Tag Archives: worship

He Hears the Groans of the Prisoners

05 Saturday Jul 2025

Posted by in Psalm 102, Psalms

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I will praise the LORD!

Release for the Prisoners

Psalm 102:12-17

Let this be written for a future generation,
    that a people not yet created may praise the LORD:
“The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high,
    from heaven he viewed the earth,
to hear the groans of the prisoners
    and release those condemned to death.”
So the name of the LORD will be declared in Zion
    and his praise in Jerusalem
when the peoples and the kingdoms
    assemble to worship the LORD. *

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

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 read from David Kitz.
Is a return-to-Jesus revival possible in our time?
This book points the way forward.
For details click here.

My Brain-Sliver Remover

01 Tuesday Jul 2025

Posted by in Psalm 119, Psalms

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


Reading:  Psalm 119:49-56

Father God,
remove my brain slivers.
Forgive me for allowing wrong thoughts
and habits to fester.
I remember, LORD,
your ancient laws,
and I find comfort in them (v. 52).
Preserve my life
through Jesus your precious Son.
Amen.

— — — —

Therefore, I urge you,
brothers and sisters,
in view of God’s mercy,
to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,
holy and pleasing to God—
this is your true and proper worship.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed
by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test
and approve what God’s will is—
his good, pleasing and perfect will.
(Romans 12:1-2 NIV)*

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

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Happy Canada Day to my Readers in Canada!

Please pray for peace to return to Israel, Gaza, Iran, 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 read from David Kitz.
Is a return-to-Jesus revival possible in our time?
This book points the way forward.
For details click here.

The Name of the LORD

29 Sunday Jun 2025

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Psalm 113:1-3

Praise, O servants of the LORD,
praise the name of the LORD.
Let the name of the LORD be praised,
both now and forever more.
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the LORD is to be praised.

At the time of this writing another Christmas has come and gone. I am sitting across from our family Christmas tree as I write this chapter. Snow is gently falling outside my living room window. It’s that relaxing time of year, the festive interlude between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. It’s a time to get your spiritual battery recharged, before the onslaught of the work routine returns along with the coming of a new year. As long as I can avoid big box stores and shopping malls, it’s a peaceful time. I can spend extra time with the LORD and with family.

Praise the LORD!

Yes, praise the LORD for those relaxing times, when the pace of life slows down. We live in a rushed world, where quiet times and silent moments get crowded to the margins of our existence.

Silence? Silence is a rare experience in our rapid fire, entertainment-hyped world. I wonder if Silent Night is such a popular carol, because silence is a commodity we rarely experience, but inwardly we long for it.

The people of the ancient world knew silence. It surrounded them like a huge comforting blanket. They did not awaken to the blare of the radio or the din of urban traffic. But even so, they purposefully set apart times to get away and seek the LORD. Even the Son of God needed those times. After feeding the five thousand, Jesus did not throw a party with his disciples to celebrate his miracle. No, we read that “he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray (Matthew 14:23).

Jesus longed to commune with his Father. He needed silent nights for that. He needed alone times.

How about you? If Jesus needed those quiet times—alone with God times—I know I most certainly do. And the starting point for any meaningful time with the LORD is the point of praise. We are to “enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks and praise his name” (Psalm 100:4).

That is precisely how Psalm 113 begins. It starts with praise:

Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and forever more. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.

And who precisely are we to praise? Both in Psalm 100 and Psalm 113 the admonition is crystal clear. We are to praise the name of the LORD. Shout to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs (Psalm 100:1-2).

Now it must be noted that the psalmist did not instruct us to praise the name of the Lord. He instructed us to praise the name of the LORD. Did you catch the distinction? There is a huge difference between the words, Lord and LORD that we can easily skip over or dismiss.  

With enough money and influence, almost anyone can become a lord—a British lord. Conrad Black, the newspaper baron, renounced his Canadian citizenship in order to become Lord Black of Crossharbour. Along with the title of lord, comes a seat in the House of Lords in the British Parliament.

In this world there are many lords, and would-be lords, but there is only one LORD. The LORD is the Lord of both the heavens and the earth. His kingdom reign has no beginning or end; it is eternal. His dominion knows no bounds. The LORD is truly Lord of all, including Crossharbour. His seat, the throne of the universe, lies beyond the highest heavens. His glory never ceases. It is never tarnished by scandal, never debouched by sin. He is without peer. He is the LORD of lords.

