God’s True Firstborn

05 Wednesday Aug 2026

Tags

Abraham, David, Ethan the Ezrahite, firstborn, Jesus, Mary, Moses, Psalms, Savior, Son of God, the LORD

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Reading: Psalm 89:19-29 (NIV)*

Once you spoke in a vision,
    to your faithful people you said:
“I have bestowed strength on a warrior;
    I have raised up a young man from among the people.
I have found David my servant; with my sacred oil I have anointed him.
My hand will sustain him; surely my arm will strengthen him.
The enemy will not get the better of him;
    the wicked will not oppress him.
I will crush his foes before him and strike down his adversaries.
My faithful love will be with him,
    and through my name his horn will be exalted.
I will set his hand over the sea, his right hand over the rivers.
He will call out to me, ‘You are my Father,
    my God, the Rock my Savior.’
And I will appoint him to be my firstborn,
    the most exalted of the kings of the earth.
I will maintain my love to him forever,
    and my covenant with him will never fail.
I will establish his line forever,
    his throne as long as the heavens endure.

Reflection

Who is the principal figure in the Old Testament canon? Some would argue for Moses, the liberator of a nation of slaves. Others would go farther back yet to Abraham, the ancestral father of the nation of Israel. Here in Psalm 89, Ethan the Ezrahite and author of this psalm casts his vote in favor of David.

David’s name appears more frequently in the Bible than any name including the name of Jesus. Here in Psalm 89, Ethan draws a direct prophetic link to Jesus, the Son of God. He writes this about David: He will call out to me, ‘You are my Father, my God, the Rock my Savior.’ And I will appoint him to be my firstborn, the most exalted of the kings of the earth (v. 26-27).

No other man in the Holy Scriptures can claim to be appointed as God’s firstborn. This is an honor that is reserved for David alone. But David prefigures or foreshadows Jesus, the true Son of God. Jesus was not appointed to the role of God’s son. He was conceived and born into this world as the divine Son of the Most High. Through the miracle of incarnation, the son of Mary was also the Son of God and the Savior of the world. And this Mary was of royal lineage. She was a direct descendant of King David.

In Jesus Christ these words find their fulfillment: I will maintain my love to him [David] forever, and my covenant with him will never fail. I will establish his [David’s] line forever, his throne as long as the heavens endure (v. 28-29).

Response

LORD God, I am thankful for Jesus. I am thankful that in the dark long ago you devised a plan to send a Savior to this world. You sent a better son than David. You sent Jesus. Amen.

Your Turn

Are you thankful for God’s Son? Why? How will you express your appreciation today?

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.

A Devotional Journey through the Epistle of James

02 Sunday Aug 2026

Posted by davidkitz in James

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Tags

Abraham, audience, Christian, epistle of James, Israel of God, James, Jesus, New Testament, Old Testament, redeemed, twelve tribes

Day 2: Are You Numbered among the Twelve Tribes?

Greetings to the twelve tribes scattered all over the world. (James 1:1b, CEV)

Reflection

Every letter has an intended audience. Having introduced himself as “James, a servant of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ,” James now goes on to identify his audience as “the twelve tribes scattered all over the world.”

So, who is James addressing? Who are these twelve tribes?

If you have read the Old Testament scriptures the answer to that question appears to be obvious. The twelve tribes are the descendants of the patriarch Jacob, whom the LORD renamed Israel after he wrestled with God at Peniel. (See Genesis 32:27-30.) More specifically the twelve tribes are the descendants of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Zebulan, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Joseph, and Benjamen. (See Genesis 49:1-28.)

So then, the Epistle of James is addressed solely to the descendants of Israel. But is this narrow interpretation correct? If so, this letter from James and the teaching found therein has no bearing on me. I am not a descendant of the twelve tribes. Why then is this epistle included in the New Testament canon? Does this phrase the twelve tribes scattered all over the world have a broader meaning?

There is ample evidence to suggest that the phrase “twelve tribes” is inclusive of all Christian believers regardless of race or nationality. Under the new covenant ushered in by Jesus, followers of Christ are the new Israel of God (Galatians 6:14–16).

The view that the phrase “twelve tribes scattered all over the world” is a description of the church as the new Israel is strengthened by Peter’s use of a similar phrase in 1 Peter 1:1. Peter addresses his letter to “the exiles of the Dispersion” (RSV) or scattering.

