Devotional Thoughts

Psalm 135:13   "Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations." This morning's devotion is a very simple one; yet, one that bears importance in our lives today. The principle of today's devotion is repeated throughout the Word of God. (Malachi 3:6)    "For I am the LORD, I change not" (Hebrews 13:8)    "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."  These are only two of the passages that declare God does not and never will change. The God of Whom we read in the Bible from thousands of years ago, is the very same today as when He created this universe.  He is the same as when He opened the way for the children of Israel to go through the Red Sea.  As He provided for the people of Israel, He still provides for us today.  As He defeated the giants of the land and the giant against whom David went, God will help us defeat the giants that rise up against us today. We all have giants that are

Psalm 135:1-3    "Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD.  (2)  Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God,  (3)  Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant." Would you agree with me that faith is one of the greatest among the gifts that accompany our salvation. We are told in Ephesians chapter 2, that faith is the gift of God. It is not something that we naturally have within ourselves. We know that, for in 2 Thessalonians chapter 3, we are told that "all men have not faith."  Faith in God, who we have never seen, is not something that our natural mind can have, much less exercise.  But when the Holy Spirit comes into our hearts and fills our minds, we are given the ability to believe that God is indeed the only true and living God. We have faith to believe that this universe was created simply because of His sovereign power to speak the

Psalm 134:3    "The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion." How big is your God?  Do I have your attention now?  Have you ever given thought to the greatness of our God?  I know we learned the little prayer from childhood, "God is great. God is good."  But do we understand how great is our God and how vast is His goodness?  I'll be honest with you, I really do not know the degree of greatness or goodness that is extended from our Heavenly Father.  You might ask why would I say such a thing?  The answer is simple, I've never even been to the edge of the universe and our God is even greater than that.  He is so large that He inhabits all the universe and beyond and yet, He is so great that He makes His abode within our hearts. One thing that I do know is that my God "made heaven and earth."  And He declared it to be good at the moment of creation. That means it didn't have to get better in order for us to enjoy it today. It did

Psalm 133:1-3     "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity  (2)  It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;  (3)  As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore." Dwell together in unity!  We see an exclamation point at the end of this sentence. That particular punctuation is not used often in the Word of God.  Every word in the Bible is important; yet, it seems there are some things that God places the exclamation or points us to the power of intent of these words.  God says it is good and it is pleasant when His people are able to have unity.  That tells me that all disunity among God's people is not of God. That's pretty simple, isn't it? He then gives two examples of comparison to unity. First, it is like the "oin

Psalm 132:13-14    "For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.  (14)  This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it." Recently, we saw David saying he would not rest until he found "a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob." (Psalm 132:5)  We compared that place of habitation as being in our hearts. We are the temple of the Lord and are to live and worship in such a manner as to exalt His place in our lives.  In today's verse, we see God declaring where His habitation, or place of living, will be.  We often see Zion mentioned in the Old Testament.  Literally, Zion is a mountain around Jerusalem. Figuratively, Zion is that place in our hearts where we lift up the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  I have often referred to Zion as being the Church; but, what or who is the Church?  Is it not you and me and all the blood bought, Spirit born children of God? In today's verse, the Lord

Psalm 132:4-5    "I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids,  (5)  Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob." David wanted very much to be able to build the temple for God.  He wanted to do something to honor the Lord Who had delivered him so many times. God would not allow it. God told David that he was a man of battle and blood and could not build the temple.  It seems that the intention was that the temple was not in any way attributed to David's cunning and skill.  David, you cannot build the temple.  And David's response? "I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob." Please notice this wording. David was not saying that he was determined to go ahead and build the temple in spite of God's refusal. David was determined to do whatever he could to make sure the temple was built and an appropri

Psalm 131:1-3     "LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.  (2)  Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.  (3)  Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever." I include the entire Psalm this morning because it seems to convey one thought in all three verses.  As I read these verses, it seems that David has just experienced a great victory in his life. It is not revealed to us as to what kind of victory, but it must have been one that was very special to him.  Take a moment to think back on your life. It may have been something in your past, or it could be something that you are experiencing at the moment.  It may be something you are anticipating in the future. But think about a time when you experienced victory in your life. Something happened that caused you to feel that you were on top of the world

