Psalms written mostly by David capture the essence of what it means to walk daily with God. The first six psalms form a fitting introduction to the entire Psalter; emphasing the importance of meditating on God’s Word and constantly being devoted in prayer. And Psa 7-20 show the importance of Seeking and Trusting the Lord..
On Monday, we learn from Ps 1 that God Promises Fruitfulness. On Tuesday, we learn from Ps 4 that God Hears When We Call. On Wed, we learn from Psalm 9 that God Is Our Refuge In Trouble. On Thursday, we learn from Ps 16 that God Shows Way & Gives Joy. On Friday, we learn from Psalm 18 that God Gives Strength & Security. On Sat, we learn from Psalm 20 that God Will Come & Save You.
Let us humble ourselves and pray and seek His face. Help us O God be Christ’s disciples who Adore You: For You are worthy of our Praise as You are Our Refuge In Trouble and that You Hear When We Call. For You are worthy of our Thanks as You Promise Fruitfulness and that You Show Way & Gives Joy. For You Give Strength & Security and that You Will Come & Save. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Backgrounder: The Lord can be seen in different roles in Ps 19-24. He is the Creator (Psalm 19), the Helper (Ps 20), the King (Ps 21), Crucified One (Ps 22), the Shepherd (Ps 23) & the Glorious One (Ps 24). For each role, there is a related responsibility for the people who would follow Him as their God and King, Shepherd and Sovereign.
Lord, we Trust You’ll Come & Save: In times of trouble, may the Lord respond to your cry. May God… keep you safe from all harm. May He send you help from His sanctuary… May He grant your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans… May the Lord answer all your prayers (Psa 20:1-5). Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God Save Lord! (Jehovah Hoshiah) May the King answer us when we call (Psalm 20:7-9).
Lord, we cry out to You about the relationship, finance or health situation we are so concerned. Hear from heaven & answer us! Send help from Your sanctuary & rescue us by Your great power! Grant also our heart’s desires. Thanks for hearing & responding to the cries of Your people. Amen
Lord Jehovah Hoshiah, You are the God who saves Your people from the miry pit and crowns them with Your lovingkindness. You hold all things together; and You alone have the power to save. Thank You for saving us from sins by sending Your Son Jesus Christ. Thank You for saving us when we call on You. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Lord Jehovah Hoshiah, look with tender mercy and save. Thanks for healing my wounds and covering them with loving grace. Give me eyes to see where You’re leading me and a compassionate heart toward others who are experiencing challenges of life. And use me to encourage someone as You have encouraged me. Amen.
Backgrounder on Psalms 13-18: In sharp contrast to the fate of the fool who denies God’s existence(14) many blessings accrue to those who serve God wholeheartedly: joy (Ps13), fellowship with God (15), satisfaction (16), preservation (17) & confidence in facing future (Ps18). Psalm 18 was written by David on the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of his enemies.
Lord, we place our Trust In You: I will love You O Lord my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my Deliverer; My God my strength In Who I Will Trust. My shield and the strength of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; for He saves me from my enemies (Ps 18:1-3). In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice (Ps 18:6). You armed me with strength for battle; You made my adversaries bow at my feet (Psalm 18:39). Blessed be my Rock! Let the God of my salvation be exalted (v46).
Lord, be my rock and source of security when I am in difficulties. In You I find protection; for You are my stronghold & I need nothing else. Be my strength when I am weak. Be my shield of protection from those who seek to harm me. Be the strength of my salvation when I call upon You; and I will ever praise You for You are worthy. Amen
Lord, reassuring that You are a God that hears and answers prayers. Thank You that You act on behalf of those who seek You for help. Be my strength when I am weak & make me steady when I am unsure. And I bless You and praise You at all times for You are faithful and a very present help in time of need. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Lord, I am grateful that You have armed me with the strength I need. Help me to withstand challenges; and prevail over my adversaries. Teach me to persevere in prayer and not let down nor give up. Enable me to pray through each situation until I see breakthrough. Thank You Lord that You are with me and working things out. Amen.
God Shows Direction & Gives Joy Inspiring Hymn Be Thou My Vision
Backgrounder on Psalms 13-18: In contrast to the fate of the fool who denies God’s existence (Ps 14) many blessings accrue to the one who serves God with a whole heart: joyfulness (Ps 13), fellowship w God(Ps 15), direction & satisfaction(P16), preservation(P17) & confidence in facing future (Ps18). Be Thou My Vision is an anonymous Irish hymn from the eighth century; filled with various titles for God. The word Vision is used to indicate not only what we focus on but also what we strive for. As we strive for the goal, we gain a long term perspective that helps us see today’s challenges as trivial when compared to the heavenly Vision.
