on the integrity of God and placing his hope in Him. He had found God to be faithful and true.  God had proven Himself to be anything but compartmentalized in His relationship with and reaction to David.  And so David was willing to live all of his life for God's glory. Paul said it this way, "I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him" (Romans 12:1 NLT). God wants a complete or whole sacrifice – not partial. His Son died to redeem all of us, not part of us. To live a life of integrity is to give God all that I am because His Son gave His life to redeem all of me.

Father, I want my life to be marked by integrity. Not the worldly, human version, but the biblical version. I want every area of my life to be Yours. I know I hold parts back, afraid to let You control them. But continue to lovingly pry my hands off of those areas I hold so dear and let me place them on the altar as a sacrifice to You. Amen

I Look to the Lord. (Based on Psalm 25)

Psalm 25 – Day 2

I open up my life to you, O Lord,

Because I trust in you as my God.

Don't let me be disappointed,

So that my enemies might have reason to celebrate.

But then I remember that no one who looks eagerly to you is ever disappointed,

Because disappointment and shame are for those live without faith.

Lord, help me discern the right direction for my life;

Show me the road you want me to follow.

Point me in the right direction using Your Word,

And if necessary, discipline me so that I learn well,

For You are the sole source of my salvation.

That's why I eagerly look to You each and every day!

I ask you to remember Your tender mercy and faithful love,

Which have been around as long as You have.

But I ask You to forget all the sins I have ever committed,

Including the sins of my youth and all my blatant acts of rebellion.

Let Your memory of me be based on Your faithful love,

And for the sake of Your own goodness, not mine.

My God is good and always does the right thing.

He lovingly points out the right path to those who've lost their way through sin.

He's the one who helps people do what's right,

Like bear injuries rather than return them.

He trains them to live according to His way, not the world's.

To those who defend His covenant and His Word,

The ways of the Lord reflect His unfailing love and faithfulness.

I ask you, O Lord, to forgive my extreme depravity,

Not because I deserve it, but for the sake of Your own reputation.

Who is the man that truly fears God?

It is the man for whom God has pointed out the right path to take.

This is the man who will experience a pleasant life,

Impacting the generations to come after them.

This man receives counsel directly from God,

He lets them experience His covenant first-hand.

That's why I keep my eyes focused on the Lord,

Because He delivers me out of the traps of life.

Turn to me and show me Your grace and favor, Lord,

For I am the only one and am in great need.

The stress I feel in my heart is great,

So I ask You to rescue me from them all! I ask You to see all my troubles and trials,

And to take away all my sins. Look and see all my enemies,

And how they hate me with a violent hatred.

Guard me, O Lord, snatch me away from them!

Don't let me be put to shame, because I run to You for protection.

May the integrity and uprightness of who You are watch over me,

For I look to You with eager hope and expectation.

O God, pay the price to set Your people free from all their troubles.

Looking To God.

Psalm 25 – Day 1

Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. – Psalm 25:5 NLT

This is an amazing Psalm. Over and over again it reminds us that there is only one place we are to look for help, hope, healing, deliverance, direction, instruction, inspiration, mercy, forgiveness, and love. Whether things are going great or life has taken a turn for the worse, David tells us that, from his experience, God is worth trusting. In fact, all throughout this Psalm David uses the Hebrew word qavah, which means "to wait for, hope for, and to look eagerly for." There is a sense of anticipation and expectation built into the word. This is not about some hopeless resignation because there's nothing else we can do. It is an eager expectation based on God's reputation for righteousness, mercy, love, power, forgiveness, and salvation. David doesn't just pray for God's deliverance, he fully expects it.

David had a long-term perspective. He did not let current circumstances cloud or influence his understanding of God's faithful love and ability to deliver at just the right moment. He knew he could trust God to come through for him. But he knew more than just that God could deliver from trouble. He knew God could direct and guide, providing a clear understanding of what path to take in life. David's God didn't just protect his life, He pointed out the way to live a full and meaningful life. David asks God to "show me the right path" (Psalm 25:4 NLT). He isn't just asking God to point it out, but to clearly make it known so that there is no chance of mistake. David asks God to "lead me by your truth and teach me" (Psalm 25:5 NLT). The word translated "lead" carries the idea of God showing David where to place each footstep along the way. And David knows that God's direction comes from God's Word. The amazing thing is that David asks God to teach him. The word David uses for "teach" is the Hebrew word lamad, which means to strike with a rod or to chastise. It was a word used in reference to the training or discipline of cattle. David is inviting God to train him, even if God has to use a little physical discipline. When was the last time you asked God to teach you and not spare the pain?

