We brought this time in the psalms to a close last week. We will return to the psalms in the new year.

Psalm 86

The heading of this chapter – Supplication to the compassionate God – brings the reminder of the compassion of our God. David surely knew this to be true.

He asked God: to incline His ear, to preserve His soul, to be gracious to him, to make him glad again.

These words assures us that we can ask the same of God for ourselves.

David knew God was good, ready to forgive and abundant in lovingkindness. He knew this because he had experienced God for himself.

David experienced God because he prayed, humbly asking God to teach him and work in his heart:

“Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to hear Your name. I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and will glorify Your name forever.” (verses 11-12, NASB)

Only God can mold our hearts to be able to live this way. Only He can give us hearts that are undivided, fixed on God, and loyal to the Lord.

Life isn’t perfect. We will face troubles and trials here on this earth. But may we find strength in these words from the study:

“He is sovereign over our circumstances and our suffering and He is sovereign over every aspect of our lives … We can trust that even a ‘no’ is grace when given from the hands of a loving and sovereign God.”

(from Seek by The Daily Grace Co.,  page 119)

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Psalm 88

A first read of Psalm 88 and I thought, what a sad psalm to read. Where is the hope and encouragement?

But it’s there – we just need to dig a little deeper and read more carefully.

The writer of this psalm (Hemen) had suffered all of his life pretty much. We don’t know specifically what the suffering was but it was painful, discouraging, and no break was in sight. He seems to have lost everything in life.

He lost everything but his faith in God. He knew the character of God and held on tightly.

Lately I have repeatedly been reminded of the importance, no – the dire necessity – of being rooted in the knowledge of the character of God.

Knowing His character and Who He is will ground us when all else is shaky.

It is what will fill our hearts with worship:

“And this worship includes coming when coming is hard. It is coming with the knowledge that God is good when our circumstances seem far from good. It is heart laid bare before the God who already knows.”

(from Seek by The Daily Grace Co., page 125)

Our faith will always bring light when all is dark around us for Jesus is the Light. He enables us to walk by faith when we can’t see in front of us. Faith keeps us walking forward.

The study asks: In what ways do you think that our separate pleading with God can also be worship?

The reading brought to mind this song. May it bless and encourage you all.

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Psalm 90

We bring this part of the study to a close with Psalm 90. So much to be pulled out from this one chapter, written by Moses and thought to be the oldest psalm. I cannot help but wonder if Moses was an old man when he penned the words of this psalm.

As we grow older, we come to realize life is truly a vapor. It passes oh so quickly. Being a grandparent now, and in my 60’s, I found much guidance in this psalm.

May I share these bits of wisdom of Warren Wiersbe on this chapter:

“A successful life is composed of successful days that honor the Lord.” (Warren Wiersbe)

And truly, there is no better way to start each day than in reading Scripture and in prayer.

“The past and present experiences of life prepare us for the future.” (Warren Wiersbe)

May we learn from every pain and challenge to walk in His ways, to trust Him with each day, and grow. May we let go of resentment, unforgiveness, and/or bitterness as they will hold us back from what God has yet in store for our lives.

“No work done for the Lord will ever go unrewarded.”
(Warren Wiersbe)

We may not be rewarded or recognized for anything we do, but the Lord sees. May we not grow tired or give up.

In this one chapter, Moses unfolds for us the way to live:

• “Teach us to number our days.” Teach us to live each day and value each day. Teach us to find Your beauty in every day.
• “Satisfy us.” May our souls feed on Your Word so that we are filled and satisfied. So we don’t go searching in any other place but in You.
• “Establish the work of our hands.” May our efforts each day be successful. Help our lives to honor Your Name in all we do.

The study asks: What do you learn about who God is from this psalm?

Reading this psalm, I can’t even explain how deeply the words “everlasting God” struck me. He is the everlasting One. There never has been, nor will there ever be a time in which He does not exist. He will ever be at work in the lives of those who are His. He will ever teach us, satisfy us, and establish us.

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Teach us to cling to You,
walking forward in and by faith,
for You are the everlasting and compassionate God.

 

Photo 1: by Will O on Unsplash
Today I may be joining … Tell His Story and InstaEncouragements .