The Psalms have brought tremendous comfort and guidance to so many for so long. Join me in taking a fresh look at each Psalm. As you read through them, I urge you to reflect, pray, and apply these devotional bits of encouragement to your own life. Today, we study and reflect on Psalms 115, 116, and 117.
Reflection 1
May the Lord bless you today. May He cause you to flourish. I pray your health, family, finances, children, grandchildren, marriage, faith, work, and future will be blessed. I pray your relationships flourish, and your influence and testimony, too. I pray anything that holds you back—unforgiveness, resentment, addictions, past mistakes, present fears, and more—will no longer have sway over you. May the Lord bless you, keep you. May He make His face shine upon you and give you peace.
“Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. You who fear him, trust in the Lord — he is their help and shield. The Lord remembers us and will bless us: He will bless his people Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron, he will bless those who fear the Lord — small and great alike. May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” — Psalms 115:1, 11-15
Reflection 2
What prayer are you praying today? God hears. What challenges are you facing? God knows. What mountain before you is too difficult to climb? God will help you. What burden is too heavy to carry, pain too intense to endure, uncertainty too frightening to face? God is with you. He will protect you. He will save you. Cry out to Him in full confidence that He hears, cares, and has the power to deliver. Great is our Lord, whose strength has no end.
“I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: “ Lord, save me!” The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me.” — Psalms 116:1-6
Reflection 3
God’s love for you is great and His faithfulness is forever. I do not deserve it but I do need it. I can never fall beyond His outstretched arms. He will catch me. My sins and failures are not final. He forgives me. He does not tire of me and my excuses. Instead, He lifts me up. When it feels like I’ve hit a dead-end, He makes a way and carries me through. I don’t deserve His love or faithfulness, but I need it and I am grateful for it.
“Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.” — Psalms 117:1-2