09 Saturday Jun 2018
Posted in Bible, God's word, Psalm 119, Psalms
Tags
Canmore, commands, God's word, mercy, obey, redeem, sin, word of God
Along Policeman Creek, Canmore, Alberta — photo by David Kitz
20 Sunday May 2018
Posted in Bible, God's word, Psalm 119, Psalms
Tags
commands, eternal, God's word, laws, perfection, praise, save, the LORD
Sunset glory — photo by David Kitz
19 Saturday May 2018
Posted in Bible, God's word, Psalm 119, Psalms
Tags
commands, God's word, hope, obey, persecuted, praise, Psalm 119, salvation, trustworthy
Algonquin Park — photo courtesy of Liz Kranz
13 Sunday May 2018
Posted in Bible, God's word, Psalm 119, Psalms
Tags
commands, eternal, faithfulness, generations, God's word, Law, Lord, praise, precepts, save
The promise of spring begins to take hold — photo by David Kitz
12 Saturday May 2018
Posted in Bible, God's word, Psalm 119, Psalms
Tags
arrogant, God's word, hope, Law, obey, persecutors, promises, salvation, trustworthy, unfailing love
Late April spring melt — photo by David Kitz
10 Thursday May 2018
Posted in Bible, Devotionals, God's word, Psalm 107, Psalms
Tags
archangel, galaxies, God's word, grandfather, healed, Jesus Christ, Psalm 107, resurrection, unfailing love, word of God
Reading: Psalm 107
(Verses 17-22)
Some became fools through their rebellious ways
and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.
They loathed all food
and drew near the gates of death.
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
He sent out his word and healed them;
he rescued them from the grave.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
Let them sacrifice thank offerings
and tell of his works with songs of joy (NIV).
Reflection
There is a verse in Psalm 107 that holds deep significance for all eternity—past, present and future. Here is the verse: He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave (Psalm 107:20).
Tulips announcing spring is here — photo by David Kitz
I was introduced to this wonderful verse at the funeral of my maternal grandfather. Psalm 107:20 was the sermon text. This Bible verse might seem like an odd choice for use at a funeral. After all, in the end the deceased was not healed. In the case of my grandfather, he made it to the ripe old age 92 years, but death triumphed in the end. Or did it?
The pastor pointed out that throughout his life, on countless occasions, God sent out his word and healed my grandfather, and God who is faithful would do it again. But on the next occasion the LORD would raise my grandfather from the dead.
This is the great hope of all who believe in Jesus Christ. He is our forerunner. He suffered death on our behalf, but he also experienced resurrection—the same kind of resurrection that every believer will experience.
The God who in eons past spoke galaxies into existence can send His word and resurrect my grandfather, and all who have put their faith in the resurrected Savior. With each passing day that awesome moment draws nearer. That’s the ultimate healing and it happens through the power of God’s word.
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
Response: Father God, send your word. Send your word and heal those who are sick. Send your word and save and transform those who are hostile to you. Send your word and resurrect those who are spiritually dead in their trespasses and sins. LORD God, send your living word. Amen.
Your Turn: Who springs to mind when you pray for God to send His word?
05 Saturday May 2018
Posted in Bible, God's word, Psalm 119, Psalms, Saturday's Psalm
![IMG_20180422_093026_hdr[3084]](https://davidkitz.blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/img_20180422_093026_hdr3084.jpg?w=529)
April crocus — photo by David Kitz
21 Saturday Apr 2018
Posted in Bible, Psalm 119, Psalms, Saturday's Psalm
Tags
commands, delight, God's word, life, obey, praise, promise, Righteousness, selfish, teach, the LORD, understanding
All creation speaks its praise — photo courtesy of Karen Kitz
02 Friday Mar 2018
Posted in Bible, Devotionals, Psalm 89, Psalms
Tags
Babylonian invasion, Bible, Bible attacked, Creator, Darwin, defeat, foundation, foundational truth, God's word, inerrancy, Judea, King of Judah, North America, shame
Reading: Psalm 89
(Verses 38-45)
But you have rejected, you have spurned,
you have been very angry with your anointed one.
You have renounced the covenant with your servant
and have defiled his crown in the dust.
You have broken through all his walls
and reduced his strongholds to ruins.
All who pass by have plundered him;
he has become the scorn of his neighbors.
You have exalted the right hand of his foes;
you have made all his enemies rejoice.
Indeed, you have turned back the edge of his sword
and have not supported him in battle.
You have put an end to his splendor
and cast his throne to the ground.
You have cut short the days of his youth;
you have covered him with a mantle of shame (NIV).
Reflection
Though we cannot be absolutely certain, it seems likely that Psalm 89 was written during the time of the Babylonian invasion of Judea. These were days of disaster brought on by idolatry as the people turned away from God. The rebellious King of Judah suffered a catastrophic defeat as the words of this psalm state: You have put an end to his splendor and cast his throne to the ground. You have cut short the days of his youth; you have covered him with a mantle of shame.
Photo courtesy of Liz Kranz
In the last few decades the church in North America has also experienced a number of defeats or setbacks. Enemies of the Christian faith have risen up and become bold in their attacks. Just as ancient Jerusalem was attacked and laid low, so too Christian belief systems have been under constant assault. The walls and strongholds of our faith have been undermined.
Two unshakeable biblical truths have come under relentless attack. The first is the truth of creation. Our God is the Creator of the universe—the source point of all matter and life. Since the days of Darwin, who incidentally believed in God, atheists have mounted a ferocious attack on this foundational truth. The Christian response has often been jingoistic or at best disjointed. A more coherent and scientifically sound defense is needed.
The second truth that has been under continual attack is the veracity of the Bible. God’s holy word is mocked and routinely discredited especially at our universities. The word of God is our stronghold. Over and over again it has been proven to be accurate, reliable and true. Archeologists and scholars have marvelled at the veracity and authenticity of God’s word. But the real proof of the inerrancy of God’s word does not come from scholarly research. It comes from the transformed lives of believers.
Response: LORD God, my trust is in you and your word. Creator God, I want my faith to be as secure for me as the earth beneath my feet and the air in my lungs. You are all around me. Thank you, Lord. Amen.
Your Turn: Have attacks on your faith caused doubt? How did you overcome?
22 Wednesday Nov 2017
Posted in book review, Books by David Kitz, Devotionals, Psalms
Tags
author, Bible, David Kitz, God's word, literature, Psalm, Psalms, Psalms Alive!, word of God
There’s something innately powerful about good literature. The characters and events we read about can become very real to us. We come to know these people; their experiences become our own.
For nearly 3,000 years people have been getting in touch with God through the sacred literature from the Book of Psalms. Generation after generation has drawn strength, comfort and inspiration from the words of the psalmist.
In times of calamity the psalms bring peace. When storms rage within, a psalm can provide a haven of rest. When anger erupts, a psalm can act as a release valve. When God seems distant, the psalms bring us near.
Collage composed by Lila Diller with photos selected from Unsplash
Psalms Alive! Connecting Heaven and Earth is a devotional study of thirteen selected psalms. Each chapter is designed to help the reader interact with God’s word, and connect with their Creator in a fresh and living way.
There is something surprisingly practical about the psalms. They are meant to be lived.
237 pages, trade paperback
The Bible is in fact a living document that must be applied to life to be effective. This should not surprise us since, “The word of God is living and active” (Hebrews 4:12a). Author David Kitz draws from other biblical sources and real life experiences to make these psalms come alive for you.
There is power in the unchanging word of God. Why not experience that power for yourself? Discover Jesus, the Good Shepherd, walking off the pages of the psalms and into your life.
I love the Psalms 