God Speaks
The Psalmist Asks for Blessings on the Righteous and Curses on the Evildoers
Verse of the Day: [These verses might be personalized and used in prayer on behalf of oneself or someone else.] Increase the days of the king’s life, his years for many generations. May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever; appoint Your love and faithfulness to protect him. Then I will ever sing in praise of Your name and fulfill my vows day after day. (Psalm 61:6-8 NIV 2011)
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Watch TBR Day 138
We Respond
Reflection.
Consider the following questions regarding Psalms 26, 40, 58, 61-62, 64
> 1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
> 2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
Psalms 26
1. God vindicates us, not on the basis of our own righteousness, but on Jesus Christ’s righteousness.
2. Because of our sin nature, people are deceitful hypocrites, evildoers, wicked sinners, bloodthirsty schemers, and receive bribes.
Psalms 40
1. God hears our cries and lifts us out of our difficulties (because of our faith in Him).
2. People are to trust in the LORD and not look to any false gods.
Psalms 58
1. There is a God who judges the earth.
2. Human rulers, leaders and judges devise injustice and and mete out violence.
Psalms 61
1. God is the Rock that is higher than we and our circumstances.
2. People should long to dwell in God’s tent and find refuge and shelter under His wings.
Psalms 62
1. God is a resting place for our souls and the source of our rescue and salvation.
2. People, even our close frieds can be treacherous and two-faced.
Psalms 64
1. God will turn the tongues and plans of the wicked against themselves, thus rescuing His chosen ones.
2. People of God face threats, conspiracies, plots and cruel words from wicked evildoers.
Prayer
> 3. How might I pray regarding Psalms 26, 40, 58, 61-62, 64?
O LORD God, You vindicate us, not on the basis of our own righteousness, but on Jesus Christ’s righteousness. Because of our sin nature, we are deceitful hypocrites, evildoers, wicked sinners, bloodthirsty schemers, and both offer and take bribes. You hear our cries and lift us out of our difficulties when we put our faith in You alone. We must trust in You, LORD, and not look to any false gods. It is You, God, who judges the earth. Human rulers, leaders and judges devise injustice and and mete out violence. You are the Rock of refuge that is higher than I and my circumstances. I long to dwell in Your tent and find refuge and shelter under Your wings. O God, You are a resting place for my soul and the source of my rescue and salvation. People, even our close friends, can be treacherous and two-faced, but You will never betray or abandon us. LORD God, turn the tongues and plans of the wicked against themselves, thus rescuing Your chosen ones. The people of God are facing threats, conspiracies, plots and cruel words from wicked evildoers. In Your mercy, grace and love, please rescue us and bring glory to Your name, O LORD. AMEN
Action (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
> 4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Psalms 26, 40, 58, 61-62, 64?
With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will thank the Lord Jesus for how He lived and died and rose again and continually prays for me so that I can experience His redemption and mercy.
- I will thank God for using faith in Jesus to lift me out of the muck and mire of this sinful world (including my own sin and foolishness).
- I will use Psalms 64 to pray for a person I know who is under attack, by either physical or spiritual enemies or both, because of his/her stand on various issues.
- I will write out at least five ways God has rescued me when I was in a difficult place and thank Him for it.
Share
I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.