Daily Devotional Podcasts

457_God guides the godly Psalm 25:1-15 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. 2 O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. 3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. 4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. 5 Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. 6 Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. 7 Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord! 8 Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. 10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. 11 For your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great. 12 Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. 13 His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land. 14 The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. 15 My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net. Have you ever tried navigating a dense forest without a map, compass, or guide? A group of hikers tried it once in the Appalachian Mountains. Confident in their GPS and a general sense of direction, they ignored the marked trail. A few hours in, their signal dropped. Every direction looked the same. It became dark. Panic set in. A fun weekend adventure became a desperate search for the way home. The turning point came when they decided to stay put, keep warm, and wait for help. Rangers found them the next morning, exhausted and humbled, but safe. They were easy to find because of their posture - of stillness, dependence, and expectation. In many ways, Psalm 25 is the cry of a soul that has decided to stop wandering and wait for divine help. David is not charging ahead in self-confidence. Instead, he pauses to think and to wait. He calls for guidance to the only one who knows the way. This psalm is an acrostic, each verse beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. While this is perhaps a poetic technique to aid memorization, it also captures the A-to-Z of what it means to be guided by God. The psalm opens in a cry: “To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust.” This is all we can say once we learn that the only safety is in God. David declares his trust in God, as

458_A life marked by a living faith Psalm 26 Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. 2 Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind. 3 For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness. 4 I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites. 5 I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked. 6 I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O Lord, 7 proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds. 8 O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells. 9 Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, 10 in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes. 11 But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me. 12 My foot stands on level ground; in the great assembly I will bless the Lord. A few years ago, a well-known sculptor was asked how he carved such a lifelike image of a lion from a block of marble. He smiled and replied, “I just remove everything that doesn't look like a lion.” It was such a simple but revealing answer to what seemed a complex task. He could already see the shape of the lion in the marble. The real art was in taking away anything that didn’t belong. As God’s people, God does not want us to wear a mask of virtue or perform or become something that is alien to us. Rather, he wants to shape us, removing all that does not look like Christ in us. Such a life is one of integrity, marked by constant surrender. A life marked by living faith is one that says, “Search me, O God… see if there is any wicked way in me.” Thus, Psalm 26 offers a window into David’s heart. Not just the man who slew Goliath or ruled Israel, but a man who walked with God constantly and in secret. A man who longed for his life, both inside and out, to reflect faith in a living, holy God. The psalm begins “Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.” David’s confidence here is not in his perfection of morals or life. All he has to boast of is that his heart is perfect towards God. He has never desired any other God. He has never wanted anything of life that God is not pleased to give him. His trust in God has been consistent and sincere. Most of us shrink at the thought of being fully known—our thoughts, motives, secret desires exposed before God. But not David, who says in verse 2: “Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind.” All he longs for is the approval of God on

459_My heart shall not fear Psalm 27 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? 2 When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. 3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. 4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. 5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. 6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord. 7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! 8 You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” 9 Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! 10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in. 11 Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. 12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. 13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! 14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! Charles Spurgeon once told the story of a boy groping his way through a forest late at night. In the pitch darkness, every crack of twigs underfoot, every rustle in the bushes, made his heart leap. But suddenly, he heard a familiar voice — the voice of his father calling him from a nearby house. In that moment, fear fled. The forest remained the same, but having someone he trusted nearby brought peace instead of fear. This is the power of presence. Psalm 27 is David’s praise-filled description of his barrier to fear. It was not by pretending strength. It was the anchor of God’s unshakable presence. Like so many of his psalms, this too may have emerged from a season of trouble. Despite enemies, battles, and betrayals, this is not a psalm of despair, but of confidence and triumph. It begins boldly: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” Darkness is often terrifying. Danger seems imminent when we can’t see what is around us. But for

460_Our real strength Psalm 28 To you, O Lord, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me, lest, if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit. 2 Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary. 3 Do not drag me off with the wicked, with the workers of evil, who speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts. 4 Give to them according to their work and according to the evil of their deeds; give to them according to the work of their hands; render them their due reward. 5 Because they do not regard the works of the Lord or the work of his hands, he will tear them down and build them up no more. 6 Blessed be the Lord! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. 7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. 8 The Lord is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed. 9 Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever. During World War II, a small town in France was under constant threat of bombing. Among the many terrified citizens was an old woman who calmly went about her daily routines — sweeping her front porch, humming old hymns, and offering help to anyone in need. One day, a group of soldiers passing by asked her, “Aren’t you afraid, madam? How are you so calm when everyone else is in panic?” She looked at them kindly and said, “I made peace with God a long time ago. I sleep each night knowing He is my strength and shield. I cannot stop the bombs, but I know who holds the skies.” That quiet confidence—anchored not in circumstance but in Someone greater—is at the heart of Psalm 28. In this deeply personal psalm, David reminds us where our real strength lies. It is not in armies, strategies, or sheer willpower. It is in God Himself—our rock, our shield, our refuge. The psalm opens with a passionate plea from David, a cry that reveals not only his desperation but also his dependency. He says in verse 2: “Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.” These are not casual prayers. They are the groans of a heart in a time of calamity, a heart that knows only God can save. David knows what it means to be surrounded by enemies, misunderstood by people, and threatened by betrayal. But he also knows that the One who dwells in the holy sanctuary is listening. In the following verses, David pleads not to be counted among the wicked. For their condition is dangerous—not just outwardly, but inwardly. The duplicity of the wicked—their

461_The awesome power of God Psalm 29 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness. 3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over many waters. 4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. 5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox. 7 The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire. 8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare, and in his temple all cry, “Glory!” 10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever. 11 May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace! In August of 2015, a tremendous lightning storm struck the Grand Canyon. A photographer, who had waited for years to capture such a moment, finally clicked a once-in-a-lifetime shot: a single bolt of lightning arcing across the dark sky, illuminating the vast canyon with an otherworldly glow. The image went viral—not just because of its visual brilliance, but because it captured something deeper. That moment of thunder and lightning brought people to a standstill. It was as if nature itself was trembling before a presence greater than any man could explain. What we felt when looking at that photo was awe. Not fear alone, not admiration alone, but a deep, trembling recognition of a power that we could not control or contain. This is the power that Psalm 29 invites us to ponder—not in nature alone, but in the voice and majesty of God Himself. Psalm 29 is a poetic display of the awesome power of God. The psalmist, King David, begins by calling on “heavenly beings”—perhaps angelic hosts or even earthly rulers—to give God the glory and strength that is due to Him. This is not a casual invitation; it’s a summons to worship. And not just any kind of worship, but the kind that recognizes the weight of His holiness. David says, “Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” In our culture, beauty and holiness rarely walk hand-in-hand. We associate beauty with glamour, with youth, with external perfection. Holiness, on the other hand, is often seen as outdated, stiff, or inaccessible. But the psalmist insists: there is a surpassing beauty in holiness—a radiant, awe-inspiring purity that draws us near even as it humbles us. True holiness isn’t self-made; it is a garment given by God Himself—the imputed righteousness of Christ, without which none of us could stand in God’s presence. As the psalm continues, a single phrase echoes seven times like a thunderclap: “The voice of the Lord.” Each repetition draws our attention to the sheer authority

462_The Lord who changes our fortunes Psalm 30 I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me. 2 O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. 3 O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit. 4 Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. 5 For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. 6 As for me, I said in my prosperity, “I shall never be moved.” 7 By your favor, O Lord, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face; I was dismayed. 8 To you, O Lord, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy: 9 “What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? 10 Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me! O Lord, be my helper!” 11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, 12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever! One of the most moving stories to come out of the Rwandan genocide is that of a woman named Immaculée. She was a young university student when the horrific civil war erupted in 1994. For 91 days - three months - she hid in a tiny bathroom with seven other women, while death and chaos raged around them. Most of her family died. After the genocide, she emerged not with a heart full of bitterness, but with a spirit of forgiveness and gratitude. In her book Left to Tell, she describes the sustaining and transforming presence of God in that cramped bathroom. When she was afraid, she trusted him. And He changed her weeping into worship. She walked out of the darkness of that place into the light of a changed life. Her story is one of many that echoes the powerful truth found in Psalm 30 — that we serve a God who changes our fortunes. Psalm 30 opens with David's passionate praise: “I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me.” The title of the psalm suggests that it was written for the dedication of the temple or David’s house. But the content speaks of pain, fear, even death, and miraculous recovery. David is not celebrating a new building, but a new lease on life. He exalts God who answers prayer, who delivered him from the brink of death and vindicated him before his enemies. David’s affliction remains a secret. It may have been a severe illness, a battle wound, or an emotional breakdown. It brought him to the edge

463_Our times are in His hands Psalm 31 In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! 2 Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me! 3 For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me; 4 you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. 5 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God. 14 But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” 15 My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors! 16 Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love! 21 Blessed be the Lord, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city. 22 I had said in my alarm, “I am cut off from your sight.” But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to you for help. 23 Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. 24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord! There are moments in life when the weight of circumstances threatens to crush our spirit—when pain, confusion, or uncertainty press so heavily that we wonder if God has forgotten us. Perhaps you’ve been there. Perhaps you’re there now. In times like these, Psalm 31 becomes more than just ancient poetry; it becomes a lifeline. Early in the 16th century, a German monk named Martin Luther—tormented by a deep awareness of his own sinfulness—began teaching through the Psalms, verse by verse, at the University of Wittenberg. One day, he came to Psalm 31:1, and he was perplexed. “In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me!” Luther could not comprehend how God's righteousness could deliver anyone. Wasn’t God’s righteousness the very thing that condemned sinners like him? That inner struggle continued until one night in the monastery tower. As he wrestled with this psalm and read Romans 1:17—“For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed”—light finally broke into his soul. He realized that the righteousness spoken of in the gospel was not just God’s justice to punish, but God’s gracious gift of righteousness to those who put their faith in Jesus. It wasn’t something earned, but something received by faith. Luther later said that when he understood this, it was as though he had passed through open gates into paradise. That moment of clarity became the spark that ignited the Reformation. It began, as all true reformations do, in the heart. Psalm 31, then, is not just a prayer; it is a place where people struggling with fear, failure, or faithlessness can find their footing again.

