Tag Archives: God’s will

God’s Mysterious Choice   

01 Wednesday Jul 2026

Posted by in Psalm 78, Psalms

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Reading: Psalm 78:50-55 (NIV)*

He prepared a path for his anger;
    he did not spare them from death
    but gave them over to the plague.
He struck down all the firstborn of Egypt,
    the firstfruits of manhood in the tents of Ham.
But he brought his people out like a flock;
    he led them like sheep through the wilderness.
He guided them safely, so they were unafraid;
    but the sea engulfed their enemies.
And so he brought them to the border of his holy land,
    to the hill country his right hand had taken.
He drove out nations before them
    and allotted their lands to them as an inheritance;
    he settled the tribes of Israel in their home.

Reflection

Understanding God’s choice is not a simple matter. Today’s reading from Psalm 78 draws our attention to the choices God makes. Why did God choose the people of Israel? Why did He decide to get behind this rebellious people? Why did the LORD throw His active support behind a slave revolt? Why did He show mercy to Israel, but pour out His wrath on Egypt?

Of course, we can ask the same questions on a personal level. Why did God choose to save me from my personal pile of sin and destructive habits? Why did He show me the incredible love of Jesus through his death on the cross? Why did the message of the gospel touch me so deeply and transform me so radically, while it bounced off others around me like a babble of meaningless words?

We may never know the answers to these questions. What I do know is God did not choose the best and the greatest when He chose Israel. Furthermore, at this present time, God overlooked the best and the greatest and instead He chose you and me. St. Paul writes, “My dear friends, remember what you were when God chose you. The people of this world didn’t think that many of you were wise. Only a few of you were in places of power, and not many of you came from important families. But God chose the foolish things of this world to put the wise to shame. He chose the weak things of this world to put the powerful to shame” (1 Corinthians 1:26-27, CEV).

St. Paul writes, “The god who rules this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers. They cannot see the light, which is the good news about our glorious Christ, who shows what God is like” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Why does the gospel light go on for some, but not for others? We could spend an eternity pondering these questions and not arrive at a satisfactory answer. Ultimately, we must allow God to be God. We did not choose Him, but rather He chose us and for that we can be eternally grateful.

Response

LORD God, I am thankful your Spirit sought me out and drew me to the cross of Jesus. I bow before you in praise and gratitude. I pray you will show the same mercy to many others. Give me a heart of compassion for those who have not experienced your saving grace. Amen.

Your Turn

Do you understand God’s sovereign choice? How do you respond?

Happy Canada Day to all my Canadian followers!

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.

Jesus at the Temple

25 Thursday Jun 2026

Posted by in Psalm 78, Psalms

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


Today’s Reading: Psalm 78:17-22 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
I humbly ask you for the gift of faith—
faith to sustain me through the tough times ahead.
You are my help, my salvation, and my deliverer.
I praise you for your faithfulness.
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
Jesus at the Temple

Jesus entered the temple courts
and drove out all who were buying and selling there.
He overturned the tables of the money changers
and the benches of those selling doves.
“It is written,”
he said to them,
“‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’
but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”

The blind and the lame came to him at the temple,
and he healed them.
But when the chief priests
and the teachers of the law
saw the wonderful things he did
and the children shouting in the temple courts,
“Hosanna to the Son of David,”
they were indignant.

“Do you hear what these children are saying?”
they asked him.

“Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read,

“‘From the lips of children and infants
    you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?”

And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany,
where he spent the night.
(Matthew 21:12-17).

* * *

Dear friends,
 if our hearts do not condemn us,
we have confidence before God
and receive from him anything we ask, 
because we keep his commands 
and do what pleases him.
(1 John 3:21-22 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

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.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

24 Wednesday Jun 2026

Posted by in Psalm 78, Psalms

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


Today’s Reading: Psalm 78:9-16 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
today I accept the challenge
to follow you with all my mind,
heart, soul, and strength.
Give me ears to hear and obey your commands.
I pray in Jesus’ all-powerful name.
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage
on the Mount of Olives,
Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them,
“Go to the village ahead of you,
and at once you will find a donkey tied there,
with her colt by her.
Untie them and bring them to me.
If anyone says anything to you,
say that the Lord needs them,
and he will send them right away.”

This took place to fulfill
what was spoken through the prophet:

“Say to Daughter Zion,
    ‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
    and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.
They brought the donkey and the colt
and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.
A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road,
while others cut branches from the trees
and spread them on the road.
The crowds that went ahead of him
and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

When Jesus entered Jerusalem,
the whole city was stirred and asked,
“Who is this?”

