Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak.
Among all my enemies I am a disgrace, and among my neighbors even more. I am dreaded by my friends—they flee when they see me on the street.
I am forgotten as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery.
If I told you that the above passage was from the book of Job, you’d probably believe me. But King David wrote those words in Psalm 31. He is in distress, weak with sorrow and grief, groaning and weak in his affliction. He is shamed and disgraced by those around him, broken. The description of his anguish is amazingly similar to Job’s experience.
Interestingly, while David describes himself as ‘broken pottery,’ Job uses broken pottery to scrape his oozing boils.
loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes. Job 2:7-8
I say…Ew. But Job said,
Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD. Job 1:21
Would you be surprised to see that David echoes the wisdom of Job?
Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city. 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. Psalm 31:21-22
Blessed be the name of the LORD.
I think that praise from the depths is maybe the most beautiful praise. It is certainly the most trusting. David, in his Psalm, invites us to join him in his trust, and I invite you to carry these words with you today:
Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD! Psalm 31:24
-Susan Landry
Reflection Questions
What does it look like to wait for/on the Lord?
What steps can we take to help our heart take courage when we are in the depths?
What can we learn from the examples of David and Job?
Sometimes things are just hard. Life is not going our way. We’re feeling burdened, overwhelmed, or just plain sad. When we are stuck in the middle of these times, it can bring relief just to see the possibility of a light at the end of our dark tunnel. We don’t even have to see the light yet. Just knowing that it’s coming can lighten our load and bring a deep breath of hope.
I was talking with a friend recently who is feeling a lot of stress at work. My friend is doing her own job as well as another person’s job. When we talked, she told me that her company had posted the other person’s job and should be hiring to fill it soon. Even though her workload hadn’t changed, in that moment she felt a subtle lifting of her burden. The relief wasn’t there yet, but just knowing that it was coming gave her hope, and a boost to continue on until the relief actually showed up and she could go back to just doing her own job.
Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalm 30:5b
Have you ever experienced insomnia? How about being up all night with a sick child (or sick self)? We’ve all been in those situations where we wish with every fiber of our being that morning would just arrive. And it does. Every single time.
Although some nights may be long and dark, joy will come again. The darkness may even get worse but God will meet you in your darkness and the light will come.
Life is not free of struggle or pain– not even for the most faithful servant of God. But in our pain and confusion, God is always with us, working for our good.
Isaiah 43:2 reminds us of that: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”
It would be nice, wouldn’t it, if God promised that he’d take away all of our burdens? Snap his fingers and make everything sunshine and rainbows. The reasons why he doesn’t are probably many and accurate.
What he does promise us, though, is that not only will he be with us in the dark times (and as someone who is still afraid of the dark, that is no small gift) but he promises us that light will come. Let me say that again for those who need to let that sink in…
Light. Will. Come.
But even more than THAT, God doesn’t simply promise to give us peace at the end of the long, dark night. He offers dancing. Dancing!
You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever. Psalm 30:11
Thanks, God. Thanks for being so kind to a dummy like me who, even though I know the morning always comes, still doubts…still fears in the darkness. And yes, thank you for asking, you may have this dance.
-Susan Landry
Reflection Questions
Read Psalm 30 looking for how God is described and what He is doing/has done. Now re-read it and find how the Psalmist is responding. What image of God do you have after reading Psalm 30? What is your response?
What is the darkest night/hardest struggle you have encountered so far? Are you still in it right now or have you already experienced some light/joy/and perhaps even dancing? How did you see God during the dark mourning – and also in the light morning?
Who do you know who is stuck in a dark night right now and could benefit from hearing that the light is coming? How can you use God’s promises, His Word, and perhaps even this devotion to be an encouragement to this person? What/who can you also be praying for?
After reading the Job Introduction below, how does it apply to today’s devotion?
Job Introduction
The Book of Job is about a righteous man named Job who remained faithful to God despite God allowing Satan to take everything from him except his life. We don’t know who wrote this book, or even exactly when it took place. Given Job’s age (he lived 140 years after the events recorded in the book), it’s likely Job lived around the time of Abraham, or possibly earlier.
In the first two chapters, we get a glimpse of one reason bad things happen to godly people – Job seemed to be a pawn in a cosmic battle to test Job’s integrity.
