Category Archives: Psalms

Psalm 143:10-11

¹⁰ Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God.
May your gracious Spirit lead me forward
on a firm footing.
¹¹ For the glory of your name, O Lord, preserve my life.
Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress.

Dear God, am I being moody or is your Spirit moving in me? There have been times lately when there is just an unsettledness in my own spirit, and then there are moments like this one when I feel energized and ready to take on the world in your name and power. Why is that?

When I first read this passage, the verse I was supposed to read was verse 10, but the first part of verse 11 is what caught my eye: “For the glory of your name…” That’s what it’s all about. But as I think about the first paragraph I instinctively wrote here, I wonder if the part for me today isn’t the second part of verse 10: “May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.” I have important work to do at work. I have important work to do at home. I want to do it in my own power, but I cannot. I need you.

Father, may your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. First, let whatever I do be Spirit generated. I don’t want it to be me doing my work in your name, but I want it to be me doing your work in your name. Second, I ask that the Spirit guide me on a path with firm footing. Let me act selflessly and for your glory’s sake. Finally, draw others to yourself through the life that you live through me.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

Psalm 94:18-19 When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. 

Dear God, I really like these two verses. The anxiety part especially. But you can only console us if we let you. You can only support us if we ask. I take that back. At any given time, you can support us without us realizing it or asking for it. But we will only realize it was you if we are tuned in enough to think about it. 

I probably need to be better about pointing people to you when they are anxious or their foot is slipping. I see clients at work every day who are in crisis. I need to purposefully point them to you more often. I have relatives who are struggling. I need to point them to you. 

Father, help me to both lead others to you in their distress and to remember to go to you myself from moment to moment. Please bring me the peace and joy that comes from turning my will over and submitting to your will. Please give me the lighter yoke for the one I try to carry on my own. And please show me how to lead others into your presence. 

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen 

Psalm 42:11 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. 

Dear God, this wasn’t the “verse of the day” that I normally use for these journals lately, but I ran across it while I was reading the verse of the day and it completely hit the feeling I’ve had. Over the last few weeks, I have had a gnawing in my gut that is usually reserved for checks in my spirit when I am trying to pray through a difficult decision I must make. I’m not quite sure what it’s about. 

I have some family members going through different crises. Is that what’s causing it? There are a couple of things going on at work that concern me. Is that it? My daughter is about to leave for college and my son is out there on his own in life. Is that it? I almost never get this way without an obvious reason, and not understanding what’s causing the feeling is as frustrating as feeling it in the first place. 

Father, at the end of the day, this verse brings it all home. Why, my soul are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my savior and my God. 

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen 

Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. 
Dear God, this passage makes me think of a conversation I had at work yesterday with someone who was worried about our nuclear posturing with North Korea. I game her Luke 12:25 (who of you by worrying can add a day…). That’s what this is about. You might not save our earthly bodies, but you have our souls in the palm of your hands. 

But that doesn’t stop me from praying about the earthly things. For the person going through an ugly divorce, that all involved will be treated with justice and mercy. For the lonely person who needs companionship. For the hungry person who need food. For the addicted person who needs freedom. For the mourning person who needs comfort. 

Father, to paraphrase a Newsboys song, I don’t know where all of this is going or how it all works out, but please lead us to peace that passes understanding and meet the needs as they fall within your will. 

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen