Monthly ArchivesJanuary 2021

Psalm 57 For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam. When he had fled from Saul into the cave. 1 Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. 2 I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me. 3 He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me— God sends forth his love and his faithfulness. 4 I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts— men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are ...

Proverbs 2:9-11 9 Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. 10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. 11 Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.   One thought: When we have confidence in the truth, in what is right and just, our souls are more at ease.   Three questions: Where should our understanding of social justice come from?   Do you find having wisdom pleasing?   What issues of justice do you feel most drawn to? Why?   Prayer: Praise God that true justice comes from the knowledge of who He is and His plans for the world. Give thanks that you can ...

Psalm 56 For the director of music. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” Of David. A miktam. When the Philistines had seized him in Gath. 1 Be merciful to me, my God, for my enemies are in hot pursuit; all day long they press their attack. 2 My adversaries pursue me all day long; in their pride many are attacking me. 3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 4 In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? 5 All day long they twist my words; all their schemes are for my ruin. 6 They conspire, they lurk, they watch my ...

Proverbs 2:6-8 6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, 8 for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.     One thought: The key to success in life is the knowledge of God     Three questions: What does the knowledge of God lead to?   Do you desire to be upright?   What does it look like for you to be upright today?   Prayer: Praise God that He gives knowledge for righteousness. Give thanks that through Jesus Christ we can be blameless, upright and righteous. ...

Psalm 55   For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil of David. 1 Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; 2 hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught 3 because of what my enemy is saying, because of the threats of the wicked; for they bring down suffering on me and assail me in their anger. 4 My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen on me. 5 Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me. 6 I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. 7 I would flee ...

Proverbs 2:3-5 3 indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.   One thought: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge – this insight must be sought after like hidden treasure.   Three questions: How do you find the fear of the Lord?   Do you seek the knowledge of God like you should?   Sit down and read a whole book of the Bible this week   Prayer: Praise God that He rewards those who diligently seek Him ...

Psalm 54 For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil of David. When the Ziphites had gone to Saul and said, “Is not David hiding among us?” 1 Save me, O God, by your name; vindicate me by your might. 2 Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth. 3 Arrogant foes are attacking me; ruthless people are trying to kill me— people without regard for God. 4 Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me. 5 Let evil recoil on those who slander me; in your faithfulness destroy them. 6 I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, Lord, for it is good. ...

Proverbs 2:1-2   2 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—     One thought: The pursuit of wisdom is a choice. We can become wiser, just as we can choose to pursue foolishness.     Three questions: What does it look like to choose wisdom?   Do you secretly love foolishness sometimes?   Store up God’s commands by memorising a proverb (1:7 is a good one)   Prayer: Praise God that by grace He offers us wisdom and knowledge. Give thanks that we have His words to us that let us know the path of righteousness. Ask God to help ...

Psalm 53 For the director of music. According to mahalath. A maskil of David. 1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good. 2 God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. 3 Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. 4 Do all these evildoers know nothing? They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on God. 5 But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, where there was nothing to dread. God scattered the bones of those ...

Proverbs 1:30-33 30 Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, 31 they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. 32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; 33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”   One thought: We reap what we sow. The fruit of sin is self-destructive now and even more later.   Three questions: When have you seen sin’s destructive nature in the world?   Do you see the destructive nature of sin?   When has your sin caused you pain?   Prayer: Praise ...