S – I know that you have persevered and endured hardships for the sake of my name, and you have not grown weary. ⁴ But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first.

Revelation 2:3–4 CSB

O – Commentary:

In spite of the many areas of commendation, the church in Ephesus was soundly rebuked: Yet I hold this against you: you have forsaken your first love. The order of words in the Greek is emphatic; the clause could be translated, “Your first love you have left.” Christ used the word agapēn, speaking of the deep kind of love that God has for people. This rebuke contrasts with what Paul wrote the Ephesians 35 years earlier, that he never stopped giving thanks for them because of their faith in Christ and their love (agapēn) for the saints (Eph. 1:15–16). Most of the Ephesian Christians were now second-generation believers, and though they had retained purity of doctrine and life and had maintained a high level of service, they were lacking in deep devotion to Christ. How the church today needs to heed this same warning, that orthodoxy and service are not enough. Christ wants believers’ hearts as well as their hands and heads

 John F. Walvoord, “Revelation,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 933–934.

A – The commentary hits the bullseye – we cannot have a deep love for God by going through the motions.  It is easy for us to get into a routine or practice that allows to “obey” God on the outside.  But, God looks at our hearts.  Do we hunger for more of Him and desire deeper relationship with him?  We can get back to our first love.  We want an active, growing heart relationship with Him.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the One, True God.  Forgive us for the areas where we have moved away from our “first love” with you.  Even when we obey in our actions, help our hearts to be the true center of our relationship with you. We desire to know you more intimately today.

S – When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid. I am the First and the Last, ¹⁸ and the Living One. I was dead, but look—I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and Hades. 

Revelation 1:17–18 CSB

O – Commentary:

John stated, When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead. Paul was struck to the ground in a similar way when he saw Christ in His glory (Acts 9:4). Previously John had put his head on Jesus’ breast (cf. John 13:25, kjv). But now John could not be this familiar with the Christ of glory.

John received reassurance from Christ in the words, Do not be afraid. Christ stated that He is the eternal One, the First and the Last (cf. Rev. 1:8; 2:8; 21:6; 22:13), and the resurrected One, the Living One, who though once dead is now alive forever and ever! Here Christ affirmed that He alone has the keys of death and hades that is, authority over death and the place of the dead (cf. John 5:21–26; 1 Cor. 15:54–57; Heb. 2:14; Rev. 20:12–14). Though the glorified Christ is to be reverenced, faithful believers like John can be sure they are accepted by the Son of God. The Christian’s death and resurrection are both in His hands.

 John F. Walvoord, “Revelation,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 931.

A – The glory of God is overwhelming throughout the Bible.  Even one of Jesus’ closest disciples couldn’t stand it.  Then, to see he holds the keys to death and the eternal should draw us to him as our Lord and Saviour.  The fear of the Lord is dread and terror to some.  To those who believe in Jesus, it brings awe, reverence and a desire to be in relationship with him.

 R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you alone.  You are the Alpha and Omega and we reverence you for who you are.  We desire to know you more and to align our words, thoughts and actions to bring you honor today.

S – Hallelujah! Praise God in his sanctuary. Praise him in his mighty expanse. ² Praise him for his powerful acts; praise him for his abundant greatness.

Psalms 150:1–2 CSB

O – These are strong proclamations:

Hallelujah – hâlal; to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; caus. to celebrate

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

Sanctuary – where God dwells – in me

Expanse – creation  – the known and unknown spaces

Acts – ability – He has no limits to his power

Greatness – He is Big

A – I will rave and celebrate my God today.  He knows me intimately, created all things, has no limits and he continues to grow in his magnitude. That is worth celebrating.  He is all present, knows all things, and yet, he still loves each of us intimately.  That is the God I will bow my knee to and serve unashamedly.

R – Heavenly Father, you are Awesome!  Thank you for being so big and knowing me so intimately.  With joy, I surrender myself and this day to you.  Continue to draw me closer to you in our relationship.  I celebrate you as my God, Lord and Savior!

S – Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord, offspring, a reward. ⁴ Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons born in one’s youth. ⁵ Happy is the man who has filled his quiver with them. 

They will never be put to shame when they speak with their enemies at the city gate. 

Psalm 127:3-5 CSB

O – Commentary:

Children, the psalmist wrote, are some of the Lord’s providential blessings (see blessed, v. 5). They are a reward from the Lord. Sons help defend the family for they are like weapons (arrows) in the hands of a mighty man. Sons are capable of defending the family in civil cases (at the gate civil cases were discussed and decided).

The imagery of arrows and of defense “in the gate” was natural for a nation endangered from without and within.

 Allen P. Ross, “Psalms,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 885.

A – Children are a gift from God.  In Bible times, there was a practical application in tending to the family land and tasks.  More importantly, God designated the family unit as the core of relationships that are for a lifetime.  As we pour into the next generation, they take the family unit to the next steps of growth individually and as a whole.  We should be attentive and committed to growing our families to know and live for God.

R – Heavenly Father, you are our God and Father.  Thank you for the gift of family.  Empower us today to honor those relationships with love.  Our different gifts, talents and personalities make us a stronger, more complete family unit.

S – Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion. It cannot be shaken; it remains forever. 

² The mountains surround Jerusalem and the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever

Psalms 125:1–2 CSB

O – Our trust is in God who is unmovable.  He is the same yesterday, today and forever.  He is present in the good and bad times.  He protects us by surrounding us in his presence.

A – The consistency of God brings peace and confidence to our lives.  We are not serving a moving target or changing character.  Instead, the same God who called the heroes of the Bible is calling us today.  He also goes with us and surrounds us – the front, side and back.  Our exposure to the enemy is when we open doors for him to have access.  We must be vigilant to recognize when we do that and to close them quickly.

