• Home
  • About
  • DavidKitz.ca
  • Youtube Videos
  • Books by David

I love the Psalms

~ Connecting daily with God through the Psalms

I love the Psalms

Tag Archives: God’s help

Who Sustains You?

26 Wednesday Aug 2020

Posted by davidkitz in Bible, Psalm 54

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

God's help, Psalm 54, the LORD

Today’s Key Verse from the Psalms
Psalm 54_4

Blessed Are Those Who Have Regard for the Weak

23 Thursday Jul 2020

Posted by davidkitz in Devotions, Psalm 41, Psalms

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

forgiveness, God's help, Poverty, social justice, the poor

Reading: Psalm 41
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
(Verses 1-6)
Blessed are those who have regard for the weak;
the L
ORD delivers them in times of trouble.
The L
ORD 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).*

cheerful little asian kids spending time on street

Photo by ROMAN ODINTSOV on Pexels.com

Reflection
Psalm 41 reminds us that 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 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. The current pandemic has served as a reminder that our state of self-sufficiency can come to an end in a moment.

Recently, 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 will need forgiveness and the help that 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?

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

This post by award-winning author David Kitz will be published in book format later in 2020 by Elk Lake Publishing under the title 365 Days through the Psalms.

Do Not Forsake Me

15 Wednesday Jul 2020

Posted by davidkitz in Bible, Psalm 38, Psalms

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

God's help, Lord, Psalm 38, Savior

Psalm 38_21-22 (2)

Today’s verse from the Psalms.

Surely God is my Help

14 Sunday Jun 2020

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 54, Psalms

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

God's help, praising God, triumph

I will praise the LORD!

img_20200530_1448148

Flower circle — photo by David Kitz

Surely God is my help;     
the Lord is the one who sustains me.
Let evil recoil on those who slander me;
in your faithfulness destroy them.
I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you;
     I will praise your name LORD for it is good.
You have delivered me from all your troubles,
     and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.      

  (Psalm 54:4-7, NIV)*

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

I Have Become Like Broken Pottery

29 Friday May 2020

Posted by davidkitz in Devotions, Psalm 31, Psalms

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

abandoned, broken, despair, God's help, God's mercy

Reading: Psalm 31
(Verses 9-13)
Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am in distress;
my eyes grow weak with sorrow,
my soul and body with grief.
My life is consumed by anguish
and my years by groaning;
my strength fails because of my affliction,
and my bones grow weak.
Because of all my enemies,
I am the utter contempt of my neighbors
and an object of dread to my closest friends—
those who see me on the street flee from me.
I am forgotten as though I were dead;
I have become like broken pottery.
For I hear many whispering,
“Terror on every side!”
They conspire against me
and plot to take my life
(NIV).*

img_20200518_1551596

Green’s Creek — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
How often do you find yourself crying out for mercy as David does at the start of this psalm portion? I confess daily I need God’s mercy. Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief. 

The desperate cry for help is a recurring theme throughout the psalms. While there is plenty of rejoicing and we find ample helpings of praise for the LORD throughout the Book of Psalms, we also find time after time David and the other writers of the psalms calling out to God for mercy. It is as though David has stumbled into a dry well and has no one to rescue him. Only God can help. Only God will listen.

Is that where you find yourself? In this psalm portion we can see that David is experiencing a deep sense of abandonment. He feels he is alone with none to help. He laments, “I am forgotten as though I were dead.” 

Is that where you find yourself? But David’s sense of abandonment plums even greater depths. Not only does David feel the sting of rejection, he also feels totally worthless. In his despair he cries, “I have become like broken pottery.” It appears as though he has lost all sense of meaning and purpose to his life. He is abandoned, useless and worthless.

Is that where you find yourself? Then do as David did. Pour out your complaint to God. Call out to Him. He is listening. He cares and He answers. The LORD has not changed.

Response: LORD God, have mercy on me. Come to my aid. When I stumble and fall into the dry well of despair, please come to my rescue. Help me see Jesus peering down at me. Loving Jesus, extend your hand of help. Amen.

Your Turn: Reflect on how God has helped you in the past. How has he pulled you out of a pit?

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

This post by award-winning author David Kitz will be published in book format later in 2020 by Elk Lake Publishing under the title 365 Days through the Psalms.

Seeking Guidance

11 Monday May 2020

Posted by davidkitz in Devotions, Psalm 25, Psalms

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

God's help, guidance, humble, teacher

Reading: Psalm 25
(Verses 8-15)
Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.
All the ways of the L
ORD are loving and faithful
toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
For the sake of your name, L
ORD,
forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

Who, then, are those who fear the LORD?
He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.
They will spend their days in prosperity,
and their descendants will inherit the land.
The
LORD confides in those who fear him;
he makes his covenant known to them.
My eyes are ever on the L
ORD,
for only he will release my feet from the snare
(NIV).*

image

Canal sculpture, Ottawa, ON — photo by Timothy Kitz

Reflection
Some truths are self-evident: Water flows downhill, always has and always will. Darkness is an absence of light. The first line of today’s psalm reading is also one of those self-evident truths. Good and upright is the LORD. The LORD is always good and He is always upright in all His ways. There is nothing devious or corrupt about Him. That’s simply the nature of our God.