In most Bible translations the word LORD is actually a kind of acronym. The capitalized letters of the word LORD stand for the Divine Name, the Hebrew language “Tetragrammaton.” The Hebrews considered the Name too sacred to be spoken—a practice which is still followed among worshipping Jews today. An exact transliteration of the Hebrew word for LORD into English would yield YHWH. Biblical scholars and experts in linguistics agree that with the addition of Hebrew vowel markers, this word would most likely be pronounced Yahweh. However, instead of speaking out the word Yahweh, Hebrew speakers would substitute the word Adonai, which means Lord. The name Yahweh was deemed too holy to be spoken by human lips. In deference to this tradition, and in honor of the sacred Name, modern translators have substituted the capitalized word LORD for YHWH.

Accordingly, the opening verses of Psalm 113 could also be rendered thus:

Praise YHWH! Praise, O servants of YHWH, praise the name of YHWH. Let the name of YHWH be praised, both now and forever more. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of YHWH is to be praised.

How sacred is the name of the LORD to you? Does it roll off your tongue with little meaning, or in your mind and heart is it truly linked to the LORD of Lords? Do you reverence His Name as his chosen people do? His glory and his character are resident within his Name, the sacred name of the LORD. Do you speak his Name thoughtlessly?

This is after all, the LORD, whose name means I AM. He is the self-existent One, without beginning or end. He is the One, who when asked, declared his identity to Moses. God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you'” (Genesis 3:14).

It was this same Moses who came down Mount Sinai with the Ten Commandments etched on tables of stone. One of those commands reads as follows:

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).

In the spirit realm invocation is a power laden term. To invoke someone’s name simply means to give voice to that name. If you call out my name in a public gathering, you will quickly get my attention. Our ears are always tuned to hear our own name. I may be surrounded by indecipherable babble but toss my name into the midst of that babble, and I’ll pick up my ears every time—not only that—I’ll come right over to find out what is being said about me. That is the power of invocation.

The same is true in the spirit realm. We even have a common saying to express this truth, “Speak of the Devil, and he’ll show up.”

If the power of invocation works with me, and it works with the Devil, who is not omnipresent, then you can be certain that it works with the name of the LORD. Speak his Name, and He will show up. In Psalm 35, David declares, “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry.” And David goes on to assert, “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles” (Psalm 34:15, 17).

The prophet Joel takes this truth one step further, while speaking of the troubled times before the LORD’s return, he states, “And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved” (Joel 2:32).

Amid this world’s babble, the LORD will always hear his name. He will show up. He will eavesdrop on every conversation, when his name is mentioned. He will hear every whispered prayer. He will stop by every meal, where grace is spoken. He is there, by your side, even when death comes knocking. Just speak his name.

This is the power of invocation; it is the power resident in his name—the name of the LORD. Therefore, it behoves us to use his name aright, not flippantly or as swear word. That is the Devil’s game, and we play on his side when we besmirch or desecrate the holy Name. I have no time or respect for those who misuse my name. Why would we expect the LORD Almighty to be any different?

But my ears are always open to praise. It puts a smile on my face. Would it be any different with the LORD? When we gather to praise the LORD, He will be present at the mention of his name. A variant reading of Psalm 22:3 declares, “Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.”

I rather like the thought of making a place for the LORD among us. As we praise his name, He comes to be with us. He pulls up a chair and sits with us for a time. He is enthroned on our praise. Through our praise we make room for Him in our lives. Our praises, whether spoken or sung, form an open invitation to Him. It is as though we are saying, “LORD, come sit with us for a while. Come be enthroned among us.”

The Lord is on his heavenly throne — photo by David Kitz

So let his praise resound. Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and forever more.

 Our praises join with others to form a continuum of praise for the LORD. It is a continuum that stretches back to the dawn of time. Can you imagine Adam waking on that first morning to a beautiful dawn in the Garden of Eden? He stretches, and then in thanksgiving he raises his hands and his voice in praise to his Creator. We join our voices with Adam and Eve, our first parents, when we too praise our Creator. We join our voices in praise with Abraham, the father of all who are justified by faith. We join with David, who danced before the LORD with all his might in celebration of the mercy of God. We blend our praise with the prophet Isaiah, who saw the LORD high and exalted, with six-winged seraphs calling out, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isaiah 6:3).

