Category: Uncategorized

MARCH 17

Psalm 54

Psalm 54:7, “For he has delivered me from every trouble.”

David’s life was full of troubles and close escapes.  Such as in the setting of this psalm, when the Ziphites betrayed David to curry favor with Saul.  David again looked to God for deliverance, aware of how God had “delivered (him) for every trouble” (Psalm 54:7).

A cancer diagnosis is just the beginning of an incredibly difficult journey, and for Laura, it’s been over eight years since she received that life-altering news. Shortly after her diagnosis, she underwent a series of tests, radiation treatments, and began chemotherapy. Since then, she’s faced five different treatment plans, countless medical appointments, an overwhelming mountain of bills, and the relentless decline of her physical health. Her spine has deteriorated, her pain is constant, and with each passing day, life grows more challenging.

As difficult as this journey has been, it would be unbearably impossible without the Lord’s intervention. He has been by her side every step of the way. She’s received the best medical care, and God has provided for the financial burden of her treatment. By His grace, Laura has remained steadfast in her trust in Jesus. Each new hardship, by God’s grace, has led to another form of deliverance.

In the early days of this journey, I was deeply moved by Paul’s testimony in 2 Corinthians 1:10: “He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.” This was Paul’s experience. It was David’s experience. And it has been ours as well. Truly, God is the helper and upholder of life for all who trust in Him (Psalm 54:4).

Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come
‘Twas grace that brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home!
—Amazing Grace

Application Questions: Think back to a time where you experienced God’s deliverance from some sort of trouble.  How can that experience help you better trust Him in some present or future trial?

MARCH 14

Psalm 53

Psalm 53:1, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good.”

On April 8, 1966, Time magazine published a provocative cover story titled “Is God Dead?” The article explored the challenges theologians in that day faced in making God relevant in an increasingly secular society. With science seemingly offering alternative explanations for the world, religion seemed to occupy less space in people’s daily lives.

The issue stirred significant backlash from both the general public and religious communities, with much of the criticism focusing more on the eye-catching cover—featuring bold red text reading “Is God Dead?” on a black background—than on the article’s content itself. Four decades later, The Los Angeles Times included the “Is God Dead?” cover among the “12 magazine covers that shook the world.”

However, as the psalmist reminds us, the atheistic sentiment behind the Time article is not a new one. At its core, sin represents a rebellion and antagonism toward God, preferring His non-existence. Without God, however, there would be no moral standard—no right or wrong—and no force to check humanity’s most selfish and sinful impulses (Romans 1:18-19).

Goodness and God are inseparable. God is good, and all that He does is good (Psalm 119:68). Apart from His influence in the hearts of men, there can be no true goodness on earth. In His absence, evil and darkness will prevail. Those who dismiss His existence foolishly forfeit the opportunity to experience His goodness, particularly the forgiveness and transformation He offers, enabling us to do good. 

Trace all true goodness back to God, for apart from Him there’d be none to be found (James 1:17).

Application questions: Twice the psalmist declares “there is none who does good.”  How are we to understand this statement?  Why are some prone to deny the existence of God despite the clear evidence to the contrary?

MARCH 13

Psalm 52

Psalm 52:8, “But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God.”

The superscription relates this psalm to a horrific episode in David’s life, when Doeg had betrayed and executed the priests of Nob who had helped David.  Not only did Doeg kill eighty-five priests, he killed all the men, women, and children of Nob also (1 Samuel 22:17-23).  Doeg then serves as a symbol of all evildoers, who will be brought low in judgment; whereas David represents the righteous, who will be exalted.

The wicked and the righteous are both likened to a tree in this psalm.  The values of the wicked are completely distorted, being proud, destructive, deceitful, and devious, and loving evil rather than good.  Likened to a tree, the future of the wicked is to be brought down and uprooted from the land of the living (Psalm 52:5).

The righteous, however, having been blessed by God, are likened to a flourishing tree.  The olive tree may last for hundreds of years and is a symbol of longevity and usefulness.  A productive olive tree supplies about six gallons of oil per year.  So, it is with the child of God who trusts in the Lord.  Just as the vitality of a flourishing tree can be traced back to its roots, the vitality of the fruitful Christian is traced back to the intimacy of his walk with Christ.

The key to fruit bearing is abiding in Christ!

Application Questions: Read John 15:1-11.  What is most essential if you are to bear fruit in your Christian life?  What constitutes good fruit in your life?

MARCH 12

Psalm 51

Psalm 51:2, “Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!”

You know the story…David saw Bathsheba, desired her, and had relations with her, resulting in her pregnancy. To cover his sin, he tried to have her husband, Urijah, sleep with her, but he refused. David then arranged for Urijah to be killed in battle. After Bathsheba’s mourning, she became David’s wife. Eventually, Nathan confronted David about his sin, leading to the confession of sin we find in this psalm.

John MacArthur summarized David’s feelings: “Sin made him dirty, guilt made him sick, disobedience made him lonely, and rebellion made him fearful, longing for pardon.”

