Day 25: Psalm 25- Hope is the Right Rope to Hold Onto

Good Day,

Psalm 25 Commentary:

This Psalm is a precious Psalm because David, once again, is looking to God for help and deliverance, as he hopes in God. He is steadfast as he searches and ultimately, trusts Him (v 1). In every trial we have, we should always look to God and trust Him. We need to remember God is our deliver (v 22).

David recognizes God’s sovereignty and puts his hope in God despite his circumstances. We see David searching out his heart to ensure that he did not somehow inflict this trouble on himself or sin (vv 7 & 8), asking God not to remember him by his sins, but God’s love. He asks God to return to him and to relieve the stress and trouble in his heart, for he is lonely and afflicted (vv 16-19). He asks God to teach, guide, and lead Him as he hopes in God all day long (vv 4 &5 ). In verses 1,3, 5, & 21, the word “hope” is mentioned. It is not an accident. Hope leads to faith! Never forget it! Hope is the rope you hold onto. That ropes’ name is God. David hopes in God all day long no matter what the weather forecast is. What about you?

Psalm 25

¹ In you, Lord my God,
    I put my trust.

² I trust in you;     do not let me be put to shame,
    nor let my enemies triumph over me.
³ No one who hopes in you
    will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
    who are treacherous without cause.

⁴ Show me your ways, Lord,
    teach me your paths.
⁵ Guide me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are God my Savior,
    and my hope is in you all day long.
^{6 Lord, your great mercy and love,} Remember,     for they are from of old.
⁷ Do not remember the sins of my youth     and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
    for you, Lord, are good.

⁸ Good and upright is the Lord;
    therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
⁹ He guides the humble in what is right
    and teaches them his way.
^{10 Lord are loving and faithful} All the ways of the     toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
^11 Lord,For the sake of your name,
    forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

¹² Who, then, are those who fear the Lord?     He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.
¹³ They will spend their days in prosperity,     and their descendants will inherit the land.
^{14 Lord confides in those who fear him;}The
    he makes his covenant known to them.
^15 Lord, My eyes are ever on the     for only he will release my feet from the snare.

¹⁶ Turn to me and be gracious to me,     for I am lonely and afflicted.
¹⁷ Relieve the troubles of my heart
    and free me from my anguish.
¹⁸ Look on my affliction and my distress     and take away all my sins.
¹⁹ See how numerous are my enemies     and how fiercely they hate me!

²⁰ Guard my life and rescue me;     do not let me be put to shame,
    for I take refuge in you.
²¹ May integrity and uprightness protect me,
    because my hope, Lord,^[c] is in you.

²² Deliver Israel, O God,
    from all their troubles!

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2025&version=NIV

Please take the time to reflect and comment:

When you go to comment, you can choose anonymous and then sign your name at the end of you post, or you can set up a Google account. The first choice is easier! I recommend that you work in Word or Word Pad first; then copy and paste it in here. Feel free to email me @ illyguana@hotmail.com with any questions you still have or concerns. You can also send me a message in FB to Illy Reich!

Day 24: Psalm 24- Who Can Go to God's Holy Mountain

Good Day,

Psalm 24 is a beautiful Psalm! I believe the Psalmist begins this Psalm highlighting the greatness of God. Verses one and two tell us that the “Earth is the Lords” and “He founded it on the seas and established on the waters.”(Psalm 24 1 & 2). There is no room the Big Bang Theory here for me! Wow, He did it all; how awesome is the most high God!

Now who can go in boldly before the throne of God or “ascend to the mountain of the Lord” (verse 3)? One who has clean hands, a pure heart, who does not have idols, or swear by false Gods can enter in. That is pretty clear!

What does it mean to have clean hands? A person who has clean hands does not cause destruction or pain with their mouth, hands, or other devices, such as cell phones and FB. What is a pure heart? It is one that is surrendered to God. It seeks God and reflects on his or her motives and truly seeks to live a life that is holy to the Lord. Idols are things we worship. In the Old Testament, the children of Israel made a Golden Calf to worship when Moses went to hear from God. They couldn’t wait for him to get back. They began to sing and dance around it. They made it the center of their attention. God is a jealous God; He doesn’t want us to worship any idols or put something ahead of Him. What types of things can fall into this category? Almost anything can, but here is a short list: Facebook, cell phone, video games, TV, and reading. Don’t get me wrong; I am not saying any of these things are evil, but if given the wrong place in our life and more important than God, then they are idols.