464_Blessings of the forgiven Psalm 32 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah 5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah 6 Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. 7 You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. 9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. 10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. 11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! Years ago, in a small town, there lived a well-respected schoolteacher named Mr. Samuel. One morning, he walked into his classroom and found that someone had vandalized his carefully arranged lesson board with crude drawings and insults. It shook him deeply—not just because of the mess, but because the culprit had to be one of his own students. Without yelling or accusing, he calmly addressed the class: “Whoever did this, I want you to know something. I’m more interested in restoring trust than in punishing wrongdoing. If you come to me quietly and tell me the truth, there will be no punishment—only forgiveness.” The day passed in silence. The next morning, a shy boy named Peter knocked on Mr. Samuel’s door with tears in his eyes. “It was me,” he whispered, “I don’t know why I did it, but I did. I’m sorry.” Mr. Samuel didn’t scold him. He placed his hand gently on Peter’s shoulder and said, “Thank you for telling me. You’re forgiven. Let’s start fresh.” That moment changed Peter’s life. The weight he had carried was lifted, and the bond between student and teacher grew stronger. He became one of the most disciplined and thoughtful students in school—not because he feared punishment, but because he had tasted the healing power of forgiveness. This simple but powerful story echoes the deeper spiritual truth David explores in Psalm 32—a psalm that celebrates the profound relief and joy that comes when we come clean before God and receive His forgiveness. David, once burdened by the crushing guilt of unconfessed sin, now bursts with joy as he contemplates the blessing of being

465_Rejoice in the Lord at all times Psalm 33:1-12 Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. 2 Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! 3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. 4 For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. 5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord. 6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! 9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. 10 The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. 11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations. 12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage! Several years ago, a well-known Christian musician was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. At the height of her career, with awards, albums, and a loving family, it would have made sense if despair had taken hold. But what struck everyone around her was the consistent joy in her voice—not just on stage, but in her hospital room, in her journal entries, and in every interview she gave. When asked how she could be so joyful in the midst of suffering, she replied, “Joy isn’t tied to what’s happening to me. It’s tied to the One who holds me.” This is the heart of Psalm 33. It’s not a psalm attributed to any particular author, but its message is unmistakably clear: God’s people are called to rejoice—not just occasionally or when everything is going well, but at all times. The opening lines are not a gentle suggestion; they are a call to action: “Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.” To rejoice in the Lord is not merely a response to favorable circumstances—it is the posture of the faithful heart. The psalmist makes it clear that praise is fitting for the upright. In other words, it is the most natural and proper thing for someone who knows the Lord. This joy is not rooted in the temporary comforts of life, but in the eternal character of God. Charles Spurgeon once wisely said, “To rejoice in temporal comforts is dangerous, to rejoice in self is foolish, to rejoice in sin is fatal, but to rejoice in God is heavenly.” True joy—unchanging and resilient—flows from a relationship with the living God. In the New Testament, Paul echoes this idea repeatedly, saying in Philippians, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice.” This is not a

466_The life that God blesses Psalm 34:1-10 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! 4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! 9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. A few years ago, a young missionary couple set out to serve in a remote village in Southeast Asia. They had left behind a comfortable life, a stable income, and all the modern conveniences they had known. The road ahead was uncertain. Just a few weeks into their mission, disease struck. One of their children fell critically ill. There was no hospital for miles. The village doctor could offer little help. Desperate, sleepless, and heartsick, they fell on their knees and cried out to God. Miraculously, by morning, the child began to recover. Later, the village elder—once resistant to their message—said, “We saw your God answer your cry. He must be real.” That moment opened a door for the gospel. It’s one thing to talk about trusting God when life is smooth, but it's another to taste His goodness in the middle of fear, loss, or desperation. And that’s the theme of Psalm 34—a psalm not written from a throne, but from a cave. Not during a celebration, but after a narrow escape. Psalm 34 is a contextual psalm—rooted in a very specific and deeply vulnerable moment in David’s life. We read in 1 Samuel 21 that David, fleeing from King Saul, sought refuge in an unlikely place: the territory of the Philistines, Israel’s enemies. He came to Achish, the king of Gath—the very city where Goliath, whom David had slain, once lived. It was a desperate move. But the plan quickly unraveled when Achish’s servants recognized him and remembered the song sung by the women of Israel: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” To the people of Gath, David wasn’t a refugee. He was a marked man—the slayer of their champion. Suddenly, he was caught in a trap with no way out. What does a man after God's heart do when all human wisdom fails, when enemies surround him and escape is impossible? David did not rely on his military skill or clever diplomacy. Instead, he feigned madness—scratching at doors, letting saliva run down his beard—just to escape death. It was humiliating, but it

