Psalm 117

Praise the LORD, all you nations. Praise Him, all you people of the earth. For He loves us with unfailing love; the LORD's faithfulness endures forever. Praise the LORD!
(Psalms 117:1-2)

Do you ever feel like you just don’t want to praise God? Not in the “I feel angry at God” kind of way, but more like “I just don’t really feel up to singing/praying/expressing praises to God right now”. These feelings can be for any number of reasons… maybe you’re sick, maybe you’re tired, maybe you just don’t feel like you’re connected to Him; whatever the reason may be, your response is a complacent “Mehh, maybe later”.

Today’s short little Psalm tells us that no matter who you are, or where you live, you always have at least 2 reasons to praise the Lord. According to these 2 little verses EVERY PERSON ON EARTH has 2 reasons to praise the lord ALL THE TIME.

These 2 reasons are really quite basic, but if we can grasp them then they can be quite revolutionary in the affect they can have on our life and our worship.

Reason #1 – God loves you with an unfailing love. No matter what your current experience may be, this is a fact you can take to the bank. GOD LOVES YOU… And His love isn’t one that changes based on how well you are doing! It is an unfailing love! Now, my love, it is a love that will at some point (probably many points) fail. But God’s love, it NEVER FAILS. So, why should you praise God? Because right now, He loves you more than anyone else in this world ever could; He always has, and He always will!

Reason #2 – God is FOREVER FAITHFUL. The commitment that God has made to protect you, love you, and serve you will never expire. It isn’t like a warranty or a service plan… it has no lifetime, it is ETERNAL. He will never let you down; he will never leave you hanging. So why should you praise God? Because He is the only person in the entire universe that will take care of you for all eternity!

My friends stop whatever you are doing right now and take some time to PRAISE THE LORD!!!

Psalm 116

What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me? I will take up the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of the LORD.
(Psalms 116:12-13)

In this Psalm David begins by talking about the fact that God really does hear our prayers. He doesn’t just hear, but in fact, he answers them! As David lists off some of the ways the Lord had been so wonderful in answering his prayers, he is brought to this question…

“What can I give to the Lord for all that He has done for me”? It is a great question to ask. Each one of us can look at our lives and see that have so much to be thankful for, so much that the Lord has done for us. It is a natural response for us to look then and say, “What can I do to repay you, even in part?”

How would you answer that question? What can you give to the Lord? The truth is we really have nothing in and of ourselves to offer Him. Anything good in us is only because of Him, so there really isn’t anything we can do to pay Him back. In light of this truth David says he will TAKE the cup of salvation. In other words, what He will give to the Lord is His willing acceptance of the work God wants to do in his life.

Today, what will you give to the Lord? Will you take the cup of his salvation? Will you call on Him and receive all that He wants to do in you? My friends realize today that what the Lord wants from you is a yielded life… He wants to be able to work freely in you and through you, unrestricted!

Psalm 115

All you who fear the LORD, trust the LORD! He is your helper and your shield.
(Psalms 115:11)

In this Psalm the Psalmist talks to us all about the difference between the LORD and the idols that men and women create. As he goes on he calls on all Israel to trust the Lord. He asks that all the priests, the descendant of Aaron would fear the Lord. Then, in the verse we will focus on this morning, he tells us that “all who fear the Lord” should trust the Lord. In each one of these instances the writer reminds us that the Lord is both our HELPER and our SHIELD. He is there not only to assist and empower us as a “helper”, but also to PROTECT us as our shield.

This idea of fearing the Lord is one we have talked about before. In the most simple of terms it is the recognition that God is ALL POWERFUL and we are woefully un-powerful. It is the acknowledgement of the fact that before Him, we stand as sinners, and He is utterly holy. This FEAR is simply the natural result of a biblical recognition of who God is and who we are.

Having come to the place of biblical fear of God, an appropriate and reverential respect, we are admonished to trust Him. Now, you might read that and think, “How could you have a real reverential respect for God without first putting faith in Him”? The answer is quite simple. The writer isn’t talking about a one time decision… when the psalmist says trust the Lord; he means keep on trusting the Lord! So, if you fear the Lord today, then take a step back and trust the Lord! Trust Him with the details of your personal life. Trust Him with your fears about what may or may not be going on in our country. Trust Him with your future, trust Him with today, and trust Him with all that you have and all that you are!

