devotional

January 28th THE PSALMS Ps 119:97- Ps 121 Psalm 119 (b) Your word is like a lamp for my feet and a light for my path [ it shows how life should be lived]. Psalm 119:105, The Expanded Bible Theme: The excelling value of God’s Word (b). Background: Meditations on the Excellencies of...

January 27th THE PSALMS Psalm 119:1-96 Psalm 119 (a) Although I have become like a shriveled and dried out wineskin, I have not forgotten your laws. Psalm 119:83, God’s Word Translation Theme: The excelling value of God’s Word (a) Background: An acrostic Psalm of 22 sections each...

January 26th THE PSALMS Psalm 114-118 Psalm 118 The stone the masons discarded as flawed is now the capstone! This is God’s work. We rub our eyes - we can hardly believe it! This is the very day God acted - let’s celebrate and be festive! Psalm 118:22-24, The Message Theme: Praise to...

January 25th THE PSALMS Psalm 108-113 Psalm 113 Who is like Yahweh our God? His throne is set on high, but he stoops to look down on heaven and earth. Psalm 113:5-6, New Jerusalem Bible Theme: The Majesty and Humility of God. Background: The first of the six Passover psalms or Hallel...

January 24th THE PSALMS Psalm 106-107 Psalm 10 “LORD, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress. Psalm 107:6, New Living Translation Theme: Jehovah saves out of distress. Background: The journey from Babylon to Jerusalem. Notice the repetitive...

January 23rd THE PSALMS Psalm 104-105 Psalm 105 They clamped his feet in fetters. His neck went into irons. Until [the] time his word came about, the word of Yahweh tested him. Psalm 105:18-19, Lexham English Bible Theme: From Egypt to Canaan: praise Jehovah, seek his face constantly...

January 22nd THE PSALMS Psalm 98-103 Psalm 103 The same way a loving father feels toward his children - that’s but a sample of your tender feelings toward us, your beloved children, who live in awe of you. Psalm 103:13, The Passion Translation Theme: Praise for Jehovah’s Mercies...

January 21st THE PSALMS Psalm 92-97 Psalm 94 When worries threaten to overwhelm me, your soothing touch makes me happy. Psalm 94:19, The NET Bible Theme: School of Affliction. Background: The righteous are oppressed – does God care? 94:12 “Blessed is the man whom you discipline...

January 20th THE PSALMS Psalm 89-91 Psalm 90 Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. Psalm 90:12, New Living Translation Theme: Man’s frailty. Background: The older generation of Israelites were dying off in the wilderness. 90:4 “For a thousand...

January 19th THE PSALMS Psalm 84-88 Psalm 88 You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness. Psalm 88:18, English Standard Version Theme: Darkest Times. Background: One-third of the Psalms are in the ‘anguish’ category, with Psalm 88 as the most...

January 18th THE PSALMS Psalm 79-83 Psalm 80 Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved. Psalm 80:3, New Living Translation Theme: Restore us. Background: Asaph’s two metaphors for Israel: a flock (vs 1-7) a vine (vs 8-14). 80:3...

January 17th THE PSALMS Psalm 77-78 Psalm 77 Your way ran through the sea, Your path cut through great waters, and still no one can spot Your footprints. Psalm 77:19, The Voice Theme: Remembering. Background: Asaph’s depression and deliverance. 77:2-3 “In the day of my trouble I...

January 16th THE PSALMS Psalm 72-76 Psalm 73 But as for me, drawing near to God is good for me. Psalm 73:28, Recovery Version Theme: Pondering Prosperity. Background: Asaph’s self-pity as he saw the prosperity of the wicked. 73:3-4 “For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw...

https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2021/01/15/remember-the-faithfulness-of-god TRUTH FOR TODAY James 1:17, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (NIV)

January 15th THE PSALMS Psalm 69-71 Psalm 69 I looked in vain for one friendly face. Not one. I couldn’t find one shoulder to cry on. Psalm 69:20, The Message Theme: Messianic Mistreatment. Background: Psalm 22 describes Jesus’ physical sufferings too. 69:4 “They hate me without...

https://win2012s-2.gothamweb.net/hopeoftheworld-org/Sapphires/index.php Friday, January 15, 2021 What if you went up to a caterpillar and tried to tell it the truth about its life? You'd say something like: "Listen I know it looks like you're a worm, it feels like you're a worm, and you're...

January 14th THE PSALMS Psalm 65-68 Psalm 68 Blessed be the Lord, who daily takes our load; the Deity is our salvation. Psalm 68:19, Byington Translation Theme: Celebration of Triumph. Background: The Ark taken to Zion with great joy (2 Sam 6:2-18). 68:3 “But the righteous one...

January 13th THE PSALMS Psalm 59-64 Psalm 63 O God, You are my God; I seek You diligently. My soul thirsts for You, my flesh faints in longing for You, in a dry and weary land without water. Psalm 63:1, Recovery Version Theme: Longing for God Himself. Background: David’s deep love...

January 12th THE PSALMS Psalm 54-58 Psalm 56 On days when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Psalm 56:3, International Standard Version Theme: Fear and Faith. Background: David escaped to Gath by pretence of insanity (1 Sam 21; Ps 34). 56:3-4 “When I am afraid, I put my trust in...

January 11th THE PSALMS Psalm 49-53 Psalm 51 Create for me a pure heart, O God! Renew a resolute spirit within me! Psalm 51:10, The NET Bible Theme: Repentance and Restoration. Background: The aftermath of David’s sins of adultery and murder. 51:6 “Behold, you delight in truth in...