467_Exulting in His salvation Psalm 35:1-9 Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me! 2 Take hold of shield and buckler and rise for my help! 3 Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers! Say to my soul, “I am your salvation!” 4 Let them be put to shame and dishonor who seek after my life! Let them be turned back and disappointed who devise evil against me! 5 Let them be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them away! 6 Let their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them! 7 For without cause they hid their net for me; without cause they dug a pit for my life. 8 Let destruction come upon him when he does not know it! And let the net that he hid ensnare him; let him fall into it—to his destruction! 9 Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord, exulting in his salvation. A few years ago, a Christian missionary in a hostile region was falsely accused and arrested for crimes he never committed. His enemies opposed his quiet yet steady witness for Christ. As he sat alone in his prison cell, he had every reason to feel abandoned and defeated. But instead of letting bitterness take root, he began to sing hymns and pray for those who had wronged him. A guard once asked him, “Why are you singing? You’re losing everything.” The missionary quietly replied, “I may have lost my freedom, but I still have my salvation. That’s worth singing about.” This captures the heart of Psalm 35. David, too, found himself maligned and hunted without cause. This imprecatory psalm is one of a category in which the psalmist calls on God to judge and defeat his enemies. We may feel uncomfortable with the strong language used in these prayers. Yet it arises from a place of deep dependence on God for justice, deliverance, and vindication. Psalm 35 opens with a desperate plea. “Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.” David does not even attempt to fight back as he is attacked. He does not appraise his own power to retaliate. In the face of hostility, David doesn’t draw his own sword; he lifts his voice in prayer. He knew that the power was with God, the righteous judge and avenger. As soon as he was attacked, his automatic response was to call on God to come to his rescue and fight for him. David called on God in his integrity. Though he had plenty of enemies, he had not provoked them. This is clearly seen in his relationship with Saul, for whom he fought successfully and unhesitatingly against the Philistines. Yet Saul turned against him, hunting him through Israel. David was twice in situations where he could easily have destroyed Saul without fear. Yet he absolutely refused, leaving his destiny with God. In 1 Samuel 24:15, he appeals: “May the Lord therefore be judge and give sentence between me and

468_Delighting in God Psalm 36 Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes. 2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated. 3 The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit; he has ceased to act wisely and do good. 4 He plots trouble while on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not reject evil. 5 Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. 6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O Lord. 7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. 8 They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. 9 For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. 10 Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your righteousness to the upright of heart! 11 Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away. 12 There the evildoers lie fallen; they are thrust down, unable to rise. A few years ago, a man named Brother Lawrence, a simple lay monk in a 17th-century French monastery, became widely known—not for preaching sermons or writing books, but for how he washed dishes. In his small kitchen, cleaning his dishes, Brother Lawrence “practiced the presence of God.” He said, “We can do little things for God. I turn the cake that is frying on the pan for love of Him… It is enough for me to pick up but a straw from the ground for the love of God.” His heart delighted in God in the most ordinary routines of life - his joy was not reserved for the sanctuary or the psalms. Rather, it flowed into every act of his day. Psalm 36 celebrates this deep, personal delight in who God is. David, the sweet psalmist of Israel, introduces himself in this psalm with a rare and special title: “The servant of the Lord.” Only one other—Psalm 18—bears that heading. Though he was a mighty king, a fearless warrior, and a celebrated poet, David was first and foremost a servant of the Most High God. And Psalm 36 flows from that humility. David begins by contrasting two heart conditions—the heart of the wicked and the heart of the righteous. He sketches a sobering portrait of the wicked. What marks their lives is an inward posture: they have no fear of God. In their own eyes, they are not so bad. Their words, David says, are filled with trouble and deceit. Even in the quiet dark of night, on their beds, when the heart reflects, they do not repent of evil but rather plot it, and eventually practice it. Not just behavior, but their inner vision is disabled. They cannot see

469_A heart at rest when life feels unfair Psalm 37:1-11 Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! 2 For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. 3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. 6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. 7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! 8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. 9 For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land. 10 In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there. 11 But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace. Corrie Ten Boom, the Dutch Christian who risked her life to hide Jews during World War II, once said, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” She had every reason to worry, fear, and fret. Her family was imprisoned, her beloved sister died in a concentration camp, and her future seemed uncertain. Yet Corrie clung to faith and hope rather than anxiety and bitterness. Her life, filled with pain and loss, became a testimony of trust in God’s sovereign goodness. Psalm 37, particularly verses 1 through 11, is a heartfelt counsel from David, written in his senior years. In verse 25, he reflects, “I have been young, and now am old,” indicating a lifetime of observation, pain, and growth. Rather than being directed to God in praise, it offers the ultimate wisdom on meekness - how to respond when life seems unjust. David knew what it meant to be wronged. He knew the sting of betrayal and the anguish of waiting on God while evil people appeared to prosper, from Saul to Absalom. Though David refused to raise his hand against his king, he was oppressed by the weight of injustice. At one point he even despaired, saying, “One day I will perish at the hand of Saul.” (1 Samuel 27:1) But this psalm reveals the distilled wisdom of those long, hard years—not just lofty ideals, but proven truth, tested in the fires of trial. He begins: “Do not fret because of evildoers.” Fretting isn’t simply about worry; it includes irritation, envy, and simmering anger. It is that inward churning when we see the wicked flourish while we struggle to stay afloat. David not only commands, but gives a reason: “For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.” Evil is far less permanent than righteousness. It may seem to flourish but it has no root, and soon withers.