David’s prayer in Psalm 51 reflects his recognition of his sin’s seriousness and his appeal to God’s mercy (Psalm 51:1-4). He wasn’t just sorry for being caught, but genuinely repented, knowing only God could cleanse his guilt. David accepted full responsibility, acknowledging his sin against God (Psalm 51:3-4). He confessed without excuses, using words like transgressions, sin, evil, and iniquity to describe his offense (Psalm 51:5).

David sought cleansing of his inner being (Psalm 51:6,10). Sin revealed his brokenness, leading him to God, the only remedy. God alone can forgive and create a clean heart (Psalm 51:10). David prayed for a restored heart, joy, and a willing spirit to serve and worship God, desiring to reach sinners. His confession reflected a heart seeking God’s cleansing and restoration, and God answered his prayer.

The sole remedy for sin’s guilt is the genuine repentance and confession that leads to God’s forgiveness and cleansing!

Application Questions: How did David’s sin affect him?  What were some of the important elements of his confession (verses 3-6)?  What did David ask from God?  What lessons can you glean from David’s confession as it pertains to your own confession of sin?

MARCH 11

Psalm 50

Psalm 50:12, “If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine.”

We’ve some family birthdays happening this month and next.  It’s not always easy to decide what to get, especially when most have everything they want or need.  Still, it’s good to express one’s love by way of some kind of special birthday gift.  But what do you give as a gift to the God who has and owns everything?

The psalmist was concerned for true worship of God.  Some imagined God as needing food.  The pagans sacrificed to appease their gods. Some Israelites assumed they were likewise feeding God, and that God needed them to keep him well fed and content.  But the self-existent and self-sufficient God, who owns the “cattle on a thousand hills” (Psalm 50:1), has need of nothing. 

God does not want offerings—not even sacrificial offerings—if they do not express gratitude and joy from the hearts of the givers, as Charles Spurgeon explained: “No longer look at your sacrifices as in themselves gifts pleasing to me, but present them as tributes of your gratitude; it is then that I will accept them, but not while your souls have no love and no thankfulness to offer me.” 

At the heart of true worship is love for God and gratitude for all that He’s done!

Application Questions: Given that God owns everything, why give Him gifts and seek to serve Him?  What is your motivation in giving and serving? 

MARCH 10

Psalm 49

Psalm 49:20, “Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish.”

He was as pompous as a man could be. Walking atop the roof of his royal palace, surveying the vast expanse of his kingdom, he reveled in the pride of what he had built and the glory of his own majesty. But God remained unimpressed. With his boastful words still lingering in the air, a voice from heaven declared, “You shall be driven away from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time will pass over you, until you recognize that the Most High rules over the kingdom of men and gives it to whomever He chooses” (Daniel 4:32). Thus, Nebuchadnezzar fell from the pinnacle of wealth and power into the depths of poverty and shame.

One may possess wealth, status, and impressive accomplishments, but without understanding—particularly a reverence for God—one does not differ from the beasts that perish. Understanding separates mankind from animals. Yet, if a man denies the higher wisdom of knowing his Creator and, like a beast, seeks meaning and purpose solely in this world, his end will be as base and dishonorable as that of any ordinary creature.

The psalmist grasped this truth. A pufferfish may inflate its body to appear larger in the face of danger, but at its core, it remains the same small fish. Similarly, a pompous man may boast of his wealth and power, but without the fear of God, he is no more than a beast. Thus, the psalmist reminds us that we need not fear such men (Psalm 49:5,16). Instead, we are called to trust in God (Psalm 49:15).

“The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.”—Proverbs 29:25

Application Questions: How grievous is the sin of pride?  How much does fear of what others might think or say govern your behavior?  How does trust in God work to eliminate the fear of man?

MARCH 7

Psalm 48

Psalm 48:9, “We have thought on your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple.”

This morning, I visited urgent care for a persistent cough. After prescribing some medication and learning that I am a hospice chaplain, the nurse practitioner asked if she could share her testimony with me. She shared hers with me, then I with her, and together we praised God for how His love has brought so much good into our lives. It was such an encouragement to both of us. It’s always refreshing for Christians to reflect on God’s steadfast love together.

In his sermon “A Worthy Theme for Thought,” Charles Spurgeon envisioned three different people in the church and how each of them could benefit from thinking and speaking more about the lovingkindness of the Lord.

“Now, my dear sister, you’ve spoken about your rheumatism to at least fifty people who have visited you. Why not tell your next visitor about the lovingkindness of the Lord instead?”

“Brother, we’ve all heard about how bad business is for you. You’ve told us every day for years about how you’ve been losing money. Yet, somehow, you’ve always managed to have something left. We know that story—could you not, just once, share about the lovingkindness of the Lord?”

“My friend, I know you often speak of how many professing Christians are not what they claim to be. You also mention how there’s no love in the church. While I agree that God’s people have their flaws, perhaps it’s time to stop focusing on those flaws and instead reflect on the lovingkindness of the Lord.”

There’s no shortage of topics to discuss, but few are more virtuous or relevant than the love of Jesus. As recipients of His boundless love, we each have a personal story to share. His love is a theme so deep and vast that there’s always more to discover and more to express. Our speaking of it glorifies God and uplifts our hearts.

