Scripture Focus: Psalm 117.1-2
1 Praise the Lord, all you nations;
    extol him, all you peoples.
2 For great is his love toward us,
    and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
    Praise the Lord.

Psalm 118.4
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.
2 Let Israel say:
    “His love endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say:
    “His love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the Lord say:
    “His love endures forever.

Student Writers Month is here: The student writers featured from July 15 to August 9 have received free coaching, ministry training, and seminars by special guests in addition to this publishing opportunity, the ability to re-publish their work elsewhere, and a stipend/scholarship for their work. A portion of all donations during these dates will be applied to the students’ stipends/scholarships. Find out more about the students at this link or give a one-time or recurring gift at this link.

Reflection: Praise God? But Why?
By Annette Kendall

Psalm 117 is the shortest psalm in our Bible, and this author did not mince words! It was kept short and simple. What are we to do? Praise God. Why are we to do it? Because he is ever faithful, and his love ever enduring. 

Psalm 118 continues this theme and further elaborates how God has been faithful. But before outlining the how, the psalm takes pains to emphasize the why, and to call out the who. As the proclamation is made, a triple repetition (which is the Old Testament’s way of creating emphasis and expressing the superlative) addresses three groups—encompassing everyone! (See also 117.1). Thus, all people are exhorted to reiterate the why—because he is faithful and his love endures—thereby ensuring that they understand it and do not forget. 

Similarly, in our day, there are many admonitions to praise God. We encounter them throughout the Bible. If we are involved in church or hang around Bible-believing people, we are sure to hear it. We sing numerous songs of praise to God and urge listeners to do so as well. But why? If I must praise God, then please tell me why!

Various reasons are given for the call to praise God. He deserves it. Things he has done merit it. It is our duty. Perhaps you have even heard that you ought to take inventory to fully realize why you must regularly praise God. All of these are valid reasons. 

God granted the psalmist victory over enemies that seemed insurmountable. Victory seemed out of reach, yet the hand of the Lord prevailed. Today “enemies” may not be armies, but rather domineering bosses, impossible in-laws, abusive partners, obnoxious coworkers, or toxic relatives. Even extenuating circumstances can seem like an enemy. Like the psalmist, we may feel overwhelmed and see no escape. Will we praise God nevertheless?

Following the example of the psalmist, may we prioritize one reason for praising God above all others: because he is faithful and his love is enduring. It is from this reality that all other reasons for praise flow—victories, protection, provision, and other blessings. When we praise him for his faithfulness and enduring love, we can even more clearly see them as the source from which other blessings flow. And for this, we can continue to praise him.  

Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer
The Lord is King; let the people tremble; he is enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth shake. — Psalm 99.1

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

​Today’s Readings
Isaiah 48 (Listen 2:52)
Psalms 117-118 (Listen 1:34)

​This Weekend’s Readings
Isaiah 49 (Listen 4:55), Psalms 119.1-24 (Listen 15:14)
Isaiah 50 (Listen 2:09), Psalms 119.25-48 (Listen 15:24)

Read more about Supporting Our Work
Support our students this month. Part of every donation funds stipends/scholarships for them. Donate today.

Listen to our new podcast episode, All That Has Breath
Let everything that has breath praise the one who surrendered his breath on the cross, yet lives and breathes again.

Scripture Focus: Psalm 116:1-2
1 I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; 
he heard my cry for mercy. 
2 Because he turned his ear to me, 
I will call on him as long as I live. 

Student Writers Month is here: The student writers featured from July 15 to August 9 have received free coaching, ministry training, and seminars by special guests in addition to this publishing opportunity, the ability to re-publish their work elsewhere, and a stipend/scholarship for their work. A portion of all donations during these dates will be applied to the students’ stipends/scholarships. Find out more about the students at this link or give a one-time or recurring gift at this link.

