Bible Chapter: Psalms 61 & 62

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.
    King David gave us some great advice here. He prayed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I. He expressed how God had always been a shelter for him and was a strong tower of protection from the enemy. Because of that he would abide in the Lord’s Tabernacle forever and trust in the shelter of His wings. He said he would praise the name of God forever and would daily perform his vows. He had truly learned to trust in God.
    King David expressed again that only God is his rock and salvation. Only God is his defense, so that he will not be greatly moved. He said that his soul waited for God alone because God is his salvation. He encouraged his readers to trust in God at all times and pour out their hearts before Him because God is our refuge.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    I believe that I need to continually hear over and over the encouragement to put my trust fully in God. He really is the only refuge and strength that we have. God’s track record is that He does not let us down but that He is there for us to call on him at any time. We will always run into people who are out to hurt us. We can continually put our trust in the all mighty power of God.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I think of the passage in Proverbs that says we are to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and not lead on our own understandings. If we will acknowledge God in everything, He will direct our paths. That is really good advice for everyone to follow.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 59 & 60

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.
    I find it interesting that there are people who are so open about the sinful destruction they want to carry out that they don’t care who knows.  Saul considered David his enemy and openly conspired to kill him.  David’s response was to call on God for his defense.  He called them workers of iniquity and bloodthirsty men.  He was relying on the God of mercy for protection.
    God calls for His people to live in obedience.  When they don’t, they set themselves up for failure.  Then they need to come to God in repentance, calling for His help and deliverance.  This is the only way to truly make it in life.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    Sinners these days are very open about their sin.  They even brag about lifestyles that are the exact opposite of what God commands.  I need to not be afraid to be open about being a follower of Jesus.  And, I need to not get caught up in things that go against God’s ways.  I am observing too many things done in the name of Christianity that are extremely questionable and that can easily lead to an open rejection of God’s ways.  I don’t want to get caught up with technicalities that squeak inside the line of not sinning but can provide an excuse for getting away with something.

3.  How can I help someone?
    How close can you get to Jesus?  How close to his power and might can you get?  How submissive to Him will your life be?  These are good questions to ask and answer.  That prevents issues like David had to deal with in Psalm 60.

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.