• Home
  • About
  • DavidKitz.ca
  • Youtube Videos
  • Books by David

I love the Psalms

~ Connecting daily with God through the Psalms

I love the Psalms

Monthly Archives: November 2020

Countering a Marauding Army of Negative Thoughts

30 Monday Nov 2020

Posted by davidkitz in Psalms, Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Holy Spirit, negative thoughts

Today’s quote from “Psalms 365”
by David Kitz:Marauding army Psalm 83_9-18

LORD God,
today I choose to think thoughts
that lift me up and bring me closer to you. With your help,
I reject those thoughts that bring me down. Holy Spirit blow through my life.
I lift my heart in praise to you,
Lord Jesus.
Amen.

Countering Negative Thoughts

30 Monday Nov 2020

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 83, Psalms

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

bitterness, depression, disappointment, discouragment

Reading: Psalm 83
(Verses 9-18)
Do to them as you did to Midian,
as you did to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon,
who perished at Endor and became like dung on the ground.
Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb,
all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,
who said, “Let us take possession of the pasturelands of God.”
Make them like tumbleweed, my God,
like chaff before the wind.
As fire consumes the forest
or a flame sets the mountains ablaze,
so pursue them with your tempest
and terrify them with your storm.
Cover their faces with shame, L
ORD,
so that they will seek your name.
May they ever be ashamed and dismayed;
may they perish in disgrace.
Let them know that you, whose name is the L
ORD—
that you alone are the Most High over all the earth
(NIV).*

img_20190218_1401586

Qu’Appelle River Valley, Saskatchewan — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
Bible scholars believe the psalms that comprise the Book of Psalms were written over a period of about seven hundred years between 1000 BC and 300 BC. One of the challenges of writing something daily about the Psalms is discovering something personally relevant about each scripture portion. What could these ancient writings mean for me today? Is there something in there for me—something relevant for my walk with the LORD?

Today’s reading illustrates this point. The psalmist is calling for the destruction of Israel’s enemies who have invaded the land and brought death and devastation. In his appeal for God’s help, the psalmist recalls the great victories the LORD wrought in the past. He prays against Israel’s enemies, “Make them like tumbleweed, my God, like chaff before the wind.”

In our daily walk through life do we face enemies? Of course we do. Their names are not Sisera and Jabin or Oreb and Zeeb, but nevertheless we face enemies. They come with names like Discouragement and Depression or Complacency and Apathy. Occasionally, I run into Disappointment and Bitterness. Now those are two tough characters. If you let them take hold, they can pin you down and leave you defeated in no time.

The negative thoughts that we permit can devastate our lives as effectively as any marauding army. That’s why Asaph, the psalmist, calls on the wind of God’s Spirit to blow such enemies away. There is no value in chaff or tumbleweed. Similarly, some thoughts simply should have no place in our lives.   

Response: LORD God, today I choose to think thoughts that lift me up and bring me closer to you. With your help I reject those thoughts that bring me down. Holy Spirit blow through my life. Amen.

Your Turn: What thoughts bring you down? What thoughts bring you joy and victory?

* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica

Some good news: The first volume of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz will be published in November, 2020, by Elk Lake Publishing. Two additional volumes will follow in 2021 to complete the three volume set of devotions from the Psalms.

Wrapped in Light

29 Sunday Nov 2020

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 104, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

beauty, creation, Light

Today’s key verse from the Psalms:Psalm 104_2-3

Father God,
I thank you for the beauty of creation.
Daily, you remind us of your magnificence.
Help me to pause
and show my appreciation.

Amen.

Clothed with Splendor and Majesty

29 Sunday Nov 2020

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 104

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

majesty, praise the LORD, the LORD

I will praise the LORD!

img_20201109_1649115-1

The Lord wraps himself in light — photo by David Kitz

Praise the LORD, my soul.
   LORD my God, you are very great;
    you are clothed with splendor and majesty.

   The LORD wraps himself in light
as with a garment;

    he stretches out the heavens like a tent
and lays the beams of his upper chambers
on their waters.

He makes the clouds his chariot
    and rides on the wings of the wind.
He makes winds his messengers,
    flames of fire his servants.

(Psalm 104:1-4, NIV)*

* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica

Who Rules over All?

28 Saturday Nov 2020

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 103

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

future, judgment, kingdom, throne

Today’s key verse from the Psalms:
Psalm 103_9

Father God,
 you are in charge.
You rule over all.
I trust your judgment,
even when I don’t fully understand.
I commit my ways and my future
into your hands.
Amen.

His Throne in Heaven

28 Saturday Nov 2020

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 103

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

angels, God's kingdom, praise the LORD, throne

I will praise the LORD!

img_20201109_1657017

The close of the day — photo by David Kitz

The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
    and his kingdom rules over all.
Praise the LORD, you his angels,
    you mighty ones who do his bidding,
    who obey his word.
Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
    you his servants who do his will.
Praise the LORD, all his works
    everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the LORD, my soul.

(Psalm 103:19-22, NIV)*

* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica

Victory through Your Son

27 Friday Nov 2020

Posted by davidkitz in Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

forces of evil, Jesus Christ, victory

Today’s quote from “Psalms 365”
by David KitzPsalm 83_1-8

Father God,
 we have a powerful opponent,
but we have victory through your Son,
the Lord Jesus Christ.
I call on your awesome name.
Give me victory over sin
and the forces of evil
that are out to destroy my life.
My strength is in you, Jesus.
Amen.