Lord, we Receive Inheritance & Joy: Lord, You alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine. The land you have given me is a pleasant land. What a Wonderful Inheritance (Ps 16:5-6) I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; my heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved (v7-8). You will not leave my soul in Sheol… You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of Joy. At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psa 16:10-11). Amen.
Lord, enable us to walk in the reality that You are our promised cup of blessing and true inheritance. Grant us understanding of the riches of the inheritance, including faith, hope & love that You have given us. Lead us leave a rich inheritance of faith and love to those who come after us. For that’s the way to live successfully. Amen.
Father, I bless You as the Lord who guides and instruct Your people by day and by night. Teach me to hear Your instructions; and help me step into Your will. Lord, as I Patiently wait upon You, let Your Spirit guide my heart. Download Your truths, show me solutions to problems, and open my mind to Your ideas. Amen.
Lord, Thank You for everything that You have blessed us with. Help us to be contented with our portion and station in life as well as the situation we find ourselves. We trust You are in control; and You will never leave nor forsake us. In Your presence, there’s fullness of Joy; and help me Lord to make Be Thou indeed be my Vision. Amen
Lord, Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart. I ever with Thee and Thou with me Lord. Thou my best thought, by Day or by Night. Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light… Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise. Thou mine inheritance, now and always. Thou and Thou only, the first in my heart. Still be my Vision. O Ruler of all. Amen.
All but one of Psalms 7-12, begins with a cry of lament: “O Lord my God,” “O Lord,””Lord.” These short but potent songs express the psalmist’s desire that justice prevail (Psalm 7), that the wicked be brought low (Psalm 9-10), and that God’s holy name be exalted (Psalm 8,11-12)
Lord, You are Our Refuge: I will praise You O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High (Psalm 9:1-2). The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You Lord have never forsaken those who seek You (v9-10). Have mercy on me Lord! Consider my trouble… That I may tell of all Your praise… I will rejoice in Your salvation (v13-14).
Lord Most High, I lift up Your name in praise for You are my salvation and for Your marvellous works. Thank You Lord for Your strength; and thank You God for providing a place to run to in times of need. You provide a way out of troubles where there seems to be no way. In You alone I find my stronghold to which I run for safety. Amen.
Lord, we pray for those who don’t know You as their stronghold, the one to provide them help and hope. Draw them with Your loving care; and show them that in the midst of their trials that You are there for them, ever ready to provide a shield against the storms of life. Help me Lord share of Your love and make me a witness of Your hope to those in need. Amen.
Lord, fill me a spirit of faith and I will look to You in every way. I will Bless Your name forever and I will Trust You at all times. For Lord You are My Shield, My Strength My Portion, Deliverer… My Shelter, Strong Tower… My Very Present Help in time of need. Amen.
The first six psalms form a fitting introduction to the entire Psalter. In them you will learn the importance of meditating on God’s Word (Psalm 1), acknowledging the Lord as King (Psslm 2), and constantly being devoted to prayer in gospel in good times and in bad (Ps 3-6).
Lord, Hear me when I Call You: Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness (Elohe Tsadeki)! You have relieved me in my distress; Be gracious to me and Hear my prayer (Psalm 4:1). How long… will You turn my glory to shame?… But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly; The Lord will Hear when I call to Him (v2-3). You have put gladness in my heart.. I will both lie down in peace and sleep; for You alone O Lord make me dwell in safety (v7-8).
Lord Elohe Tsadeki, thank You for the power of Your righteousness for from You flow might & strength. Your righteousness also brings about the beauty we see in one another in acts of kindness and love. All these flow from You for goodness stem from the core of who You are. And so You Lord will be gracious to me when I call upon You. Amen.
Lord, grateful that I am a child of Yours set apart for Your glory and that You will hear my prayers. Show me Lord if there’s anything in my life that would become a barrier between me and You such that my prayers will go unanswered. Help me to have the peace, knowing You have heard my prayers and will answer in Your way & Yr time. Amen
Lord, thank You for setting apart each of us to know You and for answering when we call on You. Grant me joy in Christ and peace in Your presence even before a turnaround or harvest comes. And grant me to lie down in peace and sleep, for You keep me safe. For You know my every thought, You see each tear that falls, and You Hear me when I call. Amen.
