The Skies Proclaim the Work of His Hands

14 Sunday Dec 2025

Tags

God's commands, God's word, gold, praise the LORD, Prayer, Psalms, pure, the law of the LORD, the LORD, trustworthy, voice of God

I will praise the LORD!

Reading: Psalm 19:7-11

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the LORD are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward (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, 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.

Available now…

James—the brother of Jesus—who was this man? What evidence do we have that this “brother of our Lord” even existed?

David Kitz digs deep into archeology, family dynamics, church history, and the biblical texts. What emerges from his research is a portrait of a decisive, pivotal leader who embodied the will and character of Jesus Christ.

But how did James—James the unbeliever—transform to become a leader who changed the course of world history? In these pages you will uncover the answer and rediscover for yourself the life-changing power of the gospel.

To view further details or purchase directly from the author click here.

The House Builder

01 Friday Aug 2025

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 127

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Bible, builder, children, construction project, devotion, gold, heritage, Prayer, Psalms, Solomon, temple, the LORD, treasure

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Reading: Psalm 127

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

Unless the LORD builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to those he loves.

Children are a heritage from the LORD,
offspring a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are children born in one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their opponents in court (NIV). *

Reflection
There are fifteen Songs of Ascent. Four of them are attributed to David, but only this one is attributed to David’s son, Solomon. It is very fitting that King Solomon should be credited with penning this psalm. The psalm begins with this sentence: Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain (v. 1a).

Solomon was the greatest builder of the Old Testament era. He built the magnificent temple of the LORD in Jerusalem. On this project, he spared no expense. Solomon covered the inside of the temple with pure gold, and he extended gold chains across the front of the inner sanctuary, which was overlaid with gold (1 Kings 6:21).

In addition to the temple, Solomon built an enormous palace for himself, as well as stables for his horses and chariots. (See 1 Kings 10:26). Solomon was an expert at construction and on vanity (see the Book of Ecclesiastes) yet he states, “Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain” (v. 1).

So then, where is lasting value? There is lasting value in our children. The grand construction project of lasting worth is the life of a child—the soul of a child. Are we pouring a foundation that is built on the solid rock of Christ’s teaching? Are we overlaying the inside of that temple with pure gold? Are we instilling values of honesty, charity, and self-worth? The real treasure is in the heart of a child—a child that will carry those values to the next generation.

Solomon reminds us: Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him (v. 3). They are the arrows that are targeted at the third generation. Now there is a construction project worthy of a king.

Response: Father God, I want to see the true worth of my children. Help me to pass on values and lessons of faith to them. I thank you for them. They are a gift from you of immeasurable worth. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you overlaying the sanctuary of your child’s heart with pure gold? What are you doing to add value to the lives of others?

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!

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

They Presented Him with Gifts

25 Monday Dec 2023

Posted by davidkitz in Christmas

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Bethlehem, frankincense, gold, Herod, magi, Mary, myrrh

I will praise the LORD!

Reading: Matthew 2:7-12

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. *

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

Please pray for peace to return to Israel 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.

More Precious than Gold

29 Sunday Oct 2023

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 19, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

gold, praise the LORD, reward, the law of the LORD, the LORD

I will praise the LORD!

Photo by Eduardo Braga on Pexels.com

Reading: Psalm 19:7-11

The law of the LORD is perfect,
    refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
    giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
    giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
    enduring forever.
They are more precious than gold,
    than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
    than honey from the honeycomb.
By them your servant is warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward. *

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

Please pray for peace to return to Israel and Ukraine!

TheElishaCodeCVR5

Coming soon…

Like Silver Purified in a Crucible

10 Sunday Sep 2023

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 12, Psalms

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

gold, praise the LORD, silver, the LORD, the needy, the poor

I will praise the LORD!

Photo by David Kitz

Reading: Psalm 12

For the director of music. According to sheminith.
A psalm of David.

Help, LORD, for no one is faithful anymore;
    those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.
Everyone lies to their neighbor;
    they flatter with their lips
    but harbor deception in their hearts.
May the LORD silence all flattering lips
    and every boastful tongue—
those who say,
    “By our tongues we will prevail;
    our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?”
“Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan,
    I will now arise,” says the LORD.
    “I will protect them from those who malign them.”
And the words of the LORD are flawless,
    like silver purified in a crucible,
    like gold refined seven times.
You, LORD, will keep the needy safe
    and will protect us forever from the wicked,
who freely strut about
    when what is vile is honored by the human race.

