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I will praise the LORD!
It flowed like a river in the desert — photo by David Kitz
Like a River in the Desert
03 Sunday Jan 2021
Author Archives: davidkitz
For a Thousand Generations
02 Saturday Jan 2021
Posted in Psalm 105
Today’s key verse from the Psalms
Heavenly Father,
thank you for your everlasting faithfulness.
You are true to your word.
It stands the test of time.
Through the ups and downs of this life
help me to be faithful to you
regardless of what comes my way.
My confidence rests in you,
Lord Jesus.
Amen.
The first volume of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz is now available. For a closer look at this 262-page daily devotional book click here.
An Everlasting Covenant
02 Saturday Jan 2021
I will praise the LORD!
Photo by Haley Black on Pexels.com
Remember the wonders he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,
you his servants, the descendants of Abraham,
his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.
He is the LORD our God;
his judgments are in all the earth.
He remembers his covenant forever,
the promise he made, for a thousand generations,
the covenant he made with Abraham,
the oath he swore to Isaac.
He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree,
to Israel as an everlasting covenant:
“To you I will give the land of Canaan
as the portion you will inherit.”
(Psalm 105:5-11, NIV)*
* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica
Draw Close to God
01 Friday Jan 2021
Today’s reflection on 2020
Heavenly Father,
thank you for bringing me safely through 2020,
and to the start of a new year.
Help me apply and appreciate the good things
I have learned in the past year.
Lord, you have been faithful in difficult times.
Good Shepherd,
I trust you to lead me into the future.
You go before me.
My confidence rests in you,
Lord Jesus.
Amen.
The first volume of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz is now available. For a closer look at this 262-page daily devotional book click here.
The Year in Review
01 Friday Jan 2021
My regular morning Psalms devotional posts are on a New Year’s Day pause. Instead, here is my personal reflection on the past year.
Here is a brief overview on my year, after all this was 2020—a year to remember. It all began over the 2019 Christmas break with a Holy Spirit nudge to get a heart checkup in the New Year. A series of cardiac tests followed in February and early March. I felt a call to do a 21-day, liquids only fast in February. What a time of drawing close to God that was! For what purpose remained unclear at the time. But God knew what lay ahead, including the great COVID lockdown beginning in mid March..
In May I assumed oversight of Life Bible Institute in Toronto. How this will develop in the months and years to come remains to be seen. I believe the Lord has good plans instore.
As June began and regular hospital routines resumed after the lockdown, I got call after call from the Ottawa Heart Institute. Those tests before the lockdown revealed some major heart issues. On June 30th I was told my heart was enlarged and I needed heart valve repair surgery. This came as quite a shock, since I was feeling great at the time and I was very active. Fourteen days later I suddenly collapsed. A second collapse two days later sent me to hospital by ambulance. On July 24th I had open-heart valve repair surgery. Three valves needed repair. Needless to say, that along with COVID, put a crimp in our summer plans. The remainder of the summer and early fall were all about recovery from major surgery.
Celebrating the release of “Mind Rooms” with my Turkish friends.
So how am I doing? Despite occasional setbacks I’m doing very well, and have resumed almost all my regular activities. I have so much to be thankful for. Karen has been a huge help and comfort to me, during the whole year, and the recovery process. Care from the Heart Institute has been superb. Through it all God has been present and so very faithful.
Despite these difficulties and setbacks, on the writing front, it’s been a very productive year. In late September I completed the translation and celebrated the release of Turkish author Cem Gulbent’s novel, Mind Rooms. Then on December 2nd, volume one of Psalms 365 was released. Volumes two and three will be rolling out over the next six to eight months in 2021. That means all the devotional post that appear daily in this space will be available in book form by mid summer.
Despite heartaches and altered plans, 2020 has been a year to draw close to God and one another. There’s something very beautiful in that.
Karen and I hope you and your family had a splendid Christmas with lots of love and hugs (even if they are virtual.) May God’s peace and blessing rest on you and your household in 2021.
—David Kitz—
You Will Not Fear
31 Thursday Dec 2020
Posted in Psalm 91
Today’s quote from the Psalms
Heavenly Father,
thank you for bringing me safely through 2020—
a year of pestilence and plague.
In the year ahead help me find rest
in the shadow of the Almighty.
You, Lord, are my help and my strength.
Amen.
The first volume of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz is now available. For a closer look at this 262-page daily devotional book click here.
The Psalmist’s Pandemic Response
31 Thursday Dec 2020
Tags
Reading: Psalm 91
(Verses 1-8)
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD,
“He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked (NIV).*
Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com
Reflection
In the introduction to Psalms 365, I made this blanket statement, “Whatever state you find yourself in, there’s a psalm for that—a psalm for every situation and human need.” That includes a global pandemic—the likes of which we never seen—a pandemic that shuts down the economy and leaves us confined to our homes.
Psalm 91 directly addresses the topic of pandemics. “You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you” (v. 5-7).
Epidemics of various kinds have ravaged humanity for thousands of years including during biblical times. But during the last 150 years, the development of vaccines, and improved hygiene practices have made epidemics rare occurrences.