Because the LORD is good and upright, righteousness and grace flow from His throne. The LORD instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. His love cascades down upon those who are humble of heart. Jesus in his earthly ministry exemplified the very nature of God, because he came as the LORD in human flesh. He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:27-29).

Are you learning from Jesus? Have you positioned yourself to hear and follow him? The Lord is our teacher, but he only instructs those who humbly fear and reverence Him. The obstinate sinner has shut his ears to the voice of God. There is no guidance from heaven for him, nor does he seek it, because in rebellion he has chosen his own path.

Do you want the LORD to guide you in the decisions you face? Be of good cheer. If you fear the LORD, He will instruct you in the way you should choose. Confess your sin to Him, admit your need before Him, and then open your spirit to hear from God. We have this promise: The LORD confides in those who fear him.

Response: LORD, in humility I come before you. I need your help and guidance every moment of the day. Teach me your ways in every situation and circumstance I face. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you routinely ask for the LORD’s guidance? How has He responded? Can you testify to situations in which the LORD has guided your steps?

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

This post by award-winning author David Kitz will be published in book format later in 2020 by Elk Lake Publishing under the title 365 Days through the Psalms.

The LORD Almighty Is With Us

26 Sunday Apr 2020

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 46, Psalms

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

city of God, fortress, God's help, nations

I will praise the LORD!

effects

Photo by David Kitz

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The LORD Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

  (Psalm 46:4-7, NIV)*

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

Image

Psalm 40:16

22 Sunday Mar 2020

Tags

God's help, rejoice, the LORD

Psalm 40-16

Posted by davidkitz | Filed under Bible, Psalm 40, Psalms

≈ 1 Comment

Where Does my Help Come From?

10 Tuesday Dec 2019

Posted by davidkitz in Devotionals, Psalm 121, Psalms

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

God's help, pilgrimage, pilgrims, Psalm 121

Reading: Psalm 121
A song of ascents.
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the L
ORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD watches over you—
the L
ORD is your shade at your right hand;
 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
the L
ORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore
(NIV).

2018-05-16

I lift up my eyes to the mountains — Banff National Park — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
Psalm 121 is the second Song of Ascents, and as such it was a psalm, which was intended for use by pilgrims as they journeyed to Jerusalem. This particular psalm was most often sung or chanted as the pilgrims set out from Jericho. As they lifted up their eyes, the sharply rising hill country of Judah stretched off into the distance. Hill after hill rose up before them. Jesus often made this journey. His final Passover pilgrimage brought him to the cross.

This last portion of the journey was truly an ascent. From the Dead Sea plain the road to Jerusalem climbs nearly five thousand feet—1600 meters. This is truly an ascent—an ascent from the Dead Sea plain, the lowest point on earth’s surface, to the heights of Mount Zion.

For the bone-weary pilgrims, who had already walked more than one hundred kilometers (60 miles) from Galilee, the sight of those distant hills must have brought a measure of aching discouragement. Here was a looming challenge. Could they make this final ascent? The opening question of this psalm was not a matter of poetic whimsy. It was spoken in earnest. I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?

The weary pilgrim may well be asking, “Having come this far, can I complete this journey? Do I have enough energy—enough stamina to climb those hills? Will I be able to reach Zion? I am exhausted now—before I even start the ascent. I can’t do this on my own. Where does my help come from?”

The psalmist’s answer resounds off those ancient hills. Even today, it echoes down through the ages and reverberates through the chambers of the heart. My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Response: Father God, I am on a lifelong journey—a pilgrimage to the heavenly Jerusalem. When I become weary, give me strength.  I know my strength comes from you, LORD. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you need strength? Have you become weary at times in serving the Lord?

I will praise you

01 Sunday Sep 2019

Posted by davidkitz in Bible, Psalm 22, Psalms

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

fearing God, God's help, praise, Suffering

I will praise Him!

effects

He has listened to my cry for help — photo by David Kitz

I will declare your name to my people;
    in the assembly I will praise you.
You who fear the LORD, praise him!
    All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
    Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!
For he has not despised or scorned
    the suffering of the afflicted one;
he has not hidden his face from him
    but has listened to his cry for help.

(Psalm 22:22-24, NIV)

← Older posts

Psalms Alive! devotional study

A Devotional Study

Discover for yourself what a soul-bonding relationship with God looks like. As never before, let the psalms come alive for you. $17.95 (237 pages)

Psalms

Recent posts

  • Steadfast or Cyclical? March 8, 2021
  • The Presence of the Lord March 7, 2021
  • The Sea Looked and Fled March 7, 2021
  • Above the Heavens March 6, 2021
  • A Happy Mother of Children March 6, 2021
  • A Story of Christ’s Passion March 5, 2021
  • The Calming Voice Speaking into My Life March 5, 2021

Calendar

March 2021
M T W T F S S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293031  
« Feb    

Blog Posts

Blogroll

  • David Kitz Website
  • Discuss
  • Get Inspired
  • Get Polling
  • Get Support
  • Learn WordPress.com
  • Theme Showcase
  • WordPress Planet
  • WordPress.com News

Comments

  • Mount Olivet Prophecy | Bijbelvorser = Bible Researcher on The Great Son of Man
  • davidkitz on Steadfast or Cyclical?
  • davidkitz on Steadfast or Cyclical?

Blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel

 
Loading Comments...
Comment
    ×