TWENTY-FOUR/SEVEN
Today’s Reading: Psalms 4-6
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Shepherds milk a sheep amidst the ruins of Jerash, Jordan. David, the shepherd king, has given us three hymns in today’s reading.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Psalm 4:8
I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
How many of us have prayed the bedtime prayer, “Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep! If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take!” How many of us have considered that this prayer could have come from David? As a boy, David slept on the hills around Bethlehem. In order to find good pasture, he would often wander far from home. With wolves and mountain lions in the area, what a comfort David’s faith in God must have been to him.
These Psalms of prayer cover 24/7 time periods: morning, evening, and all night long. By practise, we develop a special sense of God’s presence at all times. In fact, we may want to read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. While the middle verse of these three tells us to “pray without ceasing,” the verses before and after encourage us to “REJOICE” and to “GIVE THANKS!” David knew the secret of practising the presence of God. In Psalm 4, he writes of “GLADNESS” (verse 7a). In Psalm 5, he encourages, “REJOICE” and “SHOUT FOR JOY!” (verse 11a). And in Psalm 6, David writes of “WEEPING” (verse 8b). So, go ahead, get alone with God and let your emotions surface, expressing whatever is in your heart. God said of David, as recorded by the Apostle Paul, “I have found David the son of Jessie, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will” (Acts 13:22b).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, “HEAR MY PRAYER!” “MY VOICE YOU SHALL HEAR IN THE MORNING, O LORD!” “HAVE MERCY ON ME, O LORD, FOR I AM WEAK; O LORD, HEAL ME, FOR MY BONES ARE TROUBLED.” I cry out to You Lord with the words of David. I also confess David’s declaration of faith, “THE LORD WILL HEAR WHEN I CALL TO HIM.” I do so in the Name and through the Person of the One Who said, “FATHER, I KNOW YOU ALWAYS HEAR ME,” Jesus Christ (John 11:42a). Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Today is the anniversary of the evil and infamous attack on the World Trade Centre Towers in New York City. The Islamists who committed this unspeakable evil claim that David is one of their prophets. David wrote, “The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man” (Psalm 5:6b). If I dwell on the evil in the hearts of people, I will surely do as David did, “drench my couch with my tears” (Psalm 6:5b). And at the same time I believe that, “The Lord has heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer” (Psalm 6:9).
I identify strongly with the words of Psalm 6:2b, “Heal me for my bones are troubled.” I pray with fervency every day, “Heal me, O Lord!” I believe God hears and answers my prayer. I’ve quoted before the couplet I heard my dad say, “Be my symptoms what they will, Jesus is my Healer still!” Amen!!!
Yours with total confidence in God’s provision!
David
P.S. I’ve had the honour of preaching in many different churches (those that hold to the solid faith of the early church fathers clearly written in the ancient creeds). I cherish the hymnbook pictured below which was presented to me after I preached in a Lutheran Church. The Psalms were the Hymnbook for worship in the Temple in Jerusalem for 1,000 years. Jesus worshipped in the Temple, and no doubt the Psalms were the book from which He sang and worshipped. This hymnbook sits on the shelf just above the place where I type this blog. I often take it down and read or sing one or more of the great hymns handed down to us by men and women of God. I don’t sing solos in public, but I surely do so when it’s just God and me here in my study.
I love singing and hearing those hymns and do have CD of Hymns sings by gospel artists it is wonderful listening to, fills my soul with a spirit of gladness, joy, and love of God.
Thank you for all your prayers for my mom, and myself and Samuel for reminding
me of Psalm 121 it is a good one to repeat to myself. I will continue to pray for
you Beverlee that you will be able to go see the service today.
Lianne Hogg
Amen, David Mainse!
“Our Mighty Fortress Is Our God!”
Thank you so much for all the time, effort and sacrifice you have endured, sharing your thoughts and prayers daily with us in your blog!
Amen!
Amen! Rev. David Mainse and David N. I’ts a sad day to remember alright. God bless you David, Norma Jean and Beverlee at Camp!
Amen
I enjoy the photos that are attached to the readings each day. But what I love the most is how David breaks it all down after each reading and makes sense out of what I just read. Also how you share your Life and Family with us, makes it seem like we are all together in this journey. Thank you!
Be Well.
I feel the same way.
Amen!!!
My feelings also Valerie. Amen
A wonderful picture of the sheep being milked. We had sheep on the farm where I grew up. I remember my Mother and sister sheering them. I don’t recall that they were ever milked. There appears a sense of peace in that picture. Thank you Reynold.
To think, we are the sheep of His pasture
What a beautiful gift…the book of wonderful hymns.
May the touch of the Great Physician, Our Lord Jesus Christ, pour His healing anointing love over your whole body this day Pastor David, for total healing and refreshing. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen!
AMEN!!!
Yes, it is a sad day…Thank you Jesus that we can come to you in times of sorrow and you hear our cry. Prov. 18:10 “The Name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous run into it and are safe” Thank you Jesus I run into your everlasting arms where I am safe. Amen.
AMEN!!!
Thank you Rev.David for putting the effort in each morning .Im looking foreword each day to listen and read your words.As i said to our children each morning as they headed for school God be with you!
Remembering the anniversary of 9/11. Thank you fellow saints for your prayers; I am leaving for Wesley Acres, now. Praise God! God bless you all this memorable day and for a splendid week-end. Here is a song for you:
A Mighty Fortress is our God (with lyrics)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XUYZoguhEQ
Very beautiful song Beverlee! Beautiful picture of the fortress too! I can see our prayers have been answered in that you’re GOING!! Praying for a truly blessed weekend for you, David and Norma Jean and all!!!
I can’t WAIT to see “War Rooom” on Sept. 18th!!!
Thank You Jesus!! For Your abundant blessings!! Upon our “Unison” in You!! Happy 27th anniversary to us!!! (My husband and I) !!! Blessings bloggers!!!
A very HAPPY 27th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY TO YOU KATHIE AND YOUR HUSBAND! May God continue to bless you both with good health, good wealth and great prosperity in this your 27th year together!
I thought of you Sah while reading our key verse today! May you both lie down in peace, and SLEEP!!!