In such perilous times, what does the psalmist do? He addresses the fear factor. We live in a world where fear is contagious. Will there be another global pandemic, a terrorist attack, a stock market collapse, or a recession? Will my marriage survive? Will my children turn out okay?
Yes, please follow the advice of health professionals. But do you trust the Almighty? Above all else, this psalm calls us to put our trust in a loving heavenly Father. Having come under his wings, we find safety.
Response: Lord God, you are my shelter in a stormy world. I am so safe—so very safe—when I am with you. I want to live each day in the confidence that you care for me as a loving father cares for his dear child. Amen.
Your Turn: If you truly know the loving nature of God, trust should come easily. Does it? What do you use to anchor your faith during troubled times?
* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica
The first volume of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz is now available. For a closer look at this 265-page daily devotional book visit Amazon and enter David Kitz into the search bar.
Establish the Work of Our Hands
30 Wednesday Dec 2020
Tags
Today’s quote from the Psalms
Heavenly Father,
Open my eyes to see how you are working in me
and through me as I go about my daily tasks.
Help me to have an eternal perspective.
Lord, establish the work of my hands.
Amen.
The first volume of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz is now available. For a closer look at this 262-page daily devotional book click here.
Work and Worth
30 Wednesday Dec 2020
Tags
beauty, God's favor, value, work, worth
Reading: Psalm 90
(Verses 13-17)
Relent, LORD! How long will it be?
Have compassion on your servants.
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.
May your deeds be shown to your servants,
your splendor to their children.
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands (NIV).*
Two office workers working at architect project, elevated view
Reflection
Does your work have value and meaning? I certainly hope it does. There is nothing quite as frustrating as spending long hours working on something and then realizing it’s useless or unappreciated.
In many ways our work defines us. Frequently, we identify people by their work. Bob, the plumber, Susan, the teacher, and Troy, the accountant are examples of this tendency. It shouldn’t surprise us then to hear this request at the conclusion of Psalm 90: May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.
Some people are of the opinion that work is a result of the curse, but that is not true. Before our first parents fell into sin they had a work assignment from their Creator. The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it (Genesis 2:15). The requirement, or should I say blessing of work, preceded mankind’s fall into sin. The consequence of sin simply meant that work would become more arduous and prone to frustration. Weeds would grow; harvests would fail.
We all need the favor of the Lord our God to rest on us. Usually God’s favor is synonymous with God’s grace. It’s not earned; it’s freely given. In this case the Hebrew word that is translated here as favor could also be translated as beauty. God’s gracious favor is perhaps the most beautiful attribute of our LORD. Without His favor our work will not be established. It will have no lasting worth, value or beauty.
Today as you set your day or your work week into motion, or contemplate the year ahead, make this your prayer: May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.
When the day is done and my head hits the pillow I want to know that the work I accomplished that day has value and meaning. Better yet, I would like that work to have eternal worth. Only God can establish that lasting worth. Commit your work into His hands.
Response: LORD God, I often become impatient or frustrated with my work. Open my eyes to see how you are working in me and through me as I go about my daily tasks. Help me to have an eternal perspective. Lord, establish the work of my hands. Amen.
Your Turn: Do you feel that your work is worthwhile? What brings you joy in work?
* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica
The first volume of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz is now available. For a closer look at this 265-page daily devotional book visit Amazon and enter David Kitz into the search bar.
What Others Are Saying about “Psalms 365”
29 Tuesday Dec 2020
Posted in Psalms
Tags
Endorsements
The main body parts for reading the Bible aren’t the eyes and brain; it’s the hands and feet. This theme is woven throughout Psalms 365. As it should be! The focus on living the Word, or as James puts it, “doing it” (James 1:25) is what makes this study in the Psalms top-notch.
Dr. Lawson Murray
President, Scripture Union Canada
Over the years the Psalms have become a great source of hope. David Kitz’s devotions are a great accompaniment to them. I find his writing both insightful and uplifting.
Alan Kearns
Glenrothes, Scotland
This is a delightful daily devotional for those of us who want to enhance our reading of the Psalms. David Kitz does an excellent job of relating our realities to the Psalmist’s engagement with God through the ups and downs of life. His keen insights undergird the guided responses to living fully in the light of the God we love.
Steve Falkiner
President, Canadian Foursquare Gospel Church
“In his devotional reflections David Kitz plumbs the depths of the rich treasure of the Psalms in ways that are not only insightful, but very relevant and applicable, addressing the blessings and challenges of walking in the Lord’s ways. A very helpful resource for anyone’s personal devotional use.”
Rev. Daryl Solie,
Lutheran Pastor
I have been an online follower of David Kitz for several years now. His interpretation, his historical knowledge and his ability to give every day practical experience through the Psalms has been inspiring and extremely useful for me personally. David takes the words from scripture and gives them new insight for today’s world. His book, Psalms 365 is a strong devotional handbook for living a Christian life.
Kathy Boecher
Christian blogger, playwright, poet and humorist
The first volume of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz is now available. For a closer look at this 262-page daily devotional book click on this link.
I love the Psalms 