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 88, 89, and 90.
Reflection 1
Psalm 88 is packed with problems, and it reminds me of one of the things I love about the Bible. It is raw and real to life. It displays real people, real problems, and our real God. I think we all have times where we feel alone and it seems like everything is going poorly. Pain is high and hopelessness is palpable. Maybe everything is rosy for you today. If it is, be grateful. If you can identify with Psalm 88 because life is especially hard right now, be hopeful. As it says, our God is the God who saves! He will protect you. He hears you. He will lift you up and help you forward. It may be hard now, but God will provide a way out and a way up. He will help you. He loves you. You are not alone and you are not powerless. Keep trusting and believing.
“Lord, you are the God who saves me; day and night I cry out to you. May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry. I am overwhelmed with troubles and my life draws near to death.” — Psalms 88:1-3
Reflection 2
Today people are chasing after many things. Even Christians are chasing after many things. Honestly, some pursuits are good and some not so good. We would do well to stop and take stock of what matters most to us. We must stop and honestly evaluate ourselves. Are we pursuing that which God represents and asks us to become? Are we pursuing righteousness, justice, faithfulness, and love? If not, what needs to change and how can we grow to become more like Christ? How can we become more righteous, just, faithful, and loving? It starts by confessing our disobedience and repenting of our sins and shortcomings. We all have blind spots. Even the most righteous, just, faithful, and loving among us. We all need to grow. We all need to change. We all need to become more like Christ. Let’s set our aim high and pursue Christ fully! He will change us, grow us, and use us to bless others!
“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.” — Psalms 89:14-15
Reflection 3
This Psalm is my prayer for you and me today. It is my prayer for my family, my church, and my friends. It is my prayer for everyone. I pray that you experience God’s favor and blessing. I pray that He establishes the work of our hands. I pray you will be successful in what you do and that you do what God requires of you. I pray that God will bless you and that you will be about what God wants to bless. I pray that the work of your hands is strong, durable, lasting, and God-honoring. May we not waste our one life, but invest it to accomplish His purposes and fulfill our God-given assignments. May God bless you, may His favor rest upon you, and may He establish the work or your hands.
“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.” — Psalms 90:17