The Promise of the Holy Spirit

1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, ² until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. ³ He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

⁴ And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; ⁵ for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

The Ascension

⁶ So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” ⁷ He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” ⁹ And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. ¹⁰ And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, ¹¹ and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

¹² Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.¹³ And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. ¹⁴ All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. ………

……… ²³ And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. ²⁴ And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen²⁵ to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” ²⁶ And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Reflection

• During Jesus’ last days on earth, he taught his disciples the truth about himself. His disciples questioned Jesus about his kingdom (v6). And Jesus told them their specific role in what was to happen.
• Jesus knew that the disciples would feel anxious and be lack of confidence. So, when he instructed his disciples to witness to the world, he told them to wait a few days. The Spirit will come. You will receive power. And then you “will be my witnesses” – in your neighbourhood and throughout the world!
• The term “with one accord” (v14) pictures the church gathered – praying, worshiping, reaching decisions – in a spirit of unity and harmony. This is what we definitely need as each of us tries to fulfill the task Jesus gave for the church.
• How are you affected when you pray with other believers—especially as you consider your part in God’s mission for the church?
• Thank God for giving you a task to carry out, and tell him about the fears and joys you feel as his servant. Thank God for the privilege of praying “with one accord” with other believers in the church.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

Give Thanks to the Lord, for He Is Good

106 

⁶ Both we and our fathers have sinned;
    we have committed iniquity; we have done wickedness.
⁷ Our fathers, when they were in Egypt,
    did not consider your wondrous works;
they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love,
    but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea.
⁸ Yet he saved them for his name’s sake,
    that he might make known his mighty power.
⁹ He rebuked the Red Sea, and it became dry,
    and he led them through the deep as through a desert.
¹⁰ So he saved them from the hand of the foe
    and redeemed them from the power of the enemy.
¹¹ And the waters covered their adversaries;
    not one of them was left.
¹² Then they believed his words;
    they sang his praise.

¹³ But they soon forgot his works;
    they did not wait for his counsel.
¹⁴ But they had a wanton craving in the wilderness,
    and put God to the test in the desert;
¹⁵ he gave them what they asked,
    but sent a wasting disease among them.

¹⁶ When men in the camp were jealous of Moses
    and Aaron, the holy one of the Lord,
¹⁷ the earth opened and swallowed up Dathan,
    and covered the company of Abiram.
¹⁸ Fire also broke out in their company;
    the flame burned up the wicked.

¹⁹ They made a calf in Horeb
    and worshiped a metal image.
²⁰ They exchanged the glory of God
    for the image of an ox that eats grass.
²¹ They forgot God, their Savior,
    who had done great things in Egypt,
²² wondrous works in the land of Ham,
    and awesome deeds by the Red Sea.
²³ Therefore he said he would destroy them—
    had not Moses, his chosen one,
stood in the breach before him,
    to turn away his wrath from destroying them.

Reflection

• While psalm 105 stressed God’s faithfulness to the nation, this psalm both confesses Israel’s blatant failure to trust God, and proclaims God’s compassion. Even though God’s people proved unfaithful to him, he remained faithful to them because of his covenant promises.
• Prayers of confession, such as this one, a deliberate remembering, help us to maintain a realistic knowledge of my vulnerability and the need of total dependence on God’s grace. They remind us that God is faithful—even though his people have not been—and thus they encourage faithfulness in us.
• Invite the Holy Spirit to search your heart and bring to mind things that you need to confess. Bring them one by one to God and ask for his forgiveness. And commit yourself once again to trust and obey God in all things.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

Tell of All His Wonderful Works

105 

²³ Then Israel came to Egypt;
    Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.
²⁴ And the Lord made his people very fruitful
    and made them stronger than their foes.
²⁵ He turned their hearts to hate his people,
    to deal craftily with his servants.

²⁶ He sent Moses, his servant,
    and Aaron, whom he had chosen.
²⁷ They performed his signs among them
    and miracles in the land of Ham.
²⁸ He sent darkness, and made the land dark;
    they did not rebel against his words.
²⁹ He turned their waters into blood
    and caused their fish to die.
³⁰ Their land swarmed with frogs,
    even in the chambers of their kings.
³¹ He spoke, and there came swarms of flies,
    and gnats throughout their country.
³² He gave them hail for rain,
    and fiery lightning bolts through their land.
³³ He struck down their vines and fig trees,
    and shattered the trees of their country.
³⁴ He spoke, and the locusts came,
    young locusts without number,
³⁵ which devoured all the vegetation in their land
    and ate up the fruit of their ground.
³⁶ He struck down all the firstborn in their land,
    the firstfruits of all their strength.

³⁷ Then he brought out Israel with silver and gold,
    and there was none among his tribes who stumbled.
³⁸ Egypt was glad when they departed,
    for dread of them had fallen upon it.

³⁹ He spread a cloud for a covering,
    and fire to give light by night.
⁴⁰ They asked, and he brought quail,
    and gave them bread from heaven in abundance.
⁴¹ He opened the rock, and water gushed out;
    it flowed through the desert like a river.
⁴² For he remembered his holy promise,
    and Abraham, his servant.

⁴³ So he brought his people out with joy,
    his chosen ones with singing.
⁴⁴ And he gave them the lands of the nations,
    and they took possession of the fruit of the peoples’ toil,
⁴⁵ that they might keep his statutes
    and observe his laws.
Praise the Lord!

Reflection

• This psalm praises God for His faithful dealings with Israel. It reviews Israel’s history from Abraham to the wilderness wanderings, and the covenant God made with Abraham.
• A key word in this psalm is “remember” (vv. 5, 8, 42). By remembering how faithful God had been remembering His promise to their patriarch, the Israelites would remember to praise Him. God’s people benefit from reviewing history because it reminds them of God’s faithfulness. This reminder encourages us to trust in God’s promises given to us. We, too, can see that he has been consistently faithful to his word throughout history.
• How have you experienced God’s provision or help when you saw no way out? How does God take care of your basic needs? How does God provide beyond your expectations?
• In rejoicing over God’s faithfulness that finally brought the Israelites to the land promised to Abraham, the people are reminded that the right response is obedience and praise (v45).
• In what specific ways can you respond to God’s faithfulness by obedience and praise?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

O Lord My God, You Are Very Great

104 

¹⁰ You make springs gush forth in the valleys;
    they flow between the hills;
¹¹ they give drink to every beast of the field;
    the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
¹² Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell;
    they sing among the branches.
¹³ From your lofty abode you water the mountains;
    the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.

¹⁴ You cause the grass to grow for the livestock
    and plants for man to cultivate,
that he may bring forth food from the earth
¹⁵     and wine to gladden the heart of man,
oil to make his face shine
    and bread to strengthen man’s heart.

¹⁶ The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly,
    the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
¹⁷ In them the birds build their nests;
    the stork has her home in the fir trees.
¹⁸ The high mountains are for the wild goats;
    the rocks are a refuge for the rock badgers.

¹⁹ He made the moon to mark the seasons;
    the sun knows its time for setting.
²⁰ You make darkness, and it is night,
    when all the beasts of the forest creep about.
²¹ The young lions roar for their prey,
    seeking their food from God.
²² When the sun rises, they steal away
    and lie down in their dens.
²³ Man goes out to his work
    and to his labor until the evening.

²⁴ O Lord, how manifold are your works!
    In wisdom have you made them all;
    the earth is full of your creatures.
²⁵ Here is the sea, great and wide,
    which teems with creatures innumerable,
    living things both small and great.
²⁶ There go the ships,
    and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it.

²⁷ These all look to you,
    to give them their food in due season.
²⁸ When you give it to them, they gather it up;
    when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
²⁹ When you hide your face, they are dismayed;
    when you take away their breath, they die
    and return to their dust.
³⁰ When you send forth your Spirit, they are created,
    and you renew the face of the ground.

