Psalms Devotionals
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Read Psalm 1 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. Psalms 1:6 When our family moved to Memphis from Missouri, all I had to go on for directions was Mapquest. So as we were getting closer to our new home, I turned off on the exit that the website had given, which I soon regretted. We must have arrived in the same Memphis ghetto that inspired Elvis to write his song. It was congested and difficult to get the U- haul through some of traffic that we were encountering. After finally arriving at our apartment, my brother-in-law who was following us in his car suggested that next time I just look at a map instead of blindly trusting a website. Have you ever just taken someone’s word on the right way to go? Unfortunately, we live in a society of know-it-alls. In an effort to appear more important or smarter than they really are, some people are willing to simply say whatever comes into their head. I would like to tell you this is an epidemic amongst the lost only, but there are plenty of believers who get wrapped up in self-importance and can lead us astray. Believers have to remember that when man is confused, God is not. Surround yourself with godly people who can give you counsel, but remember that ultimately God’s going to reveal His will for your life to you. This verse says that God knows the way of the righteous and it literally means He "approves" it. God has set out what we should do and what we should not. Are you seeking the Lord for answers, or man? Are you reading the Bible for yourself or accepting what other people claim it says? God knows what you’re supposed to do next…don’t neglect His counsel. Read Psalm 2 Worship the LORD with reverence and rejoice with trembling. Psalms 2:11 In a recent conversation, I was talking to someone about worship in our church. I made the statement that I would like to see our congregation understand that worship doesn’t begin at the first or second service. Worship begins when we walk in the doors and greet someone with the spirit of Christ. Worship beings when we see what is undone for Sunday morning and we handle it without recognition or fanfare. These are a part of worship because they are a part of honoring God. But then my wife pointed out that worship has to go beyond the doors. What if came in the doors on Sunday morning having already worshipped? What if we left continuing to worship by our words and actions? Here in Psalm 2, the kings and rulers of the earth are put on notice: There is a better king coming! And in verse 11 they are told to worship the Lord, but do you think this applies simply to an appearance in His temple? When we confine worship to the church building, we might as well confine our faith there as well. Let us worship with reverence and trembling. This God is worthy of more than we give Him. He loves us even when we ignore Him. How are you approaching worship on Sunday? Has it become a habit or even a chore? More importantly, what does your worship look like outside the church doors? Think of creative ways to spark worship in your life. Some people play music during their prayer time, or they pray using specific scripture they just read in the Bible. Let us realize that every day is an opportunity to worship God through our lips, thoughts and actions. Read Psalm 3 I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustains me. Psalms 3:5 During basic training, I remember our first night out of the barracks. While we were out in the field, our Drill Sergeants were giving us a first-hand lesson on security in our tents. It became clear they were sneaking up on tents where soldiers were asleep, and stealing their M-16’s just before throwing a gas grenade inside. So I slept with my weapon in my sleeping bag with me, and kept my gas mask right next to my face. However, my sleep was pretty sporadic due to the shouting of those who were getting gassed. We had just completed a long march and I was physically exhausted, but the stress of what might happen kept me from resting. Have you ever been so stressed that you were unable to sleep? Do you find yourself thinking about problems well into the night? David was going through a terrible time in his life here in Psalm 3, but he says he could sleep and arise because the Lord was with him. God is able to sustain us in any situation, but your inability to sleep indicates that you're afraid to give up your problem for 8 hours. If something is weighing heavily on your mind, ask God to relieve you of it. Sleeping poorly and thinking about an issue all night will not cause you to make wise decisions the next day. Satan loves it when we worry, because he wins as we move from faith to worry. Prayer should not just something we do in between our worry sessions. Ask God to move in a specific way in your life, and then trust Him to do it. Read Psalm 4 But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself; the LORD hears when I call to Him. Psalms 4:3 During college I used to listen to a comedian who wrote funny songs instead of jokes. One of those songs was about his answering machine, and all these years later I still remember the main line, "I love my answering machine, I love my answering machine. It keeps the people I know away from me." Before the age of answering machines and caller id, I did what most people did when the phone rang: pick it up and hope it's not a telemarketer. Our technology today lets us know who is calling and we can choose if we want to have a conversation. In our relationship with God, I'm glad He doesn't use caller id. God is ready to listen to anyone, but He has certain expectations upon what we say. If an unbeliever calls out to God, He is ready to listen if the person is ready to repent. If God answered the prayers of the lost, what would be their motivation to enter into a relationship with Him? They would feel they are already getting the benefits of God without the expectations. But God is ready and willing to hear the prayers of His people. He sets apart the godly man and listens to him when he calls to God. What does it mean to be godly? Simply put, is God the central priority of your life? Are your daily decisions and activities influenced by your relationship with His son, Jesus Christ? If not, then you are literally living an ungodly life. If you are making requests of God, make sure that you're fulfilling His requests of you first. Read Psalm 5 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; no evil dwells with You. Psalms 5:4 During a Wednesday night Bible study with some teenagers, Megan began talking about how God works in our lives for good. She mentioned several difficult circumstances that had led her to trust God more fully. Then she mentioned that she thought even sin brought us closer to God because repentance brings us closer to God. Certainly repentance brings us into a close relationship with God, but you can grow closer also by resisting the sin in the first place. I told her that I was confident that God does not lead us to commit any sin, and Psalm 5:4 backs that up. This is more of a theological point today, but it does have application to our lives. One truth we know about God is that He is sovereign. God can do whatever He wants, whenever He wants. If He wanted to start moving your body around like a puppet He could do it. Why doesn't He? Because God has given us free will, meaning He gives us a choice. Even though He could force compliance, He doesn't. His desire is that we will choose to love and serve Him and not that we would do so by force. The Bible tells us that God has great plans for our lives, but does that plan include sin? No. The Word of God repeatedly warns us against the dangers of sin, and never invites us to take part in any God-ordained disobedience. Is there sin in your life? What are you doing about it? Recognize that when you allow sin to remain in your life it will cause grief and guilt. Turn from it now and choose to resist sin and embrace holiness. God wants us to obey out not out of compulsion, but as a simple gesture of love back to Him. Read Psalm 6 Return, O LORD, rescue my soul ; save me because of Your lovingkindness. Psalm 6:4 I have read a series of books on the Long Range Army Patrols (Lurps) of the Vietnam War. These were six-man teams made up of the most elite soldiers the Army had to offer at the time.