July 26, 2025

Sometimes God calls you into His presence in the wee hours of the morning, especially when your soul is restless. During trials, we often find ourselves in despair, and although we may have fallen asleep after a long day, our heart still recalls the events of the previous day. So, if I'm ever awakened, those days' events come rushing into my mind. When I finally give in, get out of bed, and pour out my heart in prayer, then open the scriptures, I realize how closely God is watching over me. Am I living out these scriptures to make these devotionals more heartfelt? Probably. Even Jesus lived out the scriptures written about him. When I realized that's what was happening, I broke into tears because it was then clear how close God was and how He was orchestrating the events of my life for a purpose, not only the good and happy times, but even the seemingly cruel and harsh times. 

So when I told someone that God was on my side, I was not wrong. I have no fear of name-dropping my Father; He is always with me, and yes, He is on my side. If God doesn't show up to prove it right away, they will say, "Where is your God?" The wicked may not feel His recompense now, but they will, guaranteed! 

David was away from the tabernacle and longed for the presence of God, and his enemies asked him the same question: "Where is your God?" 

My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? Psalms 42:2-3

We know that eventually David came into his kingdom and was triumphant. I expect the same for us. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning! Count on it.

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. Psalms 42:11

July 25, 2025

Have you ever dealt with someone so wicked that you wonder if they have a soul? Be grateful if you haven't. They are the most manipulative and cunning characters, and with their words, they can make you feel that they are sincere. However, behind your back, they collude with others of their same mindset to try to trap you or discredit you. When God gives you discernment into their plans, you become disappointed and overwhelmed with grief that you fell into their trap. How can they be so cruel? If they know you are a Christian, they will use that as a jab towards you to others; I've heard it said with my own ears, "How can they call themselves Christians?" That is probably one of the most hurtful things we can hear someone say, especially when you try so hard to be good to others. 

David was sick, and his enemies, whom he thought were his friends, were trying to harm him and ruin his reputation, and were hoping for his death.

Here is how he handled it, and it is a good lesson for us on how to deal with our own situation:

1. He prayed that they might be disappointed. "But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them." Psalms 41:10
2. He reassured himself that they would be disappointed because he knew God favored him. Though we are to take no pleasure in the fall of our enemies, we can take pleasure in their plans being frustrated. "By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me." Psalms 41:11
3. He depended on God to deliver him out of his enemy's hands. "And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever." Psalms 41:12

July 24, 2025

If you cannot find Jesus in the Old Testament, pray that God opens your eyes. Although it is David writing this psalm, we can imagine Jesus standing silent before his wicked accusers in the very first verse of Psalm 39. 

I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. Psalms 39:1

David gives us a prayer to pray or a song to sing to open our hearts to God when we are overtaken by those who try to ruin us. However, it is also a reminder not to complain, which is hard when God is your counselor and He knows every detail of your issues, but maybe that’s the point. We don’t need to complain because He already knows and has a plan to redeem us. I liken this to a child who sees the candy and has a fit because they want to eat it now, but they haven’t had their supper yet, so it is withheld from them until the right time. We know that God has our best interests at heart, and we trust Him; however, in moments of pressure, we often forget and lose hope. None of us is immune to such behavior when facing challenges. As strong as David was, he cried out to God with his concern, but don’t we all run to Daddy when things get tough?

Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. Psalms 39:12

July 23, 2025

We know that David sinned against God when he took Bathsheba and got her pregnant. He also sinned against Uriah by taking his wife and having him sent to the front lines of war to be killed after his plot to cover it up failed. Then we must consider whether Bathsheba was a willing participant. David was the king so did she welcome his advances or was she apprehensive? We don’t know the answer because the Bible doesn’t say, but we do know that David was very remorseful of his actions and was chastised by God, because in Psalms 38, he cries out to Him in repentance. David was afflicted with bodily pain, his friends deserted him, and was mentally anguished of this grievous sin. This psalm teaches us how to repent. If you feel like you are reaping what you have sown in sin, it might be time to reach out to God in heartfelt repentance. David gives us the perfect psalm as an example of what it sounds like to grieve over our sin and cry out to God in remorse. If you don’t have the words, pray this psalm to start off and then your own words will flow out and be known by God. As a side note: you should repent daily whether you think you have sinned or not, because you might be sinning unknowingly. 

