Psalm 19 - Day 19

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

^[a]1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
   the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
² Day after day they pour forth speech;
   night after night they display knowledge.
³ They have no speech, they use no words;
   no sound is heard from them.
⁴ Yet their voice^[b] goes out into all the earth,
   their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,
 ⁵ which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
   like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
⁶ It rises at one end of the heavens
   and makes its circuit to the other;
   nothing is deprived of its warmth.

⁷ The law of the LORD is perfect,
   refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
   making wise the simple.
⁸ The precepts of the LORD are right,
   giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
   giving light to the eyes.
⁹ The fear of the LORD is pure,
   enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure,
   and all of them are righteous.

¹⁰ They are more precious than gold,
   than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
   than honey from the honeycomb.
¹¹ By them your servant is warned;
   in keeping them there is great reward.
¹² But who can discern their own errors?
   Forgive my hidden faults.
¹³ Keep your servant also from willful sins;
   may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
   innocent of great transgression.

¹⁴ May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
   be pleasing in your sight,
   LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

How faithful the earth is to God. Every day, without doubt, the sun rises in praise to our King. Every night the moon continues to shine bright next to its sister stars. These creations of God continue praise like clock work. There isn't a day or night the sun or moon gets grumpy and decides not to make its appearance and run and hide. Granite, they don't have emotion, but they know their purpose. They know what they are supposed to do and they do it.

What if we were like that? What if we submitted to God without question. Never doubted our purpose or why we are here but just trust in the Lord to work in our lives and guide us where we need to be. It sure would make things a lot easier.

Psalm 18 - Day 18

For the director of music. Of David the servant of the LORD. He sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said:

   ^[a]1 I love you, LORD, my strength.

 ² The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
   my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
   my shield^[b] and the horn^[c] of my salvation, my stronghold.

 ³ I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
   and I have been saved from my enemies.
⁴ The cords of death entangled me;
   the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.
⁵ The cords of the grave coiled around me;
   the snares of death confronted me.

 ⁶ In my distress I called to the LORD;
   I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice;
   my cry came before him, into his ears.
⁷ The earth trembled and quaked,
   and the foundations of the mountains shook;
   they trembled because he was angry.
⁸ Smoke rose from his nostrils;
   consuming fire came from his mouth,
   burning coals blazed out of it.
⁹ He parted the heavens and came down;
   dark clouds were under his feet.
¹⁰ He mounted the cherubim and flew;
   he soared on the wings of the wind.
¹¹ He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him—
   the dark rain clouds of the sky.
¹² Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced,
   with hailstones and bolts of lightning.
¹³ The LORD thundered from heaven;
   the voice of the Most High resounded.^[d]
14 He shot his arrows and scattered the enemy,
   with great bolts of lightning he routed them.
¹⁵ The valleys of the sea were exposed
   and the foundations of the earth laid bare
at your rebuke, LORD,
   at the blast of breath from your nostrils.

 ¹⁶ He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
   he drew me out of deep waters.
¹⁷ He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
   from my foes, who were too strong for me.
¹⁸ They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
   but the LORD was my support.
¹⁹ He brought me out into a spacious place;
   he rescued me because he delighted in me.

 ²⁰ The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness;
   according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me.
²¹ For I have kept the ways of the LORD;
   I am not guilty of turning from my God.
²² All his laws are before me;
   I have not turned away from his decrees.
²³ I have been blameless before him
   and have kept myself from sin.
²⁴ The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness,
   according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.

 ²⁵ To the faithful you show yourself faithful,
   to the blameless you show yourself blameless,
²⁶ to the pure you show yourself pure,
   but to the devious you show yourself shrewd.
²⁷ You save the humble
   but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.
²⁸ You, LORD, keep my lamp burning;
   my God turns my darkness into light.
²⁹ With your help I can advance against a troop^[e];
   with my God I can scale a wall.

