O – After a whole chapter of pain, repentance and judgment conversation, David turns his attention wholly to God in gratitude. Notice, none of the pain or repentance happened yet. He was still being pursued and slandered.
A – When things are bad or they haven’t changed yet, we need to come to God in worship and gratitude. Not easy when you know His unlimited power and ability. God is working even when we don’t see it.
R – Lord, thank you for working on my behalf. In ALL things, I am grateful for you will and purposes being accomplished.
S – My whole being is shaken with terror. And you, Lord—how long?
Psalms 6:3 CSB
O – Commentary:
The words in this verse are highly emotional. The question how long? is unfinished because of his intense frustration. (Cf. “How long?” in 13:1–2; 35:17; 74:10; 79:5; 80:4; 82:2; 89:46; 94:3; 119:84.) He longed for God’s healing.
“Psalms,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
A – I love the relatability of this lament. This is a common part of our relationship with God. We desire something and he doesn’t do it. We do what the Bible says to do…and He doesn’t do it. We see His promises and power and…He doesn’t it do it. Even David had to wait. I can’t give a good answer but I do know that God’s timing is perfect.
R – Lord, help me to trust in your timing. Help my expectations to line up with your actions.
S – But I enter your house by the abundance of your faithful love;
I bow down toward your holy temple in reverential awe of you
Psalms 5:7 CSB
O – Commentary: God’s mercy (ḥeseḏ, “loyal love”) toward him. Another definition is favor. By this, he could approach the tabernacle to worship the Lord in reverence. The Hebrew word for bow down (often trans. “worshiped) signifies prostrating oneself, a posture that represents the proper inner attitude toward God in worship. The wicked are arrogant; a worshiper is humble before God.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
A – Any of my family can come into my house and not feel like a guest. We are not guests in God’s house. Or even to come into His presence. Through the blood of Jesus, we enter into that place with him with favor, mercy and grace. Why? God wants a relationship as much as we do.
R – Lord, thank you for desiring time and a relationship with me today. Let me walk in your presence and be led by your Spirit in all things.
S – Know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for himself;
the Lord will hear when I call to him.
Psalms 4:3 CSB
O – In answering his enemies, the author encourages himself with his relationship with God and what God will do.
A – What would our challenges look like to us if we saw them through the lens of how God sees us and is leading us through them? If we saw that He sees us as strong, courageous, wise, humble, discerning and teachable? If we knew He heard us even when we don’t see Him working? It would change the perspective.
R – Lord, let me lead today knowing that in setting me apart, you equip me with all the resources you have to offer. Let me walk in confidence that you are with me.
O – Commentary: In the face of such antagonism, David found comfort in God’s character. Using the metaphor of a shield, he said that God was the true Source of his protection (in spite of their taunts). The words lifts up my head express restoration to dignity and position
“Psalms,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
A – As we navigate each day, God gives us some “tools” to help us. The Holy Spirit, His Word and His character. When you are in a real relationship with someone, you “know” them. You know their thoughts, words, convictions and beliefs. The more you get to know God, you get to know his character. In this psalm, you see that he protects and he restores. He fights for you and takes away shame and disgrace. His love goes way beyond salvation. He loves you right where you are at.
R – Lord, help me to have God’s character in my life as I navigate my day today.
S – The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers conspire together
against the Lord and his Anointed One:, “Let’s tear off their chains and throw their ropes off of us.”
The one enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord ridicules them.
Psalms 2:2–4 CSB
O –
There are people whose words and actions are against God.
Laughs –sâchaq, saw-khak’; a prim. root; to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); implies. to play:— deride, have in derision, laugh, make merry, mock (-er), play, rejoice, (laugh to) scorn, be in (make) sport.
A – All three times in the Bible where God laughs, it is in mockery of those who come against Him. As a believer, it brings awe to the magnitude of God’s unlimited power and strength. Gal. 6:7-8 says “God will not be mocked.” We live in a time when people are taking liberty with their views and actions toward God.
R – Lord, I repent of any time I chose my own way over yours. I desire to reverence who you are while building a relationship with you to know you better.
S – He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Psalms 1:3 CSB
O – The imagery of this is strong. A tree beside a flowing stream will be fruitful and consistent. It continues to grow which is prosperity.
A – As I navigate my journey with Christ, this is what I want. I want to be firmly rooted. I want to stay close to God. I want consistent time with God daily that results in my own growth. I want to bear fruit that models Godly character but also nourishes others’ growth in Christ. Finally, I want to live a prosperous life in all areas.
R – Lord, help me to live in a way that produces these results today.
S – But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see him there just as he told you.’ ”
Mark 16:7 CSB
O – In many sermons, it is noted “and Peter.” The principle shared is that Peter is singled out because he denied Christ three times. The message of forgiveness and inclusion when sin and denial mean to bring isolation and judgment.
A – If Jesus can forgive denial by one of his closest friends at a horrific time, can’t we forgive as well? Jesus continues to model for us the power of forgiveness. It has to be extended and accepted for it to be effective. Graciously, we only have to do one of the two parts. But both people need to do their part for it to work. If Jesus or Peter don’t do their part, where would the new church be?
R – Lord, help me to forgive quickly today. I am a sinner and have no right to hold someone else in judgment. I have been forgiven…I must forgive others.
S – Those who passed by were yelling insults at him, shaking their heads, and saying, “Ha! The one who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save yourself by coming down from the cross!” 31 In the same way, the chief priests with the scribes were mocking him among themselves and saying, “He saved others, but he cannot save himself!
Mark 15:29–31 CSB
O – First, interesting note about “shaking their heads.” It fulfills a prophecy in Psalms –
Psalm 22:7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head,
Also, using Jesus’ own words to mock him, the crowd jeers that he saved others but couldn’t save himself. The Messiah, being God, should be able to do that.
A – In hindsight, we know Jesus could save himself.
“Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 “How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?”
Matt 26:52–54 NASB
Here is the great part. Jesus could not save himself. If he saved himself, he could not save you and I. His whole purpose was to be the sacrifice and shed his blood for us. The words “save yourself” was another way the enemy was trying to alter “the plan.” (Ex. Temptations in the wilderness).
R – Lord, thank you for giving your body and blood for me today. Let me be the man of God you called me to be. Let me honor your sacrifice in a way that honors you.
S – She has done what she could; she has anointed my body in advance for burial. 9 Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”
Mark 14:8–9 CSB
O – Commentary:
This was a “beautiful thing” done in preparation “for My burial.” The woman may not have understood, but she did love the Lord and expressed that love by giving.
Judas, on the other hand, “went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them” for the promise of money.
What a contrast. The woman gave generously because she loved Jesus: Judas betrayed Jesus because he loved money.
This unique promise looked beyond His death, burial, and resurrection to the present period of time when the gospel is being preached.
“Mark,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
A – This action carries a gravity to it. With great cost, the woman acknowledges “anointing” on the one who embodies the anointing. That is amazing. Jesus links the gospel to this action for the time after his resurrection. Her recognition of who He is and a willingness to accept that personally caused her to give of herself (love and personal belongings) to him. Much like we do in accepting Christ today. He asks for our relationship and hearts.
Just Add Water . Chris Bonham 