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Psalm 39-41; Psalm 53; Psalm 55; Psalm 58<\/strong><\/span> Today we read in Psalm 39 verse 5 \u2013 \u201cMy life is no longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath.\u201d<\/em> This verse is a powerful verse for each of us to meditate upon. <\/span><\/p>\n I love verse 7 of Psalm 39 \u2013 \u201cAnd so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Is this true of your life today?\u00a0 Are you putting your hope anywhere else?\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n Psalm 40 starts off in verse 1 with a beautiful reflection on David \u201cwaiting patiently for the Lord\u201d about his prayer, and in turn God \u201cheard his cry.\u201d David then goes forward in the Psalm rejoicing in the Lord and culminating in this powerful statement in verse 8: \u201cI desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.\u201d<\/em> How does this Psalm speak to you today? Do you wait patiently for the Lord in your prayer life? Do you desire to do God\u2019s will? Is His law within your heart today?<\/span><\/p>\n Today Psalm 40 verse 16 stood out to me for it\u2019s pure joy and praise \u2013 \u201cBut may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, \u201cThe LORD is great!\u201d\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Does this verse resonate with you today?\u00a0 Have you searched for God in your life?\u00a0 Are you filled with joy and gladness because of that search?\u00a0 Do you love God\u2019s salvation?\u00a0 Do you shout praises to God for all he has done for you?\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n Maybe if Psalm 40:16 does not resonate for you today, hopefully verse 17 can encourage you \u2013 \u201cAs for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord is thinking about me right now. You are my helper and my savior. Do not delay, O my God.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Do you believe that Jesus is thinking about you right now?\u00a0 Do you believe that Jesus is your helper and your savior?<\/span><\/p>\n Today we read in Psalm 41 verse 1 \u2013 \u201cBlessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble.\u201d<\/em> For some reason this verse really opens up my heart. Something about the word \u201cweak.\u201d Maybe this verse really speaks to me because I myself feel weak at times. And yet, I am so blessed in so many ways. And I realize that there are so many others out there in this world who may not have the blessings that I have, and who are struggling through an extremely tough cycle of weakness. And I wonder \u2013 what am I doing to help those who are weak? Do I really have regard for the weak? Do you? What in our life really demonstrates that we have regard for the weak? Are we investing time or finances into the weak? Are we praying for the weak? Are we loving the weak?<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve ever asked yourself \u2013 or ever been asked \u2013 why do we need a Messiah?\u00a0 What is our need of Jesus?\u00a0 Well, I think this question is clearly answered in verses 2 & 3 of Psalm 53 \u2013 \u201cGod looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if there is even one with real understanding, one who seeks for God. But no, all have turned away from God; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not even one!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 This is why we need Jesus.\u00a0 With Jesus, we indeed seek for God.\u00a0 With Jesus, we are blessed with the Holy Spirit to begin to have some real understanding.\u00a0 But without Jesus\u2026. well, it reminds me of the old DC Talk song \u201cIn the Light\u201d \u2013 \u201cWhat\u2019s going on inside of me?\u00a0 I despise my own behavior.\u00a0 This only serves to confirm my suspicions, that I\u2019m still a man in need of a Savior!\u201d\u00a0 Amen\u2026 Today\u2019s Psalm reminds me of a powerful blog posting from Tim Challies I recently read titled \u201cReal Guilt and Sinfulness,\u201d which you can read at this link.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Today we read Psalm 55 verse 22, which is a beautiful reminder to all who believe in the risen Lord! \u201cGive your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.\u201d<\/em> Please do meditate on this verse a bit.\u00a0 Do you make it a habit of giving your burdens to the Lord?\u00a0 Or do you try to carry your burdens on your own strength?\u00a0 Is there a burden you are carrying today that you can give to the Lord?\u00a0 Will you?\u00a0 And do you trust that he will take care of you and not permit you to slip and fall?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Psalm 58 verse 11 stood out to me today \u2013 \u201c\u201dThere truly is a reward for those who live for God; surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth.\u201d\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 I think this is wise for us to remember that God indeed judges.\u00a0 We don\u2019t.\u00a0 We shouldn\u2019t.\u00a0 But God indeed judges justly.\u00a0 This verse also brings up the question \u2013 are we living for God?\u00a0 If so, what will our reward be?\u00a0 Are you looking forward to the reward?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:<\/strong> Today\u2019s readings in Mark 6 about Jesus praying and Psalm 40 about David praying reminded me of the Casting Crowns song \u201cWhat If His People Prayed.\u201d Here\u2019s a great live version:<\/span><\/p>\n \n
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