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

Please pray for peace to return to Ukraine!

B1P95Jv-LtS._SY300_

A Construction Project of Lasting Worth

19 Wednesday May 2021

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 127, Psalms

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

children, construction, gold, Solomon, treasure

Reading: Psalm 127
A song of ascents. Of Solomon.
Unless the LORD builds the house,
    the builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
    the guards stand watch in vain.
In vain you rise early
    and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
    for he grants sleep to those he loves.
Children are a heritage from the LORD,
    offspring a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
    are children born in one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
    whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
    when they contend with their opponents in court (NIV).*

Photo by Mu00e1ximo on Pexels.com

So then, where is lasting value? There is lasting value in our children. The grand construction project of lasting worth is the life of a child—the soul of a child. Are we pouring a foundation that is built on the solid rock of Christ’s teaching? Are we overlaying the inside of that temple with pure gold? Are we instilling values of honesty, charity and self-worth? The real treasure is in the heart of a child—a child that will carry those values to the next generation.

Solomon reminds us: Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. They are the arrows that are targeted at the third generation. Now there is a construction project worthy of a king.

Your Turn: Are you overlaying the sanctuary of your child’s heart with pure gold? What kind of deposits are you making into your children’s memory bank.

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

Volume II of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz is available now. For a closer look at Volumes I and II click here.

Appreciating True Value

20 Tuesday Apr 2021

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 119, Psalms

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

gold, lasting value, silver and gold, value, values

Reading: Psalm 119
ט Teth
(Verses 65-72)
Do good to your servant
according to your word, LORD.
Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
for I trust your commands.
Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I obey your word.
You are good, and what you do is good;
teach me your decrees.
Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,
I keep your precepts with all my heart.
Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,
but I delight in your law.
It was good for me to be afflicted
so that I might learn your decrees.
The law from your mouth is more precious to me
than thousands of pieces of silver and gold (NIV).

closeup photo of three round coins in person s palm

Photo by Worldspectrum on Pexels.com

Reflection
This past Christmas my wife gave me a 99.99% pure silver coin. The coin commemorates the 150^th anniversary of Canada’s confederation. It’s a beautiful coin that honors in precious metal the history of a beautiful country. Unlike many other gifts, this piece of pure silver will appreciate in value with the passage of time.

In today’s reading from Psalm 119, we are challenged to consider what we truly value. The psalmist writes, “The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.”

What do you value in this life? What is precious to you? We need to continually assess what is dear to us because from that assessment we determine the course of our actions and the outcome of our life. An accurate assessment depends on sound judgment, so earlier in this psalm the author makes this request: Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands.

We live in a world that chases after wealth and material goods. Apparently, that’s where the value is, or so it would seem. But the psalmist reaches a far different conclusion. He values God and His word above all else.

Such thinking is heresy according to the wizards of Wall Street. But silver and gold can’t keep you warm at night. It might buy you sex, but it can’t buy you love. You see real value isn’t found in the gift; it’s found in the giver. My wife is much more valuable to me than thousands of gold coins. As for God, He’s the ultimate Giver—the Giver of all things. We receive true value when we receive Him.

Response: LORD God, I want right values. That starts with loving you with all my heart, soul and strength. Let my actions reflect your values. You value people. That’s why your Son bled and died. Amen.

Your Turn: What do you value in life? Do your actions reflect your values?

Volume II of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz will soon be available. For a closer look at Volume I click here.

An Idolatrous Financial System

06 Monday Jan 2020

Posted by davidkitz in Devotionals, Psalm 135, Psalms

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

finances, gold, idolatry, idols, Mammon, silver

Reading: Psalm 135
(Verses 15-21)
The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
made by human hands.
They have mouths, but cannot speak,
eyes, but cannot see.
They have ears, but cannot hear,
nor is there breath in their mouths.
Those who make them will be like them,
and so will all who trust in them.
All you Israelites, praise the LORD;
house of Aaron, praise the LORD;
house of Levi, praise the LORD;
you who fear him, praise the LORD.
Praise be to the LORD from Zion,
to him who dwells in Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD (NIV).