These clean handed pure people seek after God and find His blessings evident in their lives (vv 5-6). In verses seven through ten, the Psalmist tells us to “Lift up your heads, you gates, be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty in battle”. This tells us that we may ask the King of glory to come in and be with us. As we seek Him with our whole hearts, keeping our heart and mind clean and pure before Him. This means we check in with Him daily and go into the throne room of God.

So, I ask you? Do you have clean hands and a pure heart? Do you have any idols or swear by false Gods? If so you can’t enter in, but if you allow God to sanctify (purify) and cleanse  (wash) you, you have direct access right away!

Psalm 24

¹ The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
    the world, and all who live in it;
² for he founded it on the seas
    and established it on the waters.

³ Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?
    Who may stand in his holy place?
⁴ The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,     who does not trust in an idol
    or swear by a false god.

⁵ They will receive blessing from the Lord
    and vindication from God their Savior.
⁶ Such is the generation of those who seek him,
    who seek your face, God of Jacob.

⁷ Lift up your heads, you gates;     be lifted up, you ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
⁸ Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord strong and mighty,
    the Lord mighty in battle.
⁹ Lift up your heads, you gates;
    lift them up, you ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
¹⁰ Who is he, this King of glory?
    The Lord Almighty —
    he is the King of glory

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2024&version=NIV

Please take the time to reflect and comment:

When you go to comment, you can choose anonymous and then sign your name at the end of you post, or you can set up a Google account. The first choice is easier! I recommend that you work in Word or Word Pad first; then copy and paste it in here. Feel free to email me @ illyguana@hotmail.com with any questions you still have or concerns. You can also send me a message in FB to Illy Reich!

Day 23: Psalm 23- What Do You Really Need?

Good Day,

Psalm 23's Thoughts to Ponder:

This one of my favorite Psalms because it brings me such comfort, and it keeps me focused when I am having a pity party. Come on. We all have them from time to time. Verse one says, “I don’t need a thing.” The truth is we don’t need much of anything; it’s the “wants” we cry out for, but God always takes care of our basic needs. Even when we were losing our house, He prepared a place for us to go to and live. When I get in my mind that I have to have an IPAD, for example, I am reminded rather quickly that I do have all of the materials I need to get my job done at church and at school. When I think I need a new cell phone, I realize it’s a want because mine still works. I am learning to thank God for providing for me and taking care of me. This is a big perspective change. I can do more for the kingdom of God with the dollars I have left, if any. Some people put their money in trips, their homes, and their cars. I choose to sow in the kingdom. I trust God to meet my needs, and He always does. He will do the same for you too!

It also says, “True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.” (v1-3). Some of you say you are so tired and you have not had time to catch your breath. Did you take the time to come into His presence and just lie at His feet, pray, rest, soak, and catch your breath?

I also often hear teens saying, “I don’t know what to do.” But did you take the time to ask God for help? It says, “True to your word.” (v1). But if we never go to the well for water, we will never get the drink we need. I encourage you to ponder on this thought. God is always there. He can give us such a peace in the midst of any storm; He can lead us to lush meadows (v2). We have to be lead there and be willing to go there. We need to learn to go there in the good times and not just in the crisises. Then we won't be caught of guard and find ourselves in sefl-induced trials.

Verse four tells us that God is with us through the thick and thin and in the darkness. He is not like most of friends who are there when the good times are rolling. When thunder clouds come in, most of our friends run and leave us. God never leaves us! We don’t ever have to fear. I love the photo on this blog. The cat is lightly prancing through water as she passes the pack of dogs. One, cats don’t like water, but it is walking on the alternative path given, as God planned an escape. Two, it is not frozen, nor is it running. It is facing the challenge or trial at hand. We can do the same with God!

Verse five tells us that if we wait and trust God, that He will defend us and soak us with blessings. Our enemies will lament when they see the blessings of God in our life and wish it was them. Praise God, this may lead them to Christ too! This trial you are facing God can use it for His glory. 

Why do you find yourself in these trials? This is a questiom every Christian ask. The Bible tells us not to think that it is odd, that they are sure to come (1 Peter 4:12).  Sometimes we are found in them because of ignorance, choice, and or God’s sovereignty. I’ll never know the answer, but my prayer is always the same in these situations. One, what is going on that I need to see and change? Two, what are You trying to show me? Three, what do I need to do right now? Four, help me do your will in this situation and not my own. I have to give my trials over to the Lord, even if I feel like running.

Verse six tells us that “Your beauty and love chases after me.” Even when we run or hide for a bit, His beauty and love chases after us. That’s amazing. He loves us so much that His love and mercy pursues us. I revel in God’s love. It’s relentless! He always goes after His sheep if they are lost or get off track. For this reason, I give Him all of the praise. Will you do the same right now? What are you thankful? How has God met your needs?

Psalm 23

 ^1-3 God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing.
   You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
      you find me quiet pools to drink from.
   True to your word,
      you let me catch my breath
      and send me in the right direction.

 ⁴ Even when the way goes through
      Death Valley,
   I'm not afraid
      when you walk at my side.
   Your trusty shepherd's crook
      makes me feel secure.

 ⁵ You serve me a six-course dinner
      right in front of my enemies.
   You revive my drooping head;
      my cup brims with blessing.

 ⁶ 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.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2023&version=MSG

Please take the time to reflect and comment:

When you go to comment, you can choose anonymous and then sign your name at the end of you post, or you can set up a Google account. The first choice is easier! I recommend that you work in Word or Word Pad first; then copy and paste it in here. Feel free to email me @ illyguana@hotmail.com with any questions you still have or concerns. You can also send me a message in FB to Illy Reich!

Day 22: Psalm 22- Down in the Dumps, But Not Down for the Count

Good Day,

Psalm 22 starts out gloomy; but in the end, we find the secret to living (v 25-26).

Psalm 22 - The Message (MSG)

A David Psalm

 ^1-2 God, God...my God! Why did you dump me
      miles from nowhere?
   Doubled up with pain, I call to God
      all the day long. No answer. Nothing.
   I keep at it all night, tossing and turning.

 ^3-5 And you! Are you indifferent, above it all,
      leaning back on the cushions of Israel's praise?
   We know you were there for our parents:
      they cried for your help and you gave it;
      they trusted and lived a good life.

 ^6-8 And here I am, a nothing—an earthworm,
      something to step on, to squash.
   Everyone pokes fun at me;
      they make faces at me, they shake their heads:
   "Let's see how God handles this one;
      since God likes him so much, let him help him!"

 ^9-11 And to think you were midwife at my birth,
      setting me at my mother's breasts!
   When I left the womb you cradled me;
      since the moment of birth you've been my God.
   Then you moved far away
      and trouble moved in next door.
   I need a neighbor.

 ^12-13 Herds of bulls come at me,
      the raging bulls stampede,
   Horns lowered, nostrils flaring,
      like a herd of buffalo on the move.

 ^14-15 I'm a bucket kicked over and spilled,
      every joint in my body has been pulled apart.
   My heart is a blob
      of melted wax in my gut.
   I'm dry as a bone,
      my tongue black and swollen.
   They have laid me out for burial
      in the dirt.

 ^16-18 Now packs of wild dogs come at me;
      thugs gang up on me.
   They pin me down hand and foot,
      and lock me in a cage—a bag
   of bones in a cage, stared at
      by every passerby.
   They take my wallet and the shirt off my back,
      and then throw dice for my clothes.

 ^19-21 You, God—don't put off my rescue!
      Hurry and help me!
   Don't let them cut my throat;
      don't let those mongrels devour me.
   If you don't show up soon,
      I'm done for—gored by the bulls,
      meat for the lions.

 ^22-24 Here's the story I'll tell my friends when they come to worship,
      and punctuate it with Hallelujahs:
   Shout Hallelujah, you God-worshipers;
      give glory, you sons of Jacob;
      adore him, you daughters of Israel.
   He has never let you down,
      never looked the other way
      when you were being kicked around.
   He has never wandered off to do his own thing;
      he has been right there, listening.

 ^25-26 Here in this great gathering for worship
      I have discovered this praise-life.
   And I'll do what I promised right here
      in front of the God-worshipers.
   Down-and-outers sit at God's table
      and eat their fill.
   Everyone on the hunt for God
      is here, praising him.
   "Live it up, from head to toe.
      Don't ever quit!"

 ^27-28 From the four corners of the earth
      people are coming to their senses,
      are running back to God.
   Long-lost families
      are falling on their faces before him.
   God has taken charge;
      from now on he has the last word.

 ²⁹ All the power-mongers are before him
      —worshiping!
   All the poor and powerless, too
      —worshiping!
   Along with those who never got it together
      —worshiping!

 ^30-31 Our children and their children
      will get in on this
   As the word is passed along
      from parent to child.
   Babies not yet conceived
      will hear the good news—
      that God does what He says.

 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2022&version=MSG

Psalm 22's Thoughts to Ponder:

    

     Some say this Psalm is a messianic Psalm or phophetic Psalm, but we can still read it and relate to it. Others say it is David's heart crying out to God.
  
     David is in a heap of trouble and or depressed. He feels like God has forsaken him and left him out in the desert to dry up and die. He has to work through his temper tantrum and emotional frenzy (read down to verse 19-21). These moments can be strong, and that is why we need Godly people in our life to helps us pray through these rough emotional times. The teenage and young adult years are one of the hardest phases in life. There is so much hurt, trouble, and change. We need others to help us snap out of it and get through it.

     Thank God David finally begins to remember God. He gets stronger in his proclamation (verses 30 & 31) and reminds himself of God’s good news that will be passed on from parent to baby or generation to generation. He set's a good pattern for us that we should follow when we are down and in the dumps!

Please take the time to reflect and comment:

When you go to comment, you can choose anonymous and then sign your name at the end of you post, or you can set up a Google account. The first choice is easier! I recommend that you work in Word or Word Pad first; then copy and paste it in here. Feel free to email me @ illyguana@hotmail.com with any questions you still have or concerns. You can also send me a message in FB to Illy Reich!

Day 20 & 21: Psalm 20 &21- Two for One



Good Day,

Today you get two for the price of one. Read both Psalms first, and then I’ll explain the reason.

Psalm 20 - New King James Version (NKJV)

The Assurance of God’s Saving Work

1 May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble;
May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;
² May He send you help from the sanctuary,
And strengthen you out of Zion;
³ May He remember all your offerings,
And accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah

⁴ May He grant you according to your heart’s desire,
And fulfill all your purpose.
⁵ We will rejoice in your salvation,
And in the name of our God we will set up our banners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.

⁶ Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven
With the saving strength of His right hand.

⁷ Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
⁸ They have bowed down and fallen;
But we have risen and stand upright.

⁹ Save, Lord!
May the King answer us when we call.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2020&version=NKJV

Psalm 21 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Joy in the Salvation of the Lord

1 The king shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord;
And in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
² You have given him his heart’s desire,
And have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah

³ For You meet him with the blessings of goodness;
You set a crown of pure gold upon his head.
⁴ He asked life from You, and You gave it to him—
Length of days forever and ever.
⁵ His glory is great in Your salvation;
Honor and majesty You have placed upon him.
⁶ For You have made him most blessed forever;
You have made him exceedingly glad with Your presence.
^7 Lord,For the king trusts in the
And through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved.

⁸ Your hand will find all Your enemies;
Your right hand will find those who hate You.
⁹ You shall make them as a fiery oven in the time of Your anger;
The Lord shall swallow them up in His wrath,
And the fire shall devour them.
¹⁰ Their offspring You shall destroy from the earth,
And their descendants from among the sons of men.
¹¹ For they intended evil against You;
They devised a plot which they are not able to perform.
¹² Therefore You will make them turn their back;
You will make ready Your arrows on Your string toward their faces.

¹³ Be exalted, O Lord, in Your own strength!
We will sing and praise Your power.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+21&version=NKJV

Psalm 20 & 21’s Thoughts to Ponder:

      According to the Fire Bible, Psalm 20 and 21 are “companion Psalms or Psalms that go together (919). The first passage is return before David goes into battle; the second is written after he returns from battle having won. What we don’t know for sure the time span between the two, but we know a significant about of time transpired. After all, in those days transportation was by feet, horse, or chariot. David states in Psalm 20: 7, ^“ Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.”  David could have chosen to trust in the great chariots and advanced weapons they thought they had going in to battle; instead, he will trust in the Lord. This passage teaches us that we must remember God and His Name when going into battle, to hold to that, and to nothing else. David did not trust in his chariots, his men, or their weapons. This is trust is what kept him until he returned, until he saw the victory. We know this because he states in Psalm 21:7, “For the king trusts in the Lord, and through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved.” (Biblegateway.com).

     This is the same trust that we need to latch on to for dear life! Let’s remember the power of God (Psalm 21:13), and let’s remember to trust in the Lord like David did! Proverbs 3:5-6  states: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Biblegateway.com).