Psalm 114

Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob. He turned the rock into a pool of water; yes, a spring of water flowed from solid rock.
(Psalms 114:7-8)


This Psalm talks all about the work that God did with the Israelites when He led them out of Egypt, through the wilderness, and eventually into Promised Land. The interesting thing about this Psalm is that the Psalmist focuses on how the earth itself responded to the work of God; seas parting, rivers opening, mountains and hills skipping like livestock; all in all a pretty amazing description of how ALL of creation is subjected to God’s control.

The Psalm ends with a description of how God caused water to come pouring out of rock… a demonstration of His complete control of the elements. Before that closing thought though, we see the main idea behind the psalm… the psalmist says “Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob.” This idea of the earth trembling isn’t one of terror, but of reverential respect. We need to recognize that with a word God could cause all the elements of the earth to dissolve. He can do ANYTHING.

Today, tremble before the Lord, but not in terror. Do so in holy reverential worship, recognizing that God is so much greater than you, and that nothing is beyond Him. Be amazed at the power of our God today, and remember how God cleared a path for the Israelites… He can still do the same for you!

Psalm 113

Who can be compared with the LORD our God, who is enthroned on high? He stoops to look down on heaven and on earth. He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump. He sets them among princes, even the princes of His own people! He gives the childless woman a family, making her a happy mother. Praise the LORD!

(Psalms 113:5-9)

I love this passage, for in it we are reminded where our true hope should reside. Our country is in the middle of an election cycle that keeps addressing these very themes. One candidate says we need “change”, the other says we need “straight talk”… I agree with both but where are we gonna find them? This last week Franklin Graham said this:

“I’d like to propose that the change we need is a change of the human heart – a moral and spiritual change – and we need some straight talk from the greatest manual on life ever written – God’s Word, the Holy Bible.”

I really like that… It is so true! In one sense, that is what this psalm is talking about. The leader that can “tell it like it is” and “bring the change we need” is Jesus Christ. He isn’t an elitist, separated from those he cares for, but He is able to transform them! He loves all men, and can transform those in economic turmoil, and those facing bereavement… He is the change we need.

So my friends, there is a change I can believe in, and there is a source for straight talk, that person is Jesus Christ. He tells it like it is and He can do the impossible in making us new men and women. Trust Him, listen to Him, rely upon Him… Jesus is one leader that will never let us down!

Psalm 112

Psa 112:6-7 Surely he will never be shaken; The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance. (7) He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

Believing in God is crucial. We have been studying what it is to truly believe in the Lord in our Jr. High class. It is more than a one time thing. It is more than praying "the prayer" of salvation. It is something we have to decide to do every day. Every time we mess up, we can look back and see it is from a lack of faith in what God is doing.

The righteous man described in these verses is never shaken and steadfast. I do not know about you, but sometimes I feel like I am on a roller coaster. In this life everything is always changing. Where do we find some sturdy ground? How do we keep from feeling like we are in quick sand? The righteous man finds the answer in the Lord. He trusts and believes on Him for everything. He is not afraid of bad news, because he knows he has God.

Maybe your life has been a roller coaster ride. Maybe you feel the ground shifting under your feet. Find the Lord, trust in Him. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, yet His mercies are new every morning.

Psalm 111

Psa 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.

Solomon has a very wise Father. We often credit Solomon for penning down these words, but as we can see here, he must have learned this from his father. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

What does it mean to fear the Lord? The word literally means to revere, even to the point of dread. This is how I feel about the ocean. I love going swimming. I love boogie boarding. However, I have a healthy respect for the ocean. I have had enought waves crash on me that I realize which one of us is bigger.

This does not mean that God wants us to be scared of Him. It is important for us to understand that He is all powerful, and we are not. Our attitude should be anything but flippant when approaching God. To fear Him, will be the first step to obtaining true wisdom.

Psalm 110

Psa 110:4 The LORD has sworn And will not relent, "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek."

This is the first time the name of Melchizedek is mentioned outside the book of Genesis. He is kind of a mysterious figure. Some will argue, "Was that Jesus Christ revealing Himself to Abraham or was that just a type of Christ." I cannot give a precise answer, however I can provide interesting facts.

1. Melchizedek was the first and only mention of a King / Priest in the Bible outside of Jesus. He was said to be a High Priest. This meant that he lead his people spiritually. He gave the offering that forgave their sins. He was the people's bridge between them and God.

He was also a King. He led the people. He ruled over them. They followed him wherever he said, and he had complete authority.

