Category: Rhythm

This 21-day series of devotionals was created to help develop a rhythm of prayer in our lives. Many studies show that it takes 21 days to form a habit. Our prayer is that this initiative will form habits that last a lifetime!

Whether it’s in the morning, in the afternoon, or at night, all of our faith is strengthened by daily rhythms of prayer and reading God’s Word. As we walk through the Book of Psalms, let’s focus our hearts and minds on the Lord, and sync up with His heartbeat.

April 2020

Rhythm

RHYTHM: DAY 21

May 10, 2020

In this psalm David expresses a broad range of emotions to the LORD: he celebrates God’s deliverance, praises God for his holiness and wondrous works, proclaims God’s salvation and faithfulness to others, expresses sorrow for his sins, asks God to save him from his enemies, and rests in God as his help and deliverer.

This psalm is an important reminder of a few key truths. It reminds us that, when we remember the ways that God has moved in power on our behalf to bring about deliverance and salvation in the past, we can have confidence that he will do the same for us both now and in the future! His grace and salvation towards us in the past guarantees his grace and salvation towards us in the present and going forward!

David remembered how God had saved him before and expressed confidence and trust in him to do it again. If God went to all the trouble of doing that for us in the past, he isn’t going to hold out on us and let us fall now!

Another truth that this psalm reminds us of is this: when we are excited about the mercy, grace, and salvation that God has poured out on us, we tell others about it! The LORD had moved in power on David’s behalf, and he couldn’t hold it in, he had to praise him to others!

The deliverance David received was temporal; ours is eternal. How much more should we be excited and ready to proclaim what God has done for us in Jesus Christ!?

Psalm 40

My Help and My Deliverer
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
    out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
    making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
    a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
    and put their trust in the Lord.

4 Blessed is the man who makes
    the Lord his trust,
who does not turn to the proud,
    to those who go astray after a lie!
5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
    your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
    none can compare with you!
I will proclaim and tell of them,
    yet they are more than can be told.

6 In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted,
    but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt offering and sin offering
    you have not required.
7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come;
    in the scroll of the book it is written of me:
8 I delight to do your will, O my God;
    your law is within my heart.”

9 I have told the glad news of deliverance
    in the great congregation;
behold, I have not restrained my lips,
    as you know, O Lord.
10 I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;
    I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
    from the great congregation.

11 As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain
    your mercy from me;
your steadfast love and your faithfulness will
    ever preserve me!
12 For evils have encompassed me
    beyond number;
my iniquities have overtaken me,
    and I cannot see;
they are more than the hairs of my head;
    my heart fails me.

13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me!
    O Lord, make haste to help me!
14 Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether
    who seek to snatch away my life;
let those be turned back and brought to dishonor
    who delight in my hurt!
15 Let those be appalled because of their shame
    who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”

16 But may all who seek you
    rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation
    say continually, “Great is the Lord!”
17 As for me, I am poor and needy,
    but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
    do not delay, O my God!

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I thank you and I praise you that you hear us when we cry out to you!

You have rescued, restored, redeemed and renewed me in and through Jesus Christ, and I cannot hold it in! You are holy and glorious beyond all understanding and imagination; help me to be faithful to proclaim your wondrous deeds before others!

I will tell of all you have done for me and be a witness to your love and faithfulness! I thank you for the promise of your mercy, for I need it each and every day.

Help me to continually place my trust in you alone and to rest in the fact that you take thought for me despite my poor and needy state. You are my help and my deliverer!

In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Rhythm

RHYTHM: DAY 20

May 9, 2020

Psalm 38 is a psalm of confession, repentance, and petition. David describes the sorrow, pain, and suffering he is experiencing as a result of his sins in vivid and descriptive detail! He has been brought low through conviction over his sins, and his enemies want to capitalize on it.

In spite of his suffering and sorrow, David continues to place his hope and confidence in the Lord for salvation from his enemies. He confesses his sin and turns from it in repentance (v.18), and then cries out to the Lord for deliverance from those who seek his downfall.

