Month: June 2026

David had many of the same thoughts we read about throughout the entire Bible!  But in contrast to these, David anchors his thoughts with this comment: “I want to do what pleases you, my God. Your law dominates my thoughts.” Is this true of you and me? Does the Word dominate our thoughts and then proceed to our actions? If that were true, then we would not be like Sodom and Gomorrah’s residents. But, the call of the evil one is ever  before us and we often do not reject it as we saw in the life of Lot. Peter says he is righteous but they who are righteous choose to not follow their ways. Psalm 1 gives us the standards: we choose to not walk, stand or sit in the counsel of the unrighteous. 

I struggle with Peter’s assessment of Lot, do you? I have to trust God in this.

And then we have this verse: “enemies ask this cruel question about me, “When will he finally die and be forgotten?”  The Pharisees were like this. They wanted to not have Christ before them but He is here and He is not forgotten! Praise God for that truth. 

We go through our days often without thinking about what is next or if we are safe. How often we just go here and there without thinking or praising God for our safety?

David reminded his readers that “ The angel of the Lord camps around the Lord’s loyal followers and delivers them.” Stop and ponder that word: camps. It means He who is the author and protector of our salvation, “The Angel of the Lord” (v. 7) is undoubtedly a reference to the Lord Himself. 

Remember what He told Gideon? Jdg 6:12 The angel of the Lord appeared and said to him, “The Lord is with you, courageous warrior!”  Gideon did not see himself this way but God did! God is the Angel but also has his angelic forces that surround us to protect us. Not only does He send his angels to camp around us but He delivers us. There is a condition of course. One must be a loyal follower. I often stop at this verse and think of Gideon who was fearful of the Midianites, but just as the Lord promised, Gideon and his forces were protected. Gideon and his armor bearer were able to sneak into the camp during the night as the enemies slept. Then they knew God was for them and against the Midianites!  Jdg 8:28 The Israelites humiliated Midian; the Midianites’ fighting spirit was broken. AND! The land had rest for 40 years during Gideon’s time.

Who today is feeling fearful or is going about his/her day but could use this as God’s  present day promise? 

Once again as we read these psalms one overarching theme is to seek God for He is the heart of what is true, right and pure. David knows his sin is grievous and He is without hope minus God. God reveals all that is right and all that is wrong. “My heart tells me to pray to you, and I do pray to you, O Lord.” Is this where we begin when the Spirit reveals to us our wayward ways or our purity and integrity? It is through prayer that God speaks to our heart through the indwelling Holy Spirit. 

The psalmist writes: The Lord is both kind and fair; that is why he teaches sinners the right way to live. Apart from that principle we are of all men most miserable for we seek our own way not His. “May he show the humble what is right. May he teach the humble his way.” It begins with the principle of being humble before God. 

Today as you walk the path that God has for you, begin there. May your prayers be open to what God has to say. Our hearts tells us to pray. What is your heart telling you this morning as you with God? The chorus reminds us:  may it be a sweet sweet sound in Your ear. 

That is the question asked by the psalmist. He answers: He is the Lord God Almighty who is the Creator of heaven and earth. He holds the universe in the palm of His hand. He is ever before us in beauty and holiness. Yet He left that place of comfort and peace to come to a world where men flogged him and put a crown of thorns on His head. Why did He come? It was to redeem mankind who have lost their way. Who is this Majestic King? He is the Lord God Almighty. We are to share these truths with the next generation that they may know Him! And revere Him! And love Him! 

Who is this Majestic King? He is our Shepherd who guards us, leads us to quiet waters, to pleasant lands of soft green grass and where we can lie down in peace and quietness to meditate on Him. “You are holy; you sit as king receiving the praises of Israel.“ 

Today as we begin our week, stop and ponder this question and seek your answer from His Holy Word. Find peace and quietness beside the still waters. Lie down in the sweet smelling green grass. Meditate on these thoughts as you begin and end each new day.