Job had 3 “friends” who came to comfort him, but they were really more torment. They consistently accused Job of hidden sins – otherwise, God wouldn’t be punishing him they said. But Job consistently maintained his innocence.
Despite Job’s intense suffering, he maintained his belief in the resurrection, as is recorded in Job 19:25-27, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him, with my own eyes – I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” (This is one of my favorite passages in the Bible.)
In the end, God Himself confronted Job, and eventually blessed Job with twice as many possessions at the end of his life as he had before his downfall – including 10 more children.
This is a good example to show us that we don’t need to understand why bad things are happening, we must just remain faithful, no matter what. Job also shows us that we can be honest with God when we are suffering and when we don’t understand why things are happening.
Finally, no matter what happens to you, may you, with Job, be able to say, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him, with my own eyes – I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!”
New Testament: 1 & 2 Thessalonians Intro – see below
Yesterday we looked at David dancing and worshiping God as the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem and placed in the Tabernacle. Today we are looking at a song of praise, written by the very same man, King David.
This Psalm speaks of different aspects of who God is, and David tells us that he meditates on those attributes and tells everyone about them. I think that in this he also invites us to do the same. Last week in his class at Family Camp about the Bible, Steve Mattison spoke to us one day about meditating on the word of God, and on God’s goodness and on all His attributes, and how scripture calls for us to do this day and night. It simply means to keep reminding yourself of these truths and thinking about them all the time. That is what David speaks of himself doing in this Psalm. He says, “I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles.” (Psalm 145:5 NLT)
Then the rest of the Psalm just speaks of how awesome God is. He speaks of how the Lord is slow to anger and abounding in love, how He always keeps His promises, and how He helps the fallen and the hungry and thirsty. David speaks of how God’s Kingdom with last forever and how God’s eyes are close to those who call on Him. There are many more that David speaks of here and all these attributes are amazing and worthy of all of our praise.
So the question is, what can you praise God for today? I’m sure there are things that He has done for you that are deserving of your praise. But you may right now be in a difficult place, where you may be struggling and feel far from God. If you are, then something that would be a good practice for you at this time is to meditate on what God has done for you in the past, and praise Him for those things and praise Him for what He has promised to do in the future. It may seem difficult to do in the middle of the storm you may be going through, but remember Paul and Silas who were beaten and thrown into prison, or David when he was being hunted down by Saul, who wanted to outright kill him. They and others in the Bible and throughout church history, when they found themselves in a dark place chose to focus on God’s goodness, rather than their storm and to praise Him, because no matter what He is worthy of our praise.
So let me leave you with David’s words that he ends this Psalm with, “I will praise the Lord, and may everyone on earth bless his holy name forever and ever.” (Psalm 145:23 NLT)
-Jonny Smith
Reflection Questions
Is God deserving of your praise? Why or why not (answer in more than a couple words)?
What are some of the best ways for you to show your praise to God? How often do you do them?
Do you meditate on God’s words and on His goodness/wonderful works? Would there be benefit in doing this more? If so, what benefits?
Is God still deserving of your praise when you are in a difficult place and time? Why or why not (answer in more than a couple words)?
1 & 2 Thessalonians Introduction
Scholars believe Paul wrote the first letter to the Church in Thessalonica during his second missionary journey, while in Corinth – just a few months after he left Thessalonica, between 49 and 51 AD.
The main theme of 1 Thessalonians is Jesus’ Second Coming. Since Jesus is going to return, Christians are called to live lives worthy of God – blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father. When Jesus returns, the dead in Christ will rise first, then the living will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. Paul tells the Thessalonians to encourage each other with these words.
While unbelievers will suffer God’s wrath, “…God has not appointed us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:9)
Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians to correct the misunderstanding that the “Day of the Lord” had already come. More details are given of Jesus’s return – when “he will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.” – 2 Thessalonians 1:8. Paul gives details of the rebellion that will take place before the return of Christ, and the rise of the “man of lawlessness” (the antiChrist). Paul warns in 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10, “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs, and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.”
May we take to heart Paul’s encouragement and his warning in these two books, and fervently seek the truth. I’ll close with 2 Thessalonians 3:13, “And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.”
Think about all the people in your life, and the people that have come before you. There are always people that come to mind when you think about who you looked up to.
For me those people have been my parents, my grandparents, and uncles. I’ll always be grateful for the amazing people that God has provided.
Now how does this tie into Psalm 142 and 1 Chronicles 7,8,9? After reading 1 Chronicles 7,8, and 9, I realized that the list of names, from generation to generation, is a LEGACY. All the people then till now play a part in a much greater picture, and God knows every individual plan in HIS legacy.
Think back to the people in your life. How did they react when they faced trials, or when the plan they had didn’t match God’s plan? How did it impact the people around them? Our actions in our times of hard ship impact the people around us, whether we see it or not. If you have kids, you know they watch everything you do. It’s the same with other people in our lives. It’s so important that your actions are viewed by everyone, and we need to be aware of how we act.
Think about what you do in your trials as we look at Psalm 142.
Psalm 142:1-3
“I cry aloud to the Lord, I plead aloud for his mercy. I pour out my complaints before him.”
“I cry aloud to the Lord.” This chapter comes from a place when David was in an extremely difficult trial. He was running from King Saul and hiding in the cave of Adullam from persecution.
Even in this dark season, David cries ALOUD to the Lord for his guidance, just as we should in our times of hardship.
Psalm 142:3 goes on to say, “Although my spirit is weak within me. You know my way.”
David trusts God in this time. He trusts that God knows his plan for David and will bring him through this.
What do you do when you face trials?
We have all been in places where all we seem to do is be mad at God in our situation. But what if we turn to God instead, and say, “God I am frustrated, HELP me. I know your plan is good.” How does that impact us, and God’s Legacy.
The way we react to our trials makes an impression. If we lash out in anger when things don’t go our way, we leave an impression. We may hurt feelings and say things we can never take back. Those moments of impact can change how that person we hurt acts, and then it continues. It’s like the saying goes, what comes around goes around. So, what if we spread around love, and trust in God, and watch that spread around. Let’s grow a Legacy of people who love and worship God, and love each other. Love and worship in our times of struggle can make all of the difference.
-Hannah Eldred
Reflection Questions
1) What trials may you be facing in life big or small?
2) How do you react in your trials?
3) How can you show love and worship in your trials? How does this impact God’s legacy?
You and I are naturally rebellious. One of the first words learned in our arsenal is, “Why?” As early as toddlerhood, we’re ready to question, counter, and attack. Even as an adult, I recently made the remark to my mom that the more she tells me to do something, the less I actually want to do it. Ouch, sorry, Mom. Psychologists call this phenomenon psychological reactance, which suggests that when we feel like our freedom to behave in a certain way is restricted, we, well, react.
Obedience, which is averse to our fallen human state, is learned. The longest chapter of the Bible, Psalm 119, is an acrostic poem about the joy the psalmist receives from following scripture. It’s his love song to God’s Word. So how does rebellious human go to happy obeyer?
The first step is recognizing that God’s commands are not arbitrary. Looking to God’s character, we can see that His rules are a manifestation of His love for us. God is love—He wants what’s best for us. God is all-knowing—He knows what’s best for us.
He’s given us rules and principles to live by because He wants us to live within His will, within His design. God’s rules do not exist to restrict us; instead, God breathed them to give us freedom. Freedom from sin. Freedom from ugly, unwanted consequences. Freedom from death!
I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts (Psalm 119:45, NIV).
Now, I’m still learning obedience, and you are, too. Somedays, my obedience feels like an eye roll and “Ugh, fine,” instead of a “Yes, Lord!” I look to our happy Psalmist as an example to follow:
For I delight in your commands because I love them (Psalm 119:47, NIV).
I want to be able to say this about myself each day. This is a verse worth memorizing (just 10 words!) because we can use it to lead our hearts into joyful obedience.
I will leave you with the promise that your efforts will be blessed:
Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart (Psalm 119:1-2).
-Mackenzie McClain
Reflection Questions:
In what areas of your life do you struggle to obey?
This week, examine your heart. Are you obeying begrudgingly or joyfully? Do you fully trust that God’s commands are designed out of His great love for you?
What blessings have you experienced from following God’s commands?
As was discussed in two previous days’ devotions, Psalm 116 is another of the Hallel (literally, “Praise”) Psalms that are particularly associated with joyous events for Jews. They are prominent in the liturgies of the primary seasonal festivals such as Passover, and Psalm 116 is additionally part of the “Egyptian Hallel” subset of Hallel psalms. Psalm 116 does not make specific reference to Egypt, Passover, or the Exodus of Israel, but it is very straightforward to adapt its structure into a prayer of praise for the salvation of the nation of Israel. By connecting the psalm to that event, it is easily transformed into a pedagogical device that teaches the listener to acknowledge God for His grace toward Israel.
