June 11 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 19-21

Reflection Text - Psalm 19

This is one of my favorite yet convicting Psalms.

Verses 7-11 are a beautiful story of how the poet sees the commands, regulations and expectations of a covenantal God. Can you imagine your children telling you that the rules you use to guide their lives are "refreshing, trustworthy and more precious than gold?" The poet here says these things because when followed, the expectations of God actually give life. Maybe you could say it like this:

Obedience gives rise to Freedom

7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the LORD are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
11 By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.


These final 3 verses seem like a prayer...pleading for God's mercy and guidance against the errors and faults that keep one from blamelessness.


12 But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Write verse 14 on a post-it note and hang it on your computer to memorize this week.

June 10 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 16-18

Reflection Text - Psalm 18

Just a quick question:

What is something that you've prayed a ton about that God has answered in the last month or so?

How did you respond to God's response?

This Psalm is a lengthy one I think because David, the writer, is overjoyed that the prayers for vindication, safety, refuge, hope and deliverance were answered. When God intervened in his life, he offered back to God a word of thanks.

How can I take a moment and thank God with a LONG poem or song of thanks?

Now, go read this.

June 9 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 13-15

Reflection Text - Psalm 13

I love different musical interpretations of Scripture. Here is one from Psalm 13 from the David Crowder Band



How long will I wait?

What does hope sound like? (it's not banjo music to me, but maybe Pearl Jam)

Do I trust God to bring hope when it feels like God isn't there?

June 8 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 10-12

Reflection Text - Psalm 10

Verse 4 says, "In his pride the wicked man does not seek him;
in all his thoughts there is no room for God."

The poet here is saying that the prideful do not seek God because how could he when all he's thinking about is himself. In other words, when we are so focused on ourselves, when we are so content with a self-sustained and self-contained life then we essentially crowd out the place where God wishes to dwell. It's kinda like filling your living room with wall-to-wall furniture and then inviting over a guest. You may want them to come in but essentially you've labeled other things as more important.

My prayer today: Oh God, forgive me for my pride. I've often left no room for you in my life because of my arrogance and wrong priorities. Create a longing in me that is strong enough to move whatever I've put in your place. Amen

June 7 Refelction

Reading - Psalm 7-9

Reflection Text - Psalm 8

Let this be your prayer all day...repeat the words that resonate deeply in you throughout the day.

LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
in the heavens.
2 Through the praise of children and infants
you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?
5 You have made them a little lower than the angels
and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
you put everything under their feet:
7 all flocks and herds,
and the animals of the wild,
8 the birds in the sky,
and the fish in the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.
9 LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

June 6 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 4-6

Reflection Text - Psalm 5

The Psalmist says, "In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly."

I was wondering if the rhythm of his requests has merit still for us.
Movement 1 - "in the morning" - before the day begins, "you hear my voice" - the poet makes sure God hears from him early in the day.

Movement 2 - "I lay my requests before you" - This God must be a God who is close if the poet feels safe enough to share personal requests.

Movement 3 - "and wait expectantly" - Whenever I hear "expectant" I think of a pregnant woman waiting, anticipating the coming of the new life.

Reflection:
-What needs to happen in my life where I can be this intimate with God?
-How do I cultivate a prayer life that is eagerly expecting God? What difference would that make in my life?

June 5 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 1-3

Reflection Text - Psalm 3

David was facing opposition for a close friend. It was in fact, his son. David wrote this poem, this song, while he was fleeing from his own blood. I love that he wrote that many did not think God could deliver him, but David said,

"3 But you, LORD, are a shield around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
4 I call out to the LORD,
and he answers me from his holy mountain.
5 I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the LORD sustains me"

With his head on the line, David could sleep and have assurance to know that God would protect him, lift him up, answer him and deliver him.

A question or two for our discussion: What would it look like for me to have that same sense of trust, confidence and assurance in God's faithfulness for my life? Can I have that without being completely desperate like David?