This year our family is focusing on the Book of Psalms. So, I hope to post a Psalm every Tuesday, thus the hashtag #TuesdayTruth. To start off with Psalm 1:1 is more than just appropriate, and it’s not only just true, it’s God’s word; the truth.
January 2: The happy man is described as one who avoids the way of wicked people. The tragic folly of the wicked is that they have chosen to neglect the most important thing in life: God. They do not acknowledge that they are his creatures, or that they ought to live for him. They ignore God and choose to live their life without regard of him. The godly man, however, does the exact opposite. January 9: When David wrote this psalm, he was being persecuted by certain ungodly men who had made a mockery of the LORD. These men loved folly and falsehood. So he said to them, “How long, exalted ones, will my honor be insulted? How long will you love what is worthless and pursue a lie?”January 16: The joy radiating from a Christian should stand in stark contrast to the unrest of a typical unbeliever. While not immune to life’s challenges, Christians should take care that the joy of the LORD is both evident and expressed in our everyday life, regardless and especially during times of trial. Rejoice in the LORD! January 23: Years ago pulpits echoed “hail and brimstone” sermons. Today, not so much. The pendulum has swung. Many churches of today are full of those who prefer sermons about social issues over sermons about sin and the need for repentance and faith in Jesus Christ alone. Bottom line, God is merciful and God is love, but He is also just. Punishment awaits the unrepentant sinner who refuses to turn to Christ. January 30: Rest assured that God will not let oppression go unpunished. It may not be on our timetable but it will most assuredly be on His. In the days of old, He punished the evil Assyrian Empire and the evil Roman Empire for their cruelty to the slaves and to the poor. He cares for the poor, the needy, the oppressed, the abused, and the fatherless in our world today, and will punish evil doers in His perfect timing and plan.February 6: What do you call a person who’s decided God does not exist? A fool.February 13: While those who trust in God may appear foolish to those who do not, those who trust in God find refuge in Him no matter what evil comes their way. There’re many differences among people, but they’re not much more than surface deep. This one difference, however, is quite distinct. Charles Spurgeon explains it this way: “Between the two classes, the saved and the unsaved, a great gulf is fixed. There is as wide a difference between the righteous and the wicked as there is between the living and the dead.” February 20: Sheep are notoriously known to be unwise. They go anywhere and everywhere on their own without a sense of direction. Left to themselves they wouldn’t know where to retire in winter or where to feed in summer. They need a shepherd to guide and protect them. Such are we. No one can truly proclaim that “The Lord is my Shepherd” until he has come to the realization that he is a sinner in need of a Savior. It is in repentance and faith we trust in Christ alone to be our Shepherd; where He leads us beside still waters, restores our soul, in paths of righteousness, and comforts us while we go through life’s valleys.
February 27: The Lord is my shepherd, continued. The promise of His protection in our lives, assurance in times of trial, goodness and mercy here and now and into eternity; for all who have placed their faith and trust in Him. March 5: In this Psalm David recognizes that the LORD has heard him in his distress; the LORD has assured him that he belongs to the Him. David’s heart speaks from experience. There is no suspense or fear. David trusts the LORD completely and is full of deep emotion towards Him. David can’t help but sing out in thankful song. #TuesdayTruthMarch 12: At this point in David’s life, he was tired and sad from endless enemies pursuing him. But, instead of returning violence to those who were violent with him, he chose to calmly trust in God for help. David had the greatest resources: a relationship God and the shield of faith. #TuesdayTruthMarch 19: The joy of forgiveness is available to all who come in repentance and faith to Jesus; Jesus, who suffered and died that we might live; Jesus, the only way to God our Father. #TuesdayTruthMarch 26: The Christian life consists and includes things we love to do, and in avoiding things that we understand are not good to do, but there are no chains present. We are free in Christ. I like how Charles Spurgeon explains it: “He who fears God and is wholly God’s servant has no chains about him; he may live as he likes, for he likes to live as he ought.” #TuesdayTruthApril 2: It’s interesting to know that while we can go weeks without food, we cannot survive without drink. Without water, for example, the body is unable to function correctly and will begin to stop working after approximately three days. So the psalmist mentions a deer, who by nature is known to be a very thirsty animal, and our essential need for water, to direct our focus on our soul’s greatest need: God.
#TuesdayTruthApril 9: The fact that God’s throne is forever and ever is not likely something that an unbeliever thinks about often. The same is true of the fact that His kingdom is a kingdom of justice. Unbelievers generally don’t think or even worry about such matters. Thankfully, “the more we look at Christ, the more there is to see.” (Charles Spurgeon). For anyone who has not yet believed in Christ as God’s only Son, you don’t know the Christ that is spoken of in the Scriptures. Consider Christ today, learn of Him, seek Him, and turn to Him in repentance and faith.
#TuesdayTruthApril 16: In times of trouble and pain, we, who are called by His name, can trust God with our distress. Calling out to God is a form of worship; in doing so we show how we honor Him, how we love Him, and how we trust Him. However, for the non-believer, God does not hear your cries until you have first made the most important call you will ever make; calling out to Him in repentance and faith: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner! Forgive me of my sins. I place my faith and trust in You alone. I believe Jesus died on the cross for my sins, and that He rose from the grave three days later.” It doesn’t have to be these exact words, but you must believe these words and somehow convey this to Him from a sincere heart. If you haven’t already done so, why not make that call today? Keep in mind, He’s available to receive calls 24/7 but you are not guaranteed a tomorrow.
#TuesdayTruthApril 23: The whole of Psalm 51 is a restorative prayer of David, which occurred sometime after the prophet Nathan spoke to him concerning Bathsheba. David had good reason to pray to the Lord. David recognized both the depravity of his own sin and the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ. David called out to the only One who had the power to clean even the worst of sinners.
#TuesdayTruthApril 30: It’s human nature to try to fix our problems by ourselves, but as Christians, our first reaction should be to give them to the Lord. While “letting go and letting God” doesn’t come naturally, God reminds us that He is there to help us with all our cares and concerns. God is faithful and always does His part; He promises the righteous will be protected. Remembering to bring our burdens to Him and humbly trusting in Him is our part.
Treasure In Jars of Clay 