Reflection: Not a Genie, But…
By Laura Hamilton Hui

You’ve probably heard some preachers say we shouldn’t praise God for what he does for us but for who he is. And it’s true. We shouldn’t treat God like a magical power that gives us what we want—like Santa Claus or a genie. Yet sometimes we overcorrect our theology and imagine God as a distant, cosmic collection of attributes. But that’s not the God the Bible describes.

What strikes me about Psalm 116 is how personal it is. The author praises God because God came through for him. Verse 1 is clear: “I love the Lord, for (or because) he heard my voice.” In verse 5, the author names important characteristics of God—gracious, righteous, full of compassion—but he knows them because he has experienced them. 

Do you know someone who has experienced God like this? They often can’t help but share how God saved them from their dire situation. But a crisis doesn’t have to be life-threatening for this psalm to resonate with you.

Individual Israelites often sang this psalm while giving a thank offering to God for delivering them from an “overwhelming crisis” and declared their loyalty to Him through ceremonial vows and sacrifices (Word Biblical Commentary Vol 21). 

In the same way, we can use this psalm to share our own stories of God’s goodness and declare our loyalty to Him in response. Consider how the words of Psalm 116 ring true in your life. How has God heard your voice, protected you, or delivered you from distress and sorrow?

Whatever your crisis, you have a personal God who sees you. He hears you when you cry out to Him (v. 1). He has grace and compassion for you and will always do what’s right (v. 5). In return, follow the psalmist’s example of praising God for what He’s done for you and honoring Him in the way you live (vv. 12-19). Since our lives are now our sacrifice of worship (Romans 12.1), our most honorable response to God’s goodness is to let Him transform us (Romans 12.2). 

God is not a far-off deity but an up-close, personal God who cares about the crises of your life. There’s no one more deserving of our daily allegiance than Him. What transformations do you need to make in your heart, soul, or mind in response to God’s goodness to you? 

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence
May God give his blessing, and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe of him. — Psalm 67.7

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

​Today’s Readings
Isaiah 47 (Listen 2:52)
Psalms 116 (Listen 1:34)

Read more about Supporting Our Work
Part of every donation during Student Writers Month funds stipends/scholarships for these students. Donate today.

Read more about What to Expect when Suffering
Don’t be surprised or ashamed of the emotions that come in times of struggle and pain. 

Scripture Focus: Psalm 115:1-3
1 Not to us, Lord, not to us 
but to your name be the glory, 
because of your love and faithfulness. 
2 Why do the nations say, 
“Where is their God?” 
3 Our God is in heaven; 
he does whatever pleases him.

Student Writers Month is here: The student writers featured from July 15 to August 9 have received free coaching, ministry training, and seminars by special guests in addition to this publishing opportunity, the ability to re-publish their work elsewhere, and a stipend/scholarship for their work. A portion of all donations during these dates will be applied to the students’ stipends/scholarships. Find out more about the students at this link or give a one-time or recurring gift at this link.

Reflection: Not To Us
By Julia Bitler

Psalm 115 reminds us that life is not about us. Simply put, we are nothing without the divine work and grace of the Lord invading our lives. This passage makes it clear that the God of Israel is the one true God. Only he holds all power and authority. He can do whatever he chooses, and we can trust in him.

The Israelites were surrounded by idol-worshiping nations. They believed that their false gods would provide for their needs and protect them. I imagine it would be hard to have faith in gods that never came through or did what they were supposed to do.

An example is the contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal in 2 Kings 18. The worshippers of Baal believed their god could and would rain down fire from heaven. So they cried out to him in faith, but he did not deliver. On the other hand, after saturating the altar in water, Elijah cried out to the Lord, and the one true God rained down fire to consume both the altar and sacrifice.

Elijah was confident in the Lord to be faithful to his promises and who he is. We too can be confident that our God holds all power and authority. 

The psalmist reminds us that we serve the same God Elijah and the Israelites served. The same God that delivered them can deliver us. The same God that provided for them provides for us. The same God that did miracles then, does miracles in our midst today. 

