I’m working on a new approach to my blog series this year. Personally, I am walking through the Psalms (as I have done many times). These Scriptures have brought tremendous comfort and guidance to so many for so long, so each week this year I will share a couple of brief devotional thoughts from the Psalms. As you read through them, I urge you to reflect, pray, and apply these bits of encouragement.
Reflection 1
Here’s my daily declaration, regardless of my circumstances — I will live with an attitude of gratitude. Life is not always easy, but God is always great! Purpose to live with gratitude and think thankful thoughts. How you live and what you think matters. Don’t let life or others pull you down. Let God lift you up!
“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High. The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish.” — Psalm 9:1-2, 9-10, 18
Reflection 2
God is with you, for you, in you, beside you, and will help you! Regardless of your need, know that you are not alone and you matter to Him. He loves you. God is with you always and desires to comfort, strengthen, and care for you when times are hard. Turn to Him and trust in Him.
“But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless. The Lord is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land. You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed…” — Psalm 10:14, 16-18
Reflection 3
My daily prayer for you and me is that we become more like Christ. That we hunger and thirst for righteousness and run hard after justice. That we care for the poor and lift up the marginalized. That we offer a hand up to someone in need. That we show people we care and don’t just talk about caring. That we have and show love for all God’s children. That all forms of indifference and prejudice disappear to where we show respect to all and treat every person with dignity. Join me in praying sincerely, “Lord, may I be righteous, seek justice, and walk uprightly before you.”
“For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face.” — Psalm 11:7