Tag Archives: forgiven

Focus on the LORD

05 Tuesday May 2026

Posted by in Psalm 63, Psalms

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Reading:  Psalm 63:6-11 (NIV)*

On my bed I remember you;
    I think of you through the watches of the night.
Because you are my help,
    I sing in the shadow of your wings.
I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.
Those who want to kill me will be destroyed;
    they will go down to the depths of the earth.
They will be given over to the sword
    and become food for jackals.
But the king will rejoice in God;
    all who swear by God will glory in him,
   while the mouths of liars will be silenced.

Reflection

Where do your thoughts turn when you are at rest? Where our mind goes in idle moments, tells us a lot about ourselves. Are you off in the realm of sports, politics, or family events? Does your mind graze on pornography or steamy romance novels? Are you plotting your plans for the week or the weekend?

My mind—your mind—is a busy place. And if it’s not occupied with things at hand, it will invent thoughts, opinions and worries to keep self-engaged.

Where did David’s mind go when he was at rest? Here in Psalm 63, we find the answer. On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night (v. 6).

Rather than worry about the schemes being hatched by his enemies, King David’s mind was focused on the LORD. We may mistakenly believe being king meant dwelling in a worry-free secure zone. Nothing could be further from the truth. Kings in Old Testament times were frequently assassinated. Rebellions and backroom treachery were common. Metaphorically, the king walked about with a bullseye target on his back.

But are today’s followers of the Lord Jesus any different? The true and faithful follower of Jesus is engaged in spiritual warfare. The sons and daughters of the King are target practice for the demons of hell. Temptation comes in a variety of ways. Sometimes it wears a pretty dress. At other times it offers a fast buck or a thrilling escape. Or does temptation simply dazzle and distract us into soul deadening spiritual apathy?

Now here is a thought to consider: Turn your mind to the Lord Jesus through the watches of the night, because you can rest assured, he’s watching you.

Response

LORD Jesus, I want my mind to find rest in you. I know my sins are forgiven and your love for me was proven on the cross. You lived for me; you died for me. You love me. Oh, what joy that thought brings! Amen.

Your Turn

Where does your mind go when you are at rest? Does the Holy Spirit come to change your thoughts?

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 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.

Hope for the Downcast

12 Thursday Mar 2026

Posted by in Psalm 41, Psalms

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Reading: Psalm 42:6-11

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

My soul is downcast within me;
    therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan,
    the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers have swept over me.
By day the LORD directs his love,
    at night his song is with me—
    a prayer to the God of my life.
I say to God my Rock,
  “Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
    oppressed by the enemy?”
My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
Why, my soul, are you downcast?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and my God
(NIV)*

Reflection
Let’s face the truth. We all go through times when we are downcast. A few minutes ago, my wife asked me, “Are you grumpy today?” 

I was surprised she noticed. I thought I had been hiding my downcast state quite well. After reflecting a moment, I answered, “I guess I am.” Then I began to justify my grumpy mood. “It’s cold, windy and snowing. Again! And my face feels numb and puffy from my visit to the dentist.”

What I didn’t say was I was discouraged about my writing career. My literary agent may drop me as a client. Every news report I read seems to be filled with gloom and dire predictions. I have a backache, probably from shovelling snow. And did I mention that this Canadian winter feels interminable? Along with the psalmist, David, I can say, “My soul is downcast within me.”

But David didn’t stay wallowing in his pity party. He rallied through songs of worship and prayer. Hear his words, “By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life.”

When I am discouraged—when you are discouraged—we can both do the same. We can turn to the LORD in song. I can pray to the God of my life—the God who knew me in my mother’s womb—the God who left His throne to rescue me. Why should I be downcast when Jesus cast himself down on my behalf? He was cast down, so through faith in him, I will be lifted up.

Response
LORD God, I thank you for Jesus. I am thankful he willingly laid down his life so I could be forgiven and experience new life. I put my hope in my Savior and my God. Hallelujah! Amen.

Your Turn
What do you do when times of discouragement come? How can you turn to the Lord for hope and encouragement?

 

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 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.


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You Forgave the Guilt of My Sin

25 Sunday Jan 2026

Posted by in Psalm 32, Psalms

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I will praise the LORD!