The crowds answered,
“This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
(Matthew 21:1-11).

* * *

Dear friends,
 if our hearts do not condemn us,
we have confidence before God
and receive from him anything we ask, 
because we keep his commands 
and do what pleases him.
(1 John 3:21-22 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

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.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

Two Blind Men Receive Sight

23 Tuesday Jun 2026

Posted by in Psalm 78, Psalms

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


Today’s Reading: Psalm 78:1-8 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
today give me ears to hear
what your Spirit is saying to me.
I want a listening heart.
Help me to really hear the others
in my family and workplace.
Thanks for listening to me.
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
Two Blind Men Receive Sight

As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho,
a large crowd followed him.
Two blind men were sitting by the roadside,
and when they heard that Jesus was going by,
they shouted,
“Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet,
but they shouted all the louder,
“Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

Jesus stopped and called them.
“What do you want me to do for you?”
he asked.

“Lord,” they answered,
“we want our sight.”

Jesus had compassion on them

and touched their eyes.
Immediately they received their sight
and followed him.
(Matthew 20:29-34).

* * *

Dear friends,
 if our hearts do not condemn us,
we have confidence before God
and receive from him anything we ask, 
because we keep his commands 
and do what pleases him.
(1 John 3:21-22 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

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.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

A Mother’s Request

22 Monday Jun 2026

Posted by in Psalm 77, Psalms

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


Today’s Reading: Psalm 77:16-20 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
I am facing some difficult challenges.
Give me the faith and the courage to keep going.
I trust you will bring me through—
through hell and high water
by the power of Jesus.
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
A Mother’s Request

Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus
with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.

“What is it you want?” he asked.

She said,
“Grant that one of these two sons of mine
may sit at your right and the other
at your left in your kingdom.”

“You don’t know what you are asking,”
Jesus said to them.
“Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”

“We can,” they answered.

Jesus said to them,
“You will indeed drink from my cup,
but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant.
These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”

When the ten heard about this,
they were indignant with the two brothers.
Jesus called them together and said,
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,
and their high officials exercise authority over them.
Not so with you.

Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served,
but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
(Matthew 20:20-28).

* * *

Dear friends,
 if our hearts do not condemn us,
we have confidence before God
and receive from him anything we ask, 
because we keep his commands 
and do what pleases him.
(1 John 3:21-22 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

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.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

Jesus Predicts His Death a Third Time

19 Friday Jun 2026

Posted by in Psalm 77, Psalms

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


Today’s Reading: Psalm 77:10-15 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
you are at work on my behalf
even when I can’t see it.
I believe in you,
the miracle-working God.
May my meditation center on you and your word
because your word brings light.
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
Jesus Predicts His Death a Third Time

Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem.
On the way,
he took the Twelve aside and said to them,
“We are going up to Jerusalem,
and the Son of Man will be delivered over
to the chief priests and the teachers of the law.
They will condemn him to death
and will hand him over to the Gentiles
to be mocked and flogged and crucified.
On the third day he will be raised to life!”
(Matthew 20:17-19).

* * *

Dear friends,
 if our hearts do not condemn us,
we have confidence before God
and receive from him anything we ask, 
because we keep his commands 
and do what pleases him.
(1 John 3:21-22 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

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.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

The Little Children and Jesus

18 Thursday Jun 2026

Posted by in Psalm 77, Psalms

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


Today’s Reading: Psalm 77:1-9 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
I don’t have the answers.
You do.
Your word tells me to
“give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”
(1 Thessalonians 5:18). Help me to do just that
in these circumstances.
You are always worthy of praise
even when I don’t understand..
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
The Little Children and Jesus

Then people brought little children to Jesus
for him to place his hands on them
and pray for them.
But the disciples rebuked them.

Jesus said,
“Let the little children come to me,
and do not hinder them,
for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
 When he had placed his hands on them,
he went on from there.
(Matthew 19:13-15).

* * *

Dear friends,
 if our hearts do not condemn us,
we have confidence before God
and receive from him anything we ask, 
because we keep his commands 
and do what pleases him.
(1 John 3:21-22 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

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.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

Divorce

17 Wednesday Jun 2026

Posted by in Psalm 76, Psalms

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


Today’s Reading: Psalm 76 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
you are the One I need to fear.
Give me a healthy dose of godly fear.
Heavenly Father,
I want to love and fear you,
so I will walk in full obedience to your commands.
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
Divorce

When Jesus had finished saying these things,
he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea
to the other side of the Jordan.
Large crowds followed him,
and he healed them there.

