The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 14:1-7 (day five)

The phrase, “There is no one who does good” is repeated twice in this Psalm. When you read this and then read it again what happens in your mind and your heart?  Are you defensive?  Are you convicted?  The psalmist moves from the singular (the fool) to the plural (they have all). Just when you might think he is only referring to someone else, we realize he is talking about all of us. The fool won’t/can’t see the “foolishness” in their own life and heart. But through the work of Christ (come from Zion- see verse seven) God’s people do. And when we confess and repent, we find grace and peace in the humbling truth about the human race.

The fool does not feel his corruption, but the person in Christ does. The fool does not perceive the light of salvation, but the person in Christ does. The fool does not know his own wretchedness as he ought, but the person in Christ does. The person in Christ, despite the attacks of the opposition of the wicked, can rest in the reality that the Lord acts faithfully on his behalf.   Daniel Akin

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 14:1-7 (day four)

This Psalm paints a picture of God looking down on creation and finding no one who is righteous, no one who is holy, no one who is committed to justice. It ends with an expression of longing – longing for God to send the Promised One, longing for God to restore his people as he promised, longing for the restoration of the earth. As we continue through this season of Lent, we enter into that longing with the psalmist. We long for the salvation hope that will come on Easter morning. We long for the day still to come, where Jesus will return to make all things right.

Unlike the psalmist, we live in a world that Jesus has already walked. We live in a world that has seen the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. When we surrender our lives to Jesus, we are clothed in his righteousness. We aren’t righteous in our own right, but we are covered by the righteousness of Christ and therefore made acceptable before the Father. As we await Christ’s return, we seek to live in a way that matches our new clothes of righteousness. Praise God for fulfilling his promises!

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 14:1-7 (day three)

¹¹ The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.

The overall theme of this Psalm is that the world is full of people that do not believe there will be any accountability for their actions (no God). These foolish people live in a way that serves themselves, rather than in a way that serves the Lord. They have turned their backs on following the Lord, choosing again to serve their own desires. In reading this, it is easy to write these people off and to think that I (we) have done a pretty good job of following the Lord in all that He has commanded.

But aren’t we all guilty of choosing ourselves over God every day? Aren’t we guilty of falling into the traps of sin, forgetting briefly who we are and who we are supposed to follow instead of our own selfish desires? The Apostle Paul reiterates this fact in his letter to the Christians in Rome when he reminds them that all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We are all fools, at times, choosing our own way instead of following God.

As we read this community lament for the world around us this week, be sure to check your own heart, as well. May we not be foolish, but instead, follow the Lord in all that we do!

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 14:1-7 (day two)

The Lord has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men
To see if there are any who understand,
Who seek after God. v. 2

Isn’t it a wonder that God has given to us a curious nature, and a mind that seeks to understand the world? It is this curious nature that often moves the needle of our knowledge of the cosmos, and it is that nature which gets us into theological conundrums. It seems the more we know, the less we rely on God. Let’s be clear, God didn’t make a mistake when he gave us all a sense of wonder. He does ask us to acknowledge him in our limitations, our lack of understanding, and even in the things we do understand. The more we know should not diminish our dependence on God; rather it should reveal to us more of his incredible grace and mercy. Verse two tells us God is searching for those who are humble in their wisdom. May we always seek knowledge and understanding, and may we never cease to marvel at God’s supreme authority.

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 30:1-12 (day seven)

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; Psalm 30:11a

As we have read this week, every time I get to verse 11 I find myself clapping and singing, “You are the Only One who can!”

Elevation Worship is not a musical group that we pull music from very often at FBCSA. However, they partnered with Brandon Lake to produce a song called “Graves into Gardens” that has a bridge that reads like this:

A word from Limuru, Kenya:

What amazes me is the range of emotions David expresses in this Psalm. He goes from immovable confidence to total despair.

In this Psalm, David models for us the cares we can bring to God. His shoulders are big enough for joy and desperation, fear and confidence. In fact, God expects us to bring what we feel to him.

Church planter and author Jeff Vanderstelt said, “Our feelings are an indication of our need. If we don’t take them to God, those needs will be met in unhealthy ways.” (Paraphrase)

Christian, take all your cares to the Lord. His shoulders are big enough.

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 30:1-12 (day five)
“O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.”

There is something transforming and life-giving about saying “thank you.” I would suggest those are possibly the two most powerful words we can say. Why?  Couple of reasons. Saying “thank you” shifts the focus from an internal perspective outward (in the case of this Psalm, upward). We look and search outside of our circumstances and emotions for a reason or person to be thankful. Second, it is a great practice of humility to recognize and appreciate the fact that there are times (maybe many) where we need help. I would also suggest that being thankful (regularly) is a discipline. What if there was a place in our daily journal and/or prayers for a place of thanksgiving?  What if we consistently found a reason, relationship, promise, truth, or experience (both good and bad) for which to express thanks? How would that deepen our relationship with the Lord? How would that deepen our relationships with others? Maybe a prayer prompt for today would be- Thank You, Lord for …(what would you say or write).

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 30:1-12 (day three)

What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your faithfulness?

This psalm is just so raw. It’s like you’re reading the author’s personal journal detailing the range of emotions they’ve had before God. In verse 9, the psalmist sounds like they’re trying to persuade God to save them. He’s essentially saying, “The dirt can’t (audibly) praise you! If I die and return to dirt myself, I’m not good for anything! Save me so I can praise you!”

We know it’s generally not wise to bribe God; nor is it necessary to bribe him who loves us and wants to help us, though many of us have been this desperate in our prayers. In the psalmist’s desperation, though, he sheds light on the truth: we exist on this earth to give praise to God. Our purpose in life is simply to give him the praise that he is due, which is all of it. When we walk through life distracted by other pursuits and fail to give God praise and glory, we’re fulfilling our purpose no more than if we returned to dust.

This psalm reminds us of the ultimate purpose of our life, and it reminds us that God is worthy of that praise. He rescues from the pit; he hears our cries. May we praise him in both our mourning and our dancing.

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 30:1-12 (day three)

¹¹ You turned my lament into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, ¹² so that I can sing to You and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise You forever.

Throughout the Bible, God uses the metaphor of new clothing to signify change in us. The Psalms and prophets are full of this imagery; Paul writes of it often in his letters; and John talks of it in Revelation. It helps us understand just how different we are when we follow God and give our lives fully to Him.

Here, David uses it to describe how God turned what was once broken into the exact opposite. David uses this imagery to describe just how far he had come with the Lord and invites others (us) to reflect on how God has changed their (our) lives. But, he doesn’t end there. In this Psalm, we are reminded that God changes us so that we can sing for joy and not be silent. We are changed so that others may know and see the goodness of the Lord and come to know Him as a result. We are rescued so that we can praise the Lord and glorify His name.

Reflect on the new set of clothes God has given you. You were given those so that you could praise His name and share His story of redemption and goodness.