S – God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 

¹¹ Do not banish me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 

Psalms  51:10 – 11 CSB

O – Commentary: 

51:10 a clean heart Throughout the works of the prophets, God states He will restore His people by giving them a new heart that will enable them to return to Him in obedience (see Jer 24:7; Ezek 11:20 and note).

51:11 do not take your Holy Spirit from me The psalmist may have been thinking of when God removed His Spirit from Saul after Saul became His enemy (see 1 Sam 16:14 and note)

Faithlife Study Bible 

A – We are going to make mistakes.  David comes to God in true repentance and contrition.  He also recognizes that he doesn’t want to lose the Holy Spirit.  The NT scriptures assure us that we are sealed in our relationship with God.  Yet, God looks at our hearts and knows the inner workings.  We need to come to him in true repentance like David did.

R – Heavenly Father, I am a sinner and I make mistakes.  I am grateful for your forgiveness that comes through Jesus Christ and the presence of your Holy Spirit in my life.  Search my heart and reveal things in my life that don’t align with You or Your Word.  I desire Your presence and relationship with You.

S – The way of the Lord is a stronghold for the honorable, but destruction awaits evildoers. 

Proverbs 10:29 CSB

O – “Way” – derek,  a road (as trodden); fig. a course of life or mode of action, 

       “Stronghold” –mâ˓ûz, a fortified place; fig. a defence:— force, fort (-ress), rock, strength (-en), (× most) strong (hold)

      “Honorable” –tôm, completeness; fig. prosperity; usually (mor.) innocence:— full, integrity, perfect (-ion), simplicity, upright (-ly, -ness), 

 James Strong, The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1996).

A – The path God has for us is a strength and defense for those who walk in the completeness of a relationship with Christ.  Without Christ, destruction awaits because they lack that completeness.  Interestingly, “stronghold” is usually referred to with a negative connotation with something that is against a Christian walk.  The definition applies in both scenarios.

R – Heavenly Father, I want my stronghold to be in You.  I am grateful for the relationship with Christ which makes up the difference in my lack.  I surrender the areas that I continue to work on in my relationship with You.  Thank you for your presence and power today.

S – May the Lord bless you and protect you; may the Lord make his face shine on you 

and be gracious to you; may the Lord look with favor on you and give you peace.” ’

Numbers 6:24–26 CSB

O – This is the blessing God wanted for the priests to speak over the Israelites.  It brings out the qualities of God that only He has in the spiritual realm.  Man can do all of these to a certain level on their own but not at God’s.

A – We recognize that we do these things in our own ways and fall short of God’s abilities.  We need to recognize God in all areas of our lives so can receive the true blessing of His relationship, power and presence.

R – Heavenly Father, thank you for you love for us…right where we are in our journey with You.  We receive the blessing of knowing you intimately and desire more of your presence in our lives.  The blessings beyond this are indications of your power and love for us.  We are grateful for all that You bless us with today.

S – When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to question him any longer

Mark 12:34 CSB

O – After numerous attempts to discredit Jesus, a scribe affirms Jesus’ answer of “Love God, Love People” as the greatest commandment.  The scribe goes on to say “Those are more important than all the burnt offerings.” Jesus affirmed him in saying “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” The recognition of love and relationships by the scribe is the turning point.  

A – We can get caught up in actions proving our faith instead of Jesus being the foundation.  The “Love God, Love People” inquiry is a simple test to tell us how we are doing in our walk with Him.  When we get off-center, we can ask God to forgive us and ask Him to help us line up with His Word and His will.

R – Heavenly Father, we invite your Holy Spirit to lead us today so our love for You and others grows.  We surrender our desires and seek Your will and purposes.  Help us to live our faith in our thoughts, words and actions.

S – What the wicked dreads will come to him, but what the righteous desire will be given to them. 

Proverbs 10:24 

O – The wicked knows there is a day of reckoning.  If one is approaching something righteously, God is part of the equation.

A – The “wicked” recognize that there is a “price” to pay for everything – our actions, attitudes and words.  Our conscience allows us to know right from wrong. The righteous person knows their price is already paid in Jesus on the cross.  This doesn’t cause them to continue in wickedness.  It allows them to find a Godly path.  They will receive their desire – more of God.

