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 133, 134, and 135.
Reflection 1
God wants his people to be united and not divided. This is true for marriages, families, churches, and friendships. Unity builds, grows, strengthens these. Division erodes and subtracts from the important things. One of the realities about Easter is that Jesus came to deal with the unbridgeable division between God and man. We were separated, divided, alienated, and estranged from God because of our sin. Jesus, the Son of God, became what no other could become. He became our one and only bridge to God. We can enjoy unity and peace with God in Christ. It was love that won. It was love that drove Him to the Cross. It will be love that drives us to build bridges with people around us. Who do you need to reach out to in love today? Maybe you need to reach out to your spouse, child, parent, sibling, friend, or work associate. Love builds bridges. Love like Jesus. Live like Jesus.
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.” — Psalms 133:1-3
Reflection 2
Is there anything better than to be called a “servant” of the Lord? I don’t think so. Paul didn’t think so either. Jesus Himself is called a “suffering servant.” Our primary responsibility on earth is to be His servant. We are called to be His hands, feet, and heart extended to the world around us. To be a servant of God means to think deeply, love compassionately, live empathetically, worship authentically, give generously, and be like Jesus. Jesus came to earth on a mission to serve and to save. Our gratitude for what He has done is found in the depth of our service to Him. The evidence of a Christ committed life is seen in our servanthood. “If you want to be great, be servant,” Jesus says. Let’s all pray, “Lord, teach me to serve you and others well. May the depth of my gratitude for what you have done for me be seen in the devotion of my service to you and for you. Amen.”
“Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord. May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who is the Maker of heaven and earth.” — Psalms 134:1-3
Reflection 3
“God is good and God is great.” This is so important to remember, repeat, and restate. Why? Because this simple and powerful truth will encourage us to trust in Christ more and more. God is good—He always has our best interests at heart. He loves us as His children and cares for us more than we could ever know. He is good, compassionate, loving, kind, and merciful. God is good. He is also great. His power is beyond compare. He created the universe by speaking it into existence. He rose from the dead. He healed the blind and heals broken hearts. Nothing is impossible with God. Remember today that He is in you and He is for you. Trust Him completely. God is good and God is great! Say it. Believe it.
“Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant. For the Lord has chosen Jacob to be his own, Israel to be his treasured possession. I know that the Lord is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods.” — Psalms 135:3-5