Tag: Psalms

Scripture Focus: Psalm 126.5-6
      5 Those who sow with tears 
         will reap with songs of joy. 
      6 Those who go out weeping, 
         carrying seed to sow, 
         will return with songs of joy, 
         carrying sheaves with them.

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: Sowing Sorrow, Reaping Joy
By Andrew Crawford

Have you ever contemplated the connection between taking a risk for God’s kingdom and suffering? Have you looked for restoration from God only to find it on the other side of trials?

The author of Psalm 126 describes both sides of that struggle. The first three verses recount God’s restoration of Israel, later described in the image of the harvest. The psalmist links sowing to suffering, as we toil in the barrenness created by the curse of Adam. More than that, sowing requires a step of faith to put seed in the ground and trust that it will germinate, grow, and give a harvest. A farmer in the ancient world could either eat their seed, or they could plant their seed, trusting that they would receive more than they lost in planting.

The psalmist uses the metaphor of planting as an image of hope. Before the Lord restored Israel’s fortunes, sowing could have been a futile task. As the next psalm, Psalm 127, says, “Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” (Psalm 127.1) The psalmists know that nothing good happens unless God is ultimately behind it. 

Similarly, I have felt the barrenness that comes with a season of waiting. I still trust that the same God who saved me is the same God who will carry me through this time. 

The psalmist writes in verse 4, “Restore our fortunes, LORD, like streams in the Negev.” Streambeds in the southern region of Israel are dry most of the year except during rainy seasons when they turn into rushing torrents. The psalmist makes a connection of God’s restoration to an overflow of his providence.

What was once futile and barren is now prospering and flourishing. 

What is God calling you to do that seems as daunting as sowing seeds on dry ground? Are you looking for restoration and refreshment from God as if you’re waiting for a dry riverbed to fill up? Remember what he said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Seek him in his word, through prayer, through fellowship with other believers. He has given us these means of finding his comfort and restoration; humbly and prayerfully use them. 

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting
Whom have I in heaven but you? And having you I desire nothing upon earth. — Psalm 73.25

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


​Today’s Readings
Isaiah 58 (Listen 3:09)
Psalms 126-128 (Listen 1:58)

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Scripture Focus: Psalm 119:153-156, 159-160
153 Look on my suffering and deliver me,
    for I have not forgotten your law.
154 Defend my cause and redeem me;
    preserve my life according to your promise.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
    for they do not seek out your decrees.
156 Your compassion, Lord, is great;
    preserve my life according to your laws.

159 See how I love your precepts;
    preserve my life, Lord, in accordance with your love.
160 All your words are true;
    all your righteous laws are eternal.

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: The Law’s Heart Cries for Deliverance
By Emily Bianchini 

The author of Psalm 119 is a devoted reader and follower of the Torah. In a similar way, we Christians have the Bible. Today’s reading shows us how the description of God’s character through his word teaches us to cry out to God in the midst of suffering. 

The ancient world was full of suffering. So is ours. The psalmist describes facing persecution at the hands of the wicked who reject the laws of God for their own. We may face suffering from wicked, lawless humans or unfortunate circumstances. Yet, what this psalm shows us is that we can cry out to God. 

The Bible teaches us to cry out to God because he is a responsive Father. In Exodus 3:7, God said he heard the cries of his people Israel in bondage in Egypt. The heart of the law, the psalmist knows, is God hears the cries of the oppressed and does mighty works of deliverance for his people. 

The psalmist sees the character of God through the story of the exodus and echoed in the laws for Israelite society. God heard the cry of his people once before. Now the psalmist cites his devotion to the laws and appeals to God by framing requests in accordance with God’s word. 

The psalmist knows the character of God revealed in the Torah and appeals to God to for salvation. We have the opportunity to know the character of God both through Scripture and the person of Christ. Psalm 119, which celebrates the Torah,  can serve as a model for Christians in their relationship to God through his word. 