R – Heavenly Father, our prayer is that we would grow in our intimacy with You.  We would take on more of Your Character and think, speak and act accordingly.  Thank you for your mercy which takes off our own path and puts us on the one You have for us.

S – God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found 

in times of trouble.  Therefore we will not be afraid

Psalms  46:1–2 CSB

O – Commentary: 

The psalmist declared that God is the Refuge (maḥseh, “shelter from danger”; cf. comments on 14:6) and Strength (cf. comments on 18:1) of believers. In other words they find safety and courage by trusting in Him, who is always present to help them (see comments on 30:10) in their troubles. So the saints need not fear, even if many perils come against them. The language is hyperbolic, to describe how great the perils may be that could come. No matter what happens, those trusting in Him are safe.

“Psalms,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures,

A – When we face challenges or threatening circumstances, we do not need to fear.  God is with us to protect and give us courage.  We can walk in confidence that He is working even when we don’t see it.

R – Lord, we are facing challenges today.  Make Your presence and power known.  Give us the courage to walk through each situation and conversation with Your Holy Spirit leading us.  Thank you for your protection and strength.

S – The Lord’s blessing enriches, and he adds no painful effort to it.

Proverbs 10:22 CSB

O –  Commentary: 

After the word “Lord” the Hebrew adds the word “it” for emphasis. So the first line reads, The blessing of the Lord, it brings wealth. The second line affirms the idea that wealth given by the Lord (to the righteous and diligent) is not accompanied by trouble, the tragedies of ill-gotten gain

“Proverbs,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

“Enrich” – âshar, aw-shar’;  to accumulate; chiefly (spec.) to grow (caus. make) rich:— be (-come, en-, make, make self, wax) rich, make

, The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words

A – This applies to financial gain but can also all areas where we can accumulate.  We can add to ourselves in a Godly manner or use our own means to grow.  God’s blessing is accompanied by His purpose, presence and peace.

R – Lord, thank you for Your Blessings.  Having Your Holy Spirit leading us daily is huge.  We invite You to work on our behalf and ask for Your blessing today.  We want to grow in Your purpose, presence and peace.

S – Wake up, Lord! Why are you sleeping? Get up! Don’t reject us forever! 

Why do you hide and forget our affliction and oppression? 

Ps 44:23–24 CSB

O – The Psalmist is asking God to remember the nation in a time of crisis.  They feel they have done nothing to cause God to delay helping them.

A – We have all been here.  Either God wasn’t moving fast enough or at all and we want to see Him take some action.  The Psalm doesn’t end with God “saving the day.” These are times when either your faith in God grows or falters.  There isn’t an easy answer to this.  God isn’t sleeping.  Even when you don’t see it, He is working on your behalf.

R – Heavenly Father, thank you that as big and unlimited as you are, you still know us intimately.  In all of the situations that I face, I invite your Holy Spirit to lead me.  You have a plan and a purpose – I put my faith and trust in you.

S – When there are many words, sin is unavoidable, but the one who controls his lips is prudent. 

Proverbs 10:19 CSB

O – The ability to use or hold our tongue is a demonstration of wisdom.

A – In a world where so much information and media is available instantly, this principle rings true.  We need to use our words effectively. The word for “prudent” is sakal and it means to “be intelligent.”

Asking the Lord to use our words, while being wise, will bring good results.

R – Heavenly Father, thank you for your presence in our lives.  May our words be led by your Spirit today to bring Godly wisdom and insight to our conversations.  Let it also reflect your character and love for others in all we say and do today.

S – The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes. The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

Mark 9:22-24 CSB

O – “If you can.”  This is the turning point in the moment.  Jesus challenges the father not out of anger but out of compassion.  The father has seen a lifetime of “will this work?”  moments ending in disappointments.  The father recognizes this is the moment when God is ready to work through the man’s faith in Him.

A – We all go through moments of doubt and unbelief.  Our faith is a growing part of our relationship with God.  Like a muscle, the more we use it, the more it is likely to grow.  The less we use it, the less it grows.  Like the father in the story, we need to continue to move from unbelief to belief.

R – Heavenly Father, we surrender to you today.  We invite your Holy Spirit to lead us today in all situations, conversations and moments.  Challenge us to grow our faith when our unbelief can move to belief.  Give us the courage we need to take the next step.