Psalms 61:1-2
“Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You. When my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I .”

We cannot be certain of the occasion that stirred David to write this psalm. It may have been a time of great difficulty, opposition or trial. He may have been facing severe attacks from Saul, the Philistines or one of the neighboring kingdoms. It is also possible the struggles he faced were not external. It may have been that David was engaged in that great inner struggle between his desire to do what is right in the eyes of God, and his own human weaknesses. Whatever caused the dilemma, he concluded that the only solution was to cry out to the Lord. Crying out to God should include at least three things.

First, we cry out for deliverance from whatever it is that is attacking us. We need to realize,  no matter what the cause, Jesus is the solution. If you are being plagued by consequences to your own actions, cry out to God. If you are being unfairly attacked because you have chosen to live for Christ, cry out to God. If you are under the stress of inward turmoil or temptation, cry out to God. He alone has the strength to deliver us from all things.

Second, cry out to God for forgiveness. Often the hardships we face are allowed by God to expose things that are amiss within us. We learn to justify sinful behavior or cover it up, as if we could hide it from the Lord. During times of great opposition, our own sinfulness is often exposed. Those things are brought to the surface so we can cry out to God for forgiveness. Sometimes, this can be done privately by dropping to your knees and confessing your sin to our Heavenly Father, who delights to forgive us. Other times, there is value in making your way forward at church and treating the stage as an altar, where you can cry out to God and confess your sin and recommit your life to Him.

Finally, we should cry out to God for more of Him. Difficulty reveals weakness and weakness should reveal our need for God. Our needs can be met when He pours His Spirit out upon us. Individually and corporately, the greatest need the Christian has is for a fresh and deeper work of the Spirit. Looking at the current condition of the world, as well as most Christians individually, I would say we are in need of revival. We need God to pour out, from heaven, a larger measure of His Spirit upon His church. Join with me as we cry out to God to be filled again with Holy Spirit.

Pastor Jim

Questions for Psalm 61

1. When your heart is overwhelmed, what should your prayer be?
2. What is the rock described as in verse 3?
3. What are the two repeated words in verse 4 and 7?
4. As the Lord does all these things in David’s life, what is his response in verse 8?
5. Let this be your response in your life so that you may daily perform all that you are committed to.

Old Testament:
Psalm 62- Power
1 Kings 7- Limitless
1 Kings 8- Too Small

Psalm 59:13
“And let them know that God rules in Jacob to the ends of the earth.”

In the early eighties, a well-known Christian band wrote a song called “God Rules.” In some ways, it became the anthem of many young Christians. I remember having a “God Rules” bumper sticker on my car, and proudly writing it on my school notebook. To me, that phrase was a slang term meaning little more than the fact God was best. I believe the Psalmist is saying much more than that, he is speaking of the sovereignty of God. The word sovereign means ‘to possess supreme power.’ David is declaring that God has supreme power over His people.

Throughout Scripture, we see evidence of God’s supreme power. We see nature bow to His authority when seas part, storms cease, and the sun stands still. Sickness, demons, and death are also at His beckoning, and obey His commands. It is clear, there is no power in heaven or on earth that is not subject to the sovereign rule of God. No power, that is, except the will of man.

In His sovereignty, God will not force you (at least not now) to bow to Him. He gives each of us a choice. We can choose to bow our will to Him in obedient surrender, or we can choose to resist His love and live our own way.

A modern song writer penned these words in contrast; “For what is a man, what has he got, If not himself, then he has not. To say the things he truly feels, And not the words of one who kneels. The record shows, I took the blows, and did it my way. Yes, it was my way”

David is boasting in the rule of God, while others boast in the fact that they have refused to submit to God’s ways. Again, Scripture makes it clear, one day all will bow to God. Paul declared, “. . . that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, . . . ” (Philippians 2:10). Even those who declare “I did it my way,” will bow before the One who sovereignly rules, and recognize that He truly is King and Lord. The problem is, only bowing then, is too late to reap the benefits of His rule. I would hope that as we age and come toward the end of our life’s journey, we would be singing, not that we ignored God, fought against Him and lived in rebellion, but that we had bowed to His supreme authority, and did it His way. The benefits are far-reaching. Paul said that godliness is profitable for all things having promise for this life and the one to come (1 Timothy 4:8).

Then and now, God still rules.

Pastor Jim

Questions for Psalm 59

1. Sometimes we are upset or in distress bringing our problems to the Lord. Notice the pattern that David has as he starts to pray about his challenges. He starts to change and focus on the Lord and his prayer turns to praise. Have your prayers turned to praise?
2. As your read David bringing his problems to God, can you relate to him in any way?
3. Verse 13 David is asking for God to consume them in wrath. There is another request like this in the New Testament to Jesus. Read Luke 9:52-56
4. Does this now put verses 16-17 in perspective? The next chapter is great!