The psalms written mostly by David, over a period of 6 centuries and used as the temple hymnbook, capture the essence of what it means to walk daily with God. The first six psalms form a fitting introduction to the entire Psalter. In them you learn the importance of meditating on God’s Word (Ps 1), acknowledging the Lord as King(P2) and constantly being devoted to prayer in good times & bad (Ps 3-6).
Lord, we’ll Delight in Your Word: Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night (Ps 1:1-2). He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its Fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper (Ps 1:3). For the Lord knows (and approves) the way of the righteous (v6).
Father God, more than anything, I want to make You Lord happy. And I want to do and be all that You planned when You created me. It’s Your counsel I want to follow, Your side Lord I want to be on and Your behaviour I want to imitate. Help me Lord to Continually Think of You and Your Word so that I may experience Your joy. Amen.
Lord, I want to have this kind of blessed life & this kind of happiness. So I pray that You Lord will cause me to recognise the wicked and refuse to follow their leading. Pray I will refuse to join in with those who mock what’s precious to You. And pray that the Scriptures will increasingly become the controlling influence in my life. In Jesus’ name.
Lord, give me the desire to read Your Word and to meditate on it day and night. Let me eat deeply from Your Word & make me wise. Cause me to Delight in Doing Your will and that’s what I purpose to do. Most of all, empower me to Do what it says and Transform me and the circumstance so that I will bear fruit that lasts. Amen.
God In Control of the Situation Inspiring Song: My Redeemer Lives
In Job 16-19, Job agonises over his situation. Whilst his three friends explain that he must be suffering because of some terrible sins, Job argues that he hasn’t sinned enough to deserve such suffering. Job 19:25-26 inspired praise song My Redeemer Lives which was released by Hillsong in year 1999. The song says Jesus rescued our soul; taking the shame and pain we feel; and helping us in our problems. Christ has risen from the grave and we celebrate for My Redeemer lives!
Lord, we’ll Put out Trust in You: Then Job spoke: I have heard all this before. What miserable comforters you are! Won’t u ever stop your flow of foolish words? I could say the same things if you were in my place. I could spout off criticisms against you …but that not what I would do. I would speak in a way that helps you. I would try to take away your grief (Job 16:1-5). Then Job spoke again: How long will you torture me? You are trying to use my humiliation as evidence of my sin (Job 19:1-5). For I know that my Redeemer Lives, & He shall stand at last on the earth; My flesh may be destroyed, yet from this body I Will See God (v25-26)
Dear Lord, help us from the painful experience of Job how to be a true friend and Encouraging Comforter. Lord, whilst we sometime cannot understand troubles that befall us we know You’ve awesome power, & You’re In Control of the situation. Help us Lord never doubt You but have unwavering faith like Job that Our Redeemer Lives. Amen.
Lord, help me learn from the painful experience of Job not to sermonise, accuse, criticise, or even talk for sake of talking to someone who is in pain and grief. Help me instead to put myself in the other person’s place, offer help and encouragement, thereby Be A Comforter. Amen.
Lord, whilst sometimes just like Job, we could not explain troubles that beset us, we will purpose not to forget You God. Whatever happens, like Job we’ll purpose to Trust You’re In Control, Trust You will never forsake us & Trust You God in Your kairos time will come as a redeemer. Amen.
The purpose of the book of Job is to demonstrate God’s sovereignty and the meaning of true faith. It also addresses the question: “Why do the righteous suffer?” This week we see that even in challenging times we can still thank and praise God for He is good, merciful, trustworthy, all- knowing and in control of things.
On Monday, we learn from Job 1/2 that God Watches In Tough Times. On Tuesday, we learn from Job 4-7 that God Is Merciful and With Us. On Wed, we learn from Job 16/19 that God In Control of the Situation. On Thursday, we learn from Job 23 that God’s Tests Meant for Good. On Friday, we learn from Job 38 that God Knows What’s Best for us. On Sat, we learn from Job 40/42 that All-Knowing God Is Trustworthy.
Let us humble ourselves and pray and seek His face. Help us O God be Christ’s disciples who Adore You: For You are Trustworthy and that You Watch over us in tough times; For You are worthy of our Praise as You are Merciful, With Us as well as In Control of the Situation; For You are worthy of our Thanks as You Know What’s Best & that Your Tests are Meant for Good. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