Psalm 115:1 reminds us that because of our confidence in God’s trustworthiness and his omnipotence, our response ought to be worship, adoration, thanksgiving, and praise. We worship God because of his power. We adore him because of his great love. We thank him for his provision. We praise him for his mercy.  

How are you responding to God? Are you humbled? Do you fall to your knees in worship? Are you poor? Do you recognize your desperate need for him? Are you surrendered? Do you desire to obey and serve him? Are you grateful? Does the knowledge of his loving kindness overwhelm you? Are you trusting? Do you have confidence in his character? Are you amazed? Is your heart consumed by how personal and intentional he is?

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence
You are my helper and my deliverer; O Lord, do not tarry. — Psalm 70.6

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

​Today’s Readings
Isaiah 46 (Listen 2:12)
Psalms 114-115 (Listen 2:18)

Read more about Supporting Our Work
A portion of every donation during Student Writers Month goes to stipends/scholarships for these students. Donate today.

Read more about The Blood That Speaks
What did the blood of Jesus speak from the ground as it poured from his hands, his head, and his side? You are loved.

Scripture Focus: Psalm 113
1 Praise the Lord.  
Praise the Lord, you his servants; 
praise the name of the Lord. 
2 Let the name of the Lord be praised, 
both now and forevermore. 
3 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, 
the name of the Lord is to be praised. 
4 The Lord is exalted over all the nations, 
his glory above the heavens. 
5 Who is like the Lord our God, 
the One who sits enthroned on high, 
6 who stoops down to look 
on the heavens and the earth? 
7 He raises the poor from the dust 
and lifts the needy from the ash heap; 
8 he seats them with princes, 
with the princes of his people. 
9 He settles the childless woman in her home 
as a happy mother of children. 
Praise the Lord. 

Student Writers Month is here: The student writers featured from July 15 to August 9 have received free coaching, ministry training, and seminars by special guests in addition to this publishing opportunity, the ability to re-publish their work elsewhere, and a stipend/scholarship for their work. A portion of all donations during these dates will be applied to the students’ stipends/scholarships. Find out more about the students at this link or give a one-time or recurring gift at this link.

Reflection: Biblical Worship Reflects God 
By Jacque Jordan

There is beauty in structured biblical worship. A psalm with cadence, rhythm, syllabic mirroring, and rich theology not only helps the orator remember the song of praise, but it allows us to be present while remembering who God is, what He does, and who we are in relationship to Him.

Worship is a response to our overwhelming belief in God and it takes many forms. For example, in the Gospels, some kneel before Jesus in worship. In Chronicles, David lies prostrate and dances glorifying the Lord. However, worship does not start with a song or end when you sit down—worship is a heart posture we carry with us.

Psalm 113 walks us through how to biblically worship the Lord beginning with a call for all to praise the Lord forevermore. Verses 4-6 tell us why the Lord is worthy to be praised. He is exalted over all the nations, glorious, eternal, unmatched, and devoted in the pursuit of His creation. Through God’s character and love for us, He restores our identity by raising up the poor, lifting the needy, and giving barren women children.

This Psalm parallels Revelation 4 and 5, where John is lifted up in the Spirit and witnesses heavenly worship. John sees everything and everyone around the throne worshiping the Lord, praising His character. John, suddenly overcome with sorrow, realizes no one is worthy to open the scroll and take on the sins of the world. But then the Lamb that was slain appears and ransoms the world. Every tribe, nation, and tongue proceeds to worship Jesus and God for who they are, what they’ve done, and their relationship to creation.

The Lord is searching for worshipers. God does not need our worship but asks for it. God instills a desire in our hearts to worship Him, knowing that there, at his feet, we will find rest. May we write these truths from Psalm 113 on our hearts and speak them over ourselves during the day. When we are at work, waiting, or in the woes of suffering, we can lean on the words we’ve been given in the Psalms. When our heart’s disposition is to worship the Lord, it gives meaning to all that we do.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting
My mouth shall recount your mighty acts and saving deeds all day long; though I cannot know the number of them. — Psalm 71.15

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

​Today’s Readings
Isaiah 45 (Listen 4:39)
Psalms 112-113 (Listen 1:49)

Read more about Supporting Our Work
Donations during Student Writers Month support our ministry and these students. A portion of every donation goes to stipends/scholarships for these students.

