Bible Chapter: Psalms 57 & 58
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
We find a safe place in the Lord. We find shelter. There is safety in reaching out to God and trusting Him. The miracles that God can do give us hope. When opponents come, God is the refuge. So, David exalted the name of the Lord. God’s glory is above all the earth. We see David’s confidence in God. His heart is steadfast in the Lord. He gave God the praise that only God deserves.
There are many wicked people in the world and they bring destruction. They are a poison to society. David called for God to break them, destroy them. The righteous will rejoice when the time comes that God judges them and rejoice in the reward of the righteous.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
I think of the words of an old song - there is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God. That is a powerful reminder of where I need to stay. In my ramblings through life I have been brought to that place where there is not quiet rest, and I need to always seek to stay close to HIM so I am not overwhelmed by the noise of the oppressor. The safest place is always in the Lord.
3. How can I help someone?
I want to help people be continually pointed to the place of safety and hope in the Lord. That is the best place we can ever be.
Bible Chapter: Psalms 55 & 56
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
So many people can identify with the author here. There are problems that we face. And, the problems don’t always come from the “other side”. Sometimes they come from people who you would least expect to be the source of trouble. Then, what we often want to do is just run and hide. Discouragement seems to call for hiding. The real answer is to reach out to God and find His help. So, call on Him over and over again. Cast all of your cares on God and let HIM carry everything.
Then there are the times when a enemy comes in and does all it can to destroy. That is the time when fear comes in and that is even more the time when we need to trust in God. People twist things, they twist the words a person says. But, what can people do compared to what God can do? So, keep on trusting God.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
Psalms like these help me keep the eternal perspective. God really has all power. It can easily seem as if all problems are overwhelming and I am about to go under the coming wave. Then, God comes through with a word of encouragement and it turns things around. Another note to self: remember this.
3. How can I help someone?
When the battles come, praise God and put your full trust in Him. Though there are many who hound you, continually put your trust in God.
Bible Chapter: Psalms 53 & 54
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
There are many foolish denials regarding God. Here we see those who claim that He doesn’t exist. I see other foolish claims that, on the surface don’t deny God’s existence, and yet just as foolishly deny His work and power. In the name of knowledge and science we hear that everything in nature just happened. To say that God created the universe brings up the hatred and ire of these folks who say it is foolish to credit the Divine Creator. It looks to me that this is just as foolish as saying that God doesn’t exist.
God, save me. Hear my prayer and deliver me. God, you are my helper. Lord, repay my enemies. David was reaching out to God in a very difficult time. He faced many opponents in his life. He knew that God was the only One who delivered him from his troubles.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
Looking to God when life is bringing problems is the best solution. David obviously was not one of the folks who didn’t believe in God. He had seen too many examples of God’s power and intervention in life. He relied on God’s intervention to deal with his enemies. These are good examples to follow. For all who trust God, He really IS our helper and He is the One who delivers us out of trouble.
3. How can I help someone?
God IS, and He is the direction we must all travel as we journey through life. Getting closer to God makes all the difference in the world. Never try to face life’s challenges without being in submission to God. He always has the best ways.
Bible Chapter: Psalms 51 & 52
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
Psalm 51 is one of the best known Psalms and is filled with much teaching as well as understanding of the nature of God. When David realized he had sinned and was caught, he came to the place of admitting it and seeking forgiveness. Admitting guilt is an important first step in receiving forgiveness. We learn here that sin is always ultimately against God. His sinful nature had taken over and David admitted his need of spiritual cleansing. He prayed for God to create a clean heart in him. What God is looking for is a broken and contrite heart that He can cleanse and make new.
David had many enemies in his life. King Saul often acted as an enemy. David wrote about the tragic event Doeg was a part of. He predicted his destruction and said it was something people should rejoice in. Many innocent people were hurt because of Saul’s instructions and Doeg’s actions.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
There is so much to learn from David’s sin and his recognition of it. God is against sin because of the destruction it does to people. David acknowledged that it was only God Who can forgive a person and make them new. And, it is the heart that needs to be made new. He needed to be in God’s presence. Learning from the mistakes of others is a good thing to do. I need to grasp his expressions and reaching out to God and not fall into the same sinful traps.
