Psalm 91:1 – “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the almighty.” In psalms like this one and also Psalm 86 God makes sure that we know who He is for us. He lets us know why it’s to our advantage to make Him our God. In this psalm He offers us amazing gifts but at the same time asks so little of us. In verse 2 the writer encourages us to do what he did. We are simply to say to the Lord in faith, ‘You are my refuge, my fortress, and my God in whom I trust.’ Just look at God’s response to our small act of faith that is recorded in verses 3-8: God will deliver us – verse 3 God will cover us to protect us and gives us refuge in Him – verse 4 God will be faithful to defend me – verse 4 God will remove my fears…of ANYTHING – verses ... Read More about A Small Step of Faith…An Avalanche of God’s Blessings
God Is Closer Than You Think
Psalm 85: 10-13 – “Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky. Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way.” This passage in Psalm 85 paints a beautiful picture of what happens when God draws near—and when we respond to Him. This psalm, written by the sons of Korah, begins with a memory: God had already shown mercy to Israel. He had forgiven them, turned away His anger, and restored them before. That history matters, because it reminds us that when God has moved in grace once, He is more than able—and willing—to do it again. The heart of the psalm is a hopeful appeal: ... Read More about God Is Closer Than You Think
Seeking God in times of trouble
Psalm 77: 2 – “ In the days of my trouble I will seek the Lord…” This psalm of Asaph is deeply meaningful to me. Trouble, hardship, trials…these things seem to be our constant companions. It’s so easy to get down and discouraged. And when the difficulties of life seem to come one right after the other, life can be overwhelming. Asaph experienced the same thing and had the spiritual insight to turn his sense of being overwhelmed, not into inward focused misery, but into God-focused relief and deliverance. In Psalm 77 Asaph spends verses 1-9 rehearsing how bad his life is, but then he does something remarkable…something God led. He says in verses 11-12, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord, yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work and meditate on your ... Read More about Seeking God in times of trouble
Does God Still Listen? The Answer Hidden in Your Past
Psalm 61: 1-3 – “Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. For being such a great man of God isn’t it amazing how much trouble David found himself in? So many of David’s prayers are cries for help. There’s encouragement in that realization for me. Many of my prayers are cries for help also, and I think if you are honest, you will admit that the same is true for you. Why does God keep listening to us? Have you ever wondered that? With all the asking that David did, how does he know that God will keep listening? The answer is found in these verses. David bases his expectations of God’s answers on all that God has done ... Read More about Does God Still Listen? The Answer Hidden in Your Past
The Most Shocking Part of David’s Story Isn’t His Sin
Psalm 51: 10 – “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” As much as I love and admire David, he really messed his life up this time! If he had just been with his army like he was supposed to have been, he wouldn’t have seen Uriah’s wife bathing on the roof. But that led to lust, and that led to immorality. The unexpected pregnancy led to fear, intrigue, lies, deceit, murder of an innocent man, and a political cover up. I’m tempted to say, ‘unbelievable’, but that stuff is commonplace today. The real unbelievable thing in this story is not David’s utter failure, but after David completely ignores and ... Read More about The Most Shocking Part of David’s Story Isn’t His Sin
The Quiet Decision That Changes Everything in a Crisis
Psalm 27:13–14 – “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living… Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord.” David’s world was not mildly inconvenient—it was hostile. He speaks of enemies advancing, armies surrounding, false witnesses rising, and violence looming. This isn’t poetic exaggeration; it’s sustained pressure, danger that doesn’t let up. And yet, the most unsettling part of this Psalm isn’t David’s circumstances—it’s his response to them. Because David doesn’t panic. He doesn’t strategize. He doesn’t even ask for escape. He anchors himself. “The Lord is my light… my salvation… the stronghold of my life.” That language is not passive—it’s personal. Settled. David isn’t borrowing trite ... Read More about The Quiet Decision That Changes Everything in a Crisis