Read more about In The Face of Wonder
Mary’s powerful confession, prayer, and prophecy, shows her familiarity with the scriptures and an intimate connection with God

Scripture Focus: Psalm 111:1-10
1 Praise the Lord.
I will extol the Lord with all my heart
    in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
2 Great are the works of the Lord;
    they are pondered by all who delight in them.
3 Glorious and majestic are his deeds,
    and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has caused his wonders to be remembered;
    the Lord is gracious and compassionate.
5 He provides food for those who fear him;
    he remembers his covenant forever.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works,
    giving them the lands of other nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;
    all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are established for ever and ever,
    enacted in faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He provided redemption for his people;
    he ordained his covenant forever—
    holy and awesome is his name.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
    all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
    To him belongs eternal praise.

Student Writers Month is here: The student writers featured from July 15 to August 9 have received free coaching, ministry training, and seminars by special guests in addition to this publishing opportunity, the ability to re-publish their work elsewhere, and a stipend/scholarship for their work. A portion of all donations during these dates will be applied to the students’ stipends/scholarships. Find out more about the students at this link or give a one-time or recurring gift at this link.

Reflection: A Psalm for the Stuck
By Liz Daye

Lately, I’ve been in a funky season of “stuckness.” My prayerful attempts at thankfulness have felt like a half-hearted lie. It’s like a weird ongoing wrestling match with a constant inquiry: What is God like? More importantly, what is God like for those feeling secretly and utterly stuck? Thankfully, the psalmist’s words in chapter 111 do something interesting. They reveal practical language that aids us in loosening that sticky grip. 

God reveals his message through his methods. So, it matters that God often uses story and poetry to reveal what he’s like. Why? Because God isn’t more interested in providing answers than offering us himself. 

Psalm 111’s poetic passage is a psalm of thankfulness. The Hebrew acrostic form of the poem serves as a memory tool. By remembering the story of the exodus, the psalmist contextualizes what God is like, while also referencing covenants of old and pondering promises. Remembrance intertwines with worship giving a gentle invitation towards thankfulness. 

And in wondering about the relationship between God’s majesty and glory, and his grace and compassion, it matters that there is no separation between these various qualities. His grace is glorious. His compassion is majestic. And all of these attributes are characterized by faithfulness and justice. (111:7). Faithfulness and justice for whom? For the ones who were wild enough to let God “unstick” them from the pharaoh’s grasp, thanking God all the way out into the wilderness. 

Too often our individualistic conceptualizations of thankfulness aren’t merely incomplete, they leave us stuck. Yet this psalm shows us that thankfulness moves God’s people towards a God who moves toward his people. Direction and purpose are inherent to thankfulness. Thankfulness to God in the psalm isn’t abstract. It’s particular- personal. The interplay of these relational qualities reveals the triune God through the thankfulness of his people. What is God like? God is the deliverer of the “stuck.” Majestic and glorious. Gracious and compassionate. 

Israel’s thankfulness is rooted in the story of their belonging. The psalm is how they remember. How do you remember what God is like? This psalm is a communal reminder to look backward together, so that we can look ahead together. Thankfulness isn’t our arrival point, nor is it a means to an end. Thankfulness frees us so we can move again, together. It’s the beginning, middle, and there is no end. “To Him belongs eternal praise” (111:10)

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence
Let them know that this is your hand, that you, O Lord, have done it. — Psalm 109.26

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

​Today’s Readings
Isaiah 44 (Listen 5:12)
Psalms 110-111 (Listen 1:57)

Read more about Forward-Looking Remembering
Remembering is not “living in the past”… instead it informs our hope for a future that God has for us.

Read more about Supporting Our Work
A portion of every donation during Student Writers Month goes toward stipends/scholarships for these students. Donate today.