Devotions Based on Psalms: Psalm 30

Lisa ShinkinsDaily DevotionsFriday, July 30

St. John’s University, Collegivelle, MN, 56231 2006

Friday, July 3
By Kim Moore

Psalm 30

I will exalt you, Lord for you lifted me out of the depth and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.
You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit.
Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name.
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

David could say these things because he had experienced them many, many times. Throughout his life as a shepherd, harpist, giant slayer, warrior, leader, outlaw, king, adulterer and ‘family man’, David had leaned on the Lord time and again to help him. And the Lord always came through.

David’s many ‘death defying’ experiences served to entrench his relationship with the Lord who saved him each time. His was not a casual ‘love’ for the Lord but one that was felt in the most personal way humanly possible. David would never forget how many times he was in need of help, in despair, and how, each time, the Lord heard his prayers, listened to his laments, sat with him and saved him.

David’s experiences that he shared with the Lord strangely remind me of rope. The rope is really an ingenious invention. It’s just multiple strands of fiber woven together so that the composite ends up being stronger than each individual strand. They’re twisted in one direction to make braids which can be twisted in the opposite direction to make larger braids and so on.

The real strength of the rope is not just in the number of strands it has or of the weight it takes to break it, as in ‘tensile strength’. It’s more in the ‘working load’ which assumes the rope may be knotted, distorted, compressed, bent around itself or something else so that the working load is a small fraction of the tensile strength.

That’s sort of the way relationships are. The individual strands represent the different dimensions or experiences in a relationship. The more strands, the stronger the relationship. And in the twists and turns of life, where it’s not always clean and neat, we get distorted, compressed, bent around situations and the working load of some relationships grow stronger.

War veterans, who have been on the battlefield, talk of foxhole experiences. “He was not just my buddy; he saved my life. I was wounded and couldn’t move. He came back to the field and risked his life to carry me to safety. I will never forget what he did for me. He is an amazing person; I owe him my life.”

The quiet comfort of a good friend can make some life events bearable. “When my mother was dying, way too early, and I was trying to deal with the stress of everyday life, grieving, you stopped your life and came to spend it with me. You left your kids and your husband and you sat and cried with me, listened to me, got food for me. I am so grateful for you. And I will never forget what you did.”

That’s what David seems to be saying. And, when he says ‘. . . His anger is but for a moment but his favor is for a lifetime’, it feels to me he is saying “I really want you to know Him. He is so amazing. Look at what He’s done for me. You just can’t imagine how low and how near gone I was. But now those times seem like distant memories. He picked me up, healed me and helped me truly live again.”

Bonded relationships start with one experience at a time. If you live next door to someone, that’s one dimension. You may be really good neighbors and share some happy events together. But it’s still just a one-dimensional relationship.

Maybe you also go to the same church. And maybe you’ve served on several committees together. Now the relationship has more dimensions.

So, maybe you’re also about the same age as your ‘neighbor’ and you both have kids that grew up together. And two of those kids played basketball together . . . for maybe 4+ years. There are a lot of experiences that you share through those years. Traveling tournaments. Great wins. Tough losses. Injuries. Personality conflicts. Emotions.

All combined, some are personal, some are spiritual. Some are fun and some are funny. Some exhausting. Some even frustrating.

Maybe you take family trips together. Snow skiing. Beach trips. Family cruise. Hunting trips. Cook outs.

As the relationship gains more depth, it’s likely there will be some painful times shared. Financial struggles. Job loss. Personal life tragedies.

Suppose your spouse contracts cancer. Your ‘neighbor’ ends up becoming the chauffeur to your kids, spends time bringing meals, visiting the hospital, communicating with friends, coordinating food. Spending time just to be ‘there’.

And eventually helping write the obituary. Your ‘neighbor’ is the one who stays at the house after the funeral when everyone has left. And is the one that keeps showing up long after.

Your kids grow up and move away and eventually are in each other’s weddings. And your ‘neighbor’ speaks at your daughter’s rehearsal dinner.

Over time, this ‘neighbor’ has become a part of you. Like a rope, you’re braided together into one friendship that becomes unlike any other, special and forever. At some point, there’s not a lot that could separate you. Certainly not politics, religion or money.

We need these types of relationships with the depth and strength and bonds that cannot be broken. This ‘pandemic’ and economic uncertainty will certainly be an experience that we won’t soon forget. And life continues to happen through this as well. The help that each of us can provide to others will never be forgotten. And it can serve to strengthen our relationships in ways that only shared trials can do.

Reflections

God gives us relationship opportunities and life experiences through which to test and build them. But they take time. Our relationship with God, just like with our closest friends, takes a lifetime to fully cultivate. But they can each be rich and rewarding at every stage from beginning to end. This was a reminder to me to take time to dwell on and celebrate the relationships in my life and to continue to be willing to let them grow.

“Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, the last of life, for which the first was made. Our times are in his hand who saith, ‘A whole I planned, youth shows but half; Trust God: See all, nor be afraid!” Robert Browning

Devotions Based on Psalms: Psalm 130

Lisa ShinkinsDaily DevotionsWednesday, July 10

St. John’s University, Collegivelle, MN, 56231 2006

Wednesday, July 1
By Mary Nichols

Psalm 130
A song of ascents.
¹Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
²Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
³If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?
⁴But with you there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
⁵I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
⁶I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
⁷Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
for with the Lord is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
⁸He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.

This psalm begins with the writer calling out to God from “the depths”, a deep chasm of human suffering. This abyss can be different shapes, but each of us have or will have some experience with it. Grief, sickness, depression, abuse, coronavirus anxiety and despair can throw us in the depths.

The psalmist doesn’t cry to God in abandonment, but with hope and expectation that God will hear his voice for mercy. He is not calling out to a God of vengeance, but a God who loves, forgives and redeems. This psalm reminds us that we can be confident that we are not condemned to this abyss and trust God to listen to our cries. We can wait and hope with expectation for redemption. With God there is mercy, forgiveness and unfailing love.

In Garrett’s sermon ‘A Certain Man Had Two Sons’ on June 21, he stated, “The good news for us is that despair is where God places the seeds of hope.” As human beings we can fall into the depths of despair where hope may not be readily visible. But, the seeds of hope are already growing there. We can trust and find hope even in the abyss.

Let us wait for the Lord with hope and expectancy with our whole being.
Let us put our hope in His word.
May our Woodland Family put our hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love.

Devotions Based on Psalms: Psalm 138

Lisa ShinkinsDaily DevotionsTuesday, June 300

St. John’s University, Collegivelle, MN, 56231 2006

Tuesday, June 30
By Lynn Teel

A Psalm of David – Psalm 138

1 Thank you! Everything in me says “Thank you!” Angels listen as I sing my thanks.

2 I kneel in worship facing your holy temple and say it again: “Thank you!” Thank you for your love, thank you for your faithfulness; Most holy is your name, most holy is your Word.

3 The moment I called out, you stepped in; you made my life large with strength.

4 When they hear what you have to say, God, all earth’s kings will say “Thank you.”

5 They’ll sing of what you’ve done: “How great the glory of God!”

6 And here’s why: God, high above, sees far below; no matter the distance, he knows everything about us.

7 When I walk into the thick of trouble, keep me alive in the angry turmoil. With one hand strike my foes. With your other hand save me.

8 Finish what you started in me, God. Your love is eternal – don’t quit on me now.

I remember when I was a young teenage girl full of spit and vinegar and a tomboy at heart. As one of four children, I wasn’t always the apple of my father’s eye or the bright spot in the lives of my other siblings. I loved horses, but who owns a horse in Richardson, TX that lives in a middle-class family neighborhood? But, one day my father gave me a horse! Can you imagine the surprise and gratitude and thankfulness that I expressed to my father?

When I read verse one this experience is what I think about as I relate to this verse. I can hear the words “thank you” coming from every fiber of David’s soul. And, the “thank you” is so loud and strong that even the Angels listen. In my life I have found that when I express such gratitude and thanks to God that I am filled with the strength of God which is far beyond the strength in me without Him.

I think all of us would agree that our world (in the big world sense) and our world (in the personal smaller world sense) has been challenged and shocked to its core. I read, that 2020 needs a time-out and a do-over. I am prone to some level of fear and worry, but when I express my gratitude and thanks to God I find peace knowing that He sees and has a hand in both the large and the small.

I am currently reading a book titled “My Boy, Ben: A Story of Love, Loss and Grace” written by David Wheaton. It is a true story of Wheaton’s close relationship with his yellow Lab named Ben. If you love dogs as I do and don’t mind shedding a few tears; then, I encourage you to read it. The book isn’t just a dog story, but a story about God, as well. Wheaton, and as today’s verses tell us, says that God see from afar into the infinitesimal and that God is always there to give us the “big” graces and the “infinitesimal” graces according to His time. When we are right with God, how can we not shout as David did “Thank you! Everything in me says “Thank you!”

We have much to fear and much to cause concern in our lives. And, there is much to cause us to rethink and recalibrate how we treat our fellow man in the days ahead. But, Psalm 138 tells me that I need to hold on to gratitude for all the big and small that God does for me and for us. With a clearer head and heart, I can more easily walk with the assurance that God is with me and will finish what He started in me. After all, I am still a work in progress.

A Time of Reflection

Physicians advise us to stop, pause, and take a deep breath. Are you doing so? Are you finding peace within the turmoil? Are you saying “thank you” for all of the big and small graces given to you by our Lord and Savior?

If not, why not?

A Prayer for our Souls

While I do not know the author of this prayer, I do find that it aligns with the spirit of Psalm 138 and ask that you join me in the reading of these words.

Dear Father God, I come before You with a grateful heart for the many blessing that You bestow on us day by day, and praise You that Your mercies are new every morning and You have provided for all our needs, and more besides. You are a great and generous God.

You are so good to all Your creation and have faithfully supplied all our needs, according to Your riches and grace, just as You have promised.

I love that hymn where it says, “count your blessings, see what God has done,” and Father, I do count the many blessings that come from You day by day. Please forgive me for the times when I take for granted the many gifts and graces that come from You. I could not draw another breath unless You give me the strength, and yet moment by moment, I am being kept in Your love and sustained by Your grace. Praise Your glorious name, for ever and ever,

Amen.

Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/Prayers-for-Thankfulness

Devotions Based on Psalms: Psalm 73

Lisa ShinkinsDaily DevotionsSunday, June 280

St. John’s University, Collegivelle, MN, 56231 2006

Sunday, June 28
By: Carol Hagler

Psalm 73

Psalm 73 first caught my attention on a chilly November Saturday morning in 1989, as I studied the Sunday school lesson for the following day. Having found and read several other verses suggested for the lesson, I read Psalm 73:26.

26 My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart. And my portion forever.

“What?” I thought, “This doesn’t ‘fit’ with the other verses I have just read.” Sure enough – my error—right verse; wrong chapter! Or was it? I had fumbled my way into the perfect verse for my circumstances on that morning. My physical body (my flesh) and my mental, emotional, spiritual state (my heart) seemed to be failing in a spectacular way. I had been diagnosed with breast cancer and on the following Wednesday was scheduled for a mastectomy. In one word, the psalmist reminded me of the path to hope, confidence, peace. He said, “but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” I clung to that verse repeating it over and over as I was rolled into the surgical suite on November 15. I have repeated it and found comfort in it in other crises that I have faced.

Much later I studied the rest of Psalm 73. Most often attributed to Asaph, a temple choir leader, Psalm 73 begins with a strong theological statement of God’s goodness.
1. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
However, Asaph soon experiences a crisis of faith – he “almost stumbles, nearly slips” (NKJ) as he observes the health, wealth and apathy toward God of the “wicked.” He speaks to me of my own experiences in times of personal problems and in times such as this when our country faces multiple cultural problems – COVID19, racial inequity, economic difficulties.

2– 3 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

His doubts and complaints are not without basis in reality, but he seems to be aware that his attitudes regarding these disparities do not reflect “his best self”.

4-12 They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills. Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. From their callous hearts comes iniquity; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits. They scoff, and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten oppression. Their mouths lay claim to heaven and their tongues take possession of the earth. Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters of abundance. They say “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?” This is what the wicked are like – always carefree, they increase in wealth.

Faced with this picture of the easy life of the wicked, Asaph questions the benefit of his own devotion to God’s principles in view of his earthy circumstances compared to those of the prosperous.

13-16 Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning. If I had said, ”I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed your children. When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me

And then an epiphany!

17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.

Entering the temple sanctuary and feeling the presence of the Lord, Asaph realizes that “the wicked” are only one step away from earthly ruin and more importantly, eternal separation from God.

18-20 Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! As a dream when one awakes, so when you arise O Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.

Then, he confesses and grieves his envy and doubts.

21-22 When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.

(I think we Baptists call that conviction…)

He restates his trust in God’s love and goodness – no matter his circumstances. He acknowledges God’s constant presence and guidance. He asserts that the grace and mercy of God is better than anything on earth and that he looks forward to what God has planned for him for eternity.

23-28 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

I have come a long way from that November morning in 1989. There have been missteps and backslidings, but my heart still sings Asaph’s song of gratitude and praise.

“It is good to be near God.”
The Sovereign Lord is always a present refuge.
Thanks be to God.

A contemporary rendering of some of the thoughts of Asaph were introduced to the choir a couple of months ago by Randy Edwards. The composer, Robert Sterling, also finds solace and hope (and a bit of attitude adjustment) in God’s sanctuary.

Listen to the message of his song, “Church.” May we all be able “to go to church” soon.

Devotions Based on Psalm: Psalm 22

Lisa ShinkinsDaily DevotionsWednesday, June 240

St. John’s University, Collegivelle, MN, 56231 2006

Wednesday, June 24

By: Lee Weems

Psalm 22 Living In Times of Struggle and Hope

Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
To the director: To the tune “The Deer of Dawn.” A song of David.

22 My God, my God, why have you left me?
You seem too far away to save me,
too far to hear my cries for help!
²My God, I kept calling by day,
and I was not silent at night.
But you did not answer me.
³God, you are the Holy One.
You sit as King upon the praises of Israel.
⁴Our ancestors trusted you.
Yes, they trusted you, and you saved them.
⁵They called to you for help and escaped their enemies.
They trusted you and were not disappointed!
⁶But I feel like a worm, less than human!
People insult me and look down on me.
⁷Everyone who sees me makes fun of me.
They shake their heads and stick out their tongues at me.
⁸They say, “Call to the Lord for help.
Maybe he will save you.
If he likes you so much, surely he will rescue you!”
⁹God, the truth is, you are the one who brought me into this world.
You made me feel safe while I was still at my mother’s breasts.
¹⁰You have been my God since the day I was born.
I was thrown into your arms as I came from my mother’s womb.
¹¹So don’t leave me!
Trouble is near, and there is no one to help me.
¹²My enemies surround me like angry bulls.
They are like the powerful bulls of Bashan, and they are all around me.
¹³Their mouths are opened wide,
like a lion roaring and tearing at its prey.
¹⁴My strength is gone,
like water poured out on the ground.
My bones have separated.
My courage is gone.
¹⁵My mouth is as dry as a piece of baked pottery.
My tongue is sticking to the roof of my mouth.
You have left me dying in the dust.
¹⁶The “dogs” are all around me—
a pack of evil people has trapped me.
They have pierced my hands and feet.
¹⁷I can see each one of my bones.
My enemies are looking at me;
they just keep staring.
¹⁸They divide my clothes among themselves,
and they throw lots for what I am wearing.
¹⁹Lord, don’t leave me!
You are my strength—hurry and help me!
²⁰Save me from the sword.
Save my precious life from these dogs.
²¹Rescue me from the lion’s mouth.
Protect me from the horns of the bulls.
²²I will tell my people about you.
I will praise you in the great assembly.
²³Praise the Lord, all you who worship him!
Honor him, you descendants of Jacob!
Fear and respect him, all you people of Israel!
²⁴He does not ignore those who need help.
He does not hate them.
He does not turn away from them.
He listens when they cry for help.
²⁵Lord, because of you I offer praise in the great assembly.
In front of all these worshipers I will do all that I promised.
²⁶Poor people, come eat and be satisfied.
You who have come looking for the Lord, praise him!
May your hearts be happy forever.
²⁷May those in faraway countries remember the Lord and come back to him.
May those in distant lands worship him,
²⁸because the Lord is the King.
He rules all nations.
²⁹The people have eaten all they wanted
and bowed down to worship him.
Yes, everyone will bow down to him—
all who are on the way to the grave, unable to hold on to life.
³⁰Our descendants will serve him.
Those who are not yet born will be told about him.
³¹Each generation will tell their children
about the good things the Lord has done.

From the cross, Jesus whispered this psalm. In a time of humiliation and pain, Jesus seems to quote a psalm from the depth of his soul. Both Matthew and Mark include the passage, “And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” from Psalm 22:1.

In the pilgrimage of faith, most of us can echo the feeling of abandonment and we also wonder “Where is God?” David is credited with this psalm of lament. Many other laments found throughout scripture ask the questions repeatedly, “Where are you, O Lord?” Sometimes the other questions of struggle and doubt might ask “Why, O God?”
David begins the psalm calling out the name of God. In Hebrew, David uses El and Elohim in the opening verses. This general name for God meaning Creator or Judge of the universe.

Psalm 22:1-2 we hear the internal battle on one who struggles with the sense of the absence of God. At times, I am envious of the person who seems to have it all together. I wonder, “Does this person really understand?” or “What did he or she do to get all the breaks?”

The emotional and physical impacts of feeling alienated are stated. From feeling like a worm to body aches and dry throat, we are affected holistically. Profound sadness and overwhelming pain make time seem unending. The long path stretches before us and our energy seems to stall out. To have courage to confess our deepest feeling begins the journey of living a deeper faith.

It is important to read the entire of Psalm 22 which portrays a fuller story for struggle and hope. Eventually David recalls struggling with the sense of the absence of God, the psalmist does speak of the caring God that others have known. David comments about others who seem to trust God despite difficult times.

In verses 8 and 19 David uses the intimate, personal name of God YAHWEH. David begins to express trust as he recalls his own life as well as the life of others.

In reading Psalm 22:22-31 we observe the transition in David’s life. He moves beyond the desperation through remembering the stories of others as well as his. Finally, David is able to express gratitude to God for caring and rescuing him. And the time will come when David passes on his story to help others going through struggle.

A Story of Two Tears
My friend looked down to the ground. In a quiet voice, my friend commented, “I battle depression. When the darkness closes in, I feel fear and confusion. No matter which way I look, it seems only blackness dwells. I sink deeper into the well of despair.”
A pause occurred as my friend had a tear flow from his eye. “I sometimes feel there is God does not care or there is no God. I realize my crashing waves of fear and pain.” The tear slowly trickled down.
Following another long pause, my friend broke the silence. “Sometimes, in the fearful time, I remind myself that feelings will not control my life. You know that Truth is greater than feelings. Yes, my feelings are real and ever changing. On the better days, I remember that God is and God loves.”
My friend looks into my eyes as another tear runs down his cheek. “The ebony night becomes grayer and then the light of Truth renews my hope for life. I still have powerful waves of emotions but the truth of God’s love and presence is my foundation in shifting sand.” A tear of joy and thankfulness glistens.

PAUSE FOR REFLECTION

Have you ever felt distant from God during a difficult time? What did you experience in both your thinking and feelings?
What helps you in difficult times to regain your balance?
Is there a person with whom you can share your struggles and allow that person to pray for you?

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God,
I guess it never occurred to me that after years of struggle, it would continue to be a struggle – keeping my mind stayed on thee. I thought it would be automatic by now. I guess I thought I would be . .. uh. . . habitually sanctified.

But I see, Lord, that it doesn’t work that way. For just as I begin to feel that I have made great progress in my spiritual journey, that I am really beginning to understand “things of the spirit,” I come instead to some dark night of the soul . . . and I cannot reach thee. My prayers seem no more than random words written on paper airplanes and thrown at the sky. I cannot reach thee, Lord. The feelings of peace and blessed surety for which I long are not there. I cannot grasp the Psalmist’s declaration that “thou are with me” – but cry instead with Elijah, “Oh, that I knew where I might find thee!”

So that’s the way it is, Lord? – always a struggle? Always alternating between the brilliance of midday-and groping in the dark?

The only surety I have is there will be these dark nights of the soul-and there will be, as there have been, the times of close and personal experience of thy presence. Ah so, Lord. This is thy way.

Help me remember, in my times of groping, that the way will be clear . . . for awhile.

And in my times of blessed surety, that thou are Mystery, and there will again be time when the way is dark.
Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me – Bless his holy name.

Plum Jelly and Stained Glass & Other Prayers (5^th Printing) by Jo Carr & Imogene Sorley, Nashville: Abingdon, 1973.

Devotions Based on Psalms: Psalm 33

Lisa ShinkinsDaily DevotionsTuesday, June 230

St. John’s University, Collegivelle, MN, 56231 2006

Tuesday, June 23

By: Linda Mason

Psalm 33

1 Release your heart’s joy in sweet music to the Eternal.
When the upright passionately sing glory-filled songs to Him, everything is in its right place.
2 Worship the Eternal with your instruments, strings offering their praise;
write awe-filled songs to Him on the 10-stringed harp.
3 Sing to Him a new song;
play each the best way you can, and don’t be afraid to be bold with your joyful feelings.
4 For the word of the Eternal is perfect and true;
His actions are always faithful and right.
5 He loves virtue and equity;
the Eternal’s love fills the whole earth.
6 The unfathomable cosmos came into being at the word of the Eternal’s imagination,
a solitary voice in the endless darkness.
The breath of His mouth whispered the sea of stars into existence.
7 He gathers in every drop of every ocean as in a jar,
securing the ocean depths as His watery treasure.
8 Let all people stand in awe of the Eternal;
let every man, woman and child live in wonder of Him.
9 For He spoke, and all things came into being.
A single command from His lips and all creation obeyed and stood its ground.
10 The Eternal cripples the schemes of the other nations;
He impedes the plans of rival peoples.
11 The Eternal’s purposes will last to the end of time;
the thoughts of His heart will awaken and stir all generations.
12 The nation whose True God is the Eternal is truly blessed;
fortunate are all whom He chooses to inherit His legacy.
13. The Eternal peers down from heaven
and watches all of humanity;
14 He observes every soul from His divine residence.
15 He has formed every human heart, breathing life into every human spirit;
He knows the deeds of each person, inside and out.
16 A king is not delivered by the might of his army.
Even the strongest warrior is not saved by his own strength.
17 A horse is not the way to victory;
its great strength cannot rescue.
18 Listen, the eye of the Eternal is upon those who live in awe of Him,
those who hope in His steadfast love,
19 That He may save them from the darkness of the grave
and be kept alive during the lean seasons.
20 We live with hope in the Eternal. We wait for Him.
For He is our Divine Help and Impenetrable Shield.
21 Our hearts erupt with joy in Him
because we trust His holy name.
22 O Eternal, drench us with Your endless love,
even now as we wait for You.

Sometimes the Psalms are a mystery to me. I have a hard time figuring out all the nuances. I like this version of Psalm 33 from the Voice Bible. When I worked at the Education Service Center in San Antonio, I had a friend who went very early to her church every Thursday morning to do what she called “adoration.” I often asked her about what she did/said while she was there for two hours. Answers were usually a combination of Bible reading, praying, litanies’ and meditation. I probably haven’t talked to her in ten years and out of the blue, she sent me a card about two weeks ago. The card was just a simple “thinking-of-you” type card. I was amazed that she thought of me and that she took the time to send me a card. Of course, I got out my old directory, called the number listed for her and she answered! We had a great time catching up on family, etc and I told her that I often thought of her Thursday morning commitment. She responded that up until the Covid-19 virus, she was still going every Thursday. While I am awed by her consistency, it made me think that praising God ought to be an everyday affair.

This Psalm is a praise psalm. The Psalmist furnishes us with all kinds of reasons why we should praise God: the creative power of God, His wisdom and care, His great love and grace and His salvation. I think the basis for our praise has to be trust. Often, I try to do things on my own (and sometimes they work) and I forget to praise God for everything. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of being self-sufficient. When the Psalmist reminds us to sing a new song, I think the meaning is wrapped in new mercies and new blessings. We can certainly thank God every day for those. In a small frame by the coffee pot in my house (which is where everyone goes first thing in the morning), is this reminder: “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.” I need a reminder to do just that, trust. When I think I know what to do and when I don’t know what to do, turning to God is always a good idea. Worship and praise are natural bookends for conversations with God. Recognizing His creation, His power and wisdom and His love are always good starting points of adoration. One commentary (Horne) said, “Although the Psalmist lists several instruments and adjectives for how to praise, the most important instrument is the heart.”
I’m not sure how I acquired the following prayer; I like it and have it taped to my desk as a reminder:

God of our life, there are days when the burdens we carry chafe our shoulders and weigh us down; when the road seems dreary and endless, the skies grey and threatening; when our lives have no music in them, and our hearts are lonely, and our souls have lost their courage. Flood the path with light, run our eyes to where the skies are full of promise; tune our hearts to brave music; give us the sense of comradeship with heroes and saints of every age; and so quicken our spirits that we may be able to encourage the souls of all who journey with us on the road of life, to your honor and glory. Augustine

Devotions Based on Psalms: Psalm 100

Lisa ShinkinsDaily DevotionsThursday, June 180

St. John’s University, Collegivelle, MN, 56231 2006

Thursday, June 18

By: Edgar Twedt

Psalm 100 (nrsv)

¹Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.

² Worship the Lord with gladness;

come into his presence with singing.

³ Know that the Lord is God.

It is he that made us, and we are his;

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

⁴Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

and his courts with praise.

Give thanks to him, bless his name.

⁵For the Lord is good;

his steadfast love endures forever,

and his faithfulness to all generations.

This beautiful psalm is an example of Hebrew poetry called parallelism, each stanza written in two lines (distich) or three lines (tristich). Each stanza in Psalm 100 is obviously a tristich. So verses one and two are a stanza, and verses three, four, and five are each separate stanzas. In each stanza (tristich) the second and third lines are more than mere repetition of words from preceding lines, or what one might call a paraphrase. The second and third lines intensify or compliment the thought of the first line. You can see this in each of the four stanzas in this Psalm. Stanzas one and three admonish us to worship (serve) God, and stanzas two and four tell us something about the God we are to worship. They are, in effect, the foundation on which stanzas one and three are built.

