Today's Scripture: Psalm 62 & John 10:30 

Truly my soul finds rest in God;
    my salvation comes from him.
2 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I shall never be shaken. (Psalm 62:1-2)

If we read on we discover David is being tormented by others,

How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? (v.3)

And I had to wonder what does our enemy use to torment us these days in an attempt to unsettle our hearts? Perhaps,

• The rise in crime.
• Inflation
• Rumors of wars 
• Pandemics
• Social issues

Scripture reading: Psalm 52 , 2 Samuel 12:1-14 & Romans 12:1 

This psalm is David's recollection of when he was fleeing King Saul. There was a certain Edomite "set over the servants of Saul” (1 Sam. 22:9), named Doeg, who had informed Saul that David had fled and was being helped by the priests at Nob. Saul then orders Doeg to kill over 85 priests (1 Sam 22:18), and Doeg obeys Saul’s order.

David seems to reveal what he knows about this informer through the first part of the psalm.  Doeg was a:

• Braggart (Psalm 52:1),
• Mighty warrior (Psalm 52:1),
• Person who used his tongue to stir up trouble (Psalm 52:2),
• Person who loved evil “more than good” (Psalm 52:3) and lying more than truth,
• Person whose speech was deceptive (Psalm 52:4) and had a plan to hurt and destroy others
• A man who would not get away with his sin (Psalm 52:5). There is always a wage for sin that all will pay unless God’s mercy spares them.

But in this Maskil, I believe David has an important lesson for all of us when we are facing troubled times, even death. David shifts his attention from the wicked to the Lord in verse 8 and makes a provocative statement of his confidence in God that should have captured everyone's attention: “But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God” (Psalm 52:8a).

Before we go any further may I ask, what are the trials, troubles, and tribulations you are  facing just now? David wants you to know that no matter what is going on in your life or in the world around you, you can face them like a green olive tree in the house of God.

How can we be like a green olive tree in the house of God? According to David, it's by,

1.) Trusting in the Lord

David declares, “I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever” (Psalm 52:8b). To trust in the Lord is to live in complete dependence and confidence in the Lord. According to David, this is the only way to face the evil and injustice. And we know the Lord is worthy of our trust, because of his “steadfast love.” 

2.) Thanking the Lord

David proclaims, “I will thank you forever, because you have done it” (Psalm 52:9a). A life of worry, doubt, and fear conveys a lack of confidence in God, but trusting in God’s future faithfulness is rooted in gratitude for God’s faithfulness to you in the past. Thanksgiving fuels this trust. 

3.) Waiting on the Lord

David announces, “I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly” (Psalm 52:9b). Did you know that a trusting and thankful heart will be marked by patience. This patience is not about sitting down and idly waiting, however. The biblical term to wait basically means to walk by faith, not by sight.  

David's life was in danger along with the very men who followed him and even those who helped him along the way! He had every right to give up and in, in my book. I hate to admit I've been tempted a time or two for lesser reasons, but David’s faith was based on his hope in the Lord, not man. He knew God would not fail him. He could wait on God to keep his promises. 

4.) Surrounding himself with others.

"I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly." Wait, but don’t wait alone. Surround yourself with godly people who will wait with you. Notice, Olive Trees flourish in a grove with others. 

So let me ask you:

• Are you like a green olive tree in the house of God?
• Are you facing trials and tough times? 
• Are you waiting on God's deliverance? 
• Are you trusting Him during this time? Walking by faith? Giving thanks and praising Him?
• Have you surrounded yourself with other godly believers who can lift you up and support you? 
• Are you that help to others going through tough times just now?

Scripture Reading : Psalm 47, Isaiah 2:1-5 & Ephesians 2:19-22 

But, I don't want you to miss the reason for this praise: “For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared.” (v.2) Does that seem to you like a strange reason to shout and clap with excitement—the fear of God?

 This psalm is a song of praise of God’s sovereign rule over all the earth. Notice with me, 

• He “chose” us
• He “subdued” peoples under us (v.3)
• We have received an inheritance (v.4)
• He is “our King,” 
• He is “the King of all the earth,” (v.7)
• He “reigns over the nations,” (v.8) 
• The “shields of the earth (His tokens of victory from battle) belong to God.”
• All the earth belongs to Him

But also note that our praise does not add to His majesty; it is not for His sake that we are called to praise Him, but our own.