470_The Lord establishes the righteous Psalm 37:12-26 The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him, 13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming. 14 The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose way is upright; 15 their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. 16 Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked. 17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous. 18 The Lord knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will remain forever; 19 they are not put to shame in evil times; in the days of famine they have abundance. 20 But the wicked will perish; the enemies of the Lord are like the glory of the pastures; they vanish—like smoke they vanish away. 21 The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives; 22 for those blessed by the Lord shall inherit the land, but those cursed by him shall be cut off. 23 The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; 24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand. 25 I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. 26 He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing. A man visited a remote village in the Himalayas to volunteer at a small school. One afternoon, as he walked through the mountain paths, he noticed a tree standing alone on the slope, weathered and twisted, yet firmly rooted. The wind howled through the valley, and smaller plants around it were bent and broken. But the tree stood unmoved. As he stood gazing at it in wonder, an old man joined him to explain, “That tree is strong because its roots go deep, deeper than the eye can see. It has grown down through the years. Now it is the mountain that holds it, not just the soil.” The Lord establishes the righteous in just such ways—not through a life of ease, but through faith that has rooted itself deeply in seasons of testing. Psalm 37 reminds us that in times when everything shakes, God upholds His own. David, now an old man looking back on his life, declares timeless counsel: don't fret because of the fleeting prosperity of the wicked; rather, trust in the Lord, who secures and sustains the righteous. David begins by acknowledging the harsh reality that often discourages believers. It is frustrating when injustice prevails, whether against us or others. The wicked not only prosper, but boldly plot against the righteous. Ecclesiastes 8:11 explains this phenomenon: “Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil.” When justice seems silent, wickedness grows arrogant. But the silence of

471_A heart saturated by His Word Psalm 37: 27-40 Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever. 28 For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off. 29 The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever. 30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip. 32 The wicked watches for the righteous and seeks to put him to death. 33 The Lord will not abandon him to his power or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial. 34 Wait for the Lord and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land; you will look on when the wicked are cut off. 35 I have seen a wicked, ruthless man, spreading himself like a green laurel tree. 36 But he passed away, and behold, he was no more; though I sought him, he could not be found. 37 Mark the blameless and behold the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace. 38 But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed; the future of the wicked shall be cut off. 39 The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble. 40 The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him. In the mid-20th century, Dawson Trotman, founder of The Navigators, was on a camping trip along with some friends. The boat hit choppy waters, and Dawson and a young girl fell off the deck of the boat. Dawson tried his best to hold the young girl above the water, since she didn’t know how to swim. She survived, but Trotman never resurfaced. Billy Graham—his close friend—summed up his life in a single sentence: “Daws died the same way he lived—holding others up.” His life was rooted in God’s Word. He not only memorized vast portions of Scripture but lived them out daily. One of his favorite challenges was: “Don’t just mark your Bible—let your Bible mark you.” This is exactly what Psalm 37: 27–40 is about: a life not merely informed by Scripture, but transformed by the righteousness of faith that comes from being saturated with His Word. David draws from a lifetime of walking with God to pass on the wisdom born of experience: “Turn away from evil and do good” (v. 27). The walk of faith begins with repentance, with turning God’s way. David’s faith in God compelled him to actively choose what is good and to reject evil. The righteous life is not passive; it leans into God’s ways, despite the tide of culture or circumstance. Throughout this psalm, a repeated theme emerges: the righteous will inherit the land. This inheritance is more than real estate; it represents the solid security of God’s blessing, His peace, His presence, and His promises. The righteous are not preoccupied

472_The God who doesn’t walk away Psalm 38 O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath! 2 For your arrows have sunk into me, and your hand has come down on me. 3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin. 4 For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me. 5 My wounds stink and fester because of my foolishness, 6 I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; all the day I go about mourning. 7 For my sides are filled with burning, and there is no soundness in my flesh. 8 I am feeble and crushed; I groan because of the tumult of my heart. 9 O Lord, all my longing is before you; my sighing is not hidden from you. 10 My heart throbs; my strength fails me, and the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me. There’s a story told of a little boy who broke his mother’s favorite vase by accident. Fear gripped him, for he knew how precious it was to her. For a long time he sat in the corner of his room, trying to find an excuse, afraid to face her. Finally, unable to bear the guilt, he walked slowly into the kitchen, tears in his eyes, holding one of the broken pieces in his hand. But when his mother saw him, she bent down and held him close, saying, “I was waiting for you to come.” All too often, we do the same with God. When guilt and shame cloud our minds, our instinct is to run, to hide. And yet, the very one we are afraid of is the one who loves us most, the one who is waiting for us, not to condemn, but to restore. Psalm 38 expresses this beautifully. It is the cry of a guilty soul who nonetheless has confidence in God as the sole and sufficient refuge for the sinner. Psalm 38 is introduced as “A Psalm of David, for the memorial offering.” It belongs to the group of penitential psalms, arising from deep sorrow over sin—Psalm 6, 32, 51, 102, 130, and 143 among them. David doesn't mask his brokenness. His words express the pain of being crushed, not just by circumstances but by conscience. “My iniquities have gone over my head,” he cries in verse 4, “like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.” Sin is no light matter. It expresses rebellion against the Almighty, but also wounds us, erodes our peace, and burdens our hearts. David, the mighty king, the man after God’s own heart, finds himself brought low—not by foreign armies, but by his own transgressions. He feels the burning heat of divine discipline. Body and mind and spirit groan under the weight of God’s arrows. “I am utterly bowed down and prostrate,” he says. The effects of sin are all-encompassing. And yet, if this is the agony felt by one man over his own sins, how much