Some Pharisees came to him to test him.
They asked,
“Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?”

“Haven’t you read,” he replied,
“that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’
and said,
‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,
and the two will become one flesh’?
So they are no longer two, but one flesh.
Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

“Why then,” they asked,
“did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce
and send her away?”

Jesus replied,
“Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard.
But it was not this way from the beginning.
I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife,
except for sexual immorality,
and marries another woman commits adultery.”

The disciples said to him,
“If this is the situation between a husband and wife,
it is better not to marry.”

Jesus replied,
“Not everyone can accept this word,
but only those to whom it has been given.
For there are eunuchs who were born that way,
and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—
and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs
for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.
The one who can accept this should accept it.”
(Matthew 19:1-12).

* * *

Dear friends,
 if our hearts do not condemn us,
we have confidence before God
and receive from him anything we ask, 
because we keep his commands 
and do what pleases him.
(1 John 3:21-22 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

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.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives

18 Wednesday Mar 2026

Posted by in Psalm 44, Psalms

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


Today’s Reading: Psalm 44:17-26

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
when life is hard,
help me to remember to bring my complaints
and travails to you.
You are bigger than any agony
or grief I may face.
I call out to you,
my Savior,
and my God.
Amen.

     — — — —


Lent Reading:
Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives

Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives,
and his disciples followed him. 
On reaching the place,
he said to them,
“Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 
He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them,
knelt down and prayed,
“Father, if you are willing,
take this cup from me;
yet not my will, but yours be done.” 
An angel from heaven appeared to him
and strengthened him. 
And being in anguish,
he prayed more earnestly,
and his sweat was like drops of blood
falling to the ground.
(Luke 22:39-44).

* * *


This is love:
not that we loved God,
but that he loved us and sent his Son
as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
(1 John 4:10 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

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.

Ideal for the Season of Lent


Watch the triumphal entry of the donkey-riding king through the eyes of Marcus Longinus, the centurion charged with keeping the streets from erupting into open rebellion.

Look behind the scenes at the political plotting of King Herod, known as the scheming Fox for his ruthless shrewdness.

Get a front-row seat to the confrontation between the Jewish high priest Caiaphas and the Roman governor Pontius Pilate.

Understand as never before the horror of the decision to save a brutal terrorist in order to condemn the peaceful Jew to death.

If you’ve heard the story of Passion Week so often it’s become stale, now is the time to rediscover the terrible events leading from Jesus’s humble ride into the city to his crucifixion. The Soldier Who Killed a King will stun you afresh with how completely Christ’s resurrection changed history, one life at a time.

To view further details or purchase click here.

Not My Will

05 Thursday Mar 2026

Posted by in Psalm 38, Psalm 39, Psalm 40, Psalms

≈ 2 Comments

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


Today’s Reading: Psalm 40:6-10

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
 help me to truly hear
and obey your voice.
Lord Jesus,
I want to be your disciple.
Thank you for your great sacrifice
by which you purchased my redemption.
Amen.

     — — — —


Not My Will

Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives,
and his disciples followed him.
On reaching the place,
he said to them,
“Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”
He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them,
knelt down and prayed,
“Father,
if you are willing,
take this cup from me;
yet not my will,
but yours be done.”.
(Luke 22:39-42 NIV)*


This is love:
not that we loved God,
but that he loved us and sent his Son
as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
(1 John 4:10 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

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.

Ideal for the Season of Lent


Watch the triumphal entry of the donkey-riding king through the eyes of Marcus Longinus, the centurion charged with keeping the streets from erupting into open rebellion.

Look behind the scenes at the political plotting of King Herod, known as the scheming Fox for his ruthless shrewdness.

Get a front-row seat to the confrontation between the Jewish high priest Caiaphas and the Roman governor Pontius Pilate.

Understand as never before the horror of the decision to save a brutal terrorist in order to condemn the peaceful Jew to death.

If you’ve heard the story of Passion Week so often it’s become stale, now is the time to rediscover the terrible events leading from Jesus’s humble ride into the city to his crucifixion. The Soldier Who Killed a King will stun you afresh with how completely Christ’s resurrection changed history, one life at a time.

To view further details or purchase click here.