Psalm and Praise, Day 36 The danger of flattering yourself. Read Psalm chapter 36. If you are busy telling yourself all the wonderful things about yourself and how right you are in every situation, you will never be open to seeing your sin. You will never be able to accept or recognize your own sin. We have to understand that we are flawed individuals. Anything that is good about us is only good because God has allowed it to be and is working through us in that way. Don’t allow our blinders to keep us from acknowledging our sin and seeking repentance.

Psalm and Praise, Day 35 Arise and contend. Read Psalm chapter 35. As I read this chapter, I see such a focus on all the vindication that David is asking for. Here knows that God is on his side and he wants to make sure that God sees all that here has endured and that God is going to make it right. When I am dealing with all that goes into a day, it can be easy to forget how he has cared for us. God knows that we are going to struggle with people and that others will not always respect us or God. Will we remain focused on…

Psalm and Praise, Day 34 Radiant. Read Psalm chapter 34. We don’t have to fear and we can bring anything to him. The idea that as we look to God, our faces radiate the glory of God, is such a beautiful picture. As we look at all we are doing, are we reflecting the glory of God? We are to continue to look to God and allow him to shine through us.

Psalm and Praise, Day 33 Plans and purposes. Read Psalm chapter 33. I have often heard of God’s plans, but what stood out to me in this verse was God’s purpose. The purpose of His heart stands firm through all generations. I love the idea that we can see the purpose of God’s heart. Are we seeking God’s plan and his purpose.

Psalm and Praise, Day 32 Acknowledge and confess. Read Psalm 32. This is a beautiful psalm of repentance and confession to the Lord. As we see God moving through the words of this psalm, we understand that he sees all that we do. He knows our shortcomings and failures. When we confess our sins, he forgives us. Are we focusing on our need for repentance and do we come to God in honesty and transparency acknowledging our sin and seeking his forgiveness?

Psalm and Praise, Day 31 Who or what do you trust? Read Psalm chapter 31. As I read this verse today, it reminds me that our trust is really only ever going to be in one thing. We are going to trust in the Lord or we are going to trust in something or someone else. David understood that as he was evaluating people, he needed to understand which type they were. Were they the people that trusted in the Lord, or were they peiple who were trusting in something else. An idol can be anything else that takes the place of God. We must recognize when others are trusting…

Psalm and Praise, Day 30 Wailing and Dancing. Read Psalm chapter 30. I had a conversation this week with a friend who was telling me about someone they spoke with this week. This person believed that if you were a believer in Christ that you be in a good mood and happy all the time. You should always be smiling; you should never be crying or upset or angry. If you were, it was a demonstration of lack of faith. That belief system is contrary to what this verse says. We are not the ones who bring happiness and joy into our lives. We cannot think it up and we…

Psalm and Praise, Day 27 He keeps me safe. Read Psalm chapter 27. Of all the things that I feel weighed down by every day, I can rest and relax in this. God is my protector. I can know that God is the one that sees my weak points and knows every chink in my armor. He recognizes just how vulnerable I am, and he chooses to protect me. Am I resting in his peotection today? How can I choose to rest in him more completely today?