Escaping a Downward Spiral

20 Thursday Jun 2024

Tags

David, difficulties, faithfulness of God, God, Goodness of God, hard times, praise, Prayer, problems, Psalms, salvation, the LORD, trust in God

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365

Reading: Psalm 13
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
Look on me and answer, LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing the LORD’s praise,
for he has been good to me (NIV). *

grayscale photo of man leaning on refrigerator

Photo by Aleksandr Neplokhov on Pexels.com

Reflection
Have you hit a low point in your life? Are you facing a personal downturn when nothing seems to go right? Problems may arise whether it’s in your career, your finances, your family, or your relations with others. Often difficulty in one area leads to difficulty in other aspects of life. It may seem circumstances are conspiring to bring you down. Are you caught in a downward spiral?

David begins this psalm in such a state. His life and career appear to be in a death spiral. He pleads with God, “Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall.”

We can learn a lot from David’s response to hard times. First, he brought his problems before God. He poured out his frustration, and in desperation he called out to the LORD for help. He didn’t pretend everything was fine, when clearly, they were not. Call out to God in times of trouble.

Secondly, David asked for the light of God to shine into his situation. “Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death…” When we are going through a dark time often, we can’t see our way out. Many times, the solution is right in front of our eyes, but we can’t see it. We need God to illumine our path. There is a way forward. We need Him to show us. Open your eyes to God’s solution.

Finally, David trusted in the unfailing love of God. He rejoiced in God’s salvation. God is in the rescue business. The solution had yet to arrive, but in advance David sang his praise to God. David reflected on the goodness of God. The LORD had been good and faithful in the past. David knew God would show him His goodness once again. Trust and praise God in advance.

Response: LORD God, thank you that I can call out to you in times of trouble. Show me the way forward. Open my eyes to the help you are providing and will provide. I trust and thank and praise you in advance. Amen.

Your Turn: Has God rescued you in difficult times in the past? Trust Him to do the same now and in the future.

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.

A gripping summer read from David Kitz
4485 SHARABLE-2

To purchase or for a closer look click here.

Every Spiritual Blessing

17 Monday Jun 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 10, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

blameless, blessing, conception, creation, Father God, grace of God, Jesus Christ, praise, Prayer, Psalms

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

Reading: Psalm 10:12-18

Father God,
father me.
Thank you for caring for me
from the moment of conception until now.
Your abiding love has made
all the difference in my life.
Help me become the father (or mother),
I need to be.
Amen.

— — —

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in the heavenly realms
with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
For he chose us in him
before the creation of the world
to be holy and blameless in his sight.
In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship
through Jesus Christ,
in accordance with his pleasure and will—
to the praise of his glorious grace,
which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
(Ephesians 1:3-6), NIV)*

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

* GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

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

New from David Kitz
TheElishaCodeCVR5

To purchase or for a closer look click here.

You Uphold Me

16 Sunday Jun 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 41, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

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

B1P95Jv-LtS._SY300_

Hope Will Never Perish

12 Wednesday Jun 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 9, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

blessing, children, difficulties, generous, God's help, praise, Prayer, the LORD, the needy, the righteous, troubles

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

Reading: Psalm 9:11-20

Heavenly Father,
in times of trouble,
you are my help.
I lay my troubles
and my requests before you.
I wait expectantly for you.
I praise you for your goodness to me
even in difficult times.
Amen.

— — —

The LORD makes firm the steps
    of the one who delights in him;
though he may stumble, he will not fall,
    for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
I was young and now I am old,
    yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
    or their children begging bread.
They are always generous and lend freely;
    their children will be a blessing.

(Psalm 37:23-26), 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!

New from David Kitz
TheElishaCodeCVR5

To purchase or for a closer look click here.

Why Are You Blaming God?