Let’s pray a prayer based on today’s Scripture: 

Heavenly Father, you are the God who saves. 
Thank you for the gift of salvation made available by your Son Jesus.
I know that in this world I will experience trouble and I ask for your grace in the midst of suffering. 
If it is your will, please deliver me from this evil. 
Yet I will continue to trust your character, for I know that you are good. 
I pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen. 

Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer
Let all who seek you rejoice ann be glad in you; let those who love your salvation say forever, “Great is the Lord!” — Psalm 70.4

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


​Today’s Readings
Isaiah 55 (Listen 2:11)
Psalms 119.145-176 (Listen 15:24)

​This Weekend’s Readings
Isaiah 56 (Listen 2:11), Psalms 120-122 (Listen 2:12)
Isaiah 57 (Listen 3:37), Psalms 123-125 (Listen 1:52)

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Scripture Focus: Psalm 119.136
136 Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed.

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: Why Do We Weep?
By Doug Hibbard

In the midst of the Bible’s longest psalm we find weeping. 

Overwhelming sadness pervades today’s passage, with three vivid expressions of anguish over the unbearable reality of sin and oppression (v. 123, 131, 136). Darkness weighs on the psalmist like a heavy yoke. On one side of the yoke, the weight of human oppression pulls on the psalmist as the people reject God’s Word and God’s ways. 

On the other side of the yoke, the weight of God’s lack of action heightens the darkness. The psalmist longs to better understand the words of the Lord, weeping over the lack of understanding that leads to sin. 

This ancient story feels familiar, with our struggle mirroring the psalmist’s. We strive to live out God’s law to the best of our ability. But we see those who ignore God’s ways growing stronger while we grow weaker. Does the world feel this way to you? Does God seem silent or inactive in the face of oppression and injustice? This darkness can weigh us down in the core of our being, whether it is injustice on a large scale such as genocide or systemic racism, or the individual injustices of personal abuse, neglect, and harm. 

This is why we weep with the psalmist. Weep for the pain inflicted on others. Weep for the pain we feel. Weep for our own shortcomings, knowing that our imperfect obedience to God brings suffering to ourselves and others. Weep because God’s deliverance is delayed. 

We pant and weep with longing for God’s justice, but it is worth remembering that God’s delays bring space for His grace. And this grace includes us. We need God to first act in our lives, to bring us the understanding we need to live (v. 144), and then to right the wrongs around us. 

Our closing verse shares the comfort the psalmist learned, that an understanding of God’s grace lifts the weight of our darkness. It is this grace that brings life, that ties together all of God’s words and righteousness. It is this grace that we live by, day by day, and share with others. It is this grace that comforts us even when we weep.

Divine Hours Prayer: The  Refrain for the Morning Lessons
Blessed be the Lord day by day, the God of our salvation, who bears our burdens. — Psalm 68.19

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


​Today’s Readings
Isaiah 54 (Listen 3:14)
Psalms 119.121-144 (Listen 15:24)

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Part of every donation during Student Writers Month goes to the students. Help fund stipends/scholarships for them. Donate today.

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Read more about Praying Through Weeping—Guided Prayer
If prayer is relationship then when God weeps, we should join. What friend would weep, whom we would not join in weeping? 

Praying Through Weeping—Guided Prayer

Scripture Focus: Psalm 119.103-104
103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
    sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 I gain understanding from your precepts;
    therefore I hate every wrong path.

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: Finding Delight
By David Z. Blackwell

As a father of young children, I frequently hear my kids exuberantly shouting superlatives. “This is the best day ever!” “That was amazing!” “That was the coolest!” Psalm 119 shares a similar childlike delight, only in the word of the Lord rather than childhood adventures.

The psalmist praises the law of the Lord not with mere platitudes but with jubilant gratitude. The psalmist exalts the law because it brought wisdom greater than his enemies, teachers, and elders (vv. 98–100). For the writer, the law is the means of relationship and source of connection to the Lord (v. 102). “I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me.” God’s words are not secondhand instructions but come directly from the Lord. Scripture illuminates the path, gives life to the afflicted, and is an eternal heritage and refuge (vv. 105, 107, 111, 114–120). Don’t you wish to delight in God’s word like this?