Old Testament:
Psalm 60- Help From Trouble
1 Kings 5- Expanding Your Portfolio
1 Kings 6- The Temple

Psalm 57:1
“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by.”

No matter where we live, we are faced with the storms of life. Growing up in California, I was constantly reminded of the great earthquake that was looming on the horizon. We were told that because of the fault lines, one day California would fall into the sea. Upon moving to Florida, the new fear was the hurricane. A few years back, a particularly large hurricane had developed in the warm waters of the South Atlantic. The atmospheric conditions were such to allow this storm to grow larger and larger as it traveled north. All of the models had it making landfall just outside of my home town. Having never experienced a hurricane before, I was glued to the Weather Channel for information. A hurricane this large had never been tracked before; it was larger than the state of Texas, and had wind speeds over 140 mph. People up and down the coast of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina were heading west for safety. One news station reported that hotels, as far as Kentucky were filling up, as people searched for a safe place in the storm. I felt stuck. I did not know where to go. In a last-minute decision, we drove across the state and stayed with friends, figuring though we might not be avoiding the storm, at least we would have the comfort of going through it together. Fortunately, the storm moved north, missing Florida all together, and reducing in size drastically as it met cooler waters. I came to the realization,  no matter where we live, we are faced with the storms of life, and must determine where we will run for safety.

David, facing the calamities of a wicked king seeking to destroy his life, fled to the Caves of Adullum. However, it was not the security of this hidden cave that comforted him. Instead, he writes, “And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge.” True peace will only come when we make the Lord our hiding place. Scripture is filled with invitations to come to Him, no matter what storms we are facing, and find safety, rest, peace and even guidance.

“. . . casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28

“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”  Psalm 55:22

Will you make the shadow of His wings your hiding place today?

Pastor Jim

Questions for Psalm 57
This Psalm is entitled “Prayer for Safety”

1. Verse 2, “I will cry out to God Most High. To God who performs all things for me.” God performing all things for you, do you understand what David means? Verse 3 puts this in perspective. How can this change your perspective?
2. Verse 5 & 11 should not only be read but be put into practice in our lives. What in your life need to be replaced by God being exalted?

   Old Testament:
   Psalm 58- Respond In Love
   1 Kings 3- Divided Heart
   1 Kings 4- Wisdom

Psalms 55:6-7
“So I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.
Indeed, I would wander far off,
And remain in the wilderness.”
Selah

David was facing an extremely difficult season in life. The more things began to unfold the more he desired to run away and hide. He writes of his desire to flee to the wilderness far away from the problems and the people that surrounded him. He writes of desiring to have wings that could carry him far from his problems. I don’t think the psalmist is alone in this. I know I have felt this way and have met many believers who long for a way to escape the difficulties of life. I wonder how many of us have wished for our own private get away far from the problems and issues of life? While there is no island or mountain hideaway where we can be saved from the issues of life, there is a place the child of God can run for refuge.

Psalms 55:17
“Evening and morning and at noon
I will pray, and cry aloud,
And He shall hear my voice.”

David made the Lord his hiding place. Rather than fleeing from his problems he brought them to the Lord and encourages us to do the same.

Psalms 55:22
“Cast your burden on the Lord,
And He shall sustain you;
He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.”

Whatever trials you are facing that make you want to hide under the covers, flee to the mountains or even long for heaven take them to the Lord. Take them daily until the Power of God is provided to set you free or bring you through.

Pastor Jim

Psalm 55

1. In verses 1-5, David expresses great distress.  Why is he feeling this way?   Note verse 3.
2. Read verses 6-8.  What does he wish he could do in the middle of all his problems?  Have you ever felt this way?
3. In the midst of all of the wickedness around him, there is one thing that is especially grieving to David.  Read verses 12-14.  What happened?
4. What is David’s way of handling all of these difficulties?  Read verses 16-18 and 22.
   
   Old Testament:
   Psalm 56- Book Of Tears
   1 Kings 1- One Man Army
   1 Kings 2- Man Up

Psalms 53:1
“The fool has said in his heart,
‘There is no God.’
They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity;
There is none who does good.”

Biblically speaking atheism is considered folly because God has gone to great lengths to reveal himself to mankind. Paul, when writing to the Roman church divided God’s revelation of himself into two categories; he spoke of things being manifested “to us and in us.”

The things of God are revealed to man through creation. Paul wrote that the invisible attributes of God are visible through His creation. This revelation has a wealth of empirical data to support its effectiveness since all over the world and throughout time people have believed in God. With all the research done by social archaeologists they have never uncovered a single atheistic society. People even in the most difficult surroundings have come to the realization that there is a God and that He deserves their worship.

The things of God are revealed in man through conscience. There seems to be a pattern that develops within cultures. When one generation attempts to suppress belief in God the next generation cries out with a greater desire. When the “Iron Curtain” collapsed in Eastern Europe it did not take long for missionaries to leave their homes and families to bring the gospel to regions that had previously been closed. What they found was that young people who had been raised to believe there was not a God were the first to respond to the message of Christ and surrender their lives to Him.

In a similar passage the writer of Hebrews declared that while God had used many methods to reveal Himself to mankind the pinnacle of His self revelation was the incarnation of Christ. Inner testimony and creation screams that God exists, but it is in Christ that we learn who God is and what He is like. No contemplation about God will be complete without considering Christ. If we want to know God we should start by reading the Gospel according to  John. His purpose in writing was to reveal God to us.

Pastor Jim

Psalm 53

1. One aspect of this psalm is the frustration of David over the iniquity of the world.  He longs for the time when God will rescue His people from the wickedness of this world and the captivity of sin.  Read verse 1-3 what is the end result of the person who says “there is no God”, or who simply says “no” to God?
2. According to verse 2 and 3, among the children of men, how many do good?  How many seek after God?
3. We see a richer sense of this psalm when it is quoted in Romans 3:10-12.  Read Romans chapter 3
4. Note verses 9 and 23 of Romans 3, comparing them with the verse of this Psalm.  What does this say about our need for forgiveness and for a Saviour?
5. Note verses 22 and 26.  How is it that we receive this forgiveness?  Have you done this?

Psalms 51:5
“Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.”

David makes reference to the fact that he was born into sin. He realizes that his sin is not just a mistake that he made but a consequence of his very nature. The bible teaches that sin was passed down to us from Adam and has affected all of us making all of us sinners. Reforms are good and necessary both individually and nationally but these reforms cannot change our nature. We can become better husbands, fathers, neighbors and citizens but until we are born again we still have a nature that is unredeemed and we will be forbidden access to heaven.

Jesus came not to reform us but to transform us. He took our sins on the cross and offers us his perfect nature when we place our trust in Him. Because of our spiritual condition we must be born again in order to have a new nature and be fit for eternity.

I find it interesting that while David understood his sin nature he did not use it as an excuse for his sinful behavior. He realized that he was guilty before God for his actions and responsible to make amends for how he wronged others. Today it is very popular to blame our actions on everyone or anything. If I misbehave it is not my fault and I shouldn’t be held responsible because I am Irish, I had a bad night sleep, didn’t get my coffee, have an unreasonable boss, didn’t have a father figure in my life… It seems like the excuses today are getting stranger and stranger while the way we wrong each other is getting worse and worse. As a believer in Christ it is important to realize that we sin because it is in our nature, but that does not excuse our behavior. We must take responsibility for our mistakes, seek the forgiveness found in Christ and seek to to make amends with those whom we have wronged.

Pastor Jim

Psalm 51

1. Verse 1 gives us some background of what was going on in David’s life before this Psalm was written.  Read 2Samuel chapters 11 and 12 for the context of this prayer.
2. Psalm 51 is known as one of the “repentance” psalms.  The whole tone is of one who is aware of his own sinfulness and is pleading for mercy.  Count the number of times that David mentions the words sin, iniquity, transgression, or guilt (or any variations of these words).  Are you aware of your own sin before God?
3. Count how many things David asks God to do for him.  Does David tell God that he will change or does he ask God to change Him?
4. According to verse 4, ultimately who does our sin hurt?
5. Read verse 12-15.  When God begins to work change in David’s heart, what does David believe will happen in his life?
6. According to verses 16 and 17, what is God looking for from us?

Old Testament:
Psalm 52- Good And Evil
2 Samuel 21- Giant Killers
2 Samuel 22- Battle Plan

Psalms 49:17
“For when he dies he shall carry nothing away; His glory shall not descend after him.”

Have you ever heard the phrase “You can’t take it with you”? It seems like this sentiment might be as old as time itself. Thousands of years ago the sons of Korah used it as a lyric in one of their most famous songs. The basic thought is that when this life comes to an end all that we have accomplished will be left behind. In recent years I heard a similar phrase that carries the same thought, “You never see a hearse pulling a U-Haul trailer.”

