Victory in Christ

There are many beatitudes found in the book of Psalms.  “Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments!” (Psalms 112:1)  God’s commandments are something we should be happy to follow.  In the first Psalm we read that in addition to delighting in God’s word, we should also meditate on it. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.” (Psalms 1:1) The more we focus our minds on His word the better we will understand and appreciate it. John tells us that these are signs that we love our Heavenly Father. “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:2)

Today’s reading: Psalms 111-118

Being totally dependent on someone else is normally not a good thing, unless that someone is our Heavenly Father. “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” (Psalms 127:1) Jesus also spoke of how we should depend on Him. “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) When you need help, the Psalmist points you in the right direction. “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.” (Psalms 121:1-3)

Today’s reading: 1 Chronicles 26-29; Psalm 127

In Psalm 139 David acknowledged God’s ability to know all of our thoughts. “O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.” (Psalm 139:1-2) It is easy to let our minds wander off on things we shouldn’t, but Paul gives us some pointers on focusing our thoughts. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8) “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:2-3) 

Today’s reading: Psalms 131, 138-139, 143-145

In 1 Chronicles chapter 29 we read a prayer from David not long before he died. The humbleness in his heart is evident as he speaks to our Heavenly Father. “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all.” (1 Chronicles 29:11) David knew and acknowledged that every good thing he had ever received was a gift from God. “Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.” (1 Chronicles 29:12-13) David questioned how we could give anything of value to God when all that we own was a gift from Him to start with. “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.” (1 Chronicles 29:14)  It is no secret that God has and will continue to provide everything we need in this life. “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,” (2 Peter 1:3)

Today’s reading: 1 Chronicles 23-25

The Psalmist begged God to save him from his enemies. “Help me, O LORD my God! Save me according to your steadfast love! Let them know that this is your hand; you, O LORD, have done it!” (Psalms 109:26-27) In another Psalm he reminded us that with God on our side there is no need to fear. “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalms 27:1)  Jesus also told us not to fear men. “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28) Paul, who had been through many trials himself, had an opinion on this too. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

Today’s reading: Psalms 108-110

God’s Word records several mistakes that David made in his life.  Also recorded is evidence of his penitent heart. “And David said to God, ‘I have sinned greatly in that I have done this thing. But now, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.’” (1 Chronicles 21:8) He did not want everyone else to have to suffer because of his own sin. “And David said to God, ‘Was it not I who gave command to number the people? It is I who have sinned and done great evil. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand, O LORD my God, be against me and against my father’s house. But do not let the plague be on your people.’” (1 Chronicles 21:17) God has made a promise to all of His children if we also will admit our sins before Him. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) 

Today’s reading: 2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21-22; Psalm 30

According to the Psalmist there are things that God provides for those who live righteously. “Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.” (Psalms 97:11) Peter tells us that this joy we have with Christ is beyond description. “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8-9) If we are living for Him, this joy will be part of the fruit that is produced in our life. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

Today’s reading: Psalms 95, 97-99

Psalm 57 is said to be written by David when he fled from King Saul into the cave. His life was in danger, but he knew where to gain strength. “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by.” (Psalms 57:1) We may not be fearful of someone taking our life as David was, but we all face calamities in our life at times. We have that same merciful God that we can fully trust still today!

Today’s reading: 2 Samuel 22-23; Psalm 57

Part of a song that we sometimes sing comes from the words of Psalm 42. “As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.” (Psalms 42:1) It is not known for sure, but David may be the writer of this Psalm. How great would it be if we all could be writers of these words and truly mean it. That strong of a desire to live a life with God would be hard to hide. “In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.” (Psalms 44:8) 

Today’s reading: Psalms 5, 38, 41-42

In 2 Samuel chapter 22 we read a song of David praising God for His deliverance of David from his enemies. This song is also in Psalms 18 with some slight differences. One of the things David is thanking God for is making his walk easier. “For you are my lamp, O LORD, and my God lightens my darkness.” (2 Samuel 22:29) “He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights.” (2 Samuel 22:34) “You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip;” (2 Samuel 22:37) David knew that he sometimes made mistakes and needed help daily to stay on track. We also need help with our daily walk. If we are looking in the right place we can find that help. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)

Today’s reading: 2 Samuel 19-21