Your Foes Rear Their Heads

27 Friday Nov 2020

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 83, Psalms

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

demonic forces, enemies, greed, pornography, victory

Reading: Psalm 83
A psalm of Asaph.
(Verses 1-8)
O God, do not remain silent;
do not turn a deaf ear,
do not stand aloof, O God.
See how your enemies growl,
how your foes rear their heads.
With cunning they conspire against your people;
they plot against those you cherish.
“Come,” they say, “let us destroy them as a nation,
so that Israel’s name is remembered no more.”
With one mind they plot together;
they form an alliance against you—
the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,
of Moab and the Hagrites,
Byblos, Ammon and Amalek,
Philistia, with the people of Tyre.
Even Assyria has joined them
to reinforce Lot’s descendants
(NIV).*

2020-11-04

Dark waters — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
Do you have enemies? Ancient Israel certainly did. Here in Psalm 83, Asaph lists ten traditional enemies of Israel. The psalmist clearly states the objective of these foreign powers. Their objective was the annihilation of Israel as a nation. “Come,” they say, “let us destroy them as a nation, so that Israel’s name is remembered no more.”

In the spiritual realm every born-again follower of Jesus has a host of enemies who are trying to tear him down and annihilate his or her faith. Therefore, St. Paul gives us this advice:  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:11-12).

Though they may not have a physical form, our enemies are real. The trap called pornography is real. The idolatrous nature of greed is real. The crippling effects of resentment and bitterness are real. These sins and the demonic forces that continually prompt us to disobey God are real. They are constantly working to annihilate our faith.

Our enemies growl and like cobras they rear their heads to strike. But in our hour of need, if we call out to God, He will not stand aloof. He will deliver us. Lord, teach us to pray. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Response: LORD God, we have a powerful opponent, but we have victory through your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. I call on your awesome name. Give me victory over sin and the forces of evil that are out to destroy my life. My strength is in you. Amen.

Your Turn: Can you identify the sins and snares the enemy has set for you?

* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica

Some good news: The first volume of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz will be published in November, 2020, by Elk Lake Publishing. Two additional volumes will follow in 2021 to complete the three volume set of devotions from the Psalms.

Giving Thanks

26 Thursday Nov 2020

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 100, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

faithfulness, joy, praise, thanksgiving

Today’s Psalms of Thanksgiving

person slicing pie on aluminum plate

Photo by Element5 Digital on Pexels.com

Psalm 100, NIV
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

Worship the LORD with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

The ‘Gods’ Know Nothing

26 Thursday Nov 2020

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 82, Psalms

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

comparing, gods, humility, pedestal

Reading: Psalm 82
A song. A psalm of Asaph.
God presides in the great assembly;
he renders judgment among the “gods”:
“How long will you defend the unjust
and show partiality to the wicked?
Defend the weak and the fatherless;
uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
“The ‘gods’ know nothing, they understand nothing.
They walk about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
“I said, ‘You are “gods”;
you are all sons of the Most High.’
But you will die like mere mortals;
you will fall like every other ruler.”
Rise up, O God, judge the earth,
for all the nations are your inheritance
(NIV).*

2020-11-07c

November morning — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
How high is the pedestal you are standing on? Are you standing taller than the fellow beside you?

Most of us would answer that we are not standing on a pedestal, but is that the truth. If we are honest with ourselves, I think we all can admit that we have looked down on others at times. We have considered ourselves superior to most of our peers.

Here in Psalm 82, God sets us on a pedestal. He calls us gods. This is a rather backhanded compliment, because after calling us gods, the Most High calls us to account. And what must we account for? We need to account for how we treat the weak and the poor among us. Here are the actions the LORD expects from us: Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.

Are we doing these things? Far too often I spend my time jacking up my pedestal—trying to get a bit of elevation over the fellow beside me. I’m too busy to help someone else who has fallen off their pedestal or the poor clod who can’t find one to stand on. You have to pity these folks—the ones who don’t have a pedestal. How can they hold their head up if they’re superior to no one?

Paul, the apostle, writes, “We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise” (2 Corinthians 10:12).

God will have the final say with mortals like me. This “god” needs to learn to serve in humility.

Response: LORD, you are the Most High. Help me to stop comparing myself with others. All I have comes from you. Today I want to get off my pedestal and help someone else. Show me how, Lord. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you compare yourself with others? Are you polishing your pedestal? What can you do to elevate someone else today?

* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica

Some good news: The first volume of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz will be published in November, 2020, by Elk Lake Publishing. Two additional volumes will follow in 2021 to complete the three volume set of devotions from the Psalms.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American Readers!

person slicing pie on aluminum plate

Photo by Element5 Digital on Pexels.com

← Older posts

Psalms Alive! devotional study

A Devotional Study

Discover for yourself what a soul-bonding relationship with God looks like. As never before, let the psalms come alive for you. $17.95 (237 pages)

Psalms

Recent posts

  • Good Judgments January 22, 2021
  • Here Comes the Judge January 22, 2021
  • Salvation Arrives with Surrender January 21, 2021
  • What Salvation? January 21, 2021
  • Love the LORD and Hate Evil January 20, 2021
  • Love the LORD—Hate Evil January 20, 2021
  • The Distant Shores Rejoice January 19, 2021

Calendar

November 2020
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30  
« Oct   Dec »

Blog Posts

Blogroll

  • David Kitz Website
  • Discuss
  • Get Inspired
  • Get Polling
  • Get Support
  • Learn WordPress.com
  • Theme Showcase
  • WordPress Planet
  • WordPress.com News

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Comments

  • davidkitz on Rise Up, Judge of the Earth
  • Here Comes the Judge | Talmidimblogging on Here Comes the Judge
  • Vincent S Artale Jr on Salvation Arrives with Surrender

Blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel