<\/p>\n
Psalm 107; Psalm 111; Psalm 112; Psalm 113; Psalm 114<\/strong><\/span> Psalm 107 today is a wonderful Psalm of thanksgiving!\u00a0 Okay, be honest, who started singing the Michael W. Smith\/Chris Tomlin\u00a0worship tune \u201cForever\u201d when you read verse 1? \u2013 \u201cGive thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 I did!\u00a0 That\u2019s a great tune\u2026 based on a great verse in a great Psalm.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Psalm 107 repeats a verse four times \u2013 starting with verse 6 here \u2013 \u201c\u201dLORD, help!\u201d they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 (then see verse 13, verse 19, and verse 28 \u2013 same verse) This is a great reminder to pray \u2013 and yes, it\u2019s great to pray during times of distress of course.\u00a0 But, how about praying during times of happiness & joy?\u00a0 Or even times of just regular blahs?\u00a0 I recently read much of the book \u201cThe Life You\u2019ve Always Wanted\u201d by John Ortberg (great book!), and it has a great chapter on prayer.\u00a0 It is so true that one of the best ways to truly know and love God is through prayer.\u00a0 Simple prayer.\u00a0 \u00a05 minutes a day.\u00a0 Do you pray to God 5 minutes a day?\u00a0 When the storms of life come, do you cry out for help to Jesus?\u00a0 Do you know that he will always be there for you in the midst of the storm?<\/span><\/p>\n Psalm 111 is a wonderful Psalm of praise!\u00a0 I love the way it ends in verse 10: \u201cReverence for the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom.\u00a0 The rewards of wisdom come to all who obey him. Praise his name forever!\u201d<\/em> Do you believe that reverence for God is the foundation of true wisdom?\u00a0 Do you believe that there are rewards of wisdom if you obey God?\u00a0 Will you praise his name forever?<\/span><\/p>\n Psalm 112 is a great look at a godly person\u2019s life.\u00a0 \u00a0Today in verse 1 we read: \u201cBlessed is the person who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands.\u201d<\/em> Is fear of the Lord healthy? Why or why not? Is fear of the Lord the beginning of wisdom? Are you blessed if you fear the Lord? Do you find great delight in God\u2019s commands? What are God\u2019s commands?<\/span><\/p>\n Verse 4 stands out \u2013 \u201cWhen darkness overtakes the godly, light will come bursting in.\u201d <\/em>This is encouraging.\u00a0 When darkness overtakes us, if we stay true to God and Christ and faith, light will come \u201cbursting in\u201d!\u00a0 I like that\u2026\u00a0 Know that the light is coming\u2026\u00a0 Below is a fresco from 1517 by Raphael of God separating the light from the darkness \u2013 <\/span><\/p>\n And verse 9 is a great reminder \u2013 \u201cThey give generously to those in need.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Are you doing something in your life to serve the poorest of the poor?\u00a0 \u00a0There are 1.2 billion people living in our world today on less than $1 per day.\u00a0 Is there something you can do to give generously to those in need?\u00a0 Below is an oil on canvas painting from 1611 by Bartolomeo Schedoni titled \u201cThe Charity\u201d \u2013 <\/span><\/p>\n Psalm 113 & 114 today are very interesting and important Psalms!\u00a0 These are 2 of 6 Psalms, 113 to 118, that form the \u201cEgyptian Hallel.\u201d\u00a0 These Psalms were used in Jewish liturgy at the great religious festivals of Passover, Tabernacles, Dedication, Weeks, New Moon.\u00a0 At Passover Psalm 113 & 114 were sung before the meal and Psalms 115 \u2013 118 were sung after the meal.\u00a0 As you read these two Psalms today, do you sense joy in the Lord\u2019s work?\u00a0 Justice?\u00a0 Glory?\u00a0 Power?\u00a0 Does reading these two Psalms make you want to celebrate and give thanks for the Lord and all he has done throughout history and in your life?<\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:<\/strong> Psalm 112 today reminded me of Casting Crowns\u2019 song \u201cAmerican Dream:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \n
~ Click here to read today\u2019s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~<\/span><\/em>
~ Listen to today\u2019s Scripture with <\/em>The ESV Bible<\/em><\/span> ~<\/p>\n