 ³⁰ As for God, his way is perfect:
   The LORD’s word is flawless;
   he shields all who take refuge in him.
³¹ For who is God besides the LORD?
   And who is the Rock except our God?
³² It is God who arms me with strength
   and keeps my way secure.
³³ He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
   he causes me to stand on the heights.
³⁴ He trains my hands for battle;
   my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
³⁵ You make your saving help my shield,
   and your right hand sustains me;
   your help has made me great.
³⁶ You provide a broad path for my feet,
   so that my ankles do not give way.

 ³⁷ I pursued my enemies and overtook them;
   I did not turn back till they were destroyed.
³⁸ I crushed them so that they could not rise;
   they fell beneath my feet.
³⁹ You armed me with strength for battle;
   you humbled my adversaries before me.
⁴⁰ You made my enemies turn their backs in flight,
   and I destroyed my foes.
⁴¹ They cried for help, but there was no one to save them—
   to the LORD, but he did not answer.
⁴² I beat them as fine as windblown dust;
   I trampled them^[f] like mud in the streets.
⁴³ You have delivered me from the attacks of the people;
   you have made me the head of nations.
People I did not know now serve me,
 ⁴⁴ foreigners cower before me;
   as soon as they hear of me, they obey me.
⁴⁵ They all lose heart;
   they come trembling from their strongholds.

 ⁴⁶ The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock!
   Exalted be God my Savior!
⁴⁷ He is the God who avenges me,
   who subdues nations under me,
 ⁴⁸ who saves me from my enemies.
You exalted me above my foes;
   from violent people you rescued me.
⁴⁹ Therefore I will praise you, LORD, among the nations;
   I will sing the praises of your name.

 ⁵⁰ He gives his king great victories;
   he shows unfailing love to his anointed,
   to David and to his descendants forever.

What a great story. David showed great strength and commitment to serve the Lord and he was victorious because of it. David said he kept himself from sin and was rewarded according to his righteousness. How many of us can say we have kept ourselves away from sin? I know for me it's an hourly struggle. It may not be physically doing something wrong, but thoughts.

I pray for my Lord God to come rescue me like he did David. What an entrance! Parting the heavens and flying down mounted on the cherubim. It's like something you would see in the movies. It's all I can hope for to be rescued from my battles. He's the only one I know can save me from these earthy traps. I just pray He continues to train me for what I need to do while I'm here awaiting His return.

Psalm 17 - Day 17

A prayer of David.

¹ Hear me, LORD, my plea is just;
   listen to my cry.
Hear my prayer—
   it does not rise from deceitful lips.
² Let my vindication come from you;
   may your eyes see what is right.

³ Though you probe my heart,
   though you examine me at night and test me,
you will find that I have planned no evil;
   my mouth has not transgressed.
⁴ Though people tried to bribe me,
   I have kept myself from the ways of the violent
   through what your lips have commanded.
⁵ My steps have held to your paths;
   my feet have not stumbled.

⁶ I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;
   turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
⁷ Show me the wonders of your great love,
   you who save by your right hand
   those who take refuge in you from their foes.
⁸ Keep me as the apple of your eye;
   hide me in the shadow of your wings
⁹ from the wicked who are out to destroy me,
   from my mortal enemies who surround me.

¹⁰ They close up their callous hearts,
   and their mouths speak with arrogance.
¹¹ They have tracked me down, they now surround me,
   with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.
¹² They are like a lion hungry for prey,
   like a fierce lion crouching in cover.

¹³ Rise up, LORD, confront them, bring them down;
   with your sword rescue me from the wicked.
¹⁴ By your hand save me from such people, LORD,
   from those of this world whose reward is in this life.
May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies;
   may their children gorge themselves on it,
   may there be leftovers for their little ones.

¹⁵ As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face;
   when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.

Most of these prayers are very similar to each other. Stating how David stays away from the wicked and does not fall into their traps. How he is wanting God to see how he is trying to be righteous. God is there to protect him and keep him from the wicked. To answer him and keep him on the right path.

Verse 14; By your hand save me from such people, LORD, from those of this world whose reward is in the life. Unfortunately, this is true for many. They do whatever they can to be the best here on earth. Have the best car, best house, best girl, best bank account. For me, even though I know my reward isn't here on earth, I still try to provide the best for my son. But that doesn't mean soaking my self fully in the act of striving for the best. We will have our eternal reward with the Lord and there is nothing here on earth that is greater than that.