473_Living wisely in this brief life Psalm 39 I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.” 2 I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse. 3 My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: 4 “O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! 5 Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah 6 Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather! 7 “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. 8 Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the scorn of the fool! 9 I am mute; I do not open my mouth, for it is you who have done it. 10 Remove your stroke from me; I am spent by the hostility of your hand. 11 When you discipline a man with rebukes for sin, you consume like a moth what is dear to him; surely all mankind is a mere breath! Selah 12 “Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears! For I am a sojourner with you, a guest, like all my fathers. 13 Look away from me, that I may smile again, before I depart and am no more!” A wealthy businessman was enjoying a leisurely vacation by the seaside when he spotted a fisherman lounging by his small boat. Curious, the businessman asked, “Why aren’t you out catching more fish?” The fisherman replied, “I’ve caught enough for today.” The businessman scoffed, “But if you fished more, you could earn more money, buy a bigger boat, catch even more fish, eventually own a fleet, and make a fortune.” The fisherman looked up calmly and asked, “Then what?” The businessman, caught off guard, stammered, “Well… then you can retire, relax, and enjoy life.” The fisherman smiled, “That’s exactly what I’m doing now.” This simple story exposes a deep truth: many people race through life without ever pausing to enjoy it. They pursue wealth, fame, and their dreams. They assume there will always be time to enjoy the fruit of their labor—only to realize, too late, how brief life is. In Psalm 39, David wrestles with this truth. David begins with his attempt to guard his tongue against sin. He has resolved to remain silent in the presence of the wicked. He knew that speaking rashly or unwisely could dishonor God. This is the image of a man straining to restrain himself, not because he has nothing to say, but because he recognizes that the circumstances are wrong. As the Lord Jesus warned in Matthew 7:6,

474_Converting our tears into a new song Psalm 40:1-10 I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. 2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. 4 Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! 5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told. 6 In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. 7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: 8 I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” 9 I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord. 10 I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation. In a small mining town nestled in the hills of Wales, a young boy fell into an abandoned mine shaft. No one knew he was there. Hours passed. Cold and darkness surrounded him. His cries echoed in the hollow pit, but there was no response. Above, a frantic search was underway. Finally, a passerby heard his shouts and gathered the townspeople. Afer several long hours, a rescue team managed to pull him out. The boy later said, “I kept yelling, but after a while, I realized I just had to trust that someone would come. I couldn’t get out on my own.” This is David’s story in Psalm 40. He finds himself in a similar pit—not a physical one, but a spiritual and emotional one. He calls it a “pit of destruction” and a “miry bog.” It is a place of helplessness, confusion, and despair. There was no way out unless God intervened. And in that dark place, David waited—not passively, but patiently and actively—hoping in the Lord. David wasn’t rescued because of his strength or cleverness, but because he trusted that Someone was listening. “I waited patiently for the Lord,” he says in verse 1, “and he inclined to me and heard my cry.” In the Hebrew, the word waiting is not associated with helplessness but with expectant watchfulness. It is like the dawn-watchers waiting for the first glimpse of sunrise. While David waited, he didn’t abandon his responsibilities. Like Joseph in the prison who remained faithful even when forgotten by the cupbearer for two long years, David trusted that God’s

475_The blessedness of considering the weak Psalm 41 Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him; 2 the Lord protects him and keeps him alive; he is called blessed in the land; you do not give him up to the will of his enemies. 3 The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health. 4 As for me, I said, “O Lord, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against you!” 5 My enemies say of me in malice, “When will he die, and his name perish?” 6 And when one comes to see me, he utters empty words, while his heart gathers iniquity; when he goes out, he tells it abroad. 7 All who hate me whisper together about me; they imagine the worst for me. 8 They say, “A deadly thing is poured out on him; he will not rise again from where he lies.” 9 Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me. 10 But you, O Lord, be gracious to me, and raise me up, that I may repay them! 11 By this I know that you delight in me: my enemy will not shout in triumph over me. 12 But you have upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in your presence forever. 13 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen. A few years ago, during a particularly harsh winter in Chicago, a commuter named John was walking to his train station early in the morning. As he passed under an overpass, he saw a homeless man shivering on a bench, clearly struggling in the bitter cold. Most people passed by—some perhaps unsure of what to do, others avoiding eye contact out of discomfort or fear. But John paused. He took off his own gloves, then his coat, and handed them to the man. He missed his train that day, arriving late to work and receiving a reprimand from his manager. But he never regretted the decision. Later, when telling the story, he said, “It was the first time I really saw someone. And when I did, it changed me.” That moment of pausing to see someone in need—to consider the weak—is exactly what Psalm 41 calls “blessed.” The psalm doesn’t open with a call to worship or a cry for help, but with a beautiful truth that is often lost in our fast-paced world: “Blessed is the one who considers the poor. In the day of trouble, the Lord delivers him.” To “consider” the poor doesn’t simply mean to notice them or even just to help financially—it means to think about their needs, to engage our hearts and minds in compassion. This thread runs throughout Scripture, from the Law of Mt. Sinai to the Lord’s ministry. God repeatedly emphasizes His concern for the vulnerable. In ancient Israel, the law required landowners to leave the grain at the edges of their fields unharvested so that the