The reality we all must face is that life will one day come to an end and everything we have accomplished here will be left behind for the generations that come behind us. Solomon, because of his extensive worldly possessions struggled with this. He spoke of the folly of working hard to gain wealth only to leave it to those who did not work for it and would not see the value of it. Jesus spoke of the folly of a man who lived to store up earthly possessions without ever taking time to make eternal investments. Jesus commented on his actions and said,

Luke 12:21
“So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

While it is true that we cannot take earthly possessions beyond the grave, that does not mean that we cannot make investments in eternity. Jesus spoke of storing up treasures in heaven. This reveals something wonderful about the economy of God. He has established a system where eternal rewards are given for everyday actions. What we do with our time, talents and treasures can have eternal benefits. While we could never bring an earthly item beyond the grave we can send things ahead. We can store up eternal rewards by making investments in the kingdom of God. This is done whenever we serve the Lord in any capacity. Eternity will reveal the vast and elaborate reward system God has established for those who live their lives in light of eternity.

But there is another important truth we might want to consider. When this life comes to an end we will all leave things behind. Whatever possessions we have acquired will become the inheritance of those who we have loved the most. For many the inheritance will be nothing more that an itemized spread sheet with a list of possessions and their earthly value. But for others they will leave behind a heritage worth far more than any piece of property or lump of cash. They are the ones who chose to live for Christ and have made a rut in life’s road so deep that the generation behind them feels almost compelled to keep following Christ.

No matter what your age or how you have lived up until today, it is time to start making eternal investments that will outlast your life and will set a good pattern for the generations behind you.

Pastor Jim

Psalm 49

1. This Psalm begins with a call to attention; the Psalmist sees the entire world as his audience.
2. Look carefully at verse 5, what do you think he is warning against?
3. Verse 8 declares that “The redemption of their souls is costly.”
   1. What did it cost God to redeem your soul?
   2. How much value do you place on your own soul?
   3. How much value do you place upon the souls of others?
4. Verse 13 says, “This is the way of those who are foolish.” Read carefully verses 6-12 and examine what the foolish way is.
5. How does the truth of verse 17 affect the way you will live today?

Old Testament:
Psalm 50- Promises
2 Samuel 19- It’s Not Free
2 Samuel 20- Dissenter

Psalm 45:11b
“Because He is your Lord, worship Him.”

This is a Messianic Psalm, meaning that it is speaking prophetically of Israel’s coming Messiah. In it, the Psalmist is describing the glory of Jesus, our King, and the beauty of His Bride, the church. After describing Jesus as the King of Glory, girded with a sword, overthrowing wickedness, ruling in righteousness and reigning in glory, he speaks of the proper response from His people.

“Because He is your Lord, worship Him.”

The word “worship” is a translation of the Hebrew word “shachah”, which means to “bow down before and to give homage to.” It is a word that would be used of a person who was entering the presence of royalty and giving the proper honor. The Psalmist is declaring that the child of God is expected to enter the presence of King Jesus bowing and expressing worship.

Sometimes, it is surprising to me how some people misuse a time of corporate worship. Some treat it like the previews at the movie theater. For them, the real show does not start until the Bible study. So they regularly wander in missing most of the worship time. Others, look at worship as a concert. If the rendition of the song was done in a style they like (the volume was not too loud or too quiet, the performance did not drag on too long) then it was good worship. Still others treat worship like watching their favorite sport. If their team is doing well, their emotions rise up, and they express it with cheers. If their team is losing they are slumped over, sad and quiet. In other words, worship for some is based completely upon emotion. If they view their current circumstances as positive, then they are filled with expressive praise, but if things are not going the way they want, worship stops. The psalmist has an entirely different view of worship.

“Because He is your Lord, worship Him.”

To him, worship has a lot more to do who God is, than with us. He calls us to worship because of the glory of our Lord. I think we need to place less importance on musical style, and personal experience, and more upon the nature and character of our God. Regardless of what struggles you are facing today, the proper response is,

“Because He is your Lord, worship Him.”

Pastor Jim

Questions for Psalm 45

1. How beautiful are the words of the Psalmist in verse 1?
2. Look through the Psalm and describe what God is like.

Old Testament:
Psalm 46- Help In Trouble
2 Samuel 15- Memory Lane
2 Samuel 16- Love, Mercy and Grace

Being a mom is among the greatest of all callings, but it is easy to forget our calling in the middle of the mundane day-to-day responsibilities that go hand in hand with parenting.
Perhaps a little bit of my story might prove to be helpful. Although, I have 4 sons who are grown and married, I want to take a few minutes to encourage the moms that are still in the thick of it. I remember when Jim and I were driving home from the hospital with our first son Nate and I started crying and said, “They didn’t even give me a manual- I have no idea what I’m doing.” I would say pretty much the same thing 27 years later. I often have said, “God didn’t give us a parenting manual because He wants us seeking Him.” Each child is so different and each life is so complex. One of mine and Jim’s favorite verses is from 2 chronicles 20:12 it says, “I don’t know what to do so my eyes are on you.” We have a God that loves us and our children so much that He wants us to Seek Him and He promises to lead us and instruct us.