³¹ May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
    may the Lord rejoice in his works,
³² who looks on the earth and it trembles,
    who touches the mountains and they smoke!
³³ I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
    I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
³⁴ May my meditation be pleasing to him,
    for I rejoice in the Lord.
³⁵ Let sinners be consumed from the earth,
    and let the wicked be no more!
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
Praise the Lord!

Reflection

• This psalm celebrates God’s creation and sustenance of the world. This structure of this psalm parallels that of Genesis 1, taking the stages of creation as starting-points for praise. It is well to read it as a commentary on Genesis 1, not to explain how God created, but to celebrate the wonder of his works.
• God’s lavish and orderly care for all the creatures brings them joy, and they rely on this steady care day-to-day (vv27-30). We do well to marvel at the creation and bless God for the power, wisdom, and generosity we see in it. Thus to avert our tendency of complacency, self-sufficiently, and even a false sense of entitlement. We do well to remember that each moment, each breath, after all, is a gift from God.
• When have you enjoyed some aspect of the natural rhythms described here? As you meditate on what God has made, how would you like to respond to God?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

Bless the Lord, O My Soul

Of David.

103 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and all that is within me,
    bless his holy name!
² Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits,
³ who forgives all your iniquity,
    who heals all your diseases,
⁴ who redeems your life from the pit,
    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
⁵ who satisfies you with good
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

⁶ The Lord works righteousness
    and justice for all who are oppressed.
⁷ He made known his ways to Moses,
    his acts to the people of Israel.
⁸ The Lord is merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
⁹ He will not always chide,
    nor will he keep his anger forever.
¹⁰ He does not deal with us according to our sins,
    nor repay us according to our iniquities.
¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
¹² as far as the east is from the west,
    so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
¹³ As a father shows compassion to his children,
    so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
¹⁴ For he knows our frame;^[a]
    he remembers that we are dust.

¹⁵ As for man, his days are like grass;
    he flourishes like a flower of the field;
¹⁶ for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
    and its place knows it no more.
¹⁷ But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
    and his righteousness to children’s children,
¹⁸ to those who keep his covenant
    and remember to do his commandments.
¹⁹ The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
    and his kingdom rules over all.

²⁰ Bless the Lord, O you his angels,
    you mighty ones who do his word,
    obeying the voice of his word!
²¹ Bless the Lord, all his hosts,
    his ministers, who do his will!
²² Bless the Lord, all his works,
    in all places of his dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Reflection

• This psalm is perhaps the best-known and best-loved of all the hymns. David called on himself to bless the LORD wholeheartedly because of all his many blessings. To “bless the LORD” means to thank him because he is the source of all blessings.
• David set down a list of God’s blessings: God forgives our sins and heals our diseases (v3). He preserves our life and crowns us with love and compassion (v4). He satisfies our desires with good things (v5). He works justice for the oppressed (v6). He made known his ways to Moses and revealed himself in mighty acts (v7). And He is compassionate and slow to anger (v8). He does not treat us as our sins deserve (v10).
• And still there is more. Far too much to record in this brief meditation.
• But if life ever seems hard and the future so bleak that you can see nothing but darkness ahead, turn to this psalm that celebrates God’s. Read it to be reminded of God’s goodness to you.
• Read this psalm again slowly and allow yourself to be immersed in God’s love and goodness to you. Continue a conversation with God about what you are feeling right now.
• You may also listen to this song as you meditate. Bless the Lord, my soul (Taize) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4Svh-9ohg4

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

Do Not Hide Your Face from Me

A Prayer of one afflicted, when he is faint and pours out his complaint before the Lord.

102 Hear my prayer, O Lord;
let my cry come to you!
² Do not hide your face from me
    in the day of my distress!
Incline your ear to me;
    answer me speedily in the day when I call!