How could David ask such a thing? He knew that his God was holy, just, righteous and good. "The Lord is good and does what is right" (Psalm 25:8 NLT). He "leads with unfailing love and faithfulness" (Psalm 25:10 NLT). David knew that God had his best interest in mind – all the time. Even in his worst moments, David knew that he could turn to God and God would understand, empathize, rescue, restore, teach, guide, discipline, and love him through it all. This Psalm reminds us that God is all-powerful, all-knowing, faithful, righteous, merciful, personal, forgiving, and completely worthy of our trust. David looked to God. He kept his eyes focused on God. But we live in a world where it is easy to focus our attention elsewhere. We can easily look to someone or something else to bring us peace, escape from pain, hope, happiness, wisdom, and protection. But none of those things can deliver. None of them can give us what we're looking for. They offer empty promises and always leave us with unfulfilled desires. But God delivers. God comes through. God always shows up, so David kept looking up. "My eyes are always on the Lord, for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies" (Psalm 25:15 NLT). Where are you looking today? Why not look up and eagerly wait for God to show up?

Father, this Psalm is so rich and jam-packed with insights into Your character. Help them to come alive in my life and experience. I want to look to You, rely on You, rest in You, wait on You, and eagerly hope in You. Because You are my God. Amen

The King of Glory. (Based on Psalm 24)

Psalm 24 – Day 2

Not only does the earth belong to the Lord,

So does everything on it, including every single person.

It is God who separated the land from the sea

When He created the world in the first place.

So who has a right to come into the presence of someone so powerful?

What would allow anyone worthy of standing before someone so holy?

Think about it. Only the person who has clean hands and a pure heart!

Someone whose life is not characterized by worthless conduct and lies.

It's that kind of person who will receive God's blessing and justification.

That's the kind of people who seek You, O Lord.

Open up the gates, swing open the doors,

And let the King of Glory in!

How will you know who the King of Glory is?

He is the Lord, powerful and strong,

He is the Lord, who has proven His strength in battle.

So open up the gates, swing open the doors,

And let the King of Glory in!

How will you know who the King of Glory is?

He is the Lord, the leader of the armies of heaven,

He is the King of Glory.

The King of Glory.

Psalm 24 – Day 1

“Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty; the Lord, invincible in battle." – Psalm 24:6 NLT

Ultimately, this song is about God. It speaks of His holiness, power, glory, and transcendence. God is not like us. We are not like God. We can't just come into His presence any time we want – flippantly or arrogantly. We must recognize His holiness and our own sinfulness. God is separate from us. He is the creator and we are His creation. Everything, including us, belongs to Him. We exist by Him and for Him – not the other way around. God is not our personal valet. He is not our life coach or personal trainer. David reminds us that God is not someone who is to be treated lightly or with disdain. Those who seek God and enjoy the benefits of a relationship with Him are those whose deeds are blameless, whose hearts are pure and innocent, and whose lives are not marked by worthless, vain conduct. They recognize that their behavior plays a big part in their ability to enjoy God's blessings.

God is the King of glory. He is deserving of our praise, adoration, worship, wonder, awe, reverence, fear, and respect. He is strong and mighty. He is holy and righteous. He is set apart. He is above all and deserving of all glory and honor. It is God's separateness and our own sinfulness that make the cross of Jesus Christ special to us. It is Christ's sacrificial death on the cross that allows us – as sinful men and women – to have access to the very throne room of God. It is what He has done that allows us to share in His righteousness and be viewed by God as holy. We have access into His presence not because WE are blameless and pure in and of ourselves, but because Jesus Christ was blameless and pure. Because He took all our sinfulness on Himself at the cross, we inherited His righteousness. We are seen by God as blameless, innocent, clean, pure, holy and righteous.

And God has given us His Holy Spirit to indwell us and empower us to live holy lives. We have the ability to live righteously and rightly – in spite of the presence of our sinful natures. We can live by the Spirit or we can live according to the flesh (our sinful nature). We can live in obedience or disobedience. The choice is up to us. Each day we must recognize God's holiness and our own sinfulness. We must remember what Christ has done for us on the cross. We must rest in the fact that we have the same power that raised Christ from the dead living within us in the form of the Holy Spirit. We can live holy lives. We can say no to sin and yes to God's transformative power in our lives. Our daily desire should be to come into God's presence – recognizing His holiness and our responsibility to treat Him with dignity, honor and respect. Paul put it this way, "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him" (Romans 12:1 NLT). We belong to Him. He paid for us with His own Son's life. We are to give our lives to Him and allow Him to transform us into the likeness of His Son – and in so doing, honoring Him for who He is – the King of glory.

Father, never let me treat You with anything but respect, glory, and honor. Never let me get so casual with You that I lose sight of your holiness. Never let me take for granted that I have access into Your presence because of what Jesus did for me on the cross. You are the King of glory and You deserve my respect, honor, and awe. Amen

Shepherd Wanted. (Based on Psalm 23)

Psalm 23 – Day 2

I'm just a sheep, but I've got a Great Shepherd.

Thanks to Him, I have everything I need.

He leads me to pastures with abundant grass,

And streams with clean, cold water

Where I find it easy to relax and renew.

He has a reputation for keeping me on the right track.

But even if he has to lead me down a difficult path,

I don't panic or stress, because He's always with me.

He uses the tools of his trade to keep me safe.

It's like God is treating me to a banquet,

Right in front of my enemies.

He honors me, and they can't stand it.

He blesses me, and it drives them crazy.

Throughout my life, God pursues me with His goodness,

He showers me with His unfailing love.

He has made me a permanent guest in His home.

Only Sheep Appreciate A Shepherd.

Psalm 23 – Day 1

“The Lord is my shepherd. I have all that I need." – Psalm 12:1 NLT

What do you say about what is arguably the most well-known and popular Psalm of all? The 23rd Psalm is probably the most familiar of all the Psalms, for believers and non-believers. You can find it printed on plaques, coffee mugs, illustrated in paintings, and explained in countless books. It is short and simple, and yet the real message escapes most of us – because we don't live in an agrarian society. We don't know much about sheep or shepherds. So a lot of the imagery found in Psalm 23 escapes us. The relationship between a shepherd and his sheep seems rather pedestrian and simplistic to us. I mean, how hard could it be to care for sheep? They appear rather docile and far from demanding. But it's fascinating that God chose to use the metaphor of sheep on a regular basis when speaking of His people. In Matthew 10:6, Jesus referred to the Jews as the "lost sheep of the house of Israel." Reminiscent of Psalm 23, in the book of Ezekiel, God tells the people of Israel, " I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign Lord. I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak. But I will destroy those who are fat and powerful. I will feed them, yes—feed them justice!" (Ezekiel 34:15-16 NLT). Earlier in that same chapter, God refers to His people as sheep again, saying, "They have wandered through all the mountains and all the hills, across the face of the earth, yet no one has gone to search for them" (Ezekiel 34:6 NLT).

God saw His people as sheep. Jesus referred to Himself as the Good Shepherd. Why? What is the point behind this analogy of sheep and shepherds? The key to me is found in the words used in Psalm 23. David chooses his words carefully, and each carries significance. He speaks of need, rest, leading, renewal, guidance, fear, protection, and comfort. He paints a picture of total dependency as opposed to self-sufficiency. Sheep are not meant to defend for themselves. They are inherently dumb animals who wander easily and are prone to a herd mentality. Unlike deer, they do not readily sense impending danger. Unlike other animals, they lack any means of self-defense. In essence, they are defenseless against attack. They are easily led astray. When feeding, sheep can become so consumed with what they are doing, that they can walk right off the edge of a cliff. Sheep can't heal, fend for, or lead themselves.

In Isaiah 53:6 we are given a perfect picture of how God views us. "All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own." At one time we were like wandering, ignorant, stubborn sheep. We had lost our way. We had wandered off the path and gotten lost. We were defenseless, helpless and hopeless. The prophet Isaiah went on to prophesy that God had a solution for those lost sheep: "Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all. He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. Unjustly condemned, he was led away" (Isaiah 53:6a-8b NLT). God's solution for lost, wandering sheep was the Good Shepherd. Peter reminds us, "Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls" (1 Peter 2:25 NLT).

God is our Shepherd. Jesus is our Good Shepherd. We are their sheep. We are needy, prone to wander, inherently restless, lacking in strength, defenseless, directionless, and hopeless if left to our own devices. But God leads us, loves us, guides us, protects us, comforts us, feeds us, and heals us. He sent His Son to die for us because we couldn't save ourselves. His Son became a sheep just like us so that He could be the sacrificial lamb that satisfied the just demands of a holy, righteous God. He died so that we might live. The key to understanding the 23rd Psalm is understanding our role as sheep and our total dependency on God for all that we need and have. It is because of His goodness and unfailing love that we are even alive and that we have a future. Dependency comes hard to most of us. Learning to rely on God is not easy. We have convinced ourselves that self-sufficiency is a virtue. But sheep rely on their shepherd. They trust their shepherd. They listen to their shepherd. They follow their shepherd. They depend on their shepherd for everything. And they are blessed.

Father, give me a sheep-like attitude. Let me continually die to my stubborn need for self-sufficiency and learn to live in total dependence on You. You are my Shepherd. Your Son is my Good Shepherd. All my needs are met in You. Amen

Perception Versus Reality. (Based on Psalm 22)

Psalm 22 – Day 2

I'll be honest with you God.

Right now, it feels like you've left me,

Like You're nowhere to be found.

I call out to You, but You don't seem to hear me.

And if You do hear me, You don't answer.

But I know that You're holy,

And that people have been praising you for centuries.

You have a long history of rescuing Your people.

They cried out to You and you saved them.

They put their trust in You and You came through.

But I feel so undeserving.

I feel like I don't have a friend in the world.

Those who give me any attention at all,

Only mock me and ridicule what little faith I have, saying:

"Where's Your God now? Why isn't He saving you?

But I can't help but remember that You gave me life,

You are the one that to it that I was born and lived.

From infancy, I have belonged to You.

You have always been my God.

So I call out to You and ask You to stay by me.

I am in trouble and there is no one else who can help.

I feel surrounded and overwhelmed.

It is as if everyone is out to destroy me, to rip me apart.

My strength is running low, my body aches,

My very heart is on the verge of giving up.

I feel like I have been out in the sun too long,

Like I am spiritually dehydrated and close to death.

My enemies seem to be everywhere,

They chase me like a pack of dogs, and I can't get away,

Because my hands and feet feel like their nailed down.

I have emaciated and demoralized,

My enemies taught me and ridicule me,

Divvying up all my possessions between them.

I beg you Father! Don't leave me! Y

ou alone are my strength, and I need Your help.

Save me! Spare me! Get me out of the mess I find myself in!

When You do, I will sing Your praises,

Everyone believer I know will hear me give You the glory.

We all need to praise You.

We all need to give You the honor and glory You deserve.

Because You have never ceased to rescue the helpless and hopeless.

You have never abandoned them or failed to answer their cries.

So I will lift up my voice and praise You in church,

I will make sure everyone I know hears what You have done.

I will tell them that You take care of the poor,

That all those who come to You will end up praising You,

Because You will give them ample reason to sing and rejoice.

One day the whole world is going to recognize You for who You are.

They will all eventually have to admit that You alone are God.

You are the all-powerful one.

Even those who aren't in need will end up worshiping You.

The poor to the wealthy, the youngest to the oldest Will all bow down to You.

Even those who have yet to be born are going to hear about You.

Because we are going to have plenty of stories to tell

Of Your righteous acts and all that You have done.

A Light In the Darkness.