 This eternal praise continuum extends back to include all the heavenly hosts from before the earth took form. It encompasses all of creation, both past and present, the birds, the animals and the sea creatures. It draws all of life into worship. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD (Psalm 150:6).

It includes the women, who Jesus met on the best morning since creation—resurrection morning. Jesus greeted them, and then these women “came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped him (Matthew 28:9).

Oh, what a moment of praise! It still resounds. It will resound throughout history. We are united in our praise with Thomas, who touched the wounds of the living Christ. Then overwhelmed, he exclaimed in humble worship, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28).

Our praise for the LORD unites with the praises of the martyrs throughout the ages. It echoes from the catacombs and the arches of the Roman Coliseum, through the Middle Ages and the Reformation, right onto the back pages of today’s newspaper. We bow our knees in unison with all these who suffer for his Name. We bow with them in worship. We bow to the King of kings and the LORD of lords.

In praise to the LORD, we join with Handel to declare that our Messiah has come and his Kingdom reign will never cease. Praise the LORD! Strike up the chorus. Hallelujah! He is our Ode to Joy.

Purple stars bring backyard joy — photo by David Kitz

The glory of his name is not bound by the confines of time and place. It supersedes national boundaries. The LORD, who parted the Red Sea, also parted the Iron Curtain. He took his own special sledgehammer to the Berlin Wall. He is LORD of the nations, whether they acknowledge him or not.

In the face of Christ, we see the LORD. In his name we have redemption. The apostle Paul declares, “God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).

Now we join with the psalmist and declare, “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.”

Yes, praise the LORD! Praise his name. Praise Deity clothed in humanity, who in the temple courts confessed his name, “I tell you the truth… before Abraham was born, I AM!” (John 8:58).

On bended knee we confess, “Jesus Christ is Lord.”

Yes, He is LORD!

Bringing Life to the Psalms

  1. Were you aware of the distinction between the words, LORD and Lord, before you read this chapter? Does this knowledge affect your use of the name of the LORD?
  2. The great, “I am,” statements of Christ recorded in John’s Gospel are a direct link to Yahweh, who is the Great I AM. John’s Gospel most clearly portrays the deity of Christ. Take a moment to read Jesus’ bold confession of his deity in John 8:48-59.
  3. We are instructed to pray in Jesus’ name. Take a moment to read those instructions afresh as found in John 14:5-14.
  1. Are you aware of the power of invocation? Be assured the LORD has ears to hear and He will show up. He will honor his name.

Today’s post is Chapter 18 from the book Psalms Alive! Connecting Heaven & Earth by David Kitz. To find out more or purchase click here.

 

 

The Messiah Had to Suffer

27 Friday Jun 2025

Posted by in Psalm 119, Psalms

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


Reading: Psalm 119:33-40

Father God,
I want to see you.
Open my eyes to your wonders around me.
Teach me your ways
in practical life altering steps
that draw me close to you.
Open your Word to me.
Amen.

— — — —

He [Jesus] said to them, 
“How foolish you are,
and how slow to believe all
that the prophets have spoken!
Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things
and then enter his glory?”
And beginning with Moses 
and all the Prophets, 
he [Jesus] explained to them
what was said in all the Scriptures
concerning himself.
(Luke 24:30-32 NIV)*

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

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Please pray for peace to return to Israel, Gaza, Iran, 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 read from David Kitz.
Is a return-to-Jesus revival possible in our time?
This book points the way forward.
For details click here.

Learning from Low Moments

26 Thursday Jun 2025

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Reading: Psalm 119:25-32
ד Daleth
I am laid low in the dust;
preserve my life according to your word.
I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
teach me your decrees.
Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.
My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
Keep me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me and teach me your law.
I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I have set my heart on your laws.
I hold fast to your statutes, LORD;
do not let me be put to shame.
I run in the path of your commands,
for you have broadened my understanding (NIV). *

Reflection
Humility is not a character quality that is natural to man; on the contrary, a proud and haughty spirit is all too common. We may do our best to disguise our pride, but often it’s there just below the surface. Usually we are blind to our conceit and arrogance. We flatter ourselves too much to see our own faults. There are a number of scriptures that say just that. The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are (Proverbs 28:11).

We smarten up when we are laid low. The psalmist begins today’s reading from the lowest point—from the dust. Why does he begin from such a low point? We are given a clue in the second verse of this psalm portion: I gave an account of my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees (v. 26).

When we are called to account, we like to put on a brave face and set our best foot forward. This may work well in human circles, but it’s not the best strategy when we are called to account before God. The positive spin we put on our sins and shortcomings doesn’t impress God in the least.

God sees us as we truly are. We are always naked—morally naked before Him. We can hide nothing from the LORD. When God answers us, we are brought low; we are laid low in the dust. We were taken from the dust and God formed us into who we are. Any success we have had is due to Him—entirely due to Him. That problem-solving mind was formed by Him. That pretty/handsome face was shaped by Him. That strength and athletic talent came from God. My talents are gifts from God.

We get a right understanding—the best understanding from our knees—the laid low position.

Response: Father God, you are right to call me to account. I humble myself before you. Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me and teach me your law. I want to please you. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you putting a positive spin on your relationship with God or has humility triumphed? Why do you think humility is so essential in our relationship with God?

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

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* 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 read from David Kitz.
Is a return-to-Jesus revival possible in our time?
This book points the way forward.
For details click here.

Obedience to God’s Word

23 Monday Jun 2025

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Reading: Psalm 119:1-8
א Aleph
Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the LORD.
Blessed are those who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart—
they do no wrong
but follow his ways.
You have laid down precepts
that are to be fully obeyed.
Oh, that my ways were steadfast
in obeying your decrees!
Then I would not be put to shame
when I consider all your commands.
I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.
I will obey your decrees;
do not utterly forsake me (NIV). *

Reflection
We are about to start a twenty-two-day journey through Psalm 119, the longest Psalm in the Bible. This is also an acrostic poem, which in this case means each stanza of this poetic psalm begins with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The section above for instance, begins with the letter Aleph, which roughly corresponds to our letter A. Also, within each alphabetic stanza are eight verses, which all begin with the same Hebrew letter. In this way the psalm’s composer works his way through the entire twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This psalm is a truly remarkable literary composition, which was originally structured to be memorized, like the alphabet. Alas, for the English reader, much of the elaborate, intricate beauty of this psalm is lost the moment it is translated from its original tongue.

The theme of this psalm is consistent throughout. It is a poetic testimony in praise of God’s holy, unchanging word. Here we find the alpha and omega of the psalms—a literary tribute to the A-to-Z wonder of God’s word. Every letter trumpets the salutary goodness of God’s written word.

From the beginning of this poetic masterpiece the author recognizes his need. His life needs to be governed by the law of the LORD. His goal and heart’s desire is to lead a blameless life. God’s blessing comes to such a person. Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart—they do no wrong but follow his ways (v. 1-3).

In a world of injustice and moral rot the words of Psalm 119 pierce like a steel-tipped bullet to the heart. The need for all humanity to follow his ways, rather than our own selfish ways has never been greater.

Response: LORD God, like the psalmist I want to fall in love with your Word. Here is the purpose to my desire. I want to live a blameless life that brings honor to my Maker because you are good. Amen.

Your Turn: Is holy living one of your goals? Do you see value in leading a blameless life before God?

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

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* 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 read from David Kitz.
Is a return-to-Jesus revival possible in our time?
This book points the way forward.
For details click here.

The LORD Rules over All

22 Sunday Jun 2025

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Psalm 103:19-22

The LORD has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.
Praise the LORD you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.
Praise the LORD all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.
Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the LORD, O my soul.

Psalm 103 is a sandwich, or if you prefer, a big beefy hamburger. By that I mean this psalm begins with a personal call to praise the LORD, and it ends, as we see from the passage above, with what amounts to a universal call to praise the LORD. Between these calls to worship, we find a great big helping of God’s goodness. In between we discover the why—the reasons why—we should be overflowing with praise to the LORD.

David experienced God’s saving grace, goodness, love and forgiveness over and over again. Consequently, his heart was full to bursting with praise. Herein is the why of praise; the reason for praise rests in God, not in us, or our circumstances.

But Psalm 103 is not just a beefy hamburger. It is also an express train—a big steam locomotive. There is a distinct momentum to this psalm, which can be missed by breaking it into sections. It begins with David addressing his soul. It would appear, at the start, to be a sluggish soul that is somewhat reluctant to praise God. But this reluctance begins to melt away as David recounts the LORD’s great goodness. One by one David declares the character qualities of the LORD. As each attribute is portrayed, David’s sense of awe and his desire to praise God picks up momentum. By the end of this psalm, David’s praise has become an express train, loaded with divine purpose and headed full speed for glory!

