138th Week, Psalm Chapter 42-46 (Click on Title for Video Introduction)

Click on Title for Video Intro

Monday, Psalm Chapter 42

Theme:  A thirst for God.  When you feel lonely or depressed, meditate on God's Kindness and love. 

Author:  The sons of Korah, who were temple musicians and assistants

Psalm 42

Verse 5

Delores Little

Verse 5:  Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God. 

Verse 11 reads the same.

THOUGHT

I prayed what to do on this chapter this morning and these verses stood out to me.  I know there isn’t a person who hasn’t sometime in their life felt this way. I sure have. Right now my daughter-in-law, and my son are walking the same road Jane, Jeanie and Gary walked with their Mother. Debbie has to make most of the decisions of what to do after talking things over with her two sisters. The care center where her Mom called last week and said her Mom could not be alone by herself anymore, and they have to decide what to do.  I know they feel downcast about all this.

Another friend from church is moving to Kansas because her husband got stationed there.   He is down there, and she and the kids are up here getting things ready to move.  She really was down.  I prayed with her this morning. 

I know Heather & David have to have their times of frustration with working and planning their wedding.

I get down when I see my grandkids living a life which is not of the Lord.  For years I have been praying for them to really follow God, but know they have to make the choice.  It breaks my heart, and I truly have to give it to God.

Our hope is in our God who is always there for us.

PRAYER

Father, we ask forgiveness of our sins.  Help us when we feel downcast.  Help us let loose of the areas of frustration and hurt.  Fill us full of Your love, joy and peace.  You are so awesome, and we are so thankful for You.  Lead us daily into Your ways more and more.  In Jesus Name.  AMEN

Tuesday, Psalm Chapter 43

Theme:  Hope in a time of discouragement in the face of discouragement, our only hope is in God.

Author:  The sons of Korah (temple assistants)

Psalm 43

Verse 3

Jeanie Boldt

VERSE 3:  Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; Let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.

THOUGHT

There have been times in my life when I was completely lost or needed the guidance of my Heavenly Father.  When I was left alone, when Mom died, when 9/11 happened, when Rory’s best friend was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, when I received the announcements of the birth of my grandchildren, I needed the Lord to guide me. I needed light and truth and the faith and knowledge that He was on His Holy Mountain.

There is comfort in knowing that no matter what, the Lord is in charge, and He will not only be our guide but will carry us if needed.

PRAYER

Thank You, God our Father, for Your faithfulness.  I just want You to know that no matter what happens, our comfort comes in the fact that we know You are on Your Holy Mountain. You are the one we believe in, and may we look to You always for the direction that we need. Thank You for being our light and the truth that we can hold on to.  AMEN

Verse for Strength: Psalm 11:3-4 When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do? The Lord is in His Holy Temple, the Lord is on His Heavenly Throne.  He observes the sons of men; His eyes examine them.

Wednesday, Psalm Chapter 44

Theme:  A plan for victory by the battle-weary and defeated.  When it seems that God has let you down, don't despair.  Instead, remember God's past deliverance and be confident that He will restore you.  

Author:  The sons of Koran (temple assistants)

Psalm 44

Verse 26

Delores Little

Verse 26:  “Rise up and help us; redeem us because of your unfailing love.”

THOUGHT

This chapter really tells us how God is in control, and He wins the battle not us.  When we take over, His hands will come off, and He lets us do our own things.  This usually gets us into a whole lot of trouble.

Let me tell you I have done this so much in my walk with God.  I remember a time in the 70’s when a Pastor and I hit heads.  For one year I did not attend church because of the situation.  The Lord asked me, “Are you going to church to worship the Pastor or Me?”  I wanted to go for the Lord so He told me to go back to church and worship Him with my heart and soul.  

Another time in the 70’s I was having money trouble trying to keep up with the bills for the family.  My husband had turned this all over to me to take care of for he was working so many hours.  I thought God wasn’t hearing me pray so I put Him on a shelf and thought I could do it better.  We almost lost our home. It was then that we started to give 10% of our wages to God, and He really started to walk us through the hole we were in.