Another one of my favorite verses is a promise found in Isaiah 54:13 says, “All your children shall be taught by the Lord and great shall be the peace of your children.”
That verse gave me so much hope, because I knew that even when I fail, the Lord was there teaching and speaking to my children. I can say He has been so faithful to do this.

I know as a mother one of our greatest weaknesses is fear. We could literally worry and be afraid of everything, Afraid that they wont be tall enough, happy enough, smart enough, afraid of what they’re eating or not eating, afraid of them dating, driving or what they will hear at school or see on the computer. It seems that there are so many things to fear in this world.

2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

In a recent sermon my oldest son Nate stated, “Fear is going to call but it’s not for you and it’s not from God.” This is because God has not given us the spirit of fear. When we are afraid it should cause us to turn to the Lord and seek Him in prayer.

Keep in mind that the Lord loves your children even more than you do and desires to strengthen you and to speak to them. We want to set a pattern for our children where they learn to find rest in the Lord, strength in Him and to go to Him when in need. We don’t want to walk in fear, but in the goodness, strength and peace of God.

A few years ago, before all my boys got married, I was half praying and half thinking. I prayed that the Lord would help me to be a better mom, a better wife, I prayed I would be more organized and keep my house cleaner, I prayed I would be a better Bible teacher and then I blurted out, “Lord I want to be perfect.” I wonder if you have ever felt that way? I just want to be perfect. Have it all together.

Just then I felt the Lord speak to my heart, “if you were perfect you wouldn’t need me.”

God is not looking for perfection He is looking for us to be needy, to look to Him and lean upon Him. He loves to help those in need. Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Parenting keeps us in need and should keep us coming to Jesus. We don’t know what we are doing, but our eyes are on Him.

If there is a secret to motherhood that secret is in realizing that we cannot do it alone but that all we need is found in Jesus. It is in God’s word that He speaks to us. Make it a practice to call upon the Lord and look into His word for wisdom, strength, direction, patience and anything else you may need. He is so faithful!

Blessings,

Kristie Gallagher

Psalms 43:1
“Vindicate me, O God,
And plead my cause…”

Arguments take place when we have differences of opinion. Both parties think they are right and the other is wrong. When these differences of opinion escalate they often lead to serious divisions. Marriages, families and churches have often been the unwary victims of intense argumentation. When arguments take place we have probably learned what to do when we are in the wrong; we humbly apologize and seek to make whatever restitution is necessary. But what about when we are right. Have you ever considered the proper action to take when you are in the midst of a misunderstanding between yourself and someone you care about? Perhaps it would do us good to reconsider what we do when we think we are right. David wrote;

“Vindicate me Oh Lord” 

Vindication is a word that speaks of judgment. It is used when we think that we are right and want other to know it. We want our case examined so that everyone will know that the accusations brought against us are false. This word is most commonly used of someone who has been falsely accused of a crime, but might also fit in a relationship where a misunderstanding or difference of opinion has escalated into an argument that has created a rift. When we find ourselves in a situation like that the best way to move forward is to get alone with God and ask Him to search our hearts and our actions and vindicate us.

I recall an incident when my wife and I had been in an argument. We both walked away upset with the other. When I sat down with the Lord and began to plead my case before Him I soon sensed that He was speaking to me. It is as if I heard Him say that while my position was right the way I went about it was completely wrong. I had not considered my wife, her feelings or her vantage point in the situation. Asking God to vindicate me led to a realization that there were things I could do differently in the situation. When we later sat down to address the situation I was able to apologize, listen to her side and we could rationally address the situation together.

The next time being right leads you to a conflict with another take the time to sit before the Lord and ask Him to search your heart and direct your path.

Pastor Jim

Questions for Psalm 43

1. Take a careful look at verse 3, what does the Psalmist look to as a guiding light in the darkness of life?
2. Look again at verse 3, where does the Word of God lead us?
3. What effect did searching the Scriptures have on the emotional condition of the Psalmist?

Old Testament:
Psalm 44- Victorious
2 Samuel 13- What’s Love Got To Do With It?
2 Samuel 14- Banished