This is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. It is a reminder that God is faithful in our most difficult times. It is also a reminder that He requires our faithfulness, IF we want to experience His blessings. 

As you live for Him, be mindful that His grace is not a requirement it is a blessing. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

2 Chronicles 7:13-14

13 “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Today’s Reading:

Psalm 72

As you read the ending of Psalm 71, I pray, like me, you are encouraged. Understanding that life as a Christian will be filled with ups and downs enables you to maintain your praise no matter which season of life you are in. 

Take a moment today to look back on all God has brought you through. As He reveals to you what He has done for you, praise Him. Be reminded that He loves you and that His ways and thoughts are higher than yours. Trust Him and show others the way. This is what God has called us to. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Psalm 71:20-24

20 Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. 21 You will increase my honor and comfort me once more. 22 I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel. 23 My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you—I whom you have delivered. 24 My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long, for those who wanted to harm me have been put to shame and confusion.

Today’s Reading:

Psalm 71

Psalm 70 is an honest prayer to God that reveals the type of thoughts many of us may have. David pours out his heart to God, praying for the Lord to save him. Additionally, he prays that those who come against him will be confused and put to shame. 

I appreciate the boldness of this prayer. How is your prayer life? Pray a Psalm or two as a part of your quiet time. It may help. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Psalm 70:1

1 Hasten, O God, to save me; come quickly, Lord, to help me.

Today’s Reading:

Psalm 70

Obedience is better than sacrifice! This Biblical truth is a word for us. As you read this passage, I pray that is the thought you will have. The Psalmist seems to be letting us know that God’s preference is our praise, not our repentance. 

Pause today and think about how your relationship with God is going. Be honest in your assessment. If you need to make adjustments to your life to be in line with God’s word, then make those adjustments. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Psalm 69:30-31

30 I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. 31 This will please the Lord more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hooves.

Today’s Reading:

Psalm 69:19-36

Being self aware is a key to limiting sin and stress in your life. As I read this passage, that reality came to my mind. Notice the Psalmist understands what is against him. But he also knows Who is for him. I encourage you to be self aware. It will enable you to walk well with Christ. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Psalm 69:12-13

12 Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of the drunkards.

13 But I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.

Today’s Reading:

Psalm 69:1-18

I read this passage three times. I encourage you to meditate on this word. Allow yourself to consider that the God of all creation wants to bear YOUR burdens. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Psalm 68:19

19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.

Today’s Reading:

Psalm 68:19-35

Following God and obeying His commands found in His word is the right thing to do. This passage reminds us of who God is. When we choose Him, He guides us and protects us. If we choose to not follow Him, that choice also has a consequence. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Psalm 68:4-6

4 Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him—his name is the Lord. 5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. 6 God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

Today’s Reading:

Psalm 68:1-18

As I read this passage, I thought of it in present tense. We have God’s salvation. He is gracious to us. We are blessed. Therefore, walk in your salvation. Share your blessings. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Psalm 67:1-2

1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us—2 so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.

Today’s Reading:

Psalm 67

The end of Psalm 66 is a reminder to witness by sharing your testimony. Like it or not, people are watching you. You are sending a message of who you are, daily. The only question is, what’s the message. 

Like the Psalmist, let your words and your actions be of a person who loves the Lord and has a relationship with Him. As you grow in your relationship with Christ, you will inspire others to want to know Him. The people around you are searching for better. They don’t know how to find Him. That’s our job, so let’s get in our word, get on our knees, and get out of our own way. Then we can be the witnesses God has called us to be. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Psalm 66:16-20

16 Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. 17 I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. 18 If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; 19 but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer. 20 Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!

Today’s Reading:

Psalm 66

Psalm 65 gave me a Jehovah Jireh feel. This means the Lord is my provider or God who provides. As you read the Psalm, notice how much God does that you may take for granted. God is truly our provider. Whatever need you have God is the one with whom you should share it. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Psalm 65:9-11

9 You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it. 10 You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops. 11 You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.

Today’s Reading:

Psalm 65

Before going to the cross, Jesus told His disciples that He was giving them His peace. This peace is not the peace the world gives. It is a peace that Paul says, “passes all understanding.” So the question becomes, how do we get this peace. The answer is, live righteously. 

Now you might say, “but there is none righteous, not even one.” And you would be correct. On our own we cannot be righteous. However, in Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are made righteous in God’s sight. Therefore as you seek first the kingdom and His righteousness, all “these things will be given to you as well.” This includes Christ’s peace. 

Seek Christ! Rest in His peace. Stress is a reality, but it does not need to overwhelm the Christian who puts their trust in God. Where is your trust? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Psalm 64:10

10 The righteous will rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him; all the upright in heart will glory in him!