But there’s something strange going on here. Verse two begins with the word “worship” in the nrsv, as it does in the niv, and the revised English Bible, all of which are twentieth century translations. In the kjv, the nkjv, the asv, and even the rsv, the word “serve” is used. And the Hebrew word used here is unambiguously “serve.” In the Septuagint, a very old Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, the Greek word is clearly “serve.” In fact the word “worship” doesn’t appear anywhere else in this psalm. Far be it from me to argue with the scholars who translated these twentieth century versions of the Bible, but I think there is an explanation, and one that helps us understand the major thrust of this Psalm. It is easy to think of worship as something done in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings as we sing and pray and repeat the various litanies of the worship service. Worship and service are closely related in the Bible. For example Luke 4:8 reads, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” We worship when or as we serve. But how is it that we serve God? What is it that we can bring to God that adds to what God already is or has? The answer is that when we serve others we serve God. In his book, God is the Good We Do, Michael Benedikt suggests that when we see people doing good we are seeing God at work. On a more personal basis I’d suggest when we see Woodlanders preparing lunches for the needy (or many other deeds of kindness) we’re seeing God at work, AND we’re seeing worship at work, so that worship becomes an active verb in the little ordinary things of life. Wordsworth captured it so well in his famous line, “That best portion of a good person’s life; those little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.” As I read this psalm it strikes me that the most central line is verse two. All the rest of the psalm supports the idea of service. First, the psalmist calls for all the earth to make a joyful noise, and then calls for service with gladness, singing, praising and blessing God’s name. Thus all of our acts of service are to be done with joy and a heart filled with rejoicing as we worship God in the act of serving others.

Devotions Based on Psalms: Psalm 91

Lisa ShinkinsDaily DevotionsTuesday, June 160

St. John’s University, Collegivelle, MN, 56231 2006

Tuesday, June 16
By Edie Dutton

PSALM 91

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”

What an appropriate psalm for today! As I read different commentaries regarding Psalm 91, there were many opinions…Moses wrote it, no David wrote it, nope it was a temple worker; it might be a Messianic psalm. However, there were a few things on which they did and we can agree. This is a psalm of hope! Our tasks are simple. We are called to dwell near God (vs 1 & 9), acknowledge God (vs 2 & 14), call on Him (vs 15), and love God (vs 14). He does the rest and provides us a myriad of protections and gifts. I love the beautiful imagery in this psalm regarding God’s protection…shelter, shadow, refuge, fortress, wings, shield, and rampart. I also find it interesting that the beginning of the psalm is from a human voice, and the psalm concludes with God confirming the earlier verses. Very comforting!

Those who know me well know two things about me: 1) that my first language is music. It is how I express anger, joy and sadness, worship and gain comfort, tithe my gifts, how I best remember scripture and connect with others. 2) I am a bit of a worrier and like to control my environment. I have to confess worry and trying to be “in control” are two of my biggest daily sins. Today’s environment is NOT conducive to my personality type…Corona Virus, adjusting to the “new normal” in jobs and school, Murder Hornets, racial tensions, and uncertain schedules/practices ahead. However, during this time of upheaval and uncertainty, I have found myself amazingly at peace, overall. I have walked through valleys before, and God has sustained me and given me silver linings in all circumstances. It is easier today because I have exercised these spiritual muscles before and know that He is walking with me. The lines of this psalm (song) start the soundtrack in my head of at least 3 different anthems I have sung over the years. What a gift from God, in “my language” Thank you! I am attaching the audio of the most recent anthem here.

This psalm, in light of 2020 events, reminds me of another favorite verse: John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Amen

Reflection:

We are called to dwell near God, acknowledge God, call on God and love God. What does that look like in my daily life? How can I show/share that to/with the hurting world around me?

Confess to God the “daily sins” that may not be great in the eyes of the world but keep you from dwelling as close to God as you might. What is one small step/change you can make to draw closer?

What is your “first language” or how does God communicate most effectively to you? Art, nature, music, poetry, interaction with people, serving, etc. Thank God for that language.

Devotions Based on Psalms: Psalm 46

Lisa ShinkinsDaily DevotionsSaturday, June 130

St. John’s University, Collegivelle, MN, 56231 2006

^{Saturday, June 13

PSALM 46 Derlene Williams}

¹God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
²Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
³though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
⁴There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
⁵God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
⁶Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
⁷The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
⁸Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
⁹He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
¹⁰He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
¹¹The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

This psalm is a little different from most of the other Psalms which start with a crisis but Chapter 46 begins with God’s provision. So, right from the start of the chapter, He is assuring us of his ever-present help in trouble.

Many of the Psalms have a heading stating “for the director of music”. I chose Psalm 46 because it is one of those Psalms written to be sung. Two of my favorite anthems have lyrics authored in this chapter – He is My Refuge and Be Still and Know That I Am God. Singing is a wonderful way to remember the Psalms (and for me, much easier than memorization of scripture). Many of the anthems Randy chooses for our choir are directly from the Psalms. Especially during this time of coronavirus isolation, other than following directions about wearing masks, washing our hands, social distancing, and staying in, there isn’t much we can do about this situation…except to take refuge in Him.

My favorite scripture is the 10th verse of Psalm 46. For someone who tends to easily become anxious, this short command from Him is so very meaningful to me — “be still” and know (not just think) but know… that He is God…and that He is in control. We’ve all had times in our lives when we just need someone else to take charge and who better?! This is the one priority in life that makes everything else fall into place…making time to be present with Him.

For the last 12-14 years, I’ve met with a group of three ladies every other week for bible study. We communicate daily by way of email about what is going on in our lives. We share a scripture with one another that helps address that concern or question. The ladies are such a Godsend to me, and it is through this group that I have learned how to develop a true relationship with Him.

In this fast-paced world in which we live, with all kinds of technology to enable us to do even more than before, our expectations are high. The late Christian author and teacher, Russell Kelfer, put it very succinctly…”we need to slow our lives down to a pace where we can clearly hear what God is trying to say to us without forcing Him to hit a moving target! Stand still and see what God will do next. He wants to fight for you, but you will miss the battle and certainly miss the victory, if you don’t deal with the frenzy of anxiety…and be still.”

There are two ways to be still. You can choose to be still, setting aside time and waiting on God…OR you can be stilled by the circumstances of life until you have no choice, such as the death of a child, divorce, loss of a job, etc.

Kelfer describes the 46th Psalm as the Christian’s stance in the midst of life. Verses 1-3 describe our circumstances – and you must admit, the author points out some pretty dire circumstances with no hope but God tells us we have refuge in the midst of these circumstances. Verses 4-9 state the challenge; and verses 10-11 give the command and the cure. I love verse 10 as interpreted in The Message – “Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.” Wow!

Something to ponder: Why are we in such a hurry to make decisions on our own and then maybe invite Him to follow us – instead of letting Him take the lead? Be still…

Poem by Russell Kelfer
Be still, my soul, the hurried pace
No longer can endure
That frenzied pressure is not good
Nor healthy, to be sure

You live as though the Kingdom’s call
Was left but up to you
In all your pride, you’ve overlooked
What your great God can do!

Be still, my soul, to quiet flee
The world will yet go on
And in the quiet night you’ll find
What life is built upon

Oh child, your God desires not
To hide from you His Will
His very nature He’ll reveal
If you will…just…be still

Be still, my soul, and leave at once
That hurried path you’ve trod
Sit down…be still…and listen
And get to know your God!

Devotions Based on Psalms: Psalm 147

Lisa ShinkinsDaily DevotionsThursday, June 110

St. John’s University, Collegivelle, MN, 56231 2006

Thursday, June 11
By: Grayson Hanchey (10 years old)

Psalm 147 (New Revised Standard Version): Praise for God’s Care for Jerusalem

This psalm is a celebration. It’s like 3 verses of a hymn where the community of Jerusalem (Israel) praise God. There are 3 parts of the psalm, where each part calls people to praise God (verses 1, 7, 12), and then verses that follow explaining why (the reasons) we should praise God. Each part shares something that shows God’s greatness.

Let me break it down for you. I have separated the 3 parts of the psalm and written each verse as well as how I understand it.

Part 1 (147:1-6) Praise the Lord – Because the Lord delivers the oppressed
¹Praise the Lord! How good it is to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.
We should be full of praise for God and we should show it.

²The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
He built up the walls and restored the city and brought people back to their homeland.

³He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.
Our Lord does not cast the hurting aside, but He brings them up and heals them in body, mind and spirit.

⁴He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.
God is great, for He knows every star, galaxy, and constellation by name just like He knows every one of us.

⁵Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.
God is great, for He has power and knowledge beyond human imagination.

⁶The Lord lifts up the downtrodden; he casts the wicked to the ground.
The LORD shows pity on the weak, and lifts them up. The wicked who passed them over shall be cast aside.

Part 2 (147:7-11) – Praise the Lord – Because the Lord provides for the faithful
⁷Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre (harp).
We should give thanks to our God with praises, songs, instruments and from a full heart.

⁸He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills.
Our Lord sends rain as part of His blessing to the Earth and people so crops can grow.

⁹He gives to the animals their food, and to the young ravens when they cry.
Some cannot provide for themselves, so they wait on God and get their food. God feeds the animals and the people. He feeds those that need protecting.

¹⁰His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner;
No matter how great and strong a person or animal might be, God prefers those who are humble and those who truly believe in Him.

¹¹but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.
God is glad and happy with the people that worship him, however simple, poor, and unknown they may be.

Part 3 (147:12-20) – Praise the Lord – Because the Lord especially protects Israel
¹²Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion!
We should praise God as a united group of people and as a whole church of believers.

¹³For he strengthens the bars of your gates; he blesses your children within you.
This probably refers to the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls, and God’s protection of the children of God. God protects us and strengthens us.

¹⁴He grants peace within your borders; he fills you with the finest of wheat.
God brings peace throughout the land and to people, to those who are chosen and follow Him.

¹⁵He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.
God commands nature and nature follows Him, so God’s power covers the whole Earth.

¹⁶He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes.
He covers the earth with snow, so it looks blanketed in wool. He scatters the hail and frost easily.

¹⁷He hurls down hail like crumbs—who can stand before his cold?
No one can withstand the hail that God drives forth because it is too powerful.

¹⁸He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow, and the waters flow.
God commands, or He speaks, just as He sends the wind, the snow and the rain.

¹⁹He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and ordinances to Israel.
His commands, His words, and His promises are what God gives to His people as His laws.

²⁰He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his ordinances. Praise the Lord!
In the Old Testament, God did not give any of this to any other nation because Israel was the chosen nation and truly believed.

This psalm speaks about praising God, because there are many reasons to praise Him and because He showed His power to the people of Israel. He is so far above human understanding that our way to show Him our love is to praise Him. Do not forget to praise Him with your whole heart and spirit!

The 2 verses that mean a lot to me are Psalm 147:4-5 … He determines the number of the stars. He gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord and abundant in power; His understanding is beyond measure.

It reminds me of my Grappa, my mom’s dad. He is an astronomer, and he taught me how to use a telescope to look at the stars and find planets and distant galaxies. He is also an astrophotographer, which means that he takes pictures of stars and galaxies using his telescopes and computers. He and I have taken pictures together and looked for stars and galaxies. We even discovered the star in one of the attached images that wasn’t listed on the star maps! It was a remnant of a supernova explosion that happened before the Psalms were ever written. To us, this star was new. However, Psalm 147:4 makes me think that you will never find a “new” star because it is already known by God. It reminds me of how GREAT God is! He has power and knowledge beyond human understanding (Psalm 147:5), and the creation that God made is infinite and amazing! I have included some pictures that my Grappa has taken so you can see and feel God’s greatness. This also makes me think about the astronauts that recently went on the SpaceX Dragon Rocket to the International Space Station. They have a front row seat to God’s greatness. I bet it’s an awesome view! If I was up there, I would sure praise God!

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Friday, July 3 By Kim Moore

Psalm 30

I will exalt you, Lord for you lifted me out of the depth and did not let my enemies gloat over me.

Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.

You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit.

Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name.

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

David could say these things because he had experienced them many, many times. Throughout his life as a shepherd, harpist, giant slayer, warrior, leader, outlaw, king, adulterer and ‘family man’, David had leaned on the Lord time and again to help him. And the Lord always came through.

Bonded relationships start with one experience at a time. If you live next door to someone, that’s one dimension. You may be really good neighbors and share some happy events together. But it’s still just a one-dimensional relationship.

Maybe you also go to the same church. And maybe you’ve served on several committees together. Now the relationship has more dimensions.

All combined, some are personal, some are spiritual. Some are fun and some are funny. Some exhausting. Some even frustrating.

Maybe you take family trips together. Snow skiing. Beach trips. Family cruise. Hunting trips. Cook outs.

As the relationship gains more depth, it’s likely there will be some painful times shared. Financial struggles. Job loss. Personal life tragedies.

Suppose your spouse contracts cancer. Your ‘neighbor’ ends up becoming the chauffeur to your kids, spends time bringing meals, visiting the hospital, communicating with friends, coordinating food. Spending time just to be ‘there’.

And eventually helping write the obituary. Your ‘neighbor’ is the one who stays at the house after the funeral when everyone has left. And is the one that keeps showing up long after.

Your kids grow up and move away and eventually are in each other’s weddings. And your ‘neighbor’ speaks at your daughter’s rehearsal dinner.

Over time, this ‘neighbor’ has become a part of you. Like a rope, you’re braided together into one friendship that becomes unlike any other, special and forever. At some point, there’s not a lot that could separate you. Certainly not politics, religion or money.

Reflections

“Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, the last of life, for which the first was made. Our times are in his hand who saith, ‘A whole I planned, youth shows but half; Trust God: See all, nor be afraid!” Robert Browning

Psalm 22:1-2 we hear the internal battle on one who struggles with the sense of the absence of God. At times, I am envious of the person who seems to have it all together. I wonder, “Does this person really understand?” or “What did he or she do to get all the breaks?”

In verses 8 and 19 David uses the intimate, personal name of God YAHWEH. David begins to express trust as he recalls his own life as well as the life of others.

PAUSE FOR REFLECTION

Have you ever felt distant from God during a difficult time? What did you experience in both your thinking and feelings?

What helps you in difficult times to regain your balance?

Is there a person with whom you can share your struggles and allow that person to pray for you?

PRAYER OF CONFESSION God, I guess it never occurred to me that after years of struggle, it would continue to be a struggle – keeping my mind stayed on thee. I thought it would be automatic by now. I guess I thought I would be . .. uh. . . habitually sanctified.

So that’s the way it is, Lord? – always a struggle? Always alternating between the brilliance of midday-and groping in the dark?

The only surety I have is there will be these dark nights of the soul-and there will be, as there have been, the times of close and personal experience of thy presence. Ah so, Lord. This is thy way.

Help me remember, in my times of groping, that the way will be clear . . . for awhile.

And in my times of blessed surety, that thou are Mystery, and there will again be time when the way is dark. Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me – Bless his holy name.

Plum Jelly and Stained Glass & Other Prayers (5th Printing) by Jo Carr & Imogene Sorley, Nashville: Abingdon, 1973.

Coffee fellowship time is from 8:30-10:00 AM in The Atrium, between the Youth Center and Music Suite
9:00 AM - Worship in Maresh Fellowship Hall
9:50 AM - Sunday School for all ages
11:00 AM - Worship in the Sanctuary

Friday, July 3
By Kim Moore

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God,
I guess it never occurred to me that after years of struggle, it would continue to be a struggle – keeping my mind stayed on thee. I thought it would be automatic by now. I guess I thought I would be . .. uh. . . habitually sanctified.

And in my times of blessed surety, that thou are Mystery, and there will again be time when the way is dark.
Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me – Bless his holy name.

Plum Jelly and Stained Glass & Other Prayers (5^th Printing) by Jo Carr & Imogene Sorley, Nashville: Abingdon, 1973.