I will instruct and teach you about how you should live. I will advise you as I look you in the eye. The Lord says: (1) “I will instruct and teach you about how you should live” and (2) “I will advise you as I look you in the eye.” “My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes” (Jeremiah 16:17 NIV). &...
Continue ReadingHow great is your favor, which you store up for your loyal followers! In plain sight of everyone you bestow it on those who take shelter in you. What a testimony! “How great is your favor” (1) “which you store up for your loyal followers” and (2) which you do so “in plain sight of everyone you bestow it on those who take shelter in you.” “Will you...
Continue ReadingBut I trust in you, O Lord! I declare, “You are my God!” You determine my destiny! Rescue me from the power of my enemies and those who chase me. Smile on your servant! Deliver me because of your faithfulness! The psalmist says, “I trust in you” and, “I declare, ‘You are my God!'” Why? Because “You determine my destiny!” You “Rescu...
Continue ReadingI will be happy and rejoice in your faithfulness, because you notice my pain and you are aware of how distressed I am. The psalmist tells us that he “will be happy and rejoice in [the Lords’] faithfulness.” Then he supplies the two-fold reason: (1) “because you notice my pain” and (2) “you are aware of how distressed I am.” “The Lord delight...
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The Lord gives his people strength; the Lord grants his people security. The LORD gives [two things to] his people:”: (1) “strength” and (2) “security.” Isaiah writes: “but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength…” (Isaiah 40:31 NIV). He also says: “no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that...
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The Lord strengthens and protects me; I trust in him with all my heart. I am rescued and my heart is full of joy; I will sing to him in gratitude. The psalmist testifies the following: (1) “The Lord strengthens and protects me” and (2) “I trust in him with all my heart.” Therefore: (1) “I am rescued”; (2) “My heart is full of joy”; and (3) “I w...
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Where would I be if I did not believe I would experience the Lord’s favor in the land of the living? Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord! The psalmist asks a question and gives a three-fold command. Question: “Where would I be if I did not believe I would experience the Lord’s favor in the land of the living?” The three-fold command: (1)“Re...
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I have asked the Lord for one thing—this is what I desire! I want to live in the Lord’s house all the days of my life, so I can gaze at the splendor of the Lord and contemplate in his temple. The psalmist asks the Lord for “one thing”: “to live in the Lord’s house all the days of my life.” The purpose for the request is to “gaze at the splendor of the Lord a...
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Examine me, O Lord, and test me! Evaluate my inner thoughts and motives! For I am ever aware of your faithfulness, and your loyalty continually motivates me. The Psalmist makes three requests of the Lord and then gives the reason: (1) “Examine Me, O Lord”; (2) “test me”; (3) “Evaluate my inner thoughts and motives.” The reason for these requests is that ̶...
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He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant. Psalm 25:9, 10 (NIV) May he show the humble what is right! May he teach the humble his way! The Lord always proves faithful and reliable to those who follow the demands of his covenant. What beautiful requests these are this morning! (...
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