Compassion and Empathy

09 Monday Mar 2026

Tags

care for the poor, compassion, correction, David, empathy, forgiveness, help others, pride, Psalms, the LORD, the needy, the weak

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Reading: Psalm 41:1-6

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

Blessed are those who have regard for the weak;
    the LORD delivers them in times of trouble.
The LORD protects and preserves them—
    they are counted among the blessed in the land—
    he does not give them over to the desire of their foes.
The LORD sustains them on their sickbed
    and restores them from their bed of illness.
I said, “Have mercy on me, LORD;
    heal me, for I have sinned against you.”
My enemies say of me in malice,
    “When will he die and his name perish?”
When one of them comes to see me,
    he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander;
    then he goes out and spreads it around.
(NIV)*

Reflection

Psalm 41 reminds us compassion and empathy are at the core of what it means to be a follower of the LORD. David begins this psalm with this declaration, “Blessed are those who have regard for the weak.”

Social justice and care for the poor are not small matters in eyes of the LORD. Ancient Israel was destroyed and went into exile because of their disregard for the poor. The LORD enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people: “It is you who have ruined my vineyard; the plunder from the poor is in your houses. What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the faces of the poor?” declares the LORD, the LORD Almighty (Isaiah 3:14-15).

Why is regard for the weak so pivotal in having a right relationship with God? Lack of care or empathy for the needy is based on a kind of self-deception. In arrogance we see ourselves as better than those who are weak or needy. Yet if we examine ourselves, we have all gone through times when we were weak and needy. Sometimes we may need a reminder that our current state of self-sufficiency can come to an end in a moment.

This morning, I very nearly hit a pedestrian as she rushed across the street. I sounded my horn thinking she was in error. A quick glance showed she was crossing with the walk light. I was the one in error. I had completely missed a red light. I was the one in need of correction and forgiveness.

Are you doing well now? Praise God. The day will come when you need His help and protection. Do you see someone in need? Help as you are able. The day will come when you need forgiveness and the help you have offered others.

Response
LORD God, forgive me when I have looked down on others in need. Open my eyes to someone I may help today. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Your Turn
How do you keep yourself from the deception of pride? How open are you to correction?

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, 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.

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Godly Sorrow Brings Repentance

12 Friday Sep 2025

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 141

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Bible, correction, God, godly sorrow, grace, innocent, Jesus, Prayer, Psalms, repentance, sorrow over sin, the LORD

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

Today’s Reading: Psalm 141:5

LORD God,
please correct me when I err.
When others point out my faults,
help me to receive that correction
with grace and not anger.
Lord Jesus,
you alone are faultless.
Forgive me.
Amen.

— — — —

Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter,
I do not regret it.
Though I did regret it—
I see that my letter hurt you,
but only for a little while—
yet now I am happy,
not because you were made sorry,
but because your sorrow led you to repentance.
For you became sorrowful as God intended
and so were not harmed in any way by us.
Godly sorrow brings repentance
that leads to salvation and leaves no regret,
but worldly sorrow brings death.
See what this godly sorrow has produced in you:
what earnestness,
what eagerness to clear yourselves,
what indignation, what alarm,
what longing, what concern,
what readiness to see justice done.
At every point you have proved yourselves
to be innocent in this matter.
(2 Corinthians 7:8-11 NIV)*

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, Sudan, and Ukraine!

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

Receiving Rebuke with Grace

12 Friday Sep 2025

Posted by davidkitz in Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Biblical Reflections, Christian living, correction, David and Saul, God’s Discipline, Pride and Humility, Psalm 141, Receiving Rebuke, spiritual growth

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Reading: Psalm 141:5
Let a righteous man strike me—
that is a kindness;
let him rebuke me—
that is oil on my head.
My head will not refuse it,
for my prayer will still be
against the deeds of evildoers (NIV). *

Reflection
I don’t like being proven wrong. I like to think I have this world figured out. I am wise in my own eyes. A proud heart tells me I am right. Isn’t that so?

Am I the only one who suffers from this affliction—this deceptive pride that blinds me to my errors? Of course not. Human pride puts blinders over our eyes. We have trouble seeing our own faults. We often need others to bring them gently, or sharply to our attention. Better is open rebuke than hidden love (Proverbs 27:5).

Here in Psalm 141, David confesses his need for correction: Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head.

Do we see sharp correction as a kindness? Do we see a rebuke as a blessing like oil poured on our head? In today’s culture the thought of oil being poured on someone’s head has little appeal. But that was not the case in ancient times. Olive oil was a high-value commodity. Using it for personal grooming was considered a luxury. Only the wealthy would lavish themselves with such extravagance.

For David, these words would bring back the memory of the occasion when the prophet Samuel anointed him to be king over Israel in place of King Saul. So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David (1 Samuel 16:13).

Earlier, Samuel had rebuked Saul for his disobedience. See 1 Samuel 13. Saul did not receive that rebuke well. There was no repentance on his part. On the other hand, years later when Nathan, the prophet, rebuked David for his sin with Bathsheba, David repented and sought the LORD with prayer and fasting. See 2 Samuel 12. The contrast between Saul’s response and David’s response to corrective rebuke is striking. David, the man after God’s own heart, received forgiveness and the mercy of God, while Saul became embittered and ultimately descended into witchcraft.