The author meditates on God’s words because, in them, he finds safety and blessing. The psalmist is also saved from adversity to continue to meditate on the words of the Lord (Psalm 119.114,117). Meditating on God’s word is not only the means but also the end. He does not meditate just to get something. He continues to meditate because of how much he has received. Meditating on God’s word is relational. 

The New Testament also emphasizes the importance of God’s word and says that it is fulfilled in Jesus. In John 1, Jesus is the embodied word of God, and in Matthew 5.17–20, Jesus says he came to fulfill the law and the prophets and praises those who keep and teach these commands.

For the Psalmist and for us, meditating on God’s word is everything. God’s words are comfort, joy, motivation, hope, peace, and the way of life. Yet, I don’t always feel this way. The Psalm suggests the psalmist doesn’t either. Do you? This passage provides an opportunity to look inward and examine our relationship with God’s word.

Let us remember that spending time reading, praying, and meditating on God’s word is the remedy for our apathy and ask him to grant us that same joy. What brings you this childlike joy? What adversity and struggles do you need saving from? How has God protected and delivered you? And how can these needs and victories lead you to meditate further on his word?

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence
To you I lift up my eyes, to you  enthroned in the heavens. — Psalm123.1

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


​Today’s Readings
Isaiah 53 (Listen 2:39)
Psalms 119.97-120 (Listen 15:24)

Read more about The Practice of Meditation :: Running
It is not God’s ability to speak that must grow, it is our ability to listen.

The Practice of Meditation :: Running

Read more about Supporting Our Work
Part of every donation during Student Writers Month goes to the students. Help fund stipends/scholarships for them. Donate today.

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Scripture Focus: Psalm 119.81–83
81 My soul faints with longing for your salvation, 
but I have put my hope in your word. 
82 My eyes fail, looking for your promise; 
I say, “When will you comfort me?” 
83 Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke, 
I do not forget your decrees. 

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: Dry Times and God’s Good Word
By Andrew Crawford

Have you ever gotten to the place where your only hope was God and his word? Have you ever been in severe spiritual doldrums and the only place to turn was to God in prayer?

In this section of Psalm 119, the psalmist’s only remaining comfort is their trust in God’s word. We think of God’s word as 66 books, but this psalmist did not have access to the full canon of Scripture that we do today.

The psalmist had been looking for God for so long that their eyes were failing; they’re going blind waiting for God to show up. In one sense, this could be taken cynically: “I’ve been waiting for God for so long and he’s not shown himself, so God can’t exist.” But this author had quite another perspective on it; they trusted in God while giving full vent to their doubts. 

The metaphor of the wineskin in smoke evokes the author’s dryness from waiting on God’s promises. J. A. Motyer says that as this section is a prayer, it reminds us “that at the end of our tether there is a place called ‘Prayer’” to which we can turn to bring our needs to God. (New Bible Commentary)

Have you felt this way? I have. The betrayal, lostness, confusion, and sense of distance from God all contribute to the wandering feeling I have had recently. I can see God’s providence in places—that he’s there with me and for me. Even still, I feel lost in the wilderness, as dry and crackly as an old wineskin. Quite often, like Job, the only answer we get this side of eternity is that God is God, and we are not. I can place myself under the spiritual faucet, waiting for the water of God’s word to fill me. I have tried recently to preach truth to myself that there is refreshment for my soul in God’s word–to continually point myself to the promises of God in his word.

What are you placing your trust in at this moment? Confess that and run to Christ. Can you look back and see how God worked things out for your good? Give him thanks; he is good; he is with you.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer
Be joyful to the Lord, all you lands; serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song. — Psalm 100.1

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

​Today’s Readings
Isaiah 52 (Listen 4:35)
Psalms 119.73-96 (Listen 15:24)

Read more about Echoing Voice of Hope
We hear the often repeated, echoing message that God cares for us. Our trouble and pain are known to God. He will end them and bring us comfort.

Echoing Voice of Hope

Read more about Supporting Our Work
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