Please take the time to reflect and comment:

When you go to comment, you can choose anonymous and then sign your name at the end of you post, or you can set up a Google account. The first choice is easier! I recommend that you work in Word or Word Pad first; then copy and paste it in here. Feel free to email me @ illyguana@hotmail.com with any questions you still have or concerns. You can also send me a message in FB to Illy Reich!

Day 18- Psalm 18- David's Song of Victory

Good Day,

Psalm 18  New King James Version (NKJV)

 

God the Sovereign Savior

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord, who spoke to the Lord the words of this song on the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. And he said:

18 I will love You, O Lord, my strength.
^{2 Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;}The
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
^{3 Lord, who is worthy to be praised;}I will call upon the
So shall I be saved from my enemies.

⁴ The pangs of death surrounded me,
And the floods of ungodliness made me afraid.
⁵ The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me;
The snares of death confronted me.
^6 Lord,In my distress I called upon the
And cried out to my God;
He heard my voice from His temple,
And my cry came before Him, even to His ears.

⁷ Then the earth shook and trembled;
The foundations of the hills also quaked and were shaken,
Because He was angry.
⁸ Smoke went up from His nostrils,
And devouring fire from His mouth;
Coals were kindled by it.
⁹ He bowed the heavens also, and came down
With darkness under His feet.
¹⁰ And He rode upon a cherub, and flew;
He flew upon the wings of the wind.
¹¹ He made darkness His secret place;
His canopy around Him was dark waters
And thick clouds of the skies.
¹² From the brightness before Him,
His thick clouds passed with hailstones and coals of fire.

¹³ The Lord thundered from heaven,
And the Most High uttered His voice,
Hailstones and coals of fire.^[a]
14 He sent out His arrows and scattered the foe,
Lightnings in abundance, and He vanquished them.
¹⁵ Then the channels of the sea were seen,
The foundations of the world were uncovered
At Your rebuke, O Lord,
At the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.

¹⁶ He sent from above, He took me;
He drew me out of many waters.
¹⁷ He delivered me from my strong enemy,
From those who hated me,
For they were too strong for me.
¹⁸ They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
But the Lord was my support.
¹⁹ He also brought me out into a broad place;
He delivered me because He delighted in me.

²⁰ The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness;
According to the cleanness of my hands
He has recompensed me.
^21 Lord,For I have kept the ways of the
And have not wickedly departed from my God.
²² For all His judgments were before me,
And I did not put away His statutes from me.
²³ I was also blameless before Him,
And I kept myself from my iniquity.
^{24 Lord has recompensed me according to my righteousness,}Therefore the
According to the cleanness of my hands in His sight.

²⁵ With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful;
With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless;
²⁶ With the pure You will show Yourself pure;
And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd.
²⁷ For You will save the humble people,
But will bring down haughty looks.

²⁸ For You will light my lamp;
The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.
²⁹ For by You I can run against a troop,
By my God I can leap over a wall.
³⁰ As for God, His way is perfect;
The word of the Lord is proven;
He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

³¹ For who is God, except the Lord?
And who is a rock, except our God?
³² It is God who arms me with strength,
And makes my way perfect.
³³ He makes my feet like the feet of deer,
And sets me on my high places.
³⁴ He teaches my hands to make war,
So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

³⁵ You have also given me the shield of Your salvation;
Your right hand has held me up,
Your gentleness has made me great.
³⁶ You enlarged my path under me,
So my feet did not slip.

³⁷ I have pursued my enemies and overtaken them;
Neither did I turn back again till they were destroyed.
³⁸ I have wounded them,
So that they could not rise;
They have fallen under my feet.
³⁹ For You have armed me with strength for the battle;
You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.
⁴⁰ You have also given me the necks of my enemies,
So that I destroyed those who hated me.
⁴¹ They cried out, but there was none to save;
Even to the Lord, but He did not answer them.
⁴² Then I beat them as fine as the dust before the wind;
I cast them out like dirt in the streets.

⁴³ You have delivered me from the strivings of the people;
You have made me the head of the nations;
A people I have not known shall serve me.
⁴⁴ As soon as they hear of me they obey me;
The foreigners submit to me.
⁴⁵ The foreigners fade away,
And come frightened from their hideouts.

⁴⁶ The Lord lives!
Blessed be my Rock!
Let the God of my salvation be exalted.
⁴⁷ It is God who avenges me,
And subdues the peoples under me;
⁴⁸ He delivers me from my enemies.
You also lift me up above those who rise against me;
You have delivered me from the violent man.
^{49 Lord, among the Gentiles,}Therefore I will give thanks to You, O
And sing praises to Your name.