Did you know that praise, joy and enthusiasm is contagious?  Our praise completes our enjoyment of God’s kingship as people in His kingdom. Our praise rises from a grateful heart! 

We cannot help but to praise Him, and in so doing, we share our joy with others, which only adds to our joy and others. 

Beloved, this is the great experience of authentic biblical worship; we together praise God, for He is to be feared as our is our King.

So, let me ask you: 

_ Does praise come easily to your lips? 

_ Does it flow from a grateful heart that cannot help, but praise God?

_ If not, why do you think that it? Unforgiveness? Anger? 

 As I mentioned before praise becomes contagious. Therefore, I'd like to encourage you today to read this psalm to yourself again. Read it out loud. Play your favorite Christian artists as you meditate on these verses. Speak/shout the truths I've listed above --  "He is the King!", "He chose me!", "He reigns over all!" "And has given me an inheritance with His beloved!" ... Shout and give Him praise, for “He is highly exalted”!

And then come on over to WitW and join us in worshiping Him this morning!!

Let's pray:

O Father, I want to worship You this morning, for You are worthy of ALL our praise and worship today and for all eternity. Therefore, I bow before you in reverence. You are the King of kings and Lord of lords. You have dominion over everything in the heavens and on earth. Yet you still care about even the smallest details of my life. That’s why I want to rejoice in you each day. You are worthy!

All glory belongs to you. I come to you in prayer to glorify your name - You are my Abba Father. Your unconditional love for me stretches to the highest mountain peaks and reaches to the depths of the seas. It is beyond anything I can fathom. Your love never ends, and great is Your faithfulness!  I love you with all my heart, soul, and mind! Thank you for your faithfulness that endures forever. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Blessings, 

 Today's Reading: Psalm 37 &  Proverbs 2:21-22 ; Colossians 2:15

Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong;
for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the
         noonday sun.
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in
       their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret–it leads only to evil. –Psalm 37:1-8

David begins with, "Do not fret" because of what others are doing and I feel right away David must know me so well! I can't count the times I've fretted over what others seem to be getting away with! Or how many times I've wondered what they must be thinking! And, if I'm honest, I can't count the times I've sat here trying to figure out how I might try to lend a hand to help our Lord out, as though He really needs my help! Our Creator needs my help. (sigh).

Thankfully David didn't stop in verse one, but goes on to give us some great advice as to what we can be doing instead of fretting.  He goes on to list eight positives to the one negative instruction in just the first eight verses: 

“Trust in the Lord” (v. 3).

"Do good" (v.3)

"Live in the land and enjoy safe pasture." (v.3)

“Take delight in the Lord” (v. 4).

“Commit your way to the Lord” (v. 5-6).

“Rest in the Lord” (v. 7-11)

“Wait patiently for the Lord” (v. 7)

"Refrain from anger" (v.8)

This  is when I hit my "Aha!" moment. Where are my eyes focusing and where should they be focusing? When I take my eyes off of God and set them on others or circumstances is when my heart can become disquieted. It can be as easy as watching the evening news. I can begin to fret about all I see going on around me and even feel helpless in the situation. 

The blessings begin to come when we realize not only can we trust God during difficult times, but we can also be assured that He understands our situation and feels our pain. And cares about our problems. Furthermore, we can count on the Lord to bless us. (Read the rest of Psalm 37). He will provide for our physical needs, as well as supply spiritual strength and blessings to press on through this life.

My "Aha!" moment came when I realized David here, in Psalm 37, is telling us we all have choices to make. We can choose:

• Faith over fretfulness
• Trusting God over doubts.
• To do good over evil.
• The spirit over the flesh.
• Positive thinking over negative thinking.
• God's Truth over error.
• Contentment over anxiety.
• Choose courage over fear.

I'm so thankful David took the time to point all of this out! Aren't you?

So let me ask you:

When current events and the news are overwhelming, how do you initially react? 

Do you take time to be still before the Lord? Do you go to seek His wisdom, understanding and guidance at the onset of trouble?

Let's Pray: 

Dear Father, help us to be still, and to rest in Your love; trusting in Your omnipotent power to handle every situation and circumstance. Teach us to learn to be patient and to give You our anxious thoughts. Help us to turn our faces towards You to focus on Your, strength, light and love. Our Father, we thank You, for being our Refuge and Strength, and our ever-present help in time of need. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

 Blessings,

 Today's Psalm: Psalm 27 & John 8:12

I've never been a patient person... patience has never been a virtue I could claim. If you're anything like me than we really need to park here in Psalm 27 to discover David's secrets to waiting on God. I found several truths we can hang onto while waiting...