12 Wednesday Jun 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 9, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

blaming God, David, justice, praise, Prayer, Psalms, the LORD, the needy, trouble

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365

Reading: Psalm 9:11-20
Sing the praises of the LORD, enthroned in Zion;
    proclaim among the nations what he has done.
For he who avenges blood remembers;
    he does not ignore the cries of the afflicted.
LORD, see how my enemies persecute me!
    Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death,
that I may declare your praises in the gates of Daughter Zion,
    and there rejoice in your salvation.
The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug;
    their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.
The LORD is known by his acts of justice;
    the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.
The wicked go down to the realm of the dead, all the nations that forget God.
But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish.
Arise, LORD, do not let mortals triumph;
    let the nations be judged in your presence.
Strike them with terror, LORD;
    let the nations know they are only mortal (NIV). *

Early morning fog — photo by Louie Foster

Reflection
If only life was easy, if only life was just and fair! But it isn’t. Life is filled with struggles and difficulties. I’m not always treated fairly, nor are you. Here in this psalm David cries out, “LORD, see how my enemies persecute me!” You can sense the frustration in his voice. Though additional words are not recorded, David might have added, “This isn’t fair, LORD. You aren’t being fair!”

But David doesn’t say that. Instead, he assigns blame where blame is due. He blames his troubles on his enemies—his human oppressors—not on the LORD. By way of contrast, David has nothing but praise for the LORD. He declares, “Sing the praises of the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done.”

If the source of your affliction is human, why are you blaming God for it? We need to always keep this statement in mind. The LORD is known by his acts of justice. In this life we may not always see His justice prevail, but rest assured on that great final Day, He will prevail. Ultimately, His justice will be seen and known by all.

In times of trouble God is our source of help and strength. Human help may fail us. Friends may let us down. We can wrongly blame the LORD for our troubles, or we can run to Him for help. In all our troubles, we must keep this promise in mind: God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish (Psalm 9:18).

Response: LORD, in times of trouble, you are my help. I lay my troubles and my requests before you. I wait expectantly for you. I praise you for your goodness to me even in difficult times. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you been blaming God rather than thanking Him? Take some time to praise Him.

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!

Also from David Kitz
Psalms Alive!

To purchase or for a closer look click here.

The Government of the Mind

11 Tuesday Jun 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 9, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

David, death, life, peace, praise, praising God, Prayer, rejoice, the flesh, the LORD, The Spirit

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

Reading: Psalm 9:1-10

Heavenly Father,
I praise you, LORD,
and I seek you.
Along with David,
I can say you have upheld me in difficult times.
Be the master within me.
I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing the praises of your name,
O Most High.
Amen.

— — —

Those who live according to the flesh
have their minds set on what the flesh desires;
but those who live in accordance with the Spirit
have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
The mind governed by the flesh is death,
but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

(Romans 8:5-6), 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!

New from David Kitz
TheElishaCodeCVR5

To purchase or for a closer look click here.

Singing to God with Gratitude

27 Monday May 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 150

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Christ, giving thanks, God, gratitude, hymns, Jesus, praise, praise the LORD, Psalms, strength, wisdom

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

Reading: Psalm 150

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

— — —

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly
as you teach and admonish one another
with all wisdom through psalms,
hymns, and songs from the Spirit,
singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
And whatever you do,
whether in word or deed,
do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.
(Colossians 3:16-17), NIV)*

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

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

New from David Kitz
TheElishaCodeCVR5

To purchase or for a closer look click here.

Yes, Praise the LORD!

27 Monday May 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 150

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

breath, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, music, praise, praise the LORD, Prayer, Psalms, song, worship

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). *

Sing for joy to God our strength — photo by 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: Is praising God an integral part of your purpose? Is it as natural for you as breathing?

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

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

To purchase or for a closer look click here.