Shinkansen (bullet train) photo by David Kitz

His final call to worship in the above stanza is a great cry for all to get aboard this express train of praise. Now with a full head of steam, in exultant praise, I can hear him shouting, “Hop on board, one and all. Praise the LORD! We are heaven bound!”

Many see praise and worship as a purely cathartic response to the manifest goodness of God. Something good happens to us. Unexpectedly, we get a thousand-dollar payment in the mail. Quite naturally our response is praise to God.

For many people, praise to God never progresses beyond this natural, cathartic level. If God does not bless, no praise is forthcoming. Our praise for the LORD becomes or simply remains circumstance dependent. But that was not the case with David. His praise extended beyond simple catharsis. He taught his soul to praise the LORD in all circumstances. True biblical praise and worship is after all a spiritual exercise, a discipline we grow in, just as we grow in the discipline of prayer.

The LORD, the object of our praise, does not change with our circumstances. He is forever the same. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He is constant, hence our praise and worship of him should be constant, unaffected by weather conditions, world events, the gyrations of the stock market, our swings of mood or our personal situation.

Of course, this constancy in praise is something the natural man simply rebels against. Our world needs to be right in order for us to praise God aright, or so we reason. The only problem with this logic is that the world has never been right since the Fall. Death, disease, war and misery have been raining down on the children of Adam, since wilful disobedience to God first took root among us. And this is one weather forecast, for all humanity, that is not about to change—not until Christ returns.

If we are waiting for a perfect world before we lift our voice in praise to God, we will never praise Him. In fact, if our eyes are on the world, or on ourselves, there will always be grounds to withhold our praise. But then, the whole purpose of praise and worship is to lift up our eyes. We desperately need to get our eyes off ourselves, off the world, and onto God our Maker.

Photo by Thirdman on Pexels.com

Martin Rinkart was a man who could be forgiven for cursing God. But rather than cursing his Creator, or withholding worship, he composed the ageless hymn of praise, Now Thank we all our God. Pastor Rinkart (1586-1649) was caught up in the horrors of the Thirty Years’ War. For a full year his hometown, Eilenburg in Saxony, was besieged as war raged round about. The triple scourge of war, disease and famine ravaged the community. Death was everywhere. The walled city was swamped by destitute refugees. Three times it was overrun by pillaging armies. As the crisis worsened, Rinkart’s pastoral colleagues succumbed to the plague; only he was left to conduct the funerals. In that horrific year, 1637, he conducted more than 4,000 funerals, as many as fifty in a single day. One of those funerals was for his own dear wife.

Yet it was this man, Martin Rinkart, who composed these words of praise:

            Now thank we all our God
            With heart and hands and voices
            Who wondrous things hath done
            In whom this world rejoices;
            Who from our mothers’ arms
            Hath blessed us on the way
            With countless gifts of love
            And still is ours today.

Martin Rinkart did not live in a perfect world. But his eyes saw beyond the death and destruction that lay before him. He lifted his eyes above the world, and beyond himself. And when he did, he beheld God. He saw Him as LORD over all, and a God to be thanked and praised for countless gifts of love. Amid the most desperate situation imaginable, Pastor Rinkart fixed his gaze on the LORD his Maker. Then this humble pastor did a most remarkable thing—a Spirit-directed thing. He raised his voice in praise to God.

In a world run amok, the first casualty all too often is our faith in God. The chaos of disaster leads us to question the very existence of God. The god of order and control would not—should not—unleash tsunamis of war and disease on this world. We reason, “What kind of god is this? Why would an all-powerful god permit this? Why would he not spare those dear to me?”

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

But Martin Rinkart the hymnist, and David the psalmist, knew the true God, a god who exists beyond our narrow definitions of order and control. Both these men knew the LORD of all the earth. Here in Psalm 103, David declared, “The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.”

That divine rule, and that eternal kingdom, truly encompasses all, including disasters. Yes, He is LORD over disasters too, over war, over hurricanes, over floods and droughts, over both feasts and famines, joys and sorrows. He is LORD of all.

This declaration of God’s kingdom rule collides head on with my own preconceived notions of how the world should be. In my world death should never steal a friend away. In my world abundance should be a preordained right. In my world sickness should have no foothold, cancer should hold no sway. In my world all stories should have happy endings.

I want an ideal world like that. I want the real world to conform to my desired ends. And when God does not meekly comply, by granting me my ideal vision of the world, I stamp my foot and shake my fist at Him. In reality, when I do that, I am announcing that I want to be God. I want to be LORD. A refusal to bow in worship before God, is a declaration of my desire to be the sole ruler of my life, and the Creator my own world apart from God.

In a world run amok, Martin Rinkart did not stamp his foot and shake his fist at God; he lifted his voice in praise. Praise to God in the midst of tragedy aligns us afresh with the LORD of the universe. It re-establishes and reasserts his direct rule over us. Along with David we declared, “The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.”

God in His wisdom has not given me my ideal world. He has given me His world—the real world—where sorrow mingles with joy, where the curse and the blessing of Eden coexist, where life and death dance nimbly together.

Man praying to God.

Prayer is my attempt before God to change this present world. And this world is in desperate need of change. God and I are in agreement on that point. That’s why He sent His Son. The world can be changed by God through prayer. What an astonishing truth! My prayers can change the world. God can as a consequence of my prayers, intervene and stunningly alter the natural course of events. I have seen Him do astonishing miracles. He is after all, who says He is. He is LORD.

But if God does not intervene, if my prayers are not answered, if no miracle comes, He is still LORD. He is still to be praised. This inalterable fact remains, “The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.”

After 4,000 funerals, after his hopes and dreams lay buried, for Martin Rinkart, God was still God. He was still LORD over all. He was still worthy of all praise and so he wrote:

            O may this bounteous God 
            Through all our life be near us,
            With ever joyful hearts
            And blessed peace to cheer us;
            And keep us in his grace,
            And guide us when perplexed,
            And free us from all ills
            In this world and the next.[1]

How shallow is your praise? Do you believe your world needs to be right before you praise God? Lift up your eyes for a moment. Lift them to the One, who was lifted up for you. Lift your eyes to the Father, who did not spare His Son, but sent him into a messed-up world to die upon a cross. Fix your eyes on Him, the bloodied fount of redemption. Fix your eyes on the one who said, “I am the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6).

Then, lift your voice in praise to God.

How shallow is your praise? Do you believe you need to feel right in order to praise right? After all, wouldn’t we be hypocritical if we were outwardly exuberant in praise to God, but our heart was not in it? Now in this instance, when we are speaking of our heart, we really mean our feelings. But if we see praise as a biblical command, our feelings are inconsequential. We are to praise God regardless of our feelings. Feelings come and go, but the goodness of God stands secure and unchanging. 

As residents of North America, we are a pampered lot. We live in affluence, materially rich, but mired in deep spiritual poverty. Gratification must be instant. Personal comfort trumps all other considerations. What do we know of hardship? In this sheltered atmosphere, praise for God grows like a spindly hothouse plant. Untested by hardship or the cold winds of adversity, our faith lacks depth. Our worship remains shallow.

If the music isn’t right on Sunday, we are incapable of praise. What an outrageous affront to God! True worship is so much more than a lip-synced ditty. It goes deeper. It flows higher. It breaks through our emotional indifference and reaches the heart of God.

The deepest praise is sacrificial. It floats heavenward on a sea of suffering. It confounds all logic and rises above whim or emotion.

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name (Hebrews 13:15).

True worship is born of the Spirit. Along with David, it invites all of heaven—all of creation to join in the chorus of praise.

Praise the LORD you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. Praise the LORD all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, O my soul!  

Bringing Life to the Psalms

  1. What does it mean to offer a sacrifice of praise? Have you faced times of hardship when you found it difficult to praise God? Were you able to offer praise?
  2. Read a biographical portrait of Martin Rinkart. There are several internet sites that provide a closer look at this man who knew how to praise God through adversity.
  3. Read or sing Rinkart’s great hymn, Now Thank we all our God. It’s a wonderful way to set free the wellspring of praise within you.
  1. Reread Psalm 103. Is it a hamburger, an express train, or both? Can you think of another metaphor that helps our minds to capture the magnificence of this psalm? What is God saying to you as you read this psalm?

[1] Now Thank We All Our God, words by Martin Rinkart (1586-1649), 1636. Translated by Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878), 1858 MIDI: Nun danket alle Gott (later form of melody by Johann Cruger, (1598-1662).


Today’s post is Chapter 17 from the book Psalms Alive! Connecting Heaven & Earth by David Kitz. To find out more or purchase click here.

 

Enter His Courts with Praise

21 Saturday Jun 2025

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I will praise the LORD!

Psalm 100

A psalm. For giving grateful praise.

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations. *

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

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 read from David Kitz.
Is a return-to-Jesus revival possible in our time?
This book points the way forward.
For details click here.

Jesus, the Rock That Saves

20 Friday Jun 2025

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Reading: Psalm 118:22-29
The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
the LORD has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
The LORD has done it this very day;
let us rejoice today and be glad.
LORD, save us! LORD, grant us success!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.
From the house of the LORD we bless you.
The LORD is God,
and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
up to the horns of the altar.
You are my God, and I will praise you;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever (NIV). *

A tree growing around a giant rock, Gatineau Park, QC — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
This final reading from Psalm 118 contains one of the most profound messianic prophecies of the Old Testament. The opening sentence carries great significance: The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes (v. 22-23).

The apostle Peter identifies Jesus as the stone the builders rejected. He adds that this rejection was due to disobedience and unbelief, and he quotes Isaiah 8:14 to prove his point. “[Jesus is] A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light (1 Peter 2:8-9).

Our reading from Psalm 118 paints a metaphoric picture of Christ’s Passion Week. When Jesus arrived triumphant in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, he was greeted by the crowds chanting this line from Psalm 118: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Matthew 21:9). But later, Jesus, the rock of our salvation, was rejected by the religious leadership. Metaphorically, he was taken up to the horns of the altar and there on a cruel wooden cross, the Lamb of God became our sacrificial offering.

But… but praise be to God! The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This same Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day, and now he offers forgiveness and salvation for all those who put their faith in him. He is our living rock—the rock that accompanied Israel through the wilderness. See 1 Corinthians 10:1-5. Jesus is the rock on which you can build your life—your cornerstone.

Response: Father God, I thank you for your prophetic word because it points to Jesus. Lord Jesus, you are the rock-solid foundation of my life. I give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! Amen.

Your Turn: Are you building on the Rock, which is Christ? What building materials are you using?

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

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* 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 read from David Kitz.
Is a return-to-Jesus revival possible in our time?
This book points the way forward.
For details click here.

Finding Courage Under Pressure

17 Tuesday Jun 2025

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Reading: Psalm 118:1-7
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Let Israel say:
“His love endures forever.”
Let the house of Aaron say:
“His love endures forever.”
Let those who fear the LORD say:
“His love endures forever.”
When hard pressed, I cried to the LORD;
he brought me into a spacious place.
The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
The LORD is with me; he is my helper.
I look in triumph on my enemies (NIV). *

Reflection
Psalm 118 is a psalm of thanksgiving and triumph, over adversaries and adversity. Many of the enemies we encounter have no human face; instead, they are life circumstances, worldly thinking, or schemes hatched in hell. We all have struggles and obstacles that we must overcome. The good news found in this psalm is that God is on our side. When we surrender to the LORD, we join the winning side. Then we can join the psalmist in this declaration: The LORD is with me; he is my helper (v. 7).

This psalm begins and ends with this statement: Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. From ancient times this psalm was likely used in public worship. It may well have been used in a kind of call and response with the priest or worship leader calling or singing out, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,” while the congregation answers back, “his love endures forever.”

I think at various times we all have experienced the truth of the following words: When hard pressed, I cried to the LORD (v. 5). If you have prepared for a semester-ending-round-of-exams, you know all about being hard pressed. If you have a crucial work deadline, you know all about being hard pressed. If you have spent countless days and hours preparing for a special event, you know all about being hard pressed. Life is full of hard-pressed moments. How we respond in those stressful situations is crucial to our development as citizens of earth and heaven.

In those high-pressure moments have you learned to cry out to the LORD? Have you experienced His help? Have you come out the other side as a stronger, more courageous person because you faced your fears? When you called out to God did He bring you through to victory? If the answer is yes, let these words become your response: He brought me into a spacious place. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? (v. 5-6)

Response: Father God, I am facing some deadlines and difficulties. But you are my helper, LORD. I call out to you. I want to triumph over the obstacles I face. I thank you in advance for the victory you have instore for me. Amen.

Your Turn: Has God helped you in a high-pressure situation? I would love to hear about your victory.

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

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* 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 read from David Kitz.
Is a return-to-Jesus revival possible in our time?
This book points the way forward.
For details click here.