Psalm 16 - Day 16

A miktam^[a] of David.

¹ Keep me safe, my God,
   for in you I take refuge.

² I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
   apart from you I have no good thing.”
³ I say of the godly who are in the land,
   “They are the noble people
   in whom is all my delight.”
⁴ Those who run after other gods
   will suffer more and more.
I will not pour out their libations of blood
   or take up their names on my lips.

⁵ LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
   you have made my lot secure.
⁶ The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
   surely I have a delightful inheritance.

⁷ I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
   even at night my heart instructs me.
⁸ I keep my eyes always on the LORD.
   With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

⁹ Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
   my body also will rest secure,
¹⁰ because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
   nor will you let your faithful^[b] one see decay.
¹¹ You make known to me the path of life;
   you will fill me with joy in your presence,
   with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Without the Lord, I am no good, I am lost, confused, nothing. He is my everything and I am blessed He has made Himself available to me! WOW!! No other god can compare to what my Lord offers. I've know many people who believe in other gods or things and they are always hungry and searching for more. There seems to be a void in their life. Verse 5; LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The Lord has chosen me! And I have chosen Him! He is my first and only choice. He blesses me during the day so I can rest at night. He has it all figured out, from start to finish in our lives and in the way the world spins.

This makes me want to get up and dance! I'm so happy when I read verses like this because it reminds me of how GREAT our LORD is. What He has to offer us if we just accept Him. No one should miss out! Go tell the world!

Psalm 15 - Day 15

A psalm of David.

¹ LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
   Who may live on your holy mountain?

² Those whose walk is blameless,
   who do what is righteous,
   who speak the truth from their hearts;
³ who have no slander on their tongues,
   who do their neighbors no wrong,
   who cast no slur on others;
⁴ who despise those whose ways are vile
   but honor whoever fears the LORD;
   who keep their oaths even when it hurts;
⁵ who lend money to the poor without interest
   and do not accept bribes against the innocent.

Whoever does these things
   will never be shaken.

This is a great list to live by. Always striving to accomplish these things. I think in order to achieve this, we must always be aware of ourselves. Not just live in each moment and take it for what it's worth, but actually contribute to the moment. Help make it yours by saying you contributed something to it. We are the only ones who can control what we do or say. We have no one else to blame for our actions but our self. These are the eight things I get from this.

1. Walk along the path God has provided for you.
2. Do the right thing.
3. Always tell the truth.
4. Don't hurt others with your words.
5. Be kind to your neighbors and don't blame them.
6. Keep your word, even if it will cost you.
7. Make an honest living.
8. Never take a bribe.

I think if everything lived by this, we would start to shape the world into what God had planned for us all along.

Psalm 14 - Day 14

For the director of music. Of David.

¹ Fools^[a] say in their hearts,
   “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
   there is no one who does good.

² The LORD looks down from heaven
   on the human race
to see if there are any who understand,
   any who seek God.
³ All have turned away, all have become corrupt;
   there is no one who does good,
   not even one.

⁴ Do all these evildoers know nothing?

They devour my people as though eating bread;
   they never call on the LORD.
⁵ But there they are, overwhelmed with dread,
   for God is present in the company of the righteous.
⁶ You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor,
   but the LORD is their refuge.

⁷ Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
   When the LORD restores his people,
   let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

Even if it seems like there is no hope and not even one person who is doing good, God will restore His people. His back won't be turned on us, even though I'm sure he gets more than frustrated waiting on us to get our acts together. I'm glad He promised not to wipe us out and start over again. Other wise I think we'd still be living in the dark ages. We wouldn't have evolved nearly as much as we have. We would always be starting over. We never seem to get it. Always making the same mistakes. I'm just so thankful for His forgiveness where I'm allowed to start over for myself and try to be better and try to learn and understand His ways.

Psalm 13 - Day 13

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

^[a]1 How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever?
   How long will you hide your face from me?
² How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
   and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
   How long will my enemy triumph over me?