The Psalm is most naturally structured into three parts, but let us draw out the first two verses as an introductory dialogue (ellipsis of psalm text in bold):
I love the LORD. Why? Because He hears my voice, my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me. How should I respond? …. I shall call upon Him as long as I live.
The psalmist has provided a simple justification for the reader, all of us, to reverence and petition God: Because He hears me; the implication is that God answers those petitions. And because He hears me I should not fail to call on Him again and again.
Beginning in verse three, the psalmist builds upon the introductory dialogue to stretch and flesh out what could be the reason for calling on God and a more specific supplication: Cords of death wrap around me; the terror of the grave has come upon me; I found distress and sorrow. It is easy to see how this text was associated with Passover and the exodus: these words could be those of enslaved Israel, looking for deliverance from Egypt. Now look at verse four: Then I called upon the name of the LORD… “Save my life!” Taken in association with the enslavement in Egypt, these are the collective words of Israel, longing for deliverance, longing for God to “Hear my voice and incline His ear to me” (v 1). Verse four ends the first part of the psalm.
The second part of the psalm does not begin with a description of the salvation desired by the writer (later usage: the nation of Israel), but instead utilizes another introductory statement: Gracious is the LORD .. our God is compassionate … the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. (vv 5-7). Only in verses 8-11 is the desired salvation described. The psalmist acknowledges God for who He is before getting to specifics about what He has done. Cast as part of the Hallel, we have Israel 1) acknowledging God as LORD and 2) thanking God for salvation from Egypt. To see a record of a similar acknowledgment, take a look at Exodus 15, a poem or song of adoration sung by Moses and the Israelites after passing through the sea.
Finally, beginning in verse 12, the psalmist builds out eight verses to answer the question What shall I render to the Lord? It is the question that must be asked after reflecting and acknowledging what He has done. And the answer, given in the text, is a catalog of options for worship and reverence toward God.
When the psalm is sectioned as outlined here, one can see how it was adapted for the celebration of Passover. It provides context (terrible circumstances, like Egypt) and a call for salvation, it identifies the LORD God as the agent of deliverance, and then provides options for adoration of God. Imagine sitting around a table, each member of a family saying or offering (perhaps competitively?) an option for active reverence: “I shall lift up the cup of salvation” (the mealtime allusion is especially apt in relation to Passover), “I shall pay my vows to the LORD” and “I’ll pay my vows in the presence of all His people.” The point is that the reverence, acknowledgment, and worship derive directly from the active role that God takes (took!) in deliverance from the circumstances of verse three.
Psalm 116 is a wonderful outline of one context for the why and what of thankfulness toward God: I may be in terrible circumstances, but the God that is gracious and compassionate can and will rescue me. In response, I bow to Him in reverence and worship, declaring my thankfulness to Him in the presence of others.
-Dan Siderius
Postscript
The Psalms, as poetry, always carry some underlying structure, though perhaps lost in the translation from Hebrew to English. One of the features of many psalms that I appreciate is doublet structure, in the form of question-and-answer. For example, Psalm 116:1:
Question: I love the LORD
Answer: Because He hears my voice
These doublets can be used to impart rhythm to the reading of certain psalms. One way to take advantage of the inherent rhythm is to speak the psalms antiphonally, where one person reads the first part of the doublet and a second person reads the response. Another option is to incorporate movement, by walking through the first half of the doublet, pausing, and then resuming with the second half. It can greatly liven the Psalms! If you are interested in reading the Psalms whose translation purposefully retained rhythmic and melodic elements, I encourage you to use the Coverdale Psalter (e.g., Psalm 116: https://psalter.liturgical-calendar.com/en-emodeng/Coverdale/116) or its newer revision, the New Coverdale Psalter (available for viewing online: https://bcp2019.anglicanchurch.net/index.php/downloads-pdf/).
Reflection Questions
How would you finish the sentence/poem/song which begins, “I love the LORD because…”? Think on it, write it down, share it with the LORD. Who else could benefit from hearing your testimony of why you love the LORD?
What are some options for how you can respond to the LORD? Write them down as well. Some responses, perhaps some we do most often, are not very good responses – if your list includes any poor responses you can cross them out now. Put a star next to a response you will work on today.