Deep snow — photo by David Kitz


Reading: Psalm 32:1-5

Of David. A maskil.

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) *


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, 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.

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

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A Call for Confession and Healing

19 Monday Jan 2026

Posted by in Psalm 32, Psalms

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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.

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Jesus Interceding for Us

06 Friday Dec 2024

Posted by in Psalm 63

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Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”
by David Kitz.Psalm 63 -365

Reading: Psalm 63: 6-11

LORD Jesus,
I want my mind to find rest in you.
I know my sins are forgiven
and your love for me was proven on the cross.
You lived for me;
you died for me.
You love me.
Oh, what joy that thought brings! 
Amen.

— — —

Who will bring any charge
against those whom God has chosen?
It is God who justifies. 
Who then is the one who condemns?
No one.
Christ Jesus who died—
more than that, who was raised to life—
is at the right hand of God
and is also interceding for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Shall trouble or hardship
or persecution or famine
or nakedness or danger or sword? 
As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things
we are more than conquerors
through him who loved us.
(Romans 8:33-37)*

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, Syria, and Ukraine!

A gripping read from David Kitz. An ideal Christmas gift.
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To purchase or for a closer look click here.

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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Peace of Mind through Forgiveness

31 Wednesday Jul 2024

Posted by in Psalm 25, Psalms

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Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”
by David Kitz.Psalm 25_16-22 - 365

Reading: Psalm 25:16-22

Lord Jesus,
help me to be open and transparent before you.
Take away all my sins.
My hope is in you.
Protect me the attacks of the enemy.
Deliver me from all my troubles. 
Amen.

— — —

Some men brought to him a paralyzed man,
lying on a mat.
When Jesus saw their faith,
he said to the man,
“Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”

At this, some of the teachers of the law
said to themselves,
“This fellow is blaspheming!”

Knowing their thoughts,
Jesus said,
“Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?
Which is easier: to say,
‘Your sins are forgiven,’
or to say,
‘Get up and walk’?
But I want you to know
that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”
So he said to the paralyzed man,
“Get up, take your mat and go home.”
Then the man got up and went home.
When the crowd saw this,
they were filled with awe;
and they praised God,
who had given such authority to man.
(Matthew 9:7-12), NIV)*

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

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

BGBG_v4.3_150[1818]

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
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To purchase or for a closer look click here.

Through the Watches of the Night

13 Thursday Jul 2023

Posted by in Psalm 63

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

Psalm 63_6-11 -365
Reading: Psalm 63:6-11

LORD God,
 I want my mind to find rest in you.
I know my sins are forgiven
and your love for me was proven on the cross.
You lived for me; you died for me.
You love me.
Oh, what joy that thought brings!
Amen.

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

BGBG_v4.3_150[1818]

Please pray for peace to return to 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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New Life

23 Tuesday May 2023

Posted by in Psalm 42, Psalms

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

Psalm 42_8
Reading: Psalm 42:6-11

LORD God,
I thank you for Jesus.
I am thankful he willingly laid down his life
so I could be forgiven and experience new life.
I put my hope in my Savior and my God.
Hallelujah!
Amen.

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

BGBG_v4.3_150[1818]

Please pray for peace to return to 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.

B1P95Jv-LtS._SY300_

Nothing Can Make Them Stumble

22 Sunday Jan 2023

Posted by in Psalm 119

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

Psalm 119_165
Reading: Psalm 119:161-168

LORD God,
grant me your peace.
Now by faith I receive the promise of your everlasting peace.
And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
Thank you, Lord Jesus.
My sins are forgiven.
Amen.

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

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

Start 2023 with a new devotional series. 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. Start 2023 with a new devotional series. To purchase or for a closer look click here.
Vol III 2021-07-17 at 8.15.36 AM

You Love Me

18 Friday Feb 2022

Posted by in Psalm 63

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

Psalm 63_6-11 -365
Reading: Psalm 63: 6-11

LORD God,
I want my mind to find rest in you.
I know my sins are forgiven,
and your love for me was proven on the cross.
You lived for me;
you died for me.
You love me.
Oh, what joy that thought brings!
Amen.

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

BGBG_v4.3_150[1818]

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer has won the 2021 Best Book of the Year Award and for those who love God’s word, it’s an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. For a closer look at Volumes II and III click here.