Category Archives: Psalms

Depression / Discouragement, Learning To Pray Effectively, Psalms, Seeking God, Tribulation

Seeking Comfort in the Wilderness (Psalm 63)

Have you ever been through tough times and wished you had something to make you feel better?

Imagine feeling really thirsty in the middle of a hot desert and wanting a drink more than anything.

That’s how the writer of Psalm 63 felt, but he wasn’t looking for water; he was searching for something deeper—God’s presence.

(Summarized and continued after the scripture.)

Psalm 63

The Thirsting Soul Satisfied in God.

A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

     1O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly;
My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water.

      2Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.

      3Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips will praise You.

      4So I will bless You as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.

      5My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips.

      6When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches,

      7For You have been my help,
And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.

      8My soul clings to You;
Your right hand upholds me.

      9But those who seek my life to destroy it,
Will go into the depths of the earth.

      10They will be delivered over to the power of the sword;
They will be a prey for foxes.

      11But the king will rejoice in God;
Everyone who swears by Him will glory,
For the mouths of those who speak lies will be stopped.

Summary of Key Points:

  1. David’s Deep Longing for God: David strongly desired to be near God, similar to how we might deeply long for something important, such as finding true love or achieving our life’s purpose. This illustrates how essential God was in his life.
  2. The Desert as a Symbol: Imagine life being like a dry, empty desert, where you don’t have what you need. David used the desert as a way to explain how life can sometimes be really tough and challenging. He believed that God could help him, even in the hardest times.
  3. Looking for God’s Comfort: David made it a point to find God, even when he was in a tough spot. This teaches us that when things get rough, we should turn to God, just like talking to a good friend when you need help.
  4. Finding What Truly Matters: David realized that wanting God in his life was more important than all the other things people usually want, like fancy stuff or being famous. He learned that God could make him feel full and satisfied inside, even when things weren’t going well.

Think about times when you felt down or troubled. Reflect on how you handled that experience. Next time, try spending some quiet moments with God, either by praying, thinking about good things, or singing songs.

Share your experiences with your friends or family, and encourage them to do the same when they face tough times. Comment to share your experiences with others as well.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Hope, Justice / Judgment, Love, Psalms, Seeking God, Wickedness / Evil

Balancing Justice and Love – A Cry for Help Amidst Adversity

Embark on a poignant journey through Psalm 58, where David’s heartfelt cry for justice resounds in the face of pervasive injustice.

Join us as we explore the depths of this psalm, delving into the themes of righteousness, divine judgment, and the unwavering hope that even in the midst of darkness, justice prevails.

Additionally, we’ll draw connections to Matthew 5:38-48, exploring the tension between calling upon the Lord for justice and Christ’s call to love and pray for our enemies.

(Summarized and continued after the scriptures.)

Psalm 58

Prayer for the Punishment of the Wicked.

For the choir director; set to Al-tashheth. A Mikhtam of David.

      1Do you indeed speak righteousness, O gods?
Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men?

      2No, in heart you work unrighteousness;
On earth you weigh out the violence of your hands.

      3The wicked are estranged from the womb;
These who speak lies go astray from birth.

      4They have venom like the venom of a serpent;
Like a deaf cobra that stops up its ear,

      5So that it does not hear the voice of charmers,
Or a skillful caster of spells.

      6O God, shatter their teeth in their mouth;
Break out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD.

      7Let them flow away like water that runs off;
When he aims his arrows, let them be as headless shafts.

      8Let them be as a snail which melts away as it goes along,
Like the miscarriages of a woman which never see the sun.

      9Before your pots can feel the fire of thorns
He will sweep them away with a whirlwind, the green and the burning alike.

      10The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance;
He will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.

      11And men will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous;
Surely there is a God who judges on earth!”

Matthew 5: 38-48

      38“You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’ 39“But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40“If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. 41“Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42“Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.