³ For my days pass away like smoke,
    and my bones burn like a furnace.
⁴ My heart is struck down like grass and has withered;
    I forget to eat my bread.
⁵ Because of my loud groaning
    my bones cling to my flesh.
⁶ I am like a desert owl of the wilderness,
    like an owl of the waste places;
⁷ I lie awake;
    I am like a lonely sparrow on the housetop.
⁸ All the day my enemies taunt me;
    those who deride me use my name for a curse.
⁹ For I eat ashes like bread
    and mingle tears with my drink,
¹⁰ because of your indignation and anger;
    for you have taken me up and thrown me down.
¹¹ My days are like an evening shadow;
    I wither away like grass.

¹² But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever;
    you are remembered throughout all generations.
¹³ You will arise and have pity on Zion;
    it is the time to favor her;
    the appointed time has come.
¹⁴ For your servants hold her stones dear
    and have pity on her dust.
¹⁵ Nations will fear the name of the Lord,
    and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory.
¹⁶ For the Lord builds up Zion;
    he appears in his glory;
¹⁷ he regards the prayer of the destitute
    and does not despise their prayer.

¹⁸ Let this be recorded for a generation to come,
    so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord:
¹⁹ that he looked down from his holy height;
    from heaven the Lord looked at the earth,
²⁰ to hear the groans of the prisoners,
    to set free those who were doomed to die,
²¹ that they may declare in Zion the name of the Lord,
    and in Jerusalem his praise,
²² when peoples gather together,
    and kingdoms, to worship the Lord.

²³ He has broken my strength in midcourse;
    he has shortened my days.
²⁴ “O my God,” I say, “take me not away
    in the midst of my days—
you whose years endure
    throughout all generations!”

²⁵ Of old you laid the foundation of the earth,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands.
²⁶ They will perish, but you will remain;
    they will all wear out like a garment.
You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away,
²⁷     but you are the same, and your years have no end.
²⁸ The children of your servants shall dwell secure;
    their offspring shall be established before you.

Reflection

• Grief is an experience of deep sorrow over a significant loss. Whether it is the loss of a loved one, a job, our health or our home, the physical, emotional and spiritual suffering is intense. This psalm speaks our anguish to God in times of grief.
• The psalmist felt a desperate need for the Lord’s immediate intervention in his painful situation. His sorrow had made his bones ache; his emotional state was affecting his physical condition.  His enemies ridiculed him continually.  He believed his life was ending and felt as if God was shortening his life (v23).
• Yet, in contrast to his own sorrow, he showed confidence that God will rebuild Zion even in the midst of tragedy. Israel will see the fulfillment of its dearest hopes that even the nations will gather in Zion to worship and obey God. The God who is “enthroned forever” and outlasts heaven and earth will see to it. Such faith builds hope when disaster would tear us down. (vv12-22, 25-28)
• Express your feelings of grief to God, and pray for others you know who are grieving.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

I Will Walk with Integrity

A Psalm of David.

101 I will sing of steadfast love and justice;
    to you, O Lord, I will make music.
² I will ponder the way that is blameless.
    Oh when will you come to me?
I will walk with integrity of heart
    within my house;
³ I will not set before my eyes
    anything that is worthless.
I hate the work of those who fall away;
    it shall not cling to me.
⁴ A perverse heart shall be far from me;
    I will know nothing of evil.

⁵ Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly
    I will destroy.
Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart
    I will not endure.

⁶ I will look with favor on the faithful in the land,
    that they may dwell with me;
he who walks in the way that is blameless
    shall minister to me.

⁷ No one who practices deceit
    shall dwell in my house;
no one who utters lies
    shall continue before my eyes.

⁸ Morning by morning I will destroy
    all the wicked in the land,
cutting off all the evildoers
    from the city of the Lord.

