As a student of the Psalms, I have been impacted by David’s lifestyle of praise and worship. He is the Bible’s primary author on the subject. Any young Christian who feels called to a ministry of music should likewise become very familiar with David’s life and writings.

Noteworthy also is David’s running commentary on leadership principles. He was also one who modeled exemplary trust and dependence upon the Lord for protection and direction. He declared, “The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.” [Ps. 34:19]

PRAYER: Lord, even though life gets challenging at times, I will trust in You to help me through the tough times. You are my deliverer.

READING: Ps. 30-35

David asked the Lord not to remember the sins of his youth, nor his rebellious ways. Man of God that he became, still there were obviously developmental stages of his life that he was not proud of.

Consider Paul’s beginnings … chief of sinners, murder etc. Mary Magdalene had been forgiven much (seven demons cast out), but she loved much. Such were early periods of the lives of people Jesus forgave and cleaned up.

While we were yet in our sin, Christ Jesus died for us. Can we also display unconditional love for those who may still be in the “sins of their youth?”

PRAYER: Father, forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Give us loving hearts of understanding to prayerfully believe for the lives of those who have yet to come to You in salvation.

READING: Psalms 25-29

In today’s reading portion, there are several references to what the king’s heart’s desire is. When we ask wisely, we can become a pipeline of God’s blessing. Solomon asked for wisdom and God gave him everything.

God gave the souls of men to Jesus. Believers are encouraged to set their affection on things above, not on things of the earth. [Col. 3:1]

“Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you.” [Matt. 7:7]

PRAYER: Father, You are giving us because You are a giving God. Teach us to desire eternal things rather than temporal. Allow us to navigate life without becoming carnally covetous.

READING: Psalms 19-24

David revealed a constant tension between himself and those whose values were not Godly. To appropriately deal with his foes, he resorted to prayer. He found his refuge through this place of solace and purpose, the Lord’s presence. To maintain ability to cope with this tension, he developed a daily habit of spending quality time with the Lord. There, the Lord would not only provide the victory over his enemies, but would constantly adjust David’s heart to lead with integrity.

Leaders who want to please the Lord must cultivate a consistent, vital devotional life.

PRAYER: Lord, Whom have I in heaven but You, and there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. You alone are my place of comfort and security from the enemies of Your Kingdom.

READING: Psalms 16-18

The eyes of God watch everything. They roam to and fro throughout the earth. They remain upon the righteous. He sees all and rewards man according to what he has done.

Nothing is hidden from Him. Men think they are sinning in secret, but God sees it and will deal with it. Every deed of righteousness will be rewarded, and every generous gift to those in need will receive God’s reward.

His Kingdom fills the earth, but is hidden from open view.

PRAYER: Lord, there is no god like You. You alone see our every move. To honor you in every deed, every word, and every motive of our heart is our desire.

READING: Psalm 10-15

David frequently referred to his enemies in the Psalms. It was not as if he was paranoid, but rather triumphant over them. He was always faithful to call upon the Lord for protection and deliverance rather than taking matters into his own hands.

Paul said, “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of (enemy) strongholds.” He also said, “Thanks be to God Who ALWAYS causes us to triumph through Christ Jesus.”

Our warfare is through our prayer, our praise, our trust, and our obedience to the Lord’s Word.

PRAYER: Lord, You are our refuge and fortress. We call upon Your name when we have struggles. We are grateful that You have already given us victory.

READING: Psalm 1-9

After God finally showed up and brought correction to the error the comforters had interjected, He required them to prepare an offering and ask Job to pray for them.  He had maintained an integrity before the Lord as he tried to understand the trial he was enduring. At the conclusion of the trial, in the Lord’s timing, Job was rewarded with twice as much blessing as his former life.

Those who endure suffering in this life can rest assured that God sees all, and will appropriately reward them for their pain. He uses pain, but ultimately wants to bring healing and blessing. In Christ,we have HOPE.

PRAYER: Father, we will endure the trials and challenges of this life because we know that You will reward us, You will redeem us, and You will heal us. Blessed be Your Holy Name, Jesus.

READING: Job 41,42

As if He had had enough of the banter between Job and his comforters, God makes His entrance. With riveting Authority He convincingly declares many insights into the world around them to set the stage for His conclusive verdict about Job’s trial.

We are wise to set our hearts in prayer to hear God’s voice in every challenge life presents to us. His instructions are life and health. His counsel is the ultimate medicine. In His Word are the keys to eternal life.

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, Thine is the Kingdom and the glory. We humble ourselves UNDER Your mighty hand. Grant us grace to arise in health and obedience. 

READING: Job  36-40

Job displayed a noble desire and accountability to do what was right. He declared, “If I have … (committed many categories of sin, then let me suffer penalty results).” Such was further evidence that God had indeed focused on an exemplary man.

However, as the NT scripture says, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Whether we commit one sin only, or a gazillion sins, we MUST experience the washing of the blood of Jesus to be faultless in God’s sight. We needed as Saviour.

PRAYER: Lord, apart from the blood of Jesus, there is no cleansing from sin. Precious is the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world.

READING: Job 31-35

Job adds his name to the list of Bible authors who attempt to define wisdom … “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.” David and Solomon both add, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

The fear of the Lord is most efficiently taught in the home. Children who are raised by Godly parents learn from an early age to reverentially fear God. They are spared the painful process of learning it by suffering from unwise choices in life.

PRAYER: Lord, give us the inspiration and perseverance to capably teach and model the reverential fear of the Lord in our homes.  You alone are to be worshipped and feared.

READING: Job 25-29