Faithfully Yours Forever

Passage: Psalm 65 (NIV 2011)

How pleasing it must be to the Lord, our God, to know that praise awaits[Him], our God, in Zion; to [Him] our vows will be fulfilled.   [He] who answer prayer, to [Him] all people will come [v.1-2].  He has forgiven us.  We are blessed when we choose to live in a close relationship with Him.  He fills our lives with all the truly good things that this earthly life has to offer.  We can find strength from Him to cope with the challenges of the day.  True hope is found in Him.  May we be in awe as we consider your creation.  May we be wise stewards of all you have entrusted to us.  May we envision a time when [God will] crown the year with [His] bounty, and [His] carts [will] overflow with abundance.  [When] the grasslands of the wilderness overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness.  [When] the meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they [will] shout for joy and sing [v. 11-13].  May we find peace and rest in this future hope.

Passage: Psalm 63 (NIV 2011)

In Psalm 63, we are reminded that, as Christians, God is our God.  Do you seek Him?  Do you thirst after everything that is from God?  Have you seen His power?  Do you sense His glory?  May we do… and see… and sense… all of these things.  May we realize that His love is better than life [v. 3].  Because of His love for us, may we glorify Him in all we do.  May we praise His holy name!  May He feed us physically and spiritually.  May He always care for and watch over us.  May He protect us from those people, things, circumstances, or forces that seek to destroy us or separate us from God.  May we rejoice in God [and know] all who swear by God will glory in Him [v. 11].  May we find peace and rest in Him on this special day.

Passage: Psalm 62 (NIV 2011)
May we be able to say this:
Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.  Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken [v. 1-2].

As we read this passage, we realize that today… just as was the case back then… people are not always going to be in our corner; they are not always going to be supportive of us.  In addition to salvation coming from the Lord, the psalmist notes that he can rest in God; he knows his hope comes from Him [v.5].  May we place our hope in Him.  May we know that we can stand in times of distress, trouble, or sorrow; we will not be shaken [v.6]; He will restore.  May we remember to trust in him at all times…; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge [v. 8].  May we also remember that the power belongs to you, God, and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”; and, You reward everyone according to what they have done [v. 11-12].

May you have blessed day as you serve Him in some small way today.

Passage: Psalm 61 (NIV 2011) [emphasis added]

• Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer [v. 1].
• I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I [v. 2].
• For you, God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name [v. 5].
•  I will ever sing in praise of your name and fulfill my vows day after day [v. 8].

May we be in prayer today.  May we be strengthened by the chief cornerstone, Jesus Christ.  May we reaffirm our vows to our God.  May we praise Him today.  May we diligently seek to fulfill our vows to Him today and always.  May we be ready to receive all the blessing that He has for us today.

Passage: Psalm 60 (NIV 2011)

We have done many things in our lives to anger the Lord, but for those who fear [Him], [He has] raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow [v. 4]; He has saved us, He has delivered us [v.5].  We often fall into the cycle of disobedience, distress, cries for help, and restoration from God.  May we draw from God’s strength, wisdom, direction, and discipline.  May we break the destructive cycle and choose obedience over selfishness.  May we trust in the Lord, our God, and know that He will give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless [v. 11]. Let us remember that with God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies [v. 12].

Passage: Psalm 59
Verse: Psalm 59:1-2, 15-16 (NIV 2011)

Deliver me from my enemies, O God; be my fortress against those who are attacking me.   Deliver me from evildoers and save me from those who are after my blood.
and
… I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.  You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.

There are times when we may feel persecuted or personally under attack.  In reading Psalm 59 we can find some comfort.  In addition, we learn how the Lord will punish those who hurt us, His people.  However, we should not take pleasure in this fact, nor should we take any steps to avenge the wrongs done to us by others.  May we remember that the Lord says It is [His place] to avenge; [He] will repay. In due time [our enemies feet] will slip; their day of disaster [will draw] near and their doom [will rush] upon them.  [Deuteronomy 32:35]

May we rest upon the Lord and know we can rely on Him.  While Psalm 59:10 tells us He will let us gloat over those who slander us – take care; He reminds us that He will also search our hearts and minds – He will repay each of us according to our deeds [Revelation 2:23].  Through Jesus Christ, may our hearts and minds be found as clean and white as a freshly fallen snow.

Passage: Psalm 58
Verse: Psalm 58:1-2, 10-11 (NIV 2011)

• Do you rulers indeed speak justly?   Do you judge people with equity?
• No, in your heart you devise injustice, and your hands mete out violence on the earth.
• The righteous will be glad when they are avenged, when they dip their feet in the blood of the wicked.
• Then people will say, “Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth.”

Throughout the Bible, we see that the rulers of the day often did not speak justly or judge others fairly.  Unfortunately, these undesirable traits exist in some of the worldly leaders today.  While we may seek to see their violent and vengeful deed avenged, may we remember that the battle belongs to the Lord.  May we also remember the words of the prophet Micah.  Micah told us what the Lord requires of us.  We are to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humblywith [our] God.  May we do just that!  May we find comfort in knowing that the Lord also rewards the righteous.

Passage: Psalm 57
Verse: Psalm 57:1, 5, 7-8 (NIV 2011)

• Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge.
  • I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.
• Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.
•  My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.
• Awake, my soul!  Awake, harp and lyre!  I will awaken the dawn.

We have a God we can turn to whenever we are overcome with fear, darkness, or hopelessness.  May we always be grateful for His faithfulness.  Because of Him, we are able to stand.  May we forever sing praises to Him.  May our hearts and souls soar toward the heavens as we rejoice in His creation and in the many blessings He bestows upon us each and every day.  May we ring in a new day in service to the Lord.  May we find a way to share our hope in the Lord with someone who needs a special touch from Him today.

Passage: Psalm 56
Verse: 56:10-13 (NIV 2011)

• In God, whose word I praise,
  • in the Lord, whose word I praise
    • in God I trust and am not afraid. 
      • What can man do to me?
• I am under vows to you, my God; I will present my thank offerings to you.
  • For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

I owe you so much my Lord, my God!  Help me to remember Lord that I need not be afraid of the things that can be done to me on this earth.  Help me to stand up under those challenges and know that you are just – you will repay, you will reward.  May I be able to praise you in and through all things.  May I remember what Jesus, the Christ, did for me… and always remember to give thanks.  Even in the darkest of days, may I see and reflect the light of Christ and give thanks.