 R – Heavenly Father, you are Mighty in battle.  You fight for us and surround us with your presence. Your character is consistent and does not change.  Empower us today to walk with confidence and humility as we accomplish the purposes you have for us.

S – The Lord will protect you from all harm; he will protect your life. ⁸ The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever. 

Psalms  121:7–8 CSB

O – Commentary:

These verses portray Yahweh’s protection as something that moves around with the psalmist—Yahweh’s protection is not just a stationary hideout or only in Jerusalem. Yahweh is present everywhere with His people.

 John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Ps 121:7–8.

A – This was a bold idea in the Old Testament – God wasn’t stationary.  He didn’t dwell in a tent, temple or was confined to a location.  He is with us and protects us.  Even when challenges come our way, He is guarding and attending to us.  That should cause us to move toward Him and not away.

R – Heavenly Father, you are omnipresent and all knowing.  Thank you for your love for us that covered our sins.  We are grateful that you also want to know us and protect us from the schemes of the enemy.  

S – The fool says in his heart, “There’s no God.” They are corrupt, and they do vile deeds. There is no one who does good. ² God looks down from heaven on the human race to see if there is one who is wise, one who seeks God. 

Psalms 53:1–2 CSB

O – Commentary:

David received a revelation of God’s view of the human race: they are all fools. His summary description is in this verse: the fool believes there is no God; thus his life is corrupt and vile (i.e., abominable to God). In fact no one … does good.

53:2–3. He then reported the details of this revelation. God investigates the human race to see if there is one prudent person, but the search is fruitless. The entire

 Allen P. Ross, “Psalms,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 834.

A – The “vile, wicked, stupid and irreverent” person says “There is no God.” What a strong reminder that our human nature is sinful.  God looks for those who choose him and want a different life.  We recognize that on our own we cannot do it.  But, when we find God, He is the one who changes us from a fool to a wise man.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you today.  We reject the description of being foolish and choose the wisdom in acknowledging your rightful place in our lives.  We want our relationship with you to model an “all in” attitude of love with you.

S – Be gracious to me, God, according to your faithful love; according to your abundant compassion, 

blot out my rebellion. ² Completely wash away my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. ³ For I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me. ⁴ Against you—you alone—I have sinned 

and done this evil in your sight. So you are right when you pass sentence; you are blameless when you judge.

Psalms 51:1–4 CSB

O – Commentary:

51:1b–2. The three verbs David employed here are figurative. Blot out implies a comparison with human records that can be erased; wash away (kāḇas) compares forgiveness with washing clothing (often viewed as an extension of a person), and cleanse is drawn from the liturgical ceremonial law in which one might be purified for temple participation. These requests (cf. vv. 7, 9) stressed David’s desire for God’s total forgiveness of his transgressions … iniquity, and sin.

51:3–4. When he said that his sin was constantly before him, it must be remembered that his confession came about a year after he had sinned (the young child died a week after the confession; cf. 2 Sam. 12:13–18). Perhaps David had so rationalized his actions that he did not sense his guilt until Nathan approached him. At any rate, he confessed that he had sinned against the Lord. And he submitted to the Lord’s will, acknowledging that anything God decided about him would be just.

 Allen P. Ross, “Psalms,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 832.

A – This is one of the most famous Psalms.  Many of us have sin in our lives that has challenged our inner most beliefs in God and ourselves.  We see how a “man after God’s own heart” can sin and we can relate to that.  

       We must also see the parallel of forgiveness and moving forward.  Forgiveness doesn’t omit consequences.  In David’s case the baby died.  We are accountable the consequences of our sins.  But, we must forgive ourselves and move on to the things God has for us.  He has a plan and a purpose for us.

R – Heavenly Father, You are our Savior.  We know we are sinners and will fail you at times.  There is gravity and consequences for what we do.  And, when we do, we are grateful that Jesus paid for those sins with his blood on the cross.  We ask for a complete washing away of our sins, a restoration of our hearts for you and the courage to move forward towards the things you have for us.  Thank you for your grace and mercy.

S – You do not delight in sacrifice and offering; you open my ears to listen. You do not ask for a whole burnt offering or a sin offering

Psalms 40:6 CSB

O – Commentary:

“…This statement is a recognition that God had given him the ability to hear and obey the Word of the Lord (cf. niv marg., “opened”). The Septuagint translated it much more generally, “a body You have prepared for me” (cf. niv marg.), which captured the idea of the context.”

 Allen P. Ross, “Psalms,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 824.

A – Sacrifice in the OT was the way to recognize God and be forgiven of sin.  This shows the heart of God all along wanted relationship.  David is hearing and talking with God before the arrival of the Messiah or Holy Spirit.  God wanted relationship all along.

R – Heavenly Father, you are Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  All three point to relationship between man and God.  We desire a stronger relationship with you today.  Help us to listen and speak with you.  We want to know you more!

S – In fact, you have made my days just inches long, and my life span is as nothing to you. Yes, every human being stands as only a vapor

Psalms 39:5 CSB

O – Commentary:

person standing firm is complete vanity The psalmist recognizes the limited scope of human life. Like a breath, it appears only briefly.

 John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Ps 39:5.

A – Life has been described in many ways – it has some incredible highs and lows.  I liken it to flying. I love the power of taking off and ascending into the sky and the fun of landing.  It’s the “in flight” part that is normal and routine.  We have a time on earth and then we go to what’s next.  Let’s maximize our lives to bring God into all it.  

R – Heavenly Father, you are the One, true God.  Thank you for the lives you have given us.  We want to be used by you to model your love.  We invite you Holy Spirit to work in us and through us today.