113sth Week Psalm Chapters 16-19 (Click on Title for Video Intro)

Click on Video for Video Introduction

Advent Video for 4th Week: https://youtu.be/xDAAf_x6pa4 

Monday, Psalm Chapter 16

Theme:  The joys and benefits of a life lived in companionship with God.  We enjoy these benefits now and eternally.

Author:  David

Psalms 16

Tanya Ruden

The Message Bible Translation

A David Song

1-2 Keep me safe, O God, I’ve run for dear life to you.

I say to God, ‘Be my Lord!’

  Without you, nothing makes sense.

3 And these God-chosen lives all around—

  what splendid friends they make!

4 Don’t just go shopping for a god.

  Gods are not for sale.

I swear I’ll never treat god-names

  like brand-names.

5-6 My choice is you, God, first and only.

  And now I find I’m your choice!

You set me up with a house and yard.

  And then you made me your heir!

7-8 The wise counsel God gives when I’m awake

  is confirmed by my sleeping heart.

Day and night I’ll stick with God;

  I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go.

9-10 I’m happy from the inside out,

  and from the outside in, I’m firmly formed.

You canceled my ticket to hell—

  that’s not my destination!

11 Now you’ve got my feet on the life path,

  all radiant from the shining of your face.

Ever since you took my hand,

  I’m on the right way.

I hope you can tell that the end 3 verses were my favorite. I am happy from the inside out.  How hard is it to be happy on the outside when you are not happy on the inside? I don’t know about you, but when I am sad, I feel so fakey on the outside when I try to be happy. I hate that feeling. I like to truly fix the inside so my outside shows it. I think that is why my friends can read my emotions so well.  What they see is what they get, and 90% of the time it is happiness, true happiness.  But when I am sad or experiencing a stressful issue, they can see that and always know the true me.

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, thank You for making us a complete person with an inside and outside that both reflect Your love.  One is where You live and because of Your home in our heart the world sees our happiness.  May others want to shine and walk the path with us.  In the name of God our Father.  AMEN

Tuesday, Psalm Chapter 17

Theme:  A plea for justice in the face of false accusations and persecution.  David urges you to realize the true goal of life - to know God - and the true reward of life - to see God one day.  

Author:  David, written while he was being persecuted by Saul.  

Psalms 17

Verse 8

Jeanie Boldt

VERSE 8:  Keep me as the apple of your eye, hide me in the shadow of your wings.

THOUGHT

Here David is asking the Lord to keep him safe. Just as we so carefully protect the pupils of our eyes, David is asking the Lord to protect him.  Likewise he uses the figure of speech that represents how a mother bird protects her young by covering them with her wings.  

Wouldn’t it be scary to be walking this earthly kingdom without the Lord by our side?  This does not mean that the way will be clean and smooth without any traffic on it. We may encounter the busiest, dirtiest, rough road that there is. However, He will never desert us. He will guide us through the painful circumstances and even at times help us escape the worst of things. 

His protection teaches us perseverance and faith strengthening. May our faith keep us strong and always trusting in Him.  David urges us to realize the true goal of life - TO KNOW GOD — and the true reward of life — TO SEE GOD ONE DAY. 

PRAYER

Keep us each day in Your protective cover and in Your faith. May we daily ask for Your armor of protection and lean on Your strength. Help us to stand strong against the evil one and his ways. Thank You for always being there and for guiding us through the rough spots.  We need YOU!!!  We want YOU in our lives and on our path.  In Blood of Christ.  AMEN

Wednesday, Psalm Chapter 18 (Verses 1-19)  Also Read II Samuel Chapter 22

Theme:  Gratitude for deliverance and victory.  The only sure way to be delivered from surrounding evil is to call upon God for help and strength.  

Author:  David

Psalms 18a

Verses 2, 16-17a

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 2:  The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 

THOUGHT

This verse is special to me because Sis gave this to me in a little box for a Christmas present one year ago.  It is taped to my computer and is read each and every day.  There are days when I am tired and just don’t feel like working or down a little from the world’s hardships.  This verse reminds me where our strength should lie.  These words of strength, from our Father, delivers us from the evil one. 

I also heard a sermon on these verses by Heather’s roommate’s husband in Minneapolis at Community of Joy Church.  They are now missionaries in Taiwan.

Verses 16&17a:  He reached down from on high and took hold of me: he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me.

THOUGHT

Have you ever been drowning and needed someone to reach in and pull you up? It is devastation. It is like the end. You feel worthless and so sad.  Then as if the Lord knew you were just about out of breath and needed air, UP He brought you to the surface for your own salvation.  I have known this feeling and thank God each day for His saving grace. When the storms come, remember that God is greater than the storms and will help you see the rainbow.

PRAYER

Father God, thank You for Your Saving Grace.  We do not deserve it nor can we earn it.  You just give it freely to us. Thank You for loving us that much. Thank You for loving Your friend David that much and for him sharing his feelings in words.  We have been there too. We are so glad to know that we are never helpless.  Loving You each day.  AMEN

Thursday, Psalm Chapter 18b (Verses 20-50) Also read II Samuel Chapter 22

Psalms 18b

Verses 30, 33

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 30:  As for God, His way is perfect; the Word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.

THOUGHT

Can you imagine being perfect?  Man, I am far from it but I am secure and comfortable in the fact that I love the one God of us all who is. What better person to use as an example for our daily lives. He made it simple also.  He gave us His Word, our Bible, that is also flawless. We can use it to help us. Not only can it strengthen and guide us, but it gives us the armor we need for each and every day when we walk in the real world. 

I remember when the girls were younger and even during their young adult years when they would struggle with deadlines, tests or relationships. The one phrase that I would always repeat is that “You have Jesus in your heart. You have accomplished the one most important thing that you have to have. Rejoice in that and know that God will help you.  With the Lord all things will work out.”

Verse 33:  He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; He enables me to stand on the heights.

THOUGHT

This is one verse that I have taped on my bathroom mirror, and I read each morning.  I love to walk and have been able to exercise my whole life. I thank the Lord each day as I take that first step on my exercise journey.  Thank You, Jesus, for giving me my feet and ability I have to walk. Also, Thank You for walking along beside me. 

When the world was too heavy for me to carry on my own, and I felt at a complete loss, I went on a walk.  It was on that walk, that I knew what it meant to ask the Lord to carry me, “Footsteps”.  I find a closeness to the Lord when I walk. Thank You for carrying us when we fall, walking beside us as we heal and then allowing us to go as far as we can when we are able.

David closes this chapter by praising our God as he opened the chapter. In verse 46 he said, “The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock!”  After this chapter we can “Rock ‘on” with the Lord as our partner.

PRAYER

Our Rock and our Salvation!! Thank You for sending Jesus to walk before us and to be the perfect example of a human to pattern our lives after.  We love being in Your Word where we hear instruction on how to do just that. We pray that the Holy Spirit will talk to each of us as we learn to lean on You more. Father, we are all active people.  Although we may not be like deer, we are grateful for our ability to walk, run, bike, swim, scuba dive, dance, roller blade or swim.  We pray that You will always feel welcome when the race is going well or when we are struggling. Whatever strength we have, we know it came from You.  We know that whoever we are or whatever we do, You enabled us.  Blessed be Your Name. You are our Rock!!!  AMEN

Friday, Psalm Chapter 19

Theme:  Both God's creation and His Word reveal His greatness.

Author:  David

Psalms 19

Verse 14

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 14:  May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

THOUGHT

I wasn’t going to choose this verse because it is such a well-known quoted scripture before sermons and special prayer time. However, it so speaks to me each day as I rise to work, play or just remain home and relax. Do you think about the Lord watching every movement you make, and listening to every word you speak?  Do you want Him to know those most inner thoughts and feelings that you have each moment of the day? Well, you better be careful because He does know. 

I believe that we need to know what we will do or what we will say before the situation arises if at all possible. S000, as we begin each day, may we determine that God’s love will guide what we say and how we think. ASK HIM!!! HE WILL PROVIDE EXACTLY WHAT YOU W1LL NEED!!!

PRAYER

Father God, may we as Salt Shakers look to You each and every morning and ask for direction for that day.  May we remember that You are there with us each moment of the day, and You know our actions and inner most thoughts.  Help us not to disappoint You.  May we open each day beholding Our Father’s glory in Jesus Christ.  Help us to enter each day with the devotion of a bridegroom and the determination of an athlete.  At the end of the day, Father, we pray that what we have done will please You.  Continue to speak to us through Your words in the Psalms.  As we approach the weekend, may our days be filled with love and fellowship and relaxation.  Lovingly we speak these words to You. AMEN