This psalm demonstrated that, even in the midst of our own propensity to sin and fall short of God’s glory, we are not beyond the reach of God’s grace and compassion! David knew well the richness of God’s mercy, and because of that he was able to cry out to him for both pardon and deliverance in spite of the weight of conviction which he felt! We can do the same today.

Psalm 38

Do Not Forsake Me, O Lord
A Psalm of David, for the memorial offering.

1 O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger,
    nor discipline me in your wrath!
2 For your arrows have sunk into me,
    and your hand has come down on me.

3 There is no soundness in my flesh
    because of your indignation;
there is no health in my bones
    because of my sin.
4 For my iniquities have gone over my head;
    like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.

5 My wounds stink and fester
    because of my foolishness,
6 I am utterly bowed down and prostrate;
    all the day I go about mourning.
7 For my sides are filled with burning,
    and there is no soundness in my flesh.
8 I am feeble and crushed;
    I groan because of the tumult of my heart.

9 O Lord, all my longing is before you;
    my sighing is not hidden from you.
10 My heart throbs; my strength fails me,
    and the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me.
11 My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague,
    and my nearest kin stand far off.

12 Those who seek my life lay their snares;
    those who seek my hurt speak of ruin
    and meditate treachery all day long.

13 But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear,
    like a mute man who does not open his mouth.
14 I have become like a man who does not hear,
    and in whose mouth are no rebukes.

15 But for you, O Lord, do I wait;
    it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.
16 For I said, “Only let them not rejoice over me,
    who boast against me when my foot slips!”

17 For I am ready to fall,
    and my pain is ever before me.
18 I confess my iniquity;
    I am sorry for my sin.
19 But my foes are vigorous, they are mighty,
    and many are those who hate me wrongfully.
20 Those who render me evil for good
    accuse me because I follow after good.

21 Do not forsake me, O Lord!
    O my God, be not far from me!
22 Make haste to help me,
    O Lord, my salvation!

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I know that I am a man who, apart from the grace of Jesus, stands guilty before you. Even now that I have been rescued and redeemed by your Son and am being sanctified by your Spirit, I still continue to give evidence of my desperate need for a Savior each and every day through my sin.

I pray that, like David, you would lead me to deep seated conviction whenever I sin against you, and that your conviction would lead me to swift repentance and restoration! Help me not to run away from you when I rebel, hiding in fear and in shame, as I am often tempted to, but to instead run to you and your grace, knowing that you will meet me in your compassion.

In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Rhythm

RHYTHM: DAY 19

May 8, 2020

Love is one of the most misused and misunderstood words in the English language. For some it means some kind of warm fuzzy feeling toward someone and for others it just means a physical relationship.

But the love of God, that which he is and has toward us, is shown in both words and action. It is that which seeks the good of another, always looking for the best interest of others.

But love is only a part of the nature of God. He is also faithful and cannot lie. His righteousness cannot be changed or broken – regardless of the situation. His justice is demanding and must be fulfilled. All of these make up the true nature of God, the essence of who he is. His nature determines his actions.

His righteousness does not allow him to be in fellowship with those who do not submit to his will. The justice of God demands that sin be punished.  Sin demands death.

But in his love he gave Jesus, his Son to live as one of us and then die for our sin! Thus, God is true to himself. Since we belong to God and are to be like him, we love each other with the same love that Jesus has loved us!

Psalm 36

How Precious Is Your Steadfast Love
To the choirmaster. Of David, the servant of the Lord.

1 Transgression speaks to the wicked
    deep in his heart;
there is no fear of God
    before his eyes.
2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes
    that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
3 The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit;
    he has ceased to act wisely and do good.
4 He plots trouble while on his bed;
    he sets himself in a way that is not good;
    he does not reject evil.

5 Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
    your faithfulness to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
    your judgments are like the great deep;
    man and beast you save, O Lord.

7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
    The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house,
    and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life;
    in your light do we see light.

