He Will Forgive Our Sins

23 Friday Aug 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 32, Psalms

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

confess, forgiveness of sins, Jesus, mercy of God, Prayer, Psalms, redeeming sacrifice

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

Reading: Psalm 32:1-5

LORD God,
have mercy on me.
I acknowledge my sin to you
and do not cover up my iniquity.
I need your forgiveness.
I put my trust in the redeeming sacrifice
of your Son, Jesus.
Amen.

— — —

If we claim to be without sin,
we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins,
he is faithful and just
and will forgive us our sins
and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned,
we make him out to be a liar
and his word is not in us.
(1 John 1:8-10), NIV)*

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

* 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 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.

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The Joy of Your Salvation

04 Sunday Aug 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 51, Psalms

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

cleansing from sin, confession, David, forgiveness, mercy of God, praise the LORD, sacrifice, salvation, sinners

I will praise the LORD!

Photo by Jacub Gomez on Pexels.com

Reading: Psalm 51:10-17

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is always before me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
    so that sinners will turn back to you.
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
    you who are God my Savior,
    and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
Open my lips, Lord,
    and my mouth will declare your praise.
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart
    you, God, will not despise. *

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.
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* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

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The LORD Thundered from Heaven

01 Monday Jul 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 18, Psalms

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answered prayer, David, God, mercy of God, praise, Prayer, Psalms, rescue, the LORD, thunder, thunderstorms, world

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365

Reading: Psalm 18:6-15
In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.
The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook;
they trembled because he was angry.
Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth,
burning coals blazed out of it.
He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet.
He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind.
He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him—
the dark rain clouds of the sky.
Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced,
with hailstones and bolts of lightning.
The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded.
He shot his arrows and scattered the enemy, with great bolts of lightning he routed them.
The valleys of the sea were exposed
and the foundations of the earth laid bare at your rebuke, LORD,
at the blast of breath from your nostrils (NIV). *

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Reflection
Maybe you are like me? I love thunderstorms. But watching a thunderstorm in a city is like watching a Christmas light display in broad daylight. There’s something missing. There’s no sense of broad expanse or sweeping grandeur.

I grew up on the prairies and for sheer awe there’s nothing quite like viewing a thunderstorm slowly building in the western sky. There you are on a slow-moving tractor working a field. There’s you, there’s miles of flat land, and there’s the sky. And the most active thing is the sky. Sometimes the storm clouds can hang there boiling and brooding for hours—lightning flashing in the distance. Then suddenly the air changes, the wind picks up, and look out! Lightning! Thunder! Fierce gusts of wind. Rain. Hail. It all comes at you—comes at you with a vengeance.

I love a thunderstorm. It puts me in my place. It lets me see who I am. I am a small man in a big world—a world I cannot control. I’m a man at the mercy of God. I’m always at the mercy of God whether I see the storm clouds building or not.

In this psalm, David pictures the LORD riding the wings of the wind, thundering from heaven, not to harm him, but storming in to rescue him in response to his cry for help. That’s my God. That’s the picture of God I need etched into my mind. He is the God who hears and answers, the God who helps in times of need. In a vast world, He hears the cry of little, insignificant me. I love a thunderstorm. It lets me see the LORD’s love and grace.

Response: Heavenly Father, may I always see you as my helper. Ride to my rescue when times are tough, and I am in need. You are my help and defender. You are worthy of my praise. Amen.

Your Turn: Do the storms of life help you see God at work around you? Take time to reflect on how God brought you through one of those storms.

Happy Canada Day to my Canadian readers.

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

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

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You Uphold Me

16 Sunday Jun 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 41, Psalms

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enemy, God, Israel, mercy of God, praise, praise the LORD, Prayer, the LORD, triumph

I will praise the LORD!

Buttercups — photo by David Kitz

Reading: Psalm 41:7-13

All my enemies whisper together against me;
    they imagine the worst for me, saying,
“A vile disease has afflicted him;
    he will never get up from the place where he lies.”
Even my close friend,
    someone I trusted,
one who shared my bread,
    has turned against me.
But may you have mercy on me, LORD;
    raise me up, that I may repay them.
I know that you are pleased with me,
    for my enemy does not triumph over me.
Because of my integrity you uphold me
and set me in your presence forever.
Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel,
    from everlasting to everlasting.
Amen and Amen. *

Happy Father’s Day!

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

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

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Come Quickly, LORD

08 Saturday Jun 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 40, Psalms

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faithfulness of God, mercy of God, peace, praise the LORD, Prayer, Psalms, salvation, the LORD

I will praise the LORD!

Backyard iris — photo by David Kitz

Reading: Psalm 40:11-13

Do not withhold your mercy from me, LORD;
    may your love and faithfulness always protect me.
For troubles without number surround me;
    my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
    and my heart fails within me.
Be pleased to save me, LORD;
    come quickly, LORD, to help me. *

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

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

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I Need God’s Mercy

25 Thursday Apr 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 143

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

advertising industry, David, devotion, God's mercy, mercy, mercy of God, Prayer, Psalms, psychology, religious philosophy, the LORD

Today’s Devotion from the Psalms

Reading: Psalm 143:1-6
A psalm of David.
LORD, hear my prayer,
listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.
Do not bring your servant into judgment,
for no one living is righteous before you.
The enemy pursues me,
he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead.
So my spirit grows faint within me;
my heart within me is dismayed.
I remember the days of long ago;
I meditate on all your works
and consider what your hands have done.
I spread out my hands to you;
I thirst for you like a parched land (NIV). *

Algonquin Park — photo by L. Kranz

Reflection
On my best day, I need God’s mercy. On my worst day my need for outside help and mercy are visible to all. In truth, my need for the mercy of the LORD is never ending. All too often, we only call out to God in times of need or perceived difficulty. In reality, our need for God’s help and mercy are constant.

Here in Psalm 143, as he so often does, David calls out for God’s mercy. In many respects David’s plea for mercy is rather repetitive throughout the psalms. Why would this be? Could it be that he is in constant need of God’s sustaining support and mercy? From the following request, we can see why David repeatedly prays for God’s mercy: Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you.

David recognized that within himself he had no righteousness. This is the starting point for a life transforming relationship with God. Contrary to a good deal of modern psychology and religious philosophy, we are not okay. We have a warped nature that is inclined to sin. It delights in rebelling against God. St. Paul describes this human condition with these words. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out (Romans 7:18).

The prophet Isaiah described this universal human condition in this way. All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away (Isaiah 64:6).

Do I need God’s mercy? Yes, a thousand times yes!

Response: LORD God, I need your righteousness. My own righteousness is tainted with pride. I freely acknowledge my need for a Savior. You are my constant help. I thirst for you like a parched land. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you aware of your constant need for God’s mercy? Are you calling out to Him?

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

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

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Showing Compassion

03 Wednesday Apr 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 137, Psalms

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Tags

compassion, faith, Jesus, mercy of God, Prayer, Psalms, Suffering, worship

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

Reading: Psalm 137:7-9

Father God,
at times I have been guilty of schadenfreude.
Help me to show compassion
rather than smug indifference
when I see others experience loss, or suffering.
Thank you for your ongoing mercy.
Amen.

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd,
he had compassion on them,
because they were like sheep without a shepherd.
So he began teaching them many things.
(Mark 6:34), NIV)*

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

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Schadenfreude in the Psalms

03 Wednesday Apr 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 137, Psalms

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

compassion, destruction of Jerusalem, grace of God, mercy of God, Prayer, pride, Psalms, Schadenfreude, self-righteous, the LORD

Today’s Devotion from the Psalms

Reading: Psalm 137:7-9
Remember, LORD, what the Edomites did
on the day Jerusalem fell.
“Tear it down,” they cried,
“tear it down to its foundations!”
Daughter Babylon, doomed to destruction,
happy is the one who repays you
according to what you have done to us.
Happy is the one who seizes your infants
and dashes them against the rocks (NIV). *

Carcassonne Castle, France — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
German is a fascinating language. It’s a language that seems to specialize in compound words—short words that are combined to form longer words. Some English language examples of compound words are homerun, overcoat, and windshield.

Schadenfreude is a compound German word. It’s such a useful and descriptive word that it has migrated into the English language, and it can be found in any quality English dictionary. Schaden means harm or damage. Freude means joy. Simply put schadenfreude means joy experienced at another person’s expense—rejoicing in someone else’s suffering or loss.

Today’s reading from Psalm 137 is all about schadenfreude. The Edomites celebrated the destruction of Jerusalem. Rather than mourn over their neighbor’s calamity, they joined in calling for the destruction of the Jewish capital.

This manifestation of schadenfreude was rooted in centuries of fraternal rivalry and envy. The Edomites were the descendants of Esau, while the people of Jerusalem were the descendants of Jacob. These two people groups were linked by heredity, language, and culture, and yet generation after generation they continued this brothers’ feud.

This psalm is not the only biblical counsel for us to avoid rejoicing in other people’s harm: Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble do not let your heart rejoice, or the LORD will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them (Proverbs 24:17-18).

If the LORD is punishing the evildoer, we should not appear too smug. We are spared by the grace of God and not by our moral superiority. The self-righteous suffer from delusions of pride. It’s best not to identify with that camp. The opposite response is called for. Rather than crowing over someone else’s misfortune, we should be offering help or drawing lessons on how to avoid a similar calamity.

When I see others experiencing calamity, I need to replace my schadenfreude with the genuine joy found in extending mercy, grace, and compassion.

Response: LORD God, at times I have been guilty of schadenfreude. Help me to show compassion rather than smug indifference when I see others experience loss. Thank you for your ongoing mercy. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you experienced schadenfreude? How do you keep it in check?

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

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Harsh Judgment or Mercy

02 Tuesday Apr 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 137

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Tags

Bible, God's kindness, judgment, mercy of God, patience of God, Prayer, Psalms, repentance

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

Reading: Psalm 137:1-6

Father God,
I don’t want to learn things the hard way.
I want to be quick to obey you.
Help me to learn from the lessons of history,
and the Bible.
You are the one, true God.
I worship you.
Amen.

So when you, a mere human being,
pass judgment on them
and yet do the same things,
do you think you will escape God’s judgment?
Or do you show contempt for the riches
of his kindness, forbearance and patience,
not realizing that God’s kindness
is intended to lead you to repentance?
(Romans 2:3-4), NIV)*

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

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The God Who Forgives

13 Wednesday Mar 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 130

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

compassionate, forgiveness of sins, Jesus, love of God, mercy of God, patience of God, Prayer, Psalms, the LORD

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

Reading: Psalm 130:1-4

Father God,
I thank you for forgiveness.
I have failed you many times,
but you are rich in mercy.
You are a patient God.
Thank you for destroying the record of my sins.
Thank you for the blood Jesus shed
so I could be washed clean.
Amen.

The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
    slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
    nor will he harbor his anger forever;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve
    or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
(Psalm 103:8-12, NIV)*

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

Reading: Psalm 32:1-5

LORD God, have mercy on me. I acknowledge my sin to you and do not cover up my iniquity. I need your forgiveness. I put my trust in the redeeming sacrifice of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

— — —

* 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: Psalm 51:10-17

* 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

Happy Canada Day to my Canadian readers.

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

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I will praise the LORD!

Reading: Psalm 41:7-13

Happy Father’s Day!

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

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I will praise the LORD!

Reading: Psalm 40:11-13

* 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 the Psalms

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

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

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

Reading: Psalm 137:7-9

Father God, at times I have been guilty of schadenfreude. Help me to show compassion rather than smug indifference when I see others experience loss, or suffering. Thank you for your ongoing mercy. Amen.

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. (Mark 6:34), NIV)*

* 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 the Psalms

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

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

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

Reading: Psalm 137:1-6

Father God, I don’t want to learn things the hard way. I want to be quick to obey you. Help me to learn from the lessons of history, and the Bible. You are the one, true God. I worship you. Amen.

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

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

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

Reading: Psalm 130:1-4

Father God, I thank you for forgiveness. I have failed you many times, but you are rich in mercy. You are a patient God. Thank you for destroying the record of my sins. Thank you for the blood Jesus shed so I could be washed clean. Amen.

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

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

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

LORD God,
have mercy on me.
I acknowledge my sin to you
and do not cover up my iniquity.
I need your forgiveness.
I put my trust in the redeeming sacrifice
of your Son, Jesus.
Amen.

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

Father God,
at times I have been guilty of schadenfreude.
Help me to show compassion
rather than smug indifference
when I see others experience loss, or suffering.
Thank you for your ongoing mercy.
Amen.

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd,
he had compassion on them,
because they were like sheep without a shepherd.
So he began teaching them many things.
(Mark 6:34), NIV)*

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

Father God,
I don’t want to learn things the hard way.
I want to be quick to obey you.
Help me to learn from the lessons of history,
and the Bible.
You are the one, true God.
I worship you.
Amen.

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

Father God,
I thank you for forgiveness.
I have failed you many times,
but you are rich in mercy.
You are a patient God.
Thank you for destroying the record of my sins.
Thank you for the blood Jesus shed
so I could be washed clean.
Amen.