Category: Psalms

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

The troubles of life can come thick and fast for the believer, just as for David. Look again at Psalm 71:17-20 and notice the resurrection hope. Let us finish our pilgrimage as we began it – with persevering hope, joy and faith.

SJA Notes

* Faithful God, thank You for opening our eyes, that we might see, and our ears, that we might hear.

“So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those who come.”

David’s words, his intent, to proclaim God’s wondrous deeds and might to another generation – They are all part of God’s word.

We can sometimes be at a loss to describe God with intent, His character, His acts. It can be hard at times to ascribe greatness to Him.

But it is here in God’s word that we discover who God is and what He has done.

So it is HIS WORD that teaches us how to praise Him, how to give Him the glory due His Name, how to teach and proclaim to the next generation.

What a wonderful thing this is! What an active-intentional-loving God we have that He would be so kind and generous to give us His word that tells us who He is.

And blessing upon blessing, God the Son (Je3sus) sent God the Spirit to us, to be our helper – And He writes His word upon our hearts!

God’s word is far better than any textbook, it is more than a roadmap, it runs deeper than a best-selling highly-acclaimed story – God’s word is written on the hearts of God’s people and planted deep within us in a way that no other _word_ can be.

Praise God for these wonderful truths. His deeds are marvellous, His faithfulness without end!

* Father God,

Thank You for Your word that You have given to us. Please write it upon our hearts today, little by little, line upon line.

Please plant Your word deep down in us, and grow it, that we might be good soil and bear much fruit.

Amen.

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

“Worn out”, “throat parched”, “eyes fail”. David’s faith struggles with terrible circumstances. He knows the goodness of God’s love, the greatness of His mercy. Verse 29 sums up the psalm. David’s sufferings (v.21) are prophetic of Jesus’ crucifixion. God’s Messiah is the suffering Messiah.

SJA Notes

* Lord God, help us be good soil today and bear much fruit.

“I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.”

We read again of David’s woes. His enemies work against him while he tries to do what is good and right. He is weary, his eyes grow dim.

We do not have to walk this earth very long to start to experience the anguish and heartache that mark David’s words.

We can be thankful that God takes the time through David and the other psalmists – To plumb the depths of our despair and turmoil.

We can remember that God in the Person of the Son, our Saviour Jesus, He came to earth and experienced the full weight of this earthly life.

We read in the book of Hebrews,

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

This is Jesus – He understands what we are going through!

Hebrews continues,

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Grace and mercy from God on His throne – Active and effectual for our lives right now.

Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

* God of all grace and mercy,

Thank You for saving us from our sin, giving us what we do not deserve.

Thank You for taking the punishment for our sin, in Jesus, so that You do not give us what we do deserve.

Thank You Lord that Your love for us is steadfast and sure!

Amen.

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

The opening thought of this psalm is the familiar Your kingdom come of the Lord’s prayer. About the last words of the New Testament are: Amen, Come Lord Jesus. This wonderful God who saves excites David. Am I excited?

SJA Notes

* True God, we would do Your will today.

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Selah.”

Here we are pointed to God, promoting that He is blessed.

Not that our own words hold power to bestow blessing, but that we are telling the truth about God.

He is blessed!

Then we see that _daily_ God bears us up.

We do not have a weekly doctor’s appointment with the Lord. This is not a yearly visit with God on Christmas or Easter.

Every. Single. Day.

Daily our Saviour bears us up. We stand on the rock, the rock that weathers wind and waves (the rock that calms the storm).

The world is against us, there are people against us, there are supernatural powers against us – Because we are found in Jesus.

So it is very important we grasp hold of this truth – That God is our saviour, our salvation.

He saves us!

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Selah.”

* Father God,

You are our salvation – Hallelujah, we praise Your Name!

Thank You that as Father You save us by Your grace.

Thank You that as Son You save us by your life, blood, death and resurrection.

Thank You that as Spirit You save us by Your illumination, Your renovation and Your preservation.

Amen.