476_Hope in God even in the dark Psalm 42 As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?” 4 These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival. 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation 6 and my God. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. 7 Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me. 8 By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. 9 I say to God, my rock: “Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” 10 As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?” 11 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. It was a cold night in December 1967. Joni Eareckson Tada, just 17 years old, dove into a small cove of Chesapeake Bay. Unfortunately, she had misjudged the depth. She hit her head on the bottom and broke her neck. The result was paralysis for life, from the shoulders down. In the months that followed, despair consumed her. The vibrant, athletic teen who once rode horses and played tennis now faced a life confined to a wheelchair. There were days when the darkness was so heavy, she begged God to take her home. She writes, “I was tired of hoping, tired of believing, tired of being tired. I had no strength left. And yet, somewhere deep within, I realized I had a choice: to either curse God or to cling to Him in the dark.” Today, Joni is a powerful voice of hope for millions. Her suffering didn’t vanish. She remained paralyzed. But she learned to trust in God’s goodness whatever her external circumstances. Her story echoes the lesson of Psalm 42, where the psalmist teaches us not how to escape darkness, but how to hope in God in the middle of it. Psalm 42 was written by the sons of Korah, Levites descended from the family of Kohath. Though their ancestor Korah had led a rebellious uprising against Moses and was judged by God (Numbers 16), these descendants were spared (Numbers 26:9–11). By David’s

477_Praising God at all times Psalm 43 Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people, from the deceitful and unjust man deliver me! 2 For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you rejected me? Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? 3 Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! 4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. Years ago, during one of the darkest seasons of her life, a woman named Annie Johnson Flint was diagnosed with severe arthritis that left her bedridden and in constant pain. She lost both her parents at a young age, was later adopted, and then lost those adoptive parents too. Her body slowly became twisted and immobile, and yet out of that pain emerged some of the most beautiful hymns ever written. One of her most beloved lines goes like this: “He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater, He sendeth more strength when the labors increase; To added afflictions He addeth His mercy, To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.” What kind of faith produces praise like that in the midst of such suffering? Psalm 43 gives us a glimpse into that kind of soul—one that chooses to praise God not just in times of victory and celebration, but also in seasons of confusion, sorrow, and silence. Psalm 43 is often considered a continuation of Psalm 42, carrying the same refrain and tone of longing. It begins with a desperate cry: “Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people; from the deceitful and unjust man deliver me!” This is no casual request. The psalmist feels attacked, oppressed, and abandoned. He pleads for God to intervene, to make things right. But then comes a haunting question—one that many believers have whispered in dark nights of the soul: “For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you rejected me?” It’s a deep paradox. The psalmist knows God as his refuge, his only hope and protector. And yet, in the current moment, it feels as if God has turned His face away. His enemies seem to be winning. His prayers echo back in silence. His soul is cast down, in turmoil. But even in this emotional pit, the psalmist doesn't walk away. He doesn’t shut down or give up. Instead, he cries out: “Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling!” In times of darkness, what does he ask for? Light. Truth. He knows that only God's Word can illuminate the path ahead. He doesn’t demand a full explanation, but enough light

478_More than conquerors Psalm 44:1-8 O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us, what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old: 2 you with your own hand drove out the nations, but them you planted; you afflicted the peoples, but them you set free; 3 for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them. 4 You are my King, O God; ordain salvation for Jacob! 5 Through you we push down our foes; through your name we tread down those who rise up against us. 6 For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me. 7 But you have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us. 8 In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to your name forever. 20-26 If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god, 21 would not God discover this? For he knows the secrets of the heart. 22 Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. 23 Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever! 24 Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression? 25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust; our belly clings to the ground. 26 Rise up; come to our help! Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love! A few years ago, a young missionary couple moved to a remote village in Southeast Asia. They had left behind comfort, career, and family, believing with all their hearts that God had called them to bring the gospel to an unreached tribe. They worked tirelessly—learning the language, caring for the sick, teaching the children, and sharing the good news. But after five years, the fruit they had hoped for never came. The few converts they had were threatened or driven away, their presence was mocked by villagers, and eventually, they were asked to leave. As they boarded the boat in silence, hearts heavy with defeat, the wife turned to her husband and whispered, “Did we fail?” That question echoes the same bewilderment and pain found in Psalm 44. This is not a psalm of personal complaint or individual struggle. It’s the voice of a people—a community of God’s own, grappling with a painful and public defeat. The nation of Israel had known what it was like to be chosen, loved, and delivered by the Lord. Their history was filled with divine intervention and supernatural victories. They remembered how the Promised Land had been given to them, not by the strength of their armies, but by the power of God who fought on their behalf. The psalmist begins with a remembrance of this rich heritage, “It was not by their sword that they won the land,