Reflection

• This is a prayer of David’s resolution to walk a blameless path. David is committed to live in a way that pleased God. He may have written this psalm early in his reign as king as he set down the standards he wanted to follow. David knew that to lead a blameless life he would need God’s help (v2).
• We can lead blameless lives if we avoid (1) looking at wickedness, v3, (2) evil thoughts, v4, (3) slander,v5, and (4) pride, v5. While avoiding these wrongs, we must also let God’s Word show us the standards by which to live.
• Where in your thoughts and deeds do you need to change?
• David said that he would keep his “eye on the godly.” In other words, he would choose as models and as friends those who were godly and truthful. Our friends and associates can have a profound influence on our life. Make sure to keep your eyes on those who are faithful to God and his Word.
• Who are the faithful and godly that you “will look with favour on” (v6)? How would they have a positive influence on your life?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

A Psalm for giving thanks.

100 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
²     Serve the Lord with gladness!
    Come into his presence with singing!

³ Know that the Lord, he is God!
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
    and his courts with praise!
    Give thanks to him; bless his name!

⁵ For the Lord is good;
    his steadfast love endures forever,
    and his faithfulness to all generations.

Reflection

• The psalmist invited God’s people to approach the Lord with joy. We can serve God gladly because he is the creator, and we can worship him thankfully because he is good and faithful.
• We appreciate the fact that our God is the sovereign God. And acknowledge that he has created us and that we are not self-made individuals. We belong to him, and we partake of what he graciously provides for us.
• In response, we are called to enter into worship with thanksgiving in our hearts and live with liberating trust in God. We are to confess that God’s steadfast love and faithfulness will never fail. This opens the way for us to be joyful and glad.
• How might it help you personally to “know that the LORD is God”, that you are made by him, and “the sheep of his pasture”?
• God is inviting you to worship him with gladness. Offer a brief song or poem or prayer of worship or praise to God.
• Sing with this – Ps 100: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYANPc6_1uw

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

The Lord Our God Is Holy

99 The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble!
    He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
² The Lord is great in Zion;
    he is exalted over all the peoples.
³ Let them praise your great and awesome name!
    Holy is he!
⁴ The King in his might loves justice.
    You have established equity;
you have executed justice
    and righteousness in Jacob.
⁵ Exalt the Lord our God;
    worship at his footstool!
    Holy is he!

⁶ Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
    Samuel also was among those who called upon his name.
    They called to the Lord, and he answered them.
⁷ In the pillar of the cloud he spoke to them;
    they kept his testimonies
    and the statute that he gave them.

⁸ O Lord our God, you answered them;
    you were a forgiving God to them,
    but an avenger of their wrongdoings.
⁹ Exalt the Lord our God,
    and worship at his holy mountain;
    for the Lord our God is holy!

Reflection

• This psalm celebrates the Lord as the great and holy king in Zion. It repeatedly calls the people of God to worship, to tremble, to be overwhelmed by the God who is with us but is set apart from us.
• Other songs celebrate God as king for his acts of creation and deliverance. This one focuses more on God’s character as one who is just, who answers those who call for help, who forgives and establishes justice all at once, who is holy.

• God is terribly awesome and holy, forgiving and punishing.  What does God expect you to do in response to his holy character and righteous decrees?
• This psalm invites us to tremble, praise, exalt and worship this Lord. How do you do that each day?
• Let the awe of knowing this holy God sink in. Pray for a desire to be and do and love the things that characterize this holy God.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

Make a Joyful Noise to the Lord

A Psalm.

98 Oh sing to the Lord a new song,
    for he has done marvelous things!
His right hand and his holy arm
    have worked salvation for him.
² The Lord has made known his salvation;
    he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
³ He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness
    to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
    the salvation of our God.

⁴ Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
    break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
⁵ Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
    with the lyre and the sound of melody!
⁶ With trumpets and the sound of the horn
    make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!

⁷ Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
    the world and those who dwell in it!
⁸ Let the rivers clap their hands;
    let the hills sing for joy together
⁹ before the Lord, for he comes
    to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
    and the peoples with equity.

