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 Pentagon and the plane that went down in a Pennsylvania field. 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 hymn book 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 hymn book 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.
Thanking the Lord for how He has been your Healer, David. It is a great joy to be part of this blog daily, and to be part of His family. Remembering the people in Texas and Florida today in prayer. Blessings on every one of you in the coming week.
Amen Deanna!
Amen!!
Beverlee, I am praying that the Lord’s will be done today, as you go to see the place in Prince Edward County. I pray that he will impress on your heart whether it is for you or not. You are faithful to Him and I know He will be faithful to you.
I am also praying that Sah and Irene will make the right decision in each of their situations, the Lord know their hearts and I can tell that they really love Him.
Dear Pastor David I prayed your prayer with tears in my heart, you are doing a wonderful job, it is so great to be able to log on each morning and be Blessed, thank you very much. Blessings to all, Eleanor M. PS. Hoping to hear more about little Judah today.
Thank you, Eleanor, and all saints for your prayers. He has impressed on me to wait, which I have done. Something better is coming. In agreement with your prayers for Sah and Irene, and all other saints who need prayer, sister Eleanor.
Thank you Beverlee !
Amen Eleanor!
Also thank you Eleanor for your prayer.
Amen!!
I join with the other bloggers in thanking God for you, David for your faithfulness in doing this blog. It helps to keep us disciplined in our daily Bible reading and also gives us the opportunity to pray for each other. What a great way to start our day!
Praying the healing words of these Psalms over you!
Blessings to all and may God heal everyone in need of healing, today.
May He also guide each and everyone in their decision-making.
Looking forward to hearing good report concerning little Judah and every other petition we’ve brought before The Throne.
To God be all the Glory and Praise!
Praising God for you Pastor David and our fellow. Bloggers. Praying for the needs of each one and am encouraged each day as we hear The Word as you soaithfully expound it to us.
I love The Psalms and am encouraged by David’s honesty.
Blessings and may God touch each one who needs new strength and freedom from pain.
Amen, Catherine.
Amen to your prayer, today, David. Thinking of that tragic day, sixteen years ago. Everyone knows exactly where they were when the World Trade Towers fell. Praying for everyone who lost loved ones. God bless you, dearest saints in the Lord!
Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. Mk 4:39 NKJV
“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” by Paul Baloche
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XADyU1WrYi4
Amen Catherine
Joined in prayer with you Pastor David, particularly agreeing the He heals “your troubled bones”, and restore your health!
Agreeing with all prayers as requested!
Have a blessed day in the Lord all you saints!
Thankful for you David. God hears your prayer. He is faithful.
Praying that He will calm the winds and waves that cause so much disaster.
thank you and blessings to all who have prayed for me and for thanksgiving for hubby and wife have found a place! PRAISE THE LORD!
I am in very big trouble now! I pay monthly for my meals and have always used my credit card; it seems the payments were not going through to head office and now I am supposed to pay more! I HAVE PAID! GOD KNOWS THAT I HAVE PAID MONTHLY!
please pray that the Holy Spirit will turn up all the payments that I have made and that the company will be satisfied!
Also may the Lord help me to be calm, speak politely; remain positive, may God’s Light shine through to the office staff!
I rebuke the devil and all that he stands for! OUR LORD GOD, JESUS CHRIST IS THE POWER OVER EVERYTHING BELOW AND ABOVE AND IN BETWEEN! HE IS OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR!
amen amen
yes, Amen, agreeing in prayer with you Sah for the Lord’s intervention on your behalf!
Trusting the Lord will resolve this situation for you, Sah. Trust in Him and He will provide. Amen!