May 9th Chronological Bible Readings

Psalm 27-32
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on ESVBible.org ~

Psalm 27 verse 13 is so beautiful - "Yet I am confident that I will see the LORD's goodness while I am here in the land of the living." Do you have this same confidence?  What are some examples of how you have seen God's goodness here in the land of the living?  What are some examples of how you are sharing God's goodness with others here in the land of the living?

Psalm 28 verse 2 stood out to me today - "Listen to my prayer for mercy as I cry out to you for help, as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary."  The thing that stood out to me is the image of the Psalmist "lifting his hands" in prayer.  I'm curious about this - if you don't mind sharing in the Comments section below - do you periodically lift your hands in prayer?  Do you kneel when you pray?  Close your eyes?  Bow your head?  What do you do to really signify your worship and praise of God?  Do you think lifting our hands or doing other body movements can change the way we pray to God - rather than doing nothing unique with our body?   Let me know if you have Comments on this below...  thanks...  My quick thoughts are that we can absolutely pray at any time in any place without lifting our hands or closing our eyes or bowing, etc.   I think this gets toward the idea of "praying unceasingly."   However - I do think there is something special about the times in our day when we can really spend some quality quiet time with God in prayer.  And the best way for me to personally do this is by really changing my body language first - by kneeling down, closing my eyes, bowing my head, maybe lifting my hands, etc.  This somehow I think brings me closer to God - it doesn't bring God closer to me - he's always close.  But, somehow, what I do with my body before & during prayer can definitely make a difference in how long I will actually pray to God and how deep into prayer & listening I will go.  How about for you?

Psalm 29 is a beautiful hymn of praise to God the Creator!  Verses 3 and 4 are awesome: "The voice of the LORD echoes above the sea. The God of glory thunders.  The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty."  And verse 2 is something for each of us to joyfully obey - "Give honor to the LORD for the glory of his name. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness."  Amen!

Today in Psalm 30 verses 4 through 5 we read: “Sing to the Lord; you saints of his; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” How does this verse speak to you? Do you believe that God’s anger can last only a moment, but his favor last a lifetime? If you are weeping now in some area of your life, do you believe that God can bring rejoicing to you? Will you pray to God to grant you favor in this life and in life everlasting? Will you pray to God to heal any situation that you are weeping over today, and to bring you rejoicing tomorrow? Do you look forward to this rejoicing that will allow you to sing to the Lord as a saint and to praise his holy name?

Psalm 31 verse 1 is such a powerful start to this powerful Psalm of David's - "O LORD, I have come to you for protection; don't let me be put to shame.  Rescue me, for you always do what is right."  In your life today, do you need protection from something?  If so, will you run to God for your protection?   Do you believe that God can rescue you?  Do you believe that God can save you from shame?  Do you believe that God always does what is right? 

Did you catch that verse 5 from this Psalm were Jesus' last words on the cross.... "Into your hands I commit my spirit." (NIV)  Here it is from Luke 23:46 - "Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last." 

Have you ever felt like Psalm 31 verse 10... "I am dying from grief; my years are shortened by sadness. Misery has drained my strength; I am wasting away from within."  Do you believe that God can rescue you from this?  Will you pray to God to save you from this?

This is a wonderful look at God's goodness in Psalm 31 verse 19: "Your goodness is so great! You have stored up great blessings for those who honor you. You have done so much for those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world." Do you believe that God's goodness is indeed great?  Are you honoring God with your life and your actions and your thoughts each day?  Do you believe that God is storing up blessings for you?  Do you believe that God will bless you if you go to him for protection?

Today we read Psalm 32, which is a wonderful testimony of joy about God’s gift of forgiveness to us when we confess our sins to God! In Psalm 32 verses 1 & 2 we read: “Oh, what joy for those whose rebellion is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of sin, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!” Do you agree with this Psalmist that there is joy in forgiveness? Have you confessed your sins to God? Do you make a regular habit of examining your conscience and confessing your sins to God? After confessing your sins, do you continuously pray to God to heal you of sins that may be gripping you? Will you then move forward on the actions or corrective measures that God leads you to - to truly be healed of addictive sins? Will you seek the joy of God’s forgiveness? Will you seek to live your life in complete honesty to God? Below is the famous painting titled "Forgiven."  Please take a few moments to meditate upon this painting.  How does it speak to you?

Worship God:  Psalm 31 verse 10 reminded me of the MercyMe song "Jesus, Bring the Rain:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNsgt9yVge8

Are you in a rainstorm? Click here for Shelter!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit." Psalm 32:1-2 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray to Jesus to forgive your sins. Pray that there is no deceit in your spirit.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

Comments

[Lily]

I always wonder how I will cope with trials, sufferings and temptations with out God's presence in my life. We are truly blessed with an awesome God Who forgives us when we go stray, our healer and redeemer.

I usually pray with my eyes closed in church and during our Bible study. However, lately I pray with open eyes watching God's beautiful creation outside my window. And when I am outside, on the road, during my walk, I find myself talking to God.

Praying for those who are in the dark and have not found God. I will be lost without Him.