Reflection

• This psalm celebrates the marvel of God’s love, faithfulness, and righteousness, which bond together to win glory for “the ends of the earth.” (This psalm inspired Isaac Watts to write the hymn, “Joy to the World!”) The chorus is joined by the sea and all in it, the world and all living things in it, the rivers and mountains as well.
• When the Lord comes to earth to reign, God’s salvation appears, we along with all creation, will at last be set free. It is with thisanticipation of a future victory that the psalmist called on his readers to praise God.
• Do you ever “cut loose” in joyful expression? Or do you sing your songs to God like a quiet ballad?
• In your next cell meeting, sing some favorite praise songs together. Try to use some instruments, even if some homemade instruments, clapping hands, stomping feet. Really make a LOUD and JOYFUL NOISE to the Lord. After all, his coming will be a good thing for humankind. We who are believers should rejoice greatly as we anticipate it, and we should pray for its arrival.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

The Lord Reigns

¹ The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;
    let the many coastlands be glad!
² Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;
    righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
³ Fire goes before him
    and burns up his adversaries all around.
⁴ His lightnings light up the world;
    the earth sees and trembles.
⁵ The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
    before the Lord of all the earth.

⁶ The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
    and all the peoples see his glory.
⁷ All worshipers of images are put to shame,
    who make their boast in worthless idols;
    worship him, all you gods!

⁸ Zion hears and is glad,
    and the daughters of Judah rejoice,
    because of your judgments, O Lord.
⁹ For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth;
    you are exalted far above all gods.

¹⁰ O you who love the Lord, hate evil!
    He preserves the lives of his saints;
    he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
¹¹ Light is sown for the righteous,
    and joy for the upright in heart.
¹² Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,
    and give thanks to his holy name!

Reflection

• The foundation of God’s rule is justice and righteousness. This psalm is vibrant with a sense of awe at God’s greatness. That greatness is displayed in a righteousness which establishes justice, punishes the wicked, and delivers the upright who hate evil.
• This psalmist describes the appearance of God in glory in vivid word pictures: clouds and thick darkness, fire, lightning, trembling earth and the melting of mountains. They depict God’s awesome power, his consuming judgment, and the Lord’s coming to earth.
• What word pictures can you use to describe God’s appearance in your life?
• Since God loves righteousness and hates evil, it is only fitting that those who love Him should hate evil. By doing so, they will receive his blessing rather than his discipline. If we live a righteous life we are promised both light to guide us and joy to accompany us.
• Which description fit you the closest: (1) Hater of evil? (2) Faithful? (3) Religious? (4) Upright in heart? Which would you like to be? Speak with God about it.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

Worship in the Splendor of Holiness

¹ Oh sing to the Lord a new song;
    sing to the Lord, all the earth!
² Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
    tell of his salvation from day to day.
³ Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvelous works among all the peoples!
⁴ For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
    he is to be feared above all gods.
⁵ For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
    but the Lord made the heavens.
⁶ Splendor and majesty are before him;
    strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

⁷ Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
⁸ Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    bring an offering, and come into his courts!
⁹ Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;
    tremble before him, all the earth!

¹⁰ Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!
    Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;
    he will judge the peoples with equity.”

¹¹ Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
    let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
¹²     let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
¹³     before the Lord, for he comes,
    for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,
    and the peoples in his faithfulness.

Reflection

• This psalm is vibrant with shouts of joy as God approaches to “judge the world in righteousness”. It is a portrait of God’s children lining the streets, with arms open, jumping up and down in excitement as the Lord approaches.
• If our own relationship with the Lord is warm and close, this psalm will excite us too. The Lord is near! He’s coming back soon! And we are lining the street, eager to meet him and filled with a great job!
• In light of this universal call to worship, think of those around you and on the other side of the globe. What does this psalmist prompt you to do about those who don’t know God?
• Pray for someone who does not yet know God. Pray about inviting that person to join you in worship.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

Let Us Sing Songs of Praise

¹ Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;
    let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
² Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
    let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
³ For the Lord is a great God,
    and a great King above all gods.
⁴ In his hand are the depths of the earth;
    the heights of the mountains are his also.
⁵ The sea is his, for he made it,
    and his hands formed the dry land.