To say I wish it could have been different; “Yes I do.”  BUT, I learn so much from my mistakes.  Each one brought me closer to God. He truly doesn’t leave or forsake us.  God wins the battles - not us.  Without Him - we will lose them.  Let’s give God all our needs and troubles, and He will give us the victory. Praise the Lord.  He loves us so much and how great that is, dear ones.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, forgive us when we put You to the side and try to fix things our way. Help us to always bring our needs to You daily. Teach us to love more.  Fill us with Your Joy and Peace.  Lead us on the right path each day. May we do it unto to You and not us.  In Jesus Name we pray. AMEN

Thursday, Psalm Chapter 45

Theme:  A poem to the king (possibly Solomon) on the occasion of his wedding.  While this psalm was written for an historic occasion, it is also seen as a prophecy about Christ and His bride, the church, who will praise Him throughout all generations.  

Author:  The sons of Korah (temple assistants)

Psalm 45

Verses 6 & 7

Delores Little

Verses 6 & 7:  Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with oil of joy.

THOUGHT

This chapter is a Wedding Song.

I would like to share a little about my wedding. I got married May 8, 1954.  We made the decision very quickly. After getting ready we left for my folk’s farm.  They had no idea of this.  My Mom was having a perm given to her, and my Dad was in the fields.  We told her to take the perm out, and we got Dad out of the field.  Then after getting into our cars, we headed for Elgin, Nebraska, to pick up a brother and his family.  We then went on to Albion to get our marriage license.  Well, the court house had just closed, and the Judge was coming out.  Dad knew him so he opened back up so we could get our license. We went to the flower store and got a red rose, and I bought a white Bible to carry. After going to the Pastor’s home, we found out he had gone fishing. We both were disappointed.  We went into a drug store, and there was the Pastor as he forgot his worms.  We told him what we wanted to do.  He agreed to marry us at the church.  My Dad walked me down the aisle, and my oldest brother and the older of my two sisters there stood up with us.  I know the Pastor thought it would never work.  We were married 47 1/2 years before Willie died.  We made the commitment to love and stay together for life and did just that.

After I accepted Jesus as Lord of my life, I thought, isn’t it interesting I picked a red rose and the white Bible to carry?

He ís the Rose Of Sharon and the Word of God.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, forgive us our sins and thank You for everything.  Bless all the Salt Shakers.  Bless each of the marriages represented in our families.  Help us daily to let our partners know how much we love them.  Give us agape love and unconditional actions. Help us to have the attitude of Christ and the Spirit of a Servant.  AMEN

Friday, Psalm Chapter 46

Theme:  God is always there to help, providing refuge, security, and peace.  God's power is complete and His ultimate victory is certain.  He will not fail to rescue those who love Him.  

Author:  The sons of Korah (temple assistants)

Psalm 46

Verse 1

Tanya Ruden

Verse 1: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

THOUGHT

When you read this Psalm - how can you not choose this verse? God is our strength and not only when we are in trouble, but also when we need Him most. My church kicked off their Vacation Bible School last night. We have 150 kids registered, and I bet we have about 50 helpers. Our church is full of the

love of Christ.

I am on the opening and closing team, and I teach the music rotation to the pre-k and the older kids.  Basically I sing and dance for 3 hours. I have a total new respect for famous singers. This is exhausting.  I am totally gathering my strength from God this week. Without Him I know I would not have the energy to do what I am doing all week. I also know that at night I fall exhausted in His arms as a refuge. 

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, may You always be our source of strength. May we always turn to You when we have trouble. You are our only refuge, and the only one that rescues us from our trouble. May we never forget that when we are tempted. God, give us strength for Your mission on this earth. Please work in all the hearts of the children at every church who have attended VBS or are about to. AMEN