⁵⁰ Great deliverance He gives to His king,
And shows mercy to His anointed,
To David and his descendants forevermore.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2018&version=NKJV

Psalm 18’ Thoughts to Ponder:

      Some scholars say this Psalm “was probably written early in King David’s reign (2 Samuel 8:14), before he committed the devastating sin of adultery and suffered the results for the rest of his life (2 Samuel 12:1-14) (Fire Bible 915). It was written on day when David won victory over ALL of his enemies. Saul was hunting David most of his life; yet David decided not touch God’s anointed.  King Saul dies from another man’s hands and not David’s (1 Samuel 31: 3-6). This reveals some of David’s noteworthy character traits; he had great restraint when it came to Saul, as well as respect and extreme patience.

1.      How are you like or not like David?

2.      Have you every sung such a great victory song like this one?

3.    What can you learn from David's restraint?

4.    What verse is most important to you in this Psalm?

Please take the time to reflect and comment:

When you go to comment, you can choose anonymous and then sign your name at the end of you post, or you can set up a Google account. The first choice is easier! I recommend that you work in Word or Word Pad first; then copy and paste it in here. Feel free to email me @ illyguana@hotmail.com with any questions you still have or concerns. You can also send me a message in FB to Illy Reich!

Day 19: Psalm 19- The Handiwork of God

Good Day,

Psalm 19

Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

To the director: A song of David.

1 The heavens tell about the glory of God.
    The skies announce what his hands have made.
² Each new day tells more of the story,
    and each night reveals more and more about God’s power. ^[a]
3 You cannot hear them say anything.
    They don’t make any sound we can hear.
⁴ But their message goes throughout the world.
    Their teaching reaches the ends of the earth.  The sun’s tent is set up in the heavens.

⁵     It comes out like a happy bridegroom from his bedroom.
It begins its path across the sky
    like an athlete eager to run a race.
⁶ It starts at one end of the sky
    and runs all the way to the other end.
    Nothing can hide from its heat.

⁷ The LORD’S teachings are perfect.
    They give strength to his people.
The LORD’S rules can be trusted.
    They help even the foolish become wise.
⁸ The LORD’S laws are right.
    They make people happy.
The LORD’S commands are good.
    They show people the right way to live.

⁹ Learning respect for the LORD is good.
    It will last forever.
The LORD’S judgments are right.
    They are completely fair.
¹⁰ His teachings are worth more than pure gold.
    They are sweeter than the best honey dripping from the honeycomb.
¹¹ His teachings warn his servants,
    and good things come to those who obey them.

¹² People cannot see their own mistakes,
    so don’t let me commit secret sins.
¹³ Don’t let me do what I know is wrong.
    Don’t let sin control me.
If you help me, I can be pure
    and free from sin.
¹⁴ May my words and thoughts please you.
    LORD, you are my Rock—the one who rescues me.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2019&version=ERV

Psalm 19’s Questions and Thoughts to Ponder:    

Verses 1-4 take my breath away. You cannot hear the sky say anything, but it reveals the handiwork of God:

1 The heavens tell about the glory of God.
The skies announce what his hands have made.
² Each new day tells more of the story,
    and each night reveals more and more about God’s power. ^[a]
3 You cannot hear them say anything.
    They don’t make any sound we can hear.
⁴ But their message goes throughout the world.
    Their teaching reaches the ends of the earth.  The sun’s tent is set up in the heavens.

1 1.  In verse 12, it says that “people cannot see their own mistakes, so don’t let me commit secret sins”. Do you think people cannot always see their mistakes because sometimes a person is too close to a situation to see objectively?

22.  Do you share this Psalmist love for God that you do not want to commit any secret sins either?

33. What does the Psalmist say is the key to not doing wrong and letting sin not control him (verse    

         13 b)?

  4. Verse 14 says, "May my words and thoughts please you.". Do you share this same prayer with David? Have you ever thought about this before? Why, or why not?

Please take the time to reflect and comment:

When you go to comment, you can choose anonymous and then sign your name at the end of you post, or you can set up a Google account. The first choice is easier! I recommend that you work in Word or Word Pad first; then copy and paste it in here. Feel free to email me @ illyguana@hotmail.com with any questions you still have or concerns. You can also send me a message in FB to Illy Reich!