Psalm 22 – Day 1

“His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born. They will hear about everything he has done." – Psalm 22:31 NLT

Moments of doubt and despair – we all have them – those days when everything seems to be going against us and even God appears nowhere to be found. Our prayers go unanswered and our hopes, unfulfilled. At those times, it is easy to fall into despondency and begin to view the world through lenses that have been darkened by doubt and clouded by the lies of the enemy. Even David, the man after God's own heart, was susceptible to having dark days of despair and Psalm 22 is a perfect illustration of how he handled those times in his life. He begins his Psalm by calling out to God. Notice his honesty and blatant frankness. He doesn't sugarcoat his feelings or attempt to put on a happy face for God. No, he asks God, "Where are you? Where have you gone? Why have you abandoned me?" David was not afraid to express his feelings to God. At that moment in his life he felt as if God had left him. He prayed, but received no answer. He cried out, but got no relief. But while David was honest with God, he was always respectful to God. He knew God was holy and deserving of his reverence and fear. He knew God to be trustworthy and faithful to rescue His people. So he knew that his feelings of abandonment, while real, were not a true picture of his God.

There is a huge difference between the reality of our circumstances and their ability to determine the reality and reliability of our God. Whatever was going on in David's life was difficult. He was surrounded by enemies and trouble. He was weak, worn out, lacking in strength, running out of hope, and fearing for his life. But he continued to call to God. He knew that God was his strength and deliverer. The same God who had given him life at birth and protected him to this point, would protect him now. In spite of his circumstances, David knew he could count on God. He knew the time would come when he would be able to praise God for His deliverance. "For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help" (Psalm 22:24 NLT). David's trust in God was based on his understanding of God. He knew God well enough to know he could trust Him. He did not let his circumstances determine his faith.

Isn't it amazing that David, in his sorrow and despair, ended up writing a Psalm that would reflect the very feelings of Jesus Himself as He hung on the cross. Psalm 22 is considered a Messianic Psalm, prophesying the very suffering of the Lord Himself. Verses 11-18 paint a vivid picture of Jesus' last moments on the cross. "My life is poured out like water." "My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth." "They have pierced my hands and feet." "They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing." In the midst of his own suffering, David unknowingly echoed the future sufferings of Christ. Which should remind us that God the Father and Christ His Son understand fully what we are going through at any given moment. They understand our weakness and they know what it means to suffer. We are reminded of this in the book of Hebrews. "So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most" (Hebrews 4:14-16 NLT).

Father, You are not above my times of need and suffering. You are not distant and disinterested. You understand my weaknesses better than I understand them myself. You feel my pain. You empathize with my sorrow. You had to watch Your own Son suffer for my sins and die an agonizing death that was meant for me. And because He died, I can call out to You and receive mercy and grace when I need it the most! Thank You so much. Amen

Faith Is the Victory. (Based on Psalm 21)

Psalm 21 – Day 2

Even the one you anoint with the greatest power praises Your strength, O Lord.

He recognizes that all his victories are Your doing, not his, and rejoices.

He has seen You answer his prayers, fulfilling his heart's desires.

You have blessed Him in so many ways, and given him authority and honor.

There was a time when he asked You to keep him alive,

And You blessed him with a long life and lasting legacy.

He has lived long and well, and his impact will last forever.

What's amazing is You're the one who saves, and yet You allow him to receive honor.

You lift him up and allow him to share in Your glory.

But more than anything else, the blessings You give are eternal,

You assure him a place in Your presence forever.

How could he not trust in You?

Your love for him never fails and so his faith has a firm foundation.

Lord, it is You who will ultimately win all the battles,

You will use Your power to deal with all who oppose You.

There is a day coming when all men will be judged by You.

You will deal with them in Your righteous anger,

And give them exactly what they deserve.

The numbers of the wicked will finally stop growing,

As You deal with them once and for all.

They plot, scheme and devise all kinds of plans against You,

But they will never succeed.

In the end, they will run for their lives at the sight of You.

You deserve to be exalted, Lord, because of Your great strength.

So we will sing and shout of all the incredible things You have done.

What's the Source of Your Strength?