³ Look on me and answer, LORD my God.
   Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
⁴ and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
   and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

⁵ But I trust in your unfailing love;
   my heart rejoices in your salvation.
⁶ I will sing the LORD’s praise,
   for he has been good to me.

Oh the story of my life. How I long to be with Jesus and worship Him non-stop for eternity. Sometimes there is so much going on in our lives that we question if it is worth it. I'm not speaking of one thing in particular, but in general.

Verse 1; How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? He will NEVER forget us or hide from us. We are the ones who hide from Him and don't see He is there. This is David's way of crying out for help. For us, this cry may happen when we are in deep valleys and can't see God on the top of the mountain me need to climb. If we allow Him to, He will shine a light in the path we need to take. He will help clear paths for us and be our guide. Would you want to be in the wilderness all alone with no provisions? No map, no food, no tools for a fire? I'm sure after this weekend's "predicted rapture", many people were disappointed. Where were these people planning on going if it actually happened? I know the day can't be predicted and I know where I'm going. I wonder if God was looking down on us just chuckling saying "Oh these poor people. They think they have it all figured out."

Verse 2; How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? I think we put too much stress and pressure on ourselves. I know I do. We carry burdens that maybe we shouldn't carry alone, or at all. We need to give everything up to God. Our burdens, thoughts, ideas, sin, our life! Let Him take care of it all. He handles situations much better than I do or ever could. We must let Him use us as vessels for His plan.


*Disclaimer- I'm extremely sick right now and the OTC medicine I'm on, makes me a little non-coherent and loopy. So sorry if this devotion seems not as well put together, choppy or just plan out there. I'm trying to keep it together but it's hard when I'm seeing everything spinning.

Psalm 12 - Day 12

 For the director of music. According to sheminith.^[a] A psalm of David.

   ^[b]1 Help, LORD, for no one is faithful anymore;
   those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.
² Everyone lies to their neighbor;
   they flatter with their lips
   but harbor deception in their hearts.

 ³ May the LORD silence all flattering lips
   and every boastful tongue—
⁴ those who say,
   “By our tongues we will prevail;
   our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?”

 ⁵ “Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan,
   I will now arise,” says the LORD.
   “I will protect them from those who malign them.”
⁶ And the words of the LORD are flawless,
   like silver purified in a crucible,
   like gold^[c] refined seven times.

 ⁷ You, LORD, will keep the needy safe
   and will protect us forever from the wicked,
⁸ who freely strut about
   while depravity is honored by the human race.

So have all the loyal people died? Is this what David is referring to. It would be hard to imagine not having any loyal people left. But I understand about the neighbors lying and harboring deception in their hearts. I've come across too many people like this. Saying what they think you want to hear and then turning around and being another person. It says the Lord will take care of them and continue to keep up safe and protected. We just have to endure some of the tough times while God is at work for us. He will continue to be by our side, we just have to hold up our end of the deal and stay faithful to Him to do His works.

Psalm 11 - Day 11

 For the director of music. Of David.

 ¹ In the LORD I take refuge. 

   How then can you say to me: 

   “Flee like a bird to your mountain. 

² For look, the wicked bend their bows; 

   they set their arrows against the strings 

to shoot from the shadows 

   at the upright in heart. 

³ When the foundations are being destroyed, 

   what can the righteous do?”

 ⁴ The LORD is in his holy temple; 

   the LORD is on his heavenly throne. 

He observes everyone on earth; 

   his eyes examine them. 

⁵ The LORD examines the righteous, 

   but the wicked, those who love violence, 

   he hates with a passion. 

⁶ On the wicked he will rain 

   fiery coals and burning sulfur; 

   a scorching wind will be their lot.

 ⁷ For the LORD is righteous, 

   he loves justice; 

   the upright will see his face. 

I find comfort and shelter in Him. Verse 4; The Lord is in his holy temple...He isn't found in the mountains. He is in heaven on His throne. Why look for Him in places we know He isn't? Why search and waste time in hope of a false finding? The Lord has never left and never will.