The Mediator of a New Covenant

24 Friday May 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 149

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Bible, blood, church, covenant, faith, God, Jerusalem, Jesus, judge, Mount Zion, praise, Prayer, Psalms, victory

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

Reading: Psalm 149:6-9

LORD God,
I want to grow in my love for your word.
Help me to use it wiselyand deftly
to the advance of your Kingdom.
Lord Jesus,
help me gain victory over spiritual forces
that oppose me.
Amen.

— — —

But you have come to Mount Zion,
to the city of the living God,
the heavenly Jerusalem.
You have come to thousands
upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly,
to the church of the firstborn,
whose names are written in heaven.
You have come to God,
the Judge of all,
to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant,
and to the sprinkled blood
that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
(Hebrews 12:22-24), NIV)*

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

New from David Kitz
TheElishaCodeCVR5

To purchase or for a closer look click here.

With All His Might

23 Thursday May 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 149

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

dancing, David, praise, Prayer, Psalms, the ark, the LORD, worship

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

Reading: Psalm 149:1-5

LORD God,
renew in me a heart of praise.
I want to lose my self-consciousness
as I praise you.
This is all about you.
True worship is not about me.
I want to praise you with my whole being.
Amen.

— — —

Wearing a linen ephod,
David was dancing before the LORD with all his might,
while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark
of the LORD with shouts
and the sound of trumpets.
(2 Samuel 6:14-15), NIV)*

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

To purchase or for a closer look click here.

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365

* 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 10:12-18

Father God,father me.Thank you for caring for mefrom the moment of conception until now.Your abiding love has madeall the difference in my life.Help me become the father (or mother),I need to be.Amen.

* GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

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

I will praise the LORD!

Reading: Psalm 41:7-13

Happy Father’s Day!

* 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 9:11-20

Heavenly Father, in times of trouble, you are my help. I lay my troubles and my requests before you. I wait expectantly for you. I praise you for your goodness to me even in difficult times. Amen.

(Psalm 37:23-26), 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 Psalms 365

* 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 9:1-10

Heavenly Father, I praise you, LORD, and I seek you. Along with David, I can say you have upheld me in difficult times. Be the master within me. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High. Amen.

— — — Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

(Romans 8:5-6), NIV)*

* 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 150

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

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

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

* 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 149:6-9

LORD God, I want to grow in my love for your word. Help me to use it wiselyand deftly to the advance of your Kingdom. Lord Jesus, help me gain victory over spiritual forces that oppose me. 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 149:1-5

LORD God, renew in me a heart of praise. I want to lose my self-consciousness as I praise you. This is all about you. True worship is not about me. I want to praise you with my whole being. Amen.

— — —

Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the LORD with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets. (2 Samuel 6:14-15), NIV)*

* 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.

Father God,
father me.
Thank you for caring for me
from the moment of conception until now.
Your abiding love has made
all the difference in my life.
Help me become the father (or mother),
I need to be.
Amen.

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

Heavenly Father,
in times of trouble,
you are my help.
I lay my troubles
and my requests before you.
I wait expectantly for you.
I praise you for your goodness to me
even in difficult times.
Amen.

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

Heavenly Father,
I praise you, LORD,
and I seek you.
Along with David,
I can say you have upheld me in difficult times.
Be the master within me.
I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing the praises of your name,
O Most High.
Amen.

— — —

Those who live according to the flesh
have their minds set on what the flesh desires;
but those who live in accordance with the Spirit
have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
The mind governed by the flesh is death,
but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

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

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

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

LORD God,
I want to grow in my love for your word.
Help me to use it wiselyand deftly
to the advance of your Kingdom.
Lord Jesus,
help me gain victory over spiritual forces
that oppose me.
Amen.

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

LORD God,
renew in me a heart of praise.
I want to lose my self-consciousness
as I praise you.
This is all about you.
True worship is not about me.
I want to praise you with my whole being.
Amen.

Wearing a linen ephod,
David was dancing before the LORD with all his might,
while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark
of the LORD with shouts
and the sound of trumpets.
(2 Samuel 6:14-15), NIV)*