In yesterday’s devotion, we learned that Psalms 113-118 comprise the “Hallel,” or praise. These verses are recited or sung together at Jewish observances such as Passover. These specific verses are called the “Egyptian Hallel” to identify them from two other passages in Psalms also referred to as “Hallel.” Today, our reading brings us to Psalm 114, which focuses on praising God’s rescue of the nation of Israel from Egypt and contributing to the moniker “Egyptian Hallel.”
Instead of focusing on a detailed account of the exodus from Egypt, Psalm 114 uses beautiful language to focus the reader on the majesty of God displayed throughout that time period. It centers on the miracles that God uses to fulfill His promises to His people. In the eight short couplets, we get a sense that all things, including nature, are under God’s control.
Israel was never meant to make Egypt their home. In fact, in the first two verses, we read, “When Israel went forth from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language.” It is a recognition that they did not belong there and were being delivered from their oppressors.
Throughout the remaining verses, we read about miracles performed during the exodus from Egypt and while Israel wandered for forty years. While in the desert, God performed miracles, such as bringing forth water from rock, to provide for His people. The verses also refer to “the mountains skipped like rams,” which happened when the Lord descended to Mount Sinai (Exodus 19). The psalmist shows how even the earth obeys God’s word and reacts to His mighty power.
By stating, “The sea looked and fled, Jordan turned back,” the psalmist encapsulates the beginning and end of Israel’s journey. He refers to the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14) and the crossing of the Jordan under Joshua’s command (Joshua 3). He shows the completion of the work that began in Egypt. It’s affirmation that God sees all things through to completeness and within His time.
Though these verses are used in the Passover feast to remember the exodus and thank God for His miracles, I feel that they are also a promise to us. Like the nation of Israel living in Egypt, we too are a people living among “people of a strange language.” As sin grows within our world today, it becomes increasingly challenging to adhere to our faith and follow God’s word. But like Israel laboring within Egypt, we must labor within this world, holding fast to the promise that God has something much better in store for us. John 17:14-16 says, “I have given them thy word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not pray that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil one.They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” This is not our home. We must keep our eyes focused forwards on the Kingdom of God.
Isn’t it beautiful to think about the coming Kingdom? As a child, I always wondered when it would be established. In my lifetime? After my death? We will never know the exact time, but that’s not what is important. What is important is that God will fulfill His promises, just like He brought His promises to Israel to completion.
Just like within the exodus, even nature will obey God’s commands. Psalm 114 states, “Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord.” In Revelation, we read about several earthquakes that will occur in the end times (during the opening of the seals and the bowls of God’s wrath), as well as other natural events that will reveal God’s power to the inhabitants of the earth.
To me, it is interesting how Psalm 114 mirrors our own wait for the promise of the Kingdom and the events that will lead to its establishment. As we go throughout this week, let’s reflect on what we are doing to prepare. Are we being faithful like the Israelites in Egypt? Are we prepared spiritually to endure a wait? Are we thankful for the promises that will be fulfilled?
~Jen Siderius
Reflection Questions
Spend some time considering the questions at the end of today’s devotion.
Consider your view of God – are there any areas where your view does not completely match the God we see in our Bible reading? Any areas where your view is too small, too powerless?
Psalms 113-118 are known as “Hallel,” which means praise. These Psalms are recited, either in unison or responsively, in Jewish observances such as Passover and Hanukkah. This specific passage of Psalms is a prayer of thanksgiving and praise to God for the blessings He poured out on Israel during the Exodus from Egypt. Though “Hallel” typically refers to Psalms 113-118, two other sections of Psalms are also referred to as “Hallel.” Thus, Psalms 113-118 are also specifically referred to as the “Egyptian Hallel” due to recounting of the Exodus story in Psalm 114.
In Passover remembrances, the Hallel is used within both the temple and homes. Before the Passover meal, Psalm 113-114 would be sung together. Most scholars believe that Jesus and his disciples would have sung these verses together while gathered for the Last Supper. When you read the verses of Psalm 113 closely, they seem a fitting hallmark to Jesus’ ministry.
In verses 7-9, we read, “He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap,to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people.He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children.” Throughout Jesus’ ministry, his work angered many because he focused on the ones that others forgot or ignored. Just like the words of the Psalm, he shook social norms. How many instances can we recount of him healing the less desirable, such as the woman at the well, or socializing with sinners, such as Zaccheus? Jesus acknowledged in words and actions that all will be made equals in God’s kingdom?
In today’s New Testament text, we read another example of Jesus lifting the needy, while others found fault. In Luke 13: 10-13, we read, “Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And there was a woman who had had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your infirmity.” And he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God.” Later in the text, we read how the Synagogue leaders were indignant that Jesus healed on the Sabbath, causing Jesus to rebuke them. He had once again turned expectations upside down.
While reciting this Psalm during their Passover meal, did any of Jesus’ disciples connect his ministry to the words they were singing? It’s also poignant to think that despite his imminent betrayal and death, Jesus could recite this prayer of praise and thanksgiving from the Psalm. “Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore!From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised!The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens!”
When we are faced with trials, can we do the same as Jesus? These verses remind us that in all things, the Lord is worthy of continual praise. It does not instruct us to be thankful once. Rather, it is imploring us to offer thanks “forevermore.” God is unchanging and there will never be a time in which we cannot offer homage to Him.
My daughter’s teacher has her students complete a daily task in their agendas. At the end of each school day, the students are tasked with reflecting on the day and writing down two positives that happened to them. The teacher is striving to enable a mindset of gratitude and positivity within her class.
Could we take on the same task in order to offer continual praise to God? At the end of each day, let’s take time to reflect on that day. What can we praise God for? Perhaps your day at work was rough. But could you thank God that you had a job to go to that will provide for your needs such as food and shelter? This week, I challenge you to find at least two things in your day for which you can offer God praise and thanksgiving.
~Jen Siderius
Jen Siderius is a member of the Fair Oaks Community Church of God in Virginia. She and her husband Dan live in Maryland, where she works as an elementary school media specialist. When she’s not busy being entertained by the antics of their 9-year-old daughter, she loves to read, run, knit, quilt and try new crafts.
Reflection Questions
Where do you see Jesus upsetting social norms? What was his purpose in doing so? Where have you – and can you – follow Jesus’ example?
How would you rank yourself in the thankfulness category? Do you daily praise God for what He has done and who He is? How can you work at increasing your spirit of thankfulness?
What did you see about God in today’s reading that you will praise Him for? What is Jesus revealing about His Father and God that we can praise God for?
Life is hard. There are terrible things that all people, even Christians, experience simply because we live in a fallen and sinful world. Some of the hard things people experience are because of their own poor choices, others are because of someone else’s poor choices, and still others are simply things that cannot be controlled. Financial stress comes to those who are unwise with their money, car accidents happen when people are paying attention to their phone instead of the road, sickness such as cancer can occur in the healthiest and best people. Life is hard.
This Psalm (88) is written by Heman the Ezrahite, and unlike most other laments in Psalms, it doesn’t end on a positive, hopeful, note. Instead, it concludes with darkness. This psalmist equates his life’s troubles to nearing Sheol (v.3). He feels weak, overwhelmed, desperate, rejected, and lonely. Heman writes that his eyes are worn out from crying out all day long (v.9).
If you’re like me, you may be wondering why in the world this Psalm is included in Scripture… it offers no hope and seemingly no connection to an amazing God. Why would this be allowed in the Bible?? Doesn’t it turn others off our faith to have someone just writing about how hard life is, even after worshiping God? How does this chapter bring me anything for my faith walk if it’s just about sadness?
Well, despite being credited as one of the saddest psalms, after some prayerful consideration I also see how important this psalm can be. Throughout the psalm Heman writes about coming to God, crying out to Him, raising his hands to the Lord, and continually praying (vv.1, 9, 13). It seems that even with his world crashing down around him and when he feels like he is drowning, his first reaction is to reach out to God. What an example of faithful living!
The life of a Christian is never stated to be easy. In fact, there are times in everyone’s life that I would expect them to be in a similar place as Heman was when writing this psalm. Overwhelmed, exhausted, alone, in the dark. If God ‘allowed’ this psalm to be part of his God-breathed Scriptures, then we have to believe it holds value for our lives. There must be value in the pain and hardship that Heman describes, and the pain we still go through in the modern day. The lesson we can take away from Heman’s writing is that in all the pain, we can always come to God. Whether it’s through prayer or simply crying out, God is there to hear us no matter where we are in our life.