He knows everything that happens here on earth. He sees all. You know that feeling you get when you are somewhere and you feel like someone is staring at you? Or when you know people are watching you act better? This is how we should be all the time. Always acting as if we have an audience examining our every move. 

Psalm 10 - Day 10

 ¹ Why, LORD, do you stand far off?
   Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

 ² In their arrogance the wicked hunt down the weak,
   catching them in the schemes they devise.
³ They boast about the cravings of their hearts;
   they bless the greedy and revile the LORD.
⁴ In their pride the wicked do not seek him;
   in all their thoughts there is no room for God.
⁵ Their ways are always prosperous;
   your laws are rejected by^[b] them;
   they sneer at all their enemies.
⁶ They say to themselves, “Nothing will ever shake us.”
   They swear, “No one will ever do us harm.”

 ⁷ Their mouths are full of lies and threats;
   trouble and evil are under their tongues.
⁸ They lie in wait near the villages;
   from ambush they murder the innocent.
Their eyes watch in secret for their victims;
 ⁹ like a lion in cover they lie in wait.
They lie in wait to catch the helpless;
   they catch the helpless and drag them off in their nets.
¹⁰ The innocent are crushed, they collapse;
   they fall victim to superior strength.
¹¹ The wicked say to themselves, “God will never notice;
   he covers his face and never sees.”

 ¹² Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God.
   Do not forget the helpless.
¹³ Why do the wicked revile God?
   Why do they say to themselves,
   “He won’t call us to account”?
¹⁴ But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted;
   you consider their grief and take it in hand.
The victims commit themselves to you;
   you are the helper of the fatherless.
¹⁵ Break the arms of the wicked and the evildoers;
   call them to account for their wickedness
   that would not otherwise be found out.

 ¹⁶ The LORD is King for ever and ever;
   the nations will perish from his land.
¹⁷ You, LORD, hear the desire of the afflicted;
   you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
¹⁸ defending the fatherless and the oppressed,
   so that mere earthly mortals
   will never again strike terror.

Verse 1; Why, LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? Even David felt like the Lord wasn't there sometimes. Like He abandoned them or was lost from their midst. God is always with us. We are sometimes just too busy dealing with the chaos to see Him there. We just have to remember to seek Him in all situations; both good and bad. Don't just cry out to Him for help when we are low and need Him to pull us up. Also praise Him for the joys in life.

David sure talks about the wicked a lot. I know those were times of sheer confusion amongst the people with what direction they were supposed to go, just like it is now. It seems like David does a lot of crying out to God to rid these people of their earthly existence. I'm sure I would too, but I pray for them to find the path to God. I also think a lot of this is relating to sin, not just people in general. Sin also finds a way to pounce on it's victims and catch the helpless. We just need to pray for strength to get through these times of temptation and dig deeper into God's word to grow closer to Him.

Psalm 9 - Day 9

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Death of the Son.” A psalm of David.

^[b]1 I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart;
   I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
² I will be glad and rejoice in you;
   I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.

³ My enemies turn back;
   they stumble and perish before you.
⁴ For you have upheld my right and my cause,
   sitting enthroned as the righteous judge.
⁵ You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked;
   you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.
⁶ Endless ruin has overtaken my enemies,
   you have uprooted their cities;
   even the memory of them has perished.

⁷ The LORD reigns forever;
   he has established his throne for judgment.
⁸ He rules the world in righteousness
   and judges the peoples with equity.
⁹ The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed,
   a stronghold in times of trouble.
¹⁰ Those who know your name trust in you,
   for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

¹¹ Sing the praises of the LORD, enthroned in Zion;
   proclaim among the nations what he has done.
¹² For he who avenges blood remembers;
   he does not ignore the cries of the afflicted.

¹³ LORD, see how my enemies persecute me!
   Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death,
¹⁴ that I may declare your praises
   in the gates of Daughter Zion,
   and there rejoice in your salvation.

¹⁵ The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug;
   their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.
¹⁶ The LORD is known by his acts of justice;
   the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.^[c]
17 The wicked go down to the realm of the dead,
   all the nations that forget God.
¹⁸ But God will never forget the needy;
   the hope of the afflicted will never perish.

