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I will praise Him!
My cup overflows — Rideau Falls, Ottawa, ON — photo by David Kitz
Psalm 23 (continued)
15 Sunday Sep 2019
I will praise Him!
Tag Archives: goodness
I will praise Him!
Lord of All?
27 Tuesday Mar 2018
Posted in Bible, Devotionals, Psalm 97, Psalms
Tags
authority, despots, foundation, goodness, Governor General, judgment, mercy of God, Prime Minister, Prince William, reigns, Righteousness, royal family, the LORD, throne, Victoria
Reading: Psalm 97
(Verses 1-7)
The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad;
let the distant shores rejoice.
Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
Fire goes before him
and consumes his foes on every side.
His lightning lights up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the Lord of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all peoples see his glory.
All who worship images are put to shame,
those who boast in idols—
worship him, all you gods! (NIV).
Reflection
Who is in charge here? In any situation, that’s a legitimate question. There are always a variety of authorities in any given situation. A while back I watched Prince William and his family get off a plane in Victoria, BC. On the tarmac the royal family was first greeted by the Governor General, then by the Prime Minister of Canada, then the Lieutenant Governor of the British Columbia and finally, the Premier of the province. They were all lined up according to proper protocol. Yes, there are a variety of authorities all deserving respect. But this question remains. Who is in charge here?
The place where your glory dwells—sunset near MacNutt, SK. — photo by David Kitz
The authorities of this world have jurisdiction over a certain geographic area or realm. Some authorities govern well and in others rule as despots who plunder the wealth of the nation. But Psalm 97 reminds us that there is one great authority who rules over all. The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice.
The earth can be glad and the distant shores can rejoice because this King, this heaven-dwelling authority rules well. He does not plunder His faithful people and bring them to ruin. He reigns supreme from on high. Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
We can rest assured that the LORD will do what is right. He is allied with goodness, mercy and truth. That’s why justice is the foundation of His throne. We should not fear His judgments because they are right and good. Yes, the authors of evil should be afraid, but if we have done right, we can count on the LORD as our defender. Now here is a proclamation that we all should heed. The heavens proclaim his righteousness and all peoples see his glory.
Response: LORD God, it is my prayer that all people will see your glory and bow before you, the magnificent King of Righteousness. Extend your reign I pray. Let the distant shores rejoice because you reign. Amen.
Your Turn: Is the Lord Jesus reigning over you and your home? Who has jurisdiction there?
Flourishing in the Courts of our God
14 Wednesday Mar 2018
Posted in Bible, Devotionals, Psalm 92, Psalms
Tags
cedar of Lebanon, courts of the LORD, faithfulness, fruit, fruits of the Spirit, God, goodness, joy, kindness, love, old age, peace, Psalm 92, self-control, the LORD, trees
Reading: Psalm 92
(Verses 9-15)
For surely your enemies, LORD,
surely your enemies will perish;
all evildoers will be scattered.
You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox;
fine oils have been poured on me.
My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries;
my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes.
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the LORD,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green,
proclaiming, “The LORD is upright;
he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him” (NIV).
Reflection
God’s people have been called or compared to many things. Often we are likened to sheep—the sheep of the LORD’s pasture. But here in Psalm 92 we are likened to trees, the palm tree, the cedar and various fruit trees.
Growing like a cedar of Lebanon — photo by David Kitz
There is a striking parallel between the tree analogy found in this psalm and a similar analogy found in Psalm 1. In both cases the righteous are compared to trees. That person [the righteous] is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers (Psalm 1:3).
By its very nature, there is something very settled about a tree. Unlike a sheep, a tree is not prone to wander. Trees flourish or perish where they have taken root. Have you been planted in the house of the LORD? Are you staying fresh and green and flourishing in the courts of our God?
Fruitfulness begins with flowering. Is your relationship with God in the flowering stage? Have you fallen in love with Him—so in love that you radiate beauty? Are you and the message you bear attractive? Have you made yourself attractive because of your love for the Lord?
What about fruit? Are the fruits of the Spirit beginning to appear on your branches? But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23).
I can’t speak for you, but I would rather be a flourishing, fruit-bearing tree in the courts of the LORD than a wayward sheep.
Response: LORD God, daily I want to grow more in love with you. Grant me a settled heart. I want my life to bear fruit that will bring honor to you. Help me to radiate your goodness and beauty. Amen.
Your Turn: How attractive is the message you bear? What signals are you sending out into the world?
The Cup of Salvation
11 Sunday Mar 2018
Tags
God's goodness, goodness, Grey Nuns Park, Orleans, praise, salvation, the LORD, the name of the LORD, vows
I will praise Him!
Fresh snow, Grey Nuns Park, Orleans, ON — photo by David Kitz
What shall I return to the LORD
for all his goodness to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the LORD.
I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people.
(Psalm 116:12-14, NIV)
Pursuing the Good Life?
14 Friday Jul 2017
Posted in Bible, Devotionals, Psalm 23, Psalms
Tags
God, good, good life, good shepherd, goodness, happiness, Jesus, Psalm 23, pursuit of happiness, quiet waters, sheep, shepherd, Shepherd's Psalm
Reading: Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever. (NIV)
Reflection
If there is a biblical recipe or prescription for the good life, it can be found in the words of this psalm. This is a psalm that drips with satisfaction. It oozes with the very fullness of life; it overflows with a quiet peace. There is a mellow ripeness to these words that runs down your chin, lights a spark in your eye, and puts a spring in your step.
He leads me beside quiet waters — photo by David Kitz
The first line is the key to it all. Is the LORD your shepherd? If He is, then all the rest follows: the refreshing, the goodness, and the love, simply come trailing along behind Him as you follow in His steps. This is so easy, so obvious; you can miss it, because it seems far too simple.
We live in a world that is in feverish pursuit of the good life. The self-centred pursuit of happiness has become the crowning, but ever elusive goal. The word ‘pursuit’ says it all. Apparently, happiness is something we are to chase after. Apparently, happiness can be found in a whole host of products, devices and programs.
What a profoundly different model for the good life is found within the words of this Psalm. The good life, which in our hearts we all seek, is anchored in the Good Shepherd. Jesus is that Good Shepherd. Listen to his words, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep, and my sheep know me” John 10:14 (NIV).
It is in following him, rather than following our own desires, that happiness comes. There is an abundance that comes into play the moment we surrender our stubborn will to the Good Shepherd and then begin to follow him with our whole heart.
Response: O LORD my God, I want to follow after you. Dear Jesus, be my Good Shepherd, now and throughout this life that you have given me. I love you because you first loved me. I want the good life that comes from following you. Amen.
Your Turn: Why do self-centered pursuits leave us feeling empty?
Wait for the LORD
19 Saturday Nov 2016
Posted in Psalms, Saturday's Psalm
Tags
David Kitz, goodness, Inner Harbour, strong, the LORD, Victoria, waiting
I will praise Him!
Pedestrian bridge, Inner Harbour, Victoria, BC — photo by David Kitz
I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.
(Psalm 27:13,14 NIV)
Poetic Romance in the Psalms
30 Saturday Jul 2016
Young Lions
04 Thursday Feb 2016
Posted in Psalms, Thursday's Thought
Young lions may go hungry or even starve, but if you trust the LORD, you will never miss out on anything good (Psalm 34:10, CEV).
Image courtesy of tratong at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is goodness.
I don’t like being late for supper. I don’t like being the last one in the line up for the self-serve banquet. I might miss out on something good.
I’m hungry for something good. Aren’t you? Of course, something good can be more than just food. Sometimes it’s good-natured fun with friends. Sometimes it’s a game, or a round of physical or mental exercise, and at other times it’s rest and relaxation.
Something good comes in a variety of packages.
I like the promise in today’s verse from the Psalms: Young lions may go hungry or even starve, but if you trust the Lord, you will never miss out on anything good (Psalm 34:10, CEV).
The key factor is trusting in the LORD. Are you someone who trusts in the LORD even in hard times?
Response: LORD God, increase my faith. I want to experience the good things you have set aside for me. Help me daily to put my trust in you. Amen.
Your Turn: What does trusting in God mean for you today?
A Gift
03 Wednesday Feb 2016
Posted in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms
I have said,
“Only you are my Lord!
Every good thing I have
is a gift from you” (Psalm 16:2, CEV).
Stormy Skies — photo by Eric E. Wright
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is goodness.
Today’s verse from the Psalms fills me with gratitude. I have said, “Only you are my Lord! Every good thing I have is a gift from you”(Psalms 16:2, CEV).
If you haven’t said these words, you probably have thought them.
Every good thing I have is a gift from the Lord—every ability, every talent, every joy. Chief among those good things is the gift of life itself. After the resurrection, Peter called Jesus the author of life (Acts 3:15, NIV).
Now with the psalmist we can say, “Only you are my Lord!”
Response: LORD God, thank you for all the gifts you have given me. You are good and you have been good to me. Most of all I thank you for Jesus, the author of life. Amen.
Your Turn: What gifts are you thankful for today?
Goodness and Peace
01 Monday Feb 2016
Posted in Monday Meditation, Psalms
Love and loyalty will come together; goodness and peace will unite (Psalm 85:10, CEV).
Monarch Butterfly — photo by David Kitz
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is goodness.
Do you pay attention to the news? At times it can be quite discouraging listening to a daily barrage of reports about violence, suffering and war. Then there’s that other feature of the news: politicians and world leaders arguing about—you guessed it—violence, suffering and war.
It can leave you wondering if there is any goodness left in our world.
That’s why I find today’s verse from the Psalms so comforting. Love and loyalty will come together; goodness and peace will unite (Psalm 85:10, CEV).
There’s a promise in that verse. This is something that will happen. We have God’s word on it. I want to be part of it.
Response: LORD God, give me faith to believe your word. Grant me hope so that I can see you at work. Give me grace to be an instrument of peace and love in a world of discord. Amen.
Your Turn: How can you be an instrument of peace this week?
I love the Psalms 