Understanding Comes in the Sanctuary of God

13 Saturday Jun 2026

Tags

communion with God, God's sanctuary, idols, Prayer, Psalms, real value, uncertainty of wealth, understanding, understanding God, wealth

Listen to Psalm 73:12-20 read by Jonathan Dent

Reading: Psalm 73:12-20 (NIV)*

This is what the wicked are like—
always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.
Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure
and have washed my hands in innocence.
All day long I have been afflicted,
and every morning brings new punishments.
If I had spoken out like that,
I would have betrayed your children.
When I tried to understand all this,
it troubled me deeply
till I entered the sanctuary of God;
then I understood their final destiny.
Surely you place them on slippery ground;
you cast them down to ruin.
How suddenly are they destroyed,
completely swept away by terrors!
They are like a dream when one awakes;
when you arise, Lord,
you will despise them as fantasies.

Response

LORD God, bring me to your sanctuary. Help me to enter into communion with you. Help me discern what is of real value in a world filled with idols and shams. Give me your understanding. Amen.

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.

The photo of Jerusalem on the cover of Psalm 365, Volume II

Take a journey to the cross.

To view further details or purchase click here.

The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven

10 Wednesday Jun 2026

Posted by Victor Uduh in Psalm 73, Psalms

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Tags

A Heart Of Humility, A Prophet Of God, Faith Like A Child, Follow Jesus, God's provision, gospel, gospel reading, Growing In Grace, Humility Before God, Jesus, Jesus The Son Of God, Kingdom Wisdom, Psalms, Spiritual Awareness, trust in God, trusting God, Walking With Jesus

Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”

Today’s Reading: Psalm 73:21-28 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
I want to have your perspective.
I want to see as you see.
Help me to set my thoughts on the right path.
Remind me to take time to be with you.
But as for me,
it is good to be near God.
Amen.

— — — —

Gospel Reading:
The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked,
“Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

He called a little child to him,
and placed the child among them.
And he said:
“Truly I tell you,
unless you change and become like little children,
you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position
of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
And whoever welcomes one such child
in my name welcomes me.
(Matthew 18:1-5).

* * *

Dear friends,
if our hearts do not condemn us,
we have confidence before God
and receive from him anything we ask,
because we keep his commands
and do what pleases him.
(1 John 3:21-22 NIV)

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return
to Ukraine and Russia!

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

The Brutal Honesty of the Psalmist

10 Wednesday Jun 2026

Posted by Tim K in Psalm 64, Psalm 73, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Asaph, confession, God's love, God's presence, honesty, pride, priorities, the Psalms

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Reading: Psalm 73:21-28 (NIV)*

When my heart was grieved
    and my spirit embittered,
I was senseless and ignorant;
    I was a brute beast before you.
Yet I am always with you;
    you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
    and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart
    and my portion forever.
Those who are far from you will perish;
    you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
But as for me, it is good to be near God.
    I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
    I will tell of all your deeds.

Reflection

I love the brutal honesty of the psalmist. I always like to think I am the smartest one in the room, but the truth is I am very capable of pride and wrong-headed thinking. And wrong thinking often leads to hurtful words or unwise actions. Take a moment to consider the psalmist’s confession: When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you (v. 21-22).

That’s brutal honesty. Are we that honest with God when our reasoning goes off the straight and narrow rails? Or do we justify our thoughts and blame God or others when we are ticked off?

We need to come into God’s sanctuary to have our hearts and minds tuned into the LORD’s thinking. The LORD reminds us that He knows the big picture. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9).

When we are in God’s presence, we can have our affections adjusted. All too often I have my priorities all messed up. What about you? The amazing truth about God is He loves us despite our mess ups. The psalmist knows the power of that love. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory (v. 23-24).

What a patient, loving God we serve! This should become our humble confession: Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever (25-26).

Response

LORD God, I want to have your perspective. I want to see as you see. Help me to set my thoughts on the right path. Remind me to take time to be with you. But as for me, it is good to be near God (v. 28). Amen.

Your Turn

How do you get your affections in tune with God? What steps do you need to take?

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

The Temple Tax

09 Tuesday Jun 2026

Posted by Victor Uduh in Psalm 73, Psalms

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Tags

A Prophet Of God, Discipleship, Divine Provision, Follow Jesus, God’s Provision, gospel, gospel reading, Jesus, Jesus Meets Needs, Jesus Provides, Jesus The Son Of God, Kingdom Wisdom, Psalms, Spiritual Awareness, trust in God, Walking With Jesus

Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”

Today’s Reading: Psalm 73:12-20 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
bring me to your sanctuary.
Help me to enter into communion with you.
Help me discern what is of real value
in a world filled with idols and shams.
Give me your understanding.
Amen.