      43“You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ 44“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47“If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Summary of Key Points:

  1. A Cry for Righteous Judgment: Psalm 58 opens with David’s passionate plea for a just and righteous judgment against the wicked. The psalm becomes a poignant reflection on the human longing for justice in a world marked by injustice.
  2. Divine Judgment and the Righteous Hope: Despite the prevailing injustice, Psalm 58 emphasizes the hope and trust in God’s righteous judgment. David’s confidence in divine justice becomes a beacon of assurance for those who grapple with the apparent triumph of the wicked.
  3. The Consequences of Wickedness: The psalm explores the ultimate fate of the wicked, emphasizing the inevitable consequences of their actions. This reflection on divine justice prompts consideration of the broader implications of one’s choices.
  4. Balancing Justice and Love: Drawing connections to Matthew 5:38-48, we’ll explore the tension between calling upon the Lord for justice and Christ’s radical call to love our enemies. While Psalm 58 reflects the acceptable cry for divine intervention, Matthew 5 challenges us to extend love and prayer even to those who may oppose us.

As we navigate the profound themes of Psalm 58 and its connection to Matthew 5:38-48, let’s reflect on our own yearning for justice in the face of injustice.

How can we maintain hope and trust in God’s righteous judgment while adhering to Christ’s call to love our enemies?

Share your thoughts on the call for justice, the consequences of unrighteous actions, and the transformative power of love and prayer.

Psalm 58 and Matthew 5 invite us to engage in a thoughtful exploration of justice, righteousness, and the enduring hope that, in the end, justice will prevail, not only for our sake but for the redemption of those who oppose us.

Join the conversation, and let’s delve together into the timeless truths embedded in these passages.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. John

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Faith / Trusting God, Guide, Obeying God, Protector / Deliverer, Psalms

The Fool Has Said in His Heart There Is No God

It is folly for man to reject God, and man left to his own folly inevitably embraces wickedness. It is not complicated. There is a Creator who made everything. He gives us an instruction book in the Bible. He tells us what is good and what is evil. His instructions are based on loving God and loving one another.

Matthew 22:38-40

38“This is the great and foremost commandment. 39“The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ 40“On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”

When we reject God and follow after our own path we end in sin and selfishness… in wickedness and folly.

Psalm 53

For the choir director; according to Mahalath. A Maskil of David.

      1The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God,”
They are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice;
There is no one who does good.

      2God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men
To see if there is anyone who understands,
Who seeks after God.

      3Every one of them has turned aside; together they have become corrupt;
There is no one who does good, not even one.

      4Have the workers of wickedness no knowledge,
Who eat up My people as though they ate bread
And have not called upon God?

      5There they were in great fear where no fear had been;
For God scattered the bones of him who encamped against you;
You put them to shame, because God had rejected them.

      6Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!
When God restores His captive people,
Let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

We each must choose a path… do we trust and obey in Jehovah and seek Him through Jesus Christ? or do we choose our own way?  One way is narrow and leads to life, and the other is broad and looks “fun” and leads to destruction.

Deuteronomy 11:26-28

  26“See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: 27the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I am commanding you today; 28and the curse, if you do not listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way which I am commanding you today, by following other gods which you have not known.

Matthew 7:13-14

13“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14“For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Which path will you choose? Once on the path, will you remain at the gate, or follow along the journey to grow closer to Christ? Just like the metaphor of the narrow path, to travel farther on this path we must wake up each day and decide in which direction we will travel that day. As trials and struggles come against us, we must choose to continue to move down that path. This is how we invite God to transform our lives and make us more like Jesus Christ. It is a journey of many small steps rather than a believer being magically changed all at once. It is a journey that lasts a lifetime and we never “finish” the journey, but it transforms us along the way!

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Courage / Fear, Peace / Rest, Protector / Deliverer, Psalms, Strong in Our Weakness, Suffering / Adversity

Be Still and Know that I am God! (Psalm 46)

During the storms in my life, I find encouragement in Psalm 46. A few years ago I focused primarily on 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God!” That was easy to remember and encouraged me to pause and remember that He is in control during my times of adversity.

