Psalm_108

 Scripture - What stood out?Psalm 108 1 My heart, O God, is steadfast;    I will sing and make music with all my soul.2 Awake, harp and lyre!    I will awaken the dawn.3 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;    I will sing of you among the peoples. Observation - What does it say?David figuratively tells his instruments to wake up so that together they can wake up the morning sun. How? By praising and exalting God to start the day. His heart for God was so steady and true. That desire to praise him remained such a constant throughout his day and consequently his life. David knew that it was not humans who gave him victories. It was God. He was able to consistently make this a principle inside his heart. I wonder if he remained so consistent!Understanding - What does it mean?With the emotional ups and down of life, I marvel at King David’s ability to persistently pursue and praise God. No matter what. Not only praise God, but to sing His praises. Maybe it is because I am not much of a musician but I find this so hard to relate to! When I feel dead inside, and I feel dead inside a lot...I think the hardest thing for me to do is have any sort of emotional connection with, anything.  It’s so easy to sing to God when I’m happy. Lord, I want to be able to sing to You, no matter what. Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?I want to start my day tomorrow praising God. Just like King David used to. Then I want to praise God. Because God is worthy to be praised. In all things. Under all circumstances. No matter how I feel.Holy Spirit, I ask that you give me the ability to praise God, no matter what I am going through, no matter what I am feeling, no matter how dead I feel inside. Show me how to sing unto the Lord through all and in all. In the name of Jesus do I pray. Amen. -kenneth lee 

Psalm 107

Scripture

Psalm 107: 13-14

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains.

 

Observation

This psalmist begins the chapter by saying that we should give thanks to Lord because of His goodness and mercy. Then they go into detail about different accounts of people who experienced the goodness of God. They talk about prisoners suffering in chains, yet when they called God answered, and more than that He broke away their chains.

 

Understanding

God answers us every single time.

I have always said that the love of God is so great because it has a response. God didn’t just say “I love you and want what is best for you,” instead he modeled what He wanted for us, and He then had His son pay the ultimate price for us. I think these verses solidify that notion. When we cry out to God, not matter what we have done, He does this amazing thing: HE ANSWERS! More than just that too, He breaks the shackles that bounded us to our sin. That’s the picture I got when I read this today, the chains breaking off, the clang as they hit the ground, and the realization of the fact that you are free! But here’s where I stopped today:

What then is my response?

I have been set free, not just to be imprisoned again. Don’t get me wrong, there are times that I still make mistakes and cry out for forgiveness (and God answers), but that shouldn’t be what I fall back on. I should be living a life free forever! Also, I should be trying to take as many “prisoners” with me as possible. I understand that I can’t break their chains for them, only God can do that, but I can remind others that God is so real! He is someone who longs to answer when we call. In fact, He eagerly awaits to break our chains, all we have to do is cry out.

 

Life Application

So how exactly do we live a life worthy of being set free? It is already laid out for us in Jesus’ life, all we have to do is try our best to live like Christ in everything that we do. I know it seems daunting, but here is the good news: if we find ourselves in distress all we have to do is call on God. He answers, maybe not in the way we expect, but nonetheless every time. So rid of your shackles because victory is ours!

-Allison Khan

Psalm 106

 

Scripture

 

Psalm 106:13-15- 13 But they soon forgot what he had done    and did not wait for his plan to unfold.14 In the desert they gave in to their craving;    in the wilderness they put God to the test.15 So he gave them what they asked for,    but sent a wasting disease among them. Observation-What does it say? Here’s a breakdown of this Psalm from Matthew Henry commentary (Christianity.com): The happiness of God's people. (1-5) Israel's sins. (6-12) Their provocations. (13-33) Their rebellions in Canaan. (34-46) Prayer for more complete deliverance. (47, 48) Understanding-What does it mean?Even through everything God had done for them, Israel forgot, went back to their rebellion, God gave them over to their desires and they suffered the consequences of it.  Life ApplicationDon’t forget the faithfulness of the Lord. Actively wait for Him!It’s very easy to experience the goodness of God throughout our lives (such as His protection, provision and grace), but then easily forget when put in situations where our faith is tested. This Psalm starts off with praise to God and His goodness, but then a complete turnaround as Israel forgot and went back to their old ways of thinking because they got tired of waiting for Him. Here’s a few Scriptures that encourage me when I get tired of waiting on the Lord.Gal. 6:9- And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.Ps. 69:3 I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.James 5:7-Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.Lamentations 3:25-The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.Psalm 27:14-Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!Isaiah 40:31 But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.Ps. 130:5-6 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.Dear Lord, please help us to actively wait on You. Your timing is not our timing. When continual trials hit and we go through the wilderness like Israel did, it’s very tempting to go back to our old ways because the waiting period is hard. I pray that we would continue to persevere, remember Your faithfulness in the past, and hold tight to You and the promises in Your Word. Amen.  -Michelle Gaddi