— — — —

Gospel Reading:
The Temple Tax

After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum,
the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax
came to Peter and asked,
“Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”

“Yes, he does,” he replied.

When Peter came into the house,
Jesus was the first to speak.
“What do you think, Simon?” he asked.
“From whom do the kings of the earth
collect duty and taxes—
from their own children or from others?”

“From others,” Peter answered.

“Then the children are exempt,”
Jesus said to him.
“But so that we may not cause offense,
go to the lake and throw out your line.
Take the first fish you catch;
open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin.
Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”
(Matthew 17:24-27).

* * *

Dear friends,
if our hearts do not condemn us,
we have confidence before God
and receive from him anything we ask,
because we keep his commands
and do what pleases him.
(1 John 3:21-22 NIV)

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return
to Ukraine and Russia!

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

The Light of Understanding

09 Tuesday Jun 2026

Posted by Tim K in Psalm 64, Psalm 73, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Asaph, celebrity culture, Christ the rock, envy, God's sanctuary, the Psalms

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Reading: Psalm 73:12-20 (NIV)*

This is what the wicked are like—
    always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.
Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure
    and have washed my hands in innocence.
All day long I have been afflicted,
    and every morning brings new punishments.
If I had spoken out like that,
    I would have betrayed your children.
When I tried to understand all this,
    it troubled me deeply
till I entered the sanctuary of God;
    then I understood their final destiny.
Surely you place them on slippery ground;
    you cast them down to ruin.
How suddenly are they destroyed,
    completely swept away by terrors!
They are like a dream when one awakes;
    when you arise, Lord,
    you will despise them as fantasies.

Reflection

Psalm 73 is all about the envy we often experience when we look at the lives of the rich and famous. We live in a world of glitz and glamor. Glitz and glamor are pumped at us relentlessly through various forms of media. The common man or woman is just an insignificant nobody in light of the celebrity culture that pervades our society.

I find it fascinating that a psalm written more than 2,500 years ago is so relevant for us who live in the twenty-first century. The psalmist laments, “This is what the wicked are like—always free of care, they go on amassing wealth” (v. 12).

But there is a turning point in this psalm. The light of understanding comes on for the psalmist; the truth dawns on him. When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny (16-17).

Understanding comes in God’s sanctuary. When we enter that holy place, the Lord can give us His perspective. We can see as He sees. A man’s arrogant boasting is exposed for what it is—a breath of hot air. There is no permanence to human wealth or achievement. In the eons of time, all is swept away. Only what is built on the Christ the solid rock will endure for eternity. True value, true worth and permanence are found in our union with God in His sanctuary—in His sacred place. I pray you and I will be found there.

Response

LORD God, bring me to your sanctuary. Help me to enter into communion with you. Help me discern what is of real value in a world filled with idols and shams. Give me your understanding. Amen.

Your Turn

How do you enter God’s sanctuary? Does your heart need to be prepared?

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy

08 Monday Jun 2026

Posted by Victor Uduh in Psalm 73, Psalms

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

A Prophet Of God, believe in Jesus, Biblical Wisdom, Discipleship, Faith And Revelation, Faith Over Fear, Faith That Overcomes, Follow Jesus, gospel, gospel reading, Healing And Deliverance, Jesus, Jesus The Son Of God, Power Of Faith, Psalms, Spiritual Awareness, Spiritual Discernment, The Living God, The Miracle Working Savior, trust in God, Walking With Jesus

Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”

Today’s Reading: Psalm 73:1-11 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
help me to tend to the garden of my own heart.
When envy raises its head,
help me to decapitate that thought.
I fix my affections on you
and not the things of this world.
Amen.

— — — —

Gospel Reading:
Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy

When they came to the crowd,
a man approached Jesus and knelt before him.
“Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said.
“He has seizures and is suffering greatly.
He often falls into the fire or into the water.
I brought him to your disciples,
but they could not heal him.”

“You unbelieving and perverse generation,”
Jesus replied,
“how long shall I stay with you?
How long shall I put up with you?
Bring the boy here to me.” Jesus rebuked the demon,
and it came out of the boy,
and he was healed at that moment.

Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked,
“Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

He replied,
“Because you have so little faith.
Truly I tell you,
if you have faith as small as a mustard seed,
you can say to this mountain,
‘Move from here to there,’
and it will move.
Nothing will be impossible for you.”
(Matthew 17:14-21).

* * *

Dear friends,
if our hearts do not condemn us,
we have confidence before God
and receive from him anything we ask,
because we keep his commands
and do what pleases him.
(1 John 3:21-22 NIV)

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return
to Ukraine and Russia!

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

Envy of the Arrogant

08 Monday Jun 2026

Posted by Tim K in Psalm 64, Psalm 73, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Asaph, covetousness, envy, Ten Commandments, the arrogant, the Psalms

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Reading: Psalm 73:1-11 (NIV)*

Surely God is good to Israel,
    to those who are pure in heart.
But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
    I had nearly lost my foothold.
For I envied the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.
They are free from common human burdens;
    they are not plagued by human ills.
Therefore pride is their necklace;
    they clothe themselves with violence.
From their callous hearts comes iniquity;
    their evil imaginations have no limits.
They scoff, and speak with malice;
    with arrogance they threaten oppression.
Their mouths lay claim to heaven,
    and their tongues take possession of the earth.
Therefore their people turn to them
    and drink up waters in abundance.
They say, “How would God know?
    Does the Most High know anything?

Reflection

The last of the Ten Commandments warns us against the sin of covetousness. In one important respect this commandment is different from the other nine. Covetousness or envy is a sin of the mind. It is theft in germ form. It is the seed thought of adultery. Envy is the precondition of a sinful act, not the act itself.

Here in Psalm 73 the psalmist catches himself on a slippery slope leading to a more serious sin. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

I certainly can identify with the psalmist. I think we all have had moments when we thought in our hearts that God is not fair. Why is that person prospering when I am not? To the best of my abilities, I am doing everything right—by the book—yet the road is hard, and the rewards are meagre. Meanwhile, arrogant unbelievers are prospering—seemingly blessed by God. Where is the justice in that?

The root issue here is envy—our envy. God is not accountable to us; we are accountable to Him. Our hearts need tending, not God’s heart. In His time and His way God will deal with the arrogant and evil person. It’s my responsibility to deal with my thoughts and the attitude of my heart.

Response

LORD God, help me to tend to the garden of my own heart. When envy raises its head, help me to decapitate that thought. I fix my affections on you and not the things of this world. Amen.

Your Turn

Do you have moments of envy? What works for you in countering such thoughts?

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

Come Near to God

10 Friday Jan 2025

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 73, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

drawing near to God, God, humble, Prayer, Psalms, right perspective, the devil, the LORD

Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”
by David Kitz.

Reading: Psalm 73:21-28

LORD God,
I want to have your perspective.
I want to see as you see.
Set my thoughts on the right path.
Remind me to take time to be with you.
“But as for me,
it is good to be near God” (Psalm 73:28).
Amen.

— — —

Submit yourselves, then, to God.
Resist the devil,
and he will flee from you.
Come near to God
and he will come near to you.
Wash your hands, you sinners,
and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Grieve, mourn and wail.
Change your laughter to mourning
and your joy to gloom.
Humble yourselves before the Lord,
and he will lift you up.
(James 4:7-10)*

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

Please pray for peace to return to Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine!

New from David Kitz
Winner of the 2024 Word Award of Merit in Biblical Studies

To purchase or for a closer look click here.

Those Who Are with Us

09 Thursday Jan 2025

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 73

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

communion, Elisha, God, horses and chariots, idols, Prayer, prophet, Psalms, sanctuary, the LORD

Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”
by David Kitz.

Reading: Psalm 73:12-20

LORD God,
bring me to your sanctuary.
Help me to enter into communion with you.
Help me discern what is of real value
in a world filled with idols and shams.
Give me your understanding.
Amen.

— — —

When the servant of the man of God got up
and went out early the next morning,
an army with horses and chariots
had surrounded the city.
“Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?”
the servant asked.

“Don’t be afraid,”
the prophet answered.
“Those who are with us
are more than those who are with them.”

And Elisha prayed,
“Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.”
Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes,
and he looked and saw the hills full of horses
and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
(2 Kings 6:15-17)*

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

Please pray for peace to return to Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine!

New from David Kitz
Winner of the 2024 Word Award of Merit in Biblical Studies

To purchase or for a closer look click here.

Take Life Easy?

08 Wednesday Jan 2025

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 73, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

affections, envy, God, harvest, Jesus, parable, Prayer, Psalms, rich

Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”
by David Kitz.

Reading: Psalm 73:1-11

LORD God,
help me to tend to the garden of my own heart.
When envy raises its head,
help me to decapitate that thought.
I fix my affections on you
and not the things of this world.
Amen.

— — —

And he [Jesus] told them this parable:
“The ground of a certain rich man
yielded an abundant harvest.
He thought to himself,
‘What shall I do?
I have no place to store my crops.’

“Then he said,
‘This is what I’ll do.
I will tear down my barns
and build bigger ones,
and there I will store my surplus grain.
And I’ll say to myself,
“You have plenty of grain laid up for many years.
Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

“But God said to him,
‘You fool! This very night
your life will be demanded from you.
Then who will get
what you have prepared for yourself?’

“This is how it will be
with whoever stores up things for themselves
but is not rich toward God.”
(Luke 12:16-21)*

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

Please pray for peace to return to Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine!

New from David Kitz
Winner of the 2024 Word Award of Merit in Biblical Studies

To purchase or for a closer look click here.

Listen to Psalm 73:12-20 read by Jonathan Dent

Reading: Psalm 73:12-20 (NIV)*

Response

* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

Today’s quote and prayer from“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”

Today’s Reading: Psalm 73:21-28 (NIV)*

LORD God,I want to have your perspective.I want to see as you see.Help me to set my thoughts on the right path.Remind me to take time to be with you.But as for me,it is good to be near God.Amen.

— — — —

Gospel Reading:The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked,“Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

* * *

Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.(1 John 3:21-22 NIV)

* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle Eastand continue to pray for peace to returnto Ukraine and Russia!

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Reading: Psalm 73:21-28 (NIV)*

Reflection

Response

Your Turn

* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Today’s quote and prayer from“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”

Today’s Reading: Psalm 73:12-20 (NIV)*

LORD God,bring me to your sanctuary.Help me to enter into communion with you.Help me discern what is of real valuein a world filled with idols and shams.Give me your understanding.Amen.

— — — —

Gospel Reading:The Temple Tax

After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum,the collectors of the two-drachma temple taxcame to Peter and asked,“Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”

“Yes, he does,” he replied.

When Peter came into the house,Jesus was the first to speak.“What do you think, Simon?” he asked.“From whom do the kings of the earthcollect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?”

“From others,” Peter answered.

“Then the children are exempt,”Jesus said to him. “But so that we may not cause offense,go to the lake and throw out your line.Take the first fish you catch;open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin.Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”(Matthew 17:24-27).

* * *

Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.(1 John 3:21-22 NIV)

* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle Eastand continue to pray for peace to returnto Ukraine and Russia!

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Reading: Psalm 73:12-20 (NIV)*

Reflection

Response

Your Turn

* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Today’s quote and prayer from“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”

Today’s Reading: Psalm 73:1-11 (NIV)*

LORD God,help me to tend to the garden of my own heart.When envy raises its head,help me to decapitate that thought.I fix my affections on youand not the things of this world.Amen.

— — — —

Gospel Reading:Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy

When they came to the crowd,a man approached Jesus and knelt before him.“Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said.“He has seizures and is suffering greatly.He often falls into the fire or into the water.I brought him to your disciples,but they could not heal him.”

“You unbelieving and perverse generation,”Jesus replied,“how long shall I stay with you?How long shall I put up with you?Bring the boy here to me.” Jesus rebuked the demon,and it came out of the boy,and he was healed at that moment.

Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked,“Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

He replied,“Because you have so little faith.Truly I tell you,if you have faith as small as a mustard seed,you can say to this mountain,‘Move from here to there,’and it will move.Nothing will be impossible for you.”(Matthew 17:14-21).

* * *

Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.(1 John 3:21-22 NIV)

* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle Eastand continue to pray for peace to returnto Ukraine and Russia!

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Reading: Psalm 73:1-11 (NIV)*

Reflection

Response

Your Turn

* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Today’s quote and prayer from “Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer” by David Kitz.

Reading: Psalm 73:21-28 LORD God, I want to have your perspective. I want to see as you see. Set my thoughts on the right path. Remind me to take time to be with you. “But as for me, it is good to be near God” (Psalm 73:28). Amen.

— — —

* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Please pray for peace to return to Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine!

Today’s quote and prayer from “Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer” by David Kitz.

Reading: Psalm 73:12-20 LORD God, bring me to your sanctuary. Help me to enter into communion with you. Help me discern what is of real value in a world filled with idols and shams. Give me your understanding. Amen.

— — —

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.

“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:15-17)*

* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Please pray for peace to return to Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine!

Today’s quote and prayer from “Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer” by David Kitz.

Reading: Psalm 73:1-11 LORD God, help me to tend to the garden of my own heart. When envy raises its head, help me to decapitate that thought. I fix my affections on you and not the things of this world. Amen.

— — —

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:16-21)*

* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Please pray for peace to return to Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine!

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”

LORD God,
I want to have your perspective.
I want to see as you see.
Help me to set my thoughts on the right path.
Remind me to take time to be with you.
But as for me,
it is good to be near God.
Amen.

Gospel Reading:
The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked,
“Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

Dear friends,
if our hearts do not condemn us,
we have confidence before God
and receive from him anything we ask,
because we keep his commands
and do what pleases him.
(1 John 3:21-22 NIV)

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return
to Ukraine and Russia!

Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”

LORD God,
bring me to your sanctuary.
Help me to enter into communion with you.
Help me discern what is of real value
in a world filled with idols and shams.
Give me your understanding.
Amen.

Gospel Reading:
The Temple Tax

After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum,
the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax
came to Peter and asked,
“Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”

When Peter came into the house,
Jesus was the first to speak.
“What do you think, Simon?” he asked.
“From whom do the kings of the earth
collect duty and taxes—
from their own children or from others?”

“Then the children are exempt,”
Jesus said to him.
“But so that we may not cause offense,
go to the lake and throw out your line.
Take the first fish you catch;
open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin.
Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”
(Matthew 17:24-27).

Dear friends,
if our hearts do not condemn us,
we have confidence before God
and receive from him anything we ask,
because we keep his commands
and do what pleases him.
(1 John 3:21-22 NIV)

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return
to Ukraine and Russia!

Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”

LORD God,
help me to tend to the garden of my own heart.
When envy raises its head,
help me to decapitate that thought.
I fix my affections on you
and not the things of this world.
Amen.

Gospel Reading:
Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy

When they came to the crowd,
a man approached Jesus and knelt before him.
“Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said.
“He has seizures and is suffering greatly.
He often falls into the fire or into the water.
I brought him to your disciples,
but they could not heal him.”

“You unbelieving and perverse generation,”
Jesus replied,
“how long shall I stay with you?
How long shall I put up with you?
Bring the boy here to me.” Jesus rebuked the demon,
and it came out of the boy,
and he was healed at that moment.

Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked,
“Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

He replied,
“Because you have so little faith.
Truly I tell you,
if you have faith as small as a mustard seed,
you can say to this mountain,
‘Move from here to there,’
and it will move.
Nothing will be impossible for you.”
(Matthew 17:14-21).

Dear friends,
if our hearts do not condemn us,
we have confidence before God
and receive from him anything we ask,
because we keep his commands
and do what pleases him.
(1 John 3:21-22 NIV)

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return
to Ukraine and Russia!

Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”
by David Kitz.

Reading: Psalm 73:21-28

LORD God,
I want to have your perspective.
I want to see as you see.
Set my thoughts on the right path.
Remind me to take time to be with you.
“But as for me,
it is good to be near God” (Psalm 73:28).
Amen.

Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”
by David Kitz.

Reading: Psalm 73:12-20

LORD God,
bring me to your sanctuary.
Help me to enter into communion with you.
Help me discern what is of real value
in a world filled with idols and shams.
Give me your understanding.
Amen.

When the servant of the man of God got up
and went out early the next morning,
an army with horses and chariots
had surrounded the city.
“Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?”
the servant asked.

“Don’t be afraid,”
the prophet answered.
“Those who are with us
are more than those who are with them.”

And Elisha prayed,
“Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.”
Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes,
and he looked and saw the hills full of horses
and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
(2 Kings 6:15-17)*

Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”
by David Kitz.

Reading: Psalm 73:1-11

LORD God,
help me to tend to the garden of my own heart.
When envy raises its head,
help me to decapitate that thought.
I fix my affections on you
and not the things of this world.
Amen.

“But God said to him,
‘You fool! This very night
your life will be demanded from you.
Then who will get
what you have prepared for yourself?’

“This is how it will be
with whoever stores up things for themselves
but is not rich toward God.”
(Luke 12:16-21)*