¹⁹ Arise, LORD, do not let mortals triumph;
   let the nations be judged in your presence.
²⁰ Strike them with terror, LORD;
   let the nations know they are only mortals.

I wish I could hear what this is supposed to sound like. It says to the tune of "The Death of the Son". What did that sound like and what instruments were played? They sure made songs a lot different then than we do now. There are no choruses, verses and bridges. It's just sung from the heart like a poem.

I love how this talks about how powerful our Lord is. He has control over everything and nothing slips passed him. He clears out countries who are godless and wipes the names of the wicked. Since we have free will, people can obviously believe what they wish. It breaks my heart to see nations, whom God created, not worship Him. Not turn to Him for guidance and praise. There are those who are not educated about Him and those who purposefully turn from Him. It's like having your own child choose not to love you or even believe you exist. How hurtful.

Verse 20;...let the nations know they are only mortals. I love this. Let them know your presence Lord! Let them know who you are! Doesn't this just get you so fired up?

Psalm 8 - Day 8

For the director of music. According to gittith.^[a] A psalm of David.

^[b]1 LORD, our Lord,
   how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory
   above the heavens.
² Through the praise of children and infants
   you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
   to silence the foe and the avenger.
³ When I consider your heavens,
   the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
   which you have set in place,
⁴ what are mere mortals that you are mindful of them,
   human beings that you care for them?^[c]

⁵ You have made them^[d] a little lower than the heavenly beings^[e]
   and crowned them^[f] with glory and honor.
⁶ You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
   you put everything under their^[g] feet:
⁷ all flocks and herds,
   and the animals of the wild,
⁸ the birds in the sky,
   and the fish in the sea,
   all that swim the paths of the seas.

⁹ LORD, our Lord,
   how majestic is your name in all the earth!

What sweet praise this one is! God has entrusted us to take care of His creations. How special is that? He didn't have to make us after he finished His glorious sky! He placed every star and moon right where He wanted it. Those lights are His! For His pleasure. He made this just because he wanted to. I am more than sure there are masterpieces more spectacular than this that we will never see. Only Him. He has allowed us to discover His delight and care for his earth and things in it.

Verse 2; Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies... Matthew 18: 3-5 describes it best. I love children. Especially my child! I have been entrusted to take care of my little one here. Providing, loving and educating my child in the Lords way. Along the way, I'm also hoping my pea pod will teach me how to go back to square one so I may see heaven through a child's eye.

So many songs have come from this verse. Majestic and How Majestic Is Your Name are probably the most well known. All of His creations praise Him and glorify His name. I praise the Lord and everything in it!

Psalm 7 - Day 7

A shiggaion^[a] of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning Cush, a Benjamite.

^[b]1 LORD my God, I take refuge in you;
   save and deliver me from all who pursue me,
² or they will tear me apart like a lion
   and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.

³ LORD my God, if I have done this
   and there is guilt on my hands—
⁴ if I have repaid my ally with evil
   or without cause have robbed my foe—
⁵ then let my enemy pursue and overtake me;
   let him trample my life to the ground
   and make me sleep in the dust.^[c]

⁶ Arise, LORD, in your anger;
   rise up against the rage of my enemies.
   Awake, my God; decree justice.
⁷ Let the assembled peoples gather around you,
   while you sit enthroned over them on high.
 ⁸ Let the LORD judge the peoples.
Vindicate me, LORD, according to my righteousness,
   according to my integrity, O Most High.
⁹ Bring to an end the violence of the wicked
   and make the righteous secure—
you, the righteous God
   who probes minds and hearts.

¹⁰ My shield^[d] is God Most High,
   who saves the upright in heart.
¹¹ God is a righteous judge,
   a God who displays his wrath every day.
¹² If he does not relent,
   he^[e] will sharpen his sword;
   he will bend and string his bow.
¹³ He has prepared his deadly weapons;
   he makes ready his flaming arrows.