Psalm 21 – Day 1

“How the king rejoices in your strength, O LORD! He shouts with joy because you give him victory." – Psalm 21:1 NLT

In this Psalm, David, as the Lord's anointed king, recognizes that any victory or success he enjoys is attributable only to God and to God alone. David can't take any credit for any of it. He can't brag or boast about his own strength or his military capabilities. His army is not the source of his strength. His military prowess isn't either. It's God. He says, "the king rejoices in your strength, O LORD!" What a different perspective than that which pervades our society. We love to take credit for our victories and boast about our own capabilities. Even as Christians we can find ourselves puffing out our chests and basking in our own glory. But David reminds us that all glory belongs to God. David looks back over his life and recognizes the hand of God in all that he has accomplished as king. Sure, he went into battle, wielded his sword, suffered wounds at the hands of his enemies, killed his fair share of them, and came back tired and sometimes bloody. But he recognized the reality that God was the one who brought about victory.

Over in the book of 2 Chronicles there is the story of the people of God facing tremendous odds against a far superior army. Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, stood in front of the people and called out to God. He confessed their weakness and called on God to save them. He prayed, "you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you!" (2 Chronicles 20:6 NLT). He went on to describe to God their dire circumstances and then called out, "O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help" (2 Chronicles 20:12 NLT). As they stood there waiting, the Spirit of God came upon an obscure man named Jahaziel. Under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, Jahaziel told the people, "This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s" (2 Chronicles 20:15 NLT).

How did David know this same truth long before Jehoshaphat ever ascended to the throne of Judah? How could he be so certain that victory was God's doing, not man's? If you recall, long before David ever became king of Israel, he experienced first-hand the victory of God over a far superior enemy of his own. As a young man, he had come face to face with Goliath, a giant of a man who had ridiculed and taunted the men of Israel for days, challenging them to send out a champion to face him. He had no takers. That is until David showed up on the scene. And while every other Israelite soldier, including King Saul, cowered in the shadows, afraid to face their enemy in their own strength, David called out to him, "You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies — the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the LORD will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the LORD rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the LORD’s battle, and he will give you to us!" (1 Samuel 17:45-47 NLT). Notice what David said, "the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you." Ultimately, he knew that this was going to be up to God. David had a role to play, but any success would be solely attributable to God. What a valuable lesson for us to learn today as we face the enemies of our lives. The battle is STILL the Lord's. Like David, we must learn to trust in the Lord and recognize that His unfailing love for us is what keeps us from stumbling in defeat. He is our champion. He is our strength. He is our victory.

Father, the battle has always been Yours. Forgive me for sometimes assuming that I bring something of value to the fight. I can do nothing without You. Victory is impossible only through You. Continue to teach me to trust in You and to rest in the power You provide. Amen

A Prayer of Awareness. (Based on Psalm 20)

Psalm 20 – Day 2

It's my prayer that the next time you're in trouble

You cry to God so He can answer your call for help.

May the same God that kept Jacob safe keep you from harm.

I want you to discover just how holy and powerful He really is.

You'll find that He has seen all the sacrifices You have made,

And how you have been faithful in your attempts to worship Him.

It's my prayer that God give you the desires of your heart,

And help you succeed in all that you do.

Then we'll all have reason to rejoice with you

And to give God praise for what He has done for you.

We love it when God answers your prayers.

I have every confidence that God is going to save those He has chosen,

He is going to answer because He is holy and righteous.

He is going to rescue because He has the power to do so.

While other people might put their confidence in themselves,

As people of God, we trust in the reputation and character of God.

Self-confidence only results in disappointment and defeat,

But relying on God let's us stand firm no matter what comes our way.

In Times Of Trouble.

Psalm 20 – Day 1

“Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the LORD our God." – Psalm 20:7 NLT

When your problems are solved and you've made it to the other side of your predicaments, to whom will you give the credit? Too often we end up giving ourselves a pat on the back for our ingenuity, determination and problem-solving skills. We unknowingly "boast" in our own power of self-preservation. We begin to believe that we can get ourselves out of any situation, given enough time, money, and patience. But David knew differently. He had learned from experience that when he encountered trouble, his first response should be to cry out to God. He knew that God was far more reliable and powerful – even though he was a king with all kinds of resources at his disposal. Whether it was a need for deliverance from an enemy or the fulfillment of a desire, David had learned to take everything to God. Nothing was too big or too small for God to handle. David knew that God answered prayer because He had done so in the past. God had delivered him before. God had saved, directed, and provided victory on more than one occasion, so David was more than willing to go back to the most reliable source he knew – God.