Psalm 130:3-4    "If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?  (4)  But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared." Sometimes, it is much easier to see the wrong in others than it is to see it in ourselves.  I can much more easily spot the errors of others than I can look at myself and see the wrong. But when I stop to look in the mirror, I realize how imperfect I am. And then today's verse tells me that the Lord looks even deeper than I see myself.  "If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?"  If the Lord tallied all my sins and held them against me, I would not have the strength or intestinal fortitude to dare try to stand and be the judge of the hearts of another.  Let me take a side note here to say that the Word of God is the standard by which we know what is right and what is wrong. But I cannot judge anyone else's heart. God does. And if He marked my iniquities against me, I could not st

Psalm 128:1-2     "Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.  (2)  For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee." I am amazed as I think of how the Word of God builds upon itself. I mentioned last week that since the 119th Psalm, we have been building in degrees upon the blessed truth of God's Word.  Back in the 126th Psalm, we were told to be diligent in sowing seeds in our lives even when it seems like a dream. You can reread that chapter to see how it is worded.  When you sow seed in your garden, there are no immediate results, but with God's blessings there is a harvest.  Be assured of that.  When you sow in faith, trusting the Lord to bless, there will be a harvest. When that harvest comes, there is joy unspeakable. It is at that time you realize, it was not a dream and great happiness comes upon you. At that time, you know everything is okay and the blessings  of God rains down upon

Psalm 127:1    "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." We all make plans for our lives. That's the natural progression for everyone. Some may make plans for the day, for the week, for the month. Some make plans for their educational chapter of life. Some make lifetime plans. There is nothing wrong with planning, in fact it is the proper thing to do.  But today's verse tells us that our plans must include the Lord God. He must be the central figure in our lives. Why would I say that? Look at the first words of today's verse.  "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it."  All our plans and dreams and hopes will not work unless the Lord is in them. Jesus spoke of building our house (our lives) upon the rock.  The storms that come upon us in life will sweep us away if that Rock (Jesus Christ) is not the foundation for our lives. We can do

Psalm 126:6    "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves  with him. " This Psalm has been speaking of dreaming and anticipating, then seeing the Lord bringing to realization the end result. True joy comes as a result of knowing the Lord has brought those results to pass. Even when it seems like a dream, we are called to continue sowing seed, or doing what the Lord has called us to do. Even when it may seem no progress is being made, we are to be faithful to the call that is upon us. The promise of today's passage is that if we remain faithful, God will show His strength and power in our lives. We will know it is His grace and mercy and we are to direct all glory to Him. Paul wrote it in this manner, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." (Galatians 6:9) Be faithful to the work which you have been called. 

Psalm 126:1-2     "When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.  (2)  Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them." As we continue in the Psalms, we are still gaining degrees of freedom in our walk with the Lord.  Have you ever dreamed and didn't want to wake up? Have you ever experienced something that caused you to feel like you were dreaming; yet, you know it's true. You feel like you need someone to pinch you to make sure you are awake, but then you don't want them to pinch you because you are afraid you really are dreaming. This Psalm speaks of that type of joy in our hearts.  For us older ones, it's a joy that allows you to look at life differently. Sometimes it causes you to act like a teenager again.  You laugh and sing. God puts a song in your heart that maybe was missing. People can look at you and know "God has

Psalm 125:1-2    "They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.  (2)  As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever." We are still building on the 119th Psalm concerning the Word of God and its importance in our lives. We are told in Romans 10:17, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."  The Word of God teaches us the manner in which God has dealt with His people throughout the ages. As we study and meditate upon those things, our faith is bolstered to know our God is able to do all things.  He parted the Red Sea for the children of Israel. He makes the way for us as we travel this path called life. He provided water from a rock and bread from heaven. He can provide every need we will ever have.  He caused the sun to stand still in order for the children of Israel to fight the battle in daylight. He sheds light upon our si

