The Tongue Is a Fire

23 Friday Jan 2026

Posted by in Psalm 33, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,

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

 Today’s Reading: Psalm 33:6-9

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
help me give careful consideration
to my words.
Today, may my words,
whether written or spoken,
be a creative force for good
in Jesus’ name.
Amen.

     — — — —

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com


Taming the Tongue

When we put bits into the mouths of horses
to make them obey us,
we can turn the whole animal. 
Or take ships as an example.
Although they are so large
and are driven by strong winds,
they are steered by a very small rudder
wherever the pilot wants to go. 
Likewise,
the tongue is a small part of the body,
but it makes great boasts.
Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 
The tongue also is a fire,
a world of evil among the parts of the body.
It corrupts the whole body,
sets the whole course of one’s life on fire,
and is itself set on fire by hell.
(James 3:3-6 NIV)*


May God guide you in 2026!

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

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for enduring peace in Israel and Gaza,
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.

Also available from David KitzIs a return-to-Jesus revival possible in our time?
This book points the way forward.
For details click here.

Word Power

23 Friday Jan 2026

Posted by in Psalm 33, Psalms

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Reading: Psalm 33:6-9

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,
    their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
He gathers the waters of the sea into jars;
    he puts the deep into storehouses.
Let all the earth fear the LORD;
    let all the people of the world revere him.
For he spoke, and it came to be;
    he commanded, and it stood firm.
(NIV)*

 

Adam naming the animals. 1983 etching by G. Scotin and J. Cole (Wikimedia)

Reflection

Have you ever considered the creative power of words? Words change the world. They bring order out of chaos. Words shine the light of day into the darkness of this world. From the very beginning words have been imbued with divine power. The psalmist reminds us, “By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.”

But it’s not only God’s words that have this vast power. Our words—human words, whether spoken written or thought have enormous power too. Adam’s first job assignment was to speak words—to name the animals. Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals (Genesis 2: 19-20).

Strangely, God didn’t do what every parent does. He didn’t tell Adam what the animals were called. Adam told God their names. By so doing, God vested humanity with the power of language. Life is what we call it. Our words describe the world and give meaning to it.

Through our words we bring order and make sense of the world around us. As a writer I am continually processing and attempting to make sense of this chaotic thing called life. I do it with words. From the beginning of time, by divine command that is what we are called to do. We are to speak order into chaos— speak accuracy and clarity into this world’s muddled reality.

With our words we shine the light of truth onto a situation. With words we write laws, administer justice and design government. With words we woo and romance and vow our love to one another. Our words create imaginary realms into which we can travel—words that transport. With our words we have the power to elevate the human spirit, or crush someone to the point of suicide.

Finally, there is something innately prophetic about our words. What we think, speak, and write is potent. It has within in it the latent ability to become reality. Therefore, we need to guard our lips. (See James 3:1-12.) The psalmist reminds us not only of the power of the word of the LORD, but also our own words. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.

Response
LORD God, help me give careful consideration to my words. Today, may my words, whether written or spoken, be a creative force for good in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Your Turn
How has God used your words for good lately? Are your words bringing order out of chaos, love and peace in a troubled world?

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

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

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

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.


New from David Kitz

James—the brother of Jesus—who was this man? What evidence do we have that this “brother of our Lord” even existed?

David Kitz digs deep into archeology, family dynamics, church history, and the biblical texts. What emerges from his research is a portrait of a decisive, pivotal leader who embodied the will and character of Jesus Christ.

But how did James—James the unbeliever—transform to become a leader who changed the course of world history? In these pages you will uncover the answer and rediscover for yourself the life-changing power of the gospel.

To view further details or purchase directly from the author click here.

Praying and Singing Hymns to God

22 Thursday Jan 2026

Posted by in Psalm 33, Psalms

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , , , , ,

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

 Today’s Reading: Psalm 33:1-5

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:


Thank you, LORD God,
for each day you set before me.
Give me a heart of praise for you.
You sustain me.
Today give me a new song
to praise you, O LORD.
It’s always good, right, and fitting
to sing my praise to you.
Amen.

     — — — —


Paul and Silas Jailed in Philippi

The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas,
and the magistrates ordered them
to be stripped and beaten with rods.
After they had been severely flogged,
they were thrown into prison,
and the jailer was commanded
to guard them carefully.
When he received these orders,
he put them in the inner cell
and fastened their feet in the stocks.

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying
and singing hymns to God,
and the other prisoners were listening to them.
Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake
that the foundations of the prison were shaken.
At once all the prison doors flew open,
and everyone’s chains came loose.
The jailer woke up,
and when he saw the prison doors open,
he drew his sword and was about to kill himself
because he thought the prisoners had escaped.
But Paul shouted,
“Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
(Acts 16:22-28 NIV)*


May God guide you in 2026!

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

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for enduring peace in Israel and Gaza,
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.

Also available from David KitzIs a return-to-Jesus revival possible in our time?
This book points the way forward.
For details click here.

I Lay Down My Life for the Sheep

21 Wednesday Jan 2026

Posted by in Psalm 32, Psalms

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,

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

 Today’s Reading: Psalm 32:8-11

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:


LORD God,
 give me ears to hear
what you have to say to me.
Please instruct me and teach me
in the way I should go.
Then give me grace to obey.
I put my trust in you,
Lord Jesus.
Amen.

     — — — —

Photo by Michael Morse on Pexels.com


Hearing the Good Shepherd

“I am the good shepherd; 
I know my sheep 
and my sheep know me—
just as the Father knows me
and I know the Father—
and I lay down my life for the sheep.
I have other sheep 
that are not of this sheep pen.
I must bring them also.
They too will listen to my voice,
and there shall be one flock 
and one shepherd.
The reason my Father loves me is
that I lay down my life—
only to take it up again.
No one takes it from me,
but I lay it down of my own accord. 
I have authority to lay it down
and authority to take it up again.
This command I received from my Father.”
(John 10:14-18 NIV)*


May God guide you in 2026!

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

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for enduring peace in Israel and Gaza,
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.

Also available from David KitzIs a return-to-Jesus revival possible in our time?
This book points the way forward.
For details click here.

God Speaks Back

21 Wednesday Jan 2026

Posted by in Psalm 33, Psalms

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , ,

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Reading: Psalm 32:8-11

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
   I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Do not be like the horse or the mule,
    which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
    or they will not come to you.
Many are the woes of the wicked,
    but the LORD’s unfailing love
    surrounds the one who trusts in him.
Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous;
    sing, all you who are upright in heart!
(NIV)*

Mule being led (Countesy of Pacific Southwest Forest Service, US, Flickr)

Reflection
In Psalm 32 God speaks back. David begins this psalm, and we clearly can hear his voice addressing us, as he tells how wonderful it is to be forgiven. He then goes on to speak of his own struggle with unconfessed sin. Finally, he tells us of the great relief he experienced as he is pardoned and restored to a place of close fellowship with the LORD. But then abruptly in verse eight, we hear a different voice. God is speaking. The LORD responds to what David has said. Through this psalm David is modelling true prayer. This psalm is two-way communication.

We have heard David’s words; let’s hear God’s words now. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.

Clearly this is not the voice of David. David is not going to counsel and watch over us. This is the work of the LORD. The LORD will teach and guide us. It is His role to shepherd the flock of His pasture.

These words, from verse eight to the end of this psalm are coming from the LORD. David has heard God speak, and now he is passing on this message from the LORD directly to us. In this respect David is fulfilling the role of a prophet. He is acting as God’s spokesperson. In fact, in Acts 2:30, Peter asserts David was a prophet. And what is a prophet? In the simplest terms, it is someone who hears God, and then passes on God’s message to others.

Do you hear God? This is no idle, rhetorical question. It is essential to our Christian faith that we as believers hear the voice of God. I would go so far as to say, you cannot experience salvation unless you first hear God. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish” (John 10:27-28a).

In short, we must be able to hear Jesus in order to follow Him, and it is in following Him that we receive eternal life. Hearing God’s voice is of paramount importance.

Response
LORD God, give me ears to hear what you have to say to me. Please instruct me and teach me in the way I should go. Then give me grace to obey. I put my trust in you, O LORD. Amen.

Your Turn
Do you hear God’s voice? How does He speak to you? Have you heard the Lord’s voice recently? How do you distinguish God’s voice from all the other voices you hear?

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

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

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

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.


New from David Kitz

James—the brother of Jesus—who was this man? What evidence do we have that this “brother of our Lord” even existed?

David Kitz digs deep into archeology, family dynamics, church history, and the biblical texts. What emerges from his research is a portrait of a decisive, pivotal leader who embodied the will and character of Jesus Christ.

But how did James—James the unbeliever—transform to become a leader who changed the course of world history? In these pages you will uncover the answer and rediscover for yourself the life-changing power of the gospel.

To view further details or purchase directly from the author click here.

Sing Joyfully to the LORD

21 Wednesday Jan 2026

Posted by in Psalm 32, Psalm 33, Psalms

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Reading: Psalm 33:1-5

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;
    it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
Praise the LORD with the harp;
    make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
Sing to him a new song;
    play skillfully, and shout for joy.
For the word of the LORD is right and true;
    he is faithful in all he does.
The LORD loves righteousness and justice;
    the earth is full of his unfailing love
(NIV)*

Tree sparrows (Passer montanus) feeding in snow. (Courtesy of Vitalii Khustochka and Fliickr)

Reflection
It’s a good to wake up with a song of praise to the LORD on your lips. How do I know that’s true? I listen to birds. Their joyous songs are new every morning. If they have cause to sing praise to the LORD, surely, I do as well.

Jesus said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31)

If a sparrow has grounds for praising the LORD each and every day, surely, we have more. His constant care sustains us moment by moment. If the Father keeps count of my hair, He must be concerned about even the tiny details of my life. His loving mercy is new every morning; therefore, it is fitting for the upright to praise him (v. 1). 

Here in Psalm 33, we are instructed to: Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre (v. 2).

Forgive me, LORD. I’m an instrumental disaster. Playing skillfully is nigh unto impossible. But with my voice I will praise you. I can’t compete with robins and cardinals, but I will sing my praise. For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does (v. 4).

The steadfast love of the LORD is unchanging. My praise for Him should be just as steadfast—unaffected by my current circumstances. I have heard the birds break into song at sunrise even on a gray rainy morning. At the very least my praise for God should be as constant. Paul and Silas sang praises to God after being severely flogged and imprisoned in Philippi. See Acts 16:16-40. Their worship was unaffected by their circumstances. They were obedient to the LORD’s command: Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him (v. 1).

Response
Thank you, LORD God, for each day you set before me. Give me a heart of praise for you. You sustain me. Today give me a new song to praise you, O LORD. It’s always good, right and fitting to sing my praise to you. Amen.

Your Turn
Do you love to praise God? Does it lift your spirit when you do? Are there times when the Lord has given you a new song to sing?

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

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

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

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.


New from David Kitz

James—the brother of Jesus—who was this man? What evidence do we have that this “brother of our Lord” even existed?

David Kitz digs deep into archeology, family dynamics, church history, and the biblical texts. What emerges from his research is a portrait of a decisive, pivotal leader who embodied the will and character of Jesus Christ.

But how did James—James the unbeliever—transform to become a leader who changed the course of world history? In these pages you will uncover the answer and rediscover for yourself the life-changing power of the gospel.

To view further details or purchase directly from the author click here.

A Light from Heaven

20 Tuesday Jan 2026

Posted by in Psalm 32, Psalms

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , ,

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

 Today’s Reading: Psalm 32:6-7

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:


LORD God,
I want to seek after you.
Show yourself to me today
in this grand adventure called life.
I want to have an encounter with you.
I want to know what it means to be found by you.
Amen.

     — — — —

Draw me to the light of your countenance, Lord — photo by David Kitz


Saul’s Encounter with Jesus

Meanwhile,
Saul was still breathing out murderous threats
against the Lord’s disciples.
He went to the high priest
and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus,
so that if he found any there
who belonged to the Way,
whether men or women,
he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
As he neared Damascus on his journey,
suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.
He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him,
“Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus,
whom you are persecuting,”
he replied.
“Now get up and go into the city,
and you will be told what you must do.”
(Acts 9:1-6 NIV)*


May God guide you in 2026!

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

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for enduring peace in Israel and Gaza,
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.

Also available from David KitzIs a return-to-Jesus revival possible in our time?
This book points the way forward.
For details click here.

Playing Hide ‘n’ Seek with God

20 Tuesday Jan 2026

Posted by in Psalm 32, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Reading: Psalm 32:6-7

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Therefore let all the faithful pray to you,
    while you may be found;
surely when the mighty waters rise,
    they will not reach him.
You are my hiding place;
    you will protect me from trouble
    and surround me with songs of deliverance
(NIV)*

File:Hide n Seek with Sun.jpg

“Hide n Seek with the Sun” (Arsalanhaneef00/Wikimedia)

Reflection
In the previous stanza of this psalm, David received the amazing dam-busting forgiveness of God. He has just experienced a wonderful release from a load of guilt. But now in his next breath he has some advice for us, and here it is. Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you, while you may be found.

We are to pray to God while He may be found. This raises some interesting questions. Is God unavailable at times? If God cannot be found, is He hiding? Furthermore, if God is hiding, where does He hide?

At this point I feel like jumping to my feet, like a lawyer pleading a case in the court of reason, and shouting out, “I object! All David has told us about God so far would lead us to believe God is always close at hand. Didn’t David testify to this earlier in Psalm twenty-three? He said the following words about the LORD his shepherd: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. And now it seems David is telling us there are times when God cannot be found. Which is it, David? It can’t be both.”

Ah, but it is both. This is one of those great divine paradoxes. The God, who is near, even in my heart, can also be distant—light years away, both in time and space. There exists a perceived distance between us that can vary according to the state of my heart—according to the state of my relationship with God.

The fact remains we cannot see God though we see evidence of His handiwork all around us. Our infinitely complex human bodies and finely tuned senses are themselves proof of His existence, yet Him we cannot see. He is a hidden God, and when we walk beside Him, we walk by faith and not by sight.

Repeatedly in the scriptures we are commanded to seek after the LORD. I find this to be a rather curious expression. We cannot see God, and yet we are commanded to seek Him, as though He might suddenly appear over the next hill, or around the next bend in the road. Suddenly, in unexpected ways, we may encounter God. The Psalms are all about encounters with God. Psalm nineteen began that way. Suddenly the starry hosts began talking to David about God, declaring His glory. We may pick up the Bible, and suddenly it speaks to our deepest need—the need of the moment, and we know this is the voice of God with a word specifically for us today. Even the ungodly people of this world recognize people encounter God. They use expressions like, “He found God,” to describe someone’s conversion to faith in Christ. The LORD invites us to play the most amazing game: Hide ‘n’ seek with God.

Response
LORD God, I want to seek after you. Show yourself to me today in this grand adventure called life. I want to have an encounter with you. I want to know what it means to be found by you. Amen.

Your Turn
Have you had a recent encounter with God? Do you sense His nearness or distance?

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

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

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

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.


New from David Kitz

James—the brother of Jesus—who was this man? What evidence do we have that this “brother of our Lord” even existed?

David Kitz digs deep into archeology, family dynamics, church history, and the biblical texts. What emerges from his research is a portrait of a decisive, pivotal leader who embodied the will and character of Jesus Christ.