However, now I see things I did not notice then. Truly I say to you… this is actually a powerful command when read in context.

1  God is our refuge and strength,
    always ready to help in times of trouble.
2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come
    and the mountains crumble into the sea.
3 Let the oceans roar and foam.
    Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!

4 A river brings joy to the city of our God,
    the sacred home of the Most High.
5 God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed.
    From the very break of day, God will protect it.
6 The nations are in chaos,
    and their kingdoms crumble!
God’s voice thunders,
    and the earth melts!
7 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
    the God of Israel is our fortress.

8 Come, see the glorious works of the Lord:
    See how he brings destruction upon the world.
9 He causes wars to end throughout the earth.
    He breaks the bow and snaps the spear;
    he burns the shields with fire.

10 “Be still, and know that I am God!
    I will be honored by every nation.
    I will be honored throughout the world.”

11 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
    the God of Israel is our fortress.

I am now amazed I ever missed it, but this is not any ordinary stressful day that is being highlighted here… but earthquakes, mountains tumbling into the sea, oceans roaring so forcefully that the mountains tremble.

The message is quite profound… no matter what circumstance we face or our world faces we can find peace in knowing that God is in control, God is bigger and stronger than any problem we may encounter.

I hope this word encourages you as much as it does me. This is a scripture that I suggest memorizing. Carry it in your heart to be ready for when the storms come.

Take a few minutes now to pray and give thanks to our Father for who He is and how He cares for us. Whatever you are experiencing, be still and know that He is God.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Humility, Kindness / Gentleness, Money / Finances / Wealth, Psalms, Purposeful / Intentional, Self Control

Timeless Lessons from Psalm 39 for a Meaningful Life

Psalm 39 focuses on a few important themes we an apply to our lives today.

Life passes quickly. How we choose to spend it is important. Truly as we reflect, our natural tendency to strive for material wealth and accomplishment does not bring a harvest that is as lasting and important as we hope for.

We must cultivate mindfulness and a sense of urgency in how we live our lives. Focus on what truly matters, such as our relationships with others, acts of kindness, and positively impacting the world. Instead of getting consumed by temporary gains, we can strive to live a life of purpose and meaning, aware that our time here is limited.

Additionally, we should guard our speech. Especially, in the age of social media and digital interactions, the words we use can spread quickly and have a significant impact. Being mindful of our speech and using it to build others up rather than tear them down is a valuable lesson from Psalm 39 that can contribute to a more compassionate and understanding society.

Psalm 39

The Vanity of Life.

For the choir director, for Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

1I said, “I will guard my ways
That I may not sin with my tongue;
I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle
While the wicked are in my presence.”

      2I was mute and silent,
I refrained even from good,
And my sorrow grew worse.

      3My heart was hot within me,
While I was musing the fire burned;
Then I spoke with my tongue:

      4“LORD, make me to know my end
And what is the extent of my days;
Let me know how transient I am.

      5“Behold, You have made my days as handbreadths,
And my lifetime as nothing in Your sight;
Surely every man at his best is a mere breath.

Selah.

      6“Surely every man walks about as a phantom;
Surely they make an uproar for nothing;
He amasses riches and does not know who will gather them.

      7“And now, Lord, for what do I wait?
My hope is in You.

      8“Deliver me from all my transgressions;
Make me not the reproach of the foolish.

      9“I have become mute, I do not open my mouth,
Because it is You who have done it.

      10“Remove Your plague from me;
Because of the opposition of Your hand I am perishing.

      11“With reproofs You chasten a man for iniquity;
You consume as a moth what is precious to him;
Surely every man is a mere breath.

Selah.

      12“Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry;
Do not be silent at my tears;
For I am a stranger with You,
A sojourner like all my fathers.

      13“Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may smile again
Before I depart and am no more.”

Remember the brevity of life and to live with intention, mindfulness, and kindness towards others. By doing so, we can make the most of our time and leave a positive legacy behind.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.