479_The King and His bride Psalm 45 My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe. 2 You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever. 3 Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your splendor and majesty! 4 In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; let your right hand teach you awesome deeds! 5 Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; the peoples fall under you. 6 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness; 7 you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions; 8 your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad; 9 daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor; at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir. 10 Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear: forget your people and your father's house, 11 and the king will desire your beauty. Since he is your lord, bow to him. 12 The people of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts, the richest of the people. 13 All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold. 14 In many-colored robes she is led to the king, with her virgin companions following behind her. 15 With joy and gladness they are led along as they enter the palace of the king. 16 In place of your fathers shall be your sons; you will make them princes in all the earth. 17 I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore nations will praise you forever and ever. A few years ago, a man in jeans and a T-shirt walked onto a subway platform in Washington, D.C., carrying his violin. He opened his case and let the music soar for forty-five minutes. Over a thousand people passed by. Most hurried along. A few paused for a moment. A handful dropped in some change. What the passersby didn’t realize was that the man playing was Joshua Bell, one of the world’s most celebrated violinists, performing some of the most intricate pieces ever written—on a violin worth over three million dollars. Just days earlier, he had sold out a concert hall where tickets averaged over $100 each. The problem wasn’t with the music. Rather, the people didn’t recognize the glory standing in front of them. Psalm 45 is like a heavenly concert that demands our attention. It’s a royal wedding song that opens our eyes to the splendor of the King who is greater than any earthly ruler—Jesus Christ. Many walk past Him, failing to recognize Him. But for those who stop, listen, and look, His glory leaves them in awe. Psalm 45 is a royal wedding psalm, a song unlike

480_Be still and know that He is God Psalm 46 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. 6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah In 2010, a massive earthquake struck Haiti. Over 200,000 people were killed, and millions were left homeless. In the midst of this devastation, one story stood out. At a collapsed school building in Port-au-Prince, rescuers heard a faint sound—a voice singing. After nearly four days beneath the rubble, they discovered a young girl, no older than seven, trapped but alive. She was singing a simple Christian song she had learned in Sunday school: “God is so good, He’s so good to me.” Over and over she sang those words in the dark, buried under broken concrete and twisted steel. When they finally pulled her out, weak and bruised but alive, one of the rescuers said, “We found her by following the voice of hope.” How powerful was hope for that child, buried under the wreckage of disaster, but still singing because she believed in the goodness of God. That’s the heart of Psalm 46. It’s not a promise that disasters won’t come. It’s not a denial of pain or fear. It’s a bold declaration in the midst of it: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” This psalm strengthens people who are buried in grief and uncertainty, by life’s sudden catastrophes. It speaks to all who feel the ground beneath them shift. It is not a call to bravery, but a call to trust: God is our refuge. He is not distant. He is not an idea. He is a present help—right here, right now, in the mess. He is a refuge and help present amidst the most uncontrollable forces we know—natural disasters. “Though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea.” Earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis—amidst the events that make us feel utterly powerless, we can declare, “We will not fear.” Not because we are strong, or above suffering. But

481_God reigns over all the nations Psalm 47 Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! 2 For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth. 3 He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet. 4 He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah 5 God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. 6 Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! 7 For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm! 8 God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne. 9 The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is highly exalted! It was a warm afternoon in 1945 when the Japanese Emperor Hirohito did something that shocked the world—he surrendered. For years, Japan had wrought war and devastation. Yet now his voice trembled as he delivered the “Jewel Voice Broadcast,” announcing Japan's unconditional surrender to the Allied Forces. For the first time, the people of Japan heard their emperor’s voice. For the first time, he admitted that he was not divine. His so-called godhood collapsed before the true sovereignty of a higher power. History is full of rulers who claimed to be supreme—pharaohs, emperors, kings, presidents. But time and truth have proven again and again that no human authority lasts. Kingdoms rise and fall. Empires grow and crumble. How different the throne of God - the only one that has never been shaken, the one King whose dominion never ends. Psalm 47 calls all the earth to see and rejoice before that throne: “God reigns over all the nations.” Psalm 47 begins: “Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy!” The exuberant joy comes from the fact that this is not just Israel’s God. He is the Most High, the great King over all the earth. He is not bound by borders or limited by languages. He reigns over all the nations, every tribe and tongue, every palace and parliament. This truth is at the heart of God’s covenant with Abraham. God promised Abraham that his descendants would bless all the families of the earth. Only a sovereign God—one who holds all the nations in His hands—could declare such universal influence. Babylon was one of the greatest of the ancient superpowers. It's mighty king, Nebuchadnezzar, was regarded as “king of the earth” because his rule was vast and virtually unchallenged. Yet in Daniel chapter 4, God warned him of impending judgment through a vision. Daniel pleaded with him to heed the warning and humble himself by repentance, righteousness, and mercy. But the king continued in his pride. One day, he gloated over his marvelous city, boasting, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built by my mighty power for the glory of my majesty?” That was the tipping point. Immediately, God’s judgment fell. The once-proud