The Temporary Life

03 Wednesday May 2017

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 146, Psalms

Tags

atheists, cataract surgery, cataracts, commitment, control, end of life, gift of life, God, hope, idols, life, Lutheran World Relief, money, praise, quilts, temporary, the LORD, trust, worship

Reading: Psalm 146

(Verses 1-5)
Praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD, my soul.
I will praise the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
Do not put your trust in princes,
in human beings, who cannot save.
When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.
Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD their God (NIV).

Reflection

Last week I had a delightful telephone conversation with my mom. She was pleased to report that her last and final round of cataract surgery had gone very well. Her vision has greatly improved. Speaking of her follow-up exam, she said, “The most excited person in the room was the doctor. He was thrilled that the surgery turned out so well. I was the oldest patient he had ever operated on.”

Around the bend in the trail — photo by David Kitz

My mom is ninety-four, but she doesn’t let a minor thing like that slow her down. After all, age is just a number. She still keeps a busy schedule and out works many women half her age. Who else but my mother would annually sew a hundred quilts and donate them to Lutheran World Relief?

But she knows, just as we all know that her life here on this earth will come to an end. We best make the most of it while we have this precious gift. Time marches on, and time will eventually march us off to the grave as surely as the sun will rise tomorrow on a new day.

In today’s reading from Psalm 146, the psalmist makes a lifelong commitment. He commits himself to praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, my soul. I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

This is not an insignificant commitment. We were made to worship and we all do it, even the atheists among us. Some worship their money; others worship the pleasures of this world. Perhaps the greatest god of the current age is the god of self. Monuments to personal vanity have been erected all around us. I have been known to set up a few of these myself.

Genuine praise for the LORD tears down personal idols. It establishes His lordship over our lives. It acknowledges that He is in control. I have so little power. I can’t turn a white hair to black, at least not in the true sense. But the LORD knows the number of hair on my head and the number of my days. Ultimately, my life is in His hands. My life here is temporary. That’s why I need to put my hope and my trust in God—the eternal One. The psalmist’s words ring true. Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God. And that blessing holds true for ninety-four-year-olds too.

Response: LORD God, I thank and praise you for the gift of life. You are worthy of worship. I commit to worshipping you every day for the rest of my life. Thank you for eternal life through Jesus. Amen.

Your Turn: Will you praise the LORD for all of your life? Are you ready to make that commitment?

The LORD is Near

02 Tuesday May 2017

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 145, Psalms

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

aloof, answered prayer, disciples, God hears, Jesus, nearness of God, Orleans, praise, Prayer, testimony, the LORD

Reading: Psalm 145

(Verses 17-21)
The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and faithful in all he does.
The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.
The LORD watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.
My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD.
Let every creature praise his holy name
for ever and ever (NIV).

Reflection

Psalm 145 begins with David calling us to praise the LORD, and it ends with a similar call to praise. David extols the virtues of the LORD. He sees Him as righteous and faithful. One can have these virtues, but still be distant or aloof. But that’s not how David sees the LORD.

Wood violets, Orleans, ON — photo by David Kitz

David knows his God hears him when he prays. How does he know this? For David this isn’t an answer he learned from a textbook. He knows God hears prayer from personal experience. In his daily life David called out to the LORD over and over again in times of trouble, and over and over again the LORD helped him. That’s why he can record the following words in this psalm of praise: He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.

What about you? Have you discovered from personal experience that God answers prayer? Have you called out to the LORD in a time of trouble? Has He brought help your way?

Just this week my wife lost/misplaced her driver’s license. This produced some anxious moments as she discovered this loss just as she was about to board a flight across the country. She had arranged a car rental at her destination, but without her driver’s license she could not access the car. Some desperate prayers were offered up and in due course, after she arrived at her destination, the answer came. The driver’s license was found.

Do we involve the LORD in our day to day activities? That should be the norm. Here is David’s testimony—the testimony of Holy Scripture: The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

That should be our testimony in the daily grind of life, in the ups and the downs. The LORD is near 365 days of the year. Before Jesus ascended to heaven, he left his disciples with these words of assurance, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

Response: LORD God, I am so glad that you are not distant or aloof from those who call out to you. You are near to me. You answer prayer. My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Amen.

Your Turn: Can you testify that the LORD is near and He answers prayer?

Heaven and Earth Praise Him

30 Sunday Apr 2017

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 79, Psalms

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

cities, God, iherit, Judah, praise, rebuild, Zion

I will praise Him!

: Mountain stream, Korankei, Japan — photo by David Kitz

Let heaven and earth praise him,
    the seas and all that move in them,
for God will save Zion
    and rebuild the cities of Judah.
Then people will settle there and possess it;
the children of his servants will inherit it,
    and those who love his name will dwell there.

(Psalm 69:34-36, NIV)

Great is the LORD!

27 Thursday Apr 2017

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 145, Psalms

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

burdens, ego, exalt, God, lifting, praise, praising God, the LORD, worship, worthy

Reading: Psalm 145

A psalm of praise. Of David.

(Verses 1-7)
I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.
Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.
One generation commends your works to another;
they tell of your mighty acts.
They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
They tell of the power of your awesome works—
and I will proclaim your great deeds.
They celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness (NIV).

Reflection

Have you ever tried to lift up something that is far too heavy for you? As a boy I remember trying to pick up a rock that was heavier than me. It’s a good thing that young bodies are resilient because I’m sure I would seriously harm myself, if I tried the same thing today.

All creation speaks its praise — photo courtesy of Karen Kitz

If I can’t lift up a heavy rock, how can I possibly lift up God? But that is precisely what David did and is calling me to do in Psalm 145. David begins with these words: I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.

The key word as we begin this psalm is the word exalt. Exalt means to lift, elevate, raise or boost. How can we as mere more mortals lift, elevate, raise or boost God, the creator of the universe? Is God feeling down? Does the Almighty need me to lift Him up—to give Him a little boost? That sounds absurd, and it is absurd.

Yet here and throughout the psalms we are encouraged to praise the LORD. Does the LORD suffer from a fragile ego? Is that why He wants us to praise Him? No, that can’t be the reason we see these frequent admonitions to praise God. We can’t exalt God higher than He already is. Will praising God make Him one scintilla more holy, powerful, magnificent or loving? Of course not. The only one who is changed by praising God is us. The only one who is lifted up by exalting the LORD is you and me.

We are lifted up by lifting others. It has always been this way. Help someone, and we ourselves are helped. That’s how life works. That’s how praising God works. In this life of hardship and struggles, praise lifts my head and my heart from its burdens. I am lifted up when I lift the LORD up. No one lifts like Him!

Response: LORD God, I just want to praise you. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. I will meditate on your wonderful works. You are the lifter of my head. Amen.

Your Turn: Does heartfelt praise for the LORD fill you with joy? Do you need a lift today?

His Face Shines on Us

15 Saturday Apr 2017

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 67, Psalms

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

God, joy, nations, peoples, praise, sing

I will praise Him!

: Radiant glory — photo courtesy of Liz Kranz

May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine on us—
so that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations.

May the peoples praise you, God;
    may all the peoples praise you.
May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
    for you rule the peoples with equity
    and guide the nations of the earth.
May the peoples praise you, God;
    may all the peoples praise you.

(Psalm 67:1-5, NIV)

Securing Justice for the Poor

10 Monday Apr 2017

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 140, Psalms

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

churches, churches in North America, compassion, Jesus, Jesus Christ, love, needy, praise, salvation, social justice, social justice issues, Suffering, the LORD, the poor

Reading: Psalm 140

(Verses 9-13)

Those who surround me proudly rear their heads;

may the mischief of their lips engulf them.

May burning coals fall on them;

may they be thrown into the fire,

into miry pits, never to rise.

May slanderers not be established in the land;

may disaster hunt down the violent.

I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor

and upholds the cause of the needy.

Surely the righteous will praise your name,

and the upright will live in your presence (NIV).