The son’s of Jacob seize Joseph their brother. Picture by Gracefiber.com

The point being made here is that the apostles saw all those who were redeemed by Christ as heirs of the new kingdom that he was establishing. This new kingdom is the “Israel of God” which James metaphorically calls the “twelve tribes” of the dispersion. According to Paul, the new converts are all the children of Abraham by faith. Thus, it includes all the redeemed who have put their faith in Jesus Christ, both Jew and Gentile.

“Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham” (Galatians 3:7).

It logically follows that the Epistle of James is addressed to Christian believers everywhere and for all time.

Response

Lord God, thank you for including me in the Israel of God by your grace through faith in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ your Son. I praise you as a citizen of your heavenly kingdom. Amen.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

A Horn of Salvation

19 Friday Dec 2025

Posted by davidkitz in Advent

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Abraham, David, God, God of Israel, Jesus, Messiah, Prayer, prophesied, redeemed, salvation, the cross, the LORD

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

Today’s Reading: Psalm 24:7-10

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Lord Jesus,
I thank you for coming to this world,
for your suffering and death on the cross.
Your blood cleanses my hands
and purifies my heart.
Today I want to seek you.
In your great mercy reveal yourself to me.
Amen.

— — — —

Zechariah’s Song Praising the Messiah

His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit
and prophesied:
“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has come to his people and redeemed them.
He has raised up a horn of salvation for us
    in the house of his servant David
(as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),
salvation from our enemies
    and from the hand of all who hate us—
to show mercy to our ancestors
    and to remember his holy covenant,
the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,
    and to enable us to serve him without fear
in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
(Luke 1:67-75 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 enduring peace in Israel and Gaza,
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

Also available from David Kitz

Holy Week as seen from a soldier’s perspective

American readers click this link to purchase The Soldier Who Killed a King.

Canadian readers click this link to purchase The Soldier Who Killed a King directly from the author.

My Soul Glorifies the Lord

05 Friday Dec 2025

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 20, Psalms

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Tags

Abraham, God, God my Savior, God's blessing, holy, Jesus, mercy of God, Prayer, Psalms, the LORD

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

Today’s Reading: Psalm 20

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Heavenly Father,
I repent of jealousy and envy.
Help me speak words of blessing
over those around me.
I put my trust in you, Lord Jesus.
You are the true source of health
and blessing in this world.
Amen.

— — — —

Mary’s song when she met Elizabeth

“My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
    holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
    he has scattered those who are proud
in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
    but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
    but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
    remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
    just as he promised our ancestors.”
(Luke 1:46-55 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 enduring peace in Israel and Gaza,
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

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 this or other books directly from the author click here.

With Shouts of Joy

24 Sunday Aug 2025

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 105, Psalms

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Abraham, Bible, bread of heaven, God's promises, holy, praise, praise the LORD, Prayer, Psalms, the LORD

I will praise the LORD!

Psalm 105:39-45

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. *

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

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

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

A gripping read from David Kitz.
Is a return-to-Jesus revival possible in our time?
This book points the way forward.
For details click here.

The Promise He Made

23 Saturday Aug 2025

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 105

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Abraham, covenant, Isaac, Jacob, peace, praise the LORD, Prayer, prophets, Psalms

I will praise the LORD!

Psalm 105:8-15

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.”
When they were but few in number,
    few indeed, and strangers in it,
they wandered from nation to nation,
    from one kingdom to another.
He allowed no one to oppress them;
    for their sake he rebuked kings:
“Do not touch my anointed ones;
    do my prophets no harm.” *

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

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

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

A gripping read from David Kitz.
Is a return-to-Jesus revival possible in our time?
This book points the way forward.
For details click here.

Now Choose Life

04 Monday Aug 2025

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 128

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Tags

Abraham, Bible, blessed, blessings of children, children, fear and love for God, life and death, Prayer, Psalms, the LORD, witnesses

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

Reading: Psalm 128

Father God,
I love my family.
I am so blessed to have children
who love you, Lord.
Watch over them, I pray.
Keep their hearts tender before you.
Help them to daily hear your voice.
Amen.

— — — —

This day I call the heavens and the earth
as witnesses against you
that I have set before you life and death,
blessings and curses.
Now choose life,
so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God,
listen to his voice,
and hold fast to him.
For the LORD is your life,
and he will give you many years in the land
he swore to give to your fathers,
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
(Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NIV)*

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

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

A gripping read from David Kitz.
Is a return-to-Jesus revival possible in our time?
This book points the way forward.