10 Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
    and your righteousness to the upright of heart!
11 Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me,
    nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 There the evildoers lie fallen;
    they are thrust down, unable to rise.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Prayer:

Thank you God for your love that is beyond my ability to really understand. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be yours and to have the promise of eternal life with you when I go to heaven.

Make your love so real in my heart that I will love others just as you have loved me. Help me open my heart to your Spirit so he can mold and shape me to be more like you every day.

Please use me to help others be strong as they seek to overcome sin and live for you. Empower all of us to win each battle against the evil one every day as we put you first in all things.

I pray this in the name of Jesus! Amen.

Rhythm

RHYTHM: DAY 18

May 7, 2020

This is a wonderful Psalm of praise & is a great example of how much God loves us & how he will rescue us as we cry out to Him!

We are encouraged to give praise and thanksgiving to God no matter our circumstances. We are all facing difficult times, so I wonder as you made it through your day yesterday, if God’s praise was continually on your lips?

With so many distractions around us, praising God is often the last thing we think about.  Life is hard…and sometimes scary. That’s why the last verse in this passage is helpful. The world we live in will try to get you to look everywhere else except to Him, but no matter what you are facing right now, seek the Lord and He will answer and deliver you from all your fears!

Vs 17 says, “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.”  Call out to Him, bless Him, and make it a point today to allow HIS praise to be continually in your mouth!

Psalm 34

Taste and See That the Lord Is Good
Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away.

1 I will bless the Lord at all times;
    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
    let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
    and let us exalt his name together!

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me
    and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant,
    and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
    and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps
    around those who fear him, and delivers them.

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
    Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
    for those who fear him have no lack!
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;
    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

11 Come, O children, listen to me;
    I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 What man is there who desires life
    and loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil
    and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Turn away from evil and do good;
    seek peace and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
    and his ears toward their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
    to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
    and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
    and saves the crushed in spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
    but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
20 He keeps all his bones;
    not one of them is broken.
21 Affliction will slay the wicked,
    and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
    none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Prayer:

Thank you, Lord, that I can praise you in any and all situations. Thank you that, when I seek you, you answer me and deliver me from all of my fears! Father, thank you that you provide for me; you care for me and you always take care of all my needs!

I will cry out to you in praise because I know that you hear me & will comfort my broken heart!

Rhythm

RHYTHM: DAY 17

May 6, 2020

Imagine. There was a moment in which the sun sparked into light for the first time. A moment when the first blade of grass emerged through the skin of a new earth. A moment when the bird first learned its song and animals first took steps. A moment when the night sky first appeared in its grandeur and the smallest cell first demonstrated its intricate design.

Before all of this, God was. He spoke and it all became. He breathed and life began.  

The Psalmist reminds us here that our salvation is not in kings or armies or military might, but only in God, the Creator of all. So, let Him be your help and shield! And If God has chosen us in Christ to be His people, how can we not rejoice? How can we not give thanks? How can we not sing and shout for joy?  

Read this Psalm with a heart of gratitude and joy! Our God is bigger than any pandemic, and our hope is in Him. Remember how great He is and how much He loves you!  

Psalm 33

The Steadfast Love of the Lord

1 Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous!
    Praise befits the upright.
2 Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre;
    make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!
3 Sing to him a new song;
    play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.

4 For the word of the Lord is upright,
    and all his work is done in faithfulness.
5 He loves righteousness and justice;
    the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.

6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
    and by the breath of his mouth all their host.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap;
    he puts the deeps in storehouses.

8 Let all the earth fear the Lord;
    let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!
9 For he spoke, and it came to be;
    he commanded, and it stood firm.

10 The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
    he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
    the plans of his heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
    the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!

13 The Lord looks down from heaven;
    he sees all the children of man;
14 from where he sits enthroned he looks out
    on all the inhabitants of the earth,
15 he who fashions the hearts of them all
    and observes all their deeds.
16 The king is not saved by his great army;
    a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
17 The war horse is a false hope for salvation,
    and by its great might it cannot rescue.

18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,
    on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19 that he may deliver their soul from death
    and keep them alive in famine.