Questions:
Heman wrote this psalm long before Christ came around. While he had hope of a coming Savior, our hope resides in a Savior who came, and is coming again. How does this change our laments or prayers to God?
Balancing hopeful positivity and the real difficulty of life is truly an art. How does what we know about God impact this balance in your life?
What did God reveal to you about his character in this passage?
Prayer:
Lord, we live in a broken, sinful world. This life is hard. Today we pray for you to comfort those who are struggling, to give strength and hope to those who need it. But we also pray that no matter what life circumstances they are in, they ultimately know that they can go to you in any form. God, thank you for the hope we have in Christ Jesus. We are excited for your Kingdom to be brought to earth where there will be no more suffering. We longingly look to that day. Amen.
We are currently looking for a new house. We love where we are now, but we’re outgrowing our space and ready to raise our family with more room! We have toured SEVERAL houses, put in offers for a few, and yet still have nothing to show. I’m looking for a house that fits my needs, or at least one that I can alter (without too much cost) that will give me happiness in a home. I would say right now, I am yearning for a house. There have been moments where I have even shed a tear of disappointment, frustration, and sadness over ‘losing’ a house that was never mine. There are times where there is intense emotion behind my desire for a dwelling place.
God sure has a funny way of teaching me lessons… He really likes to teach me especially while I am trying to teach others. When I signed up for this week of devotions, I hadn’t even met with a realtor. Now, as I type up this message, I just spent three days stressing over what amount to offer on a house only to be rejected without a counter within hours and I opened up my Bible to “Longing for God’s House”… ironic, huh? So now, here I am reminding you but reminding me that the house I should be longing for is the house of God (Psalm 84:2). My heart is aching for a space to call home, and yet I am ignoring the promise of a dwelling place of the LORD of Hosts (v. 1). I’m out here struggling to feel “happy” with my current circumstance, but I have forgotten that I can reside in the house of an Almighty God and I should be praising Him CONTINUALLY (v.4)!
We are told God gives grace and glory; that he doesn’t withhold the good from those who live with integrity (v.11). I have been so focused on seeking out something for myself rather than focusing on how I am living and trusting God to show me the good He is providing.
Maybe you aren’t looking for a physical home right now, but I bet you are searching and yearning for something. Maybe it’s a promotion at work, a hand to hold, a new car, to finish school, peace for your mental health, anything. Everyone in some capacity is seeking “happiness”. Are you looking in the right place?
-Sarah Johnson
Hello! I am Sarah (Blanchard) Johnson. My husband and I just welcomed little Eli in August of 2022 and we are LOVING being parents, although we miss some sleep too… We live in Minnesota and attend Pine Grove Bible Church; I have a heart for missions and would love to talk to you about it!
Questions for Reflection:
This Psalm gives us four ways to be happy:
1. Reside in God’s house
2. Praise God continually
3. Get your Strength from God
4. Trust in the LORD of Hosts
Which area do you need to focus on to feel happy? Is there more than one?
I found one verse especially that caught my eye in how God reveals Himself… Which verses did you find?
Prayer:
LORD of Hosts, I pray today for myself and others, that we put our energy into longing for your house. I pray that we live our lives with integrity so we can experience your good things. I pray those seeking happiness find it through trusting in you. God, thank you for all you are and all that you do in our lives each day. We praise you for the promise of a perfect dwelling place to come. In your son’s name, Amen.
And, in preparation for starting the book/letter of Galatians tomorrow in our New Testament reading, here’s Steve with our…
Introduction to Galatians
Paul wrote the book of Galatians to the churches in Galatia. Paul was very direct in addressing their turning away from the gospel. In 1:6, Paul says, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel…” This was obviously a serious problem, since Paul then went on to say in 1:8, “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!”
You’ll find out in Chapter 3 that their problem was that they were trying to be justified by observing the law. Paul argued that justification comes through faith in Jesus alone, not by works performed according to the law.
Paul also pointed out that as far as Christ is concerned, there is no distinction between Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female – all are one in Christ. Paul then went on to say that if they belong to Christ, then they are Abraham’s descendants, and heirs according to the promises to Abraham. This applies to us today, as well.
Paul defined the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. He also pointed out that they (and we) should live by the Spirit, and not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
In 6:7-8, Paul wrote, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”
The book of Galatians is just as relevant to us today as it was to the original audience when it was written. As you read it, consider how this letter applies to you today.
Seek Grow Love 