The Blessing of Abraham

26 Thursday Sep 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 37

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Abraham, blessing, Christ, curse, Jesus, Prayer, Psalms, redeemed

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

Reading: Psalm 37:23-29

LORD God,
help me to delight myself in you.
May I love what you love.
Help me to position myself to be a blessing
and receive your blessings.
I pray in Jesus’ name.
Amen.

— — —

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law
by becoming a curse for us,
for it is written:
“Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”
He redeemed us
in order that the blessing given to Abraham
might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus,
so that by faith
we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
(Galatians 3:13-14), NIV)*

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

Please pray for peace to return to Israel, Gaza, 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
TheElishaCodeCVR5

To purchase or for a closer look click here.

Redemption Flowed

13 Wednesday Dec 2023

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 105

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Tags

Abraham, Christ, Israel, New Testament, Old Testament, redemption

Reading: Psalm 105:39-45
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 (NIV). *

Photo by David Kitz

Reflection
In the previous readings from Psalm 105, the psalmist described the LORD’s covenant relationship with His chosen people, the descendants of Abraham. The psalm then proceeds to outline the redemption and release of the people of Israel from cruel bondage and oppression in Egypt. Today’s reading celebrates God’s provision for them in the wilderness and their arrival in the Promised Land.

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.

There is a striking parallel between the Old Testament redemption of the people of Israel and the New Testament redemption of the Christian believer. Paul, the apostle draws our attention to this parallel experience in the tenth chapter of his first letter to the Corinthians. For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:1-4).

In today’s psalm portion we read: He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed like a river in the desert. From Paul’s writing we understand that the opened rock was Christ. On the cross he was opened, and water and blood gushed out. Life-giving—life-changing redemption flowed out to all who will receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God (John 1:12-13).

Response: Father God, I live in thanksgiving for the rock that was opened for my redemption. By faith I receive you. Today, I drink in your new life and your redemptive purpose for me. Praise the LORD! Amen.

Your Turn: Is the Rock accompanying you as you travel through the wilderness of this life? What evidence do you have of God’s abiding presence in your life?

Please pray for peace to return to Israel and Ukraine!

TheElishaCodeCVR5 To purchase or for a closer look click here.

Like a River in the Desert

03 Sunday Jan 2021

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 105, Psalms

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Abraham, God's promises, joy, rejoicing

I will praise the LORD!

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.

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Reading: Psalm 89:19-29 (NIV)*

Response

Your Turn

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

Day 2: Are You Numbered among the Twelve Tribes?

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

Today’s Reading: Psalm 24:7-10

Lord Jesus, I thank you for coming to this world, for your suffering and death on the cross. Your blood cleanses my hands and purifies my heart. Today I want to seek you. In your great mercy reveal yourself to me. Amen.

— — — —

Zechariah’s Song Praising the Messiah

* 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!

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

Today’s Reading: Psalm 20

Heavenly Father, I repent of jealousy and envy. Help me speak words of blessing over those around me. I put my trust in you, Lord Jesus. You are the true source of health and blessing in this world. Amen.

— — — —

Mary’s song when she met Elizabeth

* 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!

I will praise the LORD!

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

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

I will praise the LORD!

* 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 128Father God, I love my family. I am so blessed to have children who love you, Lord. Watch over them, I pray. Keep their hearts tender before you. Help them to daily hear your voice.Amen.

— — — —

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

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

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

Reading: Psalm 37:23-29

LORD God, help me to delight myself in you. May I love what you love. Help me to position myself to be a blessing and receive your blessings. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— — —

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

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

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

Please pray for peace to return to Israel and Ukraine!

I will praise the LORD!

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

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

Lord Jesus,
I thank you for coming to this world,
for your suffering and death on the cross.
Your blood cleanses my hands
and purifies my heart.
Today I want to seek you.
In your great mercy reveal yourself to me.
Amen.

Pray for enduring peace in Israel and Gaza,
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

Heavenly Father,
I repent of jealousy and envy.
Help me speak words of blessing
over those around me.
I put my trust in you, Lord Jesus.
You are the true source of health
and blessing in this world.
Amen.

Pray for enduring peace in Israel and Gaza,
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 128

Father God,
I love my family.
I am so blessed to have children
who love you, Lord.
Watch over them, I pray.
Keep their hearts tender before you.
Help them to daily hear your voice.
Amen.

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

LORD God,
help me to delight myself in you.
May I love what you love.
Help me to position myself to be a blessing
and receive your blessings.
I pray in Jesus’ name.
Amen.

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.