David's power was not determined by the size of his army, but by the object of his faith. As long as he turned to God and focused his faith on Him, David knew he had all the power he needed to face any difficulty, defeat any foe, and survive any situation. David says, "we boast in the name of the Lord our God." That word "boast" can be better translated "call to mind or remember." David seems to be saying that, in times of trouble, we recall the character of God and lean on Him, not ourselves. We depend on His strength, not ours. We rely on His salvation instead of our own. Human strength is no match for God's power. Human intelligence is a poor substitute for God's wisdom. Turning to God will always turn out better in the long run.

Father, You have a long track record of success and faithfulness. Yet we continue to turn elsewhere when times get tough. Continue to teach us to trust You alone, to turn to you first and to rely on You to the end. You will not disappoint. Amen

The Glory of God. (Based on Psalm 19)

Psalm 19 – Day 2

I look up at the sky and see the glory of God on display.

The night sky is like a canvas filled with His artwork.

The planets and stars can't speak, they have no voice,

But You can hear what they are saying loud and clear.

The sun is right where it needs to be,

It bursts with light like a groom on the day of his wedding.

It tirelessly rises and sets, like a man with ceaseless strength.

Day after day, the sun does what God created it to do,

Providing heat and light to anything and everything.

But even greater than all that God has made is what He has said.

His written law, His principles for men to follow

Are perfect, complete, lacking in nothing.

His requirements for living life can be trusted,

And when the naive obey them, they gain wisdom.

His commands are always right,

And bring joy to the heart when they're kept.

His rules are completely without error or fault,

Providing insight to all those who follow them.

To fear God by keeping His commands is the right things to do,

And we will be doing it for eternity.

Each judgment God has made is reliable,

And absolutely just.

They are to be valued more than wealth, even abundant wealth

They are more satisfying than honey,

Even the freshest honey straight from the honeycomb.

They teach those who keep them,

And they always come with consequences.

Without Your Word I wouldn't know what was in my own heart.

Use it to cleanse me from the sin concealed from my own view.

Let Your law prevent me from sinning presumptuously,

Don't let my own arrogance control me.

Then and only then will You see me as blameless,

And innocent of rebellion against You.

Let every word that I say and every thought that I have

Meet Your standards, O Lord,

Because You have been and always will be my Rock and Redeemer.

The Power of the Word of God.

Psalm 19 – Day 1

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer." – Psalm 19:14 NLT

The power and glory of God is clearly evident in His creation. His greatness is mirrored in the vastness of the universe, the inexhaustible energy of the sun, and the countless stars in the sky. But when it comes to revealing Himself to man, God didn't stop there. David knew God through His Word. He discovered the greatness of God revealed in the Law of God. He had learned that God's Law revives the soul, gives the naive much-needed wisdom, brings joy to the heart, helps men see life more clearly, and on top of all that it warns and rewards. David found the words of God more desirable than gold and more appetizing than his favorite sweet. And as king of Israel, David had access to wealth and great food, so he knew what it meant to attempt to have his desires satisfied through materialism and hedonism. Money doesn't last, a great meal only leaves you hungry and desiring more. Nothing satisfies like the word of God.

One of the things David learned about God's word is its ability to see into his heart and reveal what's hidden there. It has the unique capacity, like an x-ray, to look into our soul and reveal sins – even those committed unknowingly or unintentionally – that we can't even see ourselves. But God's word not only reveals them, it can cleanse us from them. And it can protect us from committing sins out of presumption or sheer arrogance. David knew that his righteousness was dependent on God's faithful, reliable, pure, trustworthy, totally correct, completely sound word. It was only through time spent reading and meditation on God's word that David's life could live a life that was pleasing to God. It is the word of God and the indwelling presence of the Spirit of God that transforms our speech, our thoughts and our actions.

Father, Your Word is invaluable and irreplaceable. There is nothing else like it in the universe that can transform my life and bring joy, peace, wisdom, direction and satisfaction. Continue to increase my love for it, obedience to it, and dependence upon it. Let me love it like David did. Use Your Word to see into my heart and reveal what I can't see. Transform me by it. Equip me with it. Convict me through it. And never let me walk away from it. Amen