Break Out in Song

05 Tuesday Jan 2021

Posted by in Psalm 92, Psalms

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Reading: Psalm 92
A psalm. A song. For the Sabbath day.
(Verses 1-8)
It is good to praise the LORD
and make music to your name, O Most High,
proclaiming your love in the morning
and your faithfulness at night,
to the music of the ten-stringed lyre
and the melody of the harp.
For you make me glad by your deeds, LORD;
I sing for joy at what your hands have done.
How great are your works, LORD,
how profound your thoughts!
Senseless people do not know,
fools do not understand,
that though the wicked spring up like grass
and all evildoers flourish,
they will be destroyed forever.
But you, LORD, are forever exalted (NIV).*

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Winter moonlight — Photo by David Kitz

Reflection
Why is music such a central part of the Christian worship experience? For the answer to that question we need to look no further than the opening lines of Psalm 92. It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp.

To put it simply, praising the LORD is a good thing. Making music to honor the name of the Most High is a wholesome expression of our love for God. Furthermore, the LORD approves the use of musical instruments. The harp and the lyre are mentioned here, but there is no scriptural reason to limit the use of instruments.

Why do men sing love songs? Because they love the woman of their dreams—the object of their affection. The same holds true when we fall in love with God. The LORD becomes the object of our deepest affection. He is worthy of our praise.

Do you need some reasons to praise God? The psalmist provides us with some sound reasons: For you make me glad by your deeds, LORD; I sing for joy at what your hands have done. How great are your works, LORD, how profound your thoughts!

If the marvels of creation are insufficient to prompt us to praise, then consider for a moment the wonders of redemption. God sent His only begotten Son to suffer and die on our behalf. He purchased our eternal redemption with the shed blood of Jesus. Oh what love! What wondrous love! It makes me want to break out in song.

Response: LORD God, every morning I want to praise you. Thank you for the gift of music. Help me use my voice and every talent you have given me to express my praise to you. Amen.

Your Turn: Why do you enjoy praising God? Do you save your praise for Sundays or is it expressed daily?

* 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 262-page daily devotional book click here.

Dwelling in God

04 Monday Jan 2021

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

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Today’s quote from “Psalms 365” by David Kitz:
365 We need to live in God, not our own little world,Heavenly Father,
 you are such a good God.
I don’t deserve your goodness and love
and yet you continually pour out your blessings.
I love you, LORD.
I want to learn what it means to dwell in you
now and always.
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.

Commitment and Satisfaction

04 Monday Jan 2021

Posted by in Psalm 91, Psalms

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Reading: Psalm 91
(Verses 9-16)
If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation” (NIV).*

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Winter at Montebello, QC — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
Let’s be honest. We all want it. We all want satisfaction. For our sex-obsessed society that can only mean one thing, but in reality personal satisfaction encompasses so many facets of life. I want a satisfying meal when I sit down to dinner this evening. I want satisfactory service at the restaurant, at the auto repair shop and on the plane that I’m catching tomorrow. Above all else I want a satisfying life.

This may come as a surprise to many people, but the simple truth is God wants to give you a satisfying life. Here is the long list of promises that the LORD promises to undertake on your behalf. “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation”

In summary, we will be protected and rescued. Our prayers will be answered. We will know God’s presence in times of trouble. And just imagine this; the LORD will honor us. Consider for a moment the implications of that. Furthermore, we are promised eternal salvation, and in the here and now, we will have a long and satisfying life.

That sounds like an amazing offer and it truly is. But there are two conditions attached. We need say, “The LORD is my refuge.” In other word we need to confess our dependence on God, and then we must make the Most High our dwelling. We need to live in God, not our own little world, but rather His world with our minds and hearts set on Him. That will take a decision that is renewed daily. As we start a new year, are you ready for that kind of commitment? Are you ready for that kind of satisfaction?

Response: LORD, you are such a good God. I don’t deserve your goodness and love and yet you continually pour out your blessings. I love you, LORD. I want to dwell in you now and always. Amen.

Your Turn: What do you think it means to dwell in God? How would that look and feel?

* 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.

He Brought Us Out

03 Sunday Jan 2021

Posted by in Psalm 105

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Today’s key verse from the Psalms:Psalm 105_43Heavenly Father,
thank you for rescuing me from the dominion of darkness
and bringing me into the kingdom of your Son
in whom we have redemption,
and the forgiveness of sins.
My salvation comes from 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.

More Thoughts on “Psalms 365”

03 Sunday Jan 2021

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

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The start of a new year can be a great time to start a new devotional. If you have enjoyed my daily online posts on the Psalms, you may be pleased to know that these same posts are now available in an attractive book format. P 365-120120

Daily reading and meditation on the Psalms is an ideal way to grow in your love for God and his holy Word.

Endorsements:

David Kitz and his wide-ranging talent as an author are both unique. His devotional posts on the Psalms arrive daily for his subscribers. It is a delight to know they will now be available in book format. In these pages, readers can find much inspiration and insight.

Hon. David Kilgour, D. Div (hon)
Minister of State (Canada)

What a great tonic for my day-to-day walk with God! Like a daily regimen of vitamins and minerals, Psalms 365, by my friend David Kitz has invigorated my start to each day. I believe it is also fortifying my mind and spirit for all the challenges my life will bring in the years to come. Creatively written, biblically insightful, and immensely practical, this must-have compendium to Psalms is timely and life-giving.

Lyle Johnson
Founder and President, Nextlevel Ministries

Back Cover Psalms 365

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.

Like a River in the Desert

03 Sunday Jan 2021

Posted by in Psalm 105, Psalms

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I will praise the LORD!

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It flowed like a river in the desert — photo by David Kitz

He spread out a cloud as a covering,
    and a fire to give light at night.
They asked, and he brought them quail;
    he fed them well with the bread of heaven.
He opened the rock, and water gushed out;
    it flowed like a river in the desert.

For he remembered his holy promise
    given to his servant Abraham.
He brought out his people with rejoicing,
    his chosen ones with shouts of joy;
he gave them the lands of the nations,
    and they fell heir to what others had toiled for—
that they might keep his precepts
    and observe his laws.

Praise the LORD.

(Psalm 105:39-45, NIV)*

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

For a Thousand Generations

02 Saturday Jan 2021

Posted by in Psalm 105

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Today’s key verse from the Psalms
Psalm 105_8Heavenly 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

Posted by in Psalm 105, Psalms

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I will praise the LORD!

white concrete building

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

Posted by in Psalms

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Today’s reflection on 2020
Despite heartaches and altered plans, 2020Heavenly 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

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

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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.

Mind Rooms 2020-09-27

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—