How we handle correction will determine the rise or fall of our career, our marriage, and ultimately our life with God. David learned to love rebuke. For him and for us, it can result in a course correction of eternal worth.

Response: LORD God, please correct me when I err. When others point out my faults, help me to receive that correction with grace and not anger. Lord Jesus, you alone are faultless. Forgive me. Amen.

Your Turn: Is it difficult for you to receive correction? What can make receiving correction easier?

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, Sudan, and Ukraine!

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

Open Wide Your Hearts

28 Monday Jul 2025

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 123

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

affection, Bible, correction, Father God, opening your heart, Prayer, Psalms, receiving instruction, servant, the LORD

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

Reading: Psalm 123

Father God,
I come before you now.
I lift up my eyes to you,
to you who sit enthroned in heaven.
Be merciful to me.
Speak to me.
Correct me if I need correction.
Give me direction.
I am ready to receive instruction from you.
I am your servant.
Amen.

— — — —

We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians,
and opened wide our hearts to you.
We are not withholding our affection from you,
but you are withholding yours from us.
As a fair exchange—
I speak as to my children—
open wide your hearts also.
(2 Corinthians 6:11-13 NIV)*

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, 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.

Handling Correction

19 Friday Apr 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 141

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

anger management, Bible, correction, forgive, God, grace, Jesus, Prayer, Psalms, repentance, salvation

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

Reading: Psalm 141:5

Father God,
please correct me when I err.
When others point out my faults,
help me to receive that correction
with grace and not anger.
Lord Jesus,
you alone are faultless.
Forgive me and help me to change.
Amen.

Godly sorrow brings repentance
that leads to salvation
and leaves no regret,
but worldly sorrow brings death.
(2 Corinthians 7:10), NIV)*

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

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. TheElishaCodeCVR5

To purchase or for a closer look click here.

A Need for Correction

19 Friday Apr 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 141

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

blessing, correction, David, devotion, kindness, Prayer, pride, Psalms, righteous

Today’s Devotion from the Psalms

Reading: Psalm 141:5
Let a righteous man strike me—
that is a kindness;
let him rebuke me—
that is oil on my head.
My head will not refuse it,
for my prayer will still be
against the deeds of evildoers (NIV). *

Photo by David Kitz

Reflection
I don’t like being proven wrong. I like to think I have this world figured out. I am wise in my own eyes. A proud heart tells me I am right. Isn’t that so?

Here in Psalm 141, David confesses his need for correction: Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head.

Response: LORD God, please correct me when I err. When others point out my faults, help me to receive that correction with grace and not anger. Lord Jesus, you alone are faultless. Forgive me. Amen.

Your Turn: Is it difficult for you to receive correction? What can make receiving correction easier?

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!

To purchase or for a closer look click here.

An Open Heart

05 Tuesday Mar 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 123

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Bible, correction, faith, God, guidance, mercy, mercy of God, Prayer, Psalms, Savior, teach, the LORD

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

Reading: Psalm 123

Father God,
I come before you now.
I lift up my eyes to you,
to you who sit enthroned in heaven.
Be merciful to me, Lord.
Speak to me.
Correct me if I need correction.
Give me direction.
I am ready to receive instruction from you.
I am your servant.
Amen.

Show me your ways, LORD,
    teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are God my Savior,
    and my hope is in you all day long.
(Psalm 25:4-5), NIV)*

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

To purchase or for a closer look click here.

The Most Intimate of the Songs of Ascent

04 Monday Mar 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 123

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

correction, devotion, direction, drawing close to God, drawing near to God, eye contact, instruction, intimacy in prayer, intimacy with God, intimate, Prayer, Psalms

Today’s Devotion from the Psalms

Reading: Psalm 123
A song of ascents.
I lift up my eyes to you,
to you who sit enthroned in heaven.
As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the LORD our God,
till he shows us his mercy.
Have mercy on us, LORD, have mercy on us,
for we have endured no end of contempt.
We have endured no end
of ridicule from the arrogant,
of contempt from the proud (NIV). *

Reflection
Like every parent, I have had moments when I have needed to correct my children. In my professional life as a teacher, correcting a child’s behavior was a daily, sometimes minute-to-minute occurrence. In such situations eye contact is crucial. If the child does not make eye contact with you, you are wasting your breath. Your advice—your admonition—your warning—is going nowhere. You might as well speak to the wind. But in such situations, it is essential that you speak to the heart of the child.

The eyes are the window of the heart. When someone is avoiding eye contact, they are hiding their heart. They are closing their heart to you.

Of course, the same principle is true when we consider our relationship with God. We need to make eye contact with the LORD. That’s why there is something truly intimate about this psalm. It’s all about making eye contact with God. It’s about opening your heart to the LORD and exposing what is deep inside you. You are showing when you lift your eyes to Him that you are ready to receive instruction. Yes, and correction too, if that is needed.

So, the psalmist speaks these words: I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven. He takes the position and the posture of a slave—a humble servant. He is looking for mercy—hoping for grace and blessing from the hand of His master.

