Psalm 26 - 10.22.21
Scripture - What stood out?
Psalm 26 (NIV)
1 Vindicate me, Lord,
for I have led a blameless life;
I have trusted in the Lord
and have not faltered.
2 Test me, Lord, and try me,
examine my heart and my mind;
3 for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love
and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.
Observation - What does it say?
A psalm of David.
Understanding - What does it mean?
Thank you Lord for growing and nurturing me at a church that is filled with so many godly men, men of faith who desire to be more like You Jesus.
As I read this psalm I almost have to remind myself that I am not simply reading flowery poetry although the words are beautiful. King David’s intent is not hyperbole or self aggrandizement. His desire is to be saved to be vindicated. He is pleading for his life. This man after Your own heart was begging to be taken into your home and confirming his status as a non-sinner.
I have studied the life of Your servant David and I think I can count his sins with one hand. King David came so close to the life of Jesus is the way I remember him for now. And to hear such a man pleading for his life is so humbling, Lord. Here is a man whose trust in you never faltered, his thoughts were always of your unfailing love, and he lived relying on your faithfulness. Just wow. And he still begged you for his life. Such was his humility.
Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?
Thank You Lord for how godly men seem to get me a bit more focused on You. Thank You for providing models like David who have come before us and tried so hard to set good examples. Thank You for Your unfailing love. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank you Lord for growing and nurturing me at a church that is filled with so many godly men, men of faith who desire to be more like You Jesus. I may not have had the life that your servant David had but I would like to set my eyes on a future that more closely resembles Your servant’s heart. As I go about my day today I will remind myself out loud:
for I will lead a blameless life;
I will trust in the Lord
and will not falter.
for I will always be mindful of your unfailing love
and will live in reliance on your faithfulness.
In the name of Jesus, amen.
-kenneth lee
Psalm 25
Scripture
Psalm 25:4-5 tpt
4 Direct me, Yahweh, throughout my journey
so I can experience your plans for my life.
Reveal the life-paths that are pleasing to you.
5 Escort me into your truth; take me by the hand and teach me.
For you are the God of my salvation;
I have wrapped my heart into yours all day long!
Observation
Psalm 25:4-5 Is a praise and cry to God for his direction and help by David, who wants to know of the plans and guidance God has for him. He carries the desire of intimacy and time with the Father.
Understanding
David knows that God is the one who saves him, directs him, he shows us how we shouldn’t rely on our own strength but go to God and rely on him. If we are worried about our own future…what can we ask God? Direct me, when we don’t know the right way in life, ask: Reveal the life-paths that are pleasing to you.
I like what David is saying here, as someone who struggles with my future and the thought of it, not feeling qualified for it even after figuring out what I had wanted to do. I needed to remind myself I have a God I can go to, one I can rely on like David did. In the scripture Jeremiah 29:11 it says:
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
This scripture was also a great reminder that God has a plan and future for me.
Life Application
“Lord give me the desire to be teachable and to know your ways, show me the direction for my life when I don’t see it, help me to trust and take the right steps to live my life in a way that is pleasing to you.”
This is a scripture you can start your day off with. God is speaking to us all the time and we just need to listen…
Jeremiah 33:3- 3 ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’
-Grace Lilley
Deuteronomy 10
Scripture:
Deuteronomy 10:12-15
“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good? To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. Yet the Lord set his affection on your ancestors and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations—as it is today.”
Observation-What does it say?
Here’s a quick overview of this chapter: Chapters 1-11 speak on “God's mercies to Israel after their rebellion.” Chapter 12-22 is “An exhortation to obedience.”
(Matthew Henry’s Bible commentary-concise on Christianity.com)
Exhortation means “an address or communication emphatically urging someone to do something.” (New Oxford American Dictionary)
Understanding-What does it mean?
Israel was loved and chosen by God and even with their rebellion, He still showed them mercy. As a result, there was a response required of them, which was “for your own good (verse 13).” This included:
Fear (or respect) Him.
Walk in obedience to Him or like Pastor says, “Give God the right to tell you what to do.”
Love Him with your whole heart and soul.
Serve Him with your whole heart and soul.
Life Application
Just as Israel was loved, chosen and forgiven by God, we are loved, chosen and forgiven by God too!
Out of His great love and mercy, He has saved us (Ephesians 2:4-5), just like He saved the people of Israel. He chose us before the beginning of time. As a result of faith, there is a response that is required of us and this is for our own good.
In Pastor’s sermon last Sunday about God being our protector (you can check it out at this link: (https://youtu.be/Dr2EmJusdDE), Pastor talks about God’s rod and staff acting as a comfort to us. Discipline is an act of love and comfort. The response that is required of us after salvation is not for Him. It is actually for us, for our own good. Therefore, if we are in Christ, the same 4 responses God required of Israel applies to us as well. Do our lives reflect these responses?
We fear (respect) Him.
We give Him the right to tell us what to do. (Walk in obedience to Him.)
We love Him with our whole heart and soul.
We serve Him with our whole heart and soul.
Dear Lord, thank You that all of your commands are because You love me and are always looking out for my best interests. I pray that I would stay within the boundaries and plans that You have called me to. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi