Ps 39, 40 [The Message]

David cried, “Lord, let your lovingkindness and your truth preserve me.” This Psalm, prophetic of Christ and His trial, reveals some of the most elemental and essential factors in a Christian’s life. Several paraphrased translations render this “mercy and faithfulness.”

Christ was the firstfruits of Salvation. God’s mercy and faithful Truth both combined to enable Him to endure the Cross and come out The Victor.

When we are going through something difficult, God in His Mercy will pull us through like He did for Christ Jesus. “Mercy and Truth are met together; Righteousness and Peace have kissed.” [Ps. 85:10]

Ps. 35-37 [The Message]

“The MEEK shall inherit the earth.”

They don’t have to buy it, cajole for it, steal it, gamble for it etc. It will be handed to them. That’s the nature of an inheritance.

Since my parents recently passed away, they left an inheritance to my siblings and me. It has adequately “padded” our savings for the future … retired life ain’t cheap. My dad would frequently say, “It’s your money (when he referred to his investments).” He took great delight in having shrewdly invested to be able to give an inheritance to his children.

God is our loving and wise Heavenly Father. He, likewise, takes great delight in giving us His Kingdom. What He gives, you can’t purchase with dollars and cents.

Ps. 34:22 [The Message]

God pays for each slave’s freedom; no one who runs to him loses out.

If you were a salesman and could deliver a guarantee on your product like God can, you would never lose. He says, “NO ONE loses out.”

Actually, Christians are all salesman of a sort. We call ourselves “witnesses” or “evangelists.” We have the most sure product IN THE UNIVERSE. Now, let’s act like it and do our job!

Ps. 30-34 [The Message]

Supposedly composed when he was escaping from Abimelech, David made the statement that God met him more than halfway. It’s comforting to know that when we take a step towards God, He’s right there.

I saw a FB post that said, “The journey away from God may be long, but the path back is just a step.”

I think of the Prodigal Son who made his way back to his father’s house. He was met with the unconditional love that parents are wired with. Forgiveness is much better than bitterness. Welcoming is better than aloofness. Our humble bed at home is more inviting than a cold penthouse suite.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. -Jesus, [Matt. 11: 28-30]

Ps. 121 [King James Version]

Today we take a detour and look at Ps. 121:7-8.

The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

AS a Christian grandfather, I consider one of my main functions is prayer for the safety of all my loved ones. I try to mention their name before the Throne of God as many times per day as I can. Whenever they come to mind, I pray. Satan complained to God that a hedge too impenetrable was around Job. That would be my goal -praying a hedge of protection around the ones I love beginning with my wonderful wife.

If protection is offered by the Lord, let’s seal the deal through intercessory prayer.

Ps. 26-29 [The Message]

Lightning and thunder! What a great display of God’s power. When men flaunt their strength, all God needs to do is create a thunderstorm to put them in their place.

The other day while driving home, a flash of lighting and clap of thunder happened simultaneously (which meant it was CLOSE.) I was just grateful it didn’t hit my pickup truck. Actually, an automobile is a safe place to be when struck. The current is passed all around you and then grounded through the tires.

Years ago, our next-door neighbor was struck by lightning while standing in his driveway. He lived to tell it. He was knocked several feet away and his shoes were burned up. NO THANKS!

Ps. 24, 25 [The Message]

I have grandchildren who are beginning their adult journey to follow the Lord. One of the most fulfilling aspects of my present life is praying for and encouraging them in their quest.

This is one role grandparents can surely play in the lives of their grandchildren. They’ve already been down that road and they have a good idea of what’s to come. It is a great joy to have them respond to that attention you give them. Example: Luke is a camp counselor at Kamp Kanakuk this summer. They are encouraging the team to begin memorizing scripture. Luke texted and said, “Hey grandpa. What’s a good scripture for me to memorize?” Do you think I am glad I encouraged him to do so before he left?

Let’s know, let’s press on to know the Lord; whose appearing is as certain as the dawn; who will come to us like the showers, like the spring rains that give drink to the earth.” [Hosea 6:3 CEB]

Ps. 23 [The Message]

Eugene Peterson paraphrases verse 6 like this;

Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.

I love that! As I have grown older, I have come to appreciate God’s presence as my “home.” Wherever I am when His presence is near, I am home. This life is just a tune up for the Hereafter. There’s no better way to live here on earth.

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. [Jn. 14:2]

Ps. 19-22 [The Message]

The sufferings of Christ were foretold even by David in Ps. 22. It was the Heavenly Father’s plan for Him to suffer and atone for our sins. He was sent as a Sacrificial Lamb to the slaughter. Christ prayed, “If possible, let this cup of suffering pass from Me, … Nevertheless, not My will be done but Thine.”

Is it possible that our suffering is also foreordained? Our pain can unfold God’s plan in our lives. As much as it may distress us, there is a reason for the pain and suffering we endure.

Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. [Heb. 12:11]

Ps. 17, 18 [The Message]

Ps. 18 is a warfare Psalm. God did not permit David to build the Temple because he had too much blood on his hands. However, his Psalms about warfare instruct us on how to achieve spiritual victories through prayer and praise. Whenever we read about his fighting, we apply it to spiritual warfare.

We don’t use carnal weapons We use spiritual ones. [2 Cor. 10:4]

When we sense conflict, we praise the Lord and immediately begin praying. Some battles are longer than others. We don’t give up. We pray continually day and night until we get victory. [Luke 18:7] (This is a key passage. Christians should have it memorized)