Tag Archives: joy

The Oil of Joy

05 Wednesday Jan 2022

Posted by in Psalm 45, Psalms

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

Psalm 45_7
Reading: Psalm 45:1-9

LORD God,
help me to love what you love
and hate what you hate.
Anoint me with your joy
as I seek to follow you
in every aspect of my life.
I pray in Jesus’ name.
Amen.

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer has won the 2021 Best Book of the Year Award, and for those who love God’s word, it’s an ideal gift to start the New Year. For a closer look at Volumes II and III click here.

Anointed with the Oil of Joy

05 Wednesday Jan 2022

Posted by in Psalm 45, Psalms

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Reading: Psalm 45:1-9
For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil. A wedding song.
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king;
    my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.
You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace,
    since God has blessed you forever.
Gird your sword on your side, you mighty one;
    clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.
In your majesty ride forth victoriously
    in the cause of truth, humility and justice;
    let your right hand achieve awesome deeds.
Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies;
    let the nations fall beneath your feet.
Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
    a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
You love righteousness and hate wickedness;
    therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
    by anointing you with the oil of joy.
All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia;
    from palaces adorned with ivory the music of the strings makes you glad.
Daughters of kings are among your honored women;
    at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir (NIV).*

house field and tree covered with snow near body of water

Photo by Luca Chiandoni on Pexels.com

Reflection
The introductory words of Psalm 45 describe it as a wedding song, but it is not merely depicting the wedding of a commoner. This is the wedding of a king. No, this is not just a king; He is the King—the King of kings and Lord of lords. There is none like Him in heaven or on earth.

The New Testament writer of the Book of Hebrews quotes directly from this psalm: But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy” (Hebrews 1:8-9).

Of course, Jesus is the Son the writer of Hebrews is referring to. The throne of Christ will last for ever and ever; His kingdom reign will never end. But how did Jesus come to occupy this exalted position? Though conceived by the Holy Spirit, He was nevertheless fully human. He was subject to the same frailties and temptations we face.

This psalm tells us Jesus was elevated to the highest throne because He loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Can the same be said about you and me? Do we love righteousness? Do we hate what is evil? The same oil of joy is available to those who follow in the footsteps of our Lord.  

Response: LORD God, help me to love what you love and hate what you hate. Anoint me with your joy as I seek to follow you in every aspect of my life. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Your Turn: What do you love? What do you hate? Do some of these things need to change?

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

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Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer has won the 2021 Best Book of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, it is an ideal devotional to start you off in the New Year. For a closer look at Volumes II and III click here.

Bring Joy

05 Sunday Dec 2021

Posted by in Psalm 86

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I will praise the LORD!

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In the falling snow — photo by David Kitz

(Psalm 86:1-4, NIV)*

Hear me, LORD, and answer me,
    for I am poor and needy.
Guard my life, for I am faithful to you;
    save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord,
    for I call to you all day long.
Bring joy to your servant, Lord,
    for I put my trust in you.

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

BGBG_v4.3_150[1818]

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer has won the 2021 Best Book of the Year Award. For a closer look at Volumes II and III click here.

Clothed with Joy

26 Tuesday Oct 2021

Posted by in Psalm 30, Psalms

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

Psalm 30b -365Reading: Psalm 30:6-12

You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth
and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
LORD my God,
I will praise you forever (Psalm 30:11-12).
Amen.

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer has won the 2021 Best Book of the Year Award. For a closer look at Volumes II and III click here.

Begin the Music

17 Sunday Oct 2021

Posted by in Psalm 81, Psalms

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I will praise the LORD!

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Landestreu Church — photo by David Kitz

(Psalm 81:1-5, NIV)*

Sing for joy to God our strength;
    shout aloud to the God of Jacob!
Begin the music, strike the timbrel,
    play the melodious harp and lyre.
Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon,
    and when the moon is full, on the day of our festival;
this is a decree for Israel,
    an ordinance of the God of Jacob.
When God went out against Egypt,
    he established it as a statute for Joseph.

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

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer has won the 2021 Best Book of the Year Award. For a closer look at Volumes II and III click here.

The Word of God Is Active

21 Tuesday Sep 2021

Posted by in Psalm 19, Psalms

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Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”
by David Kitz.Word of God is active Psalm 19b
Reading: Psalm 19:7-11

 LORD God,
help me draw life, wisdom and joy
from your word every day.
Light my way
by your Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Volume III 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. Journey through the Psalms in a year.

Probe My Heart

07 Tuesday Sep 2021

Posted by in Psalm 17

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Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”
by David Kitz.
best heart doctor Psalm 17

Reading: Psalm 17:1-9

Heavenly Father,
probe my heart
so I can repent of anything that displeases you.
I want to bring only joy
and pleasure to the heart of my Father.
Amen.

Volume III 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. Journey through the Psalms in a year.

Show Me the Way

16 Monday Aug 2021

Posted by in Psalm 5

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Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”
by David Kitz.
Psalm 5_11

Reading: Psalm 5:8-12

Heavenly Father,
 lead me.
I can’t see the dangers ahead.
Often I am unaware of the enemies trying to undermine my life
and my love for you.
Go before me.
Show me the way, Lord Jesus,
because you are the way.
Amen.

Volume III 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. Journey through the Psalms in a year.

The Crescendo

05 Thursday Aug 2021

Posted by in Psalm 150, Psalms

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Reading: Psalm 150
Praise the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with timbrel and dancing,
praise him with the strings and pipe,
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD (NIV).*

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Summer morning glory — David Kitz

Reflection
We have reached the crescendo—the conclusion and the high point of the Book of Psalms. Hallelujah and praise the LORD!

The word praise appears thirteen times in this final psalm. The number thirteen is suggestive of Jesus and his apostles. He is at the core—the very center of God ordained worship.

Eight forms or instruments of praise are listed in this psalm. Eight is the number of new beginnings. Seven suggests completeness, so we see that God rested on the seventh day. But eight signals a new start. In the same way, these eight means or instruments of praise do not represent a complete list. They simply suggest the varied ways in which we can express our praise to the LORD. We have only just begun to discover and explore the many ways in which we can show our gratitude to our Creator.

No one—no living being—is excluded from this call to praise. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.

This call for all the breathing to praise the LORD is truly fitting. We received our original breath from the LORD. Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being (Genesis 2:7). Now with our breath—our God-given breath—let us praise our Maker.

In the same way after his resurrection Jesus breathed on his disciples.  Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:21-22).

We need the breath of God in us—the breath of the Holy Spirit in us to live—to truly live in the overcoming power and joy of the psalms. For the Holy Spirit’s presence I will praise the LORD!

Response: LORD God, I praise you. You are my strength and my song. Help me to discover new ways to praise you because you are good. Let my entire life reflect your redemptive presence in me. Amen.

Your Turn: Why are you breathing? Is praising God an integral part of your purpose?

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

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

You Provide for All My Needs

26 Monday Jul 2021

Posted by in Psalm 147

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Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”
by David Kitz.
Psalm 147_8-9

Reading: Psalm 147:8-12

LORD God,
 I am thankful that you are my faithful supplier.
You provide for all my needs
and many of my desires as well.
Your grace is abundant.
You are my salvation and source of joy.
Thank you,
Father God.
Amen.

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 this new release click here. For a look back at Volume I click here.