Today’s Reading:

Psalm 64

The desert is a hot, dry place that can drive you crazy if you have no water to drink. When dehydration sets in, the mind can begin to wander and the body begins to break down. In a word, the desert can be dangerous. 

Yet, in Psalm 63, written by David when he was in the desert of Judah, we read that his thirst was for God. In the midst of this life threatening place, facing mental and physical danger, David’s thoughts, and thirst, were for the Lord and what He can do in his life. 

Are you in a difficult life circumstance or you have a loved one who is? Cry out to God. He specializes in such situations. He will not be overwhelmed. He’s ready! Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Psalm 63:2-5

2 I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. 3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. 4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. 5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

Today’s Reading:

Psalm 63

Is God your strength? Whether in good times or in times of struggle, you can call on His name. He is your strength and your shield. 

Think about that. God does not give you a shield, He IS your shield. Therefore, you can have a faith that cannot be shaken. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Psalm 62:5-6

5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. 6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

Today’s Reading:

Psalm 62

I love when we can simply pray a Psalm. This passage can be our prayer today. I encourage you to slow down, read this as a prayer, and allow the Lord, your God, to calm you. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Psalm 61:4-5

4 I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. 5 For you, God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

Today’s Reading:

Psalm 61

As I read Psalm 60, I thought, “this is a Psalm of triumph.” It is written during or after battles with the Arameans. Notice how David yields all battles to God. He understands that without God fighting on our behalf, we will never have real victories, even if we appear to win. 

Putting God above all else in our life is the only way to ensure that He is fighting on our behalf. And when God is fighting on our behalf, we will never lose, even if we appear to lose. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Psalm 60:9-12

9 Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? 10 Is it not you, God, you who have now rejected us and no longer go out with our armies? 11 Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless. 12 With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.

Today’s Reading:

Psalm 60

Psalm 59 is another Psalm written by David in the midst of troubles not caused by his actions. Saul wanted to kill David out of jealousy. David was having great victories in battles alongside King Saul. But when they returned home triumphantly, people sang, “Saul has killed his thousands and David has killed his ten thousands.” This angered Saul. He did not like the people honoring David more than they honored him. He also knew that God had taken his kingdom from him due to his disobedience. 

I know this is quite a bit to take in on a Sunday, but it’s important to understand how close David was to God. Whether he was in trouble not of his own making or he was in trouble because of his decision, he cried out to God. THIS is why God said David was a man after His own heart. 

Do you cry out to God in all circumstances? How do you respond to God when all is well? How do you respond to God when you’ve made mistakes or fallen short of His direction for your life? Take a page from David’s book and call out to Him in every situation. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Psalm 59:17

17 You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.

Today’s Reading:

Psalm 59

This morning I was reminded about the story of Naaman, commander of the Syrian army. He had leprosy and his wife’s servant suggested he go see the prophet Elisha so he could be healed. 

When Naaman received Elisha’s instructions, he went away angry. Why? Naaman believed he knew the best way to heal himself. Therefore, initially, he rejected Elisha’s words. Fortunately, he had good people around him who convinced him to do the right thing. As a result, he was cleansed. 

What has God told you to do, but you have decided that your thoughts should prevail? I encourage you to seek wise, Godly counsel. Your way is NEVER better than God’s way (Isaiah 55:8). Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

2 Kings 5:11-12

11 But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage.

Today’s Reading:

Psalm 58

Psalm 57 is another Psalm written by David while he was being pursued by King Saul. Notice his focus on the glory of God. Notice his willingness to continue to honor God no matter what. Keep in mind, Saul’s goal was to kill David. Yet, David still trusted God. This is an example that we should follow. Are you? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Psalm 57:9-11

9 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. 10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. 11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

Today’s Reading:

Psalm 57

Psalm 56 is written by David after he is seized by the Philistines in Gath. Notice his word choices. He trusts God in the midst of trouble. Also, remember that at this time in his life, he has been anointed by God to be the king of Israel. Yet, he does not lose his faith in God. He prays and he trusts God no matter what happens. Do you trust God like that? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Psalm 56:10-11

10 In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise—11 in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?

Today’s Reading:

Psalm 56

As you read this passage thing about Noah and Job. God called these two men righteous, blameless, upright, and they had the Lord’s favor on their lives. In Christ, you can have God’s favor on your life. Seek Him. Serve Him. Give Him dominion over your life. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Psalm 55:22

22 Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you;
he will never let the righteous be shaken.

Today’s Reading:

Psalm 55