But how did James—James the unbeliever—transform to become a leader who changed the course of world history? In these pages you will uncover the answer and rediscover for yourself the life-changing power of the gospel.

To view further details or purchase directly from the author click here.

A Call for Confession and Healing

19 Monday Jan 2026

Posted by in Psalm 32, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,

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

 Today’s Reading: Psalm 32:1-5

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:


LORD God,
have mercy on me.
I acknowledge my sin to you
and do not cover up my iniquity.
I need your forgiveness.
I put my trust in the redeeming sacrifice
of your Son, Jesus.
Amen.

     — — — —

Photo by David Kitz


A Call for Confession and Healing

Is anyone among you sick?
Let them call the elders of the church
to pray over them
and anoint them with oil
in the name of the Lord.
And the prayer offered in faith
will make the sick person well;
the Lord will raise them up.
If they have sinned,
they will be forgiven.
Therefore confess your sins to each other
and pray for each other
so that you may be healed.
The prayer of a righteous person
is powerful and effective.
(James 5:14-16 NIV)*


May God guide you in 2026!

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

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for enduring peace in Israel and Gaza,
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.

Also available from David KitzIs a return-to-Jesus revival possible in our time?
This book points the way forward.
For details click here.

How to Break the Dam

19 Monday Jan 2026

Posted by in Psalm 32, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , ,

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Reading: Psalm 32:1-5

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Blessed is the one
    whose transgressions are forgiven,
    whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the one
    whose sin the LORD does not count against them
    and in whose spirit is no deceit.

When I kept silent,
    my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you
    and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.”
And you forgave the guilt of my sin
(NIV)*

White water at the Shellmouth Dam on the Assiniboine River — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
A right relationship with God is like a flowing stream. In such a relationship there is a natural giving to God that includes prayer, worship, time spent in His word, and periods of quiet communion. In turn, God by the Holy Spirit pours His peace, love, and joy into our lives. And just as trees naturally line a riverbank, there is a verdant fruitfulness that comes to the believer as that refreshing current is allowed to flow.

Sin acts like a boulder hindering the flow of God’s Spirit in our lives. As more and more un-repented sin piles up, a dam is formed. Suddenly prayer stops. Worship and thanksgiving that once cascaded so freely from our lips comes to a halt. The word of God becomes boring, and we find other interests. Times of quiet communion with our Maker are replaced by a search for other things like constant entertainment.

This is the state of David’s soul at the start of this psalm. The flow has stopped. Where was the overflowing cup experience of Psalm twenty-three? At this point David’s cup—his soul—is sitting stagnant. And in the natural realm any liquid left unstirred becomes foul as time goes by. David’s spiritual life was turning into a swamp because of unconfessed sin.

But there was a turning point for David: Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD” (v.5).

Confession breaks the dam. David verbally brought his sin out in the open before God. He acknowledged what God knew all along. You see David’s sin and my sin are never hidden from God. Our sin is always in plain sight of the LORD. But praise God! He forgives the guilt of our sin when we break the spiritual dam through confession. Repentance restores the flow.

Response
LORD God, have mercy on me. I acknowledge my sin to you and do not cover up my iniquity. I need your forgiveness. I put my trust in the redeeming sacrifice of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

Your Turn
Has unconfessed sin dammed up the flow of prayer and worship in your life? What can you do to restore a life-giving flow in your relationship with God?

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

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

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

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.


New from David Kitz

James—the brother of Jesus—who was this man? What evidence do we have that this “brother of our Lord” even existed?

David Kitz digs deep into archeology, family dynamics, church history, and the biblical texts. What emerges from his research is a portrait of a decisive, pivotal leader who embodied the will and character of Jesus Christ.

But how did James—James the unbeliever—transform to become a leader who changed the course of world history? In these pages you will uncover the answer and rediscover for yourself the life-changing power of the gospel.

To view further details or purchase directly from the author click here.