Tag Archives: the LORD

Your Name is near

26 Tuesday Apr 2016

Posted by in Psalm 75, Psalms

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Reading:                                       Psalm 75

For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A psalm of Asaph. A song.

We praise you, God, we praise you, for your Name is near;
people tell of your wonderful deeds.

You say, “I choose the appointed time;
it is I who judge with equity.
When the earth and all its people quake,
it is I who hold its pillars firm.
To the arrogant I say, ‘Boast no more,’
and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns.
Do not lift your horns against heaven;
do not speak so defiantly.’”

No one from the east or the west
or from the desert can exalt themselves.
It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.
In the hand of the Lord is a cup
full of foaming wine mixed with spices;
he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth
drink it down to its very dregs.

As for me, I will declare this forever;
I will sing praise to the God of Jacob,
who says, “I will cut off the horns of all the wicked,
but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up” (NIV).

Reflection

I find the opening verse of this psalm to be very thought-provoking. Let’s take a moment to consider it: We praise you, God, we praise you, for your Name is near; people tell of your wonderful deeds.

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In Praise of His Name — photo by David Kitz

Ask yourself how many, “Oh my G*ds!” do you hear in a day? How many “OMGs” do you see posted on Facebook? I dare say quite a few. Are these exclamations expressed in praise to God? Of course not. They are meaningless expressions of surprise—or are they?

They are meaningless expressions to those that believe this command from the LORD is a meaningless expression. “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name” (Exodus 20:7, NIV).

The Common English Bible translates this command with these words, “Do not use the LORD your God’s name as if it were of no significance; the LORD won’t forgive anyone who uses his name that way” (Exodus 20:7, CEB).

God’s commands are not meaningless expressions. There is power in the name of the LORD. Perhaps we need this reminder. It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.

Response: LORD God, I want to treat your Name with the respect and honor it deserves. Please forgive me if I have misused your name in any way. I pray in the powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

Your Turn: Why do you think the LORD makes a big deal about His name? Why is it important?

A Bad Bet for Victory

25 Monday Apr 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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A warhorse is a bad bet for victory;
    it can’t save despite its great strength.
But look here: the LORD’s eyes watch all who honor him,
    all who wait for his faithful love (Psalm 33:17-18, CEV).

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River Marsh in Early Spring — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

There is something very puzzling, very uncertain, about victory. Victory doesn’t always go to the strongest man, the largest army, or the fastest runner. Sometimes victory goes to the least expected; it goes to the underdog.

Today’s verse from the Psalms draws attention to the uncertainty of victory.

A warhorse is a bad bet for victory; it can’t save despite its great strength.
But look here: the LORD’s eyes watch all who honor him, all who wait for his faithful love (Psalm 33:17-18, CEV).

Victory does not come solely from man’s ingenuity, talent or strength. Ultimately, victory comes from the LORD. The outcome of every race, every battle, every sporting event is determined by the LORD. He foreknew the outcome before there was time. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me.

My only response to such an awesome God is to honor Him, to yield my will and my very life to Him.

Response: LORD God, I wait for your faithful love. My personal struggles and victories are known to you. Your eyes are always on me. Help me to live responsibly in that knowledge. Amen.

Your Turn: Is it a comfort or a constraint to know that God is watching you?

Forgetting and Remembering

21 Thursday Apr 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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Forget each wrong I did when I was young. Show how truly kind you are and remember me (Psalm 25:7, CEV).

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Treed Flood Plain, Ottawa River — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

How can God forget? He knows everything. He knows everything I have done and everything I will do, before it has even entered my mind. The petition prayed here in Psalm 25 must be doomed to fail.

Forget each wrong I did when I was young. Show how truly kind you are and remember me (Psalm 25:7, CEV).

Strange as it may seem God can be forgetful. When we repent of our sins, He chooses to forget that those sins ever happened. But don’t take my word on this topic. The prophet Jeremiah declares this word from the LORD, “I will forgive their sins and forget the evil things they have done” (Jeremiah 31:34, CEV).

That’s an amazing promise. If God can forget our sins, maybe we should do the same. We should not allow the guilt of them torment us any longer. Our sins are forgiven and forgotten when we confess them to our gracious heavenly Father.

Response: LORD God, I am so glad that you choose to remember me and forget my sins. You love like no one else can. Thank you for the forgiveness that is available because of the shed blood of Jesus. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you spend too much time remembering sins that the Lord has forgiven and forgotten?

Thirsty for God

11 Monday Apr 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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As a deer gets thirsty for streams of water, I truly am thirsty for you, my God. In my heart, I am thirsty for you, the living God (Psalm 42:1-2, CEV).

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Flowing Streams — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

Our bodies crave water. That’s only natural since our bodies are over 90% water. We can go more than 60 days without food, but only about 10 days without water.

The question I have for you is how long can you go without God? How long can you go without communicating with Him? How long can you go without hearing from God? The psalmist had a constant craving for God.

As a deer gets thirsty for streams of water, I truly am thirsty for you, my God. In my heart, I am thirsty for you, the living God (Psalm 42:1-2, CEV).

As I am writing this post, I occasionally  pause to take a sip of water. In the same way we should routinely find our hearts and minds turning to the Lord. Prayer and open communication with the Lord should be as natural for us as that sip of coffee or whatever beverage you crave.

In my heart I am thirsty for you, the living God. Can you say the same? I hope so.

Response: LORD God, give me a constant craving for you. I want to speak to you and hear from you. Be an essential of life for me, just like that thirsty deer. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you have a desire to hear from God and be close to Him?

Food to the Hungry

06 Wednesday Apr 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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He gives justice to the poor and food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free (Psalm 146:7, CEV).

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Ottawa River as seen from Greens Creek Point — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

Our Lord taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.”

As I think over my life, I can’t think of a single day when that prayer has not been answered. In other words, the Lord has had an unbroken record of faithfulness. I have never gone to bed hungry except by my own choice. 

Today’s verse from the Psalms reminds us that God is the one who daily supplies our needs.

He gives justice to the poor and food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free (Psalm 146:7, CEV).

The Lord’s provision goes beyond physical needs. As the psalmist declares, the LORD also provides justice and sets prisoners free. Worry often holds me as a prisoner. What about you?

But when I consider the LORD’s faithfulness, there is no place left for worry. He banishes hunger along with worry. We have this assurance: God will take care of all your needs with the wonderful blessings that come from Christ Jesus! (Philippians 4:19, CEV).

Response: LORD God, thank you for your daily provision of good things. You have been more than faithful. My heart overflows with thanks for your goodness. Amen.

Your Turn: Has God been faithful in providing for you? Has He come through for you?

Loving and Faithful

01 Friday Apr 2016

Posted by in Friday's Focus, Psalms

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It is wonderful each morning to tell about your love and at night to announce how faithful you are (Psalm 92:2, CEV).

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Your Love in the Morning – photo by Donald Adam

Reflection

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

If the heavens declare the glory of God, then we should join with all creation in doing the same. If the sky has a story to tell about God’s love, then so do I. The psalmist expresses this thought with  these words:

It is wonderful each morning to tell about your love and at night to announce how faithful you are (Psalm 92:2, CEV).

As the day draws to a close can you testify to the faithfulness of God? I certainly can. Each day has its set of problems and difficulties, but as the sun sets I can say the Lord has seen me through. I am sure you can say the same.

Take some time to give God the thanks and praise He deserves

Response: LORD God, thank you for being my companion through the day. Your love and faithfulness sustain me. I want to proclaim your goodness. Amen.

Your Turn: Has the Lord been loving and faithful to you?

Tell Every Nation

29 Tuesday Mar 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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Day after day announce, “The LORD has saved us!” Tell every nation on earth,
“The LORD is wonderful and does marvelous things! (Psalm 96:2-3, CEV).

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Easter Sunrise 2016 — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

We live in the afterglow of the resurrection. Unlike an afterglow that fades over time, this afterglow ought to intensify within us like the power of the rising sun. And why should this be the case? Because with each passing day, the day of redemption and regeneration of our physical bodies is drawing closer. Today, I’m one day closer to seeing my resurrected Lord face to face.

Within us there should be a growing desire to declare the goodness of the Lord. The psalmist expresses it this way:

Day after day announce, “The LORD has saved us!” Tell every nation on earth,
“The LORD is wonderful and does marvelous things! (Psalm 96:2-3, CEV).

We are tasked with the job of joyous declaration. Good news is not difficult to share. We are not tasked with announcing the death of a loved one. We have the joy of sharing the news that one man—Jesus Christ—has defeated death. By faith his resurrection victory becomes our victory as well.

Response: LORD God, I want to glow with the joy of knowing you and your resurrection power. Give me the privilege of telling someone else the good news today. Amen.

Your Turn: Is your resurrection afterglow growing or fading?

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?

Through Suffering

10 Thursday Mar 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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The LORD’s people may suffer a lot, but he will always bring them safely through (Psalm 34:19, CEV).

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Grey Nuns Park, Orleans, ON — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

Many believers have wrong expectations of God. We believe that if we choose to follow the Lord, He will be spare us from experiencing pain and suffering. We view our relationship with God as a kind of insurance policy that will protect us from heartache and loss. The truth is no such insurance policy exists. On the contrary, the opposite may be true.

The LORD’s people may suffer a lot, but he will always bring them safely through (Psalm 34:19, CEV).

The people that God chooses often suffer greatly. His chosen people suffered much as slaves in Egypt. When the Lord Jesus arrested Saul/Paul on the way to Damascus, he was told the road ahead would be marked by suffering. Jesus said,  “I will show him [Paul] how much he must suffer for worshiping in my name” (Acts 9:16).

Though the path—your path—may be marked by suffering, we have this promise. The Lord will bring you safely through.

Response: LORD God, I trust you to bring me safely through to the Promised Land. You are my inheritance. Help me to endure hardship as your faithful follower. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you viewed God as your insurance policy against suffering?

The Conclusion of Solomon’s Prayer

08 Tuesday Mar 2016

Posted by in Psalm 72, Psalms

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Reading:                                     Psalm 72

Verses 12-20

For he will deliver the needy who cry out,
the afflicted who have no one to help.
He will take pity on the weak and the needy
and save the needy from death.
He will rescue them from oppression and violence,
for precious is their blood in his sight. Long may he live!
May gold from Sheba be given him.
May people ever pray for him
and bless him all day long.
May grain abound throughout the land;
on the tops of the hills may it sway.
May the crops flourish like Lebanon
and thrive like the grass of the field.
May his name endure forever;
may it continue as long as the sun.

Then all nations will be blessed through him,
and they will call him blessed.

Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel,
who alone does marvelous deeds.
Praise be to his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.

This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse (NIV).

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More glorious than Solomon — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This is the concluding portion of Solomon’s prayer. Many scholars view this as David’s prayer for Solomon, rather than a prayer written by Solomon. In either case, it is a prayer calling for God’s blessing on the king and the nation. This brings us to a question. What is the purpose of God’s blessing? Is it only for personal benefit?

The answer can be found in the first few lines above. The righteous king is blessed and given wealth and authority so that he can be a blessing to others. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight.

The great danger for any of us is that when blessings come, we accumulate these blessings for ourselves alone. Along with God’s blessings comes a responsibility to share and identify with those in need within our borders and beyond. We serve a God with a big heart. His love extends far beyond our narrow interests. God blesses His people abundantly, so that we can in turn bless others.

What a privilege we have to reflect the LORD’s character in a hurting world!

Response: LORD God, help me to see my many blessings as a gift from you. Show me today how I can be a blessing to others. You are my source. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you tempted to keep all of God’s blessings for yourself?