There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness. Psalms 38:3-5

 

July 22, 2025

The anxiety that circumstances bring can be overwhelming. The heart and nerves feel every thought and respond by shutting us down in a state of doom and gloom. But God, in His infinite mercy, sees us and comforts us with calming words of assurance. These times are only temporary, even though they may feel long and drawn out; they are only a blip on the screen of life. Our lives are more valuable than the momentary feeling of loss. God will rise and avenge our situation, and we will feel His power surge through our veins, giving us hope. This is a wicked world, and tentacles of the evil one will even capture those we love and use them against us for his benefit, and try to discourage us from seeking the good in the Lord. What he fails to understand is that we are under the wings of the Almighty, and He will break his plans to devour us and give us a triumphant win and cast him down. Trust that God keeps His promises.

O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart. Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me. There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise. Psalms 36:10-12

July 21, 2025

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where the people you are contending with lie about you to further their own cause? This kind of situation occurs frequently, especially among Christ-followers. The enemy has designed plans against us and will use whatever means necessary to make us look bad and sully our testimony in the eyes of unbelievers, so they find us and other Christians noxious to keep those unbelievers from turning to Jesus. During David’s flight from Saul, he expressed his feelings about his situation in Psalms 35. They lied about him, and traps were laid out to capture him. However, when you are going through a season where you have those rooting against you, like David did, and are using whatever means necessary, especially with evil intentions against you, pray this psalm. I prayed this psalm during a time when we were dealing with a situation where some individuals were working against the good in us to further their own financial interests, and they were using the life of another person as leverage. The enemy turned this soul into a tool, and that tool needed to be snatched out of his hands. 

Pray this psalm when evil people have plans against you. It is so good! Here is an excerpt:

Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt. Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them. Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them. Psalms 35:4-6

July 20, 2025

We should praise the Lord because we want to, but if ever there was a reason outside of His magnificence, it is because praise is powerful over the enemy’s design for our failure. 

Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. Psalms 33:1

Read this verse and then think about how you can triumph over your worldly problems simply by glorifying God and giving Him the praise He desires:

The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. Psalms 33:10

Are you hearing what God is telling you in this verse? The enemy’s torment will not affect you unless you let it. Rely on God and overcome whatever the enemy throws at you through singing praises to Him. That’s not all, though; let this verse sink in:

To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Psalms 33:19

If God calls you home, nothing will stop Him, but if we are left in this world during a tormenting time, we will not die because of famine. While the world waits for the next shoe to drop, we praise the Lord for His goodness and mercy, and in turn, He will keep us alive during famine. Stop fretting over what is to come; we can count on God to pull us through even the most harsh of times. 

For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Psalms 33:21

July 19, 2025

The closer you get to a promise being fulfilled by God, the more treacherous the path becomes. The enemy becomes riled and throws obstacles in your way to dishearten and dissuade you from continuing in the direction God has chosen for you. Don’t get discouraged; lives are counting on you to be faithful to God’s calling on your life. Even though traps are set and lying tongues spew hatred, stay the course and commit your spirit to God. It is He who will give you the strength to continue just as he did for Jesus when he said these words as he was hanging on the cross.

Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength. Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. Psalms 31:4-5

Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous. Psalms 31:18

You walk with God daily, yet your enemies counsel together, and if they could, they would take away your life. However, you stand firm in the faith that God will deliver you out of their hands, causing you to become victorious because you trust in the One who gave you the plans. Stand firm in the strength of God, and He will deliver you from the hands of the enemy. 

O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD. Psalms 31:23-24

July 18, 2025

We cannot help who we are surrounded by when we go to work. You will find a mix of sinners and saved in every business, even in a church business. However, when it is our choice of whom we spend our time, we should have integrity and refrain from surrounding ourselves with people who make it their mission to go against God. We need to be able to speak freely of the goodness of God without the worry of being mocked or belittled, even though it may happen, even in Christian circles. David penned Psalm 26, expressing his innocence in this matter.

I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked. Psalms 26:4-5

David tells us what every parent tells their children: you are who you hang around with. He didn’t keep company with bad people, so he wouldn’t be accused of participating in their behavior. We would do well to follow his lead and try to keep the company of others who love the Lord. When, and if at all possible, surround yourself with like-minded individuals so you keep your testimony intact. And like David, tell everyone of the goodness of God.

That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. Psalms 26:7

July 17, 2025

As I was speaking to someone and teaming up with them, who had always seen me as their enemy, I confidently asked them, 'Who is on our side?' She quietly, but reluctantly, said, "God." The battle we are facing has already been won because we have patiently waited for God to work out the challenging issues. Whatever happens is purely God's will, but we are here to be His hands and feet in the flesh, doing His bidding because we've left ourselves open to take the necessary steps that He has called us to take. How do you get to the point where you place your confidence in God alone? By staying repentant, worshiping Him, praising his holiness, and being obedient to His call. 

In Psalms 25, David reached out to God and confidently prayed:

Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. Psalms 25:1-2

He continued his prayer with repentance, sincerely praying for guidance and instruction on how to proceed. He sought God, knowing that He would keep him secure and pluck him out of his enemies' hands, those who hate him passionately. We can be assured that God will also keep us out of the hands of our enemies and work out every detail to His advantage, and in the process give us the upper hand. 

July 16, 2025

Nothing thrills my heart more than to write about Jesus! David wrote about him without even knowing it. Psalms 22 points to Jesus’ suffering and dying on the cross. Those who deny him, especially of the Jewish faith, only do so out of ignorance because the words of this song point to Jesus and the words he spoke as he was hanging on the cross. It also depicts the actions of those around him as they divided his clothes and cast lots for them. Even the heckling he received is alluded to by the spectators telling him that if he were the son of God, why didn’t he take himself off the cross? This entire psalm happened during the crucifixion. Some commentators think that he probably recited the whole psalm, if only to himself. 

Take comfort in knowing that when you think God isn’t hearing your prayers, Jesus felt the same way when hanging on the cross. He cried out in pain to his Father, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” God turned his eyes away from His son because of our sins, that he bore upon the cross, but once those sins were burned up in the pit of hell, he awakened from the dead. Jesus was resurrected to become our King and Savior. The Old Testament and New Testament agree that Jesus is the Son of God and that He is the Savior of all humanity; we will all bow before Him in reverence, whether we are lost or saved. Feel privileged that God chose you as part of His kingdom. 

All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations. Psalms 22:27-28

July 15, 2025

King David starts off Psalms 21 with praise and blessings to God for his salvation and for God blessing him with all the desires of his heart. 

The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah. Psalms 21:1-2

Then, further in the chapter, he describes the fate of his enemies; those who are against him and ultimately against God Himself. This psalm gives us a glimpse into the torment God’s enemies will face in the future; they may be living it up right now, but their future is nothing but heat and fire. Not only will they face the fiery pit of hell, but they will burn from their own heat because their consciences will create hell and torment them when they reflect on their own actions. David held nothing back in the song. He expressed his thanksgiving and rebuked his enemies by giving them a glimpse into their future.  

Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them. Psalms 21:9

If you are wondering when we will finally see the recompense of the wicked, wait for it, for it will surely come, and they will be forever regretful. 

July 14, 2025

We’ve all been there, and maybe you are going through it now, where the enemy is pursuing you, you’re on the run, and all you want to do is rest. David was on the run from Saul, and he prayed that he wouldn’t slip and be overtaken. He asked God to disappoint his pursuers, who have all their needs fulfilled on earth. David had set his eyes upon God, knowing that there is more to life than material wealth and that they have so much that they will end up leaving it all to their children. David reminded God that he looks to Him for his satisfaction rather than relying on physical things.

If the enemy is on your heels, reach out to God and pray Psalm 17. David was an eloquent wordsmith and put together speeches that made the enemy cringe; however, those words can help give our hearts a reprieve to calm our weary minds. Not only that, but the words are a way to plead with God to activate his help. We may not need to ask God’s help because we are His children, and He wants to help us. However, speaking the words out loud to Him in prayer confirms to us that He answers our cries because He loves us. Praying and getting an answer gives us a testimony to share God’s faithfulness with others.

Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword: From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in thislife, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes. As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. Psalms 17:13-15

July 13, 2025

During Peter’s speech, which drew 3000 people to learn about Jesus and increase the number of Christ-followers that day, he quoted from Psalms 16, a passage directly related to a prophecy David made about Jesus in this song. Jesus delivered our sins to hell, but he did not stay there; he went to the dump, dropped off our sins, and came back. Not only that, but he didn’t lie in the grave long enough for his body to deteriorate and become corrupt. Luke included Peter’s speech in the Book of Acts, which became part of his defense for Christianity, and proved that the story of Jesus was trustworthy and true. When trying to prove your case and you include portions of the Old Testament when defending your belief that Jesus is the Messiah, you may be able to convince those in the same lineage as Him, to believe that the Messiah has already come, they missed Him, but there is still time for them to accept His incredible gift. However, most of their hearts are so hardened against Jesus that penetrating them, as with anyone, is an act that can only be accomplished by the Holy Spirit. Don’t give up, be obedient and try anyway, but leave the results to God.

I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalms 16:8-11

July 12, 2025

King David asked a question of God: 

LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? Psalms 15:1

David then follows by answering the question. They are upright, righteous, and tell the truth. He does not speak ill or rebuke his neighbor. He despises a vile person, but honors those who fear the Lord.

Of course, I pick out the bad stuff to focus on! A vile person is despised. Well, what do you think about that? Can you love someone and despise them at the same time? I suppose a vile person is a friend of the devil, so we don’t want to link with them in our dealings. However, it’s easy to pick out those who love Jesus, because their dealings are upright and their hearts are set towards the Lord. As Christ-followers, we know the only way to Heaven is through Jesus, and those who love him will eventually grow to resemble him. However, we still live in Satan’s territory, and will sometimes inadvertently sin against God, but we have a Savior who paid the price for all our transgressions, so we can rest assured that one day we will dwell with Him on His holy hill. What a comforting thought. 

July 11, 2025

We've all had times of trials where we felt defeated and wondered where God was and why He hadn't come to our rescue. When we feel overwhelmed and distraught, having reached the depths of our sorrow, we finally turn to God and pour out our hearts to Him. It's similar to when you have a project at home that requires a professional to complete, but you think you can fix the problem yourself, then realize you don't have the tools or resources to do the job. When you've tried everything to no avail and finally reach out to the only One who can remedy your situation, it's then that you discover God was always there. Still, we were trying to make the repairs on our own, rather than going to Him for the solution. If you feel God has left you, maybe it's time to surrender your problems to Him and allow Him to solve them. Just releasing our cares to Him will bring about the peace and calm that we all long to have. Open your heart, reach out to God. He's been waiting for you to call on Him. 

How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? Psalm 13:1

But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13:5-6

July 10, 2025

If ever there was a song to describe the happenings of today, it is Psalm 12. It is clear that David was dealing with Saul when he wrote this song, but because it is God-breathed and the living word, it gives us a snapshot of our lives in this world now. We have seen with our own eyes the corruption of the church, where wicked men have sullied the reputation of the church by their greed and hardness of hearts. It makes an honest person wonder where to turn because we know we cannot count on anything when everything is corrupt. We don’t know the truth about history or the truth about current events. Much of what we see or hear has been shrouded in lies and theatrics, making it even harder to discern the difference between good and evil. When I was a bank teller, they didn’t give us counterfeit money to learn the difference between it and the real thing. No, we handled real money so that when the counterfeit was presented, we could feel when something was off. You must study the truth to know when lies are prevailing. The only truth we can count on is God’s Word. 