⁶ Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
    let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
⁷ For he is our God,
    and we are the people of his pasture,
    and the sheep of his hand.
Today, if you hear his voice,
⁸     do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah,
    as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,
⁹ when your fathers put me to the test
    and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.
¹⁰ For forty years I loathed that generation
    and said, “They are a people who go astray in their heart,
    and they have not known my ways.”
¹¹ Therefore I swore in my wrath,
    “They shall not enter my rest.”

Reflection

• This psalm celebrates God as the great king. We acknowledge his lordship by responding when we hear his voice. Only by showing respect to God as king and lord, and obeying his voice, can we find rest.
• This psalm recalls Israel’s refusal during the Exodus to obey God and enter the Promised Land. That failure to obey led to 40 years of wandering in a wilderness until an entire generation died.
• Imagine life for you without God’s promised rest. If your life and well-being were constantly threatened with adversaries in the land where you live and work, what would you be praying for? During those times in your past when your heart strayed from God’s ways (v. 10), how did God bring you back to himself?
• As you listen to God’s voice “today” (v. 7), what is he saying to you?
• Whatever the past or present circumstances of your relationship with him may be, this psalm invites you to come into God’s presence today. Try kneeling in his presence, acknowledging him as Lord of your life, even during those times you have strayed. Soften your heart and give him the praise and thanksgiving he deserves.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

The Lord Will Not Forsake His People

¹ O Lord, God of vengeance,
    O God of vengeance, shine forth!
² Rise up, O judge of the earth;
    repay to the proud what they deserve!
³ O Lord, how long shall the wicked,
    how long shall the wicked exult?
⁴ They pour out their arrogant words;
    all the evildoers boast.
⁵ They crush your people, O Lord,
    and afflict your heritage.
⁶ They kill the widow and the sojourner,
    and murder the fatherless;
⁷ and they say, “The Lord does not see;
    the God of Jacob does not perceive.”

⁸ Understand, O dullest of the people!
    Fools, when will you be wise?
⁹ He who planted the ear, does he not hear?
He who formed the eye, does he not see?
¹⁰ He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke?
He who teaches man knowledge—
¹¹     the Lord—knows the thoughts of man,
    that they are but a breath.

¹² Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O Lord,
    and whom you teach out of your law,
¹³ to give him rest from days of trouble,
    until a pit is dug for the wicked.
¹⁴ For the Lord will not forsake his people;
    he will not abandon his heritage;
¹⁵ for justice will return to the righteous,
    and all the upright in heart will follow it.

¹⁶ Who rises up for me against the wicked?
    Who stands up for me against evildoers?
¹⁷ If the Lord had not been my help,
    my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence.
¹⁸ When I thought, “My foot slips,”
    your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up.
¹⁹ When the cares of my heart are many,
    your consolations cheer my soul.
²⁰ Can wicked rulers be allied with you,
    those who frame injustice by statute?
²¹ They band together against the life of the righteous
    and condemn the innocent to death.
²² But the Lord has become my stronghold,
    and my God the rock of my refuge.
²³ He will bring back on them their iniquity
    and wipe them out for their wickedness;
    the Lord our God will wipe them out.

Reflection

• How do you feel about injustice? Is it our job or do we wait for God to intervene and set the record straight?
• In the Old Testament, the idea of “vengeance” does not point to revenge, getting even, but to justice, acting to set things right to overcome the distortion of reality that oppression brings. Ultimately it is God’s job.
• The arrogant wicked crush and kill the vulnerable people believing themselves unseen by God. But the one who created the eye does see and will discipline. When evil threatens and seems to prevail, God is still our sure refuge.
• In many places, victims of political and economic oppression have only God to rely on. Faith says God will set things right.
• Identify one group of people who are under oppression right now. Read this psalm again. And pray and petition to God on behalf of these people in order to identify with them and to overcome your own indifference and numbness to evil in society and in the world.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.