Psalm 123:1    "Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens." Psalm 124:1    "If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say..." Since we finished Psalm 119, we have been looking at "Psalms of degrees".  It seems we are building on what we learned about the importance of God's Word. In looking at these Psalms, we have been taking the words that were written and building a relationship with God based upon them.  Aren't you thankful that God's wisdom moved men of old to pen Heavenly Words that can be read, understood, and received as being the absolute truth of God?  They are words from God's heart sent directly to our hearts.  The Word of God instructs us to place our eyes on Him and take them off situations, circumstances, struggles, pain, and suffering.   Today, He takes us from lifting up our eyes unto the hills from whence comes our help to the place of lifting our eyes unto the Lord.  It i

Psalm 122:6-9    "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.  (7)  Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.  (8)  For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.  (9)  Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good." There is a simple acronym using the letters of joy that carries a great meaning.  J-O-Y  Jesus, first. Others, second, Yourself last.  Life becomes of sweeter meaning if we follow that simple guideline. Again, I'm not writing this as one who has mastered the subject; therefore, you can know I'm writing to myself as being in most need of this reminder. The Psalmist instructs us to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem."  The first verse spoke of his gladness for going into the House of the Lord.  Now he speaks of the city of Jerusalem. My question would be, Has David changed subjects?  The answer, in my understanding, is no he has not changed subjects. When

Psalm 122:1   "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD." What makes you glad in this life?  I think we could all make a list of things that make us happy and people who make us happy and glad to be in their presence.  It's a wonderful thing to have enjoyment in our days.  In fact, it's very draining on us when there is no joy. Without joy, we become dry and unfruitful in all our ways.  In the days of Nehemiah after the people had completed the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem, they gathered together to worship and rejoice in the Lord.  As the law was read before them, the people began to weep. Nehemiah stood and reminded them, "the joy of the LORD is your strength." This brings us to our Psalm verse this morning. "I was glad."  What made you glad, David?  I was "glad when they said...."  So you were in the company of people with whom you had something in common?  Yes!  They made me glad by saying s

Psalm 121:2    "My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth."  I realize I used this verse recently as well as again today. There is a reason to look at this verse as it stands on its own merit.  What a beautiful statement to be able to declare with absolute confidence. "My help cometh from the LORD."  In that statement there is a confession of my own inability to help myself. No matter how much I may want to take credit for good things happening in my life, the complete truth is "My help cometh from the LORD."  I firmly believe that God is always working either very openly in our lives, or behind the scene in orchestrating events, circumstances, and bringing great joy to us.  I am persuaded of this great truth. I have seen it firsthand. I'm sure you have also, but this one I know for a fact "that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."  Can you say that with

Psalm 121:1-2    "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.  (2)  My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth." For me, this is the sister Psalm to the 23rd Psalm.  "The Lord is my shepherd."  Where did the shepherd normally situate himself in order to watch over the entire flock of sheep? It seems logical to me that the shepherd would find a hill where he could see all of his sheep and also beyond the flock in order to observe any danger approaching the flock. David spoke of killing the bear and the lion as he pleaded his case to King Saul for going against the giant.  If he had not been able to see the enemy as they approached the flock, he would not have been able to properly defend the lambs. As he would relocate the flock from pasture to pasture, there is no doubt the location for himself would also be a priority. He had to be able to see the entire flock.  The 23rd Psalm is from the shepherd's perspective of prior

Psalm 119:156    "Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments." Back in Psalm 104:1, we saw the statement, "Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great." Today we read ""Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD."  The writer of Lamentations tells us, "This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.  (22)  It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  (23)  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."  (Lamentations 3:21-23)  We sometimes can lose hope and only see the dark side of life when we lose sight of the greatness of our God. His mercies are new every morning. His mercies are great every morning. God is great every morning. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. That "morning" can be a literal dawning of a new day or that "morning" can be the dawning of a new stage of our lives.  If you