¹⁴ Those who are pregnant with evil
   conceive trouble and give birth to disillusionment.
¹⁵ Those who dig a hole and scoop it out
   fall into the pit they have made.
¹⁶ The trouble they cause recoils on them;
   their violence comes down on their own heads.

¹⁷ I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness;
   I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High.

There we have it. The Lord is the judge who hands out justice and verdicts, not us. Of course we have formed our own system here on earth that we think is fair and treats everyone equal. Although I question some of the verdicts handed out sometimes. It all depends on who your judge is, who is on the jury and whether or not they've had something spicy to eat for the day. And of course being well known might go in your favor.

Sometimes we are treated poorly and feel like we are receiving an unfair trial in life. We do and say what we can, but convincing others is not on our side. No one will listen to the truth. They've already formed an opinion, are too stubborn to listen or they just can't comprehend what's going on. There is one who knows the truth though and will always be on your side. The Lord! Verses 3-5 talk about if what they are accusing him of is true, then let the people have him. He is more than willing to be punished for the sin they are accusing him of, IF he was guilty! It takes a sound person to realize this though. Some people don't know what they are doing is wrong and therefore can't come to terms with this reality. These are the people we consider stubborn/frustrating for not seeing their ways and actions. They aren't held accountable. Is it a handicap they have or just a lack of knowing?

Verse 8; ...Vindicate me, LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High. Did you really read that? He is confident in the Lord's verdict. He trusts the Lord fully and willingly. Verses 10-13 talk about how the Lord is his shield, our shield, my shield. He will stand up for us and fight off the wicked. He is ready to defend us and will not let anything get by Him.

Growing up I remembered hearing, if people dig their own holes, let them fall in. Don't let them drag you in with them. Yes, it sounds like a great plan, but I'm a fixer. I want to help people put the shovel down, figure out how far they've dug and hand them a rope to climb up out of their hole. Verse 15-16; Those who dig a hole and scoop it out fall into the pit they have made. The trouble they cause recoils on them; their violence comes down on their own heads. Man, this is hard. I want to help but I tend to get burned for this as well. Some times we just need to step back and let God work. Give it up to Him because He is the one who can save us. Rescue us from our own canyons. Verse 17; I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High. He will make things right.

Psalm 6 - Day 6

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. According to sheminith.^[a] A psalm of David.

^[b]1 LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger
   or discipline me in your wrath.
² Have mercy on me, LORD, for I am faint;
   heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony.
³ My soul is in deep anguish.
   How long, LORD, how long?

⁴ Turn, LORD, and deliver me;
   save me because of your unfailing love.
⁵ Among the dead no one proclaims your name.
   Who praises you from the grave?

⁶ I am worn out from my groaning.

All night long I flood my bed with weeping
   and drench my couch with tears.
⁷ My eyes grow weak with sorrow;
   they fail because of all my foes.

⁸ Away from me, all you who do evil,
   for the LORD has heard my weeping.
⁹ The LORD has heard my cry for mercy;
   the LORD accepts my prayer.
¹⁰ All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish;
   they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.

This makes me think David is crying out in pain for just being here on earth. He is begging God to get him out of this place and away from all this misery. Verses 4-5; Turn, LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love...Who praises you from the grave? Sometimes it does feel like we are withering away here just waiting for the day to be with the Lord. Waiting for the Lord to hear our cries of pain and suffering. Those cries might not be to get us away from earth, but for other things as well.

Doesn't it make you think sometimes all the stuff we do here on earth is minute anyway? It's not going to matter in the long run what school we decide to go to, what car we buy or what's for dinner. But in the mean time, while we wait for that glorious day, we have to do the best we can to serve Him here on earth.

I'm sure David was going through a real rough time when he wrote this. I would have ran out of tears after my pillow was wet let alone my whole bed. You can really feel his pain and anguish in this prayer. I wonder what kind of person he was like to be around during this? Were his friends scared for him? Wondering what was wrong? Did they try to reach out to him? Or did they join in prayer with him?

Do we have people in our lives who are crying out for help? How can we comfort them and help them feel God's presence and joy? Let's be challenged to have open eyes and see through the mask most people wear.