The end of this Psalm is a pure expression of love; God reminds us that He will preserve us in safety. We are in His hands, and He will protect us and redeem us from this world.

Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. Psalms 12:1

For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him. Psalms 12:5

July 9, 2025

If you didn’t know this already, our fight against wickedness is an ongoing battle. It may seem that God has left us to fight for ourselves, but know that He sees what’s going on. There are moments of peace amidst the fight given to us by God. Did you know that when you are facing adversity, and you begin to pray about it, God has already prepared your heart in advance of the battle? He sees the plight of His people against an evil world, knows when the adversary plans to strike, and gets us ready to seek Him. He helps us keep in mind that our enemy’s time is short, is already headed to the grave, and is merely a man who has fallen under temptation. When God says the word, Satan must stop and restrain himself from continuing his fight against us. Be encouraged, God is with us even when He seems distant. He is mightier than any plan the enemy has, and he will stop them in due time. 

I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; Isaiah 51:12

LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress. Psalms 10:17-18

July 8, 2025

Don't you love it when you learn something new? I haven't made any changes to my morning worship and study routine in many years — until now. I will now read a psalm as part of my time with God. I have never felt such a rush of emotion over the scriptures as I had until I started the deep dive into the Psalms. They are sweet and savory to the tastebuds, filling like meat, and satisfying like dessert. They are comforting like the breath of God in a gentle breeze. I'm giddy about this study! Worshipping through the Psalms is worship like I've never experienced. You will not regret adding a psalm to your day. I don't know how many times I've read through my Bible, but it wasn't until I decided to slow down and study the chapters thoroughly that I learned the most. If you don't do anything else today, open your Bible to a Psalm and worship God through the words explicitly created to worship Him. We can sing the first verse of Psalm 8 because it's an old hymn; I say 'old' because I remember singing this song in church when I was a kid. Maybe you remember it, too. 

Oh Lord, Our Lord

How Majestic Is Your Name In All The Earth

Oh Lord, Our Lord

How Majestic Is Your Name In All The Earth

Oh Lord, We Praise Your Name Oh Lord, We Magnify Your Name Prince Of Peace, Mighty God Oh Lord, God Almighty

Oh Lord, Our Lord

How Majestic Is Your Name In All The Earth

Oh Lord, Our Lord

How Majestic Is Your Name In All The Earth

Oh Lord, We Praise Your Name Oh Lord, We Magnify Your Name Prince Of Peace, Mighty God Oh Lord, God Almighty 2]

To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. Psalms 8:1

July 7, 2025

David cried out to God in a psalm and asked Him to deliver him from the hands of Absalom, his son, who wanted him dead so he could take over his throne. This situation was a consequence David faced because of what he had done to Uriah when he found out Bathsheba was pregnant and sent him to the front line of battle, knowing Uriah would be killed and not know about his wife’s pregnancy. David had sent the Ark of the Covenant back into the city, so David knew that being away from the Ark didn’t take away his connection with God. 

There are days when you face such a harsh reality and a troubled heart that you can’t find the words for prayer. Yes, the Lord knows your heart, but there are times when you need to open your mouth and let the words fall out so He can hear your sincerity. It’s in those cases that you should open your Bible and find a psalm that closely relates to your problem and sing it or read it out loud in faith that He will hear you and come to your rescue. Who else can we always count on when trouble abounds? Remember, David knew God still loved him even though he had sinned. Make that truth a reality in your mind, so you never doubt God’s love for you, even if you sin. Sing or speak aloud your prayer so God knows it comes from deep within your heart.

But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. Psalms 3:3-4