August 23, 2025

We are our own worst enemy. God loves us and has given us every opportunity to submit to Him and follow His will for us, but we are so hard-headed that we want to have things our way, which causes us so much harm. If we would only live the way He intended for us, He would subdue our enemies and would never let us go hungry. If you think about it, those of us who love the Lord and cherish our moments with Him may not have perfect lives, but we can endure when the enemy tries to oppress us. That is something magnificent to be thankful for. 

Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries. The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever. He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee. Psalms 81:13-16

As of today, August 23, we are one month away from the Feast of Trumpets. According to some commentators, it is the one feast that Jesus hasn't fulfilled. So, every year at this time, I begin looking for my redemption because I expect that Jesus will make his appearance during this time of year. Do we know for sure that this feast hasn't been fulfilled? No, we don't, but then again, we can't be sure about anything except that God is our creator, Jesus is our redeemer, that we are dearly loved, and the Bible is the only truth we can count on, yet it is full of mysteries. Therefore, we wait with anticipation because our redemption draweth nigh. Get your house in order and wait patiently, as the exact day and hour may vary due to moon phases. However, if you pay attention, you'll be able to recognize the season. Stay awake, watch, keep oil in your lamp, and be ready because God could call us home at any moment. I'm excited, are you?

And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Luke 21:28

Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day. Psalms 81:8 

August 22, 2025

Terrible things were happening to God’s people in Jerusalem. They were being slain by the sword, their blood pouring into the streets, and their bodies left for the animals to devour. They were not allowed to give them a proper burial. It is possible that Psalms 79 was written in remembrance of when Nebuchadnezzar and the Chaldeans destroyed the temple. The people were distraught over being treated so poorly. They cried out to God in distress, begging Him to make Himself known so that the Chaldeans could see that He was with them. It is a very sad psalm in which they plead for mercy and for God to save them. Knowing that the ones writing this psalm were probably some of God’s best servants, you feel for them because they are the ones who’ve stayed in close contact with God through the good times and the bad times. They can’t help that their fellow citizens had brought on this tragedy by their behavior against God. Still, they ask for mercy so that they not be massacred because of them. We would do well to continue to pray for our country and God’s people that his wrath be limited to those who are against Him and that we not become collateral damage in the process. He loves us and will protect those He loves. We can count on it, but we must make our request known to Him.

Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake. Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed. Psalms 79:9-10

August 21, 2025

The psalms were to help Israel remember their history; it is much easier to recall when it has a tune. Psalms 78 is a history lesson from Moses to David, and if they could remember the song, it would remind them of their history. It covers all the good that God had done for them as well as His rebuke of them. It would be beneficial for us to remember not only God's goodness but also His chastisement of us. Those memory stones, or in our case, where we've written them in a book, are so essential for us to keep so we don't ever forget God's mercies. We always remember the verse that says that God will never leave us or forsake us, but we never look back to see that He got so mad that He left Israel to their own demise:

When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel: So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men; And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy's hand. He gave his people over also unto the sword; and was wroth with his inheritance. Psalms 78:59-62

Don't get too cozy in your sin! He may not leave you or forsake you, but He will rebuke you. Don't disappoint God; give Him the respect He deserves. If you have iniquity that you cherish, you might be in danger of God stepping back from you and allowing you to wallow in it. Remember whose you are and remember who He is. If God says it is a sin, it is a sin. Run, do not walk, and seek forgiveness through Jesus, and turn your back on sinfulness. 

August 20, 2025

If you feel melancholy or are dealing with depression, know that even the psalmist of the Bible, who worshipped God through songs and instruments, had days like that, too. Sometimes we go through a rough patch in life and wonder if God is still with us or if He has abandoned us to our demise. It’s not hard to feel some kind of way when you look around at what is happening in the world; the things of the world spill over into our daily lives, causing us to have difficulty and stress. An example might be the price of food. Nowadays, it is enough to get a grip on your finances and make you feel down about your situation. Many other things can contribute to being downhearted, but we are most disheartened when God seems quiet. It is during such a time that you need to look back at the milestones in your life where God poured out His blessings upon you, especially when His voice was clear and understood, and when He answered your prayers. Life is not always bad, so make it a point to pull up those memories of the special times; that will help you hold firmly to your faith that He is still with you, even when you don’t sense his presence. 

And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. Psalms 77:10-11

August 19, 2025

When God gives us a victory, we should shout it from the rooftops and exalt his name. Some commentators think that Psalms 76 was written by Asaph after a win against the Assyrians, who were led by Sennacherib. It explains that God broke their weapons and put their horses and chariots to sleep. Was that metaphorical, or did God actually break their weapons and put the horses to sleep? I don’t know, but it makes for an interesting song. The main point is that when the enemy comes after the meek, meaning the people of God, He stands up for them, making the way for victory, and judges those who are causing the trouble. However, it is our duty to offer worship, praise, and thanksgiving to Him, the maker of heaven and earth, who comes through for us when the enemy presses us. 

Are we approaching total victory in Jesus? Is his return sooner than you think? Each year, during the Feast of Trumpets, which day or hour is never known because it depends on when the first sliver of the moon is seen, I wait in expectation every year for the appearance of our Savior, and this year is no different, but with even more expectation than ever before. Although the exact day may not be known, September 23 is approximately the time the Feast of Trumpets begins. Make sure you are ready and your lamp filled with oil, in case our Lord and Savior brings our ultimate victory!

Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared. He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth. Psalms 76:11-12

August 18, 2025

We have so much to look forward to! Even though times are tough right now, there is a time coming when God will trample all the evil of this world, and those who love the Lord will be exalted. There are a couple of words in Psalms 75 that need to be defined:

Horn - refers to power. So when "horn" is used in a manner not attributed to an animal, it means power.

Dregs - are the sediment at the bottom of the barrel.

It is comforting to know that those who've sought to destroy the regular people and take everything for themselves will be dealt with, with the heavy hand of God, and that they won't get away with the mischief they've caused. In this psalm, the word of God says that the wicked will not be able to lift their horns; those horns will be cut off, and they will drink the dregs! If they are thirsty enough, they will drink from the bottom of the barrel. Yuck! This psalm makes it very clear that God is the One who sets up governmental power, whether good or bad; He has a use for both. We can rest easy knowing that God is in control and He will avenge and make whole those who are oppressed. This is good news for the people of God.

But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them.

But I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.

All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted. Psalms 75:7-10

August 17, 2025

There is always One you can count on to help you get through trials, God our Father. Though at times the road we travel may seem difficult and full of obstacles, and may seem lengthy and unending, we can expect that God is right there with us through every step of the way. Why does He let the ones he loves go through such challenging times? We can't always be sure, but what we can be sure of is that it brings us into communion with Him when otherwise we might be settled and forget Him when we are at ease. Think about it: how often do you pray when you are happy and settled? However, when times get tough and you are facing trouble, you call on Him several times throughout your day, rather than only during your morning and evening prayers. 

Some believe that Psalms 74 was written after Nebuchadnezzar's destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, when Asaph cried out to God for help, asking how long He would cast off His sheep. It is a reminder to invoke God's memory when asking Him to intervene in our troubles. It would also be a good idea to stir up your own memory to make sure you haven't left any sin on the table that might be causing you a rough time. Ask God; He will remind you of that sin so you can repent. 

Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O LORD, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name. O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever. Psalms 74:18-19

 

Food for thought: Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and winter. Psalms 74:17