20 Our soul waits for the Lord;
    he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart is glad in him,
    because we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
    even as we hope in you.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Prayer:

Oh God, You are the author of life and salvation! Let me continually be in awe of You!

I am thankful that you have given me life and that in Christ You have called me to be your child. Help me trust in You alone and give my heart your gladness.

Let Your steadfast love be upon me as I hope in You!

Rhythm

RHYTHM: DAY 16

May 5, 2020

Have you ever felt the weight of unconfessed sin? Have you ever held onto guilt and shame because you didn’t want anyone to know your faults?

If you have, you know the weight and exhaustion David writes about in this Psalm, and the contrast of the blessing that comes with a confession. By the blood of Jesus, our sins our forgiven, our iniquities covered, our faults erased. The One who we have wronged becomes our shelter and hiding place!

 It’s like a parent coming in with a big bear hug when we’ve failed to let us know that everything will be ok. Feel yourself in the arms of God as you read this Psalm. Accept his forgiveness, respond to his instruction and rejoice!  

Psalm 32

Blessed Are the Forgiven
A Maskil of David.

1 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
    whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,
    and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
    through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
    my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah

5 I acknowledged my sin to you,
    and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
    and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

6 Therefore let everyone who is godly
    offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;
surely in the rush of great waters,
    they shall not reach him.
7 You are a hiding place for me;
    you preserve me from trouble;
    you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
    which must be curbed with bit and bridle,
    or it will not stay near you.

10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
    but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.
11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous,
    and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Prayer:

Father, I confess that I have sinned. I repent of those attitudes and actions that have grieved you. Forgive me; give me both wisdom and strength to walk in your paths. And give me Your joy as I trust in Your ways!

Amen.

Rhythm

RHYTHM: DAY 15

May 4, 2020

Psalm 30 reminds us of not only God’s greatness, but that he is our very help in times of need. David looks back over God’s faithfulness in the past and looks forward to the days ahead with continued gratitude and praise!

 God is our healer and our hope when we are depressed or in despair. He turns our morning and sorrow into joy and gladness!

When he convicts us and we turn from our sin, his anger only lasts for a moment; his kindness and forgiveness, on the other hand, last for a lifetime!

Psalm 30

Joy Comes with the Morning
A Psalm of David. A song at the dedication of the temple.

1 I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up
    and have not let my foes rejoice over me.
2 O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
    and you have healed me.
3 O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;
    you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.

4 Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,
    and give thanks to his holy name.
5 For his anger is but for a moment,
    and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
    but joy comes with the morning.

6 As for me, I said in my prosperity,
    “I shall never be moved.”
7 By your favor, O Lord,
    you made my mountain stand strong;
you hid your face;
    I was dismayed.

8 To you, O Lord, I cry,
    and to the Lord I plead for mercy:
9 “What profit is there in my death,
    if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
    Will it tell of your faithfulness?
10 Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me!
    O Lord, be my helper!”

11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
    you have loosed my sackcloth
    and clothed me with gladness,
12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
    O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, you have been so faithful to me and delivered me over and over from my greatest fears! 

When I have cried to you for help, you rescued me and healed me. When I have confessed my sin, you have been faithful to forgive me, and your anger did not last forever. 

Your hope and joy are mine for a lifetime.  May my voice join the multitude of saints who continually praise your name. May I never fail to give thanks to you my Lord!

Amen.

Rhythm

RHYTHM: DAY 14

May 3, 2020

In Psalm 29, David extols God’s absolute greatness and majesty! He is all powerful and his people are encouraged to ascribe to the Lord all the glory due him.  His very voice is over the waters and shakes the wilderness. 

God is described in incredible ways to provoke awe and wonder at his greatness!

It is overwhelming to consider the fact that human beings can have the privilege to know and worship this wonderful and amazing God! But David also recognizes that this great and all-powerful God has care and compassion for his people and will strengthen and bless them with his perfect peace.

Psalm 29

Ascribe to the Lord Glory
A Psalm of David.

1 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.