2. Melchizedek was king of Salem (Peace), later to be Jerusalem. Jesus promises to be Lord of Jerusalem and rule over it forever. Whoever this mysterious character was, he was on the throne of the most important city in history.

3. Hebrews tells us as well as our featured verse that Jesus came from the order of Melchizedek. Melchizedek blessed Abraham. Only a greater entitiy could bless and the lesser would receive. Melchizedek confidently blessed Abraham, knowing he was the greater entity of the two. Jesus does the same for us, blessing us as the greater.

4. Melchizedek broke bread with Abraham. Although Melchizedek was greater, he invites Abraham as an equal, to break and eat at his table. So Jesus invites us to His table to eat with Him!

There is plenty more to learn. To do so, turn to the following Chapters: Genesis 14:18, Hebrews 7

Psalm 109

Psa 109:27 That they may know that this is Your hand— That You, LORD, have done it!

David speaks some pretty intense words in this Psalm. It may seem like he has a bitter grudge against an individual. We know David to be a man after God's own heart, therefore, why is David so bitter?

I believe our featured verse gives us the answer. Remember when David first heard Goliath. He was angry. He was angry that Israel was allowing this man to put down the name of the Lord. We was not angry because the giant was putting down Israel. David did not get upset because he had some sort of Jewish pride. It was simply because Israel was allowing Goliath to put down the name of the Lord.

David wants justice, and he wants it that God may be glorified. His prayer is intense, however he recognizes that to disrespect the Lord is an intense sin. Those spoken about in this chapter are lying, thieving, men who step on the poor and disrespect the Lord. Their one concern is to bring themselves glory. David therefore prays that their names be blotted out of history.

May the most important thing in our lives be God. May we live that He might be glorified. May the works of our hands be testimony that - GOD HAS DONE IT!

Psalm 108

Psa 108:2 Awake, lute and harp! I will awaken the dawn.

Have you ever watched the sunrise? It can be a beautiful thing. I remember waking up at the beach in Ocean City. It was really early. I walked out to the ocean and simply watched the sun come up. Life is slower for these brief moments. You are watching the beginning of a new day. You are thinking of everything that will happen that day. If you are looking forward to something, it can be very exciting.

Here is David. He has awoken. He is excited about a brand new day. He is excited to spend time with the Lord. Despite that his enemies are at his feet, despite the fact that they are in battle, despite the fact that he finds no help from fellow man, he wakes to a new day excited to see God work. What glorious faith!

It is a new day! Wake the world up. Be excited. Whatever may be happening in your life right now, get excited about what the Lord is going to do. He is worthy to be praised.

Psalm 107

Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,
(Psalms 107:2)

I love this verse, because it reminds us of a facet of redemption that we don’t often think about. We talk a lot about how Jesus saved us from our sins, and was judged so we wouldn’t have to be judged; but it isn’t very often that we talk about WHO we were bought back from.

This verse tells us that we were REDEEMED FROM THE HAND OF THE ENEMY. What exactly does that mean?

Well, to redeem something is to BUY IT BACK. The Hebrew word actually means to BUY SOMETHING BACK FROM BONDAGE. So, as believers, we are people who have been bought from not just the bondage of sin and death, but from the control of our enemy the Devil. The Hebrew word used here for “enemy” is a word that can mean OPPRESSION or OPPRESSOR. And isn’t that exactly what the Devil is? He has come to steal, kill and destroy; the one who oppresses and assaults all within his grasp. Praise the Lord; we are no longer in his grasp! We have been taken from his hand, not by force, but by Jesus Christ paying the FULL PRICE! This means that as the REDEEMED OF THE LORD, the devil no longer has any right or claim on our lives!

So what are you gonna do about it? Tell the world about it!!! LET THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD SAY SO!

Psalm 106

Our fathers in Egypt did not understand Your wonders; They did not remember the multitude of Your mercies, But rebelled by the sea—the Red Sea. Nevertheless He saved them for His name's sake, That He might make His mighty power known. He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it dried up; So He led them through the depths, As through the wilderness. He saved them from the hand of him who hated them, And redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. The waters covered their enemies; There was not one of them left. Then they believed His words; They sang His praise. They soon forgot His works; They did not wait for His counsel,

(Psalms 106:7-13)

Seeing God’s great power displayed, the children of Israel BELIEVED GOD’S WORDS and SANG GOD’S PRAISE. This is good. What happened next is not. What happened next is actually very bad. THEY SOON FORGOT HIS WORKS and THEY DID NOT WAIT FOR HIS COUNSEL.

There is a pattern that we see develop through out scripture, a pattern of FORGETFULLNESS among the people of God. When God works in our lives in visible, tangible ways, we shout and cheer, and promise to obey His commands. But, sooner than later, we forget what He has done, and as a result, we stop listening to His voice.

Now, the greatest thing that God has done for each one of us is DYING ON THE CROSS for our sins and RISING AGAIN so we can have new life in Him. If we REMEMBER this truth, it AFFECTS the WAY WE LIVE, and the WAY WE RESPOND TO HIS WORD. When we lose sight of the cross and the resurrection, then we quickly slide back into modes of living that are selfish and self-motivated.

The only way to avoid this problem that plagued the Israelites is to COME BACK TO THE CROSS DAILY. We need to keep Jesus and what He did before us at all times. So my friends preach the gospel to yourselves and each other everyday! Don’t neglect the “SO GREAT SALVATION” that the Bible tells us all about; LIVE IT!

Psalm 105

He remembers His covenant forever, The word which He commanded, for a thousand generations, The covenant which He made with Abraham, And His oath to Isaac, And confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, To Israel as an everlasting covenant, Saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan As the allotment of your inheritance,"

(Psalms 105:8-11)

This is a great reminder to all of us of just how faithful God is to keep His promises. Here in America, we are nearing another election. During this season, politicians make all kinds of promises that they never really intend on keeping. I am so glad that our God is not a politician. He doesn’t say things to win voters, or allow popular opinion to shape His policies… No, our God is forever faithful and UNCHANGING.

Here we see that God has made an EVERLASTING COVENANT to the nation of Israel concerning their rights to the land of Canaan. 100 years ago, people would have insisted that this promise couldn’t be literal. Today, we have UNDENIABLE evidence that it is!

If God meant it when He said this, do you think He means it when He promises us a “future and a hope”? Do you think He means it when He promises us that He will “wipe away every tear”? Do you think Jesus meant it when He promised that He would return?

My friends take God’s promises to the bank! Don’t doubt Him! Have a concrete confidence that the Lord will do what He has promised! Today, don’t let the opinions of man, or the circumstances of life dictate the decisions you make… Instead, base your choices and actions on the promises of God. BUILD YOUR LIFE ON THE ROCK!

Psalm 104

Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain.
(Psalms 104:2)

Does this verse remind you of anything? Any event in the life of Jesus? Can you think of a time when Jesus appeared as though he had been clothed in light?

THE TRANSFIGURATION!!!

Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.
(Matthew 17:1-2)

This idea of God as Light comes up throughout the scriptures over and over… Light is silent, but it transforms the way we see things… in fact, without it we are blind.

I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.
(1 Timothy 6:13-16)

God dwells in unapproachable light. As His children, we are called to walk in that same light.

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
(1 John 1:5-7)

You guys know these things. Rather than add any more commentary, I just want to exhort you to do 2 things: Meditate on what it means for God to be clothed in light, and then ask yourself what it means to walk in that same light!

Psalm 103

As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

(Psalms 103:12)

This is one of my favorite verses in all of scripture. I love it because it helps us to understand that God’s forgiveness is not conditional or partial like ours is. When I forgive people, it often has strings attached… maybe it’s conditioned on their ability to keep repeating the sin, or accompanied with a commitment to “never forget”. This is not the way that God deals with sin that is perpetrated against Him.

We read here that God has removed our transgressions from us. He has forgiven us, and in so doing, He has taken our sins, and completely removed them. They are no longer connected to us! Now if I was God, I would probably file them a way in some sort of heavenly storage unit, where I could pull them out from time to time to threaten the sinner and keep him in line.

This is not what God does… he puts them as far away from us as possible, as far as “east is from west”. This is a really cool word picture, because “east” and “west” aren’t actual places. There isn’t a set mileage, like, “travel 9000 miles and you’ll get to the sin”. East and West never meet. They are INFINITELY separate. Notice, God didn’t say “north” and “south”. That would have been a calculable distance. Instead, He chose to use a metaphor that couldn’t be computed! Why? Because God wanted us to realize something very important; When He forgives, it’s FOREVER.

Rejoice today in this glorious truth… your sins have been taken care of COMPLETELY and ETERNALLY!