Street Corner Idol — Nagakute, Japan — David Kitz

Reflection
Though it may not be obvious, there is something timeless about the first sentence from today’s reading: The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by human hands.

In today’s world shaping silver or gold into an idol may be unusual, but it still occurs. India and the nations of Southeast Asia have plenty of gold and silver idols. This is not a dying worship form. Many have been cast in recent years.

In the western world we frown on such openly idolatrous displays of wealth and worship. Or do we? Gold and silver represent wealth. In reality, we have simply transformed our worship of wealth from bulky commodities like silver and gold to more transferable assets like securities and paper currency. We are still guilty of bowing before silver and gold, but it comes with a different name. Now we call it the almighty dollar.

The almighty dollar, or more broadly speaking, the market, determines the ebb and flow of commerce, and by extension impacts every aspect of our daily lives. It is not an exaggeration to say we are caught up in financial system that is deeply idolatrous. Our society has taken the worship of wealth (Mammon) to new heights. We elect our political leaders not on the basis of morality or personal integrity, but rather can they deliver a higher level of GDP—put more money in our pockets.

Into this corrupt world, St. Peter speaks these words to those who have been called to follow Christ: For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect (1 Peter 1:18-19).

Response: Father God, I need the right perspective on wealth and finances. Your precious blood is worth more than all the silver and gold this world has to offer. I bow before you as my Almighty Savior. Amen.

Your Turn: Is Jesus the Lord of your finances? Is your Redeemer more important than wealth?

Who is Building the House?

18 Wednesday Dec 2019

Posted by davidkitz in Devotionals, Psalm 127, Psalms

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

builder, building, children, gold, heritage, Solomon

Reading: Psalm 127
A song of ascents. Of Solomon.
Unless the LORD builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to those he loves.
Children are a heritage from the LORD,
offspring a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are children born in one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their opponents in court (NIV).

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

So then, where is lasting value? There is lasting value in our children. The grand construction project of lasting worth is the life of a child—the soul of a child. Are we pouring a foundation that is built on the solid rock of Christ’s teaching? Are we overlaying the inside of that temple with pure gold? Are we instilling values of honesty, charity and self-worth? The real treasure is in the heart of a child—a child that will carry those values to the next generation.

Your Turn: Are you overlaying the sanctuary of your child’s heart with pure gold?

More Precious than Silver and Gold

19 Tuesday Nov 2019

Posted by davidkitz in Devotionals, Psalm 119, Psalms

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

God's word, gold, silver, value, values, wealth, worthy

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Reflection
Two Christmases ago my wife gave me a 99.99% pure silver coin. The coin commemorates the 150^th anniversary of Canada’s confederation. It’s a beautiful coin that honors in precious metal the history of a beautiful country. Unlike many other gifts, this piece of pure silver will appreciate in value with the passage of time.

Your Turn: What do you value in life? Do your actions reflect your values?

I love the Psalms

~ Connecting daily with God through the Psalms

Tag Archives: gold

The Skies Proclaim the Work of His Hands

I will praise the LORD!

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

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

The House Builder

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, and Ukraine!

They Presented Him with Gifts

I will praise the LORD!

Reading: Matthew 2:7-12

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

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

Please pray for peace to return to Israel and Ukraine!

More Precious than Gold

I will praise the LORD!

Reading: Psalm 19:7-11

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

Please pray for peace to return to Israel and Ukraine!

Like Silver Purified in a Crucible

I will praise the LORD!

Reading: Psalm 12

For the director of music. According to sheminith.
A psalm of David.

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

Please pray for peace to return to Ukraine!

A Construction Project of Lasting Worth

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

Appreciating True Value

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

An Idolatrous Financial System

Who is Building the House?

More Precious than Silver and Gold

I will praise the LORD!

* 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 Psalms 365 by David Kitz

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

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

I will praise the LORD!

Reading: Matthew 2:7-12

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

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

Please pray for peace to return to Israel and Ukraine!

I will praise the LORD!

Reading: Psalm 19:7-11

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

Please pray for peace to return to Israel and Ukraine!

I will praise the LORD!

Reading: Psalm 12

For the director of music. According to sheminith. A psalm of David.

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

Please pray for peace to return to Ukraine!

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

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

For the director of music. According to sheminith.
A psalm of David.