Psalm 5 - Day 5



For the director of music. For pipes. A psalm of David.

1 Listen to my words, LORD, 
   

consider my lament. 


2 Hear my cry for help, 
   

my King and my God, 
   

3 In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; 
   

in the morning I lay my requests before you 
   

and wait expectantly. 


4 For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness; 
   

with you, evil people are not welcome. 


5 The arrogant cannot stand 
   

in your presence. 
You hate all who do wrong; 
 

6 you destroy those who tell lies. 
The bloodthirsty and deceitful 
   

you, LORD, detest. 


7 But I, by your great love, 
   

can come into your house; 
in reverence I bow down 
   

toward your holy temple.

8 Lead me, LORD, in your righteousness 
   

because of my enemies— 
   

make your way straight before me.

 
9 Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; 
   

their heart is filled with malice. 
Their throat is an open grave; 
   

with their tongues they tell lies. 


10 Declare them guilty, O God! 
   

Let their intrigues be their downfall. 
Banish them for their many sins, 
   

for they have rebelled against you. 


11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad; 
   

let them ever sing for joy. 
Spread your protection over them, 
   

that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

12 Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; 
   

you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

for to you I pray.

THE MESSAGE

^1-3 Listen, God! 

Please, 

pay attention! 

Can you make sense of these ramblings, 

my groans and cries? King-God, 

I need your help.
   Every morning
      you'll hear me at it again.
   Every morning
      I lay out the pieces of my life
      on your altar
      and watch for fire to descend.

 ^4-6 You don't socialize with Wicked,
      or invite Evil over as your houseguest.
   Hot-Air-Boaster collapses in front of you;
      you shake your head over Mischief-Maker.
   God destroys Lie-Speaker;
      Blood-Thirsty and Truth-Bender disgust you.

 ^7-8 And here I am, your invited guest—
      it's incredible!
   I enter your house; here I am,
      prostrate in your inner sanctum,
   Waiting for directions
      to get me safely through enemy lines.

 ^9-10 Every word they speak is a land mine;
      their lungs breathe out poison gas.
   Their throats are gaping graves,
      their tongues slick as mudslides.
   Pile on the guilt, God!
      Let their so-called wisdom wreck them.
   Kick them out! They've had their chance.

 ^11-12 But you'll welcome us with open arms
      when we run for cover to you.
   Let the party last all night!
      Stand guard over our celebration.
   You are famous, God, for welcoming God-seekers,
      for decking us out in delight.

I should probably mention all the verses I've been reading are NIV. But for this one, I needed some extra help interpreting the meanings. I turned to The Message version. The Message tends to take things to the next level as far as wording goes. It pulls thoughts and meaning out of places you might not have come to before.

I am so blessed that God accepts ME! 

Verse 7 - Message; And here I am, your invited guest- it's incredible!

Even though I sin and do things that do not make Him happy at times, I'm welcomed into His house because I am His! I have been forgiven of my sins and He truly does want me in His house.  That also doesn't mean that just because I'm forgiven, I get a free pass card to sin as much as I want and then turn around and say, "I'm sorry, please forgive me again." That's not what His forgiveness is about. He is not a stepping stone to manipulate.

Verse 12 - Message; You are famous God, for welcoming God-seekers, for decking us out in delight. God is famous! Have you ever thought of that? What do we consider famous here on earth? Wikipedia says to be famous is to be a celebrity and a celebrity is a person who has a prominent profile in the media and is easily recognized. Man, it doesn't take much for people to become famous now days though. Reality TV, dating someone, or even making wrong choices can make someone famous. And then we have young children looking up to these people as role models. How do we turn their attention to God? What do we need to do to help them want God to be their role model?

The verses that speak of the wicked and what they are like and what they do is hard for me to respond to. I know people like this but once again, I'm not here to judge/condemn them. All I can do is pray for them to find God's way so they can enjoy and worship The Great I AM! God is ready to forgive them of theirs sins too if they come to know Him and accept Him into their lives. This is just the first step though. They need to long to be more like Him and follow His ways. Can you image what this world would be like if everyone followed Christ? It would be heaven!