Tag Archives: Jesus

A Fortress of Praise

19 Thursday May 2016

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With praises from children and from tiny infants, you have built a fortress. It makes your enemies silent, and all who turn against you are left speechless (Psalm 8:2, CEV).

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Prairie Moon — photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is the word fortress.

The idea of building a fortress with praise seems completely illogical. How can praises build a fortress? But that’s what today’s verse from the Psalms states:

With praises from children and from tiny infants, you have built a fortress. It makes your enemies silent, and all who turn against you are left speechless (Psalm 8:2, CEV).

Furthermore, this fortress is not built with the praises of men, but rather with the praises of children and infants. The simple innocence and wisdom of children often confounds the philosophers and experts of the day. It was children who hailed Jesus as the messianic Son of David, while the chief priests and teachers of the Law scoffed at him (Matthew 21:14-16).

Praising the Lord fortifies our spirit against the attacks of the enemy. And it doesn’t take a genius to apply that truth.

Response: LORD God, I want to build a fortress of praise. There is no one as holy, loving and powerful as you. I give this day, my life and my praise to you. Amen.

Your Turn: Why do children often grasp the truths of God more easily than adults?

My Fortress

16 Monday May 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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You are my mighty rock, my fortress, my protector, the rock where I am safe, my shield, my powerful weapon, and my place of shelter (Psalm 18:2, CEV).

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Mount Fuji — The LORD is our Fortress — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is the word fortress.

There are two kinds of strength, passive strength and aggressive strength. A fortress represents a form of passive strength. A fortress is defensive in nature. Its purpose is to project strength by deterring and if necessary repelling attacks from an external enemy.

Today’s verse from the Psalms is all about how the LORD acts as our strong fortress.

You are my mighty rock, my fortress, my protector, the rock where I am safe, my shield, my powerful weapon, and my place of shelter (Psalm 18:2, CEV).

But why do we need a fortress? The answer is obvious. We have an active enemy who is determined to destroy us. Jesus said, “A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.  I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives up his life for his sheep” (John 10:10-11).

The Lord Jesus is our fortress and protector against the enemy of our souls. I am safe when I am found in Him.

Response: LORD God, I thank you for Jesus, my shepherd and protector. I am safe when I find shelter within the walls of your fortress. You gave up your life to keep me safe. Praise be to your name. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you active or passive when you take shelter in the Lord?

You, LORD, are my Shepherd

04 Wednesday May 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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You, LORD, are my shepherd. I will never be in need (Psalm 23:1, CEV).

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Quiet waters at Kingfisher Bay Retreat Centre — photo courtesy of Ruth Waring

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is shepherding.

The most endearing thought in all the scriptures may well be the thought of the LORD’s precious care for the sheep of His pasture. The Good Shepherd supplies all our needs. When we are in His care there is no need for worry.

David, the shepherd king, makes this bold declaration:

You, LORD, are my shepherd. I will never be in need (Psalm 23:1, CEV).

Our needs for food, clothing, shelter and loving companionship are constant. They are ever present with us. At some point I’ll be hungry today, and though I will eat well, tomorrow, I’ll be hungry again.

The only thing more constant than our neediness is our Shepherd’s ample provision. What wonderful assurance we can draw from Jesus’ care! He will supply all we need.

Response: LORD God, help me to live in the calm assurance that you are my provider. You have provided abundantly in the past and will continue your care into the future. Thank you. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you under the Good Shepherd’s care? Are you resting in His provision?

My Soul is a Desert

15 Friday Apr 2016

Posted by in Friday's Focus, Psalms

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Then I lift my hands in prayer, because my soul is a desert, thirsty for water from you (Psalm 143:6, CEV).

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Rideau River, Ottawa, ON — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is thirst.

As I searched about my repertoire of pictures, I realized I don’t have any desert photos to go with today’s verse from the Psalms.  

Then I lift my hands in prayer, because my soul is a desert, thirsty for water from you (Psalm 143:6, CEV).

While I don’t have desert pictures, my soul has walked through desert places—lifeless places where faith and hope are dry and shriveled or absent entirely. If we have walked with the Lord for any length of time, we undoubtedly have experience periods of dryness. They are times when we need to call out to God in prayer.

Though we hate to admit it, we may need times of dryness. We need the desert experience so our roots grow deep—so we seek God with a sense of urgency—a true thirst for Him.

The good news is there are streams of water that flow from the Lord. Jesus announced, “If you are thirsty, come to me and drink! Have faith in me, and you will have life-giving water flowing from deep inside you, just as the Scriptures say” (John 7:37-38, CEV).

Response: Lord Jesus, give me that life-giving water. I want to become a fountain of blessing for those around me. I put my faith in you. You are my source—the wellspring of life. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you gone through desert places? Did you meet Jesus there?

Packing Off to Hell

28 Monday Mar 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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All day long I will announce your power to save (Psalm 71:24, CEV).

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Chapel of the Transfiguration, Grand Teton National Park — Photo courtesy of Matthew Taylor

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is proclamation.

Do you have something wonderful to announce? If you are a witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, you certainly have something to proclaim. To put it simply our great enemy has been defeated. Through Jesus’ victory, death has been sent packing off to hell.

If that’s not good news, then I don’t know what is. The psalmist expresses it this way:

All day long I will announce your power to save (Psalm 71:24, CEV).

Jesus has the power to save us from death, hell and the grave. The proof of that is his empty tomb. By faith we too are witnesses of the resurrection. We know Jesus is alive by the proof of his indwelling presence in our lives.

Glory be to God! I have something to announce. My sins are forgiven. Death is defeated and I have eternal life thanks to Jesus.

Response: LORD God, I rejoice in the victory Jesus won over death. By faith that victory is mine as well. I don’t want to keep this good news to myself. Help me spread the joy. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you a witness to the resurrection?

From Your Temple

24 Thursday Mar 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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I was in terrible trouble when I called out to you, but from your temple you heard me and answered my prayer (Psalm 18:6, CEV).

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Beyond the Door – photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is prayer.

Today’s photo speaks powerfully to me. It shows the sunrise as seen through the open double doors of the country church where I grew up on the prairies. God is not only in his temple. His glory is shining forth across the earth and the sky.

When we are in distress, we can call out to God and He responds. Often He will give us a sign of His presence. We can see that in today’s verse from the Psalms:

I was in terrible trouble when I called out to you, but from your temple you heard me and answered my prayer (Psalm 18:6, CEV).

Jesus is our example. In his great suffering he called out to his heavenly Father. And his Father heard and answered his prayer. But Jesus still had to endure the agony of the cross.

But thanks be to God! The glory of the resurrection lies beyond the suffering and beyond the open door. Before us is the door to eternal life that Jesus opened.

Response: LORD God, in my time of need I call out to you. In your mercy answer me, just as you answered the prayers of Jesus, your son. Give me a sign of your presence with me. Amen.

Your Turn: Has the Lord answered your prayers from His temple?

The Fruit of Forgiveness

18 Friday Mar 2016

Posted by in Friday's Focus, Psalms

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But you forgive us, and so we will worship you (Psalm 130:4, CEV).

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Plum Blossoms, Nagoya, Japan — photo courtesy of Matthew Taylor

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is forgiveness.

Worship is the fruit of forgiveness. Those who have been forgiven by God worship God. Jesus said this of a sinful woman,  “So I tell you that all her sins are forgiven, and that is why she has shown great love. But anyone who has been forgiven for only a little will show only a little love”  (Luke 7:47, CEV).

Jesus forgave this woman’s sins and so she poured out her love to him by kissing his feet and washing them with her tears.

Our heartfelt worship is our expression of love for God. Today’s verse from the Psalms captures this thought succinctly.

But you forgive us, and so we will worship you (Psalm 130:4, CEV).

Forgiveness is like a heaven-sent love potion. It restores our relationship with God and draws us into His arms of love.

Response: LORD God, a thousand words of thanks are not enough. Your forgiveness draws me to worship you with a grateful heart. I praise you, LORD of heaven and earth. Amen.

Your Turn: Does God’s forgiveness move you to worship?

Healing Forgiveness

17 Thursday Mar 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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The LORD forgives our sins,
heals us when we are sick, and protects us from death (Psalm 103:3-4, CEV).

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River of Healing — Photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is forgiveness.

Jesus taught us to pray, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Our forgiving Lord expects us to be forgiving toward others—to pass on the forgiveness we have freely received from Him.

There is something deeply therapeutic about forgiveness. We can see that in today’s verse from the Psalms:

The LORD forgives our sins, heals us when we are sick, and protects us from death (Psalm 103:3-4, CEV).

Forgiveness and healing are linked. James, the brother of our Lord, writes, “If you have sinned, you should tell each other what you have done. Then you can pray for one another and be healed. The prayer of an innocent person is powerful, and it can help a lot” (James 5:16, CEV).

Forgiveness is the Lord’s prescription for ailments of body, soul and spirit.

Response: LORD God, I need your forgiveness, healing and protection. Help me start on the road to healing by forgiving those who have wounded my spirit. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you received forgiveness and healing through Christ?

Willing Forgiveness

16 Wednesday Mar 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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You willingly forgive, and your love is always there for those who pray to you (Psalm 86:5, CEV).

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Plum Blossoms, Nagoya, Japan — Photo courtesy of Matthew Taylor

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is forgiveness.

We are all familiar with the phrase: Well, I guess if I have to. It’s usually signals a lot of reluctance on the part of the speaker.

When we think about God, we may feel that since He is perfect and holy, He may be reluctant to forgive our many sins. Just the opposite is true and today’s verse from the Psalms makes this crystal clear.

You willingly forgive, and your love is always there for those who pray to you (Psalm 86:5, CEV).

Jesus beautifully portrayed the love of our heavenly Father when he told the story of the prodigal son.

The younger son got up and started back to his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt sorry for him. He ran to his son and hugged and kissed him (Luke 15: 20, CEV).

Our heavenly Father shows no reluctance to forgive.

Response: Father God, I come to you. Thanks for running to me when I repent and ask for forgiveness. I do not deserve such a loving response. It is beyond wonderful. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you seen God as reluctant to forgive?

New Life

11 Friday Mar 2016

Posted by in Friday's Focus, Psalms

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You made me suffer a lot, but you will bring me back from this deep pit and give me new life (Psalm 71:20, CEV).

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The Waters Edge — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is suffering.

If you look closely at the photo above, you can see new leaves that have emerged on the shrubs. The long winter is over; new life is stirring. It will be another month before we see shrubs at this stage here in Ottawa, Canada, but the great snow melt has begun. The sap is beginning to flow.

We are witnessing a resurrection in nature. We see the same resurrection theme in today’s verse from the Psalms.

You made me suffer a lot, but you will bring me back from this deep pit and give me new life (Psalm 71:20, CEV).

Jesus, our Savior and Lord, suffered a lot. He suffered the penalty of sin that we deserved. But God the Father brought him back from the deep pit of death and gave him new life. Through faith in Jesus, the promise of this verse is ours as well. Whatever state you find yourself in—in suffering or rejoicing—make that promise your own today.

Response: LORD God, through the death and resurrection of Jesus, I receive new life now with the promise of eternal life. A thousand thanks are not enough. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you received new life through Christ?