3. How can I help someone?
David’s insight expressed here is extremely helpful. People need to grasp the issue of sin. David seemed to think that he could get away with his adultery because he was the king. God helped him understand that everyone is accountable for their actions.
Bible Chapter: Psalms 49 & 50
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
Being rich. It is the dream and desire of millions of people. Countless have died in the midst of schemes that promised to make them rich. Yet, here we find that it is useless to put our trust in riches. No one can pay for the redemption of his soul. Everyone will eventually die and we “can’t take it with us”. God is the One Who redeems a soul. Being rich is not evil. It is simply not the solution to the issues of life. Riches will not last for eternity. We only have eternal life through God.
Let the heavens declare God’s righteousness. He is the judge. He is God. The earth and all creation belong to God. People are to reach out to God in times of trouble and put their trust in Him. There are hypocrites who pretend to love God, yet the ignore Hos commands and live like the rest of the ungodly world.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
God said that He will rebuke those who pretend to love Him and yet are only playing a game. We see how serious He is about this in v. 22 when God warns that he would tear them in pieces and there would be no one to deliver them. These people bring eternal punishment down upon themselves. This message speaks the importance of living a real life of service and submission to Jesus. God is looking for people to be real believers in Him. There needs to be evidence that a person is the real thing – a real believer in Jesus.
3. How can I help someone?
Are you serious about serving God? Are you going through a religious routine? I want to help people answer these questions to draw them to the Lord.
Bible Chapter: Psalms 47 & 48
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
How awesome God is!! He is extremely worthy of praise. Use every method available to give honor to God. Clap your hands!! Shout in triumph!! Sing!! We can never over-do the worship of God. He is our creator. He is our provider for eternity. He reigns over the nations. We see this powerful theme of Who God is throughout these Psalms.
God will lead His people to eternity. We have God’s promise of His help here on earth and on to eternity. This promise is even more important these days as the world is more and more openly lashing out against everything God has said.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
Someone made a short chorus from this Psalm. We used to sing it with our children when they were small. Clap your hands all ye people, shout unto God with a voice of triumph. That is a good thing to do. That is a good thing to sing. We need to be reminded of giving God praise. Praising and worshiping God is not part of a religious ritual we do when we go to church. Some talk about “doing worship”. No, we have the privilege of worshiping God every day. God dwells in the praises of His people.
3. How can I help someone?
I want to help people see the blessings of really worshiping God. We can worship Him in a variety of ways. We can declare God’s worth, His value and exalt Him. That’s worship. That we can do often.
Bible Chapter: Psalms 45 & 46
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
Part of this Psalm is prophetic, pointing forward to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. His ruling power and authority will never end. Jesus is described by what He loves and hates. He sets the pace for His followers. The Lord loves righteousness. That is a challenging concept and truth for us all to follow. It is one thing to do what is righteous, it is another to actually love righteousness. Jesus lived an example of righteousness. Tied in with loving what is right, this Psalm says that God hates wickedness. Sin destroys people and tears them away from God. He is always against sin and His people need to follow that pattern. The Lord wants to fill His people with the fullness and power of the Holy Spirit, which will increase their love for what God loves and blesses.
We must continually remember the awesome message of this Psalm. We find a hiding place in God. We find our strength, our ability to go on through what God has for us. So, we don’t have to be afraid. God has an amazing river where we can find comfort and strength. Rivers are vital for the sustenance of life. God’s spiritual river is the same for us spiritually. So, we need to stop and let God take us through the daily issues of life.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
“Let it go.” This is a statement sometimes said to people who have issues and they can’t seem to find an answer. Be still, let it go, and know that God is God. Quit letting things hold you down. God is with us and He is our refuge and strength. That’s a good sermon for me to preach to me.
3. How can I help someone?
Give all the difficult problems and trials of life to God. Let Him do the heavy lifting and figuring out what is going on. Let God do the worrying. Oh, yes, He doesn’t worry.