3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
    the God of glory thunders,
    the Lord, over many waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;
    the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
    the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf,
    and Sirion like a young wild ox.

7 The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
    the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

9 The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth
    and strips the forests bare,
    and in his temple all cry, “Glory!”

10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
    the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.
11 May the Lord give strength to his people!
    May the Lord bless his people with peace!

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, there is no one like you! You are high and lifted up and you name is great!

I worship you and give to you all of the glory that you deserve.  My God, you are holy and supreme in heaven, and over all creation, and may my lips always praise you. 

Thank you for the compassion and peace you give to me!

Amen.

Rhythm

RHYTHM: DAY 13

May 2, 2020

This Psalm of David highlights a tension between fear and faith in life. David mentions wars and enemies, abandonment by those closest to him, and isolation as potential obstacles to his daily relationship with God.

However, there is a resounding statement of faith that he wants to seek God and his plans. It is this priority and confidence in God that helps him make his decision to trust God and seek his face instead of fear!

David knows God’s answer may not be immediate, and so he declares his faith in verse 13, I believe that I will see the goodness of the Lord…and he encourages his hearers and readers to do the same: wait, be strong and take courage. There is no one to fear but God!

Psalm 27

The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation
Of David.

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
    of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When evildoers assail me
    to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
    it is they who stumble and fall.

3 Though an army encamp against me,
    my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
    yet I will be confident.

4 One thing have I asked of the Lord,
    that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
    and to inquire in his temple.

5 For he will hide me in his shelter
    in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
    he will lift me high upon a rock.

6 And now my head shall be lifted up
    above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
    sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
    be gracious to me and answer me!
8 You have said, “Seek my face.”
My heart says to you,
    “Your face, Lord, do I seek.”
9     Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
    O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
    O God of my salvation!
10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
    but the Lord will take me in.

11 Teach me your way, O Lord,
    and lead me on a level path
    because of my enemies.
12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
    for false witnesses have risen against me,
    and they breathe out violence.

13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living!
14 Wait for the Lord;
    be strong, and let your heart take courage;
    wait for the Lord!

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Prayer:

Father, there are times when I am afraid. Circumstances and issues can seem so large and overwhelming; help me to see that You are right here. You care for me and won’t ever leave me, and so I will seek You.

I will take courage and be strong when I feel oppressed and stressed. Remind me how You have been good to me and that You will be good in my future as well. You are my shelter and stronghold and You hear me, so I will run to You! I will turn to You first and I will wait for You to lead and guide me.

Amen.

Rhythm

RHYTHM: DAY 12

May 1, 2020

This psalm celebrates God, the King of Glory, and his holiness. It begins recounting God as Maker and Creator and highlighting God’s personal involvement in all aspects of life, from the biggest mountains to the tiniest molecule.

Then, there is a shift to knowing this God who is holy and highly exalted. As a sinful person, David knows there is a problem: mankind needs clean hands and a pure heart, and this cannot be acquired through traditions or rituals. Those who seek God need his righteousness.

The King of Glory must come, and in the person of Jesus he made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can come to him!

Psalm 24

The King of Glory
A Psalm of David.

1 The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,
    the world and those who dwell therein,
2 for he has founded it upon the seas
    and established it upon the rivers.

3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
    And who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
    who does not lift up his soul to what is false
    and does not swear deceitfully.
5 He will receive blessing from the Lord
    and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
    who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah

7 Lift up your heads, O gates!
    And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord, strong and mighty,
    the Lord, mighty in battle!
9 Lift up your heads, O gates!
    And lift them up, O ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord of hosts,
    he is the King of glory! Selah

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Prayer:

God, thank You for making me and this world. I’m grateful that You care for every part of it, especially my personal world.

You are bigger than any problem or struggle I have, and I trust You with all of it. I want to love and seek You more. Thank You for making a way through Jesus.

Examine my heart for anything that is unclean, impure, or false, and give me the courage to confess it and repent from it. You are the King of Glory, the Lord of Hosts, and I will exalt You today!

Amen.