Reflection

Here is an observation I have made as a result of visiting and speaking at a wide variety of churches across this continent. Christians and Christian churches in North America appear to fall into two broad camps: Those that are primarily concerned about personal salvation, and those that are concerned mainly about social justice.

Land’s end — Corel photos

There’s often a considerable amount of tension between these two camps. Both are convinced they are doing the will of God as revealed in the scriptures, and they can quote chapter and verse to back up their particular perspective. So which position is correct?

The short answer is they are both right. The eternal destination of your soul is of primary importance, but love and compassion for others is central to the entire mission of Jesus, and the full scope of the scriptures. Today’s reading from Psalm 140 reminds that issues of justice and fairness rank high with the LORD. I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.

John, the apostle, gives us this perspective: This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth (1 John 3:16-18).

It got very messy when Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. A lot of blood was spilled. It was brutal beyond measure—humiliation and suffering beyond measure. Our personal salvation was messy—in every way a high cost affair. Are we willing to do the same for others? That’s what John is saying when he writes and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. Now there’s a high calling. Do you want to change the world? It starts with a change in your heart. Jesus is in the heart changing business. I need an appointment with him. What about you?

Response: LORD God, I am selfish by nature. It’s not natural for me to think of others first. Help me to change. I want to genuinely care about others. Show me what I can to help because Jesus cares. Amen.

Your Turn: Should the church be involved in social justice issues or just stick to the salvation message?

The Earth Bows Down

09 Sunday Apr 2017

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 66, Psalms

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

awesome, glory, God, joy, power, praise, sing praise

I will praise Him!

Bilberry Creek spring thaw a week ago today — photo by David Kitz: Shout for joy to God, all the earth!
Sing the glory of his name;
    make his praise glorious.
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
    So great is your power
    that your enemies cringe before you.
All the earth bows down to you;
    they sing praise to you,
    they sing the praises of your name.”; (Psalm 66:1-4, NIV)

To You All People Come

06 Thursday Apr 2017

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 65, Psalms

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

blessed, forgiveness, God, praise, Prayer, sins, Zion

I will praise Him!

: Living in your courts — photo courtesy of Liz Kranz

Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion;
    to you our vows will be fulfilled.
You who answer prayer,
    to you all people will come.
When we were overwhelmed by sins,
    you forgave our transgressions.
Blessed are those you choose
    and bring near to live in your courts!
We are filled with the good things of your house,
    of your holy temple.

(Psalm 65:1-4, NIV)

Later this year, Kregel Publishing will be releasing my Passion of Christ novel entitled “The Soldier Who Killed a King.” I was able to meet an editing deadline on this book yesterday, but I was unable to do my regular, full-length Psalms post for today. I hope to resume my devotional posts soon. — David Kitz

Your Love is Better than Life

05 Wednesday Apr 2017

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 63, Psalms

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

glory, life, love, power, praise, sanctuary

I will praise Him!

: Early Morning Sunrise, Grey Nuns Park, Orleans, ON — photo by David Kitz

I have seen you in the sanctuary
    and beheld your power and your glory.
Because your love is better than life,
    my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live,
    and in your name I will lift up my hands.
I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
    with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

(Psalm 63:2-5, NIV)

Later this year, Kregel Publishing will be releasing my Passion of Christ novel entitled “The Soldier Who Killed a King.” Due to an editing deadline on this book, I am unable to do my regular, full-length posts. I hope to resume my devotional posts soon. — David Kitz

The Light of Life

01 Saturday Apr 2017

Posted by davidkitz in Psalms, Saturday's Psalm

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

afraid, God's word, light of life, offerings, praise, trust, vows

I will praise Him!

: Light of my life shine on me — photo courtesy of Roger Sabbagh

In God, whose word I praise,
in the LORD, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can man do to me?

I am under vows to you, my God;
    I will present my thank offerings to you.
For you have delivered me from death
    and my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before God
    in the light of life.

I love the Psalms

~ Connecting daily with God through the Psalms

Tag Archives: praise

The Temporary Life

The LORD is Near

Heaven and Earth Praise Him

I will praise Him!