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 121, 122, and 123.
Reflection 1
Where does your help come from? Who is your true source? Where do you place your ultimate confidence? As people of faith, we would immediately say God. Jesus. Our Risen Savior. Look a bit deeper at your life and ask yourself, is that true? Be brutally honest. Are there areas in my life that I try to control? Are there secret sins, unforgiveness, doubts and fears that I just can’t let go of? Is there a limit to my faith and trust? These are all questions we don’t like to ask, but important ones if we want to grow. Truth is, many people place their ultimate confidence in themselves, money, health, place in life, and more. What does it mean to make Jesus your ultimate source in all things? This is something we should all think and pray about! Keep encouraged and keep growing!
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” — Psalms 121:1-8
Reflection 2
Today I pray for peace. Will you join me? I pray for peace in marriages where discord reigns. I pray for peace in families where there is strife. I pray for peace and reconciliation where people are at odds with one another. I pray for friendships that are broken, relationships that are fractured, and unresolved conflict where it triumphs. I pray for peace in our communities, country, and world. Conflict and hatred are evident everywhere. Are we aware and do we care? Jesus offers peace. He is our peace. He wants us to be ambassadors of His peace. Pray for peace. Ask God to make you a peacemaker and use you to build bridges of peace.
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.’ For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, ‘Peace be within you.’” — Psalms 122:6-8
Reflection 3
Have you ever felt mistreated by someone? To be disregarded, disrespected, dismissed, or devalued in some way can be the worst kind of pain. Maybe it was someone close to you. Maybe it was someone outside of your inner circle. Either way, being belittled makes you feel small and insignificant. There is One who knows your pain, for He too was maligned and mistreated. He was falsely accused, illegally tried, and brutally crucified, all while being completely innocent. Share your hurts and sorrows with Jesus. He will comfort you. He understands. He will never abandon you.
“I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us, for we have endured no end of contempt. We have endured no end of ridicule from the arrogant, of contempt from the proud.” — Psalms 123:1, 3-4