1.) Believers have no reason to fear while waiting:

The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besieges me, my heart will not fear though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. - Psalm 27:1-3

With God as our light and salvation, what is there to fear? When God is the stronghold of our lives there is no reason to fear. One of the great marks of a truly believer is that they do not fear people. Not so with those who don’t know God, stress and anxiety are often the number one cause of illnesses.

When we spend time in the presence of the Almighty, circumstances and others seem so insignificant and we begin to desire His approval, His protection, His peace above all else.

2.) Believers can be confident while waiting:

…though war break out against me,
    even then I will be confident. – Psalm 27:4b

The closer we stick to God and the more we remain in His word, the more confident we will become even in the midst of difficult circumstances.

3.) Believers have access to Almighty God:

One thing I ask from the Lord,
    this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
    and to seek him in his temple. - Psalm 27:4

David allows us to see the desire of his heart. What he greatly longs for is to dwell in the house of the Yahweh. He wants to be there not just for a few hours, days, or months, but he wants to dwell in the house for all eternity.

We know that because of Jesus and all He has done on our behalf we now have been given access to Almighty God. Being in the house of God allows us to behold His beauty,  but also we can seek instructions from God, obtain wisdom, and most importantly, learn God’s will for our lives.

4.) Believers are kept safe and protected.

For in the day of trouble
    he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
    and set me high upon a rock. – Psalm 27:5

 I thought it was interesting in this verse that God not only shelters David, but sets him high upon a rock. I had to think on that for a bit. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this, but the bottom line is, He will keep us safe, and how comforting is that?

5.) Believers are set above others to give Him glory and praise:

Then my head will be exalted
    above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
    I will sing and make music to the Lord. – Psalm 27:6

When we think of God’s faithfulness, mercy, and love, it should drive us to praise Him even more. We can’t even begin comprehend all the ways God works in our lives, and this one fact should fill our hearts with thankfulness and cause us to praise Him!

6.) Believers should wholeheartedly seek Him:

Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice!
Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
When You said, “Seek My face,”
My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”
Do not hide Your face from me;
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help…
Teach me Your way, O Lord,
And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries;
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And such as breathe out violence.
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living. – Psalm 27:7-13 (emphasis mine)

(To be honest, this is probably my favorite part of the whole psalm, for I can’t tell you how many, many times I have prayed verse 8 back to Him.)

Beloved, we must continually seek to develop a closer relationship with God and this is achieved through prayer. I truly believe David wouldn’t be called a man after God’s own heart if he wasn’t praying constantly, for it would be impossible to develop a close relationship with God without praying, or even sitting quietly in His presence listening.

7.) Believers can be assured that God will never leave them, nor forsake them.

Do not leave me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation.
When my father and my mother forsake me,
Then the Lord will take care of me.

Others may, including our own family, may turn on us, but we can trust God never will. I think this verse in Hebrews 13:5 nails it!

Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] (AMPC)

8.) Waiting on God builds our faith in Him.

Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord! – Psalm 27:14

Stop & Reflect:

 Psalm 27 has always been one of my favorite psalms for these reasons, but how about you?

Have I missed something?

What are the lessons that you can share with us?

Let’s Pray:

Holy Father, You are the Light that is full of goodness. Your mercies are renewed everyday. You cause the sun to shine on both the righteous and the wicked. You are the light of the world, and our salvation. In You, we are rescued from despair, anxiety, and this cruel world. There is nothing we need fear, for you are with us in every moment. O Father, My heart says to You, Your face, Lord, I will seek for I long to be know as a woman after your own heart.  Forgive me for my inadequacies and shortcomings.  O Lord, You are my rock and redeemer. You are my comforter during times of stress. You save me from the empty void and the temptations of worldly pleasure. Teach me your ways and lead me on a level path. You are a lamp to my feet. You guide and direct me. Keep me on your perfect path. Help me always to look to and lean on You when I am called to wait upon You, Lord. 

Blessings, 

 Today's Reading: Psalm 17 & Matthew 26:51-56; Rev. 22:4