We’ve plenty of good things to think and talk about together.  Few so virtuous as the steadfast Love of God.

Application questions: How can you shift your conversations to focus more on the lovingkindness of the Lord, especially when faced with difficult challenges? In what ways can reflecting on and sharing God’s love with others encourage both you and those around you?

MARCH 6

Psalm 47

Psalm 47:1, “Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!”

One of the highlights of my trips to Uganda was preaching in the village churches. Each church was unique in its own way—some larger, some smaller, some more rustic, but none ever refined. Most had dirt floors, and many lacked doors or windows. Instead of comfortable church seating, adults sat on wooden benches or plastic lawn chairs, and children gathered on the floor. The bathrooms were located outside, and you’d want to take a deep breath before entering.

Despite the lack of modern comforts, the people’s passion for worshiping Jesus remained undeterred. They walked, sometimes from far away, to come together in praise. Once they arrived, they would stay for hours. But no one was watching the clock.

The churches lacked many of the amenities commonly found in American churches. There were no hymnals, chorus books, or PowerPoint screens to display lyrics. Instead, they sang songs passed down through generations or ones they had written themselves. They didn’t have a piano or guitar, but a couple of drums set the rhythm. There was no sound system to amplify their voices, but they didn’t need one—because their voices were powerful enough. And they sang with everything they had.

They sang, they danced, and they worshiped with heartfelt enthusiasm. They worshiped as though they truly meant every word. And they did! They weren’t afraid to clap their hands, wave their arms, or dance with joy. There was no such thing as a loud voice that didn’t belong—everyone sang with passion. After witnessing that kind of vibrant worship, I couldn’t wait to preach!

Some of the differences in worship style are cultural, but the enthusiasm of our Ugandan brothers and sisters in Christ is something that should transcend any culture. It is truly good to worship as if we mean it. The glory of God is something to be celebrated with great joy!

Worship as if you mean it, with heartfelt enthusiasm and joyous praise!

Application Questions: How can you incorporate more enthusiasm into your own worship, whether in a church service or in your personal spiritual life?  In what ways can you embrace different worship styles while ensuring that the heart of worship remains focused on honoring God?

MARCH 5

Psalm 46

Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Every time I visit a hospice patient for the first time, I bring a lap quilt made by my friends at the local Baptist Church. They’ve been making these quilts for years, and by now, I’ve handed out over 150 of them. The patients are always grateful, and these quilts, along with other small acts of kindness, bring a little light into some of the darkest moments.

Each quilt has a patch sewn in the corner with this verse from Psalm 46. The words of this verse are relevant to everyone, but they carry special significance for those nearing the end of their lives. Where do you find refuge, your safe place? There is no better refuge than in God—our Creator who gave His life to save us. Safe in His arms, we need not fear. Where do you find strength when your own resources are exhausted, when pain and discomfort threaten to steal away your hope and determination? Only God’s grace can provide the strength we need in those moments.

One patient stands out in my memory. She was a neighbor and a dear friend who spent 20 months in hospice. A former sheep rancher, she was fiercely independent and initially uninterested in spiritual matters. Week after week, as her strength faded, we talked more and more about Jesus. Eventually, just before her passing, a hospice coworker was visiting when the conversation turned to heaven. My friend pointed to the patch on her quilt. She was looking to the One who is “a very present help in trouble,” trusting that He would bring her safely home in His perfect timing. She passed away having faith in Jesus.  But He’s a very present help, not just for those dying, but for all of us. 

The nearness of God is the best antidote for the fears of this world!

Application Questions: When facing challenges, how can you intentionally seek God as your refuge and place your trust in Him?  In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on God as a “very present help” in times of trouble?

MARCH 4

Psalm 45

Psalm 45:1, “My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.”

Psalm 45 is what’s deemed a Royal Psalm and functioned as a wedding song at the occasion of a royal couple.  As with other such psalms, this psalm has typological significance, having both a historical fulfillment and a future and ultimate fulfillment in the King of Kings, Jesus Christ!

From every perspective, and for a host of reasons, the glory and virtue of the King is to be praised.  He excels over all others.  He is virtuous and does awesome deeds.  He is strong and overcomes his foes. His reign is forever and is renowned for its justice.  His palace is beautiful and bears forth pleasant aromas and sounds. 

The heart of the psalmist overflowed with a pleasing theme.  If you wish that for yourself than fill your heart with thoughts of Christ.  Sit at the feet of the Divine Teacher as he opens your eyes ever more to the glories of Christ (John 16:14).  Let His Word richly indwell you and fill your heart to overflowing with praise and thanksgiving (Colossians 3:16-17).  Be so filled up with the Word of Christ that your “tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe” in its desire to exalt Jesus!

A heart overflowing with a pleasing theme is a heart overflowing with Jesus!

Application Questions: How can actively meditating on the glory and virtues of Christ work to transform your perspective?  What steps can you take so that God’s Word richly dwells within you, inspiring you to honor Christ with your words and actions, just as the psalmist does?