This is perhaps the most intimate of the Songs of Ascent. Having come a great distance, the pilgrim is now in the LORD’s house. He has drawn nigh in the fullest sense. The pilgrim lifts his eyes—not to an idol, but to the LORD—the One who fills all, formed all, and transcends all. With eyes wide open he exposes his heart to God. He waits expectantly for the LORD’s instruction.

Prayer at its best is modelled for us in this psalm. It’s prayer with our eyes wide open to God. We are looking to Him for mercy, comfort, strength, and direction.

Response: Father God, I come before you now. I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven. Be merciful to me. Speak to me. Correct me if I need correction. Give me direction. I am ready to receive instruction from you. I am your servant. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you drawing nigh to God? How do you make eye contact with God?

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

To purchase or for a closer look click here.

To Your Name Be the Glory

15 Monday Jan 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 115

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Bible, correction, idols, Jesus, Prayer, Psalms, serving God

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

Reading: Psalm 115:1-8

Father God,
show me if there are idols in my life.
In love,
correct me when I stray.
I want to serve you
and put you first in my life.
Lord Jesus,
be my master.
It’s an honor to bow before you
and serve you
my King.
Amen.

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

To purchase or for a closer look click here.

Handling Correction

28 Monday Nov 2022

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 141

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

anger, correction, faults

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

Reading: Psalm 141:5

LORD God,
please correct me when I err.
When others point out my faults,
help me to receive that correction
with grace and not anger.
Lord Jesus, you alone are faultless.
Forgive me.
Amen.

Your prayers for the people of Ukraine are making a difference.

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.
Low Rez PsalmsVol2SEAl

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

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

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

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

Today’s Reading: Psalm 141:5

LORD God, please correct me when I err. When others point out my faults, help me to receive that correction with grace and not anger. Lord Jesus, you alone are faultless. Forgive me. Amen.

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

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

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

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

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

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

Reading: Psalm 123 Father God, I come before you now. I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven. Be merciful to me. Speak to me. Correct me if I need correction. Give me direction. I am ready to receive instruction from you. I am your servant. Amen.

— — — — We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As a fair exchange— I speak as to my children— open wide your hearts also. (2 Corinthians 6:11-13 NIV)*

* 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 141:5

Father God, please correct me when I err. When others point out my faults, help me to receive that correction with grace and not anger. Lord Jesus, you alone are faultless. Forgive me and help me to change. Amen.

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. (2 Corinthians 7:10), NIV)*

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

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

Today’s Devotion from the Psalms

* 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 123

Father God, I come before you now. I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven. Be merciful to me, Lord. Speak to me. Correct me if I need correction. Give me direction. I am ready to receive instruction from you. I am your servant. Amen.

Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. (Psalm 25:4-5), NIV)*

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

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

Today’s Devotion from the Psalms

* 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 115:1-8

Father God, show me if there are idols in my life. In love, correct me when I stray. I want to serve you and put you first in my life. Lord Jesus, be my master. It’s an honor to bow before you and serve you my King. 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 141:5

LORD God, please correct me when I err. When others point out my faults, help me to receive that correction with grace and not anger. Lord Jesus, you alone are faultless. Forgive me. Amen.

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

Your prayers for the people of Ukraine are making a difference.

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

LORD God,
please correct me when I err.
When others point out my faults,
help me to receive that correction
with grace and not anger.
Lord Jesus,
you alone are faultless.
Forgive me.
Amen.

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

Reading: Psalm 123

Father God,
I come before you now.
I lift up my eyes to you,
to you who sit enthroned in heaven.
Be merciful to me.
Speak to me.
Correct me if I need correction.
Give me direction.
I am ready to receive instruction from you.
I am your servant.
Amen.

— — — —

We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians,
and opened wide our hearts to you.
We are not withholding our affection from you,
but you are withholding yours from us.
As a fair exchange—
I speak as to my children—
open wide your hearts also.
(2 Corinthians 6:11-13 NIV)*

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

Father God,
please correct me when I err.
When others point out my faults,
help me to receive that correction
with grace and not anger.
Lord Jesus,
you alone are faultless.
Forgive me and help me to change.
Amen.

Godly sorrow brings repentance
that leads to salvation
and leaves no regret,
but worldly sorrow brings death.
(2 Corinthians 7:10), NIV)*

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

Father God,
I come before you now.
I lift up my eyes to you,
to you who sit enthroned in heaven.
Be merciful to me, Lord.
Speak to me.
Correct me if I need correction.
Give me direction.
I am ready to receive instruction from you.
I am your servant.
Amen.

Show me your ways, LORD,
teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
(Psalm 25:4-5), NIV)*

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

Father God,
show me if there are idols in my life.
In love,
correct me when I stray.
I want to serve you
and put you first in my life.
Lord Jesus,
be my master.
It’s an honor to bow before you
and serve you
my King.
Amen.

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

LORD God,
please correct me when I err.
When others point out my faults,
help me to receive that correction
with